Major League Soccer Week 8

Nine games to go with this week, beginning with a Friday doubleheader. We begin with the first game in...

Chicago, as the Fire host New York City FC. Ryan Meara and Sean Johnson are the goalies. Chicago started in the twentieth minute with a goal by Jacob Accam. New York City went down to ten men in the twenty-third minute as Andrew Jacobson received a red card for his foul. New York City's Jeb Brovsky took a yellow card for his twenty-sixth minute foul. The Fire saw a yellow card for a twenty-eighth minute foul by Matt Watson. Chicago had another yellow card in stoppage time for Adailton's time wasting. The final stood at 1-0 for the Fire, with the man of the match being Accam.

The other Friday game has the Colorado Rapids welcoming FC Dallas. Dan Kennedy and Clint Irwin are the veteran goalies. In the seventh minute, Dallas' Matt Hedges took a yellow card for a foul. Dallas struck first in the thirty-first minute on a Mauro Diaz goal, coming off of Fabian Castillo. Castillo had a yellow card for Dallas in the fiftieth minute. Colorado's Drew Moor took a yellow card for dissent in the fifty-eighth minute. Dallas went down to ten men when Blas Perez took a straight red card for fighting in the fifty-ninth minute. Dallas took two more yellow cards, for a Kellyn Acosta foul in the sixtieth minute and time wasting by Kennedy in the sixty-sixth minute. In the seventy-ninth minute, Nick LaBrocca tied it for the Rapids with his goal, set up by Dillon Powers and Lucas Pittinari. The final was 1-1, and the man of the match was Kennedy for his four saves on five shots, keeping FC Dallas in it for a point.

Four games were played on Saturday, and the first had the Columbus Crew SC bring in the Philadelphia Union. John McCarthy is mismatched with Steve Clark in goal. Columbus opened in the twenty-first minute with a Kei Kamara goal, via Ethan Finlay and Tony Tchani. Philadelphia's Maurice Edu took a yellow card for a handball in the twenty-fourth minute. The Crew added on in the thirty-second minute as Finlay scored, thanks to Waylon Francis. Columbus extended the lead on a forty-fourth minute goal by Justin Meram, courtesy of Emanuel Pogatetz. In the forty-sixth minute, the Union took a yellow card for a Michael Lahoud foul. Philadelphia got on the board with an Eric Ayuk Mbu goal in the sixty-fourth minute, made possible by C.J. Sapong. The Crew finished it at 4-1 with a seventy-third minute goal by Finlay, passed from Kamara. The man of the match was Finlay for his brace.

East to New England, as the Revolution host Real Salt Lake. Jeff Attinella and Bobby Shuttleworth are in the six-yard boxes. Salt Lake saw a yellow card go to John Stertzer in the tenth minute for a foul. New England struck first in the thirty-ninth minute with a Chris Tierney goal, via Juan Agudelo. The Revolution added on with an Agudelo goal in the forty-third minute. New England extended the lead as Charlie Davies scored in the fiftieth minute, with the help of Scott Caldwell. In the fifty-sixth minute, Real took a yellow card for an Alvaro Saborio foul. Salt Lake received a yellow card for an eighty-first minute foul by Luke Mulholland. The Revolution capped it at 4-0 with a Caldwell goal in the eighty-fourth minute, helped along by Kelyn Rowe. The man of the match honors went to Agudelo for his goal and assist.

Southwest to Houston, where the Dynamo welcome Sporting Kansas City. Luis Marin and Tyler Deric man the nets. Kansas City was first to score with a Krisztian Nemeth goal in the second minute made possible by Marcel de Jong. Houston tied it with a Giles Barnes goal in the eleventh minute. Sporting took yellow cards for fouls by Roger Espinoza in the thirty-first minute and Jalil Anibaba in the forty-third minute. The Dynamo took the lead with a first-half stoppage time goal by Will Bruin, set up by Brad Davis. Houston added on with a forty-sixth minute goal by Barnes, his second of the game, via Nathan Sturgis.  Kansas City's Kevin Ellis received a yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul. In the sixty-third minute, the Dynamo's Bruin took a yellow card for his foul. Sporting pulled back with a Dominic Dwyer goal in the seventy-fourth minute. Houston went down to ten men after Jermaine Taylor took a red card for handling the ball on the goal line in the seventy-ninth minute, and Kansas City tied it on the ensuing penalty kick, converted by Benny Feilhaber. The Dynamo retook the lead in the eighty-third minute as Raul Rodriguez scored, thanks to Davis. Sporting tied it again late with a Feilhaber goal, his second of the game, dished from Graham Zusi in second-half stoppage time. The final was a wild 4-4, with the man of the match being Feilhaber for twice tying the game for Sporting.

The last Saturday game featured the Vancouver Whitecaps FC bringing in DC United. Andrew Dykstra and David Ousted are the goalies. Vancouver began with a Pedro Morales goal in the second minute, set up by Octavio Rivero and Steven Beitashour. Morales received a yellow card for excessive celebration. The Whitecaps had another yellow card for a ninth minute foul by Sam Adekugbe. DC got on the board in that same minute on a Bobby Boswell goal, via Michael Farfan. Vancouver ended up down to ten men after two major mistakes by Matias Laba. In the thirty-fourth minute, Laba was given a yellow card for a handball, and he received another yellow card in the forty-second minute for a foul. United took the lead in the sixty-fourth minute on a Chris Rolfe goal. DC had two yellow cards late, going to Perry Kitchen in the eighty-fourth minute and Farfan in the eighty-eighth minute, both for fouls. United won 2-1, and the man of the match was Rolfe for his game-winner.

Sunday features three games, beginning with the New York Red Bulls hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jaime Penedo and Luis Robles tend the nets. Los Angeles was first to score in the ninth minute with a Bradford Jamieson goal, set up by Stefan Ishizaki. The Galaxy had a yellow card in the fourteenth minute assessed to Gyasi Zardes for his foul. New York took a yellow card for a twenty-ninth minute foul by Matt Miazga. Los Angeles had another yellow card in the forty-fourth minute for time wasting by Alan Gordon. The Red Bulls tied it with a fifty-eighth minute goal by Felipe. New York saw Dax McCarty take a yellow card for his sixty-sixth minute foul. The Galaxy took yellow cards in the eighty-first and eighty-second minute for a Robbie Rogers foul and unsporting behavior by Omar Gonzalez. The final stood at 1-1, and the man of the match was Felipe for his equalizer.

Down to Orlando City SC welcoming Toronto FC. Joe Bendik and Donovan Ricketts protect the nets. Toronto's Nick Hagglund was booked on a yellow card for a second-minute foul. Orlando City took a yellow card for a forty-fifth minute foul by Brek Shea. Toronto began with a fiftieth minute goal by Jozy Altidore, coming off of Sebastian Giovinco. Orlando City had a yellow card given to Darwin Ceren for his foul in the fifty-seventh minute, followed by another to Kevin Molino for his sixty-eighth minute foul. Toronto's Jonathan Osorio took a yellow card for a seventieth minute foul. Toronto added on with another Altidore goal in the eighty-third minute, made possible by Benoit Cheyrou. This made it 2-0, the final, with Altidore's brace earning him the man of the match honors.

Finally, in the Cascadia Cup rivalry, the Seattle Sounders FC bring in the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Stefan Frei are the gloved men. Portland's Jorge Villafana received a yellow card for his twenty-third minute foul. Seattle took yellows cards for fouls by Marco Pappa in the fifty-third minute and Osvaldo Alonso in the fifty-fourth minute. The Timbers saw a yellow card for a seventy-first minute foul by Liam Ridgewell. The Sounders began in the seventy-seventh minute on a Clint Dempsey goal. This stood as the 1-0 game winner, and Dempsey was the man of the match because of it.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL Division Semifinals Day 12

Just two games today, both game 6s, beginning with...

The Minnesota Wild hosting the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Devan Dubnyk are the goalies. Minnesota opened in the first period with a Zach Parise shorthanded goal, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Wild added on with a second period Justin Fontaine goal, fueled by Marco Scandella. Allen was pulled for Brian Elliott. St. Louis got on the board as T.J. Oshie scored, thanks to Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo. Minnesota replied in the third period on a Parise goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, assisted by Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund. Minnesota won 4-1 with a Nino Niederreiter empty net goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Mikko Koivu. The three stars were Parise, Fontaine, and Dubnyk (30 for 31 in saves). The Wild advance with a 4-2 series win to face the Chicago Blackhawks for the Central Division title.

The other game sees the Ottawa Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Craig Anderson are the masked men. Montreal started with a Brendan Gallagher goal, fueled by Greg Pateryn and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens iced it at 2-0 with a Max Pacioretty empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by P.K. Subban. The three stars went to Price (43 save shutout), Gallagher, and Pacioretty. The Canadiens advance to the Atlantic Division final, awaiting either the Lightning or Red Wings.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Premier League Week 34

A full ten-game week for the next two days. We begin with...

Southampton hosting Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Kelvin Davis are the keepers. Southampton started in the twenty-ninth minute on a Graziano Pelle goal. Tottenham Hotspur saw yellow cards for a thirty-first minute foul by Jan Vertonghen and a thirty-fourth minute Ben Davies foul. In the forty-third minute, Tottenham Hotspur tied it with an Erik Lamela goal, set up by a Harry Kane header pass. In the sixty-fifth minute, Pelle gave Southampton the lead on a header goal, coming off of Shane Long's cross. Southampton took a yellow card in the sixty-sixth minute for a foul by Steven Davis. Tottenham Hotspur retied it in the seventieth minute with a Nacer Chadli goal, via Eric Dier. In stoppage time, Tottenham Hotspur's Federico Fazio took a yellow card for a foul. The game ended 1-1.

Moving along, Burnley welcomes Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Tom Heaton are the gloved men. Leicester City got going in the sixtieth minute on a close range goal by Jamie Vardy. Burnley took three straight yellow cards, going to Ben Mee in the sixty-sixth minute, Danny Ings in the seventy-third minute, and Ross Wallace in the eighty-fifth minute, all for fouls. Leicester City won 1-0, bolstering their chance of avoiding relegation.

Back in London, Crystal Palace brings in Hull City. Steve Harper and Julian Speroni make the starts in goal. At the fifty-one minute mark, Dame N'Doye dented the scoreboard for Hull City, with the help of Robbie Brady. Hull City added on in stoppage time as N'Doye scored again, thanks to Gaston Ramirez after a fast break. Hull City took the game 2-0, pulling out of the relegation zone.

Up north, Newcastle United hosts Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Tim Krul are between the posts. Newcastle United opened in the twentieth minute on an Ayoze Perez goal from close range. Newcastle United saw a yellow card given to Vurnon Anita in the thirty-ninth minute for a foul. Swansea City took a yellow card on a Jordi Amat foul in the forty-second minute. Swansea City tied it with a Nelson Oliveira goal in first half stoppage time, set up by Gylfi Sigurdsson's cross after a corner kick. Swansea City took the lead in the forty-ninth minute as Sigurdsson scored, thanks to Jefferson Montero. Swansea City added on with a Jack Cork goal at close range in the seventy-first minute. In the eighty-seventh minute, Newcastle United pulled back on a Siem de Jong goal, passed from Jack Colback on a cross. Swansea City saw a yellow card for Marvin Emnes in second half stoppage time. Swansea City won the wild game 3-2.

South to London again, as the Queens Park Rangers welcome West Ham United. Adrian and Robert Green man the nets. In the seventy-seventh minute, Charlie Austin of QPR took a yellow card for a foul. Save for an earlier failed penalty kick from Austin, the game lacked much action of any variety, and ended 0-0.

Continuing to Stoke City bringing in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Asmir Begovic guard the woodwork. Sunderland began in the first minute on a Connor Wickham goal from close range. In the eighteenth minute, Sunderland took a yellow card for a foul by Lee Cattermole. In the twenty-seventh minute, Stoke City tied it as Charlie Adam scored, with the help of Marko Arnautovic. Stoke City took two yellow cards for fouls by Mame Biram Diouf in the fifty-eighth minute and Philipp Wollscheid in the sixtieth minute. In the sixty-second minute, Sunderland's John O'Shea took a yellow card for a foul, as did Billy Jones in the eightieth minute. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up, West Bromwich Albion hosts Liverpool. Simon Mignolet faces a lesser foe in Boaz Myhill in goal. In the sixty-first minute, West Brom's Craig Dawson took a yellow card for a foul. The uneventful game ended in a scoreless draw.

Closing out on Saturday, Manchester City welcomes Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Joe Hart protect the nets. In the third minute, Manchester City led off with a Sergio Aguero goal. In the forty-sixth minute, David Silva of Manchester City took a yellow card for a foul. Aston Villa saw yellow cards for Ashley Westwood in the sixty-second minute and Carlos Sanchez for a sixty-fifth minute foul. In the sixty-sixth minute, Sanchez's card proved costly as Aleksandar Kolarov scored on a free kick for Manchester City. In the sixty-eighth minute, Tom Cleverley of Aston Villa put his team on the board with a goal after a set piece. Sanchez tied it for Aston Villa in the eighty-fifth minute, making up for his earlier transgression. Manchester City took the game 3-2 on an eighty-ninth minute goal by Fernandinho, set up by Kolarov cross after a corner kick.

On Sunday, Everton brought in Manchester United. David de Gea and Tim Howard are set to start in goal. Everton struck first in the fifth minute with a James McCarthy goal after a fast break. Manchester United saw a yellow card given to Marouane Fellaini in the twelfth minute for a foul. Everton added on in the thirty-fifth minute as John Stones scored a header goal, thanks to Leighton Baines on a cross after a corner kick. Manchester United had another yellow card in the sixty-fourth minute for a foul by Luke Shaw. Everton extended the lead with a seventy-fourth minute goal by Kevin Mirallas, passed from Ross Barkley on a through ball. They went on for a 3-0 win.

Finally, we end in London with Arsenal hosting Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and David Ospina protect the nets. Chelsea had a yellow card given to Cesc Fabregas in the twenty-third minute for embellishment. In the thirty-fourth minute, Arsenal's Francis Coquelin took a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea had the next two yellow cards, given to Willian in the sixty-eighth minute and and Branislav Ivanovic in the seventy-second minute, both for fouls. Arsenal took yellow cards for an Aaron Ramsey foul in the eighty-ninth minute, a Santiago Cazorla foul in stoppage time, and another foul by Nacho Monreal in stoppage time as well. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Division Semifinals Day 11

Four games today, all with their own stakes. We begin in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jaroslav Halak are in the blue paint. New York led off in the first period with a John Tavares goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Ryan Strome and Nick Leddy. Washington tied it with a John Carlson power play goal, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Troy Brouwer. The Islanders took the lead in the third period on a Nikolay Kulemin goal, via Leddy and Tavares. New York iced it at 3-1 on a Cal Clutterbuck empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Johnny Boychuk. The three stars were Tavares, Halak (38 for 39 in saves), and Leddy. The series is tied at 3 and Game 7 will be used to decide it.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Detroit started in the first period on a Riley Sheahan power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Niklas Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings added on with a Drew Miller goal, assisted by Luke Glendening and Jonathan Ericsson. Detroit extended the lead in the third period on a Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, his third of the playoffs, coming off of Ericsson and Darren Helm. The Red Wings iced it at 4-0 with a Danny DeKeyser empty net goal, set up by Kyle Quincey and Joakim Andersson. The three stars went to Sheahan, Ericsson, and Mrazek (28 save shutout). The Red Wings head home leading the series 3-2.

Backtracking to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Scott Darling in goal. Nashville opened in the first period with a James Neal goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Seth Jones. The Predators added on with Neal's second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, a power play goal powered by Cody Franson and Filip Forsberg. Chicago got on the board with a Patrick Sharp goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Nashville shot back on a Matt Cullen goal, with a lone assist by Mike Ribeiro. The Blackhawks replied with a Toews power play goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Sharp and Patrick Kane. Chicago tied it on a Kane goal, his second of the postseason, dished from Keith and Brad Richards. The Blachawks took the lead on a Keith third period goal, his second of the playoffs, via Toews. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Keith, Toews, and Neal, while Kane and Sharp get the honorable mentions. The Blackhawks took the series 4-2 and advance to the Central Division Final.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Jonas Hiller are the netminders. Vancouver began in the first period with a Brandon McMillan goal, coming off of Chris Higgins and Bo Horvat. The Canucks added on with a Jannik Hansen goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Shawn Matthias and Christopher Tanev. Hiller was pulled for Karri Ramo. Vancouver extended the lead as Radim Vrbata scored his second of the playoffs, a power play goal powered by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Calgary got on the board with a Michael Ferland goal, passed from Matt Stajan and David Jones. The Flames pulled closer in the second period on a Sean Monahan goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman. Calgary tied it with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Hudler and T.J. Brodie. The Canucks regained the lead with a Luca Sbisa goal, with a lone helper by Hansen. The Flames evened it in the third period with a Hudler power play goal, his second of the postseason, pushed through by Monahan and Gaudreau. Calgary took the lead on a Stajan goal, made possible by Ferland and Jones. The Flames padded the lead with a Hudler empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, set up by Monahan and Gaudreau. Calgary iced it at 7-4 with a Ferland empty net goal, his second of the game, helped along by Jones, who got a sock trick, and Stajan. The three stars went to Hudler, Stajan, and Ferland, while Monahan, Gaudreau, Jones, and Hansen get the honorable mentions. The Flames win the series 4-2 and will face the Anaheim Ducks for the Pacific Division Final.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Division Semifinals, Day 10

It's the tenth day of the playoffs, and we have three games to go through, beginning in...

Montreal, as the Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. Ottawa led off on a Bobby Ryan goal, with assists provided by Mike Hoffman and Mika Zibanejad. The Senators added on with a Patrick Wiercioch goal, his second of the postseason, an unassisted goal. Ottawa extended the lead as Erik Karlsson scored a power play goal in the second period, powered by Kyle Turris and Mark Stone. Montreal got on the board with a Tom Gilbert goal in the third period, made possible by Greg Pateryn and Lars Eller. The Senators replied with an unassisted goal by Erik Condra. Ottawa padded the lead on a Ryan power play goal, his second of the game, via Hoffman and Zibanejad. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars given to Ryan, Anderson (45 for 46 in saves), and Hoffman, with Zibanejad getting an honorable mention. The series still favors the Canadiens 3-2.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York began in the first period on a power play goal by Derek Stepan, his second of the postseason, powered by Dan Boyle and Derick Brassard. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Nick Spaling goal, passed from Steve Downie and Sidney Crosby. The Rangers won 2-1 with a Carl Hagelin goal in overtime, his second of the playoffs, assisted by Dominic Moore and Ryan McDonagh. The three stars went to Hagelin, Lundqvist (37 for 38 in saves), and Stepan. The Rangers won the series 4-1, eliminating the Penguins.

Finally, St. Louis brings in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jake Allen are the young goalies. St. Louis opened in the first period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his sixth of the postseason, a power play goal powered by Alexander Steen and Jaden Schwartz. Minnesota tied it on a Marco Scandella goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon. The Wild took the lead in the second period as Nino Niederreiter scored his second of the postseason, via Chris Stewart. Minnesota added on with a power play goal by Mikko Koivu, with helpers from Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Wild made it 4-1 with a Charlie Coyle goal in the third period, guided in by Thomas Vanek. This was a final, with the three stars handed to Niederreiter, Dubnyk (36 for 37 in saves), and Koivu. The Wild have a 3-2 series lead now.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Division Semifinals, Day 9

We have mostly game 5s today, but begin with a game 4 from...

Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Petr Mrazek are set to start in goal. Detroit got going in the second period with a Gustav Nyquist goal, passed from Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings added on with a Joakim Andersson goal, courtesy of Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period as Tyler Johnson scored his third of the postseason, coming off of Anton Stralman. The Lightning tied it with an Ondrej Palat goal, made possible by Johnson and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime with Johnson's second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, dished from Victor Hedman and Palat. The three stars went to Johnson, Palat, and Bishop (22 for 24 in saves). The series is now tied at 2.

In DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Braden Holtby guard the cages. New York struck first in the first period on a Josy Bailey goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of John Tavares and Nick Leddy. Washington tied it with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Karl Alzner. The Capitals took the lead in the second period on an Alzner goal, his second of the playoffs, via Troy Brouwer and Jay Beagle. Washington added on in the third period with a Brooks Laich goal, guided in by Beagle and Jason Chimera. The Capitals extended the lead as Kuznetsov scored his second of the game, thanks to Matt Niskanen and Joel Ward. Washington padded the lead on a Chimera goal, fueled by Johansson and Kuznetsov. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Kuznetsov, Alzner, and Chimera, while Johansson and Beagle get the honorable mentions. The Capitals have pulled into the driver's seat with a 3-2 series lead.

Southwest to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling is mismatched with Pekka Rinne in goal. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, made possible by Bryan Bickell and Brent Seabrook. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a James Neal goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Viktor Stalberg. Nashville added on with a Colin Wilson power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, powered by Mike Ribeiro and Seth Jones. The Predators extended the lead on a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, via Mike Fisher and Neal. The Blackhawks got one back with a Kris Versteeg goal, with assists provided by Patrick Kane and Richards. Nashville iced it at 5-2 with a Forsberg empty net power play goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the postseason, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Forsberg, Neal, and Kane. The series now favors Chicago 3-2.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Ryan Miller are the goalies with rhyming names. Calgary started in the first period on a David Jones goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Matt Stajan. Vancouver tied it on a Nick Bonino goal in the second period, courtesy of Radim Vrbata and Alexander Edler. The Canucks took the lead in the third period with a Daniel Sedin goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from Dan Hamhuis and Henrik Sedin. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars being Miller (20 for 21 in saves), Daniel Sedin, and Bonino. The series returns to Calgary with the Flames leading 3-2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Division Semifinals, Day 8

All Game 4s today, beginning with a sweep opportunity in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Ottawa dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Mike Hoffman goal, via Cody Ceci. This was good for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Anderson (28 save shutout), Hoffman, and Price (31 for 32 in saves). The Senators staved off elimination but trail 3-1 in the series.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Ben Lovejoy and Paul Martin. New York tied it in the second period on a Derick Brassard goal, his third of the playoffs, via Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers won 2-1 in overtime with a Kevin Hayes goal, fueled by Carl Hagelin and Martin St. Louis. The three stars went to Lundqvist (22 for 23 in saves), Hayes, and Brassard. The Rangers push the Penguins to the brink with a 3-1 series lead.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Ondrej Pavelec are set to start in goal. Winnipeg led off in the first period on a Bryan Little goal, his second of the postseason, coming on the power play from Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. Anaheim tied it with an Emerson Etem goal, guided in by Sami Vatanen and Corey Perry. The Ducks took the lead on a second period goal by Andrew Cogliano, assisted by Perry and Hampus Lindholm. Anaheim added on in the third period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Simon Despres and Tomas Fleischmann. The Jets got one back on a Mark Stuart goal, made possible by Andrew Ladd and Little. The Ducks replied with Kesler's second of the game and third of the postseason, fueled by Jakob Silfverberg and Patrick Maroon. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with a Vatanen empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Kesler, Little, and Vatanen, while Perry got an honorable mention. The Ducks swept the Jets out of the playoffs with a 4-0 series win.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Devan Dubnyk man the creases. St. Louis began in the first period with a Ryan Reaves goal, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Chris Porter. The Blues added on with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Kevin Shattenkirk and David Backes. St. Louis extended the lead as Backes scored, thanks to Shattenkirk and T.J. Oshie. Minnesota got one back in the second period on a Jared Spurgeon power play goal, powered by Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. The Blues shot back with a Paul Stastny goal, made possible by Patrik Berglund and Dmitrij Jaskin. St. Louis padded the lead on a Tarasenko goal, his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, dished from Jori Lehtera and Shattenkirk, the latter getting a sock trick. The Blues kept going on a Berglund goal, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars going to Tarasenko, Shattenkirk, and Backes, while Berglund gets an honorable mention. The series returns to St. Louis tied at 2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.