Game 3, New York Rangers VS Washington Capitals

From Verizon Center, Washington, DC. Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington got going in the second period on a Jay Beagle goal, via Andre Burakovsky and Troy Brouwer. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Holtby (30 save shutout), Beagle, and Lundqvist (21 for 22 in saves). The Capitals hold a 2-1 series lead.

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Premier League Week 35

A full week this week, beginning with...

Leicester City hosting Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Kasper Schmeichel protect the nets. Leicester City began in the first minute with a Leonardo Ulloa goal, made possible by Marc Albrighton's cross after a corner kick. In the sixteenth minute, Daryl Janmaat of Newcastle United took a yellow card for a foul. Leicester City added on in the seventeenth minute with a Wes Morgan goal, fueled by Albrighton's cross after a set piece. Newcastle United had a yellow card given to Jonas Gutierrez in the twenty-eighth minute for a foul. Leicester City took a yellow card for a Matthew James foul in the twenty-ninth minute. Leicester City extended the lead on a forty-eighth minute penalty kick goal by Ulloa. Michael Williamson of Newcastle United received a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute foul, and then he took another yellow in the sixty-second minute, putting his team down to ten men. Newcastle United's Paul Dummett had a yellow card for his foul in the seventieth minute. Newcastle United went down to nine men after another yellow card was assessed to Janmaat in stoppage time. Leicester City cruised to a 3-0 win.

Down to Aston Villa welcoming Everton. Tim Howard faces a lesser foe in Shay Given in goal. Aston Villa led off in the tenth minute with a Christian Benteke header goal, via Fabian Delph's cross. Aston Villa added on in the forty-fifth minute with another Benteke goal, courtesy of Ron Vlaar's headed pass after a corner kick. Everton got on the board in the fifty-ninth minute as Romelu Lukaku scored on a penalty kick. Aston Villa shot back with a sixty-fourth minute goal by Tom Cleverley, passed from Leandro Bacuna. In the seventy-third minute, Seamus Coleman of Everton took a yellow card for a foul. Aston Villa's Vlaar received a yellow cad for his foul in the eighty-fourth minute. Everton got one back with a stoppage time goal by Phil Jagielka, a header at close range. Given was given a yellow card for Aston Villa. Aston Villa held on to win 3-2.

Up north, Liverpool brings in the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Simon Mignolet guard the woodwork. Liverpool took a yellow card for a Steven Gerrard foul in the eighteenth minute. Liverpool struck first on a nineteenth minute goal by Philippe Coutinho, passed from Rickie Lambert. QPR's Sandro took a yellow card for a forty-third minute foul. QPR tied it in the seventy-third minute with a Leroy Fer goal, assisted by Joey Barton's cross after a corner kick. Liverpool's Dejan Lovren took a yellow card for a seventy-fifth minute foul. QPR saw yellow cards go to Richard Dunne in the seventy-sixth minute, Nedum Onouha in the seventy-ninth minute, and Onouha again in eighty-second minute, all for fouls, leaving QPR at ten men. Liverpool capitalized on the man advantage, scoring on an eighty-seventh minute Gerrard goal to take the lead, with the help of Coutinho's cross after a corner kick. In stoppage time, Charlie Austin of QPR took a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool took the game 2-1.

Moving along, Sunderland hosts Southampton. Kelvin Davis is mismatched with Costel Pantilimon in goal. Sunderland was first to score with a Jordi Gomez penalty kick in the twenty-first minute. Southampton tied it on a Sadio Mane goal in the twenty-second minute. Sunderland's Billy Jones took a yellow card for his thirty-second minute foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Southampton went to ten men after James Ward-Prowse took a straight red card for his foul in the penalty area. Sunderland gained the lead on Gomez's second penalty kick goal. In the sixtieth minute, Lee Cattermole of Sunderland had a yellow card for a foul. Southampton saw yellow cards for Victor Wanyama's sixty-third minute foul and Graziano Pelle in stoppage time. Sunderland won 2-1.

Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Stoke City. Jack Butland and Lukasz Fabianski are set to start in goal. Stoke City took yellow cards for Marko Arnautovic in the fifty-ninth minute and Marc Wilson in the sixty-second minute, both for fouls. Swansea City saw a yellow card for Angel Rangel's foul in the seventy-third minute. Swansea City got going in the seventy-sixth minute with a Jefferson Montero header goal, assisted by Jonjo Shelvey's cross. In the eighty-fourth minute, Stoke City's Wilson took another yellow card for a foul, putting his team at ten men after the ejection. Swansea City iced it at 2-0 with a Ki Sung-Yueng goal in stoppage time, coming off of Shelvey.

Back in England, West Ham United brings in Burnley. Tom Heaton and Adrian are the keepers. In the twenty-third minute, Michael Duff of Burnley received a red card for a foul. West Ham United cashed in on the penalty kick a minute later with the goal by Mark Noble. West Ham United took yellow cards for Enner Valencia's forty-first minute foul, Noble's hand ball in the forty-fourth minute, and Stewart Downing's offense in the sixtieth minute. Burnley took yellow cards for Ross Wallace in the eighty-fourth minute and Ben Mee in stoppage time, both for fouls. West Ham United held on for the 1-0 win.

Finishing up on Saturday, Manchester United hosts West Bromwich Albion. Boaz Myhill and David de Gea protect the nets. In the sixty-second minute, Manchester United saw a yellow card for a Patrick McNair foul. West Brom dented the scoreboard with a Jonas Olsson goal in the sixty-third minute, made possible by Chris Brunt after a set piece. This was it for the game, with the final favoring West Brom 1-0.

The first of Sunday's two games featured Chelsea welcoming Crystal Palace, with the former having a chance to clinch the league championship. Julian Speroni and Thibaut Courtois tend the nets. Crystal Palace had a yellow card given to Scott Dann in the twenty-third minute for a foul. Chelsea took two yellow cards, given to Branislav Ivanovic in the twenty-seventh minute and John Terry in the thirty-eighth minute, both for fouls. Chelsea started with a forty-fifth minute header goal by Eden Hazard, coming after a set piece. Crystal Palace's Adrian Mariappa took a yellow card for his foul in first half stoppage time. Chelsea held on for a 1-0 win, securing the Premier League Championship.

Also in London, Tottenham Hotspur brings in Manchester City. Joe Hart and Hugo Lloris are the keepers. Manchester City led off in the twenty-ninth minute with a Sergio Aguero goal, passed from David Silva on a through ball after a fast break. In the forty-first minute, Manchester City's James Milner took a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur saw yellow cards given to Nabil Bentaleb in the forty-second minute and Ryan Mason in first half stoppage time. Manchester City had three yellow cards in the second half, for Pablo Zabaleta in the sixty-eighth minute, Aleksandar Kolarov in the seventy-fourth minute, and Silva in the eighty-second minute, all for fouls. Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane received a yellow card for a foul in second half stoppage time. Manchester City won 1-0. 

Finally, on Monday, Hull City hosts Arsenal. David Ospina and Steve Harper man the nets. In the twenty-third minute, Jake Livermore of Hull City took a yellow card for his foul. In the twenty-eighth minute, Arsenal led off with an Alexis Sanchez free kick goal. Hull City took another yellow card for a Dame N'Doye foul in the thirtieth minute. Arsenal added on with a Aaron Ramsey goal, set up by Santiago Cazorla. In first half stoppage time, Sanchez scored to extend the Arsenal lead, with the help of Ramsey's through ball. Hull City got on the board in the fifty-sixth minute as Stephen Quinn scored a header goal, thanks to Ahmed Elmohamady on a cross. The final stood from here at 3-1 for Arsenal.

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NHL Division Finals, Day 4

Three games today, beginning in...

Montreal, as the Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Carey Price are in the blue paint. Montreal struck first in the first period on a Jeff Petry goal, assisted by Torrey Mitchell and Brandon Prust. Tampa Bay tied it on a Valtteri Filppula power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn. The Lightning took the lead with a Steven Stamkos goal in the second period, made possible by Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn. Tampa Bay added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Tyler Johnson and Stamkos on the power play. The Lightning extended the lead as Hedman scored a power play goal, with the help Killorn and Filppula. Tampa Bay padded the lead on Kucherov's second of the game and third of the postseason in the third period, a power play goal fueled by Johnson and Stamkos. The Canadiens got one back with a Tom Gilbert goal, his second of the playoffs, helped along by Alexei Emelin and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Lightning finished it at 6-2 with a J.T. Brown goal, passed from Filppula and Brian Boyle. The three stars went to Stamkos, Kucherov, and Filppula, while Hedman, Killorn, and Johnson get the honorable mentions. The Lightning take a 2-0 series lead with them back home.

Southwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Corey Crawford are the masked men. Chicago got going in the second period as Jonathan Toews scored his fourth of the postseason, a shorthanded goal set up by Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Duncan Keith. Minnesota got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Matt Dumba, his second of the postseason, powered by Ryan Suter and the goalie Dubnyk. Chicago answered on the fourth of the playoffs by Patrick Sharp, made possible by Teuvo Teravainen. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with a Kane empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the postseason, with assists provided by Sharp and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The three stars went to Kane, Crawford (30 for 31 in saves), and Sharp. The Blackhawks travel carrying a 2-0 series lead.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Frederik Andersen are given the starting nods. Anaheim was first to score in the first period with a Matt Beleskey goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks added on with a Hampus Lindholm goal, assisted by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim iced it at 3-0 with a Nate Thompson empty net goal, set up by Perry and Getzlaf. The three stars belonged to Andersen (30 save shutout), Perry, and Getzlaf. The Ducks own a series lead of 2-0 with which they'll travel.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Major League Soccer Week 9

We begin the week with two games on Friday. I must warn you that tomorrow's coverage is likely to be late due to me packing up and moving back home for the summer, as part of the great college ritual. For the first of the games...

The Houston Dynamo host FC Dallas. Dan Kennedy and Tyler Deric are the solid goalies. In the ninth minute, Dallas began with a Ryan Hollingshead goal, via Fabian Castillo. Dallas added on in the twenty-first minute on a David Texeira goal, passed from Castillo and Mauro Diaz. Houston got one back with a thirty-second minute goal by Giles Barnes. Dallas' Moises Hernandez was assessed a yellow card for his thirty-ninth minute handball. Dallas replied with a goal in the fifty-second minute by Diaz, assisted by Texeira. Dallas extended the lead as Castillo scored, thanks to Diaz and Hollingshead in the fifty-fifth minute. This made it 4-1, the final, with the man of the match being Castillo for assisting the first two goals and adding insurance later.

Closing out Friday, Real Salt Lake welcomes the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Nick Rimando are the gloved men. Salt Lake had a yellow card given to Kyle Beckerman for a foul in the first minute. San Jose started with a nineteenth minute goal by Chris Wondolowski. In the twenty-first minute, the Earthquakes' Innocent Emeghara took a yellow card for arguing. Real had a yellow card for a forty-eighth minute foul by Jordan Allen. Salt Lake tied the game as Victor Bernardez put the ball in his own net for an own goal in the seventy-first minute. The final stood at 1-1, and the man of the match honors went to Rimando for one save on two shots to give his team a chance at a result.

Five games occurred Saturday, beginning with the Philadelphia Union bringing in Toronto FC. Chris Konopka and John McCarthy are the unknown goalies. Toronto started with a Sebastian Giovinco goal in the thirty-fourth minute. Toronto's Nick Hagglund took a yellow card for his forty-third minute foul. Philadelphia had a yellow card given to Raymon Gaddis in the fifty-sixth minute for his foul. The final stood at 1-0, and Giovinco was the man of the match for his winner.

Over in DC, United hosts the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Bill Hamid are the veteran goalies. DC opened in the fifteenth minute on a Fabian Espindola goal, courtesy of Chris Rolfe. United added on with a Sean Franklin goal in the forty-first minute, set up by Espindola. DC saw a yellow card assessed to Espindola for encroachment in the seventy-first minute. United took another yellow card in the ninetieth minute as Franklin was caught wasting time. The final stood at 2-0 for DC, and Espindola was the man of the match with a goal and an assist.

North a bit to New England, where the Revolution welcome the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Bobby Shuttleworth are the gloved men. New England was first to score on a ninth minute goal by Charlie Davies, set up by London Woodberry. In the thirty-sixth minute, Andy Dorman of the Revolution had a yellow card for a foul. New York took a yellow card on a forty-fifth minute Dane Richards foul. The Red Bulls saw another yellow card go to Karl Ouimette in the fifty-second minute for a foul. New England added onto their lead in the sixtieth minute as Teal Bunbury scored, thanks to Lee Nguyen and Scott Caldwell. In the sixty-second minute, New York's Sacha Kljestan took a yellow card for a foul. The Red Bulls got on the board in the seventy-third minute with a redeeming goal by Kljestan, assisted by Mike Grella. The Revolution saw three more yellow cards, all for fouls, going to Juan Agudelo in the seventy-sixth minute, Chris Tierney in the eighty-seventh minute, and Bunbury in stoppage time. The final stood at 2-1 for the Revolution, and the man of the man was Bunbury for the winner.

Way out west, the Los Angeles Galaxy bring in the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Jaime Penedo are between the posts. Los Angeles had a yellow card for a Dan Gargan foul in the thirteenth minute. Colorado's Nick LaBrocca took a yellow card his foul in the twenty-fifth minute. The Rapids struck first in the fortieth minute with a Gabriel Torres, goal, courtesy of Michael Harrington. In the forty-ninth minute, Sam Cronin of Colorado took a yellow card for a foul. The Galaxy tied it in the seventy-fifth minute with an Alan Gordon goal, passed from Stefan Ishizaki. Los Angeles' Robbie Rogers took a yellow card for his eighty-second minute foul. The Rapids saw James Riley get booked on a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-eighth minute.

The last Saturday game has the Portland Timbers hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are the keepers. Vancouver saw Ethen Sampson take a yellow card for a foul in the nineteenth minute. Portland took a booking for a Rodney Wallace forty-fourth minute foul. The Whitecaps received a yellow card for a foul by Pa Modou Kah in the fifty-seventh minute. The game ended in a scoreless draw, and Kwarasey was the man of the match for a clean sheet with two saves.

On Sunday, we began with Sporting Kansas City welcoming the Chicago Fire. Sean Johnson and Tim Melia are in the six-yard boxes. Chicago had a yellow card for persistent infringement by Adailton in the thirty-second minute. Kansas City saw Seth Sinovic take a yellow card for a thirty-eighth minute foul. The Fire had another yellow card in the fifty-eighth minute for time wasting by Chris Ritter. Sporting dented the scoreboard in the seventy-fifth minute on a Paulo Nagamura goal, set up by Jalil Anibaba and Graham Zusi. Chicago went down to ten men in the eighty-ninth minute as David Accam drew a red card for his fight. Kansas City took a yellow card in stoppage time for a Nagamura foul. The final stood at 1-0, with Nagamura being the man of the match.

Finally, New York City FC brings in the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei faces a lesser foe in Josh Saunders in goal. Seattle got going with a twenty-third minute goal by Obafemi Martins, assisted by Marco Pappa. In the twenty-eighth minute, Kwame Watson-Siriboe took a yellow card for his foul for New York City. The Sounders had yellow cards for time wasting by Pappa in the thirty-ninth minute and a forty-fourth minute foul by Tyrone Mears. New York City saw another yellow card on a Mix Diskerud foul in the fiftieth minute. New York City tied it on a Mehdi Ballouchy goal in the fifty-fourth minute, passed from Patrick Mullins. Seattle retook the lead in the fifty-eighth minute as Clint Dempsey scored, thanks to Pappa and Martins. The Sounders added on with a Martins goal, coming off of Dempsey. In the seventy-ninth minute, Seattle's Martins received a yellow card for a dive. New York City's Kwadwo Poku was booked in the eighty-fifth minute on a yellow card for a foul. In the eighty-eighth minute, New York City went down to ten men as Watson-Siriboe took a second yellow card for another foul. The final remained 3-1 for the Sounders, and Martins was the man of the match with a brace and an assist.

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NHL Division Finals Day 3

Only one game in the NHL playoffs today, as the New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Henrik Lundqvist are the masked men. New York opened in the first period with a Chris Kreider goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Jesper Fast and Derek Stepan. The Rangers added on with an unassisted power play goal by Dan Boyle. Washington got on the board in the second period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fourth of the playoffs, assisted by Jason Chimera. New York shot back in the third period on a Derick Brassard goal, his fourth of the postseason, fueled by Martin St. Louis and Rick Nash. The Capitals got one back on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Joel Ward and Brooks Orpik. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2. The three stars went to Brassard, Boyle, and Kreider. The series is tied at 1 heading to Washington.

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NHL Division Finals, Day 2

Two more games today, beginning in...

Montreal, as the Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Carey Price guard the cages. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his seventh of the postseason, assisted by Matthew Carle and Andrej Sustr. Montreal tied it on a Max Pacioretty goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by P.K. Subban and Tom Gilbert. The Lightning won in the fifth period, the second overtime, with a Nikita Kucherov goal, coming off of Valtteri Filppula. This made it a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Kucherov, Bishop (43 for 44 in saves), and Johnson. Tampa Bay begins with a 1-0 series lead.

The other game has the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Corey Crawford are the goalies with alliterative names. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Brandon Saad goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette. Chicago extended the lead as Marcus Kruger scored, thanks to Andrew Shaw and Duncan Keith. Minnesota got on the board in the second period with a Jason Zucker goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Thomas Vanek. The Wild pulled closer with a Zach Parise power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, powered by Vanek and Mikko Koivu. Minnesota tied it on a Mikael Granlund goal, his second of the postseason, helped along by Parise. The Blackhawks reclaimed the lead with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, passed from Patrick Sharp and Keith. This made it 4-3, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Parise, Keith, and Vanek. Chicago owns a 1-0 series lead.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Division Finals, Day 1

It's the first day of the second round, with two of the four series getting going. We begin with...

The Metropolitan Division, as the New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Washington began in the first period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by John Carlson and the goalie Holtby. New York tied it on a Jesper Fast goal, passed from Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin. The Capitals won 2-1 with a Joel Ward goal, his second of the playoffs, coming with two seconds left via Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. The three stars went to Ovechkin, Holtby (31 for 32 in saves), and Ward. Washington takes a thrilling 1-0 series lead.

Out in the Pacific Division, the Anaheim Ducks host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller faces his former team and Frederik Andersen in goal. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Matt Beleskey goal, courtesy of Kyle Palmieri and Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks added on with a Patrick Maroon goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Anaheim extended the lead with a Perry goal in the second period, his fourth of the playoffs, coming off of Simon Despres and Getzlaf. Karri Ramo relieved Hiller in goal. The Ducks padded the lead with an Emerson Etem goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Francois Beauchemin and Lindholm. Anaheim kept going in the third period on Perry's second of the game and sixth of the playoffs, a power play goal powered by Getzlaf, who got a sock trick, and Cam Fowler. The Ducks continued with a Getzlaf power play goal, his second of the postseason, set up by Sami Vatanen and Perry. Calgary avoided the shutout with Sam Bennett's third of the playoffs, assisted by Deryk Engelland. This only made it 6-1, the final, with the three stars going to Perry, Getzlaf, and Lindholm. Anaheim cruised to a 1-0 series lead.

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