Sports

Defending Brier champion Kevin Martin leads a trio of Edmonton-based men’s teams that have earned a direct berth into the Canadian Olympic curling trials.The Canadian Curling Association named four men’s and four women’s teams Wednesday that have earned automatic spots in the Olympic trials, which will take place Dec. 6-13 in Edmonton.

Meghan Louis of the Red Deer Exelta Gymnastics Club earned a berth on Team Alberta for the third year in a row to compete in the Canadian artistic gymnastic championships.

Derrick Rose, who led his hometown Bulls to the playoffs and restored hope to a franchise in disarray, is the NBA’s rookie of the year. The announcement was made Wednesday.

Calgary 6 Chicago 4CALGARY — Flames head coach Mike Keenan had said Olli Jokinen must develop an understanding of what playoff hockey means.

Rangers 2 Capitals 1NEW YORK — Henrik Lundqvist had his teammates digging deep to describe his performance that put the New York Rangers on the verge of advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third straight year.

Bruins 4 Canadiens 1MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens 100th anniversary season ended in boos and disappointment.

NEW YORK — Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason and Chicago Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg are the finalists for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year, the league announced Wednesday.

MONTREAL — The Bell Centre crowd remained almost silent for the U.S. national anthem prior to Game 4 of the Montreal Canadiens playoff series after booing the anthem in the previous game.

No matter how many shots they take, how many hits they throw, how many chances they get against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia Flyers must find themselves wondering if they’re replaying last season’s playoff series all over again.

The Red Deer Titans men’s and women’s teams are training at Titans Rugby Park, with the next session set for 7 p.m. Thursday.