Sunday, October 18, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 55

Four games today, beginning with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasilys Demchenko and Koshechkin tend the twines. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period on an Ilya Davydov goal, passed from Filip Novak and Anton Glinkin. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Tomas Filippi. Traktor took the lead back on an Artyom Penkovsky goal, coming off of Stanislav Chistov and Nikita Khlystov. Chelyabinsk added on with an Artyom Borodkin goal in the third period, assisted by Alexander Rybakov on the power play. Metallurg shot back with a Danis Zaripov power play goal, via Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk tied it as Mozyakin scored his second of the game, with the help of Zaripov and Bogdan Potekhin on the power play. Metallurg won 4-3 in overtime on a Zaripov goal, with helpers provided by Mozyakin and Rafael Batyrsin. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Zaripov, and Demchenko (35 for 39 in saves).

Out west, Spartak Moscow welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Atte Engren protect the nets. Kazan struck first in the first period on an Oscar Moller power play goal, courtesy of Mattias Sjogren. Ak Bars added on in the second period on a Mikhail Glukhov goal, via Vasily Tokranov and Fyodor Malykhin. Moscow got on the board with an Alexander Mereskin goal, helped along by Yaroslav Dyblenko. Spartak tied it in the third period as Gleb Klimenko scored a power play goal, powered by Charles Genoway and Lukas Radil. Moscow took the lead on a Konstantin Glazachev power play goal, made possible by Genoway and Klimenko. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Klimenko, Genoway, and Mereskin.

Backtracking to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Alexei Murygin are the masked men. Helsinki dented the scoreboard with a Pekka Jormakka goal in the second period, assisted by Philip Larsen and Tommi Huhtala on the power play. Yaroslavl tied it on a Daniil Apalkov goal, guided in by Patrik Hersley and Ilya Gorokhov. Lokomotiv took the lead in the third period on a Sergei Konkov power play goal, powered by Mikhail Pashnin and Andrei Loktionov. Yaroslavl added on with a Yegor Averin empty net goal, set up by Petri Kontiola. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Konkov, Murygin (20 for 21 in saves), and Apalkov.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Mikko Koskinen are between the pipes. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Vadim Shipachyov. Togliatti tied it on a second period power play goal from Anton Shenfeld, fueled by Tobias Viklund and Anton Krysanov. SKA won 2-1 with a third period goal by Anton Burdasov, made possible by Ilya Kablukov and Evgeny Ketov. The three stars were handed to Koskinen (27 for 28 in saves), Burdasov, and Kovalchuk.

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Saturday, October 17, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 11

Ten games on tonight, beginning with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Carey Price receive the starting nods in goal. Detroit got going in the second period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Henrik Zetterberg. Montreal tied it on a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, going in unassisted. The Canadiens took the lead in the third period on a Jeff Petry power play goal, powered by Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais. Montreal added on with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Gallagher. The Canadiens iced it on an unassisted empty net goal from Brian Flynn. The three stars in the 4-1 game were Gallagher, Petry, and Price (21 for 22 in saves).

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Craig Anderson in goal. Nashville led off in the first period on a James Neal power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Roman Josi. Ottawa tied it in the second period on a Mark Stone goal, his second of the year, coming off of Kyle Turris and Mike Hoffman. The Senators took the lead as Hoffman scored his second of the season, with the help of Turris and Stone. The Predators tied it again with a Craig Smith goal, his third of the year, with helpers provided by Mike Ribeiro and Mattias Ekholm. Nashville took the lead back on a Neal power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and third of the season, guided in by Josi and Shea Weber. Ottawa tied it on a Hoffman goal, his second of the game and third of the year, made possible by Erik Karlsson and Patrick Wiercioch. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Filip Forsberg and Neal topped Bobby Ryan, allowing the Predators to win 4-3. The three stars were awarded to Neal, Hoffman, and Stone, while Turris and Josi get the honorable mentions.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Marc-Andre Fleury are in the creases. Pittsburgh started in the first period on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Penguins added on with an Olli Maatta goal, via Sergei Plotnikov and Rob Scuderi. Toronto got on the board with a Jake Gardiner goal, his second of the year, passed from Nazem Kadri and Michael Grabner. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 2-1. The three stars went to Fleury (26 for 27 in saves), Maatta, and Malkin.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Buffalo Sabres. Chad Johnson and Ben Bishop make the starts in goal. Buffalo struck first on a Sam Reinhart goal, via Tyler Ennis. Tampa Bay tied it on an unassisted Vladislav Namestnikov goal in the second period, his second of the campaign. The Lightning pulled ahead on an Alex Killorn power play goal in the third period, powered by Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Bishop (31 for 32 in saves), Killorn, and Namestnikov.

North to DC, where the Washington Capitals welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Braden Holtby are between the pipes. Washington was first to score on a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with a Backstrom goal, going in unassisted in the third period. Carolina got on the board with an unassisted Jeff Skinner goal. Washington answered with a John Carlson power play goal, his second of the year, via Backstrom and Oshie. The Capitals finished it at 4-1 with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Backstrom, Oshie, and Holtby (18 for 19 in saves).

Returning to Florida, the Panthers bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Florida dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jonathan Huberdeau and Jaromir Jagr. The Panthers added on with a Brandon Pirri goal, coming off of Reilly Smith and Alex Petrovic. Dallas got on the board with a Tyler Seguin goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Patrick Sharp. The Stars tied it on a Jamie Benn power play goal in the third period, his fourth of the season, powered by Seguin and Jason Spezza. Dallas took the lead on a Seguin goal, his second of the game and third of the year, via John Klingberg and Benn. The Stars iced it at 4-2 on a Benn empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, set up by Sharp and Seguin. The three stars went to Seguin, Benn, and Sharp.

North again, with the New York Islanders hosting the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Jaroslav Halak man the creases. San Jose opened in the first period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his second of the season, made possible by Justin Braun and Joe Thornton. New York tied it on a Johnny Boychuk goal in the second period, coming off of Ryan Strome and John Tavares. The Sharks retook the lead with a Nikolay Goldobin goal, via Thornton and Braun. The Islanders retied it as Anders Lee scored a power play goal, his second of the year, assisted by Strome and Tavares. San Jose regained the lead on a Joel Ward goal, courtesy of Matt Nieto and the goalie Stalock. New York tied it as Josh Bailey scored his second of the season, thanks to Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders pulled ahead in the third period as Okposo scored his second of the year, with the help of Bailey. New York added on with a Brock Nelson goal, his second of the campaign, with assists provided by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin. The Islanders wrapped it up at 6-3 with an empty net goal from Nielsen, set up by Okposo and Calvin de Haan. The three stars were given to Okposo, Bailey, and Nielsen, while Tavares, Strome, Braun, and Thornton get the honorable mentions.

Along to Chicago, with the Blackhawks welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Corey Crawford draw the starts. Chicago got started with a second period goal from Artem Anisimov, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks added on with a Teuvo Teravainen power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Trevor Daley and Marian Hossa. Chicago extended the lead with an unassisted Hossa goal in the third period, coming on the power play. Columbus got on the board with a Jack Johnson goal, helped along by David Savard. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with a Patrick Kane empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Panarin and Jonathan Toews. The three stars were handed to Hossa, Panarin, and Crawford (22 for 23 in saves).

Northwest to Alberta, where the Calgary Flames bring in their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Edmonton began in the first period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his second of the season, assisted by Eric Gryba and Taylor Hall. Calgary tied it in the second period on a David Jones goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Dennis Wideman and Micheal Ferland. The Oilers retook the lead on a Connor McDavid goal, his second of the season, fueled by Nail Yakupov. Edmonton added on in the third period with a Hall goal, his second of the year, coming off of Oscar Klefbom and Matt Hendricks. The Oilers extended the lead with a Yakupov goal, via Benoit Pouliot and McDavid. The Flames replied with Jones' second of the game and third of the season, helped along by Wideman on the power play. Edmonton ended it at 5-2 with a McDavid goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with Hall and Andrej Sekera getting the assists on the power play. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars going to McDavid, Jones, and Hall, while Wideman and Yakupov get the honorable mentions.

Down in Arizona, we end with the Coyotes hosting the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Mike Smith receive the green light in goal. Arizona drew first blood in the first period with a Shane Doan goal, going in unassisted. Boston tied it on a Tyler Randell goal in the second period, his second of the year, made possible by David Krejci and Torey Krug in the second period. The Bruins took the lead on a Krejci power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Krug and Loui Eriksson. Boston added on with a shorthanded goal by Brad Marchand, set up by Tommy Cross. The Coyotes got one back with a Tobias Rieder power play goal, his third of the year, via Doan and Michael Stone. Arizona tied it on a Kyle Chipchura goal, assisted by Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Bruins regained the lead on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his second of the season, a power play goal helped along by Ryan Spooner and Krejci. Boston ended it at 5-3 with another Bergeron power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with assists from Zdeno Chara and Kevan Miller. The three stars in the 5-3 game went to Krejci, Doan, and Bergeron, while Krug gets an honorable mention.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 54

Eight games to go with today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, where Amur hosts CSKA Moscow. Viktor Fasth and Juha Metsola are in goal. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period on a Tom Wandell power play goal, guided in by Denis Tolpeko. Amur added on with a Vitaly Shulakov goal in the second period, going in unassisted. Moscow got on the board with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, via Roman Lyubimov. CSKA tied it in the third period on an Andrei Svetlakov goal, courtesy of Kirill Vorobyov. Khabarovsk regained the lead on a Shulakov goal, his second of the game, made possible by Artyom Zub and Tomas Zohorna on the power play. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars being Shulakov, Wandell, and Metsola (30 for 32 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Igor Bobkov draw the starts in goal. Cherepovets struck first in the first period on a Sergei Dorofeyev goal, coming off of Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Denis Vikharev. Severstal added on with a Pavel Chernov goal, assisted by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Andrei Shefer. Cherepovets extended the lead as Shefer scored, thanks to Kagarlitsky and Chernov. Vladivostok got on the board in the third period on a Konstantin Makarov goal, helped along by Viktor Alexandrov and Alexander Kuznetsov. Severstal replied on a Yury Trubachyov power play goal, powered by Pavel Buchnevich and Ondrej Nemec. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Shefer, Stepanek (41 for 42 in saves), and Kagarlitsky.

Westward to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Vladislav Podyapolsky man the nets. Novokuznetsk started on an unassisted Ryan Stoa goal. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Linus Videll goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg took the lead on an Alexander Komaristy power play goal, powered by Ignat Zemchenko. Novokuznetsk added on with a Zemchenko goal, passed from Robert Kousal and Ilya Antonovsky in the second period. Torpedo pulled back with a Vadim Khomitsky goal, via Kaspars Daugavins on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the third period on a Maxim Osipov goal, courtesy of Alexei Sopin and Felix Schutz. Torpedo won 4-3 with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal in overtime, with a lone assist by Osipov. the three stars went to Osipov, Zemchenko, and Kostitsyn.

Along to Novosibirsk, Sibir brings in Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Alexander Salak are the goalies. Novosibirsk opened with a first period goal by Sergei Shumakov goal, fueled by Vitaly Menshikov and Stepan Sannikov. Minsk tied it with a second period Dmitry Meleshko goal, coming off of Nick Bailen. Dinamo took the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Artur Gavrus. Sibir tied it with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, powered by David Ullstrom. Minsk won 3-2 on a Nikita Komarov goal in overtime, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Komarov, Gavrus, and Meleshko.

Way out west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Barys Astana. Alexei Ivanov is mismatched with Harri Sateri in goal. Astana got going with a Nigel Dawes power play goal in the second period, coming off of Mike Lundin and Kevin Dallman. Podolsk tied it on a Denis Abdullin power play goal, powered by Georgy Berdyukov and Alexander Nikulin. Barys took the lead on a Yaroslav Yevdokimov goal, assisted by Konstantin Pushkaryov and Konstantin Romanov. Vityaz retied it with a Dmitry Kostromitin goal, guided in by Vyacheslav Solodukhin and Yury Koksharov. Podolsk took the lead with a Dmitry Shitikov goal, fueled by Roman Horak and Teemu Eronen. Astana tied it with a Dawes goal, his second of the game, via Lundin and Brandon Bochenski. The tie went to a shootout, where Olli Palola of Vityaz gave them a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Dawes, Shitikov, and Lundin.

Into the city, we have Dynamo Moscow welcoming Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Alexander Lazushin receive the starting nods. Moscow dented the scoreboard on a second period goal by Kirill Pilipenko, assisted by Nikita Filatov and Alexei Tereshchenko. Omsk tied it on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, courtesy of Sergei Shirokov and Yury Alexandrov. Dynamo won 2-1 in overtime with a power play goal by Dmitry Vishnevsky, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov and Mat Robinson. The three stars belonged to Vishnevsky, Lazushin (25 for 26 in saves), and Pilipenko.

Out in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Vladislav Fokin and Barry Brust are in the blue paint. Patrik Lusnak led off for Bratislava with an unassisted goal. Slovan added on with a Rok Ticar goal, fueled by Ziga Jeglic and Michal Sersen. Bratislava extended the lead on a Jeglic goal, via Ivan Svarny and Andrej Stastny. Georgy Gelashvili relieved Fokin. Slovan padded the lead in the second period as Lusnak scored again, thanks to Marek Viedensky and Vladimir Mihalik. Bratislava continued on a Vaclav Nedorost goal, passed from Lukas Kaspar and Patrik Luza. Slovan kept going with a Pavol Skalicky goal, with a lone assist by Lusnak. The final remained at 6-0, with the three stars awarded to Lusnak, Jeglic, and Brust (19 save shutout).

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Gasper Kroselj are the masked men. Zagreb began in the second period on a Jesse Saarinen power play goal, powered by Milan Jurcina and Marek Kvapil. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Alexander Torchenyuk goal, via Nikita Tryamkin and Vitaly Popov. Avtomobilist took the lead in the third period on an Artyom Gareyev shorthanded goal, set up by Petr Koukal and Dmitry Megalinsky. Medvescak retied it on a Radek Smolenak goal, coming off of Nathan Perkovich. Yekaterinburg won 3-2 in overtime with a Torchenyuk goal, with a lone assist by Popov. The three stars went to Torchenyuk, Popov, and Gareyev.

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Friday, October 16, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 10

Seven games on today for a busy Friday, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Cory Schneider are the masked men. San Jose struck first in the first period on a Patrick Marleau goal, his third of the season, assisted by Joel Ward and Tomas Hertl. New Jersey tied it on an Adam Henrique goal, his second of the year, a power play goal in the third period powered by Damon Severson and Jordin Tootoo. In the shootout, Henrique's tally got overwhelmed by Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns as the Sharks won 2-1. The three stars went to Jones (31 for 32 in saves), Schneider (33 for 34 in saves), and Henrique.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Sergei Bobrovsky are the shaky goalies. Columbus was first to score on a Boone Jenner goal, his third of the season, made possible by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. Toronto tied it on a second period goal by Jake Gardiner, via Daniel Winnik and Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs took the lead as James van Riemsdyk scored his second of the year, thanks to Tyler Bozak and Morgan Rielly. Toronto added on with a Nazem Kadri goal, courtesy of Shawn Matthias and Brad Boyes. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Nick Foligno goal, fueled by Scott Hartnell and Cody Goloubef. Columbus tied it in the third period on a Hartnell power play goal, his second of the year powered by Ryan Johansen and Brandon Saad. The Maple Leafs retook the lead on a Lupul goal, his second of the season, assisted by Dion Phaneuf and Winnik. Toronto extended the lead with a Leo Komarov goal, with helpers from Winnik, who got a sock trick, and Rielly. The Maple Leafs padded the lead on a Komarov empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Peter Holland and Michael Grabner. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Lupul, Winnik, and Hartnell, while Komarov and Rielly get the honorable mentions.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jimmy Howard are the veteran goalies. Carolina quickly opened with a Brock McGinn goal in the first period, via Kris Versteeg. The Hurricanes added on with a Justin Faulk power play goal in the second period, his second of the season, powered by Eric Staal and Versteeg. Carolina extended the lead as Staal scored his second of the year, thanks to Ron Hainsey and McGinn. Detroit got on the board with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his second of the season, made possible by Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings got closer with a Riley Sheahan goal, guided in by Tomas Tatar and Brad Richards. The Hurricanes answered with a Versteeg goal in the third period, courtesy of Jeff Skinner and Staal. Carolina padded the lead on a Chris Terry goal, helped along by Brad Malone and Jay McClement. Detroit shot back with a Teemu Pulkkinen goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist from Dylan Larkin. The final stayed at 5-3, with the three stars being McGinn, Staal, and Versteeg.

Crossing into Canada, the Winnipeg Jets host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Ondrej Pavelec are the mediocre goalies. Calgary started in the first period on a Mikael Backlund goal, coming off of Sam Bennett and Michael Frolik. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Bryan Little goal, his third of the season, via Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. The Jets took the lead in the third period on an unassisted Dustin Byfuglien goal, his second of the year. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Wheeler, his third of the campaign, set up by Little. The three stars went to Little, Wheeler, and Pavelec (19 for 20 in saves).

Out in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Ryan Miller are given the starting nods in goal. St. Louis led off in the first period with a Jori Lehtera goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jaden Schwartz and Carl Gunnarsson. The Blues added on in the second period with an Alexander Steen goal, his third of the year, assisted by Vladimir Tarasenko and Paul Stastny. St. Louis extended the lead as Robert Bortuzzo scored, with the help of Tarasenko and Steen. Vancouver got on the board with a Brandon Sutter shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Luca Sbisa. The Blues shot back with a Kyle Brodziak goal in the third period, courtesy of Troy Brouwer and Gunnarsson. The Canucks fired back with a Jake McCann goal, his second of the year, via Alexandre Burrows and Sutter. Vancouver chipped closer on a Daniel Sedin goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Ben Hutton and Sutter. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with the three stars given to Steen, Tarasenko, and Sutter, while Gunnarsson gets an honorable mention.

Down in Anaheim, the Ducks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Reto Berra is mismatched with Frederik Andersen in goal. Colorado began in the first period on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his second of the season, made possible by Alex Tanguay and Nick Holden. The Avalanche added on with a Jack Skille goal in the second period, with assists provided by Holden and Mikhail Grigorenko. Colorado extended the lead in the third period with a John Mitchell empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Carl Soderberg and Blake Comeau. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Berra (35 save shutout), Holden, and MacKinnon.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Jonathan Quick draw the starts in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his second of the season, a power play goal via Milan Lucic and Jeff Carter. Minnesota tied it with a Mikko Koivu goal in the third period, his second of the year, fueled by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Kings won 2-1 in overtime on an Anze Kopitar goal, with a lone assist by Tanner Pearson. The three stars were Kopitar, Quick (25 for 26 in saves), and Kuemper (35 for 37 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 53

Four more games today as the schedule shifts again, beginning with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Vasily Koshechkin receive the starting nods. Ufa began in the first period on an Andreas Engqvist goal, coming off of Alexander Loginov and Linus Omark. Salavat Yulaev added on with an Omark power play goal, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Igor Grigorenko. Ufa extended the lead in the second period on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, via Enver Lisin. Salavat Yulaev padded the lead on a Koltsov power play goal, guided in by Engqvist and Grigorenko. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Jan Kovar goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Mozyakin. Ufa replied on a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, made possible by Loginov and Omark. Metallurg chipped back with a Mozyakin goal, helped along by Danis Zaripov and Kovar. Magnitogorsk got closer on an unassisted Kovar goal in the third period, his second of the game. Metallurg pulled closer as Mozyakin scored his second of the game, with the help of Zaripov and Kovar. Salavat Yulaev won 6-4 on an Omark empty net goal, set up by Grigorenko, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Omark, Engqvist, and Kovar, while Loginov, Koltsov, Grigorenko, Mozyakin, and Zaripov receive the honorable mentions.

Out west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Vitaly Kolesnik man the nets. Yaroslavl started in the first period on a Denis Mosalyov goal, assisted by Daniil Apalkov and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with a Yegor Averin goal, with a lone assist by Kontiola. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Ilya Lyubushkin scored, thanks to Emil Galimov and Vladislav Kartayev. Vitaly Koval replaced Sudnitsin in goal. Lokomotiv padded the lead on a Galimov goal, passed from Dmitry Maltsev and Andrei Loktionov. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with an Alexander Kitarov goal, fueled by Maxim Berezin. Neftekhimik pulled closer on a Mikhail Zhukov power play goal in the third period, powered by Andrei Stas and Yegor Milovzorov. This only made it 4-2, with the three stars going to Galimov, Kontiola, and Lyubushkin.

Down in Sochi, the Leopards bring in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Andrei Gavrilov are in the blue paint. Sochi dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Nikolai Zherdev power play goal, coming off of Ben Maxwell and Ziyat Paigin. The Leopards added on with an unassisted goal by Evgeny Skachkov. Chelyabinsk got on the board with an Andrei Popov goal, courtesy of Konstantin Klimontov on the power play. Traktor tied it with an Artyom Borodkin goal, made possible by Stanislav Chistov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Roman Lyuduchin and Maxwell of Sochi got topped by the trio of Anton Glinkin, Chistov, and Martin Ruzicka of Chelyabinsk, who took the game 3-2. The three stars went to Chistov, Maxwell, and Ruzicka.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. St. Petersburg drew first blood in the first period on an Evgeny Ketov goal, passed from Anton Burdasov and Alexander Kadeikin. Kazan tied it on a Yakov Rylov goal, assisted by Mikhail Varnakov and Mikhail Glukhov. Ak Bars took the lead on a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, guided in by Justin Azevedo and Marek Daloga in the second period. Kazan won 3-1 with a third period goal from Oscar Moller on the power play, with a lone assist by Azevedo. The three stars went to Garipov (28 for 29 in saves), Azevedo, and Tkachyov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 9

Eight games for today, beginning with...

The New York Islanders hosting the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Thomas Greiss in goal. Nashville began in the first period on an Austin Watson goal, going in unassisted. The Predators added on in the second period as Filip Forsberg scored his second of the season, thanks to James Neal. New York got on the board with an Anders Lee goal, fueled by John Tavares and Ryan Strome. The Islanders tied it on a Kyle Okposo goal, from Mikhail Grabovski. New York took the lead on a Nikolay Kulemin goal in the third period, passed from Brock Nelson and Grabovski. The Islanders extended the lead as Tavares scored his third of the year, with the help of Lee and Travis Hamonic. Nashville got one back on a Neal goal, via Forsberg and Roman Josi. The final stood at 4-3 Islanders, with the three stars given to Tavares, Lee, and Forsberg, while Neal and Grabovski get the honorable mentions.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Pittsburgh got going in the second period on an Evgeni Malkin goal, passed from Patric Hornqvist and Kris Letang. The Penguins added on with a Daniel Sprong goal, via Matt Cullen and Kevin Porter. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars going to Fleury (22 save shutout), Malkin, and Sprong.

Back to DC, where the Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Braden Holtby are in the creases. Washington started in the first period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and John Carlson. The Capitals added on in the second period a Carlson goal, courtesy of Stanislav Galiev and Marcus Johansson. Washington extended the lead in the third period on a Matt Niskanen goal, his second of the season, assisted by Johansson and Andre Burakovsky. Chicago got on the board with a Viktor Svedberg goal, guided in by Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov. The Capitals replied with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his second of the year, coming off of Kuznetsov and Oshie. This made it 4-1, with the three stars going to Carlson, Oshie, and Kuznetsov, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal dented the scoreboard on a Tomas Fleischmann goal in the second period, his second of the season, with a lone assist from David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on with a third period goal by Dale Weise, set up by Desharnais and Fleischmann. Montreal iced it at 3-0 on a Tomas Plekanec empty net goal, his third of the year, coming off of Torrey Mitchell. The three stars went to Price (25 save shutout), Fleischmann, and Desharnais.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Ben Bishop are the veteran goalies. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Steven Stamkos goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jonathan Drouin. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin goal, coming off of Jyrki Jokipakka and Jamie Benn. The Stars took the lead on a Benn power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Jason Spezza and Seguin. Dallas added on in the second period with a Cody Eakin goal, his third of the season, made possible by Mattias Janmark and Colton Sceviour. The Stars extended the lead on a power play goal by Jason Demers, via Eakin and Ales Hemsky. The Lightning got one back in the third period on a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, with a lone helper by Stamkos. Tampa Bay pulled closer with Stamkos' second of the game and fourth of the year, helped along by Drouin and Brian Boyle. Dallas finished it at 5-3 on a Spezza goal, his fourth of the campaign, fueled by Hemsky and Alex Goligoski. The three stars went to Benn, Stamkos, and Seguin, while Drouin, Spezza, Eakin, and Hemsky get the honorable mentions.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Chad Johnson and Roberto Luongo receive the starting nods. Florida struck first in the first period on a Jaromir Jagr goal, his third of the season, helped along by Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad on the power play. The Panthers added on with another Jagr goal, an unassisted goal. Buffalo got on the board in the second period as Jake McCabe scored, with the help of Marcus Foligno and Nicolas Deslauriers. Florida answered in the third period on a Barkov goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jagr and Aaron Ekblad on the power play. The Sabres chipped back with a Tyler Ennis power play goal, with assists provided by Ryan O'Reilly and Rasmus Ristolainen. The three stars belonged to Jagr, Barkov, and Ennis.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Cam Talbot are between the pipes. Edmonton was first to score in the first period on a Lauri Korpikoski goal, with a lone assist by Teddy Purcell. St. Louis tied it on a Jori Lehtera goal, via Troy Brouwer and Jaden Schwartz. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jay Bouwmeester and Lehtera. St. Louis added on with a third period Paul Stastny power play goal, powered by Alexander Steen and Alex Pietrangelo. The Oilers got one back with a Taylor Hall goal, going in unassisted. The Blues iced it at 4-2 with a Steen goal, his second of the year, coming off of Brouwer and Stastny. The three stars went to Lehtera, Steen, and Stastny, while Brouwer gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk faces former mentor Mike Smith in goal. Minnesota opened in the first period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. The Wild added on with a Thomas Vanek goal, his second of the year, helped along by Justin Fontaine. Minnesota extended the lead on a shorthanded goal by Mikko Koivu, set up by Jason Zucker and Marco Scandella. Arizona got on the board with an Anthony Duclair goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Max Domi. The Wild replied on a Mikael Granlund goal, courtesy of Parise and Pominville. The Coyotes pulled back on a Domi power play goal, his third of the year, guided in by Martin Hanzal and Connor Murphy. Arizona got closer on a Michael Stone goal in the third period, made possible by Shane Doan and Brad Richardson. The final stayed at 4-3, with the three stars being Parise, Pominville, and Domi.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 52

Four games on today, beginning in...

Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Vladislav Podyapolsky are in goal. Moscow got going in the second period with a Geoff Platt power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Artyom Blazhiyevsky. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Sorokin (34 save shutout), Platt, and Podyapolsky (26 for 27 in saves).

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Sergei Magarilov and Alexander Salak receive the starting nods. Novosibirsk led off in the first period on a Calle Ridderwall goal, via the goalie Salak and Tomas Vincour. Sibir added on with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, with a lone assist by Rinat Ibragimov. Cherepovets got on the board with a Nikolai Stasenko power play goal, helped along by Daniil Vovchenko and Pavel Buchnevich. Novosibirsk shot back in the second period on a power play goal by David Ullstrom, assisted by Ivan Vereshchagin and Ridderwall. Severstal pulled back in the third period on a Stasenko goal, guided in by Anatoly Nikontsev and Sergei Dorofeyev. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Ridderwall, Stasenko, and Ullstrom.

Way west to Moscow, where Dynamo brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Georgy Gelashvili and Alexander Lazushin are the goalies. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Martins Karsums goal, coming off of Ansel Galimov and Mat Robinson. Dynamo added on with a Kirill Pilipenko goal, courtesy of Robinson. The final held at 2-0, with the three stars being Lazushin (20 save shutout), Pilipenko, and Robinson.

Finally, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Harri Sateri tend the twines. Yekaterinburg got started in the second period on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, made possible by Ondrej Roman and Alexei Simakov. Podolsk tied it on a Maxim Afinogenov goal in the third period, with assists provided by Yegor Voronkov and Roman Horak. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Vitaly Popov and Eero Elo of Avtomobilist topped a Dmitry Shitikov tally for Vityaz for a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Kovar (30 for 31 in saves), Golyshev, and Sateri (31 for 32 in saves).

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