NHL April 11th, 2015

All teams play on today's regular season finale, and then no games will be played until the playoffs start on Wednesday. We begin the first of fifteen games in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Steve Mason are in goal. Ottawa struck first in the first period on a Mark Stone power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris. Philadelphia tied it in the second period as Matt Read scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. The Senators took the lead back with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his tenth of the season, via Curtis Lazar and Marc Methot. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 on an unassisted Stone goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year. The three stars belonged to Stone, Hammond (34 for 35 in saves), and Pageau.

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby tend the twines. New York opened in the first period on a Kevin Hayes goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Ryan McDonagh and Martin St. Louis. The Rangers added on with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Hayes and Dan Boyle. New York extended the lead with a Dominic Moore goal in the second period, his tenth of the season, with a lone assist by St. Louis. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his fifty-third of the year, fueled by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Rangers shot back with an empty net goal by Jesper Fast, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Moore and Tanner Glass. The Capitals got one back on a Stanislav Galiev goal, with assists provided by Michael Latta and Brooks Orpik. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars given to Hayes, Moore, and St. Louis.

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Jonathan Quick receive the starting nods in goal. San Jose was first to score in the first period on a Brent Burns goal, his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. Los Angeles tied it on a Tyler Toffoli goal in the second period, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Jarret Stoll and Andy Andreoff. The Kings took the lead in the third period on a Brayden McNabb goal, his second of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter. Los Angeles added on with a Marian Gaborik goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, guided in by Jake Muzzin and Justin Williams. The Kings finished it at 4-1 with an Andreoff empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Toffoli. The three stars were handed to Toffoli, Quick (20 for 21 in saves), and Andreoff.

East to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Brian Elliott are the solid goalies. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Olli Jokinen and Patrik Berglund. The Blues added on with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his thirty-seventh of the year, made possible by Alexander Steen and Chris Butler. Minnesota got on the board with a Marco Scandella goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Erik Haula and Matt Cooke. St. Louis answered on a Jori Lehtera goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Steen and Tarasenko. Darcy Kuemper relieved Dubnyk for the third period. The Blues extended the lead as Lehtera scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Wild got one back with a Zach Parise power play goal, his thirty-third of the year, powered by Mikael Granlund and Thomas Vanek. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Lehtera, Tarasenko, and Steen.

The last of five matinees had the Winnipeg Jets welcoming the Calgary Flames in a minor-leaguer showcase game. Joni Ortio and Michael Hutchinson are the backups in goal. Calgary started with a Michael Ferland goal in the first period, his second of the season, made possible by Sam Bennett. Winnipeg tied it on a Drew Stafford goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Adam Pardy. The Jets took the lead in the third period as Michael Frolik scored his nineteenth of the season, with the help of Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg added on with a Lee Stempniak goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Andrew Copp. The Jets extended the lead on an Adam Lowry goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. Winnipeg padded the lead on a Matt Halischuk goal, his third of the year, passed from Stempniak and Keaton Ellerby. The final was 5-1, and the three stars were Stempniak, Hutchinson (24 for 25 in saves), and Frolik.

At the normal time, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Anders Lindback are in the creases. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard on a second period goal by Brandon Sutter, his twentieth of the season, made possible by Blake Comeau and Nick Spaling. The Penguins won 2-0 on a third period Sutter goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Daniel Winnik and Patric Hornqvist. The three stars went to Sutter, Fleury (28 save shutout), and Lindback (36 for 38 in saves).

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Cam Ward are called on to start. Detroit led off in the first period with a Landon Ferraro goal, via Luke Glendening. The Red Wings added on with a Joakim Andersson empty net goal in the third period, his third of the campaign, set up by Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm. This made it a 2-0 win, with the three stars handed to Mrazek (35 save shutout), Ferraro, and Andersson.

Back north, the New York Islanders welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. Columbus began in the first period with a Cam Atkinson power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Boone Jenner and David Savard. New York tied it on a second period goal by Kyle Okposo, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Josh Bailey and Nikolay Kulemin. The Islanders took the lead in the third period as Eric Boulton scored his second of the season, via Tyler Kennedy and Nick Leddy. New York added on with a Tavares goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, passed from Okposo and Leddy. The Blue Jackets got one back on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Kevin Connauton and Cody Goloubef. Columbus tied it as Alexander Wennberg scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Marko Dano and Scott Hartnell. The Islanders retook the lead on a Kulemin goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Blue Jackets pulled even again with a Hartnell goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, guided in by Artem Anisimov and Jack Johnson. In the shootout, Wennberg matched Tavares before Atkinson gave Columbus the 5-4 win. The three stars went to Tavares, Atkinson, and Hartnell, while Okposo, Leddy, Kulemin, and Wennberg get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada, where the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Toronto struck first in the first period as Phil Kessel scored his twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Tyler Bozak and Andrew MacWilliam. Montreal tied it with an unassisted David Desharnais goal, his fourteenth of the year. The Maple Leafs retook the lead on a Casey Bailey goal, passed from Dion Phaneuf and Peter Holland. The Canadiens tied it again on a second period goal by Tomas Plekanec, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Andrei Markov and Devante Smith-Pelly. Toronto took the lead again as Bozak potted his twenty-third of the year, with the help of James van Riemsdyk and Kessel. Montreal evened the score on a Jacob De La Rose goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens won 4-3 in the shootout with tallies by Desharnais and Alex Galchenyuk. The three stars went to Desharnais, Kessel, and Bozak.

Back stateside, the Florida Panthers host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Al Montoya in goal. New Jersey got going in the second period on a Jordin Tootoo goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Travis Zajac and Eric Gelinas. Florida tied it as Dave Bolland scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Brad Boyes and Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers took the lead in the third period with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Jaromir Jagr and Aleksander Barkov. The Devils retied it with a Damon Severson goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Michael Cammalleri and Peter Harrold. Florida retook the lead on a Jagr power play goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, powered by Dmitry Kulikov and Aaron Ekblad. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Jagr, Huberdeau, and Bolland.

Staying in the state, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ben Bishop guard the cages. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period with an unassisted goal by Jonathan Marchessault. Boston tied it with a Loui Eriksson goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Dennis Seidenberg. The Lightning regained the lead in the third period on a Nikita Nesterov goal, his third of the year, coming off of Matthew Carle and Marchessault. The Bruins tied it again with a Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, via Torey Krug and David Krejci. Tampa Bay won win a lone shootout tally by Victor Hedman. The three stars of the 3-2 game went to Marchessault, Hedman, and Nesterov.

West to Dallas, as the Stars bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Jhonas Enroth make the spot starts. Dallas was first to score in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his thirty-third of the season, coming off of Cody Eakin and Patrick Eaves. Nashville tied it with a Filip Forsberg goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Ryan Ellis and Mike Ribeiro. The Stars retook the lead on Benn's second of the game and thirty-fourth of the season, assisted by John Klingberg on the power play. Dallas added on as Benn scored his thirty-fifth of the year in the third period to secure a hat trick, an empty net goal going in unassisted. The Stars iced it at 4-1 with an Eakin goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, made possible by Trevor Daley and Benn. The three stars went to Art Ross trophy winner Benn, Eakin, and Enroth (24 for 25 in saves).

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Semyon Varlamov are all padded up. Colorado opened in the first period with a Cody McLeod goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Tyson Barrie and Joey Hishon. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Patrick Sharp goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Bryan Bickell and Michael Paliotta. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Zach Redmond and Matt Duchene. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period as Brandon Saad scored his twenty-third of the year, thanks to Marian Hossa and Michal Rozsival. Colorado shot back on an Iginla power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the campaign, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Gabriel Landeskog. This made it a 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Iginla, McLeod, and Varlamov (28 for 30 in saves).

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Mike Smith are the masked men. Anaheim started in the first period on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Corey Perry. The Ducks added on with a Jakob Silfverberg goal in the third period, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Andrew Cogliano and Getzlaf. Arizona got on the board with a third period goal by Sam Gagner, his fifteenth of the campaign, fueled by Martin Erat and David Moss. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Getzlaf, Andersen (23 for 24 in saves), and Silfverberg.

The last game of the regular season sees the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller occupy the creases. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Nail Yakupov goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Derek Roy. The Oilers added on with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Benoit Pouliot. Vancouver got on the board with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Alexander Edler and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks tied it in the second period as Kevin Bieksa scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Linden Vey and Brandon McMillan. Edmonton pulled ahead with a Taylor Hall goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Pouliot and Oscar Klefbom. The Oilers extended the lead as Pouliot scored his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Martin Marincin and Hall. Vancouver pulled back with a Sven Baertschi goal, made possible by Radim Vrbata. Edmoton answered with a Teddy Purcell goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone helper from David Musil. The Canucks chipped back in the third period on a Jannik Hansen goal, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Bo Horvat and Edler. Vancouver tied it with Baertschi's second of the game, assisted by Nick Bonino and Vrbata. The Canucks won 6-5 in overtime on Edler's eighth of the campaign, dished from Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The three stars went to Edler, Pouliot, and Baertschi, while Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Hall, and Vrbata get the honorable mentions.

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NHL April 10th, 2015

Just two games on for the second-to-last day of the season. We begin with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins welcoming the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. New York started in the first period on a Casey Cizikas shorthanded goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Cal Clutterbuck and Nick Leddy. Pittsburgh tied it on a Rob Scuderi goal, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Paul Martin. The Islanders retook the lead in the third period as John Tavares scored his thirty-seventh of the year, coming off of Kyle Okposo and Brian Strait. New York iced it at 3-1 with a Michael Grabner goal, his eighth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Josh Bailey. The three stars went to Tavares, Grabner, and Halak (37 for 38 in saves).

The other game has the Columbus Blue Jackets bringing in the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Lindback is mismatched with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Columbus opened in the first period on a Nick Foligno goal, his thirty-first of the season, guided in by Brandon Dubinsky and David Savard. Buffalo tied it as Mikhail Grigorenko scored his third of the year, thanks to Brian Gionta and Marcus Foligno. The Blue Jackets retook the lead on a Matt Calvert goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Savard and Jack Johnson. The Sabres tied it again in the second period on a Gionta power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Tyler Ennis and Zach Bogosian. Columbus took the lead with a Cam Atkinson goal in the third period, his twenty-first of the season, fueled by Dalton Prout and Ryan Johansen. The Blue Jackets finished it at 4-2 on a Boone Jenner empty net goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Calvert and Johnson. The three stars went to Calvert, Gionta, and Savard, while Johnson got an honorable mention.

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NHL April 9th, 2015

The third-to-last night of the regular season is on tonight, and the playoff races have reached their fever pitch. We begin the first of eleven games in...

New York, as the Rangers host the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Henrik Lundqvist draw the starts. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Mark Stone and Kyle Turris. The Senators added on with a Turris goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from MacArthur and Eric Gryba. Ottawa extended the lead with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau empty net goal, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Curtis Lazar and Mark Borowiecki. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Hammond (26 save shutout), MacArthur, and Turris.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Ray Emery are the veteran goalies. Carolina struck first in the first period with a Brett Bellemore goal, his second of the season, passed from Eric Staal and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes added on in the third period as Ryan Murphy scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by John-Michael Liles and Nathan Gerbe. Philadelphia got on the board with a Sean Couturier goal, his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. Carolina won 3-1 with a Jordan Staal empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Ron Hainsey. The three stars belonged to Ward (27 for 28 in saves), Jordan Staal, and Murphy.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Carey Price protect the nets. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Tomas Tatar goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, fueled by Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Montreal tied it with an Andrei Markov goal, his tenth of the year, passed from P.K. Subban. The Canadiens took the lead in the second period with a Jeff Petry goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Torrey Mitchell and Brandon Prust. The Red Wings tied it again as Datsyuk scored his twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Zetterberg. Detroit regained the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted Darren Helm goal, his fifteenth of the season. Montreal tied it on a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, powered by Markov and Subban. The Canadiens won 4-3 in overtime on a Lars Eller goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Petry. The three stars went to Petry, Markov, and Datsyuk, while Zetterberg and Subban get the honorable mentions.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. New Jersey began in the first period on a Steve Bernier power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Scott Gomez. Tampa Bay tied it on a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, guided in by Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. The Lightning took the lead on a Nikita Nesterov goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play from Johnson and Kucherov. The Devils tied it again with a second period Patrik Elias goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Stephen Gionta. Tampa Bay regained the lead as Steven Stamkos scored his forty-third of the season, a power play goal coming off of Palat and Victor Hedman. New Jersey evened it with a Bernier goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, via Henrique and Gomez. The Lightning won 4-3 in overtime on a Johnson goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the campaign, with helpers from Kucherov and Palat, both of whom got sock tricks. The three stars belonged to Johnson, Bernier, and Kucherov, while Palat, Henrique, and Gomez get the honorable mentions.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Loui Eriksson and Torey Krug. Florida tied it on a power play goal by Aleksander Barkov, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers took the lead in the third period on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Jagr and Brian Campbell. Florida added on with a Brad Boyes goal, his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Dave Bolland and Willie Mitchell. The Bruins got one back as Brad Marchand scored his twenty-third of the season, with the help of Dennis Seidenberg and David Krejci. The Panthers secured a 4-2 victory on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his nineteenth of the year, with a lone helper by Jussi Jokinen. The three stars went to Jagr, Luongo (34 for 36 in saves), and Boyes.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jake Allen are the masked men. St. Louis led off in the second period on a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his twelfth of the season, coming on the power play from David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues added on in the third period with a Paul Stastny goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Jaden Schwartz and Kevin Shattenkirk. Chicago got on the board with an Andrew Shaw goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, passed from Teuvo Teravainen and Michal Rozsival. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars given to Allen (21 for 22 in saves), Stastny, and Jaskin.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Pekka Rinne occupy the creases. Nashville started in the first period on a Filip Forsberg goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Predators added on with a Seth Jones goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Mike Santorelli and Craig Smith. Minnesota got on the board with a second period goal by Jason Zucker, his twentieth of the season, coming on the power play from Justin Fontaine and Matthew Dumba. The Wild tied it with a Marco Scandella goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Matt Cooke and Jordan Schroeder. Minnesota took the lead in the third period on a Jason Pominville goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Jared Spurgeon and Mikael Granlund. The Wild iced it at 4-2 with a Zucker empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, set up by Chris Stewart and Mikko Koivu. The three stars were handed to Zucker, Pominville, and Kuemper (32 for 34 in saves).

Way northwest to Calgary, as the Flames welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Calgary opened in the first period on a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman. The Flames added on with a Hudler goal, his thirtieth of the year, coming off of Mason Raymond and Wideman. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with a Jordan Nolan goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Alec Martinez and Mike Richards. Calgary iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Hudler, his second of the game and thirty-first of the year, set up by Sean Monahan and Gaudreau. The three stars were awarded to Hudler, Gaudreau, and Hiller (33 for 34 in saves), while Wideman gets an honorable mention.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Reto Berra are the mediocre goalies. The scoreless tie went to a shootout, where Ryan O'Reilly and Matt Duchene gave Colorado the win by a 1-0 score. The three stars were Berra (41 save shutout), Pavelec (21 save "shutout"), and Duchene.

Back in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi faces a lesser foe in Laurent Brossoit in goal. Edmonton got going in the second period with a Nail Yakupov goal, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. San Jose tied it on a Patrick Marleau third period goal, his nineteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Sharks took the lead with a Bryan Lerg goal, passed from Logan Couture and Taylor Fedun. San Jose iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Matthew Nieto, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Tommy Wingels and Chris Tierney. The three stars were given to Lerg, Niemi (26 for 27 in saves), and Brossoit (49 for 51 in saves).

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Eddie Lack are in the blue paint. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Daniel Sedin goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on with a Ronalds Kenins goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Jannik Hansen and Bo Horvat. Vancouver extended the lead with a Yannick Weber power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Edler and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks padded the lead on another Weber power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, passed from Daniel Sedin and Edler, the latter getting a sock trick. Louis Domingue took over for Smith in net. Vancouver finished it at 5-0 in the third period with a Dan Hamhuis power play goal, with assists provided by Chris Higgins and Nick Bonino. The three stars went to Weber, Edler, and Lack (28 save shutout), while Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin get the honorable mentions.

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Vancouver Whitecaps FC VS. Columbus Crew SC Match Report

The first Wednesday game of the season in MLS saw the Vancouver Whitecaps FC host the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and David Ousted made the starts in goal. Vancouver had a yellow card go to Kendall Waston in the seventeenth minute for a foul. Columbus started in the twenty-fourth minute with a Kei Kamara goal, via Ethan Finlay. The Whitecaps tied it on a thirty-first minute goal by Octavio Rivero, passed from Darren Mattocks. The Crew retook the lead in the fiftieth minute on another Kamara goal, courtesy of Justin Meram. Columbus was given a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute Hector Jimenez foul. In the sixty-fourth minute, Mattocks tied it for Vancouver, with the help of Kekuta Manneh and Pa Modou Kah. The Crew took a yellow card for a seventy-second minute foul by Tyson Wahl. The final stood at 2-2, and the man of the match was Kamara for his road brace.

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NHL April 8th, 2015

Three games on for today, beginning with...

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the blue paint. Columbus began in the first period on an Artem Anisimov goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Brandon Dubinsky and Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets added on with a Boone Jenner goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Ryan Johansen and Jack Johnson. Columbus extended the lead as Scott Hartnell scored his twenty-seventh of the season, with the help of Marko Dano. The Blue Jackets padded the lead with a Ryan Murray power play goal in the second period, powered by Dubinsky and Hartnell. Jonathan Bernier relieved Reimer in goal. Columbus kept going on a Jeremy Morin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Mark Letestu and Cody Goloubef. This made it 5-0, the final, with the three stars going to Hartnell, Dubinsky, and Bobrovsky (35 save shutout).

Back east, the Washington Capitals welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington led off in the first period with a John Carlson goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals added on with a Matt Niskanen goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Backstrom and Troy Brouwer. Washington extended the lead in the second period as Johansson potted his twentieth of the campaign, via Evgeny Kuznetsov and Brouwer. This held up for a 3-0 win, with the three stars handed to Holtby (27 save shutout), Johansson, and Backstrom, while Brouwer gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Dallas Stars. Jhonas Enroth and Frederik Andersen are called on to start in goal. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period as Vernon Fiddler scored his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Ryan Garbutt and Shawn Horcoff. The Stars added on with a Jordie Benn goal, his second of the year, made possible by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Dallas extended the lead with a Patrick Eaves power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza. The Stars padded the lead on a third period Eaves goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, assisted by Jamie Benn, who got a sock trick. The final stood at 4-0, with the three stars belonging to Eaves, Jamie Benn, and Enroth (19 save shutout).

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NHL April 7th, 2015

Nine games on today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Cory Schneider are in the blue paint. New York started in the first period with a Kevin Hayes goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers added on with a Ryan McDonagh power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Keith Yandle and Hayes. New Jersey got on the board with a Patrik Elias goal, his twelfth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Steve Bernier and Scott Gomez. New York answered in the third period on a James Sheppard goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Dominic Moore and Marc Staal. The Devils pulled back on a Bernier goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Travis Zajac and Michael Cammalleri. The Rangers iced it at 4-2 with a Hagelin empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, via Hayes. The three stars went to Hayes, Bernier, and Hagelin.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Steve Mason are the solid goalies. Philadelphia struck first in the first period on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek. The Flyers added on with another Giroux goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Streit and Voracek. New York got on the board with a John Tavares power play goal in the second period, his thirty-sixth of the season, via Ryan Strome and Nick Leddy. Philadelphia shot back on a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Vincent Lecavalier and Nicklas Grossmann. The Flyers extended the lead in the third period on a Carlo Colaiacovo goal, his second of the season, with a lone helper by Zac Rinaldo. The Islanders replied with an Anders Lee goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, helped along by Josh Bailey and Lubomir Visnovsky. New York chipped closer with a Johnny Boychuk goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Tavares. The Islanders tied it on another Lee goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, driven in by Tavares. Philadelphia won 5-4 with a Brayden Schenn goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, assisted by Sean Couturier and Streit, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Giroux, Lee, and Streit, while Voracek and Tavares get the honorable mentions.

West to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin is mismatched with Jimmy Howard in goal. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the second period as Henrik Zetterberg scored his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Stephen Weiss and Darren Helm. Carolina tied it on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Victor Rask and Chris Terry. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Terry goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Justin Faulk and Rask. The Red Wings retied it in the third period as Gustav Nyquist netted his twenty-seventh of the year, thanks to Pavel Datsyuk and Danny DeKeyser. Detroit took the lead back with a Datsyuk goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, helped along by Zetterberg and Marek Zidlicky. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Terry, while Rask gets an honorable mention.

Into Ontario, as the Ottawa Senators host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Andrew Hammond man the nets. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, passed from Patric Hornqvist and Paul Martin. The Penguins added on with a Beau Bennett goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Ian Cole. Pittsburgh extended the lead with a Hornqvist goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, made possible by Crosby and Rob Scuderi. Ottawa got on the board in the second period as Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored his eighth of the year, a shorthanded goal going in unassisted. The Senators pulled closer in the third period as Mark Stone scored his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Clarke MacArthur. Ottawa tied it on a Mike Hoffman goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, with helpers from Mika Zibanejad and Kyle Turris. The Senators won 4-3 in overtime on a Stone goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the campaign, set up by Erik Karlsson and Turris. The three stars went to Stone, Crosby, and Hornqvist, while Turris gets an honorable mention.

Back south, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jake Allen are set to start in goal. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Chris Thorburn goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Jim Slater and Adam Pardy. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Pavelec (30 save shutout), Thorburn, and Allen (30 for 31 in saves).

North a little to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. Minnesota got going in the third period on a Mikael Granlund goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Zach Parise and Jason Pominville. The Wild added on with a Jason Zucker goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Chris Stewart and Ryan Suter. Chicago got on the board with a Bryan Bickell goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, fueled by Patrick Sharp and Niklas Hjalmarsson. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Dubnyk (32 for 33 in saves), Zucker, and Granlund.

Northwest to Calgary, as the Flames host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonas Hiller protect the nets. Calgary was first to score in the first period on a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Dennis Wideman and Kris Russell. Arizona tied it on a second period goal by B.J. Crombeen, his third of the year, passed from Craig Cunningham. The Flames reclaimed the lead in the third period on a David Jones goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Michael Ferland and Matt Stajan. The Coyotes tied it again with a Cunningham goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Kyle Chipchura. Calgary pulled ahead on a Sean Monahan goal, his thirty-first of the season, made possible by Jiri Hudler and Wideman. This was all they needed for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Wideman, Cunningham, and Monahan.

Back south, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Semyon Varlamov tend the twines. Nashville opened in the first period with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Matt Cullen and Viktor Stalberg. Colorado tied it in the second period as Jarome Iginla scored his twenty-seventh of the year, thanks to Tyson Barrie and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche took the lead on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Gabriel Landeskog. The Predators retied it in the third period with a Ryan Ellis power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Colin Wilson and Craig Smith. Colorado took the lead back with a Joey Hishon goal, passed from Marc-Andre Cliche. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Hishon, O'Reilly, and Iginla.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and Richard Bachman are the backups in goal. Edmonton got going in the second period as Matt Fraser scored his seventh of the season, with the help of Martin Marincin and Anton Lander. Los Angeles tied it on a Jake Muzzin goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The Oilers took the lead back as Benoit Pouliot scored his eighteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Edmonton added on in the third period with a Tyler Pitlick goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Oscar Klefbom and Lander. The Kings pulled back with a Doughty power play goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by the goalie Jones. The Oilers iced it at 4-2 with a Fraser empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, set up by Nail Yakupov. The three stars went to Fraser, Lander, and Doughty.

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Aston Villa VS. Queens Park Rangers Match Report

With the oddly scheduled game, I bring you a report for Aston Villa hosting the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Brad Guzan are in the six-yard boxes. In the seventh minute, Matthew Phillips started for QPR with a header goal, set up by Bobby Zamora's cross. Aston Villa tied it in the tenth minute on a Christian Benteke goal, passed from Fabian Delph. Aston Villa took the lead in the thirty-third minute as Benteke scored again, thanks to Gabriel Agbonlahor after a fast break. QPR had yellow cards in the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth minutes for an offense by Sandro and a foul by Niko Kranjcar, respectively. In the fifty-fifth minute, QPR tied it on a Clint Hill header goal, coming off of a Phillips cross after a corner kick. In the fifty-seventh minute, QPR's Charlie Austin had a yellow card for a foul. Austin made up for his misstep in the seventy-eighth minute when he scored to put QPR ahead, with the help of Phillips. In the eighty-second minute, Hill of QPR took a yellow card for his foul. Aston Villa retied it on a Benteke free kick goal to secure his hat trick in the eighty-third minute. The final stood at 3-3.

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KHL Western Conference Final: CSKA Moscow VS. SKA St. Petersburg

Welcome to the post for the western conference final between CSKA Moscow and SKA St. Petersburg. This post will cover the entire series.

Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Stanislav Galimov for Moscow. Moscow led off in the first period on an Alexander Radulov goal, via Roman Lyubimov. CSKA added on in the second period with a Lyubimov goal, coming off of Simon Hjalmarsson and Radulov. Moscow extended the lead in the third period on a Jan Mursak goal, made possible by Hjalmarsson and Radulov on the power play. The final was 3-0, and the three stars went to Radulov, Galimov (25 save shutout), and Lyubimov, while Hjalmarsson gets an honorable mention. CSKA takes an early 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Stanislav Galimov for Moscow. St. Petersburg began in the first period with a power play goal by Evgeny Dadonov, powered by Andrei Kuteikin and Artemy Panarin. Moscow tied it in the second period as Nikita Zaitsev scored a power play goal, thanks to Roman Lyubimov and Igor Grigorenko. SKA took the lead on an unassisted Panarin goal in the third period. CSKA retied it with a Lyubimov goal, coming off of Zaitsev and Alexander Radulov. Moscow won 3-2 in the third overtime with a Lyubimov goal, via Grigorenko and Radulov. The three stars went to Lyubimov, Zaitsev, and Panarin, while Grigorenko and Radulov get the honorable mentions. CSKA heads west with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Stanislav Galimov for Moscow and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. Moscow got going in the second period with a Roman Lyubimov goal, assisted by Igor Grigorenko and Alexander Radulov. CSKA added on in the third period with a Denis Denisov power play goal, powered by Grigorenko and Radulov. St. Petersburg got on the board as Maxim Chudinov scored, thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk and Anton Belov. Moscow iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Radulov, set up by Vladimir Zharkov. The three stars went to Radulov, Galimov (23 for 24 in saves), and Grigorenko. CSKA is now up 3-0 in the series, looking to seal the deal on Wednesday.

Game 4: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Stanislav Galimov for Moscow and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on a Patrick Thoresen goal, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk. SKA added on with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Vadim Shipachyov and Artemy Panarin. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Shipachyov, fueled by Panarin and Dadonov. SKA padded the lead as Dadonov scored another power play goal, with the help of Shipachyov and Panarin, the latter getting a sock trick. Moscow got on the board with an Igor Grigorneko power play goal, passed from Nikita Zaitsev and Alexander Radulov. This made it a 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Dadonov, Shipachyov, and Panarin. CSKA heads home with a 3-1 series lead, looking at a second chance to wrap the series up.

Game 5: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Stanislav Galimov for Moscow. St. Petersburg started in the first period on an Artemy Panarin power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA added on with a Dadonov goal, guided in by Roman Rukavishnikov and Panarin. Kevin Lalande replaced Galimov in goal. Moscow got on the board in the second period with an Alexander Radulov power play goal, with a lone assist by Nikita Zaitsev. St. Petersburg answered on an Andrei Kuteikin goal, via Nikolai Belov and Ilya Kovalchuk. CSKA shot back with a power play goal by Stephane Da Costa, courtesy of Ondrej Nemec and Igor Grigorenko. SKA replied with a Dadonov goal, made possible by Shipachyov. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the third period as Panarin scored, thanks to Shipachyov, who got a sock trick, and Dadonov. SKA finished it at 6-2 on an empty net goal by Anton Burdasov, set up by Belov and Patrick Thoresen. The three stars were awarded to Dadonov, Panarin, and Shipachyov, while Belov gets an honorable mention. The series still favors CSKA, but only by a 3-2 margin.

Game 6: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Kevin Lalande for Moscow and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period on an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Artemy Panarin and Vadim Shipachyov. Moscow tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Stephane Da Costa, coming off of Alexei Bondarev and Simon Hjalmarsson. SKA won 2-1 in overtime as Patrick Thoresen scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Kablukov. The three stars went to Thoresen, Koskinen (27 for 28 in saves), and Kovalchuk. The series heads to its decisive game in Moscow tied at 3.

Game 7: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Kevin Lalande for Moscow. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, via Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on in the second period as Evgeny Dadonov scored, thanks to Vadim Shipachyov. Moscow got on the board with an Alexander Radulov goal, courtesy of Andrei Stas and Igor Grigorenko. CSKA tied it with a Stephane Da Costa goal, passed from Grigorenko and Evgeny Korotkov. St. Petersburg took the lead back in the third period on a Thoresen goal, made possible by Anton Belov and Maxim Chudinov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Thoresen, Grigorenko, and Koskinen (35 for 37 in saves). SKA pulled off the improbably comeback, winning the series 4-3 to advance to the Gagarin Cup Final against Ak Bars Kazan.

NHL April 6th, 2015

Five games on tonight, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Anders Lindback are given the starting nods. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Brian Gionta and Zach Bogosian. The Sabres added on with a Gionta goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. Buffalo extended the lead in the second period as Johan Larsson scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Tyler Ennis and Bogosian. The Sabres padded the lead on an Ennis goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Larsson. Carolina got on the board with a Patrick Dwyer goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Jay McClement and John-Michael Liles. The Hurricanes pulled closer on an Alexander Semin goal, his sixth of the year, via Eric Staal and Liles. Carolina chipped closer with a Staal goal, his twenty-third of the season, an unassisted goal. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Ennis, Larsson, and Gionta, while Staal, Bogosian, and Liles get the honorable mentions.

Down in New York City, the Rangers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York led off in the first period on a Martin St. Louis goal, his twenty-first of the season, passed from Jimmy Hayes. Columbus tied it on a Matt Calvert goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Jeremy Morin. The Rangers retook the lead on a Dan Girardi goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, via Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Marko Dano goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Artem Anisimov and Alexander Wennberg. Columbus took the lead in the third period with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Nick Foligno and Cody Goloubef. New York tied it on a Stepan goal, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Kreider and J.T. Miller. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime with another Stepan goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist from Keith Yandle. The three stars went to Stepan, Kreider, and Yandle.

West to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Devan Dubnyk are the inconsistent goalies. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, powered by Andrew Ladd and Mathieu Perreault. The Jets added on with a second period goal by Drew Stafford, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Tyler Myers and Mark Scheifele. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Pavelec (32 save shutout), Wheeler, and Stafford.

Further to the west, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Eddie Lack are between the pipes. Los Angeles began in the first period on a Dwight King goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli.Vancouver tied it in the third period as Daniel Sedin scored his eighteenth of the year, thanks to Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks won with a Chris Higgins shootout tally for a 2-1 final. The three stars went to Lack (36 for 37 in saves), Quick (37 for 38 in saves), and Higgins.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Dallas Stars. Jhonas Enroth and Alex Stalock are the backups in goal. Dallas opened in the first period on a Colton Sceviour goal, his ninth of the season, via Jason Demers and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars added on with a Patrick Eaves goal, his twelfth of the year, coming on the power play from Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza. Dallas extended the lead in the second period on a Benn power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Tyler Seguin and Spezza. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Thornton power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Chris Tierney. The Stars shot back on a Benn goal in the third period, his second of the game and thirty-second of the season, with a lone assist by Seguin. Dallas padded the lead with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Trevor Daley. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars given to Benn, Seguin, and Spezza.

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Premier League Week 31

Full slate this week, beginning with...

Arsenal hosting Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and David Ospina are in goal. In the thirty-seventh minute, Arsenal began with a Hector Bellerin goal, courtesy of Aaron Ramsey. Arsenal added on with a Mesut Ozil free kick goal in the fortieth minute. Arsenal extended the lead in the forty-fifth minute as Alexis Sanchez scored, thanks to Ramsey. In the forty-ninth minute, Emre Can of Liverpool took a yellow card for a foul. Bellerin of Arsenal had a yellow card for a seventieth minute foul. Liverpool got on the board with a seventy-sixth minute penalty kick goal by Jordan Henderson. In the eighty-fourth minute, Liverpool went to ten men as Can picked up another yellow card for a foul. Arsenal iced it at 4-1 in stoppage time with an Olivier Giroud goal, set up by Sanchez.

Up in Liverpool, Everton welcomes Southampton. Kelvin Davis is mismatched with Tim Howard in goal. In the sixteenth minute, Phil Jagielka scored for Everton on a close range shot, passed from Gareth Barry after a corner kick. In the twenty-first minute, Ryan Bertrand had a yellow card for Southampton. The final stood at 1-0 for Everton.

Over to Leicester City bringing in West Ham United. Adrian and Kasper Schmeichel are the gloved men. Leicester City struck first in the twelfth minute with an Esteban Cambiasso goal. In the fourteenth minute, Carl Jenkinson of West Ham United had a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United tied it in the thirty-second minute as Cheikhou Kouyate scored, thanks to Alexandre Song. West Ham United had two yellow cards in the second half, for Winston Reid in the fifty-third minute and Aaron Cresswell in the eighty-fifth minute, both for fouls. In the eighty-sixth minute, Andy King of Leicester City put them ahead on a close range goal, via Jamie Vardy. The final favored Leicester City 2-1.

Continuing to Manchester, where United hosts Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and David de Gea are between the posts. Manchester United led off in the forty-third minute with an Ander Herrera goal, passed from Daley Blind. Manchester United added on in the seventy-ninth minute with a Wayne Rooney goal, assisted by Angel Di Maria on a cross. Aston Villa got one back with a Christian Benteke goal in the eightieth minute, coming off of Joe Cole's cross after a corner kick. In the eighty-third minute, Aston Villa's Fabian Delph took a yellow card for a foul. Manchester United finished it at 3-1 in stoppage time with another Herrera goal, fueled by Juan Mata.

Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Hull City. Allan McGregor and Lukasz Fabianski man the nets. Swansea City started in the eighteenth minute on a Ki Sung-Yueng goal. In the thirty-seventh minute, Bafetimbi Gomis scored for Swansea City. In the forty-seventh minute, Abel Hernandez of Hull City had a yellow card for a foul. Swansea City's Ashley Williams took a yellow card in the forty-eighth minute for a foul. Hull City took a yellow card on a Dame N'Doye offense in the forty-ninth minute. Hull City got on the board in the fiftieth minute with a Paul McShane goal, via Alex Bruce's headed pass after a set piece. In the fifty-third minute, Hull City went down a man when David Meyler received a red card for his foul. Hull City saw a yellow card given to McShane in the fifty-fourth minute, and another to Bruce in the sixty-ninth minute for a foul. Swansea City added on in stoppage time with another Gomis goal, made possible by Gylfi Sigurdsson's through ball on a fast break. The final was 3-1 for Swansea City.

Back in England, West Bromwich Albion brings in the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green faces a lesser for in Boaz Myhill in goal. QPR was first to score in the fifteenth minute with an Eduardo Vargas goal, coming off of Charlie Austin's headed pass. In the twenty-third minute, Steven Caulker of QPR had a yellow card for a foul. In the thirty-seventh minute, QPR added on with an Austin header goal, set up by Niko Kranjcar after a corner kick. In the forty-third minute, Bobby Zamora scored to extend the QPR lead, with the help of Matthew Phillips. In first half stoppage time, Stephane Sessegnon took a yellow card for West Brom for his foul. West Brom got on the board with a Victor Anichebe header goal, passed from Saido Berahino on a cross. In the seventy-fourth minute, QPR's Joey Barton took a yellow card. West Brom went down a man in the eighty-fourth minute when a red card was assessed to Youssuf Mulumbu for a fight. In the fifth minute of second half stoppage time, Karl Henry of QPR took a yellow card for a foul. QPR padded their lead with a Barton goal later that minute, via Austin. West Brom saw a yellow card given to Chris Brunt a minute later for his foul. The final favored QPR 4-1.

Closing out Saturday's seven, Chelsea hosts Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Thibaut Courtois are the keepers. Stoke City had two yellow cards in the first half, to Glenn Whelan in the twenty-sixth minute and Ryan Shawcross in the thirty-first minute. In the thirty-ninth minute, Eden Hazard scored on a penalty kick to lead off for Chelsea. Stoke City tied it on a forty-forth minute Charlie Adam goal from midfield, set up by Jonathan Walters. In first half stoppage time, Stephen Ireland of Stoke City took a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea retook the lead in the sixty-second minute on a Loic Remy goal, courtesy of Hazard. Stoke City saw two more yellow cards, for Adam in the sixty-sixth minute and Philipp Wollscheid in the sixty-ninth minute for a foul. In second half stoppage time, Peter Crouch of Stoke City took a yellow card for a foul, as did Chelsea's Didier Drogba for wasting time. Chelsea won 2-1.

The first of two on Sunday had Burnley welcoming Tottenham Hotspur. Michel Vorm and Tom Heaton are in goal. Burnley had two yellow cards in the second half, going to Kieran Trippier for a sixty-eighth minute foul, and to Ben Mee for a seventy-eighth minute foul. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

The other game saw Sunderland bring in Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Costel Pantilimon are the gloved men. In the thirty-ninth minute, Sunderland's Santiago Vergini took a yellow card for his foul. Newcastle United had a yellow card for a Ryan Taylor foul in the forty-first minute. Sunderland began with a first half stoppage time goal by Jermain Defoe, passed from Steven Fletcher on a headed pass after a set piece. In the sixty-first minute, Jordi Gomez of Sunderland had a yellow card for his foul. Newcastle United took a yellow card on a Jack Colback foul in the sixty-second minute. Sunderland received three more yellow cards, going to Patrick van Aanholt in the sixty-sixth minute, Connor Wickham in the seventy-seventh minute, and Sebastian Larsson in the eighty-first minute, all for fouls. The final stood at 1-0 for Sunderland. 

Finally, Monday had Crystal Palace hosting Manchester City. Joe Hart and Julian Speroni are given the starting nods. Crystal Palace was first to score with a thirty-fourth minute Glenn Murray goal at close range. Crystal Palace had a yellow card given to Damien Delaney in the fortieth minute for a foul. In the forty-eighth minute, Crystal Palace added on with a free kick goal by Jason Puncheon. Puncheon took a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute handball. Manchester City had a yellow card for a Martin Demichelis foul in the sixty-eighth minute. Manchester City got on the board with a Yaya Toure goal. This only made it 2-1, the final.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL April 5th, 2015

Just five games on today to bring in the last week of the regular season. We begin with the matinee in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Steve Mason are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period on a Brandon Sutter power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by David Perron and Ian Cole. Philadelphia tied it on a power play goal by Jakub Voracek, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Mark Streit and Brayden Schenn. The Flyers took the lead in the second period as Schenn scored his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Voracek and Streit. Philadelphia added on in the third period with a Ryan White goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Sean Couturier and Michael Raffl. The Flyers extended the lead on a power play goal by Michael Del Zotto, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Schenn and Claude Giroux. The final was 4-1, with the three stars given to Schenn, Mason (46 for 47 in saves), and Voracek, while Streit gets an honorable mention.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Petr Mrazek draw the starts in goal. Washington was first to score in the first period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Matt Niskanen and Mike Green. The Capitals added on in the second period with a Green goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Tim Gleason and Alex Ovechkin. Detroit got on the board with a Darren Helm power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Teemu Pulkkinen. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Green, Holtby (35 for 36 in saves), and Kuznetsov.

Down in Florida, the Panthers host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price faces a lesser foe in Dan Ellis in goal. Montreal began in the first period with a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Andrei Markov and Alex Galchenyuk. Florida tied it in the second period on an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his twelfth of the year, via Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. The Canadiens regained the lead as Brendan Gallagher scored his twenty-fourth of the season, with the help of P.K. Subban. Montreal added on with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Jeff Petry. The Canadiens extended the lead as Devante Smith-Pelly scored his sixth of the campaign, thanks to Parenteau. This held up for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Parenteau, Price (24 for 25 in saves), and Gallagher.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Corey Crawford are given the starting nods. Chicago led off in the first period with a Kris Versteeg goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Marian Hossa. St. Louis tied it in the second period on a David Backes power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, powered by Jaden Schwartz and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues took the lead on an Olli Jokinen goal, his fourth of the season, via Ty Rattie and Alex Pietrangelo. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Jokinen, Allen (38 for 39 in saves), and Backes.

Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Jonathan Bernier man the creases. Toronto opened in the first period on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Eric Brewer and Leo Komarov. Ottawa tied it with an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Kyle Turris and Mark Stone. The Maple Leafs took the lead back on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Peter Holland and Brewer. The Senators tied it again in the third period with a Stone power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Turris and Clarke MacArthur. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Lupul matched Mika Zibanejad before Holland won it 3-2 for the Maple Leafs. The three stars went to Stone, Turris, and Brewer, while Holland and Lupul get the honorable mentions.

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Major League Soccer Week 5

Another eight-game week, beginning with a Friday game in...

DC, as United hosts Orlando City SC. Donovan Ricketts and Bill Hamid are the gloved men. Orlando City's Kevin Molino took a yellow card for a handball in the twenty-seventh minute. DC's Davy Arnaud received a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. Orlando City saw Darwin Ceren take a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-fifth minute, followed by an eighty-third minute foul by Carlos Rivas. United struck late on a stoppage time goal by Luis Silva. This stood for a 1-0 win, and Hamid was the man of the match, making five saves to preserve a clean sheet.

The first of five games on Saturday had the Chicago Fire welcoming Toronto FC. Joe Bendik and Jon Busch are in the six-yard boxes. Toronto saw a yellow card go to Warren Creavalle in the fifth minute for a foul. Chicago began on a Joevin Jones goal in the fourteenth minute, passed from Shaun Maloney. Toronto tied it as Sebastian Giovinco scored in the twentieth minute, thanks to Ashtone Morgan. The Fire saw a thirty-second minute yellow card given to Adailton for his foul. Toronto took the lead on a fifty-fourth minute goal by Benoit Cheyrou, via Giovinco. Chicago retied it in the fifty-sixth minute with a Maloney goal, made possible by Harrison Shipp. Toronto went to ten men when Creavalle picked up another yellow card in the sixty-seventh minute for a foul. The Fire took the lead on a sixty-eighth minute goal by Jeff Larentowicz, assisted by Shipp. Chicago's Eric Gehrig received a yellow card for his seventy-third minute foul. Toronto saw a yellow card go to Justin Morrow in the ninetieth minute. Chicago held on for a 3-2 win, with the man of the match being Maloney.

Out west, the Colorado Rapids host the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Clint Irwin are the experienced keepers. New England struck first in the eighteenth minute on a Juan Agudelo goal, via Kelyn Rowe. The Revolution saw a yellow card for a twenty-sixth minute handball by Charlie Davies. Colorado had a yellow card for a Marcelo Sarvas foul in the thirty-second minute. New England's Andy Dorman received a yellow card for his thirty-fourth minute foul. The Revolution added to their lead with a Lee Nguyen penalty kick goal in the fifty-fourth minute. The Rapids had yellow cards assessed to Dillon Powers for dissent in the sixtieth minute and Michael Harrington for a sixty-sixth minute foul. New England took a yellow card for Chris Tierney's time wasting in the ninetieth minute. Colorado saw a stoppage time yellow card for Marc Burch's dissent. The final was 2-0, and the man of the match was Shuttleworth for a five-save clean sheet.

Northwest to the Seattle Sounders FC bringing in the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Stefan Frei are the gloved men. Seattle took a yellow card for an Andy Rose foul in the seventeenth minute. In the thirty-ninth minute, Luis Garrido of Houston took a yellow card for a foul, and Obafemi Martins scored for the Sounders, with the help of Clint Dempsey. In first half stoppage time, Ricardo Clark of the Dynamo took a yellow card for a foul. Houston had another yellow card for a fifty-second minute Jermaine Taylor foul. In the fifty-sixth minute, Seattle went to ten men when Gonzalo Pineda took a red card for his foul. This was it for the game, with the final favoring the Sounders 1-0. Martins was the man of the match.

Up in Vancouver, the Whitecaps FC hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jaime Penedo and David Ousted are the goalies. Vancouver had a yellow card given to Pa Modou Kah in the forty-first minute for a foul. The Whitecaps began with a fifty-sixth minute Kekuta Manneh goal, via Pedro Morales and Russel Teibert. Vancouver saw Sam Adekugbe take a yellow card for his fifty-ninth minute foul. The Whitecaps added on with a Raul Octavio Rivero goal in the sixty-sixth minute. Los Angeles' Gyasi Zardes took a yellow card for an eighty-fifth minute foul. The final stood at 2-0, and the an of the match was Manneh. 

The last of Saturday's games has the Portland Timbers welcoming FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are in the six-yard boxes. Dallas had a yellow card go to David Texeira in the fifteenth minute for a foul. Portland started in the twenty-third minute with a Nat Borchers goal, via Jorge Villafana. Dallas tied it in the twenty-ninth minute with a Tesho Akindele goal, fueled by Atiba Harris and Michel. The Timbers retook the lead on a Maximiliano Urruti goal in the sixty-second minute, passed from Dairon Asprilla and Darlington Nagbe. Portland took a yellow card for Liam Ridgewell's dissent in the sixty-fourth minute. Dallas had a yellow card given to Harris in the sixty-fifth minute for his foul. The Timbers finished it at 3-1 with an eighty-seventh minute Diego Chara goal, set up by Fanendo Adi. The man of the match was Urruti.

Starting Sunday, the San Jose Earthquakes host Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and David Bingham are between the posts. San Jose's Innocent Emeghara took a yellow card for his forty-third minute foul. Salt Lake began with a forty-fourth minute goal by Javier Morales. In the sixtieth minute, Chris Wondolowski took a yellow card for dissent. Real had yellow cards given to Olmes Garcia in the seventy-third minute and Ken Mansally in the eighty-second minute, for time wasting. San Jose's Fatai Alashe took a yellow card in stoppage time for a foul. The final stood at 1-0, and Morales was named man of the match.

 Finally, Sporting Kansas City brings in the Philadelphia Union. Rais M'bolhi and Luis Marin are the goalies. Philadelphia received an early gift as Jacob Peterson put the ball in his own net in the third minute for an own goal. Kansas City tied it on a Dominic Dwyer goal in the sixteenth minute, set up by Benny Feilhaber. In the eighteenth minute, Sporting had a yellow card given to Marcel de Jong for a foul. The Union took the lead back on a Fernando Aristeguieta goal in the nineteenth minute, made possible by Sebastien Le Toux. Philadelphia took two yellow cards for fouls, going to Maurice Edu in the sixty-second minute and Brian Carroll in the sixty-eighth minute. Kansas City retied it on a Jalil Anibaba goal in stoppage time, coming off of Roger Espinoza. Sporting won with another goal three minutes later by Krisztian Nemeth, passed from Matt Besler and Feilhaber. The man of the match honor went to Nemeth for the late winner.

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