National Sports

Pride nights, held annually for several years by National Hockey League teams to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, are in the spotlight following several high-profile incidents this season.

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Kaori Sakamoto fended off a challenge from South Korea’s Lee Hae-in on Friday to become the first Japanese woman to defend her title at the figure skating world championships.

TORONTO — Canada's Hollie Naughton was a young fan the last time a Professional Squash Association international tournament was played on an all-glass showcourt in downtown Toronto. This time around she's one of the headliners.

One win is required for the Toronto Six to become the first Canadian team to hoist the Isobel Cup. The Six face the surprising Minnesota Whitecaps in the Premier Hockey League's championship game Sunday in Tempe, Ariz.

Canada remains unchanged at No. 6 in the latest FIFA women's rankings that see Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia included for the first time. The top five is also the same with the U.S. on top, ahead of Germany, Sweden, England and France.

SANDVIKEN, Sweden — Canada's Kerri Einarson scored a 10-4 decision over Turkey's Dilsat Yildiz to move one step closer to the playoff round at the women's world curling championship on Friday.

VANCOUVER — Andrei Kuzmenko isn't yet satisfied with his first year in the NHL. The Russian winger scored his 35th goal of the season and notched an assist Thursday as his Vancouver Canucks toppled the struggling San Jose Sharks 7-2.

CALGARY — Logan Thompson's triumphant return for Vegas after six weeks on the shelf was overshadowed by him exiting the game late in the third period with another injury.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Adam Lowry scored the tiebreaking goal with 9:13 to play and the Winnipeg Jets made progress in the playoff race with a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.

Thursday's Scoreboard NHL Boston 4 Montreal 2 Ottawa 7 Tampa Bay 2 Toronto 6 Florida 2 Vegas 3 Calgary 2 Vancouver 7 San Jose 2 Winnipeg 3 Anaheim 2 Philadelphia 5 Minnesota 4 (SO) Washington 6 Chicago 1 N.Y. Rangers 2 Carolina 1 St.