The Canadian Soccer Association is sticking to its guns on the issue of artificial turf at the 2015 Womens World Cup.In a media conference call Wednesday, the CSA reiterated that it plans to play the tournament on a fantastic FIFA-approved surface. But it refused to say what surface it might attach to a possible mens World Cup hosting bid, saying the process of applying to host a future mens tournament is several years away.We have put up our hand seeking that we would intend to look at the process of putting a bid forward. Its very early days in that process, said Victor Montagliani, president of the Canadian Soccer Association.We dont even know what the parameters or the scope of that bid would need to look like from FIFA because they havent even sent out anything along those lines to any of the member associations.Montagliani estimated that was three years away.The CSA has said it plans to enter a formal bid for the 2026 Mens World Cup.The argument that there is a double standard for men and women when it comes to the World Cup playing surfaces is central to a complaint currently before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.A group of elite womens players contends that having the men play their showcase tournament on real grass and the women on artificial turf is discriminatory.The CSA, which serves as the national organizing committee for the 2015 Womens World Cup, argues that FIFA allows matches to be played on so-called 2-Star artificial turf, which the world governing body of soccer gives the green light for top clubs, stadiums and international match play.The core issue in terms of the claim thats being advanced is that FIFA 2-Star is somehow second-class, said lawyer Sean Hern, representing the CSA. And its not second-class. Its a first-class playing field.And it is part of the Canadian game. Its been recognized as appropriate and this is going to be a fantastic playing surface and a fantastic tournament. There is no merit, in our view, in the suggestion that it is any way discriminatory.The visiting Czech Republic defeated Kazakhstan 4-2 in a Euro 2016 qualifying game this week on FIFA-approved artificial turf at the Astana Arena. And Montagliani noted Canada played Mexico in 2013 mens Gold Cup match on artificial turf in Seattles CenturyLink Field.But the mens World Cup has not been held on turf.Not yet, said Montagliani.He said it was clear from the beginning of the Canadian Womens World Cup bid that FIFA-approved artificial turf would be used.Montagliani said the budget for the tournament is $90 million. Lawyers for the women say their plan for temporary grass surfaces at stadiums in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton would cost $2 million to $3 million at most.Lawyers for the both sides also have different ideas of the Ontario tribunals jurisdiction.Lawyers for the women, who filed the complaint in Ontario because the CSA is headquartered in Ottawa, believe a ruling would be followed in other provinces. The CSAs legal team is not so sure.Thats a very good question and its one weve raised directly in our response to date, said Hern. Its unclear as to whether the Ontario tribunal has any jurisdiction over stadium use and playing surfaces in another province and we would say that it likely doesnt.The tribunal has yet to rule on the womens request for an expedited hearing. The CSA has argued against the request, saying they have not met the standard for fast-tracking the hearing.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Washington Nationals Store . 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The MLS all-stars will compete against German giants Bayern Munich in Portland on Aug.Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - A two-goal first period and 32 saves from Scott Darling propelled the Chicago Blackhawks to an eighth consecutive win, a 3-2 triumph over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Ben Smith had one of Chicagos early goals and set up the other -- the first of Klas Dahlbecks NHL career -- while Darling outplayed reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tuukka Rask in the rookies sixth career start. Patrick Kane also tallied and Marcus Kruger recorded two assists for the red-hot Blackhawks, who survived a late comeback effort from the Bruins as well as an injury to Jonathan Toews. The Chicago captain did not return after sustaining an upper- body injury near the midway mark of the second period. The Bruins had their captain, Zdeno Chara, back in the lineup after missing 19 straight games with a knee injury, but still fell for the fourth time in their last five outings. Rask managed just 18 saves. Darling, recalled from the minors last week with Corey Crawford sidelined by an ailing foot, came up with 14 saves during a first period in which the Blackhawks surged ahead with a pair of high-effort goals. Final Score: Buffalo 4, Calgary 3 Buffalo, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Moulson scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the third period, to lead Buffalo to a 4-3 win over Calgary. Moulson scored the first and last goals of the game, and his marker that redirected off his skate with 7:29 left proved to be the decider for the Sabres, who have won two straight games. Tyler Ennis collected three assists, including one on both of Moulsons goals. Zemgus Girgensons tallied a goal and an assist and Marcus Foligno also lit the lamp for Buffalo. Jhonas Enroth earned the win with 42 saves. Despite outshooting Buffalo 45-19, Calgary was on the wrong end of the final score. Mark Giordano, David Jones and Sean Monahan all scored for the Flames, who have lost three in a row for the first time this season. Karri Ramo made 15 saves on only 19 shots in the loss. Final Score: Philadelphia 4, New Jersey 1 Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Read and Sean Couturier picked up a goal and assist each to stoke Philadelphias 4-1 victory over New Jersey on Thursday. Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek also lit the lamp for the Flyers, who kicked off their final homestand of calendar year 2014 with their second win in three outings. Claude Giroux and Mark Streit chipped in a pair of assists to back a 17-save effort by Ray Emery. Philadelphia continues its residency on Saturday afternoon by welcoming Carolina. Martin Havlat provided the sole offense for the Devils, who have lost eight of their last 10 overall. Cory Schneider surrendered three goals on 35 shots in defeat. Final Score: Columbus 3, Washington 2 (OT) Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Nick Foligno scored a power-play goal with 18.8 seconds left in overtime as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Thursday to extend their win streak to five games. The Blue Jackets went on the power play with 1:57 to play when Jason Chimera was called for interference. After Sergei Bobrovsky made two huge short-handed saves, Jack Johnson, who had drawn the penalty, dished to Foligno for a one-timer from the right circle. The puck sailed over Braden Holtbys glove, giving Foligno his second goal of the game. Bobrovsky finished with 39 saves, while Holtby stopped 20-of-23 shots. The Capitals were seeking a fourth straight win. Final Score: Los Angeles 5, Ottawa 3 Ottawa, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Anze Kopitar and Trevor Lewis scored less than two minutes apart early in the third period, helping the Los Angeles Kings spoil Dave Camerons head coaching debut with a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The two goals came almost immediately after Ottawas Mark Stone scored short-handed to tie the game at 2-2 just 1:44 into the final frame. Matt Greene, Justin Williams and Tanner Pearson also talllied to help the Kings bounce back after two straight losses.dddddddddddd. Jake Muzzin posted a career- best three assists, while Jonathan Quick came up with 32 saves for Los Angeles. Cameron was elevated from assistant coach on Monday to replace Paul McLean, who was fired after the Senators dropped 13 of their last 17 games. Ottawa was able to overcome a 2-0 deficit on goals by Bobby Ryan and Stone, but gave up three in the third period to fall to 1-4-1 in its last six outings. Jared Cowen notched a goal and an assist in the loss, with Craig Anderson stopping 31-of-35 shots for Ottawa. Final Score: Tampa Bay 2, Carolina 1 Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Nikita Kucherovs marker with 30.3 seconds left in regulation sent Tampa Bay past Carolina, 2-1, on Thursday. Kucherovs second goal of the contest was a fluke deflection. He appeared to want to pass across from the left circle, but the puck instead changed direction off the skate of Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey in the slot and slid over the goal line. Evgeni Nabokov turned away 29 pucks and picked up his first assist of the season for the Lightning, who had lost two in a row. Justin Faulk tallied and Cam Ward made 25 saves for the Hurricanes, who suffered their fourth straight defeat and third by one goal. Final Score: St. Louis 6, NY Islanders 3 St. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Alexander Steen had two goals and one assist in his return, helping the St. Louis Blues post a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders at Scottrade Center on Thursday. Steen, who missed the previous two games with a lower-body injury, provided an immediate spark and his second tally ignited four-goal third period that carried the Blues to their third straight win. T.J. Oshie had a goal with two assists and Jake Allen made 25 saves. John Tavares and Mikhail Grabovski scored in the second period for the Islanders, who have lost three games in a row. Former Blue Jaroslav Halak allowed five goals on 32 shots. Final Score: Colorado 4, Winnipeg 3 (SO) Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene scored on Colorados first two chances in the shootout, as the Avalanche rallied for a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. Jarome Iginla and Ryan OReilly scored late for the Avalanche after Mark Scheifele had given the Jets a 3-1 lead at 4:32 of the third period. Calvin Pickard made 30 saves, including two huge stops in overtime, before shutting out Winnipeg in the shootout, helping Colorado snap a four-game losing streak. Scheifele added two assists and Ondrej Pavelec made 23 saves for Winnipeg, which has picked up at least a point in eight straight games (5-0-3). Final Score: Nashville 5, Arizona 1 Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Mike Fisher had a goal and an assist in Nashvilles 5-1 win over Arizona Thursday. Fisher, who missed nearly the first two months of the season due to an Achilles injury, netted his first goal of the campaign that ended a long power-play drought for the Predators. Pekka Rinne made 28 saves in Nashvilles second straight win. James Neal also tallied a goal and an assist, while Shea Weber and Filip Forsberg each had a pair of assists. Ryan Ellis, Olli Jokinen and Calle Jarnkrok all tallied goals for the Preds. Mike Smith allowed five goals on 38 shots in the Coyotes fourth straight loss. Antoine Vermette scored the lone Arizona goal. Final Score: San Jose 2, Minnesota 1 San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Joe Pavelski scored the game-winning goal early in the third period to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Brent Burns also scored and Joe Thornton assisted on both markers for the Sharks, who have won six of their last seven games. Alex Stalock stopped 18-of-19 shots fired his way in the win. Christian Folins first NHL goal accounted for Minnesotas lone goal and Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves in defeat. ' ' '