National Sports

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New York Islanders have been winning this season thanks largely to stalwart defence and strong goaltending. A timely goal from their captain also proved huge for their playoff push in another close victory.

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — National player of the year Luke Philp scored two goals as the top-seeded Alberta Golden Bears beat the host Lethbridge Pronghorns 7-1 in a U Sports men's hockey quarterfinal on Thursday night.

EDMONTON — UBC Thunderbirds outside hitter Kiera Van Ryk is the U Sports women's volleyball player of the year. The Surrey, B.C., product received the Mary Lyons Award on Thursday night, kicking off national championship tournament week.

OTTAWA — A 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues was nice for the Ottawa Senators and their fans. Getting to see a couple pieces of their future for the first time was better.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Milos Raonic made sure Miomir Kecmanovic's good luck finally ran out at the BNP Paribas Open. The Canadian beat the 19-year-old Serb 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to reach the semifinals and improve to 19-4 at Indian Wells since 2014.

TORONTO — Shane Wright is already noticing the differences now that his name is in the same conversation as NHL star Connor McDavid.

TORONTO — Drake now has the run of the Toronto Raptors' practice facility.

CHARLOTTETOWN — Rookie Nicole MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal as the No. 3 Guelph Gryphons defeated the defending champion Manitoba Bisons 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the 2019 U Sports women's hockey championship.

TORONTO — Kyle Lowry's wonky ankle kept him out of the Toronto Raptors' lineup for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. But Danny Green was good to go. Lowry and Green had both been listed as questionable with left ankle sprains.

QUEBEC — Brandon Bobcats outside hitter Elliott Viles is the U Sports men's volleyball player of the year. The third-year player from Australia received the award on Thursday, one day before the national championship tournament begins.