For the first time in eight years, there will be a new champion in men's hockey at the Canada Winter Games.

Thanks to Team Manitoba, the best two-time defending champion Alberta can do now is bronze, and Toba, as the fans like to call it, will battle for the gold against Ontario.

Manitoba came into the tournament ranked seventh, based on their last performance at the 2003 Games. Seen by some as too small up front, there wasn't much hype for the team, or as the players see it, much respect.

They came to Whitehorse determined to show everyone that things have changed.

'Ranking doesn't mean anything. That was four years ago,' said goaltender Mark Friesen, who hails from Winkler, Man. the same hometown as NHL goaltender Ed Belfour.

'We're not big, but we're quick, and we hit hard,' added forward David Toews, the younger brother of NHL prospect Jonathan Toews, who helped Canada win gold at the world junior championships earlier this year.

'We haven't done that great in this tournament in the past. We want to prove to everyone that we're not just little Manitoba anymore. We set goals at the start of the tournament and we came together as a team. We're a big family.'

They started out with a dominating 12-2 win over P.E.I. on Sunday, followed by a 5-2 loss to Ontario. Even with the loss, they started to turn heads, and when it came time for Tuesday's quarter-final against Quebec, people really started talking.

Manitoba was down 6-5 with just a couple of minutes remaining in regulation, but tied it on a power play and then potted the winner about six minutes into overtime, knocking off the number-two seed and advancing to Wednesday's semifinals.

In the semis, they drew number-one ranked Alberta, but that didn't seem to phase them at all, as they posted a convincing 5-1 win, outshooting them 38-30 and limiting Alberta's quality scoring chances.

Perhaps it shouldn't really have been much of a surprise, considering Manitoba boasts six defenceman from the Western Hockey League (WHL), five of which stand six feet or taller.

'Everyone was really determined before the game,' said Friesen. 'We wouldn't settle for less than a win. It was a pretty tough game, but my D did a good job.

'It's great to beat Alberta, because we haven't been getting a lot of respect.'

'We just battled from start to finish,' added Winnipeg native Toews.

Alberta forward Steele Boomer said his team came out nervous and definitely had some chances they just couldn't capitalize on. He said while he doesn't think they underestimated Manitoba, they may have been looking past them to the gold.

'Manitoba outworked us. That was the difference today,' said Boomer, who winced in pain as he lay in the medical room, where he was receiving treatment after the game.

Manitoba will be looking to do the same thing against Ontario, a team laden with offensive talent and pegged by many as the one to beat coming into the Games. They were given a strong challenge from British Columbia in their semifinal Wednesday, as the two teams remained fairly even throughout regulation.

It was 2-2 after the second period and 3-3 after the third, before Ontario forward Anthony Nigro notched the winner just 13 seconds into overtime.

'I just got the puck out of the corner, I thought it was a nothing play,' said Nigro, who hails from Woodbridge. 'I saw the goalie fumble a bit and just threw it through his legs.'

'It's always nice on a coach when they finish it that quick,' added a relieved Marty Williamson. 'I thought getting out of that second period was really important to us.

'This is a tight-knit group, they know each other well.'

B.C. coach Craig Bedard said he thought his team gave a good effort and had the opportunity to win.

'Anytime a game goes into OT, you have to be happy as a coach. This will take a while to sink it, but I think we'll regroup and get back at it in time for (the bronze medal game).'

Kelowna native Kyle Beach said both teams played like they really wanted the win, adding there were lucky bounces both ways but Ontario got the last one.

'The guys know we came out hard and played well. Hopefully we can put it behind us now and come out and play well , and win bronze.'

Boomer is confident his team has enough left in them to come out flying against B.C. and is determined not to leave the Games without a medal.

'We've been working too hard for too many years to just go away with nothing,' he stated.

The bronze medal game between B.C. and Alberta is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Takhini Arena, while the gold medal game between Ontario and Manitoba is set for 7:30 p.m. at Takhini.

Both Manitoba and Ontario certainly know what to expect from each other, so any element of surprise is gone. Williamson plans to rest his team today, with just a light skate at practice.

Toews said his team needs to be careful not to take too many penalties. Last time they played, Manitoba surrendered two 5-on-3 goals to Ontario.

'I think it's going to be whoever wants it more,' stated Friesen. 'The goal is gold and we aren't going to settle for anything less. We're going to do everything we can to get it.'

Just Call Him The Yukon Killer

Team Yukon took on ninth seed P.E.I. in men's hockey relegation action Wednesday morning at Takhini Arena.

The hometown team, ranked 11th, was leading 3-2 after the second intermission, but then P.E.I. forward Chris Doyle almost single-handedly led his team to a 7-3 victory, scoring three power-play goals from the point.

Doyle, a Charlottetown native who plays for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) P.E.I. Rocket, was the secret weapon for his coach, Kenny MacDougall, who put him on the point all power play, every power play.

'I found a couple of holes, got the puck through, and they went in,' said the modest athlete following the game.

Doyle said MacDougall had a good talk with his team in the dressing room in the second intermission, and the team came out flying in the third, scoring three goals in under two minutes.

'Coach came in and told us to pick it up, we've got Islanders back home watching us.'

There was another big crowd at Takhini Arena cheering on the Yukoners, who for the second straight game found themselves getting into penalty trouble.

Forward Evan Campbell was ejected from the game early in the third for hitting from behind, and then the parade to the box began.

'We were getting really lazy feet, letting go of our sticks, grabbing guys and hooking guys,' said a disappointed Drew Pettitt, who collected a goal and an assist against P.E.I. 'We have to stay out of the box. It's killing us.'

Pettitt said he had mixed emotions about the effort of the team. While he was happy they had a lead going into the third, for the first time in the tournament, he obviously wasn't happy with the outcome.

'That's the second time is was a really close game and we blew it in the third. We're getting too antsy and not doing our job.'

Coach Mike Young said he thought Team Yukon's penalty kill was better against P.E.I., and that they played an intense game for the full 60 minutes, which is what they wanted.

'Kudos to P.E.I. They really adjusted to our tight box and figured out how to get that number 10 open. That kid's got a wicked shot.

'To see a 3-2 lead go to a 4-3 deficit in 30 seconds is a shocker for any team that has 16 year old kids. At the end of the day (Yukon) played their hearts out.'

Next up for Team Yukon is a game against 10th seed Newfoundland, which has also been having penalty trouble throughout the tournament. Game time is 3:30 this afternoon at the Canada Games Centre.

'We saw them play against B.C.,' said Pettitt. 'They're a tough team and they've got some top players. It'll be a good game.'