Local Sports

With mother nature seemingly giving us our first sniff of summer's potential arrival, Laird International Raceway was back in business for its fourth year Thursday night with the opening race of the season.

Commissioner David Branch has often referred to the Ontario Hockey League as the world's top producer of talent for the National Hockey League.

For the second year in a row, Ted Nolan has been denied a National Hockey League opportunity to coach in New York. Last year, Nolan lost out to Peter Laviolette for the head coaching job with the Islanders.

The Sault Storm will welcome the return of an old friend when it plays host to the Markham Raiders in Northern Football Conference action this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field.

Two weeks ago, SooToday.com, through reliable sources, reported that ex-NHLers Steve Ludzik and Mark Osborne were headed to the Ontario Hockey League Mississauga IceDogs as a coaching tandem. Well, as usual, our sources were bang on.

Sam Biasucci is not selling the Soo Thunderbirds after all. Biasucci told SooToday.com earlier today that he is "tired of waiting for them (a group interested in taking over the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey Association team) to get their act together.

Sault Storm head coach Barry Rushon left North Bay satisfied despite a season-opening 38-32 loss to the Bulldogs in Northern Football Conference action on Saturday. "The guys played with a lot of heart.

SARNIA -- The Sault Sabercats made their Ontario Varsity Football League debut here Saturday, losing 32-12 to the Lambton Lions before a rowdy crowd of more than 1,200. Tony Boniferro was the offensive star for the Sabercats.

The Sixers beat the Wizards 43-35 Saturday to win the boys division, spring session, Algoma Basketball Association title. Joey Lamon sparked the Sixers with 21 points and Josh Marasco added 10.

(ED. NOTE: SooToday.com begins its daily coverage of local sports with this story. Look for complete local coverage daily in this section.