National Sports

Now the real fun begins for Canadian John Metchie III and the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama, ranked first in The Associated Press top-25 NCAA football poll, improved to 11-0 on Saturday with a 52-46 win over No.

CALGARY — A world-famous annual rodeo that survived the Great Depression, two world wars and a devastating flood seven years ago was felled by a microscopic virus this year and will have a different look if it's allowed to go forward in 2021.

EDMONTON — Jamie Drysdale scored the game's only goal as Canada defeated Russia 1-0 on Wednesday in a pre-tournament game ahead of the world junior hockey championship. It could be a costly win for the host side.

TAMPA, Fla. — It was a Toronto Raptors' home opener unlike any other, played a couple thousand kilometres from home, in front of a tiny bipartisan crowd, on a day that saw the league postpone a game - on just Day 2 of the season - due to COVID-19.

HOUSTON — The James Harden soap opera in Houston now comes with a cancelled season opener — and a $50,000 fine for the league's leading scorer.

TORONTO — The NHL released its schedule for the 2020-21 season Wednesday, but Ontario's minister of sport said discussions are still ongoing about how the all-Canadian North division will operate.

TAMPA, Fla. — Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell is listed as available for Wednesday night's season opener against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. Powell was listed as questionable earlier in the day.

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed homegrown offensive linemen Dan Clark and Brendon LaBatte through the 2022 season. The Regina-born Clark was a CFL all-star in 2019, helping the Roughriders score a league-high 26 rushing touchdowns.

Toronto FC striker Ayo Akinola will get a chance to see how the other half lives next month at a Canadian national team camp in Florida.

LONDON — Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier was banned from football for 10 weeks on Wednesday for breaching betting rules in a punishment from The English Football Association that applies worldwide.