National Sports

Curler Lauren Rajala was thrilled to get word last year that she'd be representing Canada at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Canada's Eugenie Bouchard opened the 2020 season with 7-5, 7-5 win over Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens in the first round of the ASB Classic on Monday.

MOSCOW — Some Russian hockey fans were celebrating victory despite losing at the world junior hockey championships because of a confusingly timed TV repeat. Two state TV channels showed Russia-Canada finals at the same time on Sunday.

Sunday's Games World Junior Hockey Championship At Ostrava Czech Republic Relegation Germany 5 Kazakhstan 1 (Germany wins best-of-three series 2-1) Bronze Sweden 3 Finland 2 Final Canada 4 Russia 3 --- NFL NFC Wild Card Playoffs Minnesota 26 New Orle

Sunday's Games World Junior Hockey Championship At Ostrava Czech Republic Relegation Germany 5 Kazakhstan 1 (Germany wins best-of-three series 2-1) Bronze Sweden 3 Finland 2 Final Canada 4 Russia 3 --- NFL NFC Wild Card Playoffs Minnesota 26 New Orle

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sitting at the end of the bench, Dillon Dube couldn’t hear his coach call out names, but he kept looking over wanting for his chance in the shootout. For someone who’d never been in that situation before, Dube came through.

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Akil Thomas was in the crowd two years ago when little-used Tyler Steenbergen scored the winning goal for Canada at the world juniors. Having just turned 18, he made a declaration to his friends.

NEW ORLEANS — After tight end Kyle Rudolph emerged from a purple swarm of celebrating Vikings near the corner of the end zone, he took an opportunity to mock those who doubted quarterback Kirk Cousins' ability to come through in the clutch.

BRESCIA, Italy — Mario Balotelli slammed Lazio soccer fans after the Italian forward was once again the target of racist chants in Brescia’s 2-1 home defeat on Sunday.

Curtis Jones and Wayne Rooney, Liverpudlians at opposite ends of their soccer careers, played starring roles in the FA Cup on Sunday.