National Sports

CALGARY — After being heavily outscored during a three-game losing skid, the Calgary Flames knew they had much to answer for.

TORONTO — Benjamin Corbeil had two goals and an assist as the New Brunswick Reds opened their title defence with a 4-0 quarterfinal win over the Brock Badgers on Thursday at the U Sports men's hockey championship.

SASKATOON — The Concordia Stingers continued their storybook season Thursday, blanking the Saskatchewan Huskies 4-0 at the U Sports women's hockey championship. Jordyn Verbeek stopped all 26 shots she faced for the top-seeded squad.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Auston Matthews hit the milestones he needed to help Toronto roll to a rout in Philadelphia.

MONTREAL — Jake DeBrusk expected a pass the whole way up the ice. Brad Marchand, sitting on career goal No. 399, sprinted down on an odd-man rush in overtime with DeBrusk by his side.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Claude Giroux scored in regulation and the shootout, leading the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy began The Players Championship with a 65 on his scorecard, two tee shots that went into the water and one lengthy dispute about where to take a penalty drop on Thursday.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy had a lot of birdies and a little drama Thursday in The Players Championship. All that mattered to him was having a share of the lead at the TPC Sawgrass.

Toronto Raptors star RJ Barrett is mourning the death of his younger brother, Nathan Tyler Barrett.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Brian Serven hit a two-run homer in the third inning and the Toronto Blue Jays extended their win streak to four games with a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in pre-season play.