National Sports

TOKYO (AP) — As she struggled to breathe, Shizue Akita had to wait more than six hours while paramedics searched for a hospital in Osaka that would treat her worsening COVID-19.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan on Friday expanded a coronavirus state of emergency hours after it approved the use of two more vaccines in an effort to contain a worrying surge in infections nine weeks ahead of the opening of the Tokyo Olympics.

Here are five things to watch in Canadian sports this weekend: BACK TO BACK The North Division's late end to the regular season meant a late start to its two post-season series.

Canadian Jordan Dallaire-Gagné just wanted to be part of the largest sporting event in the world. Working or volunteering at the Tokyo Olympics was top of mind when the Montrealer moved to Japan a little over a year ago.

QUEBEC — The Val d'Or Foreurs are heading to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's championship series after sweeping the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The Foreurs finished a 3-0 sweep with a 6-3 win over the Sagueneens on Thursday night.

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in a three-run ninth inning, and Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 on Thursday night.

TORONTO — Maple Leafs captain John Tavares was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a collision early in Toronto's first-round playoff matchup with the Montreal Canadiens Thursday.

TORONTO — Carey Price had played two periods of hockey — in the minors — over the past month coming into Thursday.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Brandon Tanev scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:36 left and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 5-4 in Game 3 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

TAMPA, Fla.