Wednesday, October 21, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 58

Six games for today, beginning with...

Admiral Vladivostok hosting Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ivan Nalimov are the goalies. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period with an Alexei Sopin goal, via Alexei Potapov. Torpedo added on with a Daniil Ilyin power play goal, powered by Igor Rudenkov and Vadim Khomitsky. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the second period as Maxim Osipov scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Linus Videll. Torpedo padded the lead on a Carter Ashton goal, coming off of Dmitry Semin and Kaspars Daugavins. Igor Bobkov replaced Nalimov in goal. Vladivostok got on the board with a Kirill Voronin goal, courtesy of Stanislav Alshevsky. Nizhny Novgorod replied on a Rudenkov goal, passed from Denis Shurakov and Ilyin. Admiral got one back with an Alshevsky goal, assisted by Mikhail Fisenko. Torpedo countered with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, guided in by Potapov and Alexander Makarov. Nalimov returned to goal, replacing Bobkov. Nizhny Novgorod continued in the third period with a Shurakov goal, with a lone helper by Ilyin. Vladivostok chipped back on an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, helped along by Jonathon Blum and Konstantin Makarov on the power play. Torpedo finished it at 8-3 with an unassisted Ashton goal. The three stars went to Ilyin, Shurakov, and Rudenkov, while Potapov, Alshevsky, and Ashton receive the honorable mentions.

Up north, Amur Khabarovsk welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Jeff Glass and Juha Metsola receive the starting nods. Khabarovsk was first to score on a Vyacheslav Ushenin goal, assisted by Vladislav Ushenin and Oleg Li in the first period. Amur added on in the second period with a Nikita Cherepanov goal, courtesy of Jan Kolar. Khabarovsk extended the lead as Tom Wandell scored, thanks to Denis Tolpeko. Amur padded the lead with a Tolpeko power play goal in the third period, powered by Vladimir Pervushin and Tomas Zohorna. Minsk got on the board with an Alexander Materukhin power play goal, with helpers provided by Dmitry Meleshko and Lukas Krajicek. Dinamo pulled closer with a Nikita Komarov goal, helped along by Alexander Pavlovich. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Tolpeko, Wandell, and Cherepanov.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Andrei Kareyev are in the creases. Cherepovets struck first in the first period on a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, made possible by Ilya Khokhlov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Ryan Stoa goal, passed from Roman Manukhov in the second period. Severstal regained the lead on a Khokhlov goal, assisted by Mattias Karlsson. Metallurg retied it on an Alexander Romanov goal, fueled by Vadim Mitryakov. Novokuznetsk took the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Alexander Komaristy. Cherepovets tied it on a power play goal from Dmitry Kagarlitsky, with a lone assist by Ondrej Nemec. Metallurg regained the lead with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, going in unassisted. Severstal tied it again on a Kagarlitsky power play goal in the last minute of regulation, set up by Nemec. In overtime, Cherepovets emerged with a 5-4 win on a Sergei Monakhov goal, guided in by Pavel Buchnevich. The three stars belonged to Kagarlitsky, Khokhlov, and Nemec.

Nearby, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Alexander Salak protect the nets, and they did this well, holding the score at 0-0 for 65 minutes. In the shootout, Dmitry Kugryshev and Alexander Radulov lifted CSKA over David Ullstrom and Sibir for a 1-0 win. The three stars went to Sorokin (21 save shutout), Salak (39 save "shutout"), and Radulov.

Way out west, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Bratislava opened in the first period on an Andrej Stastny goal, fueled by Rok Ticar and Ziga Jeglic. Slovan added on with a Ladislav Nagy goal, coming off of Tomas Surovy. Astana got on the board with a power play goal from Nigel Dawes, powered by Kevin Dallman and Mike Lundin. Bratislava replied on a Vaclav Nedorost goal, passed from Lukas Kaspar and Patrik Luza. Barys got one back in the second period on a Brandon Bochenski goal, assisted by Lundin on the power play. Astana tied it with a Dustin Boyd goal, via Bochenski and Dallman. Slovan regained the lead in the third period as Surovy scored an unassisted goal. Bratislava iced it at 5-3 on a shorthanded and unassisted Cam Barker goal into an empty net. The three stars went to Surovy, Bochenski, and Lundin, while Dallman gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Danny Taylor are set to start in goal. Omsk drew first blood in the first period on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, with a lone assist by Vladimir Sobotka. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars given to Furch (24 save shutout), Perezhogin, and Taylor (24 for 25 in saves).

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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 14

Seven games are on the slate tonight, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cory Schneider receive the starting nods. New Jersey got going in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Travis Zajac, set up by Jacob Josefson and Adam Larsson. Arizona tied it on an Anthony Duclair power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Max Domi and Martin Hanzal in the third period. The Devils retook the lead on a Mike Cammalleri goal, his second of the year, via Zajac. The Coyotes tied it with a Mikkel Boedker goal, coming off of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Michael Stone. New Jersey won 3-2 in overtime on a Larsson goal, assisted by Zajac and Lee Stempniak. The three stars went to Zajac, Larsson, and Cammalleri.

Along to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. Pittsburgh began in the first period on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The Penguins added on as Phil Kessel scored his second of the season, with the help of Rob Scuderi and Crosby. Florida got on the board with a Quinton Howden goal, passed from Connor Brickley and Erik Gudbranson. The Panthers tied it on a Derek MacKenzie goal, courtesy of Brickley and Howden. Pittsburgh won 3-2 with a Malkin goal in overtime, helped along by Letang and Crosby on the power play. The three stars belonged to Malkin, Crosby, and Howden, while Letang and Brickley get the honorable mentions.

Continuing west, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Curtis McElhinney draw the starts in goal. New York struck first in the first period on a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his second of the season, coming off of Marek Zidlicky and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Thomas Hickey goal, going in unassisted. New York extended the lead with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his second of the year, fueled by Brock Nelson. The Islanders iced it at 4-0 with a John Tavares empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Matt Martin and Anders Lee. The three stars went to Halak (37 save shutout), Kulemin, and Hickey.

Up north, the Montreal Canadiens host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Carey Price are the masked men. Montreal led off in the first period on a Max Pacioretty goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens added on with an Alexander Semin goal in the second period, guided in by Alex Galchenyuk and Lars Eller. Montreal extended the lead with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his second of the year, helped along by P.K. Subban and Devante Smith-Pelly in the third period. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Price (38 save shutout), Pacioretty, and Semin.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Steve Mason are between the pipes. Dallas was first to score in the first period on a Tyler Seguin goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Jamie Benn and John Klingberg. The Stars added on with a second period goal by Benn, his sixth of the year, coming off of Seguin and Alex Goligoski. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period with a Sean Couturier goal, passed from Wayne Simmonds and Matt Read. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1. The three stars were named as Niemi (34 for 35 in saves), Benn, and Seguin.

South to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Pekka Rinne protect the nets. Nashville started in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, helped along by Shea Weber and James Neal. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period on a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Victor Hedman and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning took the lead on a Nikita Kicherov goal, his second of the year, made possible by Ondrej Palat and Braydon Coburn. The Predators retied it on a Weber goal, fueled by Mike Ribeiro and Colin Wilson. Tampa Bay took the lead back with a Ryan Callahan goal, his third of the season, via Hedman and Anton Stralman. Nashville equalized with a Neal goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Filip Forsberg and Fisher. The Lightning regained the lead on a third period goal by Erik Condra, his second of the season, with a lone helper from Brian Boyle. The Predators tied it again with Neal's second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Forsberg. In the shootout, Forsberg's lone tally gave Nashville a 5-4 win. The three stars went to Neal, Forsberg, and Weber, while Fisher and Hedman get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby faces a lesser foe in Karri Ramo in goal. Calgary opened in the first period on a Sean Monahan goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Johnny Gaudreau. Washington tied it on an Andre Burakovsky goal, assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals took the lead with a second period Alex Ovechkin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Brooks Orpik and Kuznetsov. Washington added on with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his second of the season, via Justin Williams and John Carlson. The Capitals extended the lead as T.J. Oshie scored his third of the year, thanks to Kuznetsov, who got a sock trick, and Ovechkin. Ramo was pulled for Jonas Hiller at this time. The Flames got one back on a Mark Giordano goal in the third period, helped along by Michael Frolik and Gaudreau. Washington answered with a Jason Chimera goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Jay Beagle. The Capitals shot back with a Backstrom goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by Williams and Matt Niskanen. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Kuznetsov, while Gaudreau and Williams get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 57

Four games today, beginning in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Niklas Svedberg are the goalies. Ufa started with a first period goal by Andreas Engqvist, going in unassisted. Kazan tied it with a Mattias Sjogren power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo and Mikhail Varnakov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead on an Enver Lisin power play goal in the second period, assisted by Dmitry Makarov and Maxim Goncharov. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars going to Svedberg (33 for 34 in saves), Lisin, and Engqvist.

Over in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv welcomes Dinamo Riga. Joacim Eriksson and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Staffan Kronwall goal, via Daniil Apalkov and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv added on with an Emil Galimov goal, passed from Dmitry Maltsev and Vladislav Kartayev. Riga got on the board in the third period with a Lauris Darzins goal, courtesy of Tomas Kundratek on the power play. Yaroslavl iced it at 3-1 with a Yegor Averin empty net goal, set up by Apalkov. The three stars went to Murygin (23 for 24 in saves), Apalkov, and Galimov.

Back to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik brings in Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Alexander Sudnitsin are the masked men. Togliatti opened in the first period on a Tobias Viklund goal, fueled by Stanislav Bocharov. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period as Jeff Taffe scored, thanks to Kirill Lyamin and Pavel Zdunov. In the shootout, Georgy Belousov tallied to give Lada a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Belousov, Masalskis (31 for 32 in saves), and Sudnitsin (31 for 32 in saves).

Finally, the Sochi Leopards host Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Konstantin Barulin are between the pipes. Sochi drew first blood in the first period on a Pyotr Schastlivy goal, made possible by Evgeny Skachkov and Alexei Semenov. The Leopards added on with a Ben Maxwell goal, via Janne Jalasvaara. Sochi extended the lead as Yegor Morozov scored, with the help of Denis Kazionov. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars going to Barulin (38 save shutout), Schastlivy, and Maxwell.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, October 19, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 13

Only a single game tonight, with the New York Rangers hosting the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Antti Raanta are the little-known goalies. New York struck first in the first period on a Marc Staal goal, assisted by Derick Brassard and Jesper Fast. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Mats Zuccarello power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Rick Nash and Dan Boyle. New York extended the lead on a Fast goal, coming off of Chris Kreider and Keith Yandle in the third period. The Rangers padded the lead on a Viktor Stalberg goal, with a lone helper by Staal. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Staal, Raanta (22 save shutout), and Fast.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

2015/16 Premier League Week 9

The English sides are back in action, with all teams playing this weekend. We begin in...

London, where Tottenham Hotspur hosts Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Hugo Lloris are the keepers. James Milner of Liverpool took a yellow card for his thirty-fifth minute foul. Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card for a fifty-ninth minute foul. Lucas Leiva of Liverpool received a yellow card in stoppage time for a foul. The final stood at 0-0.

Staying in London, Chelsea welcomes Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Asmir Begovic are in goal. Chelsea led off in the thirty-fourth minute on a Diego Costa goal, via Willian. Jordan Ayew of Aston Villa took a yellow card for his forty-ninth minute foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Alan Hutton of Aston Villa put the ball in his own net, giving Chelsea a larger lead. Kieran Richardson of Aston Villa received a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. In the seventy-fourth minute, Chelsea's Willian took a yellow card for dissent. Aston Villa saw Jack Grealish get booked on a yellow card for his eighty-fifth minute foul. The final favored Chelsea 2-0.

A third game from London sees Crystal Palace bring in West Ham United. Adrian and Wayne Hennessey are set to start in goal. James Tomkins of West Ham United took a yellow card for his twentieth minute foul. West Ham United struck first with a Carl Jenkinson goal in the twenty-second minute, coming off of Victor Moses. Crystal Palace tied it in the twenty-fifth minute on a Yohan Cabaye penalty kick goal. Dwight Gayle of Crystal Palace got booked on a yellow card for a thirty-second minute foul. Dimitri Payet of West Ham United received a yellow card for a foul in the fortieth minute. Crystal Palace went down to ten men when Gayle took another yellow card for his forty-fourth minute foul, earning an ejection. In the sixty-ninth minute, Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak received a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United took the lead in the eighty-eighth minute on a Manuel Lanzini goal, passed from Nikica Jelavic. Jelavic received a yellow card in stoppage time, but a minute later, West Ham United iced it at 3-1 with a Payet goal in stoppage time, set up by Lanzini.

Up north, Everton hosts Manchester United. David de Gea and Tim Howard are the world class goalies. Manchester United was first to score in the eighteenth minute with a Morgan Schneiderlin goal, courtesy of Chris Smalling. In the twenty-second minute, Ander Herrera scored for Manchester United, with the help of Marcos Rojo. Seamus Coleman of Everton received a yellow card for his argument. Manchester United had two yellow cards in the second half, for Bastian Schweinsteiger in the fiftieth minute and Rojo in the fifty-second minute, both for fouls. Manchester United extended the lead with a Wayne Rooney goal in the sixty-second minute, via Herrera. Everton's Romelu Lukaku received a yellow card for a seventieth minute rules violation. The final held at 3-0 for Manchester United.

Into Manchester, as City welcomes Bournemouth. Adam Federici and Joe Hart protect the nets. Manchester City began in the seventh minute on a Raheem Sterling goal, assisted by Wilfried Bony. In the eleventh minute, Bony added on for Manchester City with his goal. Glenn Murray got Bournemouth on the board in the twenty-second minute, with the help of Eunan O'Kane. In the twenty-sixth minute, Bacary Sagna of Manchester City received a yellow card for his foul. Manchester City shot back with a Sterling goal in the twenty-ninth minute, helped along by Kevin de Bruyne. In the forty-second minute, Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi took a yellow card for a foul. Sterling extended the Manchester City lead by completing his hat trick in first half stoppage time. Matt Ritchie of Bournemouth took a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-seventh minute. Manchester City capped the win at 5-1 with a Bony goal in the eighty-ninth minute, coming off of Jesus Navas.

In the south, Southampton brings in Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Kelvin Davis are in the six-yard boxes. Southampton opened in the twenty-first minute with a Jose Fonte goal, coming off of Dusan Tadic. In the twenty-second minute, Southampton's Victor Wanyama took a yellow card for a foul. Southampton added on with a Virgil van Dijk goal in the thirty-seventh minute. Leicester City got on the board in the sixty-sixth minute with a Jamie Vardy goal, set up by Nathan Dyer. Southampton took a yellow card for a seventy-sixth minute Ryan Bertrand foul. Leicester City tied it on a Vardy goal in stoppage time, made possible by Riyad Mahrez. The final stuck at 2-2.

Along to West Bromwich Albion hosting Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Boaz Myhill are between the posts. West Bromwich Albion had a yellow card for a ninth minute foul by Craig Dawson. In the fifty-fourth minute, West Bromwich Albion got going with a Saido Berahino goal. Sunderland keeper Pantilimon received a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for his actions after the goal. West Bromwich Albion took a yellow card on a fifty-sixth minute incident with Claudio Yacob. In the eighty-fourth minute, Fabio Borini of Sunderland had a yellow card for a foul. West Bromwich Albion cruised to a 1-0 win.

The last of Saturday's eight games has Watford welcoming Arsenal. Petr Cech and Heurelho Gomes are the gloved men. Nyom of Watford took a yellow card for his forty-seventh minute foul. Arsenal saw a yellow card for a Per Mertesacker foul in the fifty-eighth minute. Arsenal dented the scoreboard in the fifty-ninth minute on an Alexis Sanchez goal, set up by Mesut Ozil. Watford had a yellow card go to Gomes in the sixty-third minute. Arsenal added on with a sixty-eighth minute goal by Olivier Giroud, via Ozil. Arsenal extended the lead as Aaron Ramsey scored in the seventy-fourth minute, with the help of Hector Bellerin. This produced the 3-0 final for Arsenal.

Sunday's game is Newcastle United bringing in Norwich City. John Ruddy and Robert Elliot are in goal. Cheick Tiote of Newcastle United had a yellow card for his sixth minute foul. In the fourteenth minute, Newcastle United started with a Georginio Wijnaldum goal, passed from Moussa Sissoko. Norwich City tied it in the twentieth minute with a Dieumerci Mbokani goal, courtesy of Martin Olsson. Newcastle United reclaimed the lead on a twenty-sixth minute Wijnaldum goal, again set up by Sissoko. Newcastle United added on with a thirty-third minute goal from Ayoze Perez. Norwich City got one back on a Nathan Redmond goal in the thirty-fourth minute, coming off of Olsson. In the sixty-fourth minute, Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for Newcastle United, thanks to Sissoko, who earned a sock trick for his third assist. Newcastle United extended the lead with a Wijnaldum goal in the sixty-sixth minute, completing his hat trick on a passed ball from Daryl Janmaat. Graham Dorrans of Norwich City received a yellow card for dissent in the same minute. Newcastle United padded the lead on another Wijnaldum goal in the eighty-fifth minute, his fourth of the game, with an assist from Perez. The final stood at 6-2 for Newcastle United. 

Monday saw the final game of the weekend, with Swansea City hosting Stoke City. Jack Butland and Lukasz Fabianski are the keepers. Stoke City took an early lead with a Bojan penalty kick goal in the fourth minute. In the forty-first minute, Swansea City's Ashley Williams had a yellow card for a foul. Stoke City saw a yellow card given to Erik Pieters for his forty-fifth minute foul. Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey received a yellow card in the fifty-seventh minute for a foul. Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City had a yellow card in the sixty-sixth minute. The final held at 1-0, favoring Stoke City.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 56

Eight games once again grace the schedule. The day begins in...

Khabarovsk, with Amur hosting Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Juha Metsola are set to start in goal. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period on a Denis Tolpeko goal, fueled by Nikita Cherepanov and Tom Wandell. Cherepovets tied it in the second period with an unassisted Evgeny Kovyrshin goal. Amur took the lead back on a Vladislav Ushenin goal, with a lone assist by Vyacheslav Ushenin. Severstal retied it in the third period as Evgeny Mons scored, thanks to Ondrej Nemec and Pavel Chernov. Cherepovets took the lead on a Sergei Monakhov goal, guided in by Anatoly Nikontsev and Kovyrshin. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Kovyrshin, Monakhov, and Mons.

Down to Vladivostok, where Admiral welcomes CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Ivan Nalimov are given the starting nods. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Andrei Svetlakov goal, courtesy of Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kuzmenko. CSKA added on with a Svetlakov goal, his second of the game, passed from Radulov and Nikita Zaitsev. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Svetlakov, Galimov (26 save shutout), and Radulov.

To the west, Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Andrei Kareyev draw the starts. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on a Kirill Kaprizov goal, assisted by Ryan Stoa. Minsk tied it on an Andrei Stepanov goal, via Alexei Kalyuzhny in the second period. Dinamo took the lead on a Dmitry Meleshko goal, coming off of Lukas Krajicek and Dmitry Buinitsky. Metallurg retied it on a Stoa goal, with a lone assist by Cade Fairchild. Minsk took the lead in the third period as Alexander Pavlovich scored, thanks to Paul Szczechura and Nick Bailen. Novokuznetsk tied it again with a Fairchild power play goal, going in unassisted. In the shootout, Stepanov was the only one to find twine, lifting Dinamo to a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Stepanov, Fairchild, and Stoa.

Nearby, Sibir Novosibirsk brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Alexander Salak are the veteran goalies. Novosibirsk led off in the first period on a David Ullstrom power play goal, powered by Calle Ridderwall and Ivan Vereshchagin. Sibir added on in the second period with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, courtesy of Vitaly Menshikov and Oleg Gubin. Novosibirsk extended the lead on an unassisted goal from Sergei Shumakov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period with a Sergei Kostitsyn shorthanded goal, set up by Maxim Osipov. Sibir iced it at 4-1 on a Ridderwall goal, helped along by Ullstrom and Tomas Vincour. The three stars went to Ullstrom, Salak (27 for 28 in saves), and Ridderwall.

Way out west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Harri Sateri are the masked men. Podolsk started in the first period on an Alexei Makeyev goal, assisted by Mario Kempe and Olli Palola. Omsk tied it on an unassisted Ilya Zubov goal in the second period. Vityaz retook the lead as Makeyev scored again, with the help of Denis Abdullin and Alexander Nikulin. Podolsk added on in the third period with a power play goal from Maxim Afinogenov, powered by Dmitry Shitikov and Roman Horak. The final remained at 3-1, with the three stars handed to Makeyev, Sateri (38 for 39 in saves), and Afinogenov.

Up in Moscow, Dynamo welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Alexander Lazushin are between the pipes. Moscow opened in the first period on a Mat Robinson goal, made possible by Maxim Pestushko. Astana tied it on a third period goal from Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, via Talgat Zhailauov. Barys took the lead with a Nigel Dawes goal, fueled by Brandon Bochenski. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Dawes, Laco (33 for 34 in saves), and Krasnoslobodtsev.

Out to Slovakia, where Slovan Bratislava hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Barry Brust tend the twines. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period on an Eero Elo goal, guided in by Alexei Simakov and Nikolai Timashov. Bratislava tied it on a Vaclav Nedorost goal, coming off of Juraj Valach. Avtomobilist took the lead in the third period with a power play goal from Alexei Vasilevsky, powered by Petr Koukal. Slovan tied it on an Andrej Stastny goal, fueled by Ziga Jeglic. Bratislava took the lead on a Milan Bartovic goal, helped along by Cam Barker and Tomas Starosta. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Anatoly Golyshev power play goal, with a lone helper from Tommi Kivisto. In the shootout, Slovan won 4-3 with tallies from Jeglic and Lukas Kaspar. The three stars went to Jeglic, Golyshev, and Bartovic.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Georgy Gelashvili and Danny Taylor are in the creases. Khanty-Mansiysk began in the first period on a Konstantin Panov power play goal, powered by Kirill Rasskazov and Stanislav Kalashnikov. Zagreb tied it on a Nathan Perkovich goal, passed from Geoffrey Kinrade and Mike Glumac. Medvescak took the lead on a Tomislav Zonaski goal, helped along by Shaone Morrisonn. Yugra retied it with a Nikita Gusev goal, made possible by Mikhail Mamkin and Andrei Ivanov. Zagreb regained the lead on a Gilbert Brule goal, via Jesse Saarinen. Khanty-Mansiysk retied it again with a Panov goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Rasskazov. Gasper Kroselj relieved Taylor beginning in the second period. Medvescak pulled ahead on a power play goal from Marek Kvapil, courtesy of Milan Jurcina and Radek Smolenak. Yugra tied it once again as Alexei Mikhnov scored, thanks to Kalashnikov and Andrei Taratukhin. Khanty-Mansiysk took the lead with an unassisted Panov goal, completing his hat trick. Zagreb fired back, tying the game with a Kinrade goal, going in unassisted. Yugra regained the lead in the third period on a Taratukhin goal, with a lone assist by Gusev. Medvescak equalized as Smolenak scored, with the help of Kvapil. In the shootout, Khanty-Mansiysk saw a tally by Artyom Bulyansky cancelled out by Zagreb's Smolenak, but Panov proved the hero with the decisive tally for a 7-6 Yugra win. The three stars were awarded to Panov, Gusev, and Kinrade, while Rasskazov, Kalashnikov, Kvapil, Smolenak, and Taratukhin all get honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 12

Five games going today, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York struck first in the first period on a Derek Stepan goal, his third of the season, assisted by Oscar Lindberg. New Jersey tied it in the second period on an Adam Henrique goal, his third of the year, coming off of Mike Cammalleri and Damon Severson. The Devils took the game 2-1 in overtime with a Lee Stempniak goal, passed from Henrique and Andy Greene. The three stars went to Henrique, Stempniak, and Schneider (26 for 27 in saves).

Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ondrej Pavelec are the veteran goalies. St. Louis got going in the second period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Dmitrij Jaskin and Jori Lehtera. Winnipeg tied it on a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, powered by Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. The Blues retook the lead on a Scottie Upshall goal, his second of the year, via Jaskin and Joel Edmundson. The Jets retied it as Drew Stafford scored his second of the season, a power play goal, fueled by Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele. St. Louis pulled ahead on a third period goal by Tarasenko, his second of the game and fifth of the year, courtesy of Scott Gomez and Carl Gunnarsson. The Blues added on with a Gunnarsson power play goal, made possible by Colton Parayko and David Backes. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars handed to Tarasenko, Gunnarsson, and Jaskin.

Out in California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Anton Khudobin are the masked men. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Cam Fowler goal, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Carl Hagelin. Minnesota tied it on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Mikko Koivu. The Ducks took the lead back with a Rickard Rakell goal, helped along by Hampus Lindholm and Corey Perry. Anaheim added on in the third period with a Mike Santorelli goal, via Shawn Horcoff and Patrick Maroon. The Ducks extended the lead with an unassisted Lindholm empty net goal. The final was 4-1, with the three stars given to Lindholm, Khudobin (34 for 35 in saves), and Rakell.

North to British Columbia, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Anders Nilsson is mismatched with Ryan Miller in goal. Edmonton led off in the first period on a Nail Yakupov power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Connor McDavid and Mark Letestu. Vancouver tied it on a Matt Bartkowski goal, coming off of Sven Baertschi and Dan Hamhuis. Edmonton won 2-1 in overtime on a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Andrej Sekera. The three stars belonged to Korpikoski, Nilsson (33 for 34 in saves), and Yakupov.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Colorado Avalanche. Reto Berra and Jonathan Quick draw the starts in goal. Los Angeles began in the first period on a Marian Gaborik goal, assisted by Dustin Brown and Brayden McNabb. Colorado tied it on a Matt Duchene power play goal in the second period, powered by Carl Soderberg and Jarome Iginla. The Kings took the lead as Tyler Toffoli scored his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Toffoli, Quick (22 for 23 in saves), and Gaborik.

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