GAGARIN CUP FINAL 2015: Ak Bars Kazan VS. SKA St. Petersburg

Welcome to the final series of the KHL, the Gagarin Cup Final. This year, Ak Bars Kazan represents the Eastern Conference and has home ice, while SKA St. Petersburg represents the Western Conference. This post will cover the whole series.

Game 1: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on an Artemy Panarin goal, going in unassisted on the power play. SKA added on in the second period as Patrick Thoresen scored, thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk and Anton Belov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, fueled by Vadim Shipachyov. SKA padded the lead in the third period with a Shipachyov goal, made possible by Panarin. Kazan got on the board with a Justin Azevedo power play goal, powered by Igor Mirnov and Oscar Moller. Ak Bars pulled closer with a Stepan Zakharchuk goal, assisted by Mikhail Varnakov and Mikhail Gluhkov. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Panarin, Shipachyov, and Dadonov. SKA owns a 1-0 series lead after the opening game.

Game 2: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with an Anton Burdasov goal, assisted by Roman Rukavishnikov. This was all SKA needed for a 1-0 win. Koskinen (19 save shutout), Burdasov, and Nilsson (19 for 20 in saves) received the three stars. SKA heads home with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Anders Nilsson for Kazan and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg started in the first period on a Tony Martensson goal, fueled by Maxim Chudinov. Kazan tied it in the third period as Evgeny Medvedev scored, thanks to Oscar Moller and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars took the lead with an Alexander Svitov goal, passed from Konstantin Koltsov and Stepan Zakharchuk. The final stood at 2-1 for Kazan, with the three stars given to Nilsson (21 for 22 in saves), Svitov, and Medvedev. The series still favors SKA 2-1.

Game 4: Ice Palace St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Anders Nilsson for Kazan and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on a Patrick Thoresen and Ilya Kovalchuk. Kazan tied it on a second period power play goal by Oscar Moller, powered by Justin Azevedo and Ilya Nikulin. SKA took the lead back as Jimmie Ericsson scored, thanks to Kovalchuk and the goalie Koskinen. St. Petersburg added on in the third period on an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, with a lone assist by Kovalchuk, who got a sock trick. Ak Bars pulled back with an Azevedo goal, fueled by Stepan Zakharchuk and Artyom Lukoyanov. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Kovaclhuk, Azevedo, and Koskinen (28 for 30 in saves with an assist). SKA has a 3-1 series lead and could clinch the cup on the road in Game 5. 

Game 5: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. St. Petersburg led off in the first period on a Jimmie Ericsson goal, going in unassisted. SKA added on with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Artemy Panarin and Vadim Shipachyov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Evgeny Dadonov scored an unassisted goal. SKA padded the lead with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, passed from Pyotr Khokhryakov and Anton Belov. Kazan got on the board with a second period goal by Mikhail Glukhov, via Petr Vrana and Evgeny Medvedev. St. Petersburg replied with a Kovalchuk goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Patrick Thoresen. Emil Garipov relieved Nilsson a minute later. SKA iced it at 6-1 in the third period on a Roman Cervenka goal, helped along by Panarin and Belov. The three stars went to Kovalchuk, Panarin, and Belov. SKA won the Gagarin Cup in a 4-1 series victory, and they are the new KHL champions.

I will be back next August for all your KHL coverage needs. Until then, check out my NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs posts, and for the soccer fans out there, the Premier League and MLS seasons. As always, follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion, and thanks for all of your support. 

NHL Division Semifinals, Day 2

Four more games as the other half of the series get going tonight. We begin with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Metropolitan Division battle. Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York began in the first period on a Derick Brassard goal, made possible by Rick Nash and Dan Girardi. The Rangers added on with a Ryan McDonagh power play goal, powered by Keith Yandle and Mats Zuccarello. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, fueled by Ben Lovejoy and Nick Spaling. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1. The three stars went to Lundqvist (24 for 25 in saves), McDonagh, and Fleury (36 for 38 in saves). The Rangers take a 1-0 series lead.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome Atlantic Division Rivals in the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Detroit led off with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, coming off of Kyle Quincey and Darren Helm. Tampa Bay tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Brian Boyle goal. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period as Datsyuk scored his second of the game, a power play goal powered by Helm. Detroit added on in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Luke Glendening, going in unassisted. The Lightning got one back as Nikita Nesterov scored, thanks to Ryan Callahan and Alex Killorn. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars going to Datsyuk, Helm, and Glendening. The Red Wings have a 1-0 series lead.

To the Central Division, where the St. Louis Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jake Allen are the young goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a Jason Zucker goal, passed from Justin Fontaine. The Wild added on with a Matt Dumba power play goal, powered by Jared Spurgeon and Chris Stewart. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrik Berglund. Minnesota shot back with a Mikael Granlund empty net goal, made possible by Jason Pominville and Zach Parise. The Blues pulled back on a shorthanded goal by Alexander Steen, set up by Vladimir Tarasenko and Shattenkirk. The Wild iced it at 4-2 with a Pominville power play goal into an empty net, via Parise. The three stars were Pominville, Parise, and Shattenkirk.

Finally, in the Pacific Division, the Anaheim Ducks host the wild-card Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Frederik Andersen are the masked men. Anaheim was first to score on a Sami Vatanen goal, via Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Winnipeg tied it with an Adam Lowry goal, courtesy of Jacob Trouba and Mark Stuart. The Jets took the lead in the second period as Drew Stafford scored, thanks to Mark Scheifele. The Ducks tied it in the third period on a Perry power play goal, powered by Patrick Maroon and Vatanen. Anaheim took the lead with Perry's second of the game, a shorthanded goal set up by Getzlaf and Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks added on with a Getzlaf power play goal, with assists provided by Perry and Vatanen. The final stood at 4-2 for the Ducks, with the three stars awarded to Perry, Vatanen, and Getzlaf. Anaheim begins with a 1-0 series lead.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

New York City FC VS. Philadelphia Union

Another midweek MLS game, featuring New York City FC hosting the Philadelphia Union. John McCarthy and Josh Saunders are in the six-yard boxes. Philadelphia's Vincent Nogueira took a yellow card for a dive in the twenty-second minute. New York City saw a yellow card given to Ned Grabavoy for dissent in the twenty-fifth minute. New York City had another yellow card for persistent infringement by Javier Calle in the thirty-second minute. The Union took a yellow card for a Sheanon Williams foul in the forty-first minute. New York City began in the fifty-seventh minute on a Mehdi Ballouchy goal, set up by Khiry Shelton. Ballouchy also had a yellow card assessed for excessive celebration. Philadelphia's C.J. Sapong had a yellow card for a sixty-seventh minute foul. New York City's Kwame Watson-Siriboe had a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-third minute. The Union tied it on a Sapong goal in the eighty-sixth minute, coming off of Maurice Edu and Christian Maidana. New York City took a yellow card for an Andrew Jacobson foul in the eighty-seventh minute. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match being Saunders for six saves on seven shots to earn a point for NYCFC.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL Divisional Semifinals, Day 1

Four games on to open the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We begin with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Carey Price are in the creases. Ottawa opened with a first period Milan Michalek goal, going in unassisted. Montreal tied it in the second period on a Torrey Mitchell goal, coming off of Brian Flynn and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens took the lead with a Tomas Plekanec goal, via Alex Galchenyuk and Subban. The Senators retied it on a Kyle Turris power play goal, powered by Erik Karlsson and Patrick Wiercioch. Montreal gained the lead back with a shorthanded goal by Lars Eller, set up by Flynn. Ottawa retied it with a Mika Zibanejad power play goal, helped along by Wiercioch and Karlsson. The Canadiens regained the lead with a Flynn goal, passed from Brandon Prust and Nathan Beaulieu. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Flynn, Subban, and Karlsson, while Wiercioch gets an honorable mention. Montreal has a 1-0 series lead in the Atlantic Division series.

Over in the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Braden Holtby guard the cages. New York started in the first period on a Brock Nelson goal, guided in by Josh Bailey and Johnny Boychuk. Washington tied it with a Marcus Johansson goal, via Brooks Laich. The Islanders retook the lead in the second period as Ryan Strome scored, with a lone assist by John Tavares. New York added on as Bailey scored, thanks to Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders iced it at 4-1 in the third period on a Nelson empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Anders Lee and Michael Grabner. The three stars were handed to Nelson, Bailey, and Halak (24 for 25 in saves). The Islanders take a 1-0 series lead.

West to the Central Division series between the hosting Nashville Predators and visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville led off in the first period with an unassisted Colin Wilson goal. The Predators added on with a Viktor Stalberg goal, coming off of Calle Jarnkrok and Matt Cullen. Nashville extended the lead on Wilson's second of the game, a power play goal, powered by Seth Jones and Ryan Ellis. Chicago got on the board with a Niklas Hjalmarsson goal in the second period, guided in by Teuvo Teravainen and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks pulled closer on a Patrick Sharp power play goal, fueled by Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. Chicago tied it with a Toews power play goal, assisted by Kane and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks won in the fifth period, second overtime, on an unassisted Keith goal for a 4-3 final. The three stars went to Keith, Toews, and Wilson, while Kane gets an honorable mention. Chicago owns a 1-0 series lead.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames for a Pacific Division series. Jonas Hiller and Eddie Lack are between the pipes. Vancouver got going in the second period as Bo Horvat scored, thanks to Jannik Hansen and Alexander Edler. Calgary tied it in the third period on a David Jones goal, via Michael Ferland. The Flames won 2-1 on a Kris Russell goal, courtesy of Dennis Wideman and Sam Bennett. The three stars went to Russell, Jones, and Hiller (29 for 30 in saves). Calgary owns a 1-0 series lead.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Premier League Week 32

Another full slate of games for this week. We begin with Saturday's seven, starting in...

Wales, as Swansea City hosts Everton. Tim Howard and Lukasz Fabianski are in the six-yards boxes. In the twenty-fifth minute Arouna Kone of Everton took a yellow card for a foul. Everton opened in the forty-first minute as Aaron Lennon scored, with the help of James McCarthy on a cross. Swansea City had yellow cards for Neil Taylor in the fifty-second minute and Marvin Emnes in the fifty-sixth minute, both for fouls. Everton's Howard received a yellow card in the sixty-eighth minute, resulting in Swansea City tying the game on a Jonjo Shelvey penalty kick goal. In the eightieth minute, Ashley Williams of Swansea City had a yellow card for a foul. Lennon of Everton had a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul. The final stood at 1-1.

Into London, as Southampton welcomes Hull City. Steve Harper and Kelvin Davis are the backups in goal. Southampton had yellow cards for Graziano Pelle in the thirty-third minute and Victor Wanyama in the forty-second minute, both for fouls. In the fifty-sixth minute, Southampton started on a penalty kick goal by James Ward-Prowse. Southampton added on with a Pelle goal in the eighty-first minute, passed from Morgan Schneiderlin. This held up for a 2-0 win.

Next up, Sunderland brings in Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Costel Pantilimon are set to start in goal. Sunderland took a yellow card for a sixteenth minute foul by Jack Rodwell. Crystal Palace took a yellow card as Scott Dann committed a foul in the eighteenth minute. In the twenty-fourth minute, Lee Cattermole of Sunderland had a yellow card for his foul. Crystal Palace began in the forty-eighth minute on a Glenn Murray header at close range. Crystal Palace added on in the fifty-first minute as Yannick Bolasie scored, thanks to Murray's headed pass. Crystal Palace extended the lead with another Bolasie goal in the fifty-third minute, set up by Mile Jedinak's through ball. Crystal Palace padded the lead on Bolasie's hat trick clincher in the sixty-second minute, guided in by Murray. In the sixty-seventh minute, James McArthur of Crystal Palace took a yellow card for his foul. Sunderland avoided the shutout on a Connor Wickham goal in the ninetieth minute, assisted by Patrick van Aanholt. Crystal Palace won 4-1.

Back in London, Tottenham Hotspur hosts Aston Villa. Brad Guzan faces a lesser foe in Michel Vorm in goal. Aston Villa was first to score with a thirty-fifth minute goal by Christian Benteke, a header set up by Leandro Bacuna's cross. In the fifty-eighth minute, Aston Villa took a yellow card for a Carlos Sanchez foul. Tottenham Hotspur's Nabil Bentaleb took a yellow card for his sixty-sixth minute foul. Aston Villa's Benteke had a yellow card in the eighty-first minute. Aston Villa went down to ten men when Sanchez took a second yellow card in stoppage time. Tottenham Hotspur also had a stoppage time yellow card for Erik Lamela's foul. Aston Villa had one more yellow card just over six minutes into stoppage time for a Kieran Richardson foul. Aston Villa held on for a 1-0 win.

Continuing to West Bromwich Albion welcoming Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Boaz Myhill are the gloved men. West Brom struck first in the eighth minute on a Darren Fletcher header goal, coming off of a Chris Brunt cross after a corner kick. Leciester City tied it on a twentieth minute goal by David Nugent, via Leonardo Ulloa's headed pass after a set piece. West Brom retook the lead with a Craig Gardner goal in the twenty-sixth minute, made possible by Brown Ideye. In the forty-ninth minute, West Brom's Gardner had a yellow card for a foul. Leicester City saw a yellow card go to Marc Albrighton for his fifty-fourth minute foul. West Brom took a yellow card on a Fletcher foul in the sixty-first minute. Leicester City received a yellow card as Robert Huth committed a foul in the seventy-fifth minute. Huth made up for his transgression by tying the game for Leicester City on an eightieth minute header goal, assisted by Marcin Wasilewski's header pass after a corner kick. In stoppage time, Jamie Vardy put Leicester City ahead with a goal, via Esteban Cambiasso on a fast break. This held up for a 3-2 Leicester City win.

Moving along to West Ham United bringing in Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Adrian guard the nets. West Ham United began in the seventh minute on an Aaron Cresswell free kick goal. In the twenty-first minute, James Collins of West Ham United took a yellow card for his foul. Stoke City had a yellow card given to Erik Pieters in the seventy-third minute for a foul. West Ham United took two yellow cards, going to Kevin Nolan in the eightieth minute and Carlton Cole in the eighty-fifth minute, both for fouls. Stoke City tied the game with a Marko Arnautovic goal late in stoppage time, set up by Ryan Shawcross on a headed pass. The 1-1 draw held up as a final.

The last Saturday game saw Burnley host Arsenal. David Ospina and Tom Heaton are between the posts. Arsenal led off with a twelfth minute goal by Aaron Ramsey. Burnley had a pair of yellow cards for Ben Mee's twenty-fifth minute foul and for a Michael Duff offense in the twenty-sixth minute. The final favored Arsenal 1-0.

The first of two games on Sunday featured an intra-London battle with the Queens Park Rangers welcoming Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Robert Green are in the six-yard boxes. In the sixtieth minute, Didier Drogba of Chelsea had a yellow card for a foul. QPR took yellow cards for Bobby Zamora in the seventy-fifth minute and Sandro in the seventy-eighth minute, both for fouls. Chelsea opened with an eighty-eighth minute goal by Cesc Fabregas, set up by Eden Hazard. This was good for a 1-0 Chelsea win.

The other Sunday game is the Manchester Derby, with United bringing in City to Old Trafford. Joe Hart and David de Gea are the keepers. City began with an eighth minute Sergio Aguero goal at close range, via David Silva. United tied it on a fourteenth minute goal by Ashley Young, going in unassisted. In the twenty-fourth minute, City's James Milner took a yellow card for a foul. United took the lead as Marouane Fellaini scored a header goal in the twenty-seventh minute, thanks to Young's cross. City had two more yellow cards, for a Silva foul in the thirty-fourth minute and a Vincent Kompany foul in the forty-fourth minute. In the sixty-seventh minute, United added on with a Juan Mata goal, set up by Wayne Rooney. United extended the lead on a seventy-third minute header goal by Chris Smalling, via Young on a cross after a set piece. City got one back as Aguero scored again in the eighty-ninth minute, with the help of Pablo Zabaleta. United cruised to a 4-2 win.

Finally, on Monday, Liverpool hosts Newcastle United. In the ninth minute, Raheem Sterling began for Liverpool with a goal set up by Jordan Henderson. In the seventieth minute, Joe Allen added on for Liverpool with his goal after a corner kick. In the seventy-eighth minute, Glen Johnson of Liverpool took a yellow card for an argument with Moussa Sissoko of Newcastle United, who also received a yellow card. Newcastle United went to ten men when Sissoko received a second yellow card for a foul in the eighty-third minute. In the ninetieth minute, Alberto Moreno of Liverpool took a yellow card for his foul. The final favored Liverpool 2-0.

Major League Soccer Week 6

We have nine games for the weekend, beginning on Friday with a lone game in...

Dallas, with FC Dallas hosting the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Chris Seitz are in goal. Colorado began in the second minute with a Dominique Badji goal, via Dillon Powers. The Rapids added on in the forty-third minute on a Powers goal, passed from Marcelo Sarvas. Dallas had a fifty-ninth minute yellow card given to Ryan Hollingshead for a foul. Colorado extended the lead on a Gabriel Torres goal, assisted by Juan Ramirez. The Rapids padded the lead as Dillon Serna scored, with the help of Torres. Dallas took a yellow card for a Je-Vaughn Watson foul in stoppage time. The final stood at 4-0 for Colorado. Powers was the man of the match for a goal and an assist.

The first of six games on Saturday saw the New England Revolution welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Bobby Shuttleworth are the keepers. New England took a yellow card for a twelfth minute foul by Jermaine Jones.  In the fifty-fifth minute, the Revolution's Juan Agudelo had a yellow card for a foul. Columbus took yellow cards for Tony Tchani's sixty-second minute foul and Federico Higuain's encroachment in the sixty-fifth minute. New England saw another yellow card going to Andy Dorman in the sixty-eighth minute for a foul. The Crew took a yellow card in the eighty-seventh minute as Mohammed Saeid committed a foul. The game ended 0-0, and Clark was the man of the match for a road clean sheet on three saves.

Over in Philadelphia, the Union bring in New York City FC. Josh Saunders faces a lesser foe in John McCarthy in goal. Philadelphia started in the twenty-seventh minute on a Zach Pfeffer goal, courtesy of Eric Ayuk Mbu and Sebastien Le Toux. New York City tied it in the fifty-fifth minute on a David Villa goal. The Union had a yellow card for an eighty-first minute foul by Michael Lahoud. New York City's Kwame Watson-Siriboe took a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-fifth minute. Philadelphia took the lead back in stoppage time on a Vincent Nogueira goal. The final stood at 2-1, and Nogueira was the man of the match for his late winner.

Into DC, where United hosts the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Bill Hamid are in the six-yard boxes. DC struck first in the twenty-sixth minute with a Perry Kitchen goal, via Taylor Kemp. United had a yellow card given to Kemp for his thirty-sixth minute foul. New York took a yellow card for a Mike Grella foul in the forty-fifth minute. The Red Bulls saw Damien Perrinelle take a yellow card for his fifty-eighth minute foul. DC added on with another Kitchen goal in the sixty-seventh minute, assisted by Chris Rolfe. New York got on the board with a sixty-eighth minute goal by Perrinelle, made possible by Felipe. The Red Bulls tied it in the ninetieth minute with a Lloyd Sam goal. This made it a 2-2 final, and the man of the match was Kitchen with a brace.

Southwest to Houston, as the Dynamo welcome the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Tyler Deric are the goalies. Houston opened in the fifteenth minute on a Giles Barnes goal, set up by Brad Davis. Montreal had a yellow card for a sixty-fifth minute foul by Eric Alexander. The Dynamo took a yellow card in the sixty-seventh minute for a Jermaine Taylor foul. Houston added on in the seventy-second minute with a Ricardo Clark goal, coming off of Rob Lovejoy. The Dynamo extended the lead on a Lovejoy goal in the eightieth minute. Montreal's Nigel Reo-Coker took a yellow card in stoppage time for a foul. The final stood at 3-0, and Lovejoy was the man of the match with a goal and an assist.

North to Kansas City, as Sporting brings in Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Luis Marin protect the nets. Salt Lake had a yellow card for a Tony Beltran foul in the forty-fourth minute. In the sixty-first minute, Alvaro Saborio of Real and Servando Carrasco of Kansas City both received yellow cards for an argument. Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman took a yellow card in the sixty-fourth minute for dissent. Real's Kenny Mansally took a yellow card for time wasting in the eightieth minute. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, with the man of the match honors bestowed upon Rimando for a one-save clean sheet.

The last of Saturday's games sees the San Jose Earthquakes host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and David Bingham are the gloved men. Vancouver's Darren Mattocks took a yellow card for a foul in the third minute. San Jose had a yellow card for a Bingham handball outside of the 18-yard-box. The Whitecaps took two more first half yellow cards for fouls by Kekuta Manneh in the twenty-sixth minute and Pa Modou Kah in the thirty-second minute. Vancouver had another yellow card given to Deybi Flores in the sixty-first minute. The Earthquakes were first to score in the seventy-fifth minute with a Sanna Nyassi goal. In the eighty-eighth minute, the Whitecaps lost Pedro Morales and San Jose lost Adam Jahn to red cards for their roles in a fight. In stoppage time, Vancouver's Kendall Waston took a yellow card for a foul. The final favored the Earthquakes 1-0, and Nyassi was the man of the match for the winner.

The last two games of the week come on Sunday, with the Portland Timbers welcoming Orlando City SC. Donovan Ricketts faces his former team in general and Adam Larsen Kwarasey in goal. Portland saw a yellow card go to Alvas Powell in the twenty-eighth minute for a foul. Orlando City began in the thirtieth minute with a Cyle Larin goal, via Kevin Molino. In the forty-fifth minute, Diego Chara of the Timbers had a yellow card for a foul. Orlando City's Amobi Okugo took a yellow card in first half stoppage time for time wasting. Orlando City had a yellow card given to Brek Shea in the eighty-second minute for a foul. In the eighty-fourth minute, Portland's Maximiliano Urruti took a yellow card for dissent, and his dissent likely did not improve after Kaka deposited the penalty kick goal to extend the Orlando City lead a minute later. The final stood at 2-0, and the man of the match was Larin for his first MLS goal and the game winner.

Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy bring in the Seattle Sounders FC to renew their rivalry. Stefan Frei and Jaime Penedo tend the twines. Los Angeles struck first in the twenty-third minute on an Alan Gordon goal, passed from Omar Gonzalez and Juninho. In the twenty-seventh minute, the Galaxy took a yellow card for a Dan Gargan foul. Seattle had a yellow card in the thirty-fourth minute for an Obafemi Martins foul. The Sounders took another yellow card in first-half stoppage time, as Chad Marshall committed a foul. Los Angeles' Baggio Husidic took a yellow card on a foul in the eighty-first minute, as did Juninho in the eighty-eighth minute, also for a foul, and Gordon had a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The Galaxy held on for a 1-0 win, and the man of the match was Penedo for a ten-save clean sheet. 

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL April 11th, 2015

All teams play on today's regular season finale, and then no games will be played until the playoffs start on Wednesday. We begin the first of fifteen games in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Steve Mason are in goal. Ottawa struck first in the first period on a Mark Stone power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris. Philadelphia tied it in the second period as Matt Read scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. The Senators took the lead back with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his tenth of the season, via Curtis Lazar and Marc Methot. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 on an unassisted Stone goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year. The three stars belonged to Stone, Hammond (34 for 35 in saves), and Pageau.

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby tend the twines. New York opened in the first period on a Kevin Hayes goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Ryan McDonagh and Martin St. Louis. The Rangers added on with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Hayes and Dan Boyle. New York extended the lead with a Dominic Moore goal in the second period, his tenth of the season, with a lone assist by St. Louis. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his fifty-third of the year, fueled by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Rangers shot back with an empty net goal by Jesper Fast, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Moore and Tanner Glass. The Capitals got one back on a Stanislav Galiev goal, with assists provided by Michael Latta and Brooks Orpik. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars given to Hayes, Moore, and St. Louis.

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Jonathan Quick receive the starting nods in goal. San Jose was first to score in the first period on a Brent Burns goal, his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. Los Angeles tied it on a Tyler Toffoli goal in the second period, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Jarret Stoll and Andy Andreoff. The Kings took the lead in the third period on a Brayden McNabb goal, his second of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter. Los Angeles added on with a Marian Gaborik goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, guided in by Jake Muzzin and Justin Williams. The Kings finished it at 4-1 with an Andreoff empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Toffoli. The three stars were handed to Toffoli, Quick (20 for 21 in saves), and Andreoff.

East to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Brian Elliott are the solid goalies. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Olli Jokinen and Patrik Berglund. The Blues added on with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his thirty-seventh of the year, made possible by Alexander Steen and Chris Butler. Minnesota got on the board with a Marco Scandella goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Erik Haula and Matt Cooke. St. Louis answered on a Jori Lehtera goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Steen and Tarasenko. Darcy Kuemper relieved Dubnyk for the third period. The Blues extended the lead as Lehtera scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Wild got one back with a Zach Parise power play goal, his thirty-third of the year, powered by Mikael Granlund and Thomas Vanek. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Lehtera, Tarasenko, and Steen.

The last of five matinees had the Winnipeg Jets welcoming the Calgary Flames in a minor-leaguer showcase game. Joni Ortio and Michael Hutchinson are the backups in goal. Calgary started with a Michael Ferland goal in the first period, his second of the season, made possible by Sam Bennett. Winnipeg tied it on a Drew Stafford goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Adam Pardy. The Jets took the lead in the third period as Michael Frolik scored his nineteenth of the season, with the help of Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg added on with a Lee Stempniak goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Andrew Copp. The Jets extended the lead on an Adam Lowry goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. Winnipeg padded the lead on a Matt Halischuk goal, his third of the year, passed from Stempniak and Keaton Ellerby. The final was 5-1, and the three stars were Stempniak, Hutchinson (24 for 25 in saves), and Frolik.

At the normal time, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Anders Lindback are in the creases. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard on a second period goal by Brandon Sutter, his twentieth of the season, made possible by Blake Comeau and Nick Spaling. The Penguins won 2-0 on a third period Sutter goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Daniel Winnik and Patric Hornqvist. The three stars went to Sutter, Fleury (28 save shutout), and Lindback (36 for 38 in saves).

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Cam Ward are called on to start. Detroit led off in the first period with a Landon Ferraro goal, via Luke Glendening. The Red Wings added on with a Joakim Andersson empty net goal in the third period, his third of the campaign, set up by Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm. This made it a 2-0 win, with the three stars handed to Mrazek (35 save shutout), Ferraro, and Andersson.

Back north, the New York Islanders welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. Columbus began in the first period with a Cam Atkinson power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Boone Jenner and David Savard. New York tied it on a second period goal by Kyle Okposo, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Josh Bailey and Nikolay Kulemin. The Islanders took the lead in the third period as Eric Boulton scored his second of the season, via Tyler Kennedy and Nick Leddy. New York added on with a Tavares goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, passed from Okposo and Leddy. The Blue Jackets got one back on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Kevin Connauton and Cody Goloubef. Columbus tied it as Alexander Wennberg scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Marko Dano and Scott Hartnell. The Islanders retook the lead on a Kulemin goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Blue Jackets pulled even again with a Hartnell goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, guided in by Artem Anisimov and Jack Johnson. In the shootout, Wennberg matched Tavares before Atkinson gave Columbus the 5-4 win. The three stars went to Tavares, Atkinson, and Hartnell, while Okposo, Leddy, Kulemin, and Wennberg get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada, where the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Toronto struck first in the first period as Phil Kessel scored his twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Tyler Bozak and Andrew MacWilliam. Montreal tied it with an unassisted David Desharnais goal, his fourteenth of the year. The Maple Leafs retook the lead on a Casey Bailey goal, passed from Dion Phaneuf and Peter Holland. The Canadiens tied it again on a second period goal by Tomas Plekanec, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Andrei Markov and Devante Smith-Pelly. Toronto took the lead again as Bozak potted his twenty-third of the year, with the help of James van Riemsdyk and Kessel. Montreal evened the score on a Jacob De La Rose goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens won 4-3 in the shootout with tallies by Desharnais and Alex Galchenyuk. The three stars went to Desharnais, Kessel, and Bozak.

Back stateside, the Florida Panthers host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Al Montoya in goal. New Jersey got going in the second period on a Jordin Tootoo goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Travis Zajac and Eric Gelinas. Florida tied it as Dave Bolland scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Brad Boyes and Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers took the lead in the third period with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Jaromir Jagr and Aleksander Barkov. The Devils retied it with a Damon Severson goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Michael Cammalleri and Peter Harrold. Florida retook the lead on a Jagr power play goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, powered by Dmitry Kulikov and Aaron Ekblad. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Jagr, Huberdeau, and Bolland.

Staying in the state, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ben Bishop guard the cages. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period with an unassisted goal by Jonathan Marchessault. Boston tied it with a Loui Eriksson goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Dennis Seidenberg. The Lightning regained the lead in the third period on a Nikita Nesterov goal, his third of the year, coming off of Matthew Carle and Marchessault. The Bruins tied it again with a Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, via Torey Krug and David Krejci. Tampa Bay won win a lone shootout tally by Victor Hedman. The three stars of the 3-2 game went to Marchessault, Hedman, and Nesterov.

West to Dallas, as the Stars bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Jhonas Enroth make the spot starts. Dallas was first to score in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his thirty-third of the season, coming off of Cody Eakin and Patrick Eaves. Nashville tied it with a Filip Forsberg goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Ryan Ellis and Mike Ribeiro. The Stars retook the lead on Benn's second of the game and thirty-fourth of the season, assisted by John Klingberg on the power play. Dallas added on as Benn scored his thirty-fifth of the year in the third period to secure a hat trick, an empty net goal going in unassisted. The Stars iced it at 4-1 with an Eakin goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, made possible by Trevor Daley and Benn. The three stars went to Art Ross trophy winner Benn, Eakin, and Enroth (24 for 25 in saves).

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Semyon Varlamov are all padded up. Colorado opened in the first period with a Cody McLeod goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Tyson Barrie and Joey Hishon. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Patrick Sharp goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Bryan Bickell and Michael Paliotta. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Zach Redmond and Matt Duchene. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period as Brandon Saad scored his twenty-third of the year, thanks to Marian Hossa and Michal Rozsival. Colorado shot back on an Iginla power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the campaign, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Gabriel Landeskog. This made it a 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Iginla, McLeod, and Varlamov (28 for 30 in saves).

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Mike Smith are the masked men. Anaheim started in the first period on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Corey Perry. The Ducks added on with a Jakob Silfverberg goal in the third period, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Andrew Cogliano and Getzlaf. Arizona got on the board with a third period goal by Sam Gagner, his fifteenth of the campaign, fueled by Martin Erat and David Moss. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Getzlaf, Andersen (23 for 24 in saves), and Silfverberg.

The last game of the regular season sees the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller occupy the creases. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Nail Yakupov goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Derek Roy. The Oilers added on with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Benoit Pouliot. Vancouver got on the board with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Alexander Edler and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks tied it in the second period as Kevin Bieksa scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Linden Vey and Brandon McMillan. Edmonton pulled ahead with a Taylor Hall goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Pouliot and Oscar Klefbom. The Oilers extended the lead as Pouliot scored his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Martin Marincin and Hall. Vancouver pulled back with a Sven Baertschi goal, made possible by Radim Vrbata. Edmoton answered with a Teddy Purcell goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone helper from David Musil. The Canucks chipped back in the third period on a Jannik Hansen goal, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Bo Horvat and Edler. Vancouver tied it with Baertschi's second of the game, assisted by Nick Bonino and Vrbata. The Canucks won 6-5 in overtime on Edler's eighth of the campaign, dished from Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The three stars went to Edler, Pouliot, and Baertschi, while Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Hall, and Vrbata get the honorable mentions.

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