Local Sports

It’s the Year of Firsts for the Sturgeon Spirits. First game, first win, first playoff spot and hopefully the first metro Edmonton championship in Sturgeon’s inaugural football season.

WCC volleyball The 24 th annual Lions Western Canadian Challenge starts Thursday afternoon at Morinville Community High School and the SkyDome. The Morinville Wolves and St. Albert Skyhawks are co-hosting the 24-team volleyball tournament.

Bulldogs roaring The Bellerose Bulldogs are poised to huddle up in the division one Carr conference playoffs after knocking off the Strathcona Lords 37-23 in Friday’s must-win game at Foote Field.

Slash marks The St. Albert Ron Hodgson Slash rebounded from the first loss of the season with the fifth victory in six games in the Alberta Female Hockey League.

Stacking wins together is an unfinished project for the St. Albert Merchants. The Capital Junior B Hockey League team posted back-to-back victories once while going 4-4 to kick off the season.

The Bellerose Bulldogs were on a short leash Friday with the playoffs within reach.

Slash at home Tonight’s home opener for the St. Albert Ron Hodgson Slash starts at 7:45 p.m. against the Lloydminster Steelers at Go Auto Arena. The Slash (4-0) and Lloydminster (1-2) also face off Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Border City.

Midget 15 Flyers The St. Albert Flyers skate twice this weekend in the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League. Game times are 2:45 p.m. today against the PAC Saints (3-0-1) at Glenn Hall Centennial Arena and 7:45 p.m.

Bantam games Two games remain for St. Albert’s bantam teams in the Capital District Minor Football Association. The senior varsity Palmer 49ers (3-1-1) huddle up in the Susan Morgan division against the host Leduc Wildcats (5-0) today at 2:30 p.m.

Every win counts towards a return trip to the Mac’s tournament for the St. Albert Nektar Data Systems Raiders.