National Sports

CALGARY — Derek Ryan's first goal of the season was an "ugly" one in his own words, but the end result was not.

DENVER — The Kansas City Chiefs rediscovered their mojo but lost their maestro.

NEW YORK — George Springer and Carlos Correa each hit three-run homers and the Houston Astros got another wild ace off the hook to beat the sloppy New York Yankees 8-3 Thursday night and reach the cusp of a second World Series visit in three years.

WINNIPEG — Mathew Barzal says he's still finding his game, but it didn't look lost on Thursday. Barzal scored twice as the New York Islanders won their third straight game with a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

ST. LOUIS — Thatcher Demko is making the most of his time in the Canucks' starting lineup. Demko made 34 saves in regulation and overtime and stopped all six shots in a shootout to help Vancouver to a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

MONTREAL — It sounded like an overtime winner in the playoffs.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Chinese officials wanted Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to be fired for his tweet supporting anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, and the league emphatically dismissed the request.

VANCOUVER — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping they can bring the spirit of Regina with them on their final road trip of the season. The Roughriders visit the B.C. Lions on Friday night at B.C.

STOCKHOLM — Canada's Denis Shapovalov is off to the quarterfinals at the Stockholm Open. The No. 4 seed from Richmond Hill, Ont., beat Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Thursday in a second-round match at the ATP Tour 250 event.

ABERDEEN, Scotland — Canada has secured the top spot in the playoffs at the world mixed curling championship.