National Sports

TORONTO — Catcher Tyler Heineman has made the most of his opportunities in a backup role with the Toronto Blue Jays this season.

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Going into this Stanley Cup Final rematch , confidence oozed from the Florida Panthers just like last year when they won — and also this time from the Edmonton Oilers because they felt prepared for the moment.

TORONTO — Kris Knoblauch pushed back at the notion his team had been bullied in last year's Stanley Cup final. The Edmonton Oilers head coach also agreed the group is better suited to face the Florida Panthers some 11 1/2 months later.

VANCOUVER — Vancouver's Professional Women's Hockey League team continued to add to its initial roster Thursday by signing goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer to a two-year contract and forward Sarah Nurse to a one-year deal.

TORONTO — For the 30th-ranked Canadian men, Saturday's matchup with No. 25 Ukraine at the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto is a chance to test themselves against elite European opposition.

TORONTO — Bo Bichette hit a two-run homer and Chris Bassitt threw seven strong innings as the Toronto Blue Jays dumped the Philadelphia Phillies 9-1 on Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

VANCOUVER — There have been a lot of firsts for Holly Ward this year — her first game as a professional soccer player, her first call up to Canada's senior women's team.

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Lamine Yamal won the battle of Ballon d’Or contenders on Thursday by scoring twice as Spain eclipsed France 5-4 in their Nations League semifinal.

VANCOUVER — Newly minted Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote is rounding out his coaching staff with three new additions.

The hot-button topic of whether NHL teams based in states without income tax have an advantage is well and alive again.