National Sports

OBIHIRO, Japan — The speed is still there for Ivanie Blondin. The Ottawa speedskater picked up where she left off last season, skating to gold medal in the mass start at the long-track World Cup season opener Friday in Obihiro, Japan.

Having celebrated his 50th appearance for the Toronto Arrows earlier this year, Lucas Rumball will mark another milestone Saturday when Canada takes on host Spain at the four-team La Vila International Rugby Cup in Villajoyosa. It will be cap No.

The number of women holding leadership positions within Canadian sports is on the rise, with a nine per cent increase in the last five years, according to a report released Friday.

SURAKARTA, Indonesia — Canada's winless run at the FIFA U-17 World Cup stretched to 22 games Friday when it was outclassed 2-0 by a stylish Spain side in the tournament opener for both teams.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Tomas Hertl scored a goal and set up another to help the San Jose Sharks win their second straight game following 11 consecutive losses to open the season, 3-2 over the slumping Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Kyle Kurz and his team from the Fort Rouge Curling Club in Winnipeg remained the only undefeated rink at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship on Thursday.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Tomas Hertl scored a goal and set up another to help the San Jose Sharks win their second straight game following 11 consecutive losses to open the season, 3-2 over the slumping Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Jagger Firkus scored the game-winning goal 1:32 into overtime and the Moose Jaw Warriors edged the Brandon Wheat Kings 4-3 on Thursday night in Western Hockey League action.

WINDSOR, Ont. — Ruslan Gazizov paced London with two goals as the Knights outlasted the Windsor Spitfires 10-7 on Thursday night.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets entered the opener of their five-game homestand with some momentum, and continued to build on it Thursday night.