National Sports

MONTREAL — CF Montreal’s bye week gave head coach Laurent Courtois a chance to step back, assess his team and chart a plan for the rest of the season as the Major League Soccer midway mark approaches.

VANCOUVER — Christian Covington probably could have finagled his way out of making an appearance in the B.C. Lions’ rookie talent show. After all, he isn’t exactly new to professional football.

HAMILTON — Jamal Peters could return just in time to face the buzz saw that is Shawn Bane Jr. The veteran cornerback resumed practising this week with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

A review of Canada Soccer's governance recommends that the governing body modernize its bylaws, make changes to its board structure, improve its communication and transparency, and improve athlete involvement.

LANGFORD, B.C. — Canada rugby sevens captain Olivia Apps is back with the team after being treated for a cougar bite in a B.C. provincial park. Rugby Canada confirmed the attack and said the 25-year-old from Lindsay, Ont.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps know Major League Soccer's standings can be deceiving. Just because a team sits at the bottom of the table doesn't mean it's going to be an easy opponent.

FUKUOKA — The Canadian women's volleyball team had their Olympic dreams all but ended Friday with a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands in Volleyball Nations League action. Set scores were 26-24, 25-16 and 25-23 as the Dutch opened up a 22.

Canada has moved up one spot to No. 8 in the latest FIFA women's world rankings. Spain remains No. 1 while France moves into a career-high second place at the expense of England. Germany climbs one rung to No. 4, dropping the U.S. to No. 5.

EDMONTON — Sergei Bobrovsky’s dressing-room stall is a shrine. A gold crucifix hangs from a chain. Next to it is a royal blue Orthodox prayer tassel. And the Florida goaltender's play has been nothing short of divine in the Stanley Cup final.

VANCOUVER — Rick Campbell wants his B.C. Lions to be locked in on Saturday, a task that will require tuning out a unique distraction — a 50 Cent concert. The rapper behind hits "In da Club" and "Just a Lil Bit" will take the stage at B.C.