NHL January 27th, 2015

Eleven games on as the NHL emerges from the All-Star break. The first is a...

Battle of New York, as the Islanders host their cross-town rivals, the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. The Islanders opened on a first period goal by Mikhail Grabovski, his seventh of the season, via Josh Bailey and Johnny Boychuk. The Islanders added on in the second period as Matt Martin scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas. The Islanders extended the lead on a third period Ryan Strome goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Frans Nielsen and Calvin de Haan. The Islanders padded the lead on a John Tavares power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Travis Hamonic and Bailey. The Rangers got on the board with a Carl Hagelin gaol, his tenth of the campaign, made possible by Jesper Fast and Dominic Moore. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars given to Halak (40 for 41 in saves), Bailey, and Martin.

Into Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Ray Emery are the lousy goalies. Arizona led off in the first period on a Connor Murphy goal, his third of the season, guided in by Martin Erat and Andrew Campbell. The Coyotes added on with an Erat goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Shane Doan. Steve Mason relieved Emery. Philadelphia got on the board as Wayne Simmonds scored a power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Flyers tied it on an R.J. Umberger goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Andrew MacDonald and Sean Couturier. Philadelphia took the lead on a Michael Del Zotto goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Jakub Voracek and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. Arizona tied it again with a Tobias Rieder goal, his seventh of the year, via Doan and Antoine Vermette. The tie went to a shootout, where Simmonds scored for a 4-3 Flyers win. The three stars went to Simmonds, Erat, and Doan.

Staying in the state, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Thomas Greiss are the backups in goal. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Nick Spaling goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by David Perron and Kris Letang. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Chris Thorburn goal, his fifth of the year, via Adam Lowry and Evander Kane. The Jets took the lead on a Jacob Trouba goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Kane and Dustin Byfuglien. The Penguins retied it on a Steve Downie goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Letang and Marcel Goc. Winnipeg gained the lead in the third period as Lowry scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Thorburn and Kane, the latter getting a sock trick. Pittsburgh tied it again with a Perron power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Letang, who got a sock trick, and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins pulled ahead on a Brandon Sutter power play goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Paul Martin and Letang. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Patric Hornqvist, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Martin and Letang. The three stars were Letang, Perron, and Kane, while Thorburn, Lowry, and Martin get the honorable mentions.

Into Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. Columbus got going in the second period on a Mark Letestu goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Corey Tropp and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets added on with a Ryan Johansen goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Kevin Connauton and Nick Foligno. Washington got on the board with an Andre Burakovsky goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Matt Niskanen and Nicklas Backstrom. Columbus shot back on a Fedor Tyutin goal, his second of the year, coming off of Cam Atkinson and Dalton Prout. The Capitals replied on a Troy Brouwer goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Niskanen and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Blue Jackets answered in the third period on an Atkinson goal, his ninth of the year, helped along by Tyutin and Foligno. Washington clawed back on a Kuznetsov goal, his fifth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Marcus Johansson and John Carlson. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Tyutin, Atkinson, and Kuznetsov, while Niskanen and Foligno get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin occupy the creases. Carolina quickly started in the first period on an Eric Staal goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes added on with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his fifth of the year, via Elias Lindholm and Brett Bellemore. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Cedric Paquette goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Jonathan Drouin and Andrej Sustr. Carolina answered in the second period on a power play goal by Justin Faulk, his ninth of the year, powered by Jordan Staal. The Lightning got one back on a shorthanded and unassisted Brian Boyle goal, his tenth of the season. The Hurricanes replied in the third period on a Jiri Tlusty goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Faulk and Eric Staal. The final was 4-2, with the three stars being Faulk, Eric Staal, and Jordan Staal.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Carey Price are the masked men. Montreal struck first in the first period on an Alexei Emelin goal, his second of the season, via Brandon Prust and Tom Gilbert. The Canadiens added on with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Nathan Beaulieu and Sergei Gonchar. Dallas got on the board with a Jamie Benn goal, his fourteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Jason Spezza. Montreal answered in the second period with a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov. The Stars got one back on a power play goal by Patrick Eaves, his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Benn. This only made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Benn, Gallagher, and Price (40 for 42 in saves).

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Roberto Luongo are between the pipes. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Drew Miller shorthanded goal, his third of the season, set up by Jonathan Ericsson. Florida tied it on a power play goal by Aleksander Barkov, his fifth of the year, powered by Nick Bjugstad and Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers took the lead on a power play goal from Brandon Pirri, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Brian Campbell and Jussi Jokinen. The Red Wings tied it in the second period on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Gustav Nyquist. Detroit took the lead on a Luke Glendening goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Stephen Weiss and Riley Sheahan. The Red Wings added on with a Weiss goal, his sixth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Sheahan. Detroit extended the lead on Glendening's second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Weiss. Florida got one back on a Bjugstad power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, with helpers provided by Ekblad and Barkov. The Panthers pulled closer in the third period with a Brad Boyes goal, his tenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Barkov. The three stars went to Glendening, Weiss, and Barkov, while Sheahan, Ekblad, and Bjugstad get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Carter Hutton are set to start in goal. Colorado opened in the first period on a Cody McLeod goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Zach Redmond and John Mitchell. Nashville tied it on a Roman Josi goal in the second period, his eighth of the year, guided in by Shea Weber and Mike Ribeiro. The Predators took the lead on a power play goal by Colin Wilson, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Seth Jones and Ribeiro. The Avalanche retied it with a Jarome Iginla goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Matt Duchene and Alex Tanguay. Nashville gained the lead with a Filip Forsberg goal in the third period, his sixteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Colorado retied it on a Nick Holden goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The Predators won 4-3 in overtime as Craig Smith scored his fourteenth of the campaign, thanks to Ribeiro, who got a sock trick, and Weber. The three stars went to Ribeiro, Smith, and Weber.

Continuing to Calgary, where the Flames bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Jonas Hiller are the goalies with similar names. Buffalo started in the first period on a Chris Stewart goal, his seventh of the season, a power play goal assisted by Tyler Ennis and Tyler Myers. Calgary tied it on a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Jiri Hudler and Mark Giordano. The Flames took the lead in the third period on a Josh Jooris goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Joe Colborne. Calgary added on with Colborne's sixth of the year, helped along by Raphael Diaz and T.J. Brodie. The Flames iced it at 4-1 with a Gaudreau goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, with helpers from Hudler and Sean Monahan. The three stars were given to Gaudreau, Colborne, and Hudler.

Staying in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Viktor Fasth are the under-the-radar goalies. Minnesota led off in the first period on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Justin Fontaine. Edmonton tied it in the second period on a Boyd Gordon goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Matt Hendricks and Oskar Klefbom. The Wild took the lead in the third period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Dubnyk (23 for 24 in saves), Coyle, and Niederreiter.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Ryan Miller guard the cages. Anaheim began in the first period on a Matt Beleskey goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Hampus Lindholm and Ryan Kesler. The Ducks added on in the second period on a Kyle Palmieri power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Rickard Rakell. Anaheim extended the lead as Rakell scored in the third period, his fourth of the season, coming off of Clayton Stoner and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks padded the lead with an empty net goal by Patrick Maroon, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The final was 4-0, and the three stars were Rakell, Andersen (17 save shutout), and Beleskey.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 27th, 2015

Two games on again today, with...

Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky and Rafael Khakimov are set to start in goal. Khabarovsk struck first in the first period on a Mikhail Fisenko penalty shot goal, coming after he was hooked by Ryan Stoa. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Mikail Plotnikov power play goal, powered by Anton Kapotov and Alexander Komaristy. Metallurg took the lead on a Stoa power play goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Sentyurin. Amur retied it in the second period as Dmitry Tarasov scored, thanks to Anton Krysanov and Michel Miklik. Khabarovsk took the lead on a Dmitry Lugin goal, made possible by Evgeny Kurbatov and Kirill Safronov. Amur finished it at 4-2 in the third period with a Krysanov goal, coming off of Lugin. The three stars were given to Lugin, Krysanov, and Tarasov.

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Alexander Salak are in the blue paint. Novosibirsk was first to score in the third period on a Dmitry Monya goal, via Alexei Kopeikin and Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir added on with a Kopeikin goal, courtesy of David Ullstrom and Igor Ozhiganov on the power play. Vladivostok got on the board with a Niclas Bergfors goal, fueled by Enver Lisin and Tom Wandell. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Kopeikin, Salak (29 for 30 in saves), and Monya.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 26th, 2015

Two games on right out of the All-Star weekend, with the first in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Vladimir Sokhatsky are given the starting nods. Ufa began in the first period on a Denis Tolpeko goal, courtesy of Denis Khlystov. Salavat Yulaev added on as Antti Pihlstrom scored in the second period, thanks to Dmitry Semin. St. Petersburg got on the board in the third period with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, via Ilya Kovalchuk and Viktor Tikhonov. Ufa shot back on an Alexander Mereskin goal, assisted by Stanislav Golovanov and Andrei Ankudinov. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Sokhatsky (28 for 29 in saves), Pihlstrom, and Mereskin.

The other game has Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Alexander Sudnitsin protect the nets. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period on a Pavel Kulikov goal, passed from Yaroslav Alshevsky. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Anton Glinkin power play goal, powered by Andrei Popov and Dmitry Pestunov. Neftekhimik retook the lead in the second period on a Yegor Milovzorov goal, assisted by Stanislav Alshevsky. Traktor tied it again on a Pestunov power play goal, guided in by Popov and Glinkin. Nizhnekamsk pulled ahead on a Pavel Kulikov goal, via Maxim Berezin and Milovzorov. Neftekhimik won 4-2 with a third period goal by Milovzorov, his second of the game, coming off of Evgeny Ryasensky and Andrei Ivanov. The three stars were given to Milovzorov, Glinkin, and Pestunov, while Popov gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

The Hockey All-Star Double Feature

As both of the world's top international hockey leagues had their All-Star Games on the same day, I felt it would be right to give them in one star-studded blog post. First up, from...

The Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi, Russia, the West KHL Stars host the East KHL Stars. Jakub Kovar and Alexander Yeryomenko received the starts. East began with a Denis Parshin goal, via Dmitry Kugryshev. West tied it on a Wojtek Wolski goal, and took the lead on a Nick Bailen goal, both of which were unassisted. West added on with a Vadim Shipachyov goal, passed from Wolski. East got one back on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, fueled by Metallurg teammates Danis Zaripov and Chris Lee. West answered on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, with a lone helper from Steve Moses. East clawed back on a Nikita Gusev goal, assisted by Justin Azevedo and Erik Gustafsson. West replied as Nikita Shchitov of the hometown Sochi Leopards put in an unassisted goal. East countered on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Mozyakin and Lee. West shot back on another Kovalchuk goal, guided in by Bailen and Moses. East kept the deficit at 6-5 after the first period on a Mike Lundin goal, set up by Nigel Dawes and Kugryshev.

In the second period, the first goal was by the West's Andrei Mironov, passed from Wolski and Nikita Zaitsev. East replied on a Yury Petrov goal made possible by Azevedo and Gustafsson, and then tied it on a Kostitsyn goal from Gusev. East took the lead with a Kugryshev goal courtesy of Dawes and Parshin, and extended the lead with a Mozyakin goal, guided in by Lee and Kostitsyn. The goalie swap happened at the midway point of the period, with Stanislav Galimov taking over for Yeryomenko while Alexander Salak relieved Kovar. East padded the lead on a Zaripov goal, with assists from Kirill Koltsov and Kostitsyn. West edged back in with a Sergei Plotnikov goal, fueled by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Andre Petersson. East answered with a Mozyakin goal, completing his hat trick with the help of Zaripov. West countered with a Moses goal, set up by Igor Grigorenko and Kovalchuk. East put the score at 12-9 in their favor at the end of the second period with a Dawes goal, with helpers by Kugryshev and Parshin.

West chipped back in the third period on a Pascal Pelletier goal, with a lone assist by Shipachyov. East answered on an unassisted Gusev goal. West mounted a tying rally on a Kovalchuk goal (securing him a hat trick) from Bailen, a Plotnikov goal via Kagarlitsky, and a Grigorenko equalizer with a lone helper by Kovalchuk. East shot back on a Mozyakin goal, assisted by Koltsov and Zaripov. West tied it again when Kovalchuk matched Mozyakin with his fourth of the game, passed from Grigorenko. East pulled away with a Parshin goal guided in by Dawes, an Azevedo goal via Gusev, and a Mozyakin goal, his fifth of the game, helped along by Zaripov. West got one back on a Moses goal, coming off of Grigorenko. East answered when Mozyakin completed a second hat trick, thanks to Zaripov and Koltsov. West got the last laugh on a penalty shot goal by Wolski after hooking by Ilya Nikulin, but the final favored East 18-16. The three stars were Mozyakin, Kovalchuk, and Zaripov.

Along to the other All-Star game from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, where the NHL's Team Foligno hosts Team Toews. Roberto Luongo and Carey Price draw the starts in goal. Foligno began with a Radim Vrbata goal, set up by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Toews tied it on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, helped along by Vladimir Tarasenko and Justin Faulk. Toews took the lead on a Jakub Voracek goal, guided in by the captain Toews and Aaron Ekblad. Foligno tied it with a Ryan Johansen goal, via the captain Foligno and Kevin Shattenkirk. Toews retook the lead with a Patrice Bergeron goal, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Patrik Elias. Foligno retied it as Shattenkirk scored, thanks to Nugent-Hopkins and Vrbata. Foligno pulled ahead on another Johansen goal, fueled by Alex Ovechkin and Dustin Byfuglien. Toews evened it at 4-4, which remained through the end of the first period, as John Tavares scored, with the help of Bergeron and Ekblad. Fall Out Boy entertained during the first intermission with their songs Centuries and My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light 'Em Up).

The second period goalies were Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Fleury. Toews gained the lead on a Ryan Suter goal, fueled by Tarasenko and Seguin. Foligno quickly retied it as Claude Giroux scored, with a lone helper by Patrick Kane. Toews gained the lead again on a Seguin goal, via Getzlaf and Tarasenko, the latter getting the game's first sock trick. Foligno again equalized with a Steven Stamkos goal, on a lone assist by Duncan Keith. Toews went on a scoring run with the following sequence: a Rick Nash goal coming off of the captain Toews and Voracek, a Filip Forsberg goal passed from Johnny Gaudreau and Elias, Tavares' second of the game assisted by Bergeron and Faulk, and Voracek's second of the game made possible by the captain Toews and Ekblad, both of whom got sock tricks. Foligno got two back with a goal by the captain Foligno helped along by Johansen and Ovechkin and a second goal by Stamkos with the only assist credited to Bobby Ryan. Toews got one back late on a Tavares goal, securing his hat trick, while his set up man Bergeron earned a sock trick on the only assist. Toews took an 11-8 lead into the second intermission. O.A.R. played the second intermission with their songs Love and Memories and Two Hands Up.

The game came down to Corey Crawford and Brian Elliott in the blue paint. Toews extended their lead with a Nash goal, his second of the game, assisted by Mark Giordano and Voracek. Foligno answered with a Kane goal, helped along by Giroux and Drew Doughty. Toews padded the lead with Tavares' fourth of the game, via Bergeron and Brent Seabrook, and a Voracek hat-trick-clinching hoal made possible by the captain Toews and Ekblad. Foligno replied on a Ryan goal, with helpers from Stamkos and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Toews countered on a Seguin goal, his second of the game, driven in by Tarasenko and Shea Weber. Foligno replied with a Kane goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Brent Burns and Giroux. Toews squashed the comeback with a goal by the captain Toews from Suter and Forsberg's second of the game, guided in by Gaudreau and Voracek, the latter getting a sock trick to go with his earlier hat trick. Foligno got one back with a Burns goal, pushed through by Ovechkin, who got a sock trick, and Johansen. This produced the 17-12 final in favor of Toews. The three stars went to Voracek, Toews, and Tavares.

Follow me on Twitter for normal hockey returning tomorrow in the KHL and Tuesday in the NHL.

KHL January 23 and 24, 2015

It's the same game two days in a row for the KHL leading into the All-Star Break. Admiral Vladivostok hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk two days in a row. The goalies on Friday are Rafael Khakimov and Ivan Nalimov. Novokuznetsk began in the first period on a Nikita Popov power play goal, powered by Vadim Mitryakov and Ryan Stoa. Vladivostok tied it in the third period as Andrei Sigaryov scored, thanks to Alexander Goroshansky. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Artyom Garifullin and Stoa scored to lift Metallurg to a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Stoa, Khakimov (45 for 46 in saves), and Popov.

On Saturday, Khakimov and Nalimov returned to the creases for the second game in the back-to-back. Novokuznetsk led off in the first period again with an Ilya Musin goal, via Artyom Garifullin and Anton Kapotov. Metallurg added on in the second period on a Sergei Dorofeyev goal, going in unassisted. Vladivostok got on the board with a Niclas Bergfors power play goal, powered by Konstantin Makarov and Jan Kolar. Admiral tied it in the third period on a Makarov shorthanded goal, set up by Ilya Zubov. Vladivostok took the lead on a power play goal by Vyacheslav Ushenin, courtesy of Denis Kuzmin and Artyom Zemchyonok. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Makarov, Ushenin, and Bergfors.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

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.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.