National Sports

WINNIPEG — Kyle Connor wasn't too disappointed he missed out on getting his first career hat trick. The Jets' third-year forward scored twice as Winnipeg defeated Chicago 6-3 on Tuesday and handed the Blackhawks their eighth straight loss.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Reeling and banged up, the Minnesota Wild were eager to get back on home ice. They took out their recent frustrations on the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.

RALEIGH, N.C. — William Nylander can't make up for lost time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. That's not going to stop the right wing from trying.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — None of Vancouver's three goals on Tuesday night were particularly pretty. Two bounced in off skates, and the other caromed into the net off the backside of Columbus goalie Joonas Korpisalo. The Canucks will take them.

Boston Bruins forward David Backes rushed himself off the ice Tuesday night after taking a skate blade to the face late in the first period but returned at the start of the second and finished the game.

LOS ANGELES — Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse has rejoined his team in Los Angeles after the death of his 94-year-old mother. Nurse says his mother, Marcella Nurse, died Monday in Iowa, where he was born in the city of Carroll.

CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L. — Hometown favourite Brad Gushue began the National Grand Slam of Curling tournament with a loss Tuesday night. The skip from St. John's, N.L., fell 8-6 in an extra end to Switzerland's Yannick Schwaller.

COLWOOD, B.C. — Team Canada coach Tim Hunter says the team that looks to defend its world junior hockey title over the Christmas season will be one of the fastest ever.

VANCOUVER — DeVone Claybrooks has finally found the right place to become a head coach. There have been other job opportunities in both the CFL and NFL, the 41-year-old said, but something was always off. That changed with an offer from the B.C.

TORONTO — Canada teammate Jordyn Huitema hadn't been born when Christine Sinclair won her first Canadian Women's Player of the Year Award in 2000. Eighteen years later, Sinclair's remarkable soccer career continues to impress.