KHL and NHL December 15th, 2014

Slow day in both leagues, so we'll condense the post to one for hockey today. We begin with...

Slovan Bratislava hosting Jokerit Helsinki in the lone KHL game. Riku Helenius and Jaroslav Janus protect the nets. Bratislava started in the first period on a Ziga Jeglic goal, going in unassisted. Slovan added on with a Tomas Netik goal, with a lone assist by Rok Ticar. Helsinki got on the board in the second period on a Ryan Gunderson power play goal, powered by Juhamatti Aaltonen and Niko Kapanen. Bratislava replied on a Tomas Starosta power play goal, courtesy of Netik and Ticar. Jokerit answered with an unassisted goal by Tomi Maki. Slovan extended the lead on a Milan Bartovic goal, via Michal Vondrka and Ivan Baranka. Bratislava padded the lead in the third period as Vondrka scored an unassisted goal. Slovan iced it at 6-2 with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Netik, Vondrka, and Ticar.

In the NHL, we begin with the Buffalo Sabres welcoming the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jhonas Enroth are set to start in goal. Ottawa struck first in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Mike Hoffman and Mika Zibanejad. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Rasmus Ristolainen power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Chris Stewart and Brian Gionta. The Sabres gained the lead with a Matt Moulson goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Andrej Meszaros and Tyler Ennis. Buffalo added on with a Marcus Foligno goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Brian Flynn and Tyler Myers. The Senators got one back as Mark Stone scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Kyle Turris and Cody Ceci. Ottawa tied it on a third period goal by Curtis Lazar, made possible by Erik Condra and Alex Chiasson. The Senators took the lead with a Chiasson goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Mark Borowiecki. The Sabres retied it with a Flynn goal, his fourth of the season, via Foligno and Andre Benoit. Buffalo won 5-4 in the shootout with a lone tally by Moulson. The three stars were given to Flynn, Foligno, and Chiasson.

Across the state, the New York Islanders bring in the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. New Jersey was first to score in the first period on a Marek Zidlicky power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr. The Devils added on with Gomez's second of the year, guided in by Jagr and Zidlicky. New York got on the board in the second period as Josh Bailey potted his fifth of the season, with the help of Ryan Strome and Mikhail Grabovski. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Matt Martin goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Casey Cizikas and Calvin de Haan. In the shootout, Kyle Okposo and Gomez cancelled each other out before a Bailey tally lifted the Islanders to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Gomez, Zidlicky, and Jagr.

The last game of the day has the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Marc-Andre Fleury occupy the creases. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Brandon Sutter shorthanded goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Rob Scuderi. Tampa Bay tied it on a Jonathan Drouin power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. The Penguins regained the lead in the second period when Bryan Rust put one behind Evgeni Nabokov, with the help of Andrew Ebbett. Pittsburgh added on a Steve Downie power play goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Patric Hornqvist and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins extended the lead in the third period on a Brian Dumoulin goal, passed from Downie and Nick Spaling. The Lightning got one back with a Kucherov goal, his twelfth of the year, with a lone helper by Valtteri Filppula. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Downie, Kucherov, and Dumoulin. 

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

Premier League Week 16

Ten more games for the weekend, beginning with...

Burnley hosting Southampton. Fraser Forster and Tom Heaton draw the starts in goal. Southampton took a yellow card for a Jake Hesketh foul in the seventeenth minute. Southampton had another yellow card go to Sadio Mane in the thirty-ninth minute for a foul. In the seventy-third minute, Ashley Barnes scored for Burnley, with an assist from Danny Ings. In the eighty-third minute, Graziano Pelle of Southampton and George Boyd of Burnley took yellow cards for their argument. Burnley held on for a 1-0 win.

Next up, Chelsea welcomes Hull City. Allan McGregor and Petr Cech are in the six-yard boxes. Chelsea began in the seventh minute with an Eden Hazard goal, via Oscar's cross. Hull City had a pair of yellow cards go to Tom Huddlestone in the fifteenth minute and David Meyler in the twenty-sixth minute, the first for a foul and the second for a handball. Chelsea had a pair of yellow cards for Willian's thirty-first minute foul and Gary Cahill's foul in the thirty-eighth minute. In the fifty-seventh minute, Alex Bruce took a yellow card for a foul for Hull City. Chelsea had a yellow card go to Diego Costa in the fifty-eighth minute. Hull City went down to ten men when Huddlestone received a straight red card in the sixtieth minute. In the sixty-sixth minute, James Chester took a yellow card for his foul for Hull City. Chelsea extended their lead with a sixty-eighth minute Costa goal, set up by Hazard. Chelsea notched a 2-0 win.

Staying in London, Crystal Palace brings in Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Julian Speroni guard the woodwork. Crystal Palace opened with an eleventh minute goal from James McArthur, courtesy of Yannick Bolasie's cross. Stoke City tied it on a Peter Crouch goal in the thirteenth minute. In the sixty-seventh minute, Crystal Palace saw a yellow card go to Marouane Chamakh for his foul. Crystal Palace took another yellow card in the ninetieth minute for a foul by Scott Dann. The final ended at a 1-1 draw.

Continuing to Leicester City hosting Manchester City. Joe Hart faces a lesser foe in Ben Hamer in goal. In the fortieth minute, Manchester City got a goal from Frank Lampard to take the early lead, with an assist by Samir Nasri. Nasri took a yellow card in the seventieth minute for Manchester City. In the seventy-eighth minute, Hart was shown the yellow card for time wasting. Manchester City cruised to a 1-0 win.

Following that, Sunderland welcomes West Ham United. Adrian and Costel Pantilimon are the goalies. Sunderland struck first in the twenty-second minute on a Jordi Gomez penalty kick goal. West Ham United tied it with a twenty-ninth minute goal by Stewart Downing, passed from Kevin Nolan. In the fortieth minute, West Ham took a yellow card for Winston Reid's transgression. In the fifty-seventh minute, Sunderland's Gomez was shown a yellow card for a foul. West Ham had another yellow card go to Downing in the eightieth minute. In the eighty-second minute, Connor Wickham was given a yellow card for his foul for Sunderland. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up, West Bromwich Albion brings in Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Ben Foster are the gloved men. West Brom's Gareth McAuley took a yellow card in the eighteenth minute for his foul. Aston Villa went down to ten men when Kieran Richardson was given a straight red card for his twenty-second minute foul. Aston Villa had a yellow card go to Tom Cleverley in the forty-second minute. West Brom took a booking in the sixty-third minute on a Sebastien Pocognoli foul, earning a yellow card. Aston Villa had a yellow card in the sixty-fifth minute as Alan Hutton committed a foul. West Brom started the scoring in the seventy-second minute with a Craig Gardner goal. West Brom took two more yellow cards, going to Silvestre Varela in the seventy-eighth minute for a foul and Gardner in stoppage time for a hand ball. West Brom held on for a 1-0 win.

Finally, Arsenal hosts Newcastle United to close out Saturday. Jak Alnwick is mismatched with Wojciech Szczesny in goal. In the fifteenth minute, Arsenal led off with an Olivier Giroud goal, coming off of an Alexis Sanchez cross. In the thirty-seventh minute, Arsenal saw a yellow card go to Hector Bellerin for a foul. Arsenal added on in the fifty-fourth minute as Santiago Cazorla scored, thanks to Sanchez. Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took a yellow card in the fifty-seventh minute. Arsenal extended their lead with a fifty-eighth minute Giroud goal, set up by Bellerin. Newcastle United took a yellow card for a Cheick Tiote foul in the fifty-ninth minute. In the sixty-third minute Newcastle United got on the board with a header goal by Ayoze Perez, coming off of a Jack Colback cross after a set piece situation. In the eighty-second minute, Newcastle United's Daryl Janmaat took a yellow card. In the eighty-eighth minute, Cazorla scored on a penalty kick to produce the 4-1 final score.

The first Sunday game had Manchester United welcoming Liverpool. Bradley Jones and David de Gea are in the six-yard boxes. Manchester United had a yellow card go to Marouane Fellaini in the fifth minute for a foul. Manchester United opened the scoring in the twelfth minute on a Wayne Rooney goal, via Antonio Valencia. Manchester United had another yellow card in the twenty-first minute on a Phil Jones foul. Liverpool's Joe Allen took a yellow card for his foul in the twenty-ninth minute. In the thirty-seventh minute, Jonny Evans of Manchester United was given a yellow card for a foul. Manchester United added on to their lead with a Juan Mata header goal in the fortieth minute, set up by Robin van Persie. Manchester United saw another yellow card booking for a Rooney foul in the forty-third minute. Manchester United extended the lead in the seventy-first minute on a van Persie goal, guided in by Mata. Liverpool took two more yellow cards, going to Mario Balotelli in the seventy-fourth minute for a foul and Steven Gerrard in the eighty-fourth minute. The final favored Manchester United 3-0.

The other game takes us to Wales for Swansea City bringing in Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Gerhard Trammel make the starts in goal. In the fourth minute, Harry Kane began for Tottenham Hotspur with a goal set up by Christian Eriksen's cross after a corner kick. Tottenham Hotspur had three straight yellow cards for a fifteenth minute handball by Kyle Walker, a thirty-fifth minute foul by Jan Vertonghen, and a Ryan Mason foul in the forty-first minute. Swansea City tied it in the forty-eighth minute on a Wilfried Bony goal, going in unassisted. In the fifty-first minute, Swansea City's Ki Sung-Yueng took a yellow card for a foul. In the eighty-second minute, Neil Taylor of Swansea City was given a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur received a yellow card for Benjamin Stambouli's eighty-third minute handball. In the eighty-ninth minute, Eriksen put Tottenham Hotspur ahead with a goal made possible by Ben Davies. Swansea City took a yellow card for Kyle Bartley's foul in stoppage time. Tottenham Hotspur held on for a 2-1 win. 

Monday's game sees Everton host the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Tim Howard are between the posts. Everton led off in the thirty-third minute with a Ross Barkley goal, set up by Romelu Lukaku. In the forty-third minute, Kevin Mirallas added on to the Everton lead with a goal on a free kick. Everton extended the lead on a fifty-third minute header goal by Steven Naismith, courtesy of Aiden McGeady with the cross. QPR got on the board in the eightieth minute on a Bobby Zamora goal. Everton's Leighton Baines took a yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute for his foul. Jordon Mutch had a yellow card in the eighty-ninth minute for a foul. The game ended with Everton winning 3-1.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL December 14th, 2014

Three games today, beginning in the afternoon with...

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and James Reimer are the goalies. Toronto struck first in the first period on a Mike Santorelli goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Daniel Winnik and Korbinian Holzer. The Maple Leafs added on with a Cody Franson goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Nazem Kadri and Santorelli. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with a Justin Williams goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Kyle Clifford and Alec Martinez. The Kings tied it on a Dwight King goal, his third of the year, assisted by Robyn Regehr and Martinez. Los Angeles took the lead on a Marian Gaborik third period goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Williams and Jarret Stoll. Toronto tied it as James van Riemsdyk scored his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Franson and Phil Kessel. The tie lasted to a  shootout, where Joffrey Lupul's lone tally led the Maple Leafs to a 4-3 victory. The three stars went to Santorelli, Franson, and Williams, while Martinez gets an honorable mention.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Antti Raanta are set to start in goal. Calgary got going in the second period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie. Chicago tied it on a Patrick Sharp goal, his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on a Brandon Saad goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Raanta (23 for 24 in saves), Toews, and Saad.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ben Scrivens are in the blue paint. New York was first to score in the first period on a Dan Girardi goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Carl Hagelin, his sixth of the year, set up by Dominic Moore. The three stars went to Lundqvist (16 save shutout), Girardi, and Hagelin.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL December 14th, 2014

Due to my United States, West Coast location, today's ten games of action actually started with two games yesterday for me, with the first game in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Stepan Goryachevskikh and Alexei Murygin are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk opened in the first period on an Evgeny Orlov goal, guided in by Alexander Yunkov and Anton Krysanov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period on an unassisted Ilari Melart goal. Yugra took the lead with a Melart power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Lukas Kaspar. Khanty-Mansiysk added on in the third period with an Ivan Yatsenko goal, assisted by Pavel Valentenko and Igor Bortnikov. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Melart, Goryachevskikh (21 for 22 in saves), and Yatsenko.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Ivan Nalimov draw the starts in goal. Chelyabinsk started in the first period as Jan Bulis scored, with the help of Konstantin Panov. Vladivostok tied it on an Andrei Sigaryov goal, fueled by Richard Gynge and Niclas Bergfors. Traktor retook the lead as Panov scored a power play goal, powered by Stanislav Chistov and Deron Quint. Admiral tied it again on a Konstantin Makarov goal, courtesy of Jan Kolar and Enver Lisin. Vladivostok pulled ahead on an Alexander Gorshkov goal, assisted by Fyodor Belyakov. Chelyabinsk retied it in the third period as Martin Ruzicka scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Osnovin and Igor Velichkin. Admiral won 4-3 with Gynge and Bergfors tallies. The three stars went to Panov, Bergfors, and Gynge.

West to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Rafael Khakimov are in the creases. Novokuznetsk began in the first period on a Ryan Stoa goal, courtesy of Dmitry Maltsev and Alexander Romanov. Nizhnekamsk tied it on an unassisted goal by Evgeny Ryasensky. Metallurg retook the lead in the second period on a Nikolai Skladnichenko power play goal, powered by Kirill Gavrilychev. Neftekhimik tied it on a third period Tim Stapleton goal, passed from Teemu Eronen. In the shootout, Novokuznetsk got goals from Konstantin Turukin and Ansel Galimov to top a lone tally by Igor Makarov of Nizhnekamsk for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Stoa, Skladnichenko, and Khakimov (35 for 37 in saves).

Continuing to Novosibirsk, Sibir hosts Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Alexander Salak are the former teammates in goal. Novosibirsk led off in the first period on a Jonas Enlund goal, coming off of Jarno Koskiranta and Dmitry Kugryshev. Sibir added on with a Dmitry Monya goal, assisted by Patrik Hersley and David Ullstrom. Novosibirsk extended the lead with a second period power play goal by Hersley, powered by Kugryshev and Enlund. Togliatti got on the board with a Denis Barantsev power play goal, via Yury Petrov and Alexander Chernikov. Lada pulled closer on another Barantsev power play goal, going in unassisted. Sibir shot back in the third period as Koskiranta scored a power play goal, thanks to Hersley and Kugryshev, the latter getting a sock trick. Togliatti took one back on a Dmitry Ogurtsov goal, fueled by Alexander Streltsov and Vasily Streltsov. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Koskiranta, Hersley, and Kugryshev, while Enlund and Barantsev get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Sochi Leopards welcome Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Tomas Popperle are between the pipes. Yaroslavl struck first in the first period on a Geoff Platt goal, guided in by Ilya Lyubushkin and Ilya Gorokhov. Lokomotiv added on in the second period on a Gorokhov goal, made possible by Martin Thornberg and Sergei Konkov. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Sergei Plotnikov scored, thanks to Jonas Holos and Yegor Averin. Andrei Gavrilov replaced Popperle in goal. Lokomotiv padded the lead on a Konkov goal, passed from Thornberg and Lyubushkin. Yaroslavl kept going with an Averin goal, with a lone assist by Plotnikov. Lokomotiv continued with a Kirill Kapustin goal, fueled by Emil Galimov. Yaroslavl struck again as Averin put away a power play goal, powered by Staffan Kronwall. Sochi got on the board with an Alexander Shcherbina goal, with assists provided by Timofei Shishkanov and Mikhail Anisin. Popperle returned to the crease in the third period. The Leopards pulled closer in the third period on a Cory Emmerton goal, coming off of Ilya Krikunov and Ryan Whitney. Lokomotiv shot back as Andrei Loktionov scored, with a lone helper from Yegor Yakovlev on the power play. Yaroslavl wrapped it up at 9-2 on a Kapustin goal, his second of the game, set up by Kronwall. The three stars went to Kapustin, Averin, and Gorokhov, while Lyubushkin, Thornberg, Plotnikov, Konkov, and Kronwall all get honorable mentions.

Leaving Russia, Dinamo Minsk brings in Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Danny Taylor are given the starting nods. Minsk was first to score with a first period goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, a power play goal powered by Charles Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Dinamo added on with a Linglet goal, made possible by Nick Bailen and Matt Ellison. Astana got on the board in the second period with a Konstantin Rudenko power play goal, via Mike Lundin and Nikolai Antropov. Barys tied it in the third period as Dmitry Upper scored, thanks to Oskars Bartulis and Talgat Zhailauov. Minsk took the lead back on an Ellison goal, with a lone assist by Linglet. Dinamo extended the lead on another Cheechoo power play goal, assisted by Bailen and Vesce. Minsk padded the lead with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, guided in by Paul Szczechura and Cheechoo. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars belonging to Cheechoo, Linglet, and Ellison, while Vesce and Bailen get honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Mytishchi, where Atlant hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Atte Engren protect the nets. Mytishchi opened in the first period on an Igor Levitsky goal, passed from Matthew Gilroy and Vyacheslav Kozlov. Atlant added on with an Andreas Engqvist goal, fueled by Ondrej Nemec and Vitaly Novopashin. Mytishchi extended the lead in the second period with a Nikita Soshnikov goal, via Vsevolod Sorokin and Gilroy. Omsk got on the board with a third period goal by Roman Berdnikov, courtesy of Artyom Volkov and Artur Lauta. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Engren (41 for 42 in saves), Gilroy, and Engqvist.

Into Moscow, where CSKA brings in cross-city rivals Dynamo. Alexander Lazushin is mismatched with Stanislav Galimov in goal. Dynamo started in the first period on a Maxim Karpov goal, with a lone assist by Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo added on in the third period as Karpov scored again, thanks to Martins Karsums and Volkov. CSKA got on the board with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, passed from Simon Hjalmarsson and Jan Mursak. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Karpov, Lazushin (24 for 25 in saves), and Volkov.

Further east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Mikhail Biryukov are set to start in goal. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period on a Sakari Salminen power play goal, powered by Jarkko Immonen and Artyom Blazhiyevsky. Torpedo added on with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, assisted by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev and Alexei Pepelyaev. Ivan Lisutin relieved Sateri in goal. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead as Kirill Knyazev scored, thanks to Blazhiyevsky and Alexei Potapov. Torpedo padded the lead on a Krasnoslobodtsev goal, fueled by Nikita Filatov. Podolsk got one back on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, coming off of Anton Korolyov. Nizhny Novgorod answered in the third period with a Knyazev goal, going in unassisted. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Knyazev, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Blazhiyevsky.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Mark Owuya are the goalies. Ufa began in the first period with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, coming off of Kirill Koltsov and Andrei Zubarev. Salavat Yulaev added on in the second period with a Yegor Dubrovsky goal, made possible by Denis Khlystov and Stanislav Golovanov. Zagreb got on the board with a James Wright goal, via Ville Leino. Ufa iced it at 3-1 in the third period on a Zubarev power play goal, powered by Antti Pihlstrom. The three stars went to Zubarev, Sokhatsky (31 for 32 in saves), and Dubrovsky.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL December 13th, 2014

Thirteen games on for a remarkably busy day, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Ottawa Senators in the first of two matinees. Robin Lehner and Tuukka Rask will play goal. Boston struck first in the first period on a Craig Cunningham shorthanded goal, set up by Zdeno Chara. Ottawa tied it in the second period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Mike Hoffman. The Bruins retook the lead as Loui Eriksson scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Kevan Miller and Carl Soderberg. The Senators tied it again in the third period on a David Legwand power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Mark Stone and Kyle Turris. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan scored to top a lone tally by Brad Marchand for a 3-2 Ottawa win. The three stars went to Zibanejad, Lehner (29 for 31 in saves), and Rask (29 for 31 in saves).

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Steve Mason are the goalies. Philadelphia began in the first period on a Sean Couturier goal, his seventh of the season, via R.J. Umberger and Matt Read. The Flyers added on as Wayne Simmonds scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Brayden Schenn and Scott Laughton. Carolina got on the board in the second period with an Eric Staal power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Jeff Skinner and John-Michael Liles. Philadelphia answered with a Jakub Voracek power play goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Simmonds and Claude Giroux. The Flyers extended the lead on a Laughton goal, guided in by Schenn and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia padded the lead as Michael Raffl netted his eighth of the campaign, with the help of Giroux and Voracek. This produced the eventual 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Simmonds, Laughton, and Voracek, while Schenn and Giroux get the honorable mentions.

At the normal time, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya and Jhonas Enroth are the little-known goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his second of the season, assisted by Patrick Kaleta and Nikita Zadorov. The Sabres added on with a Marcus Foligno goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Nicolas Deslauriers and Drew Stafford. Florida got on the board in the second period as Sean Bergenheim scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Brad Boyes. The Panthers tied it on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Bergenheim and Dmitry Kulikov. Florida pulled ahead in the third period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Dave Bolland. Buffalo tied it again with a Brian Gionta goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Tyler Myers and Andre Benoit. The Sabres won 4-3 in overtime on a Zadorov goal, with assists provided by Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons. The three stars went to Zadorov, Bergenheim, and Gionta.

Down on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. Chicago got going in the second period with a Daniel Carcillo goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Johnny Oduya and Niklas Hjalmarsson. New York tied it six seconds later on an unassisted Cal Clutterbuck goal, his fourth of the year. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period with a Patrick Kane goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Brandon Saad. The Islanders retied it on a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by John Tavares and Nick Leddy. New York took the lead on a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his second of the season, via Ryan Strome and Matt Martin. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Visnovsky, Clutterbuck, and Okposo.

North to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts. Detroit opened in the first period on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Johan Franzen and Gustav Nyquist. Toronto tied it on a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period on a Richard Panik goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Korbinian Holzer. Toronto added on in the third period as Morgan Rielly scored his fourth of the year, via Daniel Winnik. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 with a Nazem Kadri empty net goal, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Winnik and Mike Santorelli. The three stars went to Bernier (27 for 28 in saves), Winnik, and Panik.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his sixth of the season, via Tom Wilson and Nate Schmidt. The Capitals added on as Backstrom scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, with the help of Alex Ovechkin and Wilson. Washington extended the lead in the third period on Backstrom's eighth of the season, a natural hat trick clinching goal set up by Ovechkin. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Tyler Johnson goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Matthew Carle and Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning pulled closer on a Carle goal, his third of the season, coming off of Steven Stamkos and Jason Garrison. The Capitals finished it at 4-2 with an empty net goal from Eric Fehr, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by John Carlson. The three stars were given to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Wilson, while Carle gets an honorable mention.

Into Canada again, where the Winnipeg Jets host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Michael Hutchinson protect the nets. Winnipeg led off in the first period on a Bryan Little power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a Jakob Silfverberg power play goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell. The Ducks took the lead with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Patrick Maroon and Tim Jackman. Anaheim added on with a shorthanded Nate Thompson goal, his third of the year, set up by Getzlaf. The Ducks iced it at 4-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Andrew Cogliano, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Ben Lovejoy. The three stars belonged to Getzlaf, Thompson, and Andersen (27 for 28 in saves).

South to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the creases. Columbus started in the first period on a Nick Foligno power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Boone Jenner and David Savard. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Blake Comeau goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Paul Martin and Rob Klinkhammer. The Penguins gained the lead in the third period on a Kris Letang shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Craig Adams and Marcel Goc. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Jenner penalty shot goal, his sixth of the year, after he was held by Simon Despres. Columbus took the lead on a Jack Johnson goal, his second of the season, via Brandon Dubinsky and Savard. Pittsburgh tied it on another Letang goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, passed from Christian Ehrhoff and Evgeni Malkin. In the shootout, the Blue Jackets got goals from Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen to top a Letang tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Letang, Jenner, and Savard.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Coyotes bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Devan Dubnyk receive the starting nods. Minnesota began in the first period on a Nino Niederreiter power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Ryan Suter and Thomas Vanek. Arizona tied it on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period on a Vermette goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ekman-Larsson and Boedker. The Wild tied it on a Jason Zucker goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Jason Pominville and Mikko Koivu. Arizona took the lead back with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his third of the season, made possible by Kyle Chipchura. Minnesota retied it on a third period Zach Parise power play goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Pominville and Suter. In the shootout, the Wild won 4-3 with tallies from Parise and Koivu to top a Vermette goal for the Coyotes. The three stars went to Parise, Vermette, and Ekman-Larsson,while Suter, Boedker, Pominville, and Koivu get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Dallas Stars host the New Jersey Devils. Kari Lehtonen and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Dallas opened in the first period with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming off of Erik Cole and Jason Spezza. The Stars added on with a Spezza goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Seguin and Antoine Roussel. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with a Jon Merrill power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils tied it on an Eric Gelinas goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Jacob Josefson and Steve Bernier. Dallas took the lead back with a Trevor Daley goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Roussel and Ales Hemsky. The Stars extended the lead as Shawn Horcoff scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Vernon Fiddler and Colton Sceviour. Keith Kinkaid replaced Schneider in the third period. New Jersey got one back in the third period on a Scott Gomez goal, passed from Henrique and Jaromir Jagr. This produced the 4-3 final, with the three stars given to Seguin, Spezza, and Roussel, while Henrique gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanches welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Calvin Pickard man the nets. Colorado started in the first period on an Erik Johnson power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Nick Holden and Gabriel Landeskog. St. Louis tied it on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fourth of the year, coming on the power play from Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a David Backes goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Alex Pietrangelo. The Avalanche tied it on another Johnson goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, via Nathan MacKinnon and Landeskog. St. Louis won 3-2 in overtime on a T.J. Oshie goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Barret Jackman and Shattenkirk. The three stars went to Johnson, Shattenkirk, and Landeskog.

Into Canada again, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller tend the twines. New York led off in the first period with a Ryan McDonagh goal, assisted by Jesper Fast and Dominic Moore. The Rangers added on as J.T. Miller scored his third of the season, with the help of Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis. New York extended the lead with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Rick Nash and Derick Brassard. The Rangers padded the lead in the second period on a Marc Staal goal, via Kevin Hayes and Lee Stempniak. New York continued with another Zuccarello goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, guided in by Brassard and Nash. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a Nick Bonino goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Alexandre Burrows. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Zuccarello, Brassard, and Nash.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goalies. San Jose struck first in the first period on a Tomas Hertl goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on in the third period with an empty net goal by Thornton, his eighth of the year, set up by Logan Couture and Tommy Wingels. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars going to Niemi (29 save shutout), Thornton, and Hertl.

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KHL December 13th, 2014

Three games today, beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Jakub Kovar are the reliable goalies. Riga struck first in the first period on a Charles Genoway goal, assisted by Mikelis Redlihs. Dinamo added on as Miks Indrasis scored a power play goal in the third period, powered by Genoway and Marcel Hossa. Riga iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Lauris Darzins, set up by Redlihs. The three stars went to Sedlacek (26 save shutout), Genoway, and Redlihs.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Vasily Koshechkin are in the blue paint. Helsinki was first to score in the first period on a Linus Omark goal, via Steve Moses on the power play. Jokerit added on with a Ville Lajunen power play goal, powered by Moses. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period with a Jan Kovar power play goal, assisted by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Metallurg tied it with an Oskar Osala goal, fueled by Evgeny Timkin. Helsinki took the lead back with a Moses goal, coming off of Atte Ohtamaa. Magnitogorsk tied it again with a Lee power play goal, with a lone assist from Kovar. Jokerit regained the lead on another Moses goal in the third period, set up by Petr Koukal. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Moses, Kovar, and Lee.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Anders Nilsson are the masked men. Kazan led off in the first period with an Ilya Nikulin goal, via Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars added on with an Alexander Burmistrov goal in the second period, courtesy of Oscar Moller and Kirill Petrov. Kazan extended the lead on a Nikulin power play goal in the third period, powered by Justin Azevedo and Moller. St. Petersburg got on the board with an Anton Burdasov goal, fueled by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Ilya Kablukov. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Nikulin, Nilsson (25 for 26 in saves), and Moller.

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NHL December 12th, 2014

Four games this evening, with the first in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Marc-Andre Fleury are the veteran goalies. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period on a Blake Comeau goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Robert Bortuzzo. The Penguins added on with a Kris Letang goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Simon Despres and Nick Spaling. Calgary got on the board with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Markus Granlund and Jiri Hudler. Pittsburgh replied in the third period on a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Steve Downie and Malkin. This led to a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Malkin, Fleury (26 for 27 in saves), and Letang.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Riley Sheahan goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Tatar on the power play. Florida tied it on a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his third of the year, via Dave Bolland and Sean Bergenheim. The Panthers took the lead with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his third of the season, passed from Nick Bjugstad. The Red Wings tied it on a power play goal by Gustav Nyquist, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Henrik Zetterberg. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Panthers won 3-2 with Vincent Trocheck and Brandon Pirri supplying the tallies. The three stars went to Luongo (29 for 31 in saves), Huberdeau, and Fleischmann.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens brings in the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a power play goal by Jiri Sekac, his fifth of the season, powered by P.K. Subban and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on in the second period on an Andrei Markov goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Sergei Gonchar and David Desharnais. Montreal extended the lead as Subban scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Dale Weise and Manny Malhotra. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period on a Jake Muzzin goal, his second of the year, fueled by Drew Doughty and Tyler Toffoli. The Canadiens shot back on a Desharnais goal, his third of the season, assisted by P.A. Parenteau and Brandon Prust. The Kings answered with a Doughty goal, his third of the year, coming off of Toffoli and Mike Richards. Montreal countered with a Sven Andrighetto goal, his second of the season via Michael Bournival and Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens finished it at 6-2 with a Sekac goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Markov and Subban. The three stars went to Sekac, Markov, and Subban, while Desharnais, Doughty, and Toffoli get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Viktor Fasth are the former teammates in goal. Anaheim began in the first period with a Sami Vatanen power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Rene Bourque. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Vatanen and Ryan Kesler. Anaheim chased Fasth on a Getzlaf goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Bourque and Ben Lovejoy. Ben Scrivens came on in relief. Edmonton got on the board as Tyler Pitlick scored, thanks to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers pulled closer in the third period with a Jeff Petry power play goal, his third of the year, coming off of Taylor Hall and Teddy Purcell. The Ducks replied with an empty net goal by Nate Thompson, his second of the campaign, set up by Jakob Silfverberg and Cam Fowler. The three stars went to 4-2, with the three stars being Vatanen, Getzlaf, and Bourque.

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