Thursday, October 20, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 59

Six games are on across the Russian league today, beginning with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin faces a lesser foe in Alexei Krasikov in goal. Novosibirsk got going in the second period on a Konstantin Okulov power play goal, powered by Sergei Shumakov and Vladislav Naumov. Moscow tied it on a Valery Nichushkin power play goal, coming off of Jan Mursak. Sibir replied with a Shumakov power play goal, with assists provided by Stepan Sannikov and Okulov. CSKA tied it again on a Kirill Petrov goal, via Dmitry Kugryshev and Bogdan Kiselevich in the third period. The tie went to a shootout, where Okulov's lone tally gave Sibir the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Okulov, Shumakov, and Krasikov (46 for 48 in saves).

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Vladislav Podyapolsky draw the starts in goal. St. Petersburg dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Vyacheslav Voynov. SKA added on with an Ilya Kablukov goal, passed from Yegor Rykov and Anton Belov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Steve Moses scored, thanks to Jarno Koskiranta and Maxim Chudinov. Andrei Kareyev replaced Podyapolsky in goal. SKA padded the lead on a Voynov goal, with a lone assist by Nikita Gusev. St. Petersburg kept going on an Evgeny Dadonov goal, assisted by Kovalchuk and Shipachyov. SKA continued in the third period with a Kovalchuk power play goal, with a lone assist by Shipachyov. The game ended 6-0, with Shipachyov, Kovalchuk, and Voynov earning the three stars.

West to Omsk, where Avangard brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Kovar and Dominik Furch are the reliable goalies. Omsk led off in the first period with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, fueled by Nikita Nikitin and Derek Roy. Avangard added on with a Denis Parshin goal, courtesy of Nikolai Lemtyugov and Ilya Zubov. Avangard extended the lead in the second period as Maxim Pestushko scored, with the help of Zubov. Cherepovets got on the board with a Maxim Trunyov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Yury Trubachyov. Avangard answered in the third period on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, helped along by Evgeny Medvedev and Pestushko. Severstal shot back on an Igor Magogin goal, via Anton Sizov. Omsk iced it at 5-2 with a Sobotka empty net goal, set up by Medvedev and Roy. The three stars went to Pestushko, Zubov, and Sobotka, while Medvedev and Roy get the honorable mentions.

Up in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Igor Ustinsky man the nets. Moscow began in the first period with an unassisted Yakov Rylov power play goal. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Alexei Simakov power play goal, powered by Nikolai Timashov and Rok Ticar. Avtomobilist took the lead in the second period with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Artyom Gareyev. Dynamo retied it in the third period on an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, assisted by Artyom Fyodorov. In the shootout, Avtomobilist won 3-2 on a lone tally by Petr Koukal. The three stars went to Mikhnov, Simakov, and Koukal.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Henrik Karlsson draw the starts. Astana struck first in the first period with a Roman Savchenko power play goal, powered by Evgeny Rymarev and Roman Starchenko. Barys added on with a Corey Trivino goal, courtesy of Nikita Ivanov. Astana extended the lead as Nigel Dawes scored a power play goal, thanks to Brandon Bochenski and Cam Barker. Barys padded the lead with a Starchenko goal, assisted by Rymarev and Alexander Lipin. Igor Saprykin took over for Sateri in goal. Astana kept going with a Kevin Dallman goal, via Bochenski and Dawes. This made it 5-0, the eventual final, with the three stars awarded to Starchenko, Dawes, and Karlsson (27 save shutout), while Rymarev and Bochenski get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexander Sudnitsin and Vladislav Fokin are the backups in goal. Yaroslavl was first to score in the first period with a Pavel Koledov goal, assisted by Brandon Kozun on the power play. This stood for the game's only goal in a 1-0 Lokomotiv win. The three stars belonged to Sudnitsin (28 save shutout), Koledov, and Fokin (20 for 21 in saves).

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 8

The NHL season officially enters its second week with a light two-game slate tonight. We begin with...

The New York Rangers welcoming the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Henrik Lundqvist are the veteran goalies. New York opened in the first period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his second of the season, coming off of Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider. Detroit tied it in the second period on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Frans Nielsen and Mike Green. The Red Wings took the lead on a Drew Miller goal in the third period, helped along by Luke Glendening. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Miller, Howard (32 for 33 in saves), and Vanek.

The other game has the Winnipeg Jets bringing in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Michael Hutchinson man the nets. Toronto started in the first period with a Connor Carrick goal, via James van Riemsdyk and Mitchell Marner. The Maple Leafs added on with a Nazem Kadri goal, guided in by Morgan Rielly. Toronto extended the lead with a power play goal by William Nylander, powered by Auston Matthews and Nikita Zaitsev. The Maple Leafs padded the lead as Kadri scored his second of the game, a power play goal made possible by Nylander and Leo Komarov. Winnipeg got on the board with a Tyler Myers goal, courtesy of Mark Scheifele and Shawn Matthias. The Jets got closer in the third period with a Patrik Laine goal, his second of the season, fueled by Dustin Byfuglien and Scheifele. Winnipeg chipped at the deficit with a Scheifele goal, his third of the year, helped along by Josh Morrissey and Drew Stafford. The Jets tied it on Laine's second of the game and third of the year, assisted by Nikolaj Ehlers on the power play. Winnipeg won 5-4 in overtime with a Laine goal, completing his hat trick on his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Byfuglien. The three stars were Laine, Scheifele, and Kadri, while Byfuglien and Nylander get the honorable mentions.

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Wednesday, October 19, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 58

Eight games on for today, beginning in the Far East with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Juha Metsola protect the nets. Khabarovsk led off in the first period with a Vladislav Ushenin goal, courtesy of Vyacheslav Ushenin and Oleg Li. Amur added on with an unassisted Li goal. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Dmitry Pestunov power play goal, powered by Alexander Shinin and Paul Szczechura. Traktor tied it on a Ryan Vesce goal, helped along by Maxim Yakutsenya and Szczechura. Khabarovsk retook the lead in the second period with a Jan Kolar goal, assisted by Pavel Medvedev and Tomas Zohorna. Amur extended the lead in the third period as Teemu Ramstedt scored, thanks to Kristian Kuusela and Zohorna. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to Li, Zohorna, and Szczechura.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Igor Bobkov are the goalies. Vladivostok opened in the first period with a Vladimir Tkachyov power play goal, powered by Robert Sabolic and Jonathon Blum. Admiral added on with a Mikhail Fisenko goal, with a lone assist by Sabolic. Vladivostok extended the lead as Oskars Bartulis scored in the second period, thanks to Yegor Yakovlev. The game ended at 3-0, with the three stars awarded to Bobkov (29 save shutout), Sabolic, and Tkachyov.

Further south to China, where Kunlun Red Star Beijing hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa to Shanghai. Niklas Svedberg and Andrei Makarov are the masked men. Beijing started in the first period with an Oleg Yashin goal, passed from Linus Videll. Kunlun Red Star added on with a Yashin goal, fueled by Videll and Tomas Marcinko. Ufa got on the board with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, guided in by Linus Omark and Denis Kulyash. Salavat Yulaev tied it on a shorthanded Teemu Hartikainen goal, set up by Kulyash. Beijing took the lead back with a Chad Rau power play goal, powered by Tuukka Mantyla. This made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Yashin, Videll, and Kulyash.

Way to the west, Dinamo Minsk brings in Spartak Moscow. Nikita Bespalov and Ben Scrivens are in the blue paint. Moscow began in the first period with a Konstantin Glazachev power play goal, powered by Lukas Radil and Matthew Gilroy. Spartak added on in the second period with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, fueled by Marcus Hogstrom and Gilroy. Moscow extended the lead in the third period as Glazachev scored again on the power play, with the help of Gilroy, who got a sock trick. Spartak padded the lead on an Artyom Voronin goal, via Alexander Vasilyev and Vladislav Provolnev. Moscow continued with another Nikontsev goal, assisted by Dmitry Kalinin and Yaroslav Dyblenko. Minsk got on the board with an Andrei Stepanov goal, made possible by Nikita Ustinenko and Kristian Khenkel. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars going to Glazachev, Gilroy, and Nikontsev.

Along to Slovakia, we have Slovan Bratislava hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Stanislav Galimov and Barry Brust are between the pipes. Bratislava got going in the second period on a Tomas Kundratek goal, helped along by Jakub Valsky and Andrej Meszaros. Kazan tied it in the third period on a Mikhail Varnakov goal, courtesy of Mikhail Sidorov and Mikhail Zhukov. Slovan won 2-1 in overtime with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, assisted by Ziga Jeglic. The three stars went to Nedorost, Brust (30 for 31 in saves), and Kundratek.

Up in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Ryan Zapolski man the nets. Helsinki struck first in the first period on a Tomi Maki goal, courtesy of Arturs Kulda and Jesper Jensen. Sochi tied it in the second period with an Igor Levitsky power play goal, powered by Igor Ignatushkin and Ilya Krikunov. Jokerit retook the lead on a Petteri Wirtanen goal, helped along by Marko Anttila. The Leopards took the lead back with another Levitsky goal in the third period, assisted by Krikunov and Oscar Fantenberg. Sochi won 3-2 in overtime on a Denis Tolpeko goal, guided in by Fantenberg and Yury Alexandrov. The three stars were awarded to Levitsky, Fantenberg, and Krikunov.

Back south a bit to Latvia, where Dinamo Riga hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Janis Kalnins are set to start in goal. Riga dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Georgijs Pujacs power play goal, powered by Mikelis Redlihs and Justin Shugg. Nizhny Novgorod tied the game with an unassisted Dmitry Semin goal in the third period. The tie went to a shootout, where Torpedo's Nikolai Zherdev gave them a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Proskuryakov (31 for 32 in saves), Semin, and Kalnins (20 for 21 in saves).

Finally, we end in Croatia with Medvescak Zagreb bringing in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen faces a lesser foe in Drew MacIntyre in goal. Zagreb was first to score in the first period with an Alexandre Giroux goal, coming off of Alexandre Bolduc and Francis Pare. Medvescak added on with a Lucas Lessio goal, via Blake Parlett and Tomas Mertl. Zagreb extended the lead on a Giroux power play goal, powered by Colby Genoway and Mark Katic. Rafael Khakimov replaced Kolppanen in goal. Medvescak padded the lead in the third period as Katic scored, thanks to Edwin Hedberg and Brandon McMillan. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with an unassisted Dan Sexton power play. The final held at 4-1, with the three stars going to Giroux, Katic, and MacIntyre (25 for 26 in saves).

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Tuesday, October 18, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 7

There are twelve games on today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Cory Schneider are the solid goalies. Anaheim opened in the first period with a power play goal by Sami Vatanen, powered by Corey Perry and Cam Fowler. New Jersey tied it in the second period on a Taylor Hall power play goal, via Michael Cammalleri and Travis Zajac. The Devils took the lead with another Hall power play goal, assisted by Damon Severson and Kyle Palmieri. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Hall, Schneider (23 for 24 in saves), and Vatanen.

Over in Brooklyn, the New York Islanders welcome the San Jose Sharks. Aaron Dell is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. San Jose led off in the first period with a Melker Karlsson goal, assisted by Tommy Wingels and Micheal Haley. New York tied it in the second period with an Anthony Beauvillier goal, passed from Josh Bailey and John Tavares. The Islanders took the lead on an Anders Lee goal, guided in by Jason Chimera and Brock Nelson. The Sharks retied it on a Tomas Hertl goal, fueled by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. San Jose took the lead in the third period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his second of the season, coming off of Thornton and Burns. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Thornton, Burns, and Pavelski.

In DC, the Washington Capitals bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov faces a lesser foe in Philipp Grubauer in goal. Washington began with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, powered by Dmitry Orlov and Marcus Johansson in the first period. The Capitals added on with a T.J. Oshie power play goal in the second period, helped along by Nicklas Backstrom and Johansson. Washington extended the lead as Oshie scored again in the third period, thanks to Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The game ended at 3-0, with the three stars going to Oshie, Grubauer (18 save shutout), and Ovechkin, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Al Montoya and Marc-Andre Fleury are the masked men. Montreal started in the first period with a Max Pacioretty goal, assisted by Jeff Petry. The Canadiens added on with a David Desharnais goal, via Pacioretty in the second period. Montreal extended the lead as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal in the third period, with the help of Alex Galchenyuk and the goalie Montoya. The Canadiens padded the lead on a Desharnais goal, his second of the game, made possible by Petry and Andrei Markov. This produced a 4-0 final, with the three stars awarded to Montoya (36 save shutout), Desharnais, and Pacioretty, while Petry gets an honorable mention.

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Craig Anderson are the goalies, although Louis Domingue also spent time in the Coyotes net. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Tobias Rieder goal, via Dylan Strome and Connor Murphy. Ottawa tied it on a Bobby Ryan power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mike Hoffman and Erik Karlsson. The Senators took the lead on a Tom Pyatt goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Ottawa added on with a shorthanded Zack Smith goal in the second period, his second of the season, set up by Pyatt and Cody Ceci. The Coyotes got one back in the third period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Shane Doan and Alex Goligoski. The Senators shot back on an unassisted Chris Kelly goal. Ottawa extended the lead as Mark Stone scored, with the help of Kyle Turris and Hoffman. Arizona pulled back on a Jordan Martinook goal, helped along by Goligoski. The Senators replied on a Turris goal, his third of the season, coming off of Hoffman, who had a sock trick, and Stone. The Coyotes countered with a Martinook goal, his second of the game, with helpers from Murphy and Brad Richardson. Ottawa finished it at 7-4 on a Karlsson empty net goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist provided by Kelly. The three stars went to Hoffman, Martinook, and Pyatt, while Stone, Turris, Kelly, Eriksson, Goligoski, and Murphy get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Ben Bishop are the goalies. Florida got going in the second period with a Colton Sceviour shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Derek MacKenzie. Tampa Bay tied it on an Alex Killorn goal, his third of the year, coming off of Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning took the lead with an Ondrej Palat goal, passed from Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Drouin. The Panthers retied it on a Vincent Trocheck goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith in the third period. Florida took the lead again on a Michael Matheson goal, assisted by Greg McKegg and Jason Demers. Tampa Bay tied it again on a Stamkos goal, his second of the year, helped along by Victor Hedman and Valtteri Filppula. The tie went to a shootout, where Drouin and Trocheck matched each other, and then Brayden Point scored the winner for the Lightning for a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Stamkos, Drouin, and Trocheck.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Pekka Rinne are the Finnish goalies. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Adam Cracknell goal, his second of the season, assisted by Curtis McKenzie and Johnny Oduya. Nashville tied it on a Mike Fisher power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. The Stars retook the lead with a Jason Spezza goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Antoine Roussel. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Spezza, Lehtonen (27 for 28 in saves), and Rinne (35 for 37 in saves).

Up in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jeff Zatkoff and Darcy Kuemper are the backups in goal. Los Angeles was first to score in the first period on a Tanner Pearson goal, guided in by Jeff Carter. Minnesota got on the board with an Erik Haula goal, via Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville. The Wild took the lead on a Pominville goal, with a lone assist by Haula. Minnesota added on in the second period with a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Wild extended the lead as Mikko Koivu scored, thanks to Mikael Granlund and Chris Stewart. Minnesota padded the lead with a Teemu Pulkkinen goal, helped along by Jonas Brodin and Zac Dalpe. Peter Budaj relieved Zatkoff for the third period. The Kings got one back on an Anze Kopitar goal, fueled by Tom Gilbert and Tyler Toffoli. Los Angeles chipped closer with another Pearson goal, with helpers from Carter and Devin Setoguchi. The Wild iced it at 6-3 with an empty net goal by Jared Spurgeon, set up by Suter. The three stars went to Pominville, Haula, and Pearson, while Carter and Suter get the honorable mentions.

South to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. Chicago opened in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, guided in by Artem Anisimov and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks added on with a Dennis Rasmussen goal, going in unassisted. Chicago extended the lead as Artemi Panarin scored a power play goal, powered by Seabrook and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the second period as Marian Hossa scored a power play goal, with the help of Anisimov and Brian Campbell. Steve Mason replaced Neuvirth in goal. Philadelphia got on the board with a Matt Read power play goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Flyers got closer with another Read goal in the third period, his second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere. Philadelphia chipped at the deficit with a Sean Couturier goal, his third of the season, made possible by Nick Schultz and Travis Konecny. The Flyers tied it on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Voracek and Giroux, the latter getting a sock trick. Chicago retook the lead with an Anisimov goal, fueled by Panarin and Kane. The Blackhawks continued with a Panarin goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Kane. Chicago iced it at 7-4 with an empty net goal by Anisimov, his second of the game, set up by Kane and Seabrook, who both got sock tricks. The three stars went to Kane, Panarin, and Anisimov, while Read, Seabrook, Giroux, and Voracek get the honorable mentions.

In Canada again, the Calgary Flames host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Chad Johnson are the former teammates in goal. Buffalo started in the first period with a Zemgus Girgensons goal, assisted by Tyler Ennis. Calgary tied it on a Michael Frolik goal, his third of the season, coming off of Mikael Backlund and Brett Kulak. The Sabres took the lead with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal in the second period, his third of the year, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen and Kyle Okposo. The Flames retied it in the third period on a Micheal Ferland goal, going in unassisted. Buffalo took the lead again with a Marcus Foligno goal, helped along by Brian Gionta and Johan Larsson. Calgary tied it again with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, guided in by Matt Stajan and Mark Giordano. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime with a Sean Monahan goal, his second of the campaign, courtesy of Johnny Gaudreau and Giordano. The three stars were Giordano, Monahan, and Tkachuk.

Staying in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Cam Talbot are the similarly named goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period with an Anton Slepyshev goal, assisted by Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers added on with a Jordan Eberle goal, his third of the season, coming off of Mark Fayne. Edmonton extended the lead as Tyler Pitlick scored his second of the year, thanks to Mark Letestu and Anton Lander. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Lee Stempniak goal, his second of the season, via Victor Rask and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes got closer on Stempniak's second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by Jeff Skinner and Rask. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Stempniak, Pitlick, and Rask.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Jakob Markstrom are the goalies. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alexander Steen. Vancouver tied it in the third period on a Bo Horvat goal, his second of the year, guided in by Erik Gudbranson and Sven Baertschi. The Canucks won 2-1 in overtime on a Henrik Sedin goal, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Christopher Tanev. The three stars belonged to Henrik Sedin, Markstrom (23 for 24 in saves), and Horvat.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 57

Five games for today, beginning with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Alexei Krasikov are the goalies. Novosibirsk got going in the second period on a Joonas Kemppainen goal, assisted by Adam Polasek. St. Petersburg tied it on a Nikolai Prokhorkin shorthanded goal, set up by Yegor Yakovlev and Alexander Barabanov. SKA won 2-1 in overtime on a Barabanov goal, passed from Patrik Hersley and Yakovlev. The three stars went to Barabanov, Yakovlev, and Koskinen (27 for 28 in saves).

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Kovar and Andrei Kareyev draw the starts in goal. Cherepovets opened in the first period with a Ruslan Karlin goal, via Evgeny Mons. Novokuznetsk tied it on an Evgeny Solovyov power play goal, powered by Ignat Zemchenko and Alexander Komaristy. Severstal took the lead back on a second period own goal from Metallurg, credited as an empty net goal for Alexander Avtsin, who went to the penalty box like Troy Brouwer did over the weekend in a similar NHL event. This proved to be the winner for Severstal by a 2-1 score, with the three stars going to Kovar (33 for 34 in saves), Karlin, and Kareyev (17 for 18 in saves).

West to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexander Sudnitsin and Igor Ustinsky are in the creases. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on an Alexander Torchenyuk power play goal, powered by Evgeny Chesalin. Yaroslavl tied it on a Maxime Talbot power play goal, coming off of Pavel Koledov and Staffan Kronwall. Lokomotiv took the lead with a Brandon Kozun power play goal, with a lone assist by Koledov. Avtomobilist retied it on a Jan Buchtele power play goal in the second period, made possible by Torchenyuk and Pavel Turbin. Yaroslavl regained the lead with a Stanislav Chistov goal, helped along by Pavel Kraskovsky and Yegor Korshkov. Lokomotiv added on in the third period with an Andrei Loktionov goal, assisted by Chistov. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Loktionov scored again, thanks to Chistov and Rushan Rafikov. Yekaterinburg got one back on a Rok Ticar goal, passed from Yegor Zhuravlyov and Alexei Simakov. Lokomotiv iced it at 6-3 with a Kozun empty net goal, set up by Talbot. The three stars went to Loktionov, Chistov, and Kozun, while Talbot, Koledov, and Torchenyuk get the honorable mentions.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Henrik Karlsson man the nets. Astana led off in the first period with a Kevin Dallman goal, fueled by Nigel Dawes. This held up for the rest of the game for a 1-0 Barys win, with the three stars awarded to Karlsson (35 save shutout), Dallman, and Lazushin (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Alexander Sharychenkov are the masked men. Podolsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Jakub Jerabek power play goal, powered by Miro Aaltonen. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Pavel Varfolomeyev power play goal, helped along by Evgeny Lapenkov. Vityaz took the lead back on a Nikita Vyglazov goal, courtesy of Maxim Afinogenov and Roman Horak. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Vyglazov, Sateri (24 for 25 in saves), and Jerabek.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 6

Four games on for today, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Antti Raanta man the nets. New York led off in the first period with a Marc Staal goal, assisted by Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello. San Jose tied it on a Logan Couture power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Rangers took the lead back in the second period with a Rick Nash goal, guided in by Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider. New York added on with a Kreider power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by McDonagh and the goalie Raanta. The Sharks answered in the third period with a Brent Burns goal, his second of the season, coming off of Pavelski and Paul Martin. The Rangers shot back with a Kevin Hayes goal, courtesy of Jesper Fast and J.T. Miller. New York extended the lead as Jimmy Vesey scored, thanks to Stepan and Zuccarello. San Jose replied with Burns' second of the game and third of the year, with a lone helper by Pavelski, who earned a sock trick. The Sharks got closer with a Pavelski goal, made possible by Burns and Tomas Hertl. The Rangers countered on a Zuccarello empty net goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. New York iced it at 7-4 with a Michael Grabner empty net goal, his second of the year, an unassisted goal. The three stars went to Zuccarello, Burns, and Pavelski, while Kreider, Stepan, and McDonagh get the honorable mentions.

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Phil Kessel goal, his second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Kris Letang and Nick Bonino. The Penguins added on with a Matt Cullen goal, guided in by Chris Kunitz and Conor Sheary. Colorado got on the board with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche tied it on a Patrick Wiercioch goal, passed from Rene Bourque and Fedor Tyutin. Pittsburgh retook the lead in the third period with a Trevor Daley power play goal, assisted by Cullen and Justin Schultz. Colorado tied it again as Gabriel Landeskog scored a power play goal, with the help of Mikhail Grigorenko and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime with a Landeskog goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist from MacKinnon. The three stars belonged to Landeskog, MacKinnon, and Cullen.

Northwest to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Petr Mrazek make the starts in goal. Detroit opened in the first period with a Mike Green goal, assisted by Thomas Vanek and Gustav Nyquist. The Red Wings added on with a Darren Helm goal, his second of the season, fueled by Henrik Zetterberg and Xavier Ouellet. Detroit extended the lead on Green's second goal of the game, a power play goal powered by Tomas Tatar and Vanek. Ottawa got on the board with a shorthanded Ryan Dzingel goal in the second period, his second of the season, set up by Erik Karlsson. The Red Wings answered in the third period when Green finished his hat trick, guided in by Luke Glendening and Riley Sheahan. Detroit iced it at 5-1 with a Helm goal, his second of the game and third of the year, passed from Vanek, who got a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Green, Helm, and Vanek.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Connor Hellebuyck are in the blue paint. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his third of the season, coming off of Alexander Burmistrov. Boston tied it on a Dominic Moore goal, via Tim Schaller and Noel Acciari. The Bruins took the lead with a David Pastrnak goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, assisted by Brad Marchand and Rask. Boston added on in the third period on a Brandon Carlo goal, going in unassisted. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Zdeno Chara empty net goal, set up by Rask. The three stars were Rask (34 for 35 in saves), Carlo, and Pastrnak.

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Monday, October 17, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 56

Seven games on throughout the Russian league today. We begin in the Far East with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Juha Metsola are in goal. Khabarovsk started in the first period on a Tomas Zohorna goal, going in unassisted. Ufa tied it on a Sami Lepisto goal, passed from Linus Omark and Teemu Hartikainen. Amur took the lead back on a Vyacheslav Ushenin goal, via Vladislav Ushenin and Oleg Li. Khabarovsk added on in the second period on a Jan Kolar power play goal, powered by Teemu Ramstedt and Zohorna. Salavat Yulaev got one back with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, fueled by Stepan Khripunov and Zakhar Arzamastsev. Ufa tied it on an unassisted Igor Makarov goal. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the third period on an Evgeny Bodrov goal, with a lone assist by Enver Lisin. Amur retied it as Vyacheslav Litovchenko scored a power play goal, with the help of Artyom Zub and Alexei Byvaltsev. The tie went to a shootout, where Ufa won 5-4 with tallies by Lisin and Maxim Mayorov. The three stars were Lisin, Mayorov, and Zohorna.

Over in Omsk, Avangard welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Dominik Furch tend the twines. Moscow opened in the first period with a Valery Nichushkin goal, assisted by Sorokin and Konstantin Alexeyev. Omsk tied it on a Derek Roy power play goal, powered by Vladimir Sobotka and Yegor Martynov. CSKA took the lead on an Alexander Popov goal, guided in by Ivan Telegin and Bogdan Kiselevich in the second period. Avangard tied it again with a Valentin Pyanov goal, made possible by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Maxim Pestushko. Moscow retook the lead in the third period with a Sergei Andronov goal, coming off of Nichushkin and Nikita Pivtsakin. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Nichushkin, Andronov, and Popov.

Out in Bratislava, Slovan brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen and Justin Pogge make the starts in goal. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period with a Gilbert Brule power play goal, powered by Richard Gynge and Dan Sexton. Neftekhimik added on with a Gynge goal, made possible by Sexton and Brule. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead in the second period as Sexton scored, thanks to Brule. Bratislava got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Tomas Zigo. Neftekhimik replied on an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, passed from Dmitry Makarov and Evgeny Ryasensky. Nizhnekamsk padded the lead in the third period on a Sergei Konkov goal, via Bogdan Yakimov. Slovan got one back with a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, fueled by Ivan Svarny and Michal Hlinka. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Sexton, Brule, and Gynge.

Up in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ryan Zapolski are in the blue paint. Helsinki began in the first period with a Sakari Salminen goal, coming off of Antti Pihlstrom and Oliver Lauridsen. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Daniil Ilyin goal, courtesy of Fredrik Pettersson and Ivan Vishnevsky. Jokerit retook the lead in the second period on a Tomi Maki goal, assisted by Marko Anttila and Michael Keranen. Helsinki added on with a Brian O'Neill goal, via Peter Regin. Jokerit extended the lead as Jesse Joensuu scored, thanks to Charles Genoway and O'Neill. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being O'Neill, Zapolski (22 for 23 in saves), and Maki.

Back in Russia, the Sochi Leopards welcome Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Konstantin Barulin protect the nets. Sochi struck first in the first period with an Eric O'Dell power play goal, powered by Mikhail Mamkin and Oscar Fantenberg. Minsk tied it on an Alexander Pavlovich goal, guided in by Andrei Stas in the second period. The Leopards won 2-1 in overtime on a Yury Alexandrov goal, assisted by Ilya Krikunov and Igor Ignatushkin. The three stars went to Barulin (16 for 17 in saves), Alexandrov, and O'Dell.

Back west to Latvia, where Dinamo Riga brings in Spartak Moscow. Nikita Bespalov and Janis Kalnins are the backups in goal. Moscow got going in the second period with an Artyom Voronin goal, helped along by Mikhail Plotnikov and Yaroslav Dyblenko. Riga tied it on a Patrick Mullen goal, via Vitalijs Pavlovs and Maris Bicevskis. In the shootout, Spartak won 2-1 with tallies by Konstantin Glazachev and Vadim Berdnikov to top Dinamo's Lauris Darzins. The three stars went to Kalnins (25 for 26 in saves), Bespalov (28 for 29 in saves), and Berdnikov.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Stanislav Galimov and Danny Taylor man the nets. Zagreb was first to score in the first period with a Brandon McMillan goal, fueled by Francis Pare and Goran Bezina. Kazan tied it on a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Andrei Popov and Anton Glinkin. Medvescak retook the lead in the third period on a Tomas Mertl goal, assisted by Blake Parlett and Shaone Morrisonn. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars handed to Mertl, Taylor (33 for 34 in saves), and McMillan.

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