KHL January 22nd, 2015

Ten games for today, beginning in...

Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Pavel Poluektov draw the starts in goal. Astana began in the first period on a Talgat Zhailauov goal, passed from Evgeny Blokhin and Konstantin Pushkaryov. Novosibirsk tied it on a Patrik Hersley power play goal, powered by Maxim Shalunov. Sibir took the lead on a second period Stepan Sannikov goal, going in unassisted. Barys tied it in the second period on a Nikolai Antropov power play goal, assisted by Roman Starchenko and Kevin Dallman. Astana gained the lead on a Starchenko goal, fueled by Dallman and Mike Lundin on the power play. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Starchenko, Dallman, and Zhailauov.

Up in Cherepovets, Severstal welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Jakub Stepanek are the goalies. Cherepovets led off in the first period with a Nikolai Stasenko goal, assisted by Andrei Konev and Pavel Buchnevich. Riga tied it on a Brock Trotter goal, coming off of Linus Videll and Mikelis Redlihs. Dinamo took the lead in the second period on a Rodrigo Abols goal, made possible by Lauris Darzins. Severstal tied it on a Maxim Trunyov goal, helped along by Marek Kvapil and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Riga retook the lead in the third period as Milan Jurcina scored, thanks to Redlihs. Dinamo added on with an Aleksandrs Jerofejevs goal, via Videll and Redlihs, the latter getting a sock trick. Cherepovets got one back on an Andreas Thuresson goal, guided in by Dmitry Kagarlitsky on the power play. This produced the 4-3 final, with the three stars given to Redlihs, Videll, and Jerofejevs.

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Vitaly Kolesnik receive the starting nods. Yaroslavl struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Sergei Plotnikov, powered by Jiri Novotny and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv added on with an Emil Galimov goal, assisted by Ilya Lyubushkin and Vladislav Kartayev. Yaroslavl extended the lead on another Galimov goal, with a lone assist by Kartayev. Lokomotiv padded the lead as Daniil Apalkov scored, thanks to Geoff Platt and Martin Thornberg. Stepan Goryachevskikh replaced Brust in goal for the third period. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board as Alexander Korolyuk scored, with the help of Ivan Yatsenko. Yaroslavl replied with an Andrei Loktionov goal, via Sergei Konkov. Yugra took one back with an Artyom Bulyansky power play goal, coming off of Dmitry Ryabykin and Pavel Valentenko. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Galimov, Kartayev, and Apalkov.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Anders Nilsson protect the nets. Kazan got going in the second period on a Mikhail Varnakov goal, fueled by Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars added on in the third period with a Petr Vrana goal, guided in by Vladimir Denisov and Dmitry Obukhov. Kazan iced it at 3-0 on an Azevedo goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Nilsson (24 save shutout), Azevedo, and Varnakov.

Over in Moscow, Dynamo welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen and Alexander Lazushin are set to start. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Maxim Solovyov goal, guided in by Alexander Osipov. Dynamo added on in the third period with a Kaspars Daugavins shorthanded empty net goal, set up by Lazushin. This made it 2-0, the final, and the three stars were Lazushin (35 save shutout), Solovyov, and Daugavins.

South to Podolsk, where Vityaz brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Harri Sateri guard the cages. Podolsk was first to score in the first period on an Ivan Ivanov goal, fueled by Roman Tatalin. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Dmitry Pestunov goal, made possible by Alexei Vasilchenko. Vityaz took the lead back on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, via Tatalin. Podolsk added on with a Robert Kousal goal, guided in by Dmitry Shitikov. Garnett was pulled for Vladislav Fokin. Traktor got one back in the second period on a Pestunov power play goal, powered by Anton Glinkin. Vityaz finished it at 4-2 in the third period with an Anton Korolyov goal, assisted by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Solodukhin. The three stars belonged to Pestunov, Solodukhin, and Tatalin.

Back in Moscow, CSKA hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Stanislav Galimov tend the twines. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with an Anton Burdasov goal, guided in by Tony Martensson. Moscow tied it on a Sergei Andronov goal, via Igor Makarov and Jan Mursak. SKA took the lead in the second period with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, made possible by Viktor Tikhonov. St. Petersburg wrapped it up at 3-1 in the third period on an Evgeny Ketov goal, coming off of Maxim Chudinov and Nikolai Belov. The three stars went to Koskinen (38 for 39 in saves), Kovalchuk, and Ketov.

Up in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Henrik Karlsson are in the blue paint. Helsinki started in the first period on a Jere Sallinen goal, assisted by Petteri Wirtanen and Ville Lajunen. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Sakari Salminen goal, fueled by Wojtek Wolski and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead in the second period on an Immonen goal, passed from Salminen and Wolski. Jokerit tied it on a Niklas Hagman goal, guided in by Topi Jaakola and Daine Todd. Helsinki gained the lead with a Juhamatti Aaltonen goal, made possible by Wirtanen. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Salminen, Immonen, and Wirtanen, while Wolski gets an honorable mention.

Out west, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Calvin Heeter are the masked men. Zagreb led off in the first period on an Edwin Hedberg goal, via Bill Thomas and Mark Popovic. Medvescak added on in the second period on a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, helped along by Andrew Murray. Zagreb extended the lead with an unassisted goal by James Wright. Medvescak padded the lead on a Ville Leino goal, fueled by Bjorkstrand and Geoffrey Kinrade. Dmitry Milchakov replaced Haugen in the third period. Minsk got on the board with a Charles Linglet goal, made possible by Matt Ellison and Nick Bailen on the power play. Dinamo pulled closer as Oleg Goroshko scored, thanks to Paul Szczechura. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Bjorkstrand, Wright, and Leino.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Jaroslav Janus protect the nets. Mytishchi began in the first period on an Andrei Taratukhin goal, passed from Albert Yarullin and Anton Babchuk. Atlant added on with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, courtesy of Maxim Potapov. Bratislava got on the board with a Ladislav Nagy power play goal, powered by Michal Sersen and Matt Murley. Slovan tied it in the second period as Libor Hudacek scored, thanks to Nagy and Sersen. Bratislava took the lead in the third period on a Nagy goal, with a lone assist by Lukas Kozak. Mytishchi tied it again with an Alexander Yunkov goal, guided in by Vyacheslav Leshchenko. Slovan pulled ahead on a power play goal by Murley, assisted by Cam Barker and Hudacek. Atlant evened the score on a Nikita Soshnikov goal, set up by Dmitry Korobov. Mytishchi took the lead again on another Soshnikov goal, helped along by Babchuk. This stood for a 5-4 win, with the three stars being Soshnikov, Lagy, and Babchuk, while Sersen, Murley, and Hudacek get the honorable mentions.

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NHL January 21st, 2015

Six games for today, the last day before the NHL All-Star Break. The only game after tonight and before Tuesday is the All-Star Game itself, which I will cover for you here. Also this weekend is the KHL All-Star Game, also on Sunday, and I will have that alongside the Premier League coverage. For today, we begin in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host their Ontario rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Craig Anderson are the reliable goalies. Ottawa was first to score in the first period on a Mike Hoffman goal, his sixteenth of the season, via Mark Stone and Cody Ceci. The Senators added on with an Erik Karlsson goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Hoffman and Bobby Ryan. Ottawa extended the lead on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Ryan and Marc Methot. Toronto got on the board in the second period as David Clarkson scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Cody Franson and Daniel Winnik. The Maple Leafs pulled closer in the third period on a Clarkson power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, powered by Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner. The Senators replied with a Karlsson goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, coming off of Milan Michalek and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Toronto chipped back on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twentieth of the campaign, courtesy of Phil Kessel and Gardiner. The three stars went to Karlsson, Clarkson, and Hoffman, while Ryan and Gardiner get the honorable mentions.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. Chicago opened in the first period on a David Rundblad goal, his third of the season, made possible by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks added on in the second period on a power play goal by Hossa, his tenth of the year, powered by Brent Seabrook and Brandon Saad. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Zach Sill goal, via Andrew Ebbett. The Penguins tied it on a Steve Downie goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Marcel Goc and Mark Arcobello. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Toews and Patrick Kane scored for a 3-2 Blackhawks win. The three stars were Hossa, Toews, and Crawford (30 for 32 in saves).

Into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Michael Hutchinson receive the starting nods. Winnipeg started in the first period on a Blake Wheeler goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little. The Jets added on with an Evander Kane goal, his tenth of the year, via Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period on a Jim Slater goal, his second of the season, passed from Jay Harrison and Jacob Trouba. Curtis McElhinney relieved Bobrovsky in goal. The Jets padded the lead on a Chris Thorburn goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Adam Lowry and Matt Halischuk. This was all they needed for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Hutchinson (29 save shutout), Wheeler, and Kane.

Stateside again to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Semyon Varlamov are the masked men. Colorado struck first late in the first period on a Jarome Iginla goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Alex Tanguay and Matt Duchene. Boston tied it in the second period as Torey Krug scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Milan Lucic and David Pastrnak. The Bruins took the lead in the third period on a Brad Marchand goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from David Krejci and Reilly Smith. The Avalanche tied it with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Dennis Everberg and John Mitchell. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Colorado won 3-2 with a lone tally by Nathan MacKinnon. The three stars were given to O'Reilly, Iginla, and MacKinnon.

Southwest to Anaheim, where the Ducks welcome the Calgary Flames. Joni Ortio and Frederik Andersen are in the blue paint. Anaheim led off in the first period on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Matt Beleskey. The Ducks added on with a Patrick Maroon goal, his fourth of the year, via Ben Lovejoy and Cam Fowler. Anaheim extended the lead as Lovejoy scored, with a lone assist by Nate Thompson. The Ducks padded the lead and chased Ortio with a second period Tim Jackman goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Rene Bourque and Thompson. Jonas Hiller came on in relief. Calgary got on the board with a Mikael Backlund goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Lance Bouma. The Flames pulled closer on a Sean Monahan goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano. Anaheim shot back in the third period on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his fifteenth of the year, helped along by Corey Perry and Colby Robak. Calgary clawed back with a Joe Colborne goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Bouma and Dennis Wideman. The Ducks iced it at 6-3 on a Ryan Kesler empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Perry. The three stars went to Lovejoy, Thompson, and Bouma, while Perry gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose began in the first period on a Logan Couture goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Matt Irwin and the goalie Niemi. Los Angeles tied it in the second period on a Dustin Brown goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar. The Sharks retook the lead on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his ninth of the season powered by Couture and Joe Thornton. San Jose added on with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Marleau and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Kings chipped back on a Jeff Carter power play goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Kopitar and Nick Shore. The Sharks finished it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Couture, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Couture, Marleau, and Kopitar.

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KHL January 21st, 2015

Two games on, beginning with...

Admiral Vladivostok hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky and Ilya Proskuryakov are in the blue paint. Vladivostok began in the first period with a Vladislav Ushenin goal, with a lone assist by Oleg Li. Khabarovsk tied it on a Tuukka Mantyla power play goal, powered by Dmitry Tarasov and Denis Yezhov. Admiral took the lead back in the second period on a power play goal by Richard Gynge, assisted by Niclas Bergfors and Tom Wandell. Amur tied it on an Anton Krysanov goal, guided in by Rafael Akhmetov and Evgeny Orlov. Vladivostok took the lead again on a third period goal by Alexei Ugarov, a power play goal made possible by Jan Kolar and Shaun Heshka. Admiral added on with an Andrei Sigaryov goal, passed from Nikita Lisov. Khabarovsk got one back with a Tarasov power play goal, via Kirill Safronov. Amur tied it with a Michel Miklik power play goal, fueled by Tarasov and Grigory Shafigulin. In the shootout, Amur got goals from Tarasov and Dmitry Lugin to win 5-4. The three stars went to Tarason, Miklik, and Krysanov.

The other game has Avangard Omsk hosting Salavat Yulaev. Leland Irving and Denis Kostin draw the starts. Omsk led off in the first period on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, assisted by Igor Musatov and Alexander Perezhogin. Ufa tied it on an Anton Slepyshev goal, guided in by Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev took the lead as Hartikainen scored, thanks to Makarov and Slepyshev. Ufa added on in the second period on a Dmitry Semin goal, passed from Antti Pihlstrom and Evgeny Skachkov. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead with a Kirill Koltsov power play goal, with a lone assist by Makarov, who got a sock trick. Avangard got one back with a Denis Parshin goal, made possible by Sergei Kalinin. Omsk pulled closer on a Parshin goal, helped along by Erik Gustafsson. Avangard tied it in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Denis Kulyash, set up by Perezhogin and Parshin. Ufa won 5-4 in overtime on a Denis Tolpeko goal, coming off of Alexei Glukhov. The three stars were Parshin, Makarov, and Hartikainen, while Slepyshev and Perezhogin get the honorable mentions.

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NHL January 20th, 2015

Eight games for the evening, beginning in...

New York City, as the Rangers host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Henrik Lundqvist are the goalies with very different hairstyles. New York started in the second period on a Kevin Hayes goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Dan Girardi and Carl Hagelin. Ottawa tied it on an Erik Karlsson goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Kyle Turris and Mark Stone. The Senators took the lead with a Milan Michalek goal, his sixth of the season, coming on the power play from Alex Chiasson and Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers tied it on a third period goal by Chris Kreider, his tenth of the year, via Marc Staal and Martin St. Louis. New York won 3-2 in overtime on a Hagelin goal, his ninth of the campaign, passed from Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The three stars were Hagelin, Kreider, and Lundqvist (33 for 35 in saves).

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington opened in the first period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, courtesy of Andre Burakovsky and Mike Green. The Capitals added on with a power play goal by Ovechkin, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Green and Marcus Johansson. Edmonton got on the board with a Derek Roy goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Nail Yakupov and Oscar Klefbom. Washington replied on a Jay Beagle goal, his seventh of the year, passed from John Carlson and Tom Wilson. The Oilers got one back in the second period on a Nikita Nikitin power play goal, his third of the season, helped along by Justin Schultz and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Capitals shot back in the third period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Carlson and Burakovsky. Edmonton pulled back with a Teddy Purcell goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Anton Lander and Matt Fraser. The Oilers tied it with a Nugent-Hopkins goal, his twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Eberle. In the shootout, Roy and Purcell topped Evgeny Kuznetsov for a 5-4 Edmonton win. The three stars belonged to Ovechkin, Nugent-Hopkins, and Burakovsky, while Green and Carlson get the honorable mentions.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Petr Mrazek are set to start in goal. Detroit began in the first period with a Teemu Pulkkinen goal, fueled by Stephen Weiss and Brendan Smith. Minnesota tied it on a Mikko Koivu power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Ryan Suter. The Red Wings retook the lead on a Jonathan Ericsson goal, his second of the year, via Gustav Nyquist and Henrik Zetterberg. Detroit added on in the second period on a Nyquist power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Niklas Kronwall and Zetterberg. The Red Wings extended the lead as Xavier Ouellet scored his second of the year, thanks to Zetterberg, who got a sock trick, and Justin Abdelkader. The Wild got one back in the third period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek. Minnesota pulled closer on a Thomas Vanek goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Suter and Ryan Carter. The Wild tied it on another Parise goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk and Nyquist lifted the Red Wings to a 5-4 win. The three stars were Nyquist, Zetterberg, and Parise, while Vanek and Suter get honorable mentions.

Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg. Montreal tied it in the third period on an Alex Galchenyuk power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and David Desharnais. The Canadiens won 2-1 with an overtime goal by Subban, his eleventh of the campaign, a power play goal assisted by Andrei Markov and Galchenyuk. The three stars were Price (36 for 37 in saves), Subban, and Galchenyuk.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins for a Battle of Pennsylvania. Thomas Greiss and Ray Emery are the mediocre goalies. Philadelphia struck first in the first period on a Luke Schenn goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Pittsburgh tied it on a Chris Kunitz shorthanded goal, his fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Penguins took the lead in the third period on a Beau Bennett goal, his third of the season, coming off of Evgeni Malkin and Nick Spaling. The Flyers tied it with a Chris VandeVelde goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Michael Del Zotto and Vincent Lecavalier. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, powered by Jakub Voracek and Mark Streit. The three stars were handed to Giroux, VandeVelde, and Schenn.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop guard the cages. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan. The Lightning added on in the third period on an Alex Killorn goal, his tenth of the year, via Victor Hedman and Filppula. Tampa Bay extended the lead on a Brian Boyle goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Brett Connolly and Brenden Morrow. Vancouver got on the board with a Frank Corrado goal, assisted by Alexandre Burrows and Chris Higgins. The Lightning iced it at 4-1 on a Killorn empty net goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, set up by Cedric Paquette and Hedman. The three stars went to Killorn, Bishop (27 for 28 in saves), and Filppula, while Hedman gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Antti Raanta are set to start. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks added on with an Andrew Shaw goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Teuvo Teravainen and Bryan Bickell. Chicago extended the lead in the second period on a Kane goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Brad Richards and Sharp. The Blackhawks padded the lead on a Teravainen goal, his second of the year, made possible by Bickell and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Arizona got on the board with a Lucas Lessio goal, guided in by Sam Gagner and Keith Yandle. Chicago shot back on a Shaw goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, assisted by Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks finished it at 6-1 with a David Rundblad goal, his second of the year, fueled by Kane and Richards. The three stars went to Shaw, Kane, and Teravainen, while Sharp, Bickell, and Richards get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Dallas Stars bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. Dallas led off in the second period on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Jason Spezza and Jason Demers. Boston tied it with a Loui Eriksson goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Carl Soderberg and Chris Kelly. The Bruins took the lead on a Gregory Campbell goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Craig Cunningham and Dougie Hamilton. Boston iced it at 3-1 in the third period on a Hamilton power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Reilly Smith. The three stars went to Hamilton, Rask (36 for 37 in saves), and Campbell.

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KHL January 20th, 2015

Eleven games for today, beginning in...

Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Rafael Khakimov are in the blue paint. Novosibirsk began with a first period Igor Ozhiganov goal, passed from Oleg Gubin and Sergei Shumakov. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period on an Artyom Garifullin goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg took the lead on a Vadim Mitryakov goal, coming off of Ryan Stoa and Alexei Kosourov. Sibir tied it on a Shumakov goal, assisted by Stepan Sannikov and Renat Mamashev. Novosibirsk took the lead as Ozhiganov scored, with a lone assist by Dmitry Kugryshev. Sibir added on in the third period with a Jonas Enlund penalty shot goal, after he was tripped by Nikita Popov. Novosibirsk iced it at 5-2 with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, powered by Dmitry Monya and David Ullstrom. The three stars went to Ozhiganov, Shumakov, and Enlund.

West to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. Yekaterinburg led off in the second period on an Eduard Lewandowski power play goal, powered by Gleb Klimenko and Andrei Antonov. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Yaroslav Khabarov goal, fueled by Maxim Yakutsenya and Denis Platonov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Danis Zaripov and Tim Stapleton both scored to lift Metallurg to a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Koshechkin (19 for 20 in saves), Khabarov, and Kovar (35 for 36 in saves).

Continuing to Cherepovets, where Severstal brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Jakub Stepanek are the masked men. Helsinki struck first in the second period on a Topi Jaakola goal, via Jere Sallinen and Juhamatti Aaltonen. Cherepovets tied it on an Evgeny Mons goal, passed from Alexander Urbom and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Severstal took the lead with a Kagarlitsky goal, with a lone assist by Mons. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Kagarlitsky, Mons, and Stepanek (26 for 27 in saves).

Down in Sochi, the Leopards host Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Andrei Gavrilov draw the starts. Nizhnekamsk was first to score in the second period on a Teemu Eronen power play goal, powered by Dan Sexton and Evgeny Grigorenko. Sochi tied it on an Ilya Krikunov goal, via Nikita Shchitov and Andrei Kostitsyn. The Leopards took the lead in the third period as Cory Emmerton scored, thanks to Pavel Koledov and Evgeny Lapenkov. Neftekhimik tied it with an Alexander Yevseyenkov goal, with assists provided by Pavel Kulikov and Alexander Nikulin. The tie went to a shootout, where Emmerton and Grigorenko cancelled each other out, before a Neftekhimik winner from Andrei Mnikhovich for a 3-2 final. The three stars were Grigorenko, Emmerton, and Mnikhovich.

Back north, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Mikhail Biryukov are between the pipes. They were the only things to be in such a position for 65 minutes. The scoreless tie was broken by Ilya Kovalchuk and Artemy Panarin of SKA topping Torpedo's Wojtek Wolski for a 1-0 shootout win for SKA. The three stars were Koskinen (27 save shutout), Biryukov (27 save "shutout"), and Panarin.

Into Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Vitaly Kolesnik guard the cages. Yaroslavl dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Sergei Plotnikov goal, fueled by Jiri Novotny and Yegor Averin. This was all they needed to win 1-0, with the three stars going to Kolesnik (27 save shutout), Plotnikov, and Garnett (34 for 35 in saves).

Southwest to Moscow, where Dynamo hosts Lada Togliatti. Evgeny Ivannikov and Alexander Lazushin are the goalies. Togliatti got going in the second period as Jiri Hunkes scored a power play goal, powered by Fedor Fedorov and Vasily Streltsov. Lada added on in the third period as Georgy Belousov scored, thanks to Anton Shenfeld and Andrei Nikitenko. Moscow got on the board with a Kaspars Daugavins power play goal, assisted by Dmitry Vishnevsky and Mat Robinson. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Ivannikov (35 for 36 in saves), Belousov, and Hunkes.

Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers and Stanislav Galimov have the green light to play goal. Moscow opened in the first period on a Sergei Andronov goal, fueled by Ondrej Nemec and Simon Hjalmarsson. CSKA added on with a Maxim Mamin goal in the second period, courtesy of Ivan Telegin. Moscow extended the lead in the third period as Hjalmarsson scored, thanks to Igor Grigorenko and Andreas Engqvist. This was good for a 3-0 win, and the three stars belonged to Galimov (18 save shutout), Hjalmarsson, and Andronov.

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Ivan Lisutin are in the creases. Podolsk started in the first period on a Mario Kempe goal, courtesy of Maxim Afinogenov. Vityaz added on with an Alexei Semenov power play goal, powered by Kempe and Mathias Porseland. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with a Nikita Gusev goal, fueled by Igor Magogin. Yugra tied it on a Ben Maxwell power play goal, with a lone assist by Philip Larsen. Khanty-Mansiysk took the lead in the second period with a Maxwell goal, guided in by Lukas Kaspar and Larsen. Podolsk retied it with a third period Kempe goal, his second of the game, coming off of Semenov and Porseland. Yugra won 4-3 in overtime on a Gusev goal, set up by Magogin. The three stars were Gusev, Kempe, and Maxwell, while Semenov, Porseland, Magogin, and Larsen all get honorable mentions.

Out to Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Calvin Heeter man the nets. Mytishchi began in the second period as Anton Babchuk scored a power play goal, powered by Sergei Shmelyov and Maxim Potapov. Atlant added on with a shorthanded Matthew Gilroy goal, set up by Andrei Taratukhin and Shmelyov. Zagreb got on the board with a Mark Flood goal, with a lone assist by Ville Leino. Medvescak tied it on a power play goal by James Wright, guided in by Mathieu Carle and Flood. Mytishchi retook the lead in the third period as Vyacheslav Leshchenko scored, thanks to Alexander Yunkov and Vsevolod Sorokin. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Flood, Shmelyov, and Leshchenko.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Dinamo Minsk. Danny Taylor and Denis Godla are the inexperienced goalies. Minsk led off in the first period with a Pavel Razvadovsky goal, fueled by Lukas Krajicek. Dinamo added on with a Matt Ellison goal, coming off of Ryan Vesce and Charles Linglet. Bratislava got on the board with a power play goal by Libor Hudacek, with a lone assist by Ladislav Nagy. Slovan tied it on a Ziga Jeglic power play goal, powered by Tomas Netik and Rok Ticar. Minsk took the lead in the second period with a Paul Szczechura goal, courtesy of Nick Bailen. Dinamo extended the lead with a power play goal by Ellison, his second of the game, assisted by Jonathan Cheechoo and Bailen. Bratislava got one back with a Nagy power play goal, helped along by Hudacek and Matt Murley. Minsk replied in the third period on a Krajicek goal, guided in by Szczechura and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Slovan got one back with a Ticar goal, with a lone assist from Cam Barker. Dinamo finished it at 6-4 with an Andrei Stepanov goal, via Linglet. The three stars went to Ellison, Nagy, and Ticar, while Krajicek, Linglet, Hudacek, Szczechura, and Bailen get the honorable mentions.

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NHL January 19th, 2015

Seven games on, including and MLK Day matinee in...

New York, with the Islanders hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob Zepp is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. New York started in the first period on a Michael Grabner goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Nikolay Kulemin and Johnny Boychuk. The Islanders added on with a Kulemin goal, his tenth of the year, via Boychuk and Grabner. New York extended the lead as Kulemin scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season in the second period, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Philadelphia got on the board with a Mark Streit power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek. The Islanders replied with a Josh Bailey goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Nick Leddy and Ryan Strome. Zepp was pulled for Ray Emery in goal. The Flyers answered on a Michael Del Zotto goal, his third of the year, made possible by Voracek and Brayden Schenn. New York countered on a John Tavares power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, with a lone assist by Frans Nielsen. Philadelphia pulled back in the third period on a Claude Giroux goal, his fifteenth of the year, with a lone helper from Zac Rinaldo. The Islanders shot back on a Leddy goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Flyers chipped back on a Chris VandeVelde goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Luke Schenn. New York iced it at 7-4 with an empty net goal by Anders Lee, his thirteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Tavares, Leddy, and Kulemin, while Grabner, Boychuk, Brayden Schenn, and Voracek get the honorable mentions.

Up in Toronto at the normal time, the Maple Leafs welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts. Carolina struck first in the first period on a Brad Malone goal, his third of the season, guided in by Patrick Dwyer and Jay McClement. The Hurricanes added on with an Elias Lindholm goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Andrej Sekera. Carolina extended the lead in the second period as Eric Staal scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Jordan Staal and Jiri Tlusty. James Reimer relieved Bernier in goal. Toronto got on the board with a third period power play goal by Nazem Kadri, his twelfth of the year, powered by Morgan Rielly and Cody Franson. The Hurricanes wrapped it up on an Eric Staal empty net goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, set up by Jordan Staal and Victor Rask. The three stars were Eric Staal, Khudobin (34 for 35 in saves), and Jordan Staal.

Back south, the Florida Panthers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller faces the man he replaced, Roberto Luongo, in goal. Vancouver was first to score in the first period on a Radim Vrbata goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on with a Bo Horvat goal, his third of the year, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Dan Hamhuis. Florida got on the board in the third period as Brandon Pirri scored his fourth of the campaign, thanks to Dave Bolland. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Miller (23 for 24 in saves), Horvat, and Vrbata.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Brian Elliott are in the blue paint. St. Louis began in the first period on a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and Paul Stastny. Colorado tied it on a Matt Duchene goal, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a Schwartz power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Alexander Steen. St. Louis added on with a T.J. Oshie goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of David Backes and Steen. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Schwartz, Elliott (17 for 18 in saves), and Steen.

Further north, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Darcy Kuemper are the young goalies. Columbus opened in the first period on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his third of the season, made possible by James Wisniewski and Kevin Connauton. Minnesota tied it on a Zach Parise power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville. The Blue Jackets gained the lead in the third period with a Wisniewski power play goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nick Foligno and Scott Hartnell. Columbus won 3-1 on a Hartnell goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone assist by Wisniewski. The three stars were Wisniewski, Bobrovsky (25 for 26 in saves), and Hartnell.

Out in Los Angeles, the Kings welcome the Calgary Flames. Joni Ortio and Jonathan Quick are in the blue paint. Los Angeles got going in the third period on a Matt Greene goal, his third of the season, passed from Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flames won 2-1 with a Dennis Wideman goal in overtime, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Kris Russell and Johnny Gaudreau. The three stars were awarded to Wideman, Ortio (33 for 34 in saves), and Monahan.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Alex Stalock make the starts. San Jose led off in the first period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-third of the season, made possible by Joe Thornton. New Jersey tied it on a Jordin Tootoo goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Tim Sestito and Jacob Josefson. The Devils took the lead as Steve Bernier scored his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Scott Gomez. The Sharks tied it in the second period on a Matthew Nieto goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Tyler Kennedy and Tomas Hertl. New Jersey took the lead on a Michael Cammalleri power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Gomez. The Devils added on in the third period on a Travis Zajac goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by Adam Larsson and Martin Havlat. New Jersey extended the lead on a shorthanded goal by Josefson, his second of the season, set up by Henrique and Jon Merrill. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Josefson, Gomez, and Henrique.

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KHL January 19th, 2015

Two games today, with the first in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Sergei Borisov receive the starting nods. Vladivostok struck first in the first period on an Alexei Ugarov goal, passed from Denis Kuzmin. Admiral added on in the second period with an Enver Lisin power play goal, powered by Ilya Zubov. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period on a Dmitry Tarasov goal, fueled by Grigory Shafigulin and Michel Miklik. Amur tied it with an Evgeny Orlov goal, coming off of Rafael Akhmetov and Anton Krysanov. Vladivostok won 3-2 in overtime on a Fyodor Belyakov goal, made possible by Vladislav Ushenin and Vyacheslav Ushenin. The three stars went to Belyakov, Lisin, and Ugarov.

The other game had Barys Astana host Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky faces a lesser foe in Pavel Poluektov in goal. Astana was first to score in the second period on an unassisted Roman Starchenko goal. Barys added on in the third period with a power play goal by Kevin Dallman, powered by Brandon Bochenski. Ufa got on the board with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, going in unassisted. Salavat Yulaev tied it with an Anton Slepyshev goal, fueled by Teemu Hartikainen and Alexander Kutuzov. Astana won 3-2 with an unassisted goal by Nikolai Antropov. The three stars belonged to Antropov, Dallman, and Starchenko.

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