Wednesday, December 3, 2014

KHL December 3rd, 2014

Eleven games on today, beginning in...

Ufa, with Salavat Yulaev hosting Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the goalies. Ufa began in the first period with an Alexander Pankov goal, via Arturs Kulda and Anton Slepyshev. Salavat Yulaev added on with a power play goal by Teemu Hartikainen, powered by Dmitry Semin and Dmitry Makarov. Vladivostok got on the board in the second period with a penalty shot goal by Vladislav Ushenin, after he was hooked by Hartikainen. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Sokhatsky (22 for 23 in saves), Pankov, and Proskuryakov (33 for 35 in saves).

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Michael Garnett are set to start. Kazan started in the first period on a Mikhail Varnakov goal, passed from Ilya Nikulin and Justin Azevedo. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period with a Semyon Kokuyov goal, courtesy of Alexei Kruchinin. Ak Bars retook the lead with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, assisted by Damir Musin. Traktor tied it in the third period with a Deron Quint power play goal, with a lone helper from Stanislav Chistov. In the shootout, Kazan saw Oscar Moller and Tkachyov score to top Chelyabinsk's single tally from Kruchinin for a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Tkachyov, Kruchinin, and Varnakov.

Next up, Lada Togliatti brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Ilya Ezhov are in the blue paint. Togliatti was first to score in the first period on a Stanislav Bocharov goal, guided in by Semyon Valuisky and Andrei Nikitenko. Lada added on in the second period on a Martin Zatovic power play goal, helped along by the goalie Ezhov. Yekaterinburg got on the board with a third period power play goal by Alexander Rybakov, powered by Alexei Simakov and Filipp Metlyuk. Togliatti shot back on a Nikitenko goal, passed from Dmitry Ogurtsov and Valuisky. Avtomobilist pulled back with an Anton Lazarev goal, fueled by Simakov and Alexander Loginov. Lada replied on a power play goal by Alexander Chernikov, coming off of Denis Barantsev. This produced the 4-2 final, and the three stars went to Nikitenko, Valuisky, and Simakov.

South to Sochi, where the Leopards host Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Tomas Popperle receive the starting nods. Sochi got going in the second period on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, courtesy of Pavel Koledov and Ilya Krikunov. The Leopards added on with a Timofei Shishkanov goal, assisted by Alexander Shcherbina. Sochi extended the lead on a Roman Lyuduchin goal, made possible by Andre Petersson and Evgeny Lapenkov. The Leopards padded the lead as Lyuduchin scored again, thanks to Alexei Krutov and Nikita Shchitov. Bratislava got on the board in the third period with an unassisted Stefan Ruzicka goal. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars being Lyuduchin, Shishkanov, and Kostitsyn.

Into Moscow, where CSKA welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Kevin Lalande have the green light to start in goal. Moscow led off in the first period with a Stephane Da Costa power play goal, powered by Bogdan Kiselevich and Chad Billins. Cherepovets tied it on a power play goal by Evgeny Mons, with assists provided by Alexander Shinin and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. CSKA took the lead back with a Maxim Mamin goal, with a lone assist from Denis Denisov. Moscow added on with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, passed from Igor Grigorenko. CSKA extended the lead as Simon Hjalmarsson scored a power play goal, with the help of Jan Mursak and Da Costa. Moscow padded the lead in the second period with another Hjalmarsson goal, made possible by Da Costa on the power play. CSKA continued in the third period with a Da Costa goal, guided in by Mursak and Hjalmarsson. Moscow struck again with a Mursak goal, assisted by Alexei Bondarev and Hjalmarsson. CSKA kept going with a Kiselevich goal, with a lone helper by Andrei Kuzmenko. Moscow won 9-1 with a Da Costa power play goal to finish his hat trick, helped along by Mursak, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Da Costa, Hjalmarsson, and Mursak, while Kiselevich gets an honorable mention.

Back east, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin andv ille Kolppanen are the masked men. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Vladislav Kamenev power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Viktor Antipin. Metallurg added on in the second period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a third period goal by Matt Anderson, fueled by Andrei Ivanov. Magnitogorsk shot back with a Denis Platonov goal, passed from Maxim Yakutsenya. They won 3-1, and the three stars were Koshechkin (41 for 42 in saves), Mozyakin, and Platonov.

Backtracking to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv hosts Dinamo Minsk. Danny Taylor and Curtis Sanford are the North American goalies. Minsk struck first in the first period on a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, assisted by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Paul Szczechura. Dinamo added on in the second period with a Szczechura goal, guided in by Cheechoo. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Yegor Yakovlev goal, coming off of Sergei Plotnikov and Andrei Loktionov. Lokomotiv tied it on a Sergei Konkov goal, made possible by Martin Thornberg and Ilya Gorokhov. Yaroslavl took the lead in the third period on a Loktionov goal, with a lone assist by Petri Kontiola. Minsk retied it with an Alexander Materukhin goal, via Sergei Drozd and Andrei Stepanov. Dinamo took the lead on a Szczechura power play goal, powered by Kalyuzhny and Cheechoo. Minsk extended the lead with a Cheechoo goal, helped along by Alexander Kulakov and Kalyuzhny, who got a sock trick. Lokomotiv got one back on a Konkov goal, set up by Kontiola and Thornberg. They failed to tie it, losing 5-4, with the three stars going to Cheechoo, Szczechura, and Kalyuzhny, while Loktionov, Kontiola, Konkov, and Thornberg get honorable mentions.

Up in Helsinki, Jokerit welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Rafael Khakimov and Henrik Karlsson draw the starts. Helsinki led off in the first period with a Petr Koukal power play goal, powered by Ville Lajunen and Steve Moses. Jokerit added on with an Eetu Poysti goal, assisted by Tommi Huhtala and Petteri Wirtanen. Helsinki extended the lead on a Juhamatti Aaltonen goal, fueled by Ryan Gunderson on the power play. Jokerit padded the lead on a Niklas Hagman power play goal, helped along by Niko Kapanen and Gunderson. Khakimov was pulled for Ilya Sorokin in the second period. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with an Alexander Komaristy goal, passed from Ryan Stoa and Ansel Galimov. Helsinki shot back with a Moses goal, courtesy of Gunderson, who got a sock trick. Jokerit continued with a Santeri Saari goal, with assists provided by Koukal and Moses. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 6-1. The three stars went to Moses, Gunderson, and Koukal.

To Moscow again, where Dynamo brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Owuya and Alexander Yeryomenko are all padded up. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Maxim Pestushko goal, assisted by Konstantin Gorovikov and Kaspars Daugavins. Zagreb tied it on a Mark Popovic goal, passed from James Wright and Krystofer Kolanos. Dynamo retook the lead as Gleb Koryagin scored, thanks to Maxim Karpov and Martins Karsums. Medvescak tied it in the third period with a Kolanos goal, fueled by Ville Leino and Pascal Pelletier. In the shootout, Zagreb won 3-2 with a lone tally by Kolanos. The three stars went to Kolanos, Owuya (31 for 33 in saves), and Popovic.

Up in Mytishchi, Atlant hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Atte Engren guard the cages. Novosibirsk began in the first period on a Sergei Shumakov goal, assisted by Dmitry Monya and Viktor Bobrov. Sibir added on with a Vladimir Butuzov goal, going in unassisted. Novosibirsk extended the lead with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, guided in by Patrik Hersley. Sibir padded the lead in the third period on another Kugryshev goal, passed from Vitaly Menshikov and Jarno Koskiranta. Novosibirsk got another Kugryshev goal to complete his natural hat trick, a power play goal powered by Jonas Enlund and Koskiranta. Mytishchi got on the board with a Maxim Potapov goal, guided in by Vitaly Novopashin and Nikita Soshnikov. Atlant pulled closer with an Ondrej Nemec power play goal, with a lone assist by Andreas Engqvist. This made it a 5-2 final, with the three stars awarded to Kugryshev, Koskiranta, and Koskinen (33 for 35 in saves).

Finally, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Ivan Lisutin are in goal. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period with a Jarkko Immonen power play goal, powered by Juuso Hietanen and Pavel Valentenko. Podolsk tied it on a Mario Kempe goal in the third period, passed from Roman Horak. Vityaz took the lead on a Maxim Afinogenov goal, assisted by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Podolsk iced it at 3-1 with a Horak empty net goal, set up by Kempe. The three stars went to Kempe, Lisutin (36 for 37 in saves), and Horak.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

NHL December 2nd, 2014

Ten games this evening, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Cam Ward are in the creases. Carolina started in the first period on a Jeff Skinner goal, his sixth of the season, via Andrej Nestrasil and John-Michael Liles. The Hurricanes added on with a third period goal by Victor Rask, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Skinner. Nashville got on the board with a Mike Ribeiro goal, his seventh of the campaign, passed from Roman Josi. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Skinner, Ward (32 for 33 in saves), and Rask.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jaroslav Halak are the masked men. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Mika Zibanejad and Alex Chiasson. New York tied it on a Brock Nelson goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone assist by Kyle Okposo in the second period. The Islanders took the lead on a Ryan Strome goal in the third period, his fifth of the season, assisted by Thomas Hickey and Brian Strait. The Senators tied it on a Clarke MacArthur goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Mark Stone and Kyle Turris. New York won 3-2 in overtime with a Hickey goal, his second of the campaign, guided in by Matt Donovan and Nelson. The three stars went to Hickey, Nelson, and Strome.

Over to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Blake Comeau and Jayson Megna. This held up for a 1-0 win, with the three stars given to Fleury (29 save shutout), Malkin, and Schneider (22 for 23 in saves).

Back east, the Washington Capitals host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Braden Holtby make the starts. Vancouver struck first in the first period with a Derek Dorsett goal, his third of the season, coming off of Bo Horvat and Jannik Hansen. Washington tied it in the second period as John Carlson scored his third of the year, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom. The Canucks took the lead on a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifth of the season, coming on the power play from Henrik Sedin and Radim Vrbata. Vancouver added on with a Vrbata power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Alexander Edler and Daniel Sedin. The Capitals got one back with Carlson's second of the game and fourth of the season, made possible by Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. Washington tied it on a Brooks Laich goal, guided in by Eric Fehr and Carlson. The Canucks took the lead back with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, helped along by Henrik Sedin. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Daniel Sedin, Carlson, and Vrbata, while Henrik Sedin gets an honorable mention.

Out in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Evgeni Nabokov and Jhonas Enroth are in the creases. Tampa Bay got going in the third period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. Buffalo tied it on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his eighth of the year, via Tyler Myers and Josh Gorges. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis scored to give the Sabres a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Enroth (26 for 27 in saves), Nabokov (21 for 22 in saves), and Girgensons.

Westward to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Jimmy Howard protect the nets. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Tomas Tatar goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk and Stephen Weiss on the power play. Florida tied it with a Jimmy Hayes goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Vincent Trocheck and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers took the lead in the second period on a Sean Bergenheim goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Jussi Jokinen and Brad Boyes. Florida added on with a third period Trocheck goal, his second of the year, fueled by Hayes. The Panthers extended the lead on an Aaron Ekblad goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Jonathan Huberdeau and Trocheck. The Red Wings got one back with an unassisted Datsyuk goal, his tenth of the year. Detroit pulled closer with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twelfth of the campaign, assisted by Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Trocheck, Hayes, and Datsyuk.

Along to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonathan Bernier are between the pipes. Toronto led off in the first period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs added on as Nazem Kadri scored his sixth of the year, with the help of Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson. Toronto extended the lead in the second period on a Phil Kessel power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Phaneuf and Kadri. Dallas got on the board with a Jason Spezza goal, his fifth of the year, via Erik Cole and Jamie Oleksiak. The Maple Leafs answered as Joffrey Lupul netted his fourth of the season, thanks to Franson and Santorelli. The Stars shot back in the third period with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Alex Goligoski and John Klingberg. Toronto replied with Lupul's second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Kadri and Santorelli, the latter getting a sock trick. Dallas got one back on an Ales Hemsky goal, his second of the year, coming off of Shawn Horcoff and Goligoski. This produced the 5-3 final, with the three stars going to Kadri, Lupul, and Santorelli, while Phaneuf, Franson, and Goligoski get the honorable mentions.

Way out west, the Calgary Flames welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Karri Ramo receive the starting nods. Calgary began in the first period on a David Jones goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Curtis Glencross and Mark Giordano. Arizona tied it on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Martin Erat and Brandon McMillan. The Flames took the lead back with a Josh Jooris goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman. The Coyotes tied it again in the second period on a Sam Gagner goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Martin Hanzal and Keith Yandle. Calgary regained the lead on another Jooris goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, made possible by Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler. The Flames added on with a third period Sean Monahan goal, his ninth of the year, helped along by Wideman and Glencross. Calgary iced it at 5-2 with a power play empty net goal by Jooris, completing his hat trick on his eighth of the campaign, set up by Gaudreau and Hudler. The three stars belonged to Jooris, Wideman, and Glencross, while Gaudreau and Hudler get the honorable mentions.

Down in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Antti Niemi are the veteran goalies. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Sean Couturier power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Scott Laughton and Andrew MacDonald. San Jose tied it with a second period goal by Marc-Edouard Vlasic, his third of the year, fueled by Tommy Wingels and Logan Couture. The Sharks took the lead in the third period on a Matthew Nieto goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Patrick Marleau. This produced a 2-1 final, and the three stars went to Nieto, Niemi (28 for 29 in saves), and Vlasic.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Boston Bruins. Niklas Svedberg is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles opened with a Tanner Pearson goal in the first period, his tenth of the season, assisted by Anze Kopitar and Brayden McNabb. The Kings iced it at 2-0 with a Tyler Toffoli empty net goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Kopitar. The three stars were awarded to Quick (31 save shutout), Pearson, and Kopitar.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL December 2nd, 2014

Today's lone game is SKA St. Petersburg hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Evgeny Ivannikov are the average goalies. St. Petersburg started in the first period on a Jimmie Ericsson goal, courtesy of Viktor Tikhonov. SKA added on with a Roman Cervenka power play goal, powered by Patrick Thoresen and Dmitry Kalinin. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, fueled by Evgeny Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA padded the lead with an Anton Burdasov goal, guided in by Cervenka and Alexander Kadeikin. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Michel Miklik goal, passed from Grigory Shafigulin and Marcel Hascak. St. Petersburg answered in the third period on another Ericsson goal, via Kalinin and Cervenka. SKA struck again with a Shipachyov goal, coming off of Dadonov. St. Petersburg ended it at 7-1 with a Thoresen goal, with a lone helper from Tony Martensson. The three stars went to Ericsson, Cervenka, and Shipachyov, while Thoresen, Kalinin, and Dadonov get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, December 1, 2014

NHL December 1st, 2014

Five games this evening, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Tyler Johnson goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Ondrej Palat and Victor Hedman. New York tied it on a Kevin Hayes goal, his third of the year, passed from Carl Hagelin and Lee Stempniak. The Lightning retook the lead with a Brett Connolly goal, his third of the season, assisted by Hedman and the goalie Bishop. The Rangers tied it in the second period on a Jesper Fast goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Derick Brassard and Rick Nash. New York took the lead on a Martin St. Louis power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan. Tampa Bay retied it with a Matthew Carle goal, his second of the year, coming off of Johnson and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning took the lead in the third period on Connolly's second of the game and fourth of the season, via Steven Stamkos and Hedman on the power play. Hedman got a sock trick with that assist. Tampa Bay added on with another Johnson goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, helped along by Nikita Kucherov and Radko Gudas. The Lightning iced it at 6-3 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Palat, his sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Johnson, Hedman, and Connolly, while Palat gets an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya and Sergei Bobrovsky are set to start. Columbus started in the first period on a Matt Calvert goal, his third of the season, fueled by Michael Chaput and Jordan Leopold. Florida tied it on a second period Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Brad Boyes and Sean Bergenheim. The Blue Jackets regained the lead on a third period goal by Boone Jenner, his second of the campaign, with a lone assist by Kerby Rychel. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Bobrovsky (24 for 25 in saves), Jenner, and Calvert.

Further west to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Montreal struck first in the first period on a Jiri Sekac goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Brandon Prust and the goalie Price. Colorado tied it on an unassisted goal by Daniel Briere, his sixth of the year. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Matt Duchene. The Canadiens retied it with an Andrei Markov power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Alex Galchenyuk and Tomas Plekanec. Colorado pulled ahead with a Tyson Barrie goal, his third of the season, fueled by Max Talbot and Nate Guenin. Montreal evened the score on a P.K. Subban goal, his sixth of the year, via Markov and Lars Eller. The Canadiens took the lead in the third period on a Max Pacioretty goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by David Desharnais and Subban. This produced the 4-3 final, with the three stars given to Subban, Markov, and Pacioretty.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Viktor Fasth receive the starting nods. Edmonton was first to score in the first period on a power play goal by Jordan Eberle, his fifth of the season, coming off of Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Arizona tied it in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Tobias Rieder, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The Coyotes took the lead as Rieder scored another shorthanded goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, set up by Martin Hanzal. Arizona added on with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Keith Yandle and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes extended the lead on a Boedker goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Antoine Vermette and Lauri Korpikoski. Arizona padded the lead on a Martin Erat power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists from Michael Stone and David Schlemko. The Oilers got one back on a Jeff Petry goal, his second of the season, passed from Oscar Klefbom and David Perron. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars going to Rieder, Boedker, and Ekman-Larsson.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Frederik Andersen guard the cages. Boston got going in the second period on a Brad Marchand goal, his sixth of the season, via David Pastrnak and Zach Trotman. Anaheim tied it with a Sami Vatanen goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Patrick Maroon. The Ducks took the lead on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Cam Fowler and Jakob Silfverberg. Anaheim added on with a third period Matt Beleskey goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Ryan Getzlaf. The Bruins got one back on a Simon Gagne goal, his second of the season, fueled by Daniel Paille and Dougie Hamilton. The final was 3-2, and the three stars went to Beleskey, Smith-Pelly, and Vatanen.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL December 1st, 2014

Nine games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Denis Kostin are the backups making spot starts. Omsk led off with a Sergei Kalinin power play goal in the first period, powered by Denis Parshin and Vladimir Sobotka. Avangard added on as Kalinin scored again, with a lone assist by Parshin. Omsk extended the lead in the second period on a Denis Kulyash goal, passed from Nikolai Glukhov and Parshin, the latter getting a natural sock trick. Vladivostok got on the board with an unassisted goal by Richard Gynge. Admiral pulled closer with an Ilya Zubov power play goal, made possible by Ivan Glazkov. Vladivostok tied it on an Alexander Gorshkov goal, guided in by Vyacheslav Ushenin on the power play. Avangard took the lead back in the third period with a Chad Kolarik goal, via Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Kalinin, Parshin, and Kolarik.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Barry Brust are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first in the first period with a Mikhail Mamkin goal, fueled by Alexander Korolyuk and Alexei Pepelyaev. Yugra added on in the second period with a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, powered by Korolyuk. Khanty-Mansiysk iced it at 3-0 with a Kaspar empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Kaspar, Brust (39 save shutout), and Korolyuk.

Into Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev brings in Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Vladimir Sokhatsky are in the blue paint. Ufa got going in the second period on a power play goal by Evgeny Skachkov, powered by Alexei Kaigorodov and Kirill Koltsov. Salavat Yulaev added on with a power play goal by Alexei Glukhov, assisted by Alexander Pankov and Anton Slepyshev. Ufa extended the lead as Arturs Kulda scored, thanks to Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Astana got on the board with an unassisted goal by Nikolai Antropov. Barys pulled closer in the third period on a Kevin Dallman power play goal, coming off of Nigel Dawes and Mike Lundin. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2. The three stars went to Kulda, Glukhov, and Skachkov.

Down in Sochi, the Leopards host Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Tomas Popperle occupy the creases. Cherepovets began in the first period with an Andrei Shefer goal, fueled by Pavel Buchnevich and Gennady Stolyarov. Sochi tied it in the second period with a Max Warn goal, guided in by Alexei Krutov. Severstal retook the lead on a Pavel Dedunov goal, passed from Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexander Shinin. The Leopards tied it again with an Andre Petersson goal, made possible by Evgeny Lapenkov and Clay Wilson. Sochi won 3-2 in overtime with another Warn goal, via Lapenkov and Roman Derlyuk. The three stars were given to Warn, Lapenkov, and Petersson.

Moving along to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Harri Sateri protect the nets. Podolsk was first to score in the first period on an Anton Korolyov goal, via Maxim Mamin and Mario Kempe. Mytishchi tied it in the third period with a Petr Vrana goal, assisted by Nikita Soshnikov and Maxim Potapov. In the shootout, Vityaz got goals from Kempe and Nikita Vyglazov to top a lone tally from Atlant's Igor Radulov for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Sateri (48 for 49 in saves), Engren (42 for 43 in saves), and Kempe.

Into Moscow, where Dynamo brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Alexander Yeryomenko are between the pipes. Moscow opened in the first period on a Denis Kokarev goal, passed from Dmitry Vishnevsky and Filip Novak. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Juuso Hietanen goal, with a lone assist by Alexei Potapov. Dynamo took the lead back in the second period with a power play goal by Janne Jalasvaara, powered by Martins Karsums. Torpedo tied it with a Wojtek Wolski goal, made possible by Sakari Salminen. Moscow pulled ahead with a Kaspars Daugavins goal, via Nikolai Zherdev and Sergei Soin. Dynamo added on in the third period with another Daugavins goal, coming off of Maxim Pestushko and Vishnevsky. Moscow extended the lead with Kokarev's second of the game, pushed through by Yegor Dugin and Novak. Nizhny Novgorod got one back on a Veli-Matti Savinainen goal, helped along by Nikita Filatov and Vladimir Galuzin. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Daugavins, Kokarev, and Vishnevsky, while Novak gets an honorable mention.

North to Helsinki, where Jokerit hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Henrik Karlsson man the nets. Helsinki started with a first period Ryan Gunderson power play goal, powered by Juhamatti Aaltonen. Kazan tied it on a Kirill Petrov goal, via Alexander Burmistrov and Oscar Moller. Ak Bars took the lead on a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, courtesy of Igor Mirnov and Artyom Lukoyanov in the second period. Kazan added on in the third period with an Ilya Nikulin goal, with a lone assist by Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars extended the lead on a Lukoyanov goal, made possible by Mirnov and Tkachyov. Jokerit got one back on a Petr Koukal power play goal, coming off of Steve Moses. This produced the 4-2 final, with the three stars being Lukoyanov, Tkachyov, and Mirnov.

Southwest to Riga, where Dinamo welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Nikita Bespalov and Jakub Sedlacek are set to start. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Viktor Bobrov goal, via Vyacheslav Belov. Sibir added on with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, coming off of Dmitry Kugryshev and Jonas Enlund. Riga got on the board with a Milan Jurcina power play goal, powered by Marcel Hossa and Kyle Wilson. Novosibirsk shot back in the third period on a Bobrov power play goal, courtesy of Alexei Kopeikin and Maxim Ignatovich. Dinamo answered with a Charles Genoway goal, assisted by Linus Videll and Gints Meija. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Bobrov, Bespalov (18 for 20 in saves), and Koskiranta.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Rafael Khakimov is mismatched with Jaroslav Janus in goal. Bratislava led off in the first period with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, courtesy of Stefan Ruzicka and Ladislav Nagy. Slovan added on with a Rok Ticar goal, passed from Ziga Jeglic in the second period. Bratislava extended the lead on an Ivan Baranka power play goal, powered by Nedorost. Slovan padded the lead as Milan Bartovic scored, thanks to Tomas Surovy. Bratislava iced it at 5-0 in the third period with a Matt Murley power play goal, via Nagy. The three stars went to Nedorost, Janus (18 save shutout), and Nagy.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Hockey November 30th, 2014

Since each of the KHL and NHL has just one game today, I'll condense the post. First up...

Jokerit Helsinki hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Riku Helenius are in goal. Khabarovsk got going in the second period with a Michel Miklik power play goal, powered by Dmitry Tarasov. Helsinki tied it on a Steve Moses power play goal, with a lone assist by Ville Lajunen. Jokerit took the lead with a power play goal by Niko Kapanen, via Atte Ohtamaa and Niklas Hagman. Amur tied it on a power play goal by Mikhail Fisenko goal, assisted by Dmitry Lugin and Vladimir Loginov. Jokerit won 3-2 in the shootout with a Moses tally. The three stars went to Moses, Kapanen, and Helenius (19 for 21 in saves).

The NHL game is in Detroit, with the Red Wings hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Detroit opened in the first period with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Jonathan Ericsson and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings added on with a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Linden Vey, his fifth of the season. Detroit shot back with a Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Tomas Tatar and Jakub Kindl. The Canucks replied in the third period on a Shawn Matthias goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Yannick Weber and Vey. The Red Wings countered on a Danny DeKeyser goal, via Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco. Vancouver answered with a Vey goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, fueled by Matthias and Brad Richardson. Detroit finished it at 5-3 with a Datsyuk empty net goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Datsyuk, Vey, and Matthias, while Zetterberg gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLS Western Conference Finals: Seattle Sounders FC VS. Los Angeles Galaxy

This is the Western Conference Finals between the Seattle Sounders FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Game 1 in Los Angeles has Stefan Frei of Seattle opposing Jaime Penedo of Los Angeles in goal. Seattle's DeAndre Yedlin had the first yellow card of the game in the third minute for a foul. Los Angeles took a yellow card in the eighth minute after an A.J. DeLaGarza foul. The Galaxy had another yellow card for a thirty-fifth minute foul by Stefan Ishizaki. The Sounders took a yellow card in the thirty-seventh minute on a foul by Zach Scott. Los Angeles led off with a Marcelo Sarvas goal in the fifty-second minute, set up by DeLaGarza. They made this stand for a 1-0 win, and the man of the match was Sarvas himself for the goal.

The same goalies took the field in Seattle. Seattle began with a Brad Evans goal in the twenty-sixth minute. In the thirty-second minute, the Sounders added on with a Clint Dempsey goal. Los Angeles took a yellow card in the thirty-fifth minute for a Marcelo Sarvas foul. The Galaxy got one back with a fifty-fourth minute Juninho goal, guided in by Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan. Los Angeles took another yellow card in stoppage time for time wasting by Jaime Penedo. The final favored the Sounders 2-1, with the man of the match being Dempsey. The Galaxy took the series 2-2 on road goals and play the New England Revolution in MLS Cup.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.