Saturday, October 29, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 68

Seven games on for today, starting a bit early, as...

Admiral Vladivostok hosts Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Artyom Zagidulin and Ivan Nalimov draw the starts in goal. Vladivostok got going in the second period with a Mikhail Fisenko, assisted by Vladimir Tkachyov. Beijing tied it on a power play goal by Janne Jalasvaara, powered by Sean Collins and Tuukka Mantyla. Admiral retook the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Dmitry Sayustov goal in the third period. Vladivostok added on with a Viktor Alexandrov empty net goal, set up by Artyom Zemchyonok for the 3-1 win. The three stars went to Sayustov, Nalimov (32 for 33 in saves), and Fisenko.

Over in Togliatti, Lada welcomes Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Ilya Ezhov are in goal. Astana led off in the first period with a Maxim Khudyakov goal, coming off of Corey Trivino and Vladimir Markelov. Barys added on with a Nigel Dawes penalty shot goal in the second period, after he was slashed by Vladimir Malenkikh. Togliatti got on the board with an unassisted Anton Shenfeld goal. Lada tied it with a Nikita Filatov goal, passed from Yefim Gurkin. Astana won 3-2 in overtime on a Dawes goal, assisted by Brandon Bochenski and Kevin Dallman. The three stars went to Dawes, Khudyakov, and Karlsson (27 for 29 in saves).

Down to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik brings in Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov and Ivan Lisutin man the nets. Khanty-Mansiysk began in the first period with an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, courtesy of Denis Gorbunov and Pavel Medvedev. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Dan Sexton power play goal, powered by Richard Gynge and Gilbert Brule. Neftekhimik took the lead in the third period with a Sergei Konkov goal, coming off of Kirill Lyamin and Dmitry Makarov. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars being Lisutin (38 for 39 in saves), Konkov, and Sexton.

Northwest to Cherepovets, with Severstal hosting Slovan Bratislava. Barry Brust and Jakub Kovar draw the starts in goal. Bratislava opened in the first period with a Marek Daloga power play goal, powered by Ziga Jeglic. Slovan added on in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Jeff Taffe, set up by Jonathan Cheechoo. Cherepovets got on the board in the third period with a Sergei Monakhov goal, helped along by Igor Magogin and Alexander Yevseyenkov. Bratislava replied on a Kyle Chipchura goal, made possible by the goalie Brust and Nick Plastino. This held for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Brust (38 for 39 in saves), Taffe, and Chipchura.

Nearby, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Alexei Murygin protect the nets. Yaroslavl started in the first period with a Yegor Korshkov goal, assisted by Pavel Kraskovsky and Alexander Polunin. Helsinki tied it in the second period with a Peter Regin power play goal, powered by Brian O'Neill and Pekka Jormakka. Lokomotiv retook the lead in the third period with a Brandon Kozun goal, with a lone assist by Petri Kontiola. Yaroslavl added on with a Maxime Talbot goal, via Kozun and Kontiola. Lokomotiv extended the lead as Staffan Kronwall scored a power play goal, thanks to Kozun and Kontiola, the latter getting a sock trick. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kozun, Kontiola, and Murygin (32 for 33 in saves).

In Moscow, Spartak welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Markus Svensson are the masked men. Sochi struck first in the first period with a Vadim Shchegolkov goal, passed from Artyom Tomilin and Renat Mamashev. The Leopards added on with a Mamashev goal, guided in by Eric O'Dell and Igor Levitsky. Svensson was replaced by Nikita Bespalov in goal. Sochi extended the lead as Shchegolkov scored again, thanks to Mikhail Mamkin and Denis Tolpeko. The Leopards padded the lead in the second period with an Ivan Zakharchuk goal, helped along by Yury Alexandrov and Rinat Ibragimov. Moscow got on the board with a Vladislav Provolnev goal in the third period, courtesy of Sergei Shmelyov. Spartak got closer with a Dmitry Kalinin power play goal, powered by Konstantin Glazachev and Matthew Gilroy. Sochi iced it at 5-2 with a Pavel Padakin empty net goal, set up by Sergei Kuznetsov. The three stars went to Shchegolkov, Mamashev, and Barulin (38 for 40 in saves).

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinky and Emil Garipov are in the creases. Kazan was first to score in the first period with an Andrei Chibisov goal, assisted by Mikhail Zhukov and Stepan Zakharchuk. Ak Bars added on with an Andrei Popov goal in the second period, fueled by Atte Ohtamaa and Anton Glinkin. Kazan extended the lead as Artyom Lukoyanov scored a power play goal, thanks to Vladimir Tkachyov and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars padded the lead in the third period with an Azevedo goal, helped along by Damir Musin and Alexander Svitov. Kazan iced it at 5-0 with a Michal Jordan goal, with a lone helper by Glinkin. The three stars were given to Azevedo, Glinkin, and Garipov (24 save shutout).

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 17

Six games for today, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Ward are the veterans in goal. New York started in the first period with a Mats Zuccarello power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. Carolina tied it with a Jeff Skinner goal, his third of the year, fueled by Noah Hanifin and Victor Rask. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period on another Skinner goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, assisted by Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin. The Rangers retied it with Zuccarello's second of the night and fourth of the year, coming off of Ryan McDonagh and the goalie Lundqvist. Carolina retook the lead on a Bryan Bickell power play goal, via Skinner and Rask. This held for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Skinner, Zuccarello, and Rask.

Up in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Keith Kinkaid receive the starting nods. New Jersey opened in the first period with a P.A. Parenteau power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Devante Smith-Pelly and Yohann Auvitu. Chicago tied it in the second period with an Artemi Panarin power play goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Devils retook the lead on a John Moore goal in the third period, courtesy of Kyle Palmieri and Taylor Hall. The Blackhawks tied it on a Marian Hossa power play goal, his second of the season, assisted by Richard Panik and Jonathan Toews. Chicago won 3-2 in overtime with an Artem Anisimov goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Panarin and Duncan Keith. The three stars went to Panarin, Anisimov, and Crawford (30 for 32 in saves).

Out in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Brian Elliott are in the blue paint. Calgary led off in the first period with a Dougie Hamilton goal, via Johnny Gaudreau and Jyrki Jokipakka. Ottawa tied it on an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mike Hoffman and Derick Brassard. The Senators took the lead with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Dion Phaneuf and Ryan Dzingel. Chris Driedger replaced Hammond to begin the second period. The Flames tied it in the second period with a Sam Bennett goal, his third of the season, assisted by Alex Chiasson and Hamilton. Calgary took the lead on a Hamilton goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Micheal Ferland and T.J. Brodie. The Flames added on in the third period with a Sean Monahan goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Gaudreau and Chiasson. Calgary extended the lead as Michael Frolik scored his fourth of the campaign, with the help of Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars given to Hamilton, Gaudreau, and Chiasson.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche host the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Semyon Varlamov are the goalies. Winnipeg got going in the second period with a Shawn Matthias goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Joel Armia and Josh Morrissey. This was the only goal, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars awarded to Hutchinson (37 save shutout), Matthias, and Varlamov (20 for 21 in saves).

Back in Canada, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Ryan Miller are the masked men. Edmonton dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Connor McDavid goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Milan Lucic and Anton Lander. The Oilers added on with an empty net goal by Lucic in the third period, his fourth of the year, set up by Adam Larsson. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars being Talbot (26 save shutout), Lucic, and McDavid.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and John Gibson draw the starts, although Dustin Tokarski also saw time in the Ducks net. Columbus began in the first period with a Sam Gagner goal, passed from Scott Hartnell and Lukas Sedlak. The Blue Jackets added on with a Brandon Saad goal, his second of the season, assisted by Nick Foligno and Zach Werenski. Columbus extended the lead with another Saad goal, his third of the year, made possible by Foligno and Alexander Wennberg. The Blue Jackets padded the lead on a Gagner power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Foligno, who got a sock trick, and Wennberg. The score held at 4-0, with the three stars given to Gagner, Bobrovsky (35 save shutout), and Saad, while Foligno and Wennberg get the honorable mentions.

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Friday, October 28, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 67

Five games for today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Omsk got going with a Jonas Ahnelov power play goal in the second period, powered by Maxim Pestushko and Vladimir Sobotka. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Dmitry Pestunov goal, passed from Paul Szczechura and Alexei Kruchinin on the power play. Traktor took the lead with an Artyom Borodkin power play goal in the third period, guided in by Szczechura and Kruchinin. Chelyabinsk iced it at 3-1 with a Nikolai Belov empty net goal, set up by Szczechura. The three stars went to Szczechura (sock trick), Demchenko (25 for 26 in saves), and Kruchinin.

Next up, Metallurg Magnitogorsk welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Magnitogorsk started with an Evgeny Timkin goal in the first period, assisted by Vladislav Kaletnik. Metallurg added on with an Evgeny Biryukov goal, coming off of Viktor Antipin and Danis Zaripov. Alexei Krasikov relieved Taylor. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Denis Kazionov scored, thanks to Chris Lee and Sergei Mozyakin. Novosibirsk got on the board in the second period with a Nikolai Glukhov power play goal, powered by Adam Polasek and Joonas Kemppainen. Sibir pulled closer with an unassisted Artyom Voroshilo goal. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars going to Kazionov, Biryukov, and Timkin.

Along to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Mikhail Biryukov and Niklas Svedberg are the goalies. Ufa opened in the first period with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, with a lone assist by Linus Omark. Novokuznetsk tied it in the second period on an Evgeny Solovyov goal, fueled by Andrei Pervyshin and Alexander Komaristy on the power play. Metallurg took the lead with an Evgeny Viksna power play goal, powered by Kirill Lebedev. Salavat Yulaev retied it with an unassisted Denis Kulyash goal. Ufa took the lead with an Omark goal, courtesy of Zakhar Arzamastsev and Kaprizov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Semyonov goal, with a lone helper by Timur Fatkullin in the third period. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead with a Sami Lepisto goal, helped along by Kaprizov. This stood for a 4-3 win, with Kaprizov, Omark, and Lepisto earning the three stars.

West to Podolsk, where Vityaz brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Harri Sateri are in the blue paint. Podolsk struck first in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Nikita Vyglazov goal. Vityaz added on with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, fueled by Miro Aaltonen and Mario Kempe in the second period. Riga tied it on a shorthanded Gints Meija goal, going in unassisted. Podolsk shot back with an Aaltonen power play goal, powered by Kopeikin and Kempe. Dinamo got one back in the third period with a Pyotr Schastlivy goal, courtesy of Aleksandrs Jerofejevs and Jekabs Redlihs. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Aaltonen, Kopeikin, and Kempe.

Finally, Dynamo Moscow hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Ryan Zapolski and Alexander Lazushin receive the starting nods in goal. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Andrei Mironov. Dynamo added on with an Ansel Galimov goal in the third period, coming off of Alexei Tsvetkov and Martins Karsums. Moscow extended the lead on a Kaspar empty net goal, set up by Tsvetkov and Karsums. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Lazushin (28 save shutout), Kaspar, and Tsvetkov, while Karsums gets an honorable mention.

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Thursday, October 27, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 16

Nine games on a somewhat light Thursday, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk faces a lesser foe in Anders Nilsson in goal. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, his second of the season, via Nate Prosser and Marco Scandella. The Wild added on with a Jason Zucker goal, his second of the year, coming off of Chris Stewart and Ryan Suter. Minnesota extended the lead in the third period as Suter scored his third of the season, thanks to Zach Parise and Christian Folin. The Wild iced it at 4-0 with a Mikko Koivu empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Eric Staal and Charlie Coyle. The three stars went to Suter, Dubnyk (38 save shutout), and Eriksson Ek.

In Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue and Steve Mason draw the starts in goal. Arizona opened in the first period with a Jamie McGinn goal, via Anthony Duclair and Brad Richardson. The Coyotes added on with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period with a Nick Cousins goal, made possible by Brayden Schenn and Dale Weise. The Flyers tied it on a Schenn goal, his second of the year, coming off of Shayne Gostisbehere and Claude Giroux on the power play. Arizona retook the lead with a Martin Hanzal goal in the third period, his second of the season, assisted by Max Domi and Michael Stone. The Coyotes extended the lead on a shorthanded Richardson goal, his third of the year, set up by Tobias Rieder. Philadelphia pulled back as Andrew MacDonald scored, thanks to Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny. Arizona shot back with a Ryan White goal, with a lone assist by Christian Dvorak. The Flyers edged back with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, with helpers from Schenn and Mark Streit. The game ended at 5-4, with Schenn, Richardson, and White earning the three stars.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Fleury are the masked men. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel. New York tied it in the second period with a Travis Hamonic goal, fueled by Shane Prince and Brock Nelson. The Penguins retook the lead in the third period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his third of the year, via Kessel and Chris Kunitz. The Islanders tied it again on a Prince power play goal, coming off of Nelson and Hamonic. Pittsburgh retook the lead with a Crosby goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Scott Wilson and Justin Schultz. The Penguins iced it at 4-2 with a Kessel power play goal, his third of the year, assisted by Malkin and Trevor Daley. The three stars went to Crosby, Kessel, and Malkin, while Hamonic, Prince, and Nelson get the honorable mentions.

In Montreal, the Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Carey Price guard the cages. Tampa Bay got going in the second period with an Alex Killorn goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman. Montreal tied it in the third period with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his second of the year, a power play goal via Andrei Markov and Jeff Petry. The Canadiens took the lead with a Max Pacioretty goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Greg Pateryn and Andrew Shaw. Montreal iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted empty net goal by Torrey Mitchell, his fourth of the year. The three stars went to Pacioretty, Price (30 for 31 in saves), and Galchenyuk.

Over in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Frederik Andersen man the nets. Florida began in the first period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Jaromir Jagr. Toronto tied it with a Tyler Bozak goal, his second of the year, guided in by Nikita Zaitsev and Mitchell Marner. The Panthers took the lead back with a Marchessault power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and fifth of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and the goalie Luongo. The Maple Leafs retied it with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Marner. Toronto took the lead on a Bozak goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, helped along by Marner, who got a sock trick, and Nazem Kadri. The final stood from here at 3-2, with the three stars being Bozak, Marner, and Marchessault.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Jake Allen protect the nets. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his third of the season, made possible by Patrik Berglund. Detroit tied it on a Frans Nielsen shorthanded goal, his second of the year, set up by Darren Helm and Alexey Marchenko. In the shootout, Alexander Steen of the Blues got matched by Gustav Nyquist and topped by Henrik Zetterberg of the Red Wings for their 2-1 win. The three stars went to Mrazek (31 for 32 in saves), Zetterberg, and Allen (26 for 27 in saves).

Into Canada, the Winnipeg Jets host the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Connor Hellebuyck are in the blue paint. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Tyler Myers goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Joel Armia. The Jets added on with a Kyle Connor goal, courtesy of Nikolaj Ehlers. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period on a Patrik Laine power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele. Dallas got on the board in the third period with a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his fourth of the season, via John Klingberg and Jordie Benn. The Jets shot back with another Laine power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with helpers from Blake Wheeler and Mathieu Perreault. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Laine, Hellebuyck (38 for 39 in saves), and Connor.

Out in California, the San Jose Sharks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Martin Jones are the solid goalies. San Jose was first to score with a first period Joonas Donskoi power play goal, powered by David Schlemko. The Sharks added on with a Tomas Hertl power play goal in the third period, his third of the season, with assists provided by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Schlemko. Columbus got on the board with a Scott Hartnell goal, his second of the year, helped along by Lukas Sedlak and Brandon Saad. San Jose shot back on a Hertl empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, set up by Joe Thornton. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars given to Hertl, Jones (24 for 25 in saves), and Schlemko.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Peter Budaj have the green light in goal. Nashville cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Craig Smith goal, his second of the season, assisted by Mike Ribeiro and Viktor Arvidsson. Los Angeles tied it on a Jake Muzzin power play goal, powered by Nic Dowd and Alec Martinez. The Predators took the lead back in the third period with a shorthanded and unassisted Arvidsson goal, his fourth of the year. The Kings retied it with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his second of the season, helped along by Dowd and Martinez. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime with a Jeff Carter goal, his second of the year, via Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The three stars went to Dowd, Arvidsson, and Martinez.

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MLS Knockout Round 2016

The teams that made the playoffs but couldn't finish second or better in their conferences square off in these one-off games for the chance to continue their playoff dreams. We begin with two Wednesday games, the first seeing...

Toronto FC host the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Clint Irwin man the nets. Toronto had a yellow card go to Michael Bradley for his fourteenth minute foul. Toronto led off in the fifteenth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, assisted by Jozy Altidore. Philadelphia had a twenty-fifth minute yellow card for a C.J. Sapong foul, as did teammate Alejandro Bedoya in the forty-third minute. Toronto's Altidore took a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. Toronto added on with a Jonathan Osorio goal in the forty-eighth minute, set up by Nick Hagglund and Giovinco. The Union got on the board with a seventy-third minute Bedoya goal, passed from Richie Marquez and Ilsinho. Toronto shot back in the eighty-fifth minute with an Altidore goal. Philadelphia's Ken Tribbett took a yellow card for a ninetieth minute foul. The game ended 3-1, with Toronto advancing on the back of Altidore's man of the match performance.

Out in Los Angeles, the Galaxy welcome Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Brian Rowe are the goalies. Los Angeles began in the fourteenth minute on an Alan Gordon goal, set up by Giovani dos Santos and Landon Donovan. Salt Lake tied it in the twenty-first minute on a Joao Plata penalty kick goal. The Galaxy retook the lead with a twenty-sixth minute goal by Emmanuel Boateng, via Gordon. Los Angeles added on with another Boateng goal in the thirty-fourth minute, coming off of Gordon. Real saw yellow cards for Demar Phillips in the thirty-ninth minute and Chris Wingert in the forty-first minute, both for fouls. The Galaxy's Baggio Husidic took a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Salt Lake saw a yellow card go to Sunny in the seventy-first minute for a foul. The game ended 3-1, with Boateng's winning brace making him the man of the match.

On Thursday, DC United brings in the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Bill Hamid are the gloved men. Montreal opened in the fourth minute with a Laurent Ciman goal, passed from Marco Donadel. The Impact added on with a forty-third minute Matteo Mancosu goal, assisted by Ignacio Piatti. Montreal extended the lead as Moncosu scored again in the fifty-eighth minute, thanks to Ambroise Oyongo. The Impact padded the lead on a Piatti goal in the eighty-third minute, via Mancosu. DC got on the board in the ninetieth minute with a Lamar Neagle goal, set up by Patrick Nyarko. United pulled closer with a Taylor Kemp goal in stoppage time. The game ended at 4-2, with the man of the match being Mancosu.

Finally, the Seattle Sounders FC host Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Stefan Frei are in the six-yard boxes. Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso took a yellow card for a thirty-second minute foul. Kansas City had yellow cards for a foul by Seth Sinovic in the sixty-third minute and dissent by Benny Feilhaber in the seventy-first minute. The Sounders got going with an eighty-eighth minute Nelson Valdez goal, set up by Joevin Jones. Sporting's Roger Espinoza had a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Frei for his seven-save clean sheet.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 66

There's seven games on today, and for the first time, we begin in...

China, as Kunlun Red Star Beijing hosts Amur Khabarovsk in Shanghai. Juha Metsola and Artyom Zagidulin are the goalies. Beijing started in the first period with a Zach Yuen goal, passed from Tomas Marcinko. This held up for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Yuen, Zagidulin (16 save shutout), and Metsola (16 for 17 in saves).

In Russia, Lada Togliatti welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinsky and Edgars Masalskis are in the creases. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period with a Petr Koukal goal, via Niclas Andersen. Togliatti tied it on a Denis Zernov goal, made possible by Rafael Akhmetov. Lada took the lead with an Alexander Bumagin power play goal, powered by Taylor Aronson and Andrei Ivanov. This stood for the eventual 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Bumagin, Masalskis (32 for 33 in saves), and Zernov.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Rafael Khakimov play goal. Astana led off in the first period with an Evgeny Rymarev goal, passed from Vyacheslav Tryasunov. Barys added on with a Nigel Dawes power play goal, powered by Martin St. Pierre. Ivan Lisutin replaced Khakimov in goal. Astana extended the lead in the second period as St. Pierre scored, thanks to Maxim Semyonov and Kevin Dallman. The final held from here at 3-0, with the three stars being Karlsson (42 save shutout), St. Pierre, and Rymarev.

Along to Yaroslavl, with Lokomotiv hosting Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Alexander Sudnitsin are between the pipes. Yaroslavl began in the first period with a Yegor Averin goal, assisted by Roman Manukhov and Stanislav Chistov. Minsk tied it on an Alexander Materukhin power play goal, with a lone assist by Matt Ellison. Lokomotiv retook the lead with an Andrei Loktionov shorthanded goal, set up by Denis Mosalyov. Dinamo tied it in the second period with an Ellison goal, made possible by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Sergei Kostitsyn on the power play. Yaroslavl retook the lead with a Brandon Kozun power play goal in the third period, powered by Pavel Koledov and Loktionov. Lokomotiv added on with a Maxime Talbot goal, going in unassisted. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Mosalyov scored, thanks to Manukhov. Mikhail Karnaukhov replaced Scrivens in goal. Minsk got one back with a Materukhin power play goal, with helpers from Andrei Stepanov and Kostitsyn. Lokomotiv iced it at 6-3 with a Mosalyov goal, via Daniil Apalkov. The three stars were Mosalyov, Loktionov, and Materukhin, while Ellison, Kostitsyn, Koledov, and Manukhov get the honorable mentions.

In Moscow, CSKA brings in Slovan Bratislava. Justin Pogge and Ilya Sorokin man the nets. Bratislava struck first in the first period with an unassisted Jonathan Cheechoo goal. Moscow tied it with an Alexander Popov goal, via Artyom Sergeyev and Grigory Panin. CSKA took the lead with an Alexander Kutuzov power play goal in the second period, powered by Andrei Svetlakov. Moscow added on with a Maxim Mamin goal, with a lone assist by Jan Mursak in the third period. Slovan got one back on a Vaclav Nedorost goal, passed from Andrej Meszaros and Cheechoo. CSKA capped it at 4-2 with a Jonas Enlund goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Mamin, Cheechoo, and Kutuzov.

Out to St. Petersburg, where SKA welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Drew MacIntyre and Igor Shestyorkin draw the starts. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Ilya Kablukov and Alexander Khokhlachyov. SKA added on in the second period with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, courtesy of Vyacheslav Voynov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Pavel Datsyuk scored, with the help of Voynov and Alexander Barabanov. SKA padded the lead with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal in the third period, fueled by Steve Moses. St. Petersburg kept going with a Barabanov goal, helped along by Nikita Gusev. SKA finished it at 6-0 with a Yegor Yakovlev power play goal, guided in by Datsyuk. The three stars went to Datsyuk, Voynov, and Barabanov.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Vladislav Fokin and Stanislav Galimov are the masked men. Kazan drew first blood in the first period with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, coming off of Andrei Chibisov. Ak Bars added on with an unassisted Tkachyov goal, his second of the game. Kazan extended the lead as Mikhail Glukhov scored, thanks to Anton Glinkin and Andrei Popov. Ak Bars padded the lead with a Tkachyov power play goal to complete his hat trick, powered by Alexander Svitov and Artyom Lukoyanov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period on a Denis Khlystov goal, guided in by Nikita Dvurechensky and Pavel Medvedev. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars being Tkachyov, Galimov (14 for 15 in saves), and Glukhov.

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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 15

The third week of the season commences with four games tonight, beginning with...

The New York Islanders hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Thomsa Greiss are the backups in goal. Montreal got going in the second period with a Paul Byron goal, his second of the season, helped along by Brendan Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. New York tied it with a John Tavares power play goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens took the lead back in the third period with a Phillip Danault goal, his second of the season, coming off of Shea Weber and Torrey Mitchell. The Islanders retied it on a Dennis Seidenberg goal, his second of the year, via Calvin de Haan and Ryan Strome. Montreal regained the lead on a Weber power play goal, his third of the season, Jeff Petry and Max Pacioretty. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars going to Weber, Danault, and Byron.

Also in New York, the Rangers welcome the Boston Bruins. Zane McIntyre is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Boston led off in the first period with a David Pastrnak goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Brad Marchand and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins added on with an Austin Czarnik goal, made possible by David Krejci. New York got on the board in the second period with a Rick Nash power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Jimmy Vesey. The Rangers tied it on a Kevin Hayes goal, his second of the season, guided in by Jesper Fast and Ryan McDonagh. New York took the lead with a Brandon Pirri power play goal, his third of the year, with helpers from J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers extended the lead as Pirri scored his second of the game and fourth of the season in the third period, thanks to Marc Staal and Miller. New York padded the lead with a Vesey goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Nash and Stepan. The game closed with a 5-2 final, with the three stars awarded to Pirri, Vesey, and Nash, while Stepan and Miller get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Cam Talbot man the nets. Edmonton dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Benoit Pouliot goal, his second of the season, coming off of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on with another Pouliot goal, his second of the game and third of the year, via Nugent-Hopkins and Oscar Klefbom. Washington got on the board in the third period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Matt Niskanen and Andre Burakovsky. Edmonton replied with a Patrick Maroon goal, his second of the year, guided in by Jesse Puljujarvi and Connor McDavid. The Oilers iced it at 4-1 with a Milan Lucic power play goal, his third of the campaign, powered by Andrej Sekera and McDavid. The three stars went to Pouliot, Talbot (34 for 35 in saves), and Nugent-Hopkins, while McDavid gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and John Gibson are in the blue paint. Anaheim began in the first period with a Nick Ritchie power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Michael Sgarbossa and Antoine Vermette. The Ducks added on in the second period with a shorthanded Jakob Silfverberg goal, set up by Shea Theodore and Ryan Garbutt. Anaheim extended the lead as Silfverberg scored again, thanks to Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler on the power play. The Ducks padded the lead with an unassisted Corey Perry goal, his fourth of the year. Marek Mazanec replaced Rinne in goal. Anaheim continued on a shorthanded goal by Andrew Cogliano, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Ducks struck again with a Ryan Kesler power play goal, with helpers from Fowler and Vatanen. Nashville got on the board in the third period with a Colin Wilson power play goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars being Silfverberg, Vatanen, and Fowler.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 65

Six games on for today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexei Krasikov and Pavel Francouz are the backups in goal. Chelyabinsk started with a Dmitry Pestunov power play goal, powered by Paul Szczechura and Konstantin Klimontov. Traktor added on with an Alexander Chernikov goal, via Yury Petrov. Novosibirsk got on the board with a Joonas Kemppainen power play goal, with helpers from Vladimir Butuzov and Zach Boychuk. Sibir tied it with a Boychuk power play goal, coming off of Sergei Shumakov and Kemppainen. Chelyabinsk took the lead back with a Klimontov goal in the third period, a power play goal, courtesy of Alexei Petrov and Alexei Kruchinin. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars going to Klimontov, Kemppainen, and Boychuk.

In Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Mikhail Biryukov and Ilya Samsonov draw the starts. Magnitogorsk opened with a Viktor Antipin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov. Novokuznetsk tied it on an Evgeny Solovyov goal, passed from Alexander Komaristy in the second period. Magnitogorsk retook the lead with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, made possible by Chris Lee. Magnitogorsk added on with a Jan Kovar goal, via Denis Kazionov. Novokuznetsk got one back in the third period with an Ivan Yemets goal, guided in by Artyom Mikheyev and Alexei Razumov. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Kovar, Mozyakin, and Antipin.

Next up, Salavat Yulaev Ufa brings in Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch faces a lesser foe in Andrei Gavrilov in goal. Omsk led off in the first period with a Denis Parshin goal, fueled by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Ilya Zubov. Avangard added on with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, coming off of Jonas Ahnelov and Erik Gustafsson. Omsk extended the lead as Lemtyugov scored in the second period, thanks to Evgeny Medvedev and Yegor Martynov. Niklas Svedberg replaced Gavrilov in goal. Ufa got on the board in the third period with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal powered by Sami Lepisto and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev pulled closer with a Denis Kulyash goal, assisted by Kaprizov and Mikhail Vorobyov. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars given to Lemtyugov, Kaprizov, and Sobotka.

Over in Moscow, Dynamo hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Alexander Yeryomenko are the goalies. Riga began in the first period with a Krisjanis Redlihs power play goal, powered by Justin Shugg and Patrick Mullen. Moscow tied it in the second period with an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, fueled by Martins Karsums and Lukas Kaspar. Alexander Lazushin replaced Yeryomenko in goal in the third period due to injury. In the shootout, Kaspar and Ivan Igumnov overcame Gints Meija for a 2-1 Dynamo win. The three stars were Kaspar, Tsvetkov, and Redlihs.

Down in Sochi, the Leopards welcome Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Konstantin Barulin are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod struck first in the first period with a Kaspars Daugavins power play goal, powered by Alexei Potapov. Torpedo added on with a Kirill Vorobyov goal, fueled by Daugavins. Sochi got on the board in the third period with an Eric O'Dell goal, passed from Ilya Krikunov and Igor Levitsky. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars going to Daugavins, Proskuryakov (19 for 20 in saves), Vorobyov.

Finally, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Harri Sateri. Helsinki got going in the second period with a Peter Regin goal, assisted by Topi Jaakola and Sakari Salminen. Podolsk tied it in the third period with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, powered by Jakub Jerabek. Jokerit took the lead back with a Marko Anttila goal, fueled by Roope Talaja. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars going to Anttila, Helenius (30 for 31 in saves), and Regin.

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Tuesday, October 25, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 14

Eleven games fill out tonight's schedule, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk faces a lesser foe in Malcolm Subban in goal. Minnesota got going in the second period with a Charlie Coyle goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nino Niederreiter and Eric Staal. The Wild added on with a Chris Stewart goal, his second of the year, via Joel Eriksson Ek and Jason Zucker. Minnesota extended the lead as Ryan Suter scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Matt Dumba and Mikael Granlund. The Wild padded the lead with a Zucker goal, made possible by Suter and Eriksson Ek. Minnesota iced it at 5-0 with a Jason Pominville goal in the third period, his second of the year, helped along by Eriksson Ek and Zucker, the former getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Zucker, Eriksson Ek, and Dubnyk (27 save shutout), while Suter gets an honorable mention.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Justin Peters is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. Arizona led off in the first period with a Jordan Martinook goal, his third of the season, coming off of Alex Goligoski and Jamie McGinn. New Jersey tied it on a Taylor Hall goal, his fourth of the year, via Pavel Zacha. The Devils took the lead in the second period with a Hall power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, powered by Zacha and Damon Severson. New Jersey added on with an Adam Henrique goal, assisted by Reid Boucher and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Coyotes got one back with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal in the third period, his third of the year, courtesy of Michael Stone and Max Domi. Arizona tied it on an Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Martin Hanzal and Stone. The Devils retook the lead with a Travis Zajac power play goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Hall and Severson. New Jersey iced it at 5-3 with a Zajac empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, set up by Ben Lovejoy. The three stars went to Hall, Ekman-Larsson, and Zajac, while Stone, Severson, and Zacha get the honorable mentions.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins bring in the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Marc-Andre Fleury are the solid goalies. Florida opened in the first period with a Reilly Smith power play goal, powered by Michael Matheson and Colton Sceviour. The Panthers added on in the second period with a Mark Pysyk goal, via Shane Harper and Jonathan Marchessault. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, coming off of Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel on the power play. The Penguins tied it in the third period on a Carl Hagelin goal, with a lone helper by Nick Bonino. Pittsburgh took the lead with an Eric Fehr goal, made possible by Tom Kuhnhackl and Matt Cullen. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Fehr, Hagelin, and Crosby.

In Detroit, the Red Wings host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Petr Mrazek draw the starts in goal. Detroit started in the first period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Andreas Athanasiou and Darren Helm. The Red Wings added on with a Dylan Larkin goal, fueled by Henrik Zetterberg. Detroit extended the lead as Larkin scored his second of the game, thanks to Gustav Nyquist and Alexey Marchenko. Carolina got on the board in the second period with a Jordan Staal goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Brett Pesce. The Hurricanes pulled back with a Victor Rask goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Andrej Nestrasil and Noah Hanifin. The Red Wings replied with an Athanasiou goal, his second of the year, passed from Luke Glendening and Steve Ott. The final held from here at 4-2, with the three stars awarded to Larkin, Athanasiou, and Vanek.

Back east, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Nilsson and Michal Neuvirth are the backups in goal. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Tyler Ellis goal, assisted by Zemgus Girgensons and Cody Franson. The Sabres added on with a Matt Moulson power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Ryan O'Reilly. Buffalo extended the lead as Moulson scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, thanks to Rasmus Ristolainen and Kyle Okposo on the power play. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period with a Travis Konecny power play goal, with helpers from Ivan Provorov and Mark Streit. The Flyers got closer with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, helped along by Claude Giroux and Streit. Philadelphia tied it with a Streit power play goal, his second of the campaign, via Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. The tie went to a shootout, where Giroux and Jakub Voracek tallied to give the Flyers a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Streit, Moulson, and Schenn.

In Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Frederik Andersen are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Steven Stamkos goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Andrej Sustr. The Lightning added on with an Alex Killorn goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Braydon Coburn and Brayden Point. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Stamkos scored his second of the game and fifth of the season, with the help of Sustr and Nikita Kucherov. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the second period on a Victor Hedman goal, assisted by Stamkos and Kucherov. Toronto got on the board with a William Nylander power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Nazem Kadri and Auston Matthews. Tampa Bay replied with a Kucherov goal in the third period, via Stamkos and Vladislav Namestnikov. The Maple Leafs countered with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his third of the season, guided in by Nikita Zaitsev and Morgan Rielly. Toronto edged closer on a Matthews goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Nylander. The Lightning countered with a Namestnikov power play goal, his second of the season, fueled by Anton Stralman and Tyler Johnson. Tampa Bay finished it at 7-3 with a Jonathan Drouin power play goal, his second of the year, with a lone helper from Kucherov. The three stars went to Stamkos, Kucherov, and Namestnikov, while Matthews, Nylander, and Sustr get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues host the Calgary Flames. Carter Hutton and Brian Elliott draw the starts. Calgary began in the first period with a Dennis Wideman power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Troy Brouwer and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames added on with a Deryk Engelland goal, passed from Kris Versteeg and Sam Bennett. Calgary extended the lead in the second period as Bennett scored his second of the year, thanks to Dougie Hamilton and Matthew Tkachuk. St. Louis shot back with a Kevin Shattenkirk power play goal, his second of the season, coming off of Vladimit Tarasenko and Colton Parayko in the third period. The Flames iced it at 4-1 with a Gaudreau empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Matt Stajan and Micheal Ferland. The three stars were Bennett, Elliott (23 for 24 in saves), and Gaudreau.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Antti Niemi are between the pipes. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Brett Ritchie goal, his second of the season, assisted by Curtis McKenzie and Devin Shore. The Stars added on in the second period with a Patrick Eaves power play goal, powered by Shore and Justin Dowling. Winnipeg got one back on an unassisted Joel Armia goal. Dallas shot back with a Tyler Seguin goal in the third period, his third of the year, guided in by Lauri Korpikoski and Johnny Oduya. The Jets answered with a Mark Scheifele power play goal, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Adam Lowry and Patrik Laine. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars being Shore, Seguin, and Niemi (28 for 30 in saves).

Out to San Jose, where the Sharks bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonathan Bernier and Martin Jones receive the starting nods. San Jose started in the first period with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Patrick Marleau and Joonas Donskoi. Bernier left the game injured, replaced by John Gibson at the start of the second period. Anaheim tied it with a Chris Wagner goal, his second of the year, guided in by Clayton Stoner and Antoine Vermette. The Sharks won 2-1 in overtime with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, assisted by Pavelski. The three stars went to Pavelski, Vlasic, and Jones (19 for 20 in saves).

North to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Ryan Miller are the veteran goalies. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Ryan Dzingel goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Derick Brassard and Marc Methot. The Senators added on in the third period with another Dzingel goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, coming off of Bobby Ryan and Chris Wideman. Ottawa extended the lead as Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored an empty net goal, set up by Mark Stone. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Dzingel, Anderson (22 save shutout), and Pageau.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Peter Budaj occupy the creases. Columbus got going in the second period with a Brandon Saad goal, via Nick Foligno and David Savard. Los Angeles tied it with an Anze Kopitar goal, his second of the season, assisted by Tom Gilbert and Tyler Toffoli. The Blue Jackets took the lead again with a Cam Atkinson power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Sam Gagner and Alexander Wennberg. The Kings tied it in the third period with a Drew Doughty goal, his second of the season, passed from Nick Shore and Dustin Brown. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime with an Alec Martinez goal, his second of the year, coming off of Tanner Pearson and Toffoli. The three stars were Toffoli, Martinez, and Doughty.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 64

There are six games to be played today, beginning with...

Admiral Vladivostok hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Ivan Nalimov man the nets. Khabarovsk led off in the first period with a Maxim Kondratyev power play goal, powered by Kristian Kuusela. Vladivostok tied it on a third period goal by Viktor Alexandrov, passed from Daniil Kurashov. Admiral took the lead with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, coming off of Ivan Gavrilenko. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Tkachyov, Alexandrov, and Nalimov (32 for 33 in saves).

Way to the west, Lada Togliatti welcomes Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov and Edgars Masalskis are set to start in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk opened in the first period with a Pavel Varfolomeyev goal, courtesy of Evgeny Lapenkov and Denis Gorbunov. Ugra added on with a Lapenkov goal, via Varfolomeyev. Togliatti got on the board with a Vasily Streltsov goal in the second period, helped along by Stanislav Bocharov. Lada tied it on a Yefim Gurkin goal, assisted by Alexander Bolshakov. Togliatti took the lead with an Anton Shenfeld goal, made possible by Andrei Ivanov. Lada extended the lead as Denis Zernov scored an unassisted goal in the third period. Khanty-Mansiysk got one back with a Lapenkov goal, his second of the game, guided in by Pavel Valentenko. The game ended at 4-3, with the three stars being Lapenkov, Varfolomeyev, and Zernov.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinsky and Ville Kolppanen are in the creases. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period with a Pavel Kulikov goal, fueled by Alexander Bryntsev and Pavel Poryadin. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Nikolai Timashov goal, passed from Niclas Andersen and Konstantin Volkov. Avtomobilist took the lead with an Alexei Simakov goal, helped along by Rok Ticar. Yekaterinburg added on with a second period power play goal by Alexander Torchenyuk, powered by Evgeny Chesalin. Avtomobilist extended the lead as Petr Koukal scored a power play goal, thanks to Andersen and Dmitry Megalinsky. Rafael Khakimov took over for Kolppanen in goal. Neftekhimik got one back with a Konstantin Makarov goal, courtesy of Andrei Sergeyev and Dmitry Makarov. Yekaterinburg shot back on a Koukal goal, guided in by Alexei Mikhnov. This stood for the eventual 5-2 final, with the three stars belonging to Koukal, Andersen, and Torchenyuk.

In Moscow, CSKA hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Drew MacIntyre is mismatched with Ilya Sorokin in goal. Zagreb dented the scoreboard in the third period with an Edwin Hedberg power play goal, powered by Brandon McMillan and Alexandre Bolduc. Moscow tied it with a Jan Mursak goal, assisted by Denis Denisov and Artyom Blazhiyevsky. CSKA took the lead with a Semyon Koshelev goal, passed from Bogdan Kiselevich and Maxim Mamin. Moscow iced it at 3-1 with a Nikita Pivtsakin power play goal, with assists provided by Mursak and Vyacheslav Osnovin. The three stars went to Mursak, Sorokin (29 for 30 in saves), and Koshelev.

Over in St. Petersburg, SKA welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Barry Brust and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. St. Petersburg started in the first period with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Nikita Gusev and Vadim Shipachyov. Bratislava tied it on a Michal Hlinka goal, made possible by Marek Daloga and Vaclav Nedorost. SKA took the lead with an Anton Belov goal, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Gusev on the power play in the second period. St. Petersburg added on with a Patrik Hersley power play goal, with a lone assist by Shipachyov. SKA extended the lead as Yegor Yakovlev scored a power play goal, thanks to Vyacheslav Voynov and Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg padded the lead with a Gusev goal, assisted by Shipachyov and Dadonov. SKA continued with a Yakovlev goal, his second of the game, via Dadonov and Shipachyov. The game ended at 6-1, with the three stars going to Shipachyov, Dadonov, and Gusev, while Yakovlev and Kovalchuk get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Stanislav Galimov protect the nets. Kazan struck first in the first period with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, fueled by Fyodor Malykhin and Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars added on with a Malykhin goal, guided in by Stepan Zakharchuk and Varnakov. Astana got on the board in the second period with a Martin St. Pierre goal, helped along by Brandon Bochenski. This stood for the eventual 2-1 final, with the three stars being Malykhin, Varnakov, and Galimov (27 for 28 in saves).

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Monday, October 24, 2016

2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 63/NHL Day 13

With just two games in each league, it's a small enough day to combine the output into one post. We begin with the KHL, starting in...

China, as Kunlun Red Star Beijing hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in Shanghai. Anton Krasotkin and Artyom Zagidulin are the backups in goal. Yaroslavl started with an Ilya Lyubushkin goal, courtesy of Petri Kontiola and Brandon Kozun. Beijing tied it in the second period with a Martin Bakos goal, passed from Linus Videll. Kunlun Red Star took the lead in the third period with a Videll goal, made possible by Tobias Viklund. Beijing added on with a Tuukka Mantyla goal, assisted by Tomas Marcinko and Igor Velichkin. The game ended at 3-1, with the three stars going to Videll, Zagidulin (31 for 32 in saves), and Bakos.

The other KHL game sees Spartak Moscow welcome Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Markus Svensson are in the creases. Moscow opened in the first period with a Ryan Stoa goal, guided in by the goalie Svensson and Lukas Radil. Spartak added on in the second period with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, coming off of Anatoly Nikontsev. Moscow extended the lead as Mikhail Plotnikov scored, thanks to Alexander Vasilyev and Artyom Voronin. Ivan Kasutin replaced Proskuryakov. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars given to Svensson (17 save shutout), Stoa, and Shmelyov.

In the NHL, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Carey Price are the masked men. Montreal got going in the second period with a Shea Weber goal, his second of the season, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Artturi Lehkonen. Philadelphia tied it on a Jakub Voracek goal, his third of the year, fueled by Claude Giroux and Brandon Manning. The Canadiens took the lead with a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Radulov and Weber. Montreal iced it at 3-1 with a Radulov empty net goal, set up by Alexei Emelin. The three stars went to Radulov, Weber, and Price (31 for 32 in saves).

Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. Calgary struck first in the first period with a Sam Bennett power play goal, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Micheal Ferland. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Patrick Kane goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Artem Anisimov. The Flames retook the lead with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his third of the year, guided in by Troy Brouwer and Mark Giordano. The Blackhawks tied it again with a Brian Campbell goal, going in unassisted. In the shootout, Kris Versteeg had the only tally to lift the Flames to a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Monahan, Bennett, and Elliott (31 for 33 in saves).

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Sunday, October 23, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 12

It's a special day in the NHL, with the Heritage Classic leading the four-game slate. We begin outdoors in...

Winnipeg, with the Jets hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Connor Hellebuyck are the goalies. Edmonton dented the scoreboard in the second period with a shorthanded and unassisted Mark Letestu goal, his second of the season. The Oilers added on with a Darnell Nurse goal, assisted by Connor McDavid and Zack Kassian. Edmonton extended the lead as Kassian scored his second of the year, thanks to Benoit Pouliot and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The game ended at 3-0, with the three stars going to Kassian, Talbot (30 save shutout), and Letestu.

Over in Brooklyn, the New York Islanders welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Thomas Greiss are the backups in goal. Minnesota drew first blood in the second period with a Zach Parise goal, assisted by Matt Dumba. New York tied it on a John Tavares goal, his second of the season, guided in by Josh Bailey and Jason Chimera. The Islanders took the lead with a Calvin de Haan goal, via Anthony Beauvillier and Ryan Strome. New York added on with a Johnny Boychuk goal, his second of the year, helped along by Strome. The Wild got one back with another Parise goal, made possible by Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu. The Islanders countered in the third period with an Alan Quine goal, coming off of Beauvillier. New York extended the lead as Thomas Hickey scored, thanks to Tavares. Minnesota replied with a Nino Niederreiter goal, with helpers from Eric Staal and Jonas Brodin. The Islanders iced it at 6-3 with an empty net goal by Tavares, his second of the game and third of the campaign, set up by Andrew Ladd and Bailey. The three stars went to Tavares, Parise, and Beauvillier, while Strome and Bailey get the honorable mentions.

Staying in New York, the Rangers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Arizona began in the first period with a Radim Vrbata goal, his second of the season, coming off of Connor Murphy. New York tied it with a Josh Jooris goal, made possible by Michael Grabner and Jesper Fast. The Rangers took the lead on a J.T. Miller power play goal in the second period, his second of the year, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Brandon Pirri. The Coyotes tied it again with a Vrbata goal, his second of the game and third of the season, helped along by Max Domi and Christian Dvorak. New York took the lead on a Dan Girardi goal, with a lone assist by Brady Skjei. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars going to Vrbata, Girardi, and Miller.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and John Gibson play goal. Anaheim struck first in the first period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his third of the season, passed from Josh Manson and Ryan Kesler. Vancouver tied it on a shorthanded Bo Horvat goal, his third of the year, set up by Loui Eriksson. The Ducks retook the lead in the second period with a Cam Fowler power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Sami Vatanen and Ryan Getzlaf. The Canucks tied it in the third period on a Henrik Sedin goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Eriksson and Philip Larsen. Anaheim retook the lead with a Nick Ritchie goal, assisted by Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Ducks added on with a Perry goal, his third of the season, via Getzlaf and Clayton Stoner. The game ended 4-2, with the three stars going to Getzlaf, Perry, and Eriksson.

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Major League Soccer 2016 - Decision Day

All teams are in action as the regular season comes to a close for MLS this year. We'll go right down the list, beginning with...

The Colorado Rapids hosting the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Tim Howard are in the six-yard boxes. Houston opened in the twentieth minute with an Andrew Wenger goal. Colorado tied it in the sixty-seventh minute on a Shkelzen Gashi goal, passed from Marlon Hairston and Dominique Badji. In the seventy-fourth minute, the Dynamo's Boniek Garcia took a yellow card for a foul. The Rapids saw a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute Jermaine Jones foul. In stoppage time, yellow cards went to Houston's Sheanon Williams and Colorado's Marc Burch for fouls. The game ended at 1-1, with Gashi earning man of the match honors for the equalizer.

East to Kansas City, where Sporting welcomes the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Tim Melia man the nets. Kansas City started in the twenty-seventh minute with a Benny Feilhaber penalty kick goal. Sporting's Seth Sinovic took a yellow card for a thirty-third minute foul. In the forty-ninth minute, Fatai Alashe of San Jose had a yellow card for dissent. Kansas City's Dominic Dwyer received a yellow card for a foul in the fiftieth minute. The Earthquakes saw yellow cards for Victor Bernardez in the fifty-fourth minute and Tommy Thompson in the sixty-ninth minute, both for fouls. Soni Mustivar of Sporting had a yellow card for his foul in the seventieth minute. Kansas City added on with a Graham Zusi goal in the eighty-eighth minute, made possible by Feilhaber. The result held at 2-0, with Feilhaber's goal and assist making him the man of the match.

Back west, the Los Angeles Galaxy bring in FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Brian Rowe are the goalies. Los Angeles had a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul by Landon Donovan. Dallas saw a yellow card given to Tesho Akindele in the thirty-ninth minute for his foul. Dallas had two more yellow cards in the second half, for fouls by Carlos Gruezo in the forty-seventh minute and Mauro Rosales in stoppage time. The final was 0-0, with the man of the match being Rowe for a two-save clean sheet.

All the way east, the New England Revolution host the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Cody Cropper play goal. New England led off in the thirteenth minute with a Diego Fagundez goal. Montreal had a yellow card for a foul by Calum Mallace in the fifty-fifth minute. Juan Agudelo of the Revolutino took a yellow card for a fifty-sixth minute bout of dangerous play. New England added on with an Agudelo goal in the sixtieth minute, made possible by Scott Caldwell. Dominic Oduro of the Impact had a yellow card for a sixty-fourth minute foul. The Revolution extended the lead as Kei Kamara scored in the seventy-first minute, thanks to Fagundez and Lee Nguyen. Kamara also took a yellow card for delay of game in the seventy-second minute. Johan Venegas of Montreal received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-third minute.

Down in the Bronx, New York City FC welcomes the Columbus Crew SC. Brad Stuver and Erik Johansen are the inexperienced goalies. New York City's Maxime Chanot took a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-fifth minute. New York City was first to score in the forty-fifth minute with a Steven Mendoza goal, helped along by David Villa. Columbus tied it in the fifty-ninth minute on an Ola Kamara goal, via Justin Meram and Corey Ashe. New York City retook the lead in the seventy-fifth minute with a Jack Harrison goal, set up by Frank Lampard. New York City added on in the seventy-seventh minute with a Khiry Shelton goal, coming off of Jack Harrison. The Crew's Tony Tchani had a yellow card for dissent in the seventy-ninth minute. New York City finished it at 4-1 with a Villa goal in stoppage time, assisted by Lampard. The man of the match was Lampard for assisting on two goals.

Further south, Orlando City SC brings in DC United. Bill Hamid and Joe Bendik are the keepers. Orlando City began in the thirteenth minute with a Kevin Molino goal, assisted by Rafael Ramos and Kaka. Orlando City added on in the twenty-first minute on a Kaka goal, via Molino. DC got one back with an Alvaro Saborio goal in the forty-third minute, helped along by Julian Buescher. Orlando City replied in the fiftieth minute on a Cristian Higuita goal, set up by Kaka. In the seventy-eighth minute, United countered on a Kennedy Igboananike goal, guided in by Buescher. Orlando City finished it at 4-2 with an eighty-ninth minute Julio Baptista goal, passed from Higuita. The game ended at 4-2, with Higuita the man of the match for his winner and assist.

Back up the coast, the Philadelphia Union host the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Andre Blake are between the posts. In the twenty-second minute, Ilsinho of Philadelphia and Mike Grella of New York each took yellow cards for their argument. The Red Bulls drew first blood in the twenty-sixth minute on a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, fueled by Aurelien Collin. Warren Creavalle of the Union took a yellow card for his foul in first half stoppage time. In the fifty-fourth minute, Damien Perrinelle of New York had a yellow card for his foul. The Red Bulls added on in the fifty-seventh minute with an Alex Muyl goal. Philadelphia saw yellow card for a Ken Tribbett foul in the seventy-eighth minute. The final held at 2-0, with the man of the match being Wright-Phillips, the league's Golden Boot winner.

To the northwest, the Seattle Sounders FC welcome Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Stefan Frei guard the woodwork. Seattle stuck first in the third minute with an Alvaro Fernandez goal, passed from Jordan Morris and Tyrone Mears. Salt Lake tied it in the fourth minute on a Luke Mulholland goal, coming off of Jordan Allen. Real had a yellow card for Joao Plata in the eighth minute for dissent. The Sounders retook the lead in the thirty-first minute on a Cristian Roldan goal. Chad Marshall took a thirty-seventh minute yellow card for a foul for Seattle, as did his teammate Erik Friberg in the fortieth minute. Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman took a yellow card for persistent infringement in the forty-eighth minute, followed by Chris Wingert's yellow card for a seventy-eighth minute foul. The game ended at 2-1, with Roldan the man of the match.

Back to the east, Toronto FC bring in the Chicago Fire. Patrick McLain and Clint Irwin protect the nets. Chicago got going with a Michael de Leeuw goal in the eighteenth minute, via Arturo Alvarez. Toronto tied it on a forty-fifth minute Sebastian Giovinco penalty kick goal. Eriq Zavaleta of Toronto had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. Toronto took the lead with a fifty-fourth minute Justin Morrow goal, helped along by Giovinco and Michael Bradley. Toronto added on with a Jonathan Osorio goal in the sixty-second minute, set up by Armando Cooper. The Fire got one back with an eighty-third minute goal by John Goossens. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the man of the match honors given to Giovinco.

Finally, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC host the Portland Timbers. Jake Gleeson and David Ousted patrol the penalty areas. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the thirteenth minute with a Giles Barnes goal. Kendall Waston of the Whitecaps had a yellow card for his twenty-sixth minute foul. Vancouver added on with another Barnes goal in the thirty-second minute. Portland saw Fanendo Adi take a yellow card for a thirty-seventh minute foul. The Whitecaps extended the lead as Pedro Morales scored in the fifty-fourth minute, but he also took a yellow card for delay of game. In the fifty-fifth minute, Vancouver padded the lead as Nicolas Mezquida scored, with the help of Christian Bolanos. The Timbers got on the board in the seventy-second minute with a Diego Valeri penalty kick goal. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the the man of the match being Barnes for his brace.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 62

Four games grace the league today as travel takes over in the coming days. We begin in...

Vladivostok, where Admiral hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Pavel Francouz and Maxim Tretyak are the backups in goal. Chelyabinsk started in the first period with an Alexander Pankov goal, courtesy of Kirill Koltsov and Alexander Chernikov. The game ended at 1-0, with the three stars going to Francouz (29 save shutout), Pankov, and Tretyak (22 for 23 in saves).

Down in China, Kunlun Red Star Beijing welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk to Shanghai. Vasily Koshechkin and Andrei Makarov protect the nets. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, coming off of Danis Zaripov. Metallurg added on with a Jan Kovar power play goal, powered by Mozyakin and Chris Lee. Beijing got on the board with a Martin Bakos goal, passed from Sean Collins. Magnitogorsk replied in the second period with a Vladislav Kaletnik goal, assisted by Alexei Bereglazov and Oskar Osala. Metallurg extended the lead as Mozyakin scored a power play goal, thanks to Zaripov and Viktor Antipin. Magnitogorsk padded the lead with a Kovar power play goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Mozyakin. The final held at 5-1, with the three stars awarded to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Zaripov.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Ben Scrivens are the masked men. Minsk led off in the first period with a Matt Ellison goal, via Artur Gavrus and Nikita Ustinenko. Dinamo added on with a Rob Klinkhammer power play goal, powered by Evgeny Lisovets and Sergei Kostitsyn. Minsk extended the lead in the second period as Gavrus scored, thanks to Andrei Stas and Alexander Pavlovich. Dinamo padded the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Klinkhammer goal. Dmitry Shikin replaced Barulin in goal. Sochi got on the board with a Yegor Morozov power play goal in the third period, powered by Denis Tolpeko. Minsk shot back with Klinkhammer completing his hat trick on a power play goal, made possible by Ellison and Andrei Stepanov. The Leopards chipped back with an Ivan Zakharchuk goal, courtesy of Renat Mamashev. The game ended at 5-2, with the three stars handed to Klinkhammer, Gavrus, and Ellison.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Drew MacIntyre are in the blue paint. Zagreb got going in the second period with a Tomas Mertl shorthanded goal, set up by Brandon McMillan. Medvescak added on with an Alexandre Giroux power play goal, powered by Colby Genoway and Mark Katic. Togliatti got on the board in the third period with a Vasily Streltsov goal, passed from Nikita Filatov and Stanislav Bocharov. Lada tied it on a shorthanded goal from Bocharov, with a lone helper by Streltsov. Zagreb retook the lead with a McMillan goal, helped along by Francis Pare and Blake Parlett. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being McMillan, Bocharov, and Streltsov.

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