LOS ANGELES >> Gabbie Hughes, a Patty Kazmaier Award winner for Minnesota Duluth, scored twice and the United States women’s national hockey team improved to 2-0 in its Rivalry Series with a 5-2 win over Canada on Saturday.

Britta Curl scored the go-ahead goal off a turnover midway through the second period in a game the Americans never trailed. Alex Carpenter had a goal and assist, Hilary Knight set up two goals and Hannah Bilka also scored as the U.S. followed up its series-opening 3-1 win at Tempe, Ariz., on Wednesday.

Nicole Hensley stopped 23 shots for the defending world champions in a game played at Los Angeles.

Laura Stacey, with a short-handed goal, and Jamie Lee Rattray scored, and Kristen Campbell stopped 19 shots for Canada, which has yet to hold a lead in a seven-game series which shifts to Canada. The teams next meet in Kitchener, Ontario, on Dec. 14.

The Americans now enjoy a three-game winning streak over their cross-border rivals dating to a 6-3 win in the gold-medal game of the women’s world championships in April. The Rivalry Series is a lead up to the world championships, which will be held in Utica, N.Y., from April 3-14.

The U.S. is dominating the series so far despite featuring a younger roster that includes 10 college players. Canada’s roster features just two players still in college.

With the game tied at 1, Canadian defender Sophie Jaques’ pass through the middle of her own zone was intercepted by Curl, who stepped toward the net and had her shot get a piece of Campbell, with the puck trickling inside the right post with 8:09 left in the second period.

Another Jaques’ turnover in her own zone led to Bilka scoring four minutes later. U.S. forward Tessa Janecke tracked down a loose puck behind the Canadian net and had her centering pass deflect off Jaques and directly to Bilka, who stuffed it in the open right side.

Gotham claims NWSL title; Rapinoe exits injured

SAN DIEGO >> World Cup winner Esther González scored the go-ahead goal on a header in first-half stoppage time and Gotham FC survived a wild finish to beat OL Reign 2-1 on Saturday night in a National Women’s Soccer League championship match that was in its first few minutes when Megan Rapinoe hobbled off the pitch in a heartbreaking end to her career.

Following a VAR review in stoppage time, Gotham goalie Mandy Haught was issued a red card for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and sent off, giving the Reign a chance to tie it. With defender Nealy Martin taking over in goal, the Reign’s Rose Lavelle took a free kick just outside the box but it bounced off a Gotham player along the wall. Gotham was able to run out the clock and marked its first NWSL title with a wild celebration near midfield.

The non-contact injury to Reign star Rapinoe took some of the wind out of the crowd at San Diego State’s Snapdragon Stadium. The match had been billed as a showdown between Rapinoe and Gotham’s Ali Krieger, both of whom were looking for their first NWSL title before retiring.

NFL

Saints’ Thomas arrested after confrontation

KENNER, La. >> New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas is facing simple battery and criminal mischief charges following a confrontation with a construction worker, police said Saturday.

Thomas, 30, was arrested without incident Friday night, was cooperative with investigators and was released later that night, Kenner police Lt. Mark McCormick said.

Thomas, a two-time All-Pro in 2018 and 2019, is expected to travel to Minnesota and be in the lineup when the Saints play the Vikings on Sunday, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday because the team has not publicly discussed Thomas’ status for the game.

A statement released by the Saints said the team is “aware of the incident and we are gathering information.”

GOLF

Noren holds lead with clean day in Bermuda

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda >> Alex Noren got up-and-down on his last two holes Saturday, one for a birdie to regain the lead and another for par to complete a 4-under 67 and keep a one-shot lead in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Noren will be going for his first PGA Tour victory and his first worldwide win since the French Open in 2018, the year the Swede played in the Ryder Cup.

“This is what you dream of, having a chance to win and being up in the final group on a Saturday, Sunday. I really enjoyed it today,” Noren said. “I came off maybe a little colder start, but I played good enough to kind of get that 4 under in the end. I’m very happy, happy with that and happy to be in the lead still.”

Alker pulls ahead in Champions Tour finale

PHOENIX >> Steven Alker pulled away from the pack Saturday with a 6-under 65, finishing with a birdie that extended his lead to four shots going into the final round of the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Alker began the day tied with Marco Dawson, who couldn’t keep up on the front nine and fell out of contention on the back nine at Phoenix Country Club.

Padraig Harrington was trying to keep pace until he took a double bogey on the 14th hole, and then had to scramble for bogey on the par-5 closing hole.

Alker was at 17-under 196, four shots ahead of Alex Cejka, who had a 68. Harrington and Thongchai Jaidee, who each had a 69, were five behind.

Briefly

GOLF >> Emily Kristine Pedersen had three birdies over the final five holes for a 6-under 64 that gave her a three-shot lead on Saturday at The Annika, where the scoring was so low that Pederson had only the seventh-best round of the day.

NFL >> The Buffalo Bills’ injury-depleted defense will be without two more starters after safety Micah Hyde and cornerback Christian Benford were ruled out Saturday from playing against the Denver Broncos on Monday night.

— From news services