National Sports

After years of playoff disappointments, the Colorado Avalanche are back atop hockey’s mountain after beating the two-time defending champions

Cale Makar has won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after leading the Colorado Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup title since 2001 and third in franchise history. Makar is the second defenseman to win the award over the past three years.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t relinquish their grip on the Stanley Cup without a fight. Andrei Vasilevskiy rejected shot after shot, keeping the two-time defending champions’ quest for a threepeat alive.

Playing hockey on fast forward, the Colorado Avalanche blazed their way to the Stanley Cup championship with a mix of speed and high-end skill that needed only a defined focus to get over the top.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies are 2-0 since NL MVP Bryce Harper was lost indefinitely with a broken left thumb. They all know what they have to do to keep it rolling.

MONTREAL — Canada’s elite and U-23 mixed relay teams both fought for fifth-place finishes to cap off the inaugural World Triathlon Mixed Relay Championships in Montreal on Sunday.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Padraig Harrington knew the U.S. Senior Open was in his hands Sunday with a five-shot lead.

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Canada's ride at the 2022 CONCACAF Under-20 men's soccer championship is over, but not without a great fight. Canada lost 4-3 on penalty kicks to Guatemala in Sunday's round of 16.

ANAHEIM, Calif.

PHOENIX (AP) — Daulton Varsho hit a three-run homer, Pavin Smith had a career-high four hits and three RBIs and the Arizona Diamondbacks avoided a series sweep with a 11-7 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.