Blue Jays open ALCS, Wranglers fall in Colorado, Flames host Vegas Tuesday night showdown
Momentum is building across Canada’s sports scene as October heats up. The Blue Jays are back under the postseason spotlight in Toronto, the Wranglers are finding their rhythm after a tough opening weekend, and the Flames are gearing up for an early-season test against a high-powered Vegas squad. From playoff pressure to fresh starts, Calgary fans have plenty to keep their eyes on this week.
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.
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.