Top sports advisory for 5 p.m., Jan. 20, 2022
Good evening from Canadian Press Sports!
Advisories will hit the wire around 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET on weekdays and will also be sent to editors by email. The AP sports digest will be sent out around 3 p.m. On weekends and holidays, the advisories will move at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you'd like to be added to the email list (or removed) please contact Scott Brown at scott.brown@thecanadianpress.com. All Times Eastern.
SOCCER
Attendance to be halved for World Cup qualifier
SOC-WCup-Qualifier-Attendance
UNDATED -- What was expected to be a soldout crowd of 24,000 for Canada's high-profile World Cup qualifier against the U.S. on Jan. 30 at Hamilton's Tim Hortons Field will now be restricted to 12,000. Canada Soccer, in following public health guidelines, will cancel all tickets sold and offer a new window to buy those for the reduced-capacity configuration. 500 words. By Neil Davidson. PHOTO. Expected by 6 p.m. ET.
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SOC-MLS-Toronto-Akinola
Toronto FC has signed forward Ayo Akinola to a new contract that runs through 2024 with an option for 2025. Akinola's deal is part of the Major League Soccer U-22 Initiative. That allows clubs to sign up to three young players, age 22 and younger, to "lucrative contracts at a reduced budget charge." 600 words. By Neil Davidson. PHOTO. MOVED.
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HOCKEY
Canucks' Demko, Miller test positive for COVID-19
HKN-Canucks-COVID
The Vancouver Canucks COVID-19 outbreak continues, with star goalie Thatcher Demko and forward J.T. Miller testing positive for the virus via rapid tests on Thursday. The Canucks (18-18-3) currently have a number of key pieces in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, including captain Bo Horvat, winger Conor Garland and backup netminder Jaroslav Halak. The team is set to play Floriday at home on Friday. By Gemma Karstens-Smith. MOVED. PHOTO. Will be updated
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Jets place Nikolaj Ehlers on injured reserve
HKN-Jets-Ehlers
Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers has been placed on injured reserve after taking a knee-on-knee hit from Washington defenceman Dmitry Orlov. 122 words. MOVED.
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FOOTBALL
Blue Bombers re-sign Bighill to one-year extension
FBO-CFL-Bombers-Bighill
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed all-star linebacker Adam Bighill to a one-year contract extension Thursday. Bighill was scheduled to become a free agent next month. 122 words. MOVED. Will be 800-word Write Thru. PHOTO
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Roughriders sign receiver Harty to extension
FBO-CFL-Riders-Moves
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Canadian receiver Jake Harty to a contract extension Thursday. 100 words. MOVED.
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Stampeders re-sign offensive lineman Ryan Sceviour
FBO-CFL-Stamps-Moves
The Calgary Stampeders signed Canadian offensive lineman Ryan Sceviour to a two-year contract extension Thursday. 102 words. MOVED.
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Ticats re-sign veteran Canadian safety Adeleke
FBO-CFL-Ticats-Moves
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed veteran Canadian defensive back Tunde Adeleke to a two-year contract extension Thursday. 140 words. MOVED.
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Elks sign Canadians Smith, Jones to extensions
FBO-CFL-Elks-Moves
The Edmonton Elks signed Canadian receiver Tevaun Smith and Mike Jones to one-year extensions Thursday. 100 words. MOVED.
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CURLING
Tournament of Hearts gets go-ahead in Thunder Bay
CUR-Hearts
The Canadian women's curling championship has the green light to proceed in Thunder Bay. The 18-team Scotties Tournament of Hearts at Fort William Gardens opens Jan. 28 without fans or media in the building because of the COVID-19 virus. Ontario announced Thursday up to 500 fans will be allowed at sporting events starting Jan. 31, leaving the door open for the possibility of spectators the final three days Feb. 4-6. 319 words. PHOTO. MOVED
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COVID
Ontario teams must wait before welcoming back fans
HKN-BKN-Ontario-COVID
Ontario's plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions won't have any immediate impact on fan capacity for hockey and basketball teams operating in the province. The Ontario government announced today that some indoor venues, including movie theatres and gyms, will be able to operate at 50 per cent capacity starting Jan. 31. However, large sports arenas and concert venues will be only allowed 500 people or half capacity, whichever is lower, until Feb. 21. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said at a press conference Thursday that capacity will be increased to 50 per cent at that time, with limits being completely lifted March 14. 300 words. MOVED. PHOTO
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RUGBY
Vancouver Sevens event pushed back to April
RGU-Canada-Sevens
Vancouver's stop on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is being delayed two months due to the pandemic. The HSBC Canada Sevens, originally slated for Feb. 26-27 at B.C. Place Stadium, has been pushed back to April 16-17, "to provide the best opportunity to ensure the safety of fans, athletes, officials and staff." 300 words. MOVED.
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BASEBALL
Report: Rays' split-city plan with Montreal dead
BBA-Rays-Split-City-Montreal
It appears that Major League Baseball is shutting down a proposed plan that would have seen the Rays split their home schedule between Tampa Bay and Montreal. The Tampa Bay Times reports that plans were killed by MLB officials, creating more uncertainty about the team's future in the St. Petersburg, Fla., area. 300 words. MOVED. PHOTO
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OLYMPICS
Kripps headlines Canada's bobsled team for Beijing
OLY-BOBSLEIGH-SKELETON-CANADA
After piloting his two-man sled to glory at the Pyeongchang Olympics, Justin Kripps turned his attention to perfecting his four-man driving. Kripps headlines Canada's 18-member bobsled team for the Beijing Games, and the defending two-man champion is hoping to climb the medal podium twice this time around. 760 words. By Lori Ewing PHOTO. MOVED
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FOR OLYMPIC PREMIUM CLIENTS ONLY
OLY-CURL-MIXED
UNDATED – A look at the controversy surrounding Canadian curling athletes not able to play in both mixed doubles and team events. Olympians In other disciplines are allowed to compete in multiple events, why not curlers? 700 words. By Gregory Strong PHOTO. MOVED
OLY-COVID-Quarantine
UNDATED -- Eric Radford was forced to get creative during his 10 days in isolation. He and pairs partner Vaness James tested positive for COVID-19 around Christmas Day. Radford said he would play their four-minute long program music in his apartment, and do high knees throughout it. Every time there was a jump or throw in the program, the 36-year-old would do burpees. The fast-spreading Omicron variant has seen numerous Olympians in lockdown just a few weeks out for the Games. Keeping fit hasn't been easy. 800 words, by Lori Ewing. PHOTO. MOVED.
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COMING LATER
TENNIS - Canadian Denis Shapovalov (No. 14 seed) meets American Reilly Opelka (No. 23 seed) in a third-round match at the Australian Open. Match scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
HOCKEY - Coverage of Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers NHL game, 9 p.m.
HOCKEY - Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. (AP); Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. (AP); Montreal Canadiens at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. (AP)
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2022.
AP TOP STORIES
TOP STORIES
TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN
MELBOURNE, Australia — Friday night under lights will feature two big third-round matches in the women’s draw, with defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka facing Amanda Anisimova and top-ranked Ash Barty against Camila Giorgi. The winners of those matches on Day 5 will meet in a fourth-round contest. On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal will continue his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title with a third-round match against No. 28 Karen Khachanov. By John Pye. UPCOMING: 850 words, photos. Barty's and Osaka's matches start around 3 a.m., Nadal's match starts around 4:15 a.m. With TEN--Australian Open-The Latest, notebook, sidebars on merits.
US-NCAA-CONSTITUTION
INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA members schools are expected to ratified a new pared-down constitution, paving the way for a decentralized approach to governing college sports that would hand power to schools and conferences. The next step, a sweeping restructuring of Division I, figures to be far more challenging. By College Sports Writer Ralph D. Russo. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 6 p.m.
FBN--RAMS-STARS ALIGNED
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Rams have spent years making salary cap contortions and sacrificing draft picks because they believe stars will light their path to the Super Bowl. Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford, Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. delivered a division title and a playoff victory, but Los Angeles (13-5) realizes this team-up will be seen as a failure unless the Rams beat Tom Brady and Tampa Bay on Sunday. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 8 p.m.
OLY--SKI-SHIFFRIN'S HEAVY HEART
Star ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin is preparing for her first Olympics since her father suddenly passed away two years ago. The two-time Winter Games gold medalist doesn’t know exactly how she’s going to feel when she steps into the starting gate or crosses the finish line in China in February. The memories of her father can hit the 26-year-old from Colorado at any time. By Pat Graham and Howard Fendrich. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
OLY--HKO--YOUNG OLYMPIANS
No Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews or Nathan MacKinnon at the Olympics opens the door for 2021 top draft picks Owen Power, Matty Beniers and others to shine in Beijing. Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen and Anaheim winger Troy Terry are among the young stars who turned the 2018 Games into an NHL springboard, and more of that could be coming from this crop of players. It’s also a second chance for some players who were at the world junior championship before it was canceled because of virus concerns. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. SENT: 700 words, photos.
BBA--RAYS-MONTREAL PLAN REJECTED
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed plan to split the season between Florida and Montreal has been rejected by Major League Baseball. The idea of playing in both the Tampa Bay area and Montreal has been discussed over the past several years after attempts to build a new full-time ballpark locally failed. SENT: 300 words, photos. UPCOMING: 600 words by 6 p.m.
COMMENTARY
OLY--JIM LITKE-OLYMPICS
If you thought last summer's Tokyo Olympics were hollowed-out Games, just wait. With two weeks to go, Beijing's hosts seem determined to drain every last drop of joy from the event. By Sports Columnist Jim Litke. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 7 p.m.
NOTABLE
BKN--SUNS-MAVERICKS
DALLAS — Luka Doncic and the Mavericks take on Chris Paul, Devin Booker and NBA-leading Phoenix. Dallas has won 10 of 11 games but is on an eight-game losing streak against the Suns. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Game starts 7:30 p.m.
HKN--CAPITALS-BRUINS
BOSTON — The Bruins look to bounce back following a 7-1 loss to Carolina, their worst setback of the season. The Capitals are coming off a 4-3 overtime win over Winnipeg, their first win in extra time this season. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Game starts 7 p.m.
BKC--T25-SAN FRANCISCO-GONZAGA
SPOKANE, Wash. — San Francisco plays at new No. 1 Gonzaga. By Nicholas K. Geranios. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 11 p.m.
BKW--T25-LOUISVILLE-NC STATE
RALEIGH, N.C. — Third-ranked Louisville visits fourth-ranked North Carolina State. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 7:30 p.m.
GLF--AMERICAN EXPRESS
LA QUINTA, Calif. — Top-ranked John Rahm, FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay and tournament host Phil Mickelson open play in The American Express. By John Nicholson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 9 p.m.
GLF--LPGA TOUR
ORLANDO, Fla. — Nelly Korda, coming off a big year of four LPGA tour titles and an Olympic gold medal, leads a strong field at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions as the LPGA Tour season begins at Lake Nona. UPCOMING: 650 words by 7 p.m.
SOC—ENGLISH ROUNDUP
LONDON — Arsenal hosts Liverpool in the second leg of the English League Cup semifinals with the teams locked at 0-0 after last week’s first leg at Anfield. By Rob Harris. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 6:30 p.m.
OLY--SBD-WINTER X-MAD SCIENTIST
ASPEN, Colo. – Tucked away on a private halfpipe in Switzerland, Scotty James has been charting the future. He envisions the best tricks at this year’s biggest halfpipe contests as the kind that only he can perform. One big question is whether the judges will agree. Just in case, the Aussie is working on his own version of a triple cork – the three-flip jump that looks like the gold standard heading into Beijing. By Pat Graham. SENT: 850 words, photos.
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The Canadian Press
