National Sports

TORONTO — The Maple Leafs knew there were plenty of built-in excuses.

Wednesday's Games NHL N.Y.

EDMONTON — Down four defencemen and outshot and outplayed for the bulk of the game, the Edmonton Oilers were still able to earn a big win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Isaac Poulter stopped all 47 shots he faced as the Swift Current Broncos shut out the Brandon Wheat Kings 3-0 on Wednesday in Western Hockey League action.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport’s collective bargaining agreement expired Wednesday night and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring tr

OTTAWA — Back-to-back wins have given the Vancouver Canucks an opportunity to gain some much-needed confidence. J.T Miller scored and added two assists to lead Vancouver past the Ottawa Senators 6-2 on Wednesday night.

GATINEAU, Que. — Patrick Guay scored twice, including the winner, as the Charlottetown Islanders edged the Gatineau Olympiques 2-1 on Wednesday. Guay's two goals give him 19 on the season and most in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The suspension of all WTA tournaments in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai, a Grand Slam doubles champion who accused a former government official there of sexual assault, could result in cancellations of those events beyond 20

TORONTO — The Toronto Arrows have re-signed Canadians Andrew Ferguson, John Sheridan and Marcello Wainwright. All three are back for a fourth season with Canada's lone Major League Rugby franchise.

The Calgary Stampeders' season ended sooner than planned but president/GM John Hufnagel is putting his down time to good use. Hugnagel told reporters Wednesday the Stampeders have already started formulating their free-agent gameplan.