National Sports

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Like most kids in Germany, Tim Stutzle started out playing soccer. He liked tennis, too, and fell in love with both. There was also another itch that needed scratching — hockey.

TORONTO — Canada soccer coach John Herdman has called up under-17 star Jayden Nelson and five other newcomers for a trio of international matches later this month. The 17-year-old Toronto FC 2 forward is part of a young squad for friendlies Jan.

CANBERRA, Australia — Canadian basketball star Kia Nurse is stepping up to help those affected by the wildfires currently raging through Australia.

BRISBANE, Australia — Canada secured the first match of the new ATP Cup with Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime winning their singles matches against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Michail Pervolarakis of Greece.

BRISBANE, Australia — Canada secured the first match of the new ATP Cup with Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime winning their singles matches against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Michail Pervolarakis of Greece.

VANCOUVER — The calendar says it's 2020 but the Vancouver Canucks' 7-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night looked like a flashback to the 1980s.

CALGARY — Johnny Gaudreau was not going to let his Calgary Flames fall behind in yet another first period, scoring a pivotal breakaway goal less than five minutes into Thursday's game.

Thursday's Games World Junior Hockey Championship At Czech Republic Relegation Germany 4 Kazakhstan 0 Quarterfinals Russia 3 Switzerland 1 Canada 6 Slovakia 1 Sweden 5 Czech Republic 0 Finland 1 United States 0 --- NHL Columbus 2 Boston 1 (OT) Buffal

OTTAWA — Michael Frolik was sent by the Calgary Flames to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday as the final move in a series of trades that also involved the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators.

WINNIPEG — William Nylander's scoring touch is being appreciated by his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates and head coach.