KHL 2016/17 - Day 96

Eight games on today, beginning with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Juha Metsola guard the cages. Khabarovsk opened in the first period with a Vladislav Ushenin goal, with a lone assist by Vyacheslav Litovchenko. Moscow tied it in the second period on a Kirill Petrov power play goal, powered by Alexander Popov and Vyacheslav Osnovin. CSKA took the lead on an Osnovin power play goal in the third period, helped along by Popov and Petrov. The three stars of the 2-1 game were Osnovin, Petrov, and Sorokin (20 for 21 in saves), while Popov gets an honorable mention.

South to Vladivostok, where Admiral welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Kovar and Ivan Nalimov are in the blue paint. Vladivostok got going in the second period with a Dmitry Lugin goal, helped along by Viktor Alexandrov. Cherepovets tied it on a Denis Yezhov power play goal, powered by Clay Wilson and Igor Magogin. Admiral retook the lead on a Sergei Barbashev goal, assisted by Pavel Makarenko. The game ended at 2-1, with the three stars being Barbashev, Lugin, and Nalimov (19 for 20 in saves).

Down in China, Kunlun Red Star Beijing hosts SKA St. Petersburg in Shanghai. Igor Shestyorkin and Andrei Makarov are the masked men. Beijing started in the first period with a Tomi Sallinen goal, via Joonas Jarvinen and Tommi Taimi. St. Petersburg tied it on a Sergei Plotnikov goal, guided in by Ilya Kovalchuk and Andrei Zubarev. SKA took the lead with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, coming off of Nikita Gusev and Dinar Khafizullin in the second period. St. Petersburg added on with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, made possible by Viktor Tikhonov and Yegor Rykov. Kunlun Red Star got one back on a Damien Fleury goal, passed from Sean Collins. SKA replied with a Dadonov goal in the third period, his second of the game, powered by Maxim Chudinov and Vadim Shipachyov on the power play. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Dadonov finished his hat trick with the help of Shipachyov. Beijing answered with a Tuukka Mantyla goal, with assists provided by Linus Videll and Chad Rau on the power play. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Dadonov, Shipachyov, Koskiranta.

Out west, Lada Togliatti brings in Spartak Moscow. Nikita Bespalov and Ilya Ezhov are in the blue paint. Togliatti dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Nikita Filatov power play goal, powered by Taylor Aronson. Lada added on with a Viktor Komarov goal, going in unassisted. Togliatti extended the lead as Alexander Streltsov scored, thanks to Stanislav Bocharov and Vasily Streltsov. Moscow got on the board with a Ryan Stoa power play goal in the third period, made possible by Matthew Gilroy and Lukas Radil. The final held from here at 3-1, with the three stars being Komarov, Ezhov (22 for 23 in saves), and Alexander Streltsov.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ivan Lisutin are set to start in goal. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period with a Brandon McMillan power play goal, powered by Carter Ashton and Nikolai Zherdev. Nizhnekamsk tied it on an Igor Polygalov power play goal, with assists provided by Konstantin Makarov and Gennady Stolyarov. Torpedo replied on an Ashton goal, made possible by Sam Lofquist and Evgeny Grachyov. Neftekhimik retied it on a Richard Gynge power play goal, coming off of Kirill Lyamin. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead again with a John Norman goal, passed from Lofquist and Ashton. Nizhnekamsk tied it once again with a Dan Sexton power play goal, guided in by Lyamin and Gilbert Brule. Torpedo pulled ahead in the second period with McMillan's second of the game, fueled by Ashton and Zherdev on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod added on with an Alexander Frolov goal, assisted by Kaspars Daugavins and Kirill Vorobyov. Ville Kolppanen replaced Lisutin in goal. Neftekhimik got one back in the third period on a Yegor Milovzorov goal, with helpers from Stolyarov and Polygalov. Nizhnekamsk tied it late with an unassisted goal by Milovzorov. Neftekhimik won 6-5 in overtime with a Lyamin goal, set up by Polygalov. The three stars went to Polygalov, Lyamin, and Milovzorov, while Stolyarov, McMillan, Ashton, Lofquist, and Zherdev receive the honorable mentions.

Into Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Pavel Francouz and Ryan Zapolski are between the pipes. Chelyabinsk began in the first period with a Dmitry Pestunov power play goal, powered by Paul Szczechura. Helsinki tied it in the third period with a Ville Lajunen power play goal, fueled by Joey Hishon and Topi Jaakola. Jokerit won 2-1 in overtime on a Rasmus Rissanen goal, helped along by Joonas Jalvanti and Sakari Salminen. The three stars were Rissanen, Lajunen, and Zapolski (21 for 22 in saves).

Back in Russia, Ak Bars Kazan hosts the Sochi Leopards. Dmitry Shikin and Emil Garipov draw the starts in goal. Kazan struck first in the first period with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, assisted by Artyom Lukoyanov and Andrei Chibisov. Sochi tied it on an Alexander Mereskin goal, via Denis Tolpeko and Sergei Kuznetsov on the power play. The Leopards took the lead in the second period with a Yegor Morozov goal, with a lone assist by Kuznetsov. Sochi added on in the third period with an Andrei Kostitsyn empty net goal to ice the game at 3-1, set up by Ilya Krikunov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Morozov, and Shikin (28 for 29 in saves).

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Michael Garnett are given the starting nods in goal. Omsk was first to score in the first period with a Yegor Martynov goal, guided in by Vladimir Sobotka and David Booth. Avangard added on with a Booth goal, passed from Sobotka and Anton Burdasov. Omsk extended the lead as Booth scored again, thanks to Valentin Pyanov. Garnett was relieved by Drew MacIntyre in goal. Zagreb got on the board with a Terry Galiardi power play goal in the second period, powered by Colby Genoway and Jakub Krejcik. Avangard answered in the third period with a Mikhail Yunkov goal, made possible by Pyanov and Jonas Ahnelov. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Booth, Sobotka, and Pyanov.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 49

Just three games on tonight, beginning with...

The New York Islanders hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Thomas Greiss are in goal. New York opened in the first period on a Johnny Boychuk goal, his third of the season, coming off of Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson. The Islanders added on in the second period with a Jason Chimera goal, his second of the year, via Scott Mayfield and Anthony Beauvillier. New York extended the lead as Casey Cizikas scored his third of the season, with the help of Mayfield and Andrew Ladd. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third period on a Conor Sheary goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Patric Hornqvist and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins got closer with a Justin Schultz goal, assisted by Ian Cole. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Brian Dumoulin and Crosby. The Islanders regained the lead with an Anders Lee goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Thomas Hickey and Boychuk. New York iced it at 5-3 with a Nikolay Kulemin empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Cizikas. The three stars were Boychuk, Cizikas, and Mayfield, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

Over west to Calgary, where the Flames welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jhonas Enroth and Chad Johnson are the former Buffalo Sabres in goal. Calgary started with a Freddie Hamilton goal in the first period, made possible by Micheal Ferland and Deryk Engelland. The Flames added on with a Kris Versteeg goal, his third of the season, via Sean Monahan and Troy Brouwer. Calgary extended the lead as Matt Stajan scored his second of the year, passed from Michael Frolik and Alex Chiasson. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars going to Johnson (39 save shutout), Hamilton, and Versteeg.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Peter Budaj are in the creases. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Kevin Labanc goal, his second of the season, passed from Logan Couture and Joel Ward. The Sharks added on with a Couture goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Joonas Donskoi and Ward. San Jose extended the lead as Ryan Carpenter scored, thanks to Mikkel Boedker. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with a Dustin Brown power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Marian Gaborik and Nic Dowd. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 with a Couture empty net goal in the third period, his second of the game and ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Couture, Ward, and Jones (26 for 27 in saves).

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MLS Conference Finals - Leg 2

These games will determine which two teams play for MLS Cup this year. The first is on Sunday...

With the Colorado Rapids looking to come back from a 2-1 deficit against the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Zac MacMath are the keepers. Seattle saw a fourteenth minute yellow card for Roman Torres delaying the restart of play. The Sounders got going in the fifty-sixth minute with a Jordan Morris goal, coming off of Nelson Valdez. Colorado's Marc Burch had a yellow card in the sixty-eighth minute. The game ended 1-0, with Morris the man of the match as the Sounders advanced on a 3-1 aggregate score.

For the Eastern Conference, Toronto FC hosts Montreal Impact on Wednesday. Evan Bush and Clint Irwin are the goalies. Laurent Ciman of Montreal had a yellow card for an eighth minute foul. The Impact started with a Dominic Oduro goal in the twenty-fourth minute, via Matteo Mancosu. Toronto tied the game with an Armando Cooper goal in the thirty-seventh minute. Toronto tied the aggregate series and went ahead in the game with a forty-fifth minute Jozy Altidore goal, set up by Sebastian Giovinco. Montreal retook the series lead by tying the game with a fifty-third minute goal from Ignacio Piatti, helped along by Johan Venegas. Toronto put everything level with a sixty-eighth minute goal by Nick Hagglund, made possible by Justin Morrow. In the eighty-second minute, Hassoun Camara took a yellow card for a foul for the Impact. With the series tied at 5 on aggregate, the game went to extra time. Toronto poured on in the game with a ninety-eighth minute Benoit Cheyrou goal, passed from Steven Beitashour. Toronto made it 7-5 in aggregate with a 100th minute Tosaint Ricketts goal, via Altidore. This was how it all ended, with the man of the this match being Altidore as Toronto is set to host the Seattle Sounders FC in the MLS Cup final.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 95

Six games on for today, beginning with...

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosting Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov and Alexei Murygin are the masked men. Yaroslavl dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Petri Kontiola goal, passed from Maxime Talbot and Rushan Rafikov. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Murygin (19 save shutout), Kontiola, and Sharychenkov (26 for 27 in saves).

Along to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Harri Sateri are the goalies. Podolsk started in the first period with a Roman Horak power play goal, powered by Jakub Jerabek and Alexei Kopeikin. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Nikolai Timashov goal, going in unassisted. Vityaz retook the lead with a Mario Kempe power play goal, coming off of Miro Aaltonen and Jerabek. Podolsk added on with an Aaltonen power play goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Jerabek, who earned a sock trick. Avtomobilist got one back on a Dmitry Megalinsky power play goal, with assists from Alexander Torchenyuk and Alexei Mikhnov. This only made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars being Aaltonen, Jerabek, and Kempe.

Out in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Barry Brust are the North American goalies. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a Konstantin Okulov goal, assisted by Maxim Shalunov. Sibir added on with an Okulov goal, guided in by Alexei Glukhov and Vitaly Menshikov. Bratislava got on the board in the second period with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by the goalie Brust. Novosibirsk shot back with an Okulov power play goal to complete his hat trick, with the help of Glukhov. Sibir extended the lead as Zach Boychuk scored, thanks to Shalunov. Slovan got one back in the third period on a Radek Smolenak goal, with a lone assist by Cheechoo. Novosibirsk iced it at 5-2 with a Fyodor Belyakov goal, made possible by Boychuk and Stepan Sannikov. The three stars were Okulov, Boychuk, and Glukhov, while Cheechoo and Shalunov get the honorable mentions.

Back in Russia, Dynamo Moscow hosts Barys Astana. Kevin Poulin and Alexander Yeryomenko draw the starts in goal. Moscow got going on a Martins Karsums goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin. Dynamo added on with an unassisted goal by Juuso Hietanen. Moscow iced it at 3-0 with an Artyom Fyodorov goal, passed from Alexei Tsvetkov. The three stars went to Yeryomenko (31 save shutout), Karsums, and Hietanen.

In Riga, Dinamo welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Gavrilov and Jakub Sedlacek are in the creases. Ufa led off in the first period with an unassisted Denis Kulyash goal. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, coming off of Evgeny Korotkov in the second period. Ufa extended the lead as Anton Lazarev scored in the third period, thanks to Evgeny Bodrov and Sami Lepisto. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars belonging to Gavrilov (25 save shutout), Kulyash, and Kaprizov.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Drew MacIntyre are set to start in goal. Novokuznetsk began in the first period with a Timur Fatkullin goal, helped along by Ignat Zemchenko. Metallurg added on in the second period with an Andrei Taratukhin goal, via Denis Vikharev and Alexei Vasilchenko. Michael Garnett replaced MacIntyre for the third period. Zagreb got on the board with a Goran Bezina goal, assisted by Colby Genoway and Terry Galiardi. Novokuznetsk shot back with an Alexander Komaristy goal, fueled by Zemchenko. Medvescak got one back with an Edwin Hedberg penalty shot goal after Kareyev displaced the net. The game ended 3-2, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Komaristy, and Taratukhin.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 48

There's twelve games on tonight in a busy NHL. We begin with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Henrik Lundqvist are the veterans in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Matt Tennyson and Joakim Nordstrom. The Hurricanes added on with another Stalberg goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, coming off of Jay McClement. New York got on the board in the second period on a Nick Holden goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers tied it in the third period on an unassisted Rick Nash goal, his tenth of the year. New York took the lead with a Jimmy Vesey power play goal, his eighth of the campaign, powered by Nash and Brady Skjei. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Nash, Vesey, and Stalberg.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Sergei Bobrovsky are the Russian goalies. Columbus opened in the first period with a William Karlsson goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Josh Anderson and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets added on with an Alexander Wennberg goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Seth Jones in the second period. Columbus extended the lead as Anderson scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Scott Hartnell and Markus Nutivaara. The Blue Jackets padded the lead in the third period on a Hartnell goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of David Savard and Anderson. Columbus struck again with a Sam Gagner goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Brayden Point and Andrej Sustr. This only made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Anderson, Hartnell, and Bobrovsky (26 for 27 in saves).

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Petr Mrazek are in the blue paint. Dallas started in the first period with an Esa Lindell goal, his second of the season, via Tyler Seguin. Detroit tied it on a Dylan Larkin power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Mike Green and Frans Nielsen. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period on an Anthony Mantha power play goal, his third of the season, assisted by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit iced it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Steve Ott, his second of the year, set up by Thomas Vanek. The three stars were Mrazek (34 for 35 in saves), Mantha, and Larkin.

Into Ontario, where the Ottawa Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner faces his former team and Craig Anderson in goal. Buffalo began in the first period with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Jack Eichel and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Sabres added on with an Eichel power play goal, via Ryan O'Reilly and Ristolainen. Ottawa got on the board with a Mike Hoffman goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Mark Borowiecki and Derick Brassard. Buffalo replied with an O'Reilly goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Josh Gorges and Cody Franson. The Senators chipped back with a Mark Stone power play goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, helped along by Kyle Turris and Hoffman. The Sabres responded on a Sam Reinhart goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Evander Kane. Ottawa countered with a Hoffman goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, fueled by Erik Karlsson and Stone. Buffalo answered on an O'Reilly power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with assists provided by Reinhart and Okposo. The Senators fired back with a Hoffman power play goal to complete his hat trick on his seventh of the year, with helpers from Dion Phaneuf and Karlsson. The final held at 5-4, with the three stars given to O'Reilly, Hoffman, and Eichel, while Stone, Okposo, Reinhart, Ristolainen, and Karlsson receive the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Steve Mason are the masked men. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his second of the season, coming off of Wayne Simmonds and Travis Konecny. The Flyers added on with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Brayden Schenn. Boston got on the board in the third period with a David Krejci goal, his third of the season, passed from Torey Krug. The Bruins tied it on a Brad Marchand goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Krug and Brandon Carlo. The tie went to a shootout, where Voracek and Marchand exchanged goals before Shayne Gostisbehere won it for the Flyers by a 3-2 score. The three stars were given to Mason (45 for 47 in saves), Voracek, and Marchand.

Into Canada again, where the Winnipeg Jets bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Connor Hellebuyck are the young goalies. Winnipeg got going in the second period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets added on with a Blake Wheeler goal, his eighth of the year, via Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Miles Wood goal, made possible by Adam Henrique. Winnipeg answered with a Patrik Laine goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Scheifele and Ben Chiarot. The Devils got one back on a Nick Lappin goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Damon Severson. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Scheifele, Laine, and Wood.

South to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Richard Panik goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Dennis Rasmussen and Marcus Kruger. Florida tied it in the third period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jonathan Marchessault and Aaron Ekblad. The tie went to a shootout, where Artemi Panarin and Panik scored to make it a 2-1 Blackhawks win. The three stars were Crawford (38 for 39 in saves), Panik, and Luongo (32 for 33 in saves).

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Cam Talbot are set to start in goal. Toronto led off in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by William Nylander and Nikita Zaitsev. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Bozak and Mitchell Marner. Edmonton got on the board with an Andrej Sekera goal, his third of the season, made possible by Kris Russell and Connor McDavid. Toronto replied with a Nazem Kadri goal, his tenth of the year, via Leo Komarov. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as Zach Hyman scored his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Oilers got one back in the third period with a McDavid goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Milan Lucic. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to McDavid, Kadri, and Hyman.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Nashville began in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Austin Watson and Anthony Bitetto. Colorado tied it on a Mikko Rantanen goal, his third of the year, passed from Rene Bourque and Fedor Tyutin. The Predators retook the lead in the second period with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by P.K. Subban and Ryan Johansen. Nashville added on with a Kevin Fiala goal, his third of the year, guided in by Roman Josi and Mike Ribeiro. The Avalanche got one back with a Bourque goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Nikita Zadorov and Rantanen. The Predators shot back on a Johansen goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Nashville extended the lead as Watson scored, thanks to Josi and Frederick Gaudreau. Colorado chipped back on a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his third of the campaign, with helpers from Tyson Barrie and Matt Duchene. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Watson, Bourque, and Rantanen, while Josi gets an honorable mention.

In California, the San Jose Sharks host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Martin Jones receive the starting nods in goal. Arizona dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Max Domi goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Radim Vrbata and Luke Schenn. San Jose tied it with a Chris Tierney goal, his second of the year, via Mikkel Boedker and Justin Braun. The Sharks won 2-1 in overtime with a Brent Burns power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, powered by Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture. The three stars were Jones (18 for 19 in saves), Burns, and Tierney.

Up to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Ryan Miller are the sub-par goalies. Minnesota opened in the first period with a Jason Pominville goal, his fourth of the season, via Nino Niederreiter and Marco Scandella. The Wild added on in the second period with another Pominville goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, courtesy of Erik Haula and Jason Zucker. Vancouver got on the board with a Brandon Sutter power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Troy Stecher and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks tied it on a Ben Hutton power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver took the lead in the third period with a Loui Eriksson goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Michael Chaput and Hutton. The Canucks extended the lead as Bo Horvat scored his eighth of the year, with the help of Luca Sbisa and Sutter. Minnesota pulled back with a Zucker goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Wild tied it on a Haula goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon. Vancouver won 5-4 with a Sven Baertschi goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Stecher and Alexandre Burrows. The three stars went to Sutter, Hutton, and Pominville, while Zucker, Haula, Henrik Sedin, and Stecher get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and John Gibson guard the cages. Anaheim started in the first period with a Rickard Rakell power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Ryan Kesler and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Cam Fowler goal, his seventh of the year, via Jakob Silfverberg and Kesler. Montreal got on the board in the third period with an Andrew Shaw goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Gibson (39 for 40 in saves), Kesler, and Price (36 for 38 in saves).

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 94

Five games on for a slightly light day for the KHL. We begin with...

Lada Togliatti hosting the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Ilya Ezhov are in goal. Togliatti opened in the first period on a Maxim Rybin power play goal, powered by Yefim Gurkin and Stanislav Bocharov. Lada added on with a Nikita Filatov goal, guided in by Andrei Ivanov. Barulin was ejected after this goal, forcing Dmitry Shikin into the net. Sochi got on the board with an Igor Ignatushkin power play goal in the second period, assisted by Mikhail Mamkin and Oscar Fantenberg. Togliatti replied with a Viktor Komarov goal, via Filatov. The Leopards answered on an Ivan Zakharchuk goal, fueled by Fantenberg. Lada iced it at 4-2 with a Filatov empty net goal, his second of the game going in unassisted. The three stars went to Filatov, Fantenberg, and Komarov.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk welcomes Spartak Moscow. Markus Svensson and Ville Kolppanen man the nets. Nizhnekamsk started in the first period with a Pavel Poryadin goal, fueled by Pavel Kulikov. Moscow tied it on an Artyom Voronin goal, helped along by Matthew Gilroy. Neftekhimik retook the lead on a Bogdan Yakimov goal, coming off of Pavel Zdunov. Spartak tied it again in the third period with an Igor Mirnov goal, courtesy of Gilroy. Nizhnekams took the lead again with a Kulikov goal, made possible by Podyadin and Sergei Konkov. Moscow retied it with a Voronin goal, passed from Vladislav Provolnev. Spartak won 4-3 with a Mirnov power play goal, powered by Vadim Berdnikov and Alexei Bondarev. The three stars were Mirnov, Voronin, and Kulikov, while Gilroy and Poryadin get the honorable mentions.

To Kazan, where Ak Bars hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Emil Garipov are in the creases. Kazan led off in the first period with a Justin Azevedo goal, helped along by Atte Ohtamaa and Jiri Sekac. Ak Bars added on in the second period with an Andrei Popov goal, guided in by Mikhail Sidorov and Stepan Zakharchuk. Kazan extended the lead as Anton Glinkin scored, with the help of Michal Jordan and Albert Yarullin. Ak Bars padded the lead on a Sekac goal, passed from Azevedo and Alexander Svitov. Kazan kept going on an unassisted Mikhail Glukhov goal, going in unassisted. The final held at 5-0 after Ilya Proskuryakov replaced Kasutin in goal, and the three stars went to Azevedo, Sekac, and Garipov (28 save shutout).

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Pavel Francouz and Ben Scrivens are set to start in goal. Chelyabinsk began in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Alexander Chernikov. Traktor added on in the second period on an Alexei Kruchinin goal, via Paul Szczechura and Kirill Koltsov. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Francouz (34 save shutout), Chernikov, and Kruchinin.

Finally, Jokerit Helsinki hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ilya Samsonov and Riku Helenius are the backups in goal. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Helsinki tied it on a Jesse Joensuu goal, via Peter Regin and Pekka Jormakka in the third period. Metallurg regained the lead with an Ilya Berestennikov goal, assisted by Evgeny Timkin. Jokerit tied it again with a Jesper Jensen goal, courtesy of Tommi Huhtala. Helsinki took the lead with a Jensen goal, passed from Sakari Salminen and Huhtala. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Jensen, Huhtala, and Joensuu.

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2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 93/NHL Day 47

It's a small day for both leagues, so we'll do today's blogging in one post. In the first of four KHL games...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the goalies. Vladivostok opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Alexander Gorshkov. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Artyom Gareyev goal in the second period, fueled by Tommi Kivisto and Petr Koukal. Avtomobilist took the lead on a Rok Ticar goal, helped along by Konstantin Volkov. Admiral retied it in the third period on a Robert Sabolic power play goal, going in unassisted. The tie went to a shootout, where Mikhail Grigoryev of Admiral was matched by Koukal, and then Jan Buchtele lifted Avtomobilist to the 3-2 win. The three stars were Koukal, Gareyev, and Buchtele.

Along to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Ugra welcomes Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Vladislav Fokin are the backups in goal. Beijing started in the first period with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, assisted by Brett Bellemore and Tobias Viklund. Kunlun Red Star added on in the second period with a Martin Bakos goal, going in unassisted. Beijing extended the lead in the third period with a Chad Rau goal, also unassisted. Georgy Boyarshinov replaced Fokin in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with an Anton Kuryanov goal, passed from Alexander Ugolnikov and Konstantin Sokolov. Ugra pulled closer with an unassisted Roman Lyuduchin power play goal. Kunlun Red Star iced it at 4-2 with a Zach Yuen goal, helped along by Bellemore. The three stars went to Bellemore, Rau, and Yuen.

Next up, a Moscow derby, with CSKA bringing in Dynamo. Alexander Yeryomenko and Ilya Sorokin tend the twines. CSKA got going in the second period on a power play goal by Maxim Mamin, powered by Semyon Koshelev and Mikhail Naumenkov. Dynamo tied it on a Mat Robinson power play goal, with a lone assist by Andrei Kuteikin. Dynamo took the lead in the third period with an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, helped along by Juuso Hietanen and Denis Kokarev. CSKA tied it again with a Valery Nichushkin goal, fueled by Bogdan Kiselevich and Igor Ozhiganov. The tie went to a shootout, where Alexei Tsvetkov secured a 3-2 Dynamo win. The three stars were Yeryomenko (42 for 44 in saves), Podshendyalov, and Robinson.

Ending the KHL part of the post, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor faces his former team and Drew MacIntyre in goal. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Zach Boychuk power play goal, powered by Maxim Shalunov and Stepan Sannikov. Sibir iced it at 2-0 with a Sannikov goal, passed from Vitaly Menshikov in the third period. The three stars went to Sannikov, Taylor (25 save shutout), and Boychuk.

In the NHL, the New York Islanders welcome the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Thomas Greiss are the goalies. New York began in the first period with a John Tavares goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Josh Bailey. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Kris Versteeg and Deryk Engelland in the third period. The Islanders won 2-1 in overtime with a Thomas Hickey goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Tavares and Shane Prince. The three stars were Tavares, Hickey, and Greiss (25 for 26 in saves).

Finally, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Jake Allen occupy the creases. St. Louis struck first in the third period with a Robby Fabbri goal, his fifth of the season, via Robert Bortuzzo and Jori Lehtera. The Blues added on in the second period with an Alex Pietrangelo power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Patrik Berglund and Colton Parayko. Dallas got on the board with a Jamie Oleksiak goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. The Stars tied it in the third period with a Benn goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Julius Honka and Jason Spezza on the power play. St. Louis retook the lead with a David Perron goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Jaden Schwartz and Jay Bouwmeester. Dallas tied it on an Oleksiak goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with helpers from Honka and Benn. The Blues won 4-3 in overtime on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his tenth of the campaign, made possible by Lehtera and Kevin Shattenkirk. The three stars were Oleksiak, Benn, and Lehtera, while Honka gets an honorable mention.

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