This week in sports

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings travelled to the Bell Centre to take on the Montreal Canadiens on March 21. The Wings came out with a goal in the first period to take the lead 1-0 which they held for the first 40 minutes of the game. The Canadiens were able to break the shutout in the third period tying it at 1-1. The teams were unable to find the net again in regulation which sent the game to overtime where the Wings managed to slide one in, winning the game 2-1 in overtime. The Montreal Canadiens have clinched a playoff spot and are set to play the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Red Wings sit in second last place in the Eastern Conference and will not make the playoffs for the first time in 25 years.

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the New Jersey Devils on March 24. Both teams opened up scoring quickly in the first period but the Leafs managed to take the lead going into the second period, 2-1. The Devils lost their edge in the second, failing to score a goal themselves but allowing the Leafs another to bring the score to 3-1. William Nylander’s first period goal, he extended his point-streak to 10 games, a new rookie franchise record for the Leafs. Auston Matthews also got two points on the night, putting him only six points from Peter Ihnacak’s 66 point rookie record. Mitch Marner was also able to add his name to the Leafs rookie record book. Marner assisted on Van Riemsdyk’s second period goal giving Marner 40 assists and tying him with Gus Bodnar who set the rookie record in the ’43-’44 season.

NCAA March Madness

The NCAA March Madness Tournament is taking place with universities across America competing against each other. There are currently 68, Division I institutions competing in this year’s March Madness Tournament and teams are dwindling down as they determine who will be going to the finals. The tournament is now in its third round with 16 teams left, including the University of Michigan. Michigan played Oregon University on March 23, with Oregon pulling off a 69-68 win. Oregon moves on to the next round to play Kansas, who beat Purdue. The final game is scheduled for April 1.

Spitfires

The Windsor Spitfires closed out the regular season March 18 in Saginaw at the Dow Event Center. The Spitfires scored twice in the first period and kept the Spirit to only one goal, leading 2-1. The Spitfires took the 4-2 win, and advance to the OHL playoffs to play the London Knights in the first round. The first game will be March 24 at the Budweiser Gardens. The second game will be March 26 also at the Budweiser Gardens and the third game will be March 28 at the WFCU Arena.

Lancers

The Windsor Lancers women’s basketball team played off against the McMaster Mauraders in the fight for the bronze medal on March 4 at the St. Denis Centre. The Lancers started out slow but caught their stride in the second half, winning 75-64 and taking the bronze medal for this year, adding their ninth OUA title.

PJHL

The Essex 73’s defeated the Lakeshore Canadiens in the Stobbs Division finals of the PJHL Western Conference. They are now facing the Dorcherster Dolphins in the Western Conference finals. So far they lead the series 1-0 with a 3-2 overtime win in Game One. They are set to play March 24 in the Dorchester Rink and then on March 26 at the Essex Centre Sports Complex.