Sunday, August 30, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 7

Nine games on in a busy day for the league, beginning with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Yekaterinburg led off in the first period on an Alexander Torchenyuk goal, via Alexander Pankov. Avtomobilist added on with a Vitaly Popov goal, assisted by Dmitry Megalinsky, coming shorthanded. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period on a Jan Kovar goal, passed from Sergei Mozyakin and Alexander Bereglazov. This was as close as they got, with the final sitting at 2-1. The three stars went to Jakub Kovar (22 for 23 in saves), Popov, and Torchenyuk.

Over to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor welcomes Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Pavel Francouz man the nets. Omsk was first to score in the first period on an Anton Kuryanov power play goal, powered by Vladimir Sobotka and Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard added on with a Sergei Shirokov goal, fueled by Michal Kempny and Denis Parshin. Chelyabinsk got on the board as Semyon Kokuyov scored, with the help of Alexander Rybakov. The scoring stopped here, and Avangard took the 2-1 win. The three stars belonged to Kostin (23 for 24 in saves), Shirokov, and Francouz (33 for 35 in saves).

Back east a bit, as Salavat Yulaev Ufa brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Vladislav Fokin and Niklas Svedberg draw the starts in goal. Ufa began in the first period with an Andreas Engqvist goal, coming off of Zakhar Arzamastsev on the power play. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Yegor Dubrovsky goal, made possible by Denis Khlystov and Sami Lepisto. Ufa extended the lead on an Igor Grigorenko goal, courtesy of Sergei Soin and Nikolai Prokhorkin. Georgy Gelashvili took over for Fokin in net for Yugra. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Artyom Bulyansky in the second period, set up by Pavel Medvedev. Yugra pulled closer on a Mikhail Mamkin goal, dished from Andrei Taratukhin and Medvedev. Salavat Yulaev replied on another Grigorenko goal, assisted by Arzamastsev. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to Grigorenko, Medvedev, and Arzamastsev.

Out west, Dynamo Moscow hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Alexander Sharychenkov are in the blue paint. Moscow started in the first period on a Maxim Karpov goal, assisted by Maxim Solovyov and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo added on as Mat Robinson scored, thanks to Maxim Pestushko and Konstantin Glazachev. Moscow extended the lead with a Glazachev goal, going in unassisted. Dynamo padded the lead in the second period on a Tsvetkov goal, made possible by Dmitry Vishnevsky and Robinson. Alexander Pechursky took over for Metsola in goal. Moscow continued their onslaught with a Konstantin Volkov goal, with a lone assist by Solovyov. Dynamo struck again on a Kaspars Daugavins goal, via Juuso Hietanen and Pestushko. Khabarovsk got on the board with a power play goal by Vyacheslav Litovchenko, powered by Vitaly Atyushov and Vladislav Ushenin. Moscow shot back with a Denis Kokarev goal, guided in by Konstantin Gorovikov and Ansel Galimov. Amur replied with a third period Konstantin Sokolov goal, helped along by Michel Miklik and Tomas Zohorna. This made it 7-2, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Glazachev, Tsvetkov, and Robinson, while Solovyov and Pestushko receive the honorable mentions.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Dmitry Milchakov are the masked men. Riga got going in the second period on a Gunars Skvorcovs goal, fueled by Armands Berzins and Roberts Locans. Riga added on with a Tim Sestito goal, courtesy of Ville Leino. Riga extended the lead in the third period as Mikelis Redlihs scored, with the help of Guntis Galvins and the goalie Sedlacek. Riga padded the lead on a Gints Meija goal, made possible by Kristaps Sotnieks and Kaspars Saulietis. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars handed to Sedlacek (32 save shutout), Skvorcovs, and Sestito.

Back in Russia, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Harri Sateri protect the nets. Podolsk opened with a Dmitry Shitikov goal, going in unassisted. Vladivostok tied it on a Denis Osipov goal, courtesy of Ivan Glazkov and Yaroslav Alshevsky. Vityaz took the lead back on another Shitikov goal, assisted by Anton Korolyov. Admiral tied it again in the second period on an Alexander Kuznetsov goal, coming off of Nikita Filatov. Vladivostok pulled ahead with an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, made possible by Dmitry Sayustov. Podolsk tied it in the third period on a Maxim Afinogenov goal, fueled by Alexei Makeyev and Georgy Berdyukov. Vityaz took the lead back as Shitikov finished his hat trick, helped along by Dmitry Kostromitin and Berdyukov. Admiral got another equalizer on a Sayustov goal, guided in by Alshevsky. Podolsk took the game 5-4 with a Berdyukov goal in overtime, with a lone assist by Alexander Kucheryavenko. The three stars went to Shitikov, Berdyukov, and Sayustov, while Alshevsky gets an honorable mention.

Further east, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Ville Kolppanen guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk dented the scoreboard with a second period goal by Mikhail Zhukov, assisted by Andrei Stas and Dmitry Ogurtsov. Neftekhimik added on with a power play goal by Tim Kennedy, powered by Kirill Lyamin and Evgeny Grigorenko. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Stas scored a power play goal, coming off of Maxim Berezin and Zhukov. Neftekhimik padded the lead with a third period power play goal from Berezin, guided in by Lyamin and Maxim Rybin. Nizhnekamsk continued on a Grigorenko goal, via Lyamin, who got a sock trick, and Kennedy. Astana got on the board with a Dustin Boyd power play goal, with helpers from Talgat Zhailauov and Konstantin Pushkaryov. Barys got closer with a Roman Starchenko goal, from Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev and Martin St. Pierre. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars going to Stas, Zhukov, and Lyamin, while Kennedy, Grigorenko, and Berezin get honorable mentions.

Back west, Medvescak Zagreb welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Danny Taylor are the starting goalies. Zagreb struck first in the first period on a Mike Glumac goal, assisted by Andreas Jamtin. Medvescak added on with a Simon Gysbers goal, made possible by Gilbert Brule and Stefano Giliati. Zagreb extended the lead in the second period as Geoffrey Kinrade scored, thanks to Tomas Mertl and Radek Smolenak. Nikita Bespalov replaced Salak in goal. Novosibirsk got on the board with a power play goal by David Ullstrom, powered by Rinat Ibragimov and Ivan Vereshchagin. Sibir chipped closer on a Maxim Shalunov goal, passed from Damir Zhafyarov and Oleg Gubin. Medvescak answered in the third period on a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, guided in by Jesse Saarinen and Edwin Hedberg. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to Kinrade, Taylor (36 for 38 in saves), and Bjorkstrand.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky and Michael Garnett have the green light in goal. Bratislava led off in the first period with a Ziga Jeglic goal, via Rok Ticar and Andrej Stastny. Slovan added on with an Ivan Svarny goal, passed from Anatoly Protasenya and Milan Bartovic. Bratislava extended the lead as Cam Barker scored a power play goal, powered by Lukas Kaspar. Filip Novotny took over for Podyapolsky in the second period. Slovan padded the lead with a Kaspar goal, made possible by Tomas Surovy. Bratislava kept going in the third period on a Stastny goal, assisted by Ticar and Jeglic. Slovan iced it at 6-0 with a David Skokan goal, courtesy of Bartovic and Barker. The three stars belonged to Jeglic, Stastny, and Kaspar, while Ticar, Bartovic, and Barker get the honorable mentions.

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Saturday, August 29, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 6

Only four games on, beginning with...

Jokerit Helsinki hosting CSKA Moscow. Viktor Fasth and Henrik Karlsson are the former NHLers in net. Helsinki got going in the second period on a power play goal by Pekka Jormakka, powered by Peter Regin and Brandon Kozun. Jokerit added on with another power play goal, scored by Matias Olimb, with a lone assist from Juhamatti Aaltonen. Helsinki extended the lead on a Jere Sallinen goal in the third period, made possible by Jormakka and Petteri Wirtanen. This produced the 3-0 final, with the three stars handed to Jormakka, Karlsson (36 save shutout), and Olimb.

Down in Moscow, Spartak welcomes Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Atte Engren are between the pipes. Togliatti opened on an Alexander Streltsov goal, fueled by Vasily Streltsov and Andrei Stepanov. Lada added on in the second period with a Vasily Streltsov goal, made possible by Alexander Streltsov. Moscow got on the board with a Filipp Toluzakov goal, coming off of Igor Radulov and Alexander Vasilyev. Togliatti shot back in the third period as Alexander Bumagin scored, thanks to Dmitry Vorobyov and Mark Flood. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars given to Masalskis (44 for 45 in saves), Vasily Streltsov, and Alexander Streltsov.

Backtracking to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas and Vitaly Kolesnik occupy the creases. Yaroslavl dented the scoreboard with a second period goal by Yegor Averin, assisted by Daniil Apalkov and Petri Kontiola. Kazan tied it on a Fyodor Malykhin goal, courtesy of Mikhail Varnakov. Lokomotiv retook the lead in the third period on an Ilya Gorokhov goal, passed from Apalkov. Yaroslavl added on with a Patrik Hersley power play goal, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Kontiola. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Apalkov, Kontiola, and Kolesnik (30 for 31 in saves).

Wrapping up the day, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ilya Ezhov are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period with a Daniil Ilyin goal, guided in by Dan Spang and Alexander Frolov. St. Petersburg tied it with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, fueled by Yegor Yakovlev and Maxim Chudinov. Torpedo retook the lead on a power play goal by Alexei Pepelyaev, powered by Frolov and Vladimir Galuzin. Nizhny Novgorod added on in the third period as Carl Klingberg scored, with the help of Stanislav Yegorshev and Linus Videll. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars handed to Frolon, Proskuryakov (29 for 30 in saves), and Pepelyaev.

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Friday, August 28, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 5

Six games on today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Georgy Gelashvili and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period with a Pavel Medvedev goal, assisted by Artyom Bulyansky and Andrei Taratukhin. Yugra added on with a Konstantin Panov goal, via Igor Bortnikov. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead in the second period on a Nikita Gusev goal, courtesy of Panov and Bortnikov. Pavel Francouz relieved Demchenko in goal. Chelyabinsk got on the board with an Alexei Kruchinin goal, passed from Francis Pare. Traktor pulled closer on a power play goal by Vyacheslav Osnovin, powered by Anton Glinkin and Yegor Martynov. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Pare goal, made possible by Stanislav Chistov and Kruchinin. Yugra retook the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal from Gusev. Khanty-Mansiysk secured the 5-3 win with a Bortnikov goal, set up by Panov and Gusev. The three stars went to Gusev, Panov, and Bortnikov, while Pare and Kruchinin get the honorable mentions.

Over in Moscow, Dynamo welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Alexander Sharychenkov are in the creases. Novokuznetsk was first to score in the first period on a Maxim Kazakov goal, coming off of Ryan Stoa. Moscow tied it as Ansel Galimov scored, thanks to Yury Babenko and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Dynamo took the lead in the second period with a Mat Robinson goal, with a lone helper from Kaspars Daugavins. Metallurg tied it on a power play goal by Roman Manukhov, powered by Kirill Kaprizov. Moscow regained the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Maxim Pestushko, with a lone assist provided by Daugavins. Dynamo added on with an Alexei Tsvetkov power play goal, assisted by Daugavins, who got a sock trick with three assists, and Andrei Mironov. Novokuznetsk got one back with an Ilya Musin goal, fueled by Robert Kousal. They couldn't get the equalizer, and the game ended 4-3. The three stars were Daugavins, Tsvetkov, and Pestushko.

Outside the city, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Harri Sateri are the masked men. Novosibirsk struck first on a David Ullstrom goal, fueled by Dmitry Monya and Rinat Ibragimov. Sibir added on with a Sergei Shumakov goal, guided in by Konstantin Okulov and Vladimir Roth. Novosibirsk extended the lead as Damir Zhafyarov scored, thanks to Maxim Shalunov. Igor Saprykin took over for Sateri in goal. Sibir padded the lead with a goal by Vladimir Butuzov, with a helper from Viktor Bobrov. Novosibirsk continued the attack with an Ivan Vereshchagin goal, made possible by Ullstrom and Monya on the power play. Sateri returned to the net in the second period. Podolsk got on the board in the second period on a Yury Koksharov goal, via Sergei Peretyagin and Teemu Eronen. This was all the scoring for the game, ending at 5-1. The three stars went to Ullstrom, Monya, and Salak (25 for 26 in saves).

Out east a bit, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Alexander Sudnitsin guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk began with a first period goal by Kirill Lyamin, via Mikhail Zhukov and Yegor Milovzorov. Yekaterinburg tied it in the second period as Vitaly Popov scored, with a lone assist by Ondrej Roman. Avtomobilist took the lead on an unassisted goal by Pavel Turbin. This held up for a 2-1 win for them, with the three stars going to Kovar (15 for 16 in saves), Turbin, and Popov.

Way to the west, Medvescak Zagreb welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Danny Taylor are the inexperienced goalies. Zagreb started with an unassisted goal by Radek Smolenak in the first period. Medvescak added on with a second period goal by Geoffrey Kinrade, going in unassisted. Vladivostok got on the board with a power play goal by Alexander Kuznetsov, powered by Dmitry Mosyachov and Pascal Pelletier. Zagreb replied with a third period goal by Marek Kvapil, another unassisted goal. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Kinrade, Taylor (24 for 25 in saves), and Kvapil.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Michael Garnett draw the starts in goal. Khabarovsk dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Tom Wandell power play goal, powered by Rafael Akhmetov and Sergei Teryayev. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars handed to Metsola (39 save shutout), Wandell, and Garnett (13 for 14 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 4

Here's the biggest day of the season so far, with a total of eight games on. We begin in...

Omsk, where Avangard hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Dominik Furch in goal. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Jan Kovar goal, assisted by Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on with a Mozyakin goal, via Wojtek Wolski. Omsk tied it in the second period on an Ilya Zubov power play goal, powered by Sergei Shirokov and Denis Parshin. Avangard tied it with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, fueled by Alexander Popov. Magnitogorsk retook the lead in the third period as Chris Lee scored, thanks to Danis Zaripov. Omsk tied it again on an unassisted power play goal from Alexander Chernikov. In the shootout, Zaripov tallied to give Metallurg the 4-3 win. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Zaripov, and Lee.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Jan Laco are between the pipes. Astana started in the first period on a Dustin Boyd goal, guided in by Kevin Dallman and Mike Lundin. Ufa tied it with a Nikolai Prokhorkin power play goal, with a lone helper from Kirill Koltsov. Barys took the lead back in the second period on a Roman Savchenko goal, assisted by Alexei Kaigorodov and Talgat Zhailauov on the power play. Astana added on with a Boyd penalty shot goal after he was hooked by Ivan Vishnevsky. Salavat Yulaev got one back on a Sergei Soin goal, passed from Koltsov. Barys replied with a third period goal from Boyd, who completed his hat trick with the help of Dallman and Lundin. Astana extended the lead with a Maxim Semyonov goal, made possible by Roman Starchenko and Martin St. Pierre. Ufa chipped back on a Linus Omark goal, via Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Boyd, Dallman, and Lundin, while Koltsov gets an honorable mention.

Crossing Russia to Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Lisutin and Riku Helenius are in the blue paint. Helsinki led off with a first period goal by Juhamatti Aaltonen, fueled by Tommi Huhtala. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Evgeny Mozer, powered by Linus Videll and Vladimir Galuzin. Jokerit retook the lead on a Brandon Kozun goal, courtesy of Peter Regin and Topi Jaakola. Helsinki added on in the third period when Kozun scored again, with a lone assist from Regin. Jokerit extended the lead as Huhtala found the back of the net, set up by Aaltonen and Mathias Olimb on the power play. Helsinki padded the lead with a goal by Regin on the power play, with helpers provided by Pekka Jormakka and Kozun. This produced the 5-1 win, with the three stars awarded to Kozun, Regin, and Aaltonen, while Huhtala gets an honorable mention.

Back into Russia, where Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Vitaly Kolesnik protect the nets. Yaroslavl struck first in the first period on a Vladislav Kartayev goal, made possible by Dmitry Maltsev. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with an Alexander Polunin goal, coming off of Ilya Lyubushkin. The score held for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Kolesnik (16 save shutout), Kartayev, and Polunin.

Out in Latvia, Dinamo Riga hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Joacim Eriksson receive the starting nods in goal. Riga opened in the first period with a Felix Schutz goal, with a lone assist from Miks Indrasis. Cherepovets tied it on an Evgeny Mons goal, made possible by Pavel Chernov and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Severstal took the lead in the third period on a Pavel Buchnevich goal, assisted by Andrei Shefer and Mattias Karlsson. Dinamo retied it with a power play goal by Tim Sestito, powered by Lauris Darzins and Steven Seigo. Cherepovets won 3-2 in overtime on a Mons goal, courtesy of Miroslav Blatak. The three stars went to Mons, Buchnevich, and Sestito.

Backtracking to Moscow, where CSKA welcomes crosstown rivals Spartak. Atte Engren and Stanislav Galimov are the masked men. CSKA was first to score in the first period on a Stephane Da Costa power play goal, powered by Denis Denisov. Spartak tied it on a Charles Genoway goal, fueled by Casey Wellman and Matthew Gilroy on the power play. CSKA took the lead back as Da Costa scored again thanks to Alexander Radulov. CSKA added on in the second period with a Dmitry Kugryshev power play goal, assisted by Igor Ozhiganov. CSKA extended the lead with a Geoff Platt goal, coming on the power play from Denisov and Alexander Radulov. Spartak got one back in the third period with a Wellman goal, dished from Igor Radulov and Vyacheslav Leshchenko. CSKA iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Alexander Radulov, set up by Sergei Andronov and Bogdan Kiselevich. The three stars went to Da Costa, Wellman, and Alexander Radulov, while Denisov gets an honorable mention.

Down to the Sochi Leopards hosting Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas is mismatched with Konstantin Barulin in goal. Kazan got going in the second period on an unassisted goal by Albert Yarullin. This was the only goal in the game, with the three starts named as Rynnas (33 save shutout), Yarullin, and Barulin (18 for 19 in saves).

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Milchakov and Ilya Ezhov guard the cages. St. Petersburg dented the scoreboard in the first period on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, assisted by Dinar Khafizullin and Arseny Khatsei. Minsk tied it on a second period goal from Ryan Vesce, made possible by Matt Ellison and Artur Gavrus. SKA took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Maxim Chudinov, powered by Vadim Shipachyov and Ilya Kovalchuk. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars being Chudinov, Ezhov (27 for 28 in saves), and Ponikarovsky.

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

MLS Midweek Games August 26, 2015

Two games on in midweek for MLS, beginning with...

The Chicago Fire hosting the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Sean Johnson are the veteran goalies. New York started with a tenth minute goal by Sacha Kljestan on a penalty kick. The Red Bulls saw a yellow card go to Connor Lade for a nineteenth minute foul. Chicago tied it on a Kennedy Igboananike goal in the twenty-second minute, via Gilberto. In the thirty-ninth minute, New York saw a yellow card for a Dax McCarty foul. The Fire took the lead in the forty-first minute when Patrick Nyarko scored, thanks to Michael Stephens and Gilberto. The Red Bulls tied it again in the forty-ninth minute with a Ronald Zubar goal, from Kljestan and Lloyd Sam. In the seventieth minute, Matt Polster took a yellow card for Chicago for his foul. The Fire took the lead in the seventy-third minute on another Igboananike goal, courtesy of David Accam and Stephens. New York's Matt Miazga took a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-seventh minute. The final stood at 3-2, with the man of the match being Igboananike for his brace.

Out in Colorado, the Rapids host the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Clint Irwin are in the six-yard boxes. Colorado opened with a twentieth minute penalty kick goal by Vicente Sanchez. The Rapids had a yellow card go to Bobby Burling for a thirty-fifth minute handball. Houston tied it on a Brad Davis penalty kick goal in the thirty-seventh minute. Colorado took a yellow card for a foul by Sam Cronin in the thirty-ninth minute. The Dynamo had yellow cards given to Will Bruin in the forty-eighth minute and Alex in the fifty-eighth minute, both for fouls. In the seventy-sixth minute, the Rapids had a yellow card for a foul by Juan Ramirez. Colorado took the lead in the seventy-ninth minute on a Kevin Doyle goal, made possible by Sean St. Ledger and Dillon Serna. This made it 2-1, the final, with Doyle named man of the match for his winner.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 3

Six games on today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar faces a lesser foe in Pavel Francouz in goal. Chelyabinsk dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Andrei Popov goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Osnovin and Alexei Petrov. Yekaterinburg tied it on a power play goal by Artyom Gareyev, powered by Vitaly Popov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Anton Glinkin of Traktor got matched by Avtomobilist's Petr Koukal before Martin Ruzicka took the game 2-1 for Traktor. The three stars went to Francouz (27 for 28 in saves), Kovar (30 for 31 in saves), and Ruzicka.

Over in Moscow, Dynamo welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Novosibirsk opened in the first period on an Oleg Gubin goal, fueled by Maxim Shalunov. Moscow tied it with a power play goal from Juuso Hietanen, powered by Denis Kokarev and Yegor Dugin. Dynamo took the lead in the second period as Maxim Karpov scored, thanks to Alexei Tsvetkov and Martins Karsums. Sibir tied it again with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, made possible by David Ullstrom and Dmitry Monya. Moscow regained the lead on an Ansel Galimov goal, with a lone helper by Mat Robinson. Novosibirsk tied it in the third period as Ullstrom scored, with the help of Rinat Ibragimov. Dynamo won 4-3 in overtime when Karsums potted a goal, guided in by Karpov and Andrei Mironov. The three stars belonged to Karsums, Karpov, and Ullstrom.

Down to Podolsk, where Vityaz brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky and Harri Sateri are in the creases. Novokuznetsk started in the first period on an Ilya Musin goal, coming off of Robert Kousal. Podolsk tied it on a second period power play goal by Igor Musatov, powered by Georgy Berdyukov and Vyacheslav Solodukhin. It took a Solodukhin tally in the shootout's fourth round to seal the 2-1 win for Vityaz. The three stars were awarded to Solodukhin, Sateri (30 for 31 in saves), and Podyapolsky (31 for 32 in saves).

Back east, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Georgy Gelashvili and Alexander Sudnitsin are the overrated goalies. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period on an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, fueled by Tim Kennedy and Jeff Taffe. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the third period with an Igor Volkov goal, courtesy of Andrei Ivanov and Nikita Gusev. Neftekhimik regained the lead on another Grigorenko goal, assisted by Alexander Yevseyenkov. This made it a 2-1 final, with the three stars being Grigorenko, Sudnitsin (32 for 33 in saves), and Gelashvili (36 for 38 in saves).

Out west in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Danny Taylor are the relatively inexperienced goalies. Zagreb got going in the second period on a Tomislav Zanoski goal, via Mark Katic and Nathan Perkovich. Medvescak added on with a Tomas Mertl goal, made possible by Marek Kvapil and Geoffrey Kinrade. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Ushenin. Amur tied it on a power play goal by Tom Wandell, powered by Dmitry Tarasov. In the ensuing shootout after a scoreless third period, Tomas Zahorna and Vladislav Ushenin scored to give Amur a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Vladislav Ushenin, Wandell, and Litovchenko.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period on a Kirill Voronin goal, fueled by Nikita Lisov and Maxim Mamin. Admiral added on with a second period power play goal from Alexander Kuznetsov, powered by Viktor Alexandrov. Bratislava got on the board as Michal Sersen scored, with the help of Marek Viedensky and Andrej Stastny. Vladivostok replied in the third period on a Yegor Yakovlev goal, assisted by Voronin and Artyom Podshendyalov. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Voronin, Nalimov (30 for 31 in saves), Kuznetsov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

2015/2016 KHL Season - Day 2

There's a bigger slate of games today, a total of seven to play, beginning with...

Barys Astana hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Jan Laco protect the nets. Astana started in the first period on a Konstantin Rudenko goal, assisted by Roman Savchenko and Martin St. Pierre. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the third period on a Chris Lee goal, via Tomas Filippi and Wojtek Wolski. Metallurg took the lead as Wolski scored, thanks to Filippi and Oskar Osala. This made it a 2-1 win for Metallurg, with the three stars going to Wolski, Filippi, and Koshechkin (21 for 22 in saves).

Along to Omsk, where Avangard welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Dominik Furch are the new goalies in the KHL. Ufa began in the first period on a Denis Khlystov goal, fueled by Nikolai Prokhorkin. Omsk tied it with a Sergei Shirokov power play goal in the second period, powered by Denis Parshin and Ilya Zubov. Avangard took the lead with a Jonas Ahnelov goal, passed from Alexander Perezhogin and Vladimir Sobotka on the power play. Omsk added on with an unassisted goal by Perezhogin. Salavat Yulaev chipped back on a third period power play goal from Sami Lepisto, coming off of Linus Omark. Avangard answered with an Alexander Popov shorthanded goal, set up by Sobotka. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to Perezhogin, Sobotka, and Ahnelov.

North to Finland, as Jokerit Helsinki brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Henrik Karlsson receive the starting nods in goal. Cherepovets got going in the second period on a Yury Trubachyov power play goal, powered by Andrei Shefer and Ondrej Nemec. Helsinki tied it on a Philip Larsen goal, guided in by Pekka Jormakka and the goalie Karlsson. Jokerit took the lead on a power play goal by Ville Lajunen, fueled by Juhamatti Aaltonen. Helsinki added on in the third period on a Tomi Maki goal, helped along by Jesse Joensuu and Jani Rita. Severstal got one back on an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, assisted by Andrei Konev and Sergei Monakhov. They couldn't find an equalizer, falling 3-2. The three stars belonged to Maki, Lajunen, and Larsen.

Back in Russia, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Ivan Lisutin are in the blue paint. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Carl Klingberg. Yaroslavl tied it with a Patrik Hersley goal in the second period, with a lone assist from Denis Mosalyov. Lokomotiv took the lead as Mosalyov scored in the third period, with the help of Hersley. Torpedo tied it again with an Alexei Potapov goal, via Dan Spang. In the shootout, Vladimir Galuzin of Nizhny Novgorod was answered by Petri Kontiola of Yaroslavl before Torpedo took the game 3-2 on an Alexander Frolov tally. The three stars went to Mosalyov, Hersley, and Frolov.

Moving along to Latvia, where Dinamo Riga brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Joacim Eriksson are the masked men. Riga dented the scoreboard with a Kaspars Saulietis goal in the second period, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Kazan tied it on an unassisted goal from Alexander Svitov. Dinamo took the lead back in the third period with a Miks Indrasis goal, guided in by Mikelis Redlihs and Kristaps Sotnieks. Riga added on with a Gunars Skvorcovs goal, with a lone helper by Krisjanis Redlihs. This produced the 3-1 final score, with the three stars handed to Indrasis, Skvorcovs, and Eriksson (30 for 31 in saves).

Into Moscow, where Spartak returns to the KHL welcoming Dinamo Minsk. Jeff Glass and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Moscow struck first with a first period goal by Maxim Potapov, assisted by Evgeny Bodrov. Minsk tied it on a second period goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, passed from Alexei Kalyuzhny and Lukas Krajicek. Spartak took the lead back on a third period goal from Potapov, fueled by Sergei Shmelyov. Dinamo tied it again with an Alexander Materukhin goal, made possible by Sergei Drozd. Minsk took the lead with a Matt Ellison goal, coming off of Cheechoo and Krajicek. Moscow tied it again on an Igor Radulov goal, courtesy of Alexander Mereskin. Spartak won 4-3 with an overtime goal by Casey Wellman, helped along by Dmitry Korobov and Lukas Radil. The three stars went to Cheechoo, Krajicek, and Wellman.

Finally, the Sochi Leopards host Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Konstantin Barulin are the experienced goalies. Sochi opened in the second period on an unassisted Nikolai Zherdev goal. Togliatti tied it on a third period goal by Alexander Bumagin, guided in by Tobias Viklund. The Leopards retook the lead on a power play goal from Andre Petersson, powered by Ben Maxwell and Sergei Kuznetsov. Sochi added on as Mikhail Anisin scored, with a lone assist by Max Warn. Lada got one back on a Mark Flood goal, via Igor Magogin. The Leopards iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal from Pyotr Schastlivy, set up by Clay Wilson. The three stars belonged to Anisin, Petersson, and Zherdev.

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