National Sports

PORTLAND — Canadian Karina LeBlanc has been named executive vice-president of strategic growth development for RAJ Sports, which owns the NWSL's Portland Thorns and the new Portland WNBA franchise.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas will miss at least six weeks with a broken right ankle, the team announced Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died. He was 63.

BASEL — Two-time defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced to the second round of the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Argentina's Sebastian Baez on Wednesday.

Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head into their regular-season finale with the ability to determine where the West Division final will be played. Winnipeg (10-7) can clinch first in the West — and home field for the division final Nov.

Jon Cooper always counted on seeing a familiar face at the start of training camp. The Tampa Bay Lightning head coach would blow his whistle and Steven Stamkos — captain, franchise icon — was there to lead the group.

CALGARY — As the Calgary Flames continue to defy expectations, delivering their latest victory on Tuesday night was Justin Kirkland, whose NHL journey has been just as improbable.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Brandon Hagel had three goals for his second career hat trick, Victor Hedman scored twice and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New Jersey Devils 8-5 on Tuesday night.

CALGARY — Justin Kirkland scored the decisive goal in the sixth round of the shootout Tuesday as the red-hot Calgary Flames prevailed 4-3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

EDMONTON — The Carolina Hurricanes really turned the tide in the third period on Tuesday night. After going down 2-0 against the Edmonton Oilers, the Hurricanes mounted a third-period comeback and levelled the score.