National Sports

PALATKA, Fla. — Canadian pro fisher Cory Johnston took a huge step toward securing his first-ever Elite Series win Friday. Johnston, of Cavan, Ont.

CALGARY — Winning more games and the construction of a new arena will convince more NHL players that Calgary is a desirable place to play, some Flames said as they headed for the exits Friday.

VANCOUVER — Expectations for the Vancouver Canucks were not high heading into the season. Asked in September if he expected the team to make the playoffs, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford hedged.

BOSTON — Auston Matthews has closed the book on his staggering regular season. The Maple Leafs sniper came one shot — one crossbar — short of becoming just the ninth player in NHL history to reach 70 goals in a campaign.

TSS Rovers FC are replacing the inactive Victoria Highlanders in this year's Canadian Championship and will face Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League in the preliminary round.

MONTREAL — Danièle Sauvageau says there’s so much interest in the Professional Women’s Hockey League game at the Bell Centre that she’s searching for ways to outsmart the arena’s security.

Josh Morrissey remembers the city coming to life before his eyes. A nine-year-old Flames fan in the spring of 2004, he was captivated by every Jarome Iginla chance and Miikka Kiprusoff save during Calgary's run to the Stanley Cup final.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps aren't dwelling on their fall from the top spot in Major League Soccer's Western Conference. After all, there's a lot of soccer still to be played. The Whitecaps (4-2-1) dropped a 3-1 decision to the L.A.

On his third stop in the Canadian Premier League, Manny Aparicio is closer to home and, hopefully, another title.

EDMONTON — There are a few sure signs of spring in Alberta.