Premier League Week 5

Another week of Premier League action is here. We begin with six Saturday games, leading off with...

The Queens Park Rangers hosting Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Robert Green are in the six-yard boxes. Stoke City led off with an eleventh minute goal by Mame Biram Diouf, a close range header assisted by a header pass from Peter Crouch. QPR tied it in the forty-second minute with a Steven Caulker close range header off of a cross by Jordon Mutch after a corner kick. Stoke City's Erik Pieters was shown a yellow card in first half stoppage time for a hand ball. In the fifty-first minute, Crouch put Stoke City back on top with a goal, thanks to a Victor Moses cross. QPR's Armand Traore was given a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. Stoke City took a pair of bookings in rapid succession, one for Diouf 's eighty-first minute foul and one for a Ryan Shawcross foul in the eighty-fourth minute, both for yellow cards. In the eighty-fifth minute, Leroy Fer of QPR was given a yellow card. Stoke City's Steve Sidwell took a yellow card for his eighty-eighth minute foul, and later that minute, Niko Kranjcar tied it for QPR by converting on the free kick. The tie was 2-2 for the final score.

Next up, Aston Villa welcomes Arsenal. Wojciech Szczesny and Brad Guzan man the nets. Arsenal took a yellow card for a twenty-second minute foul by Calum Chambers. Arsenal opened with a Mesut Ozil goal at the 32 minute mark, courtesy of Danny Welbeck's through ball. Arsenal added on as Welbeck scored in the thirty-fourth minute from close range after Ozil crossed it in. Arsenal extended the lead with an own goal by Aly Cissokho in the thirty-sixth minute. In the fifty-sixth minute, Arsenal saw Aaron Ramsey get a yellow card for a foul. The teams exchanged yellow cards later in the game, as Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark took one in the eighty-third minute for a foul, followed by an Arsenal yellow card given to Jack Wilshere in the eighty-fourth minute, also for a foul. The final stood at 3-0 in favor of Arsenal.

Moving along to Burnley bringing in Sunderland. Vito Mannone and Tom Heaton are the gloved men. The first hour of the game was quiet, and it wasn't until a Sunderland yellow card to Jack Rodwell in the sixty-second minute for a foul that anything notable happened. Sunderland took another yellow card for a seventy-eighth minute offense from John O'Shea. Burnley took a yellow card in the ninetieth minute for a foul by Dean Marney. The end result was a scoreless draw.

Continuing to Newcastle United hosting Hull City. Allan McGregor and Tim Krul received the starting nods in goal. At the 48 minute mark, Nikica Jelavic scored for Hull City, with an assist on a cross by Ahmed Elmohamady. Newcastle United took a pair of bookings on yellow cards, with Fabricio Coloccini getting one in the fifty-second minute and Moussa Sissoko getting the other in the fifty-ninth minute. Hull City added on with a sixty-eighth minute goal by Mohamed Diame, passed from Stephen Quinn. Newcastle United got on the board in the seventy-third minute as Papiss Demba Cisse scored, with the help of Cheick Tiote. Newcastle United tied it on another Cisse goal, set up by Yoan Gouffran on a headed pass in the eighty-seventh minute. Newcastle United was given another yellow card in the Sone Aluko foul in stoppage time. The score held level at 2-2 for a final score.

Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Southampton. Fraser Forster and Lukasz Fabianski are the keepers. In the twentieth minute, Wilfried Bony of Swansea City took a yellow card for a foul. Southampton had the next two yellow cards, going to Jose Fonte in the twenty-first minute for a foul and Maya Yoshida in the thirty-first minute. In the thirty-ninth minute, disaster struck for Swansea City, as Bony took a second yellow card for a foul and was ejected, leaving Swansea City at ten men. Southampton took another yellow card in the forty-eighth minute with a Ryan Bertrand foul bringing it out. Southampton got going in the eightieth minute with a goal by Victor Wanyama, courtesy of Graziano Pelle. Southampton took one more yellow card with a Morgan Schneiderlin foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The final stood from here at 1-0.

Closing out Saturday, West Ham United brings in Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Adrian guard the woodwork. West Ham started in the second minute with a Winston Reid goal, set up by James Tomkins' headed pass off of a set piece. Reid transgressed to a yellow card in the fourth minute for a foul for West Ham. In the seventh minute, Diafra Sakho scored for West Ham, assisted by Mark Noble. Liverpool took a yellow card in the seventeenth minute on a foul by Mario Balotelli. Liverpool got on the board with a twenty-sixth minute goal by Raheem Sterling, an unassisted goal. In the twenty-eighth minute, Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham took a yellow card for a foul. West Ham took another yellow card in the sixty-sixth minute on a Carl Jenkinson foul. West Ham extended their lead with an eighty-eighth minute goal by Morgan Amalfitano, thanks to a through ball by Stewart Downing. This made it a 3-1 final score.

The first game on Sunday features Leicester City hosting Manchester United. David de Gea and Kasper Schmeichel are set to start in goal. Manchester United began in the thirteenth minute on a Robin van Persie header goal, assisted by Falcao's cross. Manchester United added on in the sixteenth minute with an Angel Di Maria goal, fueled by Wayne Rooney. In the seventeenth minute, Leicester City got on the board as Leonardo Ulloa headed in a goal, coming off of a Jamie Vardy cross. In the thirty-third minute, Ritchie de Laet of Leicester City was shown a yellow card for his foul. Manchester United replied in the fifty-seventh minute on an Ander Herrera goal, guided in by Di Maria. In the sixty-second minute, Leicester City got it back on a David Nugent penalty kick goal to the top of the goal. In the sixty-fourth minute, Leicester City pulled level on an Esteban Cambiasso goal, set up by Vardy. Leicester City took the lead with a Vardy goal in the seventy-ninth minute, courtesy of de Laet's through ball on a fast break. Around the eighty-second minute, Tyler Blackett of Manchester United pulled Vardy down in the box, drawing a straight red card, and Rooney's dissent of that call earned him a yellow card at the same time. Making matters worse for Manchester United, Ulloa converted on the penalty kick to extend the Leicester City lead. This proved to lead to the 5-3 final after an epic collapse by Manchester United in the second half.

Moving along to Tottenham Hotspur welcoming West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Hugo Lloris are the goalies. Tottenham Hotspur had the first notable event in the seventy-third minute with Danny Rose taking a yellow card. In the seventy-fourth minute, James Morrison of West Brom put them on the board with a header from close range off a cross from Chris Blunt after a corner kick. West Brom took a yellow card in the eighty-third minute as Stephane Sessegnon committed a foul. Tottenham Hotspur had another booking in the ninetieth minute as Roberto Saldado picked up a yellow card for his foul. The final remained at 1-0 in favor of West Brom.

Next up, Everton brings in Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Tim Howard play in goal. Everton led off in the ninth minute with a Romelu Lukaku goal, via Leon Osman. Crystal Palace tied it in the thirtieth minute as Mile Jedinak converted a penalty kick to the top right of the goal. In the fifty-fourth minute, Frazier Campbell headed the ball into the net from close range to give Crystal Palace the lead, with the help of a Martin Kelly cross. In the fifty-sixth minute, Samuel Eto'o of Everton was given a yellow card for a foul. Crystal Palace extended their lead with a Yannick Bolasie goal in the sixty-ninth minute, courtesy of Jason Puncheon. Puncheon took a yellow card in the seventy-sixth minute for a foul as well. Everton's Steven Naismith was given a yellow card for his seventy-seventh minute foul. Everton got one back as Leighton Baines scored in the eighty-third minute on a penalty kick. In the eighty-ninth minute, Speroni of Crystal Palace was given a yellow card for wasting time. It didn't affect the outcome, as Crystal Palace held on for a 3-2 win.

Finally, Manchester City hosts Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Joe Hart are the keepers. The teams went in pairs of yellow cards during the first half. The first pair belonged to Manchester City, for a twelfth minute foul by Fernandinho and a thirty-second minute foul by Pablo Zabaleta. Chelsea's yellow cards came much quicker, with a thirty-fourth minute foul by Ramires and a thirty-ninth minute offense by Nemanja Matic resulting in bookings. Manchester City had the next pair before the half ended, going to David Silva in the fortieth minute and Yaya Toure in the forty-fourth minute, both for fouls. They stopped this exchange in the second half, but discipline was still a major factor. In the sixty-sixth minute, Zabaleta of Manchester City and Diego Costa of Chelsea were both shown yellow cards. Zabaleta's yellow was his second of the game, so Manchester City was down to ten men after his ejection. Chelsea cashed in with a seventy-first minute goal by Andre Schurrle from close range, with the assist from Eden Hazard on a cross after a fast break. In the seventy-seventh minute, Branislav Ivanovic took a yellow card for Chelsea for his foul. In the eighty-fifth minute, Manchester City got an equalizer from Frank Lampard, assisted by James Milner. The draw was confirmed a few minutes later with a final of 1-1.

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KHL September 20th, 2014

Three games on for today, beginning in...

Mytishchi, where Atlant hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Atte Engren man the nets. Cherepovets opened with a Pavel Lukin goal, set up by Andrei Shefer and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Severstal added on with a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, assisted by Sergei Monakhov. Cherepovets extended the lead as Pavel Buchnevich scored, thanks to Gennady Stolyarov. Mytishchi got on the board with an unassisted Andreas Engqvist power play goal in the second period. Atlant pulled closer with a Mikhail Glukhov penalty shot goal, with the opportunity coming from an Alexander Urbom slash on a breakaway. Severstal shot back as Lukin scored a power play goal, powered by Kagarlitsky and Pavel Chernov. Cherepovets iced it at 5-2 as Buchnevich converted a penalty shot after he was hooked by Vladimir Malevich. The three stars went to Lukin, Buchnevich, and Kagarlitsky.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Dmitry Milchakov receive the starting nods. Minsk started in the first period with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Paul Szczechura and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Dinamo added on with a Nick Bailen goal in the second period, via Szczechura and Kalyuzhny on the power play. Minsk extended the lead with a Bailen goal, with a lone assist by Dmitry Meleshko. This made it 3-0, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Bailen, Milchakov (31 save shutout), and Szczechura, while Kalyuzhny gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Johan Backlund are in the blue paint. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Jan Mursak goal, assisted by Nikolai Prokhorkin and Evgeny Artyukhin. CSKA added on with an Andrei Stas goal, passed from Denis Denisov and Mursak in the second period. Bratislava got on the board in the third period with an unassisted goal by Michal Vondrka. Moscow replied with an Alexander Radulov goal, coming off of Igor Grigorenko. CSKA finished it at 4-1 with a Grigorenko goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Mursak, Galimov (24 for 25 in saves), and Grigorenko.

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KHL September 19th, 2014

Seven games on to lead into a very calm weekend for hockey. We begin with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. Ufa got going in the second period with a Dmitry Makarov goal, passed from Teemu Hartikainen. Novosibirsk tied it with a Viktor Bobrov goal, fueled by Artyom Voroshilo and Igor Ozhiganov. Sibir took the lead on a Patrik Hersley goal, via Dmitry Monya and Andreas Thuresson. Novosibirsk added on in the third period as Vladimir Butuzov scored, thanks to Voroshilo and Bobrov. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Koskinen (20 for 21 in saves), Bobrov, and Voroshilo.

Westward to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra welcomes Dinamo Riga. Edgars Masalskis and Mikhail Biryukov draw the starts. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the first period on an Artyom Bulyansky goal, assisted by Igor Magogin. Yugra added on with an Andrei Chibisov goal, with a lone helper by Vitaly Sitnikov. Jakub Sedlacek replaced Masalskis at this time. Riga got on the board with a Kristaps Sotnieks goal, guided in by Milan Jurcina and Miks Indrasis. Dinamo tied it in the second period on an Andrei Dzerins goal, coming off of Indrasis and Roberts Bukarts. Khanty-Mansiysk took the lead back in the third period with a power play goal by Alexei Pepelyaev, powered by Andrei Sergeyev and Sitnikov. Yugra extended their lead with a Lukas Kaspar goal, made possible by Sergeyev and Pepelyaev. Khanty-Mansiysk padded the lead as Kaspar scored a power play goal, thanks to Toni Rajala and Denis Sokolov. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Kaspar, Pepelyaev, and Sergeyev, while Sitnikov and Indrasis get the honorable mentions.

Moving along to Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Evgeny Ivannikov and Ville Kolppanen are the backups making spot starts. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period with an Alexander Ryazantsev goal, fueled by Dan Sexton and Yegor Milovzorov. St. Petersburg tied it on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, assisted by Dinar Khafizullin and Ilya Kovalchuk. SKA took the lead with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, passed from Artemy Panarin and Vadim Shipachyov. St. Petersburg added on in the third period with a Shipachyov goal, made possible by Patrick Thoresen and Dadonov. SKA extended the lead on a power play goal by Kovalchuk, powered by Panarin and Shipachyov. St. Petersburg finished it at 5-1 with a Roman Cervenka goal, guided in by Dmitry Kalinin and Kovalchuk. The three stars were awarded to Kovalchuk, Shipachyov, and Dadonov, while Panarin gets an honorable mention.

Down in Sochi, the Leopards host Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Andrei Gavrilov in goal. Sochi led off with a power play goal by Mikhail Anisin, powered by Ilya Krikunov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period as Oskar Osala scored, thanks to Francis Pare and Yaroslav Khabarov. Metallurg took the lead in the third period on a Vladislav Kamenev goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Grigorenko. The final was 2-1, and the three stars were handed to Koshechkin (25 for 26 in saves), Kamenev, and Osala.

Back north, Lada Togliatti brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Ilya Ezhov are in the blue paint. Helsinki struck first in the first period on a Linus Omark goal, courtesy of Steve Moses. Jokerit added on in the second period with an Oskari Korpikari goal, assisted by Juhamatti Aaltonen. Togliatti avoided the shutout with two second left in regulation on a Denis Golubev goal, passed from Yury Petrov. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars given to Karlsson (20 for 21 in saves), Korpikari, and Omark.

Into Moscow, where Dynamo welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Alexander Lazushin guard the cages. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period with a power play goal by Anatoly Golyshev, coming off of Anton Krysanov. Moscow tied it with a Janne Jalasvaara goal, fueled by Maxim Pestushko and Konstantin Gorovikov. Dynamo took the lead with a Maxim Solovyov power play goal, powered by Jalasvaara and Pestushko. Avtomobilist tied it in the second period on a Gilbert Brule goal, passed from Anton Lazarev and Nikita Tryamkin. Moscow took the lead back on an unassisted goal by Kaspars Daugavins. Dynamo won 4-2 when Daugavins scored an empty net goal, set up by Pestushko, which earned him a sock trick. The three stars went to Pestushko, Jalasvaara, and Daugavins.

Finally, in Podolsk, Vityaz hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Harri Sateri are given the starting nods. Podolsk started with a first period power play goal by Alexei Grishin, powered by Dmitry Tsyganov and Roman Horak. Vityaz added on in the second period with a Dmitry Shitikov goal, with a lone assist by Nikita Vyglazov. Kazan got on the board in the third period with a Dmitry Obukhov goal, passed from Vladimir Denisov and Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars tied it on a Janne Pesonen goal, courtesy of Mikhail Varnakov and Oscar Moller on the power play. Kazan completed the remarkable comeback with an overtime goal by Moller to win 3-2, set up by Evgeny Medvedev and Alexander Burmistrov on the power play. The three stars went to Moller, Pesonen, and Obukhov.

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KHL September 18th, 2014

Five games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Avangard Omsk for the second day in a row. Denis Kostin and Sergei Borisov draw the starts again. Khabarovsk got going in the second period with an Alexander Yunkov power play goal, powered by Tommi Taimi and Kirill Safronov. Omsk tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Sergei Shirokov, assisted by Alexander Popov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Amur got goals from Marcel Hascak and Dmitry Lugin to top a lone tally from Avangard's Vladimir Sobotka. The three stars of the 2-1 Amur victory were Borisov (50 for 51 in saves), Lugin, and Kostin (27 for 28 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, we have another back-to-back rematch game, as Admiral welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Ari Ahonen man the creases this time. Astana began in the first period with a Nigel Dawes goal, passed from Dustin Boyd. Vladivostok tied it on an Enver Lisin power play goal in the second period, assisted by Ilya Zubov and Logan Pyett. Admiral took the lead as Richard Gynge scored, thanks to Niclas Bergfors. Vladivostok added on in the third period with an Alexander Goroshansky goal, courtesy of Bergfors and Gynge. Admiral extended the lead with another Gynge goal, fueled by Goroshansky. Barys got one back as Dawes and Boyd connected for another goal, potted by Dawes. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars being Gygne, Dawes, and Goroshansky, while Bergfors and Boyd gets the honorable mentions.

Westward to Mytishchi, where Atlant hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Atte Engren are the masked men. Mytishchi led off in the first period with an Andreas Engqvist goal, passed from Artyom Chernov. Atlant added on as Engqvist scored again in the second period, thanks to Yaroslav Dyblenko and Vladimir Malevich. Mytishchi extended the lead with a third period power play goal by Oleg Yashin, powered by Roman Rukavishnikov and Matthew Gilroy. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Wojtek Wolski goal, courtesy of Viktor Drugov and Juuso Hietanen. The final was 3-1, and the three stars were Engqvist, Engren (16 for 17 in saves), and Yashin.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Lars Haugen are between the pipes. Minsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Paul Szczechura power play goal, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Jonathan Cheechoo. Dinamo added on with a Charles Linglet power play goal, passed from Cheechoo and Nick Bailen. Cherepovets got on the board with a Pavel Chernov goal, coming off of Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Evgeny Mons. Minsk shot back with a Matt Ellison power play goal, assisted by Cheechoo, who got a sock trick, and Linglet. Severstal pulled closer in the third period with a Gennady Stolyarov goal, guided in by Pavel Buchnevich and Pavel Lukin. Cherepovets tied it on an Alexander Urbom power play goal, set up by Buchnevich and Stolyarov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Marek Kvapil's lone tally lifted Severstal to a 4-3 win. Stolyarov, Buchnevich, and Linglet were given the three stars, while Cheechoo was an honorable mention.

Finally, in Croaita, Medvescak Zagreb hosts CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Barry Brust are in the blue paint. Moscow started in the first period with a Nikolai Prokhorkin power play goal, powered by Bogdan Kiselevich and Jan Mursak. Zagreb tied it on a Pascal Pelletier goal, courtesy of Martin St. Pierre and Brandon Segal on the power play. CSKA took the lead back with a Stephane Da Costa goal, assisted by Nikita Zaitsev and Denis Denisov on the power play. Medvescak tied it again in the second period with a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, coming off of Mathieu Carle. Moscow pulled ahead again in the third period on a Mursak goal, with a lone assist by Kiselevich. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Mursak, Kiselevich, and Da Costa.

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KHL September 17th, 2014

Nine games to go with today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Sergei Borisov are between the pipes. Omsk began with a first period goal by Sergei Shirokov on the power play, powered by Vladimir Sobotka and Denis Parshin. Avangard added on in the second period with an unassisted goal by Evgeny Mozer. Omsk extended the lead as Shirokov scored, thanks to Sobotka. Avangard padded the lead on a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, passed from Vladimir Pervushin and Kirill Lyamin. This was all the scoring for the game, with the final being 4-0. The three stars belonged to Shirokov, Kostin (25 save shutout), and Sobotka.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Ivan Nalimov draw the starts. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period with a Richard Gynge goal, courtesy of Alexander Goroshansky. Astana tied it on a Nigel Dawes goal, coming off of Dustin Boyd and Roman Savchenko. Admiral took the lead back as Gynge scored again, thanks to Goroshansky and Mikhail Naumenkov. Barys tied it again in the second period with a shorthanded and unassisted Mikhail Rakhmanov goal. Vladivostok pulled ahead again with a Goroshansky goal, with a lone assist by Gynge. This held up to the end for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Gynge, Goroshansky, and Rakhmanov.

Westward to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Ilya Sorokin are the young goalies. Ufa dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Antti Pihlstrom power play goal, powered by Ivan Vishnevsky and Alexei Kaigorodov. Novokuznetsk tied it with an Alexei Kosourov goal, guided in by Cade Fairchild and Vitaly Zotov. Metallurg took the lead with an Ansel Galimov goal, via James O'Brien on the power play. Salavat Yulaev tied it in the third period as Kirill Koltsov scored, with the help of Evgeny Skachkov and Pihlstrom. Novokuznetsk retook the lead on a Galimov goal, coming off of Alexander Komaristy. This was the game-winner, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars went to Galimov, Pihlstrom, and Kosourov.

Further west to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Vladislav Fokin are in the blue paint. Riga struck first in the first period on a Martins Cipulis goal, guided in by Linus Videll and Lauris Darzins. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period with a Deron Quint goal, assisted by Anton Glinkin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Glinkin and Marcel Hossa matched each others' goals, and then Kyle Wilson won it for Traktor with his tally in the tenth round. The final was 2-1, and the three stars were Fokin (22 for 23 in saves), Glinkin, and Sedlacek (32 for 33 in saves).

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Mikhail Biryukov are the veteran goalies. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, courtesy of Dmitry Yudin. SKA added on with an Artemy Panarin penalty shot goal. The opportunity came after an Alexei Pepelyaev slash on a breakaway. St. Petersburg extended the lead with a Patrick Thoresen goal, fueled by Tony Martensson. Stepan Goryachevskikh relieved Biryukov at this time. SKA padded the lead as Kovalchuk scored again, thanks to Jimmie Eriksson. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the second period with an Ivan Yatsenko goal, guided in by Sergei Lesnukhin. Yugra pulled closer with a Toni Rajala power play goal, powered by Ben Maxwell and Lukas Kaspar. Khanty-Mansiysk chipped closer in the third period on a Vitaly Sitnikov power play goal, assisted by Pepelyaev and Andrei Sergeyev. They couldn't get the equalizer, losing 4-3, with the three stars going to Kovalchuk, Thoresen, and Panarin.

Over in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Curtis Sanford tend the twines. Yaroslavl got going in the third period with a Yegor Yakovlev goal, passed from Jiri Novotny and Martin Thornberg. Lokomotiv iced it at 2-0 with an empty net power play goal by Yegor Averin, set up by Sergei Plotnikov. The three stars were handed to Sanford (26 save shutout), Yakovlev, and Kovar (33 for 34 in saves).

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Alexander Sudnitsin protect the nets. Helsinki led off in the first period on a Niklas Hagman goal, assisted by Ryan Gunderson and Niko Kapanen. Jokerit added on as Hagman scored again, with a lone assist by Daine Todd. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a Dan Sexton power play goal, powered by Teemu Eronen and Yegor Milovzorov. Helsinki shot back with another Hagman goal to complete his hat trick, helped along by Todd and Gunderson. Ville Kolppanen relieved Sudnitsin at this time. Jokerit extended their lead with a Todd goal, fueled by Gunderson, who got a sock trick. Neftekhimik pulled back in the second period with a Maxim Berezin goal, guided in by Igor Polygalov and Pavel Zdunov. Nizhnekamsk pulled closer with a Gleb Klimenko goal, coming off of Eronen and Alexander Ryazantsev. Neftekhimik tied it on a Sexton power play goal, pushed through by Tim Stapleton. Helsinki took the lead back on a Steve Moses power play goal, made possible by Gunderson. Jokerit padded their lead on a third period goal by Juhamatti Aaltonen, courtesy of Hagman and Gunderson on the power play. Nizhnekamsk clawed back with a Polygalov goal, with the help of Pyotr Khokhryakov and Maxim Trunyov. Helsinki finished it at 7-5 with an empty net goal by Jere Sallinen, set up by Moses. The three stars were Hagman, Gunderson, and Sexton, while Todd, Eronen, Polygalov, and Moses get the honorable mentions.

Into Moscow, where Dynamo welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexander Lazushin guard the cages. The goalies were perfect for sixty-five minutes of game time. It took goals by Danis Zaripov and Chris Lee for Metallurg to take the game 1-0 in the shootout. The three stars were Koshechkin (27 save shutout), Lazushin (27 save "shutout"), and Zaripov.

Finally, down in Sochi, the Leopards bring in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Tomas Popperle are the masked men. Kazan started in the first period with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, assisted by Konstantin Korneyev. Ak Bars added on with an Ilya Nikulin power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo and Sergei Kostitsyn. Kazan extended the lead with an Azevedo power play goal, fueled by Vladimir Denisov and Kostitsyn. Andrei Gavrilov relieved Popperle at this time. Ak Bars padded the lead on a Korneyev power play goal, guided in by Kostitsyn, who got a sock trick, and Igor Mirnov. Kazan struck again in the third period with a Shaun Heshka goal, coming off of Kostisyn and Mirnov. This made it 5-0, the final, and the three stars were awarded to Kostitsyn, Garipov (30 save shutout), and Azevedo, while Korneyev and Mirnov get the honorable mentions.

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KHL September 16th, 2014

Three games today, beginning in...

Mytishchi, as Atlant hosts CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Atte Engren are in goal. Moscow got going in the second period with a Stephane Da Costa goal, fueled by Alexander Radulov. CSKA added on with an Evgeny Artyukhin goal, via Nikita Zaitsev and Nikolai Prokhorkin. Moscow extended the lead with a Zaitsev power play goal, powered by Radulov. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-0. The three stars went to Galimov (21 save shutout), Zaitsev, and Radulov.

Out in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Jaroslav Janus are the masked men. Cherepovets began in the first period with an Evgeny Mons goal, assisted by Pavel Chernov and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Severstal added on with an unassisted Pavel Buchnevich goal. Cherepovets extended the lead in the second period as Buchnevich scored again, thanks to Gennady Stolyarov and Adam Almqvist. This held up for a 3-0 win, with the three stars going to Buchnevich, Stepanek (34 save shutout), and Mons.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Barry Brust protect the nets. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Vyacheslav Kulyomin, set up by Anton Babchuk and Dmitry Kazionov. Zagreb tied it on a Pascal Pelletier goal, assisted by Martin St. Pierre and Mark Flood. Torpedo took the lead back with a Sergei Bernatsky goal, passed from Vladimir Galuzin and Petteri Nokelainen. Nizhny Novgorod added on in the third period with a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, courtesy of Babchuk and Wojtek Wolski on the power play. Torpedo iced it at 4-1 with a Wolski empty net goal, with a lone helper by Jarkko Immonen. The three stars were given to Kasutin (26 for 27 in saves), Babchuk, and Wolski.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Premier League Week 4

After a week off, the highest level of British soccer is back in action. We begin with...

Arsenal hosting Manchester City. Joe Hart and Wojciech Szczesny are in the six-yard boxes. Manchester City took two yellow cards early, for a twenty-second minute foul by Frank Lampard and a twenty-fourth minute offense by Pablo Zabaleta. Manchester City was first to score in the twenty-eighth minute with a Sergio Aguero goal, fueled by a Jesus Navas cross on a fast break. Manchester City saw the referee again in the fiftieth minute, giving a yellow card to Fernandinho for his foul. Arsenal took the next two yellow cards, going to Mathieu Flamini in the fifty-eighth minute and Nacho Monreal in the sixty-second minute for fouls. Arsenal pulled level in the sixty-third minute on a Jack Wilshere goal, guided in by Aaron Ramsey. Manchester City took another yellow card in the sixty-fourth minute for Aguero's offense. Arsenal took the lead in the seventy-fourth minute on an Alexis Sanchez goal, coming off of a Wilshere header pass. Sanchez was shown a yellow card for excessive celebration after the goal. Manchester City retied it in the eighty-third minute on a Martin Demichelis goal, assisted by Aleksandar Kolarov on a cross after a corner kick. The score stayed at 2-2 until the end, resulting in a draw.

Next up, Chelsea welcomes Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Thibaut Courtois are the keepers. Swansea City received a gift in the eleventh minute when John Terry put the ball in his own net for an own goal. Swansea City took a pair of yellow cards as well, going to Jordi Amat in the twenty-sixth minute and Jonjo Shelvey in the thirty-second minute for fouls. Chelsea tied the game with a forty-fifth minute header goal by Diego Costa, made possible by a Cesc Fabregas cross after a corner kick. Swansea City took another booking for a fifty-first minute yellow card-worthy foul by Neil Taylor. Chelsea took the lead in the fifty-sixth minute on another Costa goal, again set up by Fabregas. Chelsea added on as Costa completed his hat trick in the sixty-seventh minute with a goal from close range, passed from Ramires. Chelsea extended the lead on an eighty-first minute Loic Remy goal, courtesy of Oscar. Swansea City got one back in the eighty-sixth minute as Shelvey scored, thanks to Wilfried Bony. Chelsea rode it out to the end for a 4-2 win.

Following that, Crystal Palace brings in Burnley. Tom Heaton and Julian Speroni protect the nets. Burnley was first to get a yellow card for a Danny Ings dive in the fourth minute. The next yellow card went to Burnley's Marvin Sordell in the fifty-third minute for a foul. In the fifty-sixth minute, Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace was given a yellow card. Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak took the next yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute. Burnley had the last yellow card of the game for a George Boyd foul in stoppage time. No scoring occurred, leaving the game to end in a scoreless draw.

Moving along to Southampton hosting Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Fraser Forster are the gloved men. Southampton struck first in the sixth minute on a Graziano Pelle goal, made possible by Ryan Bertrand with the cross. Southampton added on in the nineteenth minute as Pelle scored again, thanks to Dusan Tadic. In the forty-fifth minute, Newcastle United's Jack Colback took a yellow card for a foul. Southampton extended their lead in the fifty-fourth minute on a Jack Cork goal, going in unassisted. In the fifty-seventh minute, Cheick Tiote of Newcastle United picked up a yellow card for his foul. Southampton padded their lead in the ninetieth minute on a Morgan Schneiderlin goal, with an assist provided by James Ward-Prowse. The final stood at 4-0 in the end.

Continuing to Stoke City, where they welcome Leicester City. Ben Hamer and Asmir Begovic guard the woodwork. In the twenty-ninth minute, Stoke City took a yellow card for a foul by Peter Crouch. Stoke City had the next yellow card as well for a forty-ninth minute foul by Erik Pieters. Stoke City was booked again with a yellow card in the sixty-fourth minute for a Glenn Whelan offense. Eight seconds later, Leicester City was on the board with a Leonardo Ulloa goal, passed from Paul Konchesky on a cross. This was the only goal in the game, giving Leicester City a 1-0 win.

After that, Sunderland brought in Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Vito Mannone are guarding the nets. Tottenham Hotspur opened in the second minute with a Nacer Chadli goal. Sunderland tied it in the fourth minute on an Adam Johnson goal, via Sebastian Larsson. Tottenham Hotspur took the lead back in the forty-eighth minute on a Christian Eriksen goal from close range. Tottenham Hotspur was visited by the referee, causing Eric Dier's foul to draw a yellow card in the sixty-first minute. Sunderland got a gift in the eighty-second minute as Harry Kane put the ball in his own net for an own goal to tie the score. Sunderland took a pair of yellow cards later on, going to Patrick van Aanholt in the eighty-fifth minute for a foul and Santiago Vergini in the eighty-eighth minute. The score stayed level at 2, so the game ended in a draw.

Following that, West Bromwich Albion hosted Everton. Tim Howard and Ben Foster are given the starting nods in goal. Everton started in the second minute with a Romelu Lukaku goal. In the twenty-sixth minute, Craig Gardner of West Brom was given a yellow card. Everton got a yellow card for a foul by James McCarthy in the fifty-third minute. Everton added on in the sixty-sixth minute as Kevin Mirallas scored, thanks to Leighton Baines. In the eighty-first minute, Everton's Steven Naismith was given a yellow card for a foul. West Brom's Andre Wisdom took a yellow card for his foul in the ninetieth minute. The final favored Everton 2-0.

Closing out Saturday, Liverpool welcomes Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Simon Mignolet are the goalies. Aston Villa led off in the ninth minute with a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal from close range. Liverpool took a yellow card in the twelfth minute for an Adam Lallana foul. In the sixty-third minute, Adam Hutton of Aston Villa picked up a yellow card for a foul. In the seventy-sixth minute, Liverpool's Alberto Moreno was booked on a yellow card for his foul. Aston Villa went on to a 1-0 win.

The lone game on Sunday saw Manchester United bring in the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and David de Gea are the keepers. Manchester United got going in the twenty-fourth minute with an Angel Di Maria goal on a free kick. Manchester United saw a yellow card given to Robin van Persie for his foul in the thirty-third minute. Manchester United added on with an Ander Herrera goal in the thirty-sixth minute, assisted by Wayne Rooney. Rooney extended the Manchester United lead in the forty-fourth minute with his goal, set up by Herrera. Manchester United padded the lead in the fifty-eighth minute on a Juan Mata goal, made possible by Di Maria. This was good for a 4-0 win. 

Finally, on Monday, Hull City hosts West Ham United. Adrian and Allan McGregor are in goal. Hull City opened with a thirty-ninth minute Abel Hernandez goal, fueled by Ahmed Elmohamady with the cross. West Ham tied it in the fiftieth minute with an Enner Valencia strike from distance, set up by Stewart Downing. Hull City took a yellow card in the fifty-fourth minute for a foul by Tom Huddlestone. Hull City had the next yellow card in the sixtieth minute on a foul by Andrew Robertson. Hull City took the lead back in the sixty-fourth minute as Mohamed Diame scored. West Ham got a gift in the sixty-seventh minute as Curtis Davies put the ball in his own net for an own goal to tie the game again. Each team got a yellow card in stoppage time for fouls, with Hull City's going to Jake Livermore and West Ham's to Winston Reid. The game stayed level at 2 in the end.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.