Saturday, January 30, 2016

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 133

Just two games on the slate today. We begin in...

Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinsky and Vladislav Fokin make the starts. Khanty-Manisysk got going in the second period with a shorthanded Evgeny Orlov goal, set up by Vitaly Sitnikov. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Petr Koukal shorthanded goal, passed from Nikolai Timashov. The tie went to a shootout, where Andrei Alexeyev and Koukal tallied to give Avtomobilist the 2-1 win. The three stars went to Koukal, Ustinsky (27 for 28 in saves), and Orlov.

The other game is Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosting Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Ilya Proskuryakov are the masked men. Riga drew first blood in the first period with an Andris Dzerins power play goal, powered by Gunars Skvorcovs and Guntis Galvins. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on an Evgeny Mozer goal, assisted by Kaspars Daugavins. Torpedo took the lead in the second period as Daugavins scored a power play goal, with a lone helper from Dmitry Semin. Nizhny Novgorod added on with a Carl Klingberg goal in the third period, going in unassisted. Torpedo made it 4-1 with an Alexei Sopin goal, courtesy of Maxim Osipov. This stood as the final, with the three stars given to Daugavins, Proskuryakov (15 for 16 in saves), and Klingberg.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 132

Eleven games on today to fill the hole in our hockey hearts during the NHL All-Star Break. The KHL sees the slate start in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Alexander Pechursky are in the creases. Moscow led off in the first period with a Dmitry Vishnevsky power play goal, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov and Mat Robinson. Khabarovsk tied it on an Akim Aliu power play goal, helped along by Tom Wandell and Tomas Zohorna. Amur took the lead on a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, passed from Niclas Bergfors and Evgeny Kurbatov. Dynamo retied it with a second period power play goal by Alexander Osipov goal, guided in by Maxim Pestushko and Andrei Mironov. Moscow took the lead on an Ansel Galimov goal, fueled by Tsvetkov and Artyom Fyodorov on the power play. Dynamo added on with a Fyodorov goal in the third period, assisted by Denis Barantsev and Galimov. Moscow extended the lead as Konstantin Gorovikov scored, thanks to Yury Babenko and Vladimir Bryukvin. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Galimov, Fyodorov, and Tsvetkov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Igor Saprykin and Ivan Nalimov are set to start in goal. Podolsk struck first in the first period with an Alexander Nikulin power play goal, powered by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexei Makeyev. Vityaz added on with a Nikita Vyglazov goal, with a lone assist by Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi. Vladivostok got on the board with a Konstantin Makarov goal, made possible by Alexander Kuznetsov. Admiral tied it on a Jonathon Blum power play goal, with helpers provided by Viktor Alexandrov and Mikhail Fisenko. Podolsk retook the lead on an Anton Korolyov goal, coming off of Alexander Kucheryavenko. Vladivostok tied it again in the third period with a Dmitry Lugin power play goal, courtesy of Alexandrov and Blum. In the shootout, Alexandrov and Blum came through again to give Admiral the 4-3 win. The three stars were awarded to Blum, Alexandrov, and Lugin.

West a bit to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Slovan Bratislava. Barry Brust and Vladislav Podyapolsky are the goalies. Bratislava began in the first period with a power play goal by Andrej Stastny, powered by Rok Ticar and Ziga Jeglic. Novokuznetsk tied it in the second period on a Robert Kousal goal, via Cade Fairchild and Alexander Romanov. Slovan took the lead with a Jeglic goal, passed from Stastny and Tomas Starosta. Metallurg tied it again with an Ignat Zemchenko goal, fueled by Mikhail Plotnikov and Kirill Lebedev. Bratislava gained the lead in the third period as Tomas Kundratek scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Lukas Kaspar. This stood for the 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Jeglic, Stastny, and Kundratek.

Nearby, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Danny Taylor and Alexander Salak draw the starts. Novosibirsk started with a Maxim Shalunov goal in the first period, assisted by Sergei Shumakov. Sibir added on with a David Ullstrom goal, passed from Ivan Vereshchagin and Artyom Voroshilo in the second period. Novosibirsk chased Taylor on a Georgy Misharin goal, via Konstantin Okulov and Igor Fefelov. Gasper Kroselj replaced Taylor in goal. Sibir extended the lead as Vereshchagin scored, thanks to Voroshilo. Novosibirsk padded the lead in the third period with a Stepan Sannikov power play goal, powered by Shumakov and Shalunov. Sibir capped it at 6-0 with an Alexei Yakovlev goal, with a lone helper from Fefelov. The three stars belonged to Shalunov, Vereshchagin, and Salak (35 save shutout), while Shumakov, Voroshilo, and Fefelov get the honorable mentions.

Further west, Traktor Chelyabinsk welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasilys Koshechkin and Demchenko guard the cages. Chelyabinsk opened with an Alexander Sharov goal, going in unassisted in the first period. Traktor added on with an Alexei Kruchinin goal, coming off of Vladimir Denisov. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period with a Yaroslav Kosov goal, assisted by Chris Lee. Metallurg tied it in the third period with Kosov's second of the game, passed from Yaroslav Khabarov and Alexander Semin. Chelyabinsk took the lead back on an Alexei Petrov goal, helped along by Maxim Yakutsenya. Magnitogorsk tied it again with a Wojtek Wolski goal, set up by Tomas Filippi. The tie went to a shootout, where Danis Zaripov secured a 4-3 win for Metallurg. The three stars went to Kosov, Wolski, and Zaripov.

Back in Ufa, Salavat Yulaev brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ivan Lisutin and Niklas Svedberg are between the pipes. Nizhnekamsk was first to score in the first period on a Bogdan Yakimov goal, assisted by Evgeny Grigorenko and Dan Sexton. Ufa tied it in the second period on a Maxim Mayorov goal, helped along by Roman Derlyuk and Alexander Loginov. Neftekhimik won 2-1 in overtime as Sexton buried a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Teemu Hartikainen. The three stars were Sexton, Lisutin (34 for 35 in saves), and Svedberg (31 for 33 in saves).

Along to Togliatti, where Lada hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Anton Krasotkin and Edgars Masalskis are the goalies. Yaroslavl started in the first period with an unassisted Andrei Sigaryov goal. Lokomotiv added on with an Alexander Polunin goal, guided in by Staffan Kronwall and Yegor Korshkov. Togliatti got on the board with a Stanislav Bocharov goal, passed from Rafael Akhmetov and Vasily Streltsov in the second period. Yaroslavl countered on a Kirill Kapustin goal, via Daniil Romantsev. Lada chipped back with a power play goal by Viktor Komarov, powered by Anton Shenfeld. Lokomotiv replied with a Romantsev goal, helped along by Sigaryov in the third period. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Sigaryov, Romantsev, and Kapustin.

Next up, Ak Bars Kazan welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Stanislav Galimov tend the twines. Sochi led off in the first period with an Andre Petersson power play goal, powered by Ziyat Paigin and Igor Ignatushkin. The Leopards added on with an Ilya Krikunov goal, passed from Ignatushkin on the power play. Kazan got on the board with a Roman Abrosimov power play goal in the second period, guided in by Denis Golubev and Konstantin Korneyev. Sochi shot back with Petersson's second of the game, via Clay Wilson and Evgeny Skachkov. The Leopards extended the lead as Ben Maxwell scored, with the help of Petersson and Skachkov. Sochi padded the lead on a Krikunov goal, his second of the game, coming off of Paigin and Ignatushkin, with the latter getting a sock trick. Ak Bars replied on a Mattias Sjogren goal in the third period, going in unassisted. The Leopards finished it at 6-2 with an Andrei Kostitsyn power play goal, with helpers credited to Renat Mamashev and Ignatushkin. The three stars went to Petersson, Ignatushkin, and Krikunov, while Paigin and Skachkov get the honorable mentions.

Into Moscow, where CSKA brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Ilya Sorokin are the solid goalies. Helsinki began in the first period with a Juhamatti Aaltonen goal, courtesy of Tim Kennedy and Niko Kapanen on the power play. Moscow tied it on a second period Andrei Svetlakov goal, coming off of Kirill Vorobyov and Alexander Radulov. CSKA took the lead in the third period with an Ivan Telegin goal, guided in by Radulov. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Radulov, Sorokin (18 for 19 in saves), and Telegin.

Out in St. Petersburg, SKA welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Sergei Magarilov and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. Cherepovets opened in the first period with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, assisted by Maxim Trunyov and Vadim Berdnikov. St. Petersburg tied it with a Vadim Shipachyov goal, fueled by Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarno Koskiranta. SKA took the lead with a Steve Moses power play goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Shirokov. St. Petersburg added on with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Kovalchuk and Nikita Gusev. SKA extended the lead in the second period as Pavel Buchnevich scored, thanks to Anton Belov and Gusev. St. Petersburg padded the lead with a Kovalchuk power play goal, helped along by Koskiranta and Shirokov. SKA kept going in the third period on another Buchnevich goal, made possible by Gusev, who got a sock trick, and Dadonov on the power play. This produced the 6-1 final, with the three stars going to Buchnevich, Dadonov, and Gusev, while Kovalchuk, Koskiranta, and Shirokov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Minsk, Dinamo brings in Spartak Moscow. Denis Sinyagin and Jeff Glass receive the starting nods in goal. Moscow got going with an unassisted Konstantin Glazachev power play goal in the second period. Minsk tied it in the third period with an Alexei Kalyuzhny power play goal, powered by Matt Ellison. In the shootout, Igor Radulov of Spartak and Andrei Stepanov of Dinamo cancelled each other out early on, followed by Ellison matched by Igor Levitsky in the fifth round. Ellison scored again in the sixth round to secure a 2-1 Dinamo win. The three stars belonged to Ellison, Glass (27 for 28 in saves), and Sinyagin (23 for 24 in saves).

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Thursday, January 28, 2016

Should players be suspended for skipping All-Star Game?

With the NHL All-Star break upon us, the midseason festivities are in full effect. As with every other year, a couple of players this year have dropped out of the game: Alex Ovechkin and Jonathan Toews. The reports indicate that they aren't just skipping the game because they don't feel like going. Rather, Ovechkin is nursing a minor injury and Toews is recovering from illness. These seem like two perfectly good reasons to miss a game that ultimately doesn't mean that much beyond adding money to the league coffers. Yet, both players will be forced to miss their teams' first game back after the break.

One can see why the league does things this way. The league wants to have as many of its marketable stars at the game as possible. Between the leader and face of the most successful team of the decade and one of the premier talents in the league, Toews and Ovechkin are certainly marketable stars. Both are unquestionably stars in the league (unlike one or two particular participants in the event). The motivation behind this rule seems to be to strongly encourage players picked for the game to participate. If not, the punishment for missing a game that doesn't matter is missing one that does.

Still, the league comes off looking very harsh in this year's particular scenarios. If Ovechkin is truly injured (and there's no reason to doubt that), why should he be punished for doing what's best for him, let alone his team? Ovechkin has gone to plenty of All-Star Games in previous years, and he always puts on a show in the skills competition. He'd be there if he could without unnecessary risk.

With Toews, it's a little more nuanced. Toews is not a dazzler when it comes to offensive skills. His best assets are his defense and his leadership. While admirable, they aren't exactly the purpose of the All-Star Game (end-of-season awards are more his scene). Toews is also dealing with an illness. It has to make sense that if he's not feeling up to it, it's the right thing to do to keep him out of the event, if only to not have a potential massive outbreak of whatever he's caught. He'd be more than willing to go if he was healthy as well.

With these two examples this year, it brings to mind the question of whether players should be suspended for missing the All-Star Game. I do believe that players should face some sort of punishment for just skipping the event. That's not a good look for the league and isn't professional on the parts of the players who take that route. However, in these cases, there are documented reasons for missing the game, and quite valid ones at that. The league has to realize that being healthy enough to play for a regular season game may not be healthy enough to justify spending a weekend playing glorified pond hockey. I don't think Ovechkin and Toews should have to miss the first game back after the break if they are rested enough to play. I understand that the one-game ban is a deterrent for skipping, but that's not the reason these two superstars are missing the festivities this weekend. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 109

Hope you've enjoyed your hockey so far this season. For die-hard fans, this is a long weekend ahead. Tomorrow (Thursday) through Monday features just the All-Star Game festivities. My KHL coverage will have to fill the void, except they're off tomorrow too. With that, we begin in...

Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Andrei Vasilevskiy get the starting nods. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Anton Stralman and Valtteri Filppula. This was the only goal, giving the Lightning a 1-0 win. The three stars were Vasilevskiy (30 save shutout), Stamkos, and Bernier (28 for 29 in saves).

Up in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth faces a former team and Braden Holtby in goal. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Wayne Simmonds and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Flyers added on with an unassisted Ryan White goal, his fifth of the year. Washington got on the board with an Andre Burakovsky goal in the second period, his sixth of the season, passed from Nate Schmidt. The Capitals tied it on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Karl Alzner. Philadelphia took the lead back on a Jakub Voracek goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Claude Giroux. Washington tied it with Burakovsky's second of the game and seventh of the year in the third period, helped along by Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Flyers won 4-3 in overtime on a Voracek goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, set up by Gostisbehere and Giroux. The three stars went to Voracek, Burakovsky, and Gostisbehere, while Giroux gets an honorable mention.

Out in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Karri Ramo are the middling goalies. Nashville began in the first period with a Mike Ribeiro goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators added on with a Shea Weber power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Roman Josi and Ryan Johansen. Calgary got on the board with a Mark Giordano goal, his eleventh of the campaign, guided in by Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Hutton (26 for 27 in saves), Weber, and Ribeiro.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings hosts the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Drew Doughty shorthanded goal, his tenth of the season, set up by Anze Kopitar and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fifth of the year, via Vincent Lecavalier and Dwight King. Colorado got on the board with a Matt Duchene goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from John Mitchell. The Avalanche tied it on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Blake Comeau and Carl Soderberg. Los Angeles retook the lead on King's fourth of the season, assisted by Jordan Nolan and Jeff Carter. Colorado tied it again in the third period with a Landeskog power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, powered by Tyson Barrie and Duchene. The Avalanche pulled ahead on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, fueled by Mikhail Grigorenko and Soderberg. This stood for a 4-3 final, with the three stars being Landeskog, Duchene, and King, while Soderberg gets an honorable mention.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 131

Twelve games on today, beginning in...

Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Vladislav Podyapolsky are the goalies with long names. Novokuznetsk began in the first period with an Alexander Komaristy goal, fueled by Roman Manukhov and Cade Fairchild. Moscow tied it on a Mat Robinson goal in the second period, helped along by Konstantin Gorovikov and Vladimir Bryukvin. Dynamo took the lead as Maxim Pestushko scored, thanks to Denis Kokarev and Alexander Osipov. Moscow added on with an Andrei Alexeyev goal, guided in by Maxim Karpov and Ilya Shipov. Dynamo iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an Artyom Fyodorov goal, via Denis Barantsev and Alexei Tsvetkov. The three stars went to Yeryomenko (23 for 24 in saves), Pestushko, and Alexeyev.

Along to Omsk, where Avangard welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ivan Lisutin and Dominik Furch draw the starts. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period on an Igor Polygalov goal, assisted by Yegor Milovzorov. Neftekhimik added on in the second period with a Dan Sexton power play goal, powered by Evgeny Grigorenko. Omsk got on the board in the third period on a Valentin Pyanov power play goal, with assists provided by Pyotr Khokhryakov and Denis Parshin. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Kirill Lyamin goal, passed from Ryan Stoa and Mikhail Zhukov. Neftekhimik finished it at 4-1 with a Zhukov goal, guided in by Sexton. The three stars went to Sexton, Zhukov, and Lisutin (27 for 28 in saves).

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Jan Laco are the in the creases. Astana led off with a Nigel Dawes power play goal in the first period, with a lone helper by Brandon Bochenski. Barys added on with a Roman Starchenko goal on a penalty shot he received after being slashed by Alexei Petrov. Chelyabinsk got on the board with an Andrei Popov goal, coming off of Maxim Yakutsenya and Yegor Martynov on the power play. Astana shot back with a Roman Savchenko goal, via Konstantin Romanov and Martin St. Pierre. Traktor pulled back in the second period with an Anton Glinkin power play goal, powered by Nikita Zhuldikov and Konstantin Klimontov. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Martin Ruzicka goal, helped along by Filip Novak and Ilya Zinovyev. Traktor took the lead with a Yakutsenya goal, assisted by Popov and Alexei Kruchinin. Barys tied it in the third period on Dustin Boyd goal, guided in by Savchenko and Bochenski. In the shootout, Barys got the lone tally from Mike Lundin for a 5-4 win. The three stars were Savchenko, Yakutsenya, and Popov, while Bochenski gets an honorable mention.

Back northeast, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Igor Saprykin and Alexander Salak are given the starting nods. Novosibirsk started in the first period on a power play goal by Andrej Meszaros, powered by Alexei Kopeikin and Stepan Sannikov. Podolsk tied it on a Roman Horak goal, courtesy of Maxim Afinogenov. Sibir took the lead back in the second period with a Sergei Shumakov goal, via Konstantin Alexeyev and Sannikov. Novosibirsk added on with a Vladimir Butuzov goal, with a lone assist from Georgy Misharin. Vityaz pulled back with an Alexei Makeyev power play goal, assisted by Alexander Nikulin and Denis Yezhov. Sibir fired back in the third period on an Oleg Gubin goal, made possible by David Ullstrom and Sergei Gimayev. Novosibirsk extended the lead as Shumakov scored his second of the game, with the help of Sannikov, who got a sock trick, and Maxim Shalunov. The final held at 5-2, with the three stars given to Shumakov, Sannikov, and Butuzov.

West again to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Vladislav Fokin are set to start. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Alexander Semin and Danis Zaripov on the power play. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Konstantin Panov power play goal, powered by Igor Bortnikov. Yugra took the lead in the third period with a Bortnikov goal, fueled by Kirill Dyakov and Stanislav Kalashnikov. Khanty-Mansiysk added on with an Evgeny Lapenkov power play goal, coming off of Pavel Varfolomeyev and Kalashnikov. Metallurg got one back with an unassisted Mozyakin goal, his second of the game. Yugra iced it at 4-2 with a Bortnikov empty net goal, set up by Denis Gorbunov and Vitaly Sitnikov. The three stars went to Bortnikov, Mozyakin, and Kalashnikov.

Next up, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Igor Ustinsky are between the pipes. Ufa struck first in the first period with a Roman Derlyuk goal, passed from Maxim Mayorov and Nikolai Prokhorkin. Yekaterinburg tied it on a power play goal by Vitaly Popov, powered by Yegor Zhuravlyov and Alexei Simakov. Avtomobilist took the lead in the second period with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, fueled by Anatoly Golyshev and Petr Koukal. Salavat Yulaev retied it on an Igor Grigorenko goal in the third period, via Sergei Soin and Linus Omark. Yekaterinburg won 3-2 in overtime with a Golyshev goal, with a lone assist by Koukal. The three stars belonged to Golyshev, Koukal, and Mikhnov.

West to Togliatti, with Lada hosting the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Ivan Kasutin are in the creases. Togliatti was first to score in the first period with an Anton Shenfeld goal, helped along by Stanislav Bocharov. Sochi tied it on a second period power play goal from Evgeny Skachkov, powered by Andrei Kostitsyn and Ben Maxwell. The Leopards took the lead with a Denis Kazionov goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Maxwell. Sochi finished with a 3-1 win on an Igor Ignatuskin goal, fueled by Ilya Krikunov and Mamashev. The three stars were handed to Barulin (20 for 21 in saves), Maxwell, and Mamashev.

Over in Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo welcomes Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Ilya Proskuryakov are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod drew first blood in the first period on a Dmitry Semin power play goal, going in unassisted. Torpedo added on with a Linus Videll power play goal, powered by Vladimir Galuzin and Kirill Koltsov. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead as Carter Ashton scored, with the help of Sergei Kostitsyn. Engren was pulled for Denis Sinyagin at this time. Torpedo padded the lead with Ashton's second of the game, an unassisted goal. Nizhny Novgorod continued with a Yury Sergeiyenko goal, assisted by Videll and Galuzin. Moscow got on the board with a Lukas Radil goal, courtesy of Gleb Klimenko and Alexander Mereskin. Torpedo replied with a Semin power play goal in the second period, guided in by Galuzin, who got a sock trick, and Nikolai Zherdev. Nizhny Novgorod struck again with a Koltsov goal, passed from Sergiyenko and Carl Klingberg. Spartak got one back in the third period on a Sergei Shmelyov power play goal, with a lone assist by Casey Wellman. The final remained at 7-2,with the three stars given to Ashton, Semin, and Galuzin, while Videll, Koltsov, and Sergiyenko get the honorable mentions.

Down to Kazan, with Ak Bars bringing in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Stanislav Galimov guard the cages. Yaroslavl opened in the first period with a Denis Mosalyov goal, fueled by Pavel Koledov and Andrei Loktionov. Kazan tied it on an Oscar Moller power play goal, powered by Mattias Sjogren and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars took the lead with an Andrei Ivanov goal in the second period, coming off of Konstantin Korneyev and Dmitry Obukhov. Lokomotiv tied it with a Yegor Averin goal, guided in by Daniil Apalkov and Jiri Novotny. In the shootout, Ivanov and Loktionov cancelled each other out before Staffan Kronwall won it 3-2 for Lokomotiv. The three stars went to Loktionov, Ivanov, and Murygin (38 for 40 in saves).

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Igor Shestyorkin and Jeff Glass protect the nets. Minsk started in the first period with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Ryan Gunderson and Paul Szczechura. Dinamo added on with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, going in unassisted. Minsk extended the lead as Cheechoo scored another power play goal in the second period, thanks to Matt Ellison and Gunderson. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Nikita Gusev goal, passed from Vyacheslav Voynov and Pavel Buchnevich. SKA got closer with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Dadonov. The final held at 3-2 for Dinamo, with the three stars going to Cheechoo, Gunderson, and Kalyuzhny.

Back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Roman Smiryagin are the backups in net. Cherepovets led off in the first period with a Vadim Berdnikov goal, guided in by Anatoly Nikontsev and Mattias Karlsson. Helsinki tied it on a Tim Kennedy goal, fueled by Arturs Kulda and Jere Sallinen. Jokerit took the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Peter Regin, powered by Pekka Jormakka and Sallinen. The final was 2-1, with the three stars being Sallinen, Helenius (21 for 22 in saves), and Regin.

Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Joacim Eriksson are the goalies. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Ivan Telegin goal, passed from Nikita Pivtsakin and Dmitry Kugryshev. CSKA added on with a Kirill Petrov power play goal, powered by Igor Ozhiganov. Moscow extended the lead in the third period as Igor Makarov scored, thanks to Antti Pihlstrom and Artyom Blazhiyevsky. CSKA padded the lead on a Kugryshev power play goal, assisted by Denis Denisov and Mikhail Naumenkov. Moscow finished it at 5-0 with a Gennady Stolyarov goal, via Geoff Platt. The three stars went to Sorokin (20 save shutout), Kugryshev, and Telegin.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 108

Nine games today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Jonas Gustavsson are the backups in goal. Boston quickly started in the first period with a Zach Trotman goal, fueled by David Krejci and Matt Beleskey. Anaheim tied it on a Corey Perry goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by David Perron. The Ducks took the lead with a Shea Theodore power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Perry and Sami Vatanen. Tuukka Rask replaced an ill Gustavsson for the second period. Anaheim added on in the second period with a Perron goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Chris Stewart and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks extended the lead as Kevin Bieksa scored his second of the year, thanks to Jakob Silfverberg and Ryan Kesler. The Bruins pulled back with a Zdeno Chara goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Ryan Spooner and Beleskey. Anaheim replied on a Kesler empty net goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Getzlaf and Silfverberg. The Ducks capped it at 6-2 on a Mike Santorelli goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Ryan Garbutt and Theodore. The three stars went to Perry, Perron, and Kesler, while Theodore, Silfverberg, and Getzlaf get the honorable mentions.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the New Jersey Devils. Marc-Andre Fleury and Cory Schneider tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Patric Hornqvist and Kris Letang. The Penguins added on with a Phil Kessel goal in the second period, his fifteenth of the year, via Carl Hagelin and Derrick Pouliot. The final stayed at 2-0, with the three stars going to Fleury (25 save shutout), Crosby, and Kessel.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Eddie Lack are the goalies. Carolina struck first in the first period with a Jeff Skinner goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Jay McClement and Elias Lindholm. The Hurricanes added on with a Riley Nash goal, his third of the year, coming off of Jaccob Slavin. Carolina extended the lead as John-Michael Liles scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Kris Versteeg and Eric Staal. Scott Darling replaced Crawford in the second period. The Hurricanes padded the lead with a Joakim Nordstrom goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Jordan Staal and Andrej Nestrasil. Carolina kept going with Nash's second of the game and fourth of the campaign, helped along by Skinner. The three stars went to Nash, Lack (26 save shutout), and Skinner.

Back north, the Montreal Canadiens host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Ben Scrivens are the mediocre goalies. Columbus opened in the first period with a Boone Jenner power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Alexander Wennberg and Seth Jones. The Blue Jackets added on with a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Nick Foligno. Montreal shot back on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his fourth of the season, via Torrey Mitchell and P.K. Subban in the second period. Columbus replied with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Cam Atkinson. The Canadiens pulled back in the third period on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his eleventh of the season, a power play goal with helpers from Subban and Nathan Beaulieu. The Blue Jackets answered on a Atkinson goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Dubinsky. Columbus iced it at 5-2 with a Brandon Saad empty net goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Dubinsky, Atkinson, and Subban.

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner faces former teammate Craig Anderson in goal. Ottawa was first to score in the first period on an Erik Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Mika Zibanejad and Chris Neil. Buffalo tied it on an unassisted Evander Kane goal, his eleventh of the year. The Senators retook the lead in the second period on a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighteenth of the season, via Cody Ceci and Shane Prince. The Sabres tied it on a Jack Eichel power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, with a lone assist from the goalie Lehner. Buffalo took the lead in the third period Eichel's second of the game and sixteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Eichel, Lehner (34 for 36 in saves), and Kane.

Way to the south, the Florida Panthers bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Roberto Luongo are between the pipes. Toronto began in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Peter Holland and Jake Gardiner. Florida tied it on an Aleksander Barkov power play goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Brian Campbell and the goalie Luongo. The Panthers took the lead on a Vincent Trocheck power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Jussi Jokinen and Campbell. Florida added on with a Jokinen goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Reilly Smith. The Panthers extended the lead as Smith scored his sixteenth of the campaign, helped along by Erik Gudbranson and Trocheck. Florida padded the lead on an unassisted Alex Petrovic goal. This stood for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Trocheck, Jokinen, and Smith, while Campbell gets an honorable mention.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue and Connor Hellebuyck are the young goalies. Winnipeg drew first blood in the first period on a Nikolaj Ehlers power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on with another Ehlers goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period as Byfuglien scored his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Chris Thorburn. The Jets padded the lead on an Ehlers goal, completing his hat trick on his twelfth of the year, helped along by Wheeler, who got a sock trick. Arizona got on the board with a Brad Richardson goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Jordan Martinook. Winnipeg replied with Byfuglien's second of the game and fourteenth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Tyler Myers. Anders Lindback replaced Domingue in goal. The Coyotes got one back in the third period with an Anthony Duclair goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, coming off of Martin Hanzal. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Ehlers, Byfuglien, and Wheeler.

Out west, the San Jose Sharks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Martin Jones in goal. San Jose opened in the first period with a Melker Karlsson goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Brent Burns and Chris Tierney. The Sharks added on with a Tomas Hertl goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton. San Jose extended the lead in the second period as Joe Pavelski scored a power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Thornton and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks padded the lead on a Joel Ward power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Roman Will played the third period in favor of Pickard. San Jose kept going with an empty net goal by Paul Martin in the third period, his second of the season, an unassisted goal. Colorado got on the board with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Alex Tanguay and Erik Johnson. The Sharks finished it at 6-1 with a Dylan DeMelo power play goal, with a lone helper by Hertl. The three stars went to Hertl, Jones (21 for 22 in saves), and Thornton.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Ryan Miller are the veterans in the blue paint. Nashville started in the first period with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Mike Fisher and Mattias Ekholm. Vancouver tied it on a Brandon Sutter goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Christopher Tanev. The Predators gained the lead in the third period on a James Neal goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Barret Jackman. This gave them a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Rinne (28 for 29 in saves), Neal, and Smith.

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Monday, January 25, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 107

Six games today, beginning in...

Brooklyn, where the New York Islanders host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Jaroslav Halak are the reliable goalies. Detroit struck first in the first period on a Brad Richards power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Pavel Datsyuk. New York tied it on a Brock Nelson goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of John Tavares. The Red Wings retook the lead with a second period Justin Abdelkader goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Henrik Zetterberg and Dylan Larkin. Detroit added on with an unassisted goal from Danny DeKeyser, his sixth of the year. The Islanders shot back with a Mikhail Grabovski goal in the third period, his seventh of the season, helped along by Matt Martin and Brian Strait. The Red Wings made it 4-2 with a Luke Glendening empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Darren Helm and Kyle Quincey. The three stars belonged to DeKeyser, Abdelkader, and Mrazek (27 for 29 in saves).

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Michal Neuvirth are in the blue paint. Boston was first to score in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Ryan Spooner and David Krejci. The Bruins added on with a Brad Marchand goal, his twentieth of the year, via Zdeno Chara and Colin Miller on the power play. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Brayden Schenn and Shayne Gostisbehere on the power play. The Flyers tied it with a Simmonds goal in the third period, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, coming off of Jakub Voracek and Michael Del Zotto. Boston retook the lead on a Brett Connolly goal, his seventh of the campaign, made possible by Chara and Miller. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Simmonds, Chara, and Miller.

West to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets bringing in the Montreal Canadiens. Mike Condon and Joonas Korpisalo are the unknown goalies. Montreal started in the first period with a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by P.K. Subban and Jeff Petry. Columbus tied it on a Cam Atkinson goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner. The Blue Jackets took the lead with Atkinson's second of the game and fifteenth of the season, assisted by Dubinsky and Jenner in the second period. The Canadiens retied it with a Subban goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Andrei Markov and Gallagher. Columbus regained the lead with a Brandon Saad goal in the third period, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Justin Falk and Scott Hartnell. The Blue Jackets added on with a Saad empty net goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, set up by Alexander Wennberg. Columbus finished it at 5-2 as Atkinson finished his hat trick on his sixteenth of the campaign, with the help of Dubinsky and Jenner, both of whom got sock tricks. The three stars went to Atkinson, Dubinsky, and Jenner, while Saad, Gallagher, and Subban get the honorable mentions.

Back in New York, the Rangers host the Buffalo Sabres. Chad Johnson and Henrik Lundqvist are between the pipes. New York opened with a Dylan McIlrath goal in the first period, his second of the season, made possible by Keith Yandle and Derick Brassard. Buffalo tied it on a Brian Gionta goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Marcus Foligno and Zach Bogosian. The Rangers retook the lead in the second period on a Viktor Stalberg goal, his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg. New York added on in the third period with a Brassard goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from Jesper Fast and Kevin Klein. The Sabres edged back on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Jack Eichel and Matt Moulson. Buffalo tied it on a Girgensons goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Eichel. The Rangers retook the lead with a J.T. Miller goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Fast and Brassard. New York extended the lead as Mats Zuccarello scored his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Derek Stepan and Brassard, the latter getting a sock trick. The Rangers padded the lead with an unassisted Brassard empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign. The three stars were awarded to Brassard, Girgensons, and Fast, while Eichel gets an honorable mention.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goalies. Dallas got going in the second period with a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, via Valeri Nichushkin and Alex Goligoski. The Stars added on with a Jason Spezza goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of John Klingberg and Patrick Sharp. Calgary got on the board in the third period with a Joe Colborne goal, his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Deryk Engelland. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars handed to Niemi (23 for 24 in saves), Spezza, and Benn.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue and Devan Dubnyk are the under-appreciated goalies. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Charlie Coyle goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Nino Niederreiter and Mikko Koivu. Arizona tied it on a shorthanded goal by Antoine Vermette, his eighth of the year, set up by Tobias Rieder. The Coyotes won 2-1 in the shootout with a lone tally by Anthony Duclair. The three stars went to Domingue (34 for 35 in saves), Vermette, and Dubnyk (23 for 24 in saves).

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 130

Eleven games on for today, beginning in...

Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Igor Saprykin and Vladislav Podyapolsky are in goal. Podolsk began in the first period on an unassisted Dmitry Shitikov goal. Novokuznetsk tied it in the second period on a Mikhail Plotnikov goal, passed from Kirill Lebedev and Mikhail Kuklev. Vityaz retook the lead with an Alexei Makeyev goal, coming off of Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi and Maxim Afinogenov. Podolsk added on with an Anton Korolyov power play goal in the third period, powered by Vyacheslav Solodukhin. Metallurg got one back with an Ignat Zemchenko goal, assisted by Lebedev and Plotnikov. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Plotnikov, Lebedev, and Korolyov.

Over in Omsk, Avangard welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Denis Kostin are the goalies. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period with an Anton Glinkin goal, via Dmitry Pestunov and Yegor Martynov. Omsk tied it in the second period with an Anton Kuryanov power play goal, powered by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Vladimir Sobotka. Traktor retook the lead on a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, made possible by Alexei Kruchinin and Pestunov. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars awarded to Demchenko (28 for 29 in saves), Pestunov, and Yakutsenya.

Back east, Sibir Novosibirsk brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Nikita Bespalov make the starts. Novosibirsk started in the first period with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, fueled by Artyom Voroshilo. Moscow tied it on a Maxim Karpov goal, made possible by Andrei Alexeyev. Dynamo gained the lead in the third period with a Maxim Pestushko goal, via Alexei Tereshchenko and Vladimir Bryukvin. Sibir tied it on a Maxim Ignatovich goal, with a lone helper by Stepan Sannikov. In the shootout, Ilya Shipov carried Dynamo to the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Yeryomenko (30 for 32 in saves), Shipov, and Bespalov (26 for 28 in saves).

Southwest to Kazakhstan, where Barys Astana hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ivan Lisutin and Jan Laco are the veterans in goal. Nizhnekamsk got going with a Nikita Shchitov power play goal in the second period, powered by Jeff Taffe and Evgeny Grigorenko. Astana tied it on a Kevin Dallman goal, coming off of Dustin Boyd in the third period. Neftekhimik regained the lead on an Igor Polygalov goal, assisted by Yegor Milovzorov and Igor Volkov. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars handed to Lisutin (36 for 37 in saves), Polygalov, and Shchitov.

Back in Russia, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Vladislav Fokin are in the creases. Ufa struck first with an Alexander Loginov power play goal, powered by Linus Omark and Igor Grigorenko. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, passed from Vitaly Sitnikov and Ivan Yatsenko. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead on an unassisted Enver Lisin goal in the second period. Yugra tied it again with a power play goal from Igor Bortnikov, fueled by Konstantin Panov. Khanty-Mansiysk pulled ahead in the third period on a Kirill Dyakov goal, coming off of Pavel Varfolomeyev and Lapenkov. Yugra added on with a Lapenkov goal, helped along by Kirill Rasskazov and Varfolomeyev. Ufa shot back with an Anton Lazarev goal, going in unassisted. Khanty-Mansiysk finished it at 5-3 on an Artyom Bulyansky goal, with a lone helper by Sitnikov. The three stars belonged to Lapenkov, Sitnikov, and Varfolomeyev.

Along to Magnitogorsk, with Metallurg bringing in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinsky and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Jan Kovar goal, coming off of Denis Osipov and Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on with a Danis Zaripov goal in the second period, courtesy of Chris Lee and Tomas Filippi. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Kovar scored a power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Mozyakin and Alexander Semin. Yekaterinburg fired back with an unassisted Eero Elo goal. Avtomobilist got closer with a Dmitry Megalinsky goal in the third period, passed from Sergei Yemelin and Alexander Shchemerov. Metallurg replied with a Semin goal, fueled by Denis Platonov and Yaroslav Khabarov. Magnitogorsk padded the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Wojtek Wolski goal. Metallurg iced it at 6-2 on a Semin power play goal, with helpers from Zaripov and Kovar. The three stars were awarded to Kovar, Semin, and Zaripov, while Mozyakin gets an honorable mention.

West to Togliatti, where Lada hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Stanislav Galimov and Ivan Kasutin protect the nets, and it's a task they did quite well, forcing a shootout to settle the scoreless tie. In the shootout, it took until the fifth round for Georgy Belousov to crack Galimov, giving Lada the 1-0 win after Kasutin stoned Justin Azevedo. The three stars in the defensive thrilled went to Kasutin (26 save shutout), Belousov, and Galimov (34 save "shutout").

Next up, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Ilya Proskuryakov are given the starting nods in goal. Helsinki was first to score in the first period on a Philip Larsen power play goal, powered by Peter Regin. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Kaspars Daugavins power play goal, helped along by Dmitry Semin. Jokerit fired back with a Jesse Joensuu goal, with a lone assist from Regin. Torpedo tied it again with a Nikolai Zherdev goal, assisted by Kirill Koltsov and Linus Videll on the power play. Helsinki regained the lead with a Juhamatti Aaltonen power play goal in the second period, guided in by Niko Kapanen and Topi Jaakola. Jokerit added on with a Daine Todd goal, courtesy of Ville Lajunen. Nizhny Novgorod pulled back with a Vladimir Galuzin power play goal, with assists provided by Maxim Kondratyev. Torpedo tied it with another Galuzin power play goal in the third period, made possible by Kondratyev again. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead with a Daugavins goal, his second of the game, via Alexander Frolov. Helsinki tied it on a Lajunen goal, coming off of Joensuu and Regin, the latter getting a sock trick. In the shootout, goals from Jere Sallinen and Joensuu gave Jokerit the 6-5 win. The three stars went to Joensuu, Galuzin, and Daugavins, while Kondratyev, Regin, and Lajunen get the honorable mentions.

North to Cherepovets, where Severstal brings in Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Stepan Goryachevskikh are the backups in goal. Cherepovets led off in the first period with an Ondrej Nemec power play goal, powered by Andrei Shefer. Severstal added on with a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, guided in by Sergei Monakhov and Kirill Sviyazov. Cherepovets extended the lead in the third period as Shefer scored an unassisted goal. This produced the 3-0 final, with the three stars going to Shefer, Goryachevskikh (31 save shutout), and Nemec.

Out to St. Petersburg, where SKA welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Mikko Koskinen are the solid goalies. St. Petersburg dented the scoreboard in the second period with an unassisted and shorthanded Steve Moses goal. Moscow tied it on a Dmitry Kugryshev power play goal, powered by Denis Denisov and Bogdan Kiselevich. CSKA took the lead with a Roman Lyubimov goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Radulov. Moscow added on with a third period goal by Jan Mursak, set up by Denisov. SKA answered on a Nikita Gusev goal, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Ilya Kovalchuk. The three stars were Denisov, Mursak, and Lyubimov.

Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Dinamo Minsk. Jeff Glass and Jakub Sedlacek receive the starts in goal. Minsk began in the first period with a Ryan Gunderson power play goal, powered by Matt Ellison and Paul Szczechura. Minsk added on in the second period with an Oleg Goroshko goal, passed from Charles Linglet. Minsk extended the lead as Linglet scored a power play goal, coming off of Andrei Stepanov. This held for the eventual 3-0 final, with the three stars going to Glass (27 save shutout), Linglet, and Gunderson.

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Sunday, January 24, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 106

Only four games today with a third straight day of a postponed game. The Capitals and Penguins match gets the bump today, so we begin in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Craig Anderson are the veterans in goal. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Jared Cowen and Mike Hoffman. The Senators added on in the third period with a Hoffman goal, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Mika Zibanejad. Ottawa iced it at 3-0 with a shorthanded empty net goal from Jean-Gabriel Pageau, his eleventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Hoffman, Anderson (35 save shutout), and Ryan.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Eddie Lack are the mediocre goalies. Carolina led off in the first period with a Victor Rask goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. The Hurricanes added on with an Elias Lindholm penalty shot goal, his seventh of the year, which he received after Kris Russell tripped him. Carolina extended the lead as Kris Versteeg scored his ninth of the season in the second period, thanks to Eric Staal and Ron Hainsey. Jonas Hiller relieved Ramo. Calgary got on the board with a Jiri Hudler goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Mark Giordano and Joe Colborne. The Flames got closer with a Colborne goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Markus Granlund and T.J. Brodie in the third period. The Hurricanes fired back on Versteeg's second of the game and tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jeff Skinner and Jordan Staal. Carolina padded the lead with a Joakim Nordstrom goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Jordan Staal and Andrej Nestrasil. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Versteeg, Colborne, and Jordan Staal.

West to Chicago, with the Blackhawks bringing in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Corey Crawford are the masked men. Chicago dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Artemi Panarin goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Patrick Kane and Michal Rozsival. The Blackhawks added on with an Andrew Shaw power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Marian Hossa and Trevor van Riemsdyk. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Crawford (25 save shutout), Panarin, and Shaw.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings in a Battle of California. Jhonas Enroth and Martin Jones make the starts. San Jose drew first blood in the second period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, courtesy of Tomas Hertl and Joe Thornton. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with a Drew Doughty power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. The Sharks took the lead back with a Logan Couture goal, his third of the season, via Joonas Donskoi and Melker Karlsson. The Kings tied it on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Tanner Pearson and Dustin Brown. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime with a Marian Gaborik goal, his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist from Tyler Toffoli. The three stars went to Gaborik, Lecavalier, and Doughty.

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2015/16 Premier League Week 23

All games are Saturday or Sunday this time around, beginning with eight on Saturday, the first being...

Norwich City hosting Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Declan Rudd are given the starts in goal. Liverpool began in the eighteenth minute with a Roberto Firmino goal, with an assist from James Milner. Norwich City tied it on a twenty-ninth minute goal by Dieumerci Mbokani, assisted by Graham Dorrans. Norwich City took the lead with a Steven Naismith goal in the forty-first minute, courtesy of Wes Hoolahan. In the fifty-fourth minute, Hoolahan converted a penalty kick goal to add to the Norwich City lead. Liverpool shot right back with a fifty-fifth minute Jordan Henderson goal, set up by Firmino. Liverpool tied it in the sixty-third minute as Firmino scored, thanks to Adam Lallana. Milner scored to give Liverpool the lead in the seventy-fifth minute. In stoppage time, Norwich City tied it on a Sebastien Bassong goal, made possible by Cameron Jerome. Liverpool took the lead back three minutes later with a Lallana goal, securing their 5-4 win, even as Lallana took a yellow card for excessive celebration.

Into London, where Crystal Palace welcomes Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Wayne Hennessey are the keepers. In the thirtieth minute, Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur put the ball in his own net to gift Crystal Palace the early lead. James McArthur of Crystal Palace received a yellow card for his sixty-first minute foul. Tottenham Hotspur tied it in the sixty-third minute on a Harry Kane goal, passed from Nacer Chadli. Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul. Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur scored to put them ahead in the eighty-fourth minute, with the help of Christian Eriksen. In stoppage time, Kane and Mile Jedinak had yellow cards for their roles in a disagreement. Tottenham Hotspur made it 3-1 with a Chadli goal a couple minutes later, via Alli.

Up to Leicester City bringing in Stoke City. Jack Butland and Kasper Schmeichel are in goal. Leicester City dented the scoreboard in the forty-second minute on a Daniel Drinkwater goal. Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City had a yellow card for a fifty-ninth minute foul. Leicester City added on with a sixty-sixth minute Jamie Vardy goal, set up by Drinkwater. Leicester City extended the lead as Leonardo Ulloa scored in the eighty-seventh minute, thanks to Riyad Mahrez. This held for a 3-0 win.

Along to Manchester, with United hosting Southampton. Fraser Forster and David de Gea are the experienced goalies. Southampton got going with an eighty-seventh minute Charlie Austin goal, coming off of James Ward-Prowse. This proved enough for a 1-0 win for Southampton in a relatively calm game.

Down to Sunderland welcoming Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Vito Mannone are in the six-yard boxes. Bournemouth led off in the thirteenth minute with a Benik Afobe goal, courtesy of Junior Stanislas. In the eighteenth minute, Andrew Surman of Bournemouth took a yellow card for his foul. In first half stoppage time, Sunderland got on the board with a Patrick van Aanholt goal, assisted by Fabio Borini. Billy Jones of Sunderland took a yellow card for his eighty-ninth minute foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up, Watford brings in Newcastle United. Robert Elliot and Heurelho Gomes are the gloved men. Watford struck first in the forty-sixth minute on an Odion Ighalo goal, coming off of Troy Deeney. Chancel Mbemba of Newcastle United took a yellow card for a fifty-first minute foul. Valon Behrami of Watford saw a yellow card in the fifty-sixth minute for his dive. Watford added on in the fifty-eighth minute with a Craig Cathcart goal, assisted by Ighalo. Miguel Britos of Watford had a yellow card assessed for a foul in the sixty-eighth minute. Newcastle United got on the board with a Jamaal Lascelles goal in the seventy-first minute, helped along by Jonjo Shelvey. It wasn't enough, as Watford took the game 2-1.

Continuing along, West Bromwich Albion hosts Aston Villa. Mark Bunn and Ben Foster are between the posts. Micah Richards of Aston Villa had a yellow card for a forty-first minute foul. This was all there was in a 0-0 draw.

Rounding out Saturday, West Ham United welcomes Manchester City. Joe Hart and Adrian tend the nets. West Ham United was first to score in the first minute with an Enner Valencia goal. In the ninth minute, Manchester City tied it on a Sergio Aguero penalty kick goal. Manchester City saw a yellow card for Martin Demichelis in the thirty-second minute for a foul. West Ham United took a yellow card for a Mark Noble foul in the thirty-ninth minute. West Ham United gained the lead with another Valencia goal in the fifty-sixth minute, set up by Michail Antonio. Sam Byram of West Ham United received a yellow card for a seventieth minute foul. In the eighty-first minute, Manchester City tied it with another Aguero goal. Yaya Toure had a yellow card in the eighty-ninth minute, as did Fernando in stoppage time as Manchester City lost discipline late in the game. The score held at 2-2 for the final.

On Sunday, Everton brings in Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Tim Howard are the keepers. In the seventeenth minute, Swansea City opened with a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty kick goal. Everton tied it in the twenty-sixth minute as Jack Cork of Swansea City committed an own goal. In the thirty-fourth minute, Swansea City regained the lead with an Andre Ayew goal, passed from Neil Taylor. Angel Rangel of Swansea City had a yellow card for a foul in the forty-third minute. Swansea City saw yellow cards given to Fabianski in the fifty-second minute for time wasting and Sigurdsson for a sixty-sixth minute foul. The score held at 2-1 for Swansea City.

Finally, a London Derby with Arsenal hosting Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois faces Chelsea legend and now rival Petr Cech in goal. In the eleventh minute, Oscar of Chelsea had a yellow card for his foul. Arsenal went down to ten men when Per Mertesacker of Arsenal received a straight red card for his professional foul. Chelsea took advantage, starting with a twenty-third minute Diego Costa goal, set up by Branislav Ivanovic. Mathieu Flamini of Arsenal had a yellow card for dissent in the forty-fifth minute. Chelsea saw yellow cards assessed to Nemanja Matic in the sixtieth minute and John Obi Mikel in the seventy-second minute, both for fouls. The scoring never came around again, with Chelsea taking the derby 1-0.

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