{allcanada} Virtanen scores twice as Canucks beat Blackhawks 4-2

 

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Jake Virtanen scored twice and Brendan Gaunce got the go-ahead goal midway through the third period to lead the Vancouver Canucks past the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Antoine Roussel also scored for the Canucks, and Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves. It was the first career two-goal game for Virtanen, a 22-year-old right wing.

Gaunce also had an assist in his first game with the Canucks this season. He was called up Tuesday from the Utica Comets of the AHL to help fill out a roster riddled by injuries early this season.

Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews scored for the Blackhawks. Corey Crawford turned away 24 shots.

Chicago got on the scoreboard first with Saad scoring his third of the season midway through the first period.

The left wing beat Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson in Vancouver's end and put a hard shot on net. Markstrom seemed to get a piece of it but the puck trickled in underneath him.

Virtanen responded in the 15th minute after the Blackhawks turned over the puck in the neutral zone. He picked up speed on a breakaway and put a high shot past Crawford.

The Blackhawks went back on top with a power-play goal early in the second after Canucks defenseman Michael Del Zotto took a cross-checking penalty late in the first.

Toews fired in a wrister from the top of the faceoff circle to give him 299 goals for the Blackhawks, sixth-most in franchise history.

Chicago is 30th in the NHL on the power play. Wednesday marked the sixth time this season the Blackhawks have scored with the man advantage.

Virtanen followed with his second of the night just more than 12 minutes into the second period. He scooped up a pass just inside the blue line and fired a quick shot past Crawford to tie it 2-all.

Virtanen has five goals and two assists this season.

Gaunce scored at 9:23 of the third after he snatched up a Blackhawks pass. The goal was the sixth of his NHL career, with the last one coming on Feb. 1. He also assisted on Roussel's late goal.

NOTES: Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher went flying in the third period after colliding with Chicago's Brandon Manning in the Vancouver end. Stecher went to the dressing room after being looked at by a trainer on the ice. The team is already missing a number of players, including defenseman Alex Edler, goalie Anders Nilsson and left wing Sven Baertschi.

UP NEXT

Blackhawks: At the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

Canucks: Host the Colorado Avalanche on Friday in the finale of a four-game homestand.

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{allcanada} Nov. 1: Plante wears mask for first time in NHL game

 

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Nov. 1

1959: Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante makes history when he wears a mask during an NHL game for the first time.

Plante is cut by a rising shot taken by New York Rangers forward Andy Bathgate 3:06 into the first period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Plante goes off for repairs; when he returns, he's wearing a fiberglass mask. Plante has been using one in practice, but this is the first time he plays with one during a game.

The Canadiens win the game 3-1, and Plante insists to coach Toe Blake that he will no longer play without the mask. Blake, who's been opposed to the mask, relents. The facial protection catches on; within a few years most goalies wear one, and by the end of the 1973-74 season there are no more bare-faced goaltenders in the NHL.

The debut of Plante's mask comes seven years to the day he plays his first NHL game. With Gerry McNeil sidelined by injury, Plante defeats the Rangers 4-1 in his first NHL start. He goes 2-0-1 before being returned to the Montreal Royals.

 

MORE MOMENTS

1924: The NHL officially comes to the United States when the Boston Bruins join the League. The NHL expands to six franchises by adding the Bruins and Montreal Maroons.

 

1947: Under new coach Tommy Ivan, the Detroit Red Wings' famed "Production Line" of right wing Gordie Howe, center Sid Abel and left wing Ted Lindsay becomes a regular unit for the first time. The nickname is a nod to Detroit's automotive industry as well as the line's offensive prowess.

 

1975: Billy Reay of the Chicago Blackhawks becomes the second man to coach 1,000 NHL games. The milestone comes in a 3-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Olympia Stadium.

 

1985: Buffalo Sabres rookie Daren Puppa becomes the 17th goaltender to have a shutout in his first NHL game. Puppa makes 37 saves in a 2-0 victory against the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum. Ten of his saves come against Wayne Gretzky.

 

1992: Mario Lemieux scores twice to extend his team-record goal-scoring streak to 12 games in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-4 win at the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lemieux scores 18 goals during the 12-game streak.

 

2006: Pittsburgh rookie Evgeni Malkin becomes the first player since 1917-18, the NHL's first season, to score a goal in six straight games from the start of his career. Malkin scores his second of the game at 2:45 of overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

2017: Joe Thornton becomes the 20th player in NHL history with 1,400 points when he has an assist on Joe Pavelski's second-period goal in the San Jose Sharks' 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators at SAP Center. On the same night, longtime teammate Patrick Marleau becomes the eighth player in League history to have 100 game-winning goals when he scores 1:09 into the third period of a 3-1 win by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. The two are teammates from Nov. 30, 2005, when the Sharks acquire Thornton in a trade with the Boston Bruins, to July 2, 2017, when Marleau signs as a free agent with the Maple Leafs.

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{allcanada} OHL: Sambrook powers Greyhounds in win over Firebirds

 

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SAULT STE MARIE, Ont. — Jordan Sambrook scored two goals and set up another to power the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to a 9-3 victory over the winless Flint Firebirds on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action.

Barret Hayton and Rory Kerins had a goal and two helpers apiece for Sault Ste. Marie (11-3-3) and Cullen McLean, Keeghan Howdeshell, Ryan Roth, Cole MacKay and Dominic Mufarreh supplied the rest of the offence.

Jake Durham, Jacob Winterton and Eric Uba replied for the Firebirds (0-14-1).

Greyhounds goaltender Ethan Taylor stopped 18 shots.

Emanuel Vella started in net for Flint, allowing five goals on 29 shots through 31:19. Luke Cavallin stopped 13-of-17 attempts the rest of the way.

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{allcanada} QMJHL: Emond's shutout leads Rouyn-Noranda over Quebec

 

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QUEBEC — Zachary Emond stopped all 22 shots he faced as the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies blanked the Quebec Remparts on Wednesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.

Justin Bergeron scored twice for Rouyn-Noranda (13-4-0), including once on a power play midway through the second period, and Jakub Lauko had the other goal.

Anthony Marrone made 20 saves for the Remparts (8-7-4).

The Huskies have won seven of their last 10 to sit in first place in the Western Conference.

---

DRAKKAR 5 OLYMPIQUES 2

BAIE-COMEAU, Que. — Samuel L'Italien scored twice as the Drakkar beat Gatineau.

Jordan Martel, Ivan Chekhovich and D'Artagnan Joly also scored for Baie-Comeau (13-3-1).

Manix Landry and Charles-Antoine Roy replied for the Olympiques (7-7-3). Gatineau's Roy was given a match penalty for fighting at 5:37 of the third period.

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{allcanada} Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak and Vanna White renew contracts

 

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Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek and Wheel of Fortune duo Pat Sajak and Vanna White all have renewed their contracts with Sony Pictures Television through 2022.

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{allcanada} Doughty gets Halloween scare watching McDavid score for Oilers

 

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Drew Doughty got his Halloween scare one night early, when the Los Angeles Kings defenseman was reminded why he believes Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid is the most frightening offensive player in the NHL.

McDavid used his speed to dart through the neutral zone and past Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter for a breakaway goal in the Oilers' 4-3 loss Tuesday. It's the exact sequence of events that Doughty says is his biggest concern when facing the two-time Art Ross Trophy winner.

"I shouldn't say this, but all I've seen basically on my Instagram the last couple weeks or so is him getting breakaways and breakaways and breakaways," Doughty said Wednesday. "And that's my No. 1 fear when I play against Connor; his speed and his moves are so quick that you have to honor his fakes because he's so fast that you have to honor them. So that's always my biggest nightmare, that I'm going to give up a breakaway and he's going to make me look foolish."

There is plenty of mutual admiration between Doughty, 28, and McDavid. The 21-year-old has praised Doughty as the best defenseman in the NHL. Doughty is more than willing to return the compliment, saying that McDavid's rare combination of skills sets him apart from every other offensive player in the NHL.

"I don't think there is anyone close," Doughty said. "There's guys I'm sure that are close in speed, but they don't have the whole package. He has everything: the vision, the hands, the shot, the edges, the movement, lateral movement. No one has it all like him."

McDavid has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 12 games against the Kings. He had two goals in the most recent game between the Oilers and Kings on March 24, racing past forward Tyler Toffoli and defenseman Derek Forbort to score the winning goal. Doughty was not on the ice during that sequence, but it was the kind of play that reinforced why McDavid can make him nervous even from the bench.

"Every time you literally think something bad could go wrong for your team when he gets the puck, and that's how scary it is," Doughty said.

Doughty will have to wait to confront his fears, as the first meeting this season between the Oilers and Kings does not happen until Nov. 25 at Staples Center.

"I go in there scared, and I think what I love about it is that I realize how good he is and I'm scared going into the game, and that makes me rise to the occasion a lot of times," Doughty said. "There's going to be times when he gets me, and there's going to be times when I get him. That's just the way it goes. Two really good players in the game, him probably being the best player in the game."

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{allcanada} Shapovalov withdraws from Next Gen Finals

 

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(Reuters) - Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov has withdrawn from next week's Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan because of exhaustion, organizers confirmed on Wednesday.

Shapovalov who qualified for the second year running, will be replaced by Polish player Hubert Hurkacz.

The 19-year-old is ranked 29th in the world after an impressive second year on the ATP Tour.

The Next Gen Finals features the top eight players aged 21 and under, although Germany's Alexander Zverev will also be missing as he has qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals.

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{allcanada} Jankowski's nostalgic connection to Calgary

 

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A year ago, as a rookie, Calgary Flames forward Mark Jankowski made a nostalgic trip to the Stampede Corral.

A year ago, as a rookie, Calgary Flames forward Mark Jankowski made a nostalgic trip to the Stampede Corral.

The venerable, renowned rink is where the Flames called home when the franchise moved to Calgary from Atlanta and the old building sits across the street from where Jankowski and the Flames now play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Stampede Corral also was a rink Jankowski's late grandfather, Lou, enjoyed five fantastic seasons of minor-pro success for the Calgary Stampeders of the old Western Hockey League in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

"It was really cool to be in that rink where he played a lot of games and scored a lot of goals," said Jankowski, who also has practiced with the Flames at the Corral. "He was a humble guy and didn't talk too much about his career. But seeing some of his pictures on the wall I learned a lot about him."

Jankowski's grandfather was a high-scoring forward who spent three of his 18-season pro career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. In Detroit, he played with Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio, who also was his junior teammate with the Oshawa Generals. Lou performed with Bill Gadsby, Bill Mosienko and Gus Mortson in Chicago.

A head injury, in which he spent three months in the hospital, cut short Lou's stay in the NHL. But he persevered and enjoyed his best seasons in Calgary, then an affiliate of the Blackhawks. The older Jankowski scored a whopping 57 goals in 69 games to win the 1960-61 Leader Cup as league MVP and twice lost in the league final with the Stampeders.

"I was excited to be drafted by Calgary with the family connection," said the 24-year-old Jankowski, selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2012 draft. "I knew [grandpa] had played here.

"The first time we practiced at the Corral it was cool knowing that he had skated on the same ice and played in the same building. He scored a lot of goals in the rink."

The local hockey fans also remembered Lou Jankowski, who passed away in 2010. Last year, a fan dropped by two old sticks — one autographed by Lou — that Jankowski's grandfather had played with more than 50 years ago.

"That was so cool," 24-year-old Mark Jankowski said.

After his playing days, Lou was a long-time scout for the New York Rangers. It was always special when Lou would make his way east and dropped by to watch Mark play in his AAA minor games.

"We were pretty close, even though I would only see him a few times a year," said the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Mark, who played four years at Providence College before joining the Flames organization. "It was always more exciting when you knew he was at your games."

His grandfather is not the only connection Jankowski has to a deep hockey past. His Dad, Len, played at Cornell University and earned an engineering degree. His uncle, Ryan, is the Buffalo Sabres director of amateur scouting. Grandfather Lou's wife was the sister of Hockey Hall of Famer Red Kelly, a teammate with the Red Wings who would go on to win four Stanley Cups with Detroit and four more with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"When my friends would find out who my great uncle was they would get excited and say he was a legend," Mark Jankowski said. "To me, he wasn't a legend, just my great uncle."

And another part of Jankowski's great hockey lineage.

"I guess you could say I was born into the game of hockey," Mark concluded.

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{allcanada} In The Locker Room | Halloween Costumes

 

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We're back In The Locker Room as players weigh-in on who around the league does it best on Halloween!

Video: https://youtu.be/TCdXmkTG9GM

When it comes to Halloween, NHL players have historically pulled off some stellar costumes. We went back 'In The Locker Room' to find out which players always pull off a spook-tacular outfit for the festivities!

 

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{allcanada} Argos' Manning issues challenge to Popp: 'We have to win'

 

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To put it simply, Bill Manning expects the Toronto Argonauts to be a playoff team year-in and year-out.

The Argonauts and Toronto FC president told TSN Radio 1050 Toronto Wednesday morning that he made his expectations clear to team general manager Jim Popp.

"I sat with Jim yesterday for a couple of hours and we talked about the football team. My thing is at the end of the day, I'm not involved in terms of the player personnel and the X's and O's of the football team, but we have to win," explained Manning. "We are going to talk further and my challenge to Jim is I said 'look we need to be a team that can be a playoff team…that's really at the minimum.'"

Manning: We're going forward expecting all our Designated Players back next year

Toronto FC/Argonauts president Bill Manning joins First Up with Michael and Carlo to discuss Toronto FC's disappointing season, what caused the team to struggle, the changes they plan to make in the offseason, the Argonauts' season and more.

Popp, the team's general manager, and head coach Marc Trestman were both brought in last season and surprised many by capturing the franchise's first Grey Cup championship since 2012 despite a mediocre 9-9 regular season record. However, Toronto has struggled in 2018 following an early season injury to starting quarterback Ricky Ray. They're tied for last in the CFL with a 4-13 record heading into their final game this weekend against the Ottawa Redblacks.

Manning looks to the Calgary Stampeders, the team they beat in the Grey Cup last year, as the type of franchise they want to emulate.

"Hopefully we can build ourselves into like Calgary's been the last almost a decade where they've been one of the best teams in the league year-in and year-out and they have stability in their coaching staff, stability amongst their roster and that is something I believe in very much and I really who like to see here in the Argos. I challenged Jim on how do we get there," said Manning. "Where we are right now and to get to what a Calgary is. I think we are going to continue those conversations and what I'm looking for is tell me how we can get there and what you need me to give you, the resources to become a team like that."     

You can watch the Argos' season finale from the nation's capital Friday night at 7pm ET/4pm PT across the TSN Network and streaming on TSN.ca, the TSN App and TSN Direct.

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{allcanada} Stamps need win or tie against Lions to cement first in West

 

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Dave Dickenson doesn't have the luxury of resting his starters for the Calgary Stampeders' regular-season finale.

Calgary (12-5) visits the B.C. Lions (9-7) on Saturday night needing a win or tie to clinch first in the West Division and home field for the Nov. 18 conference final. A loss would give the Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-6) top spot and force the Stampeders to host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-7) in the Western semifinal Nov. 11.

The Stamps appeared to be a virtual lock to finish first after their 38-16 home win over the Toronto Argonauts on Sept. 28. That victory cemented Calgary a playoff berth for a club-record 14th straight year and improved its record to a stellar 11-2.

But the following week, Calgary had to fight for a 12-6 road win over Montreal. Since then, the Stampeders have dropped three straight games to West Division rivals.

B.C. started that losing streak with a 26-21 road victory over Calgary on Oct. 13. Regardless of the outcome Saturday, the Lions can finish no better than fourth and will cross over to the East Division come the playoffs.

It's the first time in the Bo Levi Mitchell era that Calgary has lost three straight. The veteran quarterback has completed 87-of-132 passes (65.9 per cent) in his last four starts for 909 yards with five TDs and five interceptions while being sacked eight times.

What's more, Calgary's offence has cracked the 300-yard plateau just twice over that span. But the unit is tied with Saskatchewan in allowing the fewest sacks (27).

But B.C. counters with a CFL-best home record (7-1).

While the circumstances are less than ideal, at least Calgary still controls its own destiny heading into the contest.

"If you could tell us at the start of training camp you've got to win your last game to win the West, I think most of us would take that," Dickenson told reporters in Calgary. "That's where we're at.

"We feel like we're in for a big challenge but let's go do it. Let's go out to the west coast, play a good football team, come out of there with a win and then give ourselves a better chance to get the ultimate goal, which is a Grey Cup."

The contest does have some meaning for the Lions. It will mark the final home game of Wally Buono's illustrious CFL coaching career.

The 68-year-old will retire at season's end and comes in as the league leader in career coaching wins (282). Buono comes full circle as he made his CFL head-coaching debut at B.C. Place Stadium on July 13, 1990 with the Calgary Stampeders, a game that ended in a 38-38 tie.

Buono amassed a 153-79-2 coaching record (.658 win percentage) with Calgary (1990-2002) before joining the Lions and posting a 129-85-1 (.602) mark.

He has a winning record against all but one CFL team (36-40 versus Edmonton) and his squads have traditionally excelled at home (163-61-0 .728).

And Buono has won a record-tying five Grey Cups as a head coach (three with Calgary, two with B.C.). He played on two CFL championship Montreal Alouettes teams (1974, '77).

Prediction: Calgary

Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks (Friday night)

The Redblacks (10-7) will rest several regulars — including quarterback Trevor Harris and slotback Brad Sinopoli — having swept a home-and-home with Hamilton to clinch first in the East. James Franklin is expected to start for Toronto (4-13) which has lost eight of its last nine games and sports a dismal 0-8 road record.

Prediction: Ottawa.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Eskimos (Saturday afternoon)

The Eskimos (8-9) look to end a miserable season on a winning note. Still, the home team will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2013, CFL passing leader Mike Reilly's first year with the club. Winnipeg has cemented third in the West and is expected to rest many of its starters.

Prediction: Edmonton.

Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Saturday night)

Montreal (4-13) looks to end its season with two straight wins. Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel earned his first CFL victory in last weekend's 40-10 decision over Toronto. He returns to face the team that traded him this summer. The Ticats (8-9) have clinched a playoff berth and are expected to sit many of their veterans.

Prediction: Montreal.

Last week: 2-2.

Overall: 49-28.

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{allcanada} Veteran LB Muamba nominated for trio of CFL awards

 

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TORONTO — Montreal Alouettes linebacker Henoc Muamba was nominated for three awards in the first round of balloting for the CFL's individual honours Wednesday.

Muamba, 30, was a unanimous selection as Montreal's top player, defensive player and Canadian. He's the only player named for three separate awards in voting conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the CFL's head coaches.

The six-foot, 230-pound Muamba is fourth overall in defensive tackles (team-high 100) with five sacks, a forced fumble, interception and fumble recovery.

A total of seven players were double nominees: B.C. Lions kicker Ty Long (outstanding player, unanimously as special-teams player); Saskatchewan defensive lineman Willie Jefferson (top player, defensive player); Riders kicker Brett Lauther (unanimous as top Canadian, special-teams player); Winnipeg linebacker Adam Bighill (top player, unanimous as defensive player); Toronto centre Sean McEwen (top Canadian, lineman); Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward (unanimous as top rookie, special-teams player); and Montreal running back (rookie, special-teams player).

Mike Reilly (CFL-high 5,242 passing yards), the league's outstanding player last season, was Edmonton's nominee for the outstanding player honour. And Winnipeg running back Andrew Harris, the CFL's top Canadian in 2017, was a unanimous pick as the Bombers' nominee.

Ottawa slotback Brad Sinopoli, who has 116 catches — the most by a Canadian player in a CFL season — is the Redblacks' nominee as top Canadian.

The division finalists will be announced next Thursday. The CFL will honour its top performers at its annual awards banquet Nov. 22 in Edmonton.

The respective nominees (*- denotes unanimous selection) are as follows:

B.C. LIONS

Player: Ty Long

Defensive: Davon Coleman

Canadian: Bo Lokombo*

Offensive Lineman: Joel Figueroa*

Special Teams: Ty Long*

Rookie: Claudell Louis*

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Player: Mike Reilly*

Defensive: J.C. Sherritt

Canadian: Kwaku Boateng

Offensive Lineman: Matt O'Donnell

Special Teams: Sean Whyte

Rookie: Monshadrik Hunter

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Player: Bo Levi Mitchell*

Defensive: Micah Johnson*

Canadian: Alex Singleton*

Offensive Lineman: Derek Dennis*

Special Teams: Jameer Thurman

Rookie: Tre Roberson*

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Player: Willie Jefferson

Defensive: Willie Jefferson

Canadian: Brett Lauther

Offensive Lineman: Brendon LaBatte*

Special Teams: Brett Lauther*

Rookie: Jordan Williams-Lambert*

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Player: Adam Bighill

Defensive: Adam Bighill*

Canadian: Andrew Harris*

Offensive Lineman: Stanley Bryant

Special Teams: Justin Medlock

Rookie: Marcus Sayles

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Player: Jeremiah Masoli

Defensive: Larry Dean*

Canadian: Ted Laurent

Offensive Lineman: Brandon Revenberg

Special Teams: Courtney Stephen*

Rookie: Darius Ciraco*

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Player: S.J. Green

Defensive: Cleyon Laing

Canadian: Sean McEwen

Offensive Lineman: Sean McEwen

Special Teams: Justin Herdman

Rookie: Trumaine Washington*

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Player: Trevor Harris

Defensive: Derico Murray

Canadian: Brad Sinopoli

Offensive Lineman: Alex Mateas

Special Teams: Lewis Ward*

Rookie: Lewis Ward*

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Player: Henoc Muamba*

Defensive: Henoc Muamba*

Canadian: Henoc Muamba*

Offensive Lineman: Kristian Matte*

Special Teams: William Stanback

Rookie: William Stanback

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{allcanada} Jets, Panthers focused on results in Finland

 

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HELSINKI -- Paul Maurice figured Wednesday would be the day the Winnipeg Jets would flip the switch from enjoying the sights in Finland's capital city to truly begin preparing for their two games against the Florida Panthers at the 2018 NHL Global Series.

He was right.

With hundreds of fans on hand at Hartwall Arena to watch practice, the Jets coach wasn't shy about barking orders at his players in advance of the game on Thursday (2 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TSN3, NHL.TV).

"The language deteriorated considerably on the ice in practice today," Maurice said. "We want to take full advantage of this trip. This is my second time in Helsinki and it was a different trip that time because it was the start of the season and we weren't here that long. We want them to get together and have fun and not make it all business all the time.

"[But] today was the day. Yesterday was just a work-through day. You kind of try to get on the time zone and not critique too much of what we were doing on the ice. But today we were grinding a little harder and our pace was much better today than it was yesterday. We were far more focused on the ice, and now we've got two really important business days coming up here."

Jets right wing Patrik Laine is enjoying this rare occasion to be in his native country during the season, but also recognized the shift in attitude on the eve of the first game.

"We're getting closer and closer to the games, so obviously we're going to act like that on the ice and off the ice," said Laine, who left the ice to shrieks from Finnish children who had perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see him. "I think yesterday was just kind of just a fun skate after a few days off, and today it was just trying to get better and work on our game. Tomorrow, just have a good morning skate and hopefully play a hard game."

It was the same attitude earlier in the day when the Panthers also practice in front of a live audience. Forward Aleksander Barkov reiterated that his team is also not in town to simply put on a show for his fellow countrymen.

"Maybe in warmups," Barkov said. "When the puck drops, it's game on. It doesn't matter where you play, you want to get those points. We came here to try to win those games, and we're going to do everything we can to win. The same thing with Winnipeg. We're not going to any shows in the middle of the game or anything like that.

"We're just going to play as hard as we can and try to adjust to the atmosphere. I know it's going to be really nice to play here and good fans and everything will be different than America, but it's still really big points for us."

Points are crucial for the Panthers, who are off to a 2-4-3 start and have one regulation/overtime victory. Although they want to enjoy this trip to Finland, they realize the importance of finding ways to start stringing victories together.

"We're just trying to make sure that we have good, hard practices, staying focused on it," Panthers forward Troy Brouwer said. "It's a little bit of an unusual situation. Winnipeg's staying in the same hotel as us, so we seem them every day. For a couple of us, we know a lot of the guys on the other team.

"We're trying to keep it business. We'll still have some fun as well. That's the biggest thing is making sure that we try and get some points, because we've put ourselves in a little bit of a situation where we need to start collecting some points pretty quickly, otherwise we're going to lose some ground on the pack. That's our main focus. We had some good meetings today, a good practice yesterday and today. We're just kind of looking forward to getting back into game mode tonight and tomorrow."

They'll have to do so in what is expected to be an electric atmosphere at Hartwall Arena. The players know the practices Wednesday were a small sample of what's to come.

"These guys don't get to see us very often, so I know the kids really enjoy things like this," Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien said. "A lot of adults do too. It's good to see the crowds there and the people, knowing that we came over here and we're getting good support is really good.

"We know we need the two points. In this league right now, a couple of points can be big down the stretch. We've got to come ready to work. We know they are, so we've just got to match them and be better."

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{allcanada} Milos Raonic withdraws from Paris Masters with elbow injury

 

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PARIS — Canadian tennis player Milos Raonic has withdrawn from the Paris Masters with a right elbow injury.

Raonic was scheduled to face Roger Federer in a second-round match on Wednesday. Instead, Federer received a walk-over into the third round, where he will face Fabio Fognini on Thursday.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., was coming off a tough 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) first-round win over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Tuesday.

This tennis season has been hard on Raonic, who is ranked 21st in the world. He withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters with a right-knee injury in April and missed most of the clay-court season, including the French Open.

He had issues with the same leg in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in a loss to American John Isner, and needed treatment on his back during his Round of 16 loss to Isner at the U.S. Open.

The former world No. 3 also had an injury-riddled 2017 campaign, including a seven-week absence due to wrist surgery that cost him a chance to play at that season's U.S. Open.

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{allcanada} Leonard returns to lift Raptors over Sixers

 

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TORONTO — Joel Embiid had the ball with a couple of minutes to play and Philadelphia on a roll when Kawhi Leonard decided to help himself to the ball. The steal — one of Leonard's four on the night — turned into a running layup by Pascal Siakam and the Sixers never threatened again.

On a night Leonard scored 31 points, breaking a Raptors record by starting his Toronto career with six straight 20-plus point games, it was as much his defence that lifted Toronto to a 129-112 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday.

"He can guard the ball, he can guard people coming off pin-downs, he can guard guys on the post," coach Nick Nurse said of Leonard, who broke Rudy Gay's record. "But mostly, I think it's just his natural instinct for getting his hands on stuff. The ball's popping around and, boom, he comes out of there with it any variety of ways. Post feeds, cross-court passes, pocket passes."

Jonas Valanciunas had 23 points off the bench, while Kyle Lowry had 20 points and 12 assists for the Raptors (7-1), who remain undefeated at home. Serge Ibaka chipped in with 20 points, while Pascal Siakam had 15 and a career-high 15 rebounds, and Danny Green finished with 10.

Joel Embiid led the Sixers (4-4) with 31 points.

Toronto and Philly were popular pre-season picks to contend in the Eastern Conference. But the Raptors, motivated by Monday night's loss at Milwaukee — their first of the season — and happy to have Leonard back in the lineup after he missed that game, dominated for most of the night.

Their activity on the defensive end smothered the Sixers.

"I think we had 18 deflections in the first half, which is a big, big number. I think we turned them over 14 times in the first half which is another big number," Nurse said. "It's a little bit the way Kyle does it. When Kawhi's up and guarding and handsy and getting his hands on balls, it kind of spreads to the other guys. They feed off that a little bit."

The Raptors led by 17 midway through the second quarter, and had stretched it to 112-103 to start the fourth.

A basket by Embiid pulled Philly to within nine points with 6:38 to play. But on the Sixers' next possession, Lowry swatted the ball away from Embiid, and Green connected on a three-pointer and the Raptors were back up by 12.

Embiid drained a three with 3:30 to play that pulled the Sixers to within six points. But a Leonard three-pointer 90 seconds later capped a 7-0 run that brought the capacity crowd to its feet and put Toronto up by 13 as "M-V-P!" chants rang out.

The Raptors had 13 steals on the night, forcing 23 Philly turnovers.

"I just think we were all over the place tonight," Lowry said. "We were very active and honestly, Danny, Pascal, Kawhi, Serge . . . they did a great job just being everywhere and just saying active all over the floor. I think it was a very scrappy night defensively and those guys played unbelievable."

Sixers coach Brett Brown called it "borderline impossible" to win with so many turnovers.

"You can't win with that volume of turnovers," he said.

The victory was Toronto's 12th straight at home versus Philly.

The Raptors were coming off their first loss of the season, dropping an ugly 124-109 decision in Milwaukee the previous night. It marked the second game Leonard — who played just nine games last season in San Antonio due to injury — was held out for precautionary reasons.

"We are trying to be really smart with what we're doing," Nurse said. "If somebody were to knock on the door and tell me he's not playing tonight, I'm going to go put somebody else in there and we're going to go fight to win. It's a long-term type of thing."

Leonard headed upstairs to the weight room to lift weights after the win.

He briefly left the game in the second quarter Leonard after he was swatted in the eye by Robert Covington, but was back on the floor five minutes later.

Valanciunas had eight first-quarter points off the bench, including a couple of free throws after Embiid was assessed a flagrant foul for an elbow to the big Lithuanian's head. The Raptors led 35-26 to start the second.

A long Leonard jump shot with four minutes left in the second capped a 17-6 Raptors run that put Toronto up by 16 points. The Raptors would stretch their lead to 17 before heading to the locker-room at halftime up 67-53.

The Raptors aren't back at Scotiabank Arena until Nov. 10. They head out on their first extended road trip of the season, which takes them through Phoenix, Los Angeles to play the Lakers, Utah and Sacramento. They host the New York Knicks in their next home game.

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{allcanada} OHL: Stevenson's two goals lead Storm in 6-2 win over Rangers

 

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KITCHENER, Ont. — Keegan Stevenson and Isaac Ratcliffe both scored twice as the Guelph Storm defeated the Kitchener Rangers 6-2 on Tuesday in Ontario Hockey League action.

Stevenson had a short-handed goal in the first period that stood as the game winner. Liam Hawel and Cam Hillis supplied the rest of the offence for Guelph (9-4-2).

Michael Vukojevic and Jonathan Yantsis scored for the Rangers (7-6-2).

Storm goaltender Anthony Popovich turned aside 37 shots. Kitchener's Luke Richardson made 21 saves.

Guelph was 3 for 4 on the power play while the Rangers went 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

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{allcanada} QMJHL: Seitz scores shorthanded as Wildcats edge Screaming Eagles

 

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SYDNEY, N.S. — Dylan Seitz's short-handed goal early in the second period stood as the winner, and the Moncton Wildcats held on to beat the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 4-3 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.

Jeremy McKenna, Tristan DeJong and Jacob Stewart also scored Moncton (12-3-2).

Gabriel Proulx, Mathias Laferriere and Egor Sokolov scored for the Screaming Eagles (8-8-1).

Wildcats goaltender Francis Leclerc kicked out 29 shots. Cape Breton's Kevin Mandolese made 17 saves.

The Screaming Eagles went 1-for-4 on the power play while Moncton was 0-for-3 with the man advantage.

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{allcanada} WHL: Krebs, Davis lead Ice in 2-1 shootout win over Broncos

 

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SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Peyton Krebs and Brett Davis scored in the shootout to lift the Kootenay Ice to a 2-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday in Western Hockey League action.

Davis also had the tying goal for Kootenay (5-7-3) on a power play 15:49 into the third period. Krebs and Dallas Hines picked up assists on the play.

Ethan Regnier put the struggling Broncos (1-14-1) on the board 14:32 into the game.

Ice goaltender Jesse Makaj stopped 41 shots through regulation and overtime and both skaters he faced in the shootout. Swift Current's Joel Hofer made 29 saves.

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WHEAT KINGS 5 COUGARS 4

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Stelio Mattheos scored the winner midway through the third period and Brandon held on to beat the Cougars.

Luka Burzan, Connor Gutenberg, Linden McCorrister and Braden Schneider also scored for the Wheat Kings (7-3-5).

Cole Moberg, Matej Toman, Josh Maser and Vladislav Mikhalchuk responded for Prince George (5-7-3).

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CHIEFS 4 THUNDERBIRDS 1

SPOKANE, Wash. — Riley Woods scored twice as the Chiefs downed Seattle.

Jake McGrew and Egor Arbuzov also scored for Spokane (8-4-3).

Dillon Hamaliuk supplied the offence for the Thunderbirds (7-4-2).

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{allcanada} Oct. 31: Gretzky has seventh NHL hat trick

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Oct. 31

1981: Wayne Gretzky becomes the first player in NHL history to have seven hat tricks before his 21st birthday when he scores four times (and has an assist) in an 11-4 victory against the Quebec Nordiques at Northlands Coliseum.

 

Gretzky scores early in the second period to give the Oilers a 3-0 lead, then finishes his big night with three more goals (and the assist) in the third period against Michel Plasse. It gives him 13 goals in Edmonton's first 13 games.

Exactly eight years later, Gretzky gets his 46th career hat trick and has three assists for a six-point night in the Los Angeles Kings' 8-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Civic Arena. Pittsburgh star Mario Lemieux has two assists to begin a 46-game point scoring streak. It's the second-longest in NHL history, five games short of Gretzky's record.

 

MORE MOMENTS

1942: Rookie Maurice Richard plays his first NHL game with the Montreal Canadiens. Richard, wearing No. 15, gets his first NHL point (an assist) 36 seconds into the game, a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins at the Forum.

 

1987: New York Rangers forward Marcel Dionne scores the 700th goal of his NHL career, joining Gordie Howe (801) and Phil Esposito (717) as the only players to reach that mark at the time. The goal comes in an 8-2 loss to the New York Islanders. Though neither spends the bulk of his career with the Rangers, Esposito and Dionne each score goal No. 700 with New York.

 

1995: Montreal's Mario Tremblay sets an NHL record for best start by a new coach with his sixth straight win when the Canadiens defeat the Bruins 3-1. Tremblay breaks the mark of five straight wins shared by Bep Guidolin (1973) and Marc Crawford (1995).

 

2003: The Vancouver Canucks become the second team in NHL history to score the first goal in each of its first 11 games of the season. Trevor Linden opens the scoring at 8:16 of the first period of a 4-1 road win against Phoenix Coyotes.

 

2007: Chicago Blackhawks rookie center Jonathan Toews scores a goal in a 5-4 road win against the Dallas Stars to give him one point in each of his first 10 NHL games. It's the second-longest such streak in NHL history.

 

2008: Defenseman Matthias Ohlund scores in the 13th round of the shootout to give the Canucks a 7-6 victory against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Each team scores six times during regulation but manages one successful attempt apiece in the tiebreaker until Ohlund, the 26th shooter, beats Jonas Hiller for the win.

 

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