National Sports

TORONTO — In its first playoff game since winning the 2017 MLS Cup, Toronto FC showed resilience and character in spades.

TORONTO — Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews have played sparingly together at even strength early in their careers. With the Maple Leafs' injured captain looking down from the press box Saturday, the pair finally connected when Toronto needed it most.

CALGARY — The playoff race in the CFL's West Division is so tight, Stampeders defensive back Brandon Smith wanted to connect with fans in Calgary's last home game of the regular season just in case.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes liked the way they were playing at the start of the season, even if pucks weren't going into the net. They were playing solid defence , creating good chances, and figured the goals would come.

EDMONTON — Jordan Brown and Jose Escalante scored in the final 10 minutes of play as Calgary's Cavalry FC downed FC Edmonton 3-1 on Saturday in Canadian Premier League action.

HAMILTON — The wins and accolades are nice but they're not what fuels Brandon Banks. Banks had seven catches for 116 yards and a TD to lead Hamilton to a record-setting 30-12 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday.

CALGARY — Kaylin Irvine and David La Rue were crowned Canadian champions in their respective 1,000-metre event during Saturday's session of the national long-track speedskating championships.

ST. LOUIS — Brendan Gallagher got a lucky bounce, and the Montreal Canadiens took over from there. Gallagher, Jonathan Drouin and Nick Suzuki scored in the second period, and the Canadiens beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 on Saturday.

NEWARK, N.J. — This time, Jack Hughes got the better of his older brother, Quinn. He had plenty of witnesses, too.

Toronto FC went into its first-round MLS playoff game Saturday against D.C. United missing two key players. Star striker Jozy Altidore did not make the game-day 18 due to a quad strain suffered in Toronto's regular season finale Oct. 6.