Blue Jays open ALCS, Wranglers fall in Colorado, Flames host Vegas Tuesday night showdown

CALGARY — October sports are hitting full stride across Canada, with playoff baseball and early-season hockey all colliding this week.

The Toronto Blue Jays continue their World Series run as they host the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Kevin Gausman gets the start, backed by a deep rotation that includes Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt. Bo Bichette remains out after missing the division series, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been on fire, and the Jays have been getting balanced production throughout the lineup — exactly the kind of depth needed to go the distance in October.

In the AHL, goaltender Owen Say made his first start for the Calgary Wranglers on Saturday night and impressed in his debut, stopping 21 of 22 shots in a 1–0 loss to the Colorado Eagles. The Wranglers return home to reset before heading to Tucson for a weekend series against the Roadrunners.

And in the NHL, the Calgary Flames prepare for a marquee Tuesday night matchup at the Scotiabank Saddledome against the Vegas Golden Knights. Both teams will be looking for their second win of the season. Vegas forward Pavel Dorofeev leads the NHL with five goals in three games, while Jack Eichel sits atop the league with seven points. Expect the Dome to be buzzing for this one.

Wranglers Shut Out 1–0 in Loveland as Owen Say Impresses in AHL Debut

CALGARY – The Calgary Wranglers wrapped up their weekend in Loveland with a 1–0 loss to the Colorado Eagles on Saturday night, a tight defensive contest that saw Calgary shut out despite steady pressure and strong goaltending.

Colorado struck just 42 seconds into the opening frame, and that lone tally stood as the game-winner. The Wranglers battled but couldn’t find the equalizer, going 0-for-5 on the power play and managing 18 shots on goal.

The bright spot came in net, where 24-year-old Owen Say of London, Ontario made his first AHL start and turned heads. The rookie goaltender looked confident and composed, stopping 21 of 22 shots to keep Calgary within striking distance all night. Say joins the Wranglers after playing 27 games last season with the University of Notre Dame in the Big Ten Conference, where he posted a .920 save percentage and a 10-15 record.

Despite the loss, Say’s debut offered encouraging depth between the pipes for a Wranglers team that has leaned heavily on Dustin Wolf in recent seasons.

Calgary now returns home to reset before heading south to Tucson for a two-game weekend series against the Roadrunners. The Wranglers face Tucson on Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. MST, and again on Sunday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m. MST, with both games taking place at the Tucson Convention Center. After that, the team returns to the Scotiabank Saddledome for back-to-back home games against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. MST and October 25 at 6:00 p.m. MST.

Fans can catch all upcoming Wranglers action live on FloHockey.

Wranglers Look to Even Series in Colorado

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers will look to bounce back Saturday night in Colorado after opening their 2025–26 season with a 7–4 loss to the Eagles on Friday at Blue FCU Arena.

Despite the final score, there were bright spots for Calgary in the opener. The top line of William Stromgren, Rory Kerins, and Dryden Hunt powered the offense, combining for five points and generating consistent pressure throughout. Martin Frk provided the team’s lone power-play goal, while goaltender Ivan Prosvetov turned aside 36 of 42 shots for an .857 save percentage in his Wranglers debut.

Special teams were the difference in Game 1, as Colorado converted on three of four opportunities with the man advantage. The Wranglers, meanwhile, finished 1-for-4 on the power play and will be looking to tighten up their penalty kill and defensive coverage in front of Prosvetov for tonight’s rematch.

Friday’s assists from Jeremie Poirier and Rory Kerins moved both players into a tie with Adam Klapka for second on the Wranglers’ all-time points list (97), just one behind Ben Jones (98). Poirier, entering his third full season with the club, remains one of the team’s key transition catalysts and is expected to log heavy minutes again tonight.

Head coach Brett Sutter’s group will try to re-establish its defensive rhythm while building on the offensive chemistry that showed flashes in the opener. Calgary’s transition game and power-play execution will be focal points against a Colorado team that thrives on tempo and puck retrieval.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MT at Blue FCU Arena. After tonight’s contest, the Wranglers hit the road to Tucson for back-to-back games against the Roadrunners next weekend before returning home to the Scotiabank Saddledome on October 24 to face the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Coronado’s Two-Goal Effort Not Enough as Blues Spoil Flames’ Home Opener

CALGARY — The Saturday matinee at the Scotiabank Saddledome had all the makings of a statement win, but the Calgary Flames couldn’t finish the job. Despite two goals from Matt Coronado, the Flames fell 4–2 to the St. Louis Blues in their 2025–26 home opener, ending a streak that had seen Calgary go 7-0-1 in home openers since 2016.

Coronado opened the scoring at 14:49 of the first period on the power play, converting a feed from Joel Farabee and Nazem Kadri. Late in the second, with the Flames trailing, he struck again at even strength, taking a quick pass from Kevin Bahl and ripping a shot high glove side to tie the game 2–2. The 22-year-old winger’s release and confidence were on full display, underscoring why he’s expected to be a cornerstone piece of Calgary’s next generation.

The Flames controlled much of the second period, pushing tempo and puck possession, but two quick St. Louis goals midway through the frame flipped the energy. The Blues regained their composure in the third, protecting the middle of the ice and adding insurance down the stretch to secure the win.

Goaltender Dustin Wolf faced 28 shots, stopping 24 for a .857 save percentage. He was composed under pressure, turning aside several high-danger chances that kept Calgary within reach until the final minutes.

The loss drops the Flames to 1-2-0 on the season as they regroup ahead of a high-profile matchup Tuesday night against Vegas. Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and the Golden Knights visit the Dome for a 7 p.m. puck drop.

Meanwhile in Loveland, Colorado, the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers are set for Game 2 of their weekend set against the Colorado Eagles. After falling 7-4 in Friday’s season opener, the Wranglers will look to split the series before heading to Tucson next week.

Beyond hockey, Canadian sports fans have another headline to track: the Seattle Mariners defeated the Detroit Tigers last night to advance to the American League Championship Series, where they’ll face the Toronto Blue Jays beginning tomorrow night.

It’s a packed Saturday on the sports calendar — from Coronado’s breakout and Wolf’s early-season test to the Wranglers’ bounce-back bid and an all-north matchup brewing on the diamond.

Blue Jays advance to ALCS as Flames win Battle of Alberta and Wolf dominates early season

CALGARY — It was a defining week for Canadian sports — and once again, Calgary was right in the centre of it.

The Toronto Blue Jays punched their ticket to the American League Championship Series with a convincing win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Toronto now awaits the winner of Tigers–Mariners Game 5, which will decide who they face when the ALCS opens Sunday at 6 p.m. Mountain.

Back in Alberta, the Flames delivered an early-season statement. Down 3–0 to the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary stormed back to win 4–3 in an eight-round shootout, taking the first Battle of Alberta of the season. Matvei Gridin, Connor Zary, and Blake Coleman provided the regulation goals, with Coleman capitalizing on yet another misplay by Stuart Skinner. Nazem Kadri scored the shootout winner and added an assist, while Adam Klapka and Matt Coronato also picked up helpers.

Goaltender Dustin Wolf once again proved why he’s the cornerstone of Calgary’s crease, stopping 32 of 35 shots through regulation and overtime — plus seven more in the shootout — for a .914 save percentage. Despite being the difference-maker, Wolf was curiously left off the game’s three stars list.

For Edmonton, the same narrative continues. With two of the league’s top forwards, the Oilers’ ongoing goaltending instability remains their biggest barrier to serious contention.

Calgary dropped the second half of their back-to-back the following night in Vancouver, falling 5–1 to the Canucks. Morgan Frost notched the lone goal for the Flames, assisted by Yegor Sharangovich and Joel Farabee.

The Flames return home to the Scotiabank Saddledome for their home opener Saturday at 2 p.m. against the St. Louis Blues, aiming to climb back above .500 for the second time this season. Meanwhile, the Calgary Wranglers kick off their AHL campaign with a two-game set in Colorado against the Eagles.

Between the Jays chasing a pennant and the Flames showing early-season resilience, Canada’s sports momentum is surging — and in Calgary, the fire’s only getting brighter.

Flames and Oilers clash in season’s first Battle of Alberta tonight

CALGARY -- The 2025-26 NHL season rolls into its second night with four games on the schedule, led by the year’s first Battle of Alberta as the Flames visit the Oilers at Rogers Place.

Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. MT in Edmonton, where Calgary opens its campaign on the road before heading to Vancouver tomorrow. The Flames return home Saturday for a 2 p.m. matinee against the St. Louis Blues at the Scotiabank Saddledome, marking their 2025-26 home opener.

The rivalry spotlight isn’t exclusive to Alberta tonight. In Toronto, another classic matchup kicks things off at 5:00 p.m. MT as the Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena. No matter the standings, Toronto-Montreal never feels like just another game — it’s Canadian hockey’s longest-running feud.

At 5:30, the Boston Bruins meet the Washington Capitals in D.C., while the Los Angeles Kings play their second straight night after dropping a 4-1 decision to the Colorado Avalanche in their season opener. They’ll face the Vegas Golden Knights in the late game from T-Mobile Arena.

Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Wranglers, also open their season Friday night in Colorado against the Eagles, beginning a stretch that will see Flames and Wranglers players in action across four cities in four days.

The 2025-26 season is only two nights old, but the emotion, rivalries, and storylines are already taking shape — and tonight, the spotlight belongs to Alberta.

Flames Close Preseason With Shootout Loss to Jets

CALGARY – Calgary’s preseason finale had energy, offense, and a dramatic finish, but the Flames came up short in a 5–4 shootout against the Winnipeg Jets at the Saddledome on Friday night. The game capped off exhibition play and offered a final look at veterans and prospects before the regular season begins next week.

Nazem Kadri led the Flames with two goals, showing sharp form in his final tune-up. His first came midway through the opening frame when Adam Klapka worked the puck below the goal line and slipped a backhand pass to Kadri, who buried it from in close. Joel Farabee added the secondary assist.

Calgary doubled the lead minutes later as rookie forward Matvei Gridin continued his standout preseason. The 19-year-old forward collected a feed from Kevin Bahl and converted on the backhand to make it 2–0, adding to an already impressive exhibition showing.

Winnipeg responded late in the period, but the Flames answered right back. Defenceman Joel Hanley stepped into a point shot and sniped it high blocker side at 17:13, restoring the two-goal advantage with assists to MacKenzie Weegar and Morgan Frost. The Flames led 3–1 after 20 minutes, with the Saddledome crowd energized by a heavy Klapka hit on Neal Pionk that drew a roar through the building.

Kadri struck again early in the second period, finishing a return feed from Bahl for his second of the night, while Klapka picked up his second assist. That stretched Calgary’s lead to 4–1, but Winnipeg — dressing regulars Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, and former Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck — rallied with two goals to trim the gap to 4–2 after 40 minutes.

The Jets completed their comeback in the third, tying the game 4–4 to force extra time. Overtime solved nothing, and the contest went to a lengthy shootout. Calgary converted twice, but Winnipeg edged ahead with three goals to secure the win.

Despite the loss, the Flames closed the preseason with encouraging signs: Kadri producing offensively and leading by example, Gridin showing flashes of high-end skill, Klapka bringing both physicality and playmaking, and Dustin Wolf once again drawing loud support from the home crowd with timely saves.

Calgary now turns its attention to the regular season, which begins next week

Wranglers Adjust Camp Roster as Season Nears

CALGARY -- A busy Friday of transactions reshaped the Calgary Wranglers’ camp list, with multiple assignments to ECHL affiliate Rapid City and several try-outs released one week before the AHL season opener.

Five players on AHL/ECHL contracts have been assigned to the Rapid City Rush: forwards Blake Bennett, Brett Davis, Briley Wood, and Ryan Chyzowski, along with defenceman Chase Pauls. Bennett is coming off a 52-point season with Rapid City.

Seven players who attended camp on tryouts have been released and will report to Rapid City: forwards Parker Bowman, Rasmus Ekstrom, and Chaz Smedsrud; defencemen Alexander Stensson, Arvils Bergmanis, and Billy Constantinou; and goaltender Noah Giesbrecht.

Goaltender Connor Murphy has also been assigned to Rapid City. In 2024–25 he recorded a .914 save percentage with the Rush (ECHL) and appeared in four AHL games for Calgary, posting an .881 save percentage.

With today’s moves, the Wranglers’ camp roster stands at 28 players: three goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 16 forwards. The club opens its AHL season October 10.

Wranglers Mix Youth, Veterans, and Try-Outs in 28-Man Camp Roster

Calgary development squad prepares for 2025–26 AHL season after intrasquad scrimmage at WinSport.

CALGARY -- Training camp at WinSport has brought together prospects, veterans, and hopefuls as the Calgary Wranglers prepare for the 2025–26 AHL season. The group has been on the ice since Monday, highlighted by an intrasquad scrimmage Wednesday that gave fans their first glimpse of the roster.

The Wranglers’ camp list features three goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 16 forwards, blending returning regulars with offseason additions and players on professional try-outs. Seven skaters arrived from ECHL affiliate Rapid City, while veteran defenceman Turner Ottenbreit joined on an AHL PTO.

Among the offseason signings, forward Quinn Olson stands out as a Calgary native returning home after splitting last season between Greenville in the ECHL and Ontario in the AHL. Forward Brett Davis, from Oakbank, Man., re-joins the Wranglers after time with Rapid City and Calgary. Defenceman Xavier Bernard of Mercier, Que., and forwards Briley Wood of Rivers, Man., and Blake Bennett of Grand Island, N.Y., add further depth to the lineup.

Goaltender Arsenii Sergeev enters camp as the organization’s top AHL netminder, joined by Connor Murphy and try-out Noah Giesbrecht. With Dustin Wolf now cemented on the Flames roster, Sergeev’s progression will be closely monitored as a key piece of Calgary’s long-term goaltending outlook.

Several prospects are in line to make an impact, including Lucas Ciona, David Silye, and defenceman Jeremie Poirier, all of whom could see NHL call-up opportunities during the season. Veterans Alex Gallant and Martin Frk return to provide leadership and scoring depth, while Olson offers fans a local storyline to follow.

The Wranglers now look ahead to the 2025–26 AHL regular season, which begins October 10. Full coverage continues at ProvectusMedia.ca.

Blue Jays Clinch AL East Crown as Flames Continue Preseason

CALGARY -- Twenty more wins than a year ago has lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to the American League East crown. The turnaround season ended with Toronto securing its place in the American League Division Series, where the Jays will face either the Yankees or Red Sox once the Wild Card is settled.

While Toronto fans celebrated baseball success, Calgary hockey fans were focused on NHL preseason action. The Flames opened their slate with split-squad games against Edmonton, earning a 3–2 overtime win on the road behind two goals from Morgan Frost, while dropping the home half 3–0. Back at the Dome, they beat Seattle 4–1, then fell 3–1 in Abbotsford against Vancouver. Most recently, in Winnipeg, the Flames came up short 4–2, with goals coming from 2024 first-round draft picks Zayne Parekh, 9th overall, and Matvei Gridin, 28th overall.

Frost has been Calgary’s most consistent forward, leading the team with five points through four appearances. His overtime winner in Edmonton stood out, but his steady production throughout camp has been just as important.

The Flames’ preseason record may not turn heads, but the combination of veteran contributors and first-rounders hitting the scoresheet is giving head coach Ryan Huska a clearer picture as roster cuts continue. For Huska, the emphasis remains less on results and more on which players will be ready when the games count.

Calgary closes out the preseason this week against Seattle, Vancouver, and Winnipeg before opening the regular season October 8 in Edmonton against the Oilers, last year’s Western Conference champions.

Canadian sports fans now find themselves in one of the best stretches of the calendar: the Blue Jays preparing for October baseball and the Flames moving closer to opening night.

Kerins, Coronato Lead Calgary Past Seattle in Preseason Win

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames leaned on a mix of youthful energy and veteran stability Tuesday night, skating to a 4–1 preseason win over the Seattle Kraken at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Yegor Sharangovich opened the scoring midway through the first period, deflecting a Hunter Brzustewicz shot to give Calgary an early edge. Seattle answered before the intermission, knotting the game 1–1.

Early in the second, Rory Kerins restored the Flames’ lead. After Connor Zary carried the puck into the zone, a broken play left the puck bouncing loose in front. Kerins pounced and snapped a shot past the Kraken goaltender from close range to make it 2–1 Calgary. The 23-year-old prospect, who scored 33 goals last year for the AHL Wranglers, added an assist later in the night to cap a strong outing.

On fresh ice to start the third, Matt Coronato struck quickly. Stationed below the left circle, he one-timed a slick low cross-slot feed from Morgan Frost, beating the Seattle goalie clean to push the Flames ahead 3–1. Jonathan Huberdeau also picked up an assist on the play.

Sam Morton sealed it with an empty-netter at 17:26, created by a sharp defensive play from Sam Honzek, who broke up a Seattle rush and turned the puck the other way before sliding it ahead for Morton’s finish.

Brzustewicz finished with two assists and two shots on goal, continuing to impress with his poise from the back end. Sharangovich, Huberdeau, and Frost each chipped in helpers to round out a balanced offensive showing.

Between the pipes, Dustin Wolf stopped 12 of 13 shots before giving way to Owen Say, who turned aside all seven attempts he faced to close out the win.

The victory offered a glimpse of Calgary’s depth in action — with veterans setting the tone and young players like Kerins, Brzustewicz, and Honzek making strong cases to stick around as roster battles intensify heading toward opening night.

Flames Shut Out 3–0 by Oilers in Preseason Split-Squad

CALGARY — Edmonton struck early and never trailed, turning blocked shots and opportunistic finishing into a 3–0 win over Calgary in a split-squad Battle of Alberta preseason game at the Saddledome on Sunday night.

The Oilers opened the scoring at 2:38 of the first period when Kasperi Kapanen slipped behind coverage and beat Flames goalie Devin Cooley on a breakaway. Calgary answered with offensive-zone time and flashes from its younger players, but Edmonton’s structure kept pucks to the perimeter.

Zayne Parekh was one of Calgary’s most noticeable skaters. The rookie defenseman showed poise with the puck, holding the blue line under pressure, threading cross-ice passes, and jumping into the rush to create chances. His confidence carried through all three periods, giving the Flames one of their most consistent sparks.

In the third period, Edmonton capitalized on Calgary mistakes. At 8:18, a defensive-zone giveaway landed on Connor Clattenburg’s stick, and the forward went upstairs glove side to make it 2–0. Just under four minutes later, Riley Stillman’s point shot also found the top corner, pushing the lead to 3–0 at 11:47.

Calgary had chances but ran into Edmonton’s shot-blocking wall. The Oilers closed lanes all night and finished with a 23–9 edge in blocks, a key factor in protecting the lead. Shots ended 29–20 for Edmonton. Cooley made several timely stops early in the third to keep the game close, while Matthew Coronato featured prominently on the top power-play unit alongside Kadri and Aydar Suniev, generating some of Calgary’s best looks.

Connor Clattenburg was named the game’s first star after his third-period goal. Coronato earned the second star for Calgary.

With most of Edmonton’s top players skating in the other half of the split-squad matchup at Rogers Place, this was a younger Oilers lineup in Calgary. Even so, they left with a shutout win, while the Flames saw valuable minutes from their prospects as preseason evaluations continue.

Bieber Steady but Blue Jays Bats Quiet in 2–1 Loss to Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One inning was all it took. In the fourth, Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino went back-to-back to give Kansas City just enough offense to edge the Blue Jays 2–1 on Saturday.

Shane Bieber kept Toronto in the game, working six innings and allowing only those two solo shots while striking out four. Royals starter Noah Cameron matched him pitch for pitch, scattering five hits across seven innings before Carlos Estévez locked down his 41st save.

The Blue Jays pushed back in the seventh, when Daulton Varsho knocked in a run, but they couldn’t find the equalizer. Both teams finished with four hits and six runners left on base, underscoring how thin the margin was.

Toronto slipped to 89–66 but remains in the driver’s seat in the AL East. With a week and a half left in September, every chance to cash in runners looms larger, and Saturday served as a reminder of how quickly games can hinge on one swing — or in this case, two in a row.

Blue Jays Top Rays in Extras, Strengthen Grip on AL East

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays slipped past the Tampa Bay Rays 2–1 in 10 innings Monday night, tightening their hold on the American League East with less than two weeks left in the regular season.

Tampa Bay opened the scoring with a run in the second inning, and the lead held until Toronto finally broke through in the eighth. The Jays pulled even, then pushed across the deciding run in the 10th before closing it out in the bottom half.

The victory moves Toronto to 88–62 (.587), widening the gap atop the division to five games over the Yankees and six over the Red Sox. The Jays have taken seven of their last 10 while their closest rivals have faltered down the stretch.

Toronto continues to pair one of the league’s best home records with timely performances on the road. Wins like this reinforce their case as a club ready to lock down its first AL East crown since 2015.

Flames Prospects Hold Off Oilers 5–4 to Sweep NextGen Showcase

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames prospects capped the NextGen Showcase with a 5–4 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome, sweeping the weekend home-and-home series between the provincial rivals.

Edmonton struck first just over two minutes in, when Tommy Lafrenière (#54) converted from the slot to give the visitors an early lead. Calgary answered late in the opening frame. Mael Lavigne (#85) tied the game at 1–1, finishing a play set up by Kadon McCann (#73) and Simon Mack (#88).

The first period also featured a heavy hit from defenseman Mace’o Phillips (#92) that energized the crowd, as well as a key stop from goaltender Arsenii Sergeev (#40) to keep the game even heading into intermission.

Second Period
Nathan Brisson (#82) put Calgary ahead midway through the period, converting on a rush created by Jacob Battaglia (#60), with Mack earning his second assist of the night. Matvei Gridin (#51) then extended the lead, hammering a one-timer home off feeds from Carter King (#95) and Sam Honzek (#29).

Lafrenière responded with his second of the game on an Edmonton power play, cutting the Flames’ lead to 3–2 after forty minutes.

Third Period
Calgary wasted little time adding insurance. At 2:51, Colton Alain (#71) snapped a shot from the high slot after a setup by David Silye (#83) and Aydar Suniev (#36) to make it 4–2.

Edmonton’s Josh Samanski replied minutes later, finishing off a setup from Quinn Hutson to make it 4–3, but the Flames restored their cushion on the power play. Hunter Laing (#53) finished off a passing play from Parker Bell (#87) and Suniev to push the lead to 5–3.

Von Richter’s point shot brought Edmonton back within one, but Sergeev shut the door in the dying seconds. With the Oilers pressing and their goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Calgary held firm through a frantic scramble in front to seal the win.

Top Performers

• Nathan Brisson (CGY): Scored the go-ahead goal in the second and added an assist.

• Simon Mack (CGY): Two assists, steady presence on the back end.

• Aydar Suniev (CGY): Involved in multiple plays, including a key setup on the Laing power-play goal.

• Hunter Laing (CGY): Power-play goal that ultimately stood up as the game-winner.

• Tommy Lafrenière (EDM): Two goals to pace the Oilers’ attack and keep them within striking distance.

• Arsenii Sergeev (CGY): Steady in net, closing the door during a wild final scramble.

Final Score: Flames 5, Oilers 4

What’s Next
The NHL preseason begins next weekend. On Saturday, September 20, the Dallas Stars host the St. Louis Blues (5 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. ET). The following day is a busy one across the league, with 14 games on the schedule, including split-squad matchups between the Flames and Oilers. Both games are set for Sunday, September 21, with puck drop at 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET.

Jays Walk Off Orioles 5–4, Pad AL East Lead

TORONTO — The Blue Jays rallied in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Baltimore Orioles 5–4 on Saturday at Rogers Centre, stretching their division lead to 3.5 games over the Yankees and 5.0 over the Red Sox in the AL East.

Down 4–2 in their final at-bat, Toronto’s comeback began with Joey Loperfido, who punched an RBI single through the right side to cut the deficit to one. Andrés Giménez followed with a ground-ball single into left to score Ernie Clement, tying the game at 4–4 and keeping the inning alive.

George Springer then reached on catcher’s interference to load the bases. Alejandro Kirk sealed it with a sacrifice fly to center fielder Colton Cowser, deep enough for Loperfido to tag and score the winning run.

On the mound, Max Scherzer worked five innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs with five strikeouts. Tommy Nance followed with a clean sixth. Eric Lauer was charged with one run in 1.2 innings, and Seranthony Domínguez allowed two hits in a third of an inning. Matt Fisher earned the win despite surrendering a run in the ninth, finishing his line with one inning, one hit, one earned run, one walk, and one strikeout.

The victory lifted Toronto to 86–62, keeping them on top of the American League East. The Yankees (82–65) sit 3.5 games back, the Red Sox (81–67) trail by 5.0, while Tampa Bay and Baltimore are well out of contention.

For the Blue Jays, the win underscored a September theme: timely hitting, contributions from throughout the order, and Joey Loperfido crossing the plate with the game-winner in front of a buzzing Rogers Centre crowd.

Flames Prospects Edge Oilers 6–5 in NextGen Opener

EDMONTON — The Calgary Flames’ future talent wasted no time making an impression in the opening game of the NextGen home-and-home series, holding off a late surge to defeat the Edmonton Oilers prospects 6–5 on Friday night at Rogers Place.

Six different Flames found the back of the net, underscoring the organization’s depth and balance. Hunter Laing, Nathan Brisson, Sam Honzek, Aydar Suniev, Matvei Gridin, and Parker Bell each chipped in goals, with scoring spread across every part of the lineup.

Edmonton opened the scoring early, but Calgary quickly answered. Laing, the six-foot-six center drafted in the sixth round in 2024, went to the crease, took a feed from Brisson, and swatted the puck home to tie the game. Brisson, a forward from Deux-Montagnes, Quebec who developed with the Saint-Eustache program before moving on to Val-d’Or in the QMJHL, then redirected a pass from Jacob Battaglia midway through the second to put Calgary in front.

Moments later, Sam Honzek added to the lead on the power play. The Trenčín, Slovakia product, who made his NHL debut last season with five games for the Flames while also posting 21 points in 52 games for the Wranglers, was rewarded when a puck deflected in off his skate to make it 3–1.

Suniev extended the margin late in the period. Acquired in the Tyler Toffoli trade and now skating with UMass, he hammered a one-timer from the slot to give Calgary a 4–1 advantage heading into the intermission.

In the third period, first-round pick Matvei Gridin restored the cushion. After putting up 83 points with Muskegon in the USHL in 2023–24 and 79 more with Shawinigan in the QMJHL last season, the highly touted winger showed off his scoring touch, burying his own rebound from a sharp angle. Just twenty seconds later, Parker Bell, a winger from Estevan, Saskatchewan and a product of the Tri-City Americans, ripped a shot from the circle to stretch the lead to 6–2.

Edmonton rallied late with three goals in the final minutes to close the gap, but Calgary’s youngsters held firm for the win.

Several Flames prospects had standout nights on the scoresheet. Gridin and Brisson each collected a goal and two assists. Laing, Suniev, and Battaglia added multi-point efforts of their own, showing Calgary’s attack was anything but top-heavy. In goal, Owen Say of London, Ontario made timely stops, including a key glove save on the penalty kill in the opening frame that kept the game level.

For Calgary, the victory represented more than just an early win in September. It was a clear sign of the organization’s pipeline strength — size down the middle, skill on the wings, puck-moving ability on the back end, and steady goaltending.

The Flames and Oilers prospects meet again on Sunday, September 14 at 4:00 p.m. MT at the Scotiabank Saddledome, as the series shifts south for the second half of the NextGen showcase.

Sinner Stops Auger-Aliassime to Reach US Open Final

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced to the US Open final with a four-set victory over Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime on Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Sinner, 23, won 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to secure his place in Sunday’s championship match. The Italian opened strongly, racing through the first set, before Auger-Aliassime responded in the second with powerful serving to level the contest. The Canadian struck nine aces and 36 total winners but was undone by 41 unforced errors.

Sinner’s steadiness proved decisive. He finished with 11 aces of his own, 33 winners, and just 22 unforced errors. He won 76 percent of points on his first serve and converted four of 11 break chances. Auger-Aliassime, who landed 65 percent of his first serves, created opportunities but converted only one of 10 break points.

The win sets up a championship showdown against world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

Sinner enters the final as one of the sport’s most accomplished young stars, already a four-time Grand Slam champion with titles at the 2024 and 2025 Australian Opens, Wimbledon 2025, and the 2024 US Open. Across the net, Alcaraz, 22, brings an even larger haul with five majors to his name, highlighted by the 2022 US Open, back-to-back Wimbledons in 2023 and 2024, and consecutive French Open victories in 2024 and 2025.

Their meeting Sunday will mark the first US Open men’s final between the top two seeds since 2015 and adds another chapter to one of the sport’s defining rivalries.

The 2025 US Open men’s final is scheduled for Sunday evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

AHL’s Top 5 Goal Scorers From 2024–25: Kerins Breaks Through for Wranglers

CALGARY — The American Hockey League once again served as a proving ground for scoring talent in 2024–25. Five forwards stood out above the rest, combining consistency, durability, and finishing ability to separate themselves from the pack.

At No. 5 was Bradly Nadeau of St-François-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick. The 19-year-old rookie forward scored 32 goals in 64 games for the Chicago Wolves, immediately putting himself on the radar as one of the league’s most promising young players.

Fourth place went to Rory Kerins of Caledon, Ontario, who delivered a breakout year with 33 goals in 63 games for the Calgary Wranglers. Now entering his fifth year in the Flames organization, Kerins’ progress has Flames fans wondering if he can take the next step and earn a full-time spot with the NHL roster in 2025–26.

Two players tied for second with 36 goals. Alex Steeves, born in St. Paul, Minnesota and raised in Bedford, New Hampshire, scored 36 goals in 59 games for the Toronto Marlies, continuing to make his case as one of Toronto’s most reliable scoring options at the AHL level. Sharing second was John Leonard of Amherst, Massachusetts, who matched Steeves with 36 goals while appearing in all 72 games for the Charlotte Checkers.

The league’s top scorer was Matěj Blümel of Tábor, Czechia. Blümel found the net 39 times in 67 games for the Texas Stars, earning the Willie Marshall Award as the AHL’s leading goal scorer. Dallas will be watching closely to see how quickly his production can translate to the NHL.

From Nadeau’s rookie splash to Kerins’ Calgary breakthrough and Blümel’s award-winning season, the AHL’s top scorers in 2024–25 showed the depth of young talent pushing for NHL opportunities.

For Flames fans, Kerins’ emergence may prove one of the most intriguing storyline as the organization continues to build its roster for the 2025–26 season.

Flames Shut Out of Postseason Despite Strong 96-Point Campaign

CALGARY — The Flames came as close as a team can get without crossing the line. Ninety-six points usually secures a playoff berth, but in 2024–25 it did not.

Despite finishing ahead of Eastern playoff teams Montreal and New Jersey, the Flames missed the postseason after tying the St. Louis Blues for the final Wild Card spot in the West. The NHL’s first tie-breaker — regulation wins — tipped the balance. The Blues finished with 32, the Flames with 31. The narrowest of margins decided the playoff race.

The totals painted another layer of frustration. Calgary picked up 14 overtime or shootout losses compared to eight for the Blues. Those points padded the standings but carried no weight in the tie-breaker.

If there is disappointment, there is also optimism. The Wranglers’ pipeline continues to shape the Flames’ roster. Goaltender Dustin Wolf, after back-to-back award-winning seasons in the AHL, started 53 games for the Flames in 2024–25 and posted 29 wins, earning NHL All-Rookie Team honors while finishing just one victory shy of Mike Vernon’s franchise rookie record. Vernon, of course, later backstopped the Flames to their Stanley Cup championship in 1989, a reminder of how impactful a homegrown goaltender can become.

Connor Zary of Saskatoon has now appeared in 117 NHL games, recording 27 goals and 34 assists for 61 points with the Flames. Before cementing himself as a regular, he produced 58 points in 72 games with the Wranglers in 2022–23 and added 10 points in 6 games in 2023–24.

Martin Pospisil of Zvolen, Slovakia has logged 144 NHL games, contributing 12 goals and 37 assists for 49 points. Like Zary, he passed through the Wranglers on the way up, tallying 10 points in 20 games in 2022–23 and 6 points in 6 games in 2023–24.

Leadership is another storyline heading into 2025–26. Captain Mikael Backlund has already acknowledged that defenseman Rasmus Andersson may be on his way out, suggesting a trade could be inevitable. Andersson has been a fixture on the Flames’ blue line and a key part of the leadership group, but Backlund’s comments highlight the sense of transition surrounding the roster.

That connection between change and opportunity matters. As the Flames push to convert more overtime games into regulation victories, the solution may already be skating a few feet away in the Wranglers’ locker room at the Saddledome. And with only two years left before the team moves into its new home at Scotia Place, the theme of transition is unavoidable — in the roster taking shape, and in the very building where Flames hockey has lived for nearly four decades.