Thursday, October 13, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 2

This is the first big day of the new season, with nine games to go through. We begin with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Robin Lehner are unheralded goalies. Montreal led off in the first period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, assisted by Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens added on in the second period on a Torrey Mitchell goal, helped along by Paul Byron and Phillip Danault. Buffalo got on the board with a Matt Moulson power play goal in the third period, powered by Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen. Montreal replied on a Gallagher goal, via Shea Weber and Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens iced it at 4-1 with an Andrew Shaw goal, passed from Daniel Carr and David Desharnais. The three stars went to Gallagher, Montoya (30 for 31 in saves), and Mitchell.

In New York City, the Rangers welcome cross-town rivals in the Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. The Rangers opened in the first period with a Michael Grabner goal, assisted by Brandon Pirri and Jesper Fast. The Rangers added on in the second period on a Mats Zuccarello goal, coming off of Brady Skjei and Mika Zibanejad. The Islanders got on the board in the third period with a Nick Leddy goal, made possible by Casey Cizikas and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders tied it with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, guided in by Nikolay Kulemin and Cizikas. The Rangers took the lead again with a Chris Kreider goal, via Pavel Buchnevich and Nick Holden. The Rangers extended the lead as Pirri scored a power play goal, powered by Kreider and Zibanejad. The Rangers padded the lead on a J.T. Miller empty net goal, set up by Kevin Hayes. The Islanders pulled back with a Brock Nelson goal, with assists provided by Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier. The game ended at 5-3, with the three stars handed to Pirri, Kreider, and Zibanejad, while Cizikas gets an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the blue paint. Columbus began in the first period with an Alexander Wennberg goal, coming off of Seth Jones and Zachary Werenski. The Blue Jackets added on with a Cam Atkinson power play goal, powered by Nick Foligno and Wennberg. Boston got on the board in the second period with a David Pastrnak goal, via Brad Marchand. Columbus answered on a Jones goal, made possible by Brandon Saad and Foligno. The Bruins pulled back with a David Backes goal, fueled by Zdeno Chara and Marchand. Boston tied it with another Backes goal, with helpers from Pastrnak and Marchand, who got a sock trick. The Bruins extended the lead as Marchand scored in the third period, with the help of Pastrnak and Backes. Boston padded the lead with a Marchand goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Brandon Carlo. The Bruins iced it at 6-3 with a Pastrnak empty net goal, set up by David Krejci and Ryan Spooner. The three stars belonged to Marchand, Backes, and Pastrnak, while Wennberg, Jones, and Foligno get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Ben Bishop are the masked men. Detroit started in the first period with a Thomas Vanek power play goal, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Frans Nielsen. The Red Wings added on with another Vanek goal, with a lone assist by Gustav Nyquist. Tampa Bay got on the board with a power play goal by Jonathan Drouin, with helpers from Alex Killorn and Victor Hedman. Detroit shot back on a Nielsen goal, assisted by Mike Green and Dylan Larkin. The Lightning answered with an unassisted goal by Cedric Paquette. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on a Brian Boyle goal, courtesy of Paquette. The Lightning gained the lead with a Tyler Johnson power play goal, guided in by Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Killorn scored a power play goal, thanks to Drouin and Hedman. The Red Wings countered with a Danny DeKeyser goal, passed from Green and Darren Helm. The Lightning iced it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Valtteri Filppula, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Paquette, Drouin, and Vanek, while Killorn, Nielsen, Hedman, and Green get the honorable mentions.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Florida struck first in the first period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Alex Petrovic. New Jersey tied it on a P.A. Parenteau goal, via Yohann Auvitu and Pavel Zacha. The Panthers won 2-1 in overtime on a Barkov goal, with a lone assist by Michael Matheson. The three stars were awarded to Barkov, Luongo (23 for 24 in saves), and Schneider (32 for 34 in saves).

Back north to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury are the masked men. Washington was first to score in the first period with an Andre Burakovsky goal, passed from Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, powered by Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins took the lead on a Malkin goal, assisted by Conor Sheary. The Capitals retied it in the third period with a Burakovsky goal, his second of the game, made possible by Backstrom and Matt Niskanen. The tie went to a shootout, where Malkin, Letang, and Phil Kessel outlasted T.J. Oshie and Backstrom for a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Malkin, Burakovsky, and Letang, while Backstrom gets an honorable mention.

Southwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jake Allen man the nets. St. Louis opened in the first period with an Alexander Steen goal, made possible by Robby Fabbri and Paul Stastny. Minnesota tied it on a Ryan Suter goal in the second period, going in unassisted. The Blues took the lead back with a Nail Yakupov goal, guided in by Colton Parayko and Patrik Berglund. St. Louis added on in the third period with a Magnus Paajarvi goal, fueled by Yakupov and Berglund. The Wild got one back with a Charlie Coyle goal, passed from Jason Zucker and Zac Dalpe. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Yakupov, Paajarvi, and Berglund.

Up in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Connor Hellebuyck are set to start in goal. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Shawn Matthias goal, guided in by Toby Enstrom and Bryan Little. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, fueled by Lee Stempniak. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period on a Stempniak power play goal, powered by Noah Hanifin and Skinner. Carolina added on with an unassisted goal by Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the third period as Victor Rask scored a power play goal, thanks to Justin Faulk and Sebastian Aho. The Jets got one back with a shorthanded and unassisted Blake Wheeler goal. Winnipeg got closer with a Patrik Laine power play goal, with assists provided by Enstrom and Kyle Connor. The Jets tied it on a Mathieu Perreault goal, passed from Wheeler and Laine. Winnipeg won 5-4 in overtime on a Mark Scheifele goal, set up Wheeler. The three stars were Wheeler, Laine, and Enstrom, while Skinner and Stempniak get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Dallas Stars bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Antti Niemi are between the posts. Dallas struck first in the first period with a Stephen Johns goal, via Patrick Eaves and Jamie Benn. Anaheim tied it on an Andrew Cogliano shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. The Stars retook the lead in the second period with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, fueled by Devin Shore and Dan Hamhuis. The Ducks retied it on a Cogliano goal, coming off of Ryan Kelser and Jakob Silfverberg in the third period. Dallas retook the lead with an Antoine Roussel goal, made possible by Adam Cracknell and Jordie Benn. The Stars iced it at 4-2 with a Cracknell goal, assisted by Radek Faksa and Roussel. The three stars were given to Cracknell, Roussel, and Cogliano.

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MLS Midweek, October 13-14, 2016

Three games at midweek will bring the schedule to balance for the tail end of the year. We begin with Wednesday's lone game, as the...

Seattle Sounders FC host the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Stefan Frei play in goal. Houston had a yellow card for a forty-third minute foul by Ricardo Clark. In the sixty-fourth minute, Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso took a red card for violent conduct, and the Dynamo's Will Bruin had a yellow card for arguing. The game ended 0-0, with Willis the man of the match for his seven-save clean sheet.

The first of Thursday's two games had the Chicago Fire welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Sean Johnson are the veteran keepers. Columbus started in the thirteenth minute on an Adam Jahn goal, via Justin Meram. Chicago got on the board with an own goal from the Crew's Michael Parkhurst in the fifty-third minute. The Fire took the lead with a Michael de Leeuw goal in the fifty-seventh minute, assisted by Arturo Alvarez. The Crew retied it on a Jahn goal in the eightieth minute, coming off of Corey Ashe. Chicago saw yellow cards for fouls by Razvan Cocis in the eightieth minute and Joao Meira in the eighty-fifth minute. The game ended 2-2, and the man of the match was Jahn for his brace.

Over in Colorado, the Rapids bring in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Tim Howard are the American goalies. Colorado opened in the thirty-eighth minute with a Kevin Doyle goal, set up by Marc Burch and Dominique Badji. San Jose tied it with a fifty-seventh minute penalty kick goal by Chris Wondolowski. The Rapids retook the lead on a Doyle penalty kick goal in the seventy-third minute. Doyle took a yellow card for his eighty-fourth minute foul. In the eighty-sixth minute, the Earthquakes' Victor Bernardez had a yellow card for a foul. The game ended 2-1 for the Rapids, with Doyle the man of the match.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0, and keep an eye out for the last two weekends of games.

KHL 2016/17 - Day 52

Twelve games fill the schedule today, which is quite a heavy load. We begin with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Ilya Samsonov are in goal. Astana led off in the first period with a Nigel Dawes goal, via Alexander Lipin and Ivan Kuchin. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period with a Chris Lee power play goal, powered by Tomas Filippi. Metallurg took the lead on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, fueled by Jan Kovar and Alexei Bereglazov. Magnitogorsk iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted Lee empty net goal. The three stars were Lee, Mozyakin, and Samsonov (16 for 17 in saves).

Up in Ufa, Salavat Yulaev welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Niklas Svedberg are the masked men. Ufa began in the first period with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, assisted by Stepan Khripunov and Mikhail Vorobyov. Salavat Yulaev added on with another Kaprizov goal, passed from Igor Makarov and Vorobyov. Ufa extended the lead as Denis Kulyash scored, thanks to Evgeny Bodrov and Makarov. Igor Ustinsky replaced Sokhatsky in goal. Salavat Yulaev padded the lead in the second period on an Enver Lisin goal, coming off of Bodrov. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an Anatoly Golyshev goal, fueled by Alexei Simakov and Alexander Torchenyuk. Ufa replied in the third period on a Lisin goal, with a lone assist by Makarov, who got a sock trick. The final held at 5-1, with the three stars being Kaprizov, Lisin, and Makarov, while Vorobyov and Bodrov get the honorable mentions.

Over to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor brings in Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov faces a lesser foe in Pavel Francouz in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk opened in the first period with a Denis Gorbunov goal, via Pavel Varfolomeyev. Ugra added on with a Konstantin Mayorov goal, helped along by Pavel Medvedev. This lasted all the way to the end for a 2-0 win, with Sharychenkov (21 save shutout), Gorbunov, and Mayorov receiving the three stars honors.

Next up, Lada Togliatti hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Ilya Ezhov protect the nets. Togliatti started in the first period with a Semyon Valuisky goal, courtesy of Maxim Rybin. Lada added on with a Kristaps Sotnieks goal, assisted by Andrei Ivanov and Nikita Filatov on the power play. Toglaitti extended the lead as Ivanov scored, with the help of Anton Shenfeld and Georgy Belousov. Alexander Pechursky came on in the middle of the second period for Amur. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Tomas Zohorna power play goal in the second period, powered by Teemu Ramstedt and Maxim Kondratyev. Lada replied with a Viktor Komarov goal, guided in by Shenfeld. Togliatti padded the lead with a third period Rybin power play goal, with a lone assist by Shenfeld, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Ivanov, Shenfeld, and Rybin in the 5-1 game.

Northwest to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Cherepovets struck first in the first period on a Daniil Vovchenko goal, made possible by Nikolai Stasenko and Vojtech Polak. Helsinki tied it on a Brian O'Neill goal, coming off of Peter Regin. Severstal retook the lead in the second period on a Dmitry Kagarlitsky power play goal, powered by Adam Masuhr. Cherepovets added on with a Polak goal, assisted by Alexander Yevseyenkov and Vovchenko. Jokerit got one back in the third period on an unassisted goal by Ville Lajunen. Helsinki tied it on a Regin goal, via Jesse Joensuu and Charles Genoway. Severstal won 4-3 in overtime with a Kagarlitsky goal, with assists provided by Anton Sizov and Denis Yezhov. The three stars went to Kagarlitsky, Polak, and Vovchenko, while Regin gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik brings in Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Andrei Makarov and Ville Kolppanen are in the blue paint. Nizhnekamsk was first to score in the first period with a Pavel Zdunov goal, courtesy of Kamil Fazylzyanov. Neftekhimik added on in the second period with a power play goal by Konstantin Makarov, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Evgeny Ryasensky. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Richard Gynge scored, thanks to Dan Sexton. Andrei Makarov was pulled for Artyom Zagidulin at this time. Neftekhimik padded the lead with a Pavel Kulikov goal, made possible by Pavel Poryadin and Fazylzyanov. Beijing got on the board in the third period with a Linus Videll goal, coming off of Sean Collins and Zach Yuen. Kunlun Red Stars got closer with a Miika Lahti goal, helped along by Chad Rau. Beijing chipped closer on a Joonas Jarvinen goal, assisted by Max Warn and Tuukka Mantyla on the power play. They failed to complete the comeback, falling 4-3, with the three stars going to Fazylzyanov, Kulikov, and Gynge.

Heading to Kazan, where Ak Bars hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Stanislav Galimov are between the pipes. Kazan led off in the first period with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, guided in by Michal Jordan. Ak Bars added on with an Alexander Svitov goal in the third period, helped along by Justin Azevedo and Vladimir Tkachyov. Kazan iced it at 3-0 with an Azevedo empty net goal, set up by Mikhail Glukhov and Svitov. The three stars went to Svitov, Galimov (32 save shutout), and Azevedo.

Into Moscow, where CSKA welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Ilya Sorokin are the masked men. Moscow began in the first period with a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, assisted by Nikita Pivtsakin. Minsk tied it on a Nikita Komarov goal, fueled by Matt Ellison and Artur Gavrus. CSKA took the lead back on a Grigory Panin goal, passed from Alexander Popov and Jonas Enlund. Moscow added on in the second period, via Stephane Da Costa and Pivtsakin. CSKA extended the lead as Alexander Kutuzov scored, thanks to Jan Mursak and Valery Nichushkin. Moscow padded the lead on a Da Costa goal, coming off of Pavel Karnaukhov and Vladimir Zharkov. CSKA continued in the third period with a Zharkov goal, guided in by Enlund and Artyom Sergeyev. Moscow kept going on an Igor Ozhiganov goal, made possible by Mursak and Nichushkin. Dinamo got one back with an Alexander Materukhin power play goal, powered by Charles Linglet and Andrei Stepanov. The game ended at 7-2, with the three stars going to Da Costa, Enlund, and Zharkov, while Pivtsakin, Mursak, and Nichushkin get the honorable mentions.

Down in Sochi, the Leopards bring in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Konstantin Barulin tend the twines. Sochi opened in the first period with an Eric O'Dell goal, assisted by Pavel Padakin and Sergei Kuznetsov. The Leopards added on with a Kuznetsov goal, via Ilya Krikunov and Andrei Kostitsyn. Novosibirsk got on the board in the second period on an Alexei Skabelka goal, guided in by Stepan Sannikov. Sochi replied with an unassisted Padakin goal. The Leopards extended the lead as Igor Levitsky scored, with the help of Ivan Zakharchuk. Sochi padded the lead in the third period with a Zakharchuk power play goal, powered by Nikita Tochitsky and Renat Mamashev. The Leopards continued with a Mamashev goal, going in unassisted. Sibir got one back on a power play goal by Yury Sergiyenko, with a lone assist from Nikolai Glukhov. The final held at 6-2, with the three stars handed to Kuznetsov, Padakin, and Zakharchuk, while Mamashev gets an honorable mention.

Back in Moscow, Spartak hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Markus Svensson are the average goalies. Moscow started in the first period with a Matthew Gilroy power play goal, powered by Lukas Radil and Ryan Stoa. Novokuznetsk tied it in the second period on a Kirill Semyonov goal, guided in by Kirill Lebedev and Vladislav Arbuzov. Metallurg took the lead with an Evgeny Solovyov goal, passed from Ignat Zemchenko. Novokuznetsk added on in the third period on a Semyonov goal, made possible by Nikita Yazkov and Timur Fatkullin. Spartak got one back with a Stoa power play goal, with a lone helper by Vyacheslav Leshchenko The game ended at 3-2, with Semyonov, Stoa, and Solovyov.

Northwest to St. Petersburg, where SKA welcomes Dinamo Riga. Janis Kalnins and Igor Shestyorkin are set to start in goal. St. Petersburg got going in the second period with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, going in unassisted. SKA added on in the third period with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Nikita Gusev. Riga got on the board with a Mikelis Redlihs goal, assisted by Georgijs Pujacs and Lauris Darzins. St. Petersburg answered with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, guided in by Alexander Barabanov. SKA extended the lead as Steve Moses scored, thanks to Yegor Yakovlev and Sergei Plotnikov. This made it 4-1, the final, with Shestyorkin (20 for 21 in saves), Shipachyov, and Kovalchuk getting the three stars.

Finally, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Ilya Proskuryakov guard the cages. Omsk struck first in the first period with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, via Nikolai Lemtyugov. Avangard added on in the second period with an Ivan Fishchenko goal, coming off of Vladimir Sobotka. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Nikolai Zherdev power play goal, powered by Kirill Vorobyov and Fredrik Pettersson. Torpedo tied it on a Carter Ashton goal, fueled by Denis Shurakov and Zherdev on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead in the third period on a Pettersson goal, passed from Ashton and Kirill Rasskazov. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Pettersson, Ashton, and Zherdev.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 1

Nearly four months after the end of the last Stanley Cup, the NHL is back, and I am as well. I will provide the same level of coverage as last year, with the occasional league-wide opinion piece when I have the time. I hope to be featured regularly on Puck Daddy's Headlines segment when I do such pieces. Today's opening nine schedule features four games, beginning with...

The Ottawa Senators hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Craig Anderson are the goalies. Toronto opened in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, via Zach Hyman and William Nylander. Ottawa tied it on a Bobby Ryan goal, coming off of Erik Karlsson and Zack Smith. The Senators pulled ahead on a Karlsson goal, assisted by Derick Brassard and Ryan. The Maple Leafs tied it on Matthews' second goal of the game, going in unassisted. Toronto regained the lead in the second period when Matthews finished his hat trick, with a lone assist by Morgan Rielly. Ottawa tied it again on an unassisted goal by Brassard. The Maple Leafs pulled ahead again with Matthews' fourth of the game, guided in by Nylander and Jake Gardiner. The Senators tied it again in the third period with a Kyle Turris goal in the third period, made possible by Mark Stone. Ottawa won 5-4 with Turris' second of the game in overtime, with helpers from Stone and Karlsson. The three stars were Matthews, Turris, and Karlsson, while Ryan, Brassard, Nylander, and Stone.

Stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Chicago led off in the first period with a Richard Panik power play goal, powered by Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. St. Louis tied it on a Kevin Shattenkirk power play goal in the second period, with assists provided by Alex Pietrangelo and Alexander Steen. The Blackhawks took the lead on a Ryan Hartman goal, fueled by Tyler Motte and Marcus Kruger. The Blues tied it again on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, coming off of Paul Stastny and Shattenkirk. St. Louis took the lead in the third period with a Stastny goal, via Tarasenko and Shattenkirk on the power play. The Blues added on with a Tarasenko goal, his second of the game, an empty net goal set up by Stastny and Steen. St. Louis iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Scottie Upshall, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Tarasenko, Shattenkirk, and Stastny, while Steen gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Edmonton, with the Oilers bringing in the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Cam Talbot are the goalies. Edmonton started in the first period with a Patrick Maroon goal, assisted by Leon Draisaitl. Calgary tied it with an Alex Chiasson goal, passed from Matt Stajan and Lance Bouma. The Oilers retook the lead on a Tyler Pitlick goal, fueled by Adam Larsson and Kris Russell. Edmonton added on with a Zack Kassian goal, made possible by Oscar Klefbom and Connor McDavid. The Flames pulled back with a Troy Brouwer shorthanded goal, going in unassisted in the second period. Calgary tied it on a shorthanded Michael Frolik goal, set up by Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Oilers gained the lead on a McDavid goal, coming off of Andrej Sekera and Russell. Edmonton extended the lead on a McDavid penalty shot goal, after a hook from Dennis Wideman. The Oilers padded the lead on an unassisted Jesse Puljujarvi power play goal in the third period. The Flames got one back with a Wideman power play goal, powered by T.J. Brodie and Backlund. Edmonton iced it at 7-4 with a Jordan Eberle empty net goal, with a lone assist by Darnell Nurse. The three stars belonged to McDavid, Russell, and Backlund.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Martin Jones protect the nets. Los Angeles began in the first period with a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, powered by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. San Jose tied it on a Logan Couture power play goal, helped along by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. Quick came out with an injury at the first intermission, and Jeff Zatkoff relieved him. The Sharks took the lead with a third period Brent Burns goal, made possible by Joonas Donskoi and Couture. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars given to Couture, Burns, and Jones (21 for 22 in saves).

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 51

Just two games for today, beginning with...

Vityaz Podolsk welcoming Medvescak Zagreb. Sergei Gaiduchenko is mismatched with Harri Sateri in goal. Zagreb began with an unassisted Yann Sauve goal. Medvescak added on in the second period with a Colby Genoway goal, assisted by Alexandre Giroux and Alexandre Bolduc. Podolsk got on the board with a Mario Kempe power play goal, powered by Alexei Kopeikin and Vyacheslav Solodukhin. Vityaz tied it on an Alexei Semenov goal, fueled by Alexei Makeyev and Igor Golovkov. Podolsk took the lead on a Makeyev goal, courtesy of Maxim Afinogenov and Roman Horak. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars going to Makeyev, Semenov, and Kempe.

To the north a bit, Dynamo Moscow brings in Slovan Bratislava in the other game. Barry Brust and Alexander Yeryomenko are the masked men. Moscow led off with an Artyom Fyodorov goal, passed from Daniil Tarasov. Bratislava tied it on a power play goal by Marek Daloga, powered by Jonathan Cheechoo and Tomas Starosta. Slovan took the lead on a power play goal from Tomas Kundratek, coming off of Cheechoo. Bratislava added on in the second period on a Cheechoo goal, courtesy of Jeff Taffe. Dynamo pulled back on a Semyon Kokuyov goal, guided in by Alexei Sopin and Alexander Rybakov. Slovan countered with a Kundratek goal, his second of the game, via Taffe. Moscow shot back on an Alexander Kuznetsov goal, made possible by Alexei Maklyukov and Artyom Podshendyalov. Bratislava replied in the third period with a Ziga Jeglic goal, with a lone assist by Nick Plastino. The final was 5-3, with the three stars being Cheechoo, Kundratek, and Taffe.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 50

Ten games on today for the first really busy day in awhile. We begin with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Vasily Demchenko are the experienced goalies. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period with an Ilya Zinovyev goal, fueled by Alexander Shinin and Yury Petrov. Astana tied it on a Talgat Zhailauov goal, via Cam Barker and Ivan Kuchin. Barys took the lead with a Martin St. Pierre goal in the second period, helped along by Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Astana added on with a Roman Starchenko goal, going in unassisted. Barys extended the lead as Vladimir Markelov scored an unassisted goal in the third period. Traktor got one back with an Alexander Sharov goal, coming off of Alexei Petrov. Chelyabinsk pulled closer with an Artyom Penkovsky goal, passed from Danil Mamayev and Zinovyev. The final held at 4-3, with the three stars being Zinovyev, Markelov, and Starchenko.

Along to Ufa, where Salavaty Yulaev welcomes Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov and Andrei Gavrilov make the starts in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period with a Denis Khlystov goal, assisted by Nikita Khlystov. Ugra added on with an Andrei Ankudinov goal in the second period, passed from Alexander Ugonikov and Anton Kuryanov. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead with a power play goal by Konstantin Panov, powered by Roman Lyuduchin. Ufa got on the board with a third period Maxim Mayorov goal, helped along by Kirill Kaprizov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev got closer on a Hartikainen goal, via Sami Lepisto and Mayorov. They failed to equalize, falling 3-2, with the three stars going to Panov, Hartikainen, and Mayorov.

Along to Togliatti, with Lada bringing in Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Andrei Makarov and Ilya Ezhov man the nets. Togliatti began in the first period with an Alexander Bumagin goal, via Nikita Filatov and Andrei Ivanov. Beijing tied it on a Max Warn goal, assisted by Miika Lahti. Lada retook the lead in the second period with a Kristaps Sotnieks power play goal, powered by Filatov and Bumagin. Kunlun Red Star retied it with a Lahti goal, made possible by Tuukka Mantyla on the power play. Beijing pulled ahead with a Warn power play goal in the third period, with assists provided by Chad Rau and Joonas Jarvinen. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Warn, Lahti, and Bumagin, while Filatov gets an honorable mention.

Up in Cherepovets, Severstal hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Jakub Kovar are the goalies with the same name in goal. Cherepovets opened in the first period with an Igor Magogin goal, assisted by Evgeny Mons and Alexander Avtsin. Severstal added on with a Maxim Trunyov power play goal, powered by Daniil Vovchenko and Alexander Yevseyenkov. Riga got on the board with a Justin Shugg power play goal, helped along by Georgijs Pujacs and Gints Meija. Cherepovets shot back with a Yury Trubachyov power play goal, guided in by Nikolai Stasenko and Trunyov. Dinamo answered on a second period goal by Shugg, coming off of Meija. Riga tied it on a Colton Gillies goal, made possible by Ralfs Freibergs and Meija, the latter getting a sock trick. Severstal retook the lead in the third period on a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, with a lone assist by Vojtech Polak. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Trunyov, Meija, and Shugg.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, with Neftekhimik welcoming Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Ivan Lisutin are the sub-par goalies. Vladivostok started in the first period with a Dmitry Lugin power play goal, powered by Mikhail Fisenko and Jonathon Blum. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a power play goal by Igor Polygalov in the second period, assisted by Geoffrey Kinrade and Dan Sexton. Admiral retook the lead on a Robert Sabolic goal, coming off of Fisenko. Vladivostok added on with a Vladimir Tkachyov power play goal, with helpers from Fisenko and Sabolic, the former getting a sock trick. The scoring ended here at 3-1, with the three stars given to Fisenko, Sabolic, and Bobkov (39 for 40 in saves).

South to Sochi, as the Leopards bring in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Mikhail Biryukov and Dmitry Shikin are given the starting nods in goal. Sochi was first to score in the first period with a Pavel Padakin goal, via Ben Maxwell. Novokuznetsk tied it on an Ignat Zemchenko power play goal, powered by Nikita Lyamkin and Kirill Semyonov. Metallurg took the lead on an unassisted Lyamkin power play goal in the second period. The Leopards tied it with an Ivan Zakharchuk power play goal in the third period, going in unassisted. Sochi took the lead on a Padakin goal, going in unassisted. This gave the Leopards a 3-2 win, with the three stars named as Padakin, Lyamkin, and Zakharchuk.

In Moscow, CSKA hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Viktor Fasth are the backups in goal. Moscow led off in the first period with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, assisted by Kirill Petrov. Helsinki tied it on a Charles Genoway power play goal, powered by Marko Anttila and Michael Keranen in the second period. CSKA took the lead back with a Valery Nichushkin goal, passed from Jan Mursak and Stephane Da Costa. Jokerit tied it again with a Brian O'Neill goal, helped along by Jesse Joensuu. Helsinki took the lead on an O'Neill power play goal, with a lone assist by Jesper Jensen. Ilya Sorokin replaced Fasth in goal. Jokerit added on with a Petteri Wirtanen goal in the third period, guided in by Anttila and Tomi Maki. Helsinki extended the lead as O'Neill completed his hat trick, with the help of Peter Regin and Joensuu. Moscow got one back on a Kugryshev goal, made possible by Igor Ozhiganov. Jokerit iced it at 6-3 with an Antti Pihlstrom empty net goal, set up by Mika Niemi and Sakari Salminen. The three stars were awarded to O'Neill, Kugryshev, and Anttila, while Joensuu gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the city, Spartak Moscow welcomes Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Markus Svensson are between the pipes. Omsk got going in the second period with a Yegor Martynov power play goal, powered by Derek Roy and Vladimir Sobotka. Avangard added on with a Roy goal, via Maxim Pestushko. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, coming off of Lukas Radil and Ryan Stoa on the power play. Spartak tied it on another Kalinin power play goal, with assists provided by Radil and Konstantin Glazachev. Omsk retook the lead on a Pestushko goal, with a lone assist from Roy. This made it 3-2, which stood for an Avangard win. The three stars were awarded to Roy, Pestushko, and Kalinin, while Radil gets an honorable mention.

Back east a bit to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Ilya Proskuryakov tend the twines. Nizhny Novgorod dented the scoreboard in the second period with a power play goal by Kirill Rasskazov, powered by Alexei Potapov and Nikolai Zherdev. Novosibirsk tied it on a Damir Zhafyarov goal, via Joonas Kemppainen and Evgeny Artyukhin. Sibir took the lead on a Konstantin Okulov goal in the third period, assisted by Ilya Nekolenko and Sergei Shumakov. Novosibirsk iced it at 3-1 with a Kemppainen empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Okulov, Kemppainen, and Salak (28 for 29 in saves).

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Emil Garipov are the masked men. Kazan began in the first period with a Justin Azevedo goal, going in unassisted. Ak Bars added on with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, via Vasily Tokranov and Fyodor Malykhin in the second period. Khabarovsk got on the board with an Artyom Zub goal in the third period, helped along by Vladislav Ushenin and Vyacheslav Ushenin. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Garipov (23 for 24 in saves), Varnakov, and Azevedo.

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Monday, October 10, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 49

After today's four games, the schedule begins to go into heavy oscillation. We begin today with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Vasily Koshechkin are in goal. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Chris Lee power play goal, powered by Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, fueled by Kovar. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Oskar Osala scored, thanks to Sergei Tereshchenko and Denis Kazionov. Igor Ustinsky relieved Sokhatsky in goal. Metallurg padded the lead on an Evgeny Timkin goal, passed from Viktor Antipin and Osala. Magnitogorsk continued in the third period with an unassisted Alexander Semin goal. Metallurg kept going on another Semin goal, guided in by Tomas Filippi and Yaroslav Khabarov. This made it 6-0, the final, with the three stars going to Osala, Semin, and Kovar.

Out in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Justin Pogge and Alexander Sudnitsin are the backups in goal. Bratislava led off in the first period with an unassisted goal from Kyle Chipchura. Slovan added on with a Tomas Kundratek goal, coming off of Andrej Stastny. Yaroslavl got on the board with an Alexander Polunin power play goal, powered by Pavel Kraskovsky and Yegor Korshkov. Lokomotiv tied it with a power play goal from Petri Kontiola, with assists provided by Brandon Kozun and Staffan Kronwall. Bratislava won 3-2 in overtime on a Jeff Taffe goal, guided in by Patrik Lusnak and Kundratek. The three stars went to Kundratek, Taffe, and Chipchura.

Along to St. Petersburg, with SKA bringing in Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Igor Shestyorkin are in the blue paint. St. Petersburg began in the first period with an Alexander Khokhlachyov goal, assisted by Anton Belov and Alexander Dergachyov. SKA added on with a Vyacheslav Voynov power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg extended the lead on a power play goal by Nikita Gusev, set up by Vadim Shipachyov and Dinar Khafizullin. SKA padded the lead as Evgeny Dadonov scored, thanks to Gusev and Maxim Chudinov. Mikhail Karnaukhov replaced Scrivens in goal. St. Petersburg struck again in the second period on an Ilya Kablukov goal, with a lone assist by Yegor Rykov. Minsk got on the board with a Nikita Ustinenko goal, made possible by Nikita Komarov and Sergei Drozd. Dinamo pulled closer with a third period Ilya Shinkevich goal, passed from Andrei Stepanov and Alexander Kitarov. SKA finished it at 6-2 with a Shipachyov goal, via Gusev. The three stars went to Gusev, Shipachyov, and Dadonov.

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Niko Hovinen is mismatched with Alexander Yeryomenko in goal. Moscow started in the first period with a Martins Karsums goal, courtesy of Maxim Karpov. Dynamo added on with an Alexander Kuznetsov goal, helped along by Denis Kokarev and Jusso Hietanen. Moscow extended the lead as Semyon Kokuyov scored in the third period, thanks to Alexei Tsvetkov. Zagreb got on the board with a Francis Pare goal, made possible by Blake Parlett and Mike Glumac. Dynamo replied with an Andrei Mironov goal, coming off of Kokarev and Ivan Igumnov. Moscow iced it at 5-1 with a third period goal by Daniil Tarasov, assisted by Artyom Fyodorov. The three stars were Yeryomenko (21 for 22 in saves), Kokarev, and Kuznetsov.

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