NHL January 13th, 2015

Ten games tonight, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Tuukka Rask draw the starts. Tampa Bay opened with a first period Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. Boston tied it on a Brad Marchand goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Carl Soderberg and Torey Krug. The Lightning retook the lead in the second period as Stamkos scored his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the season, courtesy of Palat and Nikita Nesterov. The Bruins tied it again with a David Pastrnak goal, his third of the year, coming off of Milan Lucic and Kevan Miller. Boston took the lead with a Lucic goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by David Krejci and Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins added on with a Pastrnak goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, via Krug and Krejci. Tampa Bay got one back when Ryan Callahan scored his fourteenth of the campaign, thanks to Alex Killorn and Mark Barberio. This only made it 4-3 with the three stars going to Pastrnak, Stamkos, and Lucic, while Palat, Krug, and Krejci receive the honorable mentions.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Michal Neuvirth are the goalies. Detroit started in the first period with a Darren Helm shorthanded goal, his eighth of the season, set up by Kyle Quincey. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Justin Abdelkader and Pavel Datsyuk. Buffalo got on the board with a Mike Weber goal, via Brian Flynn and Drew Stafford. Detroit answered with a Tomas Tatar goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, coming off of Quincey and Danny DeKeyser. This led to a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Mrazek (25 for 26 in saves), Quincey, and Nyquist.

Down to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Anton Khudobin are the backups in goal. Carolina struck first with a first period Jordan Staal goal, courtesy of Ryan Murphy and Elias Lindholm. The Hurricanes added on in the second period as Patrick Dwyer scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Brad Malone and Jay McClement. Colorado got on the board in the third period on a Matt Duchene goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay. The Avalanche tied it on an unassisted John Mitchell goal, his sixth of the campaign. The tie went to a shootout, where Victor Rask and Lindholm scored to lift Carolina to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Lindholm, Dwyer, and Staal.

In New York, the Rangers host their cross-town rivals, the Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. The Islanders got going in the second period on an Anders Lee goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders added on with a Nikolay Kulemin, his eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The Islanders extended the lead with a Frans Nielsen shorthanded goal, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Johnny Boychuk. Cam Talbot replaced Lundqvist for the third period. The Islanders secured a 3-0 win. The three stars went to Halak (27 save shutout), Lee, and Kulemin.

West a bit to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Marc-Andre Fleury received the starting nods. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period on a Marcel Goc goal, his second of the season, made possible by Zach Sill and Craig Adams. The Penguins added on with a David Perron goal, his seventh of the year, via Christian Ehrhoff and Sidney Crosby. Minnesota got on the board in the second period as Jonas Brodin scored his second of the season, passed from Nate Prosser and Jason Pominville. Pittsburgh replied on a Chris Kunitz power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The Penguins extended the lead as Brandon Sutter scored his ninth of the season in the third period, with a lone assist by Paul Martin. Pittsburgh padded the lead on a Martin goal, his second of the year, helped along by Nick Spaling and Malkin. The Penguins kept going on a Letang goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Perron and Crosby. John Curry replaced Backstrom in goal. The Wild got one back with a Justin Fontaine goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Erik Haula and Ryan Suter. Pittsburgh wrapped it up at 7-2 with a Perron goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, with helpers from Kunitz and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Perron, Letang, and Crosby, while Kunitz, Malkin, and Martin get the honorable mentions.

Out to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Jake Allen are in the blue paint. St. Louis led off with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Barret Jackman. The Blues added on with a David Backes goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Lehtera and T.J. Oshie. St. Louis extended the lead in the second period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Jackman and Tarasenko. Edmonton got on the board with a Benoit Pouliot power play goal in the third period, his seventh of the year, powered by Justin Schultz and Jordan Eberle. The Blues answered with an Alexander Steen goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Backes. The Oilers got one back on a Pouliot goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, helped along by Teddy Purcell and Derek Roy. This only made it 4-2, with the three stars being Tarasenko, Backes, and Pouliot, while Jackman and Lehtera get the honorable mentions.

Back in Nashville, the Predators host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Pekka Rinne are the starting goalies. Nashville began in the first period on a Craig Smith power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Colin Wilson and Mike Ribeiro. The Predators added on with a Wilson goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Mike Fisher and James Neal. Vancouver got on the board in the second period on an Alexander Edler goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Christopher Tanev and Linden Vey. Nashville lost Rinne to injury in the third period, putting Carter Hutton in goal. Nashville shot back with a Filip Forsberg goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Ribeiro and Victor Bartley. The Predators extended the lead on a Fisher goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Neal and Wilson. Nashville iced it at 5-1 with a Wilson power play goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Smith and Seth Jones. The three stars were awarded to Wilson, Smith, and Fisher, while Ribeiro and Neal get the honorable mentions.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Michael Hutchinson are between the pipes. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Zach Bogosian and Michael Frolik. The Jets added on with a Perreault power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, powered by Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period with a Byfuglien goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Mark Scheifele and Ben Chiarot. Florida got on the board with a Dave Bolland goal, via Tomas Fleischmann and Dylan Olsen. The Jets shot back on a Byfuglien goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, passed from Andrew Ladd and Jim Slater. Al Montoya replaced Luongo in goal. Winnipeg padded the lead on a Perreault goal, his fourteenth of the season securing a hat trick, assisted by Toby Enstrom and Scheifele. The Jets continued as Perreault scored his fourth of the game and fifteenth of the year, with the help of Frolik. Winnipeg kept going in the third period on a Jay Harrison goal, his third of the season, guided in by Mark Stuart and Slater. The Panthers got one back on a Brad Boyes goal, his ninth of the year, with assists from Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. The Jets finished it at 8-2 with an Evander Kane power play goal, his eighth of the campaign, made possible by Enstrom and Adam Lowry. The three stars belonged to Perreault, Byfuglien, and Scheifele, while Enstrom, Frolik, and Slater get the honorable mentions.

Way south to Dallas, where the Stars bring in the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Kari Lehtonen draw the starts in goal. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Bobby Ryan. The Senators added on with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by David Legwand and Mark Stone. Anders Lindback replaced Lehtonen in goal. Dallas got on the board with an Ales Hemsky goal, his seventh of the season, via Alex Goligoski and the goalie Lindback. Ottawa replied with a Jared Cowen goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Stone. The Stars countered in the second period on a Trevor Daley goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Travis Moen and Shawn Horcoff. Dallas tied it on a John Klingberg goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Colton Sceviour and Moen. The Stars took the lead on an Erik Cole power play goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Goligoski and Jason Demers. Dallas extended the lead with a Klingberg goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, made possible by Hemsky and Cole. The Senators got one back on a Milan Michalek power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, driven in by Alex Chiasson and Ryan. They failed to tie it, losing 5-4. The three stars were Klingberg, Hemsky, and Cole, while Ryan, Stone, Goligoski, and Moen get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Devan Dubnyk man the nets. Arizona dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Kyle Chipchura. San Jose tied it in the second period on a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. The Sharks took the lead on a Tomas Hertl goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Coyotes tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Antoine Vermette and Martin Erat. San Jose retook the lead on a Brenden Dillon goal in the third period, made possible by Couture and Justin Braun. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Dillon, Couture, and Hertl.

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KHL January 13th, 2015

Four games tonight, beginning in...

Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Mikhail Biryukov are in goal. Helsinki was first to score in the first period on a Linus Omark power play goal, powered by Petr Koukal. Jokerit added on in the second period on a Steve Moses goal, assisted by Topi Jaakola. Helsinki extended the lead as Moses scored an unassisted goal. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period on a Vladmir Galuzin goal, passed from Jusso Hietanen and Sergei Bernatsky. Jokerit shot back on a Niko Kapanen goal, coming off of Ossi Vaananen and Niklas Hagman. Torpedo pulled back on a Wojtek Wolski power play goal, with a lone assist by Hietanen. Nizhny Novgorod got closer on an Evgeny Mozer goal, via Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Moses, Hietanen, and Kapanen.

Over in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Lars Haugen are in the creases. Minsk led off in the first period with a Dmitry Meleshko goal, assisted by Alexander Materukhin and Evgeny Lisovets. Moscow tied it on a third period power play goal by Alexander Osipov, coming off of Maxim Pestushko. Dinamo took the lead again with a Ryan Vesce goal, fueled by Charles Linglet and Ilya Shinkevich. Dynamo tied it as Maxim Solovyov scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Minsk won 3-2 on goals by Vesce and Andrei Stepanov. The three stars went to Vesce, Meleshko, and Stepanov.

Back in Russia, SKA St. Petersburg brings in CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. St. Petersburg began in the first period on an Artemy Panarin goal, passed from Dinar Khafizullin and Andrei Kuteikin. SKA added on with Panarin scoring on a penalty shot after he was slashed by Evgeny Korotkov. Moscow got on the board in the second period as Mikhail Naumenkov scored, with the help of Alexander Radulov. St. Petersburg shot back with a Kuteikin power play goal, powered by Panarin and Vadim Shipachyov. This was all they needed for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Panarin, Kuteikin, and Koskinen (22 for 23 in saves).

Finally, Dinamo Riga hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Jeff Deslauriers draw the starts. Riga got going in the second period on a Mikelis Redlihs power play goal, powered by Roberts Bukarts and Linus Videll. Dinamo added on in the third period on a Gunars Skvorcovs shorthanded goal, set up by Maris Bicevskis. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Deslauriers (25 save shutout), Redlihs, and Skvorcovs.

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NHL January 12th, 2015

Three games tonight, with the first in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Evgeni Nabokov and Rob Zepp are the backups in goal. Philadelphia struck first in the first period on a Chris VandeVelde goal, his third of the season, coming off of Luke Schenn and Claude Giroux. Tampa Bay tied it on a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-third of the year, coming on the power play from Tyler Johnson and Anton Stralman. The Flyers retook the lead on an R.J. Umberger goal, his seventh of the season, via Matt Read and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia added on with a second period power play goal by Jakub Voracek, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Giroux. The Flyers extended the lead with a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his fourth of the season, passed from VandeVelde and Michael Del Zotto. Ben Bishop replaced Nabokov in goal. Philadelphia padded the lead on a Streit goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers kept going on a Brayden Schenn goal, his tenth of the season, a power play goal helped along by Streit and Voracek. Philadelphia continued on a Michael Raffl goal, his eleventh of the year, driven in by Scott Laughton and Simmonds. The Lightning got one back with a Brian Boyle goal, his eighth of the season, with assists provided by Cedric Paquette and Stralman. Tampa Bay pulled closer in the third period on a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Jonathan Drouin and Valtteri Filppula. This produced the 7-3 final, with the three stars given to VandeVelde, Streit, and Brayden Schenn, while Giroux, Simmonds, Voracek, and Stralman get the honorable mentions.

In DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov faces his former team and Braden Holtby in goal. Washington was first to score in the first period on a Jay Beagle goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Jason Chimera and Tom Wilson. Colorado tied it on an Alex Tanguay goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Jarome Iginla and Tyson Barrie. The Capitals took the lead on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Holtby (31 for 32 in saves), Ovechkin, and Beagle.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Martin Jones are the goalies. Los Angeles started in the first period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter. The Kings iced it at 2-0 in the third period on a Marian Gaborik empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Kopitar and Carter. The three stars were awarded to Kopitar, Jones (19 save shutout), and Carter.

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KHL January 12th, 2015

Ten games on for a busy day, beginning in...



Omsk, as Avangard hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Denis Kostin are the goalies. Omsk dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Felix Schutz goal, via Denis Kulyash. Avangard added on as Sergei Kalinin scored, thanks to Erik Gustafsson and Vladimir Sobotka. Yekaterinburg got on the board with a power play goal by Alexei Simakov, powered by Andrei Antonov. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kostin (32 for 33 in saves), Kalinin, and Schutz.

Down in Astana, Barys welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Pavel Poluektov in goal. Magnitogorsk led off in the first period on a Rinat Ibragimov goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Chris Lee. Metallurg added on with an Oskar Osala goal, passed from Denis Platonov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead on a Platonov goal, with a lone assist by Lee. Dmitry Malgin replaced Poluektov in goal. Astana got on the board in the third period on a Nigel Dawes goal, made possible by Dustin Boyd. Barys pulled closer with a Roman Starchenko goal, courtesy of Nikolai Antropov and Roman Savchenko. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Platonov, Lee, and Osala.

Back in Russia, Traktor Chelyabinsk brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Michael Garnett are in the blue paint. Vladivostok began in the first period with a Niclas Bergfors power play goal, powered by Richard Gynge. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period as Vyacheslav Osnovin scored, thanks to Yegor Martynov and Artyom Penkovsky. Traktor took the lead with a Martin Ruzicka goal, made possible by Penkovsky. Chelyabinsk added on with an Andrei Popov goal, fueled by Dmitry Pestunov and Anton Glinkin. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Garnett (27 for 28 in saves), Penkovsky, and Ruzicka.

Over to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Stepan Goryachevskikh are between the pipes. Khabarovsk opened in the first period on a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, via Ruslan Bashkirov and Tuukka Mantyla. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period on an Igor Magogin goal, guided in by Dmitry Ryabykin and Nikolai Lemtyugov. Yugra took the lead with a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, with a lone helper by Alexander Korolyuk. Amur tied it in the third period on a Mikhail Fisenko goal, passed from Kirill Safronov. Khanty-Mansiysk retook the lead on another Kaspar goal, coming off of Pavel Valentenko and Lemtyugov. Yugra finished it at 4-2 with a Nikita Gusev goal, courtesy of Valentenko and Andrei Sergeyev. The three stars belonged to Kaspar, Valentenko, and Lemtyugov.

Continuing to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the masked men. Ufa was first to score in the first period on an Alexander Kutuzov power play goal, powered by Evgeny Skachkov and Antti Pihlstrom. Kazan tied it with a Justin Azevedo goal, fueled by Vladimir Denisov and Konstantin Koltsov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back with a Denis Tolpeko goal, with a lone assist by Denis Khlystov. Ufa added on with an Anton Slepyshev goal, passed from Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead with a Hartikainen power play goal, assisted by Dmitry Makarov and Kirill Koltsov. Ak Bars got one back on an Igor Mirnov goal, made possible by Stepan Zakharchuk and Dmitry Obukhov. Kazan pulled closer on a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, with assists provided by Konstantin Korneyev and Sergei Kostitsyn. Ufa iced it at 5-3 with a Kutuzov empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Hartikainen, Kutuzov, and Slepyshev.

West a little to Togliatti, as Lada brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Evgeny Ivannikov are the goalies. Novosibirsk started in the first period on a Vladimir Butuzov goal, assisted by Artyom Voroshilo. Togliatti tied it as Georgy Belousov scored, with the help of Anton Shenfeld. Sibir took the lead on a second period goal by Sergei Shumakov, going in unassisted. Novosibirsk closed it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Igor Ozhiganov, set up by the goalie Salak. The three stars went to Salak (24 for 25 in saves), Shumakov, and Butuzov.

Into Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Rafael Khakimov and Alexander Sudnitsin draw the starts. Nizhnekamsk got going in the second period on a Yaroslav Alshevsky goal, assisted by Stanislav Alshevsky and Pavel Kulikov. Neftekhimik added on with an Igor Polygalov goal, passed from Maxim Berezin and Yegor Milovzorov. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead in the third period as Milovzorov scored, thanks to Berezin and Polygalov. Neftekhimik padded the lead on an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, courtesy of Matt Anderson and Dan Sexton. Nizhnekamsk continued with a Sexton goal, with a lone assist by Anderson. Neftekhimik finished it at 6-0 on a Grigorenko goal, helped along by Sexton. The three stars were awarded to Milovzorov, Sexton, and Grigorenko, while Polygalov, Berezin, Anderson, and Sudnitsin (28 save shutout) received the honorable mentions.

Over in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Calvin Heeter and Curtis Sanford occupy the creases. Zagreb struck first in the first period with a Sasa Martinovic goal, passed from Brandon Segal and Kurtis McLean. Yaroslavl tied it on a Yegor Yakovlev goal, assisted by Jonas Holos and Geoff Platt. Lokomotiv took the lead on a Platt goal, via Alexei Vasilyev and Ilya Lyubushkin. Yaroslavl added on with a Kirill Kapustin goal, made possible by Vladislav Kartayev. Medvescak got one back in the second period on a Bill Thomas power play goal, powered by Martin St. Pierre. Zagreb tied it in the third period as Mark Flood scored, thanks to Segal and McLean. Lokomotiv retook the lead on a Platt goal, his second of the game, coming off of Jiri Novotny. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars given to Platt, Segal, and McLean.

Down to Sochi, as the Leopards bring in Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Tomas Popperle are the former Lev Praha goalie teammates. Sochi led off in the first period on a Nikita Shchitov goal, courtesy of Andrei Kostitsyn and Ryan Whitney. The Leopards added on with a power play goal by Andre Petersson, powered by Clay Wilson and Cory Emmerton. Sochi extended the lead with an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, made possible by Shchitov and Kostitsyn. The Leopards chased Engren on another Lapenkov goal, guided in by Wilson and Petersson on the power play. Mytishchi got on the board in the second period with an Anton Babchuk goal, passed from Nikita Soshnikov and Evgeny Bodrov. Atlant got closer with a Vyacheslav Kozlov goal, with a lone assist by Albert Yarullin. Sochi replied with a Lapenkov goal, completing his hat trick, with the help of Petersson and Pavel Koledov. Mytishchi answered with a Soshnikov goal, helped along by Yarullin and Sergei Shmelyov. Atlant pulled closer as Matthew Gilroy scored, thanks to Maxim Potapov and Artyom Chernov on the power play goal. The Leopards wrapped it up at 6-4 with a Petersson goal, with assists from Emmerton and Lapenkov. The three stars were Lapenkov, Petersson, and Shchitov, while Kostitsyn,Wilson, Emmerton, Soshnikov, and Yarullin receive the honorable mentions.

Finally, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Slovan Bratislava. Johan Backlund and Harri Sateri protect the nets. Bratislava began in the second period on a Libor Hudacek power play goal, powered by Peter Olvecky and Ladislav Nagy. Podolsk tied it on a Maxim Afinogenov power play goal in the third period, via Denis Grebeshkov. Vityaz won 2-1 in overtime with a Mario Kempe goal, assisted by Alexei Semenov and Mathias Porseland. The three stars were Sateri (16 for 17 in saves), Kempe, and Afinogenov.

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Hockey January 11th, 2015

Six games across two leagues today, beginning in Russia with...

SKA St. Petersburg hosting Severstal Cherepovets. Sergei Magarilov and Igor Shestyorkin are the backups in goal. St. Petersburg began with a first period goal by Evgeny Dadonov, a power play goal powered by Vadim Shipachyov and Artemy Panarin. SKA added on with a Panarin goal, via Maxim Chudinov on the power play. Cherepovets got on the board in the second period as Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, passed from Andreas Thuresson and Alexander Shinin. St. Petersburg replied with an Ilya Kablukov goal, courtesy of Evgeny Ketov and Anton Burdasov. Severstal pulled back with an unassisted goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Cherepovets tied it in the third period as Nikolai Stasenko scored a power play goal, with the help of Shinin and Kagarlitsky. SKA won 4-3 in overtime on Dadonov's second of the game, made possible by Ilya Kovalchuk and Shipachyov on the power play. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Dadonov, Panarin, and Kagarlitsky, while Shipachyov and Shinin get the honorable mentions.

West to Riga, as Dinamo welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Jakub Sedlacek protect the nets. Riga opened in the first period on a Miks Indrasis power play goal, powered by Kyle Wilson and Lauris Darzins. Dinamo added on with a Kaspars Saulietis goal, with a lone assist by Maris Bicevskis. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the second period with a Juuso Hietanen goal, coming off of Vladimir Galuzin and Sakari Salminen on the power play. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars being Sedlacek (31 for 32 in saves), Saulietis, and Indrasis.

Back to Moscow, where CSKA brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Stanislav Galimov are the masked men. Helsinki started in the first period on a Jere Sallinen goal, going in unassisted. Moscow tied it on an unassisted Simon Hjalmarsson goal. Jokerit took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Petr Koukal, powered by Steve Moses and Atte Ohtamaa. CSKA tied it on an Ivan Telegin goal, courtesy of Ondrej Nemec and Vladimir Zharkov. Moscow gained the lead with an Andreas Engqvist goal, passed from Igor Grigorenko and Igor Makarov in the third period. Helsinki tied it again as Johan Harju scored, thanks to Ville Lajunen. CSKA won 4-3 in overtime with a Nikita Zaitsev power play goal, assisted by Engqvist and Stephane Da Costa. The three stars went to Zaitsev, Engqvist, and Telegin.

In the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo faces a lesser foe in Ben Scrivens in goal. Florida led off in the first period on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Nick Bjugstad and Jussi Jokinen. Edmonton tied it in the second period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his eleventh of the year, via Taylor Hall and Nick Schultz. The Panthers took the lead back as Brian Campbell scored his third of the season, thanks to Aaron Ekblad and Jokinen. Florida added on with a third period goal by Tomas Kopecky, his second of the year, helped along by Derek MacKenzie and Scottie Upshall. The Oilers got one back with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Derek Roy and Nikita Nikitin. The Panthers shot back as Sean Bergenheim scored his seventh of the year, with the help of Tomas Fleischmann. This produced a 4-2 final, with the three stars going to Kopecky, Bergenheim, and Jokinen.

Southeast to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Corey Crawford are in the blue paint. Chicago struck first in the first period on a Marian Hossa goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks added on with a Bryan Bickell goal, his ninth of the year, via Patrick Kane and Brad Richards. Chicago extended the lead in the second period as Richards scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Kane and Bickell. The Blackhawks padded the lead on a Johnny Oduya goal, his second of the year, helped along by Toews and Hossa. Minnesota got on the board in the third period on a Matt Cooke goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Kyle Brodziak and Jonas Brodin. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Bickell, Richards, and Hossa, while Toews, Kane, and Crawford (36 for 37 in saves) get honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Frederik Andersen are the goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period with an Evander Kane goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Adam Lowry and Toby Enstrom. Anaheim tied it on a Rickard Rakell power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Kyle Palmieri. The Jets took the lead with a Zach Bogosian goal, his second of the season, assisted by Michael Frolik and Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg added on with a Scheifele goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. The Ducks got one back in the second period on a Tim Jackman goal, his third of the season, guided in by Andrew Cogliano and Rakell. The Jets shot back on an Andrew Ladd goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Anaheim answered in the third period as Palmieri scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal via Rakell and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks tied it with a Rakell goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with a lone assist by Patrick Maroon. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Wheeler and Kane were topped by Ryan Kesler, Rakell, and Vatanen for a 5-4 Ducks win. The three stars went to Rakell, Vatanen, and Palmieri, while Scheifele gets an honorable mention.

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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.