Saturday, November 19, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 38

There's eleven games on for today, including a pair of matinees. The first is in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Steve Mason are the goalies. Tampa Bay started in the first period with a Tyler Johnson power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Alex Killorn and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning added on in the second period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his third of the year, coming off of Vladislav Namestnikov. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period as Jonathan Drouin scored his third of the campaign, thanks to Palat. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Palat, Vasilevskiy (32 save shutout), and Johnson.

Out in California, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Peter Budaj are in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with a John Moore goal, his third of the season, assisted by Reid Boucher and Devante Smith-Pelly. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with an Alec Martinez goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Nic Dowd and Devin Setoguchi. The Kings took the lead with a Tanner Pearson goal, his seventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. Los Angeles added on with a Jeff Carter goal in the third period, his seventh of the season, via Tyler Toffoli and Drew Doughty. The Devils got one back with a Nick Lappin goal, his third of the year, coming off of P.A. Parenteau and Beau Bennett. The Kings iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Jake Muzzin, his second of the campaign, set up by Dwight King. The three stars went to Carter, Pearson, and Martinez.

At the normal time, the Boston Bruins bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Tuukka Rask are set to start in goal. Boston got going in the second period with a Matt Beleskey goal, his second of the season, via Joe Morrow and Dominic Moore. The Bruins added on with a Brad Marchand goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Zdeno Chara. Boston extended the lead as Patrice Bergeron scored a power play goal, his third of the season, powered by David Krejci and Chara. The Bruins padded the lead in the third period on a Tim Schaller goal, his third of the year, passed from Torey Krug and Austin Czarnik. Winnipeg got on the board with an Adam Lowry goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Patrik Laine and Toby Enstrom. The game ended with this 4-1 score, and the three stars went to Chara, Marchand, and Bergeron.

Along to Buffalo, where the Sabres host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Anders Nilsson are in the blue paint. Buffalo led off in the first period with a William Carrier goal, coming off of Taylor Fedun. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his twelfth of the campaign, powered by Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin. The tie went to a shootout, where Cal O'Reilly gave the Sabres a 2-1 win with his lone tally. The three stars were given to Nilsson (46 for 47 in saves), Carrier, and Fleury (32 for 33 in saves).

South to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Kari Lehtonen are given the starting nods. Edmonton began in the first period with a Connor McDavid goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Oilers added on with a Tyler Pitlick goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Drake Caggiula and Matt Hendricks. Edmonton extended the lead as Oscar Klefbom scored in the second period, his second of the season, with the help of Anton Slepyshev and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers chased Lehtonen in favor of Antti Niemi with a McDavid goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, guided in by Jesse Puljujarvi and Matthew Benning. Dallas got on the board with a Patrick Eaves unassisted power play goal, his ninth of the season. The Stars got closer with a Jamie Benn power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by John Klingberg and Jason Spezza. Edmonton shot back in the third period when McDavid finished his hat trick on his eighth of the campaign, fueled by Puljujarvi and Slepyshev. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to McDavid, Puljujarvi, and Slepyshev.

North to Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Carey Price are between the pipes. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Paul Byron goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Shea Weber and Alexander Radulov. The Canadiens added on in the second period with an Alex Galchenyuk power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Radulov and Weber. Toronto got on the board with a William Nylander power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, via Leo Komarov and Auston Matthews. The game ended at 2-1, with the three stars going to Price (31 for 32 in saves), Weber, and Radulov.

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Craig Anderson guard the cages. Florida was first to score in the first period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his second of the season, helped along by Aleksander Barkov and Keith Yandle. The Panthers added on with a Jussi Jokinen goal, assisted by Barkov and Jagr. Florida extended in the second period as Jonathan Marchessault scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Jason Demers and Vincent Trocheck. Ottawa got on the board in the third period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his second of the season, coming off of Kyle Turris and Ryan Dzingel. The Panthers countered with a Derek MacKenzie goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jagr. The final held at 4-1, with the three stars awarded to Luongo (39 for 40 in saves), Jagr, and Barkov.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jake Allen protect the nets. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a David Perron goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Jay Bouwmeester and Jaden Schwartz. Nashville got on the board with a Mike Ribeiro power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Craig Smith and P.K. Subban. The Blues took the lead in the third period on a Kyle Brodziak goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Scottie Upshall. St. Louis added on with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Robby Fabbri. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Allen (30 for 31 in saves), Brodziak, and Tarasenko.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Coyotes bring in the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Mike Smith are in the creases. Arizona opened in the first period with a Tobias Rieder goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Jordan Martinook. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Max Domi power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Martin Hanzal and Anthony DeAngelo. San Jose got on the board in the third period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Justin Braun and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks tied it on a Tommy Wingels goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Matt Nieto and David Schlemko. Arizona won 3-2 in overtime with a Hanzal goal, his third of the campaign, via Alex Goligoski and Radim Vrbata. The three stars went to Hanzal, Smith (43 for 45 in saves), and Domi.

Backtracking to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Devan Dubnyk in goal. Minnesota started in the first period with a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. The Wild added on in the second period with a Ryan Graovac goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba. Colorado got on the board in the third period with a Mikko Rantanen goal, his second of the season, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche tied it on a Carl Soderberg power play goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Jarome Iginla and Rantanen. Colorado took the lead with a MacKinnon goal, his fourth of the campaign, fueled by Francois Beauchemin and Erik Johnson. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Pickard (41 for 43 in saves).

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Jacob Markstrom are the middling goalies. Vancouver struck first in the first period with a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Sven Baertschi and Ben Hutton. The Canucks added on in the second period with a shorthanded Bo Horvat goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Alexandre Burrows. Vancouver extended the lead as Brandon Sutter scored his fifth of the season, with the help of Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Chicago got on the board in the third period with an Artemi Panarin goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Patrick Kane and Brian Campbell. The Blackhawks pulled closer on a Vinnie Hinostroza goal, with a lone assist by Michal Kempny. Chicago tied it as Ryan Hartman scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Hinostroza. The Blackhawks won 4-3 in overtime with a Marian Hossa goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Duncan Keith and Hinostroza. The three stars were given to Hinostroza, Hossa, and Hartman.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 84

Ten games are on today for the last big day for awhile. We begin in the Far East with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Juha Metsola are the goalies. Khabarovsk got going in the second period with an Alexei Byvaltsev goal, via Jan Kolar. Amur iced it at 2-0 with a Tomas Zohorna empty net goal, set up by Kristian Kuusela and Maxim Kondratyev. The three stars went to Metsola (20 save shutout), Byvaltsev, and Kareyev (39 for 40 in saves).

Down to Vladivostok, where Admiral welcomes Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Igor Bobkov are in goal. Vladivostok dented the scoreboard in the second period with a James Wright power play goal, powered by James Wisniewski and Robert Sabolic. Omsk tied it on a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, assisted by Vladimir Sobotka and Evgeny Medvedev on the power play. Avangard took the lead in the third period on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, guided in by Sobotka and Pyotr Khokhryakov. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Sobotka, Furch (23 for 24 in saves), and Perezhogin.

In China, Kunlun Red Star Beijing brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Andrei Makarov man the nets. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a Maxim Shalunov goal, passed from Artyom Artyomov and Stepan Sannikov. Beijing tied it in the second period on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, helped along by Tobias Viklund and Igor Velichkin. Kunlun Red Star took the lead with a Chad Rau power play goal, powered by Linus Videll and Tuukka Mantyla. Beijing added on with a Janne Jalasvaara goal, courtesy of Mantyla and Rau on the power play. The three stars in the 3-1 game were Rau, Mantyla, and Makarov (20 for 21 in saves).

Westward to Cherepovets, where Severstal hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Roman Smiryagin are the goalies. Cherepovets started in the first period with a Pavel Chernov goal, assisted by Adam Masuhr and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Dmitry Monya goal in the second period, via Evgeny Chesalin. Avtomobilist took the lead with a Roman Ivashov goal, courtesy of Konstantin Volkov. Yekaterinburg added on with a Nikita Shchitov power play goal, powered by Alexei Simakov. Avtomobilist extended the lead as Chesalin scored in the third period, thanks to Alexander Torchenyuk and Nikolai Timashov. Severstal got one back on a Nikolai Kazakovtsev power play goal, with assists provided by Kagarlitsky and Vojtech Polak. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Chesalin, Kagarlitsky, and Shchitov.

South to Sochi, where the Leopards welcome Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Konstantin Barulin guard the cages. Ufa led off in the first period with a Maxim Mayorov goal, guided in by Maxim Goncharov. Sochi tied it in the second period with a Sergei Kuznetsov goal, helped along by Eric O'Dell. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back with a Linus Omark power play goal, powered by Teemu Hartikainen and Kirill Kaprizov. The Leopards retied it in the third period with an Alexander Mereskin goal, passed from Pavel Padakin. Sochi took the lead with a Ben Maxwell goal, via Oscar Fantenberg and Yegor Morozov. Ufa tied it on an Enver Lisin goal, coming off of Hartikainen and Omark. In the shootout, Morozov and Mayorov cancelled out, and Maxwell had the decisive goal to give the Leopards a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Maxwell, Morozov, and Omark, while Hartikainen and Mayorov get the honorable mentions.

In Moscow, CSKA brings in Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Ilya Sorokin tend the twines. Moscow began in the first period with a Kirill Petrov power play goal, powered by Denis Denisov. CSKA added on in the second period with a Greg Scott goal, via Andrei Yermakov and Vladimir Zharkov. Astana got on the board with a Martin St. Pierre power play goal, coming off of Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Moscow replied with another Scott goal in the third period, assisted by Semyon Koshelev. CSKA extended the lead as Vyacheslav Osnovin scored an unassisted empty net goal. Barys got one back with a Vladimir Markelov goal, helped along by Roman Savchenko and Maxim Khudyakov. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars being Scott, Petrov, and Osnovin.

Staying in the city, Spartak Moscow hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ilya Samsonov and Nikita Bespalov draw the starts. Magnitogorsk cracked the scoresheet in the second period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Jan Kovar and Evgeny Biryukov. Metallurg added on with an Oskar Osala power play goal, powered by Sergei Tereshchenko and Alexei Bereglazov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Mozyakin scored a power play goal, with the help of Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Markus Svensson relieved Bespalov in goal. Metallurg padded the lead on a Kovar power play goal from Lee and Zaripov. Magnitogorsk continued in the third period on a Mozyakin goal, completing his hat trick with assists provided by Zaripov, who earned a natural sock trick, and Kovar. Moscow got on the board with an unassisted Ryan Stoa goal. This made it a 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Zaripov, while Lee gets an honorable mention.

Out to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Pavel Francouz and Ilya Proskuryakov are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod drew first blood in the second period with an Artyom Alyayev power play goal, powered by Kaspars Daugavins and Maxim Osipov. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal in the third period, fueled by Alexander Chernikov. Torpedo took the lead back with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, helped along by Evgeny Grachyov. Nizhny Novgorod added on with an Alexei Potapov goal, guided in by John Norman and Osipov. Torpedo iced it at 4-1 with a shorthanded and unassisted Dmitry Semin goal into an empty net. The three stars were Osipov, Proskuryakov (24 for 25 in saves), and Galuzin.

In Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava brings in Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Barry Brust are between the pipes. Minsk struck first in the first period with a Matt Ellison goal, assisted by Dmitry Ambrozheichik and Sergei Drozd. Bratislava tied it on a Kyle Chipchura goal, passed from Andrej Meszaros and Filip Novak. Dinamo took the lead back in the second period with an Andrei Stepanov power play goal, powered by Ellison and Alexander Materukhin. The game ended at 2-1, with the three stars going to Ellison, Scrivens (30 for 31 in saves), and Stepanov.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Dinamo Riga. Janis Kalnins and Michael Garnett are in the blue paint. Zagreb was first to score in the first period with an Edwin Hedberg goal, fueled by Francis Pare and Bobby Butler. This lasted the whole game for a 1-0 Medvescak win, with the three stars awarded to Garnett (26 save shutout), Hedberg, and Kalnins (20 for 21 in saves).

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2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 83/NHL Day 37

It's another light day for the KHL, so we'll combine the leagues again. The lone KHL game is a Wednesday rematch, as...

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Ville Kolppanen man the nets. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period with a Richard Gynge power play goal, powered by Gilbert Brule and Dan Sexton. Togliatti tied it with a Nikita Filatov goal, helped along by Andrei Ivanov. Neftekhimik took the lead back in the second period on an Igor Polygalov power play goal, via Yegor Milovzorov and Dmitry Ogurtsov. Nizhnekamsk added on with a Sexton goal, with a lone assist by Geoffrey Kinrade. Neftekhimik extended the lead as Sergei Konkov scored, thanks to Gynge and Brule. Nizhnekamsk padded the lead with a Brule power play goal in the third period, with helpers from Kinrade and Gynge. Lada got one back with a Kristaps Sotnieks goal, assisted by Anton Shenfeld and Filatov. The final held at 5-2 with the three stars being Sexton, Brule, and Gynge, while Kinrade and Filatov get the honorable mentions.

In the NHL, the New York Islanders welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jaroslav Halak and Matt Murray are in goal. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz. New York tied it with a Brock Nelson power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, via Ryan Strome and John Tavares. The Islanders took the lead with an Anthony Beauvillier goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Penguins retied it on a Trevor Daley goal, his second of the year, helped along by Phil Kessel and Kunitz. Pittsburgh won 3-2 in overtime with a Letang goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Crosby. The three stars went to Letang, Crosby, and Kunitz.

To DC, where the Washington Capitals bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Braden Holtby are the goalies. Washington dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Jay Beagle goal, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Dmitry Orlov. The final held at 1-0, with the three stars going to Holtby (25 save shutout), Beagle, and Howard (27 for 28 in saves).

In Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Columbus opened in the first period with an unassisted William Karlsson goal, his third of the season. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with a Sam Gagner goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. New York got on the board with a Michael Grabner goal, his eleventh of the season, also unassisted. The Rangers tied it in the third period on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Brady Skjei and Nick Holden. Columbus took the lead with a shorthanded Matt Calvert goal, his second of the season, set up by Karlsson and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets iced it at 4-2 with a Boone Jenner empty net goal, his second of the year, coming off of Cam Atkinson. The three stars were Karlsson, Calvert, and Gagner.

Southeast to Carolina, where the Hurricanes welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Cam Ward are set to start in goal. Montreal got going in the second period on a Jeff Petry goal, his third of the season, via Andrei Markov and Charles Hudon. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Ron Hainsey and Sebastian Aho in the third period. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Hainsey and Rask. Carolina added on with a Rask goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Elias Lindholm. The Canadiens got one back on an Andrew Shaw goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by Markov and Petry. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Rask, Petry, and Hainsey, while Markov gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford faces a lesser foe in Chad Johnson in goal. Chicago started in the first period with a Ryan Hartman goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Artem Anisimov. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Sam Bennett goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Sean Monahan and Troy Brouwer. The Flames took the lead with a Monahan goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Bennett and Brouwer. The Blackhawks answered with a Brent Seabrook power play goal to retie it, his second of the year, powered by Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. Chicago took the lead in the third period with a Marian Hossa goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Artemi Panarin and Michal Kempny. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Hossa, Monahan, and Bennett, while Brouwer gets an honorable mention.

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Thursday, November 17, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 36

There's ten games on tonight, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Robin Lehner are the goalies. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Nikita Nesterov goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Valtteri Filppula and Jonathan Drouin. The Lightning added on in the second period with an Alex Killorn power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Filppula and Brayden Point. Buffalo got on the board with a Cody Franson goal, helped along by Evander Kane and Taylor Fedun on the power play. Tampa Bay replied with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Killorn. The Lightning iced it at 4-1 with a Point power play goal, his second of the year, made possible by Tyler Johnson. The three stars went to Bishop (32 for 33 in saves), Killorn, and Point, while Filppula gets an honorable mention.

Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Steve Mason are in the blue paint. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Sean Couturier goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Travis Konecny. The Flyers added on with a Michael Raffl goal, his third of the year, via Matt Read and Radko Gudas. Winnipeg got on the board with a Dustin Byfuglien goal in the second period, made possible by Nic Petan and Marko Dano. Philadelphia answered with a Mark Streit goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Ivan Provorov and Claude Giroux. The Jets countered with a Blake Wheeler goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele. The Flyers answered with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Andrew MacDonald and Brayden Schenn. Philadelphia iced it at 5-2 with a Brandon Manning empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Gudas. The three stars were Gudas, Streit, and Simmonds.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Mike Condon in goal. Nashville started in the first period with a Colton Sissons goal, his second of the season, helped along by Austin Watson and Mattias Ekholm. Ottawa tied it on a Derick Brassard power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Chris Wideman and Mark Stone. The Predators shot back with a Ryan Ellis goal, his third of the season, via Mike Ribeiro and Filip Forsberg. Nashville added on in with a Pontus Aberg goal in the second period, courtesy of Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson. The Predators extended the lead in the third period as James Neal scored his eighth of the year, with the help of P.K. Subban and Ryan Johansen. Nashville closed it at 5-1 with a Ribeiro goal, his second of the campaign, passed from Subban and Craig Smith. The three stars went to Rinne (30 for 31 in saves), Ribeiro, and Subban.

Staying in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Frederik Andersen are set to start in goal. Toronto opened in the first period with a Connor Brown goal, his second of the season, via Morgan Rielly and Nazem Kadri. Florida got on the board with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Jared McCann and Denis Malgin. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with Brown's second of the game and third of the season, assisted by Leo Komarov. Toronto added on with a Mitchell Marner goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by James van Riesmdyk. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as Komarov scored his third of the season in the second period, thanks to Brown and Kadri. Toronto padded the lead on an unassisted van Riemsdyk goal, his eighth of the year. The Maple Leafs won 6-1 with a third period Jake Gardiner goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Brown. The three stars were Brown, van Riemsdyk, and Komarov, while Kadri gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Jake Allen protect the nets. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Logan Couture goal, his fourth of the season, via Joonas Donskoi and Joel Ward. St. Louis tied it on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a Schwartz goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Sharks retied it on a Kevin Leblanc goal, passed from Joe Thornton and Justin Brain. St. Louis retook the lead with a David Perron power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Paul Stastny and Robby Fabbri. This made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars being Schwartz, Perron, and Allen (29 for 31 in saves).

Up in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Devan Dubnyk guard the cages. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Mikael Granlund goal, his fourth of the season, via Jonas Brodin and Christian Folin. This made it 1-0, the final, with the three stars going to Granlund, Dubnyk (25 save shutout), and Rask (28 for 29 in saves).

South to Texas, with the Dallas Stars hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Kari Lehtonen are the veterans in goal. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Johnny Oduya goal, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski. The Stars added on with a Brett Ritchie power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Devin Shore and Jordie Benn. Dallas extended the lead as Patrick Eaves scored his eighth of the year on the power play, with the help of Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a shorthanded Nathan MacKinnon goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Andreas Martinsen. The Avalanche got closer in the third period with a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, helped along by MacKinnon and A.J. Greer. The final stood at 3-2 with the three stars being MacKinnon, Eaves, and Lehtonen (34 for 36 in saves).

Northwest to Vancouver, with the Canucks welcoming the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue and Jacob Markstrom are the inexperienced goalies. Arizona got going in the second period with a Brad Richardson goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Shane Doan and Jakob Chychrun. The Coyotes added on with an Anthony DeAngelo power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Martin Hanzal and Max Domi. Vancouver got on the board with a Brandon Sutter goal, his fourth of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Edler and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime with a Ben Hutton penalty shot goal, his second of the campaign. The three stars were Daniel Sedin, Edler, and Hutton.

In California, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Jonathan Bernier are the masked men. New Jersey cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his second of the season, passed from Kyle Quincey and John Moore. The Devils added on with a Quincey goal, his second of the year, coming off of Pavel Zacha and Adam Henrique. Anaheim got on the board with a Rickard Rakell goal, his fifth of the season, via Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks tied it with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Andrew Cogliano and Korbinian Holzer. Anaheim took the lead in the third period on a Ryan Kesler goal, his eighth of the campaign, assisted by Silfverberg and Josh Manson. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Silfverberg, Kesler, and Quincey.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Edmonton Oilers. Jonas Gustavsson and Peter Budaj are backups in goal. Los Angeles drew first blood in the first period with a Derek Forbort goal, assisted by Kyle Clifford and Nick Shore. The Kings added on with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Jeff Carter and Alec Martinez. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with a Darnell Nurse goal, his third of the year, via Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers tied it on an Oscar Klefbom goal, passed from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Los Angeles took the lead back with a shorthanded Carter goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Toffoli. The Kings extended the lead as Devin Setoguchi scored his third of the year, thanks to Forbort and Nic Dowd. This made it 4-2 in the third period, and stood for the final, with the three stars being Carter, Forbort, and Toffoli.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 82

It's one of the biggest days for KHL games, beginning with the first of thirteen in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Avangard Omsk. Oleg Shilin and Ilya Andryukhov are the backups in goal. Omsk got going in the second period with a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, assisted by Yegor Martynov. Avangard added on with an Alexander Osipov goal, passed from Vladimir Sobotka and Alexander Perezhogin. Omsk iced it at 3-0 with a Maxim Pestushko empty net goal in the third period, set up by Erik Gustafsson and Perezhogin. The three stars went to Shilin (29 save shutout), Perezhogin, and Lemtyugov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Igor Bobkov man the nets. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Sergei Shumakov goal, assisted by Konstantin Okulov and Stepan Sannikov. Sibir iced it at 2-0 with a Georgy Misharin power play goal into an empty net, going in unassisted. The three stars were Taylor (30 save shutout), Shumakov, and Misharin.

Further south to China, where Kunlun Red Star Beijing brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk to Shanghai. Andrei Kareyev and Andrei Makarov are the goalies. Beijing opened in the first period with an Oleg Yashin goal, guided in by Tobias Viklund. Kunlun Red Star added on with a Chad Rau power play goal in the third period, powered by Sean Collins and Janne Jalasvaara. Beijing iced it at 3-0 with a Yaroslav Alshevsky power play empty net goal, set up by Rau and Collins. The three stars belonged to Makarov (30 save shutout), Rau, and Collins.

Out west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Roman Smiryagin play goal. Astana started in the first period with a Nigel Dawes goal, coming off of Brandon Bochenski. Cherepovets tied it with a Maxim Trunyov goal, made possible by Nikolai Stasenko and Clay Wilson. Severstal took the lead in the second period with another Trunyov goal, via Yury Trubachyov and Stasenko. Cherepovets added on with a Trubachyov power play goal, powered by Trunyov. Barys got one back with a Roman Starchenko power play goal, with helpers from Kevin Dallman and Evgeny Rymarev. Astana tied it in the third period with a Martin St. Pierre goal, with a lone assist by Dawes. Barys won 4-3 in overtime on a Bochenski goal, guided in by Dawes and Dallman. The three stars went to Dawes, Bochenski, and Dallman, while Trunyov, Trubachyov, and Stasenko get the honorable mentions.

South to Sochi, where the Leopards welcome Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Konstantin Barulin tend the twines. Sochi cracked the scoresheet in the second period on a Yegor Morozov goal, going in unassisted. The Leopards added on with an Andrei Kostitsyn power play goal, powered by Oscar Fantenberg. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Derek Roy power play goal, made possible by Nikolai Belov and Maxim Yakutsenya. This held as the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Kostitsyn, Morozov, and Barulin (42 for 43 in saves).

Back north, CSKA Moscow brings in Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov and faces a lesser foe in Andrei Filonenko in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk drew first blood in the second period with an Alexander Akmaldinov goal, helped along by Anton Kuryanov and Konstantin Sokolov. Moscow tied it on an Alexander Popov goal, with a lone assist by Andrei Yermakov. CSKA took the lead in the third period with a Maxim Mamin goal, passed from Alexander Kutuzov. Moscow iced it at 3-1 with a Dmitry Kugryshev empty net goal, set up by Nikita Pivtsakin and Andrei Svetlakov. The three stars went to Mamin, Filonenko (22 for 23 in saves), and Popov.

Staying in Moscow, Spartak hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Markus Svensson receive the starting nods in goal. Ufa led off in the first period with an Evgeny Bodrov goal, passed from Maxim Goncharov and Igor Makarov. Moscow tied it on a Maxim Potapov goal, assisted by Sergei Shmelyov and Matthew Gilroy. Spartak took the lead with a Viktor Bobrov goal, fueled by Alexander Vasilyev and Anatoly Nikontsev. Salavat Yulaev tied it in the second period with a Linus Omark power play goal, powered by Kirill Kaprizov and Denis Kulyash. Ufa took the lead in the third period with an Alexander Loginov goal, via Enver Lisin and Teemu Hartikainen. Moscow tied it with a Gilroy goal, helped along by Vasilyev and Ryan Stoa. Salavat Yulaev won 4-3 in overtime with a Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, with assists provided by Lisin and Kulyash. The three stars were Lisin, Kulyash, and Gilroy, while Vasilyev gets an honorable mention.

A bit further south to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Harri Sateri protect the nets. Minsk began in the first period with a Sergei Kostitsyn power play goal, powered by Alexander Materukhin and Matt Ellison. Dinamo added on with an Ellison power play goal, helped along by Kostitsyn and Evgeny Lisovets. Minsk extended the lead as Evgeny Kovyrshin scored a power play goal in the third period, thanks to Rob Klinkhammer and Kostitsyn. This made it 3-0, with the three stars going to Kostitsyn, Ellison, and Scrivens (26 save shutout).

Out to St. Petersburg, where SKA brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinsky and Igor Shestyorkin are the reliable goalies. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with a Nikita Gusev power play goal, powered by Vadim Shipachyov and Ilya Kovalchuk. Yekaterinburg tied it on an unassisted Dmitry Megalinsky goal. Avtomobilist took the lead with a Rok Ticar goal, coming off of Artyom Gareyev. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Ticar, Megalinsky, and Ustinsky (39 for 40 in saves).

Back east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Ilya Proskuryakov guard the cages. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period with a John Norman goal, via Stanislav Yegorshev. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a Chris Lee goal, made possible by Viktor Antipin and Sergei Mozyakin. Torpedo took the lead with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, guided in by Evgeny Grachyov and Nikolai Zherdev. The game ended at 2-1, with the three stars given to Galuzin, Proskuryakov (30 for 31 in saves), and Norman.

In Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Barry Brust are the masked men. Bratislava opened in the first period with a Jeff Taffe goal, guided in by Radek Smolenak and Filip Novak. Riga tied it with a Tim Sestito goal in the second period, helped along by Gints Meija and Patrick Mullen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Dinamo prevailed on Mullen's tally for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Mullen, Sedlacek (33 for 34 in saves), and Sestito.

Into Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Drew MacIntyre draw the starts in goal. Helsinki drew first blood in the first period with a Peter Regin power play goal, powered by Charles Genoway and Brian O'Neill. Jokerit added on with a Rasmus Rissanen goal, passed from Marko Anttila. Zagreb got on the board with a Lukas Lessio goal, helped along by Tomas Mertl. Helsinki answered in the second period on an Anttila goal, with a lone assist by Petteri Wirtanen. Jokerit extended the lead in the third period as Tommi Huhtala scored, thanks to Genoway and Rissanen. Medvescak got one back with a Thomas Larkin goal, via Lessio. Helsinki iced it at 5-2 with a Regin empty net goal, set up by O'Neill and Masi Marjamaki. The three stars went to Rissanen, Regin, and Anttila, while Genoway, O'Neill, and Lessio get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Zalivin and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Yaroslavl started in the first period with a Petri Kontiola power play goal, powered by Maxime Talbot and Brandon Kozun. Lokomotiv added on with an Alexander Kadeikin power play goal in the third period, courtesy of Mikhail Pashnin and Daniil Apalkov. The game ended at 2-0, with the three stars going to Murygin (21 save shutout), Kontiola, and Kadeikin.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 81/NHL Day 35

It's another day with just three total games on. First up, in the KHL...

Lada Togliatti hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen and Ilya Ezhov are the goalies. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period with a Pavel Poryadin goal, passed from Geoffrey Kinrade. Neftekhimik added on with a Bogdan Yakimov goal, coming off of Eduard Gimatov and Sergei Konkov. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Gilbert Brule scored a power play goal in the second period, powered by Dan Sexton and Kirill Lyamin. Togliatti got on the board with a Vasily Streltsov power play goal in the third period, helped along by Stanislav Bocharov. Neftekhimik answered with an unassisted Brule goal, his second of the game. Lada pulled back with a Maxim Rybin goal, made possible by Andrei Ivanov. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Brule goal to complete his hat trick, with a lone assist by Sexton. The three stars of the 5-2 game were Brule, Sexton, and Yakimov.

In the NHL, the Washington Capitals welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Braden Holtby man the nets. Washington began in the first period with a shorthanded T.J. Oshie goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Jay Beagle. The Capitals added on with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Oshie and Matt Niskanen. Marc-Andre Fleury had to replace Murray in goal. Washington extended the lead with an Oshie power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, powered by Backstrom and John Carlson. The Capitals padded the lead in the second period as Dmitry Orlov scored, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. Washington continued in the third period on a Justin Williams power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Oshie and Backstrom, the latter earning a sock trick. The Capitals struck again with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Andre Burakovsky. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Phil Kessel goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Nick Bonino and Justin Schultz. Washington countered with Backstrom's second of the game and fourth of the campaign, helped along by Nate Schmidt and Brooks Orpik. The final held at 7-1, with the three stars awarded to Backstrom, Oshie, and Holtby (25 for 26 in saves).

The other game has the Calgary Flames bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Chad Johnson are in goal. Arizona got going in the second period with a Tobias Rieder goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jordan Martinook. Calgary tied it in the third period with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his fourth of the year, via Michael Frolik. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime with a Frolik goal, his sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Frolik, Tkachuk, and Johnson (20 for 21 in saves).

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Tuesday, November 15, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 34

It's a huge day for the league, with thirteen games to make up for last night's lighter schedule so as to avoid Hall of Fame induction conflicts. We begin with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the San Jose Sharks. Aaron Dell and Cam Ward are in goal. Carolina dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Joakim Nordstrom goal, passed from Viktor Stalberg. This made it 1-0, the final, with the three stars going to Nordstrom, Ward (22 save shutout), and Dell (32 for 33 in saves).

Up in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Steve Mason play goal. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Nick Cousins goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Ottawa tied it on a Mark Stone goal in the second period, his third of the year, helped along by Marc Methot. The Flyers took the lead back on a Michael Raffl goal, his second of the season, via Dale Weise and Michael Del Zotto. The Senators tied it on a Kyle Turris goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, coming off of Erik Karlsson. In the shootout, Karlsson scored for Ottawa to give them a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Karlsson, Turris, and Stone.

Over to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets bringing in the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Sergei Bobrovsky man the nets. Washington got going in the second period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his second of the season, assisted by Brooks Orpik and Taylor Chorney. Columbus tied it in the third period with a Zach Werenski goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by William Karlsson and David Savard. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime with a Cam Atkinson goal, his fifth of the campaign, guided in by Brandon Dubinsky. The three stars went to Atkinson, Werenski, and Bobrovsky (21 for 22 in saves).

Next up, the Detroit Red Wings host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Petr Mrazek protect the nets. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Nikita Nesterov and Vladislav Namestnikov. The Lightning added on with a Steven Stamkos goal, his ninth of the year, via Victor Hedman and Kucherov. Detroit answered with a Frans Nielsen goal, his third of the season, fueled by Luke Glendening. Tampa Bay shot back in the third period with a Nesterov power play goal, powered by Valtteri Filppula and Namestnikov. The Red Wings countered with a Ryan Sproul power play goal, with helpers from Mike Green and Gustav Nyquist. Detroit tied it with a Henrik Zetterberg power play goal, his third of the year, passed from Anthony Mantha and Sproul. The Lightning took the lead back with a Kucherov goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, made possible by Braydon Coburn and Tyler Johnson. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Kucherov, Nesterov, and Sproul, while Namestnikov gets an honorable mention.

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal opened in the first period with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Nathan Beaulieu and David Desharnais. Florida tied it on an unassisted Alex Petrovic goal. The Panthers took the lead with a Kyle Rau goal, his second of the year, via Michael Matheson. The Canadiens tied it again in the second period with a Desharnais goal, his third of the season, fueled by Andrei Markov and Chris Terry. Florida regained the lead with a Denis Malgin goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Seth Griffith and Colton Sceviour. Montreal tied it again with a Paul Byron goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. The Panthers won 4-3 with an Aaron Ekblad goal in overtime, his third of the year, coming off of Jussi Jokinen and Vincent Trocheck. The three stars went to Ekblad, Desharnais, and Malgin.

Over in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec and Frederik Andersen are in the creases. Toronto started in the first period with a Mitchell Marner goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on with a van Riemsdyk goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Bozak and Marner. Nashville got on the board with a James Neal goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Ryan Johansen and Mattias Ekholm. Toronto replied in the second period with a van Riemsdyk goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, via Bozak, who earned a sock trick, and Matt Hunwick. The Predators got one back with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Colin Wilson. The Maple Leafs answered in the third period with a Leo Komarov goal, his second of the year, fueled by Martin Marincin and Connor Brown. Toronto extended the lead as van Riemsdyk finished his hat trick on his seventh of the season, with helpers from Marner and Bozak. The Maple Leafs finished it at 6-2 with a William Nylander goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to van Riemsdyk, Marner, and Bozak.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Jake Allen are the masked men. Buffalo struck first in the first period with a Sam Reinhart power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo. St. Louis tied it on a Robby Fabbri power play goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Vladimir Tarasenko and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues took the lead in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Dmitrij Jaskin and Shattenkirk. St. Louis added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, guided in by Ryan Reaves and Colton Parayko. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with a Scottie Upshall empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by David Perron and Parayko. The three stars went to Shattenkirk, Parayko, and Allen (23 for 24 in saves).

Into Canada again, with the Winnipeg Jets welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Connor Hellebuyck are in the blue paint. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period with a Josh Morrissey goal, courtesy of Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets added on in the third period with a Chris Thorburn goal, helped along by Paul Postma. Winnipeg extended the lead as Patrik Laine scored his twelfth of the campaign, thanks to Dustin Byfuglien and Ehlers. The Jets padded the lead as Nic Petan scored, with the help of Marko Dano. The game ended at 4-0, with the three stars going to Hellebuyck (27 save shutout), Ehlers, and Morrissey.

Down in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Calgary Flames. Chad Johnson and Devan Dubnyk are set to start in goal. Calgary led off in the first period with a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Mark Giordano. The score held from here at 1-0, with the three stars being Johnson (27 save shutout), Gaudreau, and Dubnyk (26 for 27 in saves).

Further south, the Dallas Stars host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Antti Niemi are the experienced goalies. New Jersey began in the first period with a Damon Severson goal, his third of the season, assisted by P.A. Parenteau and Beau Bennett. Dallas tied it on a Patrick Eaves goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Antoine Roussel. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime with an Adam Henrique goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Kyle Palmieri. The three stars were handed to Henrique, Schneider (23 for 24 in saves), and Severson.

West to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj and Semyon Varlamov receive the starting nods in goal. Colorado got going in the second period with a Patrick Wiercioch goal, his second of the season, via Carl Soderberg. The Avalanche added on with a Rene Bourque goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Mikko Rantanen and Wiercioch. Los Angeles got on the board with a Dustin Brown power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Nic Dowd and Devin Setoguchi. Colorado answered with a Blake Comeau goal in the third period, his second of the year, coming off of Jarome Iginla. The Avalanche iced it at 4-1 with a Gabriel Landeskog empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Andreas Martinsen. The three stars went to Wiercioch, Bourque, and Varlamov (32 for 33 in saves).

Up in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Jacob Markstrom are the goalies. New York opened in the first period with a J.T. Miller goal, his sixth of the season, via Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Kevin Hayes goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Jesper Fast and Brady Skjei. New York extended the lead as Brandon Pirri scored his fifth of the season on the power play, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Ryan McDonagh. Vancouver got on the board with a Brandon Sutter goal, his third of the year, coming off of Daniel Sedin and Luca Sbisa. The Rangers answered in the third period with a Hayes goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, assisted by Fast. New York padded the lead as Miller scored his second of the night and seventh of the year, thanks to Zuccarello and Zibanejad. The Canucks got one back with a Markus Granlund goal, his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Derek Dorsett and Sbisa. The Rangers shot back on a Zuccarello goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Nick Holden and Kevin Klein. New York iced it at 7-2 with a Holden power play goal, his second of the campaign, dished from Klein and Oscar Lindberg. The three stars were given to Miller, Hayes, and Zuccarello, while Holden, Fast, Klein, Zibanejad, and Sbisa get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and John Gibson are the young goalies. Anaheim started in the first period with a Nick Ritchie goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Ducks added on with a second period goal by Cam Fowler, his fifth of the year, via Jakob Silfverberg and the goalie Gibson. Anaheim extended the lead as Ryan Kesler scored a power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Perry and Sami Vatanen. Edmonton got on the board with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The Ducks replied in the third period with an Antoine Vermette goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Joseph Cramarossa and Rickard Rakell. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Perry, Gibson (33 for 34 in saves), and Fowler.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 80

It's a big hockey day with eleven games across the Russian league. We begin in the far east with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Alexander Pechursky draw the starts in goal. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a Fyodor Belyakov goal, fueled by Adam Polasek and Maxim Shalunov. Sibir added on with a Shalunov goal, made possible by Nikolai Glukhov and Zach Boychuk. Novosibirsk extended the lead in the second period as Sergei Shumakov scored, thanks to Stepan Sannikov and Shalunov. Khabarovsk got on the board with an Alexei Byvaltsev power play goal, powered by Artyom Zub and Vyacheslav Ushenin. Amur got closer in the third period with a Tomas Zohorna power play goal, with assists provided by Kristian Kuusela and Maxim Kondratyev. Khabarovsk tied it on a Kondratyev goal, passed from Zohorna. The tie went to a shootout, where Shumakov and Konstantin Okulov sealed a 4-3 win for Sibir. The three stars went to Shumakov, Shalunov, and Kondratyev, while Zohorna gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Maxim Tretyak are in the creases. Vladivostok started in the first period with a Vladimir Tkachyov power play goal, powered by Robert Sabolic and Andrei Sigaryov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Kirill Semyonov goal. Admiral retook the lead in the second period with an Artyom Zemchyonok goal, assisted by James Wright and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Metallurg tied it on an Alexander Komaristy goal in the third period, made possible by Nikita Lyamkin and Ignat Zemchenko. Vladivostok won 3-2 in overtime with a James Wisniewski goal, coming off of Wright and Krasnoslobodtsev. The three stars were Wisniewski, Wright, and Krasnoslobodtsev.

Into China, where Kunlun Red Star Beijing brings in Avangard Omsk to Shanghai. Dominik Furch and Andrei Makarov man the nets. Beijing led off in the first period with an Igor Velichkin goal, passed from Alexei Ponikarovsky and Stanislav Alshevsky. Omsk tied it on an Anton Burdasov goal, guided in by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Avangard took the lead in the second period with a Yegor Martynov goal, helped along by Erik Gustafsson and Furch. Omsk added on with an Ilya Mikheyev goal, coming off of Evgeny Medvedev and Ilya Zubov. Avangard extended the lead as Vladimir Sobotka scored, with the help of Alexander Perezhogin and Maxim Pestushko. Kunlun Red Star got one back in the third period with a Chad Rau goal, courtesy of Sean Collins and Janne Jalasvaara. Beijing pulled closer with a Brett Bellemore goal, with helpers from Martin Bakos and Tobias Viklund. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Sobotka, Mikheyev, and Martynov.

Way to the west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov and Roman Smiryagin receive the starting nods in goal. Cherepovets began in the first period with a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, assisted by Yury Trubachyov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it with a Roman Lyuduchin goal, helped along by Denis Khlystov. Ugra took the lead with a Khlystov goal in the third period, coming off of Lyuduchin and Pavel Valentenko. Khanty-Mansiysk added on with an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, made possible by Lyuduchin and Alexander Ugolnikov. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars being Khlystov, Lyuduchin, and Sharychenkov (28 for 29 in saves).

In Moscow, Spartak welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Markus Svensson are the goalies. Moscow got going in the second period with a Lukas Radil goal, assisted by Konstantin Glazachev and Ryan Stoa. Chelyabinsk tied it in the third period on a Konstantin Klimontov goal, passed from Dmitry Pestunov and Alexei Petrov. In the shootout, Igor Mirnov scored once for Spartak, but Derek Roy tallied twice for Traktor to give them the 2-1 win. The three stars were Roy, Klimontov, and Demchenko (33 for 34 in saves).

A little bit to the south, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Zalivin is mismatched with Harri Sateri in goal. Moscow struck first in the first period with an Alexander Rybakov goal, guided in by Juuso Hietanen and Vladimir Bryukvin. Podolsk tied it on a Maxim Afinogenov goal, via Alexander Nikulin. Vityaz took the lead with an Alexei Makeyev goal, passed from Nikulin and Afinogenov on the power play. Podolsk added on with a Nikulin goal, assisted by Afinogenov. Dynamo got one back in the third period with an Andrei Kuteikin shorthanded goal, set up by Denis Kokarev and Konstantin Gorovikov. Moscow tied it on an Ilya Nikulin goal, helped along by Yegor Dugin and Hietanen on the power play. The tie went to shootout, where Rybakov's lone tally gave Dynamo the 4-3 win. The three stars went to Rybakov, Afinogenov, and Nikulin, while Hietanen gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to St. Petersburg, where SKA hosts Barys Astana. Kevin Poulin and Igor Shestyorkin are set to start in goal. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, assisted by Vadim Shipachyov and Nikita Gusev. SKA added on with a Vyacheslav Voynov power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Sergei Plotnikov scored, thanks to Voynov and Kovalchuk on the power play. SKA padded the lead with a Dadonov power play goal, with assists provided by Dinar Khafizullin and Gusev. St. Petersburg struck again with Dadonov completing his hat trick, with the help of Shipachyov and Khafizullin. Henrik Karlsson replaced Poulin at the start of the second period. SKA kept going in the second period on a Gusev goal, with a lone assist by Dadonov. St. Petersburg continued with a Plotnikov goal, via Kovalchuk and Shipachyov, both of whom earned sock tricks. SKA got another in the third period with Dadonov's fourth of the game, guided in by Shipachyov and Gusev, the latter earning his sock trick. St. Petersburg iced it at 9-0 with a Kovalchuk power play goal, with helpers from Gusev and Shipachyov. The three stars were awarded to Dadonov, Gusev, and Shipachyov, while Kovalchuk, Voynov, Plotnikov, and Khafizullin get the honorable mentions.

Over in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Ryan Zapolski and Barry Brust are the North Americans in goal. Bratislava led off in the first period with a Radek Smolenak goal, via Jonathan Cheechoo. Helsinki tied it on a Tommi Huhtala power play goal in the second period, powered by Topi Jaakola and Antti Pihlstrom. Slovan took the lead back in the third period with an unassisted Cheechoo power play goal. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Cheechoo, Brust (39 for 40 in saves), and Smolenak.

Back in Russia, the Sochi Leopards bring in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Dmitry Shikin in goal. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, fueled by Jan Kovar and Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Alexander Semin and Tomas Filippi. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Denis Kazionov scored, thanks to Denis Platonov and Alexei Bereglazov. Konstantin Barulin replaced Shikin for the second period. Metallurg padded the lead in the third period on a Mozyakin goal, guided in by Kovar and Viktor Antipin. Magnitogorsk continued on a Yaroslav Khabarov goal, with helpers from Zaripov and Mozyakin. This produced the 5-0 final, with the three stars given to Mozyakin, Zaripov, and Kovar, while Koshechkin (32 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.

Back in Moscow, CSKA hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Ilya Sorokin are the goalies. Moscow opened in the first period with a Valery Nichushkin goal, assisted by Mikhail Naumenkov. CSKA added on with a Vladimir Zharkov goal in the second period, via Greg Scott and Semyon Koshelev. This held up for the 2-0 final, with the three stars going to Sorokin (23 save shutout), Nichushkin, and Zharkov.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Drew MacIntyre are between the pipes. Zagreb started in the first period with a Brandon McMillan goal, helped along by Lukas Lessio. Medvescak added on with a Blake Parlett goal, passed from Shaone Morrisonn and Francis Pare. Minsk got on the board with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, via Alexander Pavlovich and Rob Klinkhammer. Zagreb answered in the third period with a Pare goal, made possible by Colby Genoway. Medvescak closed it at 4-1 with another Pare goal, going into the empty net unassisted. The three stars were given to Pare, MacIntyre (27 for 28 in saves), and Parlett.

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Monday, November 14, 2016

2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 79/NHL Day 33

We've got a very light day for hockey, with just three total games. We'll begin with...

Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Ilya Proskuryakov are the goalies. Nizhny Novgorod began in the first period with an Artyom Alyayev goal, via Dmitry Semin on the power play. Ufa tied it in the second period with a Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, passed from Enver Lisin and Evgeny Bodrov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, assisted by Linus Omark and Teemu Hartikainen. Ufa added on in the third period with a Hartikainen goal, coming off of Sami Lepisto and Omark. Torpedo got one back with a Nikolai Zherdev goal, helped along by Kirill Rasskazov and Alexander Frolov. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars going to Hartikainen, Omark, and Kaprizov.

Out in Latvia, Dinamo Riga welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Janis Kalnins are the goalies. Riga led off in the first period with an Oskars Cibulskis goal, made possible by Guntis Galvins and Nikolajs Jelisejevs. Dinamo added on in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Maris Bicevskis, set up by Galvins. This held up for a 2-0 final, with the three stars given to Kalnins (24 save shutouts), Galvins, and Bicevskis.

In the NHL, the New York Islanders bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jaroslav Halak are given the starts in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a J.T. Brown goal, his second of the season, via Cedric Paquette and Braydon Coburn. The Lightning added on with a Ryan Callahan goal, fueled by Andrej Sustr and Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period as Nikita Kucherov scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Steven Stamkos. The Lightning padded the lead with a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, his third of the season, guided in by Stamkos and Kucherov. The game ended at 4-0, with the three stars awarded to Vasilevskiy (34 save shutout), Kucherov, and Stamkos.

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Sunday, November 13, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 32

Six games flesh out a moderate Sunday schedule. We begin with a matinee from...

Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj is mismatched with Connor Hellebuyck in goal. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Tanner Pearson goal, his sixth of the season, via Teddy Purcell and Trevor Lewis. Winnipeg tied it on an Adam Lowry power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Nic Petan and Toby Enstrom. The Jets took the lead with a Marko Dano power play goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Enstrom and Lowry. The Kings retied it in the third period with a Tom Gilbert goal, passed from Jordan Nolan. The tie went to a shootout, where Dwight King's goal for Los Angeles got overshadowed by Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele of Winnipeg. The three stars of the 3-2 Jets win were Lowry, Enstrom, and Scheifele.

Over in Vancouver, the Canucks welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Ryan Miller are the veterans in goal. Dallas began in the first period with a Patrick Eaves goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Dan Hamhuis and Tyler Seguin. Vancouver tied it on a Bo Horvat goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Alexandre Burrows and Sven Baertschi. The Stars retook the lead with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his fourth of the season, via Radek Faksa and Jamie Benn. Dallas added on in the second period with an Eaves goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, assisted by Seguin and Antoine Roussel. The Canucks took one back in the third period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his second of the season, passed from Markus Granlund. Vancouver tied it on a Brandon Sutter power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Stars regained the lead on a Roussel goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Seguin, who earned a sock trick. The Canucks tied it again with a Stecher goal, guided in by Burrows and Horvat. Vancouver won 5-4 in overtime with a Granlund goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone helper by Sutter. The three stars went to Granlund, Sutter, and Burrows, while Eaves, Seguin, Roussel, and Horvat received honorable mentions.

Back east, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Craig Anderson man the nets. Minnesota opened in the first period with a shorthanded Ryan Suter goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Eric Staal and Jared Spurgeon. Ottawa tied it in the third period with a Kyle Turris goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Chris Neil and Erik Karlsson. The Wild won 2-1 with a Matt Dumba goal, his second of the campaign, via Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula in overtime. The three stars were Kuemper (35 for 36 in saves), Dumba, and Suter.

In the States, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Corey Crawford are given the starting nods. Chicago started in the first period with a Gustav Forsling goal, passed from Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger. Montreal tied it in the second period on a Shea Weber power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Andrei Markov and the goalie Montoya. The Canadiens took the lead with a Markov goal, his second of the year, fueled by Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov. The Blackhawks retied it on a Marian Hossa goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Nick Schmaltz and Jonathan Toews. Chicago took the lead with a Patrick Kane goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Toews. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars going to Toews, Hossa, and Markov.

West to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Boston struck first in the first period with a David Krejci goal, his second of the season, courtesy of David Backes and Ryan Spooner. The Bruins iced it at 2-0 in the third period with a Dominic Moore empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Krejci. The three stars were Krejci, Rask (20 save shutout), and Varlamov (44 for 45 in saves).

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the New York Rangers. Antti Raanta and Cam Talbot are the goalies. New York was first to score in the first period with a Michael Grabner goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Kevin Klein and Rick Nash. The Rangers added on with a Dan Girardi goal, his third of the year, coming off of Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller. Edmonton got on the board with an Andrej Sekera goal, passed from Connor McDavid and Patrick Maroon. New York replied in the second period with another Grabner goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The game ended at 3-1, with the three stars going to Grabner, Raanta (38 for 39 in saves), and Girardi.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 78

Four games on today, beginning with...

Barys Astana hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Henrik Karlsson are the goalies. Astana started in the first period with an Alexander Lipin goal, via Kirill Panyukov and Corey Trivino. Barys added on with a Brandon Bochenski power play goal in the second period, powered by Martin St. Pierre and Cam Barker. Astana extended the lead as Nigel Dawes scored, thanks to St. Pierre and Kevin Dallman. Barys padded the lead with a Roman Savchenko power play goal in the third period, assisted by Ivan Kuchin and Evgeny Rymarev. This stood for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Karlsson (23 save shutout), St. Pierre, and Lipin.

Up in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Igor Shestyorkin faces a lesser foe in Alexander Sudnitsin in goal. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on an Alexander Barabanov goal, coming off of Alexander Dergachyov. SKA added on with a Vyacheslav Voynov goal, via Pavel Datsyuk. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Vadim Shipachyov scored, thanks to Nikita Gusev. SKA padded the lead on a Gusev goal in the second period, helped along by Shipachyov. St. Petersburg kept going with a Shipachyov power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov. SKA continued in the third period with a Dadonov goal, passed from Yegor Yakovlev and Shipachyov. St. Petersburg struck again as Ilya Kovalchuk scored, with the help of Datsyuk. Alexei Murygin replaced Sudnitsin at this point. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Vladislav Gavrikov power play goal, with assists provided by Yegor Korshkov and Alexander Polunin. This produced the 7-1 final, with the three stars going to Shipachyov, Gusev, and Dadonov, while Datsyuk gets an honorable mention.

Along to Podolsk, where Vityaz brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Kovar and Harri Sateri man the nets. Podolsk led off in the first period with a Miro Aaltonen goal, assisted by Alexei Kopeikin and Mario Kempe. Roman Smiryagin replaced Kovar to start the second period. Vityaz added on with a Maxim Afinogenov goal in the third period, helped along by Stanislav Romanov. Podolsk extended the lead as Afinogenov scored again, with the help of Jakub Jerabek and Alexei Makeyev. Vityaz padded the lead with a Kopeikin goal, via Alexander Nikulin and Afinogenov. The three stars of the 4-0 game were awarded to Afinogenov, Kopeikin, and Sateri (26 save shutout).

Finally, Dynamo Moscow hosts crosstown rivals CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Alexander Lazushin are the masked men. CSKA began with an Alexander Popov goal in the first period, coming off of Kirill Petrov. CSKA added on with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, assisted by Denis Denisov. CSKA extended the lead as Petrov scored, thanks to Popov. Alexander Zalivin replaced Lazushin in goal. Dynamo got on the board with a Martins Karsums power play goal, powered by Ansel Galimov and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo got closer with another power play goal, scored by Yegor Dugin and passed from Juuso Hietanen and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Dynamo tied it on a Daniil Tarasov goal in the second period, helped along by Dugin and Maxim Karpov. Dynamo took the lead in the third period on an Andrei Kuteikin power play goal, with helpers provided by Tsvetkov and Karsums. CSKA retied it with a power play goal from Igor Ozhiganov, guided in by Denisov and the goalie Sorokin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Kugryshev and Tsvetkov exchanged goals in the third round and then it was Kugryshev again in the eleventh round to seal it at 5-4 for CSKA. The three stars were Kugryshev, Petrov, and Popov, while Denisov, Karsums, Dugin, and Tsvetkov get the honorable mentions.

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