National Sports

EDMONTON — One image served as goalie Devon Levi's driving force as he and the other Canadian players waited out quarantine in their hotel rooms — playing for gold at the world junior hockey championship. Now the image is coming into focus.

EDMONTON — The United States will play for gold at the world junior hockey championship after beating Finland 4-3 on Monday in the tournament semifinals.

TAMPA, Fla. — Six games into the season and the Toronto Raptors have, in the words of Fred VanVleet, "a boatload of problems.

TORONTO — New Canada women's soccer coach Bev Priestman has brought Richie Kyle on board as an assistant coach in her first hire. Kyle, who has his UEFA Pro licence, was a specialist coach with England's Football Association from 2017 to 2020.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Canadians Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil have pulled out of the season-opening Delray Beach Open. The ATP Tour 250 hard-court event opens Thursday.

The stay in the curling bubble starting next month in Calgary could be brief for some athletes and a very long one for others. "We're going to pack for two months," said Toronto-based skip John Epping. "The longer we're in there, the better.

Patrik Laine was given every opportunity to clarify his standing with the Winnipeg Jets.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The American Hockey League's four Canadian teams will play in one of five newly-created divisions for this season.

CALGARY — The jersey number Jacob Markstrom wanted to wear with the Calgary Flames hangs from the Saddledome rafters. Calgary's newest goaltender felt it necessary to get Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk's blessing to don No. 25.

WINNIPEG — The longest-serving member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has signed a one-year extension with the club. Canadian defensive tackle Jake Thomas will return for his ninth season with Winnipeg.