NHL February 11th, 2015

Three games tonight, beginning in...

Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Corey Crawford man the nets. Chicago got going in the second period on an unassisted Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-seventh of the season. Vancouver tied it on a Linden Vey goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Chris Higgins and Radim Vrbata. The Canucks took the lead on a Bo Horvat goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Ronalds Kenins and Christopher Tanev. Vancouver added on with a Zack Kassian goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Luca Sbisa and Higgins. The Blackhawks got one back in the third period on a power play goal by Marian Hossa, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews. The Canucks answered with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Alexandre Burrows and Henrik Sedin. Chicago pulled back with a Saad power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, via Duncan Keith and Kane. The Blackhawks tied it on a Hossa goal, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Kane and Michal Rozsival. Vancouver won 5-4 in overtime on a Daniel Sedin goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, made possible by Henrik Sedin and Sbisa. The three stars were Daniel Sedin, Hossa, and Kane, while Saad, Henrik Sedin, Higgins, and Sbisa got the honorable mentions.

East to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Marc-Andre Fleury are in the creases. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period on a Patric Hornqvist, his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Kris Letang and Blake Comeau. The Penguins added on with a Comeau goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Hornqvist. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the second period as David Perron scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Maxim Lapierre and Paul Martin. The Penguins padded the lead on a Nick Spaling goal, his eighth of the year, via Rob Scuderi and Simon Despres. Detroit got on the board with a Stephen Weiss power play goal, his seventh of the campaign, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. Jimmy Howard relieved Mrazek for the third period. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars going to Fleury (23 for 24 in saves), Comeau, and Hornqvist.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Antti Niemi guard the cages. Washington was first to score in the first period on a Jay Beagle goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Brooks Orpik and Michael Latta. San Jose tied it on a Brent Burns power play goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. The Sharks took the lead on another Burns goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Marleau and Matthew Nieto. The Capitals tied it on a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. San Jose regained the lead on a Couture goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Nieto and Marleau. Washington tied it on another Beagle goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, via John Carlson and Orpik. The Capitals pulled ahead with a Carlson goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. The Sharks tied it again with a Thornton goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson. Washington won 5-4 on a Joel Ward goal in overtime, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Mike Green and Beagle. The three stars went to Beagle, Burns, and Carlson, while Orpik, Thornton, Couture, Marleau, Nieto, and Backstrom get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Premier League Week 25

Ten games in the middle of the week instead of on the weekend. We begin with four games on Tuesday, including...

Our leadoff game, Arsenal hosting Leicester City. Mark Schwarzer and David Ospina are set to start in goal. Arsenal began in the twenty-seventh minute on a Laurent Koscielny goal, courtesy of Mesut Ozil on a cross after a corner kick. Arsenal added on in the forty-first minute with a Theo Walcott goal. In the sixty-first minute, Andrej Kramaric put Leicester City on the board with his goal. In the sixty-fifth minute, Leicester City's Marcin Wasilewski took a yellow card for a foul. Tomas Rosicky of Arsenal received a yellow card for his sixty-seventh minute foul. Danny Simpson of Leicester City took a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-ninth minute. Leicester City had a yellow card for Ben Hamer's offense in stoppage time, as did Arsenal's Olivier Giroud. The final favored Arsenal 2-1.

Over to Hull City welcoming Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Allan McGregor are the goalies. Hull City opened in the twenty-second minute on a Nikica Jelavic goal, coming off of Dame N'Doye. Aston Villa's Alan Hutton received a yellow card for his forty-first minute offense. Aston Villa took another yellow card in the fifty-sixth minute for a Gabriel Agbonlahor foul. Hull City added on in the seventy-fourth minute with an N'Doye goal. Hull City's Michael Dawson received a yellow card for an eighty-fifth minute foul. Hull City held on to win 2-0.

Next up, Sunderland brings in the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Costel Pantilimon are the gloved men. QPR was first to score in the seventeenth minute on a Leroy Fer header goal, made possible by a Matthew Phillips cross. In the thirty-fifth minute, Bobby Zamora of QPR took a yellow card for a foul. Sunderland had a yellow card go to Sebastian Larsson for his forty-first minute foul. QPR added on in first half stoppage time with a Zamora goal, fueled by Phillips on a cross. QPR saw yellow cards go to Rio Ferdinand in the seventieth minute and Joey Barton in the seventy-eighth minute for a foul. Sunderland took a yellow card for Ricardo Alvarez's violation in the eighty-third minute. QPR took the game 2-0.

Closing out Tuesday, Liverpool hosts Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Simon Mignolet are the keepers. Liverpool struck first in the fifteenth minute on a Lazar Markovic goal, coming off of Daniel Sturridge. In the twenty-fourth minute, Ryan Mason of Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur tied it on a twenty-sixth minute Harry Kane goal, via Erik Lamela. Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card for a twenty-eighth minute foul by Christian Eriksen. Liverpool's Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho received yellow cards for fouls in the fortieth minute and first half stoppage time, respectively. Liverpool retook the lead on a Steven Gerrard penalty kick goal in the fifty-third minute. Gerrard received a yellow card in the sixtieth minute for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur tied it again as Mousa Dembele scored, thanks to Kane's cross after a set piece. Tottenham Hotspur's Dembele and Kyle Walker had yellow cards assessed for fouls in the sixty-third minute and seventy-third minute, respectively. In the eighty-third minute, Mario Balotelli gave Liverpool the lead with a goal, assisted by Adam Lallana. Tottenham Hotspur had two more yellow cards for an eighty-eighth minute Paulinho foul and a Kane offense in stoppage time. The final stood at 3-2 for Liverpool.

Leading off Wednesday, Chelsea welcomes Everton. Tim Howard and Petr Cech are the goalies that haven't made an appearance recently. Everton's Muhamed Besic took a yellow card for his foul in the fifth minute. Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta took a yellow card for a fifteenth minute foul. Everton took another yellow card for a Gareth Barry foul in the twenty-fourth minute. Seamus Coleman of Everton received a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-eighth minute. The referee was busy late, with Barry picking up a second yellow card for a foul to put Everton at ten men, while Cesc Fabregas also received a yellow card for Chelsea in the eighty-eighth minute. In the eighty-ninth minute, Everton's James McCarthy was given a yellow card in the spillover from the previous kerfuffle, as did Chelsea's Ramires. Chelsea struck late on a Willian goal later that minute, and made that stand for a 1-0 win.

Over in Manchester, United bring in Burnley. Tom Heaton and David de Gea are called on to start in goal. Manchester United started in the sixth minute on a Chris Smalling header goal, coming off of Falcao on a headed pass after a corner kick. Burnley tied it in the twelfth minute on a Danny Ings header, set up by Kieran Trippier. Michael Kightly of Burnley took a yellow card for his twenty-sixth minute foul. Manchester United took the lead on another Smalling header in first half stoppage time, passed from Angel Di Maria on a cross after a corner kick. In the fifty-third minute, Burnley's Ben Mee received a yellow card for his foul. Wayne Rooney of Manchester United had a yellow card in the fifty-ninth minute for a foul. Burnley saw a yellow card go to Scott Arfield for his foul in the sixty-seventh minute. Manchester United had another yellow card for a sixty-eighth minute foul by Falcao. Manchester United added on in the eighty-second minute with a Robin van Persie penalty kick goal. Manchester United had two more yellow cards for James Wilson in the eighty-fourth minute and Di Maria in the eighty-sixth minute for fouls. Manchester United cruised to a 3-1 victory.

Moving along to Southampton hosting West Ham United. Adrian and Fraser Forster are in the six-yard boxes. Southampton took yellow cards for a thirty-ninth minute foul by Sadio Mane and a Jose Fonte foul in the forty-second minute. West Ham United took a yellow card for a Carlton Cole foul in the fiftieth minute. West Ham United's plight got much worse in the sixty-first minute when the keeper Adrian handled the ball outside of his area, earning him a straight red card. A couple minutes later, Cole was substituted off to make room for Adrian's replacement, Jussi Jaaskelainen. The backup proved solid in maintaining the 0-0 draw to the very end.

Next up, Stoke City welcomes Manchester City. Joe Hart and Asmir Begovic are the goalies. Manchester City led off in the thirty-third minute with a Sergio Aguero goal, set up by James Milner after a fast break. Stoke City tied it in the thirty-eighth minute on a Peter Crouch goal, via Marko Arnautovic on a cross. In first half stoppage time, Manchester City's Aguero received a yellow card for a handball. Manchester City saw another yellow card assessed to Milner his fifty-second minute foul. Manchester City took the lead back on a fifty-fifth minute Milner header, coming off of Samir Nasri's cross. In the sixty-fourth minute, Arnautovic of Stoke City received a yellow card for a foul. Manchester City added on in the seventieth minute with a penalty kick goal by Aguero. In the seventy-sixth minute, Nasri scored for Manchester City, with the help of Edin Dzeko. This produced the 4-1 final.

Back in London, Crystal Palace brings in Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Julian Speroni guard the woodwork. Newcastle United began in the forty-second minute on a Papiss Demba Cisse header goal, set up by Daryl Janmaat on the cross. Crystal Palace had a yellow card go to James McArthur for his foul in the forty-ninth minute. Newcastle United had two yellow cards, given to Janmaat in the fifty-fourth minute and Jack Colback a minute later, both for fouls. Crystal Palace tied it on a Frazier Campbell goal in the seventy-first minute, passed from Yannick Bolasie on a cross. The tie lasted to make it a 1-1 final.

Finally, West Bromwich Albion hosts Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Ben Foster are the gloved men. West Brom had a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul by Callum McManaman. In the thirty-fourth minute, Neil Taylor of Swansea City took a yellow card for a foul. West Brom had another yellow card given to Brown Ideye in the forty-first minute. West Brom opened with Ideye's redeeming goal in the sixtieth minute. West Brom added on with a seventy-fourth minute goal by Saido Berahino, passed from Ideye. This was good for a 2-0 win for West Brom.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL February 11th, 2015

Ten games on today after a day off. We begin with...

Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosting Barys Astana. Pavel Poluektov and Rafael Khakimov are the mediocre goalies. Astana struck first in the first period on an Oleg Kvasha goal, going in unassisted. Novokuznetsk tied it on an Alexander Komaristy goal, fueled by Mikhail Plotnikov. Barys took the lead in the third period on a Roman Starchenko goal, guided in by Nikolai Antropov. Metallurg tied it on a Sergei Dorofeyev goal, assisted by Alexander Romanov and Ryan Stoa. In the shootout, Cade Fairchild had the only goal to give Novokuznetsk the 3-2 win. The three stars were Dorofeyev, Komaristy, and Poluektov (45 for 47 in saves).

Over to Novosibirsk, where Sibir welcomes Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Alexander Salak draw the starts in goal. Omsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Sergei Shirokov goal, via Denis Parshin and Sergei Kalinin. Novosibirsk tied it in the third period on an Alexei Kopeikin goal, made possible by David Ullstrom and Jarno Koskiranta. In the shootout, Chad Kolarik and Shirokov scored to top a single tally by Sergei Shumakov and give Avangard the 2-1 win. The three stars went to Shirokov, Kostin (33 for 34 in saves), and Salak (30 for 31 in saves).

Westward to Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen and Alexei Murygin are the backups in goal. Nizhnekamsk was first to score in the first period on a Matt Anderson goal, coming off of Dan Sexton. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Viktor Antipin goal, fueled by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar on the power play. Neftekhimik pulled ahead on an Igor Polygalov goal in the second period, made possible by Teemu Eronen and Yegor Milovzorov. Metallurg tied it with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, with a lone assist by Kovar. Nizhnekamsk pulled ahead in the third period with a Maxim Rybin goal, courtesy of Alexander Nikulin and Alexander Bryntsev. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Tim Brent power play goal, powered by Kovar, who got a sock trick. Metallurg gained the lead on a Kovar goal, helped along by Antipin and Mozyakin. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Kovar, Mozyakin, and Antipin.

Up to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Barry Brust are the North American goalies. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period on a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, assisted by Stanislav Chistov and Oleg Piganovich. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Nikita Gusev power play goal, powered by Alexander Korolyuk. Traktor won 2-1 in overtime with a Chistov goal, helped along by Jan Bulis and Deron Quint. The three stars went to Chistov, Garnett (29 for 30 in saves), and Brust (37 for 39 in saves).

Continuing to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Andrei Gavrilov and Mikhail Biryukov are set to start in goal. Sochi led off in the second period on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Krikunov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a third period goal by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, assisted by Sergei Bernatsky. Torpedo won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Jarkko Immonen and Krasnoslobodtsev to top a Kostitsyn goal. The three stars belonged to Krasnoslobodtsev, Biryukov (21 for 22 in saves), and Gavrilov (35 for 36 in saves).

Further west, Severstal Cherepovets brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Calvin Heeter is mismatched with Jakub Stepanek in goal. Zagreb began in the first period on a James Wright power play goal, powered by Andrew Hutchinson and Bill Thomas. Cherepovets tied it on a power play goal by Maxim Trunyov, courtesy of Logan Pyett and Pavel Lukin. Severstal took the lead in the second period on an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, coming off of Sergei Monakhov and Zakhar Arzamastsev. Medvescak retied it on a Thomas goal, via Shaone Morrisonn and Patrick Bjorkstrand. Cherepovets regained the lead on a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, with helpers from Vadim Berdnikov and Ilya Khokhlov. Zagreb tied it again with an Andrew Murray goal, passed from Morrisonn and Hutchinson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Dmitry Kagarlitsky scored to give Severstal the 4-3 win. The three stars were Thomas, Morrisonn, and Hutchinson.

Down in Moscow, CSKA hosts Slovan Bratislava. Denis Godla and Stanislav Galimov are in the blue paint. Moscow opened in the first period on an Alexander Radulov goal, via Vladimir Zharkov and Maxim Mamin. CSKA added on with an Igor Grigorenko goal, courtesy of Stephane Da Costa and Radulov. Moscow extended the lead as Zharkov scored, thanks to Denis Denisov and Andrei Stas. Johan Backlund relieved Godla in goal. CSKA padded the lead on Grigorenko's second of the game, made possible by Radulov and Da Costa. Moscow kept going with a Radulov goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Nikita Zaitsev. CSKA struck again on a Mamin power play goal, powered by Stanislav Yegorshev and Stas. Moscow continued in the second period with a Da Costa power play goal, helped along by Jan Mursak. CSKA got another with a Grigorenko goal, securing his hat trick with a lone helper from Zaitsev. Ilya Sorokin came on to rest Galimov in the blowout. Moscow poured it on in the third period with Mamin's second of the game, coming off of Zaitsev, who got a sock trick, and Mursak. CSKA pushed on with a Nikita Kvartalnov goal, passed from Roman Lyubimov. Moscow drained another one on Radulov's hat trick securing goal, set up by Da Costa, who got a sock trick, and Mikhail Naumenkov. CSKA iced it at 12-0 with a Simon Hjalmarsson goal, courtesy of Da Costa and Grigorenko. The three stars in the KHL's most brutal beatdown of all time were Grigorenko, Radulov, and Da Costa, while honorable mentions go to Zharkov, Mamin, Stas, Zaitsev, and Mursak.

Backtracking to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky and Vitaly Kolesnik are in the creases. Yaroslavl started in the second period on an Andrei Loktionov power play goal, powered by Daniil Apalkov and Petri Kontiola. Khabarovsk tied it on an Evgeny Orlov goal in the third period, helped along by Kirill Safronov and Vyacheslav Litovchenko. Lokomotiv won 2-1 in overtime on a Jonas Holos goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Plotnikov. The three stars went to Holos, Kolesnik (24 for 25 in saves), and Loktionov.

Moving to St. Petersburg, where SKA brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Mikko Koskinen guard the cages. Riga struck first in the first period on a Lauris Darzins goal, made possible by Maris Bicevskis and Miks Indrasis. St. Petersburg tied it on a Tony Martensson goal in the third period, coming off of Viktor Tikhonov. SKA took the lead as Roman Cervenka scored, thanks to Yury Alexandrov and Anton Burdasov. St. Petersburg added on with a power play goal by Maxim Chudinov, powered by Cervnka and Martensson. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Cervenka, Martensson, and Koskinen (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Harri Sateri are the masked men. Podolsk was first to score in the first period on an Anton Korolyov goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Solodukhin. Moscow tied it on a Nikolai Zherdev goal, fueled by Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo took the lead with an Alexander Budkin goal, via Konstantin Gorovikov and Denis Kokarev. Moscow added on in the second period on a Konstantin Glazachev, guided in by Yegor Dugin and Alexander Osipov. Dynamo extended the lead on a power play goal by Mat Robinson, powered by Kokarev and Gorovikov. Vityaz got one back on an unassisted Robert Kousal goal. Moscow replied with a Glazachev goal, his second of the game, passed from Osipov. Podolsk answered on a Maxim Afinogenov goal, with assists provided by Roman Tatalin and Dmitry Tsyganov. Dynamo iced it at 6-3 on a Denis Mosalyov goal, with a lone assist from Zherdev. The three stars went to Glazachev, Gorovikov, and Kokarev, while Zherdev and Osipov get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 10th, 2015

Nine games on tonight, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Niklas Svedberg in goal. Dallas struck first on a Vernon Fiddler shorthanded and unassisted goal, his seventh of the season. Boston tied it with a David Krejci goal, his seventh of the year, passed from David Pastrnak and Milan Lucic. The Stars retook the lead on a Jamie Benn goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Alex Goligoski and John Klingberg. Dallas added on with another Jamie Benn goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, via Patrick Eaves and Jordie Benn. Tuukka Rask relieved Svedberg in the second period. The Bruins pulled back with a Patrice Bergeron second period goal, his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Brad Marchand. Boston tied it again with a Dougie Hamilton goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Chris Kelly and Torey Krug. The Stars regained the lead on a Trevor Daley shorthanded goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Dallas iced it at 5-3 in the third period on an Erik Cole empty net goal, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Jason Demers and Jason Spezza. The three stars were handed to Jamie Benn, Daley, and Fiddler.

Over to Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jhonas Enroth are the inexperienced goalies. Ottawa was first to score in the first period with an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Kyle Turris and Mark Stone. Buffalo tied it in the third period on a Tyler Myers power play goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Matt Moulson and Chris Stewart. The Senators took the lead back with a Milan Michalek goal, his eighth of the campaign, helped along by Patrick Wiercioch and Mike Hoffman. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Lehner (35 for 36 in saves), Michalek, and Karlsson.

Back at the coast, the New York Islanders bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Ryan Hamilton power play goal, powered by Nail Yakupov and Iiro Pakarinen. New York tied it on a Colin McDonald goal, his second of the season, guided in by Matt Martin and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders took the lead in the second period as Josh Bailey scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Thomas Hickey and Anders Lee. The Oilers retied it on an Anton Lander power play goal, his second of the season, via Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. New York took the lead in the third period on a Casey Cizikas goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of McDonald and Hickey. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to McDonald, Cizikas, and Hickey.

Into Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Carey Price receive the starting nods. Philadelphia began in the first period on a Matt Read goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Wayne Simmonds. Montreal tied it in the third period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens won 2-1 in overtime on a David Desharnais goal, his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Andrei Markov. The three stars were Price (23 for 24 in saves), Desharnais, and Plekanec.

West to Ontario, where the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and James Reimer occupy the creases. New York led off in the first period on a Dan Boyle goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Rick Nash. The Rangers added on with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his ninth of the year, via Nash and Brassard. Toronto got on the board with a Morgan Rielly power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Cody Franson and Tyler Bozak. New York replied in the second period on a Kevin Hayes goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Marc Staal and Kevin Klein. The Maple Leafs replied with a Stephane Robidas goal, made possible by Leo Komarov. The Rangers shot back on a shorthanded goal by Dominic Moore, his fifth of the season, set up by Carl Hagelin and Staal. Toronto pulled back on a Rielly goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, with helpers provided by Daniel Winnik and Nazem Kadri. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Winnik goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. New York regained the lead as Zuccarello scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, with the help of Nash, who got a sock trick, and Moore. The final stood at 5-4, with the three stars handed to Zuccarello, Rielly, and Nash, while Brassard, Staal, Winnik, and Moore get the honorable mentions.

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Ilya Bryzgalov and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Florida started in the first period on a Dmitry Kulikov power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Brian Campbell and Dave Bolland. The Panthers added on with a Nick Bjugstad power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Jimmy Hayes and Jonathan Huberdeau. Florida extended the lead in the second period with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Huberdeau and Campbell. John Gibson replaced Bryzgalov in goal. Anaheim got on the board with a power play goal by Kyle Palmieri, his eleventh of the year, via Rickard Rakell and Cam Fowler. The Panthers replied on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Brad Boyes and Huberdeau, the latter getting a sock trick. Florida padded the lead as Bolland scored his third of the year, thanks to Tomas Fleischmann and Erik Gudbranson. The Ducks got one back on a Tim Jackman goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Clayton Stoner and Sami Vatanen. The Panthers wrapped it up at 6-2 in the third period on a power play goal by Hayes, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Steven Kampfer and Gudbranson. The three stars were Huberdeau, Hayes, and Bolland, while Campbell and Gudbranson get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jake Allen are between the pipes. Arizona struck first in the first period on a Sam Gagner goal, his tenth of the season, via Martin Erat and Michael Stone. St. Louis tied it on an Alexander Steen goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by T.J. Oshie and David Backes. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his seventh of the campaign, coming off of Carl Gunnarsson. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars handed to Allen (25 for 26 in saves), Jaskin, and Steen.

Backtracking to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Nashville got going in the second period on a Seth Jones goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Anton Volchenkov. The Predators added on with a Taylor Beck goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Paul Gaustad and Eric Nystrom. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period as Brett Connolly scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning tied it on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime on a James Neal goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, via Roman Josi and Matt Cullen. The three stars went to Neal, Beck, and Jones.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Michael Hutchinson are the surprising goalies. Winnipeg dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Toby Enstrom goal, his third of the season, fueled by Mathieu Perreault. Minnesota tied it on an unassisted goal by Jason Pominville, his eleventh of the year. The Jets won 2-1 with a Dustin Byfuglien goal in overtime, his fourteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Hutchinson (29 for 30 in saves), Byfuglien, and Dubnyk (32 for 34 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 9th, 2015

Five games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Cory Schneider draw the starts. New Jersey led off in the first period on a Patrik Elias goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Martin Havlat and Travis Zajac. Edmonton tied it on an Oscar Klefbom goal, his second of the year, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Teddy Purcell. The Oilers took the lead in the second period on a Nail Yakupov power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Eberle and Jeff Petry. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 2-1. The three stars went to Yakupov, Eberle, and Scrivens (13 for 14 in saves).

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. Columbus opened in the first period on a Jack Skille goal, his sixth of the season, via Artem Anisimov and Denis Savard. Los Angeles tied it on a Dwight King goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Jeff Carter and Robyn Regehr. The Kings took the lead on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from King. The Blue Jackets retied it on a second period Scott Hartnell goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Ryan Johansen. Los Angeles retook the lead as Carter scored his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Brayden McNabb and Jamie McBain. The Kings added on with a Dustin Brown goal in the third period, his ninth of the year, fueled by Marian Gaborik. Columbus got one back with a Savard goal, his eighth of the campaign, wist assists provided by Nick Foligno and Jack Johnson. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Carter, King, and Savard.

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Devan Dubnyk are in the blue paint. Minnesota started in the first period on a Jordan Schroeder goal, courtesy of Charlie Coyle and Matt Dumba. The Wild added on with a Jason Pominville power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Thomas Vanek and Mikko Koivu. Vancouver got on the board with a Zack Kassian goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Chris Higgins and Dan Hamhuis. Minnesota shot back on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Koivu and Ryan Suter. The Canucks pulled back on a Shawn Matthias goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, with assists provided by Radim Vrbata and Hamhuis. The Wild answered with a Suter power play goal, his second of the season, made possible by Koivu, who got a sock trick, and Zach Parise. Minnesota extended the lead on a Kyle Brodziak goal, his seventh of the year, via Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin. Eddie Lack replaced Miller in goal. Vancouver got one back in the third period on a Ryan Stanton goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Suter, Koivu, and Hamhuis.

Backtracking to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Antti Raanta draw the starts. Chicago got going in the second period on a Marian Hossa goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Jonathan Toews. Arizona tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his twelfth of the year, via Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the power play. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period on an Antoine Vermette goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Ekman-Larsson. The Blackhawks retied it on a Hossa goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, guided in by Toews. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Lucas Lessio and Vermette combined to top Patrick Kane and give Arizona a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Hossa, Vermette, and Ekman-Larsson, while Toews gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Antti Niemi are the veteran goalies. Calgary began in the first period with a Mason Raymond goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Lance Bouma and Kris Russell. The Flames added on in the second period with Bouma's ninth of the year, courtesy of Mark Giordano and David Jones. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski. Calgary shot back in the third period as Jiri Hudler scored a power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Johnny Gaudreau and Dennis Wideman. The Flames iced it at 4-1 with a Jones empty net goal, his ninth of the campaign, set up by T.J. Brodie. The three stars went to Bouma, Hiller (33 for 34 in saves), and Jones.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL February 9th, 2015

Eight games on today before the schedule ramps up to a higher fluctuation later this week. We begin with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period as Danis Zaripov scored a power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Jan Kovar. Moscow tied it on a Stephane Da Costa goal, via Alexander Radulov. CSKA took the lead as Da Costa scored again, with another lone helper by Radulov. Moscow iced it at 3-1 with a third period goal by Vladimir Zharkov, an empty net goal set up by Roman Lyubimov. The three stars went to Da Costa, Galimov (21 for 22 in saves), and Radulov.

Over in Togliatti, Lada welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Evgeny Ivannikov are set to start in goal. Togliatti led off in the first period on a Georgy Belousov power play goal, powered by Peter Podhradsky. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Vitaly Popov goal, courtesy of Anatoly Golyshev. Yekaterinburg took the lead in the third period as Sami Lepisto scored, thanks to Alexei Simakov and Alexander Rybakov. Yekaterinburg iced it at 3-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Anton Lazarev, set up by Nikita Tryamkin. The three stars belonged to Kovar (24 for 25 in saves), Lepisto, and Popov.

Way west to Minsk, where Dinamo hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Minsk opened in the first period on a Ryan Vesce goal, made possible by Charles Linglet and Matt Ellison. Chelyabinsk tied it on a second period goal by Francis Pare goal, with a lone helper from Artyom Borodkin. Traktor took the lead with a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, fueled by Martin Ruzicka and Maxim Kondratyev. Dinamo tied it on a power play goal by Ellison, powered by Paul Szczechura and Vesce. Chelyabinsk took the lead back on a Stanislav Chistov goal, assisted by Ruzicka and Osnovin. Traktor finished it at 4-2 on a Ruzicka shorthanded empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Ruzicka, Ellison, and Vesce, while Osnovin gets an honorable mention.

Back in Russia, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Curtis Sanford are the goalies. Vladivostok dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Andrei Sigaryov goal, courtesy of Alexei Ugarov. Admiral added on as Alexander Gorshkov scored, with the help of Vyacheslav Ushenin. Vladivostok finished it at 3-0 with an Ugarov empty net goal, set up by Shaun Heshka. The three stars were handed to Nalimov (28 save shutout), Ugarov, and Sigaryov.

Down in Mytishchi, Atlant hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Stepan Goryachevskikh and Artyom Artemyev are the backups in goal. Mytishchi began in the first period on a Nikita Soshnikov goal, guided in by Sergei Shmelyov. Atlant added on with another Soshnikov goal, coming off of Maxim Potapov and Shmelyov. Mytishchi extended the lead as Shmelyov scored, thanks to Matthew Gilroy and Potapov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with an Alexander Korolyuk goal, made possible by Nikita Gusev. Atlant shot back on a Gilroy penalty shot goal, after he was slashed by Vitaly Sitnikov. Mytishchi padded the lead with a penalty shot goal by Oleg Yashin in the third period, after he was held my Dmitry Ryabykin. Atlant wrapped it up at 6-1 with an Alexander Yunkov goal, with a lone assist by Potapov, who got a sock trick. The three stars were given to Soshnikov, Shmelyov, and Gilroy, while Potapov gets an honorable mention.

Further south, Vityaz Podolsk welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky and Ivan Lisutin are the masked men. Podolsk started in the first period on an Anton Korolyov goal, courtesy of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Georgy Berdyukov. Khabarovsk tied it on a Dmitry Tarasov goal, via Maxim Velikov and Tuukka Mantyla. Amur took the lead in the second period on a Michel Miklik power play goal, powered by Denis Yezhov. Vityaz tied it in the third period on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, with a lone assist by Kucheryavenko. Podolsk took the lead on a Kucheryavenko goal, assisted by Korolyov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Kucheryavenko, Korolyov, and Solodukhin.

Northwest to St. Petersburg, where SKA hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Mikko Koskinen guard the cages. Kazan struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Oscar Moller, powered by Sergei Kostitsyn and Mikhail Varnakov. Ak Bars added on with a Petr Vrana goal, made possible by Kostitsyn and Igor Mirnov. St. Petersburg got on the board in the second period as Evgeny Dadonov scored a power play goal, via Andrei Kuteikin and Artemy Panarin. Kazan shot back with a Sheldon Brookbank goal, with a lone assist by Moller. Ak Bars extended the lead with a Varnakov goal in the third period, helped along by Justin Azevedo. Kazan padded the lead on a Vrana goal, his second of the game, passed from Vasily Tokranov and Kostitsyn, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were given to Vrana, Moller, and Kostitsyn, while Varnakov gets the honorable mention.

Finally, Jokerit Helsinki brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Henrik Karlsson are between the pipes. Moscow was first to score in the second period on a Konstantin Glazachev goal, passed from Yegor Dugin. Helsinki tied it in the third period on a Petr Koukal power play goal, powered by Ryan Gunderson and Linus Omark. Dynamo took the lead back with a Maxim Karpov goal, guided in by Dugin. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Lazushin (30 for 31 in saves), Dugin, and Karpov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 8th, 2015

Eight games on an unusually busy Sunday. We begin in...

St. Louis, as the Blues host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Brian Elliott are the solid goalies. Chicago led off in the first period on a Marcus Kruger goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Daniel Carcillo. St. Louis tied it on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal in the second period, his twenty-eighth of the year, coming off of Jaden Schwartz and Paul Stastny. The Blackhawks retook the lead on a Bryan Bickell goal, his tenth of the season, via David Rundblad and Patrick Kane. The Blues tied it again as David Backes scored his eighteenth of the year, thanks to T.J. Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo. Chicago reclaimed the lead with a Marian Hossa power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Brandon Saad and Bickell. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-2 on a Hossa empty net goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, set up by Saad. The three stars went to Hossa, Bickell, and Saad.

East to DC, where the Washington Capitals welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Braden Holtby are in goal. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Mark Streit goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Michael Del Zotto and Claude Giroux. Mason was removed with an injury in the ensuing TV timeout, and Ray Emery relieved him. Washington tied it on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-third of the year, a power play goal powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. The Flyers reclaimed the lead in the third period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Sean Couturier and Matt Read. Philadelphia iced it at 3-1 with a Jakub Voracek empty net power play goal, set up by Brayden Schenn and Giroux. The three stars were given to Giroux, Simmonds, and Streit.

Down to Florida, where the Panthers host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Roberto Luongo are set to start in goal. Florida got going in the second period on a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Dave Bolland. The Panthers added on with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Jimmy Hayes. Nashville got on the board with a third period power play goal by Seth Jones, his fifth of the season, powered by Mike Ribeiro. The Predators tied it on an unassisted Filip Forsberg power play goal, his eighteenth of the year. In the shootout, goals were exchanged between Matt Cullen of Nashville and Brad Boyes of Florida as well as the Predators' Craig Smith and the Panthers' Nick Bjugstad before Forsberg won it 3-2 for Nashville. The three stars went to Forsberg, Jones, and Ekblad.

Back north, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Michal Neuvirth are between the pipes. New York began in the first period on a Colin McDonald goal, fueled by Casey Cizikas. The Islanders added on in the second period on an Anders Lee power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Travis Hamonic and John Tavares. New York extended the lead with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Hamonic and Frans Nielsen. Buffalo got on the board with a Marcus Foligno goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Nikita Zadorov and Brian Flynn. The Sabres pulled closer with the ninth of the year by Drew Stafford, with a lone helper by Foligno. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Hamonic, Foligno, and Grabovski.

Staying in the state, the New York Rangers host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Cam Talbot are in the creases. Dallas struck first in the second period on a Jason Spezza power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg. New York tied it on a Carl Hagelin goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Kevin Hayes and Kevin Klein. The Stars took the lead with an Erik Cole goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Spezza and Ales Hemsky. The Rangers tied it again in the third period as Chris Kreider scored his twelfth of the year, via Mats Zuccarello on the power play. Dallas won 3-2 in overtime on a Hemsky goal, his ninth of the campaign, made possible by Jyrki Jokipakka and Spezza. The three stars went to Hemsky, Spezza, and Cole.

Back south again to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Ben Bishop are the talented goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Brian Boyle goal, his eleventh of the season, via Victor Hedman and Brett Connolly. The Lightning added on with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Nikita Kucherov scored his twentieth of the season, thanks to Tyler Johnson and Filppula. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey. The Lightning answered on a Boyle goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, fueled by Connolly and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the third period with a Callahan goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Stamkos and Filppula. The Ducks got one back with a Sami Vatanen power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Getzlaf and the goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, who had earlier replaced an injured Andersen. Anaheim pulled closer with an Eric Brewer goal, his first of the year, helped along by Nate Thompson and Andrew Cogliano. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Boyle, Filppula, and Callahan, while Stamkos, Connolly, and Getzlaf get the honorable mentions.

Way to the northwest, the Winnipeg Jets host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ondrej Pavelec are the inconsistent goalies. Colorado started in the first period on a Tyson Barrie goal, his sixth of the season, via Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla. Winnipeg tied it on a second period Mathieu Perreault goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Mark Scheifele and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets took the lead on a Byfuglien power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg added on with a Ben Chiarot goal, his second of the year, helped along by Jim Slater and Chris Thorburn. The Jets extended the lead as Little scored a power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, made possible by Perreault and Byfuglien. The Avalanche got one back in the third period on a Matt Duchene goal, his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Iginla and Nate Guenin. Winnipeg answered on a Jacob Trouba goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Perreault and Scheifele. Colorado edged closer with a Tanguay goal, his fourteenth of the year, driven in by Duchene and Cody McLeod. This produced the 5-3 final, with the three stars given to Perreault, Byfuglien, and Little, while Scheifele, Duchene, Tanguay, and Iginla get the honorable mentions.

Finally, we end with the Boston Bruins bringing in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Montreal was first to score in the second period on a Dale Weise goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on with a Pacioretty goal in the third period, his twenty-fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Weise. Boston got on the board with a David Pastrnak goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton. Montreal iced it at 3-1 with an Andrei Markov goal, his seventh of the year, going unassisted into the empty net. The three stars went to Pacioretty, Price (34 for 35 in saves), and Weise.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.