National Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Steven Matz won his fourth consecutive start, Marcus Semien hit a three-run homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Friday night.

OTTAWA — Michael McNiven only had to make 12 saves for the shutout as the Laval Rocket blanked the Belleville Senators 3-0 on Friday in American Hockey League play.

Canadians should soon be able to place a wager on the outcome of an NHL game thanks to what experts say is an overdue change to the country's laws on sports betting.

CF Montreal spread its offence around in its 4-2 thumping of Toronto FC last weekend, and will be looking to do the same Saturday at Nashville as it tries for a rare 2-0 start to the MLS season.

CALGARY — The Montreal Canadiens were ready to play the Calgary Flames on Friday evening despite a Calgary player testing positive for COVID-19. The Flames called off their morning skate.

International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel says the cancelled women's world hockey championship did not have a Plan B because it didn't appear there was need for one, and it wasn't logistically or financially possible.

Veteran Ian Bennett, named MVP of the Major Arena Soccer League this season, leads Canada's roster for the CONCACAF Futsal Championship next month in Guatemala.

Dwayne Mandrusiak is back in football. Mandrusiak joined the CFL Players' Association on Friday as an equipment safety adviser. He was let go in September by the Edmonton Football Team after 49 years as the franchise's equipment manager.

MIAMI — Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher will miss at least the next three games with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Boucher suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly in Wednesday's victory over Brooklyn.

Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps, who opened the MLS season missing some big names, could get limited reinforcements for their meeting Saturday in Orlando.