National Sports

Toronto FC returns to action Saturday healthier and more optimistic after going into the international break with an underwhelming 1-4-2 record.

RIMINI, Italy — The Canadian national women's volleyball team lost 3-0 to Italy in Nations League action on Friday. Set scores were 25-18, 25-20, 25-20. Andrea Mitrovic led Canada with 12 points, while Kiera Van Ryk had 11.

The long wait is over for Canada's top swimmers. The Olympic swim trials start Saturday in Toronto's Pan Am Sports Centre after cancellation in 2020 and a pair of postponements in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A loss Saturday to NOLA Gold would result in the Toronto Arrows being mathematically eliminated from Major League Rugby playoff contention. And the Arrows (4-8-0) have more problems to come as the regular season winds down.

Here are five things to watch in Canadian sports this weekend: HOME SWEET HOME The Canadiens return to Montreal with momentum after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in Game 2 of their NHL semifinal on Wednesday night.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Canadian welterweight Rory (Red King) MacDonald cried foul Thursday after losing a controversial split decision to Brazilian veteran Gleison Tibau at PFL 5.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — After keeping up his scoring touch to help Tampa Bay get a big road victory its Stanley Cup semifinal series, Brayden Point was especially proud of the Lightning's defensive effort.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a go-ahead homer in a four-run seventh inning and the New York Yankees pulled off a wacky triple play Thursday night in an 8-4 win over the reeling Toronto Blue Jays.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Once the fog finally lifted over Torrey Pines, a familiar figure in the U.S. Open was plain to see.

MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton scored 38 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 and the Milwaukee Bucks never trailed in a 104-89 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night to force a decisive seventh game in their second-round playoff series.