🏒 Canada’s Ice Kings Are Back — But Who’s Crowned First? 👑

Leafs, Jets & Flames all won last night — but only one team looks truly ready to run the table. Here’s what fans are saying...

March 26, 2025

🧊 1 BIG THING: Canada’s NHL Teams Are Heating Up at the Perfect Time

It was a statement night for Canadian franchises in the NHL on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The Maple Leafs put together a confident, well-rounded win over the Flyers 7-2, while the Jets claimed an electric overtime win to officially punch their playoff ticket. The Flames kept playoff hopes alive, and Ovechkin got closer to history in a game that showcased the Jets' tenacity.

📜 Why It Matters: Canadian teams are surging with just weeks left. Toronto and Winnipeg are playoff-bound and showing strong chemistry. Calgary's pushing for the final spot. A deep Cup run from the North? The pieces are there.

🏂 DEEP FREEZE RECAPS

🇨🇦 Leafs 7 - Flyers 2 (at Scotiabank Arena)

  • William Nylander continues his career-best season with 2 goals and 2 assists.

  • Captain John Tavares steps up big time: 2G, 2A. Leadership matters.

  • Mitch Marner adds 3 assists in a strong two-way performance.

  • Toronto now tied with Florida for 1st in the Atlantic.

🇨🇦 Jets 3 - Capitals 2 (OT Thriller in Winnipeg)

  • Ehlers ends it in OT with a highlight-reel finish.

  • Hellebuyck: 34 saves, locked in as ever.

  • Alex Ovechkin tallies his 889th career goal — just 6 behind Gretzky.

🇨🇦 Flames 4 - Kraken 3 (OT)

  • Nazem Kadri scores the OT winner.

  • Calgary remains 3 points behind the Wild Card line.

  • The team is showing resilience and belief.

Other Canadian Teams:

  • Canadiens fall to the Blues 6-1, still working toward building consistency.

  • Senators edged by Buffalo, 3-2, in a well-fought game.

📊 STAT DROP:

  • Toronto: 12-2-1 in their last 15 games.

  • Winnipeg: 7 straight home wins — one of the loudest barns in the league.

🏀 NBA NORTH CHECK-IN

🏢 Knicks 128 - Mavs 113

  • OG Anunoby (Toronto-born) drops 35 points in a career-night performance.

  • Hart & Towns both post triple-doubles — the first duo in Knicks history.

  • Luka Doncic limited to 19 in a strong team defensive effort.

🏯 Magic 111 - Hornets 104

  • Banchero pours in 32, Wagner adds 26.

  • Magic are quietly one of the East's most improved teams.

🇨🇦 Raptors Watch:

  • Fred VanVleet is questionable for Friday vs. Miami.

  • Sitting 3 games out of the play-in tournament, every matchup is must-win.

📊 What’s Next: Raptors face the Heat on Friday, March 28.

🔹 Keep It Positive: Raptors fans are some of the most loyal in the league. This squad’s got heart — and that counts.

⚽ CANADIAN CLUBS GEAR UP

🌟 Saturday: Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps

  • TFC seeks their first win of the season. With a new system under Herdman, chemistry takes time.

  • Vancouver looks sharp early, led by Schopf, Cubas & Gressel.

  • Rising talent Ali Ahmed continues to impress.

MLS Power Rankings:

  • Vancouver: Trending up ⬆️

  • Toronto: Building the foundation ⬇️

🙌 FAN SENTIMENT CHECK-IN:

  • 68% of Whitecaps fans: "This might be our most balanced roster since 2015."

  • 42% of TFC fans: "It’s a process. Trust the rebuild."

🚀 Both clubs are committed. No panic — just patience.

🏈 CFL COMBINE SPOTLIGHT

💪 Standouts:

  • Eric Cumberbatch (DB, Ottawa): 4.38s in the 40. Lightning quick.

  • Ethan Jordan (WR, Wilfrid Laurier): Clean routes, elite focus.

  • Jeremiah Ojo (DL, Montreal): Strength and speed combo is NFL-level.

🧠 Scout Talk:

  • "Ojo’s motor never stops. Could be a day-one contributor."

  • "Jordan is a sleeper with pro route-running instincts."

🔢 The CFL Draft is April 30th — expect to see all three go early.

🔥 GOING VIRAL

🎥 Must-See: Matthews' spinning no-look backhand is a viral masterpiece. Already over 1.6M views.

  • Top Fan Comment: "He didn't just break ankles... he broke physics."

💬 FROM THE NORTH SQUAD

🌟 Fan of the Week: @Habs_4_Life shares an epic backyard rink setup in Montreal. Legendary vibes.

📸 Tag @SportsNorthHQ with your gear, outfits or game-day rituals to be featured!

🎁 Friday = Fan Giveaway: Stay tuned for a chance to win signed gear.

📊 QUICK STATS & INSIGHTS

  • 82% of NHL Game 1 winners take the series

  • CFL combine saw record number of sub-4.5 40s

  • OG Anunoby: 47.8% from 3PT since All-Star break

👉 WRAP-UP

Thanks for reading SPORTS NORTH, where we celebrate Canadian teams, fans, and stories with respect and hype.

📢 Share this with your sports fam — grow the North! 🔢 Vote in our poll. You shape the conversation. 📸 Got a moment, pic or take? Tag @SportsNorth.

📍 Coming Friday:

  • Raptors Playoff Math

  • CFL Draft Preview

  • McLaren's Canadian F1 Engineer: Exclusive Interview

Follow: @SportsNorth | #SportsNorth