National Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Steven Matz sensed the buzz from fans when warming up before his Toronto debut, then helped the Blue Jays ruin the home opener for the Texas Rangers before the largest MLB crowd since the pandemic.

VANCOUVER — The NHL's deputy commissioner says the Vancouver Canucks' COVID-19 outbreak is concerning, but remains confident the team will be able to complete its schedule.

TORONTO — Canadian featherweight Tristan (Boondock) Connelly will face Pat Sabatini later this month at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Fla.

HUMBOLDT, Sask. — A Saskatchewan city says it has a plan to permanently commemorate the deadly Broncos bus crash.

LILLE, France — Canadian international striker Jonathan David will be out for several weeks after rupturing the lateral ligament in his right ankle playing for Lille.

Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu says the foot injury she sustained in the final of the Miami Open is not serious, but it will keep her out of Canada's upcoming tie at the Billie Jean Cup. The 20-year-old from Mississauga, Ont.

Elevated to Toronto FC's first team, young striker Jordan Perruzza is still a little star-struck. Especially when it comes to captain Michael Bradley. The admiration is sparked by more than Bradley's distinguished playing record.

MONTREAL — Veteran centre Eric Staal admitted to some "good nervous energy "ahead of his Montreal Canadiens debut.

CALGARY — Auston Matthews and John Tavares rode to the rescue scoring third-period goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 4-2 win Sunday over the host Calgary Flames.

CALGARY — An unexpected steal and a force put Canada's Brendan Bottcher in the situation he wanted against Switzerland on Sunday at the BKT Tires & OK Tire World Men's Curling Championship.