Sports

Vancouver FC won their third straight Salish Sea Derby match on Saturday, May 25, defeating Vancouver Island rivals Pacific FC 2-1 at Willoughby Community Park in Langley to climb to second place in the Canadian Premier League table. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Vancouver FC down Pacific

Third straight Salish Sea Derby win

Vancouver FC won their third straight Salish Sea Derby match on Saturday, May 25, defeating Vancouver Island rivals Pacific FC 2-1 at Willoughby Community Park in Langley to climb to second place in the Canadian Premier League table. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Canada’s Brandon Tanev celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the semi final match between Canada and Switzerland at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Switzerland knocks out Canada in shootout to advance to hockey worlds final

Switzerland to face off against Czechs

Canada’s Brandon Tanev celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the semi final match between Canada and Switzerland at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) blocks a shot by Edmonton Oilers centre Mattias Janmark, left, as Stars’ Ryan Suter (20) looks on during the second period in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Marchment nets winner, Stars trip Oilers 3-1 to even Western Conference final 1-1

Best-of-7 series shifts to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4 beginning Monday

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) blocks a shot by Edmonton Oilers centre Mattias Janmark, left, as Stars’ Ryan Suter (20) looks on during the second period in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
B.C. Lions defensive back Jassin States-McClean (36) knocks a pass away from Calgary Stampeders wide receiver Marken Michel (80) during first half CFL preseason football action in Calgary, Saturday, May 25, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Stampeders pounce on B.C. Lions for 30-6 CFL pre-season win

Leos field a roster primarily of rookies hoping to make impression

B.C. Lions defensive back Jassin States-McClean (36) knocks a pass away from Calgary Stampeders wide receiver Marken Michel (80) during first half CFL preseason football action in Calgary, Saturday, May 25, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Bandits Taze Moore goes in for a lay-up. He earned 17 points in the game against Montreal last week. (CEBL/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Bandits ride hot start to defeat Montreal in home opener

Vancouver’s pro basketball team kicks off season with 95-75 triumph at home in Langley

Bandits Taze Moore goes in for a lay-up. He earned 17 points in the game against Montreal last week. (CEBL/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Surrey Eagles and Penticton Vees battle in Game 5 of the Fred Page Cup Finals on Friday, May 24. (Tav Morrison photo)

Surrey pushes Penticton to brink of elimination in BCHL Finals

Teams meet in the Okanagan on Sunday, with the Eagles looking to close out the series

Surrey Eagles and Penticton Vees battle in Game 5 of the Fred Page Cup Finals on Friday, May 24. (Tav Morrison photo)
Vernon brothers Ken Holland (left) and Dennis Holland are competing against each other in the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs for just the second time. Ken is the president/general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, and Dennis is in his 21st season as a scout with the Dallas Stars. Winner of the Western Conference final moves on to play for the Stalney Cup. (Facebook photo)

Oh brother, what a series – B.C. siblings’ teams in NHL conference final

Ken Holland (Edmonton GM), Dennis Holland (Dallas scout) meet with Stanley Cup final berth on line

Vernon brothers Ken Holland (left) and Dennis Holland are competing against each other in the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs for just the second time. Ken is the president/general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, and Dennis is in his 21st season as a scout with the Dallas Stars. Winner of the Western Conference final moves on to play for the Stalney Cup. (Facebook photo)
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, centre left, gestures toward teammate defenceman Evan Bouchard (2) as teammates left wing Zach Hyman, centre right, and centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, top left, look on after McDavid scored the game-winning goal on an assist by Bouchard during the second overtime in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff finals against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

McDavid scores in double OT as Oilers edge Stars 3-2 in Game 1

Edmonton takes early lead in NHL’s Western Conference final

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, centre left, gestures toward teammate defenceman Evan Bouchard (2) as teammates left wing Zach Hyman, centre right, and centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, top left, look on after McDavid scored the game-winning goal on an assist by Bouchard during the second overtime in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff finals against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi passes the ball during MLS soccer action against CF Montreal in Montreal, Saturday, May 11, 2024. Messi continues to lead Major League Soccer, on the field and off it with a league-high $20,446,667 salary (all figures in U.S. dollars) this season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Soccer superstar Messi expected to miss MLS game in Vancouver: Whitecaps

More than 50,000 people were expected at Saturday’s game

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi passes the ball during MLS soccer action against CF Montreal in Montreal, Saturday, May 11, 2024. Messi continues to lead Major League Soccer, on the field and off it with a league-high $20,446,667 salary (all figures in U.S. dollars) this season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Patrik Allvin of the Vancouver Canucks, Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars and Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers are the finalists for this season’s Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. Allvin laughs during an announcement for an eight year contract extension for Elias Pettersson in Vancouver, on Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Canucks’ Allvin, Stars’ Nill, Panthers’ Zito finalists for NHL’s GM of the year

A winner will be revealed June 10

Patrik Allvin of the Vancouver Canucks, Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars and Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers are the finalists for this season’s Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. Allvin laughs during an announcement for an eight year contract extension for Elias Pettersson in Vancouver, on Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Canadian Olympic swimmer Ruslan Gaziev has been suspended 18 months for anti-doping rule violations. Gaziev competes during the mixed 4x100m relay heat at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Saturday, July 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lee Jin-man

Canadian swimmer Ruslan Gaziev suspended for anti-doping violations

24-year-old from Toronto skipped two drug tests, according to regulators

Canadian Olympic swimmer Ruslan Gaziev has been suspended 18 months for anti-doping rule violations. Gaziev competes during the mixed 4x100m relay heat at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Saturday, July 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lee Jin-man
Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson says he has been playing with a knee injury since January. Pettersson (40) tries to get his stick on the puck after Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) made the save while Evan Bouchard, right, defends during the first period in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, May 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks star Elias Pettersson dealt with knee injury through playoffs

25-year-old, who struggled in recent games, says injury impacted his play

Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson says he has been playing with a knee injury since January. Pettersson (40) tries to get his stick on the puck after Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) made the save while Evan Bouchard, right, defends during the first period in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, May 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Slovakia’s Peter Ceresnak, right, skates past as Canada’s Nick Paul, center, celebrates with Canada’s Bowen Byram after scoring his sides third goal during the quarterfinal match between Canada and Slovakia at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Canada beats Slovakia 6-3 to reach semifinals at hockey worlds

Nick Paul helped lead the team with 2 goals scored on net

Slovakia’s Peter Ceresnak, right, skates past as Canada’s Nick Paul, center, celebrates with Canada’s Bowen Byram after scoring his sides third goal during the quarterfinal match between Canada and Slovakia at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, Larry Tanenbaum of Kilmer Sports Ventures and WNBA Toronto team president Teresa Resch pose for a photo during a press conference announcing the city’s WNBA franchise, in Toronto on Thursday, May 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

The WNBA is coming to Toronto and will play as soon as the 2026 season

The WNBA is expanding to Toronto, but Larry Tanenbaum says the new…

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, Larry Tanenbaum of Kilmer Sports Ventures and WNBA Toronto team president Teresa Resch pose for a photo during a press conference announcing the city’s WNBA franchise, in Toronto on Thursday, May 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Jim Hiller behind the bench with the Toronto Maple Leafs. (PHOTO COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY BULLDOGS)

B.C.’s Jim Hiller named head coach of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings

Hiller is a former coach of the BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Jim Hiller behind the bench with the Toronto Maple Leafs. (PHOTO COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY BULLDOGS)
New York Rangers celebrate a win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 16, 2024. The Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference final. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

NHL will have a new Stanley Cup champion this century

None of the 4 remaining teams have won the cup in the last 25 years

New York Rangers celebrate a win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 16, 2024. The Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference final. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Canada’s Dylan Cozens celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the preliminary round match between Czech Republic and Canada at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, May 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Petr David Josek

Cozens scores 2nd of game in OT as Canada outlasts Czechia at hockey worlds

Canada will face Slovakia on Thursday for the quarterfinals

Canada’s Dylan Cozens celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the preliminary round match between Czech Republic and Canada at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, May 21, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Petr David Josek
New York Rangers fans cheer the team on following a goal during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

How to watch and what to expect in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs

Of the 4 remaining teams, none have hoisted the cup in the last 25 years

New York Rangers fans cheer the team on following a goal during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) and Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) talk while shaking hands after Edmonton defeated Vancouver during Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘We were close’: Game 7 loss to Oilers hits Canucks hard

Quinn Hughes couldn’t quite find the words to describe his emotions Monday…

Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (43) and Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) talk while shaking hands after Edmonton defeated Vancouver during Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Spectators react during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars get some needed rest ahead of third-round date with Oilers

Players were starting to ‘run on fumes’ in NHL playoffs

Spectators react during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)