Good evening from Canadian Press Sports!
Advisories will hit the wire around 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET on weekdays and will also be sent to editors by email. The AP sports digest will be sent out around 3 p.m. On weekends and holidays, the advisories will move at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you'd like to be added to the email list (or removed) please contact sports@thecanadianpress.com. All Times Eastern.
--
HOCKEY
Staal, Julien could use Olympic tournament as NHL springboard
HKN-Notebook
UNDATED — Eric Staal wasn't aiming to take part in his third Olympics. Claude Julien, meanwhile, agreed to coach Canada at two December tournaments simply to get back behind the bench nine months after being fired by the Montreal Canadiens. The COVID-19 pandemic has, of course, closed plenty of doors. But for Staal and Julien, it's opened another one wide open — and there's a chance it could eventually take both back to the NHL. The decorated duo are set to lead Canada's Olympic men's hockey team at the Beijing Games after the NHL withdrew from the tournament last month because of coronavirus concerns. 1,000 words. By Joshua Clipperton. MOVED. PHOTO
---
Vancouver Canucks name Penguins AGM Patrik Allvin general manager
HKN-Canucks-GM
Jim Rutherford says there are some big decisions looming for the Vancouver Canucks, but the president of hockey operations has crossed one large task off his to-do list: hiring a new general manager. The Canucks on Tuesday named Pittsburgh Penguins assistant manger Patrik Allvin the 12th GM in the franchise's history. By Gemma Karstens-Smith. MOVED. 900 words. PHOTO
--
SOCCER
Canadian men expect tough World Cup qualifying challenge in Honduras
SOC-Canada-Honduras
While World Cup qualifying has already taken the Canadian men to hostile ground in Haiti, Mexico and Jamaica in recent months, coach John Herdman expects his team will get a real taste of CONCACAF when it faces Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Thursday. Herdman says the Canadians are "looking forward to being tested by the crowd, by the Honduran team that are really fighting for their World Cup survival — and just everything that comes at us." 870 words. By Neil Davidson. PHOTO. MOVED
---
TENNIS
TEN-Australian-Open-Canadians
MELBOURNE — Félix Auger-Aliassime was one point away from a win over world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and a spot in the Australian Open semifinals. But the young Canadian couldn't finish the match off, and the Russian veteran made the most of his reprieve. 991 words. By Stephanie Myles. MOVED. PHOTO
--
FOOTBALL
Stampeders re-sign all-star receiver Jorden
FBO-CFL-STAMPS-JORDEN
The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed all-star wide receiver Kamar Jorden. Jorden was eligible to become a free agent the next month but is opting to remain with Calgary. 130 words. MOVED. PHOTO.
--
FOR OLYMPIC PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS
Seger and Crawford set to lead deep Canadian men's alpine team
OLY-SKI-Men
UNDATED -- Brodie Seger and Jack Crawford both had career-best fourth place finishes on the World Cup circuit this season, just missing out on the podium. They believe that experience puts them in a position to win alpine skiing gold for Canada at the Beijing Olympics. 600 words. Expected by 4:30 p.m. By John Chidley-Hill
--
OLY—BEIJING 2008 VS 2022-ECONOMY
ASSOCIATED PRESS — Richer, more heavily armed and openly confrontational, China has undergone history-making change since the last time it played Olympic host in 2008. China’s economy has tripled in size, paying for a military buildup, technology development and other ambitions. Economic success has given Beijing leverage to reject foreign complaints about human rights, trade and its treatment of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Muslim minorities. By Joe McDonald. MOVED 1,000 words, photos.
--
OLY-XXC--SKI WAXING RESTRICITIONS
ASSOCIATED PRESS — The on-again, off-again ban on high-end ski waxes that help cross country skis glide over the snow is back on in some places but not on the World Cup or 2022 Beijing Olympics. Confused? You’re not alone. The international organizations that oversee cross country skiing and biathlon had banned the use of fluorocarbon waxes because of its negative impacts on health and the environment. But concerns over the accuracy of a hand-held device that is supposed to detect the toxic component prompted the groups to postpone the ban until next season. By Martha Bellisle. MOVED. 800 words, photos.
OLY--LUG-SLIDING FOR NODAR
ASSOCIATED PRESS — Saba Kumaritashvili is proudly following his cousin’s path to the Olympics. His cousin was Nodar Kumaritashvili, the luge athlete from the former Soviet republic of Georgia who died in a training accident at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Saba Kumaritashvili says when asked about his late cousin that “thinking about him is painful but gives me strength as well.” By Tim Reynolds. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
---
PARALYMPICS
McKeever, Arendz highlight veteran Canadian Paralympic nordic team
OLY-CANADA-PARA-NORDIC-TEAM
A veteran group of 12 athletes, including 2018 Games flagbearers Brian McKeever and Mark Arendz, will be representing Canada at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. 300 words. MOVED. PHOTO
---
COMING TONIGHT:
NHL: Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. start (CP); Calgary Flames at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. (AP)
NBA: Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m. (AP)
---
COMING LATER THIS WEEK:
THURSDAY - CURLING: Advancer for Scotties Tournament of Hearts (Jan 28-Feb 6) in Thunder Bay, Ont. Full coverage to follow. PHOTO (CP - Jim Morris)
THURSDAY - SOCCER: Story from Thursday's Canada vs Honduras World Cup qualifying game. (CP - Neil Davidson)
---
AP SPORTS
TOP STORIES
TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN
MELBOURNE, Australia — U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev rallied from two sets down and saved a match point before beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a marathon five-setter to move into the Australian Open semifinals. He will play Friday against Stefanos Tsitsipas in a rematch of last year’s semifinals at Melbourne Park. Tsitsipas maintained his perfect record in Grand Slam quarterfinals with a straight-set win over No. 11 Jannik Sinner. By John Pye. SENT: 870 words, photos. Women's semifinals involving Madison Keys/Ash Barty start at 3:30 a.m. and Danielle Collins/Iga Swiatek at 4:45 a.m.
BBO--HALL OF FAME-NEXT BALLOT
Carlos Beltran will be the most significant newcomer on next year's Hall of Fame ballot, but he comes with baggage of his own after he was implicated in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. SENT: 780 words, photo.
BBO--SPRING TRAINING-LABOR
MESA, Ariz. — Major League Baseball’s spring training games don’t count in the official standings. But they do count for fans who love to make the trip to Arizona and Florida each year. They also count for businesses that count on Cactus and Grapefruit League games each February and March for a big chunk of income. The mood for both groups is glum these days as the players’ union and owners continue to bicker over finances that threaten the start of spring training. By David Brandt. SENT: 920 words, photos.
FBN--49ERS-GAROPPOLO
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jimmy Garoppolo’s playoff performance is all anyone would need to know to understand the decisions the San Francisco 49ers made this offseason at quarterback when they traded for Garoppolo’s replacement but decided to stick with him for another season. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m. With FBN--Inside The Numbers: Rams hope 3rd time is a charm in NFC title matchup vs. 49ers (sent).
FBN--CHIEFS DYNASTY
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs have won a record six straight AFC West titles and will be hosting their fourth straight AFC title game when Cincinnati visits Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. Already, the talk is beginning of a blossoming dynasty in Kansas City. But what exactly will it take for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes to take the franchise into the wholly subjective place? By Dave Skretta. SENT: 880 words, photos.
OLY--XXC-SKI WAX RESTRICTIONS
The on-again, off-again ban on high-end waxes that help cross-country skis glide smoothly over the snow but are toxic to your health and the environment is on in some places — but not the cross-country ski World Cup circuit or 2022 Beijing Olympics because the tester isn't ready. By Martha Bellisle. SENT: 840 words, photos.
OLY--EXPLAINER-COVID TESTING
Athletes are facing the possibility of testing positive for COVID-19 in Beijing and being trapped in isolation, even if they’re not sick. A look at how organizers plan to use PCR tests to determine who’s kept in isolation. By Candace Choi. SENT: 650 words, photos. With OLY--Olympians-Virus: Norwegian skiers, other Olympic hopefuls positive for virus (sent).
COMMENTARY
BBO--JIM LITKE COLUMN-BONDS
Locking Barry Bonds out of the Hall of Fame won't make baseball any better. Refusing to reckon with its past will only make it worse. By Sports Columnist Jim Litke. SENT: 850 words, photo.
NOTABLE
BKN--BUCKS-CAVALIERS
CLEVELAND — Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to play after being sidelined with a sore knee when the defending champion Bucks visit the Cavaliers, who have won seven of eight. By Tom Withers. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 7 p.m.
BKN--SUNS-JAZZ
SALT LAKE CITY — The Phoenix Suns go for their eighth win in a row when they visit the Utah Jazz. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 10 p.m.
HKN--BRUINS-AVALANCHE
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche look to extend their franchise-best home winning streak to 17 games when they host the Boston Bruins. The streak is tied for the fifth-longest in NHL history. The record is 23 straight by Detroit in 2011-12. By Mike Cranston. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 10 p.m.
GLF--FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN
SAN DIEGO — World No. 1 Jon Rahm, defending champion Patrick Reed and San Diego's own Phil Mickelson headline the field in the first round at Torrey Pines. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 8 p.m.
SOC--WCUP-EL SALVADOR-US PREVIEW
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Christian Pulisic says ahead of the U.S. World Cup qualifier against El Salvador that an injury-filled season in which he’s been in and out of Chelsea’s lineup and shifted to center forward and wingback at times is “not where I want to be.” By Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.
SOC--WCUP-QATAR STATE OF PLAY
The eight stadiums are ready in Qatar and World Cup tickets have been on sale for a week. Now the mission to snap up remaining tournament slots resumes. A look at the final stages of qualifying for the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 tournament. By Rob Harris, Ronald Blum and Mauricio Savarese. SENT: 1,140 words, photos.
CAR--IMSA-DAYTONA-ROLEX 24
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou is among the dozen drivers entered in this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car endurance race. They all want to win, but they also see the twice-round-the-clock race as a way to shake away the offseason cobwebs. The IndyCar season ended in September and the season opener is next month in St. Petersburg, Florida. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 6 p.m.
MORE OLYMPICS
OLY--SBD-THE THOUGHTFUL RIDER
COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — There is part of Jamie Anderson that wishes these upcoming Olympics weren't in China. The two-time snowboard gold medalist knows she's not the only Olympian who thinks that. One of the many things that makes her unique is that she is willing to say it, too. By National Writer Eddie Pells. SENT: 870 words, photos.
OLY--LUG-SLIDING FOR NODAR
Saba Kumaritashvili is proudly following his cousin’s path to the Olympics. His cousin was Nodar Kumaritashvili, the luge athlete from the former Soviet republic of Georgia who died in a training accident at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Saba Kumaritashvili says when asked about his late cousin that “thinking about him is painful but gives me strength as well.” By Tim Reynolds. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
OLY--BEIJING-2008 VS 2022-ECONOMY
Richer, more heavily armed and openly confrontational, China has undergone history-making change since the last time it played Olympic host in 2008. China’s economy has tripled in size, paying for a military buildup, technology development and other ambitions. Economic success has given Beijing leverage to reject foreign complaints about human rights, trade and its treatment of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Muslim minorities. By Business Writer Joe McDonald. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2022
The Canadian Press
