National Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With the Los Angeles Clippers compiling one of their best rosters ever, Kawhi Leonard wanted to make sure the focus was on the quest for a first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history rather than his future.

SASKATOON — Alexander Suzdalev had a hat trick and an assist in his second game of the season to lead the Saskatoon Blades to a 7-2 win over the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday night in the Western Hockey League.

DENVER (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin scored two power-play goals, Nathan MacKinnon had an assist to extend his season-opening home points streak to 23 games and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 on Wednesday night.

ELMONT, N.Y. (AP) — Marie-Philip Poulin scored a hat trick and Elaine Chuli earned a win in her first game as Montreal beat New York 5-2 Wednesday at UBS Arena at Belmont Park.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella lashed out at a beat reporter during his postgame news conference Wednesday night, questioning a report surrounding the trade of top prospect Cutter Gauthier on Monday.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Pete Carroll’s mantra was “always compete,” — it was the title of a book , after all.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Taylor Heise scored two goals with an assist as Minnesota remained the only unbeaten team in the Professional Women's Hockey League, beating Toronto 3-1 on Wednesday night.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Sean Couturier scored the lone shootout goal and the Philadelphia Flyers overcame an early deficit to beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on Wednesday night.

WINDSOR, Ont. — Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck went off for two goals and four assists in his Saginaw debut to help the Spirit trounce the Windsor Spitfires 11-3 on Wednesday night in the Ontario Hockey League.

GATINEAU, Que. — Jérémie Minville scored the overtime winner to cap a 5-4 Gatineau Olympiques comeback win over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Wednesday night in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.