National Sports

Four months after finishing fourth at the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Canada returns to action Saturday. The fourth-ranked Canadians face No. 13 South Africa before opening the Pacific Four Series against the seventh-ranked U.S.

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Kaori Sakamoto fended off a challenge from South Korea’s Lee Hae-in on Friday to become the first Japanese woman to defend her title at the figure skating world championships.

TORONTO — Canada's Hollie Naughton was a young fan the last time a Professional Squash Association international tournament was played on an all-glass showcourt in downtown Toronto. This time around she's one of the headliners.

One win is required for the Toronto Six to become the first Canadian team to hoist the Isobel Cup. The Six face the surprising Minnesota Whitecaps in the Premier Hockey League's championship game Sunday in Tempe, Ariz.

Canada remains unchanged at No. 6 in the latest FIFA women's rankings that see Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia included for the first time. The top five is also the same with the U.S. on top, ahead of Germany, Sweden, England and France.

VANCOUVER — Andrei Kuzmenko isn't yet satisfied with his first year in the NHL. The Russian winger scored his 35th goal of the season and notched an assist Thursday as his Vancouver Canucks toppled the struggling San Jose Sharks 7-2.

CALGARY — Logan Thompson's triumphant return for Vegas after six weeks on the shelf was overshadowed by him exiting the game late in the third period with another injury.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Adam Lowry scored the tiebreaking goal with 9:13 to play and the Winnipeg Jets made progress in the playoff race with a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.

GOLD CANYON, Ariz. (AP) — Alison Lee and Jenny Shin each reeled off four straight birdies in the middle of their rounds and joined Gaby Lopez at 7-under 65 Thursday to share a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA Drive on Championship.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Brothers Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers declined to wear special Pride-themed warmup jerseys ahead of the team’s 6-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.