National Sports

MONTREAL — It is desperation time for the Montreal Impact. Sitting five points out of a playoff spot with seven games to go, victory is vital when the Impact play host to lowly Minnesota United on Saturday night.

TORONTO — A new generation of talent led by Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine has not only energized the NHL, it has forced video game developers to up their game.

VANCOUVER — Travis Green's initial up-close look at Bo Horvat came in his first few months as a head coach.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes hope a mid-season coaching change will give them the jolt they need to get back in the CFL East Division playoff race.

Thursday's Games NFL Houston 13 Cincinnati 9 --- MLB American League Minnesota 3 Toronto 2 (10 innings) Chicago White Sox 17 Detroit 7 Boston 6 Oakland 2 N.Y.

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin released a statement Thursday night through the Washington Capitals acknowledging that the ability to represent Russia in the 2018 Olympics has been taken out of his hands.

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor hoped for Byron Buxton to simply get on base with two outs in the 10th inning, knowing the possibilities of what his centerfielder could do on the bases with his speed.

CINCINNATI — Deshaun Watson showed up in a black tuxedo for his first NFL start. From his snazzy bowtie to his game-turning scramble, he did it all his style.

TORONTO — A streaming service that offers all National Football League games in Canada says it resolved many of its issues following a woeful debut. DAZN said in a statement Thursday there are "no excuses" and said the debut did not go as planned.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Judith Kyrinis won the first all-Canadian final in USGA history, beating Terrill Samuel 4 and 3 on Thursday in the U.S. Senior Women's Amateur at Waverley Country Club.