KHL Western Conference Semifinals: SKA St. Petersburg VS. Dynamo Moscow

Welcome to the western conference semifinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between SKA St. Petersburg and Dynamo Moscow.

Game 1: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Mikko Koskinen of St. Petersburg. Moscow was first to score in the first period on a Mat Robinson goal, made possible by Maxim Pestushko. St. Petersburg tied it in the second period on an Evgeny Ketov goal, fueled by Tony Martensson and Anton Burdasov. Dynamo retook the lead with an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, passed from Pestushko. SKA tied it as Patrick Thoresen scored a power play goal, powered by Jimmie Ericsson and Ilya Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg won 3-2 in overtime on an Artemy Panarin goal, via Roman Cervenka. The three stars went to Panarin, Thoresen, and Pestushko. SKA owns a 1-0 lead to begin the series.

Game 2: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Mikko Koskinen of St. Petersburg. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, going in unassisted. St. Petersburg got on the board in the second period as Vadim Shipachyov scored a power play goal, powered by Artemy Panarin. Dynamo retook the lead as Maxim Karpov scored, thanks to Alexei Tsvetkov and Andrei Mironov. Moscow added on in the third period on a Kaspars Daugavins power play goal, assisted by Nikolai Zherdev and Filip Novak. Dynamo iced it at 4-1 on a Tsvetkov empty net goal, set up by Mat Robinson and Karpov. The three stars went to Karpov, Lazushin (34 for 35 in saves), and Tsvetkov. The series is tied at 1 as it heads to Moscow.

Game 3: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Alexander Lazushin for Moscow. St. Petersburg dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Anton Burdasov goal, fueled by Dmitry Kalinin and Roman Rukavishnikov. SKA iced it at 2-0 with an Ilya Kovalchuk empty net goal, set up by Roman Cervenka in the third period. The three stars were Koskinen (27 save shutout), Burdasov, and Lazushin (28 for 29 in saves). SKA owns a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Alexander Lazushin for Moscow. St. Petersburg began in the first period on a Patrick Thoresen goal, guided in by Tony Martensson. Moscow tied it on a Yegor Dugin goal, fueled by Janne Jalasvaara. SKA took the lead in the second period on a Vadim Shipachyov goal, coming off of Evgeny Dadonov and Artemy Panarin. St. Petersburg added on with an Ilya Kablukov goal, passed from Evgeny Ketov. Alexander Sharychenkov replaced Lazushin late in the second period. SKA extended the lead in the third period with a Dadonov goal, via Ilya Kovalchuk and Shipachyov on the power play. St. Petersburg padded the lead on a Thoresen goal, with a lone helper by Martensson. SKA finished it at 6-1 with a Viktor Tikhonov goal, helped along by Martensson, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Martensson, Thoresen, and Shipachyov, while Dadonov gets an honorable mention. SKA heads home leading the series 3-1. 

Game 5: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Alexander Sharychenkov of Moscow and Mikko Koskinen of St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with a Vadim Shipachyov goal, fueled by Roman Cervenka and Ilya Kovalchuk. Moscow tied it on a power play goal by Maxim Karpov in the third period, powered by Alexander Osipov and Denis Kokarev. SKA took the lead on an Anton Belov goal, via Viktor Tikhonov and Patrick Thoresen. Dynamo tied it again as Sergei Soin scored, thanks to Mat Robinson and Yegor Dugin. St. Petersburg took the game 3-2 with an Evgeny Dadonov goal in overtime, coming off of Shipachyov and Artemy Panarin. The three stars were Shipachyov, Dadonov, and Belov. SKA wins the series 4-1, and awaits their opponent for the conference final.

NHL March 17th, 2015

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those celebrating. Be safe and don't drink too much! Hockey is providing us with nine games to enjoy tonight, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Anton Khudobin are the little-known goalies. Carolina opened in the first period on an Elias Lindholm goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Jeff Skinner and John-Michael Liles. Ottawa tied it in the second period on a Patrick Wiercioch power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Erik Karlsson and Mika Zibanejad. The Senators won 2-1 in overtime on a Mark Stone goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, via Kyle Turris and Karlsson. The three stars went to Hammond (35 for 36 in saves), Stone, and Karlsson.

Up north, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss is mismatched with Cody Schneider in goal. New Jersey got going in the second period on a Jacob Josefson goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Michael Ryder and Eric Gelinas. The Devils iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Adam Henrique, his sixteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Schneider (35 save shutout), Josefson, and Greiss (17 for 18 in saves).

Over in Boston, the Bruins bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Lindback and Niklas Svedberg are the unknown goalies in net. Boston started in the first period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Adam McQuaid and Carl Soderberg. Buffalo tied it on a Rasmus Ristolainen power play goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, powered by Brian Gionta and Johan Larsson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Tyler Ennis secured the 2-1 win for the Sabres. The three stars were handed to Lindback (44 for 45 in saves), Ristolainen, and Svedberg (23 for 24 in saves).

Down in Florida, the Panthers host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Dan Ellis are the backups in goal. Florida dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Jonathan Huberdeau. Montreal tied it on an Alexei Emelin goal, his third of the year, passed from Brandon Prust and Dale Weise. The Canadiens took the lead as Jacob De La Rose scored his third of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Prust. The Panthers retied it on a Brandon Pirri goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Brad Boyes and Nick Bjugstad. Montreal retook the lead on a P.K. Subban goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, assisted by Lars Eller and De La Rose. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to De La Rose, Tokarski (41 for 43 in saves), and Prust.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Pekka Rinne protect the nets. Minnesota led off in the first period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Jordan Leopold and Thomas Vanek. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Roman Josi goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Filip Forsberg. The Predators took the lead as Josi scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and Matt Cullen. The Wild retied it as Coyle scored his second of the game and tenth of the year in the third period, with the help of Chris Stewart and Nino Niederreiter. Minnesota won 3-2 in overtime on a Matt Dumba goal, his seventh of the campaign, helped along by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The three stars were handed to Coyle, Josi, and Dumba.

Way to the north, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ondrej Pavelec are in the creases. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on an Adam Lowry goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Andrew Ladd. The Jets added on with a Mark Scheifele power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Toby Enstrom and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg extended the lead as Ladd scored his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Jacob Trouba and Michael Frolik. Alex Stalock relieved Niemi at this time. San Jose got on the board in the second period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirty-third of the year, guided in by Joe Thornton and Melker Karlsson. The Jets shot back with a Wheeler goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Drew Stafford and Scheifele. Winnipeg padded the lead in the third period on Wheeler's second of the game and twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Stafford and Scheifele. The Sharks replied with a Pavelski goal, his second of the game and thirty-fourth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Brent Burns and Thornton. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars given to Wheeler, Scheifele, and Pavelski, while Ladd, Thornton, and Stafford get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks host the New York Islanders. Michal Neuvirth and Corey Crawford are the experienced goalies. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks added on with Toews' second of the game and twenty-third of the year, via Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya. Chicago extended the lead in the second period as Marian Hossa scored his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by Toews. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the third period Hossa's second of the game and twenty-first of the year, helped along by Sharp and Toews. New York got on the board with a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Tyler Kennedy and Frans Nielsen. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars handed to Toews, Hossa, and Crawford (36 for 37 in saves), while Sharp gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to where the Calgary Flames welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. St. Louis began in the second period with an Alexander Steen goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by T.J. Oshie and David Backes. The Blues added on with a third period goal from Jori Lehtera, his eleventh of the year, via Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. St. Louis extended the lead as Steen scored his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, thanks to Oshie and Backes. The Blues finished it at 4-0 on a Backes empty net goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Steen, Elliott (25 save shutout), and Backes, while Oshie gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Eddie Lack are the reliable goalies. Philadelphia got going in the second period on a Michael Raffl goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Vancouver tied it on an Alexander Edler goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Brad Richardson and Derek Dorsett. The Canucks took the lead in the third period on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Daniel Sedin and Edler. Vancouver added on with another Burrows goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Luca Sbisa. The Canucks iced it at 4-1 with a Radim Vrbata empty net goal, his twenty-sixth of the campaign, set up by Shawn Matthias. The three stars were Burrows, Lack (27 for 28 in saves), and Edler, while Daniel Sedin gets an honorable mention.

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NHL March 16th, 2015

This is my 2,000th post on this blog! I'm very excited to report that over 30,000 visits have occurred in the last four-plus years. I thank you all for your support. In the near future, I will be making a focus to change the style/tone of the writing to meet journalistic standards set forth by the Associated Press. I hope to see you all again at the 2,500 post milestone. With that, the first of tonight's four games is in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Anders Lindback are set to start in goal. Buffalo began in the first period with a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen and Brian Gionta. Washington tied it on a Curtis Glencross goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming on the power play from Joel Ward and Matt Niskanen. The Sabres retook the lead on a Cody Hodgson goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Tim Schaller. The Capitals tied it in the second period as Mike Green scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Brooks Laich. Washington took the lead in the third period on an Evgeny Kuznetsov power play goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Niskanen. Buffalo retied it with a Johan Larsson goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Chad Ruhwedel and Matt Moulson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Kuznetsov's goal gave the Capitals a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Kuznetsov, Niskanen, and Green.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ben Bishop are the masked men. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Valtteri Filppula power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning added on with a Stamkos goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay extended the lead with a second period Hedman goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Alex Killorn and Ryan Callahan. Montreal got on the board on a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, assisted by P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens pulled closer in the third period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Plekanec. The Lightning finished it at 4-2 on a Stamkos power play empty net goal, his second of the game and thirty-ninth of the year, set up by Vladislav Nemestnikov and Jason Garrison. The three stars were given to Stamkos, Hedman, and Plekanec.

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier faces former Maple Leaf Ben Scrivens in goal. Edmonton started in the first period on a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on with an Eberle power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Justin Schultz and Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton extended the lead on a Pouliot goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, passed from Nail Yakupov and Keith Aulie. Bernier was replaced by James Reimer in goal. The Oilers padded the lead on an Anton Lander power play goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Teddy Purcell and Eberle. Toronto got on the board with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, guided in by Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 4-1 and the three stars given to Pouliot, Eberle, and Nugent-Hopkins.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick are the veteran goalies. Los Angeles got going in the second period on an Andy Andreoff goal, assisted by Jordan Nolan and Brayden McNabb. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Quick (25 save shutout), Andreoff, and Smith (34 for 35 in saves).

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Premier League Week 29

Another ten game slate this weekend, beginning with six games on Saturday, the first of which is in London as...

Crystal Palace hosts the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Julian Speroni man the nets. Crystal Palace began with a Wilfried Zaha goal in the twenty-first minute, assisted by Yannick Bolasie with a cross. In the thirtieth minute, Karl Henry of QPR took a yellow card for his foul. Crystal Palace added on with a James McArthur goal in the fortieth minute, coming off of a Bolasie cross. Crystal Palace extended their lead with a Joel Ward goal in the forty-second minute, set up by Zaha. In the fifty-third minute, Sandro of QPR took a yellow card for a foul. Crystal Palace had a yellow card given to Glenn Murray for a foul in the fifty-ninth minute. QPR took another yellow card in the seventy-sixth minute on a foul by Nedum Onuoha. In the eighty-third minute, QPR got on the board with a goal from distance by Matthew Phillips. The final ended at 3-1 for Crystal Palace.

Staying in the city, Arsenal welcomes West Ham United. Adrian and David Ospina are in the six-yard boxes. Arsenal had a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute handball by Alexis Sanchez. In first-half stoppage time, Arsenal started with an Olivier Giroud goal, passed from Aaron Ramsey. In the seventy-eighth minute, Diafra Sakho of West Ham United received a yellow card for a foul. Arsenal added on with an eighty-first minute Ramsey goal, via Giroud. Arsenal extended the lead on a Mathieu Flamini goal in the eighty-fourth minute, courtesy of Santiago Cazorla. The final favored Arsenal 3-0.

Up to Leicester City bringing in Hull City. Allan McGregor and Mark Schwarzer are the gloved men. Hull City had yellow cards in the first half given to Tom Huddlestone in the fourteenth minute and Andrew Robertson in the forty-fifth minute, both for fouls. Another pair of yellow cards were assessed to Hull City in the second half, going to Michael Dawson in the sixty-sixth minute and Alex Bruce in the sixty-eighth minute, also both for fouls. In the seventy-second minute, Hull City went down a man on a second yellow card for Huddlestone's foul. In the eighty-fifth minute, Hull City's Dame N'Doye took a yellow card. They held on to preserve the 0-0 draw for a final.

Next up, Sunderland hosts Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Costel Pantilimon are between the posts. In the eighth minute, Leandro Bacuna received a yellow card for Aston Villa for his foul. Aston Villa led off in the sixteenth minute on a Christian Benteke goal, via Bacuna. In the eighteenth minute, Aston Villa added on with a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal, courtesy of Ciaran Clark. In the thirty-seventh minute, Aston Villa extended the lead on another Agbonlahor goal, made possible by Charles N'Zogbia on a fast break. Aston Villa padded the lead on another Benteke goal, set up by Bacuna's cross in the forty-fourth minute. Sunderland saw a yellow card for a foul given to Liam Bridcutt in stoppage time. Aston Villa dominated in a 4-0 win.

Following that, West Bromwich Albion welcomes Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Ben Foster are the goalies. West Brom opened at the nineteen minute mark with a Brown Ideye header goal, set up by Craig Gardner's cross. Stoke City saw yellow cards go to Marc Wilson for a fifty-third minute foul and Mame Biram Diouf foul in the seventy-fourth minute. West Brom had a yellow card given to Boaz Myhill in stoppage time for a foul. West Brom won 1-0.

Closing out Saturday, Burnley brings in Manchester City. Joe Hart and Tom Heaton guard the nets. In the fifty-eighth minute, Ben Mee of Burnley received a yellow card for his foul. In the sixtieth minute, Martin Demichelis of Manchester City took a yellow card for his foul. George Boyd put Burnley on the board first with a sixty-first minute goal after a set piece. In the seventy-first minute, Michael Duff of Burnley had a yellow card for his foul. Burnley held on for the upset win, 1-0.

Sunday's first of three games had Chelsea hosting Southampton. Fraser Forster and Thibaut Courtois are the keepers. Chelsea led off in the eleventh minute on a Diego Costa header goal, set up by Branislav Ivanovic on a cross. Chelsea took a yellow card for an eighteenth minute foul by Nemanja Matic, leading to a penalty kick goal for Southampton's Dusan Tadic. In the twenty-ninth minute, Southampton saw a yellow card for a Sadio Mane foul. Chelsea had a pair of yellow cards in the second half, for Ivanovic in the sixty-third minute and Gary Cahill in the sixty-eighth minute, both for fouls. In the eighty-second minute, Filip Djuricic of Southampton received a yellow card for a foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Up north, Everton welcomes Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Tim Howard protect the nets. James McCarthy gave Everton the early lead in the twentieth minute with his goal, set up by Romelu Lukaku. In the twenty-ninth minute, Ryan Taylor of Newcastle United received a yellow card for a foul. Newcastle United had another yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for Moussa Sissoko, leading to Everton adding onto their lead with a Lukaku penalty shot goal. In the fifty-ninth minute, Fabricio Coloccini was given a red card for a foul, putting Newcastle United at ten men. Everton's Aaron Lennon took a yellow card for his seventy-ninth minute foul. Everton iced it at 3-0 with a Ross Barkley stoppage time goal, with an assist from Christian Atsu on a through ball after a fast break.

Continuing to Sunday's last game, with Manchester United bringing in Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and David de Gea are given the starting nods in goal. Manchester United was first to score in the ninth minute with a Marouane Fellaini goal, via Michael Carrick's through ball. Manchester United added on with a nineteenth minute goal by Carrick, a header after a corner kick. In the thirty-second minute, Juan Mata of Manchester United took a yellow card for a foul. In the thirty-fourth minute, Manchester United extended the lead on a Wayne Rooney goal. Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card in the seventy-second minute for a Danny Rose foul. Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 win. 

Finally, Swansea City hosts Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Lukasz Fabianski are the goalies. In the sixth minute, Jordan Henderson of Liverpool took a yellow card for his foul. In the twenty-sixth minute, Raheem Sterling of Liverpool received a yellow card for a foul. Liverpool's Alberto Moreno took a yellow card for a fiftieth minute foul. Liverpool got going in the sixty-eighth minute with a Henderson goal. This stood up for a 1-0 Liverpool victory.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL March 15th, 2015

Seven games on for today, beginning in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Marc-Andre Fleury are the goalies. Detroit struck first on a first period goal by Riley Sheahan, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Marek Zidlicky and Brendan Smith. The Red Wings added on with a Teemu Pulkkinen goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Niklas Kronwall and Zidlicky. Detroit extended the lead in the second period on a Zidlicky power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings chased Fleury with a Zetterberg goal, his sixteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Gustav Nyquist. Thomas Greiss relieved Fleury. Detroit padded the lead in the third period on another Pulkkinen goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Danny DeKeyser and Sheahan. Pittsburgh got on the board with a David Perron goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. The final was 5-1, and the three stars went to Pulkkinen, Zidlicky, and Mrazek (42 for 43 in saves), while Sheahan and Zetterberg get the honorable mentions.

Over in New York, the Rangers welcome the Florida Panthers. Dan Ellis and Cam Talbot are the backups covering for injured starters. New York started in the first period on a James Sheppard goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Matt Hunwick. The Rangers added on in the third period with a Hunwick goal, via Moore and Jesper Fast. Florida got on the board with a Brandon Pirri goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Nick Bjugstad. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Hunwick, Talbot (38 for 39 in saves), and Moore.

Back west a bit, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Sergei Bobrovsky are set to start in goal. Columbus was first to score in the first period on a Nick Foligno power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Ryan Johansen. Carolina tied it on a second period Justin Faulk power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Victor Rask and Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes took the lead on a Ron Hainsey goal, his second of the season, via Chris Terry and Nestrasil. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Scott Hartnell goal, his twenty-first of the year, fueled by Marko Dano and the goalie Bobrovsky. Carolina took the lead back with a Brad Malone goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Brett Bellemore and Patrick Dwyer. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars given to Malone, Nestrasil, and Hainsey.

Down in Dallas, the Stars host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Kari Lehtonen are between the pipes. St. Louis got going in the third period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, courtesy of Paul Stastny and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues added on with an Alexander Steen power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Pietrangelo and T.J. Oshie. St. Louis extended the lead on an empty net goal by Oshie, his nineteenth of the campaign, set up by David Backes and Steen. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Steen, Allen (28 save shutout), and Oshie, while Pietrangelo gets an honorable mention.

North again to Ottawa, where the Senators bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Andrew Hammond are the backups making spot starts. Ottawa dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Mark Borowiecki and Erik Condra. Philadelphia tied it with a Jakub Voracek goal, his twenty-first of the year, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bobby Ryan gave the Senators a 2-1 win. The three stars were handed to Hammond (27 for 28 in saves), Ryan, and Emery (27 for 28 in saves).

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington opened in the first period on a John Carlson power play goal, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Troy Brouwer. The Capitals added on in the second period on a Nate Schmidt goal, via Tom Wilson and Backstrom. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with the three stars given to Holtby (32 save shutout), Backstrom, and Carlson.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and John Gibson are the goalies. Nashville began in the second period on a Taylor Beck goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Gabriel Bourque. The Predators added on with a Roman Josi power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Shea Weber and Filip Forsberg. Anaheim got on the board with a Ryan Getzlaf goal in the third period, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Corey Perry and Patrick Maroon. The Ducks tied it on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Hampus Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin. Anaheim took the lead as Nate Thompson scored his fourth of the season, via Jakob Silfverberg and Lindholm. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 with a power play goal by Cam Fowler, his seventh of the year, helped along by Maroon and James Wisniewski. The three stars were Thompson. Maroon, and Lindholm.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Major League Soccer Week 2

First game of the week is on Friday, followed by five Saturday and two Sunday. We begin with...

The Houston Dynamo hosting Orlando City SC. Donovan Ricketts and Tyler Deric are the keepers. Houston's Kofi Sarkodie took a yellow card for his thirty-fourth minute foul. Orlando City had a yellow card assessed to Amobi Okugo in the forty-sixth minute for a foul. Orlando City was first to score as Deric deflected the ball into his own net for an own goal in the seventy-fourth minute. The final stood at 1-0 for Orlando City, with the man of the match being Pedro Ribeiro for firing the shot that Deric misplayed.

The first of five games on Saturday saw the Chicago Fire welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Jon Busch. Chicago had a yellow card for persistent infringement by Matt Polster in the fourth minute. Vancouver took a yellow card for a twenty-second minute Kendall Waston foul. The Whitecaps had three yellow cards in the second half: Pedro Morales for dissent in the sixty-sixth minute, Nicolas Mezquida in the seventy-seventh minute for dissent, and Raul Octavio Rivero in the eighty-second minute for a foul. Vancouver began with a Rivero goal in the eighty-sixth minute, via Steven Beitashour. The Fire had a yellow card assessed to Kennedy Igboananike for a foul in stoppage time. Ousted's four-save clean sheet earned him the man of the match honors.

To the east, the Columbus Crew SC bring in Toronto FC. Joe Bendik and Steve Clark are given the starting nods. Toronto went down to ten men in first-half stoppage time as Justin Morrow received a red card for his foul. Columbus started in the fifty-seventh minute on a Justin Meram goal, courtesy of Ethan Finlay. The Crew added on with a Kei Kamara goal in the sixty-first minute, passed from Waylon Francis and Wil Trapp. In the eighty-fifth minute, Kevan George received a yellow card for Columbus for his foul. The final stood at 2-0 for the Crew, and Meram was the man of the match.

Down in Texas, FC Dallas hosts Sporting Kansas City. Luis Marin and Chris Seitz are in the six-yard boxes. Dallas struck first in the seventeenth minute on a Blas Perez goal, fueled by Tesho Akindele and Fabian Castillo. Dallas' Atiba Harris received a yellow card in the thirty-fifth minute for a foul. Kansas City saw a yellow card given to Graham Zusi for dissent in the forty-first minute. Sporting tied it on a Roger Espinoza goal in the forty-fourth minute, set up by Benny Feilhaber. Dallas retook the lead on a Perez goal in the fifty-second minute, assisted by Michel. Dallas added on in the seventy-third minute on a Castillo goal, via Ryan Hollingshead and Michel. The teams each saw a yellow card for an argument in the ninetieth minute, going to Kevin Ellis of Kansas City and Kyle Bekker of Dallas. The game ended 3-1 for Dallas, and Perez was the man of the match with a brace.

Northwest to Salt Lake, as Real welcomes the Philadelphia Union. Rais M'bolhi and Nick Rimando are set to start in goal. In the fourth minute, Olmes Garcia received a yellow card for a foul. Philadelphia's Steven Vitoria took a yellow card in the twenty-third minute for a foul. Real began in the twenty-ninth minute with a Javier Morales goal. The Union tied it on a Fernando Aristeguieta goal in the thirty-fourth minute. Philadelphia gained the lead on another Aristeguieta goal in the thirty-eighth minute. Salt Lake suffered a yellow card for Kyle Beckerman's dissent in the fiftieth minute. The Union had a yellow card in the fifty-second minute for a Maurice Edu foul. Real tied it in the fifty-fifth minute on a Jamison Olave goal, with an assist credited to Morales. Philadelphia reclaimed the lead in the fifty-eighth minute when Olave redirected the ball into his own net. The Union took a yellow card in the sixty-second minute on an Ethan White foul. Salt Lake's Luke Mulholland took a yellow card in the seventy-fourth minute for his foul. Philadelphia's Aristeguieta was given a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-sixth minute, and Alvaro Saborio tied it for Real with a penalty kick in the same minute. The final stood at 3-3, with the man of the match being Aristeguieta.

Closing out Saturday, the Seattle Sounders FC bring in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Stefan Frei are the keepers. Seattle began in the first minute on a Clint Dempsey goal. San Jose tied it with a thirteenth minute goal by Chris Wondolowski, set up by Marvell Wynne. The Earthquakes took the lead with a Wondolowski goal in the forty-eighth minute. San Jose went down to ten men when Victor Bernardez received a red card in the fifty-second minute for a foul. The Sounders' Micheal Azira received a yellow card in the fifty-seventh minute for his foul. The Earthquakes added on with an Innocent Emeghara goal in the seventieth minute, coming off of Adam Jahn. Seattle got one back with an eighty-fourth minute Obafemi Martins goal, set up by Andy Rose and Gonzalo Pineda. In the eighty-fifth minute, San Jose's Emeghara was given a yellow card for a foul. The Sounders took a yellow card for a Cristian Roldan foul in stoppage time. The Earthquakes took the game 3-2, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.

On Sunday, New York City FC host the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Josh Saunders are the goalies. New York City's Chris Wingert took a yellow card in the sixth minute for a foul. New England took a yellow card for a Jose Agudelo foul in the ninth minute. New York City began in the nineteenth minute on a David Villa goal, fueled by Ned Grabavoy. New York City's Josh Williams received a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-seventh minute. The Revolution went down a man when Jose Goncalves took a red card for a fight in the sixty-sixth minute. New England's Andy Dorman picked up a yellow card for a seventy-third minute foul. New York City added on with a Patrick Mullins goal in the eighty-fourth minute. The final stood at 2-0 for New York City, and the man of the match was Villa.

Finally, the Portland Timbers host the Los Angeles Galaxy. Brian Rowe and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are in the six-yard boxes. Portland began in the thirty-first minute on a Fanendo Adi goal, via Rodney Wallace. Los Angeles tied it in the sixty-fifth minute on a Gyasi Zardes goal, passed from Jose Villarreal. The Galaxy saw yellow cards go to Mika Vayrynen in the seventy-ninth minute and Dan Gargan in the eighty-eighth minute, both for fouls. The Timbers took the lead on a ninetieth minute goal by Adi, courtesy of Darlington Nagbe and Liam Ridgewell. Los Angeles tied it in stoppage time on an Alan Gordon goal, assisted by Stefan Ishizaki. The final was 2-2, and Adi was the man of the match.

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NHL March 14th, 2015

Twelve games on a big and important Saturday, beginning with three matinees, the first of which has...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Steve Mason are in the creases. Philadelphia struck first in the first period on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, powered by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Flyers added on with a Nicklas Grossmann goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Sean Couturier and Simmonds. Detroit got on the board with a second period Justin Abdelkader goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Henrik Zetterberg and Danny DeKeyser. Philadelphia shot back on a Schenn power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Simmonds and Claude Giroux. The Flyers extended the lead in the third period on Schenn's second of the game and fourteenth of the season, helped along by Jakub Voracek and Giroux. Philadelphia padded the lead on a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Zac Rinaldo and Vincent Lecavalier. The Red Wings got one back with an Erik Cole power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, with helpers from Marek Zidlicky and Pavel Datsyuk. The Flyers answered on a Matt Read power play goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Andrew MacDonald and Carlo Colaiacovo. Philadelphia finished it at 7-2 on a Rinaldo goal, dished from Ryan White and Michael Raffl. The three stars went to Schenn, Simmonds, and Rinaldo, while Giroux gets an honorable mention.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Thomsa Greiss in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Milan Lucic goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by David Pastrnak and Dougie Hamilton. The Bruins iced it at 2-0 with a Zdeno Chara empty net goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Gregory Campbell. The three stars were Rask (30 save shutout), Lucic, and Chara.

Out west, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford faces former Blackhawk Antti Niemi in goal. Chicago started in the first period on a Patrick Sharp goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Antoine Vermette and Brent Seabrook. San Jose tied it on a Melker Karlsson goal, his twelfth of the year, via Joe Pavelski and Matt Irwin. The Blackhawks retook the lead in the second period on a Duncan Keith power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad. The Sharks tied it again with a Joe Thornton power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, helped along by Logan Couture and Brent Burns. Chicago regained the lead in the third period on a Saad goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Teuvo Teravainen and the goalie Crawford. The Blackhawks added on with a Bryan Bickell goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Brad Richards and Michal Rozsival. Chicago extended the lead on a Sharp power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, with assists provided by Seabrook and Vermette. The Blackhawks padded the lead as Hossa scored an empty net goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Jonathan Toews. The final was 6-2, with the three stars being Sharp, Saad, and Hossa, while Seabrook and Vermette get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres host the New York Rangers. Mackenzie Skapski and Anders Lindback are the unknown goalies. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Keith Yandle goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Chris Kreider. The Rangers added on with a St. Louis empty net goal, his twentieth of the year, going in unassisted. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars going to Skapski (20 save shutout), St. Louis, and Yandle.

Down the coast, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Florida Panthers. Dan Ellis and Cam Ward are the experienced goalies. Florida got going in the second period on a Brandon Pirri power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Jimmy Hayes. The Panthers iced it at 2-0 in the third period on an empty net goal by Dave Bolland, his fourth of the year, set up by Jussi Jokinen and Derek MacKenzie. The three stars were given to Ellis (27 save shutout), Pirri, and Ward (20 for 21 in saves).

North again to New York, as the Islanders bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Michal Neuvirth occupy the creases. Montreal opened in the second period on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Alex Galchenyuk and P.A. Parenteau. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-fourth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Lars Eller. New York got on the board in the third period on a Josh Bailey goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted on the power play. Montreal finished it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Eller, his eleventh of the year, with a lone assist from Brendan Gallagher. The three stars were Price (35 for 36 in saves), Eller, and Pacioretty.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the backups in goal. Tampa Bay led off in the third period on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted Jonathan Drouin and Matthew Carle. Winnipeg tied it on a Drew Stafford power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Lee Stempniak and Jiri Tlusty. The Jets took the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his twentieth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars going to Pavelec (15 for 16 in saves), Wheeler, and Stafford.

All the way across the continent, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Eddie Lack are the masked men. Vancouver began in the first period on a Chris Higgins goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Brad Richardson and Derek Dorsett. The Canucks added on in the second period on a Dorsett goal, his sixth of the year, via Nick Bonino. Vancouver extended the lead as Jannik Hansen scored, his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Ronalds Kenins and Bo Horvat. Toronto got on the board with a third period penalty shot goal by Phil Kessel, his twenty-fourth of the year, coming after he was hooked by Henrik Sedin. The Canucks wrapped it up at 4-1 with a Shawn Matthias empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up Dorsett and Kevin Bieksa. The three stars went to Dorsett, Lack (28 for 29 in saves), and Hansen.

Backtracking to St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Brian Elliott guard the cages. St. Louis got going in the second period on a David Backes goal, his twenty-third of the season, fueled by Alexander Steen and Paul Stastny. Minnesota tied it on a Thomas Vanek goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Justin Fontaine and Charlie Coyle. The Wild took the lead on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming in the third period via Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. Minnesota added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars given to Dubnyk (41 for 42 in saves), Niederreiter, and Brodziak.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Coyotes host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. New Jersey dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Adam Henrique power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Travis Zajac and Damon Severson. The Devils added on in the third period as Stephen Gionta scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Jordin Tootoo and Jon Merrill. Arizona got on the board with a Shane Doan goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Mark Arcobello and Tobias Rieder. New Jersey shot back with a Tootoo goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Michael Cammalleri and Zajac. The Devils extended the lead with a Cammalleri goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, helped along by Andy Greene and Adam Larsson. The final was 4-1, and the three stars belonged to Tootoo, Cammalleri, and Schneider (30 for 31 in saves), while Zajac gets an honorable mention.

West to Los Angeles, as the Kings welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles opened in the first period on a Jeff Carter power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Andrej Sekera and Drew Doughty. Nashville got on the board in the third period on a Craig Smith power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Ryan Ellis and Seth Jones. The Predators took the lead on a Viktor Stalberg goal, via Roman Josi and Matt Cullen. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Rinne (23 for 24 in saves), Stalberg, and Smith.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Semyon Varlamov have the green light to play goal. Colorado started in the second period on an Alex Tanguay power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Jarome Iginla and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche added on with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Tanguay and Nate Guenin. Calgary got on the board in the third period on a David Jones goal, his twelfth of the season, via Mikael Backlund and Lance Bouma. Colorado shot back on a John Mitchell goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Matt Duchene and Barrie. The Flames pulled back on a Bouma goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Jones and Backlund. The final was 3-2, with the three stars given to Tanguay, Bouma, and Jones, while Barrie and Backlund get the honorable mentions.

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