National Sports

EDMONTON — A 4-0 win over Sweden moved the United States to the top of Pool B at the world junior hockey championship in Edmonton on Thursday.

TAMPA, Fla. — It took four games, and the benching of Pascal Siakam to reinforce the message of team culture, but the Toronto Raptors finally looked like themselves on Thursday.

TAMPA, Fla. — Pascal Siakam has apparently paid the price for his late-game unsportsmanlike behaviour. The Raptors chose not to play Siakam on Thursday against the visiting New York Knicks, starting Norman Powell in place of the struggling forward.

Alberta is the first province to officially say the NHL can play games in its arenas for the upcoming season, while at least two of its counterparts say they are working on the issue.

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames have signed forward Connor Zary to a three-year entry level contract.

Pierre Dorion tackled the final question fired his way in French. After answering, and to make sure there wasn't any confusion, the Ottawa Senators general manager switched languages to hammer the point home a second time.

HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed 2019 CFL most outstanding player Brandon Banks. The American wide receiver will return for his eighth season with the club in 2021.

TORONTO — There was no celebration when Becky Hammon took over as San Antonio Spurs head coach on Wednesday night. When Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter, he simply pointed at Hammon and said "You got 'em.

He's been overshadowed by Heisman Trophy candidates DeVonta Smith and Mac Jones, but Canadian John Metchie III's contribution to the Alabama Crimson Tide's unbeaten season hasn't been lost on head coach Nick Saban.

In a year defined by a devastating pandemic, the world lost iconic defenders of civil rights, great athletes and entertainers who helped define their genres.