National Sports

Canada steps into the deep end at the Women's Rugby League World Cup in Sydney, Australia, when it makes its international debut against three-time champion New Zealand.

WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Days after their spot in the U Sports football final four was lost in a court case, the Acadia Axemen are once again heading to the Uteck Bowl.

Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks has won the NL Manager of the Year award after his first full season as a big league skipper. Lovullo won the honour in voting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — As it edges closer to a ban from the Winter Olympics, the Russian sports world is a bitter place. Investigations into doping haven't encouraged Russian athletes to speak out about abuses.

OTTAWA — The disappointment of losing the East semifinal hadn't worn off as Ottawa Redblacks players and staff prepared to go their own ways Tuesday morning.

NEW YORK — Boston point guard Kyrie Irving says he plans to play Tuesday night at Brooklyn after missing a game with a minor facial fracture. Irving was hit in the face by teammate Aron Baynes on Friday early in a victory over Charlotte.

BROSSARD, Que. — Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price says he is staying off the ice for a little while longer as he deals with a lower-body injury.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Mass shootings across the nation have prompted Marist College in New York to drop Shooter as the nickname for its sports mascot.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Dave Matthews Band will perform in St. Paul on the eve of the Super Bowl, adding to a growing list of entertainment leading up to the big game. The Dave Matthews Band will play at Xcel Energy Center on Feb.

TORONTO — Anthony Bennett and Joel Anthony headline the preliminary roster for Canada's pair of FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying games this month.