Sabres start season

The St. Albert Sabres host the Leduc Oil Kings in tonight’s home opener in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League.

Puck drop is 7:45 p.m. at Akinsdale Arena.

Friday the Sabres play the KC Squires at 7:45 p.m. at Callingwood Arena.

The next home game is Sunday versus the Lloydminster Heat at 5 p.m. at Akinsdale.

In pre-season action the Sabres won four and lost two.

Netminder Matt Murray and defenceman Josh Mahura are the only returning Sabres from the team’s 18-8-7 showing in the nitro north division and first-round playoff loss.

High school football

St. Albert’s high school football teams huddle up Friday in the metro Edmonton league’s Carr conference.

At 7:30 p.m. the Bellerose Bulldogs (2-1) hook up with the O’Leary Spartans (1-2) at Clarke Park.

Last week the Bulldogs fell 14-13 to the St. Albert Skyhawks in the 10th annual Battle of St. Albert.

The doubleheader at Johnny Bright Park kicks off at 5 p.m. between the Skyhawks (2-1) and Salisbury Sabres (2-0). At 7:30 p.m. the Paul Kane Blues (1-2) tackle the Ardrossan Bisons (1-2).

Game admission is $5.

The Skyhawks and Paul Kane were in action Tuesday. The Skyhawks, listed eighth in the Tier III provincial rankings, lined up against the Austin O’Brien Crusaders (1-1) and Paul Kane hosted Salisbury in St. Albert. Scores were unavailable at press time.

Salisbury is ranked fourth in Tier I, Austin O’Brien is third in Tier II and Ardrossan is fourth in Tier IV.

SAPEC tournament

The annual SAPEC junior high volleyball tournament starts Friday at 2 p.m. in St. Albert.

Paul Kane High School and Lorne Akins School host the boys’ matches and Bellerose Composite High School and W.D. Cuts School are the venues for the girls’ matches.

The draw features 56 best-of-three matches, with 16 boys’ and 16 girls’ teams divided into four round robin pools.

Playoffs begin Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The finals are 3:45 p.m. at Paul Kane for the boys and Bellerose for the girls.

St. Albert and area teams include the Lorne Akins Gators, William D. Cuts Crusaders, Vincent J. Maloney Marauders, Sir George Simpson Voyageurs, Elmer S. Gish Warriors, Richard S. Fowler Falcons, ESSMY Leopards, Morinville Wolves, Camilla Thunderbirds, Namao Royals and Sturgeon Heights Eagles.

Last year Riverbend of Edmonton won the boys’ final and St. Hilda of Edmonton repeated as the top girls’ team.

The tournament is sponsored by the St. Albert Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Clinic.

Meanwhile, the SAPEC regular season starts Oct. 4. The defending city champions are Lorne Akins for the girls and W.D. Cuts for the boys.

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