• The Canadian Press

    Hockey business is booming as the NHL bounces back from the pandemic in a big way

    NEW YORK (AP) — Arenas are full, the NHL is a fixture on TV screens across North America, highlight-reel goals are talking points on a near-daily basis and “The Pat McAfee Show” even has a segment called “Hockey is Awesome." Piece it all together, and more eyes are on the puck than ever before with the playoffs beginning this weekend. Business is booming for the NHL, which has bounced back in a major way from the pandemic. Backstopped by new media rights deals, digital dasher boards and helmet a

  • The Canadian Press

    WHL roundup: Winterhawks clip Silvertips 4-3 in OT, lead series 3-0

    EVERETT, Wash. — Carter Sotheran started the comeback with a goal early in the second period, then completed it with a goal at 15:55 of overtime as the visiting Portland Winterhawks rallied to edge the Everett Silvertips 4-3 in Western Hockey League playoff action on Monday night. Kaden Hammell, Beau Courtney and Ben Hemmerling had given the Silvertips an early 3-0 lead, and hope of trimming the 2-0 deficit in their best-of-seven quarterfinal series. But Sotheran, Gabe Klassen and Kyle Chyzowski

  • The Canadian Press

    OHL roundup: Spirit squash Greyhounds 7-2, grab 2-1 series lead

    SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — The Saginaw Spirit, who lost a rare home game on Saturday, quickly put that setback in the rear-view mirror with a 7-2 victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Monday in Ontario Hockey League playoff action at GFL Memorial Gardens. Calem Mangone scored twice for the Spirit, who grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven quarterfinal series. Jorian Donovan, Alex Christopoulos, Rodwin Dionicio, Braden Hache and Sebastien Gervais also scored for the Spirit. Gavin Hayes

  • The Canadian Press

    Frank Nazar scores on first shot in NHL debut with Chicago Blackhawks

    CHICAGO (AP) — With one dash up the middle of the ice, Frank Nazar provided a glimmer of hope for the Chicago Blackhawks at the end of another losing season. Nazar scored on his first shot on goal in his NHL debut in Chicago's home finale against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Wearing No. 91, a smiling Nazar got a big cheer from the early arriving fans when he took the ice for his solo rookie lap ahead of warmups. He centered a line with Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson. After coming up emp