National Sports

Rachel Homan has her sights set on ending Canada’s five-year gold-medal drought at the world women’s curling championship. Homan’s Ottawa rink is carrying an incredible winning streak into Saturday, when play begins in Sydney, N.S.

NIAGARA, Ont. — A four-point night from Sam Alfano lifted the Erie Otters to a 7-4 win over the Niagara IceDogs in Ontario Hockey League play on Thursday.

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Drew Elliott scored and notched an assist Thursday, helping his Saint John Sea Dogs edge the Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 in Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League play.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brayden Point had three goals and three assists, Nikita Kucherov added a goal and four assists, and the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied to beat the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers 6-3 on Thursday night.

CALGARY — After being heavily outscored during a three-game losing skid, the Calgary Flames knew they had much to answer for.

TORONTO — Benjamin Corbeil had two goals and an assist as the New Brunswick Reds opened their title defence with a 4-0 quarterfinal win over the Brock Badgers on Thursday at the U Sports men's hockey championship.

SASKATOON — The Concordia Stingers continued their storybook season Thursday, blanking the Saskatchewan Huskies 4-0 at the U Sports women's hockey championship. Jordyn Verbeek stopped all 26 shots she faced for the top-seeded squad.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Auston Matthews hit the milestones he needed to help Toronto roll to a rout in Philadelphia.

MONTREAL — Jake DeBrusk expected a pass the whole way up the ice. Brad Marchand, sitting on career goal No. 399, sprinted down on an odd-man rush in overtime with DeBrusk by his side.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Claude Giroux scored in regulation and the shootout, leading the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.