The second round of the playoffs are upon us, with only one non-favored
seed from the first round advancing. Each post will contain an entire
series.
Game 1: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Brandon Tanev goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Bryan Little. The Jets added on in the second period with a Paul Stastny goal, his second of the playoffs, assisted by Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. Winnipeg extended the lead as Mark Scheifele scored his fifth of the postseason, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor. Juuse Saros replaced Rinne for the third period. Nashville got on the board in the third period with a Kevin Fiala goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Kyle Turris and Ryan Ellis. The Jets iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Scheifele, his second of the game and sixth of the postseason, set up by Wheeler. The three stars were awarded to Hellebuyck (47 for 48 in saves), Scheifele, and Wheeler. The Jets have a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville began in the first period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban. Winnipeg tied it on a Dustin Byfuglien goal, with a lone assist by Mark Scheifele. The Jets took the lead with a Scheifele power play goal, his seventh of the playoffs, powered by Paul Stastny and Patrik Laine. The Predators retied it in the second period with a Subban power play goal, with assists provided by Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson. Nashville took the lead with an Arvidsson goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Forsberg, who earned a sock trick, and Ryan Ellis. Winnipeg tied it again in the third period with a Brandon Tanev goal, his third of the playoffs, via Bryan Little. The Predators retook the lead with a Johansen goal, his second of the game and fourth of the postseason, with a lone helper from Arvidsson. The Jets tied it again as Scheifele scored his second of the game and eighth of the playoffs, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Byfuglien. Nashville won 5-4 in double overtime with a Kevin Fiala goal, his third of the postseason, fueled by Craig Smith and Kyle Turris. The three stars were Arvidsson, Forsberg, and Scheifele, while Johansen, Subban, and Byfuglien get the honorable mentions. The series is tied at 1 heading to Manitoba.
Game 3: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets. Nashville opened in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, assisted by Ryan Hartman and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators added on with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. Nashville extended the lead as Austin Watson scored his fifth of the playoffs, courtesy of Ekholm. Winnipeg got on the board in the second period with a Paul Stastny goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Jacob Trouba. The Jets got closer with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Bryan Little and Tyler Myers. Winnipeg tied it as Trouba scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Stastny. The Jets took the lead on another Byfuglien goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, via Patrik Laine and Stastny. The Predators tied it again with a Forsberg power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, with helpers from Johansen and Subban. Winnipeg regained the lead with a Wheeler power play goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Mark Scheifele and Byfuglien. The Jets padded the lead with a Wheeler empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, set up by Scheifele. Winnipeg iced it at 7-4 with a Brandon Tanev empty net goal, his fourth of the playoffs, with a lone helper by Adam Lowry. The three stars belonged to Wheeler, Stastny, and Byfuglien, while Trouba, Scheifele, Subban, Ekholm, Forsberg, and Johansen get the honorable mentions. The Jets hold a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets. Nashville started in the first period with an unassisted Ryan Hartman goal, his second of the postseason. The Predators added on in the second period with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period with a Patrik Laine goal, his third of the postseason, a power play goal with a lone assist by Paul Stastny. The Predators held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Subban, Rinne (32 for 33 in saves), and Hartman. The series heads stateside again tied at 2.
Game 5: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Winnipeg got going in the second period with a Paul Stastny goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. Nashville tied it with an unassisted Yannick Weber goal. The Jets took the lead on a Kyle Connor goal, passed from Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg added on with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his fourth of the playoffs, helped along by Brandon Tanev and Adam Lowry. The Jets extended the lead as Connor scored his second of the game, thanks to Wheeler and Byfuglien. The Predators pulled one back on a shorthanded Ryan Johansen goal, his fifth of the postseason, going in unassisted. Winnipeg replied in the third period with a Scheifele goal, his ninth of the playoffs, guided in by Connor and Wheeler, the latter earning a sock trick. The Jets padded the lead on a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, powered by Ehlers. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being Connor, Byfuglien, and Wheeler, while Scheifele and Ehlers gets the honorable mentions. The Jets can clinch advancement at home, currently with a 3-2 series lead.
Game 6: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets. Nashville struck first in the first period with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Roman Josi and Ryan Johansen. The Predators added on in the second period with a Filip Forsberg goal, his sixth of the playoffs, via Craig Smith and Johansen. Nashville extended the lead in the third period as Forsberg scored his second of the game and seventh of the postseason, thanks to Arvidsson and Josi. The Predators capped it at 4-0 with an Arvidsson empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, set up by Forsberg. The three stars were Forsberg, Arvidsson, and Rinne (34 save shutout), while Josi and Johansen get the honorable mentions. The series will be decided in game 7, currently tied at 3.
Game 7: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Winnipeg kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Tyler Myers goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Nikolaj Ehlers and Paul Stastny. The Jets added on with a Stastny goal, his fifth of the playoffs, via Brandon Tanev and Ben Chiarot. Juuse Saros replaced Rinne in goal. Nashville got on the board with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg. Winnipeg replied in the second period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his tenth of the playoffs, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor. The Jets extended the lead as Stastny scored his second of the game and sixth of the postseason on the power play in the third period, with the help of of Patrik Laine and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg iced it at 5-1 with a Scheifele empty net goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the playoffs, set up by Connor and Wheeler. The three stars were Stastny, Scheifele, and Hellebuyck (36 for 37 in saves), while Wheeler and Connor get the honorable mentions. The Jets advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights.
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Thursday, May 10, 2018
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
MLS 2018 Week 11 Midweek
Five games on at Midweek in MLS, beginning with...
Atlanta United FC hosting Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Brad Guzan start in goal. Atlanta's Jeff Larentowicz took a yellow card for his thirty-first minute foul. Atlanta went down to ten men when the keeper Guzan received a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the thirty-fourth minute. Paul Christensen replaced Hector Villalba to give them a keeper again. Kansas City got going in the sixty-seventh minute with a Daniel Salloi goal, via Ilie Sanchez. Sporting added on in the eighty-seventh minute with a Gerso Fernandes goal, assisted by Sanchez as well. Matt Besler of Kansas City took a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-ninth minute. Sporting won 2-0, with Sanchez named man of the match.
Up in Columbus, the Crew SC welcome the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Zack Steffen are the gloved men. Columbus saw a yellow card for a Jonathan Mensah foul in the twenty-seventh minute. The Crew dented the scoreboard in the fifty-third minute with a Gyasi Zardes goal. Philadelphia received a yellow card for a seventy-seventh minute foul by Jack Elliott. The Crew won 1-0, with Zardes tabbed as man of the match.
Further north, Toronto FC hosts the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Alexander Bono make the starts in goal. Seattle led off in the twenty-fifth minute with a Will Bruin goal, set up by Magnus Wolff Eikrem. Toronto tied it on a fortieth minute Jonathan Osorio goal, passed from Sebastian Giovinco and Victor Vazquez. Tony Alfaro of the Sounders had a yellow card for his forty-fourth minute foul. Seattle retook the lead in the fifty-fourth minute with a Handwalla Bwana goal, coming off of Bruin and Cristian Roldan. Bruin took a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for the Sounders for not retreating. Toronto's Michael Bradley received a yellow card in the eighty-first minute for dissent. Seattle saw Jordy Delem booked on an eighty-eighth minute yellow card for his foul. Toronto's Giovinco received a yellow card in the ninetieth minute for dissent. The Sounders won 2-1, with Bruin as the man of the match.
Back stateside, the Chicago Fire bring in the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Richard Sanchez are between the sticks. Michael Petrasso of Montreal had a yellow card for time wasting in the sixty-fifth minute. Chicago saw yellow cards for fouls by Brandon Vincent in the sixty-sixth minute and Mohammed Adams in the seventieth minute. The Fire kicked off the scoring in the eighty-ninth minute with a Kevin Ellis goal, helped along by Johan Kappelhof. This stood for a 1-0 win, with Ellis the man of the match for the late winner.
Finally, Los Angeles FC hosts Minnesota United FC. Bobby Shuttleworth and Tyler Miller protect the nets. Minnesota's Francisco Calvo had a yellow card for a fifteenth minute foul. Los Angeles got on the board with an Eduard Atuesta goal in the thirty-first minute, via Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela. Minnesota saw yellow cards for Collin Martin and Alexi Gomez fouls in the thirty-third and thirty-fourth minutes. Los Angeles added on in the thirty-seventh minute with a Mark-Anthony Kaye goal, assisted by Latif Blessing. Los Angeles' Atuesta had a yellow card for his fortieth minute foul. Maximiniano of Minnesota had a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Minnesota's Harrison Heath took a yellow card for a ninetieth minute foul. The final stood at 2-0, with Atuesta the man of the match.
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Atlanta United FC hosting Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Brad Guzan start in goal. Atlanta's Jeff Larentowicz took a yellow card for his thirty-first minute foul. Atlanta went down to ten men when the keeper Guzan received a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the thirty-fourth minute. Paul Christensen replaced Hector Villalba to give them a keeper again. Kansas City got going in the sixty-seventh minute with a Daniel Salloi goal, via Ilie Sanchez. Sporting added on in the eighty-seventh minute with a Gerso Fernandes goal, assisted by Sanchez as well. Matt Besler of Kansas City took a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-ninth minute. Sporting won 2-0, with Sanchez named man of the match.
Up in Columbus, the Crew SC welcome the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Zack Steffen are the gloved men. Columbus saw a yellow card for a Jonathan Mensah foul in the twenty-seventh minute. The Crew dented the scoreboard in the fifty-third minute with a Gyasi Zardes goal. Philadelphia received a yellow card for a seventy-seventh minute foul by Jack Elliott. The Crew won 1-0, with Zardes tabbed as man of the match.
Further north, Toronto FC hosts the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Alexander Bono make the starts in goal. Seattle led off in the twenty-fifth minute with a Will Bruin goal, set up by Magnus Wolff Eikrem. Toronto tied it on a fortieth minute Jonathan Osorio goal, passed from Sebastian Giovinco and Victor Vazquez. Tony Alfaro of the Sounders had a yellow card for his forty-fourth minute foul. Seattle retook the lead in the fifty-fourth minute with a Handwalla Bwana goal, coming off of Bruin and Cristian Roldan. Bruin took a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for the Sounders for not retreating. Toronto's Michael Bradley received a yellow card in the eighty-first minute for dissent. Seattle saw Jordy Delem booked on an eighty-eighth minute yellow card for his foul. Toronto's Giovinco received a yellow card in the ninetieth minute for dissent. The Sounders won 2-1, with Bruin as the man of the match.
Back stateside, the Chicago Fire bring in the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Richard Sanchez are between the sticks. Michael Petrasso of Montreal had a yellow card for time wasting in the sixty-fifth minute. Chicago saw yellow cards for fouls by Brandon Vincent in the sixty-sixth minute and Mohammed Adams in the seventieth minute. The Fire kicked off the scoring in the eighty-ninth minute with a Kevin Ellis goal, helped along by Johan Kappelhof. This stood for a 1-0 win, with Ellis the man of the match for the late winner.
Finally, Los Angeles FC hosts Minnesota United FC. Bobby Shuttleworth and Tyler Miller protect the nets. Minnesota's Francisco Calvo had a yellow card for a fifteenth minute foul. Los Angeles got on the board with an Eduard Atuesta goal in the thirty-first minute, via Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela. Minnesota saw yellow cards for Collin Martin and Alexi Gomez fouls in the thirty-third and thirty-fourth minutes. Los Angeles added on in the thirty-seventh minute with a Mark-Anthony Kaye goal, assisted by Latif Blessing. Los Angeles' Atuesta had a yellow card for his fortieth minute foul. Maximiniano of Minnesota had a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Minnesota's Harrison Heath took a yellow card for a ninetieth minute foul. The final stood at 2-0, with Atuesta the man of the match.
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NWSL 2018 Week 7 Midweek
Two games on at Midweek for the NWSL, beginning with...
The Houston Dash hosting the Portland Thorns FC. Britt Eckerstrom and Jane Campbell are set to start in goal. Portland started in the twenty-fifth minute with an Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic goal, after chaos in the box and touches from Christine Sinclair and Tobin Heath set the play up. Houston tied it in the fifty-seventh minute with a Kyah Simon goal, coming off of Veronica Latsko. In stoppage time, the Dash's Janine van Wyk took a yellow card for her foul. The final held at 1-1, with Simon named woman of the match. Also starring for the Dash were Nichelle Prince, Latsko, Kristie Mewis, Lindsay Agnew, and van Wyk. The Thorns' best were Eckerstrom (five for six in saves), Emily Sonnett, Meghan Klingenberg, Sinclair, Heath, and Crnogorcevic.
The other game has the Utah Royals FC hosting the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Abby Smith are in the six-yard boxes. Utah's Katrina Gorry had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-sixth minute. The final remained at 0-0, with the woman of the match being Brooke Elby of the Royals. Also strong for Utah were Rachel Corsie, Desiree Scott, Kelley O'Hara, and Diana Matheson, while Orlando's best were Shelina Zadorsky, Monica, Ali Krieger, and Marta.
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The Houston Dash hosting the Portland Thorns FC. Britt Eckerstrom and Jane Campbell are set to start in goal. Portland started in the twenty-fifth minute with an Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic goal, after chaos in the box and touches from Christine Sinclair and Tobin Heath set the play up. Houston tied it in the fifty-seventh minute with a Kyah Simon goal, coming off of Veronica Latsko. In stoppage time, the Dash's Janine van Wyk took a yellow card for her foul. The final held at 1-1, with Simon named woman of the match. Also starring for the Dash were Nichelle Prince, Latsko, Kristie Mewis, Lindsay Agnew, and van Wyk. The Thorns' best were Eckerstrom (five for six in saves), Emily Sonnett, Meghan Klingenberg, Sinclair, Heath, and Crnogorcevic.
The other game has the Utah Royals FC hosting the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Abby Smith are in the six-yard boxes. Utah's Katrina Gorry had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-sixth minute. The final remained at 0-0, with the woman of the match being Brooke Elby of the Royals. Also strong for Utah were Rachel Corsie, Desiree Scott, Kelley O'Hara, and Diana Matheson, while Orlando's best were Shelina Zadorsky, Monica, Ali Krieger, and Marta.
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Monday, May 7, 2018
Metropolitan Division Finals: 1) Washington Capitals VS. 2) Pittsburgh Penguins
The second round of the playoffs are upon us, with only one non-favored seed from the first round advancing. Each post will contain an entire series.
Game 1: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington started in the first period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fifth of the postseason, made possible by Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. The Capitals added on in the third period with an Ovechkin goal, his sixth of the playoffs, via Wilson and Dmitry Orlov. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his third of the postseason, courtesy of Justin Schultz and Jake Guentzel. The Penguins tied it with a Sidney Crosby goal, his seventh of the playoffs, passed from Huentzel and Hornqvist. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Guentzel goal, his seventh of the postseason, coming off of Crosby. The final stood from here at 3-2, with the three stars being Guentzel, Crosby, and Hornqvist, while Ovechkin and Wilson get the honorable mentions. The Penguins have a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington opened in the first period with an unassisted Alex Ovechkin goal, his seventh of the postseason. The Capitals added on with a Jakub Vrana power play goal, powered by Lars Eller and the goalie Holtby. Washington extended the lead as Brett Connolly scored in the second period, thanks to Eller. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Kris Letang goal, his second of the playoffs, helped along by Justin Schultz and Jake Guentzel. The Capitals iced it at 4-1 with a Nicklas Backstrom empty net goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Tom Wilson and Eller in the third period, with the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Eller, Holtby (32 for 33 in saves), and Vrana. The series heads to Pittsburgh tied at 1.
Game 3: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Washington got going in the second period with a John Carlson power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his eighth of the playoffs, via Justin Schultz and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins took the lead with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, with assists provided by Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. The Capitals tied it again with a Chandler Stephenson goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from T.J. Oshie and Backstrom. Pittsburgh took the lead back with a Crosby goal, his eighth of the postseason, helped along by Guentzel and Kris Letang. Washington tied it in the third period with a Matt Niskanen goal, fueled by Dmitry Orlov and Tom Wilson. The Capitals won 4-3 with an Ovechkin goal, his eighth of the playoffs, assisted by Backstrom, who earned a sock trick. The three stars were Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Crosby, while Guentzel gets an honorable mention. The Capitals are now ahead 2-1 in the series.
Game 4: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his ninth of the postseason, made possible by Dominik Simon and Sidney Crosby. Washington tied it on a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Penguins took the lead back with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Patric Hornqvist and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a Guentzel power play empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The three stars were Guentzel, Malkin, and Murray (20 for 21 in saves). The series heads back to DC tied at 2.
Game 5: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Jamie Oleksiak goal, passed from Derick Brassard and Conor Sheary. Washington tied it on a John Carlson power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals took the lead with a Brett Connolly goal, his second of the playoffs, via Jakub Vrana and Lars Eller. The Penguins tied it again in the second period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his ninth of the postseason, with assists provided by Phil Kessel and Justin Schultz. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, with helpers from Evgeni Malkin and Kessel. Washington retied it in the third period with a Kuznetsov goal, his sixth of the postseason, made possible by Vrana and Matt Niskanen. The Capitals pulled ahead with a Vrana goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Alex Ovechkin and Kuznetsov. Washington added on with an Oshie empty net goal, his fifth of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Capitals iced it at 6-3 with an unassisted Eller empty net goal, his third of the playoffs. The three stars were given to Kuznetsov, Vrana, and Oshie, while Eller and Kessel get the honorable mentions. The Capitals leave home with a 3-2 series lead.
Game 6: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Washington kicked off the scoring in the second period with an Alex Chiasson goal, via Nathan Walker and Jay Beagle. Pittsburgh tied it on a Kris Letang goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Brian Dumoulin and Sidney Crosby. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his seventh of the playoffs, passed from Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Chiasson, and Holtby (21 for 22 in saves). The Capitals won the series 4-2, setting them up for the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Game 1: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington started in the first period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fifth of the postseason, made possible by Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. The Capitals added on in the third period with an Ovechkin goal, his sixth of the playoffs, via Wilson and Dmitry Orlov. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his third of the postseason, courtesy of Justin Schultz and Jake Guentzel. The Penguins tied it with a Sidney Crosby goal, his seventh of the playoffs, passed from Huentzel and Hornqvist. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Guentzel goal, his seventh of the postseason, coming off of Crosby. The final stood from here at 3-2, with the three stars being Guentzel, Crosby, and Hornqvist, while Ovechkin and Wilson get the honorable mentions. The Penguins have a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington opened in the first period with an unassisted Alex Ovechkin goal, his seventh of the postseason. The Capitals added on with a Jakub Vrana power play goal, powered by Lars Eller and the goalie Holtby. Washington extended the lead as Brett Connolly scored in the second period, thanks to Eller. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Kris Letang goal, his second of the playoffs, helped along by Justin Schultz and Jake Guentzel. The Capitals iced it at 4-1 with a Nicklas Backstrom empty net goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Tom Wilson and Eller in the third period, with the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Eller, Holtby (32 for 33 in saves), and Vrana. The series heads to Pittsburgh tied at 1.
Game 3: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Washington got going in the second period with a John Carlson power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his eighth of the playoffs, via Justin Schultz and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins took the lead with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, with assists provided by Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. The Capitals tied it again with a Chandler Stephenson goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from T.J. Oshie and Backstrom. Pittsburgh took the lead back with a Crosby goal, his eighth of the postseason, helped along by Guentzel and Kris Letang. Washington tied it in the third period with a Matt Niskanen goal, fueled by Dmitry Orlov and Tom Wilson. The Capitals won 4-3 with an Ovechkin goal, his eighth of the playoffs, assisted by Backstrom, who earned a sock trick. The three stars were Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Crosby, while Guentzel gets an honorable mention. The Capitals are now ahead 2-1 in the series.
Game 4: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his ninth of the postseason, made possible by Dominik Simon and Sidney Crosby. Washington tied it on a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Penguins took the lead back with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Patric Hornqvist and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a Guentzel power play empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The three stars were Guentzel, Malkin, and Murray (20 for 21 in saves). The series heads back to DC tied at 2.
Game 5: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Jamie Oleksiak goal, passed from Derick Brassard and Conor Sheary. Washington tied it on a John Carlson power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals took the lead with a Brett Connolly goal, his second of the playoffs, via Jakub Vrana and Lars Eller. The Penguins tied it again in the second period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his ninth of the postseason, with assists provided by Phil Kessel and Justin Schultz. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, with helpers from Evgeni Malkin and Kessel. Washington retied it in the third period with a Kuznetsov goal, his sixth of the postseason, made possible by Vrana and Matt Niskanen. The Capitals pulled ahead with a Vrana goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Alex Ovechkin and Kuznetsov. Washington added on with an Oshie empty net goal, his fifth of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Capitals iced it at 6-3 with an unassisted Eller empty net goal, his third of the playoffs. The three stars were given to Kuznetsov, Vrana, and Oshie, while Eller and Kessel get the honorable mentions. The Capitals leave home with a 3-2 series lead.
Game 6: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Washington kicked off the scoring in the second period with an Alex Chiasson goal, via Nathan Walker and Jay Beagle. Pittsburgh tied it on a Kris Letang goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Brian Dumoulin and Sidney Crosby. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his seventh of the playoffs, passed from Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Chiasson, and Holtby (21 for 22 in saves). The Capitals won the series 4-2, setting them up for the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Sunday, May 6, 2018
Pacific Division Finals: 1) Vegas Golden Knights VS. 3) San Jose Sharks
The second round of the playoffs are upon us, with only one non-favored
seed from the first round advancing. Each post will contain an entire
series.
Game 1: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Martin Jones for the Sharks and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas opened in the first period with a Cody Eakin goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Brayden McNabb and David Perron. The Golden Knights added on with an Erik Haula goal, his second of the playoffs, via Alex Tuch and James Neal. Vegas extended the lead as Jonathan Marchessault scored, thanks to Reilly Smith. The Golden Knights padded the lead on a Tuch power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by William Karlsson and Smith. Vegas chased Jones in the second period with a Shea Theodore goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Smith and Marchessault, the former earning a sock trick. The Golden Knights kept going in the third period with a Colin Miller goal, fueled by Karlsson, who got a sock trick, and Marchessault. Vegas iced it at 7-0 with a Neal goal, his second of the postseason, with helpers from Perron and Haula. The three stars were Marchessault, Smith, and Karlsson, while Tuch, Haula, Perron, and Neal get the honorable mentions. The Golden Knights have a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Martin Jones for the Sharks and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas started in the first period with a William Karlsson goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Colin Miller and Nate Schmidt. The Golden Knights added on in the second period with a Karlsson goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, via Reilly Smith. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Joe Pavelski. The Sharks tied it on a Logan Couture goal, his third of the playoffs, coming off of Tomas Hertl. San Jose went ahead on a Burns goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, passed from Timo Meier and Pavelski. Vegas retied it in the third period with a Schmidt goal, courtesy of Shea Theodore and Erik Haula. The Sharks won 4-3 in double overtime with a Logan Couture power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Kevin Labanc and Burns. The three stars were given to Couture, Burns, and Pavelski, while Schmidt gets an honorable mention. The series heads to California tied at 1.
Game 3: SAP Center, San Jose, California. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Martin Jones for the Sharks. San Jose got going in the second period with a Timo Meier power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Chris Tierney and Mikkel Boedker. Vegas tied it on a Colin Miller power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by James Neal and David Perron. The Golden Knights took the lead with a Jonathan Marchessault power play goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Alex Tuch and Reilly Smith. Vegas added on with a Smith goal, helped along by William Karlsson and Marchessault. The Sharks got one back in the third period with an Evander Kane goal, his fourth of the playoffs, fueled by Brent Burns and Dylan DeMelo. San Jose tied it with a Tomas Hertl goal, his fourth of the postseason, guided in by Justin Braun and Kevin Labanc. The Golden Knights won 4-3 in overtime with a Karlsson goal, his fourth of the playoffs, courtesy of Neal and Marchessault. The three stars were Marchessault, Karlsson, and Neal, while Smith gets an honorable mention. The Golden Knights took a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4: SAP Center, San Jose, California. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Martin Jones for the Sharks. San Jose led off in the first period with a Marcus Sorensen goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Eric Fehr and Brenden Dillon. The Sharks added on with a Joonas Donskoi goal, his second of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Dillon. San Jose extended the lead as Tomas Hertl scored his fifth of the postseason, with the help of Mikkel Boedker and Logan Couture in the second period. The Sharks padded the lead with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his second of the playoffs, powered by Couture and Brent Burns in the third period. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars given to Jones (34 save shutout), Dillon, and Couture. The series is tied at 2 heading back to Nevada.
Game 5: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Martin Jones for the Sharks and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas began in the first period with a James Neal goal, his third of the postseason, guided in by Shea Theodore and David Perron. The Golden Knights added on with a Alex Tuch power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault in the second period. Vegas extended the lead as Erik Haula scored his third of the postseason, thanks to Perron and Ryan Carpenter. The Golden Knights padded the lead in the third period on a Tuch goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, fueled by Cody Eakin and Oscar Lindberg. San Jose got on the board with a Kevin Labanc power play goal, with assists provided by Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl. The Sharks pulled closer on a Hertl goal, his sixth of the postseason, helped along by Mikkel Boedker and Couture. San Jose chipped closer on a Boedker goal, with a lone assist by Couture. Vegas countered with a Marchessault empty net goal, his third of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 5-3 game were Tuch, Couture, and Marchessault, while Perron, Hertl, and Boedker get the honorable mentions. The Golden Knights hit the road again with a 3-2 series lead in hand.
Game 6: SAP Center, San Jose, California. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Martin Jones for the Sharks. Vegas dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his fourth of the postseason, guided in by Reilly Smith and William Karlsson. The Golden Knights added on with a Nate Schmidt goal, his second of the playoffs, via Erik Haula and David Perron. Vegas iced it at 3-0 in the third period with a Cody Eakin empty net goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Ryan Carpenter and Schmidt. The three stars were Fleury (28 save shutout), Marchessault, and Schmidt. The Golden Knights punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a 4-2 series win.
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Game 1: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Martin Jones for the Sharks and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas opened in the first period with a Cody Eakin goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Brayden McNabb and David Perron. The Golden Knights added on with an Erik Haula goal, his second of the playoffs, via Alex Tuch and James Neal. Vegas extended the lead as Jonathan Marchessault scored, thanks to Reilly Smith. The Golden Knights padded the lead on a Tuch power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by William Karlsson and Smith. Vegas chased Jones in the second period with a Shea Theodore goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Smith and Marchessault, the former earning a sock trick. The Golden Knights kept going in the third period with a Colin Miller goal, fueled by Karlsson, who got a sock trick, and Marchessault. Vegas iced it at 7-0 with a Neal goal, his second of the postseason, with helpers from Perron and Haula. The three stars were Marchessault, Smith, and Karlsson, while Tuch, Haula, Perron, and Neal get the honorable mentions. The Golden Knights have a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Martin Jones for the Sharks and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas started in the first period with a William Karlsson goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Colin Miller and Nate Schmidt. The Golden Knights added on in the second period with a Karlsson goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, via Reilly Smith. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Joe Pavelski. The Sharks tied it on a Logan Couture goal, his third of the playoffs, coming off of Tomas Hertl. San Jose went ahead on a Burns goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, passed from Timo Meier and Pavelski. Vegas retied it in the third period with a Schmidt goal, courtesy of Shea Theodore and Erik Haula. The Sharks won 4-3 in double overtime with a Logan Couture power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Kevin Labanc and Burns. The three stars were given to Couture, Burns, and Pavelski, while Schmidt gets an honorable mention. The series heads to California tied at 1.
Game 3: SAP Center, San Jose, California. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Martin Jones for the Sharks. San Jose got going in the second period with a Timo Meier power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Chris Tierney and Mikkel Boedker. Vegas tied it on a Colin Miller power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by James Neal and David Perron. The Golden Knights took the lead with a Jonathan Marchessault power play goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Alex Tuch and Reilly Smith. Vegas added on with a Smith goal, helped along by William Karlsson and Marchessault. The Sharks got one back in the third period with an Evander Kane goal, his fourth of the playoffs, fueled by Brent Burns and Dylan DeMelo. San Jose tied it with a Tomas Hertl goal, his fourth of the postseason, guided in by Justin Braun and Kevin Labanc. The Golden Knights won 4-3 in overtime with a Karlsson goal, his fourth of the playoffs, courtesy of Neal and Marchessault. The three stars were Marchessault, Karlsson, and Neal, while Smith gets an honorable mention. The Golden Knights took a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4: SAP Center, San Jose, California. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Martin Jones for the Sharks. San Jose led off in the first period with a Marcus Sorensen goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Eric Fehr and Brenden Dillon. The Sharks added on with a Joonas Donskoi goal, his second of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Dillon. San Jose extended the lead as Tomas Hertl scored his fifth of the postseason, with the help of Mikkel Boedker and Logan Couture in the second period. The Sharks padded the lead with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his second of the playoffs, powered by Couture and Brent Burns in the third period. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars given to Jones (34 save shutout), Dillon, and Couture. The series is tied at 2 heading back to Nevada.
Game 5: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Martin Jones for the Sharks and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas began in the first period with a James Neal goal, his third of the postseason, guided in by Shea Theodore and David Perron. The Golden Knights added on with a Alex Tuch power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault in the second period. Vegas extended the lead as Erik Haula scored his third of the postseason, thanks to Perron and Ryan Carpenter. The Golden Knights padded the lead in the third period on a Tuch goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, fueled by Cody Eakin and Oscar Lindberg. San Jose got on the board with a Kevin Labanc power play goal, with assists provided by Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl. The Sharks pulled closer on a Hertl goal, his sixth of the postseason, helped along by Mikkel Boedker and Couture. San Jose chipped closer on a Boedker goal, with a lone assist by Couture. Vegas countered with a Marchessault empty net goal, his third of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 5-3 game were Tuch, Couture, and Marchessault, while Perron, Hertl, and Boedker get the honorable mentions. The Golden Knights hit the road again with a 3-2 series lead in hand.
Game 6: SAP Center, San Jose, California. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Martin Jones for the Sharks. Vegas dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his fourth of the postseason, guided in by Reilly Smith and William Karlsson. The Golden Knights added on with a Nate Schmidt goal, his second of the playoffs, via Erik Haula and David Perron. Vegas iced it at 3-0 in the third period with a Cody Eakin empty net goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Ryan Carpenter and Schmidt. The three stars were Fleury (28 save shutout), Marchessault, and Schmidt. The Golden Knights punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a 4-2 series win.
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Atlantic Division Finals: 1) Tampa Bay Lightning VS. 2) Boston Bruins
The second round of the playoffs are upon us, with only one non-favored
seed from the first round advancing. Each post will contain an entire
series.
Game 1: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Boston began in the first period with a Rick Nash power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Bergeron goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Dan Girardi goal, passed from Cedric Paquette and Victor Hedman. Boston replied with a Nash goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, with helpers from David Krejci and Pastrnak, the latter earning a sock trick. The Lightning got one back on a Mikhail Sergachev power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde. The Bruins shot back in the third period with a Marchand goal, his fourth of the postseason, helped along by Charlie McAvoy. Boston extended the lead as Bergeron scored his second of the game and third of the playoffs, thanks to Marchand and Pastrnak. The Bruins iced it at 6-2 with a Jake DeBrusk empty net goal, his sixth of the postseason, set up by Marchand and McAvoy. The three stars went to Marchand, Pastrnak, and Bergeron, while Nash and McAvoy get the honorable mentions. The Bruins have a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Yanni Gourde power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev. Boston tied it on a Charlie McAvoy goal, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The Lightning took the lead back with a Tyler Johnson goal in the second period, his third of the playoffs, via Point and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay added on with a Palat goal in the third period, his second of the postseason, coming off of Point. The Bruins got one back with a Torey Krug goal, his third of the playoffs, passed from David Pastrnak and Marchand. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 with a Point empty net goal, his second of the postseason, set up by Victor Hedman. The three stars were Point, Palat, and Marchand. The series heads north tied at 1.
Game 3: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. Tampa Bay started in the first period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Tyler Johnson and Anton Stralman. The Lightning added on with another Palat goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, via Victor Hedman and Dan Girardi. Boston got on the board with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by David Pastrnak and Rick Nash. Tampa Bay replied with an Anthony Cirelli goal, courtesy of Yanni Gourde and Ryan McDonagh. The Lightning iced it at 4-1 with a Steven Stamkos power play empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by J.T. Miller and Hedman. The three stars were Palat, Vasilevskiy (28 for 29 in saves), and Hedman. The Lightning have a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Brayden Point goal, his third of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his sixth of the playoffs, powered by Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. Boston got on the board with a David Pastrnak power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, with assists provided by Torey Krug and Brad Marchand. The Bruins tied it in the second period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, with a lone helper from Krug. Boston took the lead in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Bergeron, his second of the game and sixth of the postseason, set up by Marchand. Tampa Bay tied it on a Stamkos goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by J.T. Miller. The Lightning won 4-3 in overtime with a Dan Girardi goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Alex Killorn and Yanni Gourde. The three stars went to Stamkos, Bergeron, and Krug, while Marchand gets an honorable mention. The Lightning return home on the brink of advancing with a 3-1 series lead currently.
Game 5: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Boston struck first in the first period with a David Krejci goal, his third of the postseason, coming on the power play from Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with an unassisted Brayden Point goal, his fourth of the playoffs. The Lightning took the lead with a J.T. Miller power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay iced it at 3-1 with an Anton Stralman empty net goal in the third period, set up by Victor Hedman. The three stars were Vasilevskiy (27 for 28 in saves), Miller, and Point. The Lightning advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 4-1 series win.
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Game 1: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Boston began in the first period with a Rick Nash power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Bergeron goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Dan Girardi goal, passed from Cedric Paquette and Victor Hedman. Boston replied with a Nash goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, with helpers from David Krejci and Pastrnak, the latter earning a sock trick. The Lightning got one back on a Mikhail Sergachev power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde. The Bruins shot back in the third period with a Marchand goal, his fourth of the postseason, helped along by Charlie McAvoy. Boston extended the lead as Bergeron scored his second of the game and third of the playoffs, thanks to Marchand and Pastrnak. The Bruins iced it at 6-2 with a Jake DeBrusk empty net goal, his sixth of the postseason, set up by Marchand and McAvoy. The three stars went to Marchand, Pastrnak, and Bergeron, while Nash and McAvoy get the honorable mentions. The Bruins have a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Yanni Gourde power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev. Boston tied it on a Charlie McAvoy goal, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The Lightning took the lead back with a Tyler Johnson goal in the second period, his third of the playoffs, via Point and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay added on with a Palat goal in the third period, his second of the postseason, coming off of Point. The Bruins got one back with a Torey Krug goal, his third of the playoffs, passed from David Pastrnak and Marchand. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 with a Point empty net goal, his second of the postseason, set up by Victor Hedman. The three stars were Point, Palat, and Marchand. The series heads north tied at 1.
Game 3: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. Tampa Bay started in the first period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Tyler Johnson and Anton Stralman. The Lightning added on with another Palat goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, via Victor Hedman and Dan Girardi. Boston got on the board with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by David Pastrnak and Rick Nash. Tampa Bay replied with an Anthony Cirelli goal, courtesy of Yanni Gourde and Ryan McDonagh. The Lightning iced it at 4-1 with a Steven Stamkos power play empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by J.T. Miller and Hedman. The three stars were Palat, Vasilevskiy (28 for 29 in saves), and Hedman. The Lightning have a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Brayden Point goal, his third of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his sixth of the playoffs, powered by Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. Boston got on the board with a David Pastrnak power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, with assists provided by Torey Krug and Brad Marchand. The Bruins tied it in the second period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, with a lone helper from Krug. Boston took the lead in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Bergeron, his second of the game and sixth of the postseason, set up by Marchand. Tampa Bay tied it on a Stamkos goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by J.T. Miller. The Lightning won 4-3 in overtime with a Dan Girardi goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Alex Killorn and Yanni Gourde. The three stars went to Stamkos, Bergeron, and Krug, while Marchand gets an honorable mention. The Lightning return home on the brink of advancing with a 3-1 series lead currently.
Game 5: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Boston struck first in the first period with a David Krejci goal, his third of the postseason, coming on the power play from Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with an unassisted Brayden Point goal, his fourth of the playoffs. The Lightning took the lead with a J.T. Miller power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay iced it at 3-1 with an Anton Stralman empty net goal in the third period, set up by Victor Hedman. The three stars were Vasilevskiy (27 for 28 in saves), Miller, and Point. The Lightning advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 4-1 series win.
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MLS 2018 Week 10
We've got eleven games this weekend, beginning with one on Friday in...
Canada, as Toronto FC hosts the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Alexander Bono play in goal. Jack Elliott of Philadelphia had a yellow card for a twenty-fourth minute foul. Toronto started in the twenty-eighth minute with a Victor Vazquez goal, via Nicolas Hasler and Sebastian Giovinco. Toronto's Giovinco took a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul, as did teammate Ashtone Morgan in first half stoppage time. Auston Trusty of the Union had a yellow card for his handball in the fiftieth minute. Toronto added on in the sixty-fifth minute with a Giovinco goal, set up by Jonathan Osorio. Ilsinho of Philadelphia took a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul. Toronto extended the lead in the eighty-ninth minute as Jay Chapman scored, thanks to Jordan Hamilton. This made it 3-0, the final, with the man of the match being Giovinco.
Over in Quebec on Saturday, the Montreal Impact welcome the New England Revolution. Matt Turner and Evan Bush are the goalies. Montreal's Chris Duvall took a yellow card for a thirty-eighth minute foul. The Impact got going in first half stoppage time with an Anthony Jackson-Hamel goal, passed from Ignacio Piatti. Montreal added on in the fifty-second minute with a Jackson-Hamel goal, his second of the game, via Piatti and Alejandro Silva. Luis Caicedo of New England had a yellow card for his fifty-ninth minute foul. The Impacted extended the lead as Raheem Edwards scored in the sixty-fifth minute, thanks to Piatti. Montreal padded the lead with a Piatti goal in the sixty-eighth minute, assisted by Samuel Piette. The Revolution got on the board with a Wilfried Zahibo goal in the seventy-eighth minute, set up by Diego Fagundez. New England got closer with a Zahibo goal in the eighty-sixth minute. Fagundez of the Revolution had a yellow card for his foul in second half stoppage time. The final held at 4-2, with Piatti named man of the match.
The Hudson River Derby is next when the New York Red Bulls bring in New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Luis Robles protect the nets. The Red Bulls opened in the second minute with an Alejandro Romero Gamarra goal. The Red Bulls added on in the fourth minute with a Florian Valot goal, passed from Romero Gamarra. The Red Bulls extended the lead as Bradley Wright-Phillips scored in the thirty-fifth minute, with the help of Romero Gamarra and Sean Davis. New York City had a yellow card for a sixty-fourth minute foul by Ebenezer Ofori. Tim Parker of the Red Bulls had a yellow card for a seventy-fifth minute foul. The Red Bulls capped it at 4-0 with a Derrick Etienne goal, coming off of Valot and Tyler Adams. The man of the match was Romero Gamarra.
Westward, as Minnesota United FC hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Stefan Marinovic and Bobbly Shuttleworth play in goal. Aly Ghazal of Vancouver had a yellow card for a twentieth minute foul. Minnesota saw a yellow card for a foul by Darwin Quintero in the twenty-sixth minute. Minnesota went down to ten men in the fiftieth minute with Mason Toye taking a straight red card for violent conduct. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the sixtieth minute on a Miguel Ibarra goal. Jose Aja of the Whitecaps had a yellow card for his sixty-sixth minute foul. Minnesota's keeper Shuttleworth took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Shuttleworth for his seven-save clean sheet.
Southwest now, as Los Angeles FC welcomes FC Dallas. Jimmy Maurer and Tyler Miller are the new starters. Los Angeles led off in the ninth minute with a Steven Beitashour goal, helped along by Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela. Victor Ulloa of Dallas had a yellow card for his thirty-ninth minute foul. Dallas tied it in the fifty-fifth minute with a Maximiliano Urruti goal, set up by Santiago Mosquera. Dallas' Matt Hedges received a yellow card for an eighty-ninth minute foul. The final held at 1-1, with the man of the match being Urruti.
Up in Seattle, the Sounders FC bring in the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Stefan Frei are the keepers. Columbus went down to ten men in the fifteenth minute with Pedro Santos received a straight red card for his foul. Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso took a yellow card for a foul in the thirtieth minute. Wil Trapp of the Crew had a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. The final remained at 0-0, with the man of the match being Crew defender Milton Valenzuela.
Back east, the Chicago Fire host Atlanta United FC. Brad Guzan and Richard Sanchez are between the sticks. Johan Kappelhof of Chicago had a yellow card for a twenty-fourth minute foul. Atlanta drew first blood in the fifty-third minute with an Ezequiel Barco goal, coming off of Miguel Almiron. Atlanta added on with a Josef Martinez goal, assisted by Darlington Nagbe and Greg Garza. The Fire got on the board with a sixty-first minute Kevin Ellis goal. Atlanta had yellow cards for fouls by Leandro Gonzalez Pirez in the sixty-fifth minute and Barco in the seventy-third minute. Grant Lillard of Chicago took the lead for his eightieth minute foul. In stoppage time, Hector Villalba of Atlanta received a yellow card for time wasting. Atlanta won 2-1, with the man of the match being Martinez.
Down in Texas, the Houston Dynamo welcome the Los Angeles Galaxy. David Bingham and Joe Willis are the gloved men. Houston began in the second minute with an Alejandro Fuenmayor goal, via Romell Quioto. Los Angeles had yellow cards for fouls by Perry Kitchen in the twentieth minute, Michael Ciani in the thirty-fourth minute, and Ashley Cole in the thirty-sixth minute. The Galaxy tied it on a thirty-ninth minute Giovani dos Santos goal. The Dynamo took the lead back on a Quioto goal in the forty-seventh minute. Los Angeles retied it on an eighty-fifth minute Ola Kamara goal, passed from dos Santos and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Houston won it 3-2 with a Memo Rodriguez goal in the ninetieth minute. The man of the match was Quioto.
Back north a bit, Sporting Kansas City brings in the Colorado Rapids. Tim Howard and Tim Melia are the similarly-named goalies. Ike Opara of Kansas City had a yellow card for a tenth minute foul. Jack McBean of Colorado took a yellow card for his foul in the thirteenth minute. Sporting struck first in the sixteenth minute with a Daniel Salloi goal. The Rapids saw yellow cards for dissent by Edgar Castillo in the fifty-second minute and a Dominique Badji foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The final stood at 1-0, with Salloi named man of the match.
Saturday ends with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting the Portland Timbers. Jeff Attinella and Andrew Tarbell are the solid keepers. Portland saw a yellow card in first half stoppage time for time wasting by Cristhian Paredes. Diego Chara of the Timbers had a yellow card for his fifty-third minute foul. Anibal Godoy of San Jose took a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-ninth minute. Larrys Mabiala of Portland received a yellow card for not retreating in the seventy-seventh minute. The Timbers cracked the scoresheet in the eighty-eighth minute with a Diego Valeri goal. Portland had yellow cards for a Liam Ridgewell foul and Andy Polo time wasting in stoppage time. Quincy Amarikwa had a yellow card for the Earthquakes a few minutes later for his foul. The Timbers won 1-0, with Valeri named man of the match.
The week ends on Sunday, with Orlando City SC hosting Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Joe Bendik are in the six-yard boxes. Salt Lake kicked off the scoring in the twelfth minute with a Corey Baird goal, via Damir Kreilach. Orlando City saw yellow cards for dissent by the keeper Bendik in the fifty-first minute and a foul by Mohamed El-Munir in the sixtieth minute. Orlando City tied it on a Dominic Dwyer goal in the sixty-first minute, coming off of Sacha Kljestan. Orlando City took the lead with a Lamine Sane goal, set up by Yoshimar Yotun. Orlando City's Cristian Higuita received a yellow card for his seventy-fourth minute foul. Orlando City capped it at 3-1 with a Yotun goal in the seventy-eighth minute. The man of the match was Yotun.
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Canada, as Toronto FC hosts the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Alexander Bono play in goal. Jack Elliott of Philadelphia had a yellow card for a twenty-fourth minute foul. Toronto started in the twenty-eighth minute with a Victor Vazquez goal, via Nicolas Hasler and Sebastian Giovinco. Toronto's Giovinco took a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul, as did teammate Ashtone Morgan in first half stoppage time. Auston Trusty of the Union had a yellow card for his handball in the fiftieth minute. Toronto added on in the sixty-fifth minute with a Giovinco goal, set up by Jonathan Osorio. Ilsinho of Philadelphia took a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul. Toronto extended the lead in the eighty-ninth minute as Jay Chapman scored, thanks to Jordan Hamilton. This made it 3-0, the final, with the man of the match being Giovinco.
Over in Quebec on Saturday, the Montreal Impact welcome the New England Revolution. Matt Turner and Evan Bush are the goalies. Montreal's Chris Duvall took a yellow card for a thirty-eighth minute foul. The Impact got going in first half stoppage time with an Anthony Jackson-Hamel goal, passed from Ignacio Piatti. Montreal added on in the fifty-second minute with a Jackson-Hamel goal, his second of the game, via Piatti and Alejandro Silva. Luis Caicedo of New England had a yellow card for his fifty-ninth minute foul. The Impacted extended the lead as Raheem Edwards scored in the sixty-fifth minute, thanks to Piatti. Montreal padded the lead with a Piatti goal in the sixty-eighth minute, assisted by Samuel Piette. The Revolution got on the board with a Wilfried Zahibo goal in the seventy-eighth minute, set up by Diego Fagundez. New England got closer with a Zahibo goal in the eighty-sixth minute. Fagundez of the Revolution had a yellow card for his foul in second half stoppage time. The final held at 4-2, with Piatti named man of the match.
The Hudson River Derby is next when the New York Red Bulls bring in New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Luis Robles protect the nets. The Red Bulls opened in the second minute with an Alejandro Romero Gamarra goal. The Red Bulls added on in the fourth minute with a Florian Valot goal, passed from Romero Gamarra. The Red Bulls extended the lead as Bradley Wright-Phillips scored in the thirty-fifth minute, with the help of Romero Gamarra and Sean Davis. New York City had a yellow card for a sixty-fourth minute foul by Ebenezer Ofori. Tim Parker of the Red Bulls had a yellow card for a seventy-fifth minute foul. The Red Bulls capped it at 4-0 with a Derrick Etienne goal, coming off of Valot and Tyler Adams. The man of the match was Romero Gamarra.
Westward, as Minnesota United FC hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Stefan Marinovic and Bobbly Shuttleworth play in goal. Aly Ghazal of Vancouver had a yellow card for a twentieth minute foul. Minnesota saw a yellow card for a foul by Darwin Quintero in the twenty-sixth minute. Minnesota went down to ten men in the fiftieth minute with Mason Toye taking a straight red card for violent conduct. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the sixtieth minute on a Miguel Ibarra goal. Jose Aja of the Whitecaps had a yellow card for his sixty-sixth minute foul. Minnesota's keeper Shuttleworth took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Shuttleworth for his seven-save clean sheet.
Southwest now, as Los Angeles FC welcomes FC Dallas. Jimmy Maurer and Tyler Miller are the new starters. Los Angeles led off in the ninth minute with a Steven Beitashour goal, helped along by Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela. Victor Ulloa of Dallas had a yellow card for his thirty-ninth minute foul. Dallas tied it in the fifty-fifth minute with a Maximiliano Urruti goal, set up by Santiago Mosquera. Dallas' Matt Hedges received a yellow card for an eighty-ninth minute foul. The final held at 1-1, with the man of the match being Urruti.
Up in Seattle, the Sounders FC bring in the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Stefan Frei are the keepers. Columbus went down to ten men in the fifteenth minute with Pedro Santos received a straight red card for his foul. Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso took a yellow card for a foul in the thirtieth minute. Wil Trapp of the Crew had a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. The final remained at 0-0, with the man of the match being Crew defender Milton Valenzuela.
Back east, the Chicago Fire host Atlanta United FC. Brad Guzan and Richard Sanchez are between the sticks. Johan Kappelhof of Chicago had a yellow card for a twenty-fourth minute foul. Atlanta drew first blood in the fifty-third minute with an Ezequiel Barco goal, coming off of Miguel Almiron. Atlanta added on with a Josef Martinez goal, assisted by Darlington Nagbe and Greg Garza. The Fire got on the board with a sixty-first minute Kevin Ellis goal. Atlanta had yellow cards for fouls by Leandro Gonzalez Pirez in the sixty-fifth minute and Barco in the seventy-third minute. Grant Lillard of Chicago took the lead for his eightieth minute foul. In stoppage time, Hector Villalba of Atlanta received a yellow card for time wasting. Atlanta won 2-1, with the man of the match being Martinez.
Down in Texas, the Houston Dynamo welcome the Los Angeles Galaxy. David Bingham and Joe Willis are the gloved men. Houston began in the second minute with an Alejandro Fuenmayor goal, via Romell Quioto. Los Angeles had yellow cards for fouls by Perry Kitchen in the twentieth minute, Michael Ciani in the thirty-fourth minute, and Ashley Cole in the thirty-sixth minute. The Galaxy tied it on a thirty-ninth minute Giovani dos Santos goal. The Dynamo took the lead back on a Quioto goal in the forty-seventh minute. Los Angeles retied it on an eighty-fifth minute Ola Kamara goal, passed from dos Santos and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Houston won it 3-2 with a Memo Rodriguez goal in the ninetieth minute. The man of the match was Quioto.
Back north a bit, Sporting Kansas City brings in the Colorado Rapids. Tim Howard and Tim Melia are the similarly-named goalies. Ike Opara of Kansas City had a yellow card for a tenth minute foul. Jack McBean of Colorado took a yellow card for his foul in the thirteenth minute. Sporting struck first in the sixteenth minute with a Daniel Salloi goal. The Rapids saw yellow cards for dissent by Edgar Castillo in the fifty-second minute and a Dominique Badji foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The final stood at 1-0, with Salloi named man of the match.
Saturday ends with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting the Portland Timbers. Jeff Attinella and Andrew Tarbell are the solid keepers. Portland saw a yellow card in first half stoppage time for time wasting by Cristhian Paredes. Diego Chara of the Timbers had a yellow card for his fifty-third minute foul. Anibal Godoy of San Jose took a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-ninth minute. Larrys Mabiala of Portland received a yellow card for not retreating in the seventy-seventh minute. The Timbers cracked the scoresheet in the eighty-eighth minute with a Diego Valeri goal. Portland had yellow cards for a Liam Ridgewell foul and Andy Polo time wasting in stoppage time. Quincy Amarikwa had a yellow card for the Earthquakes a few minutes later for his foul. The Timbers won 1-0, with Valeri named man of the match.
The week ends on Sunday, with Orlando City SC hosting Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Joe Bendik are in the six-yard boxes. Salt Lake kicked off the scoring in the twelfth minute with a Corey Baird goal, via Damir Kreilach. Orlando City saw yellow cards for dissent by the keeper Bendik in the fifty-first minute and a foul by Mohamed El-Munir in the sixtieth minute. Orlando City tied it on a Dominic Dwyer goal in the sixty-first minute, coming off of Sacha Kljestan. Orlando City took the lead with a Lamine Sane goal, set up by Yoshimar Yotun. Orlando City's Cristian Higuita received a yellow card for his seventy-fourth minute foul. Orlando City capped it at 3-1 with a Yotun goal in the seventy-eighth minute. The man of the match was Yotun.
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NWSL 2018 Week 6
A standard four games are played this weekend, beginning in...
Portland, as the Thorns FC host the Seattle Reign FC. Michelle Betos and Britt Eckerstrom play in goal. Seattle saw a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul by Allie Long. The Reign opened in the thirty-sixth minute on a Beverly Yanez goal, set up by Nahomi Kawasumi on the corner kick. Portland tied it in the sixty-first minute when Emily Sonnett scored on a corner kick second chance after Tobin Heath's service created chaos around Betos. Seattle retook the lead with a Jodie Taylor penalty kick goal in the sixty-fourth minute, earned by Jess Fishlock after a foul in the box by Ana Crnogorcevic. The Thorns tied it again in the seventieth minute with a Lindsey Hordan goal, via Meghan Klingenberg. The Reign pulled ahead once more with a Rumi Utsugi goal in the seventy-fifth minute, the long range shot created on a short corner by Kawasumi passed thru Steph Catley. In the eighty-ninth minute, Alyssa Kleiner took a yellow card for time wasting for Seattle. The Reign held on to win 3-2, with the woman of the match being Betos for going eight-for-ten in saves with some help from her defense and the woodwork. The Reign saw good performances from Christen Westphal, Catley, Long, Fishlock, Utsugi, and Kawasumi, while the Thorns had good games from Sonnett, Midge Purce, Horan, Mallory Weber, and Crnogorcevic.
East to New Jersey, as Sky Blue FC welcomes the Houston Dash. Jane Campbell and Kailen Sheridan protect the nets. Houston started in the twenty-fourth minute with a Nichelle Prince goal off of a corner kick, set up by Lindsay Agnew (who barely kept it in play) and Kristie Mewis. Sky Blue tied it in the fifty-seventh minute with a Katie Johnson goal, passed from Shea Groom and Carli Lloyd. The Dash retook the lead in the fifty-ninth minute, as Rachel Daly's cross hit Sheridan's hand and went into the Sky Blue net, the play made possible by Kealia Ohai. In the sixty-fourth minute, Sky Blue's Savannah McCaskill received a yellow card for a foul. Sky Blue tied it in the seventy-third minute with another Johnson goal, coming off a short corner passing sequence involving four other players: Sarah Killion with the assist as well as McCaskill, Groom, and Janine Beckie. Houston regained the lead in the seventy-ninth minute with a Veronica Latsko goal, courtesy of Thembi Kgatlana and Haley Hanson. In the eighty-fourth minute, Daly took a yellow card for the Dash for her foul. The final held at 3-2, with the woman of the match being Prince. Also strong for the Dash were Amber Brooks, Janine van Wyk, Mewis, Daly, and Ohai, while Sky Blue saw good performances from Erica Skroski, Lloyd, Groom, Beckie, and Johnson.
Saturday ends with the Utah Royals FC bringing in the Washington Spirit. Aubrey Bledsoe and Abby Smith are the young keepers. Utah led off in the seventh minute with a Kelley O'Hara goal, assisted by Amy Rodriguez and Diana Matheson. The Royals saw a yellow card for a Becky Sauerbrunn foul in the fifteenth minute. Utah added on in the sixty-sixth minute with a Matheson goal, created after a sliding steal against Estelle Johnson. In the seventy-second minute, Taylor Smith took a yellow card for a professional foul. The Royals won 2-0 in the end, with Matheson as the woman of the match. Also starring for Utah were Rodriguez, O'Hara, Sauerbrunn, and Abby Smith (one-save clean sheet), while the Spirit's best were Francisca Ordega, Ashley Hatch, and Caprice Dydasco.
Finally, the North Carolina Courage host the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Sabrina D'Angelo make the starts in goal. Chicago began in the thirty-seventh minute with a Sam Kerr goal, set up by Alyssa Mautz. North Carolina's Samantha Mewis took a yellow card for a foul in the forty-fifth minute. In first half stoppage time, Yuki Nagasato of the Red Stars received a yellow card. In the seventy-first minute, McCall Zerboni of the Courage earned a yellow card for persistent infringement. In the seventy-third minute, Michele Vasconcelos of Chicago picked up a yellow card for dissent. In the eighty-second minute, North Carolina tied it on a Zerboni goal, via Abby Erceg and Jaelene Hinkle. The final held at 1-1, with the woman of the match being Naeher for going twelve for thirteen in saves. Also starring for the Red Stars were Kerr, Nikki Stanton, Sam Johnson, and Sarah Gorden, while Crystal Dunn, Denise O'Sullivan, Zerboni, Merritt Mathias, and Hinkle all did well for the Courage.
NWSL Team of the Week
GK Alyssa Naeher
RB Midge Purce
CB Amber Brooks
CB Sam Johnson
LB Jaelene Hinkle
DM Nikki Stanton
AM Nichelle Prince
AM Diana Matheson
AM Kelley O'Hara
FW Nahomi Kawasumi
FW Katie Johnson
Bench
GK Michelle Betos
FB Caprice Dydasco
CB Becky Sauerbrunn
DM Rumi Utsugi
AM McCall Zerboni
FW Rachel Daly
FW Crystal Dunn
Portland, as the Thorns FC host the Seattle Reign FC. Michelle Betos and Britt Eckerstrom play in goal. Seattle saw a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul by Allie Long. The Reign opened in the thirty-sixth minute on a Beverly Yanez goal, set up by Nahomi Kawasumi on the corner kick. Portland tied it in the sixty-first minute when Emily Sonnett scored on a corner kick second chance after Tobin Heath's service created chaos around Betos. Seattle retook the lead with a Jodie Taylor penalty kick goal in the sixty-fourth minute, earned by Jess Fishlock after a foul in the box by Ana Crnogorcevic. The Thorns tied it again in the seventieth minute with a Lindsey Hordan goal, via Meghan Klingenberg. The Reign pulled ahead once more with a Rumi Utsugi goal in the seventy-fifth minute, the long range shot created on a short corner by Kawasumi passed thru Steph Catley. In the eighty-ninth minute, Alyssa Kleiner took a yellow card for time wasting for Seattle. The Reign held on to win 3-2, with the woman of the match being Betos for going eight-for-ten in saves with some help from her defense and the woodwork. The Reign saw good performances from Christen Westphal, Catley, Long, Fishlock, Utsugi, and Kawasumi, while the Thorns had good games from Sonnett, Midge Purce, Horan, Mallory Weber, and Crnogorcevic.
East to New Jersey, as Sky Blue FC welcomes the Houston Dash. Jane Campbell and Kailen Sheridan protect the nets. Houston started in the twenty-fourth minute with a Nichelle Prince goal off of a corner kick, set up by Lindsay Agnew (who barely kept it in play) and Kristie Mewis. Sky Blue tied it in the fifty-seventh minute with a Katie Johnson goal, passed from Shea Groom and Carli Lloyd. The Dash retook the lead in the fifty-ninth minute, as Rachel Daly's cross hit Sheridan's hand and went into the Sky Blue net, the play made possible by Kealia Ohai. In the sixty-fourth minute, Sky Blue's Savannah McCaskill received a yellow card for a foul. Sky Blue tied it in the seventy-third minute with another Johnson goal, coming off a short corner passing sequence involving four other players: Sarah Killion with the assist as well as McCaskill, Groom, and Janine Beckie. Houston regained the lead in the seventy-ninth minute with a Veronica Latsko goal, courtesy of Thembi Kgatlana and Haley Hanson. In the eighty-fourth minute, Daly took a yellow card for the Dash for her foul. The final held at 3-2, with the woman of the match being Prince. Also strong for the Dash were Amber Brooks, Janine van Wyk, Mewis, Daly, and Ohai, while Sky Blue saw good performances from Erica Skroski, Lloyd, Groom, Beckie, and Johnson.
Saturday ends with the Utah Royals FC bringing in the Washington Spirit. Aubrey Bledsoe and Abby Smith are the young keepers. Utah led off in the seventh minute with a Kelley O'Hara goal, assisted by Amy Rodriguez and Diana Matheson. The Royals saw a yellow card for a Becky Sauerbrunn foul in the fifteenth minute. Utah added on in the sixty-sixth minute with a Matheson goal, created after a sliding steal against Estelle Johnson. In the seventy-second minute, Taylor Smith took a yellow card for a professional foul. The Royals won 2-0 in the end, with Matheson as the woman of the match. Also starring for Utah were Rodriguez, O'Hara, Sauerbrunn, and Abby Smith (one-save clean sheet), while the Spirit's best were Francisca Ordega, Ashley Hatch, and Caprice Dydasco.
Finally, the North Carolina Courage host the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Sabrina D'Angelo make the starts in goal. Chicago began in the thirty-seventh minute with a Sam Kerr goal, set up by Alyssa Mautz. North Carolina's Samantha Mewis took a yellow card for a foul in the forty-fifth minute. In first half stoppage time, Yuki Nagasato of the Red Stars received a yellow card. In the seventy-first minute, McCall Zerboni of the Courage earned a yellow card for persistent infringement. In the seventy-third minute, Michele Vasconcelos of Chicago picked up a yellow card for dissent. In the eighty-second minute, North Carolina tied it on a Zerboni goal, via Abby Erceg and Jaelene Hinkle. The final held at 1-1, with the woman of the match being Naeher for going twelve for thirteen in saves. Also starring for the Red Stars were Kerr, Nikki Stanton, Sam Johnson, and Sarah Gorden, while Crystal Dunn, Denise O'Sullivan, Zerboni, Merritt Mathias, and Hinkle all did well for the Courage.
NWSL Team of the Week
GK Alyssa Naeher
RB Midge Purce
CB Amber Brooks
CB Sam Johnson
LB Jaelene Hinkle
DM Nikki Stanton
AM Nichelle Prince
AM Diana Matheson
AM Kelley O'Hara
FW Nahomi Kawasumi
FW Katie Johnson
Bench
GK Michelle Betos
FB Caprice Dydasco
CB Becky Sauerbrunn
DM Rumi Utsugi
AM McCall Zerboni
FW Rachel Daly
FW Crystal Dunn
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