Saturday, December 10, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 105

There's nine games on for the day, beginning with...

Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Andrei Gavrilov are in goal. Khabarovsk led off in the first period with a Vitaly Popov goal, passed from Yury Nazarov and Oleg Li. Ufa tied it in the second period with an Enver Lisin goal, fueled by Evgeny Korotkov. Amur took the lead back with a Vladislav Ushenin goal, coming off of Vladimir Malevich and Teemu Ramstedt. Khabarovsk added on with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal in the third period, going in unassisted. Salavat Yulaev answered on a Linus Omark power play goal, powered by Sami Lepisto and Teemu Hartikainen. Ufa tied it with a Denis Kulyash goal, made possible by Maxim Goncharov and Dmitry Makarov. Ufa won 4-3 in overtime with an Igor Grigorenko goal, assisted by Lepisto and Omark on the power play. The three stars were Omark, Lepisto, and Grigorenko.

Over to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Pavel Francouz are set to start in goal. Chelyabinsk began in the first period with a Vladimir Denisov goal, coming off of Dmitry Pestunov. Traktor added on in the second period with an Alexei Kruchinin goal, via Artyom Borodkin and Maxim Yakutsenya. Vladivostok got on the board with a Dmitry Lugin goal, guided in by Maxim Mamin and Anton Volchenkov. Chelyabinsk replied with a Borodkin goal, made possible by Danil Gubarev and Artyom Penkovsky. Traktor iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Kirill Koltsov, going in unassisted in the third period. The three stars belonged to Borodkin, Kruchinin, and Francouz (35 for 36 in saves).

In Magnitogorsk, Metallurg brings in Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen is mismatched with Vasily Koshechkin in goal. Beijing opened in the first period with a Sean Collins goal, via Brett Bellemore and Stanislav Alshevsky. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Denis Platonov goal, helped along by Dmitry Kazionov and Denis Kazionov. Metallurg took the lead with an unassisted power play goal by Alexander Semin. Kunlun Red Star tied it in the second period with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, going in unassisted. Magnitogorsk retook the lead with a third period goal by Semin, assisted by Artyom Zhelezkov and Tomas Filippi. Metallurg iced it at 4-2 with a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. The three stars were handed to Semin, Zaripov, and Platonov.

Over in Moscow, Dynamo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Vladislav Kartayev goal, helped along by Jakub Nakladal and Nikita Cherepanov. Lokomotiv added on with a Maxime Talbot goal, passed from Rushan Rafikov and Pavel Kraskovsky. Moscow got on the board with a Maxim Karpov goal, fueled by Artyom Fyodorov and Alexei Tereshchenko. Dynamo tied it on an Ilya Nikulin power play goal, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov and Fyodorov. Moscow took the lead in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Alexander Rybakov, set up by Denis Kokarev. Dynamo extended the lead as Kokarev scored, thanks to Konstantin Gorovikov and Artyom Podshendyalov. Moscow padded the lead with a Podshendyalov goal, via Kokarev. Yaroslavl got one back with a power play goal from Nakladal, with assists provided by Andrei Loktionov and Daniil Apalkov. Dynamo finished it at 6-3 with a Tsvetkov power play goal, made possible by Nikulin and Fyodorov, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Kokarev, Fyodorov, and Nikulin, while Podshendyalov, Tsvetkov, and Nakladal get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Jakub Kovar draw the starts in goal. Podolsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Denis Abdullin power play goal, powered by Igor Golovkov and Nikita Vyglazov. Cherepovets tied it on a Maxim Trunyov goal, helped along by Daniil Vovchenko. Vityaz took the lead back in the third period with an Alexander Nikulin goal, guided in by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexei Semenov. Severstal retied it with a Ruslan Karlin goal, fueled by Evgeny Mons. Podolsk took the lead again with a Vyglazov goal, passed from Artyom Chernov. Cherepovets tied it on another Karlin goal, via Mons and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Vityaz won 4-3 in overtime with a Nikulin goal, with a lone assist by Semenov. The three stars went to Nikulin, Vyglazov, and Semenov, while Karlin and Mons get the honorable mentions.

Down in Sochi, the Leopards bring in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen and Konstantin Barulin are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk started in the first period with a Dan Sexton power play goal, powered by Gilbert Brule and Andrei Sergeyev. Neftekhimik added on with a Sergeyev power play goal, with a lone assist from Sexton. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead in the second period as Richard Gynge scored, thanks to Brule. Neftekhimik padded the lead on a Gynge goal in the third period, coming off of Sexton and Brule, the latter earning a sock trick. Nizhnekamsk iced it at 5-0 with a Sexton goal, via Yegor Milovzorov. The three stars went to Sexton, Gynge, and Brule, while Sergeyev and Kolppanen (46 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

Back in Moscow, Spartak hosts Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Nikita Bespalov are in the creases. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Konstantin Glazachev goal, assisted by Lukas Radil and Matthew Gilroy. Spartak added on with a Radil power play goal, powered by Gilroy. Togliatti got on the board in the second period with a Viktor Komarov goal, passed from Semyon Valuisky and Nikita Filatov. Lada tied it on a Georgy Belousov goal, courtesy of Alexei Volgin. Togliatti won 3-2 in overtime on a Dmitry Kostromitin goal, coming off of Anton Shenfeld and Belousov. The three stars went to Belousov, Radil, and Gilroy.

East a bit to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Ilya Proskuryakov guard the cages. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period with an Evgeny Mozer goal, via Nikolai Zherdev. Torpedo finished it at 2-0 with a John Norman empty net goal, set up by Carter Ashton. The three stars were Proskuryakov (18 save shutout), Mozer, and Norman.

Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Slovan Bratislava. Justin Pogge and Janis Kalnins are between the pipes. Riga drew first blood in the first period with a Roberts Lipsbergs goal, going in unassisted. Dinamo added on in the third period with a Mikelis Redlihs goal, via Justin Shugg and Tim Sestito. Bratislava got on the board with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Jeff Taffe and Tomas Kundratek. Riga shot back with a Gints Meija goal, coming off of Lauris Darzins and Maris Bicevskis. Slovan got one back on a Taffe goal, with a lone assist by Ziga Jeglic. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Taffe, Meija, and Lipsbergs.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 58

Six games on tonight, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Robin Lehner draw the starts in goal. Washington dented the scoreboard in the second period on a T.J. Oshie goal, his ninth of the season, via Jay Beagle and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with a Jakub Vrana power play goal, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov. Buffalo got on the board with a power play goal by Kyle Okposo in the third period, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan O'Reilly. Washington replied with a John Carlson power play goal, helped along by Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals iced it at 4-1 with a Johansson empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Oshie and Orlov. The three stars went to Oshie, Backstrom, and Johansson, while Orlov gets an honorable mention.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Petr Mrazek are in the blue paint. Columbus started in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Cam Atkinson goal, his ninth of the season. Detroit tied it with a Dylan Larkin power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, powered by Thomas Vanek and Frans Nielsen. The Blue Jackets retook the lead on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his third of the season, coming off of Atkinson and David Savard. Columbus added on with a Lukas Sedlak goal, passed from Sam Gagner and Markus Nutivaara. Jimmy Howard replaced Mrazek in goal. The Blue Jackets finished it at 4-1 with a third period empty net goal by Gagner, his eleventh of the year, set up by Sedlak and Seth Jones. The three stars were handed to Atkinson, Sedlak, and Gagner.

Back east, the New Jersey Devils bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen faces a lesser foe in Keith Kinkaid in goal. St. Louis opened in the first period with a Robby Fabbri goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Brad Hunt and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues added on with a second period Ryan Reaves goal, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Kyle Brodziak. New Jersey got on the board with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Taylor Hall and Adam Henrique. St. Louis replied with a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Alexander Steen and Tarasenko. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with a Fabbri goal in the third period, his second of the game and eighth of the year, made possible by Tarasenko, who got a sock trick, and Jori Lehtera. The three stars were Fabbri, Tarasenko, and Allen (20 for 21 in saves).

Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Devan Dubnyk are set to start in goal. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Benoit Pouliot and Tyler Pitlick. Minnesota tied it in the second period with a Matt Dumba goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville. The Wild took the lead back with a Jason Zucker goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Mikael Granlund in the third period. The Oilers retied it on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Oscar Klefbom and Jordan Eberle. The tie went to a shootout, where Pominville and Draisaitl exchanged goals before another exchange between Chris Stewart and Eberle, and then Eric Staal gave the Wild the 3-2 win. The three stars were Pominville, Draisaitl, and Eberle.

Down to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the New York Rangers. Antti Raanta and Scott Darling are in the creases. New York won 1-0 in overtime with a Nick Holden goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The three stars were awarded to Raanta (26 save shutout), Holden, and Darling (36 for 37 in saves).

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones faces a lesser foe in Jonathan Bernier in goal. Anaheim began in the first period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his eleventh of the season, via Shea Theodore and Corey Perry. The Ducks added on with an Antoine Vermette goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Theodore and Nick Ritchie. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. The Sharks tied it on a Kevin Labanc goal, his third of the year, coming off of Logan Couture and Joel Ward. Anaheim retook the lead with a Hampus Lindholm goal in the third period, made possible by Ritchie and Ryan Kesler. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Theodore, Ritchie, and Lindholm.

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Friday, December 9, 2016

KHL 2016/17 - Day 104

Just two games today, beginning with...

Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosting Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Andrei Kareyev are the goalies. Novokuznetsk got going in the second period with a Kirill Semyonov goal, helped along by Alexander Titov. Omsk tied it on a Maxim Pestushko goal, via Vladimir Sobotka and Alexander Perezhogin. Metallurg took the lead with an Ignat Zemchenko power play goal, powered by Mark Skutar and Nikita Lyamkin. Avangard retied it with a Valentin Pyanov goal, fueled by Ilya Mikheyev and Erik Gustafsson. The tie went to a shootout, where Sobotka, Nikolai Lemtyugov, and Pestushko scored to top Evgeny Solovyov's lone tally for a 3-2 Avangard win. The three stars were Pestushko, Sobotka, and Pyanov.

The other game sees Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk host Barys Astana. Henrik Karlsson and Alexander Sharychenkov man the nets. Astana struck first in the first period with a Nigel Dawes power play goal, powered by Kevin Dallman and Martin St. Pierre. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period on an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, via Nikita Khlystov. Barys took the lead back in the third period with a Nursultan Belgibaeyev goal, passed from Konstantin Pushkaryov and Corey Trivino. Ugra tied it on  Pavel Varfolomeyev power play goal, assisted by Oleg Pogorishny and Denis Gorbunov. Astana took the lead again with an unassisted power play goal by Alexander Lipin. Barys iced it at 4-2 with a Dawes empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Dawes, Lipin, and Belgibayev.

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Thursday, December 8, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 57

Ten games are on today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Anton Khudobin are the backups in goal. Colorado opened in the first period with an unassisted Matt Duchene goal, his tenth of the season. The Avalanche added on with a shorthanded and unassisted Nathan MacKinnon goal, his seventh of the year. Colorado extended the lead with a John Mitchell goal in the second period, going in unassisted. Boston got on the board with a David Pastrnak goal, his seventeenth of the season, helped along by Tim Schaller. The Bruins got closer with another Pastrnak goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Brad Marchand and Torey Krug. The Avalanche replied with a Carl Soderberg goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Mikhail Grigorenko and Francois Beauchemin. This made it 4-2, the eventual final, with the three stars being Pastrnak, Mitchell, and Soderberg.

In Brooklyn, the New York Islanders welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Thomas Greiss draw the starts in goal. St. Louis led off in the first period with a Robby Fabbri goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Vladimir Tarasenko. New York tied it on an Anders Lee power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Nick Leddy and Brock Nelson. The Islanders took the lead with a John Tavares goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blues retied it in the second period on a Kyle Brodziak goal, his third of the year, via Fabbri and Joel Edmundson. New York regained the lead in the third period with a Lee goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, helped along by Casey Cizikas. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Lee, Fabbri, and Tavares.

Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Jonas Gustavsson and Steve Mason are the goalies. Edmonton started in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Jesse Puljujarvi. The Oilers added on in the second period with a Connor McDavid power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Draisaitl and Mark Letestu. Philadelphia got on the board with a Mark Streit goal, his fifth of the season, via Travis Konecny and Ivan Provorov. The Flyers tied it on a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, coming off of Andrew MacDonald and Roman Lyubimov. Philadelphia took the lead with a Claude Giroux goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist from Jakub Voracek. Edmonton retied it on a shorthanded goal by Andrej Sekera, his fourth of the season, set up by Letestu and McDavid. The Oilers pulled ahead with a Benoit Pouliot goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, made possible by Draisaitl and Sekera. Edmonton extended the lead as Oscar Klefbom scored his fourth of the season on the power play, with the help of Jordan Eberle and Drake Caggiula. The Flyers chipped back with a Voracek power play goal, his tenth of the year, with helpers from Shayne Gostisbehere and Giroux. Philadelphia tied it as Giroux scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, thanks to Radko Gudas and Voracek. The Flyers took the lead on a Michael Raffl goal, his sixth of the year, dished from Voracek, who earned a sock trick, and Streit. This stood for a 6-5 win, with the three stars being Voracek, Giroux, and Draisaitl, while Streit, Sekera, and McDavid get the honorable mentions.

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal began in the first period with a Phillip Danault goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Nathan Beaulieu and Andrew Shaw. New Jersey tied it with an Adam Henrique goal, his sixth of the year, passed from P.A. Parenteau and Taylor Hall. The Canadiens regained the lead with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Zach Redmond. Montreal added on with an Artturi Lehkonen goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Shaw and Danault in the second period. The Canadiens extended the lead as Max Pacioretty scored his eighth of the season, an unassisted goal, in the third period. The Devils got one back with a Hall power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Henrique and Kyle Palmieri. Montreal iced it at 5-2 with a Mitchell goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, via Gallagher and Paul Byron. The three stars belonged to Mitchell, Danault, and Hall, while Henrique, Gallagher, and Shaw get the honorable mentions.

South to Florida, where the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop are the reliable goalies. Vancouver struck first in the first period with a Jack Skille goal, with a lone assist from Erik Gudbranson. The Canucks added on with an unassisted Gudbranson goal. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period as Jayson Megna scored his second of the season, with the help of Alex Biega and Nikita Tryamkin. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Jonathan Drouin goal, his fourth of the year, via Valtteri Filppula and Luke Witkowski. The Canucks answered on Megna's second of the game and third of the season, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Markus Granlund. Andrei Vasilevskiy replaced Bishop for the third period. Vancouver padded the lead in the third period on another Skille goal, made possible by Brendan Gaunce. Jacob Markstrom replaced  Miller late in the game. This produced the 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Megna, Skille, and Gudbranson.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Patric Hornqvist and Conor Sheary. The Penguins added on with a Sheary goal, his seventh of the year, via Crosby and Justin Schultz. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Tom Kuhnhackl scored his second of the season, thanks to Scott Wilson. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Jaromir Jagr power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Aleksander Barkov and Keith Yandle. The Penguins shot back in the third period with a Matt Cullen goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Wilson and Schultz. Pittsburgh finished it at 5-1 with a Carl Hagelin empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by the goalie Murray. The three stars went to Sheary, Crosby, and Murray (28 for 29 in saves), while Schultz and Wilson get the honorable mentions.

Back to Canada, where the Winnipeg Jets host the New York Rangers. Antti Raanta and Michael Hutchinson are given the starting nods in goal. New York opened in the first period with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello. Winnipeg tied it on a Mark Scheifele goal in the second period, his fourteenth of the year, via Paul Postma and Dustin Byfuglien. The Rangers retook the lead in the third period with a Kevin Hayes power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, assisted by Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Hayes, Raanta (17 for 18 in saves), and Kreider.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. Dallas started in the first period with a Jamie Benn goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. The Stars added on with a Brett Ritchie goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Antoine Roussel and Radek Faksa. Nashville got on the board with a Viktor Arvidsson shorthanded goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Austin Watson. Dallas replied with a Spezza goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, passed from Dam Hamhuis and Benn. The Stars extended the lead as Roussel scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Lauri Korpikoski and John Klingberg. Marek Mazanec replaced Rinne in goal. Dallas padded the lead on a Seguin power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Benn and Spezza. The Predators got one back in the third period with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Mike Ribeiro and the goalie Mazanec. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Benn, Spezza, and Roussel, while Seguin gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Arizona, where the Coyotes bring in the Calgary Flames. Chad Johnson and Mike Smith play in the blue paint. Arizona led off in the first period with a Max Domi goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Christian Dvorak and Shane Doan. Calgary tied it on a Mark Giordano power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime with a Dougie Hamilton goal, his fourth of the campaign, guided in by Gaudreau. The three stars went to Gaudreau, Johnson (27 for 28 in saves), and Hamilton.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jeff Zatkoff play in the creases. Carolina began in the first period with a Derek Ryan goal, his second of the season, assisted by Andrej Nestrasil and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes added on in the second period on a shorthanded Ryan goal in the second period, his second of the game and third of the year, set up by Brock McGinn and Jaccob Slavin. Carolina extended the lead in the third period as McGinn scored, thanks to Victor Rask and Phillip Di Giuseppe. Los Angeles got on the board with a Drew Doughty goal, his fifth of the campaign, fueled by Marian Gaborik and Tyler Toffoli. The three stars of the 3-1 game went to Ryan, McGinn, and Ward (21 for 22 in saves).

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 103

Eleven games fill the schedule as we get a burst of KHL action for a little bit. We begin with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period with a Derek Roy goal, passed from Dmitry Pestunov and Kirill Koltsov. Traktor added on in the second period with a Koltsov power play goal, powered by Pestunov and Paul Szczechura. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period with a Vitaly Popov goal, made possible by Oleg Li and Yury Nazarov. Chelyabinsk iced it at 3-1 with a Maxim Yakutsenya empty net goal, set up by Alexei Kruchinin. The three stars went to Koltsov, Demchenko (25 for 26 in saves), and Pestunov.

In Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Vasily Koshechkin draw the starts in goal. Vladivostok started in the first period with a Maxim Kazakov goal, fueled by Sergei Barbashev. Magnitogorsk tied it on an Oskar Osala goal, coming off of Evgeny Biryukov. Admiral took the lead back in the second period with a Viktor Alexandrov goal, helped along by Mikhail Grigoryev. Vladivostok added on with an Alexander Gorshkov goal, guided in by Vladimir Tkachyov. Ilya Samsonov replaced Koshechkin in goal. Metallurg pulled back with a Jan Kovar power play goal, powered by Viktor Antipin. Magnitogorsk tied it as Tomas Filippi scored, thanks to Alexander Semin. Metallurg took the lead with a Semin goal, assisted by Filippi and Bogdan Potekhin. Magnitogorsk iced it at 5-3 on an Evgeny Timkin goal, via Kovar. The three stars were given to Filippi, Semin, and Kovar.

Next up, Salavat Yulaev Ufa brings in Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Niklas Svedberg man the creases. Beijing struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Janne Jalasvaara, powered by Chad Rau. Ufa tied it on a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, passed from Sami Lepisto and Linus Omark. Kunlun Red Star retook the lead with a Tomi Sallinen goal, guided in by Tommi Taimi and Martin Bakos. Salavat Yulaev tied it on a Denis Parshin goal, made possible by Alexander Loginov and Maxim Mayorov. Beijing took the lead again in the third period with a Rau goal, coming off of Linus Videll on the power play. Kunlun Red Star added on with a Bakos goal, with a lone assist by Taimi. Andrei Gavrilov replaced Svedberg in goal. Ufa shot back with a Loginov goal, courtesy of Omark and Kaprizov. Salavat Yulaev tied it as Denis Kulyash scored in the third period, thanks to Mayorov. The tie went to a shootout, where Bakos had the lone tally to give Beijing the 5-4 win. The three stars went to Bakos, Loginov, and Rau, while Taimi, Omark, Mayorov, and Kaprizov get the honorable mentions.

To the west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. Yaroslavl got going in the second period with a Vladislav Gavrikov power play goal, powered by Pavel Kraskovsky and Alexander Kadeikin. Cherepovets tied it on an Evgeny Mons power play goal, via Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Denis Yezhov. Severstal took the lead in the third period with a Mons power play goal, helped along by Kagarlitsky and Ruslan Karlin. Cherepovets added on with a Daniil Vovchenko goal, fueled by Kagarlitsky, who got a sock trick and Adam Masuhr. Lokomotiv got one back with an Alexander Polunin goal, guided in by Kadeikin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars went to Mons, Kagarlitsky, and Kadeikin.

Into Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Justin Pogge and Ryan Zapolski receive the starting nods in goal. Bratislava led off in the first period with a Ziga Jeglic goal, assisted by Tomas Kundratek. Slovan added on in the second period with another Jeglic goal, guided in by Kyle Chipchura and Patrik Lusnak. Helsinki got on the board with a Jesse Joensuu goal, passed from Frank Gymer and Mika Niemi. Bratislava answered with a Lusnak goal, courtesy of Chipchura. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Jeglic, Lusnak, and Chipchura.

Way south to Sochi, where the Leopards bring in Ak Bars Kazan. Stanislav Galimov and Konstantin Barulin guard the cages. Kazan began in the first period with an Alexander Svitov power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo. Sochi tied it on an Andrei Kostitsyn power play goal, with a lone assist from Oscar Fantenberg. Ak Bars took the lead on a Fyodor Malykhin goal in the second period, assisted by Dmitry Obukhov and Stefan Elliott. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars awarded to Galimov (28 for 29 in saves), Malykhin, and Svitov.

In Moscow, CSKA hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Viktor Fasth are between the pipes. Moscow was first to score in the first period with a Kirill Petrov goal, via Grigory Panin. CSKA added on with a Sergei Andronov goal, coming off of Denis Denisov and Greg Scott. Podolsk got on the board with an Alexander Nikulin goal in the second period, assisted by Maxim Afinogenov. Moscow replied with a Scott goal, fueled by Denisov. CSKA extended the lead in the third period as Semyon Koshelev scored, with the help of Vyacheslav Osnovin and Maxim Mamin. Moscow padded the lead on a Mamin goal, guided in by Koshelev. Vityaz answered on an Alexei Kopeikin goal, passed from Mario Kempe. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars given to Scott, Koshelev, and Mamin, while Denisov gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the city, Spartak Moscow welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen and Nikita Bespalov are set to start in goal. Moscow opened in the first period with a Konstantin Glazachev power play goal, powered by Matthew Gilroy. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a third period power play goal by Richard Gynge, made possible by Gilbert Brule and Andrei Sergeyev. Spartak retook the lead on an Igor Mirnov goal, fueled by Tim Stapleton and Viktor Bobrov. Moscow iced it at 3-1 with a Ryan Stoa empty net goal, set up by Glazachev. The three stars went to Bespalov (32 for 33 in saves), Mirnov, and Glazachev.

Out to St. Petersburg, where SKA brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Igor Shestyorkin tend the twines. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, powered by Anton Belov and Ilya Kovalchuk. Moscow tied it on an Artyom Fyodorov goal in the third period, guided in by Mat Robinson and Ansel Galimov. SKA won 2-1 in the shootout with a Sergei Shirokov and Kovalchuk tallying to top Vladimir Bryukvin. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Shestyorkin (24 for 25 in saves), and Yeryomenko (34 for 35 in saves).

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo hosts Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Mikhail Biryukov are in goal. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Brandon McMillan goal. Togliatti tied it on a third period power play goal by Stanislav Bocharov, powered by Georgy Belousov and Viktor Komarov. The tie went to a shootout, where the lone tally came from John Norman in the eighth round to give Torpedo the 2-1 win. The three stars were McMillan, Biryukov (21 for 22 in saves), and Ezhov (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, Dinamo Riga hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Drew MacIntyre and Jakub Sedlacek are the solid goalies. Zagreb began in the first period with a Terry Galiardi goal, assisted by Francis Pare and Lukas Lessio. Medvescak added on in the second period with an unassisted Lessio goal. Zagreb extended the lead in the third period as Pare scored, thanks to Goran Bezina and Galiardi. Medvescak padded the lead with a power play goal by Bobby Butler, powered by Mark Katic and Pare. The final held at 4-0, with the three stars being Pare, MacIntyre (34 save shutout), and Galiardi, while Lessio gets an honorable mention.

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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 102/NHL Day 56

It's another one of those low-game days, with only six in total. We begin with a pair of KHL games, the first seeing...

Sibir Novosibirsk host Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Danny Taylor are the goalies. Omsk led off with an Erik Gustafsson goal in the first period, coming off of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Pyotr Khokhryakov. Avangard added on with an Anton Burdasov goal in the second period, helped along by Alexander Osipov and Khokhryakov. Avangard extended the lead as Nikita Nikitin scored a power play goal in the third period, with the help of Kucheryavenko and Burdasov. Novosibirsk got on the board with an Alexei Glukhov goal, passed from Georgy Misharin and Konstantin Okulov. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Burdasov, Furch (29 for 30 in saves), and Khokhryakov, while Kucheryavenko gets the honorable mention.

The other Russian game has Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcoming Henrik Karlsson and Igor Ustinsky are given the starting nods. Astana began in the first period with an unassisted Ivan Kuchin goal. Barys added on with a Roman Starchenko goal, via Evgeny Rymarev and Martin St. Pierre. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the second period with an Artyom Gareyev goal, guided in by Oleg Gubin and Michal Cajkovsky. Astana replied on a shorthanded Corey Trivino goal, set up by Maxim Khudyakov. Vladimir Sokhatsky replaced Ustinsky in goal. Avtomobilist replied on an Alexei Simakov goal, made possible by Alexei Vasilevsky. Barys responded on a Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, helped along by Kevin Dallman. Yekaterinburg got one back in the third period with a Gareyev power play goal, powered by Petr Koukal and Cajkovsky. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Gareyev, Pushkaryov, and Cajkovsky.

To the NHL, where the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Minnesota Wild in this league's first game of the day. Devan Dubnyk and Frederik Andersen are in the creases. Minnesota started in the first period with a Jason Zucker goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on with a Chris Stewart goal, his fourth of the year, via Jared Spurgeon and Kurtis Gabriel. Toronto got on the board with a Ben Smith goal, his second of the season, passed from Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly. Minnesota shot back in the second period on an Eric Staal goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Charlie Coyle. The Maple Leafs countered on a Tyler Bozak goal, his sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars going to Staal, Dubnyk (35 for 37 in saves), and Stewart.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington opened in the first period with a Justin Williams goal, his third of the season, made possible by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals added on with another Williams goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, courtesy of Kuznetsov. Washington extended the lead as Daniel Winnik scored his fourth of the season in the second period, thanks to Jay Beagle. Boston got on the board with a Dominic Moore goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Anton Blidh. The Bruins got closer with an unassisted David Pastrnak goal, his sixteenth of the season. Boston tied it in the third period on a Colin Miller power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Austin Czarnik and Brad Marchand. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his eighth of the campaign, guided in by Nate Schmidt and Marcus Johansson. The three stars went to Williams, Backstrom, and Kuznetsov.

Out in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Martin Jones are in the creases. Ottawa struck first in the first period with a Mark Stone power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Mike Hoffman and Erik Karlsson. The Senators added on with a Karlsson goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. San Jose got on the board in the second period on a Logan Couture power play goal, his tenth of the season, with assists provided by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Sharks tied it in the third period on a Brent Burns goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Paul Martin. Ottawa retook the lead with a Chris Kelly goal, his second of the season, guided in by Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Karlsson. The Senators iced it at 4-2 with a Pageau empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Zack Smith. The three stars were Karlsson, Pageau, and Condon (35 for 37 in saves).

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and John Gibson are set to start in goal. Anaheim was first to score in the first period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Jakob Silfverberg and Ryan Kesler. Carolina tied it on a Teuvo Teravainen power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Jaccob Slavin and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period on a Jay McClement goal, via Jeff Skinner and Derek Ryan. Carolina added on with a Sebastian Aho goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Lee Stempniak and the goalie Ward. The Ducks got one back with a Stefan Noesen goal, courtesy of Ondrej Kase and Joseph Cramarossa. The Hurricanes replied with a Brett Pesce goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Andrej Nestrasil. Anaheim shot back on a Kesler goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Cogliano and Silfverberg. Carolina answered on a Teravainen goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, coming off of Aho and Stempniak. The Ducks pulled back with a Nick Ritchie goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Cam Fowler and Corey Perry. Anaheim tied it with a Perry goal, his fifth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The tie went to a shootout, where Aho and Ryan Getzlaf exchanged goals before Kase gave the Ducks a 6-5 win. The three stars were Kesler, Kase, and Cogliano, while Perry, Silfverberg, Teravainen, Aho, and Stempniak get the honorable mentions.

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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 55

Nine games on for today, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot faces a lesser foe in Anders Nilsson in goal. Buffalo led off in the first period with an Evander Kane power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jake McCabe and Matt Moulson. The Sabres added on with a Brian Gionta goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Marcus Foligno and Rasmus Ristolainen. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with a Jordan Eberle power play goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Drake Caggiula and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers tied it again on a Milan Lucic goal, his eighth of the year, via Connor McDavid and Caggiula. Edmonton took the lead on a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by McDavid and Andrej Sekera in the third period. Buffalo retied it on a Kane goal, his second of the game and third of the year, helped along by Ryan O'Reilly and Ristolainen. The Sabres won 4-3 in overtime with a Ristolainen power play goal, with helpers provided by O'Reilly and Jack Eichel. The three stars were given to Ristolainen, Kane, and O'Reilly, while Caggiula and McDavid get the honorable mentions.

Over in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Taylor Hall goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Kyle Quincey and P.A. Parenteau. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Brandon Sutter and Troy Stecher. The Devils retook the lead with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Hall and Damon Severson. New Jersey added on with a shorthanded goal by Ben Lovejoy, set up by Travis Zajac and Quincey. The Canucks got one back in the third period with a Henrik Sedin goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Daniel Sedin and Luca Sbisa. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars handed to Hall, Quincey, and Daniel Sedin.

In Brooklyn, the New York Islanders bring in their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. The Islanders began in the first period with a Scott Mayfield goal, assisted by Cal Clutterbuck and Anders Lee. The Islanders added on with a Jason Chimera goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Brock Nelson. The Rangers got on the board with a Jimmy Vesey goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Rick Nash. The Islanders shot back with an Andrew Ladd goal, his third of the season, guided in by Shane Prince. The Rangers replied on a Marc Staal goal, his third of the year, made possible by J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider. The Islanders iced it at 4-2 in the third period on a John Tavares power play goal, his seventh of the campaign, powered by Josh Bailey and Nick Leddy. The three stars went to Ladd, Halak (36 for 38 in saves), and Tavares.

Over to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Steve Mason are the goalies. Florida started in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Mark Pysyk and Reilly Smith. Philadelphia tied it on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Andrew MacDonald and Ivan Provorov. The Flyers took the lead in the second period on a Simmonds power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Panthers retied it on a Jussi Jokinen goal in the third period, his second of the year, helped along by Michael Matheson and Colton Sceviour. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime with a Jakub Voracek goal, his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Giroux. The three stars were Simmonds, Mason (42 for 44 in saves), and Giroux.

Along to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Jake Allen are in the creases. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Paul Byron goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Tomas Plekanec and Mark Barberio. The Canadiens added on in the second period with a Plekanec goal, his second of the year, with a lone helper from Byron. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Paul Stastny goal, his seventh of the season, via Jaden Schwartz and Colton Parayko. The Blues tied it on a Schwartz goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Stastny and Jay Bouwmeester. St. Louis won 3-2 in overtime with a Schwartz goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Alexander Steen. The three stars were Schwartz, Stastny, and Byron, while Plekanec gets an honorable mention.

Southeast to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Nashville led off in the first period with an unassisted Viktor Arvidsson goal, his eighth of the season. Colorado tied it on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his sixth of the year, via Rene Bourque. The Predators retook the lead with a James Neal goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Colin Wilson. The Avalanche tied it again in the second period on a Matt Duchene power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Mikko Rantanen and MacKinnon. Nashville took the lead again with a P.K. Subban goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Kevin Fiala and Mike Ribeiro. Colorado tied it as Duchene scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, thanks to Jarome Iginla and Tyson Barrie on the power play. The Predators retook the lead in the third period on a Roman Josi power play goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Ryan Johansen and Ribeiro. The game ended at 4-3, with the three stars going to Duchene, Ribeiro, and MacKinnon.

Up to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Connor Hellebuyck guard the cages. Winnipeg began in the first period with an Andrew Copp goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Ben Chiarot and Marko Dano. Detroit tied it on a Tomas Tatar goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Danny DeKeyser and Henrik Zetterberg. The Jets took the lead with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his third of the season, assisted by Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg added on with a Laine goal, his seventeenth of the year, passed from Nikolaj Ehlers and Byfuglien. Detroit got one back with an Anthony Mantha goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, fueled by Dylan Larkin. The Red Wings tied it as Thomas Vanek scored his fifth of the year, with the help of Zavier Ouellet and Gustav Nyquist. The tie went to a shootout, where Vanek and Zetterberg topped Laine for a 4-3 Red Wings win. The three stars were Vanek, Zetterberg, and Laine, while Byfuglien gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Scott Darling draw the starts in goal. Chicago opened in the first period with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Marian Hossa goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Ryan Hartman and Trevor van Riemsdyk. Chicago extended the lead as Dennis Rasmussen scored his second of the season, thanks to Richard Panik. The Blackhawks padded the lead on another Hossa goal in the third period, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, made possible by Niklas Hjalmarsson. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Hossa, Darling (22 save shutout), and Anisimov.

Finally, the Dallas Stars bring in the Calgary Flames. Chad Johnson and Kari Lehtonen are between the pipes. Dallas started in the first period with a Curtis McKenzie goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. Calgary tied it in the second period on a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Alex Chiasson and Sean Monahan. The Flames took the lead in the third period on a Monahan power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Gaudreau and Kris Versteeg. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Monahan, Gaudreau, and Johnson (29 for 30 in saves).

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