NHL March 7th, 2015

Ten games for the day, with the first a matinee from...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Tuukka Rask are the veteran goalies. Boston led off in the first period on a Zdeno Chara power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Patrice Bergeron. Philadelphia tied it on a Jakub Voracek power play goal in the second period, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead in the third period on a Chris VandeVelde goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Nick Schultz and Brayden Schenn. The Bruins tied it on a Brad Marchand power play goal, his twentieth of the year, coming off of Hamilton and Loui Eriksson. Boston won 3-2 in overtime with another Marchand goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the campaign, helped along by Max Talbot and Ryan Spooner. The three stars were Marchand, Hamilton, and Rask (29 for 31 in saves).

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Dallas Stars. Jhonas Enroth and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the backups in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period on an Anton Stralman power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ondrej Palat. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his thirtieth of the year, assisted by Jason Spezza and Jamie Benn. The Lightning retook the lead on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, passed from Palat and Braydon Coburn. The Stars tied it on a Seguin goal in the second period, his second of the game and thirty-first of the year, made possible by John Klingberg. Dallas took the lead on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Alex Goligoski and Colton Sceviour. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on an Alex Killorn goal, his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Ryan Callahan and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead on a Hedman goal, his ninth of the season, via Tyler Johnson and Palat, the latter getting a sock trick. Tampa Bay added on with a Brian Boyle shorthanded empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Stars got one back as Fiddler scored his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, thanks to Jordie Benn and Sceviour on the power play. The three stars went to Seguin, Palat, and Fiddler, while Hedman and Sceviour get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jonathan Bernier are between the pipes. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera. The Blues added on with a T.J. Oshie goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Alexander Steen and the goalie Elliott. St. Louis extended the lead on a Tarasenko goal, his thirty-second of the season, fueled by Lehtera and Carl Gunnarsson. James Reimer relieved Bernier for the second period. The Blues padded the lead on a second period goal by Chris Butler, his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Schwartz and Lehtera, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Louis kept going with a Paul Stastny power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Oshie and Steen. Toronto got on the board with a third period goal by David Booth, his third of the year, passed from Jake Gardiner and Peter Holland. The Blues shot back on a David Backes goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, helped along by Steen, who got a sock trick, and Alex Pietrangelo. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars awarded to Lehtera, Steen, and Schwartz, while Tarasenko and Oshie get the honorable mentions.

Stateside again, with the Washington Capitals hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Buffalo started in the first period on a Johan Larsson goal, his second of the season, made possible by Marcus Foligno and Zach Bogosian. Washington tied it on a Curtis Glencross goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Mike Green and Jay Beagle. The Capitals took the lead in the second period on a Beagle goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Troy Brouwer and Glencross. Washington added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his forty-fourth of the year, powered by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals extended the lead as Brooks Laich scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Tom Wilson. Anders Lindback relieved Hackett. Washington padded the lead on a Joel Ward power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Glencross and Green. The Capitals finished it at 6-1 with a Marcus Johansson goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, with the helpers provided by Ovechkin and Backstrom. The three stars went to Glencross, Ovechkin, and Beagle, while Backstrom and Green receive honorable mentions.

Way southwest to Arizona, as the Coyotes welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mike Smith receive the starting nods. Montreal got going in the second period as Lars Eller scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Devante Smith-Pelly. The Canadiens finished it at 2-0 with a third period goal by Brendan Gallagher, his nineteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty. The three stars belonged to Price (28 save shutout), Eller, and Smith (33 for 34 in saves).

Back east, the Florida Panthers bring in the New York Islanders. Michal Neuvirth and Dan Ellis are the mediocre goalies. Florida opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Erik Gudbranson, his fourth of the season. New York tied it in the second period on a John Tavares goal, his thirty-second of the year, via Anders Lee. The Panthers retook the lead on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Jussi Jokinen and Alex Petrovic. The Islanders tied it again on a power play goal by Nick Leddy, his tenth of the year, powered by Tavares and Frans Nielsen. Florida regained the lead in the third period on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr. New York tied it on a Josh Bailey goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Tavares. In the shootout, Huberdeau had the lone tally for the Panthers, giving them a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tavares, Huberdeau, and Gudbranson.

Up in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. Colorado began in the first period on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Tyson Barrie and Alex Tanguay. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Ryan O'Reilly and Barrie. Colorado extended the lead as Matt Duchene scored his seventeenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche iced it at 4-0 with a third period goal by Tanguay, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Barrie, who got a sock trick, and Nate Guenin. The three stars went to Varlamov (44 save shutout), Barrie, and Tanguay.

Continuing to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Pekka Rinne protect the nets. Winnipeg began in the first period on a Michael Frolik goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrew Ladd and Toby Enstrom. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Ryan Ellis goal, his sixth of the year, via Craig Smith and Mike Ribeiro. The Jets retook the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Stafford, his twelfth of the year, set up by Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. The three stars were named as Wheeler, Hutchinson (20 for 21 in saves), and Stafford.

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in overtime for a 1-0 win on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Fleury (31 save shutout), Hornqvist, and Quick (17 for 18 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Antti Niemi occupy the creases. San Jose led off in the first period on a Melker Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on with a Thornton power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. Vancouver got on the board with a Radim Vrbata goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming off of Nick Bonino and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks tied it on a Bo Horvat goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. Vancouver took the lead on a third period power play goal by Vrbata, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign, set up by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars going to Vrbata, Thornton, and Daniel Sedin.

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QPR VS. Tottenham Hotspur make up game

After last week's Capital One Cup, these two teams needed to make up their missed league game, doing so today on an otherwise quiet day for the Premier League. The goalies are Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur and Robert Green of the Queens Park Rangers. Tottenham Hotspur led off in the thirty-fourth minute with a Harry Kane header goal, fueled by Andros Townsend on a cross after a set piece. In the sixtieth minute, QPR's Karl Henry took a yellow card for his foul. Tottenham Hotspur saw a yellow card go to Nabil Bentaleb in the sixty-second minute for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur added on with a Kane goal, passed from Ryan Mason on a through ball. QPR got one back with a Sandro goal, assisted by Bobby Zamora. Tottenham Hotspur's Mason took a yellow card in the eightieth minute for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur held on for a 2-1 win.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: Dynamo Moscow VS. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Dynamo Moscow and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Game 1: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Vitaly Kolesnik of Yaroslavl and Alexander Lazushin of Moscow. Yaroslavl started in the first period on a Martin Thornberg goal, assisted by Andrei Loktionov. Moscow tied it in the second period on a Denis Mosalyov goal, going in unassisted. Dynamo took the lead with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, coming off of Filip Novak. Moscow finished it at 3-1 on an empty net goal in the third period, scored by Konstantin Gorovikov and set up by Mat Robinson and Mosalyov. The three stars went to Lazushin (24 for 25 in saves), Mosalyov, and Bryukvin. Dynamo takes a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Curtis Sanford for Yaroslavl and Alexander Lazushin for Moscow. Yaroslavl struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Sergei Plotnikov, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Yegor Averin. Moscow tied it in the third period as Martins Karsums, thanks to Dmitry Vishnevsky. Lokomotiv took the lead back on a Geoff Platt goal, guided in by Ilya Gorokhov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Sanford (36 for 37 in saves), Platt, and Plotnikov. The series is tied at 1.

Game 3: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Curtis Sanford of Yaroslavl. Yaroslavl opened in the first period on a Martin Thornberg goal, fueled by Sergei Konkov and Emil Galimov. Moscow tied it in the second period with a Sergei Soin goal, guided in by Dmitry Markovin and Alexei Sopin. Lokomotiv won 2-1 in overtime on a Daniil Apalkov goal, via Yegor Averin and Yegor Yakovlev. The three stars belonged to Apalkov, Sanford (30 for 31 in saves), and Lazushin (32 for 34 in saves). Lokomotiv gained the series lead at 2-1.

Game 4: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Curtis Sanford of Yaroslavl. Moscow got going in the second period on an Alexander Osipov goal, coming off of Alexei Tsvetkov and Janne Jalasvaara. Dynamo added on with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, via Konstantin Volkov. Moscow extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted Denis Kokarev goal. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Lazushin (25 save shutout), Osipov, and Bryukvin. The series heads back to Russia's capital tied at 2.

Game 5: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Curtis Sanford for Yaroslavl and Alexander Lazushin for Moscow. Moscow was first to score in the first period on a Sergei Soin goal, assisted by Yury Babenko. Yaroslavl tied it on a Jiri Novotny goal, passed from Evgeny Grachyov. Dynamo retook the lead on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, courtesy of Maxim Karpov and Mat Robinson. Moscow added on in the second period with a Janne Jalasvaara goal, coming off of Martins Karsums and Karpov. Dynamo extended the lead as Karsums scored an unassisted goal. Moscow padded the lead on an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Maxim Pestushko and Denis Kokarev. Dynamo struck again with a Robinson goal, via Kokarev and Soin. Vitaly Kolesnik relieved Sanford in the third period. Moscow continued in the third period with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, with assists provided by Kaspars Daugavins and Filip Novak. Lokomotiv got one back on a Daniil Apalkov goal, helped along by Sergei Konkov and Ilya Gorokhov. Yaroslavl pulled closer with a Martin Thornberg goal, made possible by Jonas Holos and Emil Galimov on the power play. The final stood at 7-3, with the three stars going to Karsums, Robinson, and Soin, while Karpov and Kokarev receive the honorable mentions. Dynamo established a commanding victory and have pushed Lokomotiv to the edge with a 3-2 series lead. 

Game 6: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Vitaly Kolesnik of Yaroslavl. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the first period on a power play goal by Martins Karsums, powered by Kaspars Daugavins and Mat Robinson. Dynamo added on with an Alexander Osipov goal, made possible by Sergei Soin and Yury Babenko. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Maxim Pestushko scored a power play goal, with the help of Karsums and Janne Jalasvaara. Dynamo iced it at 4-0 in the third period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, via Filip Novak and Daugavins on the power play. The three stars were Lazushin (15 save shutout), Karsums, and Daugavins. Dynamo wins the series 4-2, and the western conference semifinals are now set.

NHL March 6th, 2015

Six games on tonight, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Anton Khudobin are in the creases. Minnesota opened in the first period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. Carolina tied it in the second period as Riley Nash scored his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Jeff Skinner. The Wild retook the lead in the third period on a Granlund goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Zach Parise. Minnesota added on with a Parise goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Pominville. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Dubnyk (37 for 38 in saves), Granlund, Parise, while Pominville gets the honorable mention.

Up in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Columbus led off in the first period on a Justin Falk goal, made possible by Cody Goloubef and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with a Dubinsky goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Nick Foligno. New Jersey got on the board with a Jordin Tootoo power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Jacob Josefson. Columbus shot back on a Marko Dano goal, his fourth of the year, via Alexander Wennberg and Falk. The Devils replied in the third period with a Peter Harrold goal, his third of the season, passed from Andy Greene and Tuomo Ruutu. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Falk, Dubinsky, and Dano.

West to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Jimmy Howard are the masked men. Detroit began in the first period on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Henrik Zetterberg and Erik Cole. The Red Wings added on with an Abdelkader goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Zetterberg and Cole. Calgary got on the board with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, courtesy of Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman. The Flames tied it in the second period on a Matt Stajan goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Brandon Bollig. Calgary took the lead on a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Monahan and Wideman. The Flames extended the lead in the third period with a Mason Raymond goal, his twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Drew Shore and Josh Jooris. Calgary iced it at 5-2 on a Hudler empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the campaign, set up by Johnny Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund. The three stars were named as Hudler, Abdelkader, and Monahan, while Zetterberg, Cole, and Wideman get the honorable mentions.

Into Ottawa, where the Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Lindback and Andrew Hammond are the little-known goalies. Buffalo started in the first period on a Philip Varone goal, his third of the season, coming off of Matt Moulson and Andre Benoit. The Sabres added on with a Tyler Ennis goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Varone and Zach Bogosian. Ottawa got on the board in the second period on an Erik Karlsson goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Milan Michalek and Mark Stone. The Senators tied it in the third period as Mika Zibanejad scored, his seventeenth of the year, with the help of Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman. Ottawa took the lead on a Stone goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, helped along by Marc Methot and Michalek. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars handed to Stone, Varone, and Michalek.

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Corey Crawford are in the blue paint. Edmonton struck first in the first period on a Derek Roy goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Nail Yakupov. Chicago tied it on a third period with a Brent Seabrook goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Antoine Vermette scored to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Crawford (46 for 47 in saves), Scrivens (38 for 39 in saves), and Seabrook.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Frederik Andersen are set to start in goal. Pittsburgh was first to score in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Derick Pouliot and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from David Perron and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Hornqvist scored his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, thanks to Ian Cole and Paul Martin. The Penguins padded the lead in the third period on a Malkin goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, fueled by Chris Kunitz and Comeau. Anaheim got on the board with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks pulled closer on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, made possible by Rickard Rakell and Emerson Etem. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with a Sidney Crosby empty net goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, set up by Brandon Sutter and Kris Letang. The three stars belonged to Hornqvist, Malkin, and Comeau, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Ak Bars Kazan VS. Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg

Welcome to the eastern conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Ak Bars Kazan and Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.

Game 1: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on a Tobias Viklund power play goal, powered by Anton Lazarev and Alexei Simakov. Kazan tied it on an Alexander Svitov goal, passed from Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars took the lead on an Igor Mirnov power play goal, courtesy of Yakov Rylov and Petr Vrana. Avtomobilist retied it in the second period on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, made possible by Artyom Gareyev and Sergei Yemelin. Kazan won 3-2 in overtime on an Oscar Moller power play goal, via Sergei Kostitsyn. The three stars went to Moller, Mirnov, and Svitov. Ak Bars leads 1-0 in the series.

Game 2: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. Yekaterinburg dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Eduard Lewandowski power play goal, powered by Alexei Mikhnov and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Avtomobilist added on in the third period as Artyom Gareyev scored, with the help of Sergei Yemelin and Anatoly Golyshev. Kazan got on the board with an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, assisted by Damir Musin and Yakov Rylov. Ak Bars tied it with a Justin Azevedo goal, going in unassisted. Kazan won 3-2 in overtime with an Oscar Moller power play goal, helped along by Igor Mirnov and Mikhail Varnakov. The three stars went to Moller, Azevedo, and Lukoyanov. Ak Bars heads east holding a 2-0 series lead.  

Game 3: KRK Uralets, Yekaterinburg, Russia. In goal: Anders Nilsson for Kazan and Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg. Yekaterinburg led off in the first period on an Alexander Nesterov goal, guided in by Alexei Mikhnov. Avtomobilist added on in the third period as Alexander Rybakov scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Simakov and Tobias Viklund. The final was 2-0, and the three stars went to Kovar (34 save shutout), Nesterov, and Rybakov. Avtomobilist got a game back to cut the series deficit to 2-1.

Game 4: KRK Uralets, Yekaterinburg, Russia. In goal: Anders Nilsson for Kazan and Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg. Kazan got going in the second period with a Dmitry Obukhov goal, passed from Alexander Burmistrov and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on with a power play goal by Justin Azevedo, powered by Ilya Nikulin. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the third period on an unassisted goal by Alexei Simakov. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Nilsson (18 for 19 in saves), Azevedo, and Obukhov. Ak Bars heads home holding a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. Kazan opened in the first period on an Oscar Moller goal, helped along by Justin Azevedo. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Vitaly Popov goal, going in unassisted. Ak Bars retook the lead on a Moller goal, via Vladimir Denisov. Kazan added on in the second period with a Kirill Petrov goal, coming off of Dmitry Obukhov and Alexander Burmistrov. Avtomobilist got one back in the third period on a power play goal by Tobias Viklund, powered by Alexei Simakov. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2. The three stars were Moller, Petrov, and Nilsson (21 for 23 in saves). Ak Bars wins the series 4-1.

KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Metallurg Magnitogorsk VS. Salavat Yulaev Ufa

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Game 1: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Vladimir Sokhatsky of Ufa and Vasily Koshechkin of Magnitogorsk. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Tim Stapleton power play goal, with a lone assist by Tim Brent. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Koshechkin (24 save shutout), Mozyakin, and Stapleton. Metallurg owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Vladimir Sokhatsky of Ufa and Vasily Koshechkin of Magnitogorsk. Ufa began in the first period with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, courtesy of Dmitry Makarov and Anton Slepyshev. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a Danis Zaripov goal, made possible by Viktor Antipin and Jan Kovar. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back as Antti Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Makarov and Hartikainen. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Hartikainen, Sokhatsky (35 for 36 in saves), and Makarov. The series is tied at 1.

Game 3: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Vladimir Sokhatsky for Ufa. Ufa led off in the first period on an Alexander Stepanov goal, coming off of Alexei Glukhov and Andrei Zubarev. Magnitogorsk tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Oskar Osala goal in the second period. Metallurg took the lead with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Antipin, Koshechkin (29 for 30 in saves), and Osala. Metallurg regains a series lead of 2-1.

Game 4: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Vladimir Sokhatsky for Ufa. Ufa opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Denis Khlystov goal, fueled by Anton Slepyshev and Dmitry Makarov. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, passed from Jan Kovar and Chris Lee. Ufa replied on an Ivan Vishnevsky power play goal, powered by Alexei Kaigorodov. Metallurg pulled back on a power play goal by Mozyakin, his second of the game, assisted by Kovar and Danis Zaripov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period with a Vladislav Kamenev goal, guided in by Bogdan Potekhin. Metallurg took the lead with a Zaripov goal, made possible by Viktor Antipin and Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Tim Stapleton scored an unassisted goal. Salavat Yulaev pulled back on a Vishnevsky goal, with assists provided by Makarov and Hartikainen. Metallurg finished it at 6-4 on a Mozyakin goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Mozyakin, Zaripov, and Vishnevsky, while Hartikainen, Makarov, and Kovar get the honorable mentions. Metallurg holds a 3-1 series lead, looking to advance at home.

Game 5: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Vladimir Sokhatsky of Ufa and Vasily Koshechkin of Magnitogorsk. Ufa started in the first period with a power play goal by Antti Pihlstrom powered by Ivan Vishnevsky and Alexei Kaigorodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Viktor Antipin goal, fueled by Danis Zaripov and Evgeny Biryukov. Metallurg took the lead on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Jan Kovar and Sergei Tereshchenko. Magnitogorsk iced it at 3-1 in the third period as Tim Stapleton scored an empty net goal, set up by Oskar Osala and Mikhail Yunkov. The three stars belonged to Koshechkin (31 for 32 in saves), Mozyakin, and Antipin. Metallurg wins the series 4-1 to advance to the conference semifinals.

NHL March 5th, 2015

Eight games tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Tuukka Rask are the Finnish goalies. Boston led off in the first period with a Brad Marchand goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Patrice Bergeron and Dougie Hamilton. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Jiri Hudler and Kris Russell. The Bruins took the lead back in the second period as Milan Lucic scored his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Ryan Spooner and David Pastrnak. The Flames tied it again with a Hudler goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Mikael Backlund and Dennis Wideman. Calgary took the lead in the third period on a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Russell and Wideman. Boston retied it with a Loui Eriksson goal, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Chris Kelly and Carl Soderberg. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bergeron was topped by Josh Jooris and David Schlemko for a 4-3 Flames win. The three stars went to Hudler, Wideman, and Russell.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Steve Mason are the average goalies. St. Louis began in the first period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Vladimir Tarasenko. Philadelphia tied it in the third period on a Michael Del Zotto goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Matt Read and Luke Schenn. The Flyers took the lead with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, made possible by Mark Streit and Read. Philadelphia iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Michael Raffl, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Schenn. The three stars went to Mason (28 for 29 in saves), Read, and Simmonds, while Schenn gets an honorable mention.

Further along, the Washington Capitals host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Washington struck first in the first period on a Curtis Glencross power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Matt Niskanen. Minnesota tied it in the third period on a Jason Pominville goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Wild took the lead on another Pominville goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Parise. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Pominville, Parise, and Dubnyk (24 for 25 in saves).

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Ben Bishop are the reliable goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning added on with a Ryan Callahn goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone assist from Steven Stamkos. Toronto got on the board with a David Booth goal in the second period, his second of the season, fueled by Peter Holland. Tampa Bay shot back in the third period as Vladislav Nemestnikov scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Andrej Sustr and Victor Hedman. The Lightning extended the lead with an Alex Killorn goal, his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Stamkos and Jason Garrison. The Maple Leafs got one back on a Richard Panik goal, his tenth of the year, helped along by Dion Phaneuf and Nazem Kadri. This produced the 4-2 final, with the three stars going to Stamkos, Nemestnikov, and Killorn.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Dan Ellis in goal. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Curtis McKenzie goal, his third of the season, via Jason Demers and Shawn Horcoff. The Stars added on with a Horcoff goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. Florida got on the board with a Brandon Pirri goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Vincent Trocheck. The Panthers tied it in the second period on a Dmitry Kulikov goal, his third of the year, guided in by Jussi Jokinen. Florida took the lead with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Nick Bjugstad and Kulikov. Dallas retied it in the third period as Alex Goligoski scored his third of the year, with a lone helper from John Klingberg. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Colton Sceviour scored to give the Stars a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Horcoff, Kulikov, and Goligoski.

Northwest to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. New York was first to score in the first period on a John Tavares goal, his thirty-first of the season, coming off of Josh Bailey and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Islanders added on with an Anders Lee goal, his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Nick Leddy and Tavares. Nashville got on the board with a Colin Wilson goal, his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by Mike Fisher. New York shot back in the third period on a Leddy goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Frans Nielsen and Johnny Boychuk. The Predators got one back as Mike Ribeiro scored his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. Nashville tied it on a Craig Smith goal, his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Filip Forsberg. The Islanders took the lead back on a Brock Nelson goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, made possible by Michael Grabner and Boychuk. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Tavares, Leddy, and Boychuk.

Out west, the Arizona Coyotes host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Arizona got going in the first period on a Tobias Rieder goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Sam Gagner and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes added on in the third period with a B.J. Crombeen goal, his second of the year, passed from Tye McGinn and Joe Vitale. Vancouver got on the board with a Chris Higgins goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Jannik Hansen and Luca Sbisa. The Canucks tied it on a Radim Vrbata goal, his twenty-third of the year, via Dan Hamhuis and Nick Bonino. The Coyotes won 3-2 in the shootout as Gagner potted the only tally. The three stars went to Gagner, Crombeen, and Rieder.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Brayden McNabb and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on with a Jeff Carter goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. Montreal got on the board in the second period as Tom Gilbert scored his third of the season, thanks to David Desharnais. The Canadiens tied it on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. Montreal took the lead in the third period on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-first of the season, helped along by Desharnais and Dale Weise. Los Angeles retied it on a Gaborik power play goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Muzzin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Gaborik, Carter, and Kopitar topped Desharnais and Pacioretty to give the Kings a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Gaborik, Muzzin, and Desharnais.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: SKA St. Petersburg VS. Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between SKA St. Petersburg and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.

Game 1: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Mikhail Biryukov for Nizhny Novgorod and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on a Vadim Shipachyov goal, via Andrei Kuteikin and Evgeny Dadonov. SKA added on with a Tony Martensson power play goal, powered by Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Ilya Kablukov scored, thanks to Anton Burdasov. Ivan Kasutin relieved Biryukov in goal. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Jarkko Immonen power play goal, fueled by Wojtek Wolski and Sakari Salminen. SKA shot back in the second period with a Roman Cervanka power play goal, with a lone assist by Martensson. St. Petersburg padded the lead with a Jimmie Ericsson power play goal, guided in by Cervenka and Maxim Chudinov. SKA continued with a Dadnov goal, going in unassisted. Torpedo got one back in the third period with a Wolski goal, passed from Immonen and Alexander Makarov. Nizhny Novgorod pulled closer on an unassisted Immonen goal, his second of the game. The three stars of the 6-3 game belonged to Cervenka, Martensson, and Immonen, while Dadonov and Wolski get the honorable mentions. SKA owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Ivan Kasutin for Nizhny Novgorod and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. Nizhny Novgorod began in the first period on an Evgeny Mozer goal, fueled by Dmitry Kazionov. Torpedo added on with an Artyom Blazhiyevsky goal, made possible by Vladimir Malevich and Gennady Stolyarov. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Roman Rukavishnikov goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Ketov. This only made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Kasutin (29 for 30 in saves), Blazhiyevsky, and Mozer. The series heads east tied at 1.

Game 3: Trade Union Sport Palace, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen of St. Petersburg and Ivan Kasutin of Nizhny Novgorod. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period on an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA added on with a power play goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, powered by Patrick Thoresen and Maxim Chudinov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a power play goal in the second period by Wojtek Wolski, made possible by Jarkko Immonen and Alexei Pepelyaev. Torpedo tied it on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, via Nikita Filatov on the power play. St. Petersburg retook the lead on a power play goal from Kovalchuk, his second of the game, made possible by Jimmie Ericsson and Chudinov. SKA extended the lead as Dadonov scored, thanks to Shipachyov. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Kovalchuk, Dadonov, and Chudinov, while Shipachyov gets an honorable mention. SKA has a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4:  Trade Union Sport Palace, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen of St. Petersburg and Mikhail Biryukov of Nizhny Novgorod. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on a Tony Martensson goal, helped along by Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on in the second period as Ilya Kovalchuk scored, thanks to Jimmie Ericsson and Nikolai Belov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, coming off of Artemy Panarin and Vadim Shipachyov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period with an Alexei Potapov goal, via Alexei Pepelyaev. This only got them to a 3-1 loss, with the three stars being Koskinen (28 for 29 in saves), Kovalchuk, and Dadonov. SKA also took a 3-1 lead, and they look to close out the series at home.

Game 5: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Ivan Kasutin for Nizhny Novgorod and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a Tony Martensson goal, helped along by Patrick Thoresen and Yury Alexandrov. SKA added on with a Thoresen power play goal, powered by Roman Cervenka and Maxim Chudinov. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Koskinen (22 save shutout), Thoresen, and Martensson. SKA won the series 4-1, and will advance to the conference semifinals. 

KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: Jokerit Helsinki VS. Dinamo Minsk

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Jokerit Helsinki and Dinamo Minsk.

Game 1: Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland. In goal: Lars Haugen for Minsk and Henrik Karlsson for Helsinki. Helsinki struck first in the first period on an Atte Ohtamaa goal, passed from Riku Hahl and Eetu Poysti. Jokerit added on in the second period as Petr Koukal scored, thanks to Linus Omark. Minsk got on the board in the third period with a Ryan Vesce power play goal, powered by Matt Ellison. Dinamo tied it with a Charles Linglet goal, fueled by Jonathan Cheechoo and Nick Bailen. Minsk won 3-2 in overtime on an Ellison goal, assisted by Linglet and Bailen. The three stars went to Ellison, Linglet, and Bailen. Minsk has a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland. In goal: Dmitry Milchakov for Minsk and Henrik Karlsson for Helsinki. Helsinki got going in the second period on a Steve Moses goal, via Petr Koukal and Atte Ohtamaa. Minsk tied it on a Nick Bailen goal, courtesy of Charles Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Jokerit retook the lead on an Oskari Korpikari goal, assisted by Daine Todd and Linus Omark. Helsinki added on with a Tommi Huhtala goal, going in unassisted. Jokerit finished it at 4-1 in the third period on a Tomi Maki empty net goal, set up by Petteri Wirtanen. The three stars were Korpikari, Karlsson (18 for 19 in saves), and Huhtala. The series heads to Belarus tied at 1.

Game 3: Minsk-Arena, Minsk, Belarus. In goal: Henrik Karlsson for Helsinki and Lars Haugen for Minsk. Helsinki dented the scoreboard in the second period on an unassisted power play goal by Linus Omark. Jokerit added on with an Omark power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Petr Koukal. Helsinki extended the lead as Tommi Huhtala scored, thanks to Ossi Vaananen and Omark. Jokerit padded the lead with a Juhamatti Aaltonen goal, going in unassisted. Helsinki scored again with a Steve Moses goal, with a lone assist by Omark. This made it 5-0, the final, with the three stars going to Omark, Karlsson (27 save shutout), and Huhtala. Jokerit has a 2-1 series lead now.

Game 4: Minsk-Arena, Minsk, Belarus. In goal: Riku Helenius for Helsinki and Dmitry Milchakov for Minsk. Minsk was first to score in the second period on a Lukas Krajicek power play goal, powered by Paul Szczechura and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Helsinki tied it on a Juhamatti Aaltonen goal, with a lone assist by Niko Kapanen. Jokerit took the lead with a Niklas Hagman goal, fueled by Kapanen and Tommi Huhtala on the power play. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Helenius (17 for 18 in saves), Kapanen, and Hagman. Jokerit heads home carrying a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5: Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland. In goal: Dmitry Milchakov for Minsk and Henrik Karlsson for Helsinki. Helsinki began in the first period on a Steve Moses goal, coming off of Linus Omark and Riku Hahl. Jokerit added on with a Tomi Maki goal, fueled by Oskari Korpikari and Ryan Gunderson. Helsinki extended the lead with a Jere Sallinen goal, passed from Petr Koukal and Atte Ohtamaa. Lars Haugen came on for Milchakov in the second period. Jokerit padded the lead in the second period as Moses scored his second of the game, thanks to Omark and Gunderson. Helsinki kept going on a Juhamatti Aaltonen power play goal, powered by Gunderson, who got a sock trick. Jokerit continued with a Tommi Huhtala goal, via Sallinen and Daine Todd. Helsinki struck again in the third period as Koukal scored, with the help of Moses and Gunderson. Minsk avoided the shutout on a Charles Linglet goal, courtesy of Ryan Vesce and Nick Bailen. The final was a brutal 7-1, with the three stars going to Moses, Gunderson, and Sallinen, while Koukal and Omark get the honorable mentions. Jokerit advances to the conference semifinals on a 4-1 series win. 

NHL March 4th, 2015

Four games on tonight, beginning with...

The Winnipeg Jets hosting the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Michael Hutchinson are the young goalies. Ottawa began on a Kyle Turris goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Cody Ceci and Milan Michalek in the first period. The Senators added on in the second period with a Bobby Ryan power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa extended the lead with an Erik Condra goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Mark Stone and Turris. Ondrej Pavelec replaced Hutchinson in goal. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period on a Michael Frolik goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Lee Stempniak and Tyler Myers. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Turris, Hammond (35 for 36 in saves), and Ryan.

Stateside, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Jimmy Howard are in the creases. Detroit led off in the first period on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson. New York tied it on a Dan Girardi goal, his third of the year, a power play goal made possible by Rick Nash and Dan Boyle. The Red Wings won 2-1 in overtime on a Marek Zidlicky power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, powered by Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg. The three stars were Howard (39 for 40 in saves), Zidlicky, and Zetterberg.

West to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado got going in the second period on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche added on with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Jan Hejda and Landeskog. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third period on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, going in unassisted. Colorado finished it at 3-1 on a Landeskog goal, his seventeenth of the year, helped along by Ryan O'Reilly. The three stars were Landeskog, Varlamov (28 for 29 in saves), and MacKinnon.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and John Gibson are given the starting nods. Anaheim opened in the first period on a Francois Beauchemin goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Kyle Palmieri and Nate Thompson. The Ducks added on in the second period as Rickard Rakell scored his sixth of the year, with the help of Jiri Sekac and Hampus Lindholm. Anaheim extended the lead with a shorthanded empty net goal by Cam Fowler, his sixth of the season, set up by Ryan Kesler. Montreal got on the board with a power play goal by Alex Galchenyuk, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Andrei Markov and David Desharnais. This made it a 3-1 final, with the three stars given to Gibson (37 for 38 in saves), Rakell, and Fowler.

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Premier League Week 28

A midweek session of games for you, with three on Tuesday and the other seven on Wednesday. Only one game this weekend, a Saturday game for the make-up of QPR and Tottenham Hotspur. To begin...

Aston Villa hosts West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Brad Guzan are in goal. Aston Villa started in the twenty-second minute on a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal, passed from Christian Benteke on a through ball. In the forty-second minute, Claudio Yacob took a yellow card for his foul for West Brom. West Brom saw another yellow card for Joleon Lescott in the fifty-second minute for a foul. West Brom tied it in the sixty-sixth minute on a Saido Berahino header goal, via Lescott's headed pass after a corner kick. In the eighty-first minute, Ciaran Clark of Aston Villa took a yellow card. West Brom took a yellow card for a foul by Craig Gardner in the eighty-sixth minute. Aston Villa had another yellow card assessed to Alan Hutton in the eighty-eighth minute, as did West Brom for Berahino. Late in stoppage time, Aston Villa took the game on a penalty kick goal by Benteke. The final was 2-1.

Up north, Hull City welcomes Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Allan McGregor are set to start in goal. In the twelfth minute, Wes Brown of Sunderland received a yellow card for a foul. Hull City began in the fifteenth minute on a Dame N'Doye goal, via Tom Huddlestone's cross after a set piece. Sunderland's Jack Rodwell took a yellow card in the thirty-sixth minute. Hull City had a yellow card go to Paul McShane at the forty-one minute mark for his foul. Sunderland took yellow cards in the forty-sixth minute for Liam Bridcutt and in the sixtieth minute for Lee Cattermole, both for fouls. Sunderland tied it in the seventy-seventh minute on a Rodwell header goal, assisted by Patrick van Aanholt's cross. In the seventy-ninth minute, Hull City took a yellow card for a foul by Sebastian Larsson. Sunderland took a yellow card for an eighty-seventh minute offense by Ricardo Alvarez. The final stood at 1-1.

Closing out Tuesday, Southampton brings in Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Fraser Forster are given the starting nods. In the thirtieth minute, Crystal Palace's James McArthur took a yellow card for a foul. Southampton dented the scoreboard in the eighty-third minute with a Sadio Mane goal. Crystal Palace's Damien Delaney received a yellow card in stoppage time. Southampton took a 1-0 win. 

The first of seven games listed for Wednesday has Manchester City hosting Leicester City. Mark Schwarzer and Joe Hart are in the six-yard boxes. In the thirty-sixth minute, Leicester City's Pail Konchesky took a yellow card for his foul. Manchester City opened the scoring in first half stoppage time on a David Silva goal from close range. Manchester City added on in the eighty-eighth minute with a James Milner goal, set up by Jesus Navas on the cross. Manchester City won 2-0.

Over to Newcastle United welcoming Manchester United. David de Gea and Tim Krul guard the woodwork. Manchester United took a yellow card for a Marcos Rojo foul in the sixtieth minute. In the sixty-seventh minute, Jonas Gutierrez of Newcastle United received a yellow card for his foul. Manchester United had another yellow card in the eighty-fourth minute for a foul by Antonio Valencia. In the eighty-ninth minute, Manchester United got on the board with an Ashley Young goal, going in unassisted. Manchester United took the game 1-0.

Down in London, the Queens Park Rangers bring in Arsenal. David Ospina and Robert Green receive the starting nods. In the thirty-second minute, Karl Henry of QPR took a yellow card for a foul. Arsenal saw a yellow card go to Hector Bellerin in the thirty-fourth minute for his foul. Arsenal dented the scoreboard in the sixty-fourth minute on an Olivier Giroud goal. Arsenal added on with a sixty-ninth minute on an Alexis Sanchez goal, via Kieran Gibbs. In the eightieth minute, Yun Suk-Young took a yellow card for QPR for his foul. QPR got on the board in the eighty-second minute with a Charlie Austin goal, courtesy of Matthew Phillips' cross. Arsenal held on for a 2-1 win.

Back north, Stoke City hosts Everton. Tim Howard and Asmir Begovic man the nets. Everton had a yellow card in the fourteenth minute for a Gareth Barry foul. Stoke City began in the thirty-second minute on a Victor Moses header goal, passed from Phil Bardsley on a cross. Steven Naismith of Everton received a yellow card in the fifty-second minute. Stoke City added on in the eighty-fourth minute with a Mame Biram Diouf goal. Stoke City had yellow cards given to Begovic in the eighty-ninth minute for time wasting and Jonathan Walters in stoppage time for a foul. Stoke City won 2-0.

In London again, Tottenham Hotspur welcomes Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Hugo Lloris are the gloved men. Tottenham Hotspur led off in the seventh minute with a Nacer Chadli goal, coming off of Danny Rose's cross. Swansea City tied it on a Ki Sung-Yueng goal in the nineteenth minute, made possible by Neil Taylor. Tottenham Hotspur retook the lead in the fifty-first minute on a Ryan Mason goal, passed from Christian Eriksen. Tottenham Hotspur added on in the sixtieth minute with an Andros Townsend goal, via Nabil Bentaleb after a fast break. Tottenham Hotspur saw a yellow card go to Eric Dier in the sixty-second minute for his foul. Swansea City got one back in the eighty-ninth minute on a Gylfi Sigurdsson goal, assisted by Jefferson Montero's cross. The final still favored Tottenham Hotspur 3-2.

Moving along to West Ham United bringing in Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Adrian are the keepers. In the thirteenth minute, West Ham United's Cheikhou Kouyate took a yellow card for his foul. Chelsea had a yellow card go to John Terry for his fifteenth minute foul. Chelsea got going in the twenty-second minute on an Eden Hazard header goal, set up by Ramires on a cross. In the forty-third minute, James Collins of West Ham was shown a yellow card for his infraction. Chelsea had a yellow card given to Hazard in the first half stoppage time. West Ham's Kevin Nolan took a yellow card in the sixty-seventh minute for a foul. Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas had a yellow card for his seventieth minute foul, as did Didier Drogba in second half stoppage time. Chelsea won 1-0.

Finally, Liverpool hosts Burnley. Tom Heaton and Simon Mignolet are between the posts. Liverpool began in the twenty-ninth minute with a Jordan Henderson goal. Liverpool added on in the fifty-first minute as Daniel Sturridge scored, thanks to Henderson. Burnley took a yellow card in the eighty-fifth minute for a foul by Ben Mee. Liverpool cruised to a 2-0 win.

NHL March 3rd, 2015

Ten games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period on an Adam Larsson goal, his third of the season, coming off of Patrik Elias and Andy Greene. The Devils added on with an Eric Gelinas power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Scott Gomez and Steve Bernier. Nashville got one back in the second period with a Mike Fisher goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Craig Smith and Victor Bartley. New Jersey iced it at 3-1 in the third period on a Michael Cammalleri empty net goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, set up by Mark Fraser and Stephen Gionta. The three stars went to Schneider (33 for 34 in saves), Gelinas, and Larsson.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Steve Mason draw the starts in goal. Calgary led off in the first period on a Sean Monahan goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Mason Raymond and Jiri Hudler. The Flames added on in the second period as Mikael Backlund scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Lance Bouma and Emile Poirier. Philadelphia tied it in the third period on a Sean Couturier goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Ryan White. The Flyers tied it on a Mark Streit goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Michael Raffl and Claude Giroux. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime on a Hudler goal, his twentieth of the campaign, assisted by T.J. Brodie and Johnny Gaudreau. The three stars belonged to Hudler, Ramo (35 for 37 in saves), and Monahan.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Sergei Bobrovsky protect the nets. Washington started in the first period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his forty-second of the season, guided in by Brooks Orpik and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with an Eric Fehr goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Tim Gleason and Jason Chimera. Columbus got on the board in the second period with a David Savard goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Scott Hartnell and Fedor Tyutin. Washington shot back on a Tom Wilson goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Chimera and Jay Beagle. The Blue Jackets pulled back on a Hartnell goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Jack Johnson and Alexander Wennberg. The Capitals replied in the third period on an Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the game and forty-third of the year, powered by Backstrom and John Carlson. Columbus chipped back on a Hartnell power play goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, helped along by Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen. Washington finished it at 5-3 with a Marcus Johansson empty net goal, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Joel Ward. The three stars were awarded to Ovechkin, Hartnell, and Backstrom, while Chimera gets an honorable mention.

Way south to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Lindback faces his former team and Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Tampa Bay began in the first period on a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, assisted by Alex Killorn and Andrej Suster. The Lightning added on in the second period as Ryan Callahan scored a power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Tyler Johnson and Valtteri Filppula. Tampa Bay extended the lead on a power play goal by Victor Hedman, his eighth of the campaign, coming off of Anton Stralman and Ondrej Palat. This was all they needed for a 3-0 win, with the three stars given to Vasilevskiy (28 save shutout), Stamkos, and Callahan.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Bernier are in the blue paint. In goalie news, Luongo was hurt in the first period, forcing Al Montoya to the crease. Montoya was shaken up in the third period, and Luongo finished off the game. Florida struck first in the first period on a Brandon Pirri goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Jimmy Hayes and Vincent Trocheck. Toronto tied it on a second period power play goal by Tyler Bozak, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Phil Kessel and Morgan Rielly. The Panthers retook the lead on an Aaron Ekblad goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Hayes and Jonathan Huberdeau on the power play. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Nazem Kadri scored his sixteenth of the year, with the help of Jake Gardiner and Richard Panik. Toronto took the lead on a Peter Holland goal, his tenth of the campaign, made possible by David Booth. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Bernier (40 for 42 in saves), Hayes, and Luongo (19 for 19 in saves in 28:04 TOI).

Northwest to Minnesota, where the Wild bring in the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Devan Dubnyk are the goalies no one expected to be good at the start of the season, but they are playing well enough to warrant the start in this game. Minnesota got going in the second period on a Matt Dumba goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Mikael Granlund. The Wild added on with another Dumba goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, via Chris Stewart and Granlund. Ottawa got on the board with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from Bobby Ryan and Patrick Wiercioch. The Senators tied it with a Ryan goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Mike Hoffman and Erik Karlsson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mikko Koivu was matched by Ryan, followed by Jason Pominville exchanging goals with Kyle Turris, and then Charlie Coyle's winner for the Wild, making the final 3-2. The three stars went to Dumba, Ryan, and Hammond (36 for 38 in saves).

South again to Dallas, where the Stars host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. New York was first to score in the first period on a Josh Bailey goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson. Dallas tied it on a Brett Ritchie goal in the third period, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Jyrki Jokipakka and Cody Eakin. The Stars took the lead with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Ryan Garbutt and Antoine Roussel. The Islanders retied it on an unassisted goal by Anders Lee, his twenty-first of the year. Dallas won 3-2 in overtime on an Eakin goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, assisted by Jamie Benn and John Klingberg. The three stars went to Eakin, Lehtonen (35 for 37 in saves), and Fiddler.

West a little to Arizona, where the Coyotes welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Mike Smith are the masked men. Anaheim dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Ryan Kesler shorthanded goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks added on in the second period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Simon Despres and Nate Thompson. Arizona got on the board with a Tobias Rieder goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Sam Gagner and Mark Arcobello. Anaheim shot back in the third period as Silfverberg scored his tenth of the year, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Cam Fowler. The Ducks iced it at 4-1 with Cogliano's shorthanded empty net goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Silfverberg and Francois Beauchemin. The three stars went to Silfverberg, Cogliano, and Andersen (29 for 30 in saves).

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces former backup Ben Scrivens in goal. Los Angeles opened in the first period on a Matt Greene goal, his third of the season, assisted by Anze Kopitar and Trevor Lewis. The Kings added on with a Lewis goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Kopitar and Marian Gaborik. Los Angeles extended the lead on a second period shorthanded goal by Jeff Carter, his twenty-first of the season, set up by Tyler Toffoli and Drew Doughty. Edmonton got on the board with a Luke Gazdic goal, his second of the year, fueled by Jordan Oesterle and Boyd Gordon. The Kings replied with a Kyle Clifford goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nick Shore and Jordan Nolan. Los Angeles padded the lead in the third period on a Kopitar goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Lewis and Doughty. The Oilers chipped back with a power play goal by Teddy Purcell, his ninth of the campaign, powered by Justin Schultz and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The three stars of the 5-2 game went to Kopitar, Lewis, and Doughty.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jakob Markstrom are between the pipes. San Jose started in the first period on a Chris Tierney goal, his second of the season, coming off of Barclay Goodrow. The Sharks added on with a Melker Karlsson goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Matt Irwin. San Jose chased Markstrom with a Logan Couture goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Matthew Nieto and Patrick Marleau. Eddie Lack came on in relief. Vancouver got on the board in the second period on a Henrik Sedin power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Daniel Sedin and Radim Vrbata. The Canucks pulled closer on another Henrik Sedin goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, guided in by Daniel Sedin and Chris Higgins. The Sharks shot back with a Nieto goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Marleau. San Jose extended the lead in the third period on a Nieto empty net goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, set up by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Sharks wrapped it up at 6-2 on a Marc-Edouard Vlasic empty net goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Thornton. The three stars went to Nieto, Henrik Sedin, and Marleau, while Daniel Sedin and Thornton get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: CSKA Moscow VS. Sochi Leopards

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between CSKA Moscow and the Sochi Leopards.

Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Dmitry Shikin of Sochi and Kevin Lalande of Moscow. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Simon Hjalmarsson goal, via Stephane Da Costa. CSKA added on with an Evgeny Artyukhin goal in the third period, assisted by Damir Zhafyarov. Moscow iced it at 3-0 on a Jan Mursak empty net goal, set up by Hjalmarsson. The three stars were Lalande (23 save shutout), Hjalmarsson, and Artyukhin. CSKA takes a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Dmitry Shikin of Sochi and Kevin Lalande of Moscow. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Igor Makarov goal, via Simon Hjalmarsson. CSKA added on with a Stephane Da Costa goal, guided in by the goalie Lalande and Alexander Radulov in the second period. Sochi got on the board in the third period on a Mikhail Anisin goal, assisted by Pyotr Schastlivy. Moscow shot back with an Igor Volkov goal, coming off of Andrei Stas. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Lalande (18 for 19 in saves), Da Costa, and Makarov. CSKA owns a 2-0 series lead as the series heads south.

Game 3: Bolshoy Ice Dome, Sochi, Russia. In goal: Kevin Lelande for Moscow and Andrei Gavrilov for Sochi. Sochi led off in the first period on a Mikhail Anisin goal, courtesy of Pyotr Schastlivy and Max Warn. Moscow tied it on an Alexander Radulov goal in the second period, via Vladimir Zharkov. CSKA took the lead on an Evgeny Korotkov goal in the third period, fueled by Igor Makarov. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Korotkov, Lalande (21 for 22 in saves), and Gavrilov (35 for 37 in saves). CSKA has pushed Sochi to the edge with a 3-0 series lead.

Game 4: Bolshoy Ice Dome, Sochi, Russia. In goal: Kevin Lelande for Moscow and Andrei Gavrilov for Sochi. Moscow began in the first period on an Alexander Radulov goal, with a lone assist by Igor Grigorenko. CSKA added on with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, fueled by Evgeny Korotkov and Vladimir Zharkov. Sochi got on the board with an Andre Petersson goal, passed from Ryan Whitney and Andrei Kostitsyn. Moscow answered with a Jan Mursak goal, assisted by Evgeny Artyukhin and Denis Denisov. The Leopards shot back in the second period on an Ilya Krikunov goal, guided in by Igor Radulov. CSKA replied in the third period as Grigorenko scored, thanks to Stephane Da Costa. Moscow extended the lead on a Grigorenko goal, his second of the game, with helpers from Da Costa and Alexander Radulov. CSKA padded the lead on an Artyukhin goal, made possible by Simon Hjalmarsson. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars given to Grigorenko, Alexander Radulov, and Artyukhin, while Da Costa gets an honorable mention. The series ends with CSKA winning 4-0 and advancing to the conference semifinals to oppose the lowest remaining seed.

NHL March 2nd, 2015

Three games on tonight, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Cam Talbot are set to start in goal. New York began in the first period on a Marc Staal goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. The Rangers added on with a Chris Kreider goal in the second period, his seventeenth of the year, via Zuccarello and Brassard. Nashville got on the board with a Matt Cullen goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Taylor Beck and Mike Santorelli. New York shot back in the third period as Dominic Moore scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Dan Girardi and Tanner Glass. The Rangers finished it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Rick Nash, his thirty-eighth of the campaign, set up by Kevin Klein. The three stars were given to Talbot (25 for 26 in saves), Zuccarello and Brassard.

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Corey Crawford are the veteran goalies. Chicago led off in the first period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Michal Rozsival and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on with a Toews shorthanded goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, set up by Duncan Keith. Chicago extended the lead with an unassisted Brandon Saad goal, his twentieth of the season. The Blackhawks padded the lead on a Marcus Kruger goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Andrew Shaw. Anton Khudobin relieved Ward in the third period. Carolina got on the board with a John-Michael Liles goal, his second of the season, passed from Andrej Nestrasil and Nathan Gerbe. Chicago replied with a Marian Hossa goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Toews and Rozsival. The Hurricanes got one back with an Alexander Semin goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Eric Staal and Jay McClement. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars given to Toews, Crawford (27 for 29 in saves), and Rozsival.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price faces a lesser foe in goal in Alex Stalock. San Jose opened in the first period on a Ben Smith goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Tomas Hertl and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks added on with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his thirty-second of the year, powered by Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. San Jose extended the lead in the second period on a Matt Irwin goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Tommy Wingels and Smith. The Sharks padded the lead in the third period as Patrick Marleau scored a power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Pavelski and Logan Couture. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars going to Smith, Pavelski, and Stalock (20 save shutout).

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NHL March 1st, 2015

Six games on today, beginning with...

The Winnipeg Jets hosting the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Michael Hutchinson are the masked men. Winnipeg started with a Drew Stafford goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Mark Scheifele and Jiri Tlusty. Los Angeles tied it on a Jeff Carter goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Tyler Toffoli and Jake Muzzin. The Jets retook the lead on a Tyler Myers goal, his sixth of the season, via Blake Wheeler and Chris Thorburn. Winnipeg added on with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets extended the lead as Ladd scored his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, thanks to Michael Frolik. The Kings got one back on a Carter goal in the third period, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg iced it at 5-2 with a Wheeler empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Adam Lowry. The three stars were Ladd, Carter, and Wheeler.

East to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Marc-Andre Fleury start in goal. Columbus opened with a James Wisniewski power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Ryan Johansen and Jack Johnson. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Paul Martin. The Penguins took the lead in the second period on a David Perron power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Malkin and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh added on with a Malkin power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, helped along by Letang and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins extended the lead as Derrick Pouliot scored his second of the season, a power play goal, via Patric Hornqvist and Crosby. Pittsburgh padded the lead in the third period on a Steve Downie goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Daniel Winnik and Brandon Sutter. The Blue Jackets got one back on a Johansen shorthanded goal, his twenty-second of the season, going in unassisted. Columbus pulled closer with a Nick Foligno goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Scott Hartnell. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Malkin, Letang, and Johansen, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces a lesser foe in Al Montoya in goal. Florida struck first in the first period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Huberdeau and Brian Campbell. Tampa Bay tied it on an Anton Stralman goal, his fifth of the year, via Jonathan Drouin and Brian Boyle. The Panthers took the lead in the second period on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Jagr and Huberdeau. Florida added on with an unassisted goal by Brad Boyes, his eleventh of the year. The Panthers extended the lead on a third period power play goal by Aaron Ekblad, his tenth of the season, powered by Nick Bjugstad and Huberdeau, the latter getting a sock trick. The Lightning got one back as Steven Stamkos scored his thirty-fifth of the year, with the help of Alex Killorn and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay pulled closer on a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, helped along by Nikita Kucherov and Stralman. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with the three stars going to Huberdeau, Jagr, and Stralman.

Back north, the Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Braden Holtby are set to start in goal. Washington was first to score in the first period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fortieth of the season, via Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner. The Capitals added on with another Ovechkin goal, his second of the game and forty-first of the year, assisted by Brooks Orpik and John Carlson in the second period. Washington extended the lead in the third period as Marcus Johansson scored his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Troy Brouwer and Ovechkin. The Capitals iced it 4-0 on a Joel Ward empty net goal, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Eric Fehr. The three stars were Ovechkin, Holtby (32 save shutout), and Johansson.

Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Jhonas Enroth are the backups in goal. Anaheim led off in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Jiri Sekac and Ryan Getzlaf. Dallas tied it on a second period power play goal by Patrick Eaves, his seventh of the year, powered by Trevor Daley and John Klingberg. The Ducks took the lead back in the third period on a Clayton Stoner goal, going in unassisted. Anaheim added on with a Getzlaf goal, his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by Perry. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Gibson (39 for 40 in saves), Getzlaf, and Perry.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Eddie Lack are the young goalies. St. Louis began in the first period with a Ryan Reaves goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Steve Ott and Marcel Goc. The Blues added on with an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his sixth of the year, via T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Vancouver got on the board with a Shawn Matthias goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Chris Higgins and Linden Vey. The Canucks tied it on a Yannick Weber goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Radim Vrbata and Derek Dorsett. Vancouver took the lead on a second period goal by Jannik Hansen goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Ronalds Kenins and Ryan Stanton. The Canucks extended the lead as Henrik Sedin scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Dan Hamhuis and Kenins. Vancouver padded the lead in the third period with a Nick Bonino goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Weber and Vrbata. St. Louis got one back with a Dmitrij Jaskin power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Paul Stastny and Oshie. The Blues chipped back on a Petteri Lindbohm goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. St. Louis tied it on a Backes goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone helper from Oshie. The Canucks won 6-5 with shootout goals by Bonino, Vrbata, and Chris Higgins to top Tarasenko's lone tally. The three stars went to Vrbata, Weber, and Oshie, while Kenins and Backes get the honorable mentions.

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Premier League Week 27

The season is nearly 3/4 done, and we only have eight games this week as others competitions begin to interfere. We begin with...

West Ham United hosting Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Adrian protect the nets. Crystal Palace had a yellow card given to Glenn Murray in the twenty-third minute for a foul. Crystal Palace began in the forty-first minute with a redemptive header goal by Murray, coming off of Jason Puncheon's cross after a corner kick. Crystal Palace added on with a Scott Dann header goal in the fifty-first minute, thanks to another Puncheon cross after a corner kick. Joel Ward of Crystal Palace received a yellow card his fifty-third minute foul. In the fifty-ninth minute, James Tomkins received a yellow card for West Ham United for his foul. Crystal Palace extended the lead with another Murray header goal, set up by Puncheon on a cross after a set piece, earning the latter man a sock trick for his three helpers. In the sixty-fifth minute, Enner Valencia of West Ham United took a yellow card for a foul. Murray was sent off with his second yellow card of the game in the sixty-ninth minute, putting Crystal Palace down a man. In the seventy-sixth minute, Valencia scored to put West Ham United on the board, with the help of Stewart Downing. Crystal Palace received a yellow card for Damien Delaney's time wasting in the eighty-fourth minute. Crystal Palace held on for the 3-1 win.

Up to Burnley welcoming Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Tom Heaton are the goalies. It took until the sixty-fourth minute for anything noteworthy to happen, when Kieran Trippier put the ball in his own net to give Swansea City a 1-0 lead. This was all Swansea City needed to claim a 1-0 victory.

Next up, Manchester United brings in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and David de Gea are given the starts in goal. Manchester United's Antonio Valencia received a yellow card for his first half stoppage time foul. In the sixty-fifth minute, Wes Brown of Sunderland received a straight red card for disagreeing with the concession of a penalty kick, and that kick was converted by Wayne Rooney in the next minute to give Manchester United the lead. In the seventy-ninth minute, the ten-man Sunderland took a yellow card for a Patrick van Aanholt foul. Manchester United added on in the eighty-fourth minute with a Rooney header goal at close range. Manchester United defended Old Trafford with a 2-0 win.

Continuing to Newcastle United hosting Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Tim Krul man the nets. In the twenty-sixth minute, Aston Villa saw a yellow card given to Alan Hutton. In the thirty-seventh minute, Newcastle United began with a Papiss Demba Cisse goal, passed from Daryl Janmaat on a cross. Matthew Lowton of Aston Villa received a yellow card for his foul in first half stoppage time. Newcastle United saw a yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul by Michael Williamson. Aston Villa had three more yellow cards, going to Gabriel Agbonlahor in the sixty-third minute, Ciaran Clark in the eighty-third minute, Tom Cleverley in second half stoppage time, all for fouls. Newcastle United took a 1-0 victory.

Over to Stoke City welcoming Hull City. Allan McGregor and Asmir Begovic are in the six-yard boxes. Stoke City took yellow cards for a twenty-eighth minute foul by Erik Pieters and a Victor Moses foul in the forty-third minute. In the fifty-second minute, Hull City took a yellow card for a foul by David Meyler. Stoke City opened in the seventy-first minute on a Peter Crouch header goal, via Charlie Adam. Hull City received a yellow card for a Michael Dawson foul in the seventy-seventh minute. The final stood at 1-0 in favor of Stoke City.

Closing out Saturday, West Bromwich Albion brings in Southampton. Fraser Forster and Ben Foster are the gloved men. West Brom struck first in the second minute on a Saido Berahino goal, after a set piece. Southampton took a yellow card for a twenty-ninth minute Victor Wanyama foul. West Brom had yellow cards go to the goalie Foster in the sixty-second minute and Stephane Sessegnon in the eighty-second minute. West Brom won 1-0.

On Sunday, Liverpool hosts Manchester City. Joe Hart and Simon Mignolet are the keepers. Liverpool began in the eleventh minute on a Jordan Henderson goal, via Raheem Sterling. Manchester City tied it in the twenty-fifth minute on an Edin Dzeko goal, fueled by Sergio Aguero's through ball. In the fifty-seventh minute, Samir Nasri of Manchester City took a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool retook the lead in the seventy-fifth minute on a Philippe Coutinho goal, coming offo f Sterling. In the eighty-second minute, Manchester City saw a yellow card for a foul by James Milner. Adam Lallana of Liverpool had a yellow card for his eighty-fourth minute foul. Manchester City took another yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute for a foul by Wilfried Bony. Liverpool took the game 2-1.

Finally, Arsenal hosts Everton. Tim Howard and David Ospina guard the woodwork. Arsenal opened in the thirty-ninth minute on an Olivier Giroud goal, guided in by Mesut Ozil's cross after a corner kick. Arsenal had yellow cards go to Giroud at the forty-six minute mark and Laurent Koscielny in the seventy-eighth minute, both for fouls. In the eighty-ninth minute, Tomas Rosicky scored for Arsenal to give them a 2-0 lead, and later, victory.

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