Premier League Week 22

Another week of action in Britain begins with...

Aston Villa hosting Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Brad Guzan are the goalies. Liverpool began with a twenty-fourth minute goal by Fabio Borini, assisted by Jordan Henderson's cross. Aston Villa took a yellow card in the fifty-second minute for a Jores Okore foul. Liverpool added on in the seventy-ninth minute with a Rickie Lambert goal, coming off of Raheem Sterling. In the eighty-first minute, Lambert was given a yellow card for excessive celebration. Liverpool won 2-0.

Up to Burnley welcoming Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Tom Heaton are in the six-yard boxes. Burnley was first to score on a twelfth minute header by Ben Mee, passed from Kieran Trippier on a cross after a corner kick. Burnley added on in the sixteenth minute as Danny Ings scored, thanks to Scott Arfield. Crystal Palace took a yellow card for a Scott Dann foul in the seventeenth minute. Crystal Palace got on the board in the twenty-eighth minute with a Dwight Gayle goal. Crystal Palace tied it on a Jason Puncheon goal in the forty-eighth minute, set up by Gayle. Burnley took a yellow card in the sixty-first minute for a Jason Shackell offense. Crystal Palace saw a pair of yellow cards for a Yaya Sanogo foul in the seventy-fourth minute and a Joel Ward foul in the seventy-seventh minute. Crystal Palace took the lead as Gayle scored in the eighty-seventh minute, with the help of Puncheon. Crystal Palace secured the 3-2 win.

Next up, Leicester City brings in Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Ben Hamer are the keepers. Leicester City's Marcin Wasilewski had a yellow card for a foul in the nineteenth minute. Stoke City opened with a sixty-third minute Bojan goal, passed from Jonathan Walters. This was all Stoke City needed for a 1-0 win.

In London, the Queens Park Rangers host Manchester United. David de Gea and Robert Green are the gloved men. QPR had a yellow card for a Joey Barton foul in the forty-first minute. In the forty-fifth minute, Juan Mata of Manchester United took a yellow card for his foul. Manchester United led off in the fifty-eighth minute with a Marouane Fellaini goal, coming off of Antonio Valencia. Mauricio Isla of QPR took a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. In the sixty-eighth minute, Marcos Rojo took a yellow card for a foul for Manchester United. QPR had a yellow card go to Clint Hill for his eighty-second minute foul. Manchester United iced it at 2-0 with a James Wilson goal in stoppage time.

Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Chelsea. Petr Cech and Lukasz Fabianski are between the posts. Chelsea quickly started with an Oscar goal in the first minute. Chelsea added on with a Diego Costa goal in the twentieth minute, made possible by a through ball from Cesc Fabregas. Chelsea extended the lead as Costa scored in the thirty-fourth minute. Chelsea padded the lead on an Oscar goal in the thirty-sixth minute, coming off of Costa. Chelsea made it 5-0, the final, on a seventy-ninth minute goal by Andre Schurrle, assisted by Branislav Ivanovic.

Back to London again, as Tottenham Hotspur brings in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Hugo Lloris are manning the nets. Tottenham Hotspur got going in the third minute with a Jan Vertonghen goal, coming off of a set piece. In the thirtieth minute, Vertonghen received a yellow card for a foul, and Sunderland tied it on a free kick by Sebastian Larsson in the next minute. Sunderland had a yellow card go to Jack Rodwell in the fifty-eighth minute for a foul, and another go to Billy Jones in the eighty-seventh minute, also for a foul. In the eighty-eighth minute, Tottenham Hotspur took the lead with a Christian Eriksen goal, via Andros Townsend. Tottenham Hotspur took a 2-1 victory.

Finally, Saturday's last game has Newcastle United hosting Southampton. Fraser Forster and Tim Krul are set to start in goal. Southampton dented the scoreboard in the fourteenth minute on an Eljero Elia goal, passed from James Ward-Prowse. Newcastle United tied it in the twenty-ninth minute as Yoan Gouffran scored. Southampton retook the lead on another Elia goal, with a header pass from Shane Long earning the assist. In the sixty-third minute, Southampton's Steven Davis received a yellow card, followed by Long's yellow card in stoppage time. Southampton won 2-1.

On Sunday, the first game saw West Ham United welcome Hull City. Allan McGregor and Adrian are the goalies. In the twenty-first minute, West Ham's Mark Noble received a yellow card for his foul. Hull City saw a yellow card go to Ahmed Elmohamady in the thirty-fourth minute for a foul. West Ham was first to score in the forty-ninth minute on a close range goal by Andy Carroll. West Ham added on with a Morgan Amalfitano goal in the sixty-ninth minute, via Enner Valencia. West Ham extended the lead in the seventy-second minute with a Stewart Downing goal, passed from Alexandre Song on a through ball. Hull City took yellow cards for a seventy-fifth minute Stephen Quinn foul and an eighty-seventh minute foul by David Meyler. West Ham cruised to a 3-0 victory.

Up to Manchester, where City brings in Arsenal. David Ospina is mismatched with Joe Hart in goal. Arsenal took a yellow card for a Laurent Koscielny offense. Arsenal began on a twenty-fourth minute penalty kick goal by Santiago Cazorla. Arsenal had another yellow card for a thirty-eighth minute Aaron Ramsey foul. Manchester City saw a yellow card go to Vincent Kompany in the forty-first minute for a foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Manchester City's Fernandinho received a yellow card for a hand ball. In the fifty-sixth minute, Arsenal's Hector Bellerin took a yellow card. Arsenal extended their lead on an Olivier Giroud header goal, passed from Cazorla after a set piece. Sergio Aguero received a yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute for Manchester City. Arsenal took the game 2-0.

Monday's game had Everton host West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Joel Robles are the gloved men. Everton had yellow cards go to Gareth Barry in the forty-ninth minute and Bryan Oviedo in the fifty-second minute, both for fouls. West Brom took a yellow card for a James Morrison foul in the fifty-eighth minute. In the seventy-seventh minute, Muhamed Besic of Everton received a yellow card. West Brom saw a yellow card go to Graham Dorrans in the ninetieth minute. The game ended 0-0.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL January 18th, 2015

Four games today, beginning with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. New York quickly struck first in the first period on an unassisted Rick Nash goal, his twenty-seventh of the season. The Rangers added on as Derick Brassard scored his twelfth of the year, coming off of Kevin Klein and Mats Zuccarello. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by David Perron and Kris Letang. New York answered in the second period with another Nash goal, his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, via Brassard. The Rangers extended the lead on a Derek Stepan power play goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Chris Kreider. Thomas Greiss replaced Fleury in goal. The Penguins got one back in the third period on a Perron goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Robert Bortuzzo and Letang. New York finished it at 5-2 with a Stepan goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, with assists provided by Kreider and St. Louis. The three stars were awarded to Nash, Stepan, and Brassard, while Perron, Letang, St. Louis, and Kreider get the honorable mentions.

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Dallas began on a first period goal by Tyler Seguin, his twenty-eighth of the season, assisted by Colton Sceviour and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on with a Cody Eakin shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Benn and Alex Goligoski. Chicago got on the board with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Brent Seabrook and Bryan Bickell. The Blackhawks tied it on a power play goal by Brandon Saad, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Patrick Sharp and Seabrook. Dallas took the lead back with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by John Klingberg and Travis Moen. Chicago tied it again with a second period Saad goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, guided in by Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Stars pulled ahead in the third period on an Eakin power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, via Seguin and Benn, the latter getting a sock trick. Dallas extended the lead with an Erik Cole goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Jason Spezza and Klingberg. The Stars closed it at 6-3 with an empty net goal by Shawn Horcoff, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Goligoski and Eakin. The three stars were Eakin, Seguin, and Benn, while Goligoski, Saad, Seabrook, and Klingberg get the honorable mentions.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Ondrej Pavelec are the lousy goalies. Winnipeg led off with a first period goal by Bryan Little goal, his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Andrew Ladd. Arizona tied it on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Shane Doan and Martin Hanzal. The Jets took the lead in the second period on a Michael Frolik, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Winnipeg added on in the third period as Dustin Byfuglien scored his twelfth of the year, thanks to Mark Scheifele. The Coyotes got one back with a Lauri Korpikoski power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Michael Stone and Keith Yandle. Arizona tied it on a Tobias Rieder goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Antoine Vermette and Doan. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Little's goal lifted the Jets to a 4-3 win. The three stars were given to Little, Doan, and Byfuglien.

Finally, the Detroit Red Wings host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Petr Mrazek are the little-known goalies. Buffalo was first to score on a first period goal by Drew Stafford, his seventh of the season, fueled by Cody Hodgson and Andrej Meszaros. The Sabres added on with a Tyler Ennis goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Nikita Zadorov and Andre Benoit. Buffalo extended the lead with a Chris Stewart power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ennis and Zadorov. Tom McCollum replaced Mrazek in goal. Detroit got on the board in the second period on a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings got closer with a Drew Miller goal, his second of the season, passed from Joakim Andersson and Danny DeKeyser. Detroit tied it on a Tomas Tatar goal, his twenty-first of the year, going in unassisted. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period on a Zetterberg goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Tatar. Detroit padded the lead with another Zetterberg goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, a power play goal with helpers from Nyquist and Justin Abdelkader. The Sabres got one back with an Ennis goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, pushed through by Matt Moulson. The Red Wings won 6-4 when Zetterberg finished his hat trick on his fourteenth of the year, with assists from Kyle Quincey and DeKeyser. The three stars were Zetterberg, Ennis, and Nyquist, while Tatar, DeKeyser, and Zadorov get honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 18th, 2015

Six games on today, beginning in...

Chelyabinsk, where Traktor hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Michael Garnett guard the cages. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period on an Andrei Popov goal, via Dmitry Pestunov. Traktor added on with an Alexei Vasilchenko goal, guided in by Anton Glinkin and Francis Pare. Yekaterinburg got on the board with a second period power play goal by Alexander Rybakov, powered by Alexei Simakov and Anton Lazarev. Chelyabinsk replied in the third period on another Popov goal, passed from Pestunov and Glinkin on the power play. Traktor finished it at 4-1 with a Vyacheslav Osnovin empty net goal, set up by Martin Ruzicka and Artyom Penkovsky. The three stars went to Popov, Pestunov, and Glinkin.

Over in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Kazan got going in the second period on a Dmitry Obukhov goal, guided in by Kirill Petrov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg took the lead with an Evgeny Timkin goal, coming off of Denis Platonov and Mikhail Yunkov. Magnitogorsk added on with an unassisted Platonov goal. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Platonov, Koshechkin (38 for 39 in saves), and Timkin.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra brings in Neftekhimik. Alexander Sudnitsin and Stepan Goryachevskikh are the goalies with long names. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period on a Dan Sexton goal, fueled by Matt Anderson and Evgeny Ryasensky. Neftekhimik added on as Evgeny Grigorenko scored, thanks to Sexton and Teemu Eronen. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead in the second period on a Maxim Berezin goal, assisted by Yaroslav Alshevsky and Mikhail Zhukov. Neftekhimik padded the lead on a Maxim Rybin goal, helped along by Zhukov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with an Andrei Chibisov goal, with assists provided by Ben Maxwell and Andrei Sergeyev. Nizhnekamsk finished it at 5-1 in the third period on a Zhukov goal, with a lone assist by Eronen. The three stars went to Zhukov, Sexton, and Eronen.

Over in Cherepovets, Severstal hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Jakub Stepanek are the masked men. St. Petersburg led off in the first period on an Andrei Kuteikin goal, coming off of Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on with a Roman Cervenka goal in the second period, courtesy of Pyotr Khokhryakov. Cherepovets got on the board with an Andreas Thuresson goal, assisted by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Severstal tied it in the third period on an Evgeny Mons goal, guided in by Pavel Buchnevich and Ilya Khokhlov. St. Petersburg took the lead back with a Cervenka goal, his second of the game, passed from Tony Martensson and Khokhryakov. SKA wrapped it up with an empty net goal by Viktor Tikhonov, set up by Alexei Ponikarovsky. The final was 4-2, and the three stars went to Cervenka, Khokhryakov, and Kuteikin.

Into Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers and Mikhail Biryukov are in the creases. Riga started in the first period on a Krisjanis Redlihs power play goal, powered by Linus Videll. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, courtesy of Vladimir Galuzin. Torpedo took the lead on a Galuzin power play goal, made possible by Evgeny Mozer and Alexei Pepelyaev. Nizhny Novgorod added on with a Jarkko Immonen goal, guided in by Sakari Salminen and Pepelyaev. Dinamo pulled back with a Videll power play goal, assisted by Krisjanis Redlihs and Mikelis Redlihs. Riga tied it on an Andris Dzerins goal, with a lone assist by Rodrigo Abols. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Dzerins and Lauris Darzins topped an Immonen tally for a 4-3 Dinamo win. The three stars were Videll, Krisjanis Redlihs, and Galuzin, while Pepelyaev is given an honorable mention.

Finally, Jokerit Helsinki brings in CSKA Moscow. Kevin Lalande and Henrik Karlsson are the former NHL goalies. Helsinki dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Steve Moses power play goal, powered by Juhamatti Aaltonen. Jokerit added on with an Aaltonen goal in the third period, assisted by Topi Jaakola and Daine Todd. Moscow got on the board with an Igor Makarov goal, helped along by Jan Mursak. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Aaltonen, Karlsson (30 for 31 in saves), and Moses.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL January 17th, 2015

Twelve games on today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Columbus opened in the first period on a Ryan Johansen goal, his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jack Johnson and Scott Hartnell. Boston tied it on a Carl Soderberg goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Loui Eriksson and Chris Kelly. The Blue Jackets took the lead back with a Matt Calvert goal in the third period, his fifth of the season, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with a Calvert empty net goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, set up by Johansen and James Wisniewski. The three stars went to McElhinney (34 for 35 in saves), Calvert, and Johansen.

Over to Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob Zepp and Michal Neuvirth are the little-known goalies. Buffalo struck first in the first period on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Chris Stewart and Brian Flynn. Philadelphia tied it in the second period with an R.J. Umberger power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Matt Read and Michael Del Zotto. The Flyers took the lead on a power play goal by Mark Streit, his sixth of the season, via Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. The Sabres retied it on a Tyler Ennis goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Matt Moulson and Rasmus Ristolainen. Philadelphia took the lead again in the third period on a Chris VandeVelde goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Vincent Lecavalier and Carlo Colaiacovo. The Flyers added on with a Michael Raffl goal, his twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Del Zotto and Luke Schenn. Buffalo got one back on Girgensons' second of the night and thirteenth of the campaign, helped along by Moulson and Stewart. This only made it 4-3, with the three stars going to Girgensons, Moulson, and Del Zotto, while Stewart gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Petr Mrazek are the unknown goalies. Detroit quickly started in the first period on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar. The Red Wings added on with a Kyle Quincey goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk. Detroit extended the lead with a Tatar goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Nyquist and Niklas Kronwall. Hutton was pulled for Marek Mazanec. Nashville got on the board with a Mattias Ekholm goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Colin Wilson. The Red Wings answered on a Henrik Zetterberg power play goal in the second period, his eleventh of the season, powered by Datsyuk and Kronwall. Detroit padded the lead as Tatar scored his second of the game and twentieth of the year, with the help of Sheahan and Stephen Weiss. The Predators got one back in the third period on a Mike Fisher goal, his ninth of the campaign, driven in by Roman Josi and Shea Weber on the power play. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Tatar, Nyquist, and Datsyuk, while Sheahan and Kronwall get the honorable mentions.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Dustin Tokarski are called on to start. Montreal was first to score in the first period on a P.K. Subban power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Andrei Markov and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on in the second period on a Dale Weise goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Plekanec and Max Pacioretty. New York got on the board with a Kyle Okposo goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by John Tavares and Josh Bailey. Montreal shot back on a Plekanec power play goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Markov and Pacioretty. The Islanders replied on a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his ninth of the season, via Brock Nelson and Bailey. The Canadiens answered with a third period Alex Galchenyuk goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais. Montreal padded the lead on a Desharnais goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens extended the lead on a Plekanec goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, fueled by Markov, who got a sock trick, and the goalie Tokarski. Chad Johnson replaced Halak in goal. New York countered with an Anders Lee goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Ryan Strome. The Islanders edged closer with a Tavares power play goal, his twentieth of the year, with helpers provided by Frans Nielsen and Okposo. The final stood from here at 6-4, with the three stars going to Plekanec, Markov, and Desharnais, while Okposo, Tavares, Pacioretty, and Bailey get the honorable mentions.

Over to Ontario, as the Ottawa Senators welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Craig Anderson occupy the creases. Carolina led off in the first period on a Brad Malone goal, his second of the season, fueled by Patrick Dwyer and Jay McClement. Ottawa tied it on a Cody Ceci goal in the second period, his third of the year, coming off of Erik Condra and David Legwand. The Senators took the lead in the third period on a Mark Stone goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Hurricanes tied it with a Justin Faulk goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Nathan Gerbe and Victor Rask. Carolina took the lead on a Gerbe goal, his fourth of the campaign, guided in by Faulk and Tim Gleason. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Gerbe, Faulk, and Khudobin (30 for 32 in saves).

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Brian Elliott are between the pipes. St. Louis began in the first period on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Reaves and Maxim Lapierre. The Blues added on in the third period on an Alexander Steen goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis made it 3-0, the final, with a T.J. Oshie goal, his twelfth of the campaign, with helpers by Steen and Backes. The three stars were Elliott (27 save shutout), Steen, and Backes.

Southeast to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ben Bishop are the talented goalies. Tampa Bay was first to score in the first period on a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Alex Killorn and Anton Stralman. Colorado tied it in the second period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his eighth of the year, via Nathan MacKinnon and Jan Hejda. The Lightning took the lead back in the third period on a Stralman goal, his third of the season, passed from Valtteri Filppula. The Avalanche tied it again on a MacKinnon goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Erik Johnson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nikita Kucherov and Callahan topped Matt Duchene to give Tampa Bay the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Stralman, Callahan, and MacKinnon.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth and Roberto Luongo are in the blue paint. Edmonton dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Jordan Eberle goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone assist by Matt Fraser. Florida tied it on an Erik Gudbranson goal, his second of the year, fueled by Jussi Jokinen and Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers took the lead on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Dmitry Kulikov. The Oilers tied it in the third period as Matt Hendricks scored his sixth of the year, a shorthanded goal, set up by Boyd Gordon and Mark Fayne. In the shootout, Nail Yakupov had the only tally so Edmonton won 3-2. The three stars went to Fasth (35 for 37 in saves), Luongo (32 for 34 in saves), and Hendricks.

Westward to Dallas, where the Stars bring in the Washington Capitals. Justin Peters and Kari Lehtonen will play in goal. Dallas opened in the first period on a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, powered by Jason Spezza and Cody Eakin. The Stars added on with an Erik Cole, his eleventh of the year, via Jyrki Jokipakka and Ales Hemsky. Dallas extended the lead in the second period on a Spezza goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Cole and Jokipakka. Washington got on the board with an Eric Fehr goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Joel Ward and Brooks Laich. The Capitals pulled closer on an Andre Burakovsky goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Matt Niskanen and John Carlson. Washington tied it in the third period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Nicklas Backstrom. The Stars regained the lead on an Antoine Roussel goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Ryan Garbutt and John Klingberg. Dallas padded the lead with a Jamie Benn goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Seguin and Colton Sceviour. The Capitals chipped back on a Backstrom goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, helped along by Ovechkin and Karl Alzner. This made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars going to Seguin, Spezza, and Cole, while Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Jokipakka getting the honorable mentions.

Way north to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith faces former job-stealer Devan Dubnyk in goal. Minnesota started in the first period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Nino Niederreiter and Christian Folin. The Wild added on in the second period with a Jason Zucker goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Justin Fontaine and the goalie Dubnyk. Arizona got on the board with an Antoine Vermette goal, his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by David Moss and Keith Yandle. Minnesota iced it at 3-1 with a third period empty net goal by Zach Parise, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Mikko Koivu. The three stars were handed to Dubnyk (25 for 26 in saves), Zucker, and Coyle.

Southwest to Los Angeles, as the Kings welcome the Anaheim Ducks for a Battle of California. Frederik Andersen and Jonathan Quick tend twines. Los Angeles got going on an Alec Martinez goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Jeff Schultz and Kyle Clifford. Anaheim tied it on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Patrick Maroon and Corey Perry. The Kings took the lead back on an Anze Kopitar goal, his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Marian Gaborik and Jake Muzzin. The Ducks tied it in the third period on a Sami Vatanen power play goal, guided in by Cam Fowler and Maroon. Anaheim won 3-2 in the shootout on a Jakob Silfverberg goal. The three stars went to Maroon, Vatanen, and Getzlaf.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Calgary Flames. Joni Ortio and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goalies. Calgary struck first in the first period on a Dennis Wideman goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Joe Colborne and Mason Raymond. The Flames added on with a Colborne shorthanded goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Matt Stajan. San Jose got on the board in the second period as Logan Couture scored his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Patrick Marleau and Justin Braun. The Sharks tied it on a Joe Thornton power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Joe Pavelski and Marleau. San Jose took the lead on a Melker Karlsson goal, his seventh of the season, via Pavelski and Braun. Calgary retied it on a Jiri Hudler goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime on a Sean Monahan goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Giordano and Paul Byron. The three stars were given to Colborne, Giordano, and Pavelski, while Marleau and Braun get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 17th, 2015

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Barys Astana. Dmitry Malgin and Denis Kostin are the goalies. Astana was first to score in the first period on an unassisted Talgat Zhailauov goal. Omsk tied it on a second period goal by Erik Gustafsson, passed from Ivan Fischenko and Vadim Khomitsky. Avangard added on with a Kirill Rasskazov goal, coming off of Denis Parshin. Omsk extended the lead on an empty net goal by Alexander Perezhogin, set up by Khomitsky. Avangard iced it at 4-1 on an Igor Musatov empty net goal, via Perezhogin and Vladimir Sobotka. The three stars were Kostin (33 for 34 in saves), Perezhogin, and Khomitsky.

Back east, Sibir Novosibirsk welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Alexander Salak. Novosibirsk struck first in the first period on a Sergei Shumakov power play goal, powered by Ivan Vereshchagin. Ufa tied it on an Antti Pihlstrom goal, coming off of Evgeny Skachkov on the power play. Salavat Yulaev took the lead with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, via Alexander Kutuzov. Ufa added on with an Anton Slepyshev, guided in by Dmitry Makarov and Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an unassisted empty net goal from Slepyshev. The three stars were given to Sokhatsky (20 for 21 in saves), Hartikainen, and Slepyshev.

Way out west, Dinamo Minsk brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Lars Haugen are given the starting nods. Podolsk led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, with a lone assist by Alexei Semenov. Vityaz added on with a power play goal by Alexei Makeyev, powered by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Georgy Berdyukov. Minsk got on the board in the second period with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, assisted by Charles Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Podolsk got it back with a Maxim Mamin goal, fueled by Nikita Vyglazov and Maxim Afinogenov. Vityaz extended the lead as Afinogenov scored, thanks to Semenov. Dinamo replied with an unassisted Cheechoo goal. Podolsk won 5-2 in the third period with a shorthanded and empty net goal by Mario Kempe, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Afinogenov, Cheechoo, and Semenov.

Back in Russia, Atlant Mytishchi hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Atte Engren are the masked men. Yaroslavl began in the first period on a Yegor Yakovlev goal, assisted by Jiri Novotny. Lokomotiv added on in the second period on a Staffan Kronwall goal, with a lone helper from Yakovlev. Yaroslavl extended the lead on a shorthanded goal by Alexei Vasilyev, set up by Novotny. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period with a Martin Thornberg goal, fueled by Vladislav Gavrikov and Geoff Platt. Mytishchi got on the board as Nikita Soshnikov scored, thanks to Maxim Potapov. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kolesnik (22 for 23 in saves), Yakovlev, and Novotny.

Into Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Calvin Heeter are in the blue paint. Sochi started in the first period on an Andre Petersson power play goal, powered by Evgeny Lapenkov and Clay Wilson. Zagreb tied it on an Edwin Hedberg goal, guided in by Mark Flood and Shaone Morrisonn. Medvescak took the lead in the second period with a James Wright goal, courtesy of Brandon Segal and Kurtis McLean. The Leopards tied it on a Cory Emmerton power play goal, made possible by Lapenkov and Pavel Koledov. Zagreb won 3-2 in overtime with a Mark Popovic goal, passed from Bill Thomas and Mathieu Carle. The three stars were Lapenkov, Popovic, and Wright.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Denis Godla are the backups making spot starts. Moscow opened in the second period on a Denis Kokarev goal, courtesy of Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo added on as Mat Robinson scored a power play goal, powered by Maxim Pestushko and Volkov. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars given to Lazushin (32 save shutout), Kokarev, and Volkov.

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NHL January 16th, 2015

Six games on today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Cam Ward are the veteran goalies. Vancouver got going in the second period on a Derek Dorsett goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nick Bonino and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on as Shawn Matthias scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Jannik Hansen and Christopher Tanev. Vancouver extended the lead on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his tenth of the campaign, via Ryan Stanton and Bieksa. Anton Khudobin relieved Ward for the third period. The final stood at 3-0, with the three stars going to Miller (28 save shutout), Dorsett, and Bieksa.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jaroslav Halak are the All-Star replacement goalies. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a David Perron goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Kris Letang and Crosby. New York got on the board with a Kyle Okposo goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by John Tavares and Josh Bailey. The Islanders tied it on a Ryan Strome goal, his eighth of the year, via Anders Lee and Frans Nielsen. Pittsburgh retook the lead on a Crosby goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, coming off of Paul Martin and Letang. New York tied it on an Okposo goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, passed from Tavares and Bailey. The Islanders pulled ahead on another Okposo goal, clinching his hat trick on his twelfth of the season, with assists provided by Bailey, who got a sock trick, and Travis Hamonic. New York extended the lead with a fourth goal by Okposo (a natural hat trick clincher), and his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Brock Nelson and Tavares, the latter getting a sock trick. The Islanders iced it at 6-3 on a Michael Grabner empty net goal, his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Okposo, Bailey, and Tavares, while Crosby and Letang get the honorable mentions.

Out in Columbus, the Blue Jackets bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Marc Staal goal, his second of the season, guided in by Derek Stepan and Kevin Klein. The Rangers added on with a Chris Kreider goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Stepan and Martin St. Louis. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Scott Hartnell goal, his ninth of the campaign, courtesy of Ryan Johansen and the goalie Bobrovsky. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Lundqvist (35 for 36 in saves), Stepan, and Kreider.

Down to Nashville, as the Predators host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby faces a lesser foe in Carter Hutton. Nashville started in the first period on a Seth Jones goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Calle Jarnkrok. The Predators added on in the second period on a James Neal goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Mike Fisher and Victor Bartley. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Karl Alzner and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals tied it on an Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, powered by Mike Green and Troy Brouwer. Washington took the lead in the third period on a Marcus Johansson goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming on the power play from Backstrom and Green. Nashville tied it again on a Mattias Ekholm goal, his fourth of the year, a power play goal, guided in by Jones and Craig Smith. The Predators won with a Neal goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The final was 4-3, and the three stars went to Neal, Ovechkin, and Jones, while Backstrom and Green get honorable mentions.

Up in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Corey Crawford are the masked men. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Brandon Saad goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. Winnipeg tied it on a Zach Bogosian, his third of the year, via Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead in the third period on a Little power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Bogosian and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg added on with a Chris Thorburn goal, his third of the year, coming off of Adam Lowry and Dustin Byfuglien. The Blackhawks got one back with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, with a lone assist by Michal Rozsival. The Jets iced it at 4-2 with a Ladd empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Wheeler and Byfuglien. The three stars were Little, Bogosian, and Ladd, while Wheeler and Byfuglien get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Ilya Bryzgalov are given the starting nods. Anaheim struck first in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Cam Fowler and Patrick Maroon. New Jersey tied it on a Martin Havlat goal, his fifth of the year, coming on the power play from Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky. The Ducks took the lead in the second period on a Hampus Lindholm goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Matt Beleskey and Rickard Rakell. Anaheim added on with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks extended the lead in the third period on a Maroon goal, his third of the season, via Ryan Getzlaf and Sami Vatanen. Anaheim padded the lead on a Silfverberg power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, powered by Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin. The three stars of the 5-1 game were Silfverberg, Lindholm, and Maroon.

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KHL January 16th, 2015

Two games today, with the first in...

Togliatti, as Lada hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Evgeny Ivannikov are the goalies. Togliatti led off in the first period with a Martin Zatovic goal, passed from Semyon Valuisky and Alexander Sharov. Lada added on with a Dmitry Ogurtsov goal, assisted by Georgy Belousov. Togliatti extended the lead in the second period with an Alexander Streltsov goal, made possible by Fedor Fedorov and Alexander Barantsev. Khabarovsk got on the board as Dmitry Tarasov scored, thanks to Michel Miklik. Lada shot back with a Belousov power play goal, powered by Peter Podhradsky. Amur got one back in the third period with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, coming off of Rafael Akhmetov and Evgeny Orlov. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Belousov, Streltsov, and Ivannikov (20 for 22 in saves).

The other game has Ak Bars Kazan host Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Emil Garipov protect the nets. Kazan began in the first period on a Vladimir Denisov goal, courtesy of Artyom Lukoyanov. Yekaterinburg tied it in the second period on an Anton Lazarev power play goal, powered by Sami Lepisto and Tobias Viklund. Avtomobilist took the lead on an Alexander Loginov goal, coming off of Sergei Gusev on the power play. Yekaterinburg iced it at 3-1 on an Alexei Mikhnov empty net goal, set up by Eduard Lewandowski. The three stars belonged to Kovar (38 for 39 in saves), Loginov, and Denisov.

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