GOLD’S GYM THURSDAY EYE-OPENER
Mathieu Perreault scored 17 seconds into overtime as the Winnipeg Jets handed the Edmonton Oilers their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory. Edmonton held a 2-1 lead and looked to have ended its streak until Dustin Byfuglien forced extra time with a goal at 16:54 of the third period.
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Jason Zucker and Jason Pominville scored improbable goals to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Playing with heavy hearts one day after the death of Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau, the Canadiens dedicated the game to the longtime captain who won 10 Stanley Cup titles as a player and seven more as an executive. Montreal players wore Number 4 on their helmets.
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Kyle Lowry scored a game-high 39 points as the Toronto Raptors finished up a three-game road trip with a 123-104 win over the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez added 17 apiece for the Raptors, who hold a two-game lead on the Washington Wizards for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have found a Canadian to play left field. Toronto acquired Victoria native Michael Saunders from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitcher J.A. Happ. Adding Saunders means the Blue Jays get a potential replacement for free agent Melky Cabrera in their outfield.
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The Blue Jays weren’t the only club making moves. The Minnesota Twins have signed outfielder Torii Hunter to a $10.5 million, one-year contract, Right-hander Luke Hochevar and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a $10 million dollar, two-year deal. and outfielder Nick Markakis and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a four-year contract, pending a physical.
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Brian Hoyer will be under centre when the Cleveland Browns begin Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. Browns coach Mike Pettine chose him over Johnny Manziel, saying Hoyer would be a better choice to lead the Browns down the stretch. Hoyer has played poorly for a month, but the 7-and-5 Browns are sticking with him as they try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
(CP)
