KHL October 7th, 2014

Two games on a mild day today, beginning in...

Moscow, as Dynamo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Sharychenkov are the goalies. Moscow got going in the third period with an unassisted goal by Dmitry Pestunov. Dynamo iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Kaspars Daugavins, set up by Denis Mosalyov and Janne Jalasvaara. The three stars were awarded to Sharychenkov (23 save shutout), Pestunov, and Sanford (25 for 26 in saves).

The other game comes just a little to the south, as Vityaz Podolsk hosts the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Harri Sateri draw the starts in goal. Sochi dented the scoreboard in the first period on an Andre Petersson power play goal, made possible by Nikita Shchitov and Andrei Plekhanov. The Leopards added on with an Andrei Pervyshin power play goal, powered by Cory Emmerton and Pavel Koledov. Sochi extended the lead in the second period on a Petersson goal, via Ilya Krikunov and Plekhanov. Podolsk got on the board with a Mario Kempe goal, assisted by Roman Horak and Dmitry Tsyganov. Vityaz pulled closer as Dmitry Shitikov converted a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Pervyshin. The Leopards shot back in the third period with an unassisted Emmerton goal. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Petersson, Emmerton, and Plekhanov.

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KHL October 6th, 2014

Nine games on today, with the first in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Sergei Borisov are between the pipes. Moscow began in the first period with a Stephane Da Costa goal, assisted by Igor Grigorenko. CSKA added on with a power play goal by Da Costa, powered by Denis Denisov. Khabarovsk got one back with a Sergei Peretyagin power play goal, going in unassisted. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1. Da Costa, Galimov (18 for 19 in saves), and Borisov (35 for 37 in saves) were named the three stars.

West to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Ilya Sorokin are in the blue paint. Novokuznetsk led off in the first period with a Ryan Stoa goal, via Alexei Kosourov and Kirill Kaprizov. Cherepovets tied it on a Yury Trubachyov goal, courtesy of Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Evgeny Mons. Severstal took the lead on another Trubachyov goal, coming off of Pavel Buchnevich and Mons. Cherepovets added on in the second period as Gennady Stolyarov scored, thanks to Buchnevich. Severstal extended the lead with a Mons goal, made possible by Pavel Chernov. Cherepovets padded the lead with an unassisted Chernov goal in the third period. Severstal kept going as Buchnevich scored an unassisted goal. Metallurg got one back with a penalty shot conversion by Alexander Romanov, which he received after a slash from Alexander Urbom. Novokuznetsk pulled closer on a Denis Kurepanov goal, guided in by Romanov and Dmitry Maltsev. Cherepovets finished it at 7-3 with a shorthanded Anatoly Nikontsev goal, set up by Chernov. The three stars were handed to Trubachyov, Mons, and Buchnevich, while Chernov and Romanov get the honorable mentions.

Staying nearby, Sibir Novosibirsk brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. Novosibirsk struck first in the first period on a Konstantin Alexeyev goal, via Sergei Shumakov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Wojtek Wolski goal in the second period, going in unasissted. Torpedo took the lead as Wolski scored again, with a lone assist by Sergei Bernatsky. Nizhny Novgorod added on as Wolski completed the natural hat trick in under two minutes, with Juuso Hietanen getting credited with the assist on the last goal. Nikita Bespalov relieved Koskinen at this time. Sibir got one back in the third period on a Shumakov goal, fueled by Oleg Gubin and Stepan Sannikov on the power play. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Wolski, Shumakov, and Kasutin (40 for 42 in saves).

Further west to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Leland Irving and Stepan Goryachevskikh are the goalies with little KHL experience. Ufa dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, assisted by Alexander Kutuzov and Dmitry Makarov. Salavat Yulaev added on with a power play goal by Ivan Vishnevsky, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period on a Nikita Gusev goal, coming off of Ben Maxwell and Philip Larsen on the power play. They failed to get an equalizer, with the final being 2-1. Irving (37 for 38 in saves), Vishnevsky, and Hartikainen receive the three stars.

Over in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekihimik welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Alexander Sudnitsin protect the nets. Astana opened in the first period with an Evgeny Blokhin power play goal, assisted by Maxim Semyonov. Nizhnekamsk tied it with a Pyotr Khokhryakov penalty shot goal, which he received after Oskars Bartulis held him on a scoring chance. Barys took the lead back in the second period as Konstantin Pushkaryov scored, with a lone assist by Konstantin Romanov. Neftekhimik tied it on a Maxim Rybin goal, made possible by Pavel Kulikov. Nizhnekamsk pulled ahead with an Andrei Stepanov goal, fueled by Rybin and Alexander Yevseyenkov. Neftekhimik added on with a power play goal by Dan Sexton, powered by Tim Stapleton and Rybin. Astana got one back on a Dustin Boyd goal, courtesy of Brandon Bochenski and Mike Lundin. Barys tied it with a Bochenski goal, with helpers provided by Nigel Dawes and Lundin. The game went to a shootout, where Dawes and Gleb Klimenko cancelled each other out twice, before Barys took it on two goals by Roman Starchenko to top a single goal from Stepanov. The three stars of the 5-4 game were Rybin, Bochenski, and Starchenko, while Dawes, Klimenko, Lundin, and Stepanov get the honorable mentions.

Moving along to Togliatti, where Lada brings in Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Ilya Ezhov draw the starts in goal. Togliatti was first to score in the first period on a Denis Golubev goal, fueled by Yury Petrov. Lada added on in the second period as Martin Zatovic scored, thanks to Semyon Valuisky. Konstantin Barulin relieved Kostin for the third period. Omsk tied it on a Denis Kulyash goal in the third period, going in unassisted. Togliatti answered with an empty net goal by Zatovic, set up by Petrov, for a 3-1 victory. The three stars went to Zatovic, Ezhov (44 for 45 in saves), and Petrov.

Out to St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Evgeny Ivannikov receive the starting nods. St. Petersburg started in the first period with an Artemy Panarin power play goal, powered by Vadim Shipachyov and Evgeny Dadonov. SKA added on in the second period on a Tony Martensson goal, fueled by Roman Cervenka and Patrick Thoresen. Bratislava got on the board with a Michal Vondrka goal, via Martin Stajnoch. St. Petersburg answered with another Panarin goal, coming off of Andrei Kuteikin and Dadonov. SKA extended their lead with an Alexander Kadeikin goal, courtesy of Andrei Yermakov. St. Petersburg padded the lead with a Cervenka penalty shot goal in the third period, after he was hooked by Kurtis Foster. SKA kept going as Panarin finished his hat trick with another goal, thanks to Dadonov, who got a sock trick. St. Petersburg continued with another Cervenka goal, guided in by Thoresen and Martensson. Slovan got one back late as Andrej Stastny scored, with the help of Ivan Baranka and Mario Bliznak. The final stood at 7-2, and the three stars were Panarin, Cervenka, and Dadonov, while Martensson and Thoresen get the honorable mentions.

Up in Helsinki, Jokerit welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Riku Helenius occupy the creases. Zagreb led off in the first period with an unassisted power play goal by Matt Anderson. Medvescak added on in the second period as Martin St. Pierre scored, thanks to Pascal Pelletier. Helsinki got on the board with a Riku Hahl goal, assisted by Jere Sallinen and Linus Omark. Zagreb shot back with a Brandon Segal goal, via Pelletier and Mark Katic. Jokerit replied with a Niko Kapanen power play goal, powered by Omark. This was all the scoring for the game, and the final was 3-2. The three stars belonged to Pelletier, Omark, and Segal.

Finally, in Riga, Dinamo brings in a similarly named Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Jakub Sedlacek guard the cages. Minsk began in the first period with a Charles Linglet goal, courtesy of Matt Ellison and Ryan Vesce. Riga tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Mikelis Redlihs, powered by Ginta Meija and Maris Bicevskis. Minsk took the lead back in the third period with a power play goal by Artur Gavrus, assisted by Alexei Kalyuzhny. Minsk iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Paul Szczechura, set up by Ilya Shinkevich and Jonathan Cheechoo. The three stars went to Haugen (27 for 28 in saves), Gavrus, and Linglet.

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MLS Weekend, October 2-5, 2014

Four straight days of soccer on North American soil. First of all, a game in...

Philadelphia, as the Union host the Chicago Fire on Thursday night. Sean Johnson and Rais Mbolhi are in goal. Chicago's Lovel Palmer had a yellow card for a foul in the fifth minute. The Fire took another yellow card for a Patrick Nyarko foul in the eighty-sixth minute. Philadelphia started the scoring in the eighty-eighth minute as Amobi Okugo scored, thanks to Brian Brown and Danny Cruz. Chicago took another yellow card in stoppage time for a Jeff Larentowicz foul. The Fire tied the game a minute later on an unassisted Robert Earnshaw goal. This stayed for a 1-1 final, with the man of the match being Earnshaw for his late equalizer.

On Friday, the single game was Sporting Kansas City welcoming DC United. Bill Hamid and Andy Gruenebaum man the nets. Kansas City took a yellow card in the thirtieth minute for a Seth Sinovic foul. DC had a yellow card of their own in the first minute of first half stoppage time for a foul by Davy Arnaud. Sporting's Paulo Nagamura was booked on a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-second minute, followed by Dominic Dwyer getting a yellow card for dissent in the fifty-fifth minute. The game ended in a scoreless draw, with the man of the match being Gruenebaum for a clean sheet with seven saves.

There are five games on Saturday, beginning in...

New York, as the Red Bulls bring in the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Luis Robles are set to start in goal. New York started in the forty-seventh minute with an unassisted Thierry Henry goal. Houston took a yellow card for an Oscar Garcia foul in the fifty-fourth minute. The Red Bulls had a yellow card go to Peguy Luyindula in the seventy-third minute for his foul. The Dynamo took another booking as Giles Barnes received a yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute. In the eighty-fifth minute, Tim Cahill of New York was ejected on a straight red card for his serious foul. The final held at 1-0 despite the Red Bulls playing at ten men for the last few minutes. Robles was the man of the match for his clean sheet with four saves.

Across the continent, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC host FC Dallas. Raul Fernandez and David Ousted are the gloved men. Vancouver began in the fourteenth minute with a Sebastian Fernandez goal, assisted by Mauro Rosales and Erik Hurtado. The Whitecaps added on in the eighteenth minute as Fernandez scored again, with the help of Rosales. Dallas took a yellow card for a Je-Vaughn Watson foul in the sixtieth minute. Vancouver's Kendall Watson also had a yellow card for his seventy-eighth minute foul. The Whitecaps' hero, Fernandez, was given a yellow card in stoppage time for time wasting. They won 2-0, with the man of the match being Fernandez with the brace.

Back east, the New England Revolution welcome the Columbus Crew. Steve Clark and Bobby Shuttleworth are guarding the woodwork. New England opened in the twentieth minute with a Lee Nguyen goal, via Teal Bunbury. Columbus tied it in the twenty-fifth minute as Ethan Finlay scored, with the help of Tony Tchani. The Crew took a yellow card for a Waylon Francis foul in the thirty-ninth minute. The Revolution saw yellow cards issued to Jose Goncalves for unsporting behavior in the forty-first minute, as well as for fouls by A.J. Soares in the fifty-ninth minute and Jermaine Jones in the sixty-fourth minute. Jones made up for his card with a sixty-seventh minute goal to put New England ahead, guided in by Chris Tierney. In the seventieth minute, Columbus' chances got much worse as Francis was sent off with a second yellow card, this one for unsporting behavior. Another unsporting behavior yellow card went to the Crew's Federico Higuain in stoppage time. The Revolution saw Nguyen get a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time as well. The final stood at 2-1, and the man of the match was Jones for his game winner.

Westward to Los Angeles, as the Galaxy bring in Toronto FC. Joe Bendik and Jaime Penedo are in the six-yard boxes. Los Angeles began with a twenty-second minute Robbie Keane goal, via Marcelo Sarvas. The Galaxy added on with another Keane goal in the twenty-fifth minute, passed from A.J. DeLaGarza and Landon Donovan. The teams traded yellow cards in the sixty-sixth minute, as Sarvas got one for a foul, while Jonathan Osorio received one for the argument he made. Los Angeles iced it at 3-0 with an Alan Gordon goal in stoppage time, set up by Sarvas. The man of the match was Keane for his brace.

Closing out Saturday, the San Jose Earthquakes host the Portland Timbers. Donovan Ricketts an Jon Busch are the veteran keepers. San Jose took a yellow card for dissent by Jason Hernandez in the twenty-first minute. The Earthquakes led off in the fifty-sixth minute as Chris Wondolowski scored an unassisted goal. Portland tied it in the seventy-first minute with a Rodney Wallace goal, guided in by Alvas Powell. The Timbers took the lead in the seventy-fourth minute on another Wallace goal, via Liam Ridgewell and Gaston Fernandez. Portland had a yellow card go to Wallace in the seventy-eighth minute for a foul. San Jose went down to ten men in stoppage time after a red card ejected Pablo Pintos for his serious foul. The final favored the Timbers 2-1, and Wallace was the man of the match with his brace.

The first Sunday game saw the Colorado Rapids welcome the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Clint Irwin draw the starts in goal. Seattle started with an eleventh minute Clint Dempsey penalty kick conversion. The Sounders took a yellow card for a foul by Brad Evans in the twenty-first minute. The Sounders added on as Obafemi Martins scored in the twenty-eighth minute, with the help of Marco Pappa. Seattle extended the lead in the thirty-third minute with a Pappa goal, courtesy of Dempsey. Colorado got on the board with a forty-third minute Deshorn Brown goal, going in unassisted. The Rapids had a yellow card for a Shane O'Neill foul in the forty-fourth minute. Colorado's Nick LaBrocca took a yellow card in the sixty-third minute for his foul. Seattle padded their lead with a seventieth minute Martins goal, set up by Lamar Neagle. In the seventy-fifth minute, Pappa received a yellow card for his foul. The final stood at 4-1, with the man of the match being Martins for his brace.

East to Chicago, as the Fire bring in the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Sean Johnson are the gloved men. Montreal had a yellow card for a sixty-fifth minute Hassoun Camara foul. Chicago had a yellow card for a Gonzalo Segares foul in the eighty-eighth minute. The final ended at 0-0, with Bush being the man of the match for his

Finishing off the weekend, Chivas USA host Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Dan Kennedy are in the six yard boxes. Chivas had a yellow card go to Oswaldo Minda for a foul in the twenty-second minute. Chivas scored first in the forty-seventh minute with a Felix Borja goal. Salt Lake had a yellow card for a seventy-seventh minute with a Luke Mulholland foul. Chivas took another yellow card as Nathan Sturgis committed a foul in the eighty-second. Real had a yellow card go to Javier Morales in the eighty-fifth minute for his foul. Chivas won 1-0, and Borja was the man of the match.

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Premier League Week 7

Welcome to week 7. We begin in...

Hull City, where they host Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Steve Harper are the keepers. Hull City's Jake Livermore received a yellow card for his foul in the thirty-fifth minute. Crystal Palace saw Fraizer Campbell get booked on a yellow card in the forty-fourth minute. In the fifty-fifth minute, Adrian Mariappa of Crystal Palace received a yellow card. Hull City got things going in the sixtieth minute with a goal by Mohamed Diame, assisted by an Andrew Robertson. Hull City added on with an eighty-ninth minute goal from Nikica Jelavic, courtesy of Livermore. This made it a 2-0 final in favor of Hull City.

Moving along to Leicester City, which welcomes Burnley. Tom Heaton and Kaspar Schmeichel are set to start in goal. Burnley's Stephen Ward received a yellow card for his seventh minute foul. Leicester City struck first in the thirty-third minute as Jeffrey Schlupp scored, thanks to Riyad Mahrez's cross. Burnley tied it in the thirty-ninth minute on a Michael Kightly goal, via Lukas Jutkiewicz with a header pass. Leicester City took the lead back in the fortieth minute with an unassisted Mahrez goal. In the fifty-fourth minute, Burnley's Scott Arfield was booked on a yellow card for his foul. In the seventy-seventh minute, Schlupp was shown a yellow card for Leicester City for his foul. Leicester City took another yellow card in stoppage time for a foul by David Nugent. Burnley tied it on a Ross Wallace free kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time, and this made it a 2-2 draw in the end.

Out to Liverpool, where they bring in West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Simon Mignolet are guarding the woodwork. In the seventeenth minute, Martin Skrtel of Liverpool received a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool took another yellow card in the twenty-eighth minute for a Steven Gerrard foul. West Brom had a yellow card go to Craig Dawson for a foul in the twenty-ninth minute. Liverpool opened the scoring in the forty-fifth minute with an Adam Lallana goal, courtesy of Jordan Henderson. In the fifty-sixth minute, Saido Berahino converted a penalty kick to tie the game for West Brom. Liverpool took the lead back with a goal by Henderson in the sixty-first minute, thanks to Raheem Sterling. West Brom took a yellow card in the eighty-fourth minute for a Joleon Lescott foul. Liverpool held on for a 2-1 win.

Continuing to where Sunderland hosts Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Vito Mannone are the goalies. Sunderland started in the fourth minute with a close range header goal by Connor Wickham, assisted by a Steven Fletcher cross. Stoke City tied it on a Charlie Adam goal in the fifteenth minute, passed from Victor Moses. In the twenty-third minute, Sunderland took the lead back with a Fletcher header goal, via Jordi Gomez's cross after a corner kick. In the twenty-seventh minute, Marc Muniesa of Stoke City picked up a yellow card for his foul. Stoke City had another yellow card in the sixty-second minute on an Oussama Assaidi foul. In the sixty-fourth minute, Sunderland's Billy Jones was booked for a foul on a yellow card. Stoke City had another yellow card for a Phil Bardsley foul in the sixty-sixth minute. Sunderland took two more yellow cards in quick succession, with Patrick van Aanholt getting one in the sixty-seventh minute and Fletcher receiving the other in the seventieth minute, both for fouls. Sunderland extended their lead in the seventy-ninth minute on another Fletcher goal, coming off of Wickham after a fast break. In stoppage time, Stoke City's Bojan was given a yellow card for his foul. The final was 3-1 in favor of Sunderland.

Next up, Swansea City welcomes Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Lukas Fabianski are the gloved men. In the seventeenth minute, Swansea City began with a goal by Wilfried Bony, via Gylfi Sigurdsson. Newcastle United tied it in the forty-third minute as Papiss Demba Cisse scored, thanks to Gabriel Obertan's cross. Swansea City took the lead back on a fiftieth minute goal by Wayne Routledge, assisted by Sigurdsson with the through ball. Newcastle United had a yellow card go to Fabricio Coloccini in the sixty-first minute for his foul. Swansea City had the next yellow card for a Jonjo Shelvey foul in the seventy-third minute. Newcastle United tied it with another goal from Cisse, coming at close range with an assist from Sammy Ameobi's cross. In the eighty-eighth minute, Daryl Janmaat of Newcastle United got a yellow card for his foul. The score held level at 2-2 for the final.

Closing out on Saturday, Aston Villa brings in Manchester City. Joe Hart and Brad Guzan protect the nets. Manchester City saw Aleksandar Kolarov receive a yellow card for his foul in the twenty-fourth minute. Manchester City led off with a goal in the eighty-second minute by Yaya Toure, assisted by Fernando. Manchester City added on in the eighty-eighth minute as Sergio Aguero scored, thanks to James Milner. This was good for a 2-0 win for Manchester City.

Opening on Sunday, Manchester United hosts Everton. Tim Howard and David de Gea are in the six-yard boxes. Manchester United took a yellow card in the ninth minute for a Robin van Persie foul. Everton had a yellow card of their own in the seventeenth minute as Muhamed Besic committed a foul. In the twenty-sixth minute, Everton's Steven Pienaar was given a yellow card for his foul. Manchester United opened the scoring in the twenty-seventh minute with an Angel Di Maria goal, courtesy of Juan Mata. In the thirty-first minute, Manchester United's Daley Blind took a yellow card for his foul. Manchester United took another yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul by Antonio Valencia. Everton tied the game later that minute with a Steven Naismith goal, a header set up by a Leighton Baines cross after a set piece. In the sixty-second minute, Falcao put Manchester United back in the lead with a goal, coming off of Di Maria. The goalie Howard received a yellow card in stoppage time for Everton. The final stood at 2-1 favoring Manchester United.

Into London, as Chelsea welcomes Arsenal. Wojciech Szczesny and Thibaut Courtois are the goalies. Chelsea took a yellow card in the twentieth minute for a Gary Cahill foul. At the twenty-second minute mark, Arsenal's Calum Chambers picked up a yellow card for injuring the goalie Courtois. Petr Cech relieved the injured keeper. In the twenty-seventh minute, Arsenal took a yellow card for a Laurent Koscielny foul. Chelsea made him pay for it even more with an Eden Hazard penalty kick conversion. Chelsea had a yellow card go to Branislav Ivanovic in the fifty-third minute for a foul, and another booking went to Andre Schurrle in the sixty-sixth minute. In the seventy-eighth minute, Chelsea extended their lead with a Diego Costa goal, assisted by a Cesc Fabregas through ball. In the eighty-sixth minute, Oscar was given a yellow card for Chelsea for his foul. Arsenal had a yellow card for a Danny Welbeck foul in stoppage time. Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory.

Next up, Tottenham Hotspur brings in Southampton. Fraser Forster and Hugo Lloris guard the nets. Tottenham Hotspur struck first in the fortieth minute with a Christian Eriksen goal, assisted by Nacer Chadli. Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a foul by Younes Kaboul in the fifty-third minute. Tottenham Hotspur had another yellow card in the sixty-sixth minute for an Erik Lamela foul. In the seventy-seventh minute, Dusan Tadic of Southampton received a yellow card for his foul. The final held at 1-0 for Tottenham Hotspur.

Finally, West Ham hosts the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Adrian are the keepers. West Ham received a gift as QPR's Nedum Onuoha put the ball in his own net for an own goal. QPR took a yellow card for a fourteenth minute foul by Sandro. West Ham had a booking for James Tomkins in the forty-ninth minute for his foul that brought out a yellow card. West Ham extended their lead in the fifty-ninth minute as Diafra Sakho scored, thanks to Tomkins after a set piece situation. West Ham had another yellow card in the eighty-third minute for a foul by Aaron Cresswell. QPR took a yellow card in the eighty-ninth minute for a foul by Karl Henry. West Ham ended up winning 2-0.

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KHL October 5th, 2014

Three games on today, beginning in...

Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Anders Nilsson are between the pipes. Kazan led off in the first period with an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, via Alexander Svitov and Yakov Rylov. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, assisted by Viktor Postnikov and Alexei Simakov on the power play. Ak Bars retook the lead in the third period with an Oscar Moller goal, fueled by Kirill Petrov and Alexander Burmistrov. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Moller, Nilsson (22 for 23 in saves), and Lukoyanov.

West to Podolsk, as Vityaz welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Harri Staeri protect the nets. Podolsk began in the first period with a Yury Koksharov goal, fueled by Mario Kempe and Dmitry Tsyganov. Yaroslavl tied it in the second period as Yegor Yakovlev scored a power play goal, powered by Yegor Averin and Staffan Kronwall. Vityaz took the lead back Koksharov scored again, with a lone assist by Anton Korolyov. Lokomotiv retied it with a power play goal by Daniil Apalkov, thanks to Yakovlev and Averin. Podolsk took the lead again on a Roman Horak goal, guided in by Kempe and Maxim Afinogenov. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Koksharov, Yakovlev, and Kempe, while Averin gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo brings in the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Alexander Sharychenkov draw the starts. Moscow got going in the second period with a Yury Babenko power play goal, powered by Mat Robinson and Alexei Tereshchenko. Sochi tied it in the third period on a Roman Lyuduchin goal, via Alexei Krutov. Dynamo won 2-1 in overtime on an Alexander Osipov goal, with a lone helper from Kaspars Daugavins. The three stars were Osipov, Sharychenkov (25 for 26 in saves), and Babenko.

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KHL October 4th, 2014

Seven games today as the schedule shortly balances itself out a bit. We begin in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Ivan Nalimov are set to start in goal. Moscow got going in the second period with an Alexander Radulov power play goal, powered by Stephane Da Costa and Denis Denisov. CSKA added on with a Da Costa power play goal, via Jan Mursak and Nikita Zaitsev. Moscow extended the lead with another power play goal by Radulov, with a lone assist by Igor Grigorenko. CSKA padded the lead as Mursak scored a power play goal thanks to Denisov. Moscow iced it at 5-0 with a power play goal in the third period by Igor Volkov, courtesy of Nikolai Prokhorkin and Bogdan Kiselevich. The three stars went to Radulov, Da Costa, and Mursak, while Denisov and Galimov (16 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

West to Novosibirsk, as Sibir welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Mikko Koskinen guard the cages. Novosibirsk finally struck first in the third period with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, fueled by Dmitry Kugryshev and Andrei Konev. This was the only goal in the game, with the three stars of the 1-0 game being Koskinen (42 save shutout), Koskiranta, and Stepanek (28 for 29 in saves).

Staying in the area, Metallurg Novokuznetsk brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin faces a lesser foe in Rafael Khakimov in goal. Nizhny Novgorod began in the first period with a Sakari Salminen goal, assisted by Wojtek Wolski. Torpedo added on as Jarkko Immonen scored, thanks to Maxim Osipov. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead with a Vyachelsav Kulyomin goal, passed from Viktor Drugov and Dmitry Kazionov. Torpedo padded the lead on a Juuso Hietanen second period power play goal, powered by Salminen and Immonen. Nizhny Novgorod got another one as Wolski scored on a penalty shot he received for being hooked by Alexander Romanov on a scoring chance. Novokuznetsk got on the board with Ansel Galimov converted a penalty shot after he was tripped by Vadim Khomitsky. Torpedo shot back in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Alexei Potapov, set up by Osipov. The three stars went to Salminen, Immonen, and Wolski, while Osipov gets an honorable mention.

Further west, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mikhail Biryukov are the veteran goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period with a Danil Romantsev goal, assisted by Denis Sokolov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Mikhail Yunkov goal, coming off of Maxim Yaktusenya and Sergei Tereshchenko. Metallurg took the lead as Sergei Mozyakin scored, thanks to Jan Kovar and Viktor Antipin. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1. The three stars belonged to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (31 for 32 in saves), and Yunkov.

Out in Chelyabinsk, Traktor brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vitaly Koval and Vasily Demchenko are in the creases. Ufa started in the first period with an Antti Pihlstrom goal, made possible by Kirill Koltsov. Chelyabinsk tied it in the third period on a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, courtesy of Artyom Penkovsky and Maxim Kondratyev. Salavat Yulaev won in overtime by a 2-1 score with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, fueled by Denis Bodrov. The three stars were Hartikainen, Koval (29 for 30 in saves), and Pihlstrom.

Up in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik welcomes Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Ville Kolppanen protect the nets. Omsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Denis Kulyash goal, coming off of Alexander Popov. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the third period on a Pavel Kulikov goal, with a lone assist by Josh Hennessy. Avangard took the lead with a power play goal by Evgeny Mozer, powered by Alexander Perezhogin and Evgeny Kulik. Omsk added on as Denis Parshin scored, with the help of Sergei Shirokov and Popov. Neftekhimik pulled back with a power play goal by Dmitry Kosmachyov, assisted by Maxim Berezin and Dan Sexton. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Yegor Milovzorov goal, guided in by Alexander Yevseyenkov. Avangard won it 4-3 with a Sergei Kalinin goal, helped along by Mozer. The three stars went to Mozer, Kalinin, and Popov.

Finally, Lada Togliatti hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Ilya Ezhov are the goalies with short names. Astana was first to score in the third period on a Roman Starchenko goal, with a lone assist by Roman Savchenko. Togliatti tied it on a Karol Sloboda goal, going in unassisted. In the shootout, Andrei Nikitenko tallied three goals for Lada, outscoring the efforts of Konstantin Rudenko and Starchenko to give Lada the 2-1 edge. The three stars were Nikitenko, Starchenko, and Ezhov (29 for 30 in saves).

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KHL October 3rd, 2014

Three games on for today, beginning in...

Mytishchi, as Atlant hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Atte Engren are in the blue paint. Mytishchi opened quickly in the first period on an Artyom Chernov goal, assisted by Sergei Shmelyov. Atlant added on in the second period as Mikhail Glukhov converted on the penalty shot he received for being hooked by Dmitry Yudin. Mytishchi extended the lead with a Nikita Soshnikov goal, courtesy of Matthew Gilroy. Atlant padded the lead in the third period on a Maxim Potapov goal, via Ondrej Nemec and Maxim Mayorov. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Yudin goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Kablukov. SKA got one back with an unassisted Ilya Kovalchuk goal. St. Petersburg chipped closer with a power play goal by Patrick Thoresen, powered by Roman Cervenka and Viktor Tikhonov. This was as close as it got, with Atlant holding on for the 4-3 win. The three stars were Potapov, Soshnikov, and Chernov.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Dmitry Milchakov are the goalies. Helsinki struck first in the first period with a Niko Kapanen goal, made possible by Niklas Hagman. Minsk tied it on a Nick Bailen goal, fueled by Jonathan Cheechoo. Jokerit took the lead back with a shorthanded and unassisted Semir Ben-Amor goal. Helsinki added on as Kapanen scored again, thanks to Juhamatti Aaltonen and Ville Lajunen. Dinamo got one back in the second period on a Ryan Vesce power play goal, powered by Charlies Linglet. This was it for the scoring, as Jokerit won 3-2. The three stars were given to Kapanen, Karlsson (28 for 30 in saves), and Ben-Amor.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Barry Brust are in the creases. Zagreb started with an unassisted Nathan Perkovich goal in the first period. Medvescak added on in the second period with a power play goal by Mark Flood, powered by Pascal Pelletier and Andrew Hutchinson. Riga got on the board with a Gints Meija goal, courtesy of Maris Bicevskis and Mikelis Redlihs. Zagreb shot back in the third period with a Bill Thomas goal, assisted by Matt Anderson and Aaron Polushaj. Dinamo answered on a Bicevskis goal, made possible by Redlihs. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Bicevskis, Redlihs, and Thomas.

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