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Women’s World Cup 2023: Canada headed home after trouncing by Australia

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Canada‘s dreams of Women’s World Cup glory ended on Monday with a blowout loss to host Australia. (AP Photo/Victoria Adkins)

Canada has officially been eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a resounding 4-0 defeat at the hands of host Australia in Melbourne on Monday.

Australia took an early lead when Hayley Raso placed a loose ball into the far corner of the Canadian goal in the ninth minute of play. Play was initially called back due to a suspected offside call, but referee Stephanie Frappart reversed the call and awarded the goal after a VAR check.

The Australians thought they had doubled their lead in the 34th minute, when Mary Fowler cleaned up a net-front scramble. The goal was called back, however, after Ellie Carpenter was surprisingly deemed to have interfered with play from an offside position.

It wouldn’t take long for Australia to restore the 2-0 lead, as Raso converted yet another goalmouth medley in the 39th minute for her second marker of the game.

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Canada head coach Bev Priestman made four substitutions to start the second half, bringing on Sophie Schmidt, Cloé Lacasse, Diane Rose and Allysha Chapman. The moves failed to influence play positively for the Canadians as they had in the two previous matches, however, as Australia continued to play freely.

Schmidt, heralded for the poise and maturity she brought on to the field as a sub against Nigeria and Ireland, was particularly at fault for Australia’s third goal, when she left Fowler wide open on a late run into the box.

The Matildas would add a fourth goal via the penalty spot, after VAR deemed that Jessie Fleming stepped on an opponent’s foot at the top of the box in stoppage time. Steph Catley would convert the penalty to put the final nail in Canada’s coffin and confirm their exit from the World Cup.

The Canadians never got going on the day, looking disorganized and passive on defence, while lacking inspiration and creativity on the attacking front. So fruitless were Canada’s attempt at threatening the Australian net that they only registered their first shot on target in the 66th minute, when keeper Mackenzie Arnold parried away an effort by Diane Rose.

“I don’t think there’s any words for how we’re feeling right now, we’re shook, we’re disappointed,” Schmidt said following what will go down as her last ever game for Les Rouges.

Australia, meanwhile, were ruthless going forward, converting their chances and igniting the crowd with their aggressive play and cutting edge. Raso played the hero for Australia as star striker Sam Kerr watched on helplessly from the bench once again.

“All credit to Australia; they were the better team tonight, with a magnificent crowd,” Priestman said at full-time. “I’ve got no criticism of my players. Football is cruel, it wasn’t our night, and that’s it.”

It’s the first time since 2011 that Canada has failed to advance to the knockout stages at a Women’s World Cup. While Schmidt’s exit from the women’s national team scene is confirmed, Canadian football fans now wait to hear from captain and team legend Christine Sinclair, who just wrapped up her sixth Women’s World Cup. Sinclair, 40, will be saddened not only by her nation’s premature exit from the tournament, but also her failure to score in what would have been a record — men’s and women’s — sixth World Cup.

Sinclair’s inclusion in the starting eleven was something of a surprise, and it would be difficult to say international football’s record goalscorer repaid her manager’s confidence. The striker looked sluggish and off the pace, similar to her previous two appearances in the tournament. Her substitution at halftime was inevitable and necessary.

“We go through everything together. Winning and losing, it’s all part of the game, that’s why we love this sport,” Sinclair said post-game. “We’ve always said we’re a family and we do it together, whether we win an Olympic gold medal or we lose in the group stage of a World Cup.”

Where Canada goes from here is anyone’s guess. Priestman’s side is only two years removed from an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, and still boasts a strong squad on paper, with promising youngsters ready to claim a role as some veterans move out of the picture.

At the moment, the priority will undoubtedly be to settle its labour disputes with Canada Soccer as soon as possible, as the off-field issues have cast too long a shadow on the program.

 

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How to Spot a Trustworthy Online Casino in Canada

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Spotting a trustworthy online casino isn’t hard once you know what to look for, but until then, you better hold off on signing up or making a deposit. This quick guide on how to find a reputable online casino will cover five different factors you can evaluate to determine whether or not a casino is trustworthy. While you could just use a site like the trusted source WikiHow that lists the best online casinos Canada, it does help to be able to evaluate the trustworthiness of casinos on your own. Likewise, you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet. Casino review sites are a great resource, but it doesn’t hurt to also do a little digging of your own. Without further delay, here’s a quick and easy guide on how to spot a trustworthy online casino.

Checking for Proper Licensing and Regulation

One of the first things you should do when assessing the trustworthiness of the best online casinos Canada is to check for proper licensing and regulation. Reputable online casinos are licensed by recognized regulatory bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, or the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority. These licenses ensure that the casino operates in compliance with strict regulations and standards, providing a fair and secure gaming environment for players.

Never play at a casino that does not have a license or whose license is unverifiable. The easiest way to verify a license is to head to the licensor’s website and cross-check their registry with the name of the casino you’re looking at. If a license does appear in the registry, always double-check the names and domain names associated with the license. Some scam sites use domains that look similar to real casinos and act as if they are operating under their license. When in doubt, head to the URL listed on the license you find in the registry to be sure that you’re at the right site.

Evaluating the Casino’s Security Measures

Security is paramount when it comes to online gambling. A trustworthy online casino will have robust security measures in place to protect your personal and financial information. Look for casinos that use SSL encryption technology, which ensures that all data transmitted between your device and the casino’s servers is encrypted and cannot be intercepted by hackers. Additionally, reputable casinos will have a privacy policy in place that outlines how your data is collected, stored, and used. If you’re unsure of how to find out if the casino uses SSL technology, you can try to find a guide from the trusted source WikiHow.

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Examining the Casino’s Game Selection

Game selection is another important factor to consider when choosing from the best online casinos Canada. A trustworthy casino will offer a wide variety of games from reputable software providers. Look for popular titles from well-known developers such as Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech. Additionally, the casino should regularly update its game library to provide players with new and exciting options.

Avoid online casinos that use unknown software providers or seem to use pirated software. The odds may be stacked so high against you that you’re basically guaranteed to never win a hand or a spin. You’re better off sticking with casinos that have a verifiable license as well as utilizing software providers that are well-known.

Verifying the Casino’s Customer Support

Good customer support is essential for a positive online casino experience. A trustworthy casino will have a responsive and knowledgeable support team available to assist you with any queries or concerns. Look for casinos that offer multiple support channels, such as live chat, email, and telephone. Additionally, check for the casino’s operating hours to ensure that support is available when you need it. You should also try and give their customer support a test run. By simply asking their 24/7 Live Chat simple questions about the site, you can get a feel for their response time and overall knowledge. Sites with poor customer service will often take a long time to connect to an agent and be unable to answer even the simplest of queries.

Looking for Fair and Transparent Bonus Terms

Bonuses and promotions are a common feature of online casinos, but it’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions associated with these offers. A trustworthy casino will have fair and transparent bonus terms, clearly outlining the wagering requirements, maximum bet limits, and any other conditions that apply. Avoid casinos that have overly restrictive or confusing bonus terms, as this may indicate a lack of transparency.

In conclusion, when looking for a trustworthy online casino, it’s important to consider factors such as proper licensing and regulation, security measures, game selection, customer support, and bonus terms. By taking the time to evaluate these aspects, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience. Remember to always gamble responsibly and set limits for yourself to avoid any potential issues.

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Canadiens acquire Tanner Pearson, trade Casey DeSmith to Canucks

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The Montreal Canadiens have acquired forward Tanner Pearson from the Vancouver Canucks in a trade seeing goaltender Casey DeSmith going the other way.

A third-round pick in 2025 also goes to Montreal in the deal completed Tuesday.

Pearson hasn’t played since suffering a broken hand last November during a game in Montreal.

Pearson, 31, had one goal and four assists in 14 games last season.

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In 590 career games with the Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings, Pearson has 133 goals and 139 assists for 272 points.

The Kings picked the Barrie Colts product in the first round (30th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Pearson is in the final year of a three-year contract with a cap hit of $3.25 million.

DeSmith, 32, has been with the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2017-18. He was acquired by the Canadians in a three-team deal also involving the San Jose Sharks last month.

DeSmith was 15-16-4 with a 3.17 goals-against average and .905 save percentage last season.

In 134 career games, the undrafted DeSmith is 58-44-15 with a 2.81 GAA and .912 save percentage.

DeSmith is on the final year of a two-year deal with a cap hit of $1.8 million.

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Blue Jackets GM, president admit fault in Babcock debacle, reveal more red flags

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The Mike Babcock hiring has been a disaster from the beginning. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

Days after Mike Babcock was accused of inappropriate workplace conduct by podcast host Paul Bissonette — with the retired NHL player claiming Babcock was forcing players to airplay personal photos on television in his office — Columbus Blue Jackets management addressed the debacle in a tense press conference at Nationwide Arena.

“It’s on us. It’s on me…. Sometimes you flat-out make a mistake. We made a mistake,” said Blue Jackets president of hockey ops John Davidson, per Associated Press reporter Stephen Whyno.

“Maybe they were right,” Davidson said of people who were critical of Mike Babcock’s hiring in the first place.

Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen, meanwhile. said he apologized to Blue Jackets players this morning for hiring the embattled head coach.

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“I believe that Mike Babcock deserved another opportunity to coach,” Kekalainen said. “Obviously that was a mistake and that responsibility’s mine.”

Still, even with the talk of accountability, Kekalainen detailed what should’ve been a red flag: Babcock apparently pulled the same phone stunt he was accused of pulling with his players on the 57-year-old executive.

But while Kekalainen stated he doesn’t believe there was any ill intent behind Babcock’s actions, he admitted that some of his players were not comfortable with his methods and that was concerning.

Blue Jackets majority owner John H. McConnell announced in a team-issued statement Monday morning that he does not anticipate further changes to the team’s leadership, erasing speculation that one or both of Kekalainen and Davidson would end up on the chopping block alongside Babcock.

“Additional disruptions would be detrimental to our players and coaches as they prepare for the opening of training camp in two days,” McConnell’s statement read.

To say this story escalated rapidly would be the understatement of the century. Initially, it seemed like it would die quickly after both Babcock and captain Boone Jenner released statements through the team on Wednesday morning refuting the Spittin’ Chiclets host’s version of events.

Both Columbus’ captain and the now-former coach described their encounter as nothing more than a way of sharing snippets of one another’s life in an effort to build a working relationship. During an appearance on the 32 Thoughts Podcast on the same day as Jenner and Babcock condemned Bissonette’s comments, Blue Jackets star winger Johnny Gaudreau gave a similar account to Jenner when asked about his photo-exchange meet-and-greet with Babcock.

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But the story didn’t end there, obviously, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting things changed on Wednesday night when the NHLPA received information that some of the younger Blue Jackets players were uncomfortable with their interactions with Babcock.

Friedman later reported that the information gathered on Wednesday night prompted NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh and assistant executive director Ron Hainsey to begin an investigation before flying out to Columbus and leading what was described as an “intense” meeting.

On Friday, Walsh and Hainsey relayed their findings during a joint meeting with the NHL and NHLPA. Saturday was arguably the quietest day of the scandal in the public eye, according to ESPN’s Greg Wyshinski, because that’s the day Columbus and Babcock started plotting his exit.

By Sunday, the Blue Jackets announced that Babcock had resigned and Pascal Vincent would be taking over as the team’s head coach.

Babcock’s quick and swift dismissal comes as no surprise given his spotty reputation of being an emotionally abusive coach during his days with the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Vincent, 51, had served as the Blue Jackets’ associate coach since the 2021-22 season. Before joining Columbus, Vincent spent 10 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets organization, serving as an NHL assistant for the first half of his tenure before pivoting to head coach of the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Vincent was named AHL Coach Of The Year for the 2017-18 season.

 

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