Saturday, December 13, 2014

NHL December 13th, 2014

Thirteen games on for a remarkably busy day, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Ottawa Senators in the first of two matinees. Robin Lehner and Tuukka Rask will play goal. Boston struck first in the first period on a Craig Cunningham shorthanded goal, set up by Zdeno Chara. Ottawa tied it in the second period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Mike Hoffman. The Bruins retook the lead as Loui Eriksson scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Kevan Miller and Carl Soderberg. The Senators tied it again in the third period on a David Legwand power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Mark Stone and Kyle Turris. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan scored to top a lone tally by Brad Marchand for a 3-2 Ottawa win. The three stars went to Zibanejad, Lehner (29 for 31 in saves), and Rask (29 for 31 in saves).

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Steve Mason are the goalies. Philadelphia began in the first period on a Sean Couturier goal, his seventh of the season, via R.J. Umberger and Matt Read. The Flyers added on as Wayne Simmonds scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Brayden Schenn and Scott Laughton. Carolina got on the board in the second period with an Eric Staal power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Jeff Skinner and John-Michael Liles. Philadelphia answered with a Jakub Voracek power play goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Simmonds and Claude Giroux. The Flyers extended the lead on a Laughton goal, guided in by Schenn and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia padded the lead as Michael Raffl netted his eighth of the campaign, with the help of Giroux and Voracek. This produced the eventual 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Simmonds, Laughton, and Voracek, while Schenn and Giroux get the honorable mentions.

At the normal time, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya and Jhonas Enroth are the little-known goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his second of the season, assisted by Patrick Kaleta and Nikita Zadorov. The Sabres added on with a Marcus Foligno goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Nicolas Deslauriers and Drew Stafford. Florida got on the board in the second period as Sean Bergenheim scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Brad Boyes. The Panthers tied it on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Bergenheim and Dmitry Kulikov. Florida pulled ahead in the third period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Dave Bolland. Buffalo tied it again with a Brian Gionta goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Tyler Myers and Andre Benoit. The Sabres won 4-3 in overtime on a Zadorov goal, with assists provided by Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons. The three stars went to Zadorov, Bergenheim, and Gionta.

Down on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. Chicago got going in the second period with a Daniel Carcillo goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Johnny Oduya and Niklas Hjalmarsson. New York tied it six seconds later on an unassisted Cal Clutterbuck goal, his fourth of the year. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period with a Patrick Kane goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Brandon Saad. The Islanders retied it on a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by John Tavares and Nick Leddy. New York took the lead on a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his second of the season, via Ryan Strome and Matt Martin. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Visnovsky, Clutterbuck, and Okposo.

North to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts. Detroit opened in the first period on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Johan Franzen and Gustav Nyquist. Toronto tied it on a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period on a Richard Panik goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Korbinian Holzer. Toronto added on in the third period as Morgan Rielly scored his fourth of the year, via Daniel Winnik. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 with a Nazem Kadri empty net goal, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Winnik and Mike Santorelli. The three stars went to Bernier (27 for 28 in saves), Winnik, and Panik.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his sixth of the season, via Tom Wilson and Nate Schmidt. The Capitals added on as Backstrom scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, with the help of Alex Ovechkin and Wilson. Washington extended the lead in the third period on Backstrom's eighth of the season, a natural hat trick clinching goal set up by Ovechkin. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Tyler Johnson goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Matthew Carle and Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning pulled closer on a Carle goal, his third of the season, coming off of Steven Stamkos and Jason Garrison. The Capitals finished it at 4-2 with an empty net goal from Eric Fehr, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by John Carlson. The three stars were given to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Wilson, while Carle gets an honorable mention.

Into Canada again, where the Winnipeg Jets host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Michael Hutchinson protect the nets. Winnipeg led off in the first period on a Bryan Little power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a Jakob Silfverberg power play goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell. The Ducks took the lead with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Patrick Maroon and Tim Jackman. Anaheim added on with a shorthanded Nate Thompson goal, his third of the year, set up by Getzlaf. The Ducks iced it at 4-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Andrew Cogliano, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Ben Lovejoy. The three stars belonged to Getzlaf, Thompson, and Andersen (27 for 28 in saves).

South to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the creases. Columbus started in the first period on a Nick Foligno power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Boone Jenner and David Savard. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Blake Comeau goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Paul Martin and Rob Klinkhammer. The Penguins gained the lead in the third period on a Kris Letang shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Craig Adams and Marcel Goc. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Jenner penalty shot goal, his sixth of the year, after he was held by Simon Despres. Columbus took the lead on a Jack Johnson goal, his second of the season, via Brandon Dubinsky and Savard. Pittsburgh tied it on another Letang goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, passed from Christian Ehrhoff and Evgeni Malkin. In the shootout, the Blue Jackets got goals from Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen to top a Letang tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Letang, Jenner, and Savard.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Coyotes bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Devan Dubnyk receive the starting nods. Minnesota began in the first period on a Nino Niederreiter power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Ryan Suter and Thomas Vanek. Arizona tied it on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period on a Vermette goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ekman-Larsson and Boedker. The Wild tied it on a Jason Zucker goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Jason Pominville and Mikko Koivu. Arizona took the lead back with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his third of the season, made possible by Kyle Chipchura. Minnesota retied it on a third period Zach Parise power play goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Pominville and Suter. In the shootout, the Wild won 4-3 with tallies from Parise and Koivu to top a Vermette goal for the Coyotes. The three stars went to Parise, Vermette, and Ekman-Larsson,while Suter, Boedker, Pominville, and Koivu get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Dallas Stars host the New Jersey Devils. Kari Lehtonen and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Dallas opened in the first period with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming off of Erik Cole and Jason Spezza. The Stars added on with a Spezza goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Seguin and Antoine Roussel. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with a Jon Merrill power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils tied it on an Eric Gelinas goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Jacob Josefson and Steve Bernier. Dallas took the lead back with a Trevor Daley goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Roussel and Ales Hemsky. The Stars extended the lead as Shawn Horcoff scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Vernon Fiddler and Colton Sceviour. Keith Kinkaid replaced Schneider in the third period. New Jersey got one back in the third period on a Scott Gomez goal, passed from Henrique and Jaromir Jagr. This produced the 4-3 final, with the three stars given to Seguin, Spezza, and Roussel, while Henrique gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanches welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Calvin Pickard man the nets. Colorado started in the first period on an Erik Johnson power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Nick Holden and Gabriel Landeskog. St. Louis tied it on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fourth of the year, coming on the power play from Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a David Backes goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Alex Pietrangelo. The Avalanche tied it on another Johnson goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, via Nathan MacKinnon and Landeskog. St. Louis won 3-2 in overtime on a T.J. Oshie goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Barret Jackman and Shattenkirk. The three stars went to Johnson, Shattenkirk, and Landeskog.

Into Canada again, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller tend the twines. New York led off in the first period with a Ryan McDonagh goal, assisted by Jesper Fast and Dominic Moore. The Rangers added on as J.T. Miller scored his third of the season, with the help of Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis. New York extended the lead with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Rick Nash and Derick Brassard. The Rangers padded the lead in the second period on a Marc Staal goal, via Kevin Hayes and Lee Stempniak. New York continued with another Zuccarello goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, guided in by Brassard and Nash. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a Nick Bonino goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Alexandre Burrows. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Zuccarello, Brassard, and Nash.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goalies. San Jose struck first in the first period on a Tomas Hertl goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on in the third period with an empty net goal by Thornton, his eighth of the year, set up by Logan Couture and Tommy Wingels. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars going to Niemi (29 save shutout), Thornton, and Hertl.

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KHL December 13th, 2014

Three games today, beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Jakub Kovar are the reliable goalies. Riga struck first in the first period on a Charles Genoway goal, assisted by Mikelis Redlihs. Dinamo added on as Miks Indrasis scored a power play goal in the third period, powered by Genoway and Marcel Hossa. Riga iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Lauris Darzins, set up by Redlihs. The three stars went to Sedlacek (26 save shutout), Genoway, and Redlihs.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Vasily Koshechkin are in the blue paint. Helsinki was first to score in the first period on a Linus Omark goal, via Steve Moses on the power play. Jokerit added on with a Ville Lajunen power play goal, powered by Moses. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period with a Jan Kovar power play goal, assisted by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Metallurg tied it with an Oskar Osala goal, fueled by Evgeny Timkin. Helsinki took the lead back with a Moses goal, coming off of Atte Ohtamaa. Magnitogorsk tied it again with a Lee power play goal, with a lone assist from Kovar. Jokerit regained the lead on another Moses goal in the third period, set up by Petr Koukal. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Moses, Kovar, and Lee.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Anders Nilsson are the masked men. Kazan led off in the first period with an Ilya Nikulin goal, via Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars added on with an Alexander Burmistrov goal in the second period, courtesy of Oscar Moller and Kirill Petrov. Kazan extended the lead on a Nikulin power play goal in the third period, powered by Justin Azevedo and Moller. St. Petersburg got on the board with an Anton Burdasov goal, fueled by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Ilya Kablukov. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Nikulin, Nilsson (25 for 26 in saves), and Moller.

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NHL December 12th, 2014

Four games this evening, with the first in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Marc-Andre Fleury are the veteran goalies. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period on a Blake Comeau goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Robert Bortuzzo. The Penguins added on with a Kris Letang goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Simon Despres and Nick Spaling. Calgary got on the board with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Markus Granlund and Jiri Hudler. Pittsburgh replied in the third period on a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Steve Downie and Malkin. This led to a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Malkin, Fleury (26 for 27 in saves), and Letang.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Riley Sheahan goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Tatar on the power play. Florida tied it on a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his third of the year, via Dave Bolland and Sean Bergenheim. The Panthers took the lead with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his third of the season, passed from Nick Bjugstad. The Red Wings tied it on a power play goal by Gustav Nyquist, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Henrik Zetterberg. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Panthers won 3-2 with Vincent Trocheck and Brandon Pirri supplying the tallies. The three stars went to Luongo (29 for 31 in saves), Huberdeau, and Fleischmann.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens brings in the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a power play goal by Jiri Sekac, his fifth of the season, powered by P.K. Subban and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on in the second period on an Andrei Markov goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Sergei Gonchar and David Desharnais. Montreal extended the lead as Subban scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Dale Weise and Manny Malhotra. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period on a Jake Muzzin goal, his second of the year, fueled by Drew Doughty and Tyler Toffoli. The Canadiens shot back on a Desharnais goal, his third of the season, assisted by P.A. Parenteau and Brandon Prust. The Kings answered with a Doughty goal, his third of the year, coming off of Toffoli and Mike Richards. Montreal countered with a Sven Andrighetto goal, his second of the season via Michael Bournival and Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens finished it at 6-2 with a Sekac goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Markov and Subban. The three stars went to Sekac, Markov, and Subban, while Desharnais, Doughty, and Toffoli get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Viktor Fasth are the former teammates in goal. Anaheim began in the first period with a Sami Vatanen power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Rene Bourque. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Vatanen and Ryan Kesler. Anaheim chased Fasth on a Getzlaf goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Bourque and Ben Lovejoy. Ben Scrivens came on in relief. Edmonton got on the board as Tyler Pitlick scored, thanks to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers pulled closer in the third period with a Jeff Petry power play goal, his third of the year, coming off of Taylor Hall and Teddy Purcell. The Ducks replied with an empty net goal by Nate Thompson, his second of the campaign, set up by Jakob Silfverberg and Cam Fowler. The three stars went to 4-2, with the three stars being Vatanen, Getzlaf, and Bourque.

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KHL December 12th, 2014

Ten games on for today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, with Amur hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Chelyabinsk began with a first period power play goal by Andrei Popov, powered by Dmitry Pestunov and Anton Glinkin. Traktor added on with a Popov goal, with a lone assist by Glinkin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead as Vitaly Atyushov scored a power play goal, thanks to Glinkin, who got a sock trick, and Maxim Kondratyev. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period with a Denis Yezhov goal, assisted by Dmitry Tarasov and Michel Miklik on the power play. Traktor shot back in the third period with a Jan Bulis power play goal, coming off of Deron Quint. Amur pulled back on a Mikhail Fisenko goal, guided in by Yezhov and Miklik. The final was 4-2, and the three stars went to Popov, Glinkin, and Yezhov, while Miklik gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Ilya Proskuryakov are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk opened in the first period on a Denis Gorbunov goal, passed from Alexander Korolyuk and Igor Bortnikov. Vladivostok tied it on a Richard Gynge goal, going in unassisted. Yugra took the lead back as Nikita Gusev scored, thanks to the goalie Brust in the second period. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Brust (27 for 28 in saves), Gusev, and Gorbunov.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg brings in Lada Togliatti. Jeff Glass and Nikita Lozhkin are the backups in goal. Novokuznetsk started in the first period on a Denis Kurepanov goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg added on with an Alexander Romanov power play goal, powered by Ryan Stoa. Togliatti got on the board with a Fedor Fedorov goal, guided in by Denis Golubev. Lada tied it in the second period with a Fedorov goal, passed from Karol Sloboda. Togliatti took the lead as Stanislav Bocharov scored, with the help of Dmitry Vorobyov. Rafael Khakimov replaced Lozhkin in goal. Novokuznetsk tied it with an Anton Kapotov power play goal, with a lone assist by Ansel Galimov. Metallurg gained the lead with an Alexei Kosourov goal, coming off of Kurepanov and Mark Skutar. Novokuznetsk finished it at 5-3 in the third period on an empty net goal by Dmitry Maltsev, courtesy of Romanov and Stoa. The three stars went to Kurepanov, Romanov, and Fedorov, while Stoa gets an honorable mention.

Nearby, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Alexander Salak guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period with an Evgeny Ryasensky goal, courtesy of Andrei Ivanov. Neftekhimik added on with an Igor Polygalov goal, passed from Yegor Milovzorov on the power play. Novosibirsk got on the board with a Jonas Enlund goal, coming off of Dmitry Kugryshev and Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir tied it as Sergei Shumakov scored, with the help of Stepan Sannikov. Novosibirsk took the lead with a power play goal by David Ullstrom, powered by Dmitry Monya and Vitaly Menshikov. Sibir extended the lead with an Enlund goal, assisted by Kugryshev and Vyacheslav Belov. Novosibirsk padded the lead with an Ullstrom goal, made possible by Monya and Alexander Kopeikin. Sibir continued in the third period on a Patrik Hersley goal, fueled by Enlund and Koskiranta. Novosibirsk won 7-2 with an unassisted power play goal by Alexei Yefimenko. The three stars belonged to Enlund, Ullstrom, and Koskiranta, while Monya and Kugryshev get the honorable mentions.

Way out in Sochi, the Leopards welcome Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Tomas Popperle are given the starting nods. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Konstantin Volkov goal, fueled by Maxim Karpov and Alexander Osipov. Dynamo added on in the second period with a Denis Mosalyov goal, guided in by Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Moscow extended the lead on a Martins Karsums goal, with a lone assist by Filip Novak. Sochi got on the board with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, via Ilya Krikunov and Clay Wilson. Dynamo answered on a Maxim Pestushko goal, coming off of Konstantin Gorovikov. Moscow padded the lead with a Sergei Soin goal, coming off of Konstantin Glazachev and Yury Babenko. Dynamo iced it at 6-1 with a Karsums goal, with a lone helper from Mosalyov. The three stars went to Karsums, Mosalyov, and Yeryomenko (24 for 25 in saves).

Next up, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod bring in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Mikhail Biryukov. Yaroslavl was first to score with a Daniil Apalkov goal, assisted by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv added on with a second period Plotnikov goal, guided in by Averin and Apalkov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Jarkko Immonen, powered by Sakari Salminen and Wojtek Wolski. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Plotnikov, Apalkov, and Averin.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Danny Taylor draw the starts. Omsk opened in the first period on an Artyom Volkov goal, guided in by Tom Wandell. Minsk tied it on a Ryan Vesce goal, with a lone assist by Matt Ellison. Dinamo took the lead on an Alexander Kulakov goal, assisted by Alexander Materukhin and Artur Gavrus. Minsk added on in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, set up by Lukas Krajicek. Avangard pulled back on a Denis Parshin goal, made possible by Denis Kulyash. Dinamo answered on a power play goal by Dmitry Meleshko, powered by Krajicek and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Minsk extended the lead with a Krajicek power play goal, via Paul Szczechura and Kalyuzhny. Dinamo iced it at 6-2 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Ellison, coming off of Krajicek. The three stars went to Krajicek, Kalyuzhny, and Ellison.

Back east in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Jakub Stepanek are in the blue paint. Cherepovets started in the second period on a power play goal by Gennady Stolyarov, powered by Marek Kvapil and Logan Pyett. Podolsk tied it in third period on an Anton Korolyov goal, guided in by Mathias Porseland. Vityaz took the lead with a Roman Horak power play goal, via Yakov Seleznyov. Severstal tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, fueled by Nikolai Stasenko and Yury Trubachyov. Podolsk grabbed the lead back on a Robert Kousal goal, made possible by Igor Golovkov and Horak. Vityaz iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Korolyov. The three stars were given to Horak, Korolyov, and Kousal.

Southwest to Mytishchi, where Atlant brings in Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Atte Engren protect the nets. Mytishchi began in the first period on an Andrei Taratukhin goal, via Matthew Gilroy and Igor Levitsky. Astana tied it on a Roman Starchenko goal, passed from Dmitry Upper. Barys took the lead on a Talgat Zhailauov goal, with a lone assist by Roman Pushkaryov. Atlant tied it on anohter Taratukhin goal, made possible by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Ondrej Nemec. Mytishchi took the lead on a Sergei Shmelyov goal, guided in by Dmitry Korobov. Astana tied it again with a Brandon Bochenski goal, coming off of Dustin Boyd and Maxim Semyonov. Barys took the lead with a Starchenko goal, assisted by Nikolai Antropov and Konstantin Rudenko. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Starchenko, Taratukhin, and Bochenski.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Jaroslav Janus are the strong goalies. Ufa led off in the first period on an Ilkka Heikkinen goal, with a lone assist by Denis Tolpeko. Bratislava tied it on a second period with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, assisted by Milan Bartovic. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back in the third period, passed from Heikkinen and Teemu Hartikainen. Slovan tied it again with a Martin Stajnoch goal, courtesy of Rok Ticar and Libor Hudacek. In the shootout, Ticar and Tomas Netik scored to give Slovan a 3-2 win over a lone tally by Alexei Kaigorodov. The three stars went to Heikkinen, Tolpeko, and Ticar.

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Thursday, December 11, 2014

NHL December 11, 2014

Ten games this evening, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Chicago struck first in the first period on a Klas Dahlbeck goal, fueled by Ben Smith and Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks added on with a Smith goal, his third of the season, coming off of Dan Carcillo and Kruger. Chicago extended the lead on a third period goal by Patrick Kane, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Kris Versteeg. Boston got on the board with a Reilly Smith goal, his seventh of the season, via Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins pulled closer in the third period with a Torey Krug goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Milan Lucic. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Smith, Kruger, and Darling (32 for 34 in saves).

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jhonas Enroth are in the blue paint. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Matt Moulson goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Tyler Ennis. Calgary tied it on a Mark Giordano power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler. The Sabres took the lead on a Marcus Foligno goal, his third of the season, guided in by Drew Stafford and Nicolas Deslauriers. The Flames retied it with a David Jones goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Curtis Glencross and Josh Jooris. Calgary gained the lead in the third period on a Sean Monahan goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Joe Colborne. Buffalo tied it again as Zemgus Girgensons scored, his ninth of the year, thanks to Ennis and Josh Gorges. The Sabres gained the lead with a Moulson goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, assisted by Ennis, who got a sock trick, and Girgensons. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars giving to Moulson, Ennis, and Girgensons.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Ray Emery draw the starts. Philadelphia was first to score on a shorthanded Sean Couturier goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Matt Read. The Flyers added on with a Read goal, his third of the year, passed from Couturier and Nick Schultz. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with a Martin Havlat power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr. Philadelphia shot back with a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Flyers iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Jakub Voracek, his tenth of the campaign, with the help of Giroux and Streit. The three stars went to Couturier, Read, and Streit, while Giroux gets an honorable mention.

Continuing to DC, where the Washington Capitals host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Washington led off with an Eric Fehr goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Columbus tied it with a Nick Foligno goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Brian Gibbons and James Wisniewski. The Capitals took the lead in the third period on a Troy Brouwer goal, his eighth of the season, via Matt Niskanen and Karl Alzner. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Kevin Connauton goal, his second of the year, assisted by James Wisniewski and Cam Atkinson. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime with a Foligno goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, guided in by Jack Johnson and Ryan Johansen on the power play. The three stars belonged to Foligno, and Wisniewski, and Bobrovsky (39 for 41 in saves).

In the other national capital, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Craig Anderson are between the pipes. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Matt Greene goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Jeff Carter. The Kings added on with a Justin Williams goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Jake Muzzin and Drew Doughty. Ottawa got on the board as Bobby Ryan scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Eric Gryba and Jared Cowen. The Senators tied it in the third period on a shorthanded Mark Stone goal, his sixth of the year, set up by David Legwand. Los Angeles took the lead back with an Anze Kopitar goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Doughty and Muzzin on a power play goal. The Kings extended the lead with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Tyler Toffoli and Muzzin, the latter getting a sock trick. Ottawa got one back with a Cowen goal, his second of the season, helped along by Kyle Turris. Los Angeles wrapped it up at 5-3 with a Tanner Pearson goal, his eleventh of the year, going into the empty net with assists provided by Mike Richards and the goalie Quick. The three stars went to Muzzin, Cowen, and Doughty.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Evgeni Nabokov are the experienced goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the third period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and the goalie Nabokov. Carolina tied it on a Justin Faulk goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Riley Nash and Andrej Sekera. The Lightning took the lead back as Kucherov scored his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, thanks to Alex Killorn and Matthew Carle. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Kucherov, Nabokov (29 for 30 in saves), and Faulk.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Jake Allen are the former teammates in goal. St. Louis began in the first period on an Alexander Steen goal, his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues added on with a Barret Jackman goal, made possible by Steen and Maxim Lapierre. New York got on the board with a John Tavares goal in the second period, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Kyle Okposo. The Islanders tied it with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Frans Nielsen. St. Louis took the lead on a Steen goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, with assists provided by T.J. Oshie and Jackman. The Blues extended the lead on an Oshie goal, his fourth of the season, via Patrik Berglund and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis padded the lead as Paul Stastny scored his seventh of the year, thanks to David Backes and Oshie on the power play. New York got one back with an Okposo goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone helper from Matt Donovan. The Blues finished it at 6-3 with a Jaden Schwartz empty net goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Shattenkirk and Jori Lehtera. The three stars were given to Steen, Oshie, and Jackman, while Shattenkirk and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Calvin Pickard are the mediocre goalies. Winnipeg started in the second period with an Andrew Ladd goal, his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Mark Scheifele and Michael Frolik. Colorado tied it on a Matt Duchene goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Jan Hejda and Alex Tanguay. The Jets took the lead with a Paul Postma power play goal, his second of the season, via Scheifele and Adam Lowry. Winnipeg added on in the third period with a Scheifele goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Mathieu Perreault and Frolik. The Avalanche got one back with a Jarome Iginla goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Tanguay and Duchene. Colorado tied it on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Gabriel Landeskog and Zach Redmond. The Avalanche won 4-3 in the shootout with Nathan MacKinnon and Duchene goals. The three stars belonged to Duchene, Scheifele, and Tanguay, while Frolik gets an honorable mention.

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Arizona struck first in the first period on an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. Nashville tied it on a Mike Fisher goal, guided in by Shea Weber and Filip Forsberg on the power play. The Predators took the lead on a James Neal goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Fisher and Roman Josi. Nashville added on as Ryan Ellis scored, his third of the season, thanks to Neal and Mike Ribeiro. The Predators extended the lead on a third period goal by Calle Jarnkrok, his second of the year, coming off of Gabriel Bourque and Forsberg. Nashville finished it at 5-1 with an Olli Jokinen goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Colin Wilson and Weber. The three stars went to Fisher, Neal, and Forsberg, while Weber gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Alex Stalock are given the green light to start in goal. San Jose was first to score in the second period with a Brent Burns power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Justin Braun and Joe Thornton. Minnesota got on the board with a third period Christian Folin goal, going in unassisted. The Sharks took the lead back as Joe Pavelski netted his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Thornton and Brenden Dillon. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars given to Thornton, Stalock (18 for 19 in saves), and Pavelski.

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KHL December 11th, 2014

Three games for the day, beginning in...

Yekaterinburg, with Avtomobilist hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a Vadim Shipachyov penalty shot goal after he was hooked by Alexei Simakov. SKA added on with an Artemy Panarin goal, via Shipachyov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Patrick Thoresen scored, thanks to Tony Martensson and Roman Cervenka. SKA padded the lead in the second period with an Anton Burdasov goal, passed from Alexander Kadeikin and Ilya Kablukov. Yekaterinburg got on the board in third period with an Ilya Arkalov goal, guided in by Nikita Tryamkin. St. Petersburg shot back with an Evgeny Ketov goal, with a lone assist by Shipachyov. This made it 5-1, with the three stars going to Shipachyov, Koskinen (28 for 29 in saves), and Panarin.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, with Metallurg welcoming Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers and Vasily Koshechkin are given the starting nods. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, fueled by Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on with a Jan Kovar goal, with a lone assist by Mozyakin. Riga got on the board with a Miks Indrasis goal, coming off of Charles Genoway and Nikolajs Jelisejevs. Magnitogorsk shot back on a Mozyakin goal, assisted by Viktor Antipin and Kovar. Metallurg extended the lead in the second period with a Kovar goal, courtesy of Antipin. Dinamo replied with a power play goal by Mikelis Redlihs, powered by Krisjanis Redlihs and Lauris Darzins. Riga pulled closer with a Linus Videll goal, passed from Krisjanis Redlihs and Darzins. Dinamo tied it on a Oskars Cibulskis goal, made possible by Darzins, who got a sock trick, and Mikelis Redlihs. Magnitogorsk won 5-4 with a third period Chris Lee goal, with assists provided by Maxim Yakutsenya and Denis Platonov. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Darzins, while Antipin, Krisjanis Redlihs, and Mikelis Redlihs are given the honorable mentions.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Anders Nilsson protect the nets. Helsinki struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Niklas Hagman, powered by Juhamatti Aaltonen and Ryan Gunderson. Jokerit added on with a Steve Moses goal, via Petr Koukal. Kazan got on the board in the third period with an Ilya Nikulin power play goal, guided in by Oscar Moller and Justin Azevedo. The final stood at 2-1 with the three stars being Helenius (27 for 28 in saves), Moses, and Hagman.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

NHL December 10th, 2014

Two games tonight, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jimmy Howard are set to start in goal. Detroit got going in the second period on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Tomas Jurco and Henrik Zetterberg. Toronto tied it on a third period Phil Kessel goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk was upended by Bozak and Mike Santorelli as the Maple Leafs won 2-1. The three stars went to Bozak, Reimer (41 for 42 in saves), and Howard (18 for 19 in saves).

The other game has the Anaheim Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth opposes former teammates Frederik Andersen in goal. Anaheim dented the scoreboard on a Matt Beleskey goal in the first period, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Kyle Palmieri and Rickard Rakell on the power play. The Ducks added on in the second period as Ryan Kesler scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Hampus Lindholm and Andersen. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his seventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. This only made it 2-1, with the three stars given to Andersen (21 for 22 in saves), Kesler, and Beleskey.

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KHL December 10th, 2014

Ten games on a busy day today. Personal crisis is the reason for the late posting hour. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Alexei Murygin are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with an Evgeny Orlov goal, coming off of Michel Miklik. Togliatti tied it in the second period on a Semyon Valuisky, with a lone assist by Andrei Nikitenko. Amur took the lead back on a Dmitry Lugin goal, passed from Mikhail Fisenko and Marcel Hascak. Khabarovsk added on with a Dmitry Tarasov goal, assisted by Denis Yezhov and Miklik. Lada got one back with a Vitaly Shulakov power play goal, powered by Anton Shenfeld and Martin Zatovic. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Tarasov, Lugin, and Orlov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Ivan Nalimov are set to start in goal. Nizhnekamsk began with a Matt Anderson goal, made possible by Tim Stapleton. Vladivostok tied it on a Niclas Bergfors power play goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Zubov. Neftekhimik retook the lead with a power play goal by Mikhail Zhukov, powered by Teemu Eronen and Maxim Rybin. Nizhnekamsk added on in the second period on an Igor Makarov goal, helped along by Zhukov. Admiral got one back with a Sergei Barbashev goal, passed from Alexander Kuznetsov and Nikita Lisov. Vladivostok tied it on a Bergfors goal in the third period, guided in by Richard Gynge and Jan Kolar. Admiral took the lead with a Shaun Heshka goal, via Felix Schutz and Konstantin Makarov. Vladivostok wrapped it up at 5-3 when Bergfors completed his hat trick with a power play goal fueled by Denis Osipov and Gynge. The three stars were awarded to Bergfors, Gynge, and Zhukov.

West to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Rafael Khakimov are given the starting nods. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period on an Anton Glinkin goal, via Andrei Popov. Traktor added on with a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, courtesy of Martin Ruzicka. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the second period as Deron Quint scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Pestunov and Stanislav Chistov. Traktor padded the lead as Chistov scored in the third period, thanks to Yegor Martynov and Konstantin Panov. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Ansel Galimov goal, made possible by Dmitry Maltsev. Chelyabisnk replied on a Danil Gubarev goal, coming off of Alexei Kruchinin. Traktor finished it at 6-1 with a Popov power play goal, with a lone helper from Osnovin. The three stars went to Chistov, Popov, and Osnovin.

Next up, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Alexander Salak are the respectable goalies. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Jarno Koskiranta power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Patrik Hersley. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Grigory Zheldakov goal, courtesy of Andrei Sergeyev. Sibir took the lead back with a shorthanded and unassisted Viktor Bobrov goal. Novosibirsk added on in the second period as Alexei Kopeikin scored, thanks to Oleg Gubin and Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir extended the lead with a Jonas Enlund goal, fueled by Hersley and Gubin. Novosibirsk padded the lead with a Hersley power play goal, assisted by Enlund and Vyacheslav Belov. Yugra got one back in the third period on an Artyom Bulyansky goal, guided in by Mikhail Biryukov, the replacement goalie for Brust. This only made it 5-2, with the three stars going to Hersley, Enlund, and Gubin.

Way west to Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Ivan Kasutin are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period on a Nikita Filatov goal, coming off of Sergei Bernatsky. Sochi tied it on a Cory Emmerton power play goal, powered by Clay Wilson and Andre Petersson. The Leopards took the lead in the second period on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, via Ilya Krikunov and Nikita Shchitov. Torpedo tied it on a Wojtek Wolski goal, fueled by Viktor Drugov and Bernatsky. Sochi took the lead again on a Roman Lyuduchin goal, with a lone helper from Mikhail Anisin. Nizhny Novgorod retied it on a Dmitry Kazionov goal, made possible by Denis Kazionov and Alexei Potapov. The Leopards reclaimed the lead in the third period with a Wilson goal, helped along by Lyuduchin and Roman Derlyuk. Sochi added on with another Emmerton goal, passed from Max Warn and Derlyuk. The Leopards extended the lead on an empty net goal by Wilson, going in unassisted. Torpedo got one back as Wolski scored a power play goal, with the help of Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. The final was 6-4, and the three stars went to Emmerton, Wilson, and Lyuduchin, while Bernatsky, Wolski, and Derlyuk get the honorable mentions.

Continuing to Cherepovets, where Severstal brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Jakub Stepanek are the goalies. Cherepovets started with a Vadim Berdnikov power play goal, powered by Marek Kvapil and Alexander Urbom. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period on a Sergei Plotnikov goal, guided in by Yegor Averin and Staffan Kronwall. Severstal retook the lead on an Evgeny Mons goal, fueled by Zakhar Arzamastsev and Pavel Chernov. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Stepanek (26 for 27 in saves), Mons, and Berdnikov.

Down in Mytishchi, Atlant hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Atte Engren are between the pipes. Mytishchi got going in the second period with a Maxim Mayorov goal, assisted by Artyom Chernov and Matthew Gilroy. Atlant added on with a Vyacheslav Kozlov goal, fueled by Andrei Taratukhin and Dmitry Korobov. Mytishchi extended the lead Chernov passed from Andreas Engqvist and Mayorov. Leland Irving replaced Sokhatsky at this time. Atlant padded the lead on a Vsevolod Sorokin goal, assisted by Nikita Soshnikov. Mytishchi kept going with a Mayorov goal, with a lone assist by Engqvist. Atlant continued in the third period with a power play goal by Taratukhin, powered by Albert Yarullin and Kozlov. Ufa got on the board with an Anton Slepyshev goal, made possible by Andrei Zubarev and Alexei Glukhov. This produced the 6-1 final, with the three stars being Mayorov, Chernov, and Kozlov, while Taratukhin and Engqvist get the honorable mentions.

South to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes CSKA Moscow. Kevin Lalande and Ivan Lisutin are all padded up. Moscow began in the first period on an Alexander Radulov power play goal, powered by Denis Denisov and Nikolai Prokhorkin. CSKA added on in the second period with a Stephane Da Costa goal, courtesy of Grigory Panin and Jan Mursak. Moscow extended the lead as Prokhorkin scored, thanks to Radulov and Igor Grigorenko. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Mario Kempe power play goal, passed from Roman Horak and Mathias Porseland. CSKA responded with a Da Costa power play goal, with a lone assist by Radulov. The three stars of the 4-1 game were Da Costa, Prokhorkin, and Radulov.

Out in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava brings in Barys Astana. Alexei Ivanov is mismatched with Jaroslav Janus in goal. Bratislava led off in the first period with a Matt Murley goal, via Peter Olvecky. Slovan added on with a Tomas Surovy goal, fueled by Andrej Stastny and Andrej Kudrna. Astana got on the board with an unassisted Konstantin Rudenko goal. Barys tied it in the second period with a Brandon Bochenski goal, made possible by Nigel Dawes and Dustin Boyd. Bratislava retook the lead as Milan Bartovic scored, thanks to Vaclav Nedorost. They cruised to a 3-2 victory, with the three stars being Bartovic, Surovy, and Murley.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin faces a lesser foe in Mark Dekanich in goal. Omsk dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Denis Kulyash goal, passed from Kirill Semyonov. Avangard added on as Denis Parshin scored a power play goal, powered by Erik Gustafsson and Miroslav Blatak. Omsk extended the lead on another Parshin goal, made possible by Nikita Pivtsakin and Vladimir Sobotka. Avangard padded the lead with a Chad Kolarik goal, guided in by Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. Calvin Heeter replaced Dekanich for the third period. Omsk continued on a Perezhogin goal, with a lone assist by Pivtsakin on the power play. Zagreb got on the board with a Mark Katic goal, fueled by Martin St. Pierre and Brock Trotter. Avangard shot back in the third period as Pivtsakin scored, thanks to Sobotka. Medvescak answered on a Kurtis McLean goal, coming off of Mathieu Carle and Geoffrey Kinrade. This produced the 6-2 final, with the three stars given to Parshin, Pivtsakin, and Perezhogin, while Sobotka gets an honorable mention.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

NHL December 9th, 2014

Ten games on for today, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Keith Kinkaid are the unknown goalies. New Jersey began in the first period on a Jordin Tootoo goal, his second of the season, fueled by Steve Bernier. Chicago tied it in the second period on a Bryan Bickell goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Sharp. The Devils retook the lead in the third period on a Stephen Gionta goal, his second of the season, coming off of Bernier and Damon Severson. The Blackhawks tied it on a Duncan Keith goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. Chicago won 3-2 in the shootout with goals by Toews and Patrick Kane. The three stars went to Toews, Bernier, and Keith.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Sergei Bobrovsky each play against their former teams. Columbus struck first in the first period on a Boone Jenner power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Brandon Dubinsky and James Wisniewski. Philadelphia tied it on a power play goal by Brayden Schenn, his eighth of the year, made possible by Claude Giroux and Mark Streit. The Blue Jackets retook the lead in the second period with a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Nick Foligno and Jack Johnson. The Flyers tied it in the third period with Schenn's second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime on a Kevin Connauton goal, with a lone assist from Ryan Johansen. The three stars went to Schenn, Connauton, and Hartnell.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jhonas Enroth are the Olympian goalies. Buffalo got going in the third period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Matt Moulson and Drew Stafford. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Enroth (34 save shutout), Ennis, and Quick (15 for 16 in saves).

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eighth of the season, via Max Pacioretty and Tom Gilbert. Vancouver tied it with a shorthanded Derek Dorsett goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Jannik Hansen and Kevin Bieksa. The Canadiens took the lead on a third period goal by Tomas Plekanec, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Sven Andrighetto and Jiri Sekac. Montreal iced it at 3-1 with a Pacioretty empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from P.K. Subban. The three stars went to Plekanec, Gallagher, and Pacioretty.

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Washington led off in the first period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Tom Wilson and John Carlson. Tampa Bay tied it on a Brian Boyle goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Victor Hedman and J.T. Brown. The Capitals took the lead back with a Matt Niskanen goal, his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. The Lightning tied it in the second period on a Steven Stamkos goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Hedman. Washington took the lead back with a Brooks Laich goal, his third of the season, made possible by Joel Ward. The Capitals added on in the third period with a Troy Brouwer goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Johansson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Tampa Bay pulled back with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Tyler Johnson and Hedman, the latter getting a sock trick. Washington finished it at 5-3 with an Ovechkin empty net goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, set up by Backstrom. The three stars went to Hedman, Johansson, and Ovechkin, while Backstrom gets an honorable mention.

Back north to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Bernier receive the starting nods. Toronto was first to score with a Peter Holland goal, his seventh of the season, via David Clarkson and Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf. Calgary got on the board in the third period with a Markus Granlund power play goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie. Toronto answered with a Phil Kessel empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Mike Santorelli, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Kadri and Phaneuf. The three stars belonged to Bernier (32 for 33 in saves), van Riemsdyk, and Kadri, while Phaneuf gets an honorable mention.

Stateside, the Minnesota Wild host the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson and Niklas Backstrom are in the blue paint. New York opened in the first period on a Michael Grabner goal, his second of the season, passed from Anders Lee and Griffin Reinhart. The Islanders added on with a Brock Nelson power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Nick Leddy and John Tavares. New York extended the lead with a Matt Martin goal, his third of the season, coming off of Thomas Hickey and Lubomir Visnovsky. Minnesota got on the board with a power play goal by Jason Pominville, his sixth of the year, via Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu in the second period. The Islanders replied with a Josh Bailey goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mikhail Grabovski and Calvin de Haan. The Wild took one back in the third period with a Koivu goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Jason Zucker. Minnesota pulled closer on an Erik Haula goal, his third of the season, with helpers provided by Ryan Carter and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild tied it with a Thomas Vanek goal, his third of the year, made possible by Zach Parise and Suter. Minnesota took the lead on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his twelfth of the season, pushed through by Vanek and Suter, the latter getting a sock trick. This made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars going to Vanek, Suter, and Koivu.

South to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Kari Lehtonen are the masked men. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. Dallas tied it on a power play goal by Tyler Seguin, his twenty-second of the year, fueled by Jason Spezza and Jamie Benn. The Jets regained the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Andrew Ladd and Byfuglien. The Stars retied it in the second period as Antoine Roussel scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Seguin and Jordie Benn. Winnipeg gained the lead with an Adam Lowry goal, his third of the season, helped along by Michael Frolik and Ben Chiarot. Jussi Rynnas relieved Lehtonen at this time. The Jets added on as Lowry scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, with the help of Adam Pardy and Matt Halischuk. Winnipeg extended the lead on a shorthanded Frolik goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Wheeler and Mark Stuart. This held up for a 5-2 win, with the three stars being Lowry, Frolik, and Wheeler, while Byfuglien and Seguin get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Nashville began in the first period with a Filip Forsberg goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Gabriel Bourque and Seth Jones. The Predators added on with an empty net goal by Bourque, via Mike Ribeiro. Nashville extended the lead on a James Neal empty net goal, set up by Ribeiro and Forsberg. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars given to Forsberg, Rinne (26 save shutout), and Bourque, while Ribeiro gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Alex Stalock are in the creases. San Jose led off in the first period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Thornton and Justin Braun. The Sharks added on with a Barclay Goodrow goal, via Melker Karlsson and James Sheppard. Edmonton got on the board with a Jordan Eberle goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers tied it on a David Perron goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Teddy Purcell. San Jose retook the lead in the second period as Logan Couture netted his twelfth of the year, thanks to Scott Hannan and Tommy Wingels. The Sharks extended the lead with Pavelski's second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrick Marleau and Thornton. San Jose padded the lead on a Brent Burns goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone helped from Couture. This held up for a 5-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Pavelski, Couture, and Thornton.

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KHL December 9th, 2014

Three games on this afternoon, beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Jakub Kovar are given the starting nods. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period with an Aaron Palushaj goal, courtesy of Anton Lazarev. Avtomobilist added on with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Eduard Lewandowski and Viktor Kozlov. Yekaterinburg extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Artyom Gareyev. Avtomobilist iced it at 4-0 with an empty net goal by Alexei Simakov, set up by Alexander Rybakov while shorthanded. The three stars went to Kovar (33 save shutout), Palushaj, and Mikhnov.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. St. Petersburg started in the first period on a power play goal by Artemy Panarin, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Vadim Shipachyov. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Chris Lee power play goal in the second period, made possible by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. SKA took the lead on a Roman Cervenka goal, fueled by Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg added on in the third period with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, helped along by Panarin and Shipachyov. Metallurg shot back with a Mozyakin goal, with a lone assist by Viktor Antipin. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Danis Zaripov goal, coming off of Tim Brent and Kovar. Metallurg won 4-3 with a Kovar goal, assisted by Mozyakin and Sergei Tereshchenko in overtime. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Panarin, while Shipachyov gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers and Emil Garipov draw the starts. Riga opened in the first period on a Gints Meija penalty shot goal after he was hooked by Evgeny Medvedev. Kazan tied it on a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, passed from Justin Azevedo and Ilya Nikulin. Dinamo took the lead back in the second period with a Lauris Darzins goal, coming off of Charles Genoway. Ak Bars tied it on a Nikulin power play goal, powered by Oscar Moller. Kazan took the lead with an Artyom Lukoyanov shorthanded goal, set up by Tkachyov and Yakov Rylov. This made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars being Nikulin, Tkachyov, and Lukoyanov.

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Monday, December 8, 2014

NHL December 8th, 2014

Three games on today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Cam Ward are set to start in goal. Carolina got going in the second period with a Justin Faulk goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Andrej Nestrasil and Ron Hainsey. New Jersey tied it on a Jaromir Jagr goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Scott Gomez. The Devils took the lead as Adam Henrique scored his eighth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Jagr and Gomez. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Jagr, Schneider (39 for 40 in saves), and Gomez.

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off in the first period on a Nick Spaling goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Sidney Crosby and Steve Downie. New York tied it in the second period on a J.T. Miller goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Martin St. Louis and Dominic Moore. The Rangers took the lead on a Rick Nash goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. New York added on in the third period with an unassisted Kevin Hayes goal, his fourth of the year. The Penguins got one back on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Brandon Sutter and Blake Comeau. Pittsburgh tied it on a Downie goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Spaling and Rob Scuderi. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime with a Kevin Klein goal, his sixth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Ryan McDonagh and Dominic Moore. The three stars went to Spaling, Downie, and Dominic Moore.

The last game has the St. Louis Blues bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur are the veteran starters. St. Louis began in the first period on a Maxim Lapierre goal, his second of the season, guided in by Chris Porter and Ryan Reaves. The Blues added on with an Ian Cole goal, his third of the year, made possible by Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Tomas Fleischmann and Erik Gudbranson. The Panthers tied it in the third period on an Aaron Ekblad goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jussi Jokinen and Brian Campbell. St. Louis retook the lead on a Porter goal, coming off of Barret Jackman. The Blues iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Paul Stastny, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Jaden Schwartz. The three stars were awarded to Porter, Brodeur (32 for 34 in saves), and Cole.

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KHL December 8th, 2014

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Alexei Murygin are in goal. Nizhnekamsk got going in the third period on an unassisted Yegor Milovzorov power play goal. Neftekhimik added on with an unassisted Igor Makarov empty net goal. This made it 2-0, with the three stars going to Sudnitsin (30 save shutout), Milovzorov, and Murygin (28 for 29 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Ivan Nalimov draw the starts in goal. Vladivostok began in the first period with an Oleg Li goal, assisted by Alexander Gorshkov. Admiral added on with a Niclas Bergfors power play goal in the second period, powered by Shaun Heshka. Vladivostok extended the lead as Richard Gynge scored, thanks to Bergfors and Ilya Zubov. This produced the 3-0 final, with the three stars given to Bergfors, Nalimov (24 save shutout), and Li.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Stepan Goryachevskikh and Rafael Khakimov are the little-known goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Nikita Gusev goal, made possible by Andrei Sergeyev and Artyom Bulyansky. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Goryachevskikh (29 save shutout), Gusev, and Khakimov (25 for 26 in saves).

Staying close by, Sibir Novosibirsk brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Nikita Bespalov are in the blue paint. Chelyabinsk led off in the third period with a Deron Quint goal, via Ilya Davydov and Andrei Popov. This held up for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Garnett (35 save shutout), Quint, and Bespalov (22 for 23 in saves).

Out west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Jakub Stepanek protect the nets. Cherepovets opened in the first period with a power play goal by Andrei Shefer, powered by Pavel Lukin and Marek Kvapil. Severstal added on in the second period with a Shefer goal, courtesy of Andreas Thuresson. Sochi got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Andre Petersson, assisted by Clay Wilson and Cory Emmerton. The Leopards tied it with a Emmerton goal, with a lone assist by Petersson. In the shootout, Sochi won 3-2 with goals by Emmerton and Andrei Kostitsyn. The three stars went to Shefer, Emmerton, and Petersson.

Further west to Minsk, where Dinamo welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Danny Taylor are in the creases. Minsk struck first in the first period on a Nick Bailen goal, fueled by Charles Linglet and Matt Ellison. Dinamo added on in the second period with a Linglet goal, courtesy of Evgeny Nogachyov and Ellison. Minsk extended the lead as Ellison scored, with the help of Ryan Vesce and Linglet. Dinamo padded the lead with an unassisted power play goal by Alexander Materukhin in the third period. The three stars of the 4-0 game went to Ellison, Linglet, and Taylor (16 save shutout).

In Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Barys Astana. Alexei Ivanov and Calvin Heeter are given the green light to start in goal. Astana was first to score in the first period with a Nigel Dawes goal, made possible by Dustin Boyd and Mike Lundin. Barys added on with a Dawes goal, his second of the game, via Lundin on the power play. Zagreb got on the board with an Edwin Hedberg goal, passed from Sasa Martinovic and James Wright. Medvescak tied it on a second period power play goal by Pascal Pelletier, powered by Martin St. Pierre and Brock Trotter. Astana took the lead back in the third period with Dawes completing his hat trick, with a lone assist by Boyd. Zagreb retied it with a Pelletier goal, his second of the game, guided in by St. Pierre and Geoffrey Kinrade. Barys shot back on a Brandon Bochenski goal, with assists provided by Lundin, who got a sock trick, and Kevin Dallman. Astana iced it at 5-3 with a Bochenski empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Dawes, Pelletier, and Lundin, while Boyd, Bochenski, and St. Pierre get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Jaroslav Janus tend the twines. Omsk started in the first period with a Denis Kulyash goal, courtesy of Chad Kolarik. Avangard added on with a Sergei Kalinin power play goal, powered by Denis Parshin. Omsk extended the lead with a Parshin goal, assisted by Vladimir Sobotka. Bratislava got on the board in the second period with a Rok Ticar goal, passed from Michal Sersen. Avangard answered in the third period on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, coming off of Erik Gustafsson and Kolarik. Slovan pulled back with a Tomas Netik goal, guided in by Ticar and Ziga Jeglic. Omsk countered with an unassisted Perezhogin goal. Bratislava took one back with a Matt Murley goal, fueled by Michal Vondrka and Milan Bartovic. This only made it 5-3, with the three stars going to Perezhogin, Parshin, and Ticar, while Kolarik gets an honorable mention.

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Premier League Week 15

There are seven games on this Saturday. We begin with...

Newcastle United hosting Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Robert Elliot are the keepers. Newcastle United took the first two yellow cards for a forty-eighth minute Moussa Sissoko foul and a Steven Taylor foul in the fifty-sixth minute. Newcastle United began with a fifty-seventh minute Papiss Demba Cisse close range goal. Chelsea's Andre Schurrle took a yellow card for his sixty-fourth minute foul. Cheick Tiote of Newcastle United had a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-fourth minute. In the seventy-eighth minute, Cisse added on for Newcastle United, with his goal assisted by Sissoko. Chelsea had a pair of yellow cards in the seventy-ninth and eightieth minute to Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. In the eighty-first minute, Newcastle United went down a man when Taylor was shown a second yellow card for a foul and ejected. Chelsea got on the board with a Didier Drogba goal header goal, passed from Fabregas after a set piece. This only made it a 2-1 final in favor of Newcastle United.

Over to Hull City welcoming West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Allan McGregor are in the six-yard boxes. David Meyler of Hull City took the first yellow card of the game in the fifty-sixth minute for his foul. In the ninetieth minute, West Brom had a yellow card go to Youssuf Mulumbu for a foul. The game ended in a scoreless draw.

West to Liverpool bringing in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Simon Mignolet are the gloved men. Sunderland's Santiago Vergini took a yellow card in the forty-first minute for a foul. Liverpool saw a booking on a yellow card for a fifty-first minute Lucas Leiva foul. Liam Bridcutt had a yellow card for Sunderland in the sixtieth minute on his foul, and then Sunderland took another yellow card in the eightieth minute for a William Buckley foul. The game ended in a scoreless draw.

Down to Queens Park Rangers hosting Burnley. Tom Heaton and Robert Green protect the nets. In stoppage time for the first half, Leroy Fer of QPR took a yellow card for a foul. Burnley had a yellow card go to Ashley Barnes in the forty-seventh minute for a foul. QPR led off with a fifty-first minute Fer goal, passed from Charlie Austin. Austin took a yellow card for QPR in the seventy-second minute for his foul. QPR added on as Austin made up for his transgression in the seventy-fourth minute, and his goal was made possible by Mauricio Isla. QPR went down to ten men in the seventy-sixth minute when Austin took a second yellow card and was ejected. QPR held on for a 2-0 win.

Next up, Stoke City welcomes Arsenal. Emiliano Martinez and Asmir Begovic are set to start in goal. Nineteen seconds in, Stoke City had a lead with a Peter Crouch goal, via Mame Biram Diouf. In the thirty-fifth minute, Stoke City added on with a Bojan goal, fueled by Jonathan Walters on the cross. Stoke City took a yellow card in the forty-fourth minute for a Marc Muniesa foul. Stoke City extended the lead in forty-fifth minute on a Walters goal after a corner kick. Stoke City had another yellow card in the forty-sixth minute as Crouch committed a foul. Calum Chambers of Arsenal had a yellow card in the sixty-first minute for his foul. Arsenal got on the board in the sixty-eighth minute with a Santiago Cazorla penalty kick goal. In the seventieth minute, Arsenal pulled closer as Aaron Ramsey scored, thanks to Alexis Sanchez's cross after a corner kick. Arsenal had yellow cards in the seventy-first and seventy-second minutes for Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fouls. Arsenal went to ten men when Chambers was given a second yellow card in the seventy-eighth minute and ejected from the game. Stoke City had a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute Charlie Adam foul. Stoke City held on for a 3-2 win.

Back to London, where Tottenham Hotspur brings in Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Hugo Lloris are the goalies. Tottenham Hotspur had the only yellow card in the eighty-eighth minute for a Christian Eriksen foul. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Finally, Manchester City hosts Everton. Tim Howard and Joe Hart are set to start in goal. Everton's Seamus Coleman took a yellow card in the eleventh minute for a foul. Eliaquim Mangala of Manchester City had a yellow card for his foul in the eighteenth minute. Manchester City opened with a twenty-fourth minute penalty kick goal by Yaya Toure. Manchester City had another yellow card in the twenty-sixth minute as Fernando committed a foul. In the fifty-second minute, Everton's Gareth Barry took a yellow card for his foul. In the eighty-eighth minute, Manchester City's Toure took a yellow card for a foul. In the ninetieth minute, Everton saw a booking on a yellow card for a Ross Barkley dive. Manchester City managed to maintain their 1-0 lead for a win.

On Sunday, West Ham United welcomes Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Adrian are in the six-yard boxes. Swansea City led off in the nineteenth minute with a Wilfried Bony goal, passed from Jefferson Montero. West Ham tied it in the forty-first minute on an Andy Carroll header, set up by a Carl Jenkinson cross. In the fiftieth minute, Swansea City's Wayne Routledge took a yellow card for his foul. West Ham took the lead in the sixty-sixth minute on another Carroll header, via Stewart Downing's cross after a corner kick. In the sixty-eighth minute, Swansea City goalie Fabianski was sent off on a straight red card. West Ham wrapped it up at 3-1 in the eighty-seventh minute with a Diafra Sakho goal, courtesy of a Carroll headed pass.

The other Sunday game has Aston Villa bringing in Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Brad Guzan are given the starting nods in goal. Leicester City struck first in the thirteenth minute on a close range goal by Leonardo Ulloa. Aston Villa tied it in the seventeenth minute on a Ciaran Clark header goal, passed from Ashley Westwood after a set piece. In the thirty-fourth minute, Charles N'Zogbia of Aston Villa took a yellow card for his foul. Leicester City saw a yellow card go to Jamie Vardy in the forty-first minute. Leicester City saw a pair of yellow cards for Esteban Cambiasso in the fifty-ninth minute and Jeffrey Schlupp in the sixtieth minute, both for fouls. In the seventy-first minute, Alan Hutton of Aston Villa scored to give his team the lead, with the help of Christian Benteke. Marcin Wasilewski of Leicester City took a yellow card in the same minute. At the seventy-four minute mark, Carlos Sanchez of Aston Villa was given a yellow card. Leicester City went down to ten men in the eightieth minute when Paul Konchesky was sent off for a straight red card foul. Hutton of Aston Villa had a yellow card in the eighty-first minute, followed by a ninetieth minute foul from Gabriel Agbonlahor drawing a yellow card for Aston Villa. They went on to win 2-1.

Monday's game had Southampton host Manchester United to wrap up the week. David de Gea and Fraser Forster are the keepers. Manchester United opened in the twelfth minute on a Robin van Persie goal. Southampton tied it in the thirty-first minute with a Graziano Pelle goal. Manchester United retook the lead on a van Persie goal in the seventy-first minute, assisted by Wayne Rooney on a cross after a set piece. Southampton's Sadio Mane took a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-ninth minute, followed by a stoppage time yellow card going to Rooney of Manchester United. Another stoppage time yellow card went to Jose Fonte of Southampton. The final was 2-1 for Manchester United.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

Sunday, December 7, 2014

NHL November 7th, 2014

Four games on for today, beginning in...

Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Ondrej Pavelec receive the starting nods. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Rene Bourque power play goal, powered by Patrick Maroon and Ryan Getzlaf. Winnipeg tied it with a power play goal by Dustin Byfuglien, his seventh of the season, assisted by Mathieu Perreault and Andrew Ladd. The Jets took the lead in the second period as Ladd scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Blake Wheeler and Jacob Trouba. The Ducks tied it again with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his third of the season, coming off of Clayton Stoner and Rickard Rakell. Anaheim edged ahead on a power play goal by Ryan Kesler, his ninth of the year, via Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. Winnipeg tied it in the third period with a Trouba goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Adam Lowry and Mark Stuart. The Ducks won 4-3 in overtime on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Getzlaf, who got a sock trick, and Hampus Lindholm. The three stars belonged to Getzlaf, Trouba, and Ladd.

Southeast to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Cam Ward are in the blue paint. Detroit began in the first period with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Ericsson and Darren Helm. The Red Wings added on with a Tomas Tatar goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Datsyuk and Kyle Quincey. Detroit extended the lead as Tatar scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season, passed from Datsyuk and Johan Franzen. Carolina got on the board with a Jay McClement goal, via Tim Gleason. This only made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Datsyuk, Tatar, and Mrazek (34 for 35 in saves).

Up in Ottawa, the Senators bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Craig Anderson are between the pipes. Vancouver opened in the first period with a Radim Vrbata goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Ryan Stanton and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks added on with a Kevin Bieksa goal, his second of the year, via Vrbata and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period on the seventh of the season by Brad Richardson, an unassisted goal. Ottawa got on the board with a David Legwand power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Alex Chiasson and Mika Zibanejad. The Senators pulled closer on a Zibanejad goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Bobby Ryan and Eric Gryba. Ottawa tied it with another Zibanejad goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, assisted by Ryan and Mike Hoffman. The Senators won 4-3 in overtime on Erik Karlsson's seventh of the campaign, passed from Zibanejad and Ryan, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Zibanejad, Ryan, and Vrbata.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Ben Scrivens are the young goalies. Edmonton started in the second period on a Nail Yakupov power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Jordan Eberle and Jeff Petry. San Jose tied it on a Tye McGinn goal, courtesy of Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns. The Oilers took the lead in the third period with a David Perron goal, his fourth of the year, via Teddy Purcell and Mark Fayne. This gave them a 2-1 lead, which was the final. The three stars went to Scrivens (20 for 21 in saves), Perron, and Yakupov.

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MLS Cup 2014

This year's MLS Cup has the Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Jaime Penedo are the keepers. In first half stoppage time, Landon Donovan took his final career yellow card for Los Angeles for a foul. In the fifty-second minute, the Galaxy began with a Gyasi Zardes goal, made possible by Stefan Ishizaki. New England's Andrew Farrell took a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. The Revolution tied the game with a seventy-ninth minute goal by Chris Tierney, passed from Patrick Mullins and Jose Goncalves. Los Angeles' Robbie Rogers and Robbie Keane had the next two yellow cards in the eighty-second and ninety-second minute, both for fouls. The Galaxy took the lead in the one-hundred-and-eleventh minute with a Keane goal, set up by Marcelo Sarvas. In the one-hundred-and-thirteenth minute, yellow cards went to Los Angeles' Sarvas for a foul and Alan Gordon for an argument, as well as New England's Jermaine Jones for an argument. The final was 2-1 for the Galaxy, giving them the MLS Cup championship. Keane was the man of the match.

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KHL December 7th, 2014

Two games on today, beginning with...

Dynamo Moscow hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Moscow struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins, powered by Maxim Pestushko and Filip Novak. St. Petersburg tied it on an Andrei Kuteikin goal in the third period, helped along by Evgeny Dadonov and Yury Alexandrov. Dynamo took the lead back on a power play goal from Gleb Koryagin, assisted by Maxim Karpov and Daugavins. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Daugavins, Yeryomenko (41 for 42 in saves), and Koryagin.

The other game has Atlant Mytishchi hosting Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Atte Engren man the creases. Mytishchi was first to score in the first period on an Albert Yarullin goal, via Maxim Potapov and Evgeny Bodrov on the power play. Atlant added on with an unassisted goal by Sergei Shmelyov. Riga got on the board with an Andris Dzerins goal, passed from Krisjanis Redlihs and Oskars Cibulskis. Mytishchi shot back in the second period with an Igor Levitsky goal, made possible by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Yarullin. Atlant iced it at 4-1 in the third period on a Petr Vrana goal, coming off of Nikita Soshnikov and Shmelyov. The three stars belonged to Shmelyov, Engren (21 for 22 in saves), and Yarullin.

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