National Sports

SASKATOON — Some favourites at Canada's Olympic curling trials are in their expected spot at the top of the round-robin standings. What's more surprising is the star power languishing near the bottom.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Elvis Merzlikins made 36 saves for his seventh career shutout and the Columbus Blue Jackets blanked Winnipeg 3-0 on Wednesday night to hand the Jets their fourth consecutive defeat.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Evgeny Kuznetsov scored his seventh goal and added an assist, Alex Ovechkin had three assists in a game for the first time in nearly four years, and the Washington Capitals cruised to a 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesd

HAMILTON — Forge FC got a pair of late goals Wednesday and battled Honduran side Motagua to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Scotiabank CONCACAF League semifinal. Motagua took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Kevin Lopez scored in the 43rd minute.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins have spent much of the first six weeks of the season grappling with injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak.

WINDSOR, Ont. — Brett Brochu made 35 saves Wednesday, leading the London Knights to a 5-2 win over the Windsor Spitfires in Ontario Hockey League play.

VICTORIAVILLE, Que. — Zachary Dean scored twice and the Gatineau Olympiques doubled up the Victoriaville Tigres 4-2 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action on Wednesday.

LAKE LOUISE, Alta. — Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was the fastest finisher in a men's downhill training session at the World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday. The Norwegian was 0.

An independent judicial committee has exonerated Canadian prop Olivia DeMerchant, who was sent off in Canada's 24-7 rugby win over Wales on Sunday.

TORONTO — Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio say Canada's success on the international front provided a welcome break from Toronto FC's dismal season.