executed a leaping, seven-yard header off Teiberts corner kick from the right side. But Chivas USA go

PRETORIA, South Africa -- Oscar Pistorius will undergo psychiatric evaluation after the judge ruled at his murder trial Wednesday that his state of mind when he killed his girlfriend should be assessed by experts, possibly delaying court proceedings for two months. The ruling was prompted by testimony by a psychiatrist on behalf of the defence that the double-amputee Olympic athlete has generalized anxiety disorder and that this may have influenced his judgment when he fatally shot Reeva Steenkamp through a toilet door in his home on Feb. 14, 2013. The chief prosecutor, Gerrie Nel, then requested psychiatric testing -- a move opposed by Pistorius chief lawyer. Judge Thokozile Masipa agreed with the prosecutor, saying it was important to independently assess Pistorius state of mind because the defence might now argue that he was not criminally responsible for the shooting because of his anxiety disorder. "The accused may not have raised the issue that he was not criminally responsible at the time of the incident in so many words, but evidence led on his behalf clearly raised the issue and cannot be ignored," the judge said. Pistorius will likely be evaluated by a panel of psychiatrists at a government facility. Pistorius says he shot Steenkamp by mistake in the pre-dawn hours, thinking there was an intruder in his home. His lawyers have regularly pointed to his fear of violent crime and vulnerability as an amputee as central to his account of a mistaken killing. After meeting with Pistorius on two occasions at the beginning of this month, Dr. Merryll Vorster testified this week that he was "hyper-vigilant" and constantly feared being attacked. But legal analysts said the defence teams decision to introduce Vorsters testimony may have backfired. John Welch, former deputy director of South Africas public prosecuting authority, said Pistorius lawyers may have called the psychiatrist to the stand at such a late stage in the trial to "remedy" the athletes own testimony, which has been viewed as unconvincing. But in testifying that Pistorius was anxious, felt vulnerable to crime and may not have intended to kill Steenkamp, Vorster possibly "went too far" in her description of the psychiatric disorder, according to Welch. Pistorius, 27, stood with his hands clasped in front of him in the courtroom as the judge explained her decision. He could be acquitted if the judge rules he was not criminally responsible for Steenkamps shooting because of a mental illness. A mental disorder could also be used by his defence for a lighter sentence in the event of a conviction. The prosecution says Pistorius killed Steenkamp intentionally after an argument. In asking for the psychiatric evaluation, Nel may be trying to remove grounds for appeal by the defence -- on the basis of a psychiatric disorder -- should he be convicted. Judge Masipa said the court would reconvene on Tuesday to decide on details regarding Pistorius period of observation. In South Africa, it is normally for 30 days. Masipa said it would be preferable that Pistorius be evaluated as an outpatient and return home each day after tests. He is free on bail after being charged with premeditated murder. After his tests, the experts who assess Pistorius would take additional time to compile a report and submit it to the court. That could take another month, raising the possibility of a two-month delay in the trial, which started March 3 and is in its eighth week of proceedings. The judge acknowledged that there would be a significant delay, but said it was necessary. "This is not about anyones convenience, but rather about whether justice has been served," Masipa said. Marius du Toit, a defence lawyer not involved in the case but following it closely, said a panel of three psychiatrists would provide the court with a report on Pistorius, and it may also deal with the issue of his fitness to stand trial at all. Despite the defence teams opposition to the psychiatric evaluation, Pistorius uncle, Arnold Pistorius, said outside the courthouse that the ruling reaffirmed the familys confidence in the justice system. "As a family, we are comforted by the thoroughness and detail of this judgment and Judge Masipas commitment, using every avenue, to ensure a fair trial," Arnold Pistorius said in his prepared statement. ------ Imray reported from Stellenbosch, South Africa. Jack Roslovic Jets Jersey . -- Joe Thornton scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:39 left in regulation to help the San Jose Sharks overcome a two-goal deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 on Thursday night. Dmitry Kulikov Jets Jersey . Detroits powerful offence made that unnecessary. Scherzer allowed two hits and struck out seven, and the Tigers backed their star right-hander with three early homers in an 8-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. http://www.jetsauthentic.com/customized/ . -- Wes Welker is unlikely to suit up for Denvers game Thursday against San Diego after leaving Sundays win over Tennessee with his second concussion in four games. Connor Hellebuyck Jets Jersey . Cammalleri suffered a concussion in the Flames 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. The 31-year-old forward did not travel with the team to Carolina. Blake Wheeler Jersey . Down 2-1 after Rick Nash scored on a penalty shot, the Oilers ran off four unanswered goals in the remainder of the second period on the way to a 6-3 victory on Sunday.CARSON, Calif. -- A reconstituted midfield helped give the Vancouver Whitecaps their longest unbeaten streak of the season, yet failed to score a goal. The Whitecaps have not lost in six successive games following a 0-0 draw with Chivas USA on Saturday night in front of 4,215 at the StubHub Center. Vancouver (7-4-12) also extended its span of consecutive minutes without allowing a goal to 321. Goalkeeper David Ousted made four saves for his seventh shutout this year. "Any time you get a clean sheet, its a good night," Whitecaps defender Steven Beitashour said. "Were doing a great job staying tight with each other, staying organized and talking a lot. It starts from the front and works its way down to the midfield and to the back line." Injuries to starting midfielders Pedro Morales and Gershon Koffee forced the Whitecaps to make changes. Nicolas Mezquida -- who had played just nine games this season and made only three starts -- replaced Morales as the playmaker. In just his second start, Omar Salgado took over on the right wing for Erik Hurtado. Meanwhile, Russell Teibert replaced Koffee as a defensive midfielder. "Russell Teibert, arguably, was the best player on the park," Vancouver coach Carl Robinson said. "He switched the play from side to side. He got around people. He won second balls.dddddddddddd He put in a very mature performance for a young kid." Yet the Whitecaps managed just three shots on goal against Chivas USA (6-11-6), which entered the match with a four-game losing streak and a scoreless stretch of 276 consecutive minutes. Salgado had the Whitecaps best chance in the 28th minute. Salgado executed a leaping, seven-yard header off Teiberts corner kick from the right side. But Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy leaned to his left and deflected the shot with both palms around the near post. Chivas USAs Erick Torres almost put the hosts ahead in the 60th minute. Torres jumped between Beitashour and Andy OBrien to head Akira Kajis right-wing cross from 11 yards. But Ousted fielded the shot on one bounce. "We put a big emphasis on concentration," Robinson said. "If we had concentrated a little more in the final third (of the field), we probably shouldve gotten three points." Vancouver midfielder Matias Laba received a yellow card in the 37th minute and will be suspended for next weeks game against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Whitecaps forward Darren Mattocks left the game at halftime with a sore quadriceps muscle, Robinson said. Mattocks collided with Chivas USA defender Donny Toia in the 10th minute and grabbed his right knee after falling. ' ' '