National Sports

After impressing against regional competition in qualifying for its first World Cup since 1986, Canada now faces a string of next-level tests in Qatar, starting with No. 2 Belgium. Here's a look at Canada's Group F opposition: BELGIUM (Nov. 23, 2 p.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The sale of all beer with alcohol at the eight World Cup stadiums was banned Friday, only two days before the soccer tournament is set to start. Non-alcoholic beer will still be sold at the 64 matches in the country.

SAINT CATHARINES, Ont. — Sebastien Gervais scored the game winner 6:09 into the third period as the Saginaw Spirit narrowly defeated the Niagara IceDogs 3-2 on Thursday. Theo Hill and Zayne Parekh added the others for Saginaw (13-6-1).

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Canada dropped a second consecutive contest in Rivalry Series play to the United States Thursday, falling 2-1 at Sandman Centre. Alex Carpenter scored what proved to be the winner with under seven minutes remaining.

WINNIPEG — Kyle Connor is starting to break out of a mini-slump. Connor completed his hat trick netting the game winner with 53.5 seconds remaining to give the Winnipeg Jets a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.

WINNIPEG — Matthew Savoie recorded a hat trick and three assists as the Winnipeg Ice outduelled the Regina Pats 9-5 on Thursday.

BAIE-COMEAU, Que. — Xavier Fortin knocked in the game-winning goal 46 seconds into overtime to lift the Baie-Comeau Drakkar past the Victoriaville Tigres 3-2 on Thursday. Nathan Baril and Félix Gagnon also scored for Baie-Comeau (9-9-2-1).

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nikita Kucherov had two goals, Andrei Vasilevskiy made 39 saves, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Thursday night. Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist, and Philippe Myers also scored for the Lightning.

TORONTO — Nico Hischier and his teammates delivered yet another message to their doubters Thursday. Long a Metropolitan Division doormat, these New Jersey Devils — balanced, lightning-quick, mature and confident — are an entirely different animal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Sean Kuraly scored twice in the third period and the Columbus Blue Jackets won their third straight home game, beating the Montreal Canadiens 6-4 on Thursday night.