National Sports

VANCOUVER — The journey isn’t over yet, but the Vancouver Whitecaps used a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United FC Wednesday night to take a huge step toward securing a Major League Soccer playoff spot.

EDMONTON — Carter Hart’s eagerness to stand tall in his return to his hometown of Edmonton paid dividends for the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Tyler Brennan stopped all 31 shots he faced as the Prince George Cougars blanked the Victoria Royals 4-0 on Wednesday in Western Hockey League action.

HAMILTON — The first Canadian Soccer Championship final belonged to the keepers, particularly Sebastian Breza of FC Montreal.

OWEN SOUND, Ont. — Luke Evangelista scored twice to power the London Knights past the Owen Sound Attack 4-1 on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League play. The Knights have won seven straight to begin their season.

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Siri launched himself headfirst into home plate, popped up with arms flexed and screamed with all his might. Welcome to the World Series, rook.

TORONTO — After securing a weekend tie that felt like a win, Toronto FC had to settle for a draw that seemed more like a loss Wednesday.

CHICAGO (AP) — For three weeks in 2010, they did nothing. That's how long it took for the leadership of the Chicago Blackhawks to act on allegations that an assistant coach sexually assaulted a player. Three weeks.

QUEBEC — Nathan Gaucher had two short-handed goals as the Quebec Remparts downed the Acadie-Bathurst Titan 3-1 on Wednesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play.

TORONTO — Raptors head coach Nick Nurse's pre-game message to his players Wednesday was to "man up" and get that first home win of the season.