Local Sports

The last home game for the St. Albert Merchants before the playoffs is Sunday versus the Wetaskiwin Icemen (15-17-0-4). The puck drops at 8 p.m. at Akinsdale Arena.

The first football team in Paul Kane history will huddle up this fall in the Metro Edmonton High School Athletic Association.

Kyle Gilmour didn’t waste any time making an impact with the touring Canadian sevens in New Zealand.

The St. Albert Steel flashed their playoff form in Wednesday's must-win game at Sherwood Park. Five different players scored and Rhys Hadfield stopped 29 shots in the 5-3 decision against the Crusaders. "From goaltending out, we played pretty solid.

Faceoff is 7 p.m. against the Crusaders in Sherwood Park. The Steel (24-22-2) trail the sixth-place Crusaders (24-20-6) by four points with two games in hand.

It was a sweet repeat for the St. Albert Skyhawks at the Optimist Showdown basketball tournament. In the varsity women's final Saturday, the Skyhawks scored a convincing 72-59 victory against the Paul Kane Blues at the SkyDome.

The Fabulous Harlem Crowns are bringing their slapstick basketball act to Namao tonight. Game time against the Sturgeon Spirits varsity men’s team is 7 p.m. at Sturgeon Composite High School. Tickets are $10 at the door.

The Paul Kane Blues settled for second best at the 21st annual Optimist Showdown in St. Albert. In the varsity men’s final Saturday the Blues lost 69-59 to the Camrose Trojans at Bellerose Composite High School.

The St. Albert Merchants hit rock bottom Sunday in Morinville. Their fourth loss in a row was an embarrassing 7-3 effort against the Jets. Head coach Wes Werhun said the Merchants were not prepared to fight against a very tough opponent.

The 21st annual Optimist Showdown in St. Albert basketball tournament wraps up today at the St. Albert Catholic, Bellerose, Paul Kane and Morinville high schools. The draw features 16 women’s and 16 men’s teams.