Sports

FILE - Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes the ball from under the basket while being defended by Seattle Storm guard Jordan Horston (23) and center Mercedes Russell (21) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, May 30, 2024, in Indianapolis. Not even a WNBA basketball game is an escape from the arguments and polarization that are so common in American life these days. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)

Caitlin Clark has the US talking, but not really about basketball

Young WNBA star sparks debate on race, gender and who gets the spotlight

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid (97), is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

McDavid, Oilers beat Panthers 5-3 to force Game 6 in Stanley Cup final

Superstar captain has two goals and two assists in Edmonton win

FILE - New York Giants’ Willie Mays poses for a photo during baseball spring training in 1972. Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had “passed away peacefully” Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)

Willie Mays, Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ has died at 93

Outfielder batted .301, hit 660 home runs, totalled 3,293 hits

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek reaches for a blocked shot by goaltender Thatcher Demko with Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde skating behind during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Hronek inks 8-year extension to stay with the Canucks

Vancouver signs defenceman to a deal averaging $7.25M a year

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek reaches for a blocked shot by goaltender Thatcher Demko with Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde skating behind during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Leading the B.C. Lions to their first win of the season earned quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. the nod as top offensive player on the CFL honour roll Tuesday. Adams Jr., left, passes while being pursued by Calgary Stampeders’ Micah Teitz during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions QB Vernon Adams Jr. named CFL’s top offensive player

Performance in home-opener against Calgary earns both honour and a victory

Leading the B.C. Lions to their first win of the season earned quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. the nod as top offensive player on the CFL honour roll Tuesday. Adams Jr., left, passes while being pursued by Calgary Stampeders’ Micah Teitz during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Florida Panthers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (10) reacts after defenseman Niko Mikkola scored during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Florida ready as Panthers try to bring home first Stanley Cup tonight

Panthers 4-1 after losses in these playoffs, outscoring opponents by a combined 21-10

Florida Panthers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (10) reacts after defenseman Niko Mikkola scored during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) shoots in front of Mavericks centre Dereck Lively II (2) as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, left, defends during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Celtics win 18th NBA championship with 106-88 Game 5 victory over Mavericks

Jaylen Brown nets 21 points and was voted the NBA Finals MVP

Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) shoots in front of Mavericks centre Dereck Lively II (2) as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, left, defends during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
B.C. Lions’ Alexander Hollins bobbles the ball and fails to make the catch during the first half of a CFL football game against the Calgary Stampeders, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: CFL a great game, but kudos to the Lions for knowing the event matters

Quality of the marketing finally catching up to the quality of the game north of the border

B.C. Lions’ Alexander Hollins bobbles the ball and fails to make the catch during the first half of a CFL football game against the Calgary Stampeders, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch speaks during a press conference before they took on the Florida Panthers in Thursday’s game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs in Edmonton on Wednesday June 12, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘A lot of confidence’: Oilers primed after big Game 5 win

Oilers face another no-tomorrow test Tuesday against the Panthers still trailing series 3-1.

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch speaks during a press conference before they took on the Florida Panthers in Thursday’s game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs in Edmonton on Wednesday June 12, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Florida Panthers’ Vladimir Tarasenko (10) and Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm (14) battle for the puck during first period Game 4 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Saturday June 15, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

McDavid, Oilers avoid sweep, crush Panthers 8-1 in Game 4 of Stanley Cup final

Florida leads best-of-seven series 3-1, hosts Game 5 Tuesday

Florida Panthers’ Vladimir Tarasenko (10) and Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm (14) battle for the puck during first period Game 4 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Saturday June 15, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., left, passes while being pursued by Calgary Stampeders’ Micah Teitz during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions collect first win of CFL season, dump Stampeders 26-17

Leos visit Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on Friday

B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., left, passes while being pursued by Calgary Stampeders’ Micah Teitz during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Olivia Apps scores a try against Brazil during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., on March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian rugby captain back training after B.C. cougar attack

Canada rugby sevens captain Olivia Apps was treated after Strathcona park cougar incident

Canada’s Olivia Apps scores a try against Brazil during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., on March 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver defenceman Nikita Zadorov is looking like he’s likely to test free agency come July. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Vancouver defenceman Nikita Zadorov has been fined US$5,000 by the NHL and Canucks blue-liner Carson Soucy will have a hearing with the league for cross-checks on Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid. Zadorov celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, May 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

THE MOJ: 4 thoughts to ponder for a B.C. sports fan Friday

Canucks free agency, Lions home opener, helping kids, and Edmonton

Vancouver defenceman Nikita Zadorov is looking like he’s likely to test free agency come July. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Vancouver defenceman Nikita Zadorov has been fined US$5,000 by the NHL and Canucks blue-liner Carson Soucy will have a hearing with the league for cross-checks on Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid. Zadorov celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, May 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws the ball during first half CFL action against the Toronto Argonauts, in Toronto, on Sunday, June 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

‘No pressure at all’: Lions locked in for home opener against Calgary

Stampeders the focus as 50 Cent set rock Vancouver crowd

B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws the ball during first half CFL action against the Toronto Argonauts, in Toronto, on Sunday, June 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes the save on Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) during second period Game 3 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Thursday, June 13, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Panthers hang on to beat Oilers 4-3, take 3-0 lead in Stanley Cup final

Bobrovsky makes 32 saves as Florida moves within one win of NHL title

Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes the save on Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) during second period Game 3 action of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton on Thursday, June 13, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov (16) kneels on the ice after he was injured during the third period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on June 10, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Wilfredo Lee

Barkov back as Panthers head into Edmonton for Game 3 of Stanley Cup final

Florida Panther captain had been questionable due to high hit

Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov (16) kneels on the ice after he was injured during the third period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on June 10, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Wilfredo Lee
Youth hockey players take part in a game at Susan Fennell Sportsplex in Brampton, Ontario, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Two years ago marked the first time the U.S. had more youth hockey players registered than Canada.(AP Photo/Stephen Whyno)

Youth hockey participation down nearly 1/3 as steady decline continues

Soul-searching underway as how to reconnect Canadians with their sport

Youth hockey players take part in a game at Susan Fennell Sportsplex in Brampton, Ontario, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Two years ago marked the first time the U.S. had more youth hockey players registered than Canada.(AP Photo/Stephen Whyno)
Macklin Celebrini, the expected No. 1 pick in the NHL draft to the San Jose Sharks, speaks with reporters prior to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno)

NHL poster boy McDavid meets with top prospect, B.C.’s Celebrini

Expected top pick for coming NHL draft appreciated chance to chat with the 3-time league MVP

Macklin Celebrini, the expected No. 1 pick in the NHL draft to the San Jose Sharks, speaks with reporters prior to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno)
Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) waits for the puck during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Panthers 2 wins from Stanley Cup, top Oilers 4-1 for 2-0 lead in title series

Game 3 goes in Edmonton on Thursday night

Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) waits for the puck during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Fans will have to wait to see who makes it to the final of the Canadian Championship. Vancouver Whitecaps’ Russell Teibert, front third right, and Ryan Gauld, front second right, hoist the Voyageurs Cup after Vancouver defeated CF Montreal 2-1 during the Canadian Championship soccer final, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dates released for B.C. semi-final setting up Canadian soccer championship

Vancouver Whitecaps, Pacific FC to meet on July 10 and Aug. 27

Fans will have to wait to see who makes it to the final of the Canadian Championship. Vancouver Whitecaps’ Russell Teibert, front third right, and Ryan Gauld, front second right, hoist the Voyageurs Cup after Vancouver defeated CF Montreal 2-1 during the Canadian Championship soccer final, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck