MLB: The Toronto Blue Jays dropped the finale of their four game set with Tampa Bay 5-3 Wednesday afternoon. Toronto's Josh Donaldson left the game in the seventh inning with a strained left calf. The reigning AL MVP hit a three-run homer in the third inning. Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered and drove in four against his former team as Detroit topped Miami 7-3. The New York Yankees used a 17-hit attack to maul Houston 16-6. Starlin Castro homered and drove in five runs. Colorado rookie shortstop Trevor Story made baseball history by hitting a home run in each of his first three major league games leading the Rockies over Arizona 4-3. Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda hit a home run in his second at-bat of his major league debut in helping the Los Angeles Dodgers blank San Diego 7-0. The Padres are the first MLB team to be shutout in their opening three games.
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OHL: The owner of the Flint Firebirds has been issued a number of stiff sanctions following an investigation by the Ontario Hockey League. OHL Commissioner David Branch issued a statement on Wednesday saying that Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen repeatedly violated an agreement he signed with the OHL. Nilsen was suspended back in February after the team fired its coaching staff for the second time during the 2015/2016 hockey season. The hockey league has ordered that Nilsen be suspended from his direct or indirect involvement with Firebirds hockey operations for five years, effective immediately. Nilsen may apply for reinstatement after three years, but he has also been ordered to pay a $250,000 fine to the OHL. As well, the Firebirds must forfeit a first round draft pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection (third pick overall).
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NHL: Brandon Dubinsky scored two goals as Columbus beat Toronto 5-1. Jimmy Howard stopped all 30 shots he faced as Dertroit blanked Philadelphia 3-0. The Red Wings can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Boston Thursday night. The Oilers gave their fans something to cheer about in their final game at Rexall Place, beating Vancouver 6-2. The arena opened in 1974 as the Northlands Coliseum.
There's no immediate word on the condition of Quebec senator Jacques Demers following a stroke. The 71-year-old former N-H-L coach is in hospital. Demers was appointed to the Senate in 2009 by Stephen Harper but quit the Conservative caucus last December to sit as an independent.
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NBA: When LeBron James took a seat, the Indiana Pacers took a step forward toward the NBA playoffs. With James out of the lineup, Indiana beat Cleveland 123-109 to win its third straight. The Pacers still lead eighth-place Detroit by a half-game.
LOCAL
GOLF: Sarnia's Mike Weir is the lone Canadian in the field at the 2016 Masters. He tees off at 11:16am with Cameron Smith and Sammy Schmitz.---
OHL DRAFT: Lambton Jr Sting Minor Midget AAA team hopes to hear the names of a couple of his players called during Saturday's OHL draft. Jordan Pennisi says he stresses to his players that not getting drafted doesn't nevessarily mean the end of their hockey careers. A pair of Jr. Sting were drafted to the OHL in 2015. Corunna's Josh Barraclough went in the 9th round to Peterborough and Nash Neinhuis was taken in the 14th round by Sarnia.
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GOJHL: Stratford beat Waterloo 5-3 to take a series 3-1. The Cullitons can win the Cherry Cup at home Friday night. Leamington and London are tied at two wins each in the West final, game six is tonight in Leamington. Caledonia already won the Goldenhorseshoe final to advance to their 3rd straight Sutherland Cup.
