National Sports

TORONTO — Barely making the cut for the NHL's 24-team return to play, few hockey observers gave the Montreal Canadiens much of a chance in the qualification round against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

MANCHESTER, England — Eliminating the record 13-time champion has Manchester City players believing they can deliver the team's first Champions League title.

EDMONTON — The Arizona Coyotes got a reprieve when the post-season was expanded for the NHL's restarted season, only to face the distraction of their general manager resigning right before leaving for Edmonton.

TORONTO — The CFL's quest for federal funding in order to stage an abbreviated season received a huge boost Friday.

TORONTO — The Philadelphia Flyers have looked right at home playing in the NHL's expanded 24-team playoff format, but head coach Alain Vigneault isn't big on the idea of doing it for more than one season.

TORONTO — The New York Islanders like to rely on defenceman Ryan Pulock's blistering point shot to help generate offence .

Canadian featherweight Julia (The Jewel) Budd will face Jessy (The Widowmaker) Miele on Aug. 21 in the co-main event of Bellator 244. It's the first fight for the 37-year-old from Port Moody, B.C.

TORONTO — Two new potential buyers are kicking the tires of the cash-strapped Toronto Wolfpack, bringing the number of interested parties to four.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Aces have signed twin props Ted and James (Jay) Chapelhow. The 24-year-old brothers join the fledgling rugby league team from their hometown Widnes Vikings.

Three years after being discarded by Toronto FC, forward Mo Babouli has found a new home with Hamilton's Forge FC.