Thursday Sports: Another Bobbery

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS (Round 3)

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots for his first shutout of the postseason, Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist and the Florida Panthers beat the New York Rangers 3-0 on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final. Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett also scored. Bobrovsky, who had six shutouts during the regular season, had the second of his career in the playoffs. Igor Shesterkin finished with 24 saves for Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers. They lost for the third time in four games after opening the postseason with seven straight victories. Game 2 is Friday night in New York.

The Edmonton Oilers visit the Dallas Stars tonight to kick off the Western Conference Final. Edmonton is coming off a game-seven win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round to become the last Canadian team standing. Dallas took out the Colorado Avalanche in six contests. The winner of the best-of-seven series advances to the Stanley Cup final.

CEBL

The Saskatchewan Rattlers, inaugural champions of the CEBL, were one-upped last season by their regional rival Winnipeg Sea Bears, an expansion team. It seems the Rattlers took that personally. Saskatchewan raced to a 94-86 opening night win over Winnipeg on Wednesday at Saskatoon’s SaskTel Centre, led by 23 points from CEBL veteran Jalen Harris. Maurice Calloo, also in his third year in the league but first with Saskatchewan, added 22 points.

MLB

Bo Bichette homered and had three R-B-I’s, and the Toronto Blue Jays used a seven-run second inning to beat the Chicago White Sox 9-2. By taking two of three from Chicago, the Blue Jays won a series for the first time since taking two of three at San Diego from April 19th to 21st.

(Canadian Press)