National Sports

CALGARY — Before their 5-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche at home on Saturday afternoon, the Calgary Flames went through a stretch of eight straight games where they allowed the first goal.

CALGARY — Mikael Backlund had a goal and two assists to lead the Calgary Flames to a 5-1 home win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon. Troy Brouwer added a goal and an assist for the Flames (32-22-9), who moved past the idle St.

OTTAWA — Mark Stone and the Ottawa Senators have more to worry about than snapping a four-game losing streak. With the NHL trade deadline set for 3 p.m.

The scoring prowess of Liverpool's forward line hasn't been diminished by Philippe Coutinho's departure to Barcelona.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers traded defenceman Brandon Davidson to the New York Islanders for a 2019 third-round draft pick Saturday. Davidson, 26, of Taber, Alta.

HAMILTON — American kicker Sergio Castillo and Canadian defensive lineman Ben D'Aguilar were among four players released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday. Also let go were punter-kicker Kenny Allen and running back Rajion Neal, both Americans.

PYEONGCHANG, Korea, Republic Of — Canadian ski cross racer Dave Duncan is apologizing for "behaviour that demonstrated poor judgement" after being released from jail following an alleged drunken joyride at the Pyeongchang Games.

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames placed goaltender Mike Smith on injured reserve Saturday after he's missed the last six games with a lower-body injury. Smith was injured on Feb. 11 in the final seconds of a victory over the New York Islanders.

GANGNEUNG, Korea, Republic Of — Canada's men's hockey team has won the bronze medal at the Pyeongchang Winter Games with a 6-4 victory over the Czech Republic.

TORONTO — Auston Matthews will be out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup with a shoulder injury when they host the Boston Bruins on Saturday. "He's day-to-day," Leafs coach Mike Babcock confirmed following practice on Friday.