National Sports

OTTAWA — With the Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets hitting the halfway mark of the NHL pre-season, time is running short for players to make an impression.

SAINT JOHN, N.B.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays moved closer to securing a playoff berth Friday night with an 11-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Alejandro Kirk, Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman homered for the Blue Jays, who outhit the Rays 16-7.

MONTREAL — Rookie Matthew Knies scored a short-handed game-winning goal as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in NHL pre-season action Friday night. Defenceman Mikko Kokkonen also scored for Toronto (2-1-1).

OAKVILLE, Ont. — The PointsBet Invitational saw its first major upset in women's competition Friday with Christina Black defeating Jennifer Jones 9-6 in second-round action at the single-elimination curling tournament.

ROGERS, Ark. (AP) — Lexi Thompson followed a resurgent week at the Solheim Cup with a strong start in the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — Europe swept the opening session of the Ryder Cup for the first time in its history, a beating so thorough that none of the foursomes matches reached the 18th hole.

VANCOUVER — After a gruelling streak of seven games away from home, which ended with a disappointing draw with bottom-of-the-league Colorado, the Vancouver Whitecaps are relying on home comforts to help lock in a playoff spot.

Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer got exactly what he wanted Friday. Andlauer appointed Steve Staios as the team's new president of hockey operations.

Jessica Campbell grew up wanting to play in the NHL. Now she’s finding a place for herself in hockey’s top men’s league — and it's behind the bench.