National Sports

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Dexter Fowler has signed a minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, with an invitation to major league spring training. The veteran outfielder's arrival at the Blue Jays spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla.

After losing two of its last three World Cup qualifiers, Canada has dropped five places to No. 38 in the latest FIFA rankings. But the Canadian men remain on an upward trajectory after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 86.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks know they have little room for error these days. And errors proved costly Wednesday night as the Canucks dropped a 4-3 decision to the St. Louis Blues, a result that further dimmed the team's faint playoff hopes.

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Josh Ho-Sang scored at 1:15 of overtime to earn the Toronto Marlies a 4-3 win over the Abbotsford Canucks in AHL action Wednesday night. It was Toronto's second straight win over Abbotsford.

Raphael Pelletier had two goals and an assist as the Swift Current Broncos defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 6-4 in WHL play Wednesday night. Karson King added a goal and an assist for Swift Current (26-31-5-2).

EDMONTON — It certainly had the feel of a potential first-round playoff matchup.

PANAMA CITY — Canada's 20-game World Cup qualifying marathon is done. Now the real work begins.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — The United States men are returning to the World Cup after the trauma of missing the 2018 tournament, clinching a berth for this year’s championship in Qatar on Wednesday despite a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica on the final night

TORONTO — Two nights after scoring 40 points against Boston, Pascal Siakam played facilitator against Minnesota -- and it earned him the second triple-double of his career.

WINNIPEG — Danick Martel had a goal and an assist to pace the Laval Rocket to a 4-2 win over the Manitoba Moose in AHL action Wednesday night. Joel Teasdale, Louie Belpedio and Gabriel Bourque had the other goals for Laval (31-21-3-2).