KHL December 12th, 2014

Ten games on for today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, with Amur hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Chelyabinsk began with a first period power play goal by Andrei Popov, powered by Dmitry Pestunov and Anton Glinkin. Traktor added on with a Popov goal, with a lone assist by Glinkin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead as Vitaly Atyushov scored a power play goal, thanks to Glinkin, who got a sock trick, and Maxim Kondratyev. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period with a Denis Yezhov goal, assisted by Dmitry Tarasov and Michel Miklik on the power play. Traktor shot back in the third period with a Jan Bulis power play goal, coming off of Deron Quint. Amur pulled back on a Mikhail Fisenko goal, guided in by Yezhov and Miklik. The final was 4-2, and the three stars went to Popov, Glinkin, and Yezhov, while Miklik gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Ilya Proskuryakov are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk opened in the first period on a Denis Gorbunov goal, passed from Alexander Korolyuk and Igor Bortnikov. Vladivostok tied it on a Richard Gynge goal, going in unassisted. Yugra took the lead back as Nikita Gusev scored, thanks to the goalie Brust in the second period. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Brust (27 for 28 in saves), Gusev, and Gorbunov.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg brings in Lada Togliatti. Jeff Glass and Nikita Lozhkin are the backups in goal. Novokuznetsk started in the first period on a Denis Kurepanov goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg added on with an Alexander Romanov power play goal, powered by Ryan Stoa. Togliatti got on the board with a Fedor Fedorov goal, guided in by Denis Golubev. Lada tied it in the second period with a Fedorov goal, passed from Karol Sloboda. Togliatti took the lead as Stanislav Bocharov scored, with the help of Dmitry Vorobyov. Rafael Khakimov replaced Lozhkin in goal. Novokuznetsk tied it with an Anton Kapotov power play goal, with a lone assist by Ansel Galimov. Metallurg gained the lead with an Alexei Kosourov goal, coming off of Kurepanov and Mark Skutar. Novokuznetsk finished it at 5-3 in the third period on an empty net goal by Dmitry Maltsev, courtesy of Romanov and Stoa. The three stars went to Kurepanov, Romanov, and Fedorov, while Stoa gets an honorable mention.

Nearby, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Alexander Salak guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period with an Evgeny Ryasensky goal, courtesy of Andrei Ivanov. Neftekhimik added on with an Igor Polygalov goal, passed from Yegor Milovzorov on the power play. Novosibirsk got on the board with a Jonas Enlund goal, coming off of Dmitry Kugryshev and Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir tied it as Sergei Shumakov scored, with the help of Stepan Sannikov. Novosibirsk took the lead with a power play goal by David Ullstrom, powered by Dmitry Monya and Vitaly Menshikov. Sibir extended the lead with an Enlund goal, assisted by Kugryshev and Vyacheslav Belov. Novosibirsk padded the lead with an Ullstrom goal, made possible by Monya and Alexander Kopeikin. Sibir continued in the third period on a Patrik Hersley goal, fueled by Enlund and Koskiranta. Novosibirsk won 7-2 with an unassisted power play goal by Alexei Yefimenko. The three stars belonged to Enlund, Ullstrom, and Koskiranta, while Monya and Kugryshev get the honorable mentions.

Way out in Sochi, the Leopards welcome Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Tomas Popperle are given the starting nods. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Konstantin Volkov goal, fueled by Maxim Karpov and Alexander Osipov. Dynamo added on in the second period with a Denis Mosalyov goal, guided in by Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Moscow extended the lead on a Martins Karsums goal, with a lone assist by Filip Novak. Sochi got on the board with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, via Ilya Krikunov and Clay Wilson. Dynamo answered on a Maxim Pestushko goal, coming off of Konstantin Gorovikov. Moscow padded the lead with a Sergei Soin goal, coming off of Konstantin Glazachev and Yury Babenko. Dynamo iced it at 6-1 with a Karsums goal, with a lone helper from Mosalyov. The three stars went to Karsums, Mosalyov, and Yeryomenko (24 for 25 in saves).

Next up, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod bring in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Mikhail Biryukov. Yaroslavl was first to score with a Daniil Apalkov goal, assisted by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv added on with a second period Plotnikov goal, guided in by Averin and Apalkov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Jarkko Immonen, powered by Sakari Salminen and Wojtek Wolski. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Plotnikov, Apalkov, and Averin.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Danny Taylor draw the starts. Omsk opened in the first period on an Artyom Volkov goal, guided in by Tom Wandell. Minsk tied it on a Ryan Vesce goal, with a lone assist by Matt Ellison. Dinamo took the lead on an Alexander Kulakov goal, assisted by Alexander Materukhin and Artur Gavrus. Minsk added on in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, set up by Lukas Krajicek. Avangard pulled back on a Denis Parshin goal, made possible by Denis Kulyash. Dinamo answered on a power play goal by Dmitry Meleshko, powered by Krajicek and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Minsk extended the lead with a Krajicek power play goal, via Paul Szczechura and Kalyuzhny. Dinamo iced it at 6-2 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Ellison, coming off of Krajicek. The three stars went to Krajicek, Kalyuzhny, and Ellison.

Back east in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Jakub Stepanek are in the blue paint. Cherepovets started in the second period on a power play goal by Gennady Stolyarov, powered by Marek Kvapil and Logan Pyett. Podolsk tied it in third period on an Anton Korolyov goal, guided in by Mathias Porseland. Vityaz took the lead with a Roman Horak power play goal, via Yakov Seleznyov. Severstal tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, fueled by Nikolai Stasenko and Yury Trubachyov. Podolsk grabbed the lead back on a Robert Kousal goal, made possible by Igor Golovkov and Horak. Vityaz iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Korolyov. The three stars were given to Horak, Korolyov, and Kousal.

Southwest to Mytishchi, where Atlant brings in Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Atte Engren protect the nets. Mytishchi began in the first period on an Andrei Taratukhin goal, via Matthew Gilroy and Igor Levitsky. Astana tied it on a Roman Starchenko goal, passed from Dmitry Upper. Barys took the lead on a Talgat Zhailauov goal, with a lone assist by Roman Pushkaryov. Atlant tied it on anohter Taratukhin goal, made possible by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Ondrej Nemec. Mytishchi took the lead on a Sergei Shmelyov goal, guided in by Dmitry Korobov. Astana tied it again with a Brandon Bochenski goal, coming off of Dustin Boyd and Maxim Semyonov. Barys took the lead with a Starchenko goal, assisted by Nikolai Antropov and Konstantin Rudenko. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Starchenko, Taratukhin, and Bochenski.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Jaroslav Janus are the strong goalies. Ufa led off in the first period on an Ilkka Heikkinen goal, with a lone assist by Denis Tolpeko. Bratislava tied it on a second period with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, assisted by Milan Bartovic. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back in the third period, passed from Heikkinen and Teemu Hartikainen. Slovan tied it again with a Martin Stajnoch goal, courtesy of Rok Ticar and Libor Hudacek. In the shootout, Ticar and Tomas Netik scored to give Slovan a 3-2 win over a lone tally by Alexei Kaigorodov. The three stars went to Heikkinen, Tolpeko, and Ticar.

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NHL December 11, 2014

Ten games this evening, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Chicago struck first in the first period on a Klas Dahlbeck goal, fueled by Ben Smith and Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks added on with a Smith goal, his third of the season, coming off of Dan Carcillo and Kruger. Chicago extended the lead on a third period goal by Patrick Kane, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Kris Versteeg. Boston got on the board with a Reilly Smith goal, his seventh of the season, via Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins pulled closer in the third period with a Torey Krug goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Milan Lucic. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Smith, Kruger, and Darling (32 for 34 in saves).

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jhonas Enroth are in the blue paint. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Matt Moulson goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Tyler Ennis. Calgary tied it on a Mark Giordano power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler. The Sabres took the lead on a Marcus Foligno goal, his third of the season, guided in by Drew Stafford and Nicolas Deslauriers. The Flames retied it with a David Jones goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Curtis Glencross and Josh Jooris. Calgary gained the lead in the third period on a Sean Monahan goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Joe Colborne. Buffalo tied it again as Zemgus Girgensons scored, his ninth of the year, thanks to Ennis and Josh Gorges. The Sabres gained the lead with a Moulson goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, assisted by Ennis, who got a sock trick, and Girgensons. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars giving to Moulson, Ennis, and Girgensons.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Ray Emery draw the starts. Philadelphia was first to score on a shorthanded Sean Couturier goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Matt Read. The Flyers added on with a Read goal, his third of the year, passed from Couturier and Nick Schultz. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with a Martin Havlat power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr. Philadelphia shot back with a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Flyers iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Jakub Voracek, his tenth of the campaign, with the help of Giroux and Streit. The three stars went to Couturier, Read, and Streit, while Giroux gets an honorable mention.

Continuing to DC, where the Washington Capitals host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Washington led off with an Eric Fehr goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Columbus tied it with a Nick Foligno goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Brian Gibbons and James Wisniewski. The Capitals took the lead in the third period on a Troy Brouwer goal, his eighth of the season, via Matt Niskanen and Karl Alzner. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Kevin Connauton goal, his second of the year, assisted by James Wisniewski and Cam Atkinson. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime with a Foligno goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, guided in by Jack Johnson and Ryan Johansen on the power play. The three stars belonged to Foligno, and Wisniewski, and Bobrovsky (39 for 41 in saves).

In the other national capital, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Craig Anderson are between the pipes. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Matt Greene goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Jeff Carter. The Kings added on with a Justin Williams goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Jake Muzzin and Drew Doughty. Ottawa got on the board as Bobby Ryan scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Eric Gryba and Jared Cowen. The Senators tied it in the third period on a shorthanded Mark Stone goal, his sixth of the year, set up by David Legwand. Los Angeles took the lead back with an Anze Kopitar goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Doughty and Muzzin on a power play goal. The Kings extended the lead with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Tyler Toffoli and Muzzin, the latter getting a sock trick. Ottawa got one back with a Cowen goal, his second of the season, helped along by Kyle Turris. Los Angeles wrapped it up at 5-3 with a Tanner Pearson goal, his eleventh of the year, going into the empty net with assists provided by Mike Richards and the goalie Quick. The three stars went to Muzzin, Cowen, and Doughty.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Evgeni Nabokov are the experienced goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the third period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and the goalie Nabokov. Carolina tied it on a Justin Faulk goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Riley Nash and Andrej Sekera. The Lightning took the lead back as Kucherov scored his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, thanks to Alex Killorn and Matthew Carle. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Kucherov, Nabokov (29 for 30 in saves), and Faulk.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Jake Allen are the former teammates in goal. St. Louis began in the first period on an Alexander Steen goal, his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues added on with a Barret Jackman goal, made possible by Steen and Maxim Lapierre. New York got on the board with a John Tavares goal in the second period, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Kyle Okposo. The Islanders tied it with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Frans Nielsen. St. Louis took the lead on a Steen goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, with assists provided by T.J. Oshie and Jackman. The Blues extended the lead on an Oshie goal, his fourth of the season, via Patrik Berglund and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis padded the lead as Paul Stastny scored his seventh of the year, thanks to David Backes and Oshie on the power play. New York got one back with an Okposo goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone helper from Matt Donovan. The Blues finished it at 6-3 with a Jaden Schwartz empty net goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Shattenkirk and Jori Lehtera. The three stars were given to Steen, Oshie, and Jackman, while Shattenkirk and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Calvin Pickard are the mediocre goalies. Winnipeg started in the second period with an Andrew Ladd goal, his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Mark Scheifele and Michael Frolik. Colorado tied it on a Matt Duchene goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Jan Hejda and Alex Tanguay. The Jets took the lead with a Paul Postma power play goal, his second of the season, via Scheifele and Adam Lowry. Winnipeg added on in the third period with a Scheifele goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Mathieu Perreault and Frolik. The Avalanche got one back with a Jarome Iginla goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Tanguay and Duchene. Colorado tied it on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Gabriel Landeskog and Zach Redmond. The Avalanche won 4-3 in the shootout with Nathan MacKinnon and Duchene goals. The three stars belonged to Duchene, Scheifele, and Tanguay, while Frolik gets an honorable mention.

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Arizona struck first in the first period on an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. Nashville tied it on a Mike Fisher goal, guided in by Shea Weber and Filip Forsberg on the power play. The Predators took the lead on a James Neal goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Fisher and Roman Josi. Nashville added on as Ryan Ellis scored, his third of the season, thanks to Neal and Mike Ribeiro. The Predators extended the lead on a third period goal by Calle Jarnkrok, his second of the year, coming off of Gabriel Bourque and Forsberg. Nashville finished it at 5-1 with an Olli Jokinen goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Colin Wilson and Weber. The three stars went to Fisher, Neal, and Forsberg, while Weber gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Alex Stalock are given the green light to start in goal. San Jose was first to score in the second period with a Brent Burns power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Justin Braun and Joe Thornton. Minnesota got on the board with a third period Christian Folin goal, going in unassisted. The Sharks took the lead back as Joe Pavelski netted his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Thornton and Brenden Dillon. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars given to Thornton, Stalock (18 for 19 in saves), and Pavelski.

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KHL December 11th, 2014

Three games for the day, beginning in...

Yekaterinburg, with Avtomobilist hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a Vadim Shipachyov penalty shot goal after he was hooked by Alexei Simakov. SKA added on with an Artemy Panarin goal, via Shipachyov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Patrick Thoresen scored, thanks to Tony Martensson and Roman Cervenka. SKA padded the lead in the second period with an Anton Burdasov goal, passed from Alexander Kadeikin and Ilya Kablukov. Yekaterinburg got on the board in third period with an Ilya Arkalov goal, guided in by Nikita Tryamkin. St. Petersburg shot back with an Evgeny Ketov goal, with a lone assist by Shipachyov. This made it 5-1, with the three stars going to Shipachyov, Koskinen (28 for 29 in saves), and Panarin.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, with Metallurg welcoming Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers and Vasily Koshechkin are given the starting nods. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, fueled by Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on with a Jan Kovar goal, with a lone assist by Mozyakin. Riga got on the board with a Miks Indrasis goal, coming off of Charles Genoway and Nikolajs Jelisejevs. Magnitogorsk shot back on a Mozyakin goal, assisted by Viktor Antipin and Kovar. Metallurg extended the lead in the second period with a Kovar goal, courtesy of Antipin. Dinamo replied with a power play goal by Mikelis Redlihs, powered by Krisjanis Redlihs and Lauris Darzins. Riga pulled closer with a Linus Videll goal, passed from Krisjanis Redlihs and Darzins. Dinamo tied it on a Oskars Cibulskis goal, made possible by Darzins, who got a sock trick, and Mikelis Redlihs. Magnitogorsk won 5-4 with a third period Chris Lee goal, with assists provided by Maxim Yakutsenya and Denis Platonov. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Darzins, while Antipin, Krisjanis Redlihs, and Mikelis Redlihs are given the honorable mentions.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Anders Nilsson protect the nets. Helsinki struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Niklas Hagman, powered by Juhamatti Aaltonen and Ryan Gunderson. Jokerit added on with a Steve Moses goal, via Petr Koukal. Kazan got on the board in the third period with an Ilya Nikulin power play goal, guided in by Oscar Moller and Justin Azevedo. The final stood at 2-1 with the three stars being Helenius (27 for 28 in saves), Moses, and Hagman.

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NHL December 10th, 2014

Two games tonight, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jimmy Howard are set to start in goal. Detroit got going in the second period on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Tomas Jurco and Henrik Zetterberg. Toronto tied it on a third period Phil Kessel goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk was upended by Bozak and Mike Santorelli as the Maple Leafs won 2-1. The three stars went to Bozak, Reimer (41 for 42 in saves), and Howard (18 for 19 in saves).

The other game has the Anaheim Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth opposes former teammates Frederik Andersen in goal. Anaheim dented the scoreboard on a Matt Beleskey goal in the first period, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Kyle Palmieri and Rickard Rakell on the power play. The Ducks added on in the second period as Ryan Kesler scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Hampus Lindholm and Andersen. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his seventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. This only made it 2-1, with the three stars given to Andersen (21 for 22 in saves), Kesler, and Beleskey.

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KHL December 10th, 2014

Ten games on a busy day today. Personal crisis is the reason for the late posting hour. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Alexei Murygin are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with an Evgeny Orlov goal, coming off of Michel Miklik. Togliatti tied it in the second period on a Semyon Valuisky, with a lone assist by Andrei Nikitenko. Amur took the lead back on a Dmitry Lugin goal, passed from Mikhail Fisenko and Marcel Hascak. Khabarovsk added on with a Dmitry Tarasov goal, assisted by Denis Yezhov and Miklik. Lada got one back with a Vitaly Shulakov power play goal, powered by Anton Shenfeld and Martin Zatovic. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Tarasov, Lugin, and Orlov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Ivan Nalimov are set to start in goal. Nizhnekamsk began with a Matt Anderson goal, made possible by Tim Stapleton. Vladivostok tied it on a Niclas Bergfors power play goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Zubov. Neftekhimik retook the lead with a power play goal by Mikhail Zhukov, powered by Teemu Eronen and Maxim Rybin. Nizhnekamsk added on in the second period on an Igor Makarov goal, helped along by Zhukov. Admiral got one back with a Sergei Barbashev goal, passed from Alexander Kuznetsov and Nikita Lisov. Vladivostok tied it on a Bergfors goal in the third period, guided in by Richard Gynge and Jan Kolar. Admiral took the lead with a Shaun Heshka goal, via Felix Schutz and Konstantin Makarov. Vladivostok wrapped it up at 5-3 when Bergfors completed his hat trick with a power play goal fueled by Denis Osipov and Gynge. The three stars were awarded to Bergfors, Gynge, and Zhukov.

West to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Rafael Khakimov are given the starting nods. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period on an Anton Glinkin goal, via Andrei Popov. Traktor added on with a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, courtesy of Martin Ruzicka. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the second period as Deron Quint scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Pestunov and Stanislav Chistov. Traktor padded the lead as Chistov scored in the third period, thanks to Yegor Martynov and Konstantin Panov. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Ansel Galimov goal, made possible by Dmitry Maltsev. Chelyabisnk replied on a Danil Gubarev goal, coming off of Alexei Kruchinin. Traktor finished it at 6-1 with a Popov power play goal, with a lone helper from Osnovin. The three stars went to Chistov, Popov, and Osnovin.

Next up, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Alexander Salak are the respectable goalies. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Jarno Koskiranta power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Patrik Hersley. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Grigory Zheldakov goal, courtesy of Andrei Sergeyev. Sibir took the lead back with a shorthanded and unassisted Viktor Bobrov goal. Novosibirsk added on in the second period as Alexei Kopeikin scored, thanks to Oleg Gubin and Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir extended the lead with a Jonas Enlund goal, fueled by Hersley and Gubin. Novosibirsk padded the lead with a Hersley power play goal, assisted by Enlund and Vyacheslav Belov. Yugra got one back in the third period on an Artyom Bulyansky goal, guided in by Mikhail Biryukov, the replacement goalie for Brust. This only made it 5-2, with the three stars going to Hersley, Enlund, and Gubin.

Way west to Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Ivan Kasutin are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period on a Nikita Filatov goal, coming off of Sergei Bernatsky. Sochi tied it on a Cory Emmerton power play goal, powered by Clay Wilson and Andre Petersson. The Leopards took the lead in the second period on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, via Ilya Krikunov and Nikita Shchitov. Torpedo tied it on a Wojtek Wolski goal, fueled by Viktor Drugov and Bernatsky. Sochi took the lead again on a Roman Lyuduchin goal, with a lone helper from Mikhail Anisin. Nizhny Novgorod retied it on a Dmitry Kazionov goal, made possible by Denis Kazionov and Alexei Potapov. The Leopards reclaimed the lead in the third period with a Wilson goal, helped along by Lyuduchin and Roman Derlyuk. Sochi added on with another Emmerton goal, passed from Max Warn and Derlyuk. The Leopards extended the lead on an empty net goal by Wilson, going in unassisted. Torpedo got one back as Wolski scored a power play goal, with the help of Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. The final was 6-4, and the three stars went to Emmerton, Wilson, and Lyuduchin, while Bernatsky, Wolski, and Derlyuk get the honorable mentions.

Continuing to Cherepovets, where Severstal brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Jakub Stepanek are the goalies. Cherepovets started with a Vadim Berdnikov power play goal, powered by Marek Kvapil and Alexander Urbom. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period on a Sergei Plotnikov goal, guided in by Yegor Averin and Staffan Kronwall. Severstal retook the lead on an Evgeny Mons goal, fueled by Zakhar Arzamastsev and Pavel Chernov. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Stepanek (26 for 27 in saves), Mons, and Berdnikov.

Down in Mytishchi, Atlant hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Atte Engren are between the pipes. Mytishchi got going in the second period with a Maxim Mayorov goal, assisted by Artyom Chernov and Matthew Gilroy. Atlant added on with a Vyacheslav Kozlov goal, fueled by Andrei Taratukhin and Dmitry Korobov. Mytishchi extended the lead Chernov passed from Andreas Engqvist and Mayorov. Leland Irving replaced Sokhatsky at this time. Atlant padded the lead on a Vsevolod Sorokin goal, assisted by Nikita Soshnikov. Mytishchi kept going with a Mayorov goal, with a lone assist by Engqvist. Atlant continued in the third period with a power play goal by Taratukhin, powered by Albert Yarullin and Kozlov. Ufa got on the board with an Anton Slepyshev goal, made possible by Andrei Zubarev and Alexei Glukhov. This produced the 6-1 final, with the three stars being Mayorov, Chernov, and Kozlov, while Taratukhin and Engqvist get the honorable mentions.

South to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes CSKA Moscow. Kevin Lalande and Ivan Lisutin are all padded up. Moscow began in the first period on an Alexander Radulov power play goal, powered by Denis Denisov and Nikolai Prokhorkin. CSKA added on in the second period with a Stephane Da Costa goal, courtesy of Grigory Panin and Jan Mursak. Moscow extended the lead as Prokhorkin scored, thanks to Radulov and Igor Grigorenko. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Mario Kempe power play goal, passed from Roman Horak and Mathias Porseland. CSKA responded with a Da Costa power play goal, with a lone assist by Radulov. The three stars of the 4-1 game were Da Costa, Prokhorkin, and Radulov.

Out in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava brings in Barys Astana. Alexei Ivanov is mismatched with Jaroslav Janus in goal. Bratislava led off in the first period with a Matt Murley goal, via Peter Olvecky. Slovan added on with a Tomas Surovy goal, fueled by Andrej Stastny and Andrej Kudrna. Astana got on the board with an unassisted Konstantin Rudenko goal. Barys tied it in the second period with a Brandon Bochenski goal, made possible by Nigel Dawes and Dustin Boyd. Bratislava retook the lead as Milan Bartovic scored, thanks to Vaclav Nedorost. They cruised to a 3-2 victory, with the three stars being Bartovic, Surovy, and Murley.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin faces a lesser foe in Mark Dekanich in goal. Omsk dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Denis Kulyash goal, passed from Kirill Semyonov. Avangard added on as Denis Parshin scored a power play goal, powered by Erik Gustafsson and Miroslav Blatak. Omsk extended the lead on another Parshin goal, made possible by Nikita Pivtsakin and Vladimir Sobotka. Avangard padded the lead with a Chad Kolarik goal, guided in by Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. Calvin Heeter replaced Dekanich for the third period. Omsk continued on a Perezhogin goal, with a lone assist by Pivtsakin on the power play. Zagreb got on the board with a Mark Katic goal, fueled by Martin St. Pierre and Brock Trotter. Avangard shot back in the third period as Pivtsakin scored, thanks to Sobotka. Medvescak answered on a Kurtis McLean goal, coming off of Mathieu Carle and Geoffrey Kinrade. This produced the 6-2 final, with the three stars given to Parshin, Pivtsakin, and Perezhogin, while Sobotka gets an honorable mention.

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NHL December 9th, 2014

Ten games on for today, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Keith Kinkaid are the unknown goalies. New Jersey began in the first period on a Jordin Tootoo goal, his second of the season, fueled by Steve Bernier. Chicago tied it in the second period on a Bryan Bickell goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Sharp. The Devils retook the lead in the third period on a Stephen Gionta goal, his second of the season, coming off of Bernier and Damon Severson. The Blackhawks tied it on a Duncan Keith goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. Chicago won 3-2 in the shootout with goals by Toews and Patrick Kane. The three stars went to Toews, Bernier, and Keith.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Sergei Bobrovsky each play against their former teams. Columbus struck first in the first period on a Boone Jenner power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Brandon Dubinsky and James Wisniewski. Philadelphia tied it on a power play goal by Brayden Schenn, his eighth of the year, made possible by Claude Giroux and Mark Streit. The Blue Jackets retook the lead in the second period with a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Nick Foligno and Jack Johnson. The Flyers tied it in the third period with Schenn's second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime on a Kevin Connauton goal, with a lone assist from Ryan Johansen. The three stars went to Schenn, Connauton, and Hartnell.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jhonas Enroth are the Olympian goalies. Buffalo got going in the third period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Matt Moulson and Drew Stafford. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Enroth (34 save shutout), Ennis, and Quick (15 for 16 in saves).

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eighth of the season, via Max Pacioretty and Tom Gilbert. Vancouver tied it with a shorthanded Derek Dorsett goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Jannik Hansen and Kevin Bieksa. The Canadiens took the lead on a third period goal by Tomas Plekanec, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Sven Andrighetto and Jiri Sekac. Montreal iced it at 3-1 with a Pacioretty empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from P.K. Subban. The three stars went to Plekanec, Gallagher, and Pacioretty.

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Washington led off in the first period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Tom Wilson and John Carlson. Tampa Bay tied it on a Brian Boyle goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Victor Hedman and J.T. Brown. The Capitals took the lead back with a Matt Niskanen goal, his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. The Lightning tied it in the second period on a Steven Stamkos goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Hedman. Washington took the lead back with a Brooks Laich goal, his third of the season, made possible by Joel Ward. The Capitals added on in the third period with a Troy Brouwer goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Johansson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Tampa Bay pulled back with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Tyler Johnson and Hedman, the latter getting a sock trick. Washington finished it at 5-3 with an Ovechkin empty net goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, set up by Backstrom. The three stars went to Hedman, Johansson, and Ovechkin, while Backstrom gets an honorable mention.

Back north to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Bernier receive the starting nods. Toronto was first to score with a Peter Holland goal, his seventh of the season, via David Clarkson and Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf. Calgary got on the board in the third period with a Markus Granlund power play goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie. Toronto answered with a Phil Kessel empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Mike Santorelli, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Kadri and Phaneuf. The three stars belonged to Bernier (32 for 33 in saves), van Riemsdyk, and Kadri, while Phaneuf gets an honorable mention.

Stateside, the Minnesota Wild host the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson and Niklas Backstrom are in the blue paint. New York opened in the first period on a Michael Grabner goal, his second of the season, passed from Anders Lee and Griffin Reinhart. The Islanders added on with a Brock Nelson power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Nick Leddy and John Tavares. New York extended the lead with a Matt Martin goal, his third of the season, coming off of Thomas Hickey and Lubomir Visnovsky. Minnesota got on the board with a power play goal by Jason Pominville, his sixth of the year, via Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu in the second period. The Islanders replied with a Josh Bailey goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mikhail Grabovski and Calvin de Haan. The Wild took one back in the third period with a Koivu goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Jason Zucker. Minnesota pulled closer on an Erik Haula goal, his third of the season, with helpers provided by Ryan Carter and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild tied it with a Thomas Vanek goal, his third of the year, made possible by Zach Parise and Suter. Minnesota took the lead on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his twelfth of the season, pushed through by Vanek and Suter, the latter getting a sock trick. This made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars going to Vanek, Suter, and Koivu.

South to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Kari Lehtonen are the masked men. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. Dallas tied it on a power play goal by Tyler Seguin, his twenty-second of the year, fueled by Jason Spezza and Jamie Benn. The Jets regained the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Andrew Ladd and Byfuglien. The Stars retied it in the second period as Antoine Roussel scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Seguin and Jordie Benn. Winnipeg gained the lead with an Adam Lowry goal, his third of the season, helped along by Michael Frolik and Ben Chiarot. Jussi Rynnas relieved Lehtonen at this time. The Jets added on as Lowry scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, with the help of Adam Pardy and Matt Halischuk. Winnipeg extended the lead on a shorthanded Frolik goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Wheeler and Mark Stuart. This held up for a 5-2 win, with the three stars being Lowry, Frolik, and Wheeler, while Byfuglien and Seguin get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Nashville began in the first period with a Filip Forsberg goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Gabriel Bourque and Seth Jones. The Predators added on with an empty net goal by Bourque, via Mike Ribeiro. Nashville extended the lead on a James Neal empty net goal, set up by Ribeiro and Forsberg. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars given to Forsberg, Rinne (26 save shutout), and Bourque, while Ribeiro gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Alex Stalock are in the creases. San Jose led off in the first period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Thornton and Justin Braun. The Sharks added on with a Barclay Goodrow goal, via Melker Karlsson and James Sheppard. Edmonton got on the board with a Jordan Eberle goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers tied it on a David Perron goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Teddy Purcell. San Jose retook the lead in the second period as Logan Couture netted his twelfth of the year, thanks to Scott Hannan and Tommy Wingels. The Sharks extended the lead with Pavelski's second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrick Marleau and Thornton. San Jose padded the lead on a Brent Burns goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone helped from Couture. This held up for a 5-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Pavelski, Couture, and Thornton.

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KHL December 9th, 2014

Three games on this afternoon, beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Jakub Kovar are given the starting nods. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period with an Aaron Palushaj goal, courtesy of Anton Lazarev. Avtomobilist added on with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Eduard Lewandowski and Viktor Kozlov. Yekaterinburg extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Artyom Gareyev. Avtomobilist iced it at 4-0 with an empty net goal by Alexei Simakov, set up by Alexander Rybakov while shorthanded. The three stars went to Kovar (33 save shutout), Palushaj, and Mikhnov.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. St. Petersburg started in the first period on a power play goal by Artemy Panarin, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Vadim Shipachyov. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Chris Lee power play goal in the second period, made possible by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. SKA took the lead on a Roman Cervenka goal, fueled by Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg added on in the third period with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, helped along by Panarin and Shipachyov. Metallurg shot back with a Mozyakin goal, with a lone assist by Viktor Antipin. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Danis Zaripov goal, coming off of Tim Brent and Kovar. Metallurg won 4-3 with a Kovar goal, assisted by Mozyakin and Sergei Tereshchenko in overtime. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Panarin, while Shipachyov gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers and Emil Garipov draw the starts. Riga opened in the first period on a Gints Meija penalty shot goal after he was hooked by Evgeny Medvedev. Kazan tied it on a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, passed from Justin Azevedo and Ilya Nikulin. Dinamo took the lead back in the second period with a Lauris Darzins goal, coming off of Charles Genoway. Ak Bars tied it on a Nikulin power play goal, powered by Oscar Moller. Kazan took the lead with an Artyom Lukoyanov shorthanded goal, set up by Tkachyov and Yakov Rylov. This made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars being Nikulin, Tkachyov, and Lukoyanov.

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