National Sports

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes signed American defensive back Darius Williams to a one-year contract Thursday.

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions signed American defensive backs Manny Rugamba and Mallory Claybourne on Thursday. Rugamba became the first Rwandan to sign with an NFL team in 2021 when he joined the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent.

CALGARY — The Western Hockey League playoffs will begin April 22, the league announced Thursday. That will allow for the rescheduling of previously postponed regular-season games. The 2021-22 regular season is scheduled to end April 17.

BEIJING — Who else but Marie-Philip Poulin? The big-time performer who has made a career of thriving on hockey's biggest stages did it again Thursday in Beijing, helping Canada reclaim Olympic women's hockey gold against its arch rival.

NEW YORK (AP) — One of the world's greatest big-wave surfers, Brazil's Maya Gabeira, has embarked on a kid-friendly adventure.

HAMILTON — Forge FC fell 1-0 to Mexican heavyweight Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions League action Wednesday night. Rómulo Otero scored the winner off a long-range free kick in the 31st minute.

ZHANGJIAKOU, China — Canada's Marielle Thompson has won the silver medal in women's ski cross at the Beijing Olympics after finishing second in a drama-filled final. Thompson, from Whistler, B.C.

CALGARY — Bailed out by his teammates after a taking a high-sticking double-minor in the game's opening minute, Elias Lindholm expressed his appreciation on the scoreboard.

BEIJING — Canada reclaimed Olympic women's hockey gold with a 3-2 win over the United States on Thursday. Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. has no exotic plans for the All-Star break, he's just happy to use the time for bonus bonding with his three younger brothers in Minnesota.