National Sports

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders capped an uphill season with a valiant, but messy effort in a playoff exit. A healthier quarterback and more roster continuity is their goal for 2022. "Nothing was easy.

More than 100 Canadian university athletes competing in the Winter Universiade were days away from boarding their flights to Switzerland. The curling teams were scheduled to travel first, later this week. The hockey teams were next.

NEW YORK — The NHL has suspended Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand for three games for slew-footing Vancouver Canucks defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a contract with American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

PARIS (AP) — Lionel Messi won the men's Ballon d'Or for a record-extending seventh time on Monday, ending the year in style after a brilliant final season with Barcelona and earning his first major international trophy with Argentina.

Geoff Molson felt the time was right for the Montreal Canadiens to emphatically turn the page.

Reigning American League Cy Young winner has agreed to a five-year, US$115 million contract with the Seattle Mariners, according to multiple media reports. ESPN's Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic were the first to report the deal.

NEW YORK — Washington left wing Alex Ovechkin, Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry and Colorado defenceman Cale Makar have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.

SASKATOON — With Canada's Olympic curling trials now complete, the focus for many teams will soon shift to the upcoming quadrennial even though there's still half a season left to play.

REGINA — The latest highlight in Brett Lauther’s career was a surreal moment for the Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker.