• The Canadian Press

    NHL players are refining the art of the bank shot via ricochet off the masks of the goaltenders

    Off the goaltender's mask, off a defenseman's back, nothing but net. Well, at least in the net. That is how Colorado's Casey Mittelstadt got his first goal of the NHL playoffs this year, and it is not the only one. Several players have scored by ricocheting the puck in off a goalie's head, including Dallas' Evgenii Dadonov against Vegas earlier this week. It is an art that is becoming more and more refined as skaters find ways to score against the best netminders in the world. Sniping goals in f

  • The Canadian Press

    Toronto judo athlete Nigara Shaheen named to Olympic refugee team for Paris

    Nigara Shaheen finally feels the freedom to fully prepare for an Olympic Games. The 30-year-old Afghan judoka, who has been living and training in Toronto for a year and a half, was named to the International Olympic Committee's refugee team Thursday. She's among 36 athletes from 11 countries chosen to compete in Paris this summer under the acronym EOR (Equipe Olympique des Refugies) and under their own flag featuring a heart surrounded by arrows to symbolize finding their way home. "I love the

  • The Canadian Press

    Cavs center Jarett Allen doesn't practice with rib injury and status for Game 6 in Orlando uncertain

    INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers starting center Jarrett Allen did not practice as he continues to be slowed by a painful rib injury that could keep him out of Friday night's critical Game 6 in Orlando. Allen didn't dress for Cleveland's 104-103 win in Game 5 on Wednesday. The team said Allen, who was injured in Game 4, only received treatment Thursday and did rehab work as his teammates prepared for the Magic. Cleveland holds a 3-2 lead and can close out the Eastern Conference firs

  • The Canadian Press

    Vegas and Nashville face elimination in Game 6 showdowns vs. Dallas and Vancouver

    Home sweet home ice? For Vegas, maybe. Nashville, not so much lately. The defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights return home to their “Fortress” on the Strip looking to avoid being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after losing three in a row to Dallas. The Predators are back in “Smashville” trailing Vancouver 3-2 in that best-of-seven series. Vegas went 9-3 at home on its title run last year. Nashville hasn't won at home in the playoffs since 2021. The challenge for each team