• Bilka and Edwards score twice each in American rout

• Canada open with 5-1 win over Sweden as Eldridge shines

• Jersey dispute overshadows tournament’s Danish debut

The United States opened their defense of the women’s ice hockey world championship with a 7-0 victory over Switzerland on Friday in Esbjerg, Denmark.

Hannah Bilka and Laila Edwards scored twice each, while Kirsten Simms, Hilary Knight and Casey O’Brien also found the net as the Americans pulled away after a competitive opening period. Caroline Harvey contributed three assists.

• 22-year-old also has eight blocks in Spurs win

• Frenchman scores decisive free-throw in victory

Victor Wembanyama set a career high with 24 rebounds, then sank the winning free throw with 24.2 seconds left to ⁠cap his career-best 52-point performance as the San Antonio Spurs outlasted the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 for their sixth straight victory.

The Spurs home crowd hailed Wembanyama with MVP chants on Wednesday, and he also excelled on defense. The Frenchman blocked eight shots, three which of came in a span of just 13 seconds in the second quarter.

• Former MLB star wins for Republicans in Texas

• Turek’s Iowa victory clinches Senate for Democrats

• Tafoya loses to Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota

Former World Series champion turned Republican politician Mark Teixeira will represent ⁠Texas’s 21st congressional district in Washington after defeating Democrat Kristin Hook in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

On Wednesday morning, Teixeira was leading with 54.5% ⁠of the ​votes after 99% of the ballots had been counted.