Local Sports

The Paul Kane Blues finished lower than expected at the 4A provincial volleyball tournament. Ranked fifth in the 16-team seeding draw, the metro Edmonton premier women’s champions placed eighth overall last weekend in Red Deer.

The St. Albert Steel remain unbeaten after regulation time following Saturday’s overtime decision in Camrose. Reed Linaker’s power-play goal 51 seconds into the five-minute OT period defeated the hometown Kodiaks 3-2.

After a humbling loss Saturday in Lloydminster, the St. Albert Raiders quickly regained their feet the next day and competed for an impressive 6-3 victory over the Sherwood Park Kings at Akinsdale Arena.

Two new ticket packages for the 2011 World Financial Group Continental Cup are now on sale for the Jan. 13 to 16 international curling spectacle at Servus Credit Union Place.

The first game of the season for the 3A provincial women’s basketball champion St. Albert Skyhawks tips off Thursday at the 13th annual Mike Dea Classic.

After shining on the world stage, the best is still to come from St. Albert Steel all-star Reed Linaker.

The St. Albert Merchants and Morinville Jets renew their junior B rivalry Tuesday at Akinsdale Arena. Puck drop is 8 p.m. Prior to games played this weekend, the Merchants (10-9) and Jets (8-9-0-2) were jostling for fourth place in the west division.

Today’s Desjardins Vanier Cup promises to bring out the very best in Chris Dobko and the Calgary Dinos.

The first-place St. Albert Raiders skate this weekend against north division opponents in the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League. The Raiders (11-3-2) play the seventh-place Lloydminster Bobcats (5-10-2) today at 4 p.m. in the Border City.

The St. Albert Steel are the real deal this season with a winning record that is impressive by team standards.