National Sports

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The National Hockey League's first preseason game in the Southern Hemisphere went ahead Saturday after officials apparently solved some issues with the quality of the ice at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.

The Rugby World Cup knockout stage has started early for Australia.

EXETER, United Kingdom — Canada recovered from a slow start Saturday but could not keep up with top-ranked England, losing 50-24 in a women's rugby test match.

VANCOUVER — Twice Frenchman Gael Monfils came to Felix Auger-Aliassime's side of the court to remonstrate with him during their Laver Cup match. Twice Auger-Aliassime ignored the taunts from his opponent.

Friday's Scoreboard CFL Ottawa 36, Saskatchewan 28 British Columbia 37, Edmonton 29 --- MLB American League Toronto 6, Tampa Bay 2 Boston 3, Chicago White Sox 2 Cleveland 9, Baltimore 8 Texas 8, Seattle 5 Kansas City 7, Houston 5 Minnesota 8, L.A.

EDMONTON — The Lions have secured a spot in the CFL's post-season. Taquan Mizzell ran in a pair of touchdowns as the B.C. Lions clinched a playoff spot with a 37-29 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Friday. “It’s a big deal.

CHICOUTIMI, Que. — Anthony Lavoie scored 1:35 into overtime as the Baie-Comeau Drakkar slipped past the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 5-4 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager and the Texas Rangers have talked all season about being resilient.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays got a big win, while the Tampa Bay Rays lost more than a game.

OTTAWA — It was dicey towards the end, but the Ottawa Redblacks can breathe a little easy after ending a lengthy winless skid.