National Sports

TORONTO — Oliver Ekman-Larsson smiled and politely dodged the question. Chris Tanev inferred his fellow Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman would be back.

SANDY — Toronto FC finally got a reward for its efforts Saturday, defeating 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 for its first win of the season. Theo Corbeanu's first Major League Soccer goal also gave Toronto its first victory in Utah since July 2007.

TORONTO — Week 1 of the Northern Super League is done, to positive reviews. Now the hard work really begins. High-profile opening games at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium and Toronto's BMO Field drew announced crowds of 14,018 and 14,518.

DALLAS (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon took a stick to the face, had a part in both of Colorado's strange goals in the second period and capped his night with an empty-netter for his 50th career playoff goal.

BROSSARD — Ivan Demidov is excited to face off against Alex Ovechkin — but more importantly, he wants to win.

ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE — Canadian women's hockey team forward Daryl Watts has been cleared to play the world championship final.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Yohei Takaoka made two saves for Vancouver on Saturday night to help the Whitecaps play St. Louis City to a 0-0 tie at Energizer Park.

VICTORIA — Andrew Cristall's goal with two seconds left in the first overtime period lifted the visiting Spokane Chiefs to a 5-4 Western Hockey League playoff victory over the Victoria Royals on Saturday night at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena.

MONTREAL — CF Montreal could not capitalize on a late red card, settling for a scoreless draw against Orlando City SC at Stade Saputo on Saturday night.

DALLAS (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon had a part in both of Colorado’s strange goals in the second period before adding an empty-netter late as the Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 5-1 in the opener of their first-round Western Conference playoff series Satu