National Sports

LONDON (AP) — WNBA star Brittney Griner has begun serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a remote Russian penal colony that human rights advocates say is known for harsh conditions and violent criminals.

REGINA — John Couture is old school. The 71-year-old travels without a cellphone, yet manages to find hundreds of his friends at the Grey Cup every year.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Hip hop star Nicki Minaj has teamed up with Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma and Lebanese singer Myriam Fares for the latest addition to the official soundtrack of the World Cup in Qatar.

Former Canada Soccer president Jim Fleming, who helped lead Canada to its first men's World Cup, has died on the eve of Canada's return to the soccer showcase. Canada Soccer said Fleming died Thursday in Edmonton. He was 87.

After impressing against regional competition in qualifying for its first World Cup since 1986, Canada now faces a string of next-level tests in Qatar, starting with No. 2 Belgium. Here's a look at Canada's Group F opposition: BELGIUM (Nov. 23, 2 p.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The sale of all beer with alcohol at the eight World Cup stadiums was banned Friday, only two days before the soccer tournament is set to start. Non-alcoholic beer will still be sold at the 64 matches in the country.

SAINT CATHARINES, Ont. — Sebastien Gervais scored the game winner 6:09 into the third period as the Saginaw Spirit narrowly defeated the Niagara IceDogs 3-2 on Thursday. Theo Hill and Zayne Parekh added the others for Saginaw (13-6-1).

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Canada dropped a second consecutive contest in Rivalry Series play to the United States Thursday, falling 2-1 at Sandman Centre. Alex Carpenter scored what proved to be the winner with under seven minutes remaining.

WINNIPEG — Kyle Connor is starting to break out of a mini-slump. Connor completed his hat trick netting the game winner with 53.5 seconds remaining to give the Winnipeg Jets a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.

WINNIPEG — Matthew Savoie recorded a hat trick and three assists as the Winnipeg Ice outduelled the Regina Pats 9-5 on Thursday.