Thursday, February 28, 2013

Western Conference Quarterfinal: SKA St. Petersburg VS. Atlant Moscow Oblast (Mytishchi)

Welcome to the post for the quarterfinal series between SKA St. Petersburg and Atlant Moscow Oblast (Mytishchi) in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Stanislav Galimov for Atlant and Ilya Ezhov for SKA. Game 1 was scoreless until overtime, where St. Petersburg won 1-0 on a Patrick Thoresen goal, assisted by Petr Prucha on the power play. The three stars were Thoresen, Ezhov (16 save shutout), and Galimov (36 for 37 in saves). SKA owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Stanislav Galimov for Atlant and Ivan Kasutin for SKA. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA added on in the second period as Kevin Dallman scored a power play goal, powered by Tony Martensson and Petr Prucha. St. Petersburg extended the lead with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, fueled by Alexander Osipov and Viktor Tikhonov. SKA kept going in the third period with an Anton Buardasov goal, coming off of Fyodor Fedorov and Ivan Nepryayev. St. Petersburg padded the lead with a Dallman goal, set up by Tikhonov and Teemu Ramstedt. SKA struck again as Burdasov converted the penalty shot he was awarded for being tripped on a breakaway by Jonas Frogren. St. Petersburg iced it at 7-0 with a Tikhonov goal, with a lone assist by Varnakov. The three stars were given to Dallman, Burdasov, and Tikhonov, while Varnakov gets an honorable mention. SKA will head on the road with a 2-0 series lead in hand.

Game 3: Mytishchi Arena, Mytishchi, Russia. In goal: Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Mytishchi answered in the second period on an Oleg Yashin goal, fueled by Sergei Shmelyov. Atlant took the lead with an Andreas Engqvist power play goal, powered by Alexei Mikhnov and Maxim Mayorov. Mytishchi extended the lead with a power play goal by Mikhail Glukhov, with a lone assist from Dmitry Kosmachyov. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Galimov (40 for 41 in saves), Engqvist, and Yashin. SKA still holds on to a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Mytishchi Arena, Mytishchi, Russia. In goal: Ivan Kasutin for CSKA and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, fueled by Artemy Panarin and Teemu Ramstedt. SKA added on with a power play goal by Panarin, powered by Kevin Dallman and Ramstedt. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period as Fyodor Fedorov scored, thanks to Tnoy Martensson and Ivan Nepryayev. SKA padded the lead with an unassisted goal recorded by Maxim Chudinov. St. Petersburg kept going in the third period on a Martensson goal, coming off of Viktor Tikhonov and Patrick Thoresen. SKA struck again with a power play goal by Alexander Osipov, set up by Panarin and Ramstedt, the latter getting a sock trick. Mytishchi avoided the shutout with a late Ivan Vishnevsky goal, with a lone helper from Sandis Ozolins. This made it 6-1, a final, with the three stars being Panarin, Ramstedt, and Kasutin (27 for 28 in saves), while Martensson gets an honorable mention. SKA has Atlant on their guard, holding a 3-1 lead over them.

Game 5: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Stanislav Galimov for Atlant and Ivan Kasutin for SKA. St. Petersburg began in the first period with an Artemy Panarin goal, assisted by Alexander Osipov and Mikhail Varnakov. SKA added on as Varnakov scored an unassisted goal in the second period. St. Petersburg extended the lead with a Tony Martensson scoring, thanks to Viktor Tikhonov. SKA struck again with another Martensson goal, set up by Tikhonov and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg padded the lead as Alexander Kucheryavenko put away the puck, with helpers provided by Osipov and Maxim Chudinov. SKA kept going in the third period as Thoresen scored a power play goal, powered by Martensson. St. Petersburg iced it at 7-0 with a Varnakov goal, coming off of Teemu Ramstedt and Panarin. The three stars were handed to Martensson, Varnakov, and Panarin, while Thoresen, Tikhonov, and Osipov receive the honorable mentions. SKA finally put Atlant out of the playoffs with a 4-1 series win.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NHL February 27th 2013

Four games on tonight, starting in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ben Scrivens receive the starting nods. Toronto led off in the first period as Frazer McLaren scored his second of the season, assisted by Mike Brown and Jay McClement. Montreal tied it with a goal by Alexei Emelin, fueled by Colby Armstrong and Travis Moen. The Canadiens took the lead in the second period on a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov. The Maple Leafs tied it again as Clarke MacArthur scored his fifth of the season, courtesy of Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson. Montreal took the lead in the third period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Josh Gorges and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on as Pacioretty potted his second of the game and sixth of the season, via Desharnais. Montreal iced it at 5-2 with a Brian Gionta empty net goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Pacioretty, Desharnais, and Price (21 for 23 in saves).

South to Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ilya Bryzgalov are in the creases. Philadelphia struck first in the first period as Claude Giroux scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Scott Hartnell. The Flyers added on with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Hartnell and Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead in the second period as Simon Gagne scored a power play goal, set up by Brayden Schenn and Danny Briere. The Flyers padded the lead as Max Talbot scored, courtesy of Luke Schenn and Bruno Gervais. Philipp Grubauer relieved Holtby at this time. Washington avoided the shutout as Joel Ward scored his sixth of the campaign, via Tom Poti and Jay Beagle. This produced a 4-1 final score, with the three stars going to Giroux, Hartnell, and Gagne,

Way west to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Viktor Fasth tend the twines. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on Nick Bonino's fifth of the season, assisted by Emerson Etem. The Ducks added on as Kyle Palmieri scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim extended the lead as Palmieri scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, with assists again provided by Perry and Getzlaf. The Ducks padded the lead as Palmieri finished his natural hat trick with his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Perry and Getzlaf, both of whom got sock tricks. Nashville got one board as Craig Smith scored his third of the season, coming off of Kevin Klein and Richard Clune. Anaheim shot back as Saku Koivu scored a power play goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Bobby Ryan and Francois Beauchemin. Chris Mason relieved Rinne in the third period. The scoring was already over though, and the Ducks won 5-1. The three stars were given to Palmieri, Getzlaf, and Perry.

Staying in California, we end with the Los Angeles Kings hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier are the masked men. Detroit began in the first period as Kyle Quincey scored an unassisted goal. Los Angeles tied it in the third period as Jeff Carter scored his eleventh of the season, a power play goal, powered by Mike Richards and Anze Kopitar. The Kings took the lead on a Kopitar goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Dwight King and Trevor Lewis. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Bernier (32 for 33 in saves), Kopitar, and Niklas Kronwall, while any other point-earner could take the third slot.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

NHL February 26th 2013

Nine games on tonight, beginning in...

D.C., as the Washington Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Braden Holtby are the overrated goaltenders. Washington led off in the first period with a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, his second of the season, made possible by Mike Ribeiro and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals added on as John Erskine scored his second of the year in the second period, fueled by Backstrom and John Carlson. Washington padded the lead in the third period with a Carlson goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Mathieu Perreault and Joel Ward. This produced the 3-0 final, with the three stars awarded to Holtby, 33 save shutout), Backstrom, and Ward, while Carlson gets an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Sergei Bobrovsky are between the pipes. Dallas began in the first period as Brenden Morrow scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Cody Eakin and Alex Goligoski. Columbus tied it in the second period on a Nikita Nikitin goal, his second of the year, coming off of Fedor Tyutin and Mark Letestu. The Stars took the lead back as Derek Roy potted his second of the season, with the help of Jordie Benn and Antoine Roussel. The Blue Jackets pulled even again on a Derek Dorsett goal, his third of the year, assisted by Letestu and Vinny Prospal. Dallas regained the lead with a Roussel goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Brenden Dillon and Stephane Robidas. Columbus tied it again in the third period when Cam Atkinson scored his second of the year, via Adrian Aucoin and Nick Foligno. The Stars took the lead back as Eakin potted his third of the season, helped along by Reilly Smith and Robidas. The Blue Jackets tied it late with an R.J. Umberger goal, his third of the year, passed from Foligno. Dallas won 5-4 in overtime as Loui Eriksson notched his sixth of the campaign, set up by Roy and Dillon. The three stars were given to Eriksson, Roussel, and Letestu, while Eakin, Roy, Dillon, Robidas, and Foligno all get honorable mentions for their efforts.

Back in the east, the New York Rangers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. Winnipeg got going in the second period as Olli Jokinen scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Evander Kane and Ron Hainsey. The Jets extended the lead as Kane potted his eighth of the year, with the help of Anthony Peluso and Nik Antropov. New York got on the board as Ryan Callahan scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Steve Eminger and Dan Girardi. Winnipeg replied with another Jokinen goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Peluso and Grant Clitsome. The Rangers replied in the third period with a Taylor Pyatt goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Anton Stralman and Marc Staal. The Jets answered with a Kane goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, pushed through by Alex Burmistrov and Hainsey. New York pulled back as Stralman scored his third of the season, assisted by Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. They couldn't tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars belonging to Kane, Callahan, and Jokinen, while Stralman, Hainsey, and Peluso receive the honorable mentions.

Out on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Evgeni Nabokov man the creases. Boston was first to score in the first period as Adam McQuaid found twine, with assists provided by Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. New York tied it with a Casey Cizikas goal, his second of the season, coming off of Josh Bailey and Andrew MacDonald. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with the tenth of the year by Brad Marchand, fueled by Andrew Ference and Bergeron. Boston extended the lead as David Krejci scored his fifth of the season, courtesy of Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Gregory Campbell empty net goal, his second of the year, passed from Seguin and Dennis Seidenberg. The three stars were handed to Rask (36 for 37 in saves), Marchand, and Bergeron, while Seguin gets an honorable mention.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Mathieu Garon receive the starting nods. Tampa Bay struck first as Steven Stamkos scored his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Teddy Purcell and Cory Conacher. Buffalo tied it with a Cody Hodgson goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Andrej Sekera and Thomas Vanek. The Sabres took the lead in the third period on a Tyler Myers goal, his third of the season, made possible by Vanek and Jason Pominville. The final stood here at 2-1, with the three stars going to Miller (30 for 31 in saves), Vanek, and Stamkos.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tomas Vokoun and Jose Theodore are the veteran goalies. Florida started in the first period with a Tomas Kopecky power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Brian Campbell and Dmitry Kulikov. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period as James Neal scored his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. The Panthers took the lead back on another Kopecky power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, made possible by Tomas Fleischmann and Campbell. Florida extended the lead on a Campbell power play goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Kulikov and Drew Shore. The Panthers struck again as Marcel Goc scored a power play goal, fueled by Kopecky and Fleischmann. Marc-Andre Fleury relieved Vokoun at this time. The Penguins took one back as Dustin Jeffrey scored his second of the season, guided in by Brooks Orpik and Beau Bennett. Pittsburgh chipped away with Paul Martin's fourth of the year, via Neal. The Penguins tied it on a Kunitz power play goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Crosby. Scott Clemmensen relieved Theodore for the third period. Florida took the lead back in the third period with a Fleischmann goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist from Jerred Smithson. The Panthers finished it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Kopecky to complete his hat trick, his eighth goal of the campaign, coming from Goc and Erik Gudbranson. The three stars were awarded to Kopecky, Fleischmann, and Campbell, while Goc, Kulikov, Neal, Kunitz, and Crosby receive the honorable mentions.

Northward to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Niklas Backstrom are the masked men. Calgary opened with an Alex Tanguay power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Michael Cammalleri and Jay Bouwmeester. Minnesota tied it in the third period on a Jason Zucker goal, his second of the year, coming off of Devin Setoguchi and Ryan Suter. The Wild won 2-1 in overtime as Zach Parise potted his eighth of the campaign, a power play goal assisted by Mikko Koivu and Suter. The three stars were given to Zucker, Backstrom (20 for 21 in saves), and Parise, while Suter gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cory Schneider occupy the blue paint. Phoenix led off in the first period as Kyle Chipchura scored his third of the season, with the help of Paul Bissonnette and Michael Stone. The Coyotes extended the lead in the second period on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his fourth of the year, passed from David Rundblad and Antoine Vermette. Vancouver got on the board as Jason Garrison scored his third of the season, assisted by Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins. Phoenix added on in the third period as Vermette notched his fifth of the year, courtesy of Boedker and Lauri Korpikoski. The Canucks pulled back with a Daniel Sedin goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Chris Tanev and Dan Hamhuis. The Coyotes iced it at 4-2 with a Chipchura empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, going down unassisted. Boedker, Garrison, and Chipchura received the three stars, while Vermette got the honorable mention.

Finally, down in San Jose, the Sharks host the Colorao Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Antti Niemi protect the nets. Colorado quickly began in the first period as Logan Couture scored his seventh of the season, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Martin Havlat. Colorado tied it at Chuck Kobasew scored his second of the year, via Jan Hejda and Patrick Bordeleau. The Sharks took the lead in the second period on a T.J. Galiardi goal, fueled by James Sheppard and Adam Burish. The Avalanche tied it in the third period as Mark Olver scored his second of the campaign, coming off of Cody McLeod and Hejda. The game went into a shootout, where San Jose won 3-2 on goals by Michal Handzus and Patrick Marleau, enough to defeat a lone Colorado tally by P.A. Parenteau. The three stars went to Galiardi, Varlamov (39 for 41 in saves), and Sheppard, while Hejda gets an honorable mention.

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Eastern Conference Quarterfinal: Ak Bars Kazan VS. Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk

Welcome to the post for the quarterfinal series between Ak Bars Kazan and Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars. Kazan led off in the first period as Janne Pesonen scored, with the help of Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars added on with a Lauris Darzins goal, fueled by Evgeny Medvedev and Alexei Tereshchenko on the power play. Nizhnekamsk got on the board in the second period as Yegor Milovzorov scored an unassisted and shorthanded goal. Kazan shot back on another Darzins goal, coming off of Ilya Nikulin and the goalie Barulin. Ak Bars padded the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Alexei Morozov, powered by Niko Kapanen and Nikolai Zherdev. Kazan wrapped it up at 5-1 with a Denis Golubev goal, made possible by Evgeny Bodrov. The three stars were Darzins, Barulin (31 for 32 in saves and one assist), and Pesonen. Ak Bars holds a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars. Kazan finally opened in the third period with a Niko Kapanen goal, set up by Nikolai Zherdev. Ak Bars added on with an unassisted power play goal by Zherdev. Kazan iced it at 3-0 as Ilya Nikulin scored a shorthanded goal with a lone helper from the goalie Barulin. The three stars went to Zherdev, Barulin (30 save shutout with one assist, his second in the series), and Kapanen. Ak Bars goes on the road with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: SCC Arena, Nizhnekamsk, Russia. In goal: Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik. Kazan finally got going in the third period as Dmitry Obukhov scored, with the help of Nikolai Zherdev. Ak Bars added on with an Alexei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Denis Kulyash and Evgeny Medvedev. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a Tomas Netik goal, made possible by Petr Koukal and Renat Mamashev. They failed to tie the game, falling 2-1, with the three stars being Barulin (33 for 34 in saves), Tereshchenko, and Obukhov. Ak Bars has pushed Neftekhimik to the edge, with a 3-0 series lead in hand. 

Game 4: SCC Arena, Nizhnekamsk, Russia. In goal: Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Maxim Sokolov for Neftekhimik. Kazan started in the second period on a power play goal by Alexei Morozov, powered by Niko Kapanen and Nikolai Zherdev. Nizhnekamsk tied it as Vitaly Shulakov scored a power play goal, set up by Maxim Pestushko and Yegor Milovzorov. Ak Bars regained the lead on a Janne Pesonen goal, coming off of Vadim Khomitsky. Neftekhimik tied it in the third period again with a Petr Koukal goal, guided in by Eduard Lewandowski and Oskar Osala on the power play. The game went into a second overtime, where Kazan finished the job with a Lauris Darzins goal, with a lone assist provided by Kirill Petrov. The final was 3-2, with the three stars being Darzins, Pesonen, and Morozov. Ak Bars advances to the second round with a 4-0 series sweep. 

Monday, February 25, 2013

NHL February 25th 2013

Five games to cover tonight, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Ilya Bryzgalov receive the starting nods. Toronto started with a Phil Kessel goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Tyler Bozak and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period as Nikolai Kulemin scored his second of the year, via Nazem Kadri and Gunnarsson. Philadelphia got on the board as Scott Hartnell scored, with the help of Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Toronto extended the lead in the third period with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Clarke MacArthur and Kadri. The Flyers tied it on a Voracek power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Giroux. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-2 with Jay McClement's second of the campaign, going into the empty net with a lone assist from Kulemin. The three stars went to Grabovski, Voracek, and Giroux, while Kulemin and Gunnarsson get the honorable mentions.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ben Bishop man the creases. Ottawa got going in the second period as Dave Dziurzynski scored his second of the season, thanks to Chris Neil and Chris Phillips. Montreal tied it with a power play goal by Andrei Markov, his fifth of the year, powered by Raphael Diaz and Max Pacioretty. The game required a shootout to be decided, and it was here that the Senators prevailed 2-1 on goals by Jakob Silfverberg and Peter Regin, outpacing a lone Canadiens tally from David Desharnais. Bishop (44 for 45 in saves), Regin, and Tomas Plekanec got the three stars.

Back south, the Nashville Predators welcome the Dallas Stars. Christopher Nilstorp and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Nashville led off with a first period Craig Smith goal, his second of the season, coming off of Richard Clune and Sergei Kostitsyn. Dallas tied it in the second period with a goal by Matt Fraser, guided in by Loui Eriksson and Jordie Benn. The Stars quickly gained the lead as Reilly Smith scored his third of the year, thanks to Michael Ryder and Cody Eakin. The Predators tied it back up with a Roman Josi goal, his second of the season, made possible by  David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. Dallas shot back on a Vernon Fiddler power play goal, powered by Jamie Benn and Ryder. The Stars extended the lead as Eriksson scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal set up by Ryder, who got a sock trick, and Stephane Robidas. Nashville replied as Hornqvist scored his second of the season, a power play goal coming from Martin Erat and Josi. The Predators tied it in the third period as Mike Fisher scored his fourth of the year, via Colin Wilson and Josi. Nashville won it 5-4 in overtime as Josi scored his second of the game and third of the campaign, assisted by Kostitsyn and Shea Weber. The three stars were awarded to Josi, Ryder, and Hornqvist, while Eriksson and Kostitsyn earn the honorable mentions.

Over in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Ray Emery are between the pipes. Edmonton opened in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Jeff Petry, made possible by Lennart Petrell. Chicago tied it when Patrick Kane scored his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Marcus Kruger and Nick Leddy. The Oilers took the lead back in the second period with a Nail Yakupov power play goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Sam Gagner and Justin Schultz. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Michal Rozsival. Chicago won 3-2 in overtime as Marian Hossa potted his ninth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Sharp. The three stars belonged to Hossa, Kane, and Yakupov.

Finally, we end with the Los Angeles Kings bringing in the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Anaheim began in the second period as Andrew Cogliano scored his fifth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Los Angeles tied it as Dustin Penner scored, with the help of Jarret Stoll and Dwight King. The Ducks took the lead back on a Saku Koivu power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Francois Beauchemin and Ben Lovejoy. The Kings retied it as Dustin Brown notched his sixth of the season, via Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. Los Angeles took the lead in the third period with a Slava Voynov goal, his third of the year, coming off of Kopitar and Brown. The Kings extended the lead on a Jake Muzzin goal, his second of the season, assisted by Kopitar, who got a sock trick, and Voynov. Los Angeles iced it at 5-2 when Jeff Carter put his tenth of the year in the empty net, set up by Mike Richards and Drew Doughty. The three stars were given to Kopitar, Voynov, and Penner, while Brown gets an honorable mention.

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Western Conference Quarterfinal: Dynamo Moscow VS. Slovan Bratislava

Welcome to the post for the quarterfinal series between Dynamo Moscow and Slovan Bratislava in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Jaroslav Janus for Slovan and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow began with a first period Alexei Tsvetkov power play goal, powered by Denis Kokarev and Jakub Petruzalek. Dynamo added on as Denis Mosalyov scored, courtesy of Marek Kvapil. Bratislava got on the board in the second period as Michal Vondrka scored a power play goal, made possible by Michel Miklik and Jan Tabacek. Moscow replied with a Roman Derlyuk goal, fueled by Sergei Soin and Sergei Konkov. Dynamo extended the lead in the third period when Petruzalek scored, thanks to Kvapil and Maxim Solovyov. Moscow iced it at 5-1 with another Petruzalek goal, set up by Kokarev and Tsvetkov. The three stars were Petruzalek, Tsvetkov, and Yeryomenko (28 for 29 in saves), while Kvapil and Kokarev get the honorable mentions. Dynamo holds a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Branislav Konrad for Slovan and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow led off in the first period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, going in unassisted. Bratislava tied it in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored a shorthanded goal with a lone assist provided by Michal Vondrka. Slovan took the lead on a Roman Kukumberg goal, via Martin Stajnoch on the power play. Dynamo tied it with an Alexei Sopin goal, guided in by Konstantin Kasyanchuk and Konstantin Gorovikov. The tie was broken in overtime in favor of Moscow with another Sopin goal, set up by Kasyanchuk. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Sopin, Kasyanchuk, and Yeryomenko (22 for 24 in saves). Dynamo will travel with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Ondrej Nepela Arena, Bratislava, Slovakia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Branislav Konrad for Slovan. Bratislava opened in the first period as Mario Bliznak scored a power play goal, powered by Michel Miklik and Michal Sersen. Slovan added on as Milan Kytnar scored in the second period, with the help of Libor Hudacek and Tomas Mojzis. Moscow got on the board when Alexei Sopin scored a goal, with a lone assist provided by Sergei Soin. Dynamo tied it on a power play goal from Marek Kvapil, assisted by Sopin and the goalie Yeryomenko. Moscow took the lead on a Dominik Granak goal, coming off of Denis Kokarev and Jakub Petruzalek. Dynamo extended the lead as Petruzalek potted the puck, courtesy of Alexei Tsvetkov and Kokarev. This was good for a 4-2 final score, and the three stars were Petruzalek, Sopin, and Yeryomenko (25 for 27 in saves with an assist), while Kokarev garners an honorable mention. Dynamo puts Slovan on the edge of elimination with a 3-0 series lead. 

Game 4: Ondrej Nepela Arena, Bratislava, Slovakia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan. Moscow started in the first period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, fueled by Andrei Mironov and the goalie Yeryomenko. Dynamo added on in the second period as Sergei Konkov scored, thanks to Dmitry Pestunov and Yury Babenko. Moscow extended the lead on a power play goal by Janne Jalasvaara, powered by Maxim Solovyov and Denis Kokarev. Bratislava got on the board in the third period as Ivan Svarny scored a power play goal, set up by Milan Bartovic and Juraj Mikus. Slovan pulled closer with a Vladimir Mihalik goal, with a lone helper from Libor Hudacek. They couldn't get the equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being Yeryomenko (25 for 27 in saves with an assist), Jalasvaara, and Petruzalek. Dynamo bounced Slovan from the playoffs in a 4-0 sweep, giving them some time off before the next series.

Western Conference Quarterfinal: CSKA Moscow VS. Lev Praha

Welcome to the post for the quarterfinal series between CSKA Moscow and Lev Praha in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Toms Popperle for Lev and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. Moscow opened in the first period on an Igor Radulov power play goal, powered by Yakov Rylov and Alexander Radulov. Praha tied it in the second period as Petr Vrana scored, thanks to Michal Birner and Michal Repik on the power play. CSKA took the lead in the third period as Oleg Kvasha scored, with helpers provided by Denis Denisov and Shaone Morrisonn on the power play. Lev tied it with a Repik goal, passed from Birner and Nathan Oystrick. The game went into overtime, where Moscow won 3-2 as Rylov scored a power play goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Radulov. The three stars were Rylov, Alexander Radulov, and Repik, while Birner gets an honorable mention. CSKA leads the series 1-0.

Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Toms Popperle for Lev and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. Moscow began in the first period with a power play goal by Alexander Radulov, with a lone assist from Igor Radulov. Praha tied it in the second period on a Nicklas Danielsson power play goal, powered by Nathan Oystrick and Mikko Maenpaa. Lev took the lead in the third period with a Michal Birner goal, fueled by Michal Repik and Petr Vrana. CSKA tied it with a Yakov Rylov goal, made possible by Igor Radulov and Alexander Radulov. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime on an Igor Grigorenko goal, coming off of Sergei Shirokov and Oleg Kvasha. The three stars belonged to Alexander Radulov, Grigorenko, and Igor Radulov. CSKA will go abroad with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Tipsport Arena, Prague, Czech Republic. In goal: Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Tomas Popperle for Lev. Praha got going in the second period on a Jiri Novotny goal, assisted by Nathan Oystrick. Moscow tied it with an Igor Ozhiganov power play goal, made possible by Alexander Radulov. CSKA took the lead as Patrick Davis scored, via Janis Sprukts and Viktor Kozlov. Moscow added on in the third period with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, guided in by Oleg Kvasha. This was all they needed for a 3-1 win, with the three stars awarded to Stana (25 for 26 in saves), Davis, and Ozhiganov. CSKA has pushed Lev to the brink of elimination, with a 3-0 series lead in hand. 

Game 4: Tipsport Arena, Prague, Czech Republic. In goal: Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Tomas Popperle for Lev. Moscow led off in the first period with an Igor Radulov power play goal, powered by Alexander Radulov and Evgeny Ryasensky. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Sergei Shirokov scored, with assists provided by Oleg Kvasha and Alexander Radulov. Praha got on the board as Mikko Maenpaa scored a power play goal, passed from Nicklas Danielsson. They couldn't score again, losing 2-1. The three stars were Stana (21 for 22 in saves), Shirokov, and Alexander Radulov. CSKA gets to take some time off after sweeping Lev out of the playoffs.