Wednesday, October 7, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 44

There are seven games to play as the KHL is no longer the top league active this season on the NHL's opening night. We begin with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Chelyabinsk led off with a shorthanded Semyon Kokuyov goal in the first period, set up by Yegor Martynov and Maxim Yakutsenya. Traktor added on with a Dmitry Pestunov goal in the second period, passed from Andrei Popov and Anton Glinkin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead with a power play goal by Glinkin, powered by Popov and Pestunov. Traktor padded the lead on a Pestunov goal, his second of the game, via Popov, who got a sock trick. Riku Helenius replaced Karlsson in goal. Helsinki got on the board with a Peter Regin goal, assisted by Brandon Kozun. Chelyabinsk replied on a Popov goal, made possible by Ilya Davydov and Martynov on the power play. Jokerit chipped back in the third period as Juhamatti Aaltonen scored, thanks to Mathis Olimb. Helsinki edged closer on a Tommi Huhtala goal, with a lone assist by Topi Jaakola. The final stood from here at 5-3, with the three stars being Pestunov, Popov, and Glinkin, while Martynov gets an honorable mention.

Into Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Michael Garnett and Niklas Svedberg are in the creases. Ufa started with a power play goal by Igor Grigorenko, powered by Andreas Engqvist and Linus Omark in the first period. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Maxim Goncharov goal, going in unassisted. Ufa extended the lead as Sami Lepisto scored, with the help of Engqvist. Barry Brust came on in relief of Garnett. Bratislava got on the board with a Marek Viedensky goal, coming off of Michel Miklik and Vaclav Nedorost. Slovan pulled closer in the second period on a Milan Bartovic goal, helped along by Michal Sersen and Vladimir Mihalik. This only made it 3-2, which was the eventual final, and the three stars belonged to Lepisto, Goncharov, and Grigorenko.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Gasper Kroselj and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Zagreb dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, via Jesse Saarinen. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Medvescak took the lead on a Gilbert Brule goal, courtesy of Bjorkstrand and Tomas Mertl. Metallurg tied it again on an Oskar Osala goal, guided in by Wojtek Wolski and Yaroslav Khabarov. Magnitogorsk won 3-2 with a Mozyakin goal in overtime, fueled by Chris Lee and Kovar. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Bjorkstrand.

To the west, Lada Togliatti hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Edgars Masalskis protect the nets. Togliatti got going in the second period on a Dmitry Vorobyov goal, assisted by Georgy Belousov and Stanislav Romanov. This held up as the game's only goal, for a 1-0 Lada win. The three stars were handed to Masalskis (17 save shutout), Vorobyov, and Sateri (30 for 31 in saves).

Nearby, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Dinamo Riga. Joacim Eriksson and Alexander Sudnitsin receive the starting nods in goal. Nizhnekamsk drew first blood in the second period on a Mikhail Zhukov goal, passed from Evgeny Ryasensky and Igor Polygalov. Neftekhimik added on with a power play goal by Pavel Zdunov, powered by Jeff Taffe and Evgeny Grigorenko. Riga got on the board with a Nikolajs Jelisejevs goal, with a lone assist from Roberts Locans. Nizhnekamsk answered in the third period on a Zhukov goal, helped along by Yegor Milovzorov and Polygalov. The final remained at 3-1, with the three stars given to Zhukov, Sudnitsin (31 for 32 in saves), and Polygalov.

In the southwest, the Sochi Leopards welcome Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Konstantin Barulin are the veteran goalies. Sochi began in the first period on an Ilya Krikunov power play goal, powered by Andrei Kostitsyn. Moscow tied it with a Lukas Radil goal in the second period, fueled by Charles Genoway and Yaroslav Dyblenko. The Leopards took the lead with an Igor Ignatushkin goal, via Kostitsyn. Spartak tied it again as Evgeny Bodrov scored, thanks to Dmitry Korobov and Maxim Potapov. Moscow took the lead in the third period on a Roman Tatalin power play goal, assisted by Korobov and Potapov. Spartak added on with an unassisted goal by Konstantin Glazachev. Moscow extended the lead on a Radil goal, his second of the game, made possible by Alexander Mereskin. Spartak padded the lead as Gleb Klimenko scored, with a lone helper by Alexander Vasilyev. This produced the 6-2 final, with the three stars going to Radil, Korobov, and Potapov.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Emil Garipov are between the pipes. Kazan opened in the first period with a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, powered by Albert Yarullin and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars added on with a Varnakov goal in the second period, coming off of Fyodor Malykhin. Moscow got on the board in the third period as Dmitry Vishnevsky scored, thanks to Yegor Dugin. Kazan replied on a Yarullin goal, passed from Azevedo and Yakov Rylov on the power play. Dynamo pulled back on a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, assisted by Mat Robinson. This wasn't enough, and the final stayed at 3-2. The three stars went to Varnakov, Yarullin, and Azevedo.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 43

Three games for today, beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Jakub Kovar draw the starts in goal. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period on a Anatoly Golyshev power play goal, powered by Alexander Torchenyuk and Nikita Tryamkin. Novokuznetsk tied it on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, passed from Alexander Komaristy. Avtomobilist retook the lead with a Dmitry Megalinsky power play goal in the third period, assisted by Golyshev and Eero Elo. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Golyshev, Kovar (22 for 23 in saves), and Megalinsky.

Next up, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Georgy Gelashvili are in goal. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Tomas Vincour goal, made possible by Konstantin Alexeyev and the goalie Salak. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it as Alexander Shevchenko scored a power play goal, with the help of Igor Volkov and Andrei Ivanov. In the shootout, Sibir's Maxim Shalunov and David Ullstrom got canceled out by Nikita Gusev and Shevchenko, and then Yugra won 2-1 on a second Gusev tally. The three stars went to Gusev, Shevchenko, and Gelashvili (34 for 35 in saves).

Finally, in the west, Severstal Cherepovets brings in CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov faces a lesser foe in Sergei Magarilov. Cherepovets opened in the first period on a Sergei Monakhov goal, guided in by Mattias Karlsson and Sergei Dorofeyev. Moscow tied it on a Jan Mursak power play goal, with a lone assist by Dmitry Kugryshev. Severstal took the lead back in the third period as Pavel Buchnevich scored, thanks to Yury Trubachyov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Magarilov (45 for 46 in saves), and Monakhov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, October 5, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 42

Seven games for this day's slate. We begin with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Spartak Moscow. Evgeny Ivannikov and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Artyom Voronin goal, courtesy of Alexander Vasilyev. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period as Semyon Kokuyov scored, thanks to Danil Gubarev and Alexander Rybakov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Deron Quint lifted Traktor to a 2-1 win, with the helpers provided by Kokuyov and Rybakov. The three stars went to Kokuyov, Demchenko (24 for 25 in saves), and Rybakov.

Up in Togliatti, Lada welcomes Dinamo Riga. Joacim Eriksson and Edgars Masalskis are the goalies. Riga got going with a second period goal by Andris Dzerins. Togliatti tied it on a Vasily Streltsov goal, coming off of Stanislav Romanov and Dmitry Vorobyov. The tie went to a shootout, where Ville Leino of Dinamo and Martin Zatovic of Lada cancelled out early on, followed by Leino matched by Anton Shenfeld, and then a decisive goal by Miks Indrasis. The 2-1 game saw the three stars go to Indrasis, Leino, and Eriksson (30 for 31 in saves).

In the west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Alexei Murygin are between the pipes. Lokomotiv struck first in the first period on a Vladislav Kartayev power play goal, powered by Yegor Averin and Daniil Apalkov. Lokomotiv added on with a second period Emil Galimov goal, guided in by Patrik Hersley and Kartayev. Podolsk got on the board with a Roman Horak goal, via Mario Kempe and Denis Abdullin. Yaroslavl answered in the third period as Averin scored an empty net goal, set up by Apalkov and Petri Kontiola. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Kartayev, Averin, and Apalkov.

Back east a bit, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Mikhail Biryukov are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, assisted by Nikita Dvurechensky and Dmitry Semin. Omsk tied it with a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, fueled by Denis Kulyash. Avangard took the lead on a shorthanded goal by Vladimir Sobotka, set up by Jonas Ahnelov and Kulyash. Torpedo tied it again in the third period with a Carter Ashton power play goal, powered by Alexander Budkin and Linus Videll. The tie went to a shootout, where Kaspars Daugavins and Vladimir Galuzin scored to give Torpedo the 3-2 win. The three stars belonged to Kulyash, Ashton, and Kulyomin.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Alexander Sudnitsin occupy the creases. St. Petersburg began in the first period on a power play goal by Anton Burdasov, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Vadim Shipachyov. Nizhnekamsk tied it with a second period goal by Igor Polygalov, via Yegor Milovzorov. SKA took the lead again in the third period on a Kovalchuk goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Dadonov. Neftekhimik tied it on a Pavel Kulikov goal, coming off of Alexander Kitarov and Alexander Yevseyenkov. St. Petersburg pulled ahead again on a Dadonov goal, helped along by Jarno Koskiranta and the goalie Ezhov. Nizhnekamsk equalized on a Kitarov goal, passed from Yevseyenkov. The tie went to a shootout, where Alexander Barabanov scored to give SKA the only lead that lasted, for a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Kovalchuk, Dadonov, and Kitarov, while Yevseyenkov gets an honorable mention.

To the south, the Sochi Leopards welcome Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Konstantin Barulin guard the cages. Sochi opened in the first period on a Clay Wilson goal, made possible by Andrei Kostitsyn. The Leopards added on in the second period as Mikhail Anisin scored, with the help of Max Warn and Vladimir Malevich. Moscow got on the board with a third period goal by Alexei Tsvetkov, via Gleb Koryagin and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Dynamo tied it on a Konstantin Gorovikov goal, courtesy of Alexander Avtsin. Moscow took the lead with another Gorovikov goal, with a lone helper by Mat Robinson. Sochi retied it on a Yegor Morozov goal, assisted by Malevich and Igor Ignatushkin. The Leopards gained the lead on a Ben Maxwell goal, guided in by Wilson and Malevich, the latter earning a sock trick. The final held at 4-3 for Sochi, with the three stars being Malevich, Gorovikov, and Wilson.

Finally, Dinamo Minsk hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Dmitry Milchakov protect the nets. Astana started with a first period goal by Martin St. Pierre, courtesy of Brandon Bochenski and Nigel Dawes. Minsk tied it on a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal in the second period, powered by Nick Bailen and Paul Szczechura. Dinamo took the lead on a Szczechura goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Materukhin. Minsk added on with an Artur Gavrus goal, fueled by Bailen and Szczechura. Barys shot back with a Keaton Ellerby goal, made possible by Mike Lundin and St. Pierre. Dinamo replied with a Matt Ellison goal, coming off of Alexei Kalyuzhny on the power play. Minsk extended the lead as Ellison scored a power play goal with the help of Bailen, who got a sock trick, and Kalyuzhny. In the third period, Ellison completed his natural hat trick for Dinamo, with assists provided by Kalyuzhny, who got a sock trick, and Bailen. The final was 6-2, and the three stars were awarded to Ellison, Bailen, and Szczechura, while St. Pierre and Kalyuzhny receive honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 31

All teams in action this weekend, beginning with a Friday game in...

DC, as United hosts New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Bill Hamid are the keepers. New York City struck first with a first minute goal by Frank Lampard. New York City saw a yellow card go to Chris Wingert for his foul in the thirty-first minute. In the forty-third minute, Jefferson Mena of New York City received a yellow card for a foul. Mix Diskerud of New York City saw a yellow card for his fifty-fourth minute foul. DC took a yellow card for a Sean Franklin foul in the sixty-sixth minute. United tied it in the seventy-third minute on a Fabian Espindola goal. New York City had a yellow card go to RJ Allen for his foul in the eighty-first minute. DC's Bobby Boswell was booked on a yellow card for his eighty-seventh minute foul. Jason Hernandez of New York City received a yellow card in stoppage time for his foul. United won 2-1 on a goal a minute late from Alvaro Saborio. The man of the match was Saborio for this late winner.

On Saturday, the first game is Toronto FC welcomes the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Chris Konopka are given the starting nods in goal. Philadelphia took a yellow card for a twenty-fifth minute foul by Steven Vitoria. Toronto opened in the twenty-eighth minute on a Sebastian Giovinco goal. In the sixty-third minute, Toronto added on with a Jozy Altidore goal, via Marco Delgado. The Union pulled back with a Vitoria goal in the sixty-sixth minute, courtesy of Cristian Maidana. Toronto finished it at 3-1 in stoppage time as Philadelphia's Richie Marquez had an own goal. The man of the match was Altidore.

Stateside, the New York Red Bulls bring in the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Luis Robles tend the goals. Columbus was first to score in the ninth minute with a Justin Meram goal, assisted by Harrison Afful. New York tied it in the twelfth minute as Lloyd Sam scored, thanks to Sacha Kljestan. In the fifteenth minute, the Red Bulls' Damien Perrinelle took a yellow card for his foul. New York added on with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal in the twenty-first minute, courtesy of Connor Lade. The Red Bulls keeper Robles received a yellow card for his time wasting in the seventy-eighth minute. The Crew saw a yellow card go to Gaston Sauro in the seventy-ninth minute for a foul. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Wright-Phillips for the winner.

Down in Florida, Orlando City SC hosts the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Tally Hall are in the six-yard boxes. Montreal had a yellow card for a nineteenth minute foul by Andres Romero. Orlando City started in the thirty-third minute on a Cyle Larin goal. The Impact tied it in the forty-third minute as Dominic Oduro scored. The Orlando City goalie Hall took a yellow card for dissent in the forty-fourth minute. In first half stoppage time, Donny Toia and Johan Venegas of Montreal each received yellow cards for fouls, while Orlando City's Kaka got booked on a yellow card for unsporting behavior. Orlando City saw a yellow card assessed to Luke Boden for a foul in the sixty-second minute. Orlando City took the lead on an eightieth minute goal by Seb Hines. Orlando City received a yellow card for a Brek Shea foul in the eighty-seventh minute. The final held at 2-1 for Orlando City, and Hines was named man of the match for his game-winner.

Back north, the Chicago Fire welcome the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Jon Busch man the nets. New England led off in the thirty-first minute with a Juan Agudelo goal, via Chris Tierney. Chicago had a yellow card given to David Accam for his forty-third minute foul. The Fire tied it in the fifty-first minute on an Accam goal, assisted by Harry Shipp. Chicago took the lead as Shipp scored, with the help of Lovel Palmer, in the fifty-ninth minute. In the sixty-second minute, Jeff Larentowicz of the Fire had a yellow card for his foul. Chicago's Shipp got booked on a yellow card for his handball in the sixty-fifth minute. The Fire added on with a Gilberto goal in the eighty-sixth minute, set up by Matt Watson. In the eighty-ninth minute, Michael Stephens of Chicago received a yellow card for his foul. The Revolution saw a yellow card for Teal Bunbury's foul in the ninetieth minute. New England had a yellow card given to Jermaine Jones in stoppage time for a foul. Chicago took the game 3-1, with the man of the match being Shipp for his game-winner and an assist.

Out west, the Portland Timbers bring in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Adam Larsen Kwarasey guard the woodwork. Portland's Fanendo Adi took a yellow card for a seventieth minute foul. Kansas City had a yellow card go to Benny Feilhaber in the seventy-fourth minute for a foul. The Timbers had a yellow card go to Diego Valeri in the eightieth minute. Sporting got going in the eighty-third minute on a Krisztian Nemeth goal, passed from Graham Zusi. Kansas City's goalie Melia took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-eighth minute. The final held at 1-0, with Melia the man of the match for a clean sheet on six saves.

Saturday ends with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and David Bingham are the similarly named goalies. San Jose took yellow cards for Clarence Goodson in the twenty-seventh minute and Anibal Godoy in the thirty-seventh minute, both for fouls. Vancouver began in the thirty-ninth minute with a Cristian Techera goal. The Whitecaps saw a yellow card for a Steven Beitashour foul in the sixtieth minute. The Earthquakes tied it in the sixty-second minute on a Chris Wondolowski goal. In the sixty-sixth minute, Victor Bernardez received a yellow card for his foul for San Jose. Vancouver's Matias Laba took a yellow card for a foul in the eightieth minute. The final remained at 1-1, with the man of the match being Wondolowski for the equalizer.

Sunday's first of three games is a Texas derby, with FC Dallas welcoming the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Jesse Gonzalez are in front of the nets. Dallas drew first blood on a twenty-fifth minute penalty kick goal by Mauro Diaz. Houston tied it on a Ricardo Clark goal in the thirty-sixth minute, set up by Oscar Garcia. Brad Davis of the Dynamo took a yellow card for his thirty-seventh minute foul. Leonel Miranda of Houston took a yellow card for a handball in the forty-second minute. Dallas took the lead back with a fifty-first minute goal by David Texeira, via Zach Loyd. Dallas added on in the fifty-third minute with a Kellyn Acosta goal, coming off of Fabian Castillo and Diaz. Atiba Harris of Dallas took a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute foul. In the ninetieth minute, Raul Rodriguez of the Dynamo had a red card for a foul, sending them to ten men for stoppage time. Dallas iced it at 4-1 with a Texeira goal in stoppage time, passed from Michael Barrios. The man of the match was Texeira for his brace, the first of which secured the game.

Along to the Rocky Mountains, as the Colorado Rapids bring in the Real Salt Lake for their derby game. Nick Rimando and Clint Irwin are the veteran keepers. Colorado led off in the sixteenth minute with a Kevin Doyle goal, via Sean St. Ledger. Marcelo Sarvas of the Rapids took a yellow card for his twenty-fifth minute foul. In the thirty-third minute, Joao Plata scored for Salt Lake to tie the game. In the thirty-ninth minute, Colorado saw a yellow card given to Bobby Burling for a foul. Real took the lead on a forty-third minute goal by Luke Mulholland, which he also earned a yellow card on for his excessive celebration. In the seventy-fifth minute, the Rapids had a yellow card for a foul by Maynor Figueroa. In the eighty-second minute, Demar Phillips of Salt Lake took a yellow card for his foul. The final stood at 2-1 for Real, with Mulholland named man of the match.

Finally, the Seattle Sounders FC host the Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan Ricketts is mismatched with Stefan Frei in goal. Los Angeles began with a thirty-sixth minute goal by Robbie Keane. Seattle tied it on a stoppage time goal by Chad Barrett, via Marco Pappa. The final held at 1-1, with the man of the match being Barrett for his late equalizer.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

2015/16 Premier League Week 8

Ahead of another international break, the ten games fit into two days, with seven of them on Saturday. We begin with...

Crystal Palace hosting West Bromwich Albion. Boaz Myhill and Wayne Hennessey are in front of the goals. In the sixteenth minute, James McClean of West Bromwich Albion took a yellow card for his foul. Papa Souare of Crystal Palace received a yellow card for his twenty-fifth minute foul. James Chester of West Bromwich Albion saw a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-first minute. Crystal Palace dented the scoreboard on a sixty-eighth minute goal from Yannick Bolasie, set up by Yohan Cabaye. Crystal Palace took two more yellow cards, for Fraizer Campbell's seventy-ninth minute foul and Claudio Yacob's eighty-seventh minute foul. Crystal Palace finished their victory up 2-0 on an eighty-ninth minute goal by Cabaye on a penalty kick.

Up to Aston Villa welcoming Stoke City. Jack Butland and Brad Guzan are in goal. In the forty-fourth minute, Aston Villa took a yellow card for a foul by Ashley Westwood. Stoke City struck first in the fifty-fifth minute on a Marko Arnautovic goal, guided in by Glen Johnson. This stood for a 1-0 Stoke City win.

Moving along, Bournemouth brings in Watford for a battle between promoted teams. Heurelho Gomes and Artur Boruc are called on for the starts in goal. Bournemouth led off with a twenty-eighth minute goal by Glenn Murray, passed from Matt Ritchie. Murray of Bournemouth took a yellow card for a foul in the forty-third minute. Watford tied it on an Odion Ighalo goal in the forty-fifth minute. In the eighty-fourth minute, Watford goalie Gomes took a yellow card for time wasting before a penalty kick he ultimately saved. This block kept the score at 1-1 for the final.

Up north, Manchester City hosts Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Joe Hart are the goalies with short names. Newcastle United was first to score in the eighteenth minute on an Aleksandar Mitrovic goal, courtesy of Georginio Wijnaldum. Vurnon Anita of Newcastle United had a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute foul. In the forty-second minute, Sergio Aguero tied it for Manchester City with his goal, set up by Fernandinho. In first half stoppage time, Fernandinho took a yellow card for his foul. Manchester City pulled ahead with an Aguero goal in the forty-ninth minute, courtesy of David Silva. Manchester City added on with a fiftieth minute goal by Aguero, completing his hat trick, assisted by Kevin de Bruyne. Manchester City extended the lead on a de Bruyne goal, via Jesus Navas. Manchester City padded the lead on yet another Aguero goal, made possible by Silva in the sixtieth minute. Manchester City kept going as Aguero made it five for himself on a sixty-second minute goal, fueled by de Bruyne. Manchester City took yellow cards for Pablo Zabaleta in the eighty-second minute and Eliaquim Mangala in the eighty-eighth minute, both for fouls. The final favored Manchester City 6-1 in the end.

Continuing to Norwich City welcoming Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and John Ruddy are the keepers. Leicester City began in the twenty-eighth minute with a penalty kick goal by Jamie Vardy. Leicester City added on in the forty-seventh minute with a Jeffrey Schlupp goal, via N'Golo Kante. In the sixty-third minute, Robert Huth of Leicester City had a yellow card. Norwich City got on the board in the sixty-eighth minute with a Dieumerci Mbokani goal, assisted by Jonny Howson. This produced the 2-1 final favoring Leicester City.

Down to Sunderland bringing in West Ham United. Adrian and Costel Pantilimon are the veterans in goal. Mark Noble of West Ham United took a yellow card for his second minute foul. Sunderland started in the tenth minute with a Steven Fletcher goal, courtesy of Yann M'Vila. Sunderland added on in the twenty-second minute through a Jeremain Lens goal, coming off of M'Vila. In the twenty-fourth minute, Winston Reid of West Ham United took a yellow card for his foul. Sunderland saw a yellow card go to Lens in the thirty-second minute for his foul. Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United got booked on a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute foul. Sunderland took a yellow card for Lee Cattermole in the forty-third minute. In first half stoppage time, West Ham United got on the board with a Carl Jenkinson goal, set up by Victor Moses. Sunderland went down to ten men in the fifty-seventh minute when Lens received a second yellow card for another foul. West Ham United tied it on a Dimitri Payet goal in the sixtieth minute. West Ham United's Jenkinson took a yellow card for a seventy-second minute foul. In the seventy-fourth minute, Sebastian Coates of Sunderland received a yellow card for a foul. The score held steady at a 2-2 draw.

Finally, we return to London with Chelsea hosting Southampton. Maarten Stekelenburg and Asmir Begovic are the gloved men. Oriol Romeu of Southampton took a yellow card for his foul in the ninth minute. Chelsea opened on a tenth minute goal by Willian on the ensuing free kick. Southampton had two more yellow cards in the first half, for Ryan Bertrand in the twenty-sixth minute and Sadio mane in the thirty-fourth minute. Chelsea saw a yellow card given to Ramires in the forty-third minute. Southampton tied it on a forty-fourth minute goal from Steven Davis, set up by Graziano Pelle. Falcao of Chelsea had a yellow card for his fifty-seventh minute foul. Southampton took the lead on a Mane goal in the sixtieth minute, assisted by Pelle. Southampton added on with a Pelle goal in the seventy-second minute, via Mane. Southampton saw yellow cards for James Ward-Prowse in the seventy-seventh minute and Pelle in the eighty-sixth minute for his foul. The final remained 3-1 for Southampton.

Sunday begins with Everton welcoming Liverpool in a big derby match. Simon Mignolet and Tim Howard are the gloved men. In the thirty-fifth minute, Ross Barkley of Everton took a yellow card. Liverpool struck first in the forty-first minute on a Danny Ings goal, passed from James Milner. Everton tied it on a Romelu Lukaku goal in first half stoppage time. Everton's James McCarthy received a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-fifth minute. Liverpool took a yellow card for a Lucas Leiva foul in the sixty-ninth minute. Everton saw another yellow card when Lukaku wasted time in second half stoppage time. The final remained in a 1-1 draw.

Into London again, as Arsenal brings in Manchester United. David de Gea and Petr Cech guard the nets. In the sixth minute, Arsenal drew first blood with an Alexis Sanchez goal, made possible by Mesut Ozil. Arsenal added on in the seventh minute as Ozil scored, thanks to Theo Walcott. At the nineteen minute mark, Sanchez extended the Arsenal lead with his second goal of the game, set up by Walcott. Manchester United took yellow cards for Ashley Young's foul in the twenty-second minute and Matteo Darmian's thirtieth minute foul. Arsenal saw a yellow card in the fifty-first minute on a Francis Coquelin foul. In the fifty-fifth minute, Wayne Rooney took a yellow card for his foul. The final held at 3-0 for Arsenal.

Finally, in Wales, Swansea City hosts Tottenham Hotspur. Swansea City was first to score in the sixteenth minute with an Andre Ayew goal, courtesy of Jefferson Montero. Federico Fernandez of Swansea City received a yellow card for his foul in the twenty-sixth minute. Tottenham Hotspur tied it on a twenty-seventh minute goal by Christian Eriksen. Swansea City retook the lead on a thirty-first minute own goal from Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul. Tottenham Hotspur tied it again in the sixty-fifth minute as Eriksen scored again. Tottenham Hotspur had three more yellow cards, for Eric Dier's foul in the seventy-ninth minute, Jan Vertonghen in the eighty-third minute for a dive, and an eighty-ninth minute foul by Kyle Walker. The final stood at 2-2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 41

Six more games go today, beginning in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Ivan Nalimov are the goalies. Vladivostok led off in the first period with a power play goal by Konstantin Makarov, powered by Artyom Podshendyalov. Admiral iced it at 2-0 with a Makarov empty net goal in the third period, set up by Alexander Kuznetsov. The three stars belonged to Makarov, Nalimov (28 save shutout), and Metsola (23 for 24 in saves).

To the west, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Vladislav Fokin are in the creases. Khanty-Mansiysk got going in the second period with a Nikita Gusev goal, assisted by Stanislav Kalashnikov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Viktor Postnikov goal, passed from Alexander Romanov. Metallurg took the lead as Ryan Stoa scored, thanks to Cade Fairchild and Evgeny Orlov. Yugra retied it in the third period on an Igor Bortnikov power play goal, with a lone assist from Gusev. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Artyom Bulyansky and Gusev tallied for Yugra, topping Metallurg's lone goal by Alexander Komaristy. The three stars in the 3-2 game were Guev, Bortnikov, and Stoa.

Along to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on a power play goal by Anatoly Goylshev, powered by Alexei Simakov and Alexei Vasilevsky. Avtomobilist added on with another Golyshev power play goal, guided in by Nikolai Timashov and Simakov. Novosibirsk got on the board in the second period with a Tomas Vincour goal, made possible by Calle Ridderwall and Ivan Vereshchagin. Sibir tied it on a third period goal from Viktor Bobrov, fueled by Vitaly Menshikov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Maxim Shalunov scored to give Novosibirsk the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Golyshev, Simakov, and Bobrov.

Into Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Riku Helenius are the backups in goal. Moscow began with an Evgeny Korotkov goal, coming off of Grigory Panin and Dmitry Kugryshev. Helsinki tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Petteri Wirtanen, set up by Peter Regin. CSKA took the lead back on a Geoff Platt goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Roman Lyubimov. Moscow iced it at 3-1 as Simon Hjalmarsson scored an empty net goal, with the help of Denis Denisov and Jan Mursak. The three stars went to Platt, Sorokin (27 for 28 in saves), and Korotkov.

Southwest to Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Gasper Kroselj are between the pipes. Zagreb opened with a first period power play goal from Milan Jurcina, powered by Jesse Saarinen and Marek Kvapil. Ufa tied it on an Ivan Vishnevsky power play goal in the second period, helped along by Enver Lisin. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the third period on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, courtesy of Lisin and Alexander Loginov. Ufa added on with a Dmitry Makarov goal, passed from Hartikainen and Denis Bodrov. Medvescak got one back as Jurcina scored an unassisted power play goal. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars going to Hartikainen, Jurcina, and Lisin.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Michael Garnett guard the cages. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard with a shorthanded first period goal by Denis Platonov, set up by Evgeny Biryukov. Metallurg added on in the second period with an Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Tomas Filippi and Chris Lee. Bratislava got on the board in the third period on a Milan Bartovic goal, assisted by Tomas Surovy and Ladislav Nagy. Slovan tied it on a Rok Ticar goal, coming off of Andrej Stastny and Ziga Jeglic. Magnitogorsk took the lead back on a Filippi goal, with a lone assist by Wojtek Wolski. Metallurg extended the lead as Oskar Osala scored an empty net goal, thanks to Filippi and Wolski. Magnitogorsk ended with a 5-2 win on an Evgeny Timkin goal, helped along by Vladislav Kaletnik. The three stars went to Filippi, Wolski, and Koshechkin (29 for 31 in saves).

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Saturday, October 3, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 40

Six games on for today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. St. Petersburg got going in the second period on an unassisted goal by Alexander Barabanov. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Alexander Rybakov goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Semyon Kokuyov. Traktor won 2-1 with a Kokuyov overtime goal, set up by Rybakov. The three stars went to Kokuyov, Rybakov, and Demchenko (19 for 20 in saves).

Over to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Mikhail Biryukov draw the starts. Nizhny Novgorod dented the scoreboard in the second period as Vladimir Galuzin scored a power play goal, powered by Kaspars Daugavins and Linus Videll. Torpedo added on in the third period with an Alexei Sopin goal, via Alexander Budkin and Dmitry Semin. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars going to Biryukov (32 save shutout), Galuzin, and Sopin.

Down to Sochi, where the Leopards bring in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Konstantin Barulin protect the nets. Sochi struck first on a Pyotr Schastlivy goal, assisted by Mikhail Anisin and Max Warn. The Leopards added on as Roman Lyuduchin scored, with a lone assist by Nikolai Zherdev. Sochi chased Sateri on a Yegor Morozov goal, fueled by Alexander Shcherbina and Alexei Semenov. Igor Saprykin took over in the Vityaz net. The Leopards extended the lead on a power play goal by Lyuduchin in the second period, powered by Semenov and Clay Wilson. Sochi padded the lead with a third period goal from Lyuduchin, coming unassisted on the power play. This made it a 5-0 game, with the three stars being Lyuduchin, Barulin (30 save shutout), and Semenov.

Back north, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Vitaly Kolesnik tend the twines. Yaroslavl opened with a Yegor Averin power play goal in the first period, powered by Petri Kontiola and Vladislav Kartayev. Moscow tied it on a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, with a lone helper by Denis Kokarev. Lokomotiv took the lead back in the second period on a Denis Mosalyov goal, made possible by Pavel Koledov and Ilya Gorokhov. Dynamo tied it again in the third period on a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, helped along by Alexei Tsvetkov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Averin's lone tally gave Lokomotiv the 3-2 win. The three stars belonged to Averin, Mosalyov, and Pestushko.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Dmitry Milchakov are in the creases. Omsk started with an Ivan Fishchenko goal, coming off of Pavel Valentenko and Anton Kuryanov. Avangard added on with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, assisted by Ivan Lekomtsev. Minsk got on the board with a Matt Ellison goal in the third period, guided in by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Ryan Gunderson. Dinamo tied it on another Ellison goal, with a lone assist from Kalyuzhny. Minsk took the lead on a Kalyuzhny goal, courtesy of Dmitry Znakharenko and Ellison. Dinamo extended the lead with a shorthanded empty net goal by Ellison, completing his hat trick on the unassisted score. The three stars went to Ellison, Kalyuzhny, and Milchakov (23 for 25 in saves).

Finally, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Spartak Moscow to end the day. Atte Engren and Alexander Sudnitsin are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk drew first blood in the second period on a Jeff Taffe goal, made possible by Alexander Bryntsev and Evgeny Grigorenko. Neftekhimik added on with a Yegor Milovzorov goal, via Mikhail Zhukov and Andrei Sergeyev. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Milovzorov scored again in the third period, thanks to Igor Polygalov and Pavel Zdunov. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Milovzorov, Sudnitsin (25 save shutout), and Taffe.

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