National Sports

The Ottawa Citizen said Friday that hockey reporter Ken Warren was denied access to the Ottawa Senators' team charter to Tampa Bay for a weekend game against the Lightning.

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' quarterback situation seems to be up in the air as the CFL West Division semifinal quickly approaches, but Chris Jones doesn't see what all the fuss is about.

TORONTO — Nick Nurse hasn't been sleeping well. And that's a good thing. Back home after a perfect and historic 4-0 western road swing, and boasting the best record in the NBA at 11-1, the new Toronto Raptors coach has been too pumped to sleep.

Toronto FC will be exempt from the MLS expansion draft that will start populating newcomer FC Cincinnati's roster. Toronto joins Seattle, Sporting Kansas City, San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew SC in avoiding the Dec. 11 draft.

SURREY, B.C. — There have been a lot of early mornings for the B.C. Lions this week. Practices and team meetings were bumped up in an attempt to get players working on eastern time while they trained at the club's facility in suburban Vancouver.

Canada, normally a fixture at the Rugby World Cup, is down to its final chance at qualifying for the sport's showcase. The Canadian men, ranked 23rd in the world, face No.

Since the CFL instituted its crossover rule in 1996, 11 teams have qualified for the playoffs in the opposite division. All of them have come from the west, but there has not been a crossover team in the Grey Cup. The B.C.

MONTREAL — Tomas Plekanec says he's retiring from the NHL after the Montreal Canadiens placed the veteran centre on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Sebastien Toutant bounces effortlessly on a stability ball, switching from his knees to his feet to his rear end, then repeats the movements one more time before jumping off the squishy, air-filled sphere.

CALGARY — The owner of a Calgary trucking company involved in the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash has made his first appearance in court.