National Sports

CHICAGO — The Blackhawks returned to home ice and got back to basics against one of the NHL's most improved teams. Patrick Kane had a power-play goal and two assists, and Chicago beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 on Thursday night.

VICTORIA — Jenna Boudreau scored the winning goal as the Acadia Axewomen advanced to the semifinals of the U Sports women's soccer championship with a 2-1 upset of the York Lions.

TORONTO — Mired in a ugly 2-for-32 stretch on the power play — including five fruitless opportunities Thursday — the Maple Leafs took a deep breath down 1-0 in third period.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators missed a golden opportunity late in Thursday's game, but coach DJ Smith was pleased with the final result.

PHILADELPHIA — Sean Couturier gave the surprising Flyers another wild victory celebration at home. Maybe the gritty wins — rather than, all eyes on Gritty — will finally make the fickle Philly fans take notice.

SEATTLE — Another day, another bleak injury update from Jozy Altidore. "I haven't played any soccer in a month.

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — Tracy Fleury defeated Kerri Einarson 4-2 in a battle of Canadian teams Thursday afternoon at the Grand Slam of Curling's Tour Challenge. Einarson, the world No.

SEATTLE — Respect was the order of the day Thursday as the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC met the media ahead of Sunday's MLS Cup final. Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan even confided he had a Michael Bradley jersey growing up.

The Toronto Wolfpack have already proved doubters wrong by managing to establish a toehold for a little-known sport in North America.

MONTREAL — Midfielder Stefan Karajovanovic had a goal and an assist to lead the Carleton Ravens to a 2-0 win over the St. Francis Xavier X-Men in the opening quarterfinal of the U Sports men's soccer championship on Thursday.