National Sports

CALGARY — The men's world curling championship in Calgary remained in a holding pattern Saturday just short of its finish line because of positive tests for the COVID-19 virus.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers have placed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the injured-reserve list. The 27-year-old centre missed Edmonton's game against the Ottawa Senators Thursday with an upper-body injury.

Canadian centre Khem Birch is joining the Toronto Raptors. The 28-year-old Birch joins fellow Montrealer Chris Boucher on the Raptors' roster after the Orlando Magic waived the undrafted Canadian earlier this week.

LAS VEGAS — Veteran Montreal lightweight John (The Bull) Makdessi won a split decision over Chile's Ignacio Bahamondes on a UFC Fight Night card Saturday.

EDMONTON — Over 100 martial artists from different corners of the world screamed one loud "kihap" and broke wooden boards in half as a symbol of breaking free from their pandemic fatigue.

CARDIFF, United Kingdom — Canada coach Bev Priestman got the offence she wanted with three classy goals in a decisive 3-0 win over Wales on Friday, but it came with a scare in the first half.

MIRAMAR, Fla. — Canada's Christabel Nettey won the women's long jump at the Miramar Invitational Grand Prix on Saturday. The 29-year-old from Brampton, Ont., leapt 6.63 metres, giving her valuable world ranking points toward Tokyo Olympic qualifying.

RED DEER, Alta. — Brent Sutter has stepped down as head coach of the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels, which is a team he owns. Sutter has run the Rebels for 20 seasons and coached them for 15.

METAIRIE, La. — Veteran Matt Giteau kicked 11 points and the expansion Los Angeles Giltinis ran in six tries in a 43-16 victory over the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby play Saturday.

A Hollywood fantasy turned into reality on Saturday when Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win Britain's grueling Grand National horse race, breaking down one of the biggest gender barriers in sports.