Finally, some good news: B.C. chicken lands world record, NHL delivers history-making moment and two friends separated by war reunite

In a world often dominated by challenging headlines, Yahoo News Canada aims to spotlight uplifting news stories both local and beyond.

This week's roundup includes a B.C. chicken that pecked her way to a Guinness World Record, two Saskatchewan men who were posthumously awarded for their heroic actions and a history-making moment for the NHL and equal rights.

🎖️ 'Act of heroism': Sask. men awarded for effort to save drowning children

Two Saskatoon men who died last year trying to save children from drowning are being awarded one of North America's highest civilian honours for their heroic efforts.

In November 2023, Christopher and Joseph Novecosky, cousins from Saskatoon, Sask., died while trying to save two young girls and their mother from drowning in Humboldt Lake.

The cousins and the mother ran onto the ice to help the girls, Ava and Evelyn Novecosky, after they fell through thin ice about 300 feet from shore. Despite hearing the ice cracking, the men jumped into the frigid water and perished in their efforts.

Family members have described the men as "selfless heroes."

READ MORE: 'Selfless heroes' who died trying to save children who fell through the ice receive award

The Novecoskys are posthumously being awarded the Carnegie Medal, which is considered North America's highest civilian honor for heroism. The medal is given to people who risk their lives to save others, and has been awarded to 10,440 people since 1904.

"Chris's main love language to me and others is acts of service.… This just shows that it was the ultimate act of service," Joseph's sister Kristen said in an interview with CBC News.

🐔 B.C. chicken pecks her way to Guinness World Record

A British Columbia chicken named Lacey has earned a Guinness World Record for correctly identifying the most objects in one minute.

The world record shows that chickens are intelligent, and Lacey now has bragging rights as one of the world's smartest hens, said owner Emily Carrington in an interview with Canadian Press.

"I just got the news a week or two ago that she'd been awarded the record," said Carrington, who trained six of her chickens to do a series of identification tricks. Lacey, an 18-month-old Hyline hen, came out on top.

READ MORE: Intelligent B.C. chicken Lacey pecks her way to Guinness World Record

"I was just using their ability to see what they were capable of doing," said Carrington. "I was just going with visual cues. Their sole task, when I presented the letters in front of them, was to walk up and peck the letter. It's a great, fun way to show that they're smart."

Carrington said Guinness officials sent a letter last month naming her the holder of the record for "most identifications by a chicken in one minute."

🥰 'Can't believe I can hug her': Best friends separated by war finally reunited

🏒 History-making sports moment: NHL gets its first female coach

Saskatchewan native Jessica Campbell became the first female coach in the NHL when the Seattle Kraken named her an assistant, the league announced.

READ MORE: NHL gets its first female coach — an assistant with the Seattle Kraken

"During our tenure in Coachella Valley, I saw firsthand Jessica’s commitment to player development," Dan Bylsma, the team's head coach said, according to the NHL. "Her ability to establish relationships with her players, specifically Tye Kartye, Shane Wright and Ryker Evans, was an important factor in this hire. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her at the NHL level."

Hockey runs deep for Campbell, who grew up on the ice playing against boys in her hometown of Rocanville, Saskatchewan, where, at the time, girls hockey was not an option, according to the NHL. She went on to play for Cornell University and then for Calgary of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and Malmö of the Swedish Women’s Hockey League.

She then began to work as a skating and skills coach, the NHL said, launching her coaching career.

Campbell joins a list of other first-time female coaches in North America’s four major sports leagues.

📱A 'social media's not all bad' moment

We scoured the web to find uplifting posts, and you did not disappoint.

Do you have an uplifting moment or story you would like to share with the Yahoo Canada audience? Email corne.vanhoepen@yahooinc.com