National Sports

Victor Hedman's biggest disappointment remains his greatest motivation. The hulking defenceman's Tampa Bay Lightning had home-ice advantage in the 2015 Stanley Cup final against the Chicago Blackhawks heading into Game 5 with the series tied 2-2.

ALBANY, N.Y. — At least three Canadians will compete for Team Americas at the inaugural Aurora Games, an all-women's sports and entertainment festival this summer.

TORONTO — Raptors Uprising GC will renew acquaintances with Cavs Legion GC, the team that knocked it out of the 2018 playoffs, in its 2019 NBA 2K League season opener April 11.

TORONTO — There's more on the line than a league title for North Bay Battalion forward Justin Brazeau when the Ontario Hockey League playoffs begin.

OTTAWA — Al Iaquinta, ranked fourth among UFC lightweight contenders, will take on No. 9 Donald (Cowboy) Cerrone in an all-American main event of the May 4 televised UFC card in Ottawa.

Baltimore has ratcheted up a bitter dispute with the owners of a historic racetrack in an effort to seize a nearly 150-year-old course and block the move of one of America's premier horse races out of the city where it was first run in 1873.

TORONTO — Longtime Toronto Argonauts defensive back Matt Black has retired. The 34-year-old Toronto native spent his entire 10-season CFL career with his hometown team, winning Grey Cups in 2012 and 2017 with the Argos.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kyle Lowry was ruled out of the Toronto Raptors' game Wednesday at Oklahoma City because of a sprained right ankle.

Toronto FC has loaned forward Jon Bakero to Phoenix Rising FC of the USL Championship. The 22-year-old Bakero is the third TFC player to go out on loan in recent days.

TOKYO — Ichiro drew all the cheers. Most everyone else on the Seattle Mariners did all the hitting.