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Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Tony Jones says the Bombers defence can change a game.

Bombers’ D ready to make a difference

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Yesterday at 7:58 PM CDT

You see it in hockey all the time when a hot goalie steals a playoff series.

What about football, can a stout defence do something similar at the most important time of year?

“Oh, guaranteed. We feel like we can change the game,” said Blue Bombers linebacker Tony Jones after Tuesday’s practice at Princess Auto Stadium.

“We got the guys to go out there and force a fumble or get an interception. We just feel as a defence we can get the ball back a lot more times to our offence to go help them get more points if they are struggling.”

Manitoba Open

Bombers embracing dark horse role in post-season

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bombers embracing dark horse role in post-season

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:43 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are well aware history isn’t on their side.

There’s been 12 crossover teams in CFL history dating back to 1997 and none have made it to the Grey Cup, let alone win it.

The Blue and Gold (10-8) are hoping No. 13 proves to be lucky as their fourth-place finish in the West Division sends them to Montreal on Saturday for the Eastern semifinal (1 p.m. CT kickoff) against the Alouettes (10-8).

“I find that very intriguing and very motivating for us to be the first,” said running back Brady Oliveira after Tuesday’s practice.

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Yesterday at 6:43 PM CDT

Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are anything but the average underdog in this year’s playoffs, with five straight Grey Cup appearances under their belt.
Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are anything but the average underdog in this year’s playoffs, with five straight Grey Cup appearances under their belt.

Nyquist improving ‘all the time’: Arniel

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Nyquist improving ‘all the time’: Arniel

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Yesterday at 5:25 PM CDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gustav Nyquist is still searching.

The Winnipeg Jets winger feels the transition is coming along, perhaps not as quickly as he would like, but strides forward are being taken nonetheless.

No, the offensive totals are not eye-popping, with three assists to show for his first nine games going into Tuesday’s contest with the Minnesota Wild.

Yet, Nyquist is adapting to a new system and has been churning through a high number of different linemates during the first month of the campaign.

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Yesterday at 5:25 PM CDT

MATT SLOCUM / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

After a difficult 2024-25 season between the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets forward Gustav Nyquist is banking on himself to bounce back this season with his new club.
MATT SLOCUM / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES After a difficult 2024-25 season between the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets forward Gustav Nyquist is banking on himself to bounce back this season with his new club.

Winnipeg Jets hoping for a hot start against Utah Mammoth

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Winnipeg Jets hoping for a hot start against Utah Mammoth

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

The Winnipeg Jets are about to face one of their biggest early tests of the young hockey season.

Sunday’s clash with the Utah Mammoth at Canada Life Centre will be a showdown between two of the NHL’s top teams right now — not only in the Central Division, but league-wide.

Winnipeg enters with a 6-2-0 record, while Utah carries an identical mark into Saturday’s meeting with the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul. After a few years of steady progress, the Mammoth are beginning to come of age and announce their arrival to the rest of the league.

“We know the skill that they have, and obviously they’ve taken a big step forward. So it will be a challenge,” Jets defenceman Neal Pionk said Saturday following an optional skate at the downtown rink.

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Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Connor Hellebuyck makes a save against Seattle Kraken’s Jordan Eberle during the third period in Winnipeg on Thursday. Hellebuyck will return to the net Sunday against Utah.
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Connor Hellebuyck makes a save against Seattle Kraken’s Jordan Eberle during the third period in Winnipeg on Thursday. Hellebuyck will return to the net Sunday against Utah.

Survey says… Bombers O-lineman appears on Family Feud

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Preview

Survey says… Bombers O-lineman appears on Family Feud

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

What’s more nerve-wracking: playing pro football in front of 30,000-plus fans or being put on the spot by Steve Harvey on one of television’s most iconic game shows?

That’s a question only Blue Bombers offensive lineman Asotui Eli can answer.

Eli and his wife Tiana’s family participated in Family Feud in February and their two episodes finally aired earlier this week.

“It’s a different kind of atmosphere, but I’d say they’re similar. I’d say Family Feud challenged me a little more mentally,” said Eli following Friday’s walkthrough.

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Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

YOUTUBE

Bombers offensive lineman Tui Eli (left) recently appeared on an episode of Family Feud with Steve Harvey.
YOUTUBE Bombers offensive lineman Tui Eli (left) recently appeared on an episode of Family Feud with Steve Harvey.

Calvert and McDonald in showdown for Olympic trials berth

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Preview

Calvert and McDonald in showdown for Olympic trials berth

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

There will be two Manitoba men’s teams in the hunt for an Olympic berth.

While Matt Dunstone’s seat in the Canadian men’s curling trials is already secured, he found out Friday that he will be joined by another team from the Keystone Province.

Assiniboine’s Jordon McDonald and Braden Calvert of Fort Rouge are on the doorstep of the biggest win of their respective careers, facing off in the Canadian men’s pre-trials finals in Wolfville, N.S..

The winner advances to next month’s trials in Halifax, and the winner of that tournament will have earned the right to don the Maple Leaf at the Olympic Winter Games in Italy this winter.

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Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

Matt Packwood / The Brandon Sun files

Jordon McDonald’s team is one win away from a spot in the Canadian men’s Olympic trials.
Matt Packwood / The Brandon Sun files Jordon McDonald’s team is one win away from a spot in the Canadian men’s Olympic trials.

Rashford and Bellingham face off in El Classico

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Preview

Rashford and Bellingham face off in El Classico

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

It isn’t often you get a “first” in El Clasico. Not when Real Madrid and Barcelona have been battling for more than a century, and not after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi completely reconfigured the rivalry’s statistical categories.

There will be one during Sunday’s match at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (10:15 a.m., TSN3).

For the very first time, a pair of Englishmen will go head-to-head in club football’s most famous contest. On the home side: Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, born in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. On the guests’: Barca’s Marcus Rashford, born in Manchester.

Both are England internationals. Both are coming off disappointing seasons. Both scored midweek in the Champions League. Both have well-known attitude problems.

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Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

MATT SLOCUM / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
MATT SLOCUM / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.

Sports Editor's Picks

Winnipeg Free Press:

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Mike McIntyre:

Lowry a leader in every sense of word

Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry (17) celebrates as Kyle Connorís (not shown) shot sneaks through the pads of Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for the winning goal in NHL overtime action in Winnipeg, Thursday, December 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Taylor Allen:

Sky’s the limit for ‘Double Gold’ MacDonald

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS sports - jiu jitsu fighter, Logan MacDonald What: Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter who recently won gold at an event in California. Family owns a BJJ gym in town. Photos of Logan with his dad, MATT MACDONALD, in their home gym. See Taylor's story Dec 13th, 2022

Mike Sawatzky:

Deadline deal pays off for Terriers

Scott Stroh photo Defenceman Hayden Lacquette has become a key cog in Portage’s attack.

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Bob Dyce never considered coaching as a career; now he’s a CFL boss

The way the Dyce roll

Mike Sawatzky:

Brennan makes the most of opportunities

SUPPLIED Lucas Brennan is known for his willing to do the work required to improve and be successful on the ice.

More Sports

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Preview

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

With only one week left in the CFL regular season, there’s still plenty to figure out before the playoffs begin.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the only club in the league that heads into Week 21 knowing its fate. At 12-5, win or lose this week, the Riders will finish with the league’s best record and atop the West Division.

We already know the other five teams joining Saskatchewan in the post-season, but we don’t know where they’ll end up. That includes figuring out which West team will be crossing over to the East Division.

While there are several different ways this weekend could unfold, it’s best to start with the teams that control their own destiny.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS files

Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo was key to the Elks turnaround this season.
Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo was key to the Elks turnaround this season.

Morrissey latest Jet to reach franchise milestone

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Morrissey latest Jet to reach franchise milestone

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Milestone magic has been prominent for the Winnipeg Jets in the early part of this season.

By assisting on Mark Scheifele’s game-winning goal on Monday against the Calgary Flames, Josh Morrissey moved past Dustin Byfuglien for the most assists by a defenceman in Jets franchise history.

When asked about the significance of hitting 295 assists, Morrissey was quick to shout out Byfuglien for the impact he’s had on his NHL career.

“My first D partner in the NHL. We played the first 40 or 50 games together as a pairing in my rookie year,” said Morrissey. “I have so much respect for him and I’m very thankful for his mentorship early on and how many things I learned from him. I’m not sure I ever thought I’d pass him in something, but it’s pretty cool. It’s a testament to playing with a lot of great players and a lot of guys that can put the puck in the back of the net.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Matt Slocum / The Associated Press

On Monday against Calgary, Josh Morrissey surpassed Dustin Byfuglien’s mark for most assists by a Jets defenceman.
Matt Slocum / The Associated Press On Monday against Calgary, Josh Morrissey surpassed Dustin Byfuglien’s mark for most assists by a Jets defenceman.

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 1 minute read Preview

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 1 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are expecting a much-needed boost for the post-season.

Head coach Mike O’Shea revealed to reporters after Tuesday’s practice that the team anticipates star receiver Nic Demski (hamstring) will be ready to go two weeks from now when they’re on the road for the West or East semifinal.

Demski pulled up lame on a deep pass attempt in Oct. 11’s 25-20 loss in Edmonton and went on to miss last week’s 17-16 win over Saskatchewan.

O’Shea said Demski, who has been a non-participant at practice this week, won’t play in Saturday’s regular season finale against Montreal.

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Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

Heywood Yu / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers anticipate injured receiver Nic Demski will be able to play in two weeks time when the team is playing in the division semifinal.
Heywood Yu / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Blue Bombers anticipate injured receiver Nic Demski will be able to play in two weeks time when the team is playing in the division semifinal.

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