National Sports

Two games into his Canadian Premier League career and David Rodriguez is already turning heads. And leaving defenders in his wake.

VANCOUVER — One year after reaching Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks begin their summer a month earlier.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Justin Thomas made a pair of birdies on the crusty, breezy back nine at Harbour Town to salvage a 2-under 69 for a two-shot lead Friday at the RBC Heritage, his first 36-hole lead in more than four years.

MONTREAL — Despite a horrid start, CF Montreal defender Joel Waterman believes it's up to the team to stay strong in its mentality entering its Saturday night home game against Orlando City SC.

The hunt for Toronto FC's first win of the season continues Saturday at Real Salt Lake with coach Robin Fraser hoping his team finally gets rewarded for its recent improved play.

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer received a second cortisone shot in his troublesome right thumb this week and will try playing catch again when he rejoins the team in Houston next week, manager John Schneider said Friday.

The PWHL’s first expansion team will be based in Vancouver with an announcement scheduled for next week, a person with knowledge of the decision confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday.

Darcy Tucker gets stopped on the street from time to time. Fans are usually looking for a picture or an autograph.

WINNIPEG — Judgement Day has arrived for the Winnipeg Jets. Despite the NHL team’s long list of regular-season accomplishments, many hockey fans will only view this campaign as a success if the Jets go deep in the playoffs.

John Tavares remembers watching the knife-edged action as a young hockey player dreaming of the big stage. Auston Matthews has seen the highlights and heard the stories. The run-through-a-wall passion. The crackling atmosphere. The tension.