SATURDAY EYE-OPENER

Cory Schneider made 29 saves to record his second shutout of the season and 14th of his career as the New Jersey Devils snapped a two-game losing skid with a 2-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Schneider has now started 20 consecutive games for the Devils, who handed Edmonton its fifth straight loss.

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It wasn’t the best game for the New York Islanders, but it was a win against the first-place Pittsburgh Penguins. Kyle Okposo scored in the third round of the shootout, sending New York to a 5-4 victory at Pittsburgh. Also, the Boston Bruins slipped past the Columbus Blue Jackets in a shootout 4-3.

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There was a Bruno Caboclo sighting at the Air Canada Centre as the Raptors hammered the Milwaukee Bucks 124-83. The 19-year-old rookie made his NBA debut in the fourth quarter for Toronto, which built up a 44-point lead through three quarters. Lou Williams led the Raps with 22 points while Jonas Valanciunas added 18 points and 12 rebounds.

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Toronto’s Anthony Bennett was the top-producing Canadian on the night, scoring a career-high 20 points and Andrew Wiggins of Vaughn, Ontario chipped in with 14 as their Timberwolves fell to the Spurs 121-92. Also, Kamloops, B-C’s Kelly Olynyk put up 18 points for the Celtics in a 117-100 loss to the Grizzlies.

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A person familiar with the situation says free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche has agreed to a contract with the Chicago White Sox. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the deal. The White Sox have AL Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu entrenched at first base, so LaRoche is likely to see most of his time at designated hitter.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette has been fined $10-thousand dollars by the NFL for striking an opponent in the head. Lockette was ejected from last Sunday’s game at Kansas City for hitting Chiefs defensive back Kurt Coleman after Coleman shoved him in the back.

(Canadian Press)