National Sports

TORONTO — The Maple Leafs woke up Friday morning and found themselves in an uncomfortable position — on the outside looking in.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Vancouver Canucks have recalled forward Sven Baertschi from the American Hockey League's Utica Comets.

TOKYO — Britain's Royal Family is getting excited about England's appearance in the Rugby World Cup final — even its most recent arrival.

OTTAWA — Canada has earned a berth in the women's slalom kayak at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics following a reallocation process of eligible countries.

TORONTO — Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe and midfielder Samuel Piette are Canada Soccer's players of the month for October.

Canada came close to making the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup, denied by a 7-4 loss to Cuba in the CONCACAF qualifier.

HAMILTON — There will be no final-season break for Luke Tasker. The slotback will be one of the few veterans on the field Saturday night when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (14-3) close out the regular season hosting the Toronto Argonauts (4-13).

The Canadian men's field hockey team has booked its ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. Now it's the women's turn. Like the men, the women have Ireland standing in their way.

Hockey on a Saturday night is woven into Canada's cultural fabric. Families gather in front of televisions, friends meet at bars, and fans make arena pilgrimages to cheer on their favourite teams.

TOKYO — Ben Smith scored two vintage tries, Kieran Read did a power of work and Sonny Bill Williams produced a pair of trademark offloads as three veteran All Blacks went into retirement with a bronze medal to go with their previous Rugby World Cup t