National Sports

MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact can't be intimidated by the towering figure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic if they hope to remain in playoff contention.

Montreal Alouettes defensive end John Bowman won't be rolling out the red carpet for Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Andrew Harris.

BROSSARD, Que. — Montreal Canadiens forward Ryan Poehling is out indefinitely with a concussion. Poehling is believed to have been hurt after taking a hit from the Florida Panthers' Dryden Hunt on Wednesday during a pre-season game in Bathurst, N.B.

The stakes are high Saturday for Toronto FC's first-ever visit to Banc of California Stadium to play league-leading Los Angeles FC. A win and Toronto FC (12-10-9) clinches a playoff berth.

TAMPA, Fla. — Former New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Dan Girardi will retire from the NHL after 13 seasons. Girardi appeared in 927 games, finishing with 56 goals and 264 points and a plus-78 ratings.

CHICAGO — The U.S. men's soccer team will play its Nov. 15 home Nations League match against Canada at Orlando, Florida. The Americans open the new competition against Cuba on Oct. 11 at Washington, D.C., then meet Canada four days later in Toronto.

A look at Canada's Pool B rivals at the Rugby World Cup: Italy World Ranking: 14 Record against Canada: 7-2-0 Skinny: Canada came close to upsetting the Azzurri at the 2015 World Cup, losing 23-18 despite dominating possession.

Canada's Pool B schedule at the Rugby World Cup in Japan (all times ET): Thursday, Sept. 26 Canada vs. Italy at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 Canada vs.

It's been a long hard road to the Rugby World Cup for Canada. And the journey may well be equally bumpy in Japan. Expectations are low.

Thursday's Games NHL Pre-season Montreal 5 Florida 4 (SO) Boston 3 Philadelphia 1 Pittsburgh 4 Columbus 1 Dallas 2 Colorado 1 Vancouver 6 Edmonton 1 Vegas 3 Los Angeles 2 (OT) --- MLB American League N.Y. Yankees 9 L.A.