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Canucks dial up systems play to snap 10-game losing streak vs. Jets – Sportsnet.ca

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WINNIPEG – We would say hell froze over, but then Winnipeg is always frozen this time of year and it has been a hellish place for the Vancouver Canucks since the Jets returned from exile a decade ago. So, Saturday, maybe hell thawed.

The Canucks, who had lost 10 straight games to the Jets and eight in a row in Winnipeg, not only beat the Jets 4-1, but dominated them over the final two periods to extend their winning streak to four games.

Vancouver accomplished more in this one road victory than it did sweeping three home games this week against the hapless Ottawa Senators. The Jets are so not like the Sens. But the Canucks outshot them 31-11 after the opening period and scored as many goals in one night at MTS Place as they had over the last six years.

At 6-5, the Canucks are back above .500 for the first time since opening night and moved two points clear of the Jets in the Canadian playoff race.

“Yeah, we know that we haven’t won here for a while,” Canucks coach Travis Green told reporters on Zoom after what could be a seminal victory. “We’ve had some close games in here, we’ve had some good games in our building. I think we’ve had some pretty intense games against this team, and they’re a good hockey team. But it doesn’t feel like we couldn’t beat this team.

“Tonight, all we wanted to worry about was our game. I think the media makes a little bit more out of streaks like that than players or coaches. But it’s definitely nice to come in here and get a win because even though you don’t talk about it, the players know. I know.”

And now they know they can beat the Jets, whose formidable forwards and heavy game had always given the Canucks trouble.

Brock Boeser scored just 29 seconds into the game and again into an empty net for a victory that launches the Canucks to Montreal for back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Habs may not recognize the Canucks as the team they saw last week in Vancouver, where Montreal won two out of three games and pumped in 17 goals amid slack defending and an epidemic of Canuck turnovers.

“I’m sure you guys can see it just watching the games,” Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko said of the dramatic uptick in systems play. “We’re starting to get some of that chemistry we were talking about. When guys are on the same page, everything just kind of moves a little bit smoother and you start building confidence that way because you can kind of trust the guy next to you a little bit more.”

BROCK-STAR

After a rib injury and 12-game goal slump at the end of last season left Boeser with just 16 goals for the campaign, the Canucks winger suddenly leads the NHL with eight in 2021, one goal ahead of Mikko Rantanen and Connor McDavid.

“I think the last year — I’ve said it a lot — it was a learning experience,” Boeser said. “I think I was in my head the most I’ve ever been in my head in my hockey career. This year is a fresh start and I just felt like I need to get back to my game, not overthinking things, just playing off instinct.”

He opened scoring Saturday by beating Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck with a deke after the Jets left him unchecked, fooled by Vancouver defenceman Alex Edler, who appeared to be about to ring the puck around the boards to J.T. Miller but slung it back into the high slot to Boeser.

“Eagle shocked the whole rink,” Boeser said. “He made a tremendous pass there. I think everyone thought that he was going to bump it to Millsy behind the net and he did the old Eagle there and kind of looked off Millsy and passed it right to me in front. It was a phenomenal pass by him.”

CANADIAN, EH

Not only does Nils Hoglander play lacrosse, but the Swede is also pretty good at baseball, too.

The 20-year-old Canucks rookie has had a pile of good shifts this season but his first-period twirl against the Jets, on Hockey Night in Canada, may have been his best so far in the NHL. And not only because he scored at 8:17 to break a 1-1 tie.

Famous for a pair of “lacrosse” goals in Europe, Hoglander demonstrated his hand-eye coordination by bunting the puck past Hellebuyck after Bo Horvat’s pass hit Mark Scheifele and bounced off the top of the Jets’ net and into the crease.

But the previous 15 seconds were even more impressive for Hoglander, who on the zone entry embarrassed Josh Morrissey with a spinarama move at the blue line before taking the puck hard to the net while holding off the defenceman. Hoglander shot high, but seconds later stole the puck back as Morrissey tried to transition it up ice. The Canuck went hard to the boards with Morrissey, then spun away and beat Winnipeg’s best defenceman to the front of the net, where the cascading puck awaited.

It’s not Hoglander’s skill that has been most impressive since he forced his way on to the Canucks at training camp — it’s how hard and relentlessly he competes for pucks and protects them once he has them. He makes plays in traffic, where he plays bigger than his five-foot-nine frame.

“I think a little bit I surprised myself,” he said of his NHL start, which includes three goals and six points in 11 games. “I think that’s important for my style to do the D-zone first and then take the offensive zone after that.”

BENN THERE, DONE THAT

We’re not saying Jordie Benn’s return from COVID-19 quarantine is the catalyst for the Canucks’ turnaround, but he has certainly been the catalyst for defence partner Quinn Hughes stabilizing his game and playing with more measure.

A healthy scratch for much of last season and expected to be an extra at the start of this one had he been healthy, Benn has had his best week since joining the Canucks as a free agent in 2019.

Benn’s point shot was deflected in by Zack MacEwen in the second period.

In five games since Green inserted Benn into the lineup on his off-side, to the right of Hughes, the Canucks have outscored opponents 5-0 with the defencemen on the ice together at five-on-five. Before Benn, Hughes was outscored 12-6 at even-strength while playing with a variety of partners.

“He’s a smart guy,” Green said of Benn before the trip. “He’s been calm with the puck, which we’ve liked. He has bought himself some time with the puck. I think he’s bought Quinn a little time, as well. He’s been a good fit with Quinn.”

Last year, Benn couldn’t find a fit with anyone. Now, the 33-year-old is a steadying influence alongside a potential Norris Trophy candidate.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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November 8, 2024

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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