National Sports

Newcastle advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday, though coach Rafa Benitez doesn't seem too keen on making a deep run in the competition.

CALGARY — Considerable grumbling emanated from Flames Nation when defenceman Mark Giordano was passed over for the NHL all-star game. The snub could turn out to be an advantage for the Flames.

TORONTO — Apart from the all-world skill displayed on a nightly basis, Mikko Rantanen has a simple explanation for why he works so well with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. They get along away from the rink.

VICTORIA — Pacific FC has signed former Canadian under-17 players Alessandro Hojabpour, Matthew Baldisimo and Terran Campbell.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed star linebacker Adam Bighill to a three-year extension.

TORONTO — All-star offensive lineman Ryan Bomben has inked a three-year extension with the Toronto Argonauts. The 31-year-old native of Burlington, Ont.

It can be easy to forget that Canada's Eugenie Bouchard may very well have a long and fruitful tennis career ahead of her. A seemingly endless slump sent her tumbling down the rankings but there have been signs of a return to form.

TORONTO — Larry Murphy knows what it's like to hear the boos raining down from Maple Leafs fans.

TORONTO — Willingly hanging onto the edge of a massive cliff without a safety harness might seem like sheer insanity, but for free climber Alex Honnold it's merely what gets his adrenaline pumping.

Vancouver Canucks coach Travis Green says he's not ruling out the possibility of Elias Pettersson returning to the lineup on Wednesday.