National Sports

VANCOUVER — This season was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the fresh-faced Vancouver Canucks. But heading into this weekend's all-star break, the team is firmly entrenched in a battle for the playoffs in the tightly bunched Western Conference.

TORONTO — They'll forever be linked in football history, the brash quarterback and sure-handed receiver who helped kick-start the San Francisco 49ers' NFL dynasty. On Jan.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors plan to keep star forward Kawhi Leonard on the shelf until Friday's game in Houston.

MADRID — With a guilty plea and a huge fine, Cristiano Ronaldo finally put an end to his tax ordeal in Spain.

TORONTO — Joe Montana isn't a big fan of the NFL's overtime format. On Sunday in the AFC title game, New England won the toss to secure the ball to begin overtime.

TORONTO — Kyle Dubas used to live and die with each victory or defeat. "(I'd) really go up and down," he recalled of his time as general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

HALIFAX — HFX Wanderers FC added some young talent Tuesday in the form of 19-year-old striker Vincent Lamy and 20-year-old midfielder Elliot Simmons. Lamy, from Sherbrooke, Que., comes from the Montreal Impact academy.

Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo is stepping down as president of the MLS club, handing those duties to Kevin Gilmore. A 54-year-old Saguenay, Que.

TORONTO — York 9 FC has made Japanese midfielder Wataru Murofushi its second international player signing.

Armed with a passionate fan base, an ever-growing list of elite competitors and a surge in interest after a memorable Winter Olympics, curling appears primed for a breakout. Whether the opportunity will be harvested remains up in the air.