15 dead in catastrophic youth hockey crash in Canada
A semi-trailer slammed into a bus carrying a youth hockey team in western Canada on Friday, killing 15 people and injuring 14 in a catastrophic collision that a doctor compared to an airstrike and left the vehicles obliterated in the snow.
The crash sent shockwaves through the team’s small hometown and a country united by the national sport. Canadians were moved to tears Saturday as they learned of the identities of the deceased on the bus that was driving the Humboldt Broncos to a playoff game.
“An entire country is in shock and mourning,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. “This is every parent’s worst nightmare. No one should ever have to see their child leave to play the sport they love and never come back.”
The Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets wore the name “BRONCOS” instead of their nameplates on Saturday night.
Steve Spurrier plans to be back on the sideline, as coach of the Orlando Alliance, if the proposed Alliance of American Football league gets off the ground. The league plans to have eight teams and will play a 12-week season beginning in 2019.
Jack Sock and Ryan Harrison put the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 2012 by beating Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 5-7, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-4 to finish an American sweep. The United States will play either Croatia or Kazakhstan in the semifinals in September . ... Croatia beat Kazakhstan in doubles for a 2-1 Davis Cup lead, as did Germany against Spain and France against Italy . ... Rain delayed the Volvo Car Open semifinals in Charleston, S.C. Duke freshman guard Gary Trent Jr. announced he will enter the NBA draft.
Paul Pogba scored twice as Manchester United spoiled rival Manchester City’s chance to clinch a third English Premier League trophy in six years, rallying in the second half for a 3-2 win . ... Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to ensure Barcelona equals a Spanish league record of 38 matches without a loss after beating Leganes 3-1 . ... Bayern Munich reasserted its German dominance with a record-extending sixth consecutive Bundesliga title.
Ryan Blaney became the third Team Penske driver in as many NASCAR Xfinity Series races to win in the No. 22 Ford. He took the checkered flag at Texas Motor Speedway, where he was the pole sitter. ... Josef Newgarden used four new tires to catch rookie Robert Wickens and win the IndyCar race at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Ariz . ... Sebastian Vettel took the pole position at the Formula One Bahrain GP.
The UCLA gymnastics team advanced to the NCAA championships with a victory in the Columbus regional. The championships will be held April 20-21 in St. Louis.