2015-16 NHL Season - Day 4

Fourteen games are on the first Saturday of the season, with the first a matinee from...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces a lesser foe in Chad Johnson in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on an Erik Condra goal, via Victor Hedman and Valtteri Filppula. Buffalo tied it on a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, guided in by Sam Reinhart and Josh Gorges. The Lightning retook the lead on a Nikita Kucherov goal, passed from Tyler Johnson and Anton Stralman. Tampa Bay added on with a Steven Stamkos goal in the third period, coming off of Ryan Callahan. The Lightning extended the lead as J.T. Brown scored, thanks to Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn. The final remained at 4-1, with the three stars going to Bishop (24 for 25 in saves), Kucherov, and Stamkos.

At the normal times, the Boston Bruins welcomed the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Montreal struck first in the first period with a David Desharnais power play goal, powered by Andrei Markov and Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens added on with a Lars Eller goal in the second period, made possible by Alexander Semin and Galchenyuk. Montreal extended the lead on another Eller goal, via Galchenyuk, who got a sock trick, and Semin. Boston got on the board with a Matt Beleskey goal, coming off of David Krejci and David Pastrnak. The Canadiens answered in the third period on an empty net goal by Tomas Plekanec, set up by Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher. The Bruins got one back with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, with assists provided by Pastrnak and Torey Krug. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars given to Eller, Galchenyuk, and Semin, while Pastrnak gets an honorable mention.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Cam Ward receive the starting nods in goal. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, fueled by Dylan Larkin and Justin Abdelkader. Carolina tied it on a Victor Rask goal, with a lone assist by Noah Hanifin. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Nathan Gerbe goal, from Ryan Murphy. The Red Wings retied it as Teemu Pulkkinen scored in the third period, an unassisted goal. Detroit took the lead on Pulkkinen's second goal of the game, via Tomas Tatar. The Red Wings added on with an Abdelkader goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist. Carolina shot back on a power play goal by Justin Faulk, powered by John-Michael Liles and Kris Versteeg. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Pulkkinen, Abdelkader, and Zetterberg.

Back north, the New York Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Henrik Lundqvist protect the nets. New York was first to score in the first period on an Oscar Lindberg goal, his third of the season, assisted by Kevin Hayes. The Rangers added on with a Lindberg goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, courtesy of J.T. Miller and Viktor Stalberg. New York extended the lead as Dominic Moore scored, thanks to Jarret Stoll and Keith Yandle. The Rangers chased Bobrovsky late in the second period on a Derick Brassard power play goal, powered by Dan Boyle and Yandle. Curtis McElhinney took over in the third period. New York padded the lead on a Derek Stepan goal, his second of the season, made possible by Chris Kreider and Stalberg. Columbus got on the board with a Ryan Johansen goal, guided in by Fedor Tyutin and Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets pulled closer on a Boone Jenner power play goal, with a lone assist by David Savard. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars going to Lindberg, Stalberg, and Yandle.

Into Canada, where the Battle of Ontario rages on with the Toronto Maple Leafs bringing in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and James Reimer are called on to start. Ottawa got started in the second period with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone. The Senators added on with an Alex Chiasson power play goal, with assists provided by Mika Zibanejad and Patrick Wiercioch. Ottawa extended the lead as Milan Michalek scored on the power play, with helpers from Karlsson and Turris. Toronto got on the board with an unassisted Joffrey Lupul goal. The Maple Leafs pulled closer on a Tyler Bozak goal, with a lone assist by Dion Phaneuf. Toronto tied it on a Peter Holland goal in the third period, coming on the power play from P.A. Parenteau and Phaneuf. The Senators regained the lead with a Stone goal, via Mike Hoffman and Karlsson, the latter getting a sock trick. The Maple Leafs tied it again with a Daniel Winnik goal, coming off of Brad Boyes and Nick Spaling. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Parenteau got matched by Bobby Ryan and then bested by Hoffman, for a 5-4 Senators win. The three stars went to Stone, Karlsson, and Turris, while Phaneuf, Parenteau, and Hoffman get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals welcome the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Washington led off in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Jason Chimera, set up by Justin Williams and John Carlson. The Capitals added on with a Brooks Orpik goal, fueled by Tom Wilson and Chimera. New Jersey got on the board with an Adam Henrique goal, courtesy of Jiri Tlusty and Kyle Palmieri. The Devils tied it on a power play goal by Eric Gelinas, powered by Lee Stempniak and Mike Cammalleri. Washington took the lead in the third period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, with a lone assist from Matt Niskanen. The Capitals extended the lead as Marcus Johansson scored a power play goal, assisted by Ovechkin and Carlson. Washington padded the lead on a Niskanen power play goal into the empty net, helped along by Williams and Dmitry Orlov. New Jersey got one back on an unassisted Cammalleri goal. The final held at 5-3, with the three stars being Ovechkin, Chimera, and Niskanen, while Williams, Carlson, and Cammalleri get the honorable mentions.

South to Florida, where the Panthers host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Roberto Luongo are in the creases. Florida began in the first period on a Vincent Trocheck goal, assisted by Jussi Jokinen and Willie Mitchell. The Panthers added on with a Nick Bjugstad power play goal, powered by Aaron Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau. Florida extended the lead as Reilly Smith potted a power play goal, with the help of Brandon Pirri and Trocheck. The Panthers chased Mason on a Jokinen goal, with a lone assist from Trocheck. Florida padded the lead with a Jaromir Jagr goal in the second period, made possible by Aleksander Barkov. Philadelphia got on the board with a Mark Streit power play goal, with assists from Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Panthers shot back in the third period on a Jagr goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Brian Campbell and Barkov. Florida finished it at 7-1 on a Smith power play goal, his second of the game, helped along by Trocheck, who got a sock trick, and Pirri. The three stars were awarded to Jagr, Smith, and Trocheck, while Jokinen, Pirri, and Barkov get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Nashville, where the Predators host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Pekka Rinne are in the blue paint. Nashville drew first blood in the second period on a Craig Smith goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Colin Wilson. The Predators added on in the third period with a Filip Forsberg goal, with a lone assist by Mike Ribeiro. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars handed to Rinne (31 save shutout), Smith, and Forsberg.

Further to the north, the Minnesota Wild welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Devan Dubnyk are the unproven goalies. Minnesota started in the first period on a Charlie Coyle goal, going in unassisted. St. Louis tied it in the second period on an Alexander Steen goal, guided in by Vladimir Tarasenko and Paul Stastny. The Wild retook the lead with a Zach Parise power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Ryan Suter and Mikael Granlund. Minnesota added on with Coyle's second of the game, via Thomas Vanek and Suter. The Blues shot back with a Tarasenko power play goal in the third period, his second of the year, made possible by Kevin Shattenkirk and Steen. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with the three stars given to Coyle, Tarasenko, and Steen, while Suter gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the New York Islanders. Jean-Francois Berube and Scott Darling are the unheard of backups in goal. Chicago opened with a Trevor van Riemsdyk goal in the first period, assisted by Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks added on with a Panarin goal in the second period, his second of the season, fueled by Kane. Chicago extended the lead on a Kane goal, his third of the year, guided in by van Riemsdyk and Panarin. The Blackhawks padded the lead with a third period power play goal by Brent Seabrook, powered by Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Shaw. New York got on the board with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The final was 4-1, and the three stars were handed to Kane, Panarin, and van Riemsdyk.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche host the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Semyon Varlamov are the reliable goalies. Dallas led off in the first period with a Mattias Janmark goal, his second of the season, guided in by Jason Demers and Antoine Roussel. Colorado tied it on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, via Alex Tanguay and Gabriel Landeskog. The Stars took the lead back on a Cody Eakin goal, made possible by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Dallas added on in the second period with an Eakin power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Demers and Ales Hemsky. The Avalanche pulled back on an Erik Johnson power play goal, his second of the season, coming off of Carl Soderberg and Francois Beauchemin. Colorado tied it on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Landeskog and MacKinnon. The Avalanche pulled ahead with a John Mitchell goal in the third period, his second of the season, assisted by Jack Skille and Cody McLeod. Colorado extended the lead as Landeskog scored his second of the year, thanks to Tanguay and Beauchemin. The Avalanche padded the lead on another Landeskog goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, helped along by MacKinnon and Nick Holden. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars named as Landeskog, MacKinnon, and Eakin, while Tanguay, Beauchemin, and Demers get the honorable mentions.

Crossing into Canada again, we have the Vancouver Canucks bringing in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Ryan Miller are the goalies with rhyming names. Calgary began in the first period on a Dougie Hamilton power play goal, powered by Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Bo Horvat power play goal, with helpers from Sven Baertschi and Ben Hutton. The Canucks took the lead with a Jared McCann goal, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Brandon Prust. The Flames retied it in the third period on a Sean Monahan goal, passed from Hudler and Gaudreau. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime with a Gaudreau goal, courtesy of Dennis Wideman. The three stars belonged to Gaudreau, Hudler, and Monahan.

Way to the south, the Arizona Coyotes welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith man the nets. Arizona got going in the second period with a Tobias Rieder goal, his second of the season, guided in by Anthony Duclair and Martin Hanzal. Pittsburgh tied it on an unassisted goal by Phil Kessel. The Coyotes retook the lead with a Jordan Martinook goal, via Steve Downie and Boyd Gordon. The final remained at 2-1, with the three stars given to Smith (27 for 28 in saves), Martinook, and Rieder.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Martin Jones are the masked men. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrick Marleau goal, made possible by Logan Couture and Joel Ward. The Sharks added on with another Marleau goal in the third period, coming off of Ward. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars handed to Marleau, Jones (27 save shutout), and Andersen (42 for 44 in saves), while Ward gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Major League Soccer Week 32

With the international break in effect, there are just three games all week. The first two are on Wednesday, as...

The New York Red Bulls host the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Luis Robles get the starts in goal. Montreal went down to ten men as Ambroise Oyongo took a straight red card in the fifteenth minute for a handball in the box, and New York started with a penalty kick goal by Sacha Kljestan in the sixteenth minute. In the twenty-seventh minute, the Impact's Marco Donadel received a yellow card for dissent. Montreal's Donny Toia took a yellow card for his thirtieth minute foul. The Red Bulls added on in the thirty-ninth minute through a Lloyd Sam goal. New York's Ronald Zubar took a yellow card in the sixty-seventh minute for his dissent. The Impact got on the board with a sixty-eighth minute Didier Drogba penalty kick goal. Montreal's Laurent Ciman got a yellow card for his dissent in the seventy-first minute. The Red Bulls took yellow cards for fouls by Connor Lade in the seventy-sixth minute and Sal Zizzo in the eighty-ninth minute. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Sam for his winner.

Wednesday's other game sees the Vancouver Whitecaps FC welcoming FC Dallas. Jesse Gonzalez and David Ousted man the nets. The game saw no goals and no disciplinary action, ending in a 0-0 draw. The man of the match was Ousted for his four-save clean sheet to pull the Whitecaps into the playoffs officially.

On Saturday, the Colorado Rapids ended the week bringing in the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush opposes Zac MacMath in goal this time. Colorado had a yellow card go to Dillon Powers for a fourteenth minute foul. Montreal opened on a fifteenth minute goal by Didier Drogba. The Rapids saw a yellow card given to Juan Ramirez for dissent in the thirty-seventh minute. The Inmpact's Laurent Ciman took a yellow card for his forty-third minute foul. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Drogba.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 47

Six games fill the schedule for today, beginning with...

Avangard Omsk hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky and Denis Kostin are the backups in goal. Novokuznetsk was first to score in the first period with a Vadim Mitryakov goal, passed from Alexander Romanov and Nikita Lyamkin. Metallurg added on with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, fueled by Maxim Kazakov on the power play. Novokuznetsk extended the lead as Ilya Musin scored, thanks to Alexei Razumov. Omsk got on the board with an Ilya Zubov goal in the second period, made possible by Sergei Shirokov. Metallurg shot back with a Ryan Stoa goal, assisted by Kaprizov and Kazakov. This held up for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Kaprizov, Podyapolsky (33 for 34 in saves), and Kazakov.

Along to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Vladislav Fokin receive the starting nods in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk got going in the second period on a Kirill Rasskazov goal, fueled by Andrei Ivanov and Igor Volkov. Yugra added on with another Rasskazov goal, via Ivanov. Khanty-Mansiysk iced it at 3-0 in the third period with a power play goal by Stanislav Kalashnikov, set up by Rasskazov and Volkov. The three stars belonged to Rasskazov, Fokin (38 save shutout), and Ivanov, while Volkov gets an honorable mention.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Jan Laco protect the nets. Novosibirsk struck first in the first period on a David Ullstrom goal, with a lone assist by Artyom Voroshilo. Sibir added on with a Stepan Sannikov goal, coming off of Sergei Shumakov and Konstantin Alexeyev. Astana got on the board with a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, guided in by Talgat Zhailauov and Alexei Litvinenko. Barys tied it on a Brandon Bochenski goal, with a lone helper from Nigel Dawes. Astana took the lead on a Martin St. Pierre power play goal, powered by Dawes and Kevin Dallman. Novosibirsk retied it in the second period with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, helped along by Oleg Gubin. Sibir took the lead as Shumakov scored, thanks to Alexeyev and Sergei Gimayev. Novosibirsk extended the lead on a third period Ullstrom goal, courtesy of Calle Ridderwall. Sibir iced it at 6-3 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Gubin, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Shumakov, Ullstrom, and Alexeyev, while Gubin and Dawes get the honorable mentions.

Back in Russia, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Jakub Kovar guard the cages. Yekaterinburg dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Anatoly Golyshev power play goal, powered by Alexei Simakov and Dmitry Megalinsky. Avtomobilist added on with an unassisted goal from Artyom Gareyev. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars awarded to Kovar (23 save shutout), Golyshev, and Gareyev.

West to Moscow, where Spartak welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Atte Engren are the veteran goalies. Moscow led off in the first period with a Charles Genoway power play goal, with a lone assist by Lukas Radil. Spartak added on with an Igor Levitsky power play goal, powered by Maxim Potapov and Dmitry Korobov. Sochi got on the board in the second period with a shorthanded and unassisted goal from Ilya Krikunov. The Leopards tied it with an Andrei Kostitsyn power play goal, made possible by Krikunov and Igor Ignatushkin. Moscow pulled ahead again in the third period on a power play goal by Filipp Toluzakov, assisted by Vsevolod Sorokin. Sochi tied it on a penalty shot goal by Ben Maxwell after Genoway threw his stick in desperation. Spartak regained the lead on an Alexander Vasilyev goal, coming off of Andrei Yermakov. This gave them a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Vasilyev, Toluzakov, and Krikunov.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. Yaroslavl began in the first period with an Andrei Loktionov goal, assisted by Mikhail Grigoryev and Denis Mosalyov. Lokomotiv added on with a Petri Kontiola goal, guided in by Daniil Apalkov. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Yegor Averin scored in the second period, with the help of Staffan Kronwall and Kontiola on the power play. The scoring ended here at 3-0, with the three stars given to Kontiola, Murygin (31 save shutout), and Loktionov.

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2015-16 NHL Season - Day 3

Five games on for tonight, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Cory Schneider draw the starts in goal. Winnipeg dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Nikolaj Ehlers and Mathieu Perreault. The Jets added on with a Blake Wheeler goal, his second of the year, made possible by Andrew Ladd and Tyler Myers. New Jersey got on the board with a Jiri Tlusty power play goal, powered by Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Winnipeg fired back on a Ladd power play goal, assisted by Perreault and Wheeler. This was it for the scoring, with the final holding at 3-1, and the three stars went to Wheeler, Ladd, and Perreault.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. New York started in the first period on a Mats Zuccarello goal, going in unassisted. Columbus tied it in the second period with a Cam Atkinson goal, via Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period as Brandon Saad scored a power play goal, powered by Ryan Murray and Ryan Johansen. The Rangers tied it again on a Oscar Lindberg goal, his second of the season, coming off of J.T. Miller. New York pulled ahead on a Kevin Hayes goal, passed from Dan Girardi and Derek Stepan. The Rangers finished it at 4-2 on Zuccarello's second of the game, an unassisted goal. The three stars belonged to Zuccarello, Hayes, and Lindberg.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Jimmy Howard are in the creases. Detroit led off in the first period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, assisted by Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg on the power play. The Red Wings added on with another Abdelkader goal, his second of the game, guided in by Dylan Larkin and Jakub Kindl. Detroit extended the lead in the second period with a Larkin goal, with assists provided by Zetterberg and Mike Green. James Reimer took over for Bernier in goal. The Red Wings padded the lead when Abdelkader completed his hat trick, helped along by Zetterberg, who got a sock trick, and Kyle Quincey. This held up for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Abdelkader, Larkin, and Howard (22 save shutout), with Zetterberg taking an honorable mention.

Back to the east, as the New York Islanders bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Thomas Greiss are the goalies. Chicago opened in the first period on a shorthanded and unassisted Artem Anisimov goal. New York tied it on a John Tavares goal in the second period, fueled by Johnny Boychuk and Casey Cizikas. The Blackhawks retook the lead with a Patrick Kane goal, via Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. The Islanders tied it again in the third period as Marek Zidlicky scored, thanks to Brock Nelson and Nikolay Kulemin. Chicago won 3-2 in overtime on a Kane goal, his second of the game, coming on the power play from Marian Hossa and Keith. The three stars went to Kane, Crawford (34 for 36 in saves), and Keith.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick are the experienced goalies. Arizona began in the first period with a Zbynek Michalek goal, assisted by Tobias Rieder. The Coyotes added on with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, passed from Max Domi and Martin Hanzal. Arizona extended the lead in the second period as Domi scored, thanks to Connor Murphy. The Coyotes padded the lead on a Rieder goal, helped along by Anthony Duclair and Hanzal. Los Angeles got on the board with a Tyler Toffoli shorthanded goal, set up by Jeff Carter. This only made it 4-1, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Domi, Smith (40 for 41 in saves), and Rieder, while Hanzal gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 46

Seven more games come from Russia and surrounding lands for Friday. The first is in...

Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Vasily Demchenko are in the creases. Riga began in the first period on a Mikelis Redlihs goal, with a lone assist by Eriks Sevcenko. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Danil Gubarev, powered by Semyon Kokuyov. Traktor took the lead with a Dmitry Pestunov goal, made possible by Anton Glinkin. Dinamo retied it on a Miks Indrasis goal, passed from Ville Leino. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Alexander Rybakov and Maxim Yakutsenya lifted Traktor to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Pestunov, Gubarev, and Rybakov.

East a little to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Gasper Kroselj and Niklas Svedberg receive the starting nods in goal. Zagreb struck first in the first period on a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, assisted by Geoffrey Kinrade and Jesse Saarinen. Medvescak added on with a Radek Smolenak goal, fueled by Mark Katic and Marek Kvapil. Zagreb extended the lead as Colby Genoway scored, with the help of Edwin Hedberg and Stefano Giliati. Ufa got on the board in the second period with a Sergei Soin goal, coming off of Anton Lazarev. Salavat Yulaev pulled closer on a Denis Khlystov goal, via Alexander Nesterov. Medvescak answered on a Kinrade goal, passed from Gilbert Brule and Saarinen. Zagreb padded the lead in the third period with a Giliati goal, made possible by Kinrade and Hedberg. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars being Giliati, Kinrade, and Hedberg, while, Saarinen gets an honorable mention.

Along to Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg brings in Slovan Bratislava. Barry Brust and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Bratislava led off in the first period on an Andrej Stastny goal, courtesy of Rok Ticar. Slovan added on with a Ladislav Nagy goal, coming off of Tomas Surovy. Ilya Samsonov replaced Koshechkin in the second period. Bratislava extended the lead in the second period on a Patrik Lusnak goal, guided in by Michal Sersen. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Vladislav Kaletnik goal, assisted by Wojtek Wolski and Oskar Osala. Metallurg chipped closer in the third period on an Osala goal, fueled by Viktor Antipin and Jan Kovar. This was not enough to avoid a 3-2 loss, with the three stars being Lusnak, Osala, and Brust (33 for 35 in saves).

Westward to Togliatti, where Lada hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Ivan Kasutin are the experienced goalies. Moscow opened in the first period with a Maxim Pestushko goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Dynamo added on with a Denis Barantsev goal, helped along by Alexei Tereshchenko. Moscow extended the lead as Tereshchenko scored in the second period, thanks to Nikita Filatov and Daniil Tarasov. Dynamo padded the lead in the third period on a Pestushko power play goal, powered by Vishnevsky and Nikulin. Moscow finished it at 5-0 on a Mat Robinson goal, with a lone assist by Konstantin Gorovikov. The three stars went to Pestushko, Tereshchenko, and Lazushin (14 save shutout), while Vishnevsky and Nikulin get the honorable mentions.

Nearby, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Vitaly Koval are between the pipes. Helsinki was first to score in the first period on a Jesse Joensuu goal, passed from Jani Rita and Saku Salminen. Jokerit added on with a third period goal by Pekka Jormakka, via Mathis Olimb on the power play. Helsinki finished it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Tommi Huhtala, set up by Topi Jaakola and Joensuu while shorthanded. The three stars were awarded to Joensuu, Karlsson (24 save shutout), and Jormakka.

Northwest to Kazan, as Ak Bars welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Jussi Rynnas guard the cages. Podolsk started with a Maxim Afinogenov goal in the first period, coming off of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Alexei Makeyev. Vityaz added on with a Roman Horak goal, guided in by Roman Kudinov and Dmitry Shitikov. Podolsk extended the lead in the second period on another Horak goal, helped along by Shitikov and Afinogenov. Vityaz padded the lead as Mario Kempe scored, with the help of Kucheryavenko and Dmitry Kostromitin on the power play. Emil Garipov replaced Rynnas in goal. Kazan got on the board with a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo and Albert Yarullin. Ak Bars pulled closer with a Stepan Zakharchuk goal, via Artyom Lukoyanov and Alexander Svitov. This was it for the scoring, with the final staying at 4-2. The three stars belonged to Horak, Afinogenov, and Shitikov, while Kucheryavenko gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Moscow, CSKA hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ilya Sorokin are named the starting goalies. Nizhny Novgorod drew first blood with a first period Artyom Alyayev power play goal, powered by Alexei Sopin and Linus Videll. Torpedo added on with a Nikita Dvurechensky goal, guided in by Dmitry Semin and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the third period on a Kaspars Daugavins goal, assisted by Vladimir Galuzin. Moscow got on the board with a Bogdan Kiselevich goal, passed from Jan Mursak and Alexander Radulov. Torpedo iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Galuzin, set up by Sopin. The three stars went to Galuzin, Proskuryakov (35 for 36 in saves), and Sopin.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 2

Seven games on as more teams get their seasons underway. The first is in...

Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston opened on a first period goal from David Krejci, going in unassisted. Winnipeg tied it on a Mark Scheifele goal in the second period, passed from Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets took the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, helped along by Andrew Ladd. Winnipeg added on with a Drew Stafford goal, assisted by Adam Lowry and Ben Chiarot. The Bruins got one back in the third period on a David Pastrnak goal, via Matt Beleskey and Kevan Miller. The Jets shot back with a Chris Thorburn goal, guided in by Stafford and Alex Burmistrov. Winnipeg extended the lead as Nic Petan scored, thanks to Andrew Copp and Mark Stuart. The Jets padded the lead on a Burmistrov goal, going into the empty net unassisted. Winnipeg took the game 6-2, and the three stars went to Stafford, Burmistrov, and Petan.

Over to Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson faces former teammate Robin Lehner in goal. Ottawa began in the first period on a Kyle Turris goal, via Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone. Chad Johnson replaced Lehner about midway through the second period. The Senators added on with another Turris goal in the second period, made possible by Hoffman and Stone. Buffalo got on the board with a Jack Eichel power play goal, coming off of Marcus Foligno and Evander Kane. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 with a Curtis Lazar empty net goal, set up by Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. The three stars belonged to Turris, Hoffman, and Stone.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Ben Bishop are the experienced goalies. Tampa Bay got going in the second period as Jason Garrison scored, thanks to Ryan Callahan and Jonathan Drouin. Philadelphia tied it on a Matt Read goal, courtesy of Scott Laughton and R.J. Umberger. The Flyers took the lead on a Brayden Schenn power play goal, with assists provided by Umberger and Yevgeni Medvedev. The Lightning tied it with a Callahan power play goal, passed from Victor Hedman and Drouin. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime on a Garrison goal, his second of the game, via Alex Killorn and Valtteri Filppula. The three stars went to Garrison, Callahan, and Drouin, while Umberger gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Brian Elliott are called on to start. Edmonton was first to score in the first period on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, an unassisted goal. St. Louis tied it in the second period as Vladimir Tarasenko scored, with the help of Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues took the lead in the third period on a Robby Fabbri goal, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis finished it at 3-1 on a Troy Brouwer empty net goal, set up by Schwartz. The three stars went to Elliott (23 for 24 in saves), Schwartz, and Fabbri.

Back to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Pekka Rinne are the veterans in goal. Nashville struck first in the first period on a Craig Smith power play goal, powered by Ryan Ellis and Seth Jones. The Predators added on with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, coming off of Calle Jarnkrok and Jones. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Victor Rask goal, made possible by Eric Staal and Justin Faulk. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Rinne (25 for 26 in saves), Arvidsson, and Smith.

South to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Dallas led off in the first period on a Mattias Janmark goal, fueled by Ales Hemsky and the goalie Niemi. The Stars added on with a Hemsky power play goal, powered by Alex Goligoski and Niemi again. Dallas extended the lead with a Jamie Benn power play goal, guided in by Jason Spezza and John Klingberg. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars going to Niemi (34 save shutout + two assists), Hemsky, and Janmark.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Semyon Varlamov are in the blue paint. Colorado started in the first period on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche added on with an Erik Johnson power play goal, guided in by Francois Beauchemin and Carl Soderberg. Colorado extended the lead with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, made possible by Beauchemin and MacKinnon. Minnesota got on the board in the second period with a Zach Parise goal, via Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville. The Avalanche replied on a John Mitchell goal, assisted by Johnson and Beauchemin, the latter getting a sock trick. The Wild shot back with a third period goal by Parise, his second of the game, fueled by Pominville and Matt Dumba. Minnesota edged closer on a Nino Niederreiter goal, with a lone helper by Jason Zucker. The Wild got an equalizer on a Thomas Vanek goal, passed from Granlund and Charlie Coyle. Minnesota pulled ahead on a Parise power play goal, securing his hat trick with assists provided by Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu. The three stars went to Parise, Beauchemin, and Johnson, while MacKinnon, Granlund, and Pominville get the honorable mentions.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 45

Five games for today, beginning with...

Avangard Omsk hosting Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Dominik Furch are between the pipes. Omsk was first to score in the first period on a Michal Kempny goal, passed from Ilya Zubov and Alexander Popov on the power play. Novosibirsk tied it on an Igor Fefelov goal, assisted by Vitaly Menshikov and Stepan Sannikov. Sibir took the lead in the second period on a Tomas Vincour goal, coming off of Menshikov and Oleg Gubin on the power play. Avangard tied it as Popov scored in the third period, with the help of Ivan Lekomtsev and Ilya Mikheyev. Omsk took the game 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally by Vladimir Sobotka. The three stars went to Popov, Menshikov, and Sobotka.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Jan Laco are the masked men. Astana struck first in the first period on a Kevin Dallman goal, fueled by Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Barys added on with a Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, courtesy of Vyacheslav Tryasunov. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a Mark Skutar power play goal, powered by Cade Fairchild. Astana shot back with a Mike Lundin power play goal, made possible by Bochenski and Dallman. Metallurg pulled back with a Robert Kousal goal, via Alexander Romanov. Barys answered in the third period on a Bochenski goal, with a lone helper by Dallman. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars going to Dallman, Bochenski, and Lundin.

Back in Russia, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Jakub Kovar occupy the creases. Vladivostok dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Alexander Gorshkov goal, assisted by Stanislav Alshevsky and Nikita Lisov. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Alexander Pankov goal, helped along by Yegor Zhuravlyov. Admiral took the lead back with an Oskars Bartulis goal, fueled by the goalie Nalimov and Jonathon Blum. Vladivostok iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Konstantin Makarov, set up by Alexander Kuznetsov while shorthanded. The three stars went to Nalimov (25 for 26 in saves), Bartulis, and Gorshkov.

Over to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Georgy Gelashvili protect the nets. Khabarovsk got going in the second period on a Vladimir Pervushin, guided in by Vyacheslav Litovchenko and Tomas Zohorna. This was it for the scoring, with Amur taking the 1-0 win. The three stars were awarded to Metsola (26 save shutout), Pervushin, and Gelashvili (19 for 20 in saves).

Finally, Dinamo Minsk hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Sergei Magarilov and Dmitry Milchakov receive the starting nods. Cherepovets led off in the first period on a Mattias Karlsson goal, passed from Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Pavel Chernov. Severstal added on in the second period with a Chernov goal, with a lone helper by Kagarlitsky. Minsk got on the board with a Nick Bailen power play goal, powered by Alexander Materukhin and Paul Szczechura. Cherepovets finished it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Roman Berdnikov in the third period, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Chernov, Kagarlitsky, and Magarilov (15 for 16 in saves).

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2015-16 NHL Season - Day 1

Opening night is here for the best hockey league in the world, and there are four games to celebrate the occasion. We begin in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonathan Bernier are the masked men. Montreal was first to score in the first period on a Max Pacioretty goal, guided in by P.K. Subban. Toronto tied it on a second period James van Riemsdyk power play goal, powered by Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf. The Canadiens retook the lead in the third period on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, passed from Andrei Markov and Subban. Montreal iced it on a Pacioretty empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Subban, who got a sock trick, and Brian Flynn. The 3-1 game saw the three stars go to Pacioretty, Subban, and Price (36 for 37 in saves).

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Corey Crawford are the masked men. New York started with an Oscar Lindberg goal in the first period, made possible by J.T. Miller and Viktor Stalberg. Chicago tied it on an Artemi Panarin goal, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Rangers retook the lead as Kevin Klein scored, thanks to Keith Yandle and Miller. New York added on with a Derek Stepan goal, via Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider. The Blackhawks got one back with a Teuvo Teravainen goal in the second period, helped along by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 3-2. The three stars went to Miller, Stepan, and Lundqvist (32 for 34 in saves).

Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Karri Ramo receive the starting nods in goal. Vancouver opened with a Jannik Hansen goal, coming off of Ben Hutton and Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks added on with a Brandon Sutter goal, with a lone assist from Daniel Sedin. Calgary got on the board in the second period on a Jiri Hudler goal, assisted by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Vancouver countered with a Daniel Sedin goal, guided in by Dan Hamhuis and Christopher Tanev. The Canucks extended the lead on an unassisted Burrows goal. Vancouver finished it at 5-1 with a Henrik Sedin goal, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Sutter. The three stars belonged to Daniel Sedin, Burrows, and Sutter.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones faces former mentor Jonathan Quick in net. Los Angeles struck first on a Nick Shore goal, via Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty. San Jose tied it as Joe Thornton scored, thanks to Paul Martin. The Sharks took the lead with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, powered by Brent Burns and Patrick Marleau. San Jose added on with a Burns goal in the second period, fueled by Pavelski and Thornton. The Sharks extended the lead on a Tomas Hertl power play goal, passed from Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Tommy Wingels. San Jose padded the lead in the third period on a Joonas Donskoi goal, with assists provided by Pavelski and Vlasic. This produced the 5-1 final, with the three stars being Pavelski, Burns, and Thornton, while Vlasic gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 44

There are seven games to play as the KHL is no longer the top league active this season on the NHL's opening night. We begin with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Chelyabinsk led off with a shorthanded Semyon Kokuyov goal in the first period, set up by Yegor Martynov and Maxim Yakutsenya. Traktor added on with a Dmitry Pestunov goal in the second period, passed from Andrei Popov and Anton Glinkin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead with a power play goal by Glinkin, powered by Popov and Pestunov. Traktor padded the lead on a Pestunov goal, his second of the game, via Popov, who got a sock trick. Riku Helenius replaced Karlsson in goal. Helsinki got on the board with a Peter Regin goal, assisted by Brandon Kozun. Chelyabinsk replied on a Popov goal, made possible by Ilya Davydov and Martynov on the power play. Jokerit chipped back in the third period as Juhamatti Aaltonen scored, thanks to Mathis Olimb. Helsinki edged closer on a Tommi Huhtala goal, with a lone assist by Topi Jaakola. The final stood from here at 5-3, with the three stars being Pestunov, Popov, and Glinkin, while Martynov gets an honorable mention.

Into Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Michael Garnett and Niklas Svedberg are in the creases. Ufa started with a power play goal by Igor Grigorenko, powered by Andreas Engqvist and Linus Omark in the first period. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Maxim Goncharov goal, going in unassisted. Ufa extended the lead as Sami Lepisto scored, with the help of Engqvist. Barry Brust came on in relief of Garnett. Bratislava got on the board with a Marek Viedensky goal, coming off of Michel Miklik and Vaclav Nedorost. Slovan pulled closer in the second period on a Milan Bartovic goal, helped along by Michal Sersen and Vladimir Mihalik. This only made it 3-2, which was the eventual final, and the three stars belonged to Lepisto, Goncharov, and Grigorenko.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Gasper Kroselj and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Zagreb dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, via Jesse Saarinen. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Medvescak took the lead on a Gilbert Brule goal, courtesy of Bjorkstrand and Tomas Mertl. Metallurg tied it again on an Oskar Osala goal, guided in by Wojtek Wolski and Yaroslav Khabarov. Magnitogorsk won 3-2 with a Mozyakin goal in overtime, fueled by Chris Lee and Kovar. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Bjorkstrand.

To the west, Lada Togliatti hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Edgars Masalskis protect the nets. Togliatti got going in the second period on a Dmitry Vorobyov goal, assisted by Georgy Belousov and Stanislav Romanov. This held up as the game's only goal, for a 1-0 Lada win. The three stars were handed to Masalskis (17 save shutout), Vorobyov, and Sateri (30 for 31 in saves).

Nearby, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Dinamo Riga. Joacim Eriksson and Alexander Sudnitsin receive the starting nods in goal. Nizhnekamsk drew first blood in the second period on a Mikhail Zhukov goal, passed from Evgeny Ryasensky and Igor Polygalov. Neftekhimik added on with a power play goal by Pavel Zdunov, powered by Jeff Taffe and Evgeny Grigorenko. Riga got on the board with a Nikolajs Jelisejevs goal, with a lone assist from Roberts Locans. Nizhnekamsk answered in the third period on a Zhukov goal, helped along by Yegor Milovzorov and Polygalov. The final remained at 3-1, with the three stars given to Zhukov, Sudnitsin (31 for 32 in saves), and Polygalov.

In the southwest, the Sochi Leopards welcome Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Konstantin Barulin are the veteran goalies. Sochi began in the first period on an Ilya Krikunov power play goal, powered by Andrei Kostitsyn. Moscow tied it with a Lukas Radil goal in the second period, fueled by Charles Genoway and Yaroslav Dyblenko. The Leopards took the lead with an Igor Ignatushkin goal, via Kostitsyn. Spartak tied it again as Evgeny Bodrov scored, thanks to Dmitry Korobov and Maxim Potapov. Moscow took the lead in the third period on a Roman Tatalin power play goal, assisted by Korobov and Potapov. Spartak added on with an unassisted goal by Konstantin Glazachev. Moscow extended the lead on a Radil goal, his second of the game, made possible by Alexander Mereskin. Spartak padded the lead as Gleb Klimenko scored, with a lone helper by Alexander Vasilyev. This produced the 6-2 final, with the three stars going to Radil, Korobov, and Potapov.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Emil Garipov are between the pipes. Kazan opened in the first period with a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, powered by Albert Yarullin and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars added on with a Varnakov goal in the second period, coming off of Fyodor Malykhin. Moscow got on the board in the third period as Dmitry Vishnevsky scored, thanks to Yegor Dugin. Kazan replied on a Yarullin goal, passed from Azevedo and Yakov Rylov on the power play. Dynamo pulled back on a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, assisted by Mat Robinson. This wasn't enough, and the final stayed at 3-2. The three stars went to Varnakov, Yarullin, and Azevedo.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 43

Three games for today, beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Jakub Kovar draw the starts in goal. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period on a Anatoly Golyshev power play goal, powered by Alexander Torchenyuk and Nikita Tryamkin. Novokuznetsk tied it on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, passed from Alexander Komaristy. Avtomobilist retook the lead with a Dmitry Megalinsky power play goal in the third period, assisted by Golyshev and Eero Elo. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Golyshev, Kovar (22 for 23 in saves), and Megalinsky.

Next up, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Georgy Gelashvili are in goal. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Tomas Vincour goal, made possible by Konstantin Alexeyev and the goalie Salak. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it as Alexander Shevchenko scored a power play goal, with the help of Igor Volkov and Andrei Ivanov. In the shootout, Sibir's Maxim Shalunov and David Ullstrom got canceled out by Nikita Gusev and Shevchenko, and then Yugra won 2-1 on a second Gusev tally. The three stars went to Gusev, Shevchenko, and Gelashvili (34 for 35 in saves).

Finally, in the west, Severstal Cherepovets brings in CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov faces a lesser foe in Sergei Magarilov. Cherepovets opened in the first period on a Sergei Monakhov goal, guided in by Mattias Karlsson and Sergei Dorofeyev. Moscow tied it on a Jan Mursak power play goal, with a lone assist by Dmitry Kugryshev. Severstal took the lead back in the third period as Pavel Buchnevich scored, thanks to Yury Trubachyov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Magarilov (45 for 46 in saves), and Monakhov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 42

Seven games for this day's slate. We begin with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Spartak Moscow. Evgeny Ivannikov and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Artyom Voronin goal, courtesy of Alexander Vasilyev. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period as Semyon Kokuyov scored, thanks to Danil Gubarev and Alexander Rybakov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Deron Quint lifted Traktor to a 2-1 win, with the helpers provided by Kokuyov and Rybakov. The three stars went to Kokuyov, Demchenko (24 for 25 in saves), and Rybakov.

Up in Togliatti, Lada welcomes Dinamo Riga. Joacim Eriksson and Edgars Masalskis are the goalies. Riga got going with a second period goal by Andris Dzerins. Togliatti tied it on a Vasily Streltsov goal, coming off of Stanislav Romanov and Dmitry Vorobyov. The tie went to a shootout, where Ville Leino of Dinamo and Martin Zatovic of Lada cancelled out early on, followed by Leino matched by Anton Shenfeld, and then a decisive goal by Miks Indrasis. The 2-1 game saw the three stars go to Indrasis, Leino, and Eriksson (30 for 31 in saves).

In the west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Alexei Murygin are between the pipes. Lokomotiv struck first in the first period on a Vladislav Kartayev power play goal, powered by Yegor Averin and Daniil Apalkov. Lokomotiv added on with a second period Emil Galimov goal, guided in by Patrik Hersley and Kartayev. Podolsk got on the board with a Roman Horak goal, via Mario Kempe and Denis Abdullin. Yaroslavl answered in the third period as Averin scored an empty net goal, set up by Apalkov and Petri Kontiola. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Kartayev, Averin, and Apalkov.

Back east a bit, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Mikhail Biryukov are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, assisted by Nikita Dvurechensky and Dmitry Semin. Omsk tied it with a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, fueled by Denis Kulyash. Avangard took the lead on a shorthanded goal by Vladimir Sobotka, set up by Jonas Ahnelov and Kulyash. Torpedo tied it again in the third period with a Carter Ashton power play goal, powered by Alexander Budkin and Linus Videll. The tie went to a shootout, where Kaspars Daugavins and Vladimir Galuzin scored to give Torpedo the 3-2 win. The three stars belonged to Kulyash, Ashton, and Kulyomin.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Alexander Sudnitsin occupy the creases. St. Petersburg began in the first period on a power play goal by Anton Burdasov, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Vadim Shipachyov. Nizhnekamsk tied it with a second period goal by Igor Polygalov, via Yegor Milovzorov. SKA took the lead again in the third period on a Kovalchuk goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Dadonov. Neftekhimik tied it on a Pavel Kulikov goal, coming off of Alexander Kitarov and Alexander Yevseyenkov. St. Petersburg pulled ahead again on a Dadonov goal, helped along by Jarno Koskiranta and the goalie Ezhov. Nizhnekamsk equalized on a Kitarov goal, passed from Yevseyenkov. The tie went to a shootout, where Alexander Barabanov scored to give SKA the only lead that lasted, for a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Kovalchuk, Dadonov, and Kitarov, while Yevseyenkov gets an honorable mention.

To the south, the Sochi Leopards welcome Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Konstantin Barulin guard the cages. Sochi opened in the first period on a Clay Wilson goal, made possible by Andrei Kostitsyn. The Leopards added on in the second period as Mikhail Anisin scored, with the help of Max Warn and Vladimir Malevich. Moscow got on the board with a third period goal by Alexei Tsvetkov, via Gleb Koryagin and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Dynamo tied it on a Konstantin Gorovikov goal, courtesy of Alexander Avtsin. Moscow took the lead with another Gorovikov goal, with a lone helper by Mat Robinson. Sochi retied it on a Yegor Morozov goal, assisted by Malevich and Igor Ignatushkin. The Leopards gained the lead on a Ben Maxwell goal, guided in by Wilson and Malevich, the latter earning a sock trick. The final held at 4-3 for Sochi, with the three stars being Malevich, Gorovikov, and Wilson.

Finally, Dinamo Minsk hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Dmitry Milchakov protect the nets. Astana started with a first period goal by Martin St. Pierre, courtesy of Brandon Bochenski and Nigel Dawes. Minsk tied it on a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal in the second period, powered by Nick Bailen and Paul Szczechura. Dinamo took the lead on a Szczechura goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Materukhin. Minsk added on with an Artur Gavrus goal, fueled by Bailen and Szczechura. Barys shot back with a Keaton Ellerby goal, made possible by Mike Lundin and St. Pierre. Dinamo replied with a Matt Ellison goal, coming off of Alexei Kalyuzhny on the power play. Minsk extended the lead as Ellison scored a power play goal with the help of Bailen, who got a sock trick, and Kalyuzhny. In the third period, Ellison completed his natural hat trick for Dinamo, with assists provided by Kalyuzhny, who got a sock trick, and Bailen. The final was 6-2, and the three stars were awarded to Ellison, Bailen, and Szczechura, while St. Pierre and Kalyuzhny receive honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Major League Soccer Week 31

All teams in action this weekend, beginning with a Friday game in...

DC, as United hosts New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Bill Hamid are the keepers. New York City struck first with a first minute goal by Frank Lampard. New York City saw a yellow card go to Chris Wingert for his foul in the thirty-first minute. In the forty-third minute, Jefferson Mena of New York City received a yellow card for a foul. Mix Diskerud of New York City saw a yellow card for his fifty-fourth minute foul. DC took a yellow card for a Sean Franklin foul in the sixty-sixth minute. United tied it in the seventy-third minute on a Fabian Espindola goal. New York City had a yellow card go to RJ Allen for his foul in the eighty-first minute. DC's Bobby Boswell was booked on a yellow card for his eighty-seventh minute foul. Jason Hernandez of New York City received a yellow card in stoppage time for his foul. United won 2-1 on a goal a minute late from Alvaro Saborio. The man of the match was Saborio for this late winner.

On Saturday, the first game is Toronto FC welcomes the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Chris Konopka are given the starting nods in goal. Philadelphia took a yellow card for a twenty-fifth minute foul by Steven Vitoria. Toronto opened in the twenty-eighth minute on a Sebastian Giovinco goal. In the sixty-third minute, Toronto added on with a Jozy Altidore goal, via Marco Delgado. The Union pulled back with a Vitoria goal in the sixty-sixth minute, courtesy of Cristian Maidana. Toronto finished it at 3-1 in stoppage time as Philadelphia's Richie Marquez had an own goal. The man of the match was Altidore.

Stateside, the New York Red Bulls bring in the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Luis Robles tend the goals. Columbus was first to score in the ninth minute with a Justin Meram goal, assisted by Harrison Afful. New York tied it in the twelfth minute as Lloyd Sam scored, thanks to Sacha Kljestan. In the fifteenth minute, the Red Bulls' Damien Perrinelle took a yellow card for his foul. New York added on with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal in the twenty-first minute, courtesy of Connor Lade. The Red Bulls keeper Robles received a yellow card for his time wasting in the seventy-eighth minute. The Crew saw a yellow card go to Gaston Sauro in the seventy-ninth minute for a foul. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Wright-Phillips for the winner.

Down in Florida, Orlando City SC hosts the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Tally Hall are in the six-yard boxes. Montreal had a yellow card for a nineteenth minute foul by Andres Romero. Orlando City started in the thirty-third minute on a Cyle Larin goal. The Impact tied it in the forty-third minute as Dominic Oduro scored. The Orlando City goalie Hall took a yellow card for dissent in the forty-fourth minute. In first half stoppage time, Donny Toia and Johan Venegas of Montreal each received yellow cards for fouls, while Orlando City's Kaka got booked on a yellow card for unsporting behavior. Orlando City saw a yellow card assessed to Luke Boden for a foul in the sixty-second minute. Orlando City took the lead on an eightieth minute goal by Seb Hines. Orlando City received a yellow card for a Brek Shea foul in the eighty-seventh minute. The final held at 2-1 for Orlando City, and Hines was named man of the match for his game-winner.

Back north, the Chicago Fire welcome the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Jon Busch man the nets. New England led off in the thirty-first minute with a Juan Agudelo goal, via Chris Tierney. Chicago had a yellow card given to David Accam for his forty-third minute foul. The Fire tied it in the fifty-first minute on an Accam goal, assisted by Harry Shipp. Chicago took the lead as Shipp scored, with the help of Lovel Palmer, in the fifty-ninth minute. In the sixty-second minute, Jeff Larentowicz of the Fire had a yellow card for his foul. Chicago's Shipp got booked on a yellow card for his handball in the sixty-fifth minute. The Fire added on with a Gilberto goal in the eighty-sixth minute, set up by Matt Watson. In the eighty-ninth minute, Michael Stephens of Chicago received a yellow card for his foul. The Revolution saw a yellow card for Teal Bunbury's foul in the ninetieth minute. New England had a yellow card given to Jermaine Jones in stoppage time for a foul. Chicago took the game 3-1, with the man of the match being Shipp for his game-winner and an assist.

Out west, the Portland Timbers bring in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Adam Larsen Kwarasey guard the woodwork. Portland's Fanendo Adi took a yellow card for a seventieth minute foul. Kansas City had a yellow card go to Benny Feilhaber in the seventy-fourth minute for a foul. The Timbers had a yellow card go to Diego Valeri in the eightieth minute. Sporting got going in the eighty-third minute on a Krisztian Nemeth goal, passed from Graham Zusi. Kansas City's goalie Melia took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-eighth minute. The final held at 1-0, with Melia the man of the match for a clean sheet on six saves.

Saturday ends with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and David Bingham are the similarly named goalies. San Jose took yellow cards for Clarence Goodson in the twenty-seventh minute and Anibal Godoy in the thirty-seventh minute, both for fouls. Vancouver began in the thirty-ninth minute with a Cristian Techera goal. The Whitecaps saw a yellow card for a Steven Beitashour foul in the sixtieth minute. The Earthquakes tied it in the sixty-second minute on a Chris Wondolowski goal. In the sixty-sixth minute, Victor Bernardez received a yellow card for his foul for San Jose. Vancouver's Matias Laba took a yellow card for a foul in the eightieth minute. The final remained at 1-1, with the man of the match being Wondolowski for the equalizer.

Sunday's first of three games is a Texas derby, with FC Dallas welcoming the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Jesse Gonzalez are in front of the nets. Dallas drew first blood on a twenty-fifth minute penalty kick goal by Mauro Diaz. Houston tied it on a Ricardo Clark goal in the thirty-sixth minute, set up by Oscar Garcia. Brad Davis of the Dynamo took a yellow card for his thirty-seventh minute foul. Leonel Miranda of Houston took a yellow card for a handball in the forty-second minute. Dallas took the lead back with a fifty-first minute goal by David Texeira, via Zach Loyd. Dallas added on in the fifty-third minute with a Kellyn Acosta goal, coming off of Fabian Castillo and Diaz. Atiba Harris of Dallas took a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute foul. In the ninetieth minute, Raul Rodriguez of the Dynamo had a red card for a foul, sending them to ten men for stoppage time. Dallas iced it at 4-1 with a Texeira goal in stoppage time, passed from Michael Barrios. The man of the match was Texeira for his brace, the first of which secured the game.

Along to the Rocky Mountains, as the Colorado Rapids bring in the Real Salt Lake for their derby game. Nick Rimando and Clint Irwin are the veteran keepers. Colorado led off in the sixteenth minute with a Kevin Doyle goal, via Sean St. Ledger. Marcelo Sarvas of the Rapids took a yellow card for his twenty-fifth minute foul. In the thirty-third minute, Joao Plata scored for Salt Lake to tie the game. In the thirty-ninth minute, Colorado saw a yellow card given to Bobby Burling for a foul. Real took the lead on a forty-third minute goal by Luke Mulholland, which he also earned a yellow card on for his excessive celebration. In the seventy-fifth minute, the Rapids had a yellow card for a foul by Maynor Figueroa. In the eighty-second minute, Demar Phillips of Salt Lake took a yellow card for his foul. The final stood at 2-1 for Real, with Mulholland named man of the match.

Finally, the Seattle Sounders FC host the Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan Ricketts is mismatched with Stefan Frei in goal. Los Angeles began with a thirty-sixth minute goal by Robbie Keane. Seattle tied it on a stoppage time goal by Chad Barrett, via Marco Pappa. The final held at 1-1, with the man of the match being Barrett for his late equalizer.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

2015/16 Premier League Week 8

Ahead of another international break, the ten games fit into two days, with seven of them on Saturday. We begin with...

Crystal Palace hosting West Bromwich Albion. Boaz Myhill and Wayne Hennessey are in front of the goals. In the sixteenth minute, James McClean of West Bromwich Albion took a yellow card for his foul. Papa Souare of Crystal Palace received a yellow card for his twenty-fifth minute foul. James Chester of West Bromwich Albion saw a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-first minute. Crystal Palace dented the scoreboard on a sixty-eighth minute goal from Yannick Bolasie, set up by Yohan Cabaye. Crystal Palace took two more yellow cards, for Fraizer Campbell's seventy-ninth minute foul and Claudio Yacob's eighty-seventh minute foul. Crystal Palace finished their victory up 2-0 on an eighty-ninth minute goal by Cabaye on a penalty kick.

Up to Aston Villa welcoming Stoke City. Jack Butland and Brad Guzan are in goal. In the forty-fourth minute, Aston Villa took a yellow card for a foul by Ashley Westwood. Stoke City struck first in the fifty-fifth minute on a Marko Arnautovic goal, guided in by Glen Johnson. This stood for a 1-0 Stoke City win.

Moving along, Bournemouth brings in Watford for a battle between promoted teams. Heurelho Gomes and Artur Boruc are called on for the starts in goal. Bournemouth led off with a twenty-eighth minute goal by Glenn Murray, passed from Matt Ritchie. Murray of Bournemouth took a yellow card for a foul in the forty-third minute. Watford tied it on an Odion Ighalo goal in the forty-fifth minute. In the eighty-fourth minute, Watford goalie Gomes took a yellow card for time wasting before a penalty kick he ultimately saved. This block kept the score at 1-1 for the final.

Up north, Manchester City hosts Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Joe Hart are the goalies with short names. Newcastle United was first to score in the eighteenth minute on an Aleksandar Mitrovic goal, courtesy of Georginio Wijnaldum. Vurnon Anita of Newcastle United had a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute foul. In the forty-second minute, Sergio Aguero tied it for Manchester City with his goal, set up by Fernandinho. In first half stoppage time, Fernandinho took a yellow card for his foul. Manchester City pulled ahead with an Aguero goal in the forty-ninth minute, courtesy of David Silva. Manchester City added on with a fiftieth minute goal by Aguero, completing his hat trick, assisted by Kevin de Bruyne. Manchester City extended the lead on a de Bruyne goal, via Jesus Navas. Manchester City padded the lead on yet another Aguero goal, made possible by Silva in the sixtieth minute. Manchester City kept going as Aguero made it five for himself on a sixty-second minute goal, fueled by de Bruyne. Manchester City took yellow cards for Pablo Zabaleta in the eighty-second minute and Eliaquim Mangala in the eighty-eighth minute, both for fouls. The final favored Manchester City 6-1 in the end.

Continuing to Norwich City welcoming Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and John Ruddy are the keepers. Leicester City began in the twenty-eighth minute with a penalty kick goal by Jamie Vardy. Leicester City added on in the forty-seventh minute with a Jeffrey Schlupp goal, via N'Golo Kante. In the sixty-third minute, Robert Huth of Leicester City had a yellow card. Norwich City got on the board in the sixty-eighth minute with a Dieumerci Mbokani goal, assisted by Jonny Howson. This produced the 2-1 final favoring Leicester City.

Down to Sunderland bringing in West Ham United. Adrian and Costel Pantilimon are the veterans in goal. Mark Noble of West Ham United took a yellow card for his second minute foul. Sunderland started in the tenth minute with a Steven Fletcher goal, courtesy of Yann M'Vila. Sunderland added on in the twenty-second minute through a Jeremain Lens goal, coming off of M'Vila. In the twenty-fourth minute, Winston Reid of West Ham United took a yellow card for his foul. Sunderland saw a yellow card go to Lens in the thirty-second minute for his foul. Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United got booked on a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute foul. Sunderland took a yellow card for Lee Cattermole in the forty-third minute. In first half stoppage time, West Ham United got on the board with a Carl Jenkinson goal, set up by Victor Moses. Sunderland went down to ten men in the fifty-seventh minute when Lens received a second yellow card for another foul. West Ham United tied it on a Dimitri Payet goal in the sixtieth minute. West Ham United's Jenkinson took a yellow card for a seventy-second minute foul. In the seventy-fourth minute, Sebastian Coates of Sunderland received a yellow card for a foul. The score held steady at a 2-2 draw.

Finally, we return to London with Chelsea hosting Southampton. Maarten Stekelenburg and Asmir Begovic are the gloved men. Oriol Romeu of Southampton took a yellow card for his foul in the ninth minute. Chelsea opened on a tenth minute goal by Willian on the ensuing free kick. Southampton had two more yellow cards in the first half, for Ryan Bertrand in the twenty-sixth minute and Sadio mane in the thirty-fourth minute. Chelsea saw a yellow card given to Ramires in the forty-third minute. Southampton tied it on a forty-fourth minute goal from Steven Davis, set up by Graziano Pelle. Falcao of Chelsea had a yellow card for his fifty-seventh minute foul. Southampton took the lead on a Mane goal in the sixtieth minute, assisted by Pelle. Southampton added on with a Pelle goal in the seventy-second minute, via Mane. Southampton saw yellow cards for James Ward-Prowse in the seventy-seventh minute and Pelle in the eighty-sixth minute for his foul. The final remained 3-1 for Southampton.

Sunday begins with Everton welcoming Liverpool in a big derby match. Simon Mignolet and Tim Howard are the gloved men. In the thirty-fifth minute, Ross Barkley of Everton took a yellow card. Liverpool struck first in the forty-first minute on a Danny Ings goal, passed from James Milner. Everton tied it on a Romelu Lukaku goal in first half stoppage time. Everton's James McCarthy received a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-fifth minute. Liverpool took a yellow card for a Lucas Leiva foul in the sixty-ninth minute. Everton saw another yellow card when Lukaku wasted time in second half stoppage time. The final remained in a 1-1 draw.

Into London again, as Arsenal brings in Manchester United. David de Gea and Petr Cech guard the nets. In the sixth minute, Arsenal drew first blood with an Alexis Sanchez goal, made possible by Mesut Ozil. Arsenal added on in the seventh minute as Ozil scored, thanks to Theo Walcott. At the nineteen minute mark, Sanchez extended the Arsenal lead with his second goal of the game, set up by Walcott. Manchester United took yellow cards for Ashley Young's foul in the twenty-second minute and Matteo Darmian's thirtieth minute foul. Arsenal saw a yellow card in the fifty-first minute on a Francis Coquelin foul. In the fifty-fifth minute, Wayne Rooney took a yellow card for his foul. The final held at 3-0 for Arsenal.

Finally, in Wales, Swansea City hosts Tottenham Hotspur. Swansea City was first to score in the sixteenth minute with an Andre Ayew goal, courtesy of Jefferson Montero. Federico Fernandez of Swansea City received a yellow card for his foul in the twenty-sixth minute. Tottenham Hotspur tied it on a twenty-seventh minute goal by Christian Eriksen. Swansea City retook the lead on a thirty-first minute own goal from Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul. Tottenham Hotspur tied it again in the sixty-fifth minute as Eriksen scored again. Tottenham Hotspur had three more yellow cards, for Eric Dier's foul in the seventy-ninth minute, Jan Vertonghen in the eighty-third minute for a dive, and an eighty-ninth minute foul by Kyle Walker. The final stood at 2-2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 41

Six more games go today, beginning in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Ivan Nalimov are the goalies. Vladivostok led off in the first period with a power play goal by Konstantin Makarov, powered by Artyom Podshendyalov. Admiral iced it at 2-0 with a Makarov empty net goal in the third period, set up by Alexander Kuznetsov. The three stars belonged to Makarov, Nalimov (28 save shutout), and Metsola (23 for 24 in saves).

To the west, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Vladislav Fokin are in the creases. Khanty-Mansiysk got going in the second period with a Nikita Gusev goal, assisted by Stanislav Kalashnikov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Viktor Postnikov goal, passed from Alexander Romanov. Metallurg took the lead as Ryan Stoa scored, thanks to Cade Fairchild and Evgeny Orlov. Yugra retied it in the third period on an Igor Bortnikov power play goal, with a lone assist from Gusev. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Artyom Bulyansky and Gusev tallied for Yugra, topping Metallurg's lone goal by Alexander Komaristy. The three stars in the 3-2 game were Guev, Bortnikov, and Stoa.

Along to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on a power play goal by Anatoly Goylshev, powered by Alexei Simakov and Alexei Vasilevsky. Avtomobilist added on with another Golyshev power play goal, guided in by Nikolai Timashov and Simakov. Novosibirsk got on the board in the second period with a Tomas Vincour goal, made possible by Calle Ridderwall and Ivan Vereshchagin. Sibir tied it on a third period goal from Viktor Bobrov, fueled by Vitaly Menshikov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Maxim Shalunov scored to give Novosibirsk the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Golyshev, Simakov, and Bobrov.

Into Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Riku Helenius are the backups in goal. Moscow began with an Evgeny Korotkov goal, coming off of Grigory Panin and Dmitry Kugryshev. Helsinki tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Petteri Wirtanen, set up by Peter Regin. CSKA took the lead back on a Geoff Platt goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Roman Lyubimov. Moscow iced it at 3-1 as Simon Hjalmarsson scored an empty net goal, with the help of Denis Denisov and Jan Mursak. The three stars went to Platt, Sorokin (27 for 28 in saves), and Korotkov.

Southwest to Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Gasper Kroselj are between the pipes. Zagreb opened with a first period power play goal from Milan Jurcina, powered by Jesse Saarinen and Marek Kvapil. Ufa tied it on an Ivan Vishnevsky power play goal in the second period, helped along by Enver Lisin. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the third period on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, courtesy of Lisin and Alexander Loginov. Ufa added on with a Dmitry Makarov goal, passed from Hartikainen and Denis Bodrov. Medvescak got one back as Jurcina scored an unassisted power play goal. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars going to Hartikainen, Jurcina, and Lisin.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Michael Garnett guard the cages. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard with a shorthanded first period goal by Denis Platonov, set up by Evgeny Biryukov. Metallurg added on in the second period with an Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Tomas Filippi and Chris Lee. Bratislava got on the board in the third period on a Milan Bartovic goal, assisted by Tomas Surovy and Ladislav Nagy. Slovan tied it on a Rok Ticar goal, coming off of Andrej Stastny and Ziga Jeglic. Magnitogorsk took the lead back on a Filippi goal, with a lone assist by Wojtek Wolski. Metallurg extended the lead as Oskar Osala scored an empty net goal, thanks to Filippi and Wolski. Magnitogorsk ended with a 5-2 win on an Evgeny Timkin goal, helped along by Vladislav Kaletnik. The three stars went to Filippi, Wolski, and Koshechkin (29 for 31 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.