National Sports

Canada's Pool B schedule at the Rugby World Cup in Japan (all times ET): Thursday, Sept. 26 Canada vs. Italy at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 Canada vs.

It's been a long hard road to the Rugby World Cup for Canada. And the journey may well be equally bumpy in Japan. Expectations are low.

Thursday's Games NHL Pre-season Montreal 5 Florida 4 (SO) Boston 3 Philadelphia 1 Pittsburgh 4 Columbus 1 Dallas 2 Colorado 1 Vancouver 6 Edmonton 1 Vegas 3 Los Angeles 2 (OT) --- MLB American League N.Y. Yankees 9 L.A.

LANGLEY, B.C. — Mark Matthews had three goals and four assists as Canada downed the United States 16-6 on Thursday night to open the world indoor lacrosse championship.

EDMONTON — Sven Baertschi looks like he has fully recovered from concussion issues that kept him to just 26 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Minshew Mania is gaining momentum.

BALTIMORE — It didn't matter to Austin Hays that the game he was in had absolutely no bearing on the playoff picture. That was the last thing on his mind as he chased after a soaring line drive that appeared destined to go over the wall.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Philip Tomasino scored twice, including the eventual winner, as the Niagara IceDogs doubled the Sudbury Wolves 6-3 on Thursday in the first Ontario Hockey League game of the season.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens' offence did just enough in regulation, and in the shootout, to remain perfect in the pre-season.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators believe the future looks a lot brighter after signing star defenceman Thomas Chabot to an eight-year, US$64-million contract extension Thursday.