Local Sports

The St. Albert Steel were gung-ho to start the playoffs this weekend in Fort McMurray after a dismal end to the regular season with six straight losses.

The St. Albert Sabres face elimination in their best-of-three series against the SSAC Southgate Lions after Thursday’s 3-1 loss in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League playoffs. Game two goes tonight at 8 p.m. at Akinsdale Arena.

If the first round of the playoffs can be used as a benchmark for success, the St. Albert Sabres have proven themselves as a formidable opponent in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League.

The Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games get under way Thursday in St. Albert with the ATCO Gas Torch Relay. The first leg of the route starts at 1 p.m., from St. Albert Place to Chateau Mission.

When the playoff puck drops Friday night in Fort McMurray, the St. Albert Steel will be stoked to beat the heavily-favoured Oil Barons.

Jillian Basterash (Edmonton WAM!): ringette – silver (9-5-14 points) Nelson Gadoury (St. Albert Raiders): U16 hockey – bronze (two assists) Marisa Dick: artistic gymnastics – 19th all-around out of 36 competitors.

Alpine skier Frank Vettergreen hasn’t lost his competitive edge on the slippery slopes at the vintage age of 74. “If you can still do it, why not?” said the spry medal contender at the Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games.

The St. Albert Steel are surprisingly upbeat about their playoff fortunes despite their losing ways recently. “We’re not pushing the panic button just yet,” said goalie Rhys Hadfield.

The St. Albert Raiders are playing the waiting game with a first-round bye in the midget AAA playoffs.

The finish line is only three months away for the organizers of the Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games in St. Albert. "Our goal is to put on the best 55 Plus Winter Games there has ever been," declared Stephen Bourdeau, games manager for the Feb.