Canada & World

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear, right, is tripped by Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway during second period NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Captain Bo Horvat has 4 points to lead Canucks to 5-2 road win over Oilers

Vancouver heads into NHL Christmas break on a high note

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear, right, is tripped by Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway during second period NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. This was Ovechkin’s 801st NHL goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Ovechkin nets 2, passes Gordie Howe for 2nd in NHL career goals

Washington winger now has 802 tallies, behind only Wayne Gretzky

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. This was Ovechkin’s 801st NHL goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Canada’s Mason McTavish (23) celebrates the win over Finland during IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Edmonton, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Canada set to begin quest for 20th gold medal at world juniors

Star-studded roster set to open play in the Maritimes on Boxing Day

Canada’s Mason McTavish (23) celebrates the win over Finland during IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Edmonton, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Vancouver Canucks’ Kyle Burroughs (44) and Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tanev (13) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pettersson nets shootout winner, scores 2 others as Canucks top Kraken 6-5

Vancouver forward finishes with 5 points on the night

Vancouver Canucks’ Kyle Burroughs (44) and Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tanev (13) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE -NFL CommissionerRoger Goodell answers questions from reporters at a press conference following the close of the NFL owner’s meeting, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 he isn’t ready to oust Daniel Snyder as owner of the Washington Commanders and wants to discuss the possibility with other NFL owners.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

NFL ‘Sunday Ticket’ headed to YouTube beginning next season

Paid service currently averages 2 million subscribers.

FILE -NFL CommissionerRoger Goodell answers questions from reporters at a press conference following the close of the NFL owner’s meeting, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 he isn’t ready to oust Daniel Snyder as owner of the Washington Commanders and wants to discuss the possibility with other NFL owners.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Sea of people try to catch glimpse of Argentina soccer team

Thousands lined the highway, many waving Argentine flags as team headed to dowtown Buenos Aires

Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) stickhandles past Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, December 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kyrou leads visiting St. Louis Blues to 5-1 triumph over Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver wraps up 3-game home stand Thursday against Seattle

St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) stickhandles past Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, December 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner sits during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Phoenix. Brittney Griner said she's “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury a week after she was released from a Russian prison and freed in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange. “It feels so good to be home!” Griner posted to Instagram on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, in her first public statement since her release. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Brittney Griner says she’ll play basketball in Arizona again

Brittney Griner said she’s “grateful” to be back in the United States…

FILE - Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner sits during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Phoenix. Brittney Griner said she's “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury a week after she was released from a Russian prison and freed in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange. “It feels so good to be home!” Griner posted to Instagram on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, in her first public statement since her release. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
A Team Canada logo is shown on a player during the warm-up prior to Rivalry Series hockey action against the United States in Kamloops, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Hockey Canada says there were more than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination -- verbal taunts, insults and intimidation -- across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston

London police believe woman alleging sexual assault by Canadian junior team players

Investigator states in legal documents suspects knew or ought to have known woman had not consented

A Team Canada logo is shown on a player during the warm-up prior to Rivalry Series hockey action against the United States in Kamloops, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Hockey Canada says there were more than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination -- verbal taunts, insults and intimidation -- across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston
Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn, back right, shoves Winnipeg Jets’ David Gustafsson, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Connor extends streak, Winnipeg Jets hand Vancouver Canucks lopsided 5-1 loss

B.C. side continues 3-game homestand Monday against St. Louis Blues

Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn, back right, shoves Winnipeg Jets’ David Gustafsson, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje perform their ice dance free dance during the ISU World Team Trophy Figure Skating competition Friday, April 12, 2019, in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toru Hanai

Any two athletes can compete together domestically in ice dance, pairs: Skate Canada

Previous definition was one woman and one man

Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje perform their ice dance free dance during the ISU World Team Trophy Figure Skating competition Friday, April 12, 2019, in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toru Hanai
Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin, left, and forward Conor Garland celebrate defeating the Calgary Flames in a shootout during NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Kuzmenko, Martin lead Canucks to 4-3 shootout win over Calgary Flames

Vancouver opens a 3-game homestand against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday

Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin, left, and forward Conor Garland celebrate defeating the Calgary Flames in a shootout during NHL hockey action in Calgary, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Ovechkin at 800 now chasing Howe for 2nd on NHL goals list

Ovechkin is just two goals behind Howe, 94 behind first-placed Gretzky

Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Griezmann gives his all, France advances to World Cup final

France will now try to deny Argentina star Lionel Messi a first World Cup title on Sunday

France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell watches from the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Vancouver on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions sign co-general managers Campbell, McEvoy to extensions

Rare co-management arrangement extend through 2024

B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell watches from the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Vancouver on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)

Morocco faces France in politically charged World Cup semifinal

More than soccer on people’s minds as winner moves on to face Argentina in the final

FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat says he’s focused on playing hockey as talk picks up about his future with the team.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks’ captain Bo Horvat trying to focus on hockey as trade talk swirls

Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat says he’s focused on playing hockey as…

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat says he’s focused on playing hockey as talk picks up about his future with the team.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Álvarez surges, scores, carries Argentina to World Cup final

Victory over Croatia vaults nation into winner-take-all match versus France or Morocco

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Connor Bedard and Shane Wright headline Canada’s roster for the upcoming world junior hockey championship. Hockey Canada announced its cuts Monday following two practice days and two exhibition games as part of its selection camp. Bedard skates during the selection camp in Moncton, N.B., Friday, December 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward

Bedard, Wright headline Canada’s roster for world junior hockey championships

Canada is looking to add a 20th gold medal at the under-20 event, which opens on Boxing Day

Connor Bedard and Shane Wright headline Canada’s roster for the upcoming world junior hockey championship. Hockey Canada announced its cuts Monday following two practice days and two exhibition games as part of its selection camp. Bedard skates during the selection camp in Moncton, N.B., Friday, December 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward
Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier compete during the Ice Dance Free Dance at the figure skating Grand Prix finals at the Palavela ice arena, in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Antonio Calanni

Canada’s Gilles and Poirier win ice dance gold at Grand Prix Final

The two performed to Madonna’s ‘Evita’

Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier compete during the Ice Dance Free Dance at the figure skating Grand Prix finals at the Palavela ice arena, in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Antonio Calanni