National Sports

SAGINAW, Mich. — Dean Loukus had two goals, Pavel Mintyukov notched four assists and the Saginaw Spirit rolled past the Flint Firebirds 5-1 on Wednesday night. Calem Mangone, Zayne Parekh and Joey Willis added the others for Saginaw (20-9-2).

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators are looking to take what they can get, however it comes. Ottawa survived a late rally from the Montreal Canadiens and picked up its third straight win with a 3-2 victory Wednesday night. The win also put the Senators at .

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors' problems with consistency continue, and veteran guard Fred VanVleet said now it's a fine line between being serious about the losses and not slipping into negativity.

HALIFAX — Alex Mercier netted the game-winning goal 3:52 into overtime as the Moncton Wildcats defeated the Halifax Mooseheads 4-3 on Wednesday. Alexis Daniel, Vincent Labelle and Maxim Barbashev added the others for Moncton (15-12-0-2).

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin becoming just the third NHL player with 800 goals has put him on the verge taking his next big step in hockey history. Ovechkin is just two goals from passing Gordie Howe for second on the career list. “Mr.

MONTREAL — It began with laughter, singing and chanting Wednesday in Montreal's Little Maghreb neighbourhood, but after France went ahead 2-0 late in their World Cup semifinal, fans of Morocco had to accept their team's dream run was over.

Shane Wright was excited to get another shot at the world juniors. Having two of his best friends in the fold was the added bonus.

The Ontario Hockey League and the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association have partnered to host four regular-season Dream Gap Tour games in OHL venues. The PWHPA Showcase presented by the OHL will feature games Feb.

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — France and Kylian Mbappé are headed back to the World Cup final for a much-anticipated matchup with Lionel Messi after ending Morocco’s historic run at soccer’s biggest tournament.

VUOKATTI, Finland — Collin Cameron of Bracebridge, Ont., and Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C., both earned silver medals as Canada won four medals on Wednesday at a Para-Nordic World Cup event.