Sports

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Argentina defeats Netherlands on penalty kicks to advance to World Cup semifinals

Argentina will face Croatia in Tuesday’s semi-final

Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Reassuring to see the allure of the Montreal Canadiens continues

Rich legacy of the franchise ensures their visits to B.C. are never really road games

Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Croatia shocks Brazil on penalties in World Cup quarterfinals

Perennial favourite and 5-time champion out of the tourney after losing in shootout

Vancouver Canucks centre Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Pettersson nets OT winner for 2nd straight game as Canucks edge San Jose Sharks 6-5

Vancouver hosts the Minnesota Wild on Saturday

Vancouver Canucks centre Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)

PODCAST: What would you do as GM of the Vancouver Canucks?

NHL UPDATE: Black Press insiders McKinley, Wolf offer thoughts on surprise teams, top rookies

John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)
Langley Secondary senior girls basketball coach Sheldon Guy speaks to a crowd at Earl Marriott Secondary Tuesday (Dec. 5) before an exhibition game about his experience with suddenly losing his sight, and how to pivot and adapt to the challenges life may bring. (Contributed photo)

Blind B.C. basketball coach gives inspirational talk before exhibition game

‘It’s OK to not be OK,’ Langley coach Sheldon Guy tells Earl Mariott audience

Langley Secondary senior girls basketball coach Sheldon Guy speaks to a crowd at Earl Marriott Secondary Tuesday (Dec. 5) before an exhibition game about his experience with suddenly losing his sight, and how to pivot and adapt to the challenges life may bring. (Contributed photo)
Ed Baden stretches his legs as he skies on the 100 Mile Nordics’ Newly groomed trails last Saturday. The Nordics’ season officially kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 10. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

Nordics make tracks this weekend

The 100 Mile Nordics are open for the season starting this Saturday

Ed Baden stretches his legs as he skies on the 100 Mile Nordics’ Newly groomed trails last Saturday. The Nordics’ season officially kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 10. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Members of the 100 Mile House Curling Club play a game during league play earlier this season. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

Curling season postponed till new year

The 100 Mile Curling Club is replacing the ice due to it being to heavy

Members of the 100 Mile House Curling Club play a game during league play earlier this season. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Countdown to Kickoff: Matheson outlines plans for new pro women’s soccer league

Vancouver Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills 2 of the founding clubs in the 8-team league

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
FILE - New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. Judge won the American League MVP Award on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in voting by a Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Record-breaking slugger Aaron Judge, Yankees reach $360M, 9-year deal

Judge will earn $40 million per season, the highest average annual payout for a position player

FILE - New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. Judge won the American League MVP Award on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in voting by a Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham, right, goes up for a pass as Calgary Stampeders defensive back Dionte Ruffin blocks him during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Burnham has announced his retirement, ending an eight-year career with the CFL franchise. Burnham, a four-time CFL all-star, had 476 receptions and 7,212 receiving yards wit the Lions. Both marks rank fourth in franchise history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Family comes first for retiring B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham

Talented wideout was a 4-time CFL all-star

B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham, right, goes up for a pass as Calgary Stampeders defensive back Dionte Ruffin blocks him during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Burnham has announced his retirement, ending an eight-year career with the CFL franchise. Burnham, a four-time CFL all-star, had 476 receptions and 7,212 receiving yards wit the Lions. Both marks rank fourth in franchise history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Why the floundering Canucks really need to consider breakfast

It’s time for franchise to step off cycle of mediocrity by truly committing to the draft

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver, Calgary first teams announced in new women’s pro soccer league

League will operate countrywide across two conferences, with four teams in each conference

Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault (35) stops Vancouver Canucks’ Nils Aman (88), of Sweden, as Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj (72) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pettersson nets OT winner as Canucks rally for wild 7-6 victory over Canadiens

Visiting Habs held 4-0 lead after first period

Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault (35) stops Vancouver Canucks’ Nils Aman (88), of Sweden, as Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj (72) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Cloverdale-raised Caedan Bankier in action with Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). (File photo courtesy Kamloops Blazers/Allen Douglas Photos)

4 B.C. hockey players have shot at making Canada’s World Juniors team roster

Starting Friday in Moncton, the camp will involve 4 goaltenders, 9 defencemen and 16 forwards

Cloverdale-raised Caedan Bankier in action with Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). (File photo courtesy Kamloops Blazers/Allen Douglas Photos)
NHL Goaltender Devan Dubnyk. (Canadian Press)

PODCAST: Goalie Devan Dubnyk reflects on stellar NHL career

MOJ on Sports: Recently retired netminder played junior in Kamloops

NHL Goaltender Devan Dubnyk. (Canadian Press)
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, front, and Elias Pettersson, of Sweden, celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, December 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Horvat scores OT winner, Canucks earn 3-2 victory over Arizona Coyotes

Vancouver’s Luke Schenn registers 2,947th career hit, an NHL record for defencemen

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, front, and Elias Pettersson, of Sweden, celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, December 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Colts among the team’s eyeing Lions Rourke south of the border

CFL’s outstanding Canadian will be working out in Indianapolis this month

Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A Team Canada logo is shown on a player during the warm-up prior to Rivalry Series hockey action against the United States in Kamloops, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Hockey Canada says there were more than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination — verbal taunts, insults and intimidation — across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston

Hockey Canada recorded more than 900 reports of on-ice discrimination last season

Organization introduced a new section to its rulebook in August 2021 to address maltreatment

A Team Canada logo is shown on a player during the warm-up prior to Rivalry Series hockey action against the United States in Kamloops, B.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Hockey Canada says there were more than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination — verbal taunts, insults and intimidation — across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Johnston
Vancouver Canucks’ Ethan Bear, left, and Florida Panthers’ Ryan Lomberg vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bennett scores 2, Panthers end skid with 5-1 win over Vancouver Canucks

Home side loses starting goalie Thatcher Demko to injury

Vancouver Canucks’ Ethan Bear, left, and Florida Panthers’ Ryan Lomberg vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck