Sports

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Argentina defeats Netherlands on penalty kicks to advance to World Cup semifinals

Argentina will face Croatia in Tuesday’s semi-final

Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Reassuring to see the allure of the Montreal Canadiens continues

Rich legacy of the franchise ensures their visits to B.C. are never really road games

Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Croatia shocks Brazil on penalties in World Cup quarterfinals

Perennial favourite and 5-time champion out of the tourney after losing in shootout

Day one is in the books for the boys Tsumura Basketball Invitational (TBI) at Langley Events Centre as 16 teams remain in contention for one of the three tournament titles up for grabs. (Courtesy of Langley Events Centre)

Happening now at LEC: Tsumura Basketball Invitational boys tournament

16 teams in race for one of the three tournament titles

  • Dec 8, 2022
Day one is in the books for the boys Tsumura Basketball Invitational (TBI) at Langley Events Centre as 16 teams remain in contention for one of the three tournament titles up for grabs. (Courtesy of Langley Events Centre)
BC Lions kicker Sean Whyte, left, celebrates a field goal with defensive end Obum Gwacham (98) against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal)

White Rock’s Sean Whyte returns to kick for BC Lions after a solid CFL season back home

The Semiahmoo Secondary grad, 37, says team ‘made huge strides with exciting group of players in 2022’

BC Lions kicker Sean Whyte, left, celebrates a field goal with defensive end Obum Gwacham (98) against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal)
Vancouver Canucks centre Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Pettersson nets OT winner for 2nd straight game as Canucks edge San Jose Sharks 6-5

Vancouver hosts the Minnesota Wild on Saturday

Vancouver Canucks centre Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)

PODCAST: What would you do as GM of the Vancouver Canucks?

NHL UPDATE: Black Press insiders McKinley, Wolf offer thoughts on surprise teams, top rookies

John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)
Langley Secondary senior girls basketball coach Sheldon Guy speaks to a crowd at Earl Marriott Secondary Tuesday (Dec. 5) before an exhibition game about his experience with suddenly losing his sight, and how to pivot and adapt to the challenges life may bring. (Contributed photo)

Blind basketball coach gives inspirational talk before exhibition game in South Surrey

‘It’s OK to not be OK,’ Langley coach Sheldon Guy tells Earl Mariott audience

Langley Secondary senior girls basketball coach Sheldon Guy speaks to a crowd at Earl Marriott Secondary Tuesday (Dec. 5) before an exhibition game about his experience with suddenly losing his sight, and how to pivot and adapt to the challenges life may bring. (Contributed photo)
Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Countdown to Kickoff: Matheson outlines plans for new pro women’s soccer league

Vancouver Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills 2 of the founding clubs in the 8-team league

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
FILE - New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. Judge won the American League MVP Award on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in voting by a Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Record-breaking slugger Aaron Judge, Yankees reach $360M, 9-year deal

Judge will earn $40 million per season, the highest average annual payout for a position player

FILE - New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. Judge won the American League MVP Award on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in voting by a Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham, right, goes up for a pass as Calgary Stampeders defensive back Dionte Ruffin blocks him during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Burnham has announced his retirement, ending an eight-year career with the CFL franchise. Burnham, a four-time CFL all-star, had 476 receptions and 7,212 receiving yards wit the Lions. Both marks rank fourth in franchise history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Family comes first for retiring B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham

Talented wideout was a 4-time CFL all-star

B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham, right, goes up for a pass as Calgary Stampeders defensive back Dionte Ruffin blocks him during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Burnham has announced his retirement, ending an eight-year career with the CFL franchise. Burnham, a four-time CFL all-star, had 476 receptions and 7,212 receiving yards wit the Lions. Both marks rank fourth in franchise history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Why the floundering Canucks really need to consider breakfast

It’s time for franchise to step off cycle of mediocrity by truly committing to the draft

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Surrey Eagles goaltender Eli Pulver, left, and forward Jake Bongo will be going to the BC Hockey League’s 3-on-3 outdoor All-Star Tournament Jan. 21 in Penticton. (Photos: surreyeagles.ca)

Surrey Eagles all-stars Bongo, Pulver help hockey team soar at opposite ends of the rink

Outdoors in Penticton, forward Jake Bongo and goaltender Eli Pulver will play in BCHL All-Star Tournament

Surrey Eagles goaltender Eli Pulver, left, and forward Jake Bongo will be going to the BC Hockey League’s 3-on-3 outdoor All-Star Tournament Jan. 21 in Penticton. (Photos: surreyeagles.ca)
The Elgin Park senior boys volleyball team won bronze at the 2022 Provincial Championships in Kelowna Dec. 2 and 3 in Kelowna. (Contributed photo)

Bronze win for Elgin Park Secondary senior boys volleyball team at provincials

‘Roller coaster ride’ saw South Surrey team beat Oak Bay for third-place B.C. finish

The Elgin Park senior boys volleyball team won bronze at the 2022 Provincial Championships in Kelowna Dec. 2 and 3 in Kelowna. (Contributed photo)
Semiahmoo Thunderbirds player Torian Lee in action during a previous game. (contributed photo)

Border battle Friday as Semiahmoo Thunderbirds host Washington team

Two teams to square off in basketball exhibition game at Langley Events Centre

  • Dec 6, 2022
Semiahmoo Thunderbirds player Torian Lee in action during a previous game. (contributed photo)
Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver, Calgary first teams announced in new women’s pro soccer league

League will operate countrywide across two conferences, with four teams in each conference

Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault (35) stops Vancouver Canucks’ Nils Aman (88), of Sweden, as Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj (72) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pettersson nets OT winner as Canucks rally for wild 7-6 victory over Canadiens

Visiting Habs held 4-0 lead after first period

Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault (35) stops Vancouver Canucks’ Nils Aman (88), of Sweden, as Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj (72) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Cloverdale-raised Caedan Bankier in action with Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). (File photo courtesy Kamloops Blazers/Allen Douglas Photos)

4 B.C. hockey players have shot at making Canada’s World Juniors team roster

Starting Friday in Moncton, the camp will involve 4 goaltenders, 9 defencemen and 16 forwards

Cloverdale-raised Caedan Bankier in action with Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). (File photo courtesy Kamloops Blazers/Allen Douglas Photos)
Abbotsford Canucks forwards Arshdeep Bains (left) and Tristen Nielsen help clear the ice after Phil Di Giuseppe’s Teddy Bear Toss goal on Saturday (Dec. 3). (Abbotsford Canucks photo)

Abbotsford Canucks extend win streak to four games

Saturday features second biggest crowd in Canucks history for Teddy Bear Toss

Abbotsford Canucks forwards Arshdeep Bains (left) and Tristen Nielsen help clear the ice after Phil Di Giuseppe’s Teddy Bear Toss goal on Saturday (Dec. 3). (Abbotsford Canucks photo)
Julian Cull got past two Cougars Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4, before 2,908 fans at Langley Events Centre. Giants led for most of the first two periods, but a huge third period by the Prince George Cougars was too much for the G-men to handle. (Rob Wilton/Vancouver Giants)

VIDEO: Vancouver Giants fall to Cougars

Four games in five days end with loss

  • Dec 5, 2022
Julian Cull got past two Cougars Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4, before 2,908 fans at Langley Events Centre. Giants led for most of the first two periods, but a huge third period by the Prince George Cougars was too much for the G-men to handle. (Rob Wilton/Vancouver Giants)