National Sports

With the top of the podium closer than ever, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are keeping to the same tried and true script.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Defending champion Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday when Bolivia failed to beat Uruguay.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have signed catcher Alejandro Kirk to a US$58-million, five-year extension, the team announced Tuesday. The 26-year-old from Tijuana, Mexico, hit .253 last season with five home runs and 54 runs batted in.

Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after Mehdi Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday. The point takes Iran to a fourth straight appearance at the World Cup and a seventh overall.

Forward Kaylee Hunter and goalkeeper Olivia Busby, part of the Canadian squad that qualified for the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship last month, now look to do the same with the under-17 side.

Jakob Chychrun in his first season with the Washington Capitals delivered them offense from their blue line that helped them become the top team in the NHL. Now, he's sticking around for the long term.

TORONTO — With homegrown stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette in the final year of their contracts and a competitive window that's open — for now — the Toronto Blue Jays need to make a statement over the first half of the season.

MUTTENZ, Switzerland (AP) — Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini won again in court Tuesday and now lead 2-0 in trial verdicts against Swiss federal prosecutors.

DALLAS (AP) — Jake Oettinger shut out his home-state team stopping 32 shots, Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene scored 58 seconds apart late in the second period, and the Dallas Stars blanked the Minnesota Wild 3-0 on Monday night.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored in regulation and then got the deciding goal in the fourth round of the shootout, and the Vancouver Canucks rallied to beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Monday night.