National Sports

EDMONTON — It's not often an NHL head coach speaks positively of going through a stretch of nine losses in 10 games as his team approaches the playoffs.

VANCOUVER — After a season punctuated by a COVID-19 outbreak and a grinding schedule, the beleaguered Vancouver Canucks are looking forward. Captain Bo Horvat believes the adversity his squad weathered will make them mentally stronger.

Toronto FC has loaned forward Jordan Perruzza to San Antonio FC of the USL Championship. The move is to give the 20-year-old from Toronto some more playing time.

TORONTO — Canada's Olympic swim trials can proceed next month in Toronto, Swimming Canada announced Thursday.

One game into his career with Toronto FC and veteran striker Dom Dwyer says he already has plenty to be thankful for.

U Sports basketball graduates Nancy Knowlton of the Bishop's Gaiters and George Lengvari Jr., of the Concordia Stingers and McGill Redbirds have won the inaugural Mitchell Family Alumni of the Year Awards.

CALGARY — What it will take to take to get women's professional hockey in North America out of a "slurve" seems to be more time, talk and trust.

MONTREAL — A community activist and former CFL player is entering the race to become mayor of Montreal. Balarama Holness announced today he'll compete for the city's top job under the banner of his new political party, Movement Montreal.

EDMONTON — The Winnipeg Jets contained the NHL's top two scorers and their goaltender Connor Hellebuyck did the rest in a 4-1 win Wednesday over the Edmonton Oilers to open their first-round playoff series. Hellebuyck was stellar with 32 saves.

DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon finished his first career playoff hat trick with an empty-net goal to help the Colorado Avalanche pull away late for a 6-3 win over St.