Author: Vivian Penn

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The 4 Nations Face-Off has already delivered an instant classic international hockey game with the fight-filled preliminary round matchup between the United States and Canada last week in Montreal. 1:48 National pride on display at Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off opener Previous Video Next Video The U.S.-Canada rematch on Thursday night in Boston could be another memorable country vs. country showdown for a sport with deep roots in international competition. Story continues below advertisement 1972 Summit Series: Canada 6, USSR 5With the Cold War raging and the Soviet Union challenging Canada’s dominance in…

DUNEDIN – His spot at the top of the batting order no longer secure and his statistics trending downward, George Springer has plenty to prove as he enters the penultimate season of his six-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager John Schneider plans to give the veteran right-fielder some reps in left field this season and says the leadoff spot will likely be “a fluid situation.”“He’s open to anything and everything, which is awesome,” Schneider said. “So it’s just trying to use him appropriately.”Springer, 35, posted strong numbers in his first year with Toronto — an injury-riddled 2021 season…

DUNEDIN – His spot at the top of the batting order no longer secure and his statistics trending downward, George Springer has plenty to prove as he enters the penultimate season of his six-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager John Schneider plans to give the veteran right-fielder some reps in left field this season and says the leadoff spot will likely be “a fluid situation.”“He’s open to anything and everything, which is awesome,” Schneider said. “So it’s just trying to use him appropriately.”Springer, 35, posted strong numbers in his first year with Toronto — an injury-riddled 2021 season…

By Staff The Associated Press Posted February 18, 2025 4:10 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size The general manager of the U.S. team in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament said he would welcome a visit from U.S. President Donald Trump to the championship game between the United States and Canada on Thursday night. Bill Guerin, who played 18 years in the NHL for eight teams, said on Fox News that Trump’s presence would give a boost to the rivalry between the North American hockey powers. United States General Manager Bill Guerin and Head…

DUNEDIN – After Vladimir Guerrero Jr. confirmed the news that Blue Jays fans were dreading Tuesday morning, he walked into the team locker-room and put on his Toronto ball cap before making his way to the practice field. Negotiations were complete, his deadline for a contract extension passing without a deal. It was time to begin preparing for a season that’ll likely determine the direction of the only franchise he has ever known.The homegrown superstar is a Blue Jay for now. Talks that failed to produce a long-term deal mean he may not be after this season.“This is business. It’s…

By The Staff The Canadian Press Posted February 16, 2025 1:17 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Canada’s Melissa Lotholz and Skylar Sieben claimed bronze in their two-woman bobsled race at the final World Cup event of the season on Sunday. The result came after a last-minute decision to insert Sieben for Leah Walkeden as the brakewoman in Lotholz’s sled. Walkeden decided to withdraw Sunday after battling illness all week.Lotholz, a two-time Olympian from Barrhead, Alta., earned her first podium in 20 World Cup starts as a pilot. She has 19 World Cup and…

Canada and the United States have played some heated games on hockey’s international stage. The rivalry reached a new — and nasty — level Saturday.Dylan Larkin scored the go-ahead goal in the second period as the U.S. beat Canada 3-1 after a punch-filled start that saw three fights within nine seconds to open the countries’ electric matchup at the 4 Nations Face-Off.Jake Guentzel added two goals of his own, including one into an empty net, for the Americans. Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves.Connor McDavid replied for the Canadians, who were minus No. 1 defenceman Cale Makar because of illness. Jordan…

Cale Makar will do everything he can to step on the ice for Canada on Saturday night. But head coach Jon Cooper isn’t ready to confirm his top defenceman will be available for the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off matchup against the United States.“That’ll be a game-time decision,” Cooper said Saturday morning — “but trust me, this won’t be a situation (where) we ever put Cale Makar in harm’s way — so if he’s in the lineup, he’ll be good to go.”Cooper said goalie Jordan Binnington will start for the second consecutive game.Makar — an all-situations blueliner who quarterbacks Canada’s…

Descrease article font size Increase article font size Twenty-five years ago Vince Carter dominated the NBA’s Slam Dunk competition, inspiring a new generation of Canadian basketball players. Hamilton’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be doing the same thing Sunday as the only Canadian playing in the NBA’s All-Star Game. Mark Tatum, the deputy commissioner of the NBA, recently compared the impact Carter and the Toronto Raptors have had on basketball in Canada to the potential Gilgeous-Alexander has to inspire more fans.“It’s remarkable. I mean, basketball in Canada is growing and growing and growing,” said Tatum in a recent video conference call with…

Connor McDavid was hanging out with buddies from his Toronto minor hockey team. Nathan MacKinnon was trying to get home to Nova Scotia from the prep school he attended in Minnesota. A cancelled flight due to winter weather forced him to stay behind with a friend’s family.It was Feb. 28, 2010, and the teenagers, much like the rest of Canada, were on the edge of their seats as the national team met the United States in the men’s Olympic hockey final.Sidney Crosby — a 22-year-old, baby-faced superstar — stitched his name into the country’s sporting fabric that memorable Sunday when…