National Sports

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Defensemen Brady Skjei and Jaccob Slavin scored third-period goals that helped the Carolina Hurricanes push past the Ottawa Senators 5-3 in Wednesday night's season opener for both teams.

SAGINAW, Mich. — Dean Loukus scored the game-winning goal 6:26 into the third period and the Saginaw Spirit edged the Flint Firebirds 2-1 on Wednesday night in Ontario Hockey League action.

One of the first NHL hockey sticks wrapped in rainbow-coloured tape is in the Hockey Hall of Fame to commemorate that breakthrough moment.

QUEBEC — Two former Quebec junior hockey players pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexually assaulting a minor in June 2021 as their team celebrated a championship win.

TORONTO — More than a week away from live games is helping the Toronto Raptors understand the offensive and defensive schemes being introduced by new head coach Darko Rajakovic.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks say the upper bowl at Commonwealth Stadium will be closed for the 2024 CFL season. The Elks say the move is aimed at improving the atmosphere at the outdoor stadium.

It's a pivotal matchup for Dave and Craig Dickenson. The brothers will be on opposite sidelines Friday night when the Calgary Stampeders host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in an important CFL contest for both teams.

Less than a year after leading the New Jersey Devils to their best regular season, coach Lindy Ruff has been signed to a multi-year contract extension.

TORONTO — A return to the starting lineup earned quarterback Chad Kelly a top grade in the CFL's weekly honour roll. Kelly earned a score of 90.4 for his play in the Toronto Argonauts 35-12 home win over the Edmonton Elks.

Former Toronto pitcher Anthony Bass said he reached out to the MLB Players Association after the Blue Jays released him last June, and disagreed with general manager Ross Atkins' assertion that the move was a "baseball decision.