Sports Breaking News – Brandon Sun

Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield (13) celebrates his goal with teammates Nick Suzuki (14) and Juraj Slafkovsky (20) during second period NHL hockey action against the Anaheim Ducks, in Montreal on Sunday, March 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Montreal Canadiens clinch playoff spot for second consecutive season

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 1 minute read 2:55 PM CDT

MONTREAL -  The Montreal Canadiens are playoff-bound again.

Montreal clinched its spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs Sunday afternoon after the Detroit Red Wings fell 5-4 to the Minnesota Wild, making the Canadiens the first Canadian NHL team to secure a post-season berth.

It marks a second straight appearance after the Canadiens snapped a three-year drought last spring, following a full-scale rebuild. They claimed the final spot in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Washington Capitals in five games in the first round.

This time, they’re not just squeaking in.

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Sargent scores first goal, Toronto FC earns wild comeback win over Colorado Rapids

Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Sargent scores first goal, Toronto FC earns wild comeback win over Colorado Rapids

Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:56 PM CDT

TORONTO - Josh Sargent shook his head in disbelief.

His first career Major League Soccer goal was the winner in Toronto FC's 3-2 over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, but the real fireworks happened eight minutes before that.

A blooper-reel own goal by Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen brought the game level in the second half and set the stage for Sargent’s heroics.

Leading 2-1 in the 75th minute, Rapids right back Keegan Rosenberry attempted to reset play from midfield by kicking the ball back to Steffen, the Colorado captain.

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:56 PM CDT

Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Richie Laryea during second half MLS soccer action against the Colorado Rapids in Toronto on Saturday, April 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Islanders fire coach Patrick Roy after losing 4 in a row, name Peter DeBoer his replacement

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Islanders fire coach Patrick Roy after losing 4 in a row, name Peter DeBoer his replacement

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 2 minute read 12:03 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Patrick Roy was fired as coach of the New York Islanders on Sunday, another late-season change in the NHL that comes with a team in the middle of a spring tailspin that has put their playoff chances in jeopardy.

First-year general manager Mathieu Darche announced the abrupt decision to part ways with Roy and name Peter DeBoer his replacement with four games left in the season. The Islanders have lost four in a row and seven of their past 10 games, going from comfortably in a playoff spot to needing help down the stretch in a competitive Eastern Conference race.

Roy is the second NHL coach fired over the past eight days. The Vegas Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella on an interim basis a week ago.

DeBoer is taking the job full-time, fresh off serving as an assistant on Canada's staff at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The 57-year-old has taken two teams to the Stanley Cup Final and most recently coached the Dallas Stars to three consecutive trips to the Western Conference final before being fired last year following their latest exit.

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12:03 PM CDT

FILE - New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy speaks to members of the media before an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa, File)

Canada’s Lewin-LaFrance sisters claim sailing gold in Grand Slam regatta

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canada’s Lewin-LaFrance sisters claim sailing gold in Grand Slam regatta

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:52 AM CDT

PALMA - Canadian sailors Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance won the gold medal in the 49erFX class in the Princess Sofia Trophy on Saturday.

The sisters from Chester, N.S., started the day in second and a point behind reigning world champions Paula Barcelo and Maria Cantero of Spain.

The Lewin-LaFrance siblings took over the lead in the last race of the competition to claim gold in the first Grand Slam regatta of the season.

The top 10 teams in qualifying competed in the two final races. The Canadians carried over their accumulated net points minus those from their worst performance.

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Yesterday at 11:52 AM CDT

Canada's Georgia Lewin-LaFrance and her sister Antonia Lewin-LaFrance, overtake Germany at the mark while competing in the women's skiff race, the 49erFX, Sunday July 28, 2024, on the first day of the 2024 Summer Olympics sailing competition in Marseille, France. The sisters won the first race of the day for Canada. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Blue Jays place catcher Alejandro Kirk on injured list with fractured thumb

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Blue Jays place catcher Alejandro Kirk on injured list with fractured thumb

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:39 PM CDT

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays placed catcher Alejandro Kirk on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Kirk fractured his left thumb in the 10th inning of Friday's 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Chicago's Austin Hays fouled a pitch off the Toronto catcher's glove. Kirk immediately left the game and was replaced by Tyler Heineman.

The 27-year-old Kirk had X-rays after the game.

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Updated: Yesterday at 2:39 PM CDT

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk (30) hits a one-run double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Abstreiter’s patience pays off in brilliant shutout performance for Victoire

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Abstreiter’s patience pays off in brilliant shutout performance for Victoire

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:00 AM CDT

OTTAWA - Sandra Abstreiter bet on herself two years ago and Friday night she was rewarded with her first shutout in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Abstreiter, named the game's first star, made 39 saves in a 3-0 win over the Ottawa Charge that allowed her Montreal Victoire to move into first place.

The road to reach this point hasn’t been the easiest for the Victoire goaltender.

Abstreiter was drafted in the 12th round, 68th overall by Ottawa in the 2023 PWHL draft and went on to sign a one-year contract with the Ottawa franchise for the league’s inaugural season.

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Yesterday at 4:00 AM CDT

Ottawa Charge's Fanuza Kadirova (centre) tries to get a shot on Montreal Victoire goaltender Sandra Abstreiter (30) past the defence of Kati Tabin (9) during first period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Friday, April 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Scores and schedule for Friday, April 3, 2026

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 12:21 AM CDT

Friday's Scoreboard

NHL

Philadelphia 4 N.Y. Islanders 1

St. Louis 6 Anaheim 2

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MacIntyre has big finish, leads by four shots in Texas Open

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

MacIntyre has big finish, leads by four shots in Texas Open

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

SAN ANTONIO - Robert MacIntyre added the Valero Texas Open this year to be sharp for the Masters, and he looked every bit of that Friday with four birdies in his final five holes for an 8-under 64 and a four-shot lead over Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg.

MacIntyre felt comfortable with his swing from start, taking advantage of a back nine that included a hybrid that rolled out to eight feet for eagle on the par-5 14th.

What made the difference was his finish, with all four of the Scot’s birdies from 10 feet or closer.

He was in the same group as Aberg, whose 67 included holing out with a wedge from 120 yards for eagle on the par-4 sixth. The Swede’s only disappointing was missing the fairway on his final hole at No. 9 and three-putting from 100 feet.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Canadian A.J. Ewart hits his ball out of a sand trap on the seventh. hole during the second round of the Texas Open golf tournament, Friday, April 3, 2026, in San Antonio. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)

RJ Barrett scores 25 points in Raptors’ 128-96 win over Grizzlies

Clay Bailey, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

RJ Barrett scores 25 points in Raptors’ 128-96 win over Grizzlies

Clay Bailey, The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — RJ Barrett scored 25 points, Brandon Ingram had 17 points and seven rebounds and the Toronto Raptors built a first-half lead, extended it in the third and coasted to a 128-96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, the ninth overall pick last summer, added 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting to help Toronto snap a two-game skid. Murray-Boyles had a career-high 20 points against Sacramento on Wednesday night.

Trying to avoid the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, Toronto remained seventh in the standings, through it has the same record as sixth-place Philadelphia.

GG Jackson led Memphis with 30 points, and Cedric Coward had 15. The Grizzlies lost for the eighth time in nine games. Jackson was 10-of-16 from the field.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Memphis Grizzlies guard Rayan Rupert (32) defends against Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

Lauren Coughlin surges through gusty round for 5-shot lead at Shadow Creek

Mark Anderson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Lauren Coughlin surges through gusty round for 5-shot lead at Shadow Creek

Mark Anderson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Lauren Coughlin continued her strong play at Shadow Creek even in windy conditions Friday that played havoc with the second-round scores at the Aramco Championship to shoot a 3-under 69 and open a five-shot lead.

Coughlin was 8 under. Hyo Joo Kim kept alive her hopes for a third straight LPGA Tour tournament victory, shooting 73 to match Leona Maguire (71) at 3 under.

Coughlin entered the day in a three-way tie for the lead after opening with a 67, but now has created clear separation. She nearly won here last year when it was a match-play event before falling to Madelene Sagstrom in the final pairing.

Now Coughlin is close again. Even with a sizable lead, though, she isn't ready to celebrate.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Lauren Coughlin hits an approach shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Aramco Championship LPGA golf tournament, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in North Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

Willoughby, Abstreiter shine in Victoire’s 3-0 win over Charge

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Willoughby, Abstreiter shine in Victoire’s 3-0 win over Charge

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

OTTAWA - Sandra Abstreiter made 39 saves to pick up her first shutout in the Professional Women’s Hockey League and led the Montreal Victoire to a 3-0 win over the Ottawa Charge Friday night.

Kaitlin Willoughby, with two goals, and Abby Roque scored for the Victoire (14-4-2-5), who moved into first place in the eight-team PWHL.

Gwyneth Philips stopped 23 shots for the Charge.

The Charge (6-7-1-11) returned to Ottawa after playing a record six straight games on the road and even Friday’s game wasn’t officially on home ice.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Montreal Victoire's Abby Roque (11) scores on Ottawa Charge goaltender Gwyneth Philips (33) during second period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Friday, April 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Peters’ single caps 2-run 10th as White Sox beat Blue Jays 5-4 in home opener

Andrew Seligman, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Peters’ single caps 2-run 10th as White Sox beat Blue Jays 5-4 in home opener

Andrew Seligman, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — Tristan Peters capped a two-run 10th inning with an RBI single and the Chicago White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in a wild home opener on Friday.

Toronto’s Andrés Giménez tied at 3 in the eighth with a two-run homer against Jordan Leasure. The Blue Jays went ahead with two outs in the 10th when Miguel Vargas’ throw to first on George Springer’s grounder pulled Munetaka Murakami off the bag, allowing Davis Schneider to score from third.

The call was upheld after a review, but the White Sox answered in the bottom half against Jeff Hoffman (1-1).

They had Vargas on third with two outs when catcher Tyler Heineman threw wildly to first on Derek Hill’s bunt single, allowing the tying run to come in. Heineman had just come in after the previous batter, Austin Hays, fouled a pitch off Alejandro Kirk’s left thumb. Kirk, a two-time All-Star, was going for X-rays after the game.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Chicago White Sox's Tristan Peters (29) is doused to celebrate his walk-off RBI single to win a home-opener baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Jack Hughes and Aerin Frankel take the Olympic gold medal tour to Yankee Stadium

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Jack Hughes and Aerin Frankel take the Olympic gold medal tour to Yankee Stadium

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Jack Hughes held the ball in his hands, occasionally tossing his latest souvenir in the air.

Hughes had done “Saturday Night Live” and cherished the chance to chat with Lorne Michaels, then appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” as part of the victory lap for the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning men’s and women’s hockey teams. It only got better Friday when Hughes and women's goaltender Aerin Frankel threw out ceremonial first pitches at Yankee Stadium before the New York Yankees' home opener against the Miami Marlins.

“I knew a lot of things were coming, but this was the one thing I was always like wishing-slash-hoping for,” Hughes said. "Just so much fun. For both of us, it’s unreal."

Hughes scored in overtime in the men's final at the Milan Cortina Games, a few days after Frankel backstopped the women's team to also beating Canada for gold. It's the first time the U.S. has won double gold in the sport at the Olympics, and the sled hockey team made it a clean sweep at the Paralympics.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger throws a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Texas Rangers' home-opener baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Toronto FC’s Sargent looking for first goal as team welcomes Rapids to BMO Field

Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Toronto FC’s Sargent looking for first goal as team welcomes Rapids to BMO Field

Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

TORONTO - Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser was a skilful defender during his playing days and he’s proving to be a skilful defender as a manager, at least in terms of defending his players.

That was apparent on Friday when Fraser was asked about the club’s first-year forward Josh Sargent, who arrived in Toronto from Norwich City in February.

The 26-year-old American scored an impressive 56 goals in 157 appearances for The Canaries over five seasons but has yet to find the back of the goal this season for Toronto.

Sargent has made one start over two appearances for a TFC side that has managed only six regular-season goals in five games.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent, top left, and teammate forward Deandre Kerr, top right, head the ball on a corner kick against the Columbus Crew during first half MLS action in Toronto on March 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker

‘Ready to go’: Working with short runway, Tempo confident after expansion draft

Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘Ready to go’: Working with short runway, Tempo confident after expansion draft

Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

TORONTO - Despite the challenges, Eli Horowitz said the Toronto Tempo front office was ready to put together a competitive roster for the team's inaugural season.

The Tempo selected their first 11 players in the WNBA expansion draft -- alongside the Portland Fire -- on Friday. The draft was held just two weeks after the league and the players' association reached a tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Toronto made guard Julie Allemand (from the Los Angeles Sparks) its first pick of the expansion draft after Portland took Bridget Carleton (from the Minnesota Lynx) of Chatham, Ont., with the first overall selection.

With the regular season set to begin May 8, and free agency and the draft still to come, the Tempo have a full to-do list.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Allemand dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Gennaro Gattuso is out as Italy’s coach after team failed to qualify for World Cup

The Associated Press 1 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

MILAN (AP) — Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role “by mutual consent” on Friday, three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

The Italian soccer federation announced the news in a statement thanking Gattuso “for the dedication and passion” during his nine months in charge.

Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff.

April 5, 2026

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