News

Deeper Calgary Flames pushing for a return trip to the NHL’s post-season

Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano says the team's upgrades will help them push the pace even more this season.

The arrival of defenceman Dougie Hamilton and right-winger Michael Frolik means their new teammates can play quality — not quantity — minutes.

"What it does do is add so much depth to our team and add so many different options," Giordano said. "Last year we had guys playing close to 30 minutes on the back end and forwards playing well over 20. Where the depth helps is you limit those minutes so every shift, you are full out.

"The strength of our team is our hard work and being able to go full out every shift."

Under head coach Bob Hartley, the winner of the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's top coach in 2014-15, the Flames' relentless, buzzing attack and their willingness to block more shots than any other team in the league helped end a five-year playoff drought.

A second-round loss in five games to the Anaheim Ducks was the deepest Calgary (45-30-7) had gone in the post-season since their appearance in the Stanley Cup final in 2004.

Calgary opens the 2015-'16 regular season at home Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks — the team they eliminated in six games in the first round — with great expectations from their fan base.

The most suspenseful position is in goal as Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo and Joni Ortio are all on one-way contracts.

Hiller played the majority of the regular-season games and started in the first round of playoffs. Ramo took over for Hiller early in the second series versus Anaheim.

Whatever tandem the Flames go with, Hartley will continue the philosophy of he who wins plays the next game, and he who loses gets the hook.

Not every team can have a Carey Price, so the belief is two goalies jockeying for starts gives the Flames a level of goaltending that can win a championship.

"We want someone to carry the ball," Hartley said. "This business is about winning."

Wily veteran Jiri Hudler, last season's Calder Trophy nominee Johnny Gaudreau and 20-year-old centre Sean Monahan, who's entering his third NHL season, make up a formidable top line for Calgary.

Early indications are heralded rookie Sam Bennett and Frolik will flank Mikael Backlund on the second line, which gives Calgary a solid top six.

The emergence of Micheal Ferland as a punishing deterrent late last season and his re-signing is an important ingredient for a team expected to be fit and fast again, but not very beefy.

Hamilton's presence offsets the loss of T.J. Brodie to a broken finger to start the season. The 22-year-old Hamilton was paired in the pre-season with Giordano, a Norris Trophy candidate until a season-ending torn biceps Feb. 25.

Giordano, Brodie, Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman were all green-lighted to jump into the rush and shoot the puck a lot last season, which made Calgary's attack difficult to contain.

Brodie's temporary absence creates an opening-day roster job for defencemen such as Tyler Wotherspoon or Jakub Nakladal to join Deryk Engelland on the third defensive pair.

Russell, the NHL's leading shot-blocker last season, said on the first day of training camp the Flames need to improve their puck possession numbers. Giordano agrees to a point.

"We'd like to hold the puck in the other team's zone a lot more than we have in the past, but last year when we weren't possessing the puck and the other team was, we were eliminating a lot of scoring chances and weren't giving up much," the captain explained.

"They had the puck on the outside and that's fine, but for sure offensively we have to do a better job of holding it and creating more plays behind their net and stuff like that."

The Flames have established a reputation as a team hard to put down with 24 of their 97 points last season earned when trailing after two periods. Their challenge this season is to maintain that culture.

"I think our guys are pretty aware of what we have to do to win games and why we were successful last year, but if we're not our coaches hammer it into us pretty good," Giordano said.

"The mistake you can get into as an organization is allowing guys to feel pretty comfortable and I don't think we have that here."

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press

Hurricane Joaquin hammers the Bahamas as Canadian centre tracks its path

HALIFAX — The Canadian Hurricane Centre says it is monitoring hurricane Joaquin, which may move into Canadian waters early next week.

The storm is battering the central Bahamas with torrential rains that flooded homes and forecasters warned that the "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm could grow even stronger as it roared along a path that could take it near the U.S. east coast.

The Halifax-based Canadian Hurricane Centre says there's a high degree of uncertainty around the storm's track forecast.

It says there are two particular scenarios, one that would have it moving into the Carolinas and the other showing it far offshore from Atlantic Canada.

The latest trends from computer models lean toward it being an offshore system with little impact over land.

If it does move into the Carolinas, the centre says that could lead to rainfall in southern Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

It says the saturation of the ground after heavy rainfall this week means there is a risk of flooding if it does track across land.

"Once again, the threat of that situation appears to be decreasing but still has to be considered," the centre says in a statement.

The centre says it expects to have a better indication whether the storm is going to be a concern over land on Friday afternoon.

"The hurricane is compact (small) which often means that the intensity will fluctuate significantly even over the span of 24 hours."

 

The Canadian Press

Co-accused to testify against Canadian diplomat’s son charged in brother’s death

Two men charged in the killing of a Canadian diplomat's son have agreed to testify against his 15-year-old brother in exchange for the withdrawal of the murder charges they faced.

Anthony Rodriguez, 19, and Johann Ruiz-Perez, 21, have pleaded guilty to lesser, drug-related charges under an agreement that will see them take the stand in the trial of their co-accused Marc Wabafiyebazu.

Wabafiyebazu was arrested March 30 outside an apartment in which his 18-year-old brother Jean Wabafiyebazu and another man, Joshua Wright, 17, were shot dead.

He has pleaded not guilty to felony first-degree murder.

Police allege the younger sibling confessed that he and his brother had gone to rip off the dealer, but the armed robbery had gone sour.

While the prosecution does not allege Wabafiyebazu shot or even threatened anyone, Florida law allows for the felony murder charge if he was part of the armed robbery that resulted in the killings.

Surveillance video shows that he remained outside until he heard the deadly gun shots and ran inside to see what happened.

Still, a grand jury indicted him as an adult, meaning he could face life behind bars if convicted.

Wabafiyebazu — the son of Canada's former consul general to Miami, Roxanne Dube — was refused bail in May and remains in custody pending trial, tentatively set for the end of the year.

Rodriguez, an alleged drug dealer, and Ruiz-Perez were initially charged with felony third-degree murder, a charge laid in a killing that was unintentional but occurred during a non-violent felony.  However that charge has been dropped as a result of their deal with the prosecution.

Both will spend 364 days in county jail and take part in a boot camp program, followed by five years of probation.

"The defendant agrees to provide truthful testimony and co-operation in the investigation into the murder of Jean Wabafiyebazu and Joshua Wright and the prosecution of all parties who in any way participated in the murder of Jean Wabafiyebazu and Joshua Wright," the agreement reads.

"The Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office agrees that no statements made by the defendant during the course of this co-operation will be used against him, except as outlined in this agreement, provided that he does not violate the terms of this agreement."

 

Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press

Nova Scotia still getting drenched while New Brunswick cleans up from downpour

HALIFAX — It's another wet day in Nova Scotia as New Brunswickers continue cleaning up after a torrential downpour that caused widespread damage in that province.

Environment Canada says Shelburne to Halifax County could see up to an additional 35 millimetres of rain.

The weather office says Shearwater had received 86 millimetres of rain as of early today.

Yarmouth was reporting 62 millimetres while the Halifax airport reported 59.

More than 160 millimetres of rain fell in parts of New Brunswick this week, damaging bridges, highways and guardrails.

Police say a 51-year-old man died in Berwick after a retaining wall collapsed on him as he was connecting a sump pump at his home.

In the community of Hoyt, one resident says the damage is overwhelming.

Addison Sweet says it looks like a "war zone" with sections of road completely gone, culverts gone, and brooks running wide open.

 

 

 

The Canadian Press

Six stories in the news today, Oct. 2

Six stories in the news today, Oct. 2 from The Canadian Press:

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LEADERS SET TO SQUARE OFF IN FIFTH ELECTION DEBATE

The federal party leaders square off tonight in the second French language debate of the election campaign. The debate comes as public opinion polls suggest the New Democrats' lead in the province is loosening somewhat. The New Democrats must hold on to the surprising gains they made in Quebec in the last federal election if they want to try to win the Oct. 19 election.

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BAIL HEARING TODAY FOR SUSPECT IN DEVASTATING CRASH

A community north of Toronto joined hands Thursday to mourn three young siblings and their grandfather whose deaths in an alleged drunk driving accident have sparked an outpouring of grief. Many sobbed at a vigil in Vaughan, Ont. as candles were lit in memory of the victims. Marco Muzzo, of King Township, Ont., is facing a dozen impaired-driving offences and other charges in connection with the crash and is scheduled to appear in court today for a bail hearing.

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JULIAN FANTINO FACING ASSAULT COMPLAINT

A lawyer for federal cabinet minister Julian Fantino says an assault complaint dating back four decades has been made against the Conservative incumbent. The complaint concerns an alleged incident during an arrest in Toronto when Fantino was a police officer. Lawyer Mark Sandler says Fantino will "vigorously" defend himself against what he describes as "completely spurious allegations."

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MARCEL AUBUT FACING FRESH ALLEGATIONS

As the head of the Canadian Olympic Committee awaits the results of an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint, two other women have come forward with their own allegations against him. Marcel Aubut temporarily had stepped aside as president of the committee and chairman of the Canadian Olympic Foundation on Wednesday after a sexual harassment allegation surfaced.

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OMAR KHAD VISITING KIN IN TORONTO

Former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Omar Khadr is in Toronto for a court-approved visit to his grandparents. An Edmonton judge eased his bail conditions last month, allowing him to travel to Toronto with one of his lawyers for up to two weeks. Khadr's lawyer, Dennis Edney, says his client flew to Toronto from Edmonton, dispelling doubts that he might have been on Canada's no-fly list.

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POLITICIANS URGED TO TAKE MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE SERIOUSLY

The co-president of the group The Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted says the findings of inquiries into miscarriages of justice tend to sit on the shelf. Ron Dalton, who was wrongly convicted of killing his wife, says a number of inquiries have called for an independent federal commission to review possible miscarriages of justice. But Dalton says there are no votes in dealing with systemic problems with the justice system so politicians don't take them seriously.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY ...

— Alberta Premier Rachel Notley speaks to the Empire Club of Canada in Toronto.

— Eighteen First Nation and environmental groups are in court to challenge federal approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline.

— TELUS President and CEO Darren Entwistle is joined by provincial officials and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson to make a technology announcement.

— Statistics Canada issues report on principal field crops for September.

 

 

 

 

 

The Canadian Press

A look at the recommendations and response to the Milgaard inquiry

REGINA — The Saskatchewan government spent $11.2 million on a public inquiry into the wrongful conviction of David Milgaard, who spent 23 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. The final report was released in 2008. Here are Justice Edward MacCallum's 13 recommendations and the provincial government's response so far:

— Creation of a dedicated medical examiner's facility where autopsies would be performed by qualified forensic pathologists in the service of the province. Betty Ann Pottruff with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice says the province complied in a "slightly different way" by creating two forensic pathologist positions.

— Mandatory sharing of investigation reports between all police forces assisting in major cases. Pottruff says that's already part of the process.

— Assurance that municipal police forces who ask for assistance from the RCMP have in place a written agreement describing the terms, conditions and responsibilities of inter-agency relationships. Pottruff says that's already covered by existing policy.

— Assurance that every statement taken by police from a young person in a major case, whether as a witness or a suspect, is recorded in both audio and video. Pottruff says recording statements is a best practice and police attempt to do so where they can.

— Amendment of the Criminal Code to permit academic inquiry into jury deliberations with a view to gathering evidence of the extent to which jurors accept and apply instructions on the admissibility of evidence, particularly relating to inconsistent out-of-court statements. This is not yet allowed.

— Referral to the public prosecutions director every complaint to police calling into question the safety of a conviction. The policy change has been made.

— No unsolicited contact by prosecutors with the National Parole Board. This recommendation has been completed.

— Retention for a minimum of 10 years of exhibits capable of yielding forensics samples in homicide cases. Notification to convicted persons of impending destruction of exhibits, allowing applications for extensions. Pottruff says that is under development and review by a provincial-territorial working group.

— Scanning and electronic storage of documentary exhibits in all indictable offence cases, unless a court orders otherwise. Pottruff says most exhibits are being kept, but a policy is still in the works across jurisdictions.

— Retention for a year and in their original form of all prosecution and police files, including police notebooks relating to indictable offences. They should then be scanned and entered into a database where a permanent, secure electronic record can be kept. Pottruff says there are policies on retention, but they're not consistent across the country.

— The informing of victims of crime when their cases are resolved. That is in place with the new Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

— Door to compensation should not be closed for lack of proof of factual innocence where a miscarriage of justice has resulted from an obvious breach of good faith in the application of standards expected of police, prosecution or the courts. Pottruff says there is always an executive power within government to compensate.

— Investigation of wrongful conviction claims should be done by a review agency independent of government. The federal government has not done this and instead points to the Criminal Conviction Review Group, which reports to the minister within the Justice Department.

The Canadian Press

Wrongfully convicted still waiting for action after public inquiries

REGINA — A Newfoundland man wrongfully convicted of killing his wife more than 25 years ago says major recommendations made after public inquiries into cases such as his tend to "sit on the shelf."

Chief among them, Ron Dalton says, is the call for an independent federal commission, similar to one adopted nearly 20 years ago in England, to review possible miscarriages of justice. The creation of such a body has been called for in no fewer than five different provincial inquiries.

Dalton, who is now co-president of The Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted, says politicians don't take the issue seriously.

"The reality is there are no votes in justice," says Dalton, who spent more than eight years in jail for killing his wife who had choked on cereal.

"Get tough on crime sounds good, and build more prison cells, but when it comes to actually looking at some of the underlying problems, the structural things — what they call systemic issues in most of these inquiries — they don't really get looked at and there's not much appetite for change."

Currently, someone who has been convicted of an offence and who has exhausted all appeals can only apply to the minister of justice for a review.

An independent review commission was called for at the inquiry into one of Canada's worst wrongful convictions.

David Milgaard was 16 years old when he was convicted of the 1969 murder of Saskatoon nursing aide Gail Miller. He spent 23 years behind bars before the Supreme Court threw out his conviction in 1992. He was exonerated in 1997 through DNA tests.

An $11.2-million inquiry into Milgaard's wrongful conviction was launched by the Saskatchewan government in 2004.

After hearing from 133 witnesses Justice Edward MacCallum wrote in his report released in 2008 that such a commission might limit the need for similar inquiries in the future.

"Public inquiries will continue to be desirable, or even necessary, in some situations, but they are very expensive exercises, and they are not the answer," he said. "The answer lies in the creation of an independent review body which will be able to investigate, detect and assist in remedying wrongful convictions."

The federal Department of Justice did not make anyone available for an interview.

In an email, spokesman Ian McLeod pointed to the Criminal Conviction Review Group, which has been in existence since 1994.

That group is a unit of the Justice Department and reports to the minister. That's not the same thing as an independent review, Dalton says.

"As I society ... when we see all these mistakes not being addressed, we tend to lose faith in the system itself — and the system basically operates on faith.

"You have to believe that when you call the police, they're going to thoroughly investigate any given crime, but particularly a homicide, that they may not always get it perfectly right, but if they don't that there'll be a mechanism to correct it as ... quickly as they can."

 

 

Jennifer Graham, The Canadian Press

Canada falls to Dominican Republic at NORCECA women’s continental championship

MORELIA, Mexico — Canada's quest for a NORCECA women's continental championship came to an end on Thursday after falling in four sets to the Dominican Republic in semifinal action.

The Dominican Republic defeated Canada 18-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20 to reach the gold-medal match and will face the United States, which beat Puerto Rico in the other semi.

Canada had an early 6-2 lead in the first set with good blocking and scoring on Dominican Republic errors. The Dominicans pushed hard with serves to tie 8-8, but Canada kept up its effective blocking to go ahead 14-10, before taking the first set 25-18.

After that, however, the Canadian side couldn't find any consistency in their game and gave up the next three sets.

"Our blocking executed well in the first set, after that we had ups and downs," said Canadian captain Brittney Page. "We needed to make better choices while spiking, we were too inconsistent."

The Dominicans held a huge advantage overall in spikes 51-35, while Canada had a 13-12 margin in blocks and 2-1 in aces. The Dominican Republic scored on 29 Canadian errors but gave away 38 points from its own.

Canada's top scorer was Tabitha Love with 14 points, followed by Dana Cranston with 11 points and Rebecca Pavan with 10 points.

"We started aggressive but our serves failed in the second set making it easier for Dominicans to score, they have more experience and are more clever," said Canadian coach Arnd Ludwig. 

The Canadian Press

Canada falls to United States 3-1 in CONCACAF men’s Olympic qualifying

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Canada's under-23 squad was caught sleeping early, and it cost them late.

Forward Jordan Morris scored twice — including his first less than a minute into the match — as the United States beat Canada 3-1 on Thursday at the CONCACAF men's Olympic qualifying tournament.

Morris put the U.S. ahead before fans were even settled into their seats after heading home a cross from forward Jerome Kiesewetter. Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau dove out to intercept the cross and missed, leaving Morris a wide open goal.

"It was a really early goal and it was unexpected," said forward Michael Petrasso, who scored Canada's lone goal. "I think with that goal it woke us up a little bit. We started slow but came on strong and possession of the ball in the second half was really strong."

Despite its slow start, Canada didn't change its approach to the match and stuck with a 3-4-3 setting. The Americans kept the pressure on early and spent much of the first 25 minutes of the match on the opponent's side of centre, but Canada turned up its pressure and held 56 per cent of ball possession in the opening half.

Any chance of a Canadian comeback seemed to go away when Morris scored again in the 73rd minute to make it 2-0. Morris was sprung by midfielder William Trapp, who stole the ball at midfield.

"I felt at half, one goal down we were playing well enough to get back in the game," said Petrasso. "When they scored to make it 2-0 a couple heads went down, but we kept fighting."

Petrasso responded in the 81st minute, heading in a corner kick from a set piece that brought some late life back into the Canadian squad. But that was as close as Canada could make it as Luis Gil tacked on a penalty kick for the U.S. in extra time after defender Jerome Gagnon-Lapare took down an American in the box.

"I got the goal back and I thought it lifted the team and I thought we were gonna have a good push, which we did, but we got unlucky on that third goal," said Petrasso.

Morris, who is a standout at Stanford University, was a force early for the American side and had another scoring chance in the sixth minute, but was off balance and put the ball harmlessly wide of the Canadian goal from the top of the penalty box.

Midfielder Christopher Mannella had Canada's first shot on goal off a free kick in the ninth minute and put it right at goalkeeper Zackary Steffen.

Kiesewetter got behind Canada's defence in the 21st minute only to put the ball wide of the far post. Kiesewetter had another scoring chance right before half but couldn't get the ball past Crepeau.

Forward Caleb Clark had a scoring chance early in the second half for Canada, but his left-footed shot was easily handled by Steffen.

Crepeau kept Canada in the match when he stopped Kieswetter in alone in the 64th minute by coming out to cut down the angle — forcing the forward to go low with his shot.

The U.S. finished with the edge in shots 14-13, but Canada won the shots-on-target 6-3.

Canada is in Group A with the United States, Panama and Cuba. It will play Panama on Saturday before facing Cuba on Tuesday. Head coach Benito Floro is confident that if his squad plays the way they did against the Americans that they can have success against the Panamanians.

"We have to do much of the same in the next game, to play well on attack, to take advantage of centring pieces, and to defend correctly," said Floro. "It is important to believe in our system, because in reality the team played well and controlled many parts of the game, but just needed to score more goals."

Earlier Thursday evening, Cuba and Panama settled for a 1-1 draw to open the tournament. 

The Canadian Press

Calgary Stampeders clinch post-season berth thanks to Montreal Alouettes loss

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders became the first team in the CFL to clinch a playoff spot for the 2015 post-season on Thursday.

The Stampeders were guaranteed a post-season berth when the Montreal Alouettes lost to the Ottawa Redblacks 39-17.

That result means the Stampeders, who will finish no lower than third in the West Division, can not be bumped from the playoff picture by Montreal in a crossover scenario.

It's the 11th year in a row the Stampeders have qualified for the playoffs. The B.C. Lions and the Alouettes are the only other teams who have qualified for the playoffs every year since 2005.

The Canadian Press

Canucks’ offence comes alive en route to 5-2 win over Oilers in NHL pre-season

EDMONTON — It took some time, but the Vancouver Canucks have found their scoring touch.

Bo Horvat had two goals and an assist and Sven Baertschi had four assists as the Canucks spoiled Edmonton's spotless pre-season record with a 5-2 victory over the Oilers on Thursday.

Vancouver had only scored seven goals total in its previous six pre-season games.

Ben Hutton, Yannick Weber and Jake Virtanen also scored for the Canucks, who improved to 3-3-1 in exhibition action. Virtanen tacked on two helpers for a three-point outing.

"I thought Bo had a real strong game, he's a real good skater," said Vancouver head coach Wille Desjardins. "I thought Jake played one of his better games, went to the net well, battled hard. Baertschi was good too, I thought the whole line was good."

Baertschi, who split time last season in the American Hockey League, was happy to pick up the pace on offence.

"I felt I was practising really well and I was unable to translate the practices into the games," he said. "It's good to get some points, but I thought our line the way we played was really simple and in the end we created a lot and that's what I'm all about. I want to create offence, so it was good to finally get going."

Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov scored in response for the Oilers, who dropped to 6-1-0 in exhibition play.

"Tonight was kind of the first night that things didn't go according to plan," Hall said. "The battle level wasn't there on some plays. It's something we have to fix before the pre-season is done."

Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, who was acquired in the summer from the New York Rangers, took much of the blame on is shoulders.

"I have to play better, bottom line," he said. "They didn't trade for me to come in here and play like that. I didn't think I played very well at all."

It didn't take long for the scoring to start as Edmonton got on the board 1:29 into the game when Hall was able to sweep the puck into the Vancouver net after Canucks starter Jacob Markstrom made the initial stop on a backhand attempt by Connor McDavid.

Vancouver responded just 23 seconds later as a pass from behind the net by Virtanen that caught Talbot by surprise, hitting his stick and deflecting right to Horvat for the goal.

The Canucks took a 2-1 lead with eight minutes remaining in the opening period as Horvat screened Talbot in front to allow for a goal on a long shot from Hutton.

Edmonton tied the game with 42 seconds left in the first as Yakupov put on a burst of speed and then beat Markstrom with a quick wrist shot.

Vancouver got a gifted goal 24 seconds into the middle period as Andrej Sekera put a no-look backhand clearing attempt right on to the stick of Weber in front, and he scored a power-play marker.

The Canucks took a two-goal lead with 4:36 left in the second as a Weber hit Virtanen in the face and the puck caromed into the net.

Virtanen was cut badly on the play and left the ice, but was back for the third period and picked up an assist on an early breakaway goal by Horvat.

The two teams play each other again on Saturday in Vancouver to close out the pre-season.

Notes: While the Oilers were close to icing their regular season-starting lineup, the Canucks were still looking at some bubble players and sat out their top line, including Henrik and Daniel Sedin, neither of whom have recorded a point in three pre-season games apiece.

Shane Jones, The Canadian Press

Tucker makes 52-yard FG in overtime, Ravens beat Steelers 23-20 for first win of season

PITTSBURGH — Josh Scobee couldn't. Twice.

Justin Tucker could. Twice.

The big-legged Baltimore kicker hit a 42-yard field goal to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final seconds of regulation and made a 52-yarder with 5:08 left in overtime to give the Ravens a 23-20 victory Thursday night.

Scobee had two chances to give the Steelers some cushion late in the fourth quarter only to pull both kicks wide left. The second miss gave the Ravens (1-3) enough time to put Scobee well within range to send the game to an extra period.

Pittsburgh then twice opted to go for it on fourth down in Baltimore territory in overtime rather than send Scobee out for a long attempt into the tricky wind at the open end of Heinz Field. Michael Vick, starting in place of injured Ben Roethlisberger, was stopped on fourth-and-2 at the 39 and later overthrew Antonio Brown on fourth-and-1 from the 33.

Neither Vick or Scobee would get a third shot. Joe Flacco led the Ravens to the 35 and Tucker's winner was never in doubt.

Justin Forsett ran for 150 yards for the Ravens. Flacco threw a touchdown pass and did just enough late to help Baltimore end the worst start in franchise history.

Vick threw for 124 yards and a score and Le'Veon Bell ran for 129 yards and a touchdown by the Steelers (2-2) bumbled late.

For most of the night, it appeared Pittsburgh would survive with Roethlisberger relegated to a sweatsuit after spraining his left knee last week against St. Louis.

The Steelers sacked Flacco five times, forced a pair of turnovers and twice stopped the Ravens on fourth downs in the fourth quarter to seemingly seize control only to have Scobee let Baltimore back in it.

Scobee, acquired from Jacksonville in August after injuries to Shaun Suisham and Garrett Hartley, saw a 49-yard attempt sail wide with 2:24 to go. Pittsburgh forced a four-and-out only to watch Scobee flutter another one wide left with a minute left.

It gave Flacco just enough wiggle room to force overtime. Seven plays took the Ravens from the Baltimore 31 to the Pittsburgh 24, with Tucker drilling the 42-yarder to tie it with 3 seconds left.

Pittsburgh received an unexpected boost from cornerback Ross Cockrell, signed off the waiver wire at the end of the preseason. Cockrell picked off Flacco to end one Baltimore drive in the second quarter and alertly scooped up a Flacco fumble early in the third that set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Vick to Darrius Heyward-Bey as the Steelers took a 20-7 lead.

The Ravens, desperately trying to avoid an 0-4 hole that would all but end their playoff hopes a quarter of the way into the season, responded emphatically if not always smartly.

Flacco found Kamar Aiken — who slipped behind Cockrell — for a 15-yard touchdown strike to cut it to 20-14 and the Ravens had a chance to draw within three late in the third quarter. Instead of a relatively short field goal, Baltimore tried a fake field goal and ended up losing 3 yards when backup tight end Nick Boyle was tripped up by Sean Spence shortly after catching a flip from holder Sam Koch.

Roethlisberger managed to make it into the field without crutches and even lobbed a few passes to teammates before the game. Yet with their $100 million franchise quarterback's troublesome knee several weeks away from being ready to go, the Steelers' chances of keeping pace in the crowded AFC North will rely heavily on the 35-year-old Vick.

Pittsburgh signed the four-time Pro Bowler in late August when longtime backup Bruce Gradkowski was lost for the season with a hand injury. Making only his fourth start in the last 23 months, Vick needed time to get going. His first pass sailed well over tight end Heath Miller's head and he took a sack early in the second quarter that pushed the Steelers out of field goal range.

Once Vick's legs — the ones that made him the NFL's most unique talent in his prime — got going, so did Pittsburgh's offence. Twice he darted for positive yardage on an eight-play, 67-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, a march that ended with Bell running to his left before cutting back to his right. Vick provided the block that sprung Bell to finish off an 11-yard zig-zag into the end zone that helped the Steelers take a 13-7 halftime lead.

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Will Graves, The Associated Press

Mark Scheifele with a pair of goals as Jets beat Flames 3-1 in NHL pre-season

WINNIPEG — Mark Schiefele got an up-close look at a couple of Winnipeg's top prospects. He liked what he saw.

Scheifele had a pair of goals as the Jets beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Thursday night in NHL pre-season play. But it was his linemates Nic Petan and Nikolaj Ehlers — both who've yet to secure spots on Winnipeg's opening night roster — that he was most impressed with.  

"They're special players, they have tons of skill," Scheifele said. "(My goals) were little work by me. I just had to get into the open spots and I'm happy to put it in."

Ehlers scored his first for the Jets, nestled in between both Scheifele goals. Ehlers' goal proved to be the game winner and was assisted by Schiefele.

Petan, meanwhile, set up Schiefele on a nifty feed after undressing Flames defenceman Ryan Wilson in the slot.

"It was nice playing with those two," Petan said. "I don't think my game changed. I just tried to keep it simple. If I had space, I tried to take advantage of it."

The win was just the second of the pre-season for the Jets (2-2-2), who will finish up their exhibition schedule on Saturday in Calgary against the Flames.

The loss snapped a four-game win streak for the Flames (4-3-0) after they dropped their first two exhibition contests.

Defenceman Deryk Engelland was the lone man to score for Calgary.

Michael Hutchinson got the win for Winnipeg, stopping 32-of-33 shots. Joni Ortio picked up his second loss of the pre-season after allowing three goals on 26 shots.

"You want to come up with those big saves for your team, to keep us in it. It just didn't happen tonight," Ortio said.

The Flames wasted little time getting onto the scoreboard. Michael Ferland drove to the net and found the trailing Engelland, whose wrist shot found the top corner above Hutchinson's glove hand.

The Jets responded five minutes later on the power play.

With defenceman Brett Kulak in the box for hooking, Petan's quick feet stymied Wilson. Petan's subsequent backdoor feed only required a tap in for Scheifele for his second of the pre-season, tying the game at 1-1.

Winnipeg would take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission as Ehlers showed some patient play in front of the net. The 2014 first-round pick waited out Ortio, slipping it underneath him for the go-ahead marker.

Defenceman Ben Chiarot drove down the right side behind Ortio's net and found Scheifele sitting on the doorstep for his second of the night and a two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Flames head coach Bob Hartley said Thursday's game was more about evaluation ahead of Tuesday's roster cut-down deadline.

"They (Jets) had a good lineup and we basically put the guys that we wanted to really evaluate tonight in all kind of situations — tough situations, defensive situations, offensive situations," Hartley said. "It's part of the process. We will sit on this. We are going to sit as an organization and make some decisions."

Flames forward Joe Colborne will be re-evaluated tomorrow after taking a slapshot off his right hand. He left the game in the first period and didn't return. Hartley had no update on his status post game.

Jets captain Andrew Ladd didn't come out for the third period and Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice said he didn't return due to precautionary reasons.

Notes: Both teams finish their pre-season slate against one another on Saturday at the Saddledome in Calgary. Defenceman Tyler Myers scored for Jets on a nifty deke in the mandatory 3-on-3 overtime period.

Scott Billeck, The Canadian Press

Mayor of oilpatch capital says stop blaming industry for everything

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — The mayor of Alberta's oilpatch capital says she wishes Edmonton's mayor and police chief would stop blaming her area for the city's rising crime rates.

Melissa Blake, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, says she’s disappointed with Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht and Mayor Don Iveson and would welcome their apology for comments they made this week.

Knecht said he will be asking city council for 80 more officers, saying a spike in crime could be linked to a downturn in the oilpatch.

He said a lot of people are coming back to Edmonton from Fort McMurray and Cold Lake and are sitting around in Edmonton waiting for the price of oil to go back up so they can go back to work.

Ivenson said the downtown in the economy means Edmonton ends up policing "northern Alberta's problem children."

Blake calls their comments "unjust."

"To say the stuff that happens in Fort McMurray causes impacts here in Edmonton directly is just not right," she says. "When it comes to crime rates in 2015, overall our crime is down.

"It seems like we're an easy target but I'm here to say we're not that easy to blame. Prove it."

(CTV Edmonton)

 

The Canadian Press

QB Henry Burris sets completions record in Redblacks’ 39-17 win over Alouettes

OTTAWA — It's not like Henry Burris needed any more accolades.

Burris ran for two touchdowns, threw for another two and completed a record-setting night with 45 completions as the Ottawa Redblacks downed the Montreal Alouettes 39-17 on Thursday night.

In the most lopsided win in the Redblacks' two-year history. The 40-year-old Burris had 43 completions after three quarters and broke the CFL record for most completions in a game with 45. The old record of 44 was set back in 2008 by Anthony Calvillo of the Alouettes.

"I didn't even know there was a record being broken," said Burris. "You know me, I'm a guy that wasn't even thinking about the record. I was making sure that we execute every pay that was called, getting the ball to receivers, making the right call and the right reads.

"It's a truly special moment to know that you're recognized up there with some of the best quarterbacks that ever played this game."

His 45th completion was a 13-yard pass to Patrick Lavoie early in the fourth quarter. Burris left shortly after that, giving way to Danny O'Brien, but not before raking up 504 yards through the air on 53 attempts.

All this just after being named one of the three CFL Top Performers for September.

"You want guys on your team that say 'hey we've got this. We can get this done'. (Burris) has been all in on this since the beginning working hard," Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said.

"I'm happy for him but I'm even happier for our team."

Leading 23-3 at the half, Burris threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Brad Sinopoli and then ran one in himself from a yard out in the third quarter upping that lead to 37-3

The Redblacks drive stalled on the Montreal one-yard line to open the fourth quarter, but the Alouettes were unable to gain any ground and conceded a safety rather than punting from their own end zone.

Anthony Boone came on in relief of Rakeem Cato at quarterback for Montreal and led a short drive that ended in a 14-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Giguere but the two-point conversion failed. Cato then threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Fred Stamps with 1.4 seconds remaining and the two-point conversion was good.

"Not to take anything away from Ottawa, they have a great team and one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game, we just have to figure out what's going on and keep fighting," Stamps said.

"It's tough, and it never comes easy in the CFL, but we just have to stay focused and get ready for next week because we'll be up against another good team."

The Alouettes can consider themselves lucky things didn't go much worse in the first half, both on the scoreboard and with their personnel.

They did trail 23-3 at the break, but the Redblacks twice had first downs in the red zone and were only able to come away with a pair of Chris Milo field goals.

More importantly, the injury suffered by defensive back Jonathan Hefney didn't turn out to badly nearly as serious as it first appeared.

Hefney collided head-to-head with Lavoie early in the game and immediately hunched forward and fell head first to the turf.

He was knocked unconscious and stayed down for several minutes before being removed on a stretcher. Hefney was alert and walking around in the Alouettes' locker room shortly after the incident. He did not return to the game.

The Redblacks eventually turned that drive, their first of the game that included two third-down conversions, into a one-yard touchdown run from Burris.

The Alouettes responded with a 38-yard field goal from Boris Bede before the end of the quarter, but the Redblacks came back in the second quarter with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Burris to Chris Williams and field goals of 17, 34 and 16-yards from Milo. The final one came on the final play of the half.

Darren Desaulniers, The Canadian Press

Quarterback Henry Burris dominates in Redblacks’ 39-17 win over Alouettes

OTTAWA — Henry Burris ran for two touchdowns, threw for another two and completed a record-setting night with 45 completions as the Ottawa Redblacks embarrassed the Montreal Alouettes 39-17 on Thursday night. 

In the most lopsided win in their two-year history, the Redblacks were led by their 40-year old quarterback, who had 43 completions after three quarters, broke the record of most completions in a game as he finished with 45.

The old record of 44 was set back in 2008 by Anthony Calvillo of the Alouettes.

His 45th completion was a 13-yard pass to Patrick Lavoie early in the fourth quarter. Burris left shortly after giving way to Danny O'Brien, but not before raking up 504 yards through the air on 53 attempts.

All this just after being named one of the three CFL Top Performers for September.

Leading 23-3 at the half, Burris threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Brad Sinopoli and then ran one in himself from a yard out in the third quarter upping that lead to 37-3

The Redblacks drive stalled on the Montreal one-yard line to open the fourth quarter, but the Alouettes were unable to gain any ground and conceded a safety rather than punting from their own end zone.

Anthony Boone came on in relief of Rakeem Cato at quarterback for Montreal and led a short drive that ended in a 14-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Giguere but the two-point conversion failed. Cato then threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Fred Stamps with 1.4 seconds remaining and the two-point conversion was good.

The Alouettes can consider themselves lucky things didn't go much worse in the first half, both on the scoreboard and with their personnel.

They did trail 23-3 at the break, but the Redblacks twice had first downs in the red zone and were only able to come away with a pair of Chris Milo field goals.

More importantly, the injury suffered by defensive back Jonathan Hefney didn't turn out to badly nearly as serious as it first appeared.

Hefney collided head-to-head with Lavoie early in the game and immediately hunched forward and fell head first to the turf.

He was knocked unconscious and stayed down for several minutes before being removed on a stretcher. Hefney was alert and walking around in the Alouettes' locker room shortly after the incident. He did not return to the game.

The Redblacks eventually turned that drive, their first of the game that included two third-down conversions, into a one-yard touchdown run from Burris.

The Alouettes responded with a 38-yard field goal from Boris Bede before the end of the quarter, but the Redblacks came back in the second quarter with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Burris to Chris Williams and field goals of 17, 34 and 16-yards from Milo. The final one came on the final play of the half.

Darren Desaulniers, The Canadian Press

Mark Stone and Cody Ceci each with three points as Senators top Canadiens 5-2

MONTREAL — Mark Stone and Cody Ceci each had a goal and two assists as the Ottawa Senators downed the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 in NHL pre-season action Thursday night.

Mike Hoffman, Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch also scored for Ottawa, while Andrei Markov and Nathan Beaulieu had goals for Montreal. The Canadiens outshot the Senators 43-21. 

The teams meet again Saturday night in Ottawa.

Montreal's Max Pacioretty, returning earlier than expected from a knee injury, wore the C for the first time at the Bell Centre since being named captain at the start of training camp.

The Canadiens scored on their first shot on Craig Anderson, a soft backhand from the right circle by Markov at 1:05.

A power play had just ended when Beaulieu crept in from the point on a back door play to convert a Pacioretty pass at 9:52.

Ceci got one back at the 15:00 mark when he took a drop pass from Stone and saw his shot go off Alex Galchenyuk's stick and under the crossbar.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau slipped a pass to Stone to go in alone and beat Carey Price shorthanded 4:11 into the second. Then Stone set up Hoffman for a wrist shot past Price at 9:31.

Ceci's shot dropped behind Price and MacArthur put it into an open net on a power play 14:20 into the third. Price was screened as Wiercioch scored from the left point at 16:43.

Ottawa scratches included Erik Karlsson, Kyle Turris, Milan Michalek and Chris Phillips. Montreal did not use the line of David Desharnais, Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann and defenceman Jeff Petry.

 

Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press

Manitoba conservation says zebra mussels increasing significantly

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government says monitoring has shown a significant increase in the number of zebra mussels in Lake Winnipeg and the Red River.

A Conservation and Water Stewardship news release says the province, boaters and the public have been finding significant numbers of zebra mussels on boats along beaches and on infrastructure such as swimming buoys, docks and ladders.

They've also been found at the St. Andrews lock and dam.

The freshwater mussels, which are not native to western Canada, have been spreading around the world.

They clog pipes at water treatment plants and can also increase algae blooms in lakes, which can kill fish and wildlife.

Zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Winnipeg in October 2013 and have been found in lakes in popular recreation areas in the United States and in Alberta.

Both Manitoba and Alberta have enacted legislation requiring inspection of boats in transit.

In June 2014, Manitoba declared victory over zebra mussels after a unique experiment which doused four infested harbours with liquid potash. The harbours were initially declared mussel free, but they soon came back.

Boaters found possessing zebra mussels may be fined or prosecuted under the federal Fisheries Act.

Experts have suggested zebra mussels would devastate Manitoba's $500-million commercial and recreational fishery if they take hold, and could have a $75 million impact in Alberta and $28 million in B.C.

A conference in Richmond, B.C., heard earlier this year suggestions that the mussels may be coming in with Canadian snowbirds towing pleasure boats back to Western provinces from winter getaways in the United States.

The Canadian Press

Hundreds show support at family devastated by deadly Ontario crash.

VAUGHAN, Ont. — Grief-stricken members of a community came together Thursday to mourn three young siblings and their grandfather, whose deaths in an alleged drunk driving accident north of Toronto have sparked an outpouring of grief and sympathy.

Many sobbed openly at a vigil in Vaughan, Ont. as candles were lit in memory of nine-year-old Daniel, five-year-old Harrison and two-year-old Milly Neville-Lake and their grandfather Gary Neville.

Hundreds hoisted candles of their own outside St. Padre Pio church, many of them families with small children in tow.

Some placed flowers on the church steps or left messages and donations for the family in the care of organizers.

Marco Muzzo, of King Township, Ont., faces a dozen impaired-driving offences and six charges related to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in connection with the incident.

The suspect is set to appear in court for a bail hearing on Friday regarding the allegations.

At Thursday night's vigil, Frances Pullano said the tragedy hit close to home because she lives near the site of Sunday's fatal crash and has two young grandchildren.

"There's no comfort for this, there's no words," she said as church bells tolled in honour of the Neville-Lake family.

"I haven't slept, I haven't been able to sleep in peace...I haven't had five minutes without these little angels in my mind."

Lella DePalma, one of the vigil's organizers, said the Neville-Lake family's loss has struck a chord with parents everywhere.

"This tragedy has awakened in us a sense of familial vulnerability," she said.

 

 

 

The Canadian Press