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Friday, December 31, 2021

{allcanada} VanVleet leads Raptors to victory over Clippers in virtually empty Scotiabank Arena

 

TORONTO — Fred VanVleet had 31 points and nine assists in his first game back from COVID-19 protocols to lift the Toronto Raptors to a 116-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

OG Anunoby added 26 points in a virtually spectator-free Scotiabank Arena due to Ontario's tightened COVID-19 restrictions. Pascal Siakam had 25 points and tied a career high with 19 rebounds for Toronto (15-17), on what normally would have been a festive New Year's Eve affair.

Marcus Morris had 20 points to top the Clippers (18-18), who were missing head coach Tyronn Lue - he became the seventh head coach to enter COVID-19 protocols earlier Friday.

Chris Boucher and Svi Mykhailiuk are the only Raptors who've avoided COVID protocols, and with the team now finally back at almost full strength Friday, the Raptors were optimistic.

They raced out to a 15-point lead, but a couple of sloppy quarters on the defensive end and poor three-point shooting saw them trailing 87-82 to start the fourth.

They regained the lead early in the quarter with a 12-4 run punctuated by a dunk and three-pointer by Anunoby.

Siakam's dunk with 1:34 to play had Toronto up 109-105, Terance Mann connected from long distance to make it a one-point game, then VanVleet connected on back-to-back three-pointers to put the game out of reach with 24 seconds left.

With no fans in attendance except for a few dozen family members, the game was reminiscent of the 2020 NBA bubble in Florida. The Ontario government announced Thursday that it was slashing crowd capacity from the 50 per cent that went into effect two games earlier, to just 1,000 people due to the skyrocketing COVID-19 cases in the province.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., went one further, announcing they would sell no tickets for Raptors or Maple Leafs games for three weeks beginning Friday.

The gaping 19,800-seat arena made for an almost fitting backdrop to send off 2021 -- another bizarre year in the COVID-19 era of sports.

Asked if playing in front of no fans would be weird, Brian Shaw -- who filled in for Lue -- said "I don't think anything is weird anymore."

The national anthems were broadcast via video, and canned applause played throughout the game. There was a video tribute for former Raptor Serge Ibaka that was met with silence. Glittery "Happy New Year!" messages flashed on the Jumbotron. The fourth quarter began with a prompt for fans to "MAKE SOME NOISE!"

The Raptors at least are accustomed to curve balls. Border restrictions and capacity limits in Toronto last season forced them to call Tampa, Fla., home, where they played many games in front of a smattering of fans.

"We've had to get ready to play in a lot of different venues," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said before the game. "The main thing to keep in mind or in the forefront is that we're getting to go out there and play.

"I mean, listen, you think about it ... get disappointed when you hear the news come out, probably all wish it wasn't this way but it is and you've just got to get on with it."

The Raptors got off to a great start but the Clippers went on a 16-4 run that straddled the first and second quarters, closing to within 32-29 to end the first, and taking the lead early in the second.

Poor defence and terrible three-point shooting saw Toronto outscored 33-24 in the second quarter and L.A. went into halftime up 62-56.

VanVleet had 11 points in the third, including a running layup that tied the game with 3:41 left in the quarter.

Scottie Barnes missed the game with knee tendinitis. The Raptors still have Isaac Bonga, plus hardship signees D.J. Wilson, Daniel Oturu and Juwan Morgan in protocols.

The Clippers have four players sidelined because of protocols, including centre Ivica Zubac, who entered protocols on Thursday.

The NBA had about 120 players in health and safety protocols on Friday.

Some 97 per cent of NBA players are double vaccinated and at least two-thirds of players have received boosters.

The Raptors host New York on Sunday and San Antonio on Tuesday to cap their four-game homestand.

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{allcanada} Stonehouse scores a pair as 67's beat Battalion

 

NORTH BAY, Ont. — Brady Stonehouse scored twice to lead the Ottawa 67's to a 5-1 victory over the North Bay Battalion on Friday.

North Bay's Brandon Coe opened the scoring midway through the first period before Ottawa responded with five unanswered goals.

Gavin Ewles, Thomas Sirman and Vsevolod Gaidamak also scored for the visitors.

The Mississauga Steelheads dumped the Sudbury Wolves 8-2 in the other game on the Ontario Hockey League schedule.

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{allcanada} Canadian freestyle skier Mackay wins halfpipe gold on home turf

 

CALGARY — Canadian freestyle skier Brendan Mackay's first World Cup victory was a memorable one Thursday night as the 24-year-old did it on home turf.

"Stoked to do it on my home halfpipe where I learned to ski," Mackay said with a smile after scoring 97.00 on his third run in the FIS Freeski Halfpipe competition.

With the wind chill making it feel like minus-30 C at the WinSport venue, Mackay edged out Alex Ferriera. The American posted a 94.80 on his final run to inch ahead of Simon D'Artois of Whistler, B.C. (94.40).

Calgary's Noah Bowman was fourth with 90.20.

Canada's Rachael Karker won bronze in the women's competition. China's Eileen Gu earned her second straight World Cup victory and American Hanna Faulhaber took silver.

Mackay said his teammates' experience - D'Artois and Bowman are both 29 - have really helped with his development.

"I've been on the Canadian team for seven years and Noah and Simon have been on the team the entire time and been mentors for me and helped me a lot with learning tricks and navigating various things in life," he said.

Mackay finished third in the first World Cup of the season, with Ferriera taking gold.

D'Artois said Canada's future is bright in the sport with Mackay soaring to new heights.

"He's unbelievable," said D'Artois. "He's going to just tear it up. He's been doing amazing this year and that kid has got a promising future."

Together, they're pushing each other.

"I'm towards the end of my career and with Brendan being on the rise, it's invigorating," said D'Artois. "It's tough having to compete against somebody who's just so consistent and so good, and nails everything.

"But I couldn't be more happy for him. He's just doing all the right things."

Just over a month away from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, it bodes well for Canada's medal hopes.

"I really hope we keep this momentum going," Mackay said. "We're all really stoked and just trying to have as much fun at every competition as possible and build momentum going into the Olympics."

Karker, from Guelph, Ont., came through on her final run to reach the podium with a score of 90.20.

"I knew I had to give it my all on my last run," she said. "I'm super motivated. This is only the beginning and I'm looking forward to my next challenge."

Karker had a runner-up finish to Gu in the first World Cup at Colorado's Copper Mountain earlier this month.

"Leading up to the Olympics, I think that being able to manage pressure is the single biggest thing that I could improve on and I'm really, really happy with my progress this season," Gu said.

Gu had locked up first place ahead of her final run but managed to improve her score with a 96.80. Faulhaber was second with 92.80.

Amy Fraser was sixth and fellow Calgarian Cassie Sharpe was seventh.

Another freeski halfpipe World Cup is scheduled for Saturday at the competition known as the Snow Rodeo. Bales of hay were stationed by the finish line and white cowboy hats were awarded to the medallists.

A snowboard slopestyle World Cup is also scheduled for Saturday.

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{allcanada} Reinebold leaving Ticats after seven seasons with club

 

HAMILTON — Special teams co-ordinator Jeff Reinebold is leaving the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after seven seasons with the CFL club.

Reinebold said Friday on Twitter that he has declined an opportunity to return to the Ticats in 2022.

"Every good thing comes to an end, and sadly my time in Hamilton is over," he said.

Under Reinebold's tutelage, kick returner Frankie Williams has become one of the most dangerous players on special teams in the CFL.

Williams won the 2019 John Agro Award as the league's most outstanding special teams player and was a CFL all-star. He was second in the league with 459 return yards in 2021.

Reinebold's coaching career in the CFL spans 17 seasons, including two years as head coach of Winnipeg from 1997-98.

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{allcanada} Hughes' second goal gives Devils' wild OT win over Oilers

 

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) If the New Jersey Devis are going to make a playoff push after a poor start, they are going to need Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier and some of their other stars to pick up their games.

They did against against Edmonton on Friday in a game in which Devils coach Lindy Ruff had to sit out after testing positive for COVID-19 hours before the opening faceoff.

Jack Hughes scored twice, including the game winner 2:55 into overtime, and Hischier tallied a goal and won a faceoff that helped set up the game-tying goal as New Jersey beat the Oilers 6-5 on Friday.

''It's deflating for sure for a team that has the lead when they give up the goal in then the final minute,'' said Hughes, who also had an assist on Yegor Sharangovich's tying goal with 32 seconds left in regulation. ''So, you know, we just scored, we're riding high and then we had it in OT and won it. It's deflating when you give it up, but when you score, it's big time.''

Rookie Dawson Mercer and Janne Kuokkanen also scored for the Devils, who earned their second straight win after dropping six in a row.

''This is a good team we just we just played against,'' said Alain Nasreddine, who filled in for Ruff. ''You get two points against a team like that. They're also desperate. Things have not been going well. If you want to climb back and we have put a string of wins together. We're at two now and we're going to move on.''

Connor McDavid and Kailer Yamamoto had two goals apiece for Edmonton, which dropped its second straight and fell to 3-8 in its last 11. Devin Shore also scored.

''It was back and forth all night and we didn't find a way to win,'' said McDavid, who has 19 goals.

Oilers goaltender Mike Smith overcame a shaky start to finish with 35 saves. He probably would have liked the game-winner back because Hughes' shot from the top of the left circle seemed to find a way past him. Smith had stopped Hughes on a breakaway earlier in the overtime.

''It would have been nice to score on the breakaway, but got another look in OT,'' Hughes said. ''I haven't watched it, but I don't know if it snuck inside the blocker, seven-hole, whatever. I've just I'm trying to shoot the puck more, and you know,, the more you shoot it, more the puck can go in the net.''

The Oilers rallied to take a 5-4 lead when Shore and Yamamoto scored in a 72-second span against Mackenzie Blackwood in the third period. Yamamoto's goal irked the Devils because they felt they controlled the puck to allow the officials to call a delayed penalty.

Nasreddine, who ran the Devils with Ruff out, challenged the call. The officials studied the replay for more than five minutes because announcing the goal could not be challenged.

''I think four of the six goals against us were at some point deflected and bounced the right direction and one bounces right direction and bounces off Smith going back in,'' Oilers coach Dave Tippett said. ''The tying goal goes off a stick and goes in. it's one of those games where a lot of bounces going the other way; we just got to stick with it.''

McDavid tied it at 3 when he scored on a breakaway at 7:57 of the second period. McDavid was set up by a pinpoint pass from defenseman Duncan Keith.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The crowd at the Prudential Center didn't miss a beat when the sound went out during the Canadian national anthem, joining in to provide the vocals until the teenager singing came back live.

UP NEXT

Oilers: Head to New York to play the Rangers on Monday in the third of a now four-game road trip. Their game against the Islanders on Saturday was postponed because of COVID issues with the New York team.

Devils: Face the Capitals in Washington on Sunday.

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{allcanada} Will Arnett Subbing For Armie Hammer In Taika Waititi’s Soccer Movie ‘Next Goal Wins’

 

Deadline has learned that seven-time Primetime Emmy nominee Will Arnett has stepped in for Armie Hammer on Searchlight Pictures' soccer comedy Next Goal Wins directed by Oscar winner Taika Waititi.

From what we understand, Waititi held reshoots and Hammer wasn't available. The role that Hammer was playing, which Arnett took over, was that of an executive at the Football Federation American Samoa. The movie follows an infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match where they lost 31-0. With the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (played by Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world's worst soccer team around. I also hear that Arnett's role was developed to be slightly bigger versus Arnett's which was a cameo.

Arnett joins a cast in the Iain Morris and Waititi penned movie that also includes Elizabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, Chris Alosio, Rhys Darby and Angus Sampson. He is repped by Artists First, CAA and Robert Offer from Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern. Next Goal Wins producers are Garrett Basch of Film Rites, Jonathan Cavendish of Imaginarium Productions, and Mike Brett and Steve Jamison of Archer's Mark.

Last January, Hammer came under fire in a very public social media controversy in which an anonymous social media account under the name of the House of Effie, displayed direct messages from The Social Network actor detailing salacious fantasies. In the wake of the scandal, Hammer exited several projects including Lionsgate's Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy Shotgun Wedding, the Paramount+ series about the making of The Godfather, Starz's Watergate drama series Gaslit, and the Broadway production The Minutes. The LAPD named Hammer a suspect in an alleged sexual assault investigation, initiated on February 3, 2021. TMZ reported earlier this month that the LAPD investigation into Hammer wrapped, with law enforcement sending the case to the D.A. with charges not likely pressed against the actor.

Unlike the scenario with Sony's Ridley Scott 2017 movie All the Money in the World which replaced Kevin Spacey (who was accused of sexual misconduct at the time) with Christopher Plummer, weeks before the movie's release despite the former having already been filmed in a locked cut of the film, Hammer wasn't replaced on 20th Century Studios/Disney's upcoming Feb. 11 mystery Death on the Nile. Given the ensemble nature of that production, I understand, it wasn't practical to replace Hammer with another actor.

Arnett's feature credits include the upcoming Paramount animated feature Rumble, The Lego Movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Lego Batman Movie. He received a supporting actor comedy series nomination for his turn on Arrested Development, four Guest Actor in Comedy series noms for 30 Rock, and another two noms for the animated series BoJack Horseman. He also co-hosts the popular Smartless podcast with his pals Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes.

Waititi received a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for Searchlight's Jojo Rabbit in 2020, a movie which grossed over $90M at the global box office. He directed Disney/Marvel's Thor: Love & Thunder which will hit theaters on July 8, 2022.

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{allcanada} Alberta, B.C. join other provinces in cutting isolation requirements

 

Alberta and British Columbia announced that fully vaccinated people can cut their COVID-19 isolation periods in half, following in the footsteps of other provinces and the CDC in the United States.

"We are making these changes to help prevent disruptions in the Alberta workforce, especially for those who deliver services that Albertans count on," Alberta health minister Jason Copping said, according to CBC News. "We feel this step will help balance the need for continuity in the workforce, the well-being of Albertans, and our need to continue to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant."

The announcement could shorten the time athletes in those provinces who test positive are away from their teams. Under the new guidelines, fully-vaccinated people who test positive for COVID-19 but show no symptoms can leave isolation after only five days, instead of the previous 10. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people who test positive still need to isolate for 10 days and all people need to continue following all other public health guidelines, including wearing masks and practising physical distancing when possible.

Earlier this week, the NHL announced it was adjusting its protocols to a similar five-day isolation period, but only in regions where local health guidelines allow. Since that announcement by the NHL, Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have also shortened the quarantine time to five days.

The impact of the move on the NHL was seen Friday morning when Toronto Maple Leafs stars William Nylander, Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin were able to return to practice despite entering protocols less than 10 days ago. Head coach Sheldon Keefe said the three players could be in the lineup Saturday against the Ottawa Senators but a final decision would be made closer to game time.

The emergence of the new Omicron variant has seen COVID-19 cases rise across the NHL in the past month, with more than 80 games postponed as a result. However, all but one NHL player is vaccinated and many who have tested positive in recent weeks have reported mild to no symptoms. If that trend continues, the NHL could see fewer games postponed in the new year.

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{allcanada} NHL postpones nine more games due to Canadian attendance restrictions

 

The NHL has postponed nine additional games due to restricted attendance rules in Canadian cities.

The postponements include eight games in Canada, plus one game in Seattle between the Kraken and Islanders, which was postponed due to the fact the other three games on New York's trip through Western Canada were postponed.

All seven teams in Canada are playing under various levels of attendance restrictions imposed by provincial governments, from as low as zero per cent in Quebec to as high as 50 per cent in Alberta.

The NHL has now postponed more than 90 games due to COVID-19 concerns in Canada and the United States. However, two games hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs -- on Jan. 1 against Ottawa and Jan. 5 against Edmonton -- remain on the schedule after, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports, the NHL gave the Maple Leafs a choice in whether those games would go ahead.

Below are the latest games postponed by the NHL.

Monday, Jan. 3
Minnesota @ Ottawa

Tuesday, Jan. 4
New York Islanders @ Seattle

Wednesday, Jan. 5
New York Islanders @ Vancouver

Saturday, Jan. 8
New York Islanders @ Edmonton

Tuesday, Jan. 11
New York Islanders @ Calgary

Wednesday, Jan. 12
Minnesota @ Edmonton

Friday, Jan. 14
Vegas @ Edmonton

Saturday, Jan. 15
Vegas @ Calgary

Sunday, Jan. 16
Edmonton @ Winnipeg

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{allcanada} Stampeders sign QB Maier to contract extension

 

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed American quarterback Jake Maier, who emerged as a dependable backup to Bo Levi Mitchell last season.

Maier played 11 games for the Stampeders during his rookie CFL season in 2021 and made three starts. He completed 95 of 148 passes (64.2-per cent) for 1,211 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

He had three 300-yard passing games and was the first player in CFL history to crack the 300-yard milestone in each of his first three starts.

Maier also carried the ball 16 times for 31 yards and two touchdowns and made one catch for six yards.

Maier won his CFL debut in Week 3 in place on an injured Mitchell as Calgary beat Montreal 28-22.

He set a franchise record the following week by completing 17 consecutive passes in an 18-16 loss at Winnipeg.

Making his third start on the final week of the season, Maier he helped the Stampeders rally from a 12-point deficit with five minutes remaining for a 13-12 win over the Blue Bombers.

"Jake showed great promise during his rookie season and made a remarkably rapid adjustment to the Canadian game," Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said in a statement. "I look forward to seeing him continue his development next season."

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Thursday, December 30, 2021

{allcanada} No fans allowed at Canada's figure skating championships due to COVID-19 concerns

 

OTTAWA — Canada's figure skating championships will have no fans in attendance as the national sports organization adapts to surging COVID-19 numbers.

Skate Canada said on Thursday all purchased tickets for the event at Ottawa's TD Place Arena for Jan. 6-13 will be refunded. This change aligns with the Ontario government's decision to limit attendance at sporting and other event venues.

"The health and safety of all participants in the championships is of paramount importance. We understand this is disappointing for our fans and stakeholders," said Skate Canada president Karen Butcher and CEO Debra Armstrong in a joint statement.

"However, our priority is to preserve the competitions necessary for the selection of teams for the Olympic Winter Games and ISU Championship events."

The governing body said that the senior event will go on as planned but that gala on Jan. 9 has been cancelled.

However, the junior event will have its schedule altered and the novice event has been postponed.

Media are no longer being allowed to attend in person and, instead, will conduct interviews virtually.

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{allcanada} Mangone scores winner as Spirit edge Greyhound in OHL action

 

Calem Mangone scored the game-winning goal with about six minutes left in the third period to help the Saginaw Spirit to a 2-1 victory over the Soo Greyhounds on Thursday.

Matyas Sapovaliv had the other goal for the Spirit.

Marco Mignosa replied for the visiting Greyhounds.

The Erie Otters dumped the Hamilton Bulldogs 7-2 in the other Ontario Hockey League game on the evening.

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{allcanada} LA Kings snap Vancouver's 7-game win streak under Boudreau

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) Adrian Kempe and Viktor Arvidsson scored in the shootout, Jonathan Quick made 17 saves and the Los Angeles Kings snapped the Vancouver Canucks' seven-game winning streak under new coach Bruce Boudreau with a 2-1 victory Thursday night.

Brendan Lemieux scored his sixth goal of the season in the second period for the Kings, who earned a point for the sixth time in eight games and snapped a five-game skid in their Pacific Division rivalry with Vancouver.

Bo Horvat scored Vancouver's tying goal with 7:54 left in regulation, and J.T. Miller extended his scoring streak to eight games with an assist for the Canucks.

Kempe scored in the first round of the shootout, and Horvat tied it in the third. Arvidsson connected for LA in the fifth round, and Quick stopped former Kings teammate Tanner Pearson to end it.

Jaroslav Halak stopped 34 shots while carrying the Canucks for long stretches of his first start since Dec. 14 and his second since Nov. 28. The well-traveled 36-year-old veteran has made just eight appearances behind starter Thatcher Demko.

Boudreau's winning streak began with a 4-0 victory over the Kings in his debut in Vancouver on Dec. 6. The likable veteran bench boss then tied the NHL record for the longest winning streak to start a coaching tenure when the Canucks beat his former Anaheim Ducks team in overtime last Tuesday night.

Quick gave the latest excellent performance in his impressive bounce-back season, but lost his shutout bid during a power play caused by Arvidsson shooting the puck over the glass. Miller made an exceptional play to corral the puck and fling it toward the net to Horvat, who tapped it home for his 11th goal.

Quick stopped Horvat on a breakaway in overtime after a turnover by Kings captain Anze Kopitar.

After a scoreless first period, Blake Lizotte's forechecking forced a turnover that led to Lemieux's deflection of Christian Wolanin's long shot. Lemieux's six goals in 21 games for LA are more than he scored in 49 games last season between the Rangers and Kings.

Lemieux also drew a penalty shot 57 seconds into the third period when Tyler Myers chopped at him on a breakaway, but Halak easily stopped Lemieux's low attempt.

COVID-19 WOES

Phillip Danault returned for the Kings from a stint on the non-roster/COVID-19 list that forced him to miss Tuesday's loss to Vegas. Cal Petersen exited the protocols Wednesday and served as Quick's backup against the Canucks.

Vancouver's COVID-19 problems grew Thursday when forward Justin Dowling entered the league protocols. A day earlier, Brock Boeser and Phil Di Giuseppe joined Alex Chiasson.

UP NEXT

Canucks: At Seattle on Saturday.

Kings: Host Philadelphia on Saturday.

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{allcanada} Tkachuk, Gaudreau lead Flames to 6-4 win over Kraken

 

SEATTLE (AP) Matthew Tkachuk scored the go-ahead goal with 2:26 left and had two assists as the Calgary Flames beat the Seattle Kraken 6-4 on Thursday night in their first game in nearly three weeks.

Johnny Gaudreau added two goals and assisted on the game-winner to give the Flames their first victory since Dec. 3. Milan Lucic, Andrew Mangiapane and Noah Hanifin also scored for Calgary, which handed Seattle its fourth straight loss.

Former Flames captain Mark Giordano had a goal and two assists in his first game against his old team, and Calle Jarnkrok added a goal and two assists for the Kraken. Yanni Gourde and Jared McCann also scored for Seattle, which got two assists from Colin Blackwell.

It was the Flames' first game since Dec. 11 due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Twenty members of the team and coach Darryl Sutter were among 33 Calgary personnel who tested positive for the coronavirus during the club's 19 days off.

Giordano opened the scoring at 5:48 with a slap shot from the high slot off a pass from Blackwell after Jarnkrok chased down the puck behind the net to start the scoring chance. The Kraken captain, selected in the expansion draft this summer, played 15 years for the Flames, serving as captain since 2013.

The Flames answered four minutes later when Nikita Zadorov drew Kraken goaltender Chris Driedger out of the net with a fake, then passed to Gaudreau in the right faceoff circle for a one-timer to tie it at 1.

Giordano stuck it to his old team again nine seconds into the second period when he gathered in the opening faceoff, skated deep into Calgary's end and found McCann in the slot. McCann misfired, but Jarnkrok put the rebound past Jacob Markstrom for a 2-1 lead.

Gaudreau tied it at 2 with his 12th goal of the season, a power-play rocket that beat Driedger glove side, bounced off the right post, then ricocheted off the left and into the net.

Gourde chased Blackwell's pass to the crease and pushed it past Markstrom to tie it at 3 with 4:39 gone in the third.

Mangiapane and McCann exchanged goals late in the period before Tkachuk's game-winner at 17:34. Hanifin, who also had an assist, added an empty-netter.

MORE ON GIO

Giordano became the 36th expansion player to score in his first game against his former team. He played 949 games for the Flames, second-most in team history.

NOTES: Seattle forward Jaden Schwartz is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Kole Lind was added to the lineup from the taxi squad. ... Seattle's goal nine seconds into the second was the team's quickest to start a period. . Calgary recalled G Dustin Wolf, who used to play in nearby Everett, on an emergency basis from Stockton of the AHL. The team placed forward Brett Ritchie in COVID-19 protocol and assigned C Byron Froese to the taxi squad. . Seattle D Jamie Oleksiak appeared in his 400th career game.

UP NEXT

Flames: Calgary is at Chicago on Sunday.

Kraken: Seattle hosts Vancouver on Saturday.

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{allcanada} Raanta, Teravainen help Hurricanes beat Canadiens in return

 

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Antti Raanta made 26 saves, Teuvo Teravainen scored two goals and the Carolina Hurricanes excelled on special teams in a 4-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

The Hurricanes scored three times on power plays and another time short-handed in their first game in nearly two weeks.

''It was kind of what I thought it was going to look like,'' Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. ''Special teams were huge. I knew we'd struggle (with) 5-on-5 play because we had been out so long. The nature of the whole thing, I figured it would kind of look like that.''

Raanta, usually the backup in his first season with the Hurricanes, had his first shutout since Feb. 4, 2020. He stopped nine shots in each of the first two periods.

''I haven't played in a couple of weeks, so it's always a little tough to get all the saves as perfect as you want,'' Raanta said.

Nino Niederreiter and Seth Jarvis also scored, Jaccob Slavin had three assists and Sebastian Aho added two assists.

The Hurricanes, who won for the seventh time in their last eight games, had seven skaters back since clearing COVID protocol.

Montreal is 1-7-2 in its last 10 games. Sam Montembeault stopped 32 shots.

The Canadiens have been blanked four times this season, including twice in their last six games.

''We're all trying to show that we belong,'' Montreal center Nick Suzuki said. ''I thought we all worked hard. They have a good team over there and we just didn't put the puck in the net.''

Niederreiter's power-play goal opened the scoring shortly after the midway mark of the first period. Then, Teravainen converted on a short-handed breakaway, receiving a pass from Aho.

Teravainen provided the only second-period scoring with a power-play goal. Jarvis posted his first goal in his last 12 games in the third period.

The Hurricanes hadn't played since Dec. 18, with four games since then called off. They had five games in December scrapped.

The Canadiens were in their second game since four games had been postponed, falling 5-4 in overtime Tuesday night at Tampa Bay.

MORE POINTS

Aho, the Carolina scoring leader, hadn't played since Dec. 11 as he had one the longest layoffs among players on the team. His two assists pushed his points total to 34, giving him six consecutive multi-point games.

WHO'S HERE?

Montreal has 13 players in COVID protocol after adding defensemen Louie Belpedio and Gianni Fairbrother prior to the game.

It was the NHL debut for Montreal left winger Brandon Baddock. So there were several new line combinations for the Canadiens.

''Try to find chemistry with different players,'' Suzuki said. ''You try to do your best.''

Montreal's situation was further complicated when Brendan Gallagher exited with a lower-body injury after less than 10 minutes of ice time.

''We don't think right now it's too serious,'' coach Dominique Ducharme said.

Goalie Frederik Andersen came out of Hurricanes protocol and was the backup. That left only defenseman Brendan Smith in the protocol among Carolina players.

Jesper Fast also came out of the COVID protocol. That's notable because he never missed a game during that time, so he's one of six Hurricanes to play in all 30 games.

QUITE A YEAR

For 2021, the Hurricanes had the highest regular-season points percentage (.724) in the NHL. In 86 regular-season games in 2021, they were 58-19-9.

That's the best win percentage for any NHL team in any year with at least 40 games played since 2013.

UP NEXT

Canadiens: At Florida on Saturday.

Hurricanes: At Columbus on Saturday.

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{allcanada} Canucks' Justin Dowling has entered NHL's COVID-19 protocol

 
Vancouver Canucks forward Justin Dowling has entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, the team announced Thursday.

Dowling becomes the fourth player currently in protocol, joining Alex Chiasson (Dec. 26), Brock Boeser (Dec. 29) and Phil Di Giuseppe (Dec. 29). One member of the Canucks' support staff is also in protocol.

Through 18 games played in the 2021-22 season, Dowling has two goals and one assist.

The Canucks are 7-0 under new head coach Bruce Boudreau and are looking to win their eighth consecutive game on Thursday night when they visit the Los Angeles Kings.

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{allcanada} Ontario further sets capacity limits for venues

 

TORONTO — The Ontario government has capped the crowd size for indoor venues at 1,000 spectators or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is less, as the province deals with an outbreak of COVID-19 cases.

The announcement made Thursday by Dr. Kieran Moore, the province's chief medical officer, will significantly affect the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, the NBA's Toronto Raptors and Ontario Hockey League teams based in the province.

The new capacity limits will go into effect Friday. The Raptors are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Clippers that night.

The Maple Leafs' next two home games are Saturday against Ottawa and Wednesday against Edmonton. Whether they go on as scheduled remains to be seen, as the NHL may choose to postpone them until the cap on crowd size in Ontario is lifted.

The Maple Leafs, Senators and Raptors started their respective seasons operating at full capacity, but that was slashed to 50 per cent earlier this month as the latest COVID-19 wave fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron variant started to take hold in Ontario.

The news comes as the province has set several records for daily COVID-19 infections in quick succession, with the latest peak — 13,807 new infections — reported Thursday. The province also recorded eight new deaths due to COVID-19.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said Thursday that 965 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, including 200 people in intensive care.

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{allcanada} QMJHL extends break to Jan. 14 due to rise in COVID-19 cases

 

MONTREAL — The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has extended its holiday break until Jan. 14 as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Eastern Canada.

The QMJHL said in a statement Thursday that it's pushing back the end of its break to create a safe environment for players and staff, facilitate players' return to school and allow them time to practice and work out.

The league was originally scheduled to resume play Jan. 7 after starting its break on Dec. 18.

The QMJHL says its regular season schedule will resume in the week of Jan. 17, with postponed games to be rescheduled at a later date.

The league said its updated COVID-19 protocols include a series of preventive testing before players and staff reconvene, and that additional measures will be announced in the upcoming days.

The other two major junior leagues under the Canadian Hockey League umbrella — the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League — have resumed play.

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{allcanada} Canada's women's soccer named CP team of the year

 

Nine years ago Canada's national women's team earned bronze at the London Olympics after a controversial semifinal loss to the United States.

Canada's women were named the team of the year by The Canadian Press at the end of 2012, but the national side wanted more. They wanted Olympic gold.

Julia Grosso's goal in penalty kicks lifted Canada to a 1-1 shootout victory over Sweden in the Tokyo Games final this past summer, realizing that nearly decade-old dream. That championship victory was the highlight of a 13-match unbeaten streak that once again earned Canada's women team of the year honours from The Canadian Press on Thursday.

Manager Bev Priestman said that placing third in London and then again at the 2016 Rio Olympics fuelled her squad to push harder for gold.

"I think that moment (in London) created a lot of the momentum and the belief and the passion for the younger players over the last eight years," said Priestman who added that Grosso had specifically referenced coming up short in London as motivation.

"You'd like to think that this gold medal now is going to have the same impact on any young player in Canada, because they got to see such a moment that will hopefully inspire them to go and represent Canada in the future."

Canada's women's side finished 2021 with nine wins, six draws, and three losses. The 13-match unbeaten streak in the middle of the year carried the Canadians through the Tokyo Olympic tournament and included two wins against New Zealand in a Celebration Tour to commemorate the gold-medal win.

Priestman said that her team's success in 2021 was thanks to the right mix of young and old players, all united in their passion to reach the next level and inspire a new generation of players.

"We've got a great blend of veteran players with many, many Olympics and World Cups in their experiences and a young group who actually have Olympic Games under their belt," said Priestman. "And then it's ready to go take a whole new group of faces on that journey now to help us sustain success in the future."

The Canadian Press team of the year award was founded in 1966 and has been given to Stanley Cup champions, Grey Cup champions, World Series champions, and the storied 1972 Summit Series team — both in 1972 and again in 1999 as the team of the century — among others.

Sports editors, writers and broadcasters from across Canada vote on the award. The women's soccer team won this year's award in a landslide, taking 38 of 44 possible votes.

Canada's Olympic women's swim team was second with three votes, followed by the women's national hockey team, the men's national soccer team, and the Montreal Canadiens who had one vote each.

"Team Canada must be a lock in what has to be one of the most competitive fields in decades to win this award," said David Trifunov, managing editor of the Kelowna Daily News. "Finally reaching the summit of women's soccer after years of crowding the podium was inspirational to the tens of thousands of children first lacing up their cleats across the nation."

Priestman and her team are not resting on their laurels, with a World Cup title Canada's next target.

"We've done fantastic with back-to-back-to-back podiums at Olympics. Now it's about us trying to get on the podium for the World Cup, which we've yet to do," said Priestman.

The Women's World Cup will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Canada will have to qualify through a regional tournament this coming July.

Tennis player Leylah Fernandez won the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as CP's top female athlete on Tuesday. Olympic decathlete Damian Warner won the Lionel Conacher Award as CP' top male athlete on Wednesday.

The Canadian men's junior hockey team won the award in 2020.

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