NHL March 10th, 2015

Eight games on tonight, beginning in...

Carolina, as the Hurricanes host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cam Ward are given the starting nods. Carolina struck first in the first period on a Justin Faulk goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Nathan Gerbe and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes added on with a Victor Rask power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Faulk and Elias Lindholm. Columbus got on the board with a Rene Bourque goal, his third of the season, coming on the power play from Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. Carolina shot back with an Eric Staal power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, via Ryan Murphy and Faulk. The Blue Jackets answered on a second period Scott Hartnell power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Artem Anisimov and Kevin Connauton. Columbus tied it in the third period as Hartnell scored his second of the game and eighteenth of the year on the power play, thanks to Anisimov and Ryan Johansen. The Blue Jackets won 4-3 with a Johansen shootout goal. The three stars went to Hartnell, Faulk, and Johansen, while Anisimov gets an honorable mention.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome their cross town rivals, the Rangers. Cam Talbot and Jaroslav Halak man the creases. The Islanders began in the first period on an Anders Lee goal, his twenty-third of the season, made possible by Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson. The Rangers tied it in the second period with a Kevin Hayes goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash. The Rangers took the lead in the third period on a Nash goal, his thirty-ninth of the campaign, fueled by Derick Brassard and Marc Staal. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Nash, Talbot (29 for 30 in saves), and Hayes.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Steve Mason are the oft-injured goalies. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Luke Schenn goal, his third of the season, made possible by Carlo Colaiacovo and Jakub Voracek. Dallas tied it on a Brett Ritchie goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Curtis McKenzie and Jordie Benn. The Stars took the lead in the third period on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his eleventh of the campaign, passed from Colton Sceviour and Ryan Garbutt. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Lehtonen (25 for 26 in saves), Fiddler, and Mason (37 for 39 in saves).

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Carey Price tend the twines. Tampa Bay got going in overtime on a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn. The final stood at 1-0, with the three stars going to Bishop (19 save shutout), Johnson, and Price (35 for 36 in saves).

Over in Ottawa, the Senators host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Craig Anderson are the masked men. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Ryan Spooner power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton. The Bruins added on with a Loui Eriksson goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Hamilton. Boston extended the lead as Spooner scored his second of the game and third of the campaign, thanks to Milan Lucic and David Pastrnak. Ottawa got on the board in the third period on a Matt Puempel goal, via Patrick Wiercioch and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 3-1. The three stars went to Rask (39 for 40 in saves), Spooner, and Hamilton.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Brian Elliott occupy the blue paint. Winnipeg led off in the first period on a Michael Frolik goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Andrew Ladd and Jacob Trouba. St. Louis tied it on a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a Tarasenko goal, his thirty-third of the campaign, helped along by Jori Lehtera and Chris Butler. St. Louis added on with a Steve Ott goal, his third of the season, fueled by David Backes and Ryan Reaves. The Blues extended the lead as Lehtera scored his tenth of the year, guided in by Schwartz and Pietrangelo. Hutchinson was pulled for Ondrej Pavelec. The Jets got one back in the third period on a Ladd power play goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, with helpers from Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg pulled closer on a Lee Stempniak goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Adam Lowry and Chris Thorburn. The Jets tied it on a Wheeler shorthanded goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Tyler Myers. St. Louis claimed the game 5-4 on a Barret Jackman goal, his second of the campaign, dished from Robert Bortuzzo and Backes. The three stars went to Tarasenko, Lehtera, and Schwartz, while Ladd, Wheeler, Pietrangelo, and Backes get the honorable mentions.

North to Minnesota, where the Wild host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Devan Dubnyk duel in goal. Minnesota started in the first period on a Sean Bergenheim goal, his ninth of the season, via Kyle Brodziak and Erik Haula. The Wild added on in the second period as Chris Stewart scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Mikko Koivu and Nino Niederreiter. Minnesota extended the lead on a Jared Spurgeon goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Mikael Granlund and Stewart. New Jersey got on the board with a Dainius Zubrus goal, his third of the year, guided in by Steve Bernier and Patrik Elias. The Wild replied on a Thomas Vanek goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Charlie Coyle and Justin Fontaine. Minnesota padded the lead with a third period Jason Pominville goal, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Spurgeon and Zach Parise. The Wild got another with Vanek's second of the game and sixteenth of the season, helped along by Parise and Ryan Suter on the power play. The Devils got one back with a Scott Gomez goal, his sixth of the year, via Bernier and Damon Severson. The final stood at 6-2, with the three stars awarded to Vanek, Spurgeon, and Stewart, while Parise and Bernier get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Los Angeles opened in the first period on a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Dustin Brown and Brayden McNabb. The Kings added on with a Jeff Carter goal, his twenty-third of the year, guided in by Jordan Nolan and Trevor Lewis. Colorado got on the board with a Tyson Barrie goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Gabriel Landeskog and Ryan O'Reilly. Los Angeles shot back with a McNabb goal, his second of the year, assisted by Kyle Clifford and Justin Williams. Reto Berra replaced Pickard. The Kings extended the lead in the second period on a Clifford goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Anze Kopitar and McNabb. The Avalanche got one back on an Alex Tanguay goal, his eighteenth of the year, helped along by Marc-Andre Cliche and Dennis Everberg. Los Angeles finished it at 5-2 on a Jake Muzzin goal, his seventh of the campaign, dished from Nick Shore and Williams. The three stars went to McNabb, Clifford, and Williams.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Avangard Omsk VS. Barys Astana

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Avangard Omsk and Barys Astana.

Game 1: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Jan Laco for Astana and Konstantin Barulin for Omsk. Astana led off in the first period on a Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, fueled by Dmitry Upper and Talgat Zhailauov. Omsk tied it on a Denis Kulyash power play goal, powered by Sergei Shirokov and Alexander Popov. Avangard took the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Felix Schutz, set up by Vladimir Sobotka. Omsk added on in the third period on a Sobotka goal, coming off of Denis Parshin. Avangard extended the lead on an empty net goal by Vadim Khomitsky, going in unassisted. Barys got one back on a Pushkaryov goal, his second of the game, assisted by Artemy Lakiza. Omsk finished it at 5-2 on an empty net goal by Alexander Perezhogin, via Chad Kolarik. The three stars went to Sobotka, Pushkaryov, and Schutz. Avangard has a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Jan Laco for Astana and Konstantin Barulin for Omsk. Astana was first to score in the first period on a Dmitry Upper power play goal, powered by Roman Savchenko and Konstantin Rudenko. Barys added on with a Fyodor Polishchuk goal, via Talgat Zhailauov. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with the three stars going to Laco (37 save shutout), Upper, and Polishchuk. The series heads south tied at 1.

Game 3: Kazakhstan Sports Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan. In goal: Konstantin Barulin of Omsk and Jan Laco of Astana. Astana struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Konstantin Rudenko, powered by Mike Lundin and Kevin Dallman. Barys added on with a Nigel Dawes goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Dallman. Astana extended the lead in the third period as Dustin Boyd scored, thanks to Dawes and Konstantin Pushkaryov. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars given to Laco (41 save shutout), Dawes, and Dallman. Barys has Laco to thank for giving them a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Kazakhstan Sports Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan. In goal: Denis Kostin of Omsk and Jan Laco of Astana. Omsk began in the first period with a Denis Kulyash goal, courtesy of Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard added on with a Chad Kolarik goal, coming off of Alexander Popov. Astana got on the board in the second period with a Dustin Boyd goal, assisted by Nigel Dawes and Konstantin Pushkaryov. Barys tied it on a Roman Starchenko goal, via Konstantin Rudenko in the third period. Omsk retook the lead on an Ivan Fischenko goal, made possible by Kirill Semyonov. Avangard extended the lead as Anton Kuryanov scored, with a lone assist by Popov. Astana got one back with a Dawes goal, passed from Boyd. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Popov, Dawes, and Boyd. The series returns to Omsk tied at 2.

Game 5: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Jan Laco for Astana and Denis Kostin for Omsk. Omsk opened in the first period on a Chad Kolarik goal, coming off of Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard added on with a Perezhogin power play goal in the second period, powered by Popov and Kolarik. This was all they needed to win 2-0. The three stars went to Kostin (32 save shutout), Kolarik, and Perezhogin, while Popov gets an honorable mention. Avangard owns a 3-2 series lead, with the hopes of ending the series on the road.

Game 6: Kazakhstan Sports Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan. In goal: Denis Kostin of Omsk and Jan Laco of Astana. Astana got going in the second period on a Roman Savchenko goal, fueled by Alexei Litvinenko and Konstantin Rudenko. Barys added on with a Roman Starchenko goal, courtesy of Nikolai Antropov. Omsk got on the board in the third period on a Kirill Semyonov goal, passed from Maxim Goncharov and Kirill Lyamin. Astana shot back with a Nigel Dawes goal, with a lone assist by Dustin Boyd. Barys iced it at 4-1 with a Konstantin Pushkaryov empty net goal, set up by Dawes. The three stars went to Laco (26 for 27 in saves), Dawes, and Starchenko. The series heads to its decisive game in Omsk tied at 3. 

Game 7: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Jan Laco for Astana and Konstantin Barulin for Omsk. Astana started in the first period with a Nigel Dawes goal, via Dustin Boyd. Omsk tied it on a Chad Kolarik goal, made possible by Alexander Perezhogin and Alexander Popov. Avangard took the lead in the second period on a Perezhogin goal, passed from Kirill Lyamin and Kolarik. Omsk iced it at 3-1 on a Kolarik empty net goal in the third period, set up by Popov. The three stars went to Kolarik, Perezhogin, and Popov. Avangard is the last team into the conference semifinals with a 4-3 series win.

NHL March 9th, 2015

Five games this evening, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Jimmy Howard are in the creases. Edmonton led off in the first period on a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his fifth of the season, via Matt Hendricks and Boyd Gordon. Detroit tied it on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal in the second period, his eighth of the year, powered by Erik Cole and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings took the lead on a Riley Sheahan goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Gustav Nyquist and Teemu Pulkkinen. Detroit added on in the third period on a Pulkkinen goal, his third of the year, guided in by Pavel Datsyuk. The Oilers got one back on a Nail Yakupov power play goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Justin Schultz and Jordan Eberle. The Red Wings answered on an empty net goal by Justin Abdelkader, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Sheahan and Zetterberg. Detroit iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal from Datsyuk, his twenty-third of the campaign, with a lone assist from Zetterberg, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Pulkkinen, Zetterberg, and Datsyuk, while Sheahan gets an honorable mention.

Over in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the New York Islanders. Michal Neuvirth and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts. Toronto was first to score in the first period on a David Booth goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period on a Peter Holland goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Richard Panik and James van Riemsdyk. New York got on the board with a Tyler Kennedy goal in the third period, his fifth of the season, fueled by John Tavares and Josh Bailey. Toronto shot back with a van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-third of the year, going in unassisted. The Islanders pulled back on a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Anders Lee and Bailey. New York tied it with a Casey Cizikas goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Travis Hamonic. The Islanders won 4-3 in overtime on a Tavares goal, his thirty-third of the campaign, with assists provided by Kennedy and Hamonic. The three stars belonged to Tavares, van Riemsdyk, and Kennedy, while Bailey and Hamonic get the honorable mentions.

Way out west, the San Jose Sharks host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose began in the first period on a Matthew Nieto goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Chris Tierney and Ben Smith. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period on a Sidney Crosby goal, his twenty-second of the year, dished from David Perron and Kris Letang. In the shootout, Letang matched Melker Karlsson, but Tommy Wingels lifted the Sharks to a 2-1 victory. The three stars went to Niemi (39 for 40 in saves), Fleury (29 for 30 in saves), and Letang.

Up to Vancouver, where the Canucks bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Eddie Lack are the young goalies. Vancouver struck first in the first period on a Bo Horvat goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Jannik Hansen. Anaheim tied it in the third period as Emerson Etem scored his fifth of the year, with the help of Nate Thompson and Cam Fowler. The Canucks took the lead back on a Zack Kassian goal, his tenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Dan Hamhuis. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Lack (29 for 30 in saves), Kassian, and Horvat.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. Nashville got going in the second period on a Paul Gaustad goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Taylor Beck. Arizona tied it in the third period as Kyle Chipchura scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Moore and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Predators won 2-1 in overtime on a James Neal goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, assisted by Seth Jones and Cody Franson. The three stars went to Neal, Rinne (27 for 28 in saves), and Gaustad.

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NHL March 8th, 2015

Six games for the day, with the first in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Detroit Red Wings. Backups Jonas Gustavsson and Niklas Svedberg make the starts. Boston began in the first period on a Brad Marchand shorthanded goal, his twenty-second of the season, going in unassisted. Detroit tied it on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twenty-second of the year, passed from Kyle Quincey. The Bruins took the lead on a power play goal by David Pastrnak, his eighth of the season, powered by Milan Lucic and Reilly Smith. Boston added on with a Daniel Paille shorthanded goal, his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Bruins extended the lead as Paille scored his second of the game and fifth of the season, via Max Talbot and Gregory Campbell. Jimmy Howard relieved Gustavsson. The Red Wings got one back in the third period on a Luke Glendening goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Pavel Datsyuk. Boston answered with Loui Eriksson's sixteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Patrice Bergeron and Ryan Spooner. Detroit shot back on a Marke Zidlicky power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Tomas Tatar and Datsyuk. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Paille, Datsyuk, and Marchand.

Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Richard Bachman is mismatched with Cam Ward in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his seventeenth of the season, with a lone assist by Jordan Eberle. The Oilers added on in the second period on an Eberle goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Matt Hendricks and Nugent-Hopkins on the power play. Edmonton extended the lead as Nugent-Hopkins scored a power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, powered by Eberle. Carolina got on the board with an Alexander Semin goal, his fourth of the year, via Riley Nash and Michal Jordan. The Hurricanes pulled closer with an Elias Lindholm goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Ron Hainsey and Eric Staal. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Staal and Lindholm. The Hurricanes took the lead as Andrej Nestrasil scored a power play goal, his fifth of the season, with the help of Lindholm and Victor Rask. Carolina padded their lead on a Skinner power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, with helpers from Ryan Murphy and John-Michael Liles. The Hurricanes got another as Lindholm scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, helped along by Rask and Staal, the latter getting a sock trick. The Oilers pulled back on a Nugent-Hopkins goal, earning his hat trick with his nineteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Carolina finished it at 7-4 with a Lindholm empty net goal, securing his hat trick on his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Staal and Justin Faulk. The three stars were Lindholm, Nugent-Hopkins, and Staal, while Eberle, Skinner, and Rask get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Keith Kinkaid are in the blue paint. New Jersey led off in the first period on an Adam Henrique goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Scott Gomez and Steve Bernier. Philadelphia tied it on a Ryan White goal, his third of the year, via Luke Schenn. The Devils retook the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Jacob Josefson, his fourth of the season, set up by Stephen Gionta and Andy Greene. New Jersey added on with an Eric Gelinas power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Gomez and Bernier. The Devils extended the lead in the third period as Henrique scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Bernier, who got a sock trick. The Flyers shot back with a Michael Raffl shorthanded goal, his sixteenth of the year, helped along by White and the goalie Mason. New Jersey answered with a Gionta goal, his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Patrik Elias and Greene. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars being Henrique, Bernier, and Gionta, while White, Gomez, and Greene get the honorable mentions.

West to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Colorado started in the first period with a Cody McLeod goal, his sixth of the season, via Jarome Iginla and Zach Redmond. The Avalanche added on in the second period as Redmond scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Gabrial Landeskog and Jan Hejda. Colorado extended the lead with a Landeskog power play goal in the third period, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Iginla. Minnesota got on the board with a Chris Stewart goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Jonas Brodin. The Wild pulled closer on a Thomas Vanek goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Nino Niederreiter and Brodin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Landeskog, Iginla, and Redmond, while Brodin gets an honorable mention.

Back to Ottawa, where the Senators welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Craig Anderson draw the starts in goal. Ottawa struck first in the first period on an Alex Chiasson goal, his tenth of the season, with a lone helper by David Legwand. The Senators added on with a Milan Michalek goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Mark Stone and Eric Gryba. Ottawa extended the lead in the second period on a Mark Borowiecki goal, made possible by Erik Condra. The Senators padded the lead on a Mike Hoffman goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, guided in by Mika Zibanejad and Cody Ceci. Jonas Hiller relieved Ramo in goal. Calgary got on the board with a Joe Colborne goal in the third period, his seventh of the year, assisted by Matt Stajan. The Flames pulled closer on a Kris Russell power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan. Calgary chipped back on a Mikael Backlund goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Mason Raymond and Deryk Engelland. The Flames tied it with a Russell goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, helped along by Johnny Gaudreau and Hudler. In the shootout, Gaudreau and Hudler were topped by Kyle Turris, Michalek, and Erik Karlsson. The final was 5-4 for Ottawa, with the three stars being Michalek, Russell, and Hudler.

Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. New York scored the only goal in overtime on a Derick Brassard goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh. The final was 1-0, with the three stars awarded to Talbot (29 save shutout), Brassard, and Crawford (35 for 36 in saves).

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Major League Soccer Week 1

Full slate of games for the opening weekend of MLS. After Wednesday's eleventh hour deal in principle for the CBA, the league was allowed to start on time. Thus, we begin with...

The Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the Chicago Fire on Friday. Sean Johnson and Brian Rowe are the gloved men. Chicago's Shaun Maloney was given a yellow card in the twenty-second minute for his foul. In the sixty-first minute, Los Angeles took a yellow card for a foul by Kenney Walker. The Galaxy began in the sixty-fifth minute with a goal by Jose Villarreal. The Fire took another yellow card for a Guly foul in the seventy-fifth minute. Los Angeles added on in the eighty-first minute as Robbie Keane scored, with the help of Baggio Husidic and Omar Gonzalez. The final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Villarreal.

The first of six games for Saturday features DC United welcoming the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Bill Hamid are in the six-yard boxes. DC led off in the fifty-eighth minute with a Jairo Arrieta goal, set up by Chris Rolfe and Davy Arnaud. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win. Arrieta was the man of the match.

Next up, the Philadelphia Union bring in the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Rais M'bolhi are set to start in goal. Colorado had a yellow card for a twenty-fourth minute Bobby Burling foul. Philadelphia took a yellow card in the twenty-fifth minute as Steven Vitoria committed a foul. In the forty-fifth minute, Axel Sjoberg of Colorado was given a yellow card for a foul. The Rapids went down a man in the sixty-eighth minute when Burling had another yellow card for a foul, his second of the game getting him sent off. Dillon Serna of the Rapids had a yellow card for his foul in the seventy-third minute. In stoppage time, Fernando Aristeguieta of the Union and Lucas Pittinari received yellow cards, the former for unsporting behavior and the latter for a foul. The scoring never happened, with the final being 0-0. The man of the match was Irwin, who kept a clean sheet with four saves in the season opener on the road for the Rapids.

Out west and in Canada, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC host Toronto FC. Joe Bendik and David Ousted draw the starts in goal. Vancouver was first to score in the nineteenth minute on Raul Octavio Rivero goal, via Pa Modou Kah. Toronto tied it on a Jozy Altidore goal in the thirty-second minute, made possible by Sebastian Giovinco. Toronto took the lead in the fifty-ninth minute with a Robbie Findley goal, passed from Justin Morrow and Benoit Cheyrou. The Whitecaps took a yellow card for persistent infringement by Gershon Koffie in the seventy-seventh minute, but Toronto's Warren Creavalle followed with a yellow card-worthy foul in the seventy-eighth minute. Vancouver saw a yellow card assessed to Kah in the eighty-ninth minute for a foul, and Altidore buried the resulting penalty kick a minute later for Toronto. Toronto won 3-1, and Altidore was the man of the match with a brace.

Back southeast, the Houston Dynamo welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Tyler Deric man the nets. Columbus' Emanuel Pogatetz took a yellow card in the twenty-eighth minute for a foul. Houston started in the sixty-sixth minute on a Giles Barnes goal, via Kofi Sarkodie. The Crew's Tony Tchani received a yellow card for seventy-eighth minute foul. Houston held on for a 1-0 win, with the man of the match given to Deric for his six-save clean sheet.

Also in Texas, FC Dallas brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Chris Seitz make the starts in goal. Dallas saw a yellow card given to Atiba Harris for a fiftieth minute foul. San Jose took a yellow card in the sixty-seventh minute for a foul by Shaun Francis. In the seventy-seventh minute, the Earthquakes received a yellow card for a Shea Salinas foul. San Jose had another yellow card in the stoppage time for a Sanna Nyassi foul, leading to a Blas Perez goal for Dallas, made possible by Moises Hernandez. The Earthquakes took another yellow card two minutes later on an Adam Jahn foul. Dallas won 1-0, with the man of the match going to Perez for his late winner.

Closing out Saturday, the Portland Timbers host Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando faces a lesser foe in Adam Larsen Kwarasey in goal. Salt Lake's Kenny Mansally received a yellow card for his twenty-seventh minute foul. Portland saw a yellow card assessed to Alvas Powell in the thirty-second minute for a foul. In first half stoppage time, Luis Gil of Real took a yellow card for his foul. Salt Lake had another yellow card in the forty-eighth minute for a Chris Schuler foul. In the fifty-seventh minute, Liam Ridgewell of the Timbers took a yellow card. The game ended in a scoreless draw, and the man of the match was Rimando with his clean sheet and five save performance.

On Sunday, the first ever game for Orlando City SC sees them welcome fellow expansion team New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Donovan Ricketts make the starts. Orlando City had the first two yellow cards, both for dives by Brek Shea in the twenty-ninth minute and Kevin Molino in the fortieth minute. New York City had the next three yellow cards, given to Mehdi Ballouchy in the forty-first minute, Jason Hernandez in the fifty-fourth minute, and Jeb Brovsky in the sixtieth minute, all for fouls. New York City struck first in the seventy-sixth minute on a Mix Diskerud goal, with an assist from David Villa. Orlando City saw a yellow card given to Cristian Higuita in the seventy-eighth minute. Orlando City went down to ten men as Aurelien Collin got a red card for his eighty-third minute foul. Orlando City tied it in stoppage time on a Kaka goal. The final held at 1-1, with the man of the match being Kaka for the late equalizer.

Northwest to Kansas City, as Sporting brings in the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Luis Marin are the keepers. Kansas City's Matt Besler received a yellow card for a foul in the thirtieth minute. Sporting started in the fiftieth minute on an Ike Opara goal, set up by Benny Feilhaber. New York tied it on a Lloyd Sam goal, made possible by Felipe. Kansas City's Besler was ejected with a second yellow card in the seventieth minute for another foul. The Red Bulls had two yellow cards, given to Bradley Wright-Phillips in the eightieth minute and Sacha Kljestan in the eighty-sixth minute, both for fouls. The final was 1-1, and the man of the match was Sam for the equalizer.

Finally, the Seattle Sounders FC host the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Stefan Frei guard the nets. Seattle dented the scoreboard in the twenty-fifth minute on a Clint Dempsey penalty kick goal. The Sounders added on with an Obafemi Martins goal in the forty-first minute, guided in by Tyrone Mears and Dempsey. Seattle extended the lead as Dempsey scored his second of the game, thanks to Martins and Marco Pappa. New England took a yellow card on a Jose Goncalves foul in the seventy-third minute. The Sounders secured a 3-0 win, with the man of the match being Dempsey with a brace.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Sibir Novosibirsk VS. Traktor Chelyabinsk

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Sibir Novosibirsk and Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Game 1: Ice Sports Palace Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett of Chelyabinsk and Nikita Bespalov of Novosibirsk. Novosibirsk opened in the first period on a Jarno Koskiranta power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Ivan Vereshchagin. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Deron Quint power play goal, coming off of Konstantin Panov and Stanislav Chistov. Traktor took the lead on a Francis Pare goal, via Martin Ruzicka. Chelyabinsk added on in the second period on an Ilya Davydov goal, passed from Quint and Chistov on the power play. Traktor extended the lead in the third period as Quint scored an unassisted goal. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Quint, Garnett (33 for 34 in saves), and Chistov. Traktor owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Ice Sports Palace Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett of Chelyabinsk and Alexander Salak of Novosibirsk. Novosibirsk struck first in the first period on a Stepan Sannikov goal, via Sergei Gimayev and Oleg Gubin. Sibir added on in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Maxim Shalunov, set up by Viktor Bobrov and Patrik Hersley. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Martin Ruzicka goal, fueled by Deron Quint and Artyom Borodkin. Traktor tied it in the third period as Quint scored a power play goal, powered by Stanislav Chistov. Novosibirsk took the lead on a Jarno Koskiranta penalty shot goal, received after he was hooked by Dmitry Pestunov. Sibir extended the lead as Koskiranta scored his second of the game, thanks to Alexei Kopeikin and Dmitry Kugryshev. Novosibirsk finished it at 5-2 with a shorthanded goal by Shalunov, with a lone assist by Bobrov. The three stars went to Shalunov, Koskiranta, and Quint, while Bobrov gets an honorable mention. The series is now tied at 1.

Game 3: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Salak of Novosibirsk and Michael Garnett of Chelyabinsk. Novosibirsk began in the first period on a Patrik Hersley goal, fueled by Jonas Enlund and David Ullstrom on the power play. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Andrei Popov goal, via Dmitry Pestunov. Traktor took the lead with a Stanislav Chistov penalty shot goal, coming after he was hooked by Viktor Bobrov. Sibir retied it in the second period on a Maxim Shalunov goal, passed from Bobrov. Novosibirsk took the lead on an Enlund power play goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Kugryshev. Sibir added on with a Stepan Sannikov power play goal, assisted by Oleg Gubin and Maxim Ignatovich. Novosibirsk extended the lead with a power play goal from Dmitry Monya, powered by Hersley and Enlund. Vasily Demchenko came on in relief of Garnett. Sibir padded the lead on a power play goal from Sergei Shumakov, made possible by Vyacheslav Belov. The four power play goals were a result of a major penalty against Pestunov for a check to the head. Novosibirsk struck again in the third period on a Shalunov goal, his second of the game, with assists provided by Hersley and Monya. Chelyabinsk got one back on a Maxim Kondratyev goal, helped along by Vyacheslav Osnovin and Artyom Penkovsky. The final stood at 7-3, with the three stars given to Enlund, Shalunov, and Hersley, while Monya gets an honorable mention. Sibir showed an opportunistic side to move to a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Salak of Novosibirsk and Vasily Demchenko of Chelyabinsk. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on an Anton Glinkin goal, assisted by Deron Quint and Stanislav Chistov. Novosibirsk tied it on a third period power play goal by David Ullstrom, powered by Igor Ozhiganov and Patrik Hersley. Traktor won 2-1 in overtime on an Ilya Davydov goal, with a lone assist by Glinkin. The three stars were Glinkin, Demchenko (17 for 18 in saves), and Davydov. The series returns to the Far East tied at 2.

Game 5: Ice Sports Palace Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk, Russia. In goal: Vasily Demchenko of Chelyabinsk and Alexander Salak of Novosibirsk. Novosibirsk led off in the first period on a David Ullstrom goal, via Jonas Enlund. Sibir added on in the second period as Stepan Sannikov scored, thanks to Vladimir Butuzov and Vitaly Menshikov. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Semyon Kokuyov goal, passed from Francis Pare and Vitaly Atyushov. Novosibirsk shot back on a Jarno Koskiranta goal, assisted by Dmitry Kugryshev and Konstantin Alexeyev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Salak (19 for 20 in saves), Sannikov, and Koskiranta. Sibir looks to close out the series on the road, with a 3-2 lead in hand now.

Game 6: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Salak of Novosibirsk and Michael Garnett of Chelyabinsk. Novosibirsk started in the first period on a David Ullstrom power play goal, powered by Jonas Enlund and Igor Ozhiganov. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Anton Glinkin goal, fueled by Andrei Popov and Dmitry Pestunov in the second period. Sibir retook the lead in the third period on a Jarno Koskiranta goal, made possible by Sergei Gimayev. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Koskiranta, Salak (23 for 24 in saves), and Ullstrom. Sibir won the series 4-2, advancing to the semifinals. 

NHL March 7th, 2015

Ten games for the day, with the first a matinee from...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Tuukka Rask are the veteran goalies. Boston led off in the first period on a Zdeno Chara power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Patrice Bergeron. Philadelphia tied it on a Jakub Voracek power play goal in the second period, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead in the third period on a Chris VandeVelde goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Nick Schultz and Brayden Schenn. The Bruins tied it on a Brad Marchand power play goal, his twentieth of the year, coming off of Hamilton and Loui Eriksson. Boston won 3-2 in overtime with another Marchand goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the campaign, helped along by Max Talbot and Ryan Spooner. The three stars were Marchand, Hamilton, and Rask (29 for 31 in saves).

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Dallas Stars. Jhonas Enroth and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the backups in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period on an Anton Stralman power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ondrej Palat. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his thirtieth of the year, assisted by Jason Spezza and Jamie Benn. The Lightning retook the lead on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, passed from Palat and Braydon Coburn. The Stars tied it on a Seguin goal in the second period, his second of the game and thirty-first of the year, made possible by John Klingberg. Dallas took the lead on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Alex Goligoski and Colton Sceviour. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on an Alex Killorn goal, his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Ryan Callahan and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead on a Hedman goal, his ninth of the season, via Tyler Johnson and Palat, the latter getting a sock trick. Tampa Bay added on with a Brian Boyle shorthanded empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Stars got one back as Fiddler scored his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, thanks to Jordie Benn and Sceviour on the power play. The three stars went to Seguin, Palat, and Fiddler, while Hedman and Sceviour get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jonathan Bernier are between the pipes. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera. The Blues added on with a T.J. Oshie goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Alexander Steen and the goalie Elliott. St. Louis extended the lead on a Tarasenko goal, his thirty-second of the season, fueled by Lehtera and Carl Gunnarsson. James Reimer relieved Bernier for the second period. The Blues padded the lead on a second period goal by Chris Butler, his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Schwartz and Lehtera, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Louis kept going with a Paul Stastny power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Oshie and Steen. Toronto got on the board with a third period goal by David Booth, his third of the year, passed from Jake Gardiner and Peter Holland. The Blues shot back on a David Backes goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, helped along by Steen, who got a sock trick, and Alex Pietrangelo. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars awarded to Lehtera, Steen, and Schwartz, while Tarasenko and Oshie get the honorable mentions.

Stateside again, with the Washington Capitals hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Buffalo started in the first period on a Johan Larsson goal, his second of the season, made possible by Marcus Foligno and Zach Bogosian. Washington tied it on a Curtis Glencross goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Mike Green and Jay Beagle. The Capitals took the lead in the second period on a Beagle goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Troy Brouwer and Glencross. Washington added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his forty-fourth of the year, powered by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals extended the lead as Brooks Laich scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Tom Wilson. Anders Lindback relieved Hackett. Washington padded the lead on a Joel Ward power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Glencross and Green. The Capitals finished it at 6-1 with a Marcus Johansson goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, with the helpers provided by Ovechkin and Backstrom. The three stars went to Glencross, Ovechkin, and Beagle, while Backstrom and Green receive honorable mentions.

Way southwest to Arizona, as the Coyotes welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mike Smith receive the starting nods. Montreal got going in the second period as Lars Eller scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Devante Smith-Pelly. The Canadiens finished it at 2-0 with a third period goal by Brendan Gallagher, his nineteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty. The three stars belonged to Price (28 save shutout), Eller, and Smith (33 for 34 in saves).

Back east, the Florida Panthers bring in the New York Islanders. Michal Neuvirth and Dan Ellis are the mediocre goalies. Florida opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Erik Gudbranson, his fourth of the season. New York tied it in the second period on a John Tavares goal, his thirty-second of the year, via Anders Lee. The Panthers retook the lead on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Jussi Jokinen and Alex Petrovic. The Islanders tied it again on a power play goal by Nick Leddy, his tenth of the year, powered by Tavares and Frans Nielsen. Florida regained the lead in the third period on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr. New York tied it on a Josh Bailey goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Tavares. In the shootout, Huberdeau had the lone tally for the Panthers, giving them a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tavares, Huberdeau, and Gudbranson.

Up in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. Colorado began in the first period on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Tyson Barrie and Alex Tanguay. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Ryan O'Reilly and Barrie. Colorado extended the lead as Matt Duchene scored his seventeenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche iced it at 4-0 with a third period goal by Tanguay, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Barrie, who got a sock trick, and Nate Guenin. The three stars went to Varlamov (44 save shutout), Barrie, and Tanguay.

Continuing to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Pekka Rinne protect the nets. Winnipeg began in the first period on a Michael Frolik goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrew Ladd and Toby Enstrom. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Ryan Ellis goal, his sixth of the year, via Craig Smith and Mike Ribeiro. The Jets retook the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Stafford, his twelfth of the year, set up by Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. The three stars were named as Wheeler, Hutchinson (20 for 21 in saves), and Stafford.

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in overtime for a 1-0 win on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Fleury (31 save shutout), Hornqvist, and Quick (17 for 18 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Antti Niemi occupy the creases. San Jose led off in the first period on a Melker Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on with a Thornton power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. Vancouver got on the board with a Radim Vrbata goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming off of Nick Bonino and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks tied it on a Bo Horvat goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. Vancouver took the lead on a third period power play goal by Vrbata, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign, set up by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars going to Vrbata, Thornton, and Daniel Sedin.

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