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Toronto has won five of its past six games, and two of its last three since adding centre Jakob Poeltl at the trade deadline.

The Ottawa Titans open the 2023 season at home on Friday, May 12 against the Empire State Greys.

Commissioner Gilles Courteau told a Québec legislature committee hearing into violent hockey hazing rituals that a “locker room code” will be in effect in time for next season and will make clear what behaviour is unacceptable.

The new dimensions do indeed add an intriguing early-season wrinkle in what’s already a major transitional period with the implementation of a pitch clock, a ban on infield shifts and a switch to bigger bases. 

Canada had dropped the first three contests in November after going 3-1-1 against the Americans in last season’s Rivalry Series, which was cut short by the pandemic.

Canada conceded three goals for the first time since a 3-0 loss to the U.S. in the final of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship in February 2020.

The stability, consistency and intelligence Chris Bassitt brings to a starting rotation were elements that landed him a $63-million, three-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in December, after a free-agency courtship he describes as, “I like you, you like me, let’s do it.”

The teams announced the deal Wednesday, Feb. 22, prior to the Blackhawks' game at the Dallas Stars. Chicago got a 2023 second-round pick and 2026 fourth in exchange for taking on the remainder of Zaitsev's contract.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has made it clear that a new, central arena should be part of any new ownership plan for the Senators. During his all-star game availability earlier this month, Bettman said that as many as 15 parties have shown interest in buying the Senators, a number that will be whittled down very soon.

During one set of pick off drills, for instance infielders cheered Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for picking an errant toss out of the dirt, while pitchers cheered Jordan Romano for a particularly crisp strike to Bichette at second, who drew praise for the way he applied the tag.