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NHL On Tap: Connor eyes goal-scoring lead when Jets visit Predators

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Welcome to NHL On Tap. Three NHL.com writers will share what they are most looking forward to on the schedule each day. Today, their choices from the five games Sunday.

Connor eyes NHL goal-scoring lead

Kyle Connor will try to take a share of the NHL goal-scoring lead when the Winnipeg Jets (12-5-2) visit the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday (8 p.m. ET; BSSO, TSN3). The 26-year-old is tied for third with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews with 14 goals, one behind co-leaders Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. The Predators (9-10-0) will need to find a better way to stifle the Jets forward than they did in their first meeting or they could be in trouble. On Nov. 9, Connor had a hat trick and an assist in Winnipeg’s 6-3 victory against visiting Nashville, a performance that ignited an eight-goals-in-six-games run. Connor has been held off the score sheet in two straight games, so he could come out firing Sunday against the Predators, who have their own impressive scorer in Filip Forsberg. The Predators forward has 11 goals, including four in his past three games. — Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Oilers host Ducks, eye turnaround at home

Could a stretch when the Edmonton Oilers play eight of their next nine games on home ice get their season back on track? Even though the first quarter of the season arrives Tuesday, the extended time at Rogers Place may be their best opportunity to get back into the Stanley Cup Playoff picture. The Oilers (6-12-1) host the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday (9 p.m. ET SN, BSSC, BSSD) after ending a four-game road trip and three-game losing streak with a 5-0 win against the Washington Capitals on Friday. There were signs of life: Leon Draisaitl‘s three points (two goals, one assist), Connor McDavid‘s four assists and Stuart Skinner‘s 25 saves to give Edmonton its first shutout after it allowed 17 goals the previous three games. The Oilers play two straight at home, visit the Jets and then get five days off before playing the next six in Edmonton, so it’s fair to say it’s now or never. The Ducks (9-11-0) have lost five in a row and are 2-7-0 since a 7-4-0 start. “We’re fighting and clawing to get points,” coach Greg Cronin said. — Jon Lane, staff writer

Bedard can extend point streak for Blackhawks

Connor Bedard can extend his point streak to five games when the Chicago Blackhawks (6-12-0) host the St. Louis Blues (10-8-1) at United Center (2 p.m. ET; BSMW, NHLN, NBCSCH, SN, TVAS). The 18-year-old forward has four points (one goal, three assists) in his past four games, leads NHL rookies with 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 18 games and has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his past seven games. Bedard had an assist in a 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday that ended a five-game losing streak (0-5-0) for the Blackhawks. Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is the early front runner to win the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year, and is four points ahead of Arizona Coyotes forward Logan Cooley, who has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 20 games, in the rookie scoring race. This is the first time Bedard will face the Blues this season. St. Louis lost 8-3 at home to the Nashville Predators on Friday after winning two in a row.

Sunday games

Minnesota Wild at Detroit Red Wings (1 p.m. ET; BSWIX, BSN, BSDET)

Alex DeBrincat has six points (three goals, three assists) during a five-game point streak for the Red Wings (10-6-3) and will look to extend it when they host the Wild (5-9-4). DeBrincat leads Detroit with 20 points (12 goals, eight assists) in 19 games. Minnesota has lost six straight (0-4-2), including 3-2 to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday in their first game back from the 2023 Global Series Sweden presented by Fastenal at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury likely will start for the Wild after Filip Gustavsson made 22 saves in the loss Saturday. — Derek Van Diest, staff writer

St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks (2 p.m. ET; BSMW, NHLN, NBCSCH, SN, TVAS)

The Blackhawks will be without forward Corey Perry for the “foreseeable future” because of unspecified reasons, per general manager Kyle Davidson. The forward will miss his third straight game Sunday. Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson has four goals in his past two games. The Blues lead the NHL with six shorthanded goals, including two apiece from forwards Pavel Buchnevich and Alexey Toropchenko.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes (5 p.m. ET; BSSO, BSOH, NHLN, SN, TVAS)

The Blue Jackets (6-11-4) can extend their winning streak to a season-high three games when they visit the Hurricanes (11-8-0) at PNC Arena. Columbus forward Boone Jenner has four goals in his past three games and a team-high 11 this season. Carolina is coming off an 8-2 loss to the Lightning on Friday and is 3-3-0 in its past six games.

Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET; BSSO, TSN-3)

This game features teams on impressive winning streaks. The Jets have won five straight and the Predators have won four in a row. Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov has points in six consecutive games (one goal, six assists). Predators forward Gustav Nyquist has a seven-game point streak (one goal, eight assists).

Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers (9 p.m. ET; SN, BSSC, BSSD)

The Ducks just completed a 0-4-0 homestand and play eight of their next 11 games on the road. Anaheim, though, is 5-3-0 away from Honda Center this season and forward Mason McTavish has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past three games. The Oilers are 3-4-1 at home and one of those wins was outdoors at Commonwealth Stadium for the Heritage Classic against the Calgary Flames. Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard has a five-game point streak (two goals, five assists).

 

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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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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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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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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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