VANCOUVER - Brad Knighton served notice Saturday night that he is not willing to give up his starting goalkeeper job with the Vancouver Whitecaps just yet. Knighton recorded his second shutout of the season and also earned an assist as the Whitecaps blanked the Seattle Sounders 2-0 in MLS action before a sellout crowd of 21,000 at B.C. Place Stadium. "Thats the best Ive ever played — by far, hands down," said Knighton, who was credited with seven saves. Knighton chalked up his elevated game to the recent arrival of Danish goalkeeper David Ousted, who becomes eligible to play Tuesday after an international transfer window opens. "You dont want to be chopped from a team," said Knighton. "Its my job to put in performances like that to make (management) think twice about taking me out of the lineup. "Obviously, its been nice having him here, because its going to push me and make me better. ... What youve seen from the two weeks that hes been here, its changed my mentality, and its probably the best Ive ever played." Kenny Miller, in the fourth minute, and second-half substitute Darren Mattocks, in the 79th, scored as the Whitecaps (8-5-5), in their third season in MLS, beat Seattle for the first time in league play. Vancouver moved into fourth place in the Western Conference standings while extending its streak to five games. The Whitecaps remained unbeaten in nine home games and have won six of their past nine overall. Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said his players are starting to believe they are a good team. "Its just another step in the right direction for us," said Knighton. "I dont really care about the shutouts and winning games. Thats what Im in there for — to make saves and get us points and move up the table." The Sounders (7-6-3) saw their unbeaten streak end at four games. The Whitecaps avenged a road loss to the Sounders in early June, when the Sounders overcame a second-half deficit. "Credit to them for finishing that," said Seattle coach Sigi Schmid. "We had opportunities, we should have finished some of those opportunities. Knighton came up with some big saves in goal to keep them in it, and then the last 10 minutes of the game were pushing forward trying to get it — and thats probably when they got the majority of their shots. "Im not displeased with what we created or how we played." A large contingent of Sounders fans travelled north for the game, but they had little to cheer about early. Miller capitalized on Vancouvers first legitimate chance as he ran on to Corey Hertzogs long, high ball from the midfield line, sidestepped defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and put a shot just inside the far post. Hertzogs helper was his first in 11 MLS career games played. He also has a goal to his credit. But Hertzog was forced to leave the game with an apparent leg injury in the second half after taking a high tackle from Lamar Neagle, who received a yellow card for the infraction. After Millers early goal, the Whitecaps spent much of the night defending as the Sounders enjoyed numerous chances but could not beat Knighton. Knighton preserved his clubs lead with three outstanding saves about a minute apart in the first half. He foiled Eddie Johnson from inside the Vancouver box on 22 minutes and then, from an ensuing Seattle corner kick, got his hand on a Zach Scott shot from close range and caught the ball while lying on his back. In the 27th minute, Knighton robbed Johnson and Obafemi Martins on shot off the rebound. Knighton was credited with five saves in the first half as Seattle recorded 10 shots. Three of them went wide and two were blocked. Vancouver recorded five shots in the first 45 minutes, but put only two on target, and finished with just four on net. The Sounders almost drew even in the 57th minute as Neagle put a shot off Vancouver defender Brad Rusin and the goal post, and Seattle failed to generate a chance off the resulting corner kick. Whitecaps coach Rennie tried to generate some offence in the 76th minute as he subbed in striker Mattocks for Camilo, who was held in check most of the night and saw his scoring streak end at five games. The move worked as Mattocks ran on to midfielder Gershon Koffies long header off a Knighton goal kick and lifted the ball over Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning. "I havent had (an assist) since high school, so it was quite nice," said Knighton. "Its one Ill live to tell my wife and kids about. Unfortunately, my wife and daughter are back in North Carolina right now, but I know they stayed up and saw the game. "My friends have been blowing me away with text messages. ... This really means a lot to me." The goal was the first for Mattocks since May 11th. He has played sparingly since then while also spending time away with the Jamaican national team. "It was good scoring a goal," said Mattocks. "I think it helped the team. We were ahead 1-0, but getting that goal took the pressure off the team." But Knighton knows the pressure isnt off him as Ousted waits in the wings. "Hes got to come and take (the job) out of my hands," said Knighton. "Its going to make for a great battle." Notes: Knighton was the obvious choice as Vancouvers man of the match. ... Whitecaps defender Andy OBrien has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered the last time the teams met, in Seattle in early June, but remained out of the lineup as a precaution. ... Koffie returned to the starting lineup for the first time since May 1. He subbed into the last two games after missing four with a thigh injury. ... Seattle played without injured midfielders Osvaldo Alonso (quad) and Steve Zakuani (hernia). ... Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert and fourth goalkeeper Simon Thomas were away with the Canadian team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup while central defender Carlyle Mitchell was with Trinidad and Tobago at the same tournament. Cheap Air Max Shoes With Free Shipping . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Cheap Air Max 90 .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. http://www.airmaxwholesaleforsale.com/air-max-97-wholesale.html . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Cheap Air Max Tn China . 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His play says otherwise.Jaden Schwartz and Kyle Brodziak scored early in the third period to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.Fabbri and Scottie Upshall also scored and Jake Allen made 23 saves for the Blues, who snapped a three-game skid and beat the Sabres for the ninth straight time.Maybe just more attention to little details, but my games stayed the same, said Fabbri, who has scored three goals in two games since returning to the lineup. Just trying to stick to that, stay positive and keep going here.Sam Reinhart scored and Robin Lehner stopped 27 shots for the Sabres, who lost their fifth consecutive game.The Blues are 4-0-2 in their last six at home and have allowed two goals or fewer in eight of their nine games at the Scottrade Center this season.Schwartz broke a 1-1 tie 44 seconds into the third period on a rebound past a prone Lehner, who had made a sprawling save to stop Dmitrij Jaskins breakaway moments before.It was a great play by Jask, Schwartz said. He had a lot of speed and made a good power move and just a fortunate bounce for me. I think anyone could have put that in.Brodziak tipped in Ryan Reaves pass to give the Blues a 3-1 lead at 2:16 of the third. It was Brodziaks first goal since April 4 against Arizona.While Fabbri is known for his skill, the second-year player changed the game with his fists by getting into a second-period fight with Josh Gorges a couple of minutes after Gorges checked Alexander Steen hard into the boards. It was just the second fight of Fabbris NHL career, the other coming Feb. 14 against Tampa Bay.I dont know what got into me, but I wanted to be that guy so I went out on that shift so I asked him, Fabbri said. And the funny part is I asked him again and hes like, `Are you sserious? and Im like, `Well yeah, kind of, so thats what happened.ddddddddddddSteen briefly returned after the hit, but was taken out of the game shortly after for precautionary reasons. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday.Reaves said Fabbris willingness to stick up for a teammate energized the Blues.It only motivates us when a guy like that who doesnt fight and hes a skill player goes and sticks up for our team, Reaves said. Youve got to give him that pat on the back and if that doesnt get you up, you might as well sit down. And he did a good job. If he would have landed that first one it would have been night-night.Reinharts power-play goal gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead at 7:55 of the first period. The goal came 18 seconds after Upshall took an ill-advised hooking penalty for St. Louis in Buffalos zone.Fabbri tied it three minutes later. All three of his goals during his streak have come on the power play.Lehner made 11 saves and Allen made eight saves in a scoreless second period. Allen robbed Reinhart with his left pad midway through the frame, while Lehner stopped a Jaskin shot from the slot late in the period.Were strapped for goals, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. Were strapped for opportunities to get the goal and its not for a lack of effort, guys are throwing it out there and giving everything they got.Game notes Blues F Nail Yakupov was a healthy scratch for the fourth time in six games. ... Sabres F Ryan OReilly (middle body) and D Dmitry Kulikov (undisclosed) missed the game with injuries. ... Sabres F William Carrier was the Blues second-round pick (No. 57 overall) in 2013, but was traded to Buffalo in the deal that brought Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to St. Louis.UP NEXTSabres: Host Tampa Bay on Thursday night.Blues: Host San Jose on Thursday night. ' ' '
