National Sports

Chris Barber can't help but think Ontario Premier Doug Ford has something against golf. Barber, the executive professional/GM at The Landings Golf Course and Teaching Centre in Kingston, Ont.

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames downed the visiting Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Thursday in a battle of clubs trying to salvage positives from their seasons.

CHICAGO (AP) — Zach LaVine scored 24 points, Lauri Markkanen added 20 and the Chicago Bulls beat the short-handed Toronto Raptors 114-102 on Thursday night.

CALGARY — Troy Ryan has been rewarded for his patience. He'll be the head coach of Canada's women's hockey team in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The 49-year-old from Spryfield, N.S.

ESPN could be rewarded with additional playoff games under its new deal with Major League Baseball. Walt Disney Company and MLB announced a seven-year extension of their rights agreement Thursday.

HAMILTON — CPL champion Forge FC has signed veteran defender Dejan Jakovic. The 35-year-old centre back will replace fellow Canadian international David Edgar, who retired at the end of last year and is now a Forge assistant coach.

Canada will open this summer's Gold Cup in Kansas City with games against Martinique, a qualifier and the United States. CONCACAF announced Thursday the schedule for its championship tournament, which features a new preliminary stage.

HALIFAX — A diversity task force says anti-racism training and greater diversity at the organization level will contribute to making hockey more inclusive in Nova Scotia.

ATLANTA (AP) — Bo Bichette hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied yet again to beat Atlanta 8-4 on Thursday and sweep six games from the Braves this season. Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.

With the influx of several new players and Toronto FC's training room beginning to thin out, coach Chris Armas's options are growing. Fitting everyone in will be the challenge.