National Sports

LIVERPOOL, N.S. — Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant cleared a big hurdle Saturday in their quest to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

BARBASTRO, Spain (AP) — A player from fourth-division club Barbastro lost and won on Saturday. After losing to Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey, Israel García dropped to one knee on the field and asked his girlfriend Pilar to marry him.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 872 goals and needs 23 to set a new record.

OTTAWA — Katherine Henderson shares in the disappointment. Hockey Canada's president and CEO adds the national sport organization will do what's necessary to avoid a repeat.

TORONTO — Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews says he is ready to return. Matthews confirmed the news at the morning skate ahead of Toronto's home game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jason Kelce chatted with the Linc — yes, the concrete and steel of the Philadelphia Eagles' home stadium answered him with a pep talk — before the retired All-Pro lineman toured the city in his Eagles helmet car all while dressed

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (AP) — Olympic champion Sara Hector won her second women’s World Cup giant slalom of the season on Saturday as Italian skier Federica Brignone fell in the first run. Hector, who was fastest in the first run, finished 1.

MONTREAL — CF Montreal has loaned forward Matias Coccaro to Atlas FC of Mexico's Liga MX for the rest of the year. The transaction includes a loan fee and a permanent transfer option at its conclusion, the MLS team said in a release.

As the calendar flips to 2025, the countdown to the 2026 Olympics begins for Canada’s top figure skaters. The Canadians hope to build on a strong 2024 in ice dancing and pairs heading into a "massive" year.

VANCOUVER — A heavy workload isn't fazing Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen. The Finnish netminder logged more than 94 minutes of ice time over two days as his team continues to deal with a rash of injuries.