Premier League Week 21

For this week, we begin with...

Sunderland hosting Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Costel Pantilimon are the goalies. Liverpool began in the eighth minute on a Lazar Markovic goal, passed from Fabio Borini. Borini took the first yellow card of the game for his seventeenth minute foul for Liverpool. Sunderland saw yellow cards go to Santiago Vergini in the twenty-eighth minute and Liam Bridcutt in the thirty-fifth minute, both for fouls. Liverpool had a yellow card for Philippe Coutinho's offense in the thirty-sixth minute. In the forty-ninth minute, Sunderland went down a man as Bridcutt received a second yellow card for a foul. Liverpool had two quick yellow cards go to Jordan Henderson in the fifty-fourth minute and Dejan Lovren a minute later, both for fouls. The final favored Liverpool 1-0.

Over to Burnley welcoming the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Tom Heaton are in goal. Burnley started in the twelfth minute with a Scott Arfield goal, set up by Ben Mee. QPR tied it on a thirty-third minute Charlie Austin penalty kick goal. Burnley retook the lead with a Danny Ings goal in the thirty-seventh minute, helped along by Ashley Barnes. QPR had a yellow card go to Joey Barton in the forty-fifth minute for a foul. In first half stoppage time, Burnley's Dean Marney received a yellow card for his foul. Burnley took another yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul by Barnes. QPR saw a yellow card assessed to Armand Traore in the seventy-sixth minute. Burnley held on for a 2-1 win.

Down in London, Chelsea brings in Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Petr Cech are the goalies with short names. Chelsea led off in the forty-third minute on an Oscar goal, made possible by Branislav Ivanovic. Newcastle United's Michael Williamson took a yellow card for his stoppage time foul. Newcastle United had another yellow card go to Jack Colback in the fifty-eighth minute for a foul. Chelsea added on in the fifty-ninth minute with a goal by Diego Costa, passed from Oscar. In the sixty-fifth minute, Paul Dummett of Newcastle United received a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea took two yellow cards, going to Nemanja Matic in the seventy-first minute and Oscar in the seventy-sixth minute, both for fouls. Chelsea won 2-0.

Back north, Everton hosts Manchester City. Joe Hart and Joel Robles draw the starts in goal. In the fiftieth minute, Eliaquim Mangala of Manchester City took a yellow card for a foul. Everton had a yellow card go to John Stones in the sixty-third minute. In the sixty-ninth minute, Manchester City's Fernandinho had a yellow card for his foul. Manchester City was first to score in the seventy-fourth minute on a Fernandinho header goal. Everton tied it in the seventy-eighth minute on a Steven Naismith goal, made possible by Leighton Baines' cross after a set piece. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up, Leicester City welcomes Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Ben Hamer are the gloved men. Aston Villa took a yellow card for a Jores Okore foul in the thirty-fifth minute. Leicester City opened on a goal in first half stoppage time by Paul Konchesky. Dean Hammond of Leicester City had a yellow card in the fifty-sixth minute for a foul. Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark took a yellow card in the sixty-third minute. Leicester City went down a man in second half stoppage time after a Matthew James foul earned a red card. Leciester City still won 1-0.

Out in Wales, Swansea City brings in West Ham United. Adrian and Lukasz Fabianski are in the six-yard boxes. West Ham United struck first in the forty-third minute on an Andy Carroll goal, via Stewart Downing on a cross. Swansea City tied it in the seventy-fourth minute when Mark Noble put the ball in his own net for an own goal. West Ham United had a yellow card in stoppage time for a Diego Poyet foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Back in England, West Bromwich Albion hosts Hull City. Allan McGregor and Ben Foster protect the nets. In the thirty-fifth minute, Claudio Yajob of West Brom took a yellow card for a foul. West Brom dented the scoreboard on a seventy-eighth minute Sadio Berahino goal off of a free kick. This was all they needed for the 1-0 win.

Closing out on Saturday, Crystal Palace welcomes Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Julian Speroni are the keepers. Tottenham Hotspur had the first yellow card for a twenty-fifth minute foul by Andros Townsend. Crystal Palace had the next two yellow cards go to Barry Bannan in the thirty-seventh minute and Scott Dann in stoppage time, both for fouls. In the forty-ninth minute, Harry Kane got things going for Tottenham Hotspur with his goal, set up by Nacer Chadli. Tottenham Hotspur's Benjamin Stambouli took a yellow card for a foul in the fifty-fifth minute. In the sixty-ninth minute, Crystal Palace tied it with a penalty kick goal by Dwight Gayle. Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace took a yellow card in the seventy-seventh minute. Crystal Palace gained the lead on an eightieth minute goal by Puncheon. Crystal Palace took another yellow card for a Frazier Campbell foul in second half stoppage time. Crystal Palace won 2-1.

On Sunday, the first game saw Arsenal bring in Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and David Ospina are between the posts. In the sixth minute, Arsenal began on a Laurent Koscielny header, passed from Alexis Sanchez with a cross after a corner kick. Arsenal added on with a Sanchez goal in the thirty-third minute, courtesy of Tomas Rosicky. Arsenal extended the lead in the forty-ninth minute on a free kick goal by Sanchez. Stoke City took three yellow cards, going to Philipp Wollscheid in the fifty-first minute, Geoff Cameron in the sixty-first minute, and Peter Crouch in the sixty-third minute. Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory.

Finally, Manchester United hosts Southampton. Fraser Forster and David de Gea are set to start in goal. Southampton took a yellow card in the thirty-fifth minute on a Ryan Bertrand foul. Manchester United saw a yellow card go to Robin van Persie in the fifty-eighth minute for his foul. In the sixty-ninth minute, Southampton struck first with a Dusan Tadic goal. Southampton had yellow cards given to Tadic in the seventieth minute after his celebration was deemed excessive, and to Graziano Pelle in the seventy-fifth minute for a foul. Manchester United took a yellow card on a Michael Carrick foul in the seventy-sixth minute. Southampton took the game 1-0.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL Janaury 10th, 2015

Eleven games on for the day, with three leading off as matinees. We begin in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Steve Mason got the starts, but Mason got injured in the first period and was replaced by Ray Emery. Boston began in the first period with a David Pastrnak power play goal, powered by Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins added on in the third period with another Pastrnak goal, his second of the game, via David Krejci and Adam McQuaid. Boston extended the lead with a Chris Kelly shorthanded goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Loui Eriksson and Chara. Philadelphia got on the board with a power play goal by Claude Giroux, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Pastrnak, Rask (24 for 25 in saves), and Chara.

West to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Niklas Backstrom are in the blue paint. Nashville struck first in the first period on a Mike Fisher goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Colin Wilson. Minnesota tied it on a Charlie Coyle goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Christian Folin and Nino Niederreiter. The Predators retook the lead in the third period with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Olli Jokinen and Shea Weber. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with a Wilson goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Wilson, Rinne (36 for 37 in saves), and Jarnkrok.

Along to Colorado, where the Avalanche bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Semyon Varlamov are the experienced goalies. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Brett Ritchie goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on with a Colton Sceviour goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Vernon Fiddler. Colorado got on the board in the second period on an Erik Johnson goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche tied it as John Mitchell scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Nate Guenin. Colorado took the lead with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Max Talbot. The Avalanche extended their lead with a Duchene goal in the third period, his eleventh of the year, via Borna Rendulic. Dallas got one back as Ales Hemsky scored his sixth of the campaign, with the help of Jason Spezza and Shawn Horcoff. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Duchene, MacKinnon, and Mitchell.

At the normal times, the Montreal Canadiens host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal led off in the first period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Andrei Markov. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal in the second period, his nineteenth of the year, assisted by Simon Despres and Nick Spaling. The Penguins won 2-1 in overtime on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his twelfth of the campaign, powered by Malkin and Kris Letang. The three stars went to Malkin, Fleury (27 for 28 in saves), and Price (35 for 37 in saves).

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Braden Holtby received the starting nods, but Howard was injured when Washington opened with Troy Brouwer's unassisted twelfth of the season on the power play. Petr Mrazek replaced Howard in goal. The Capitals added on in the second period with a John Carlson goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Andre Burakovsky and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington extended the lead with a Joel Ward goal, his eleventh of the campaign, helped along by Eric Fehr and Brooks Laich. Detroit got on the board with a Jonathan Ericsson goal, coming off of Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 3-1. The three stars were Holtby (26 for 27 in saves), Carlson, and Ward.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Coyotes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith are the average goalies. Arizona started in the first period with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Sam Gagner and Lucas Lessio. Ottawa tied it on a Milan Michalek power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. The Senators took the lead with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Kyle Turris and Mark Stone. Ottawa added on with a second period goal by Mike Hoffman, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Zibanejad. The Senators extended the lead as Cody Ceci scored his second of the season in the third period, a power play goal, courtesy of Erik Karlsson and MacArthur. Ottawa finished it at 5-1 with a David Legwand goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to MacArthur, Zibanejad, and Anderson (31 for 32 in saves).

Backtracking to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson is mismatched with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. New York quickly led off in the first period with a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Nick Leddy and Michael Grabner. Columbus tied it on a Jack Johnson power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by David Savard and Brandon Dubinsky. The Islanders retook the lead in the second period as Matt Martin scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Ryan Strome and Thomas Hickey. New York added on with an Anders Lee goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Strome and Hickey. The Islanders extended the lead when Brian Strait scored, with the help of Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. The Blue Jackets got one back in the third period on a Nick Foligno goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Ryan Johansen and Scott Hartnell. New York responded with a Kyle Okposo goal, his ninth of the year, helped along by Josh Bailey and Strait. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Strait, Strome, and Hickey.

Over in St. Louis, the Blues welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Brian Elliott are in the creases. Carolina began in the first period with a Victor Rask goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Ryan Murphy and Jeff Skinner. St. Louis tied it on an Alexander Steen goal, his twelfth of the year, via David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. The Hurricanes took the lead on a Skinner goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Rask and Alexander Semin. Carolina added on with an Eric Staal goal, his thirteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Blues pulled back in the second period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Paul Stastny. St. Louis tied it as Patrik Berglund scored his sixth of the year, with the help of Backes and Pietrangelo. The Hurricanes retook the lead on a Riley Nash goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Nathan Gerbe and Tim Gleason. The Blues tied it on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal in the third period, his twenty-third of the year, made possible by Kevin Shattenkirk and Barret Jackman. The tie lasted to a shootout, where T.J. Oshie scored to give St. Louis a 5-4 win. The three stars went to Rask, Skinner, and Backes, while Pietrangelo gets an honorable mention.

Out in California, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Jonathan Quick are between the pipes. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a Mathieu Perreault goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Michael Frolik and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets added on as Bryan Little scored his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Winnipeg extended the lead on a power play goal by Wheeler, his twelfth of the season, powered by Perreault and Byfuglien. Los Angeles got on the board with an Anze Kopitar power play goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Drew Doughty and Marian Gaborik. The Kings pulled closer with a Justin Williams goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Jake Muzzin and Doughty on the power play. Los Angeles tied it in the third period on a Gaborik goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Kopitar. The Kings took the lead with a Kyle Clifford goal, his second of the campaign, passed from Trevor Lewis and Matt Greene. The Jets tied it with a Zach Bogosian goal, via Toby Enstrom. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Little's tally gave the Jets a 5-4 win. The three stars were Perreault, Wheeler, and Little, while Byfuglien, Gaborik, Kopitar, and Doughty all get honorable mentions.

Up in San Jose, the Sharks host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi guard the cages. New York was first to score in the first period with a Martin St. Louis goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan. The Rangers added on with a Kreider goal, his eighth of the year, via Dan Girardi and Stepan. San Jose got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Melker Karlsson, his sixth of the season, powered by James Sheppard and Matt Tennyson. New York iced it at 3-1 with a Rick Nash empty net goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, set up by Mats Zuccarello. The three stars were awarded to Kreider, Lundqvist (29 for 30 in saves), and Stepan.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Calgary Flames. Joni Ortio and Eddie Lack are the unknown goalies. Calgary got going in the first period on a Mikael Backlund goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of David Jones and Johnny Gaudreau. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars given to Ortio (35 save shutout), Backlund, and Lack (19 for 20 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 10th, 2015

Eleven games today, beginning with...

Avangard Omsk host the Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Denis Kostin are in goal. Kazan started in the first period with a Justin Azevedo goal, assisted by Sergei Kostitsyn. Omsk tied it in the second period on a Denis Parshin power play goal, powered by Erik Gustafsson and Alexander Popov. Avangard took the lead with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, coming off of Denis Kulyash and Nikita Pivtsakin on the power play. Ak Bars tied it in the third period on a Mikhail Varnakov goal, fueled by Azevedo and Ilya Nikulin on the power play. Omsk retook the lead with a power play goal by Pivtsakin, fueled by Popov and Kulyash. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Pivtsakin, Azevedo, and Popov, while Kulyash gets an honorable mention.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Pavel Poluektov draw the starts in goal. Astana began with a Nikita Mikhailis goal, fueled by Dmitry Upper and Konstantin Pushkaryov. Barys added on with a Roman Starchenko power play goal, powered by Konstantin Rudenko and Nikolai Antropov. Astana extended the lead on a second period power play goal by Dustin Boyd, passed from Mike Lundin and Nigel Dawes. Yekaterinburg got on the board with a Nikita Tryamkin goal, courtesy of Sergei Gusev and Evgeny Mityakin. Barys replied with a power play goal by Starchenko, assisted by Rudenko and Kevin Dallman. This produced the eventual 4-1 final, with the three stars being Starchenko, Poluektov (44 for 45 in saves), and Rudenko.

Back north, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk bring in Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Barry Brust are in the blue paint. Vladivostok opened in the first period on a Vladislav Ushenin goal, coming off of Vyacheslav Ushenin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Nikita Gusev, courtesy of Mikhail Mamin. Admiral took the lead back on a Vyacheslav Ushenin power play goal, powered by Alexander Gorshkov and Artyom Zemchyonok. Yugra tied it in the second period on a Ben Maxwell goal, assisted by Artyom Bulyansky and Vitaly Sitnikov. Khanty-Mansiysk gained the lead as Maxwell scored again, thanks to Philip Larsen and Ilari Melart. Vladivostok retied it on a Gorshkov goal, guided in by Denis Osipov and Ivan Glazkov. Admiral pulled ahead on a Konstantin Makarov goal, with a lone assist by Enver Lisin. Stepan Goryachevskikh replaced Brust in goal at this time.  Vladivostok added on with a Niclas Bergfors goal, via Andrei Sigaryov and Denis Kuzmin. Admiral extended the lead in the third period as Tom Wandell scored an unassisted goal. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Maxwell, Vyacheslav Ushenin, and Gorshkov.

West a little to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky is mismatched with Michael Garnett in goal. Chelyabinsk led off with a Francis Pare goal, with a lone assist by Deron Quint. Traktor added on with a Pare goal, his second of the game, fueled by Stanislav Chistov and Konstantin Panov on the power play. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Ruslan Bashkirov goal, going in unassisted. Amur tied it with another Bashkirov goal, passed from Artyom Zub and Mikhail Zheleznov. Khabarovsk took the lead on a power play goal in the second period from Michel Miklik, powered by Dmitry Tarasov and Grigory Shafigulin. Chelyabinsk tied it again on an Andrei Popov power play goal, with a lone helper by Anton Glinkin. Amur pulled ahead on a Marcel Hascak goal, via Maxim Velikov and Tarasov. Traktor tied it again as Pare finished his hat trick, with the help of Chistov and Maxim Kondratyev. Chelyabinsk took the lead with a Popov power play goal, assisted by Dmitry Pestunov and Glinkin. Traktor extended the lead on Pare's fourth of the game, a shorthanded goal set up by Artyom Borodkin. This made it 6-4, with the three stars given to Pare, Bashkirov, and Popov, while Chistov, Tarasov, and Glinkin get the honorable mentions.

Back to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Vladimir Sokhatsky guard the cages. Ufa got going in the second period on a Denis Tolpeko goal, fueled by Alexei Glukhov and Denis Khlystov. Salavat Yulaev added on in the third period on a Kirill Koltsov goal, helped along by Dmitry Makarov. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Jan Kovar goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Chris Lee. Ufa answered on a Denis Bodrov unassisted empty net goal. Metallurg pulled back as Oskar Osala scored a power play goal, powered by Maxim Yakutsenya and Lee. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 3-2, and the three stars were Koltsov, Lee, and Tolpeko.

In Togliatti, Lada brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Evgeny Ivannikov are in the blue paint. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Vladimir Malinovsky, powered by Cade Fairchild. Togliatti got on the board as Yury Petrov scored, thanks to Denis Golubev and Alexander Chernikov. Lada took the lead with an Anton Shenfeld goal, passed from Vasily Streltsov and Denis Guryanov. Togliatti added on with a Chernikov goal in the second period, coming off of Denis Barantsev and Golubev on the power play. Lada extended the lead with a Georgy Belousov power play goal, courtesy of Shenfeld and Alexander Sharov. Togliatti padded the lead with an unassisted Streltsov goal. Metallurg got one back with an Ansel Galimov goal, with assists provided by Konstantin Turukin and Alexander Komaristy. Novokuznetsk got closer on a Nikolai Skladnichenko goal in the third period, helped along by Ryan Stoa. Lada finished it at 6-3 with an Andrei Nikitenko goal, with a lone assist by Dmitry Vorobyov. The three stars went to Shenfeld, Chernikov, and Golubev, while Streltsov gets an honorable mention.

Southwest to Sochi, where the Leopards host Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Tomas Popperle protect the nets. Sochi was first to score in the first period on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, guided in by Ilya Krikunov and Igor Ignatushkin. Minsk tied it with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, via Paul Szczechura. The Leopards retook the lead on a Kostitsyn power play goal in the third period, powered by Krikunov and Ryan Whitney. Dinamo retied it as Kalyuzhny scored his second of the game, with the help of Jonathan Cheechoo and Szczechura. Minsk won 3-2 with a Cheechoo goal, helped along by Kalyuzhny and Oleg Goroshko. The three stars belonged to Kalyuzhny, Kostitsyn, and Cheechoo, while Szczechura and Krikunov get the honorable mentions.

Back north, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Ville Kolppanen are between the pipes. Nizhnekamsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, fueled by Alexander Yevseyenkov. Novosibirsk tied it on an Alexei Kopeikin goal, with a lone assist by Dmitry Monya. Sibir took the lead in the third period with a Vyacheslav Belov power play goal, powered by Patrik Hersley and Jarno Koskiranta. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Belov, Salak (28 for 29 in saves), and Kopeikin.

Into Mytishchi, where Atlant brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Atte Engren are in the creases. Moscow got going in the third period on a Mat Robinson goal, guided in by Dmitry Vishnevsky and Martins Karsums. Dynamo added on as Nikolai Zherdev scored a power play goal, powered by Janne Jalasvaara and Alexei Tsvetkov. Moscow extended the lead on a Karsums power play goal, courtesy of Kaspars Daugavins. Mytishchi got on the board with a Maxim Potapov goal, fueled by Vyacheslav Leshchenko and Nikita Soshnikov. Atlant pulled closer with an Oleg Yashin goal, made possible by Dmitry Korobov and Albert Yarullin. This was as close as it got, with the final at 3-2. The three stars were Karsums, Zherdev, and Robinson.

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Calvin Heeter and Ivan Lisutin are the goalies. Zagreb began in the first period on a Pascal Pelletier goal, fueled by Ville Leino and Martin St. Pierre. Podolsk tied it on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, via Yakov Seleznyov and Alexander Kucheryavenko. Vityaz took the lead on a second period goal by Kucheryavenko, helped along by Alexei Semenov and Solodukhin. Medvescak tied it as Bill Thomas scored in the third period, thanks to Andrew Hutchinson. Zagreb won 3-2 in overtime on a James Wright goal, assisted by Geoffrey Kinrade. The three stars were handed to Solodukhin, Kucheryavenko, and Wright.

Finally, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Slovan Bratislava. Johan Backlund and Vitaly Kolesnik are the masked men. Bratislava led off in the second period as Tomas Netik scored, with a lone assist by Martin Stajnoch. Slovan added on in the third period on a Libor Hudacek goal, assisted by Michal Vondrka and Tomas Starosta. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars going to Backlund (25 save shutout), Netik, and Hudacek.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL January 9th, 2015

Five games tonight, with the first in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Keith Kinkaid draw the starts in goal. New Jersey got going in the second period on a Travis Zajac goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Patrik Elias and Adam Larsson. New York tied it in the third period on a Josh Bailey goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Calvin de Haan and John Tavares. The Devils took the lead back on a Scott Gomez goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Adam Henrique and Michael Ryder. The Islanders tied it with a Tavares goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Kyle Okposo and Johnny Boychuk. New York won 3-2 in overtime with an unassisted Tavares goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign. The three stars were awarded to Tavares, Bailey, and Gomez.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Ben Bishop are the goalies. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Ryan Callahan and Cedric Paquette. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Cody McCormick shorthanded goal, set up by Patrick Kaleta. The Lightning regained the lead on a third period goal by Steven Stamkos, his twenty-second of the year, assisted by Jonathan Drouin and Alex Killorn. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Stamkos, Bishop (20 for 21 in saves), and Filppula.

Way north to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jonathan Bernier guard the cages. Columbus opened in the first period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Toronto tied it on an unassisted goal by Tyler Bozak, his fourteenth of the year. The Maple Leafs took the lead on a Daniel Winnik goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Bozak. Toronto added on as Phil Kessel scored his nineteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by James van Riemsdyk and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with a van Riemsdyk power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Kessel and Franson. The Blue Jackets got one back in the second period on a Johansen power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, helped along by David Savard and Nick Foligno. Toronto won 5-2 in the third period on an empty net goal by van Riemsdyk, his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, set up by Winnik. The three stars were van Riemsdyk, Johansen, and Kessel, while Bozak, Winnik, and Franson get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Calgary, where the Flames bring in the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya and Jonas Hiller are given the starting nods. Calgary started in the first period on a Matt Stajan goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Florida tied it on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Brad Boyes. The Panthers took the lead on a Boyes goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Huberdeau. The Flames tied it on a T.J. Brodie power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Mark Giordano and Joe Colborne. Calgary gained the lead in the second period on a Mikael Backlund goal, his third of the season, helped along by Dennis Wideman and Lance Bouma. Florida retied it on a Sean Bergenheim goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Dave Bolland. The Flames took the lead again on a Brodie goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, coming off of Bouma and Backlund. The Panthers tied it again as Jimmy Hayes scored his twelfth of the year, thanks to Jussi Jokinen and Erik Gudbranson. Florida took the lead with a Brian Campbell goal in the third period, his second of the season, an unassisted goal. Calgary tied it on a Stajan goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by David Jones and Bouma, the latter getting a sock trick. The Panthers took the lead back with a Fleischmann goal, his fifth of the season, with helpers from Bolland and Bergenheim. This made it 6-5, the final, with the three stars going to Fleischmann, Brodie, and Stajan, while Huberdeau, Boyes, Bouma, Backlund, Bergenheim, and Bolland get the honorable mentions.

Finally, we end with the Edmonton Oilers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Ben Scrivens are in goal. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Brandon Saad goal, his eleventh of the season, via Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. Edmonton tied it on a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Derek Roy. The Oilers took the lead on a Roy power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Teddy Purcell and Anton Lander. The Blackhawks tied it in the second period as Saad scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, with the help of Hossa and Toews. Edmonton retook the lead on a Jeff Petry goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Nail Yakupov and Roy. The Oilers added on with a Yakupov goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, coming off of Taylor Hall. Edmonton iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Hall, his eleventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Roy, Yakupov, and Saad, while Hall, Toews, and Hossa get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 9th, 2015

Just two games today, with the first in...

St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Mikko Koskinen are the experienced goalies. St. Petersburg led off in the first period on an Anton Burdasov goal, fueled by Dmitry Yudin. SKA added on with an Artemy Panarin goal, passed from Evgeny Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period on a Patrick Thoresen goal, with a lone assist by Tony Martensson. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Jarkko Immonen goal, assisted by Sakari Salminen and Vladimir Galuzin. SKA shot back with a Maxim Chudinov power play goal, powered by Panarin and Shipachyov. Torpedo replied on a Vladimir Malevich goal, via Dmitry Kazionov. St. Petersburg finished it at 5-2 in the third period on a Dadonov goal, courtesy of Panarin. The three stars were Dadonov, Panarin, and Shipachyov.

The other game has Jokerit Helsinki host Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Riku Helenius are the masked men. Cherepovets began in the first period on a Maxim Trunyov goal, fueled by Marek Kvapil. Severstal added on with an Ignat Zemchenko goal, passed from Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Alexander Shinin on the power play. Helsinki got on the board with a Niklas Hagman goal, coming off of Niko Kapanen and Tommi Huhtala. Jokerit tied it in the third period as Tomi Maki scored, thanks to Ville Lajunen. Helsinki took the lead late on a Linus Omark goal, guided in by Petr Koukal and Steve Moses. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Omark, Maki, and Hagman.

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NHL January 8th, 2015

Ten games for tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Niklas Svedberg. Boston began in the first period on a Milan Lucic goal, his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by David Krejci and Torey Krug. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Carl Soderberg goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. Boston iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Lucic empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, set up by Patrice Bergeron and Chris Kelly. The three stars went to Lucic, Soderberg, and Svedberg (14 save shutout).

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Cam Ward occupy the creases. Carolina got going in the second period on a Jeff Skinner goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Alexander Semin and Ryan Murphy. Buffalo tied it on a Philip Varone goal, guided in by Chris Stewart. The Hurricanes took the lead back with a Jiri Tlusty power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Nathan Gerbe and Justin Faulk. Carolina added on as Eric Staal scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Murphy and John-Michael Liles. The Hurricanes extended the lead on a Victor Rask goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Ron Hainsey. The Sabres got one back in the third period with a Varone goal, his second of the game, coming off of Tyson Strachan and Mike Weber. Carolina shot back with a Riley Nash goal, his sixth of the season, via Faulk and Tlusty. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars given to Tlusty, Varone, and Faulk, while Murphy gets the honorable mention.

Back north, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Steve Mason are the masked men. Washington struck first with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Mike Green and Marcus Johansson. Philadelphia tied it on a Sean Couturier goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Matt Read and Nick Schultz. The Capitals retook the lead on a third period goal by Karl Alzner, his fourth of the season, assisted by Green and Andre Burakovsky. The Flyers tied it again as R.J. Umberger scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Schultz and Read. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime with a Jakub Voracek power play goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, helped along by Claude Giroux and Mark Streit. The three stars went to Schultz, Read, and Green.

Westward to St. Louis, as the Blues host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Brian Elliott receive the starting nods. St. Louis led off in the first period on an Alexander Steen goal, his eleventh of the season, coming on the power play from Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on with a Jay Bouwmeester goal, his second of the year, via Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera. San Jose got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Logan Couture, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Brenden Dillon. St. Louis answered with a Paul Stastny power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Sharks got one back in the second period on a Melker Karlsson goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Couture and Brent Burns. The Blues replied with a Lehtera goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Schwartz. St. Louis extended the lead on an Oshie goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Steen and David Backes. Alex Stalock replaced Niemi at this time. The Blues continued in the third period on a Patrik Berglund goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Stastny. St. Louis finished it at 7-2 on a Backes goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, driven in by Schwartz, who got a sock trick, and Alex Pietrangelo. The three stars went to Lehtera, Stastny, and Steen, while Schwartz, Oshie, Backes, and Tarasenko get the honorable mentions.

Back east to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Pekka Rinne are the Finnish goalies. Nashville was first to score in the first period on a Shea Weber goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Mike Ribeiro and Roman Josi. Dallas tied it in the second period with a Jason Spezza goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Shawn Horcoff and Jason Demers. The Predators took the lead with a Miikka Salomaki goal, made possible by Josi and Calle Jarnkrok. The Stars retied it with a Trevor Daley goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Cody Eakin. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime on a Weber goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, set up by Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson. The three stars were handed to Weber, Josi, and Salomaki.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Niklas Backstrom are the experienced goalies. Chicago started in the first period on a Patrick Sharp goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by David Rundblad and Andrew Shaw. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Brad Richards and Jonathan Toews. Minnesota got on the board in the second period with a Jason Zucker goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Jason Pominville and Mikko Koivu. Chicago replied in the third period on a Bryan Bickell goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Kane and Richards. The Wild got one back on a Pominville power play goal, his ninth of the season, pushed through by Thomas Vanek and Nino Niederreiter. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-2 with a Bickell empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, set up by Kane and Richards, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Bickell, Kane, and Richards, while Pominville got the honorable mention.

Southwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Semyon Varlamov are between the pipes. Colorado opened in the first period with a Jarome Iginla goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Ryan O'Reilly. The Avalanche added on with a Brad Stuart goal, courtesy of Jan Hejda and Matt Duchene. Ottawa got on the board in the second period with a Mark Stone goal, his tenth of the year, via Erik Karlsson and David Legwand. Colorado replied with an Erik Johnson goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of O'Reilly. The Avalanche extended the lead as Iginla scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, a power play goal powered by Tanguay and Nick Holden. The Senators pulled back on an unassisted Bobby Ryan goal, his twelfth of the season. Colorado answered on a Daniel Briere goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Tyson Barrie and Nate Guenin. The final stood at 5-2, with Iginla, Tanguay, and O'Reilly receiving the three stars.

Down to Arizona, where the Coyotes welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Mike Smith are the mediocre goalies. Arizona dented the scoreboard with a Mikkel Boedker power play goal, his tenth of the season, via Antoine Vermette and Shane Doan. The Coyotes added on with a power play goal by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, his eleventh of the year, powered by Doan and Boedker. Arizona extended the lead on a Doan power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the season, assisted by Michael Stone and Tobias Rieder. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period as Mathieu Perreault scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Andrew Ladd and Mark Scheifele. The Coyotes answered on a Boedker goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, helped along by Chris Summers and Vermette. The final was 4-1, and the three stars were Boedker, Doan, and Vermette.

Up to Vancouver, as the Canucks bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Vancouver began in the first period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his ninth of the season, via Henrik Sedin and Yannick Weber. Florida got on the board with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Panthers took the lead in the second period as Aleksander Barkov netted his third of the season, thanks to Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad. Florida added on with a Huberdeau goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, helped along by Dmitry Kulikov and Willie Mitchell. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars given to Huberdeau, Luongo (32 for 33 in saves), and Barkov.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles led off in the first period on a Tanner Pearson goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli. The Kings added on with a Justin Williams goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Dustin Brown and Alec Martinez. New York got on the board with a Dan Boyle power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Rick Nash and Derick Brassard. The Rangers tied it in the second period on a Kevin Klein goal, his eighth of the year, via Kevin Hayes and John Moore. New York gained the lead with a Lee Stempniak goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by J.T. Miller and Dan Girardi. The Rangers extended the lead on a Martin St. Louis power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Boyle and Brassard. Los Angeles got one back on Williams' second of the game and eleventh of the season in the third period, helped along by Brown and Anze Kopitar. The final stood at 4-3, with the three stars being Boyle, Williams, and Brassard, while Brown gets an honorable mention.

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KHL January 8th, 2015

Five games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Eduard Reizvikh are the backups making spot starts. Moscow opened in the first period with a Mat Robinson goal, via Nikolai Zherdev and Denis Mosalyov. Dynamo added on in the second period as Maxim Pestushko scored, thanks to Kaspars Daugavins. Moscow extended the lead with an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, passed from Maxim Karpov and Robinson. Omsk got on the board with an unassisted Vladimir Pervushin goal. Dynamo replied on a Zherdev goal, fueled by Alexei Tereshchenko and Robinson. Avangard got one back with an Alexander Popov goal, with a lone assist by Denis Parshin. Moscow answered on a Daugavins goal in the third period, guided in by Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo padded the lead as Daugavins scored an unassisted empty net goal. Omsk clawed back with a power play goal by Erik Gustafsson, powered by Parshin and Popov. Moscow finished it at 7-3 with a Robinson empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Daugavins, Robinson, and Zherdev, while Popov and Parshin get honorable mentions.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Rafael Khakimov and Barry Brust are in the blue paint. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first in the first period with an Igor Magogin goal, helped along by Nikita Gusev and Artyom Bulyansky. Yugra added on with a Ben Maxwell power play goal, powered by Philip Larsen and Alexander Korolyuk. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with a Nikolai Skladnichenko power play goal, coming off of Sergei Dorofeyev. Khanty-Mansiysk iced it at 3-1 with an Andrei Chibisov goal, passed from Vitaly Sitnikov in the third period. The three stars went to Brust (28 for 29 in saves), Maxwell, and Chibisov.

Over to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Novosibirsk got going in the second period on a Jonas Enlund goal, courtesy of Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir added on with a Sergei Shumakov, with a lone assist by Maxim Ignatovich. Chelyabinsk got on the board with an Alexei Kruchinin power play goal, powered by Oleg Piganovich and Artyom Borodkin. Traktor tied it in the third period as Anton Glinkin scored a power play goal, coming off of Dmitry Pestunov and Vitaly Atyushov. A minute and a half into overtime, Renat Mamashev hooked Francis Pare, drawing a penalty shot. A protest by Salak got him ejected, bringing in Nikita Bespalov for the shot, which Pare scored on for a 3-2 Traktor win. The three stars went to Pare, Glinkin, and Kruchinin.

West to Mytishchi, as Atlant brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Calvin Heeter and Atte Engren are in the creases. Zagreb was first to score in the first period on an unassisted Martin St. Pierre power play goal. Medvescak added on with a Kurtis McLean goal in the second period, via Brandon Segal. Mytishchi got on the board with an Albert Yarullin power play goal, going in unassisted. Zagreb replied in the third period on a Segal penalty shot goal, after he was slashed by Dmitry Korobov. Atlant got one back on an Igor Levitsky goal, passed from Mikhail Tyulyapkin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the stars being Segal, McLean, and St. Pierre.

Finally, Dinamo Minsk hosts Slovan Bratislava. Johan Backlund and Lars Haugen are between the pipes. Minsk started with a Charles Linglet goal in the first period, coming on the power play from Ryan Vesce. Bratislava tied it in the second period on a Ladislav Nagy goal, passed from Cam Barker and Matt Murley. Dinamo pulled ahead on a Vesce power play goal, powered by Nick Bailen and Matt Ellison. Slovan tied it in the third period as Ziga Jeglic goal, via Tomas Netik. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Vesce and Andrei Stepanov scored for Dinamo, topping Jeglic's tally for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Vesce, Jeglic, and Linglet.

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