Saturday, October 3, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 40

Six games on for today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. St. Petersburg got going in the second period on an unassisted goal by Alexander Barabanov. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Alexander Rybakov goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Semyon Kokuyov. Traktor won 2-1 with a Kokuyov overtime goal, set up by Rybakov. The three stars went to Kokuyov, Rybakov, and Demchenko (19 for 20 in saves).

Over to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Mikhail Biryukov draw the starts. Nizhny Novgorod dented the scoreboard in the second period as Vladimir Galuzin scored a power play goal, powered by Kaspars Daugavins and Linus Videll. Torpedo added on in the third period with an Alexei Sopin goal, via Alexander Budkin and Dmitry Semin. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars going to Biryukov (32 save shutout), Galuzin, and Sopin.

Down to Sochi, where the Leopards bring in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Konstantin Barulin protect the nets. Sochi struck first on a Pyotr Schastlivy goal, assisted by Mikhail Anisin and Max Warn. The Leopards added on as Roman Lyuduchin scored, with a lone assist by Nikolai Zherdev. Sochi chased Sateri on a Yegor Morozov goal, fueled by Alexander Shcherbina and Alexei Semenov. Igor Saprykin took over in the Vityaz net. The Leopards extended the lead on a power play goal by Lyuduchin in the second period, powered by Semenov and Clay Wilson. Sochi padded the lead with a third period goal from Lyuduchin, coming unassisted on the power play. This made it a 5-0 game, with the three stars being Lyuduchin, Barulin (30 save shutout), and Semenov.

Back north, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Vitaly Kolesnik tend the twines. Yaroslavl opened with a Yegor Averin power play goal in the first period, powered by Petri Kontiola and Vladislav Kartayev. Moscow tied it on a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, with a lone helper by Denis Kokarev. Lokomotiv took the lead back in the second period on a Denis Mosalyov goal, made possible by Pavel Koledov and Ilya Gorokhov. Dynamo tied it again in the third period on a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, helped along by Alexei Tsvetkov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Averin's lone tally gave Lokomotiv the 3-2 win. The three stars belonged to Averin, Mosalyov, and Pestushko.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Dmitry Milchakov are in the creases. Omsk started with an Ivan Fishchenko goal, coming off of Pavel Valentenko and Anton Kuryanov. Avangard added on with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, assisted by Ivan Lekomtsev. Minsk got on the board with a Matt Ellison goal in the third period, guided in by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Ryan Gunderson. Dinamo tied it on another Ellison goal, with a lone assist from Kalyuzhny. Minsk took the lead on a Kalyuzhny goal, courtesy of Dmitry Znakharenko and Ellison. Dinamo extended the lead with a shorthanded empty net goal by Ellison, completing his hat trick on the unassisted score. The three stars went to Ellison, Kalyuzhny, and Milchakov (23 for 25 in saves).

Finally, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Spartak Moscow to end the day. Atte Engren and Alexander Sudnitsin are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk drew first blood in the second period on a Jeff Taffe goal, made possible by Alexander Bryntsev and Evgeny Grigorenko. Neftekhimik added on with a Yegor Milovzorov goal, via Mikhail Zhukov and Andrei Sergeyev. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Milovzorov scored again in the third period, thanks to Igor Polygalov and Pavel Zdunov. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Milovzorov, Sudnitsin (25 save shutout), and Taffe.

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Friday, October 2, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 39

Only two games on today, beginning with...

Medvescak Zagreb hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Gasper Kroselj are the goalies. Zagreb got going in the second period on a Milan Jurcina power play goal, powered by Tuukka Mantyla and Marek Kvapil. Medvescak added on as Radek Smolenak scored, with the help of Mantyla and Jurcina on the power play. Ilya Samsonov replaced Koshechkin at this time. Zagreb extended the lead with a Kvapil power play goal, with a lone assist by Smolenak. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Vladislav Kaletnik goal in the third period, assisted by Rafael Batyrshin. Medvescak iced it at 4-1 with a Kvapil goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Jurcina, Smolenak, and Kvapil, while Mantyla gets an honorable mention.

The other game is Slovan Bratislava hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Barry Brust are between the pipes. Bratislava drew first blood in the first period on a Milan Bartovic goal, passed from Marek Viedensky and Cam Barker. Ufa tied it on an Andreas Engqvist goal, coming off of Linus Omark and Igor Grigorenko in the second period. Salavat Yulaev took the lead as Ivan Vishnevsky scored, thanks to Teemu Hartikainen and Maxim Goncharov. Ufa added on with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, made possible by Denis Khlystov and Stepan Khripunov. Slovan got one back with a Radovan Pulis goal, via Rok Ticar and Ziga Jeglic. Bratislava tied it on a power play goal by Tomas Surovy, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Ladislav Nagy. Salavat Yulaev took the game 4-3 with an overtime power play goal from Alexander Loginov, helped along by Omark and Hartikainen. The three stars went to Omark, Hartikainen, and Loginov.

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Thursday, October 1, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 38

Eight games for today, beginning in...

Vladivostok, where Admiral hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas and Ivan Nalimov are set to start in goal. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period with a Stanislav Alshevsky goal, assisted by Pascal Pelletier and Jonathon Blum. This proved to be the game's only goal, with the final at 1-0 Admiral. The three stars went to Nalimov (24 save shutout), Alshevsky, and Rynnas (28 for 29 in saves).

Up to Khabarovsk, where Amur welcomes Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Juha Metsola are given the starting nods. Togliatti started in the first period with a Tobias Viklund goal, passed from Martin Zatovic and Alexander Bumagin. Khabarovsk tied it on a power play goal by Nikita Cherepanov in the second period, powered by Tom Wandell and Daniil Faizullin. Amur took the lead on a Dmitry Tarasov goal, fueled by Vladislav Ushenin and Vyacheslav Ushenin. Lada tied it on a Vasily Streltsov goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Streltsov. Khabarovsk got a late winner, taking the game 3-2 on an Evgeny Grachyov goal, made possible by Jan Kolar and Wandell. The three stars belonged to Grachyov, Wandell, and Metsola (24 for 26 in saves).

To the west, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Milchakov and Vladislav Fokin are in the blue paint. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first in the first period on an Ivan Yatsenko goal, via Grigory Zheldakov. Minsk tied it on a second period power play goal by Matt Ellison, powered by Nick Bailen and Ryan Gunderson. The tie lasted to overtime, where Yugra won 2-1 on an Igor Bortnikov power play goal, with a lone assist by Nikita Gusev. The three stars were Bortnikov, Fokin (24 for 25 in saves), and Yatsenko.

Into Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Igor Ustinsky are the backups in goal. Yekaterinburg led off with an unassisted first period goal by Artyom Gareyev. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a power play goal by Artyom Alyayev, powered by Vladimir Galuzin and Maxim Kondratyev. Torpedo took the lead in the second period on a Linus Videll goal, coming off of Alexei Pepelyaev. Avtomobilist retied it as Andrei Alexeyev scored, thanks to Alexei Dostoinov and Alexander Pankov. Yekaterinburg took the lead on a third period power play goal from Dmitry Megalinsky, with a lone helper by Anatoly Golyshev. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Megalinsky, Alexeyev, and Gareyev.

Crossing into Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Henrik Karlsson are between the pipes. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on an Alexander Dergachyov goal, with a lone assist provided by Alexander Barabanov. Helsinki tied it on a Niko Kapanen goal, guided in by Mathis Olimb and Pekka Jormakka. SKA took the lead back with a Barabanov goal, courtesy of Jarno Koskiranta and Ilya Kovalchuk. Jokerit retied it as Brandon Kozun scored, with the help of Niklas Hagman. Helsinki pulled ahead on a third period goal by Jani Rita, made possible by Jesse Joensuu. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Barabanov, Rita, and Kozun.

Along to Latvia, where Dinamo Riga welcomes Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Joacim Eriksson are the masked men. Moscow began in the first period with an Igor Radulov goal, coming off of Alexander Vasilyev. Riga tied it on a Miks Indrasis goal, via Tomas Kundratek. Dinamo took the lead with a Guntis Galvins power play goal in the second period, powered by Steven Seigo and Gints Meija. Spartak retied it on a Matthew Gilroy power play goal, fueled by Radulov and Gleb Klimenko. Moscow took the lead again on an Evgeny Bodrov shorthanded goal, set up by Maxim Potapov and Andrei Yermakov. Riga tied it as Lauris Darzins scored in the third period, thanks to Indrasis. In the shootout, Radulov and Indrasis cancelled each other out, and Darzins tallied to lift Dinamo to a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Indrasis, Darzins, and Radulov.

Backtracking to Moscow, where CSKA hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Viktor Fasth tend the twines. Astana got started in the first period on a Nigel Dawes goal, assisted by Kevin Dallman on the power play. Moscow tied it on a Sergei Andronov goal, via Simon Hjalmarsson and Alexander Radulov. Barys took the lead back on a Mike Lundin power play goal, powered by Dallman and Brandon Bochenski. CSKA tied it on a second period power play goal by Nikita Zaitsev, courtesy of Denis Denisov and Radulov. Moscow took the lead on a Jan Mursak goal, made possible by Dmitry Kugryshev and Maxim Mamin. Astana retied it as Dawes scored in the third period, thanks to Bochenski and Dustin Boyd. The tied lasted to a shootout, where Radulov's power play goal sent CSKA to a 4-3 victory, with assists provided by Denisov and Zaitsev. The three stars were awarded to Radulov, Zaitsev, and Dawes, while Dallman, Bochenski, and Denisov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Severstal Cherepovets brings in Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Jakub Stepanek guard the cages. Cherepovets drew first blood in the first period on a Pavel Buchnevich power play goal, powered by Igor Skorokhodov and Mattias Karlsson. Severstal added on with an Andrei Shefer goal, guided in by Anatoly Nikontsev and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Omsk got on the board with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, fueled by Jonas Ahnelov and Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard tied it on a Yury Alexandrov goal, assisted by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Ilya Mikhevev. Omsk took the lead with a power play goal by Denis Kulyash, with assists coming from Sergei Shirokov and Perezhogin. Cherepovets tied it in the second period as Pavel Chernov scored, with the help of Karlsson. Avangard took the lead back in the third period on a Martin Erat goal, helped along by Michal Kempny and Anton Kuryanov. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Perezhogin, Karlsson, and Erat.

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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 37

Today is another short day for the league, with only four games on. We begin in...

Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Harri Sateri are the masked men. Podolsk got going in the second period on an Igor Musatov goal, assisted by Anton Krysanov. Vityaz added on with a Dmitry Shitikov goal, via Sergei Peretyagin and Denis Abdullin. Podolsk iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Mario Kempe empty net goal, set up by Krysanov and Evgeny Viksna. The three stars went to Sateri (38 save shutout), Musatov, and Krysanov.

Up in Moscow, Dynamo welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexander Lazushin tend the twines. Moscow began in the first period on a Dmitry Vishnevsky goal, coming off of Ilya Nikulin and Maxim Karpov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Sergei Mozyakin goal in the second period, courtesy of Danis Zaripov. Dynamo retook the lead in the second period on a Denis Kokarev goal, going in unassisted. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars going to Kokarev, Lazushin (30 for 31 in saves), and Vishnevsky.

West to Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Gasper Kroselj are the goalies. Zagreb led off in the first period on a Mike Glumac goal, fueled by Simon Gysbers. Nizhnekamsk tied it on an Igor Polygalov goal, with a lone assist from Yegor Milovzorov. Neftekhimik pulled ahead as Pavel Zdunov scored, thanks to Jeff Taffe. Medvescak retied it on an Edwin Hedberg goal, helped along by Colby Genoway. Zagreb won 3-2 in overtime on a Geoffrey Kinrade goal, made possible by Jesse Saarinen. The three stars belonged to Kinrade, Hedberg, and Glumac.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on an Ilya Davydov power play goal, powered by Andrei Popov and Anton Glinkin. Bratislava tied it on a Michel Miklik goal, guided in by Tomas Surovy. Traktor took the lead back in the second period as Semyon Kokuyov scored, with the help of Deron Quint. Chelyabinsk added on with an Alexander Rybakov goal in the third period, with a lone helper by Alexei Petrov. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Demchenko (42 for 43 in saves), Kokuyov, and Rybakov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 36

Nine games today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas and Juha Metsola are in the creases. The game stayed scoreless until the shootout, where Fyodor Malykhin's goal for Kazan got wiped out by Vladislav Ushenin and Vyacheslav Litovchenko of Khabarovsk for their 1-0 win. The three stars went to Metsola (22 save shutout), Rynnas (23 save "shutout"), and Litovchenko.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Ivan Nalimov are the goalies. Vladivostok got going in the second period on a power play goal by Konstantin Makarov, powered by Artyom Zemchyonok. This stood for a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Nalimov (15 save shutout), Makarov, and Masalskis (39 for 40 in saves).

Over to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Andrei Kareyev are in goal. Yaroslal struck first in the first period with a Yegor Korshkov goal, passed from Pavel Kraskovsky. Novokuznetsk tied it on a power play goal by Mikhail Kuklev, powered by Grigory Glebov and Alexander Komaristy. Lokomotiv took the lead back in the second period on a Yegor Averin goal, coming off of Daniil Apalkov. Yaroslavl added on with another Averin goal, assisted by Apalkov and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv extended the lead as Emil Galimov scored, with the help of Apalkov, who got a sock trick, and Kontiola. This held up for a 4-1 win, with the three stars handed to Averin, Apalkov, and Kontiola.

West a little to Novosibirsk, where Sibir hosts the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Alexander Salak protect the nets. Novosibirsk was first to score in the first period on a Sergei Shumakov goal, courtesy of Oleg Gubin. Sochi tied it on a Max Warn goal, made possible by Mikhail Anisin and Vladimir Malevich. Sibir took the lead on a Calle Ridderwall goal, via David Ullstrom. The Leopards retied it as Andre Petersson scored an unassisted power play goal. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Roman Lyuduchin of Sochi got overpowered by Novosibirsk's Maxim Shalunov and Ullstrom as Sibir took the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Ullstrom, Ridderwall, and Salak (47 for 49 in saves).

Along to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Milchakov and Jakub Kovar are between the pipes. Minsk started with a Nikita Komarov goal, assisted by Artur Gavrus and Dmitry Buinitsky. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, guided in by Alexander Torchenyuk. Dinamo took the lead back in the third period on a power play goal by Nick Bailen, with a lone assist by Paul Szczechura. Minsk added on with a Matt Ellison empty net goal, going in unassisted. Dinamo iced it at 4-1 with an Ilya Shinkevich empty net goal, set up by Ellison. The three stars went to Gavrus, Ellison, and Milchakov (20 for 21 in saves).

Continuing to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Vladislav Fokin are in the blue paint. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period on an unassisted goal by Artyom Bulyansky. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period as Alexei Potapov scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Yugra took the lead on an Igor Bortnikov goal, passed from Alexander Ugolnikov. Khanty-Mansiysk added on in the third period with a Vitaly Sitnikov goal, fueled by Bulyansky. Torpedo chipped back on a Kaspars Daugavins goal, via Artyom Alyayev. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Bulyansky, Sitnikov, and Bortnikov.

Into Moscow, where CSKA hosts Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Ilya Sorokin receive the starting nods in goal. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Geoff Platt power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Jan Mursak. CSKA added on in the third period on a Ivan Telegin, with a lone helper by Maxim Mamin. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars belonging to Sorokin (13 save shutout), Platt, and Telegin.

Backtracking to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Barys Astana. Alexei Ivanov and Jakub Stepanek guard the cages. Astana began in the first period on a Brandon Bochenski power play goal, powered by Mike Lundin and Kevin Dallman. Barys added on with a Nigel Dawes goal, coming off of Bochenski. Astana extended the lead in the second period with a Dustin Boyd goal, made possible by Lundin and Dallman on the power play. Cherepovets got on the board with a Pavel Chernov goal, fueled by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Evgeny Mons. Severstal pulled closer with a Igor Skorokhodov goal, passed from Vadim Berdnikov and Denis Vikharev. Cherepovets tied it on a Daniil Vovchenko goal, with assists provided by Yury Trubachyov and Pavel Buchnevich. Severstal took the lead in the third period on an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, guided in by Sergei Monakhov and Mattias Karlsson. Barys retied it as Roman Savchenko scored an unassisted goal. Cherepovets won 5-4 in overtime with a power play goal by Skorokhodov, helped along by Miroslav Blatak and Chernov. The three stars were awarded to Skorokhodov, Chernov, and Bochenski, while Lundin and Dallman receive the honorable mentions.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Dinamo Riga. Joacim Eriksson and Mikko Koskinen man the creases. Riga opened in the first period on a Miks Indrasis goal, fueled by Lauris Darzins. Dinamo added on with an Indrasis goal, guided in by Tomas Kundratek. Riga extended the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Darzins, powered by Krisjanis Redlihs. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Maxim Chudinov goal, coming off of Ilya Kablukov and Anton Belov. Dinamo finished it at 4-1 in the third period as Gunars Skvorcovs scored an empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Indrasis, Darzins, and Eriksson (32 for 33 in saves).

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Monday, September 28, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 35

Four games on today, beginning with...

Vityaz Podolsk hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Harri Sateri tend the twines. Magnitogorsk struck first on a shorthanded Wojtek Wolski goal, set up by Tomas Filippi. Podolsk tied it on a power play goal by Denis Abdullin, powered by Yury Koksharov. Metallurg retook the lead on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Wolski. Vityaz tied it again with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, guided in by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Alexei Makeyev. Magnitogorsk retook the lead again as Mozyakin scored his second of the game, with the help of Viktor Antipin and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Danis Zaripov goal, with a lone assist by Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead on a Mozyakin goal, with his hat trick tally helped along by Kovar and Oskar Osala. Sergei Denisov replaced Sateri in goal. Metallurg padded the lead with a Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal, with helpers from Wolski and Filippi. Magnitogorsk iced it at 7-2 on an unassisted Wolski goal in the third period. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Woslki, and Filippi, while Kovar gets an honorable mention.

Up in the city, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Salavat Yulaev. Niklas Svedberg and Alexander Sharychenkov are the goalies. Moscow was first to score in the first period on a power play goal by Vladimir Bryukvin, powered by Denis Kokarev and Ilya Nikulin. Dynamo added on with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, via Juuso Hietanen and Mat Robinson. In the second period, Moscow extended the lead on a Robinson goal, with a lone assist by Alexei Tsvetkov. Ufa got on the board with a power play goal from Igor Grigorenko, helped along by Kirill Koltsov. Dynamo shot back on a Maxim Petushko goal, guided in by Robinson. Salavat Yulaev answered as Linus Omark scored, thanks to Grigorenko. Moscow replied on a Martins Karsums goal, fueled by Tsvetkov. Ufa pulled back with a Dmitry Makarov power play goal, with assists provided by Ivan Vishnevsky and Denis Khlystov. Dynamo finished it at 6-3 on a power play goal by Robinson, set up by Tsvetkov, who got a sock trick, and Hietanen. The three stars were awarded to Robinson, Tsvetkov, and Grigorenko, while Hietanen received an honorable mention.

Out in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Gasper Kroselj are in the blue paint. Zagreb got going in the second period on a Gilbert Brule goal, passed from Shaone Morrisonn and Patrick Bjorkstrand. Medvescak added on in the third period as Edwin Hedberg scored, with a lone assist from Colby Genoway. Chelyabinsk got on the board with an Alexander Rybakov power play goal, powered by Alexei Petrov and Deron Quint. The final stayed at 2-1, with the three stars going to Kroselj (23 for 24 in saves), Hedberg, and Brule.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sutnitsin and Barry Brust are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Pavel Zdunov goal, coming off of Evgeny Grigorenko and Jeff Taffe. Neftekhimik added with a power play goal in the third period from Mikhail Zhukov, powered by Andrei Stas and Yegor Milovzorov. Nizhnekamsk iced it at 3-0 with a power play goal by Maxim Berezin, via Taffe and Grigorenko. The three stars went to Sudnitsin (33 save shutout), Grigorenko, and Taffe.

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2015/16 Premier League Week 7

Ten games for the weekend, with the first of eight on Saturday coming from...

London, where Tottenham Hotspur hosts Manchester City. Willy Caballero and Hugo Lloris are the goalies. Manchester City struck first in the twenty-fifth minute with a Kevin de Bruyne goal, coming off of Yaya Toure. In the forty-fifth minute, Tottenham Hotspur tied it on an Eric Dier goal. Manchester City saw a yellow card go to Martin Demichelis in first half stoppage time for his foul. Tottenham Hotspur took the lead on a fiftieth minute goal from Toby Alberweireld, passed from Erik Lamela. Tottenham Hotspur had yellow cards to Lamela in the fifty-sixth minute and Dier in the fifty-ninth minute, both for fouls. In the sixty-first minute, Harry Kane added to the Tottenham Hotspur lead with his goal. In the sixty-fifth minute, Tottenham Hotspur received a yellow card for a Christian Eriksen foul. Tottenham Hotspur extended the lead as Lamela scored in the seventy-ninth minute, thanks to Clinton N'Jie. Tottenham Hotspur had two more yellow cards, for Dele Alli in the eighty-eighth minute and Kane in second half stoppage time, both for fouls. The final held at 4-1 for Tottenham Hotspur.

Up north, Leicester City welcomes Arsenal. Petr Cech and Kasper Schmeichel guard the woodwork. Leicester City was first to score on a thirteenth minute goal from Jamie Vardy, via Daniel Drinkwater. Arsenal tied it on an eighteenth minute goal by Theo Walcott, coming off of Santiago Cazorla. Arsenal went ahead as Alexis Sanchez scored in the thirty-third minute. In the fifty-seventh minute, Sanchez scored again to add onto the Arsenal lead, with the help of Mesut Ozil. At the sixty-eight minute mark, Mikel Arteta of Arsenal took a yellow card for a handball. Leicester City's Drinkwater took a yellow card for his seventy-second minute foul. In the eighty-first minute, Arsenal's Sanchez completed his natural hat trick, set up by Nacho Monreal on his third of the game. Leicester City got one back with a Vardy goal in the eighty-ninth minute, assisted by Leonardo Ulloa. Arsenal iced it at 5-2 with a stoppage time goal by Olivier Giroud, guided in by Monreal.

Next up, Liverpool brings in Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Simon Mignolet are the keepers. Liverpool started quickly with a second minute goal by James Milner, via Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool added on as Daniel Sturridge found the back of the net in the fifty-ninth minute, courtesy of Milner. Aston Villa got on the board with a Rudy Gestede goal in the sixty-sixth minute, assisted by Alan Hutton. Liverpool shot back as Sturridge scored his second of the game in the sixty-seventh minute, with an assist provided by Coutinho. Aston Villa pulled back on a seventy-first minute goal from Gestede, fueled by Jordan Amavi. They couldn't find an equalizer, falling 3-2.

Staying north, Manchester United hosts Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and David de Gea are the experienced keepers. In the thirty-eighth minute, Adam Johnson of Sunderland took a yellow card for his foul. Manchester United opened the scoring in first half stoppage time on a Memphis Depay goal, set up by Juan Mata. In the forty-sixth minute, Manchester United added on through a goal by Wayne Rooney, passed from Anthony Martial. Sunderland's Billy Jones received a yellow card for his fiftieth minute foul. In the eighty-fifth minute, Sunderland had a yellow card for a Lee Cattermole foul. Manchester United iced it at 3-0 with a Mata goal in the ninetieth minute to cap their convincing victory.

Back in the south, Southampton welcomes Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Maarten Stekelenburg are the goalies with interesting names. Southampton led off in the eleventh minute with a Virgil van Dijk goal, assisted by James Ward-Prowse. In the forty-third minute, Southampton saw a yellow card assessed to Victor Wanyama for his foul. Southampton added on in the fifty-fourth minute on a Dusan Tadic goal, passed from Graziano Pelle. Southampton extended the lead on a sixty-first minute goal from Sadio Mane. In the seventy-sixth minute, Jonjo Shelvey of Swansea City went in the book on a yellow card foul. Southampton received yellow cards for Oriol Romeu in the eighty-first minute and Jose Fonte in the eighty-third minute, both for fouls. The latter of these allowed Swansea City to get on the board in the eighty-third minute on a penalty kick goal by Gylfi Sigurdsson. This produced the 3-1 final line for Southampton's victory.

Backtracking to Stoke City bringing in Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Jack Butland are in the six-yard boxes. Stoke City got going in the thirty-second minute on a Jonathan Walters goal, set up by Marko Arnautovic. Bournemouth tied it on a seventy-sixth minute goal by Dan Gosling. Stoke City retook the lead in the eighty-third minute on a Mame Biram Diouf goal, passed from Glen Johnson. In the ninetieth minute, Glenn Whelan of Stoke City took a yellow card for his foul. The score stayed at 2-1 in favor of Stoke City.

Continuing along, West Ham United hosts Norwich City. John Ruddy is mismatched with Adrian in goal. Norwich City began in the ninth minute on a Robbie Brady goal. West Ham United tied it on a thirty-third minute goal by Diafra Sakho, made possible by Dimitri Payet. Norwich City regained the lead on an eighty-third minute goal from Nathan Redmond, set up by Wes Hoolahan. In stoppage time, West Ham United tied it again on a Cheikhou Kouyate goal, coming off of Andy Carroll, setting the stage for a 2-2 draw as the final score.

Finally, we end in the north with Newcastle United welcoming Chelsea in Saturday's last game. Asmir Begovic and Tim Krul are the gloved men. At the thirty-three minute mark, Jack Colback of Newcastle United had a yellow card for his foul. In the forty-second minute, Newcastle United dented the scoreboard on a goal by Ayoze Perez, assisted by Vurnon Anita. In the sixtieth minute, Newcastle United added on with a Georginio Wijnaldum goal, set up by Perez. Chelsea had a yellow card given to Branislav Ivanovic for his sixty-eighth minute foul. Chelsea got on the board with a Ramires goal in the seventy-ninth minute, coming off of Eden Hazard. Chelsea tied it with a Willian goal off a free kick in the eighty-sixth minute. Chelsea's Pedro received a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The score held at 2-2.

The one game on Sunday has Watford bringing in Crystal Palace. Wayne Hennessey and Heurelho Gomes are in goal. Almen Abdi of Watford had a yellow card for a thirty-ninth minute foul. In the seventieth minute, Jurado of Watford took a yellow card. Crystal Palace dented the scoreboard with a Yohan Cabaye penalty kick goal in the seventy-first minute. Cabaye had a yellow card for his seventy-sixth minute foul for Crystal Palace. Watford's Sebastian Prodl received a yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul. In the eighty-first minute, Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace was booked on a yellow card for a foul. Craig Cathcart of Watford received a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. Crystal Palace had two more yellow cards, going to Wilfried Zaha in the eighty-eighth minute for a foul and Hennessey in stoppage time for time wasting. The final remained at 1-0 for Crystal Palace. 

Finally, West Bromwich Albion hosts Everton on Monday. Tim Howard and Boaz Myhill protect the woodwork. West Bromwich Albion drew first blood in the forty-first minute on a Saido Berahino goal, courtesy of James Morrison. In the fifty-fourth minute, West Bromwich Albion added on with a Craig Dawson goal, set up by Chris Brunt. Everton got on the board in the fifty-fifth minute on a goal from Romelu Lukaku, via Gerard Deulofeu. Everton had yellow cards for Steven Naismith in the sixty-fourth minute and James McCarthy's foul in the seventieth minute. Everton tied it in the seventy-fifth minute as Arouna Kone scored, thanks to Lukaku. Everton had another yellow card for Kone a minute later as his celebration proved a bit excessive. Everton gained the lead on a Lukaku goal in the eighty-fourth minute, made possible by Deulofeu. This made it 3-2, which stood for an Everton victory in the end.

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Sunday, September 27, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 30

One game on Friday night to kick off a ten-game weekend. This one's from...

New York, as the Red Bulls host Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and Luis Robles get the starting nods in goal. New York saw a yellow card go to Matt Miazga for his fifteenth minute foul. Orlando City struck first in the twenty-fourth minute on a Cyle Larin goal, via Kaka. Orlando City's Cristian Higuita took a yellow card for a twenty-eighth minute foul. The Red Bulls tied it in the twenty-ninth minute on a Dax McCarty goal, set up by Miazga and Sacha Kljestan. Orlando City regained the lead in the forty-third minute on another Larin goal, made possible by Carlos Rivas and Kaka. In the forty-sixth minute, Damien Perrinelle gave Orlando City a gift when he redirected the ball past his own keeper. In the fifty-second minute, Kaka received a yellow card for a foul for Orlando City. In the fifty-sixth minute, Hall was booked on a yellow card for time wasting. New York pulled a little closer in the fifty-eighth minute with a Lloyd Sam goal, passed from Gonzalo Veron. Orlando City replied with Larin finishing his hat trick, with the help of Rivas and Brek Shea. The Red Bulls saw a yellow card assessed to Ronald Zubar for illegally entering the field in the sixty-fifth minute. In the seventy-seventh minute, New York's Miazga took a second yellow card for another foul, putting the Red Bulls at ten men. Orlando City iced the game at 5-2 in stoppage time with a Bryan Rochez goal, assisted by Kaka, who got a sock trick for three assists. The man of the match was hat trick hero Larin.

Saturday's first game comes from Canada, where Toronto FC welcomes the Chicago Fire. Jon Busch and Chris Konopka make the starts in goal. Chicago was first to score with a Gilberto goal in the first minute, via Patrick Nyarko. Toronto tied it on a twenty-ninth minute goal from Jonathan Osorio, passed from Sebastian Giovinco and Damien Perquis. The Fire took the lead back on another Gilberto goal in the fifty-second minute, assisted by Mike Magee and Nyarko. Toronto equalized with a Michael Bradley goal in the fifty-ninth minute, coming off of Giovinco. In the seventy-ninth minute, Toronto took the lead with a Jozy Altidore goal, set up by Giovinco. This held up for a 3-2 win, and the three-assist/sock trick performance by Giovinco earns him man of the match honors.

Staying in Canada, we head to Quebec as the Montreal Impact bring in DC United. Bill Hamid and Evan Bush are in the six-yard boxes. Montreal started with a fourth minute Didier Drogba goal. The Impact added on as Drogba scored again in the eleventh minute. DC had a yellow card go to Nick DeLeon in the forty-ninth minute for a foul, and another in the fiftieth minute for Steve Birnbaum's foul. In the fifty-third minute, Montreal took a yellow card for Drogba's foul. United's Conor Doyle received a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-second minute. The Impact saw a yellow card given to Nigel Reo-Coker for his foul in the sixty-sixth minute. The final stood at 2-0 for Montreal, and Drogba's brace made him the man of the match.

Stateside, the New England Revolution host the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Bobby Shuttleworth man the nets. New England got going on a thirty-sixth minute penalty kick goal by Lee Nguyen. Philadelphia tied it on a Fernando Aristeguieta goal in the sixty-fifth minute, via Warren Creavalle. This produced the 1-1 tie, with the man of the match being Blake for saving ten of eleven shots on goal in a busy night for the Union keeper. 

To the west, the Columbus Crew SC welcome the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Steve Clark protect the nets. Portland opened on a twenty-eighth minute goal by Fanendo Adi, courtesy of Darlington Nagbe. Columbus tied it on a Kei Kamara goal in the forty-third minute, via Federico Higuain. In first half stoppage time, Diego Chara of the Timbers took a yellow card for his foul. Portland took the lead back on another Adi goal in the fiftieth minute, set up by Rodney Wallace and Diego Valeri. In the eighty-eighth minute, Higuain of the Crew received a yellow card for a foul. The Timbers saw two yellow cards in second half stoppage time, for a foul by George Fochive, and for time wasting by Kwarasey. The final stood at 2-1 for Portland, with Adi's brace making him man of the match.

Down in Texas, the Houston Dynamo bring in the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Tyler Deric man the nets. Houston led off in the third minute on a Leonel Miranda goal, passed from Giles Barnes and Will Bruin. Colorado tied it on an eighth minute goal by Vicente Sanchez. In the twenty-fourth minute, the Dynamo retook the lead on a Barnes goal, assisted by Bruin. The Rapids tied it again with a forty-fourth minute goal by Sanchez, set up by Dillon Powers. Houston retook the lead on a forty-seventh minute goal from Brad Davis. In the sixty-sixth minute, Marcelo Sarvas of Colorado received a yellow card for dissent. The Dynamo saw a yellow card go to Raul Rodriguez for his foul in the seventy-eighth minute. The final stood at 3-2, with the man of the match being Barnes for his goal and assist.

Ending Saturday, we have the Vancouver Whitecaps FC hosting New York City FC. Josh Saunders and David Ousted are in goal. In the twelfth minute, New York City saw Shay Facey take a yellow card for a foul. New York City began in the twenty-ninth minute with a Frank Lampard goal, passed from Angelino and Andrea Pirlo. Vancouver had yellow cards for fouls by Pedro Morales in the eighty-second minute and Cristian Techera in the eighty-third minute. In the eighty-eighth minute, the Whitecaps tied it as Morales buried a penalty kick. New York City regained the lead deep in stoppage time on a penalty kick goal by David Villa. New York City claimed a 2-1 win, with the man of the match being Saunders for stopping five of the six shots to come on his goal.

The first of three Sunday games has Sporting Kansas City welcoming the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Jon Kempin are in goal. Seattle dented the scoreboard on a thirty-second minute Obafemi Martins goal, via Gonzalo Pineda. Kansas City had a yellow card for a thirty-fifth minute foul by Paulo Nagamura. The Sounders saw a yellow card go to Osvaldo Alonso for his forty-fourth minute foul. Sporting tied it in the seventy-ninth minute on a Dominic Dwyer goal, assisted by Amadou Dia and Jacob Peterson. Kansas City's Erik Palmer-Brown took a yellow card for his eighty-second minute foul. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match being Frei for making six saves on seven shots on goal to preserve the draw.

Out in California, the San Jose Earthquakes bring in Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and David Bingham occupy the six-yard boxes. San Jose saw a yellow card go to Anibal Godoy in the thirty-fourth minute for a foul. In the sixty-third minute, Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman took a yellow card for encroachment. The Earthquakes had three straight yellow cards for persistent infringement by Marc Pelosi in the seventy-third minute, dissent by Chris Wondolowski in the seventy-fourth minute, and a foul by Matias Perez Garcia in the seventy-seventh minute. Real took a yellow card for a Tony Beltran foul in the eighty-fourth minute. San Jose got the scoring started on a Garcia goal, coming off of Quincy Amarikwa and Victor Bernardez, but he also got ejected for excessive celebration, his second yellow card of the game putting the Earthquakes down to ten men. Salt Lake had a yellow card given to Aaron Maund in the ninetieth minute for his foul. San Jose held on for a 1-0 win, with Garcia named man of the match despite the ejection for his winner.

Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host FC Dallas. Jesse Gonzales and Donovan Ricketts man the nets. Los Angeles drew first blood in the eleventh minute on a Giovani dos Santos goal, assisted by Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane. The Galaxy added on with a Keane goal in the fourteenth minute, coming off of dos Santos. Dallas got on the board with a thirty-fifth minute goal by Michael Barrios, set up by Mauro Diaz. Los Angeles shot back on a Steven Gerrard goal in the fifty-seventh minute. The Galaxy's Juninho received a yellow card in the sixty-ninth minute for time wasting. Dallas pulled back on an eighty-sixth minute goal from Atiba Harris, with assists from Matt Hedges and Ryan Hollingshead. In stoppage time, Los Angeles took a yellow card for an Alan Gordon foul. The final stayed at 3-2, with the man of the match being dos Santos.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 34

Seven games on for today, beginning in the Far East with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Juha Metsola draw the starts in goal. Khabarovsk got going in the second period on a Vyacheslav Litovchenko power play goal, powered by Evgeny Kurbatov and Tomas Zohorna. This was all for the scoring, with the final being 1-0. The three stars were awarded to Metsola (21 save shutout), Litovchenko, and Barulin (25 for 26 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Igor Bobkov are the goalies. Yaroslavl led off in the first period on an Emil Galimov goal, assisted by Ilya Lyubushkin. Lokomotiv added on with a Mikhail Pashnin goal, courtesy of Vladislav Kartayev and Dmitry Maltsev. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the second period as Kartayev scored a power play goal, powered by Yegor Averin and Daniil Apalkov. The final stood from here at 3-0, with the three stars given to Kartayev, Murygin (18 save shutout), and Galimov.

To the west, Metallurg Novokuznetsk brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas and Andrei Kareyev are in the creases. Novokuznetsk began in the first period on a shorthanded goal by Alexander Komaristy, set up by Robert Kousal. Metallurg added on with a Maxim Kazakov goal, passed from Ryan Stoa. Kazan got on the board with a Damir Musin goal, via Justin Azevedo and Mattias Sjogren. Ak Bars tied it in the second period on a Dmitry Arkhipov goal, with a lone assist from Artyom Mikheyev. Kazan pulled ahead on an Igor Mirnov goal, courtesy of Artyom Lukoyanov and Vladimir Tkachyov. Novokuznetsk tied it again on an Evgeny Orlov goal, guided in by Komaristy and Kousal. Metallurg changed goalies for the shootout, putting Vladislav Podyapolsky in goal. It didn't stop a Fyodor Malykhin goal, the only one in the shootout, putting Ak Bars in the win column with a 4-3 victory. The three stars went to Malykhin, Komaristy, and Kousal.

Staying in the area, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Nikita Bespalov draw the starts. Togliatti struck first with an unassisted Tobias Viklund goal in the first period. Lada added on with an Alexander Bumagin goal in the second period, fueled by Vladimir Malenkikh and Alexander Bolshakov. Novosibirsk got on the board with a Sergei Shumakov goal, via Vitaly Menshikov. Sibir tied it on a third period power play goal by Oleg Gubin, powered by Maxim Shalunov and Menshikov. Togliatti took the lead back as Denis Guryanov scored, thanks to Alexander Nikulin. Novosibirsk answered on a David Ullstrom goal, with a lone helper from Tomas Vincour. Lada retook the lead with a goal Viklund, made possible by Guryanov and Bumagin. Sibir tied it again on a Vincour goal, helped along by Shumakov. In the shootout, Novosibirsk got goals from Vincour, Shalunov, and Ullstrom, while Togliatti's lone tally came from Semyon Valuisky. The three stars in the 5-4 game were Ullstrom, Viklund, and Bumagin, while Shumakov, Menshikov, Shalunov, Guryanov, and Vincour all get honorable mentions.

Way out west, CSKA Moscow brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson faces a lesser foe in Ilya Sorokin in goal. Moscow opened in the first period on an Alexander Radulov goal, assisted by Gennady Stolyarov and Simon Hjalmarsson. CSKA added on in the second period on a Stolyarov goal, passed from Radulov and Nikita Zaitsev. Moscow extended the lead as Maxim Mamin scored, thanks to Geoff Platt. CSKA padded the lead in the third period on a Platt goal, via Jan Mursak. Helsinki got on the board with a Niko Kapanen goal, coming off of Juhamatti Aaltonen and Ville Lajunen. Moscow answered on a Stolyarov goal, his second of the game, made possible by Radulov and Hjalmarsson. Jokerit got one back with a Jere Sallinen goal, with a lone assist provided by Aaltonen. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars going to Stolyarov, Radulov, and Platt, while Hjalmarsson and Aaltonen get the honorable mentions.

Staying in Moscow, Spartak welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Atte Engren are the masked men. Moscow started with an Igor Radulov power play goal, powered by Alexander Vasilyev and Gleb Klimenko. Spartak added on with an Igor Levitsky power play goal, with assists provided by Andrei Yermakov and Maxim Potapov. Riga got on the board with a Tim Sestito power play goal, via Tomas Kundratek. Dinamo tied it in the third period on a Mikelis Redlihs goal, passed from Steven Seigo and Gints Meija. Moscow retook the lead on a Dmitry Korobov goal, guided in by Klimenko. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Klimenko, Korobov, and Levitsky.

Finally, we head to Cherepovets, where Severstal hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Georgy Gelashvili and Jakub Stepanek occupy the blue paint. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period on an Evgeny Mons goal, coming off of Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Severstal added on with a Kagarlitsky goal in the second period, made possible by Mons. Cherepovets extended the lead in the third period as Miroslav Blatak scored, thanks to Pavel Buchnevich and Vadim Berdnikov. This produced the 3-0 final, with the three stars belonging to Stepanek (19 save shutout), Mons, and Kagarlitsky.

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