Wednesday, December 30, 2015

2015/16 Premier League Week 19

The teams are in action again today as part of three games in a week's time to close out 2015. There are eight games on Monday, beginning in...

London, as Crystal Palace hosts Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Wayne Hennessey are in goal. In the thirty-fourth minute, Yohan Cabaye of Crystal Palace took a yellow card for his foul. Papa Souare of Crystal Palace had a yellow card for his fifty-seventh minute foul. Swansea City saw yellow cards for Neil Taylor in the fifty-ninth minute and Ki Sung-Yueng in the sixty-fifth minute, for a foul and dissent respectively. Brede Hangeland of Crystal Palace received a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Up to Everton welcoming Stoke City. Jack Butland and Tim Howard are the goalies. Stoke City was first to score with a Xherdan Shaqiri goal in the sixteenth minute, via Marko Arnautovic. Everton tied it on a Romelu Lukaku goal in the twenty-second minute, passed from James McCarthy. At the twenty-three minute mark, Philipp Wollscheid of Stoke City took a yellow card for his foul. Everton's Gerard Deulofeu received a yellow card for diving in the fortieth minute. Stoke City took the lead back on another Shaqiri goal in the forty-fifth minute, coming off of Bojan. In the sixty-fourth minute, Lukaku's second of the game tied it for Everton, with the help of Tom Cleverley. Everton took the lead on a seventy-first minute goal by Deulofeu, courtesy of Ross Barkley. Joselu of Stoke City tied it with an eightieth minute goal. In the ninetieth minute, Everton's John Stones took a yellow card in the penalty area for his foul, and Stoke City's Arnautovic buried the penalty kick to put them ahead 4-3, which stood as their winning final.

Along to Norwich City bringing in Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Declan Rudd man the nets. Norwich City struck first in the twenty-fourth minute on a Jonny Howson goal. Jordan Veretout of Aston Villa received a yellow card for a forty-second minute foul. In the sixty-first minute, Norwich City's Ryan Bennett took a yellow card for persistent infringement. Idrissa Gueye of Aston Villa had a yellow card for a seventy-seventh minute foul. Norwich City added on with a Dieumerci Mbokani goal in the eighty-seventh minute, passed from Wes Hoolahan. In the ninetieth minute, Jordan Ayew of Aston Villa took a yellow card for a foul. Aston Villa's Ashley Westwood took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time, as did teammate Micah Richards and opponent Russell Martin for their argument after the foul. The game ended 2-0 for Norwich City.

Down to Watford hosting Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Heurelho Gomes are the gloved men. Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card given to Dele Alli in the sixth minute for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur led off in the seventeenth minute on an Erik Lamela goal, coming off of Harry Kane. In the forty-first minute, Odion Ighalo of Watford tied it with his goal, set up by Troy Deeney. Watford had a spell of undisciplined play in the second half, with Miguel Britos getting a yellow card in the fifty-second minute, Jurado taking a yellow card in the fifty-eighth minute, Nathan Ake being sent off with a straight red card in the sixty-third minute, Deeney taking a yellow card in the sixty-fourth minute, and Ighalo receiving a yellow card in the sixty-fifth minute, with all five for fouls. Tottenham Hotspur's Tboy Alderweireld had a yellow card for an eighty-first minute foul. Tottenham Hotspur took the lead in the eighty-ninth minute with a Son Heung-Min goal, assisted by Kieran Trippier. This stood for a 2-1 win.

Next up, West Bromwich Albion welcomes Newcastle United. Karl Darlow and Boaz Myhill are set to start in goal. West Bromwich Albion got going in the seventy-eighth minute on a Darren Fletcher goal, courtesy of Claudio Yacob. This gave them all they needed to win 1-0.

In London again, Arsenal brings in Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Petr Cech are in the six-yard boxes. Gabriel Paulista began in the twenty-seventh minute with his goal for Arsenal, coming off of Mesut Ozil. In the thirtieth minute, Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal took a yellow card for his foul. In the sixty-first minute, Calum Chambers of Arsenal took a yellow card for his foul. Arsenal added on with a sixty-third minute goal by Ozil, passed from Olivier Giroud. This made it 2-0, the eventual final.

Up in Manchester, United hosts Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea tend the nets. In the twenty-seventh minute, Chelsea's John Obi Mikel had a yellow card for a foul. Manchester United had yellow cards given to Morgan Schneiderlin in the thirtieth minute and Chris Smalling in the thirty-ninth minute, both for fouls. Chelsea's Eden Hazard received a yellow card for a seventy-second minute foul. Manchester United had two more yellow cards, for Bastian Schweinsteiger in the eighty-first minute and Wayne Rooney in stoppage time, both for fouls. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Monday ends with West Ham United welcoming Southampton. Maarten Stekelenburg and Adrian are between the posts. Southampton opened in the thirteenth minute with a gift, as Carl Jenkinson of West Ham United put the ball in his own net for an own goal. In the fifty-second minute, Cuco Martina of Southampton took a yellow card for his foul, as did teammate Oriol Romeu in the fifty-sixth minute. In the fifty-eighth minute, James Tomkins of West Ham United took a yellow card for a foul. In the sixty-sixth minute, Ryan Bertrand of Southampton had a yellow card for his foul. West Ham United tied it on a Michail Antonio goal in the sixty-ninth minute. West Ham United took the lead in the seventy-ninth minute on an Andy Carroll goal. The final stood from here at 2-1, favoring West Ham United.

On Tuesday, Leicester City brings in Manchester City. Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel are given the starting nods in goal. In the sixty-sixth minute, Aleksandar Kolarov of Manchester City took a yellow card for his foul. Eliaquim Mangala of Manchester City received a yellow card for his seventy-sixth minute foul. Marc Albrighton of Leicester City took a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-first minute. Bacary Sagna of Manchester City had a yellow card for his foul in the ninetieth minute, as was teammate Kevin De Bruyne for dissent at the same time. The game ended in a 0-0 draw. 

Finally, Sunderland hosts Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Vito Mannone play in goal. Liverpool saw a yellow card for Christian Benteke's foul in the nineteenth minute. Liverpool started in the forty-sixth minute on a Benteke goal, via Adam Lallana. In the fifty-eighth minute, Emre Can of Liverpool received a yellow card for his foul. Alberto Moreno of Liverpool received a yellow card for his seventy-seventh minute foul. Jeremain Lens of Sunderland had a yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute for a foul. The game ended 1-0 for Liverpool.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 110

Three games today before the KHL takes its annual New Year's Break, beginning in...

Chelyabinsk, where Traktor hosts Slovan Bratislava. Barry Brust and Vasily Demchenko are given the starting nods in goal. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period on a Martin Ruzicka goal, via Alexander Shinin. Bratislava tied it on a Frnacis Pare power play goal, powered by Cam Barker and Lukas Kaspar. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Ziga Jeglic and Kaspar scored to give Slovan the 2-1 win. The three stars went to Kaspar, Brust (29 for 30 in saves), and Demchenko (32 for 33 in saves).

Along to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Danny Taylor and Alexander Sudnitsin receive the starts in goal. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period with a Nikita Shchitov goal, passed from Igor Polygalov on the power play. Zagreb tied it on a Simon Gysbers goal in the second period, helped along by Jesse Saarinen. Neftekhimik took the lead with a Polygalov goal, assisted by Mikhail Zhukov and Marek Kvapil. Medvescak tied it as Colby Genoway scored, thanks to Tomas Mertl. Zagreb took the lead in the third period with an Edwin Hedberg goal, made possible by Alexandre Bolduc and Mark Katic. Medvescak iced it at 4-2 on a Mertl goal, via Gilbert Brule and the goalie Taylor. The three stars were Mertl, Polygalov, and Hedberg.

Finally, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Spartak Moscow. Evgeny Ivannikov and Harri Sateri are between the pipes. Podolsk was first to score in the first period on a Roman Horak power play goal, powered by Dmitry Shitikov and Denis Abdullin. Moscow tied it with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, coming off of Pavel Valentenko on the power play. Spartak took the lead with a Vyacheslav Leshchenko shorthanded goal, set up by Shmelyov and Charles Genoway. Vityaz tied it on a Yury Koksharov goal, passed from Teemu Eronen and Maxim Afinogenov. Moscow gained the lead on a Genoway goal in the second period, courtesy of Igor Levitsky and Evgeny Bodrov. Podolsk retied it as Koksharov scored his second of the game, thanks to Anton Korolyov and Vyacheslav Solodukhin. Spartak took the lead back with a Shmelyov goal, his second of the game, guided in by Casey Wellman and Leshchenko. Moscow added on with an Alexander Vasilyev goal, fueled by Grigory Shafigulin and Gleb Klimenko. Spartak iced it at 6-3 with an Alexander Mereskin empty net goal, set up by Lukas Radil. The three stars were handed to Shmelyov, Koksharov, and Leshchenko, while Genoway gets an honorable mention.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 80

Ten games on today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Tuukka Rask are the veterans in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Kevan Miller. Ottawa tied it on a Chris Neil goal, his second of the year, via Shane Prince and Max McCormick. The Bruins took the lead back on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Torey Krug and Ryan Spooner. Boston added on in the second period with a Matt Beleskey power play goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Brett Connolly and Brad Marchand. The Senators pulled back with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Neil and Prince. The Bruins shot back on a Bergeron power play goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, fueled by Krug and Seth Griffith. Ottawa countered on a Mike Hoffman goal, his eighteenth of the season, with assists provided by Erik Karlsson and Marc Methot. Boston answered on a Hayes goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, passed from Max Talbot and Loui Eriksson. The Bruins extended the lead as Beleskey scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Spooner and Eriksson. Boston finished it at 7-3 on a Hayes power play goal, completing his hat trick on his eighth of the year, with helpers by Talbot and Dennis Seidenberg. The three stars went to Hayes, Bergeron, and Beleskey, while Neil, Prince, Krug, Spooner, Talbot, and Eriksson get the honorable mentions.

Down to New Jersey, where the Devils welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Keith Kinkaid draw the starts in goal. Carolina dented the scoreboard on an Eric Staal goal, his sixth of the season, via Kris Versteeg and Elias Lindholm. New Jersey tied it with a Bobby Farnham goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The Hurricanes retook the lead on Staal's second of the game and seventh of the season, made possible by Versteeg. The Devils tied it again on a third period goal from Kyle Palmieri, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Jon Merrill and Travis Zajac. New Jersey took the lead on a David Schlemko goal, his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Zajac and Lee Stempniak. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Staal, Zajac, and Versteeg.

North to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs bringing in the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Jonathan Bernier are the inconsistent goalies. New York struck first in the first period on a Brock Nelson goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Mikhail Grabovski and Ryan Strome. Toronto tied it on a Brad Boyes goal, his third of the year, passed from Shawn Matthias and Jake Gardiner. The Islanders took the lead as John Tavares scored his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Josh Bailey and Anders Lee. New York added on with a Frans Nielsen goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Nick Leddy. The Maple Leafs pulled back in the second period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Peter Holland and James van Riemsdyk. The Islanders shot back with a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Nielsen. New York extended the lead as Matt Martin scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders padded the lead with a Lee goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Calvin de Haan and Tavares. James Reimer replaced Bernier for the third period. Toronto got one back in the third period with a Matthias goal, his third of the campaign, assisted by Boyes and Holland. This only made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars given to Nielsen, Tavares, and Lee, while Boyes, Matthias, and Holland get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. Columbus started in the first period with a Boone Jenner goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. Dallas tied it on a Colton Sceviour goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Antoine Roussel and Cody Eakin. The Blue Jackets regained the lead with a Kevin Connauton goal, coming off of Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen. Columbus added on with a Matt Calvert goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by William Karlsson and Rene Bourque. The Stars got one back with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twenty-first of the year, via Jamie Benn and John Klingberg in the second period. The Blue Jackets answered with a Brandon Saad goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Dubinsky and Foligno. Dallas shot back in the third period on a Patrick Sharp goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Jason Spezza and Mattias Janmark. Columbus countered with a Scott Hartnell goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets iced it at 6-3 with a Bourque empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Foligno and Dubinsky, both of whom got sock tricks. The three stars belonged to Bourque, Foligno, and Dubinsky.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Ben Scrivens and Roberto Luongo are in the blue paint. Montreal opened in the first period with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by P.K. Subban and Alex Galchenyuk. Florida tied it on an Aleksander Barkov power play goal, his tenth of the year, via Dmitry Kulikov and Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers took the lead in the second period on a Jaromir Jagr goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Jonathan Huberdeau and Barkov. Florida added on with a Barkov goal in the third period, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, assisted by Erik Gudbranson and Huberdeau. The three stars went to Barkov, Luongo (29 for 30 in saves), and Huberdeau.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Jake Allen in goal. St. Louis led off in the first period on a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his second of the season, via Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo. Nashville tied it on a shorthanded goal by Mattias Ekholm, his fourth of the year, set up by Mike Fisher. The Blues took the lead in the second period with a Robby Fabbri goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Jori Lehtera and Jaskin. St. Louis added on in the third period with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Lehtera and Colton Parayko. The Predators answered with a Shea Weber goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Roman Josi and the goalie Hutton. Nashville tied it as Colin Wilson scored his third of the year, thanks to Ryan Ellis and Ekholm. The Blues won 4-3 in overtime on an Alexander Steen goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Paul Stastny and Pietrangelo. The three stars went to Jaskin, Ekholm, and Lehtera, while Pietrangelo gets the honorable mention.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Connor Hellebuyck receive the starting nods. Winnipeg began in the first period on a Jacob Trouba shorthanded goal, his third of the season, set up by Drew Stafford and Mark Stuart. The Jets added on with an Andrew Ladd power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Winnipeg extended the lead on an Alex Burmistrov goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Little and Stafford. The Jets padded the lead as Trouba scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, with the help of Little, who got a sock trick, and Wheeler. Petr Mrazek relieved Howard in goal. Detroit got on the board in the third period with a Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, with assists provided by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Trouba, Little, and Hellebuyck (33 for 34 in saves), while Wheeler and Stafford get the honorable mentions.

Over in Alberta, the Calgary Flames welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Karri Ramo are the solid goalies. Anaheim got going in the second period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his sixth of the season, via Rickard Rakell and Hampus Lindholm. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars given to Horcoff, Gibson (14 save shutout), and Ramo (20 for 21 in saves).

Staying in the province, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Cam Talbot are the starters in goal. Los Angeles drew first blood in the second period on a Dwight King goal, passed from Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis. The Kings added on with a Michael Mersch goal, with a lone assist from Andy Andreoff. Los Angeles extended the lead as Tyler Toffoli scored his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Azne Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Anders Nilsson replaced Talbot in goal. Edmonton got on the board with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. The Kings fired back on a Lewis goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Brown and King. The Oilers got one back in the third period on a Mark Letestu goal, his fifth of the year, via Lauri Korpikoski and Andrej Sekera. Los Angeles replied with a Brown power play goal, his fourth of the campaign, powered by Lewis and Jake Muzzin. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Lewis, Brown, and King.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Anders Lindback are in the blue paint. Chicago got on the board first with a first period goal by Duncan Keith, his sixth of the season, coming on the power play from Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks added on with an Artem Anisimov goal, his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal via Brent Seabrook and Kane. Arizona got on the board with a Shane Doan goal, his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Michael Stone. The Coyotes tied it on a Zbynek Michalek goal, his second of the season, made possible by Ekman-Larsson and Craig Cunningham. Chicago took the lead back with a power play goal by Artemi Panarin, his eleventh of the year, powered by Seabrook and Keith. Louis Domingue replaced Lindback in goal. The Blackhawks extended the lead in the second period as Andrew Desjardins scored his second of the campaign, thanks to Teuvo Teravainen and Phillip Danault. Chicago padded the lead with a Kane goal, his twenty-second of the season, courtesy of Andrew Shaw and Erik Gustafsson. The Blackhawks continued with an unassisted Desjardins goal in the third period, his second of the game and third of the year. Arizona chipped back on a Doan power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, guided in by Tobias Rieder and Ekman-Larsson, the latter getting a sock trick. The Coyotes edged closer on a Connor Murphy goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Rieder and Stone. Chicago answered with a Jonathan Toews shorthanded empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Teravainen and Keith. Arizona responded on a Doan power play goal, completing his hat trick on his eleventh of the campaign, helped along by Mikkel Boedker and Rieder, the latter getting a sock trick. The game ended at 7-5, with the three stars being Kane, Keith, and Doan, while Desjardins, Rieder, Ekman-Larsson, Stone, Seabrook, Teravainen, and Desjardins get the honorable mentions.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 109

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Sergei Magarilov and Dominik Furch draw the starts in goal. Omsk got going with a Maxim Kazakov power play goal in the second period, powered by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Ivan Lekomtsev. Avangard added on in the third period with a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal, via Ilya Mikheyev. Omsk extended the lead as Michal Kempny scored, thanks to Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard padded the lead on a Mikheyev goal, with a lone helper from Valentin Pyanov. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars going to Furch (15 save shutout), Mikheyev, and Kazakov.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana welcomes CSKA Moscow. Viktor Fasth and Pavel Poluektov man the nets. Astana opened in the first period on a Roman Savchenko goal, fueled by Konstantin Pushkaryov and Maxim Khudyakov. Barys added on with a Roman Starchenko power play goal, powered by Brandon Bochenski and Kevin Dallman. Astana extended the lead in the second period with a Martin St. Pierre goal, courtesy of Khudyakov and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Moscow got on the board with a Sergei Andronov goal, passed from Jan Mursak and Dmitry Kugryshev. CSKA pulled closer with a Mursak goal, coming off of Alexander Kutuzov. Barys replied with a Mike Lundin power play goal in the third period, assisted by Dallman and Starchenko. Moscow pulled back as Stephane Da Costa scored, thanks to Alexander Radulov. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Starchenko, Mursak, and Dallman, while Khudyakov gets an honorable mention.

In Russia, Lada Togliatti brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Edgars Masalskis are in goal. Vladivostok dented the scoreboard with a Mikhail Fisenko goal in the second period, going in unassisted. Togliatti tied it on a Denis Guryanov goal, guided in by Dmitry Vorobyov and Stanislav Romanov. Admiral took the lead back on a David Booth goal, fueled by Viktor Alexandrov. Vladivostok added on with a third period goal by Konstantin Makarov, passed from Artyom Podshendyalov and Alexander Kuznetsov. Admiral extended the lead as Podshendyalov scored, thanks to Oskars Bartulis and Kuznetsov. Vladivostok wrapped it up at 5-1 with an Alexander Gorshkov goal, helped along by Dmitry Lugin and Fisenko. The three stars belonged to Podshendyalov, Fisenko, and Kuznetsov.

Next up, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky is mismatched with Stanislav Galimov in goal. Kazan started in the first period on a Stepan Zakharchuk goal, via Mikhail Glukhov. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Galimov (24 save shutout), Zakharchuk, and Pechursky (35 for 36 in saves).

Along to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky and Vitaly Kolesnik are the masked men. Novokuznetsk led off in the first period with a Mikhail Plotnikov goal, coming off of Fyodor Polishchuk and Cade Fairchild. Yaroslavl tied it on a Daniil Apalkov power play goal, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Petri Kontiola. Metallurg took the lead back with a Vadim Mitryakov second period goal, assisted by Kirill Lebedev and Alexei Dostoinov. Lokomotiv tied it again on an Andrei Loktionov goal, via Dmitry Maltsev. Yaroslavl took the lead in the third period with a Kontiola goal, fueled by Emil Galimov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Kontiola, Loktionov, and Apalkov.

Finally, the Sochi Leopards bring in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Konstantin Barulin guard the cages. Sochi began with an Andre Petersson power play goal, powered by Ziyat Paigin. Novosibirsk tied it on a Vladimir Butuzov goal, courtesy of Viktor Bobrov and Alexei Kopeikin. The Leopards took the lead on a Paigin power play goal, made possible by Petersson and Evgeny Skachkov. Sibir tied it on a Maxim Ignatovich goal in the second period, helped along by Kopeikin. Sochi regained the lead in the third period as Ilya Krikunov scored, thanks to Andrei Kostitsyn with five seconds left in regulation. This made it 3-2, good for a Sochi win, with the three stars handed to Paigin, Petersson, and Kopeikin.

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Monday, December 28, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 79

Six games on today as we begin to hurtle toward the Winter Classic on Friday. The day starts with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Linus Ullmark are the goalies. Washington got going in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals added on with a Jay Beagle goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Tom Wilson. This made it 2-0, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Holtby (31 save shutout), Ovechkin, and Beagle.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Mike Condon and Ben Bishop draw the starts in goal. Montreal led off in the first period on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his eighth of the season, passed from P.K. Subban and Sven Andrighetto. Tampa Bay tied it on a Nikita Kucherov power play goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Valtteri Filppula and Anton Stralman. The Canadiens took the lead back on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Andrei Markov and Jeff Petry. The Lightning tied it again in the third period on a Jason Garrison goal, his fourth of the year, via Alex Killorn. Tampa Bay took the lead on a Ryan Callahan goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Filppula and Andrej Sustr. Montreal tied it again with a Dale Weise goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. In the shootout, Filppula was topped by Brian Flynn and Pacioretty as the Canadiens won 4-3. The three stars were Filppula, Pacioretty, and Weise.

Backtracking to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville began in the first period on a Filip Forsberg goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Roman Josi on the power play. New York tied it on a Jesper Fast goal, his sixth of the year, coming in the second period via Dan Girardi and Chris Kreider. The Predators took the lead back on a James Neal goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Mike Ribeiro and Colin Wilson. Nashville added on in the third period with a Craig Smith goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Josi and Ribeiro. The Predators extended the lead on a Ryan Ellis power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Seth Jones and Ribeiro, the latter getting a sock trick. Nashville padded the lead on another Neal goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Calle Jarnkrok and Miikka Salomaki. The Rangers got one back with a Rick Nash goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. New York pulled closer on a J.T. Miller goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Derek Stepan. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Neal, Ribeiro, and Josi.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Devan Dubnyk are the solid goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Nino Niederreiter. The Wild added on with a third period Mikko Koivu power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Matt Dumba and Zach Parise. Detroit got on the board with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Justin Abdelkader and Brendan Smith. Minnesota iced it at 3-1 with a Koivu empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, set up by Parise. The three stars belonged to Koivu, Dubnyk (28 for 29 in saves), and Parise.

Westward to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Jacob Markstrom in goal. Los Angeles was first to score in the first period on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Milan Lucic. The Kings added on with a Derek Forbort goal in the second period, via Trevor Lewis. Los Angeles extended the lead as Brayden McNabb scored his second of the year, thanks to Kopitar. The Kings padded the lead in the third period on a Toffoli goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, passed from Kopitar, who got a sock trick, and Alec Martinez. Los Angeles iced it at 5-0 with a Toffoli power play goal, his seventeenth of the year completing his hat trick, powered by Drew Doughty and Kopitar. The three stars were awarded to Toffoli, Kopitar, and Quick (27 save shutout).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Martin Jones in goal. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Carl Soderberg and Jarome Iginla. San Jose tied it on a Patrick Marleau goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Joel Ward. The Avalanche took the lead back on a Soderberg power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, with assists provided by Francois Beauchemin and Alex Tanguay. Colorado added on in the second period on a Matt Duchene goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by John Mitchell and Andreas Martinsen. The Sharks replied on a Melker Karlsson goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Joe Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Avalanche replied in the third period on a Blake Comeau power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie. San Jose shot back on a Tomas Hertl goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Mike Brown and Brent Burns. Colorado countered on a MacKinnon power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, guided in by Soderberg and Tanguay. The Avalanche finished it at 6-3 with a MacKinnon empty net goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to MacKinnon, Soderberg, and Tanguay.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 108

Just five games for today. The first is in...

Magnitogorsk, with Metallurg hosting Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Vasily Koshechkin are the goalies. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period on a Wojtek Wolski goal, via Chris Lee and Viktor Antipin. Moscow tied it with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, fueled by Denis Kokarev and Mat Robinson. Metallurg took the lead again in the third period on a Danis Zaripov goal, courtesy of Wolski and Jan Kovar. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Wolski, Koshechkin (27 for 28 in saves), and Zaripov.

West to Chelyabinsk, with Traktor welcoming Medvescak Zagreb. Danny Taylor and Vasily Demchenko man the nets. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period on a Deron Quint goal, assisted by Danil Gubarev and Alexander Rybakov. Zagreb tied it on a Tuukka Mantyla power play goal in the third period, powered by Simon Gysbers and Jesse Saarinen. The tie went to a shootout, where Anton Glinkin and Maxim Yakutsenya won it for Traktor 2-1. Demchenko (31 for 32 in saves), Taylor (36 for 37 in saves), and Quint receive the three stars.

Back east, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Niklas Svedberg are between the pipes. Ufa got going in the second period on a Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, passed from Teemu Hartikainen and Nikolai Prokhorkin. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Maxim Mayorov goal, made possible by Hartikainen. Ufa extended the lead in the third period as Alexander Loginov scored a shorthanded empty net goal, set up by Andreas Engqvist. The final stayed at 3-0, and the three stars went to Svedberg (32 save shutout), Hartikainen, and Arzamastsev.

Returning west, with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk bringing in Slovan Bratislava. Barry Brust and Alexander Sudnitsin are the masked men. The game was scoreless until the shootout, and that itself took eleven rounds to decide. Slovan's Ziga Jeglic scored twice, while Neftekhimkik's Marek Kvapil recorded their only tally in a 1-0 Slovan win. The three stars went to Brust (27 save shutout), Jeglic, and Sudnitsin (40 save "shutout").

Finally, Dinamo Riga hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Joacim Eriksson are the solid goalies. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period on an Alexander Frolov goal, helped along by Kirill Koltsov and Dmitry Semin. Torpedo added on with an Artyom Alyayev goal, with helpers from Kaspars Daugavins and Semin. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the third period as Maxim Osipov scored, with the help of Roman Konkov and Linus Videll. Riga got on the board with a Gunars Skvorcovs goal, made possible by Guntis Galvins and Gints Meija. Torpedo iced it at 4-1 with a Semin empty net goal, set up by Daugavins. The three stars went to Semin, Daugavins, and Proskuryakov (28 for 29 in saves).

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Sunday, December 27, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 78

Nine games for today, beginning with...

The Ottawa Senators hosting the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Craig Anderson man the nets. Ottawa was first to score in the first period on a Mark Stone power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. Boston tied it on a David Krejci goal in the second period, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Matt Beleskey and Loui Eriksson. The Senators retook the lead on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 on a Stone empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, set up by Turris and Karlsson. The three stars were Stone, Anderson (38 for 39 in saves), and Turris, while Karlsson gets an honorable mention.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Kari Lehtonen are the de facto backups in goal. Dallas led off in the first period on a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Alex Goligoski and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on in the third period with a Benn goal, his twenty-third of the year, a power play goal with a lone assist by Sharp. Dallas iced it at 3-0 with an unassisted empty net goal from Cody Eakin, his ninth of the campaign. The three stars were handed to Sharp, Benn, and Lehtonen (22 save shutout).

Northeast to New York, with the Islanders bringing in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Greiss are in the blue paint. Toronto got going in the second period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Roman Polak and P.A. Parenteau. The Maple Leafs added on with a Michael Grabner goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly. New York got on the board with a Nikolay Kulemin goal in the third period, his third of the season, fueled by Nick Leddy and Ryan Strome. Toronto iced it at 3-1 with a James van Riemsdyk empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Kadri. The three stars went to Bernier (25 for 26 in saves), Kadri, and Greiss (35 for 37 in saves).

South again to Florida, with the Panthers hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Roberto Luongo in goal. Florida struck first in the first period with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Reilly Smith and Vincent Trocheck. The Panthers added on with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his eighth of the year, via Jonathan Huberdeau. Columbus got on the board in the second period on a Brandon Saad goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Justin Falk and Kevin Connauton. Florida replied with another Barkov goal in the third period, his second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from Huberdeau. The Blue Jackets chipped back on a Cam Atkinson power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by Saad and Alexander Wennberg. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars belonging to Barkov, Saad, and Huberdeau.

Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Eddie Lack and Corey Crawford draw the starts in goal. Carolina dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Justin Faulk goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Jeff Skinner and Phillip Di Giuseppe. The Hurricanes added on with a third period Victor Rask goal, his tenth of the year, via Skinner and Brett Pesce. Chicago got on the board with a Brent Seabrook goal, his sixth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Andrew Shaw. This only made it 2-1, with the three stars going to Skinner, Ward (35 for 36 in saves), and Rask.

Out in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Anders Lindback and Semyon Varlamov are between the pipes. Colorado began in the first period on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and John Mitchell. The Coyotes tied it in the third period on a Michael Stone goal, his third of the year, via Mikkel Boedker and Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes won 2-1 in overtime on a Boedker goal, his twelfth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were named as Boedker, Lindback (38 for 39 in saves), and Stone.

In California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and John Gibson protect the nets. Anaheim opened in the first period on a Ryan Getzlaf power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler. Philadelphia tied it on a Jakub Voracek goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Nick Schultz and Sean Couturier. The Flyers took the lead on a Michael Raffl power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, passed from Matt Read and Couturier. The Ducks tied it again with a Corey Perry power play goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Getzlaf and Patrick Maroon. Anaheim took the lead in the third period on a Perry goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Vatanen. The Ducks added on with a Shawn Horcoff shorthanded goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Andrew Cogliano and Clayton Stoner. The three stars belonged to Perry, Getzlaf, and Vatanen, while Couturier gets an honorable mention.

Into Canada, where the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff and Connor Hellebuyck occupy the creases. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Bryan Little penalty shot goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming after Ben Lovejoy hooked him. This stood as the only goal, for a 1-0 Jets win. The three stars were awarded to Hellebuyck (30 save shutout), Little, and Zatkoff (27 for 28 in saves).

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Edmonton Oilers for a battle of Alberta. Anders Nilsson and Karri Ramo are the Scandinavian goalies. Edmonton drew first blood with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on with another Pouliot goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, via Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle. Calgary got on the board in the second period with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from T.J. Brodie and Joe Colborne. Edmonton replied on a Teddy Purcell goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl. The Flames answered with a shorthanded goal from Matt Stajan, his second of the season, set up by Markus Granlund and Brodie. Calgary tied it as Mark Giordano scored his eighth of the year on the power play, powered by Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler. The Flames gained the lead on a Gaudreau goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, going in unassisted. Calgary iced it at 5-3 on another Giordano power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, with helpers provided by Dougie Hamilton and Mikael Backlund. The three stars were Gaudreau, Giordano, and Pouliot, while Brodie, Nugent-Hopkins, and Eberle get the honorable mentions.

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