Thursday, December 4, 2014

KHL December 4th, 2014

Today's game has Barys Astana host Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Jan Laco are the goalies. Omsk got going in the second period on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, guided in by Chad Kolarik and Alexander Popov. Avangard added on with a Vladimir Sobotka third period goal, passed from Perezhogin and Sergei Kalinin. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars going to Barulin (28 save shutout), Perezhogin, and Sobotka.

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NHL December 3rd, 2014

Four games today, beginning in...

Minnesota, as the Wild host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Darcy Kuemper are the goalies. Minnesota began in the first period on a Jason Zucker goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on in the second period with a Jason Pominville goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Christian Folin and Zach Parise. Montreal got on the board in the third period with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his sixth of the campaign, coming off of David Desharnais and P.K. Subban. This made it a 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Kuemper (18 for 19 in saves), Pominville, and Zucker.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Antti Raanta compose the unexpected goalie matchup. Chicago led off in the first period with a Marcus Kruger goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Brandon Saad. St. Louis tied it on an Ian Cole goal, his second of the year, passed from Patrik Berglund and Steve Ott. The Blackhawks took the lead back in the third period on a Kris Versteeg goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. Chicago added on with a Patrick Kane goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Versteeg and Brad Richards. The Blackhawks extended the lead on Kane's second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, helped along by Versteeg and David Rundblad. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Kane, Versteeg, and Raanta (40 for 41 in saves).

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Ondrej Pavelec are the oft-criticized goalies. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a Jacob Trouba goal, his third of the season, guided in by Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. Edmonton tied it on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Justin Schultz and Taylor Hall. The Oilers took the lead in the third period with a David Perron goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Boyd Gordon and Teddy Purcell. The Jets tied it on a Byfuglien goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Mark Stuart and Trouba. Winnipeg won 3-2 in overtime with a Perreault goal, his third of the campaign, assisted by Trouba and Evander Kane. The three stars went to Perreault, Trouba, and Byfuglien.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Frederik Andersen are in the creases. Philadelphia got going in the second period on a Michael Raffl goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Anaheim tied it on a Cam Fowler goal, his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Jakob Silfverberg and the goalie Andersen. The Flyers took the lead back on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. Philadelphia added on with an R.J. Umberger goal, his second of the year, coming on the power play via Nick Schultz and Sean Couturier. The Ducks got one back on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Hampus Lindholm and Corey Perry. Anaheim tied it on a Sami Vatanen goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Patrick Maroon. The Ducks gained the lead in the third period on a Maroon power play goal, his second of the season, fueled by Perry and Getzlaf. The Flyers retied it on a Simmonds goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, driven in by Scott Laughton and Andrew MacDonald. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Ducks got goals from Silfverberg and Perry to top a tally by Couturier and win 5-4. The three stars went to Simmonds, Perry, and Maroon, while Getzlaf gets an honorable mention.

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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Premier League Week 14

This week's games are in the middle of the week, with six on Tuesday and four on Wednesday. We begin with...

Burnley hosting Newcastle United. Robert Elliot and Tom Heaton are the goalies. In the tenth minute, Newcastle United's Michael Williamson took a yellow card for his foul. Burnley began in the thirty-fourth minute with a George Boyd goal, coming off of a Danny Ings headed pass. In the forty-eighth minute, Newcastle United tied it on a Papiss Demba Cisse goal, courtesy of a Daryl Janmaat cross. Burnley's Michael Keane received a yellow card in the fifty-sixth minute. In the eightieth minute, Newcastle United had a yellow card go to Cheick Tiote for a hand ball. Burnley took another yellow card for Scott Arfield's foul in stoppage time. The final score was 1-1.

Next up, Leicester City welcomes Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Kasper Schmeichel make the starts. Mignolet's day started bad, as he surrendered an own goal in the twenty-second minute to give Leicester City the early advantage. Liverpool tied it in the twenty-sixth minute on an Adam Lallana goal, after a set piece situation. Lallana later received a yellow card in the thirty-eighth minute. Liverpool took the lead in the fifty-fourth minute on a Steven Gerrard goal. In the sixty-third minute, Leicester City went down to ten men when Wes Morgan received a straight red card. Liverpool's Gerrard was booked on a yellow card in the sixty-fifth minute. Leicester City saw a yellow card go to Jeffrey Schlupp in the seventy-fifth minute. Liverpool extended their lead in the eighty-third minute on a Jordan Henderson goal, set up by Raheem Sterling. This made it 3-1, the final.

Over in Manchester, United brings in Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and David de Gea are the gloved men. Manchester United opened in the twenty-first minute on a Marouane Fellaini header goal, coming off of an Ander Herrera cross. Stoke City tied it in the thirty-ninth minute with a Steven N'Zonzi goal. Stoke City's Phil Bardsley took a yellow card for his forty-first minute foul. In the fifty-eighth minute, Erik Pieters of Stoke City was given a yellow card, setting up Manchester United's go ahead goal on a free kick from Juan Mata. In the sixtieth minute, Herrera took a yellow card. Stoke City's Stephen Ireland was given a yellow card in the seventy-second minute for a foul. In stoppage time, Ashley Young of Manchester United took a yellow card for a foul. The final favored Manchester United 2-1.

Out to Wales, where Swansea City hosts the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Lukasz Fabianski are in the six-yard boxes. Joey Barton of QPR took the first yellow card in the thirty-sixth minute for a foul. In the fifty-seventh minute, Leroy Fer of QPR had a yellow card. Swansea City had a pair of yellow cards go to Neil Taylor in the seventy-first minute and Leon Britton in the seventy-sixth minute, both for fouls. In the seventy-eighth minute, Ki Sung-Yeung put Swansea City on the board with a goal from a difficult angle, set up by Wilfried Bony. Swansea City added on in the eighty-third minute with a Wayne Routledge goal, via Nathan Dyer. They held on for a 2-0 win.

Back to London, where Crystal Palace welcomes Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Julian Speroni guard the woodwork. Aston Villa struck first in the thirty-second minute on a Christian Benteke goal. Crystal Palace had two yellow cards in the second half, going to Frazier Campbell in the fifty-seventh minute and Yannick Bolasie in the eighty-first minute, both for fouls. Aston Villa had the next two yellow cards, going to Ciaran Clark in the eighty-second minute for a foul and Andreas Weimann in stoppage time for a hand ball. The final stood at 1-0 for Aston Villa.

Closing out Tuesday, West Bromwich Albion brings in West Ham United. Adrian and Ben Foster man the nets. West Brom struck first in the tenth minute on a Craig Dawson headed goal, set up by Graham Dorrans with a cross after a set piece. In the eighteenth minute, West Ham's James Tomkins took a yellow card. West Brom saw a yellow card go to Chris Brunt in the thirty-fourth minute for his foul. West Ham tied the game on a Kevin Nolan header from close range following a set piece in the thirty-fifth minute. In first half stoppage time, Tomkins put West Ham ahead with his close range header goal, assisted by Stewart Downing's cross after a corner kick. West Brom took a yellow card for a Stephane Sessegnon foul in the seventieth minute. West Ham held on for a 2-1 win.

On Wednesday, Arsenal hosts Southampton. Fraser Forster faces a lesser foe in Emiliano Martinez in goal. Southampton's Toby Alderweireld took the first yellow card of the game in the forty-third minute for a foul. Southampton had a yellow card go to Victor Wanyama in the seventy-sixth minute. Arsenal started the scoring with an eighty-ninth minute goal by Alexis Sanchez, passed from Aaron Ramsey. They cruised to a 1-0 win.

Close by, Chelsea welcomes Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois guard the nets. Chelsea began in the nineteenth minute on an Eden Hazard goal, fueled by Didier Drogba. Chelsea added on with a Drogba goal in the twenty-second minute, passed from Oscar on a through ball. The teams exchanged yellow cards in the second half, as Tottenham Hotspur took one in the forty-ninth minute for a Vlad Chiriches foul, followed by a fiftieth minute Nemanja Matic yellow card shown to Chelsea, also for a foul. Chelsea extended their lead in the seventy-third minute on a Loic Remy goal, courtesy of Cesar Azpilicueta with the through ball. Chelsea went on to win 3-0.

Continuing to Everton bringing in Hull City. Allan McGregor and Tim Howard receive the starting nods. Hull City took a yellow card in the twenty-fourth minute for a foul by Michael Dawson. Everton led off with a thirty-fourth minute Romelu Lukaku goal, passed from Kevin Mirallas. Hull City tied it in the fifty-ninth minute on a Sone Aluko goal, courtesy of Nikica Jelavic. Everton's Leighton Baines was shown a yellow card in the seventy-eighth minute for a foul. The final held at 1-1.

Finally, Sunderland hosts Manchester City. Joe Hart and Costel Pantilimon are in the six-yard boxes. Sunderland opened in the nineteenth minute on a Connor Wickham goal. Manchester City tied it twenty-first minute with a Sergio Aguero goal, guided in by Stevan Jovetic. In the thirty-ninth minute, Jovetic put Manchester City ahead, with the help of Aguero. Manchester City added on in the fifty-fifth minute on a Pablo Zabaleta goal, passed from Samir Nasri on a through ball. In the sixty-fifth minute, Dedryck Boyata of Manchester City received a yellow card. In the seventy-first minute, Lee Cattermole of Sunderland had a yellow card for a foul, and later that minute, Manchester City's lead was extended on another Aguero goal, made possible by James Milner. This produced the 4-1 final score.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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