SELKIRK TIMES

Neither team found the score sheet during the first period. Edmonton opened the scoring in the second when Jesse Puljujarvia scored. Edmonton’s lead was short lived as Winnipeg’s Tucker Poolman tied the game two minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. Winnipeg controlled the third frame as Dominic Toninator, Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler all netted third period goals to help Winnipeg secure the 4-1 victory.

Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had 32 saves to help Winnipeg earn the victory on the road at Rogers Place in Edmonton on May 19.

The second game of the series is in Edmonton on May 21. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. CDT.

Jets, Oilers ready for playoff series

Jim Bender

May 18, 2021

BJ-04172021EmontonOilersWinnipegJets02 — Connon McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will face off against Blake Wheeler and the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the National Hockey League Stanley Cup playoffs; which get underway in Edmonton; Alta.; on Wednesday; May 19; 2021. (Brook Jones/Selkirk Settler Times/St. Paul Press & Springfield Times)

Oilers Connor McDavid was dubbed “McJesus” almost as soon as he arrived in Edmonton as the NHL’s No. 1 draft pick in 2015 because fans were expecting him to walk on water.

While McDavid has been absolutely phenomenal since he first started skating on Edmonton’s frozen water, he has yet to lead the Oilers out of the wilderness. But they are hoping this is the year. After all, McDavid led the NHL with 105 points in only 56 games and is now expected to stickhandle the Oilers into the Promised Land.

Who can stop him?

The Winnipeg Jets are trying to find a way when they take on the Oilers in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff series that starts in Edmonton on Wednesday night.

“You’re not stopping this guy completely,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice told reporters. “If you can do it just the right way against Connor McDavid, he’s still putting points up against you, he’s that level of talent. He’s going to get his on his own, you just can’t help him do it.”

Making it even tougher is that Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl finished second in NHL scoring with 84 points.

But, if the underdog Jets hope to win the series, they will have to concentrate on stopping both of the most prolific scorers in the NHL this season.

“The end goal is the same,” said Jets centre Adam Lowry. “It’s about limiting (McDavid’s) chances, it’s about keeping him to the outside, not letting him get to the speed that he’s so accustomed to getting. We know that he’s going to get his chances. We know that they’re both world-class players, so it’s about limiting the number of chances that they get and when they do get those chances, it’s not two or three, it’s a one-and-done kinda thing.”

Shutting McDavid out would likely translate to a Winnipeg victory in the series.

“I mean, he had 105 points so, if I can shut him down, and he gets zero in the game, I think that really odes well for our chances,” Lowry said. “That’s one of those things where you’re not just going out there with the mindset to of flipping pucks out. You kinda want to get up the ice as well. You kinda want to frustrate them and try to create some chances where we can chip in offensively.”

Jets centre Mark Scheifele is also expected to go head-to-head against McDavid, who scored 22 points as Edmonton beat the Jets in seven of nine games this shortened season.

“There’s no secret they’ve had some success against us,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler. “We’ve had a tough time, but that’s in the past. What adjustments we need to make, I’m sure not going to tell you what adjustments that we’re gonna make.

“We’re going to give it our all and see what happens in a seven-game series and see how its shakes out.”

Edmonton will host Game 2 on Friday, with Games 3 and 4 in Winnipeg.

BLUE CHIPS – The Jets were hoping that injured forward Nikolaj Ehlers will be healthy enough to return for Game 1 of the playoffs … School’s still out on whether injured Jets centre Pierre-Luc Dubois can return to action … Word out of Edmonton is that Oilers head coach Dave Tippett will split up Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to start the series.

COVID-19 and Conspiracy Theories

Brook Jones

May 18, 2021

BJ-HenryOzirney01 — Henry Ozirney was the founding pastor of New Life Church in Stonewall Man.,, where he served from 1970 until he retired in 2014. Ozirney is currently the Interim Pastor at New Life Church in Teulon, Man. He writes a weekly column for the Selkirk Settler Times. (Brook Jones/Selkirk Settler Times)

Over the years, I have heard conspiracy theories about many things. For example, it wasn’t Lee Harvey Oswald who killed President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, but rather it was (take your pick) the CIA, Mafia, Castro, LBJ, Teamsters, Freemasons, etc. Another one: Elvis is not dead; in fact someone apparently saw him in Selkirk recently…

Since the Coronavirus Pandemic has hit, there have been a number of “Conspiracy Theories” about it. There are people who are saying that the shutdowns, the wearing of masks, taking the vaccine are all part of a government plan to take over control of our lives.

There are also many who disagree and say this is simply another pandemic, similarly to those all through history, such as the Spanish Flu of 1918-19, the Black Plague, etc. We can expect one of these every 100 years or so.

Now back to those conspiracy theories: there are some Christians who agree. As one pastor recently put it: “This Coronavirus Pandemic is a dress rehearsal to work out the bugs for the globalist agenda of a one world government.” He says that the vaccines will have a computer chip in them which will be used by the AntiChrist for the Mark of the Beast as described in the Book of Revelation in the Bible.

All this has caused a lot of confusion amongst Christians. To top it off, there are many people, good people, wonderful Christians, on both sides of the issue. If it weren’t for this pandemic, they would be agreed on most other Biblical and theological issues.

About that Mark of the Beast, people have asked me, “Do you think taking the vaccine with that chip would be wrong for a Christian?” and my response is, “Not at all.” First of all, there in no such chip in the vaccines. Second, it cannot be the Mark of the Beast and let me explain why. In Revelation 13:16-17, it says, “He (the Anti-Christ) also forced everyone… to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark.”

This Mark has to be instituted by the Antichrist himself and it will be offered to all the people of the world to take as a sign of their belief in him as God. Everyone will clearly know what they are doing when they take the Mark: saying yes to the Antichrist as God. It will have nothing to do with a pandemic. And here is the clincher: the one who is offering that Mark, the Antichrist, has not even emerged on the scene! When he comes, everyone will know, I reassure you.

Probably the closest and most accurate thing you can correctly surmise is that the technology is now readily available which can fulfill this prophecy. But at this point, we are nowhere’s close to that the Mark being instituted and trying to tie it into today’s health crisis is simply not good Biblical exegesis.

So how should we look at these conspiracy theories? Are they correct? My suggestion that the best

way to know for sure whether any of them are true is through the passing of time. Time will tell, I assure

you, whether they were right or wrong. So for myself, I have adopted a “wait and see” attitude.

One final point: when we study the Bible and the things Jesus told us that about His second coming, such as his statement in Matthew 24:36, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”, we have to conclude, that if He doesn’t know the time, obviously, neither can I. But He did say this: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42.) So I live as if His return could be at any moment, yet I recognize that it may not be for a long time. God’s timing is always perfect.

So if all this leads to the return of Christ, I’m thrilled. If we’re to remain and keep serving Him, I love that option too.

Either way, I win.

Einarson chasing gold

Jim Bender

May 17, 2021

Gimli’s ‘Golden Girl,’ Kerri Einarson is seeking her third gold medal this season ‑ and fourth since last year ‑ this week.

Einarson is teaming with Newfoundland’s ‘Golden Boy,’ Brad Gushue to represent Canada in the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland, that starts Monday.

Einarson earned gold in the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts for the second straight year and the Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship with Gushue, who won men’s Olympic gold in 2006. Einarson also won the Grand Slam Players Championship before competing in the women’s worlds, where she failed to medal but clinched an Olympic berth for Canada.

Although no Canadian team has ever won the World Mixed Doubles, Winnipeg’s Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris (who was born in Winnipeg) captured Olympic gold in the discipline in 2018.

Einarson and Gushue need to finish in the top seven in a 20-team field to grasp an Olympic spot for Canada. The field is split into two 10-team groups where each will play nine games. Six teams will make the playoffs.

Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant won the silver medal in 2019 (the 2020 championship was cancelled due to the pandemic).

TSN will televise four of Canada’s games, but not the ones that start at 3 a.m. Central time, and the playoffs.

Einarson, who flew to Aberdeen right after the women’s worlds in Calgary, will finally be able to return home after being away for about six weeks once this championship ends.

Jets take off against Maple Leafs

Brook Jones

May 14, 2021

BJ-05142021TorontoMapleLeafsWinnipegJets01 — Winnipeg Jets forward Nate Thomson goes in on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell during third period action in the National Hockey League game at BellMTS Place in Winnipeg, Man., on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Brook Jones/Selkirk Settler Times/St. Paul Press & Springfield Times)

The Winnipeg Jets earned a big win against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at BellMTS Place in Winnipeg, Man., on Friday, May 14.

Up next for the Jets is the first round playoff series of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers.

Royals hockey player awarded Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship

Brook Jones

May 14, 2021

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Submitted by the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association is excited to announce the recipients of the 2021 Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarships (hockey) and the Garrett Lee Sidor Memorial Scholarship (basketball), All MHSAA member schools from across Manitoba were invited to nominate individuals from their respective high school hockey and basketball teams.

The Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship is awarded in honour of Alexander Josephson, a student at St. John’s Ravenscourt School, who tragically passed in a car accident in 2005. Alexander was a member of the 2003 Provincial Hockey Championship team and was selected as a Provincial All-Star. The recipients of this scholarship are students who demonstrate strong leadership and team play, high scholastic standing, a hard-working attitude, and who are proceeding to a post-secondary institution. A male and female high school hockey student athlete each receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Trinity Grove of Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School maintains a 98% academic average while participating with the Lord Selkirk Royals in hockey and basketball. She is a multi-sport athlete and a multi-positional hockey player. Trinity was named the 2020 WWHSHL CTV Division Defenseman of the Year. Trinity also competes with the Winnipeg Avros, at centre, where she has been recognized numerous times for her hockey accomplishments. Her hockey IQ and relentless work ethic has landed her spot on both the power play and penalty kill. Trinity has signed with the University of Regina Cougars Women’s hockey team for 2021-2022. She has the younger players on her team looking up to her and you can see they want to have the same impact on the ice that she has. Trinity understands the game of hockey and can break it down for others. Trinity was also named to Team Manitoba’s 19U female basketball team for the 2020 North American Indigenous Games.

Ben Talbot of Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School maintains an academic average of 85%. Ben has an infectious positive and upbeat attitude that made him a very popular teammate. During league play over Ben’s three seasons with the high school team he was a perfect 15-0 with a 1.36 GAA. Ben is always one of the first members of the team to volunteer for team activities in the community no matter how big or small. He is well known at the local Dauphin Lake Golf Resort where you can find him over the summer working on his game and doesn’t hesitate to offer younger golfers tips and advice. Ben works at Parkland Source For Sports and takes pride in helping everyone in the Parkland area find the equipment they need to enjoy the sport they play. Ben has led by example in the dressing room and on the ice. He is the hardest worker in practice and games doing whatever the coaches ask of him. The younger players on the team looked up to him and he helped mold the next goalies for future Dauphin Clippers’ teams.

The Garett Lee Sidor Memorial Scholarship is named after Garrett, who was a student athlete at Windsor Park Collegiate. Garett tragically passed in May 2007, just a couple months after his Windsor Park Royals captured the AAA Provincial Basketball Championship, where he was selected as an All-Star. Garrett was an all-around athlete who participated in hockey, volleyball, and basketball. Garett’s friends and family have come together to put a $750 scholarship in his name to be awarded to a male high school basketball student athlete each year.

Daren Watts of Miles Macdonell Collegiate: “Daren is an outstanding basketball player whose skill, passion, commitment, and attitude embody the characteristics I remember fondly in Garett” says coach Jeff Shaddock. Manitoba Basketball Great Martin Riley has observed Daren and remarked on how hard, efficient, and focused Daren is when training. Daren has played on the varsity basketball team for two years and played for both for the Attack and Attack Academy Club. He has done scorekeeping in the men’s league and WMBA youth tournaments, a volunteer at Youth Broadway Outreach, and works with elementary children to help them with homework in a mentorship role. Daren also worked with the Attack Academy basketball program training youth players and has done 1 on 1 training with youth for the WMBA. In 2021, Daren was featured in the Winnipeg Sun as one of the top high school players in Manitoba. Daren maintains an academic average of 85% and has signed with the University of Manitoba Bisons’ basketball team.

Outstanding Manitobans chosen to receive the Order of Manitoba

Submitted

May 14, 2021

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Submitted by the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba

Twelve Manitobans, whose contributions encompass a broad range of endeavours and accomplishments, will soon receive the Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour. The formal investiture ceremony is tentatively scheduled to be held on July 15, 2021, at the Manitoba Legislative Building, subject to the COVID-19 Pandemic Response System.

The Order of Manitoba was established in 1999 to honour Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents.

“The exceptional women and men to be invested into the Order of Manitoba serve to inspire us all and reinforce that each of us has the power to make a difference,” said Lt.-Gov. Janice C. Filmon, chancellor of the order, who will preside over ceremony. “These individuals truly exemplify resiliency, adaptability and leadership, and they are all most worthy of acknowledgement and acclaim. We are proud to celebrate the passion and leadership of these great Manitobans.”

Appointments to the order are made by the chancellor, based on the recommendations of an advisory council. Order members are entitled to use the initials O.M. after their names for life. The list of all members of the Order of Manitoba is on permanent display in the Legislative Building.

The following Manitobans will be invested at the 2021 ceremony:

Mr. Steve Bell
An award-winning singer and songwriter, Bell continues to use his artistic talents to inspire, entertain and inform audiences across Canada and the U.S. He has received many prestigious awards including multiple Juno Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, Prairie Music Awards and Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards.

Mr. Franklin (Lynn) Bishop
An executive leader in the Canadian transportation industry and a volunteer leader in the fields of sport and health care, Bishop has demonstrated excellence throughout his career. He led the federal government’s Caribbean Airport Project, served as CEO of Winnipeg International Airport, played key roles in the establishment of Winnport Logistics and its evolvement into Cargojet, Canada’s leading air cargo carrier, and is a past president of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club as well as past board chair of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation.

Elder Ruth Christie
Christie has dedicated her life to Indigenous history preservation, education and service to the community, notably in her storytelling, historical re-enactment and teaching to scholars, students and the general public. Through her work, she makes a deep understanding of Indigenous, colonial and Canadian history accessible to people in Manitoba, as well as nationally and internationally.

Dr. Michael Eskin, C.M.
A global leader in canola research and one of the world’s leading food science writers, Eskin earned the Order of Canada in 2016 for his work on the physicochemical and functional properties of canola oil that is key to the success of the Canadian canola oil industry. His work changed the agricultural landscape in Manitoba and Canada, making canola oil the third-largest major oilseed crop in the world.

Dr. Gordon Goldsborough
The current president of the Manitoba Historical Society, Goldsborough is an aquatic ecologist who studies the impact of humans and invasive species on lakes and wetlands. He has guided conservation policy for wetlands across the country including Lake Winnipeg. He is the author of the popular Abandoned Manitoba books and stars on the CBC radio segment of the same name.

Mr. Gregg Hanson, C.M.
Former president and CEO of Wawanesa Mutual, Hanson has made his mark on the Manitoba community in a career highlighted by corporate responsibility and outstanding community service. An Order of Canada recipient, he has supported a variety of causes including poverty reduction in First Nations education. Now retired, he chairs an early childhood development initiative to assist Winnipeg’s most vulnerable children.

Mr. Kyle Irving
The co-owner of Eagle Vision, Irving has showcased Canada’s Indigenous people, history, arts and culture for over 20 years. He has produced numerous award-winning feature films including the five-time Oscar-nominated Capote and the seminal We Were Children. He is also the executive producer of the Manitoba-set international hit drama series Burden of Truth, the ground-breaking series Taken, and the globally broadcast Ice Road Truckers. As an industry leader, he is dedicated to the development and elevation of Manitoba storytellers and filmmakers.

Ms. Ava Kobrinsky
One of the founding directors of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Kobrinsky is a force in the cultivation, nurturing and flourishing of contemporary folk music in Manitoba and Canada. She was the general manager the West End Cultural Centre and the Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous, and has also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Prairie Theatre Exchange, the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre and the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers.

Ms. Claudette Leclerc
An accomplished advocate of provincial arts, culture and heritage, Leclerc has made a significant impact on arts organizations in her accomplished career including the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Folklorama and most recently as president and CEO of The Manitoba Museum. Earning many professional honours over the course of her career, she was named a Fellow of the Canadian Museum Association in 2015.

Ms. Doris Mae Oulton
A prominent advocate for women’s rights, Oulton has made many important contributions to Manitoba’s life and culture. She is currently chair of the Nellie McClung Foundation and the Canadian Federation of University Women Charitable Trust, and was the former assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Women’s Directorate. Her community contributions have been recognized locally and internationally, for their significance.

Mr. Greg Selinger
A graduate of the University of Manitoba’s School of Social Work, Selinger worked in social service in Winnipeg’s north end, before pursuing further education in public administration at Queen’s University and earning a PhD from the London School of Economics. In 1989, he was elected to Winnipeg’s City Council and in 1999 became the member of the legislative assembly for St. Boniface. He won his first election campaign as NDP leader, capturing 37 of 57 seats in October 2011, to become Manitoba’s 21st premier.

Mr. Arni Thorsteinson
One of Manitoba’s leading entrepreneurs, Thorsteinson has long-demonstrated outstanding community leadership through his business initiatives and his philanthropic generosity, especially in support of the arts, education and human rights. The founder of Winnipeg-based Shelter Properties, he also spearheaded the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) capital campaign, and was appointed as its first board chair.

For more information about the Order of Manitoba, or to nominate a deserving Manitoban for next year, visit www.manitobalg.ca.

Celebrating the 151st anniversary of Manitoba Day

Brook Jones

May 12, 2021

BJ-05122021ManitobaLegislativeBuilding01 — The Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg, Man., shines bright on Manitoba Day on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. (Brook Jones/Selkirk Settler Times/St. Paul Press & Springfield Times)

Statement from Premier Brian Pallister and Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox

Together, we virtually join all Manitobans, near and abroad, to mark Manitoba Day. On this day 151 years ago, the Manitoba Act received royal assent, paving the way to our province’s entry into the Canadian Confederation, the only province to do so under Indigenous leadership.

Manitoba Day is an opportunity to explore our history as well as to acknowledge, honour and celebrate our province’s diverse mosaic of people and cultures, whether it be those who have made their lives on these lands for thousands of years, hundreds of years, for decades or who have recently made Manitoba their new home. All have enriched our province with their stories, languages and traditions.

Understanding our history helps us to build community partnerships, common understandings and shared experiences. We need these connections now more than ever.

This past year has been like no other. COVID-19 has handed us new challenges and even greater challenges than before. This pandemic has been marked with incredible loss, but it has also shown Manitobans at their finest. Your determination, compassion and commitment to help protect your fellow Manitobans has enabled all of us to face these challenges head on, together.

Manitobans should take pride in the collective work we are continuing to do to keep each other safe. Manitobans have embraced this task in the same spirit in which we have supported each other in previous times of peril.

Today we reflect on this special day in Manitoba’s history, and we look forward to the day we celebrate Manitoba’s past, present and future, together in person with our friends and loved ones. Manitoba has been the hope of hope for over 150 years and we are confident it will continue to be so for generations to come.