Local Sports

The Vernon Iron Ghost Construction Tigers (white jerseys) were slated to play the South Okanagan Flames in their Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League home opener Saturday, May 7, at Kal Tire Place. The Flames, though, did not have enough players for the game and forfeited the contest, 1-0. (Black Press file photo)

Vernon Tigers score forfeit junior lacrosse win over South Okanagan

Flames cite lack of players for Thompson Okanagan Junior League tilt; Vernon wins 1-0

Vees right winger Casey McDonald takes the puck to the Warriors. (Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography)

Penticton Vees shutout West Kelowna 6-0 in second win of series

Warriors will have to try and dig themselves out of this hole on home ice Monday

Penticton Vees goaltender Kaeden Lane contributed to the team’s league-best goals-against average mark during the 2021-2022 regular season. (Photo: Jack Murray)

Coaches from Penticton Vees, West Kelowna Warriors preview anticipated playoff series

The first game of the Interior Conference Finals will be played on Friday, April 29, at the SOEC

Armstrong’s DJ Crowe (left) celebrates his first-ever hole-in-one on the 7th hole at the Overlander Golf and Events Centre Saturday, April 16. His dad, Jesse – Overlander’s director of golf – filmed the historic ace. (Instagram photos)

VIDEO: Armstrong golf pro records son’s first-ever ace

DJ Crowe puts it in the hole at Overlander’s Par-3 7th hole from 125 yards out with dad Jesse filming the tee shot

Armstrong’s DJ Crowe (left) celebrates his first-ever hole-in-one on the 7th hole at the Overlander Golf and Events Centre Saturday, April 16. His dad, Jesse – Overlander’s director of golf – filmed the historic ace. (Instagram photos)
The Kelowna Raiders (black jerseys) exploded for nine goals in the final 20 minutes to beat the hometown Vernon Tigers 15-9 in Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League exhibition play Saturday, April 16, at Kal Tire Place North. The league is back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. (Morning Star - file photo)

Kelowna Raiders outgun Vernon Tigers

Visiting Raiders score nine in final period for 15-9 Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League pre-season win

The Kelowna Raiders (black jerseys) exploded for nine goals in the final 20 minutes to beat the hometown Vernon Tigers 15-9 in Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League exhibition play Saturday, April 16, at Kal Tire Place North. The league is back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. (Morning Star - file photo)
(Photo - Fresh Air Kelowna Cherry Blossom Triathlon)

Kelowna’s Cherry Blossom triathlon returns after two-year hiatus

The triathlon takes place on Sunday, May 1

(Photo - Fresh Air Kelowna Cherry Blossom Triathlon)
Vernon freestyle skier Elena Gaskell is an RBC Olympian. The Canadian Olympic Committee’s official talent search — RBC Training Ground — is coming to UBC Okanagan in Kelowna on Sunday, April 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Olympic talent search coming to UBC Okanagan

RBC Training Ground, a free program for athletes aged 14-25, will be held at UBCO on April 10

Vernon freestyle skier Elena Gaskell is an RBC Olympian. The Canadian Olympic Committee’s official talent search — RBC Training Ground — is coming to UBC Okanagan in Kelowna on Sunday, April 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Tyler Chan of the Vernon Vipers is pinned to the boards by West Kelowna’s Zach Reim while Jayden Price comes in to help during the Warriors’ 4-3 BCHL win Saturday, Dec. 11, at Kal Tire Place. The two rivals face each other in Round 1 of the league playoffs starting Friday in West Kelowna. (Lisa Mazurek - Vernon Vipers Photography)

Eight years between playoff dates for Vernon Vipers, West Kelowna Warriors

Vernon eliminated West Kelowna in six in 2014; best-of-7 conference series starts Friday in West Kel

Tyler Chan of the Vernon Vipers is pinned to the boards by West Kelowna’s Zach Reim while Jayden Price comes in to help during the Warriors’ 4-3 BCHL win Saturday, Dec. 11, at Kal Tire Place. The two rivals face each other in Round 1 of the league playoffs starting Friday in West Kelowna. (Lisa Mazurek - Vernon Vipers Photography)
The Vancouver Canucks have offered a West Kelowna man four free tickets to an April 9 game against the San Jose Sharks after an independent ticketing company denied him an almost $700 refund in January. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Vancouver Canucks offer West Kelowna man free tickets after refund debacle

The team reached out to Ben Orritt on Monday after he was denied a ticketing refund in January

The Vancouver Canucks have offered a West Kelowna man four free tickets to an April 9 game against the San Jose Sharks after an independent ticketing company denied him an almost $700 refund in January. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
West Kelowna Warriors defenceman Tyson Jugnauth was among the winners as the BCHL team handed out its team hardware Saturday, March 26, following its 10th straight win, a 7-2 decision over the Merritt Centennials. (Tami Quan Photography)

West Kelowna Warriors rolling into BCHL playoffs

Warriors end regular season with 7-2 triumph over Merritt for 10th straight win; hand out awards

West Kelowna Warriors defenceman Tyson Jugnauth was among the winners as the BCHL team handed out its team hardware Saturday, March 26, following its 10th straight win, a 7-2 decision over the Merritt Centennials. (Tami Quan Photography)
Apex Mountain ends the season with the popular Dummies Downhill event April 2. (Apex Mountain)

VIDEOS: Dummies Downhill and Slush Cup end ski season at South Okanagan slopes

Apex hosts Dummies Downhill April 2 and Baldy Mountain hosts Slush Cup April 3

Apex Mountain ends the season with the popular Dummies Downhill event April 2. (Apex Mountain)
Vernon Vipers forward Cameron MacDonald (right) speeds away from a falling Christophe Farmer of the West Kelowna Warriors in BCHL action Sunday, March 20, in West Kelowna. The Warriors dumped Vernon 6-1. (Tami Quan Photography)

UPDATE: West Kelowna Warriors thump Vernon Vipers in first-round playoff preview

Warriors’ 6-1 win Sunday at home means they’ll face the Vipers in the opening round of BCHL post-season

Vernon Vipers forward Cameron MacDonald (right) speeds away from a falling Christophe Farmer of the West Kelowna Warriors in BCHL action Sunday, March 20, in West Kelowna. The Warriors dumped Vernon 6-1. (Tami Quan Photography)
Some Williams Lake U11 hockey players enjoyed a game wearing NHL jerseys at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Back row from left, Callum Peterson - Dallas, Kalen Surette - Vegas, Mike Palmantier - Seattle, Kloey Spence - Vancouver, Tryan Rivet - Pittsburgh, Gavin Francis - Carolina, Cole Olsen - Nashville, Henry Larsson-Allan - Philadelphia, third= row from left, Deklan Fraser - Calgary, Landon Galisky - Buffalo, Matthew Boyd-Gilbert - Detroit, Easton Neuner - St. Louis, Jackson Sache - Anaheim, Flynn Kinley - Edmonton, Lane Judd - Winnipeg, second row from left, Carter McLennan - Arizona, Luc Harrison - Columbus, Sophie Johnson - New Jersey, Jayda Frizzi - New York Islanders, Parker Cook - Colorado, front row from left Zion Campbell - Toronto and Wade Hansen - Montreal. (Clay Palmantier photo)

22 NHL jerseys = fun game on ice

Williams Lake hockey dad Clay Palmantier organized the event

Some Williams Lake U11 hockey players enjoyed a game wearing NHL jerseys at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Back row from left, Callum Peterson - Dallas, Kalen Surette - Vegas, Mike Palmantier - Seattle, Kloey Spence - Vancouver, Tryan Rivet - Pittsburgh, Gavin Francis - Carolina, Cole Olsen - Nashville, Henry Larsson-Allan - Philadelphia, third= row from left, Deklan Fraser - Calgary, Landon Galisky - Buffalo, Matthew Boyd-Gilbert - Detroit, Easton Neuner - St. Louis, Jackson Sache - Anaheim, Flynn Kinley - Edmonton, Lane Judd - Winnipeg, second row from left, Carter McLennan - Arizona, Luc Harrison - Columbus, Sophie Johnson - New Jersey, Jayda Frizzi - New York Islanders, Parker Cook - Colorado, front row from left Zion Campbell - Toronto and Wade Hansen - Montreal. (Clay Palmantier photo)
Vernon Vipers forward Matthew Culling (right) has committed to his hometown University of Regina Cougars for the 2022-23 hockey season. (Lisa Mazurek - Vernon Vipers Photography)

Vernon Vipers forward to play college hockey at home

Matt Culling, from Regina, commits to U. of Regina; Vipers host West Kelowna Warriors Wed., March 9, 7 p.m.

Vernon Vipers forward Matthew Culling (right) has committed to his hometown University of Regina Cougars for the 2022-23 hockey season. (Lisa Mazurek - Vernon Vipers Photography)
Adam Kingsmill, far right, celebrates the opening of the 2022 Paralympic Games with Canadian teammates in Beijing, China. (Facebook photo)

Northwest B.C. Paralympic hockey player takes to the ice in Beijing tonight

The opening hockey game of the 2022 Paralympics features rematch of 2018 gold medal final with USA

Adam Kingsmill, far right, celebrates the opening of the 2022 Paralympic Games with Canadian teammates in Beijing, China. (Facebook photo)
Jack Black (left), Bryden Ezekiel (right) and the rest of the Vernon H&L Glass Atom A Development Junior Vipers hockey squad continued their undefeated league play Feb. 27 and 28. (Contributed)

Vernon Junior Vipers defeat Kamloops, West Kelowna

Unbeaton H&L Glass Atom A Development hockey squad has one league game before playoffs

Jack Black (left), Bryden Ezekiel (right) and the rest of the Vernon H&L Glass Atom A Development Junior Vipers hockey squad continued their undefeated league play Feb. 27 and 28. (Contributed)
Brianna Falk, Dallas Hancox and Keaton Souster; the three UBCO seniors will be honoured during this weekend’s games (Photo - Conan Shing Photography)

Massive weekend for Kelowna sports teams

22 sporting events will be played over the long weekend

Brianna Falk, Dallas Hancox and Keaton Souster; the three UBCO seniors will be honoured during this weekend’s games (Photo - Conan Shing Photography)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks goalie Owen Say stops West Kelowna’s Nick Roukounakis during Salmon Arm’s 2-1 BCHL road win over the Warriors Saturday, Feb. 5. (Tami Quan Photography)

Tassy’s OT winner lifts Salmon Arm past West Kelowna

BCHL: Silverbacks score 2-1 road victory in West Kelowna Saturday, Feb. 5

  • Feb 6, 2022
Salmon Arm Silverbacks goalie Owen Say stops West Kelowna’s Nick Roukounakis during Salmon Arm’s 2-1 BCHL road win over the Warriors Saturday, Feb. 5. (Tami Quan Photography)
One of Canada’s most successful athletes ever, Brian McKeever (right), is set to compete in his sixth Paralympic Winter Games. The nation’s Para-Nordic team is preparing for Beijing 2022 at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre near Penticton. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

‘Immensely proud’: Canada’s Para Nordic team training for Beijing 2022 near Penticton

Nickel Plate Nordic Centre has the same altitude (1,800 metres) as the Paralympic hills in China

One of Canada’s most successful athletes ever, Brian McKeever (right), is set to compete in his sixth Paralympic Winter Games. The nation’s Para-Nordic team is preparing for Beijing 2022 at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre near Penticton. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)
BC School Sports has been in talks with the Ministry of Education to reverse a decision that prevents school sports tournaments from happening, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

BC School Sports ‘hopeful’ Ministry of Education will reverse tournaments restriction

Recent decision allows club sport but prevents school tournaments from taking place

BC School Sports has been in talks with the Ministry of Education to reverse a decision that prevents school sports tournaments from happening, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)