KHL 2016/17 - Day 98

Seven games on, beginning early in the day in the Far East. First up...

Amur Khabarovsk hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Igor Shestyorkin and Juha Metsola guard the cages. Khabarovsk got going in the second period on a Tomas Zohorna goal, via Vitaly Atyushov and the goalie Metsola. St. Petersburg retied it on a Sergei Shirokov goal, passed from Roman Rukavishnikov and Ilya Kablukov. SKA took the lead in the third period with a Shirokov power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Yegor Yakovlev. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Shirokov, Shestyorkin (33 for 34 in saves), and Zohorna.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Ivan Nalimov are in the blue paint. Vladivostok led off in the first period with a Robert Sabolic power play goal, powered by James Wisniewski and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Moscow tied it in the second period with a Valery Nichushkin goal, coming off of Andrei Svetlakov. CSKA took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Kirill Petrov, helped along by Bogdan Kiselevich and Artyom Blazhiyevsky. Admiral retied it with a James Wright goal, with a lone assist by Krasnoslobodtsev. Moscow won 3-2 with another Nichushkin goal, passed from Mikhail Naumenkov and Ivan Telegin. The three stars were Nichushkin, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Petrov.

In China, Kunlun Red Star Beijing brings in Severstal Cherepovets to Shanghai. Jakub Kovar and Tomi Karhunen are in the creases. Beijing began in the first period with an Oleg Yashin goal, assisted by Zach Yuen. Kunlun Red Star added on in the third period with a Martin Bakos goal, guided in by Tomas Marcinko and Alexei Ponikarovsky. The final held from here at 2-0, with the three stars going to Karhunen (22 save shutout), Yashin, and Bakos.

Back in Russia, Lada Togliatti hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ilya Ezhov man the nets. Nizhny Novgorod dented the scoreboard on a Dmitry Semin power play goal, powered by Kaspars Daugavins and Alexander Frolov. Togliatti tied it on a Stanislav Bocharov power play goal, with a lone assist by Georgy Belousov. The tie went to a shootout, where Daugavins' lone tally gave Torpedo the 2-1 win. The three stars went to Daugavins, Proskuryakov (16 for 17 in saves), and Ezhov (30 for 31 in saves).

Over in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik brings in the Sochi Leopards. Dmitry Shikin and Ville Kolppanen draw the starts in goal. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period with a Dmitry Ogurtsov goal, passed from Sergei Konkov. Konstantin Barulin replaced Shikin in goal. Neftekhimik added on with a Richard Gynge goal, via Dan Sexton. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead in the second period as Gilbert Brule scored a power play goal, thanks to Andrei Sergeyev and Sexton. Sochi got on the board with an Oscar Fantenberg power play goal, powered by Mikhail Mamkin and Ben Maxwell. Neftekhimik replied on a Brule power play goal in the third period, with a lone helper from Sergeyev. Nizhnekamsk iced it at 5-1 with a Gennady Stolyarov goal, helped along by Yegor Milovzorov. The three stars were given to Brule, Sexton, and Sergeyev.

In Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Justin Pogge are set to start in goal. Omsk started in the first period on a Mikhail Yunkov goal, assisted by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Ivan Fishchenko. Bratislava tied it on a Jeff Taffe power play goal, powered by Radek Smolenak and Andrej Meszaros. Avangard took the lead in the second period with an Anton Burdasov goal, guided in by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Slovan retied it on a Kyle Chipchura goal, fueled by Ziga Jeglic and Patrik Lusnak. Omsk regained the lead in the third period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, via Yegor Martynov. Slovan answered on another Taffe goal, passed from Nick Plastino. Avangard countered with a power play goal by Alexander Perezhogin, made possible by Sobotka and Alexander Osipov. Omsk finished it at 5-3 with a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal, with a lone helper from Burdasov. The three stars went to Sobotka, Burdasov, and Taffe.

Finally, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Spartak Moscow. Nikita Bespalov is mismatched with Stanislav Galimov in goal. Moscow struck first in the first period with an unassisted Lukas Radil goal. Kazan tied it on a power play goal by Andrei Popov, powered by Anton Glinkin and Fyodor Malykhin. Ak Bars took the lead with a Malykhin power play goal in the second period, helped along by Glinkin and Stefan Elliott. Kazan added on with a Stepan Zakharchuk goal, fueled by Artyom Lukoyanov. Spartak got one back in the third period with a Vyacheslav Leshchenko goal, via Alexei Kirillov and Artyom Voronin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Malykhin, Glinkin, and Zakharchuk.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2016/17 - Day 51

Just two games tonight, beginning with...

The Calgary Flames welcoming the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Chad Johnson are the goalies. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Chris Stewart goal, his third of the season, passed from Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. Calgary tied it on a Kris Versteeg goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Jyrki Jokipakka and Sean Monahan. The Flames took the lead with a Mikael Backlund power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Matthew Tkachuk and Mark Giordano. The Wild tied it in the third period on a Mikko Koivu goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Jason Zucker and Spurgeon. The tie went to a shootout, where Monahan and Versteeg topped Jason Pominville for a 3-2 Flames win. The three stars were Versteeg, Spurgeon, and Monahan.

The other game sees the San Jose Sharks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Martin Jones tend the twines. San Jose began in the first period with a Brent Burns power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on with a Pavelski goal, his eighth of the year, via Thornton. Montreal got on the board in the third period with an Artturi Lehkonen power play goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Andrew Shaw and Alex Galchenyuk. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Pavelski, Thornton, and Jones (31 for 32 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

KHL 2016/17 - Day 97

Six games on today, beginning with...

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinsky and Alexei Murygin man the nets. Yekaterinburg led off in the first period with an Alexander Torchenyuk power play goal, powered by Alexei Mikhnov and Alexei Vasilevsky. Yaroslavl tied it on a Yegor Korshkov goal, guided in by Mikhail Pashnin and Rushan Rafikov. Avtomobilist took the lead back with a Torchenyuk goal in the second period, passed from Andrei Alexeyev and Denis Mingaleyev. Lokomotiv tied it on a Vladislav Kartayev goal, coming off of Nikita Cherepanov and Alexander Kadeikin. Yaroslavl took the lead in the third period with a Stanislav Chistov goal, made possible by Andrei Loktionov. Yekaterinburg retied it on a Mingaleyev goal, helped along by Alexeyev. Lokomotiv took the lead with a Loktionov goal, assisted by Brandon Kozun and Maxime Talbot. Yaroslavl iced it at 5-3 with a Petri Kontiola empty net goal, set up by Talbot and Cherepanov. The three stars were Loktionov, Torchenyuk, and Mingaleyev, while Alexeyev, Talbot, and Cherepanov get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson faces a lesser foe in Igor Saprykin in goal. Podolsk started in the first period with an Alexander Nikulin goal, assisted by Maxim Afinogenov. Astana tied it in the second period with a Kevin Dallman power play goal, powered by Brandon Bochenski. Vityaz retook the lead with an Afinogenov power play goal in the third period, coming off of Nikulin and Igor Golovkov. Podolsk added on with an Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi goal, helped along by Alexei Semenov and Golovkov. Vityaz extended the lead as Mario Kempe scored, thanks to Semenov and Alexei Kopeikin. Barys got one back with a Martin St. Pierre goal, with a lone assist by Bochenski. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Afinogenov, Nikulin, and Golovkov, while Semenov and Bochenski receive honorable mentions.

Over in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Ben Scrivens are in the blue paint. Ufa opened in the first period with an Evgeny Bodrov goal, helped along by Denis Parshin and Stanislav Gareyev. Minsk tied it on an Alexander Materukhin power play goal in the third period, powered by Matt Ellison and Rob Klinkhammer. Dinamo took the lead with an Evgeny Lisovets goal, assisted by Materukhin. Salavat Yulaev retied it on an Evgeny Korotkov goal, passed from Stepan Khripunov and Maxim Mayorov. In the shootout, Mayorov won it with the lone tally for Ufa for a 3-2 result. The three stars were Mayorov, Materukhin, and Korotkov.

Next up, Slovan Bratislava hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Barry Brust are set to start in goal. Bratislava began in the first period with an unassisted Andrej Meszaros power play goal. Novokuznetsk tied it on an Ignat Zemchenko penalty shot goal after Igor Musatov hooked him. Metallurg took the lead with a Nikita Yazkov goal, made possible by Vladislav Arbuzov and Fyodor Polishchuk. Slovan retied it on a Tomas Kundratek power play goal, powered by Radek Smolenak. Novokuznetsk regained the lead with a Polishchuk goal, assisted by Arbuzov and Denis Vikharev. Bratislava retied it with a third period goal from Kyle Chipchura, helped along by Ziga Jeglic. Metallurg pulled ahead again with a shorthanded goal by Alexei Razumov, set up by Nikita Lyamkin. Slovan tied it once more with a Michal Hlinka goal, passed from Boris Sadecky and Lukas Vopelka. Evgeny Solovyov had the only shootout tally, lifting Metallurg to the 5-4 win. The three stars were given to Polishchuk, Arbuzov, and Razumov.

Back in Russia, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov faces his former teammate and mentor, Alexander Yeryomenko, in goal. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Mat Robinson goal, fueled by Alexei Tsvetkov and Artyom Fyodorov. Dynamo added on in the second period with a Martins Karsums power play goal, powered by Daniil Tarasov and Alexei Tereshchenko. Moscow extended the lead on a Robinson power play goal, helped along by Fyodorov and Tsvetkov. Dynamo padded the lead as Juuso Hietanen scored a power play goal, with the help of Ilya Nikulin and Artyom Podshendyalov. Moscow continued with Tarasov's second goal of the game, guided in by Karsums and Tereshchenko. Dynamo iced it at 6-0 with a Fyodorov power play goal, with a lone assist by Tsvetkov. The three stars were Robinson, Fyodorov, and Tsvetkov (sock trick), while Tarasov, Karsums, Tereshchenko, and Yeryomenko (17 save shutout) receive the honorable mentions.

Finally Dinamo Riga brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Janis Kalnins draw the starts in goal. Riga was first to score with an unassisted goal by Oskars Cibulskis in the first period. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period on a Tomas Filippi goal, via Oskar Osala. Metallurg took the lead with a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Danis Zaripov and Viktor Antipin. Dinamo tied it with a Miks Indrasis goal, courtesy of Lauris Darzins. Riga took the lead with an Indrasis power play goal, his second of the game, made possible by Maris Bicevskis and Darzins. Magnitogorsk retied it in the third period on a Zaripov goal, guided in by Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. In the shootout, Gints Meija had the only tally for Dinamo to win 4-3. The three stars were Indrasis, Zaripov, and Mozyakin, while Darzins gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2016/17 - Day 50

Twelve games on tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward faces one of his former backups, Anton Khudobin, in goal. Carolina got going in the second period on a Noah Hanifin power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jeff Skinner and Derek Ryan. Boston tied it in the third period on a Torey Krug goal, his second of the year, via David Pastrnak and David Krejci. The tie went to a shootout, where Ryan Spooner and Pastrnak lifted the Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Hurricanes' lone tally from Jaccob Slavin. The three stars went to Pastrnak, Khudobin (29 for 30 in saves), and Ward (34 for 35 in saves).

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Anders Nilsson goal. Buffalo started in the first period with a Johan Larsson goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Jake McCabe and Brian Gionta. New York tied it on a Ryan McDonagh power play goal, powered by Derek Stepan. The Rangers took the lead in the second period on a Rick Nash power play goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Jimmy Vesey and Adam Clendening. The Sabres retied it on a Gionta goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Marcus Foligno. New York retook the lead on a Marc Staal goal, his second of the year, coming off of Jesper Fast and Chris Kreider. Buffalo tied it on a Jack Eichel power play goal in the third period, his second of the season, via Kyle Okposo and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Sabres went ahead on Eichel's second of the game and third of the year, helped along by Sam Reinhart and Evander Kane. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars awarded to Eichel, Gionta, and Larsson.

In Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Marc-Andre Fleury are the veterans in goal. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with an Ian Cole goal, his second of the season, coming off of Phil Kessel and Justin Schultz. Dallas tied it on a Devin Shore goal, his second of the year, via Patrick Eaves and Stephen Johns. The Penguins retook the lead on a Patric Hornqvist goal in the second period, his sixth of the season, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Kessel. The Stars tied it again on a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Jason Spezza and John Klingberg. Pittsburgh pulled ahead on a Sidney Crosby goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Conor Sheary and Hornqvist. The Penguins added on in the third period with a Sheary goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Crosby and Schultz. Pittsburgh extended the lead on an empty net goal by Eric Fehr, his third of the season, set up by Tom Kuhnhackl and Kris Letang. The Penguins iced it at 6-2 as Nick Bonino scored his second of the year, thanks to Scott Wilson and Cole. The three stars went to Sheary, Crosby, and Cole, while Hornqvist and Schultz get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Washington Capitals host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Braden Holtby protect the nets. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Shane Prince goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Casey Cizikas. The Islanders added on with a Brock Nelson goal, his sixth of the year, via John Tavares and Josh Bailey. New York extended the lead as Jason Chimera scored his third of the campaign, thanks to Andrew Ladd. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars given to Halak (38 save shutout), Prince, and Nelson.

Northwest to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Petr Mrazek are in the creases. Detroit led off in the first period with an unassisted Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fourth of the season. Florida tied it on a Jason Demers goal, his third of the year, coming off of Keith Yandle and Reilly Smith. The Panthers won 2-1 in overtime on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone helper by Jonathan Marchessault. The three stars went to Luongo (20 for 21 in saves), Barkov, and Demers.

In Ottawa, the Senators bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Mike Condon are set to start in goal. Ottawa began in the first period with a Mike Hoffman power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Mark Stone and Kyle Turris. The Senators added on in the second period with a Ryan Dzingel goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Dion Phaneuf and Turris. Philadelphia got on the board with a Claude Giroux goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Jakub Voracek. The Flyers tied it with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his third of the year, passed from Mark Streit and Matt Read. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime on a Giroux goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, assisted by Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere. The three stars were handed to Giroux, Turris, and Voracek.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jake Allen play goal. St. Louis struck first in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Colton Parayko.. The Blues added on with a Tarasenko power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, powered by Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Cedric Paquette goal, his second of the season, via Jonathan Drouin and Joel Vermin. St. Louis replied on a Shattenkirk power play goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Steen and Robby Fabbri. The Blues extended the lead in the second period as Shattenkirk scored again, his second of the game and sixth of the season, made possible by Steen, who got a sock trick, and Tarasenko. The Lightning got one back with a Tyler Johnson goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay edged closer in the third period with a Kucherov power play goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Victor Hedman and Brian Boyle. St. Louis responded with a Tarasenko goal to complete his hat trick on his thirteenth of the campaign, guided in by Fabbri and Shattenkirk. The Lightning pulled back with a Paquette goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with helpers provided by Drouin and Vermin. The final stayed at 5-4, with the three stars being Tarasenko, Shattenkirk, and Steen, while Kucherov, Paquette, Fabbri, Drouin, and Vermin get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada again, with the Winnipeg Jets welcoming the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Connor Hellebuyck are the young goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period with a Bryan Little goal, coming off of Blake Wheeler and Drew Stafford. Edmonton tied it on a Mark Letestu goal, his third of the season, via Leon Draisaitl and Andrej Sekera on the power play. The Jets retook the lead on a Patrik Laine power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Toby Enstrom and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Oilers tied it again in the second period on a Draisaitl goal, his eighth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Milan Lucic and Connor McDavid. Edmonton took the lead on a Letestu power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, with assists provided by Lucic and McDavid. The Oilers added on with a Patrick Maroon goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Zack Kassian and Letestu. Winnipeg countered in the third period on Laine's second of the game and fifteenth of the year, a power play goal courtesy of Dustin Byfuglien and Wheeler. Edmonton shot back on a Draisaitl goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, helped along by McDavid, who earned a sock trick, and Adam Larsson. The Oilers iced it at 6-3 as Benoit Pouliot scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Sekera and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The three stars went to Letestu, Draisaitl, and McDavid, while Laine, Lucic, Sekera, and Wheeler get the honorable mentions.

Stateside once more for the Chicago Blackhawks bringing in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Corey Crawford tend the twines. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Travis Zajac goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Kyle Palmieri and Damon Severson. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Marcus Kruger goal, his second of the year, passed from Dennis Rasmussen and Brent Seabrook. The Devils retook the lead on a Zajac power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, powered by Palmieri. The Blackhawks tied it again with an Artem Anisimov goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Duncan Keith and Seabrook. Chicago took the lead on an unassisted Niklas Hjalmarsson goal, his third of the year. New Jersey retied it in the third period with a Zajac goal, completing his hat trick on his eighth of the season, via Michael Cammalleri. The Blackhawks won 4-3 in overtime on a Marian Hossa goal, his twelfth of the campaign, fueled by Patrick Kane and Keith. The three stars were Keith, Zajac, and Seabrook, while Palmieri gets an honorable mention.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Semyon Varlamov are the Russian goalies. Columbus started in the first period with a Brandon Saad goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Scott Hartnell and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets added on with a Nick Foligno goal, his ninth of the year, via Saad and Seth Jones. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a Blake Comeau power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Erik Johnson and Francois Beauchemin. The Avalanche tied it on a Samuel Henley goal, with a lone assist from Tyson Barrie. Columbus took the lead back in the third period with a Boone Jenner goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Cam Atkinson. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Saad, Jenner, and Foligno.

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj and Mike Smith receive the starting nods in goal. Arizona began in the first period with a Martin Hanzal power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Radim Vrbata and Michael Stone. Los Angeles tied it on a Dwight King goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. The Coyotes retook the lead with a Hanzal power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, with assists provided by Stone and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Kings tied it on a second period goal by Jordan Nolan, fueled by Kyle Clifford and Nick Shore. Los Angeles took the lead in the third period on another Nolan goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. Arizona retied it on a Tobias Rieder goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Alex Goligoski and Jordan Martinook. The Kings retook the lead with a Trevor Lewis goal, his third of the campaign, assisted by Marian Gaborik and Kopitar. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Nolan, Hanzal, and Kopitar, while Stone gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Ryan Miller are between the pipes. Anaheim got going in the second period on a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks added on with an Ondrej Kase goal, passed from Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Ritchie. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a Henrik Sedin goal, his sixth of the year, via Loui Eriksson. Anaheim replied on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Shea Theodore. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Gibson (27 for 28 in saves), Kase, and Cogliano.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

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).

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.