NHL 2016/17 - Day 60

The season's about two months old now, and today's eight games begin in...

Anaheim, with the Ducks hosting the Ottawa Senators in the first of four matinees. Mike Condon is mismatched with John Gibson in goal. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Joseph Cramarossa goal, his second of the season, coming off of Josh Manson and Shea Theodore. Ottawa tied it on a Ryan Dzingel power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Bobby Ryan and Derick Brassard. The Ducks took the lead with a Corey Perry power play goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Cam Fowler and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim added on with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg. Andrew Hammond replaced Condon at the start of the second period. The Ducks extended the lead as Nick Ritchie scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Vermette and Ondrej Kase. Anaheim padded the lead in the third period on a Sami Vatanen power play goal, his second of the year, helped along by Ryan Kesler and Perry. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Vermette, Perry, and Gibson (21 for 22 in saves).

Back east, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Anthony Stolarz and Jimmy Howard are set to start in goal. Philadelphia won 1-0 in overtime on a Brayden Schenn goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Ivan Provorov and Wayne Simmonds. The three stars were given to Stolarz (28 save shutout), Schenn, and Howard (35 for 36 in saves).

In DC, the Washington Capitals host the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Braden Holtby draw the starts in goal. Washington began in the first period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom on the power play. The Capitals added on in the second period with a Justin Williams goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ovechkin. Washington iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Tom Wilson, his second of the campaign, set up by Daniel Winnik and Matt Niskanen. The three stars went to Ovechkin, Holtby (20 save shutout), and Williams.

Northwest to Minnesota, where the Wild bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Devan Dubnyk are in the blue paint. Minnesota got going in the second period on a Matt Dumba goal, his fourth of the season, via Zach Parise. The Wild added on with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Suter and Erik Haula. St. Louis got on the board with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Robby Fabbri and Brad Hunt. Minnesota capped it at 3-1 with a Mikael Granlund goal, his sixth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Nate Prosser and Eric Staal. The three stars were handed to Niederreiter, Dubnyk (22 for 23 in saves), and Dumba.

In Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Scott Darling are between the pipes. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Devin Shore goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of John Klingberg and Curtis McKenzie. Chicago tied it with a Marian Hossa goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Ryan Hartman and Vinnie Hinostroza. The Blackhawks took the lead with an unassisted Artem Anisimov goal, his twelfth of the season. Chicago added on in the third period with an Artemi Panarin power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars given to Anisimov, Panarin, and Darling (23 for 24 in saves).

Back east, the New York Rangers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Antti Raanta are given the starting nods in goal. New York struck first in the first period with a Chris Kreider goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Klein. The Rangers added on in the second period with a J.T. Miller shorthanded goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Kevin Hayes. New York extended the lead as Brady Skjei scored, thanks to Derek Stepan and Oscar Lindberg. The Rangers padded the lead in the third period on a Brandon Pirri power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Kreider and Ryan McDonagh. New York finished at 5-0 with a Jimmy Vesey power play goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Pirri and Nick Holden. The three stars were awarded to Kreider, Pirri, and Raanta (19 save shutout).

In Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Antoine Bibeau are set to start in goal. Colorado was first to score in the first period with a Mikko Rantanen power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Matt Duchene and Jarome Iginla. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Tyson Barrie and Varlamov. Toronto got on the board with a Jake Gardiner power play goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Nikita Zaitsev and Mitchell Marner. Colorado iced it at 3-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Blake Comeau, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Varlamov (51 for 52 in saves), Mackinnon, and Rantanen.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Cam Talbot protect the nets. Winnipeg drew first blood in the first period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his second of the season, via Bryan Little and Jacob Trouba. Edmonton tied it in the second period with an Oscar Klefbom goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Tyler Pitlick and Patrick Maroon. The Jets took the lead on a Chris Thorburn goal, his third of the season, made possible by Marko Dano. The Oilers retied it on a Mark Letestu power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Connor McDavid and Milan Lucic in the third period. Edmonton took the lead on another Letestu goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars given to Letestu, Klefbom, and Talbot (29 for 31 in saves).

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 106

Just two games on for the KHL today, beginning with...

Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcoming Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Alexander Sharychenkov are in the blue paint. Yekaterinburg started in the first period with a power play goal by Alexei Vasilevsky, powered by Alexander Romanov and Anatoly Golyshev. The game ended at 1-0, with the three stars going to Sokhatsky (22 save shutout), Vasilevsky, and Sharychenkov (24 for 25 in saves).

The other game features Dinamo Minsk bringing in Medvescak Zagreb. Drew MacIntyre and Kevin Lalande draw the starts in goal. Zagreb opened in the first period with a Jakub Krejcik power play goal, powered by Terry Galiardi. Minsk tied it on a Nikita Komarov power play goal, helped along by Andrei Stepanov and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Dinamo took the lead in the second period with an Alexander Materukhin power play goal, assisted by Matt Ellison. Medvescak retied it on an unassisted Galiardi goal. Minsk regained the lead with a Stepanov goal, via Evgeny Lisovets and Gragnani. Dinamo added on with a Dmitry Ambrozheichik goal, coming off of Ellison and Nick Bailen. Michael Garnett replaced MacIntyre in goal. Minsk extended the lead as Ambrozheichik scored again, with the help of Ellison, who got a sock trick, and Rob Klinkhammer. Dinamo padded the lead with a Materukhin power play goal, his second of the game, guided in by Evgeny Kovyrshin and Gragnani, the latter earning a sock trick. The final held at 6-2, with the three stars given to Ambrozheichik, Materukhin, and Stepanov, while Ellison, Gragnani, and Galiardi get the honorable mentions.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 59

The schedule sees ten games to be played today, beginning with two matinees. The first is in...

Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Steve Mason are the veteran goalies. Dallas opened in the first period with a Devin Shore goal, his third of the season, coming off of Curtis McKenzie and Adam Cracknell. Philadelphia tied it on a Brayden Schenn goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jakub Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Stars retook the lead in the third period on another Shore goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, helped along by Antoine Roussel and Dan Hamhuis. The Flyers tied it again with another Schenn power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, assisted by Voracek and Mark Streit. Philadelphia pulled ahead as Schenn completed his hat trick on his seventh of the year, another power play goal made possible by Wayne Simmonds and Voracek, the latter earning a sock trick. The Flyers iced it at 4-2 with a Voracek empty net goal, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by Claude Giroux. The three stars belonged to Schenn, Voracek, and Shore.

Out in California, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Peter Budaj are the backups in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Drew Doughty and Budaj. The Kings added on with an Alec Martinez power play goal, his sixth of the year, with helpers provided by Tanner Pearson and Kevin Gravel. Ottawa got on the board in the second period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his fifth of the season, via Tom Pyatt and Kyle Turris. Los Angeles replied with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Derek Forbort and Dustin Brown. The Kings iced it at 4-1 with a Marian Gaborik power play goal in the third period, with a lone assist from Lewis. The three stars went to Lewis, Martinez, and Budaj (19 for 20 in saves).

Back east, the Boston Bruins bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Tuukka Rask man the nets. Toronto got going in the second period with an Auston Matthews goal, his twelfth of the season, via William Nylander. The Maple Leafs added on with a Zach Hyman goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Jake Gardiner and Matt Hunwick. Boston got on the board with a Brad Marchand goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of David Backes. Toronto replied in the third period with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Tyler Bozak and Hunwick. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Connor Brown, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Morgan Rielly. The three stars were Hyman, Hunwick, and Andersen (32 for 33 in saves).

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Brian Flynn goal, courtesy of Daniel Carr and Sven Andrighetto. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Tomas Plekanec. Montreal extended the lead as Artturi Lehkonen scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Phillip Danault and Andrew Shaw. Semyon Varlamov replaced Pickard in goal. The Canadiens padded the lead with another Pacioretty goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, via Andrei Markov and Plekanec. Montreal kept going with a Paul Byron goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry. The Canadiens continued on a Flynn goal, his second of the game, made possible by Andrighetto and Zach Redmond. Colorado got on the board with a Blake Comeau goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nikita Zadorov and Nathan MacKinnon. Montreal struck again in the second period on an Alexander Radulov, his sixth of the year, fueled by Pacioretty and Plekanec, the latter earning a sock trick. The Canadiens got another one with a Pacioretty goal to complete his hat trick on his tenth of the season, helped along by Radulov and Plekanec. Montreal continued with a Petry power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Markov and Shaw. The Canadiens finished it at 10-1 in the third period with a Pacioretty goal, his fourth of the game and twelfth of the campaign, dished from Torrey Mitchell and Redmond. The three stars were awarded to Pacioretty, Plekanec, and Flynn, while Radulov, Petry, Shaw, Redmond, Markov, and Andrighetto get the honorable mentions.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the young goalies. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Brian Dumoulin and Kris Letang. Tampa Bay tied it on a Jonathan Drouin goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning took the lead on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Nikita Nesterov in the second period. Tampa Bay added on with another Drouin goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, helped along by Jason Garrison and Vladislav Namestnikov. The Penguins got one back with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Phil Kessel and Letang. Pittsburgh tied it with another Crosby goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, with assists from Kessel and Letang, the latter earning a sock trick, in the third period. The Penguins took the lead on a Malkin power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, with helpers from Trevor Daley and Kessel, the latter earning a sock trick. This made it a 4-3 win for them, with the three stars going to Malkin, Crosby, and Kessel, while Letang gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom faces his former team, as does his counterpart, Roberto Luongo. Florida began in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Seth Griffith. The Panthers added on with a Derek MacKenzie goal, his third of the year, via Paul Thompson and Colton Sceviour in the second period. Florida extended the lead in the third period as Aaron Ekblad scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Jaromir Jagr and Barkov. Vancouver got on the board with a Jack Skille goal, his third of the year, assisted by Michael Chaput. The Canucks got closer with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Troy Stecher and Henrik Sedin. The Panthers iced it at 4-2 with a Vincent Trocheck empty net goal, his seventh of the year, set up by MacKenzie and Mark Pysyk. The three stars went to MacKenzie, Barkov, and Luongo (37 for 39 in saves).

Back north, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Sergei Bobrovsky protect the nets. New York struck first in the first period with a Josh Bailey goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. Columbus tied it with a Jack Johnson power play goal, powered by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets took the lead with an Atkinson goal in the second period his tenth of the year, via Johnson and David Savard. The Islanders retied it with a John Tavares goal, his ninth of the season, helped along by Anders Lee and Travis Hamonic. Columbus retook the lead with an unassisted Josh Anderson goal in the third period, his eighth of the year. The Blue Jackets added on with a Brandon Saad goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Oliver Bjorkstrand and Markus Nutivaara. Columbus extended the lead as Lukas Sedlak scored his second of the year, thanks to Seth Jones and Matt Calvert. The Blue Jackets finished it at 6-2 with a Jones goal, his fourth of the campaign, fueled by William Karlsson and Scott Hartnell. The three stars belonged to Atkinson, Johnson, and Jones.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Coyotes welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Mike Smith are the experienced goalies. Arizona cracked the scoresheet in the first period with an Alex Goligoski goal, via Lawson Crouse and Jordan Martinook. The Coyotes added on with a Laurent Dauphin goal, his second of the season, made possible by Tyler Gaudet and Ryan White. Nashville got one back with a Roman Josi goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Johansen. Arizona replied with a Brendan Perlini goal, assisted by Shane Doan and Jakub Chychrun in the second period. Arizona extended the lead in the third period as Martin Hanzal scored his sixth of the campaign, thanks to Radim Vrbata and Goligoski. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Smith (44 for 45 in saves), Goligoski, and Perlini.

Up in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Chad Johnson are in the blue paint. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Dougie Hamilton goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund. The Flames added on in the second period with a Sam Bennett goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Johnny Gaudreau and Dennis Wideman. Calgary extended the lead as Hamilton scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Tkachuk and Backlund. The Flames padded the lead on a Backlund power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Tkachuk, who earned a sock trick, and Hamilton. Connor Hellebuyck replaced Hutchinson for the third period. Calgary continued in the third period as Lance Bouma scored, with the help of Garnet Hathaway and Matt Stajan. Winnipeg got on the board with a Nikolaj Ehlers power play goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Bryan Little. The Flames replied with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Gaudreau and Mark Giordano. The Jets countered with a Jacob Trouba goal, helped along by Josh Morrissey and Mark Scheifele. The game ended at 6-2, with the three stars awarded to Hamilton, Backlund, and Tkachuk, while Gaudreau gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Aaron Dell receive the starting nods in goal. San Jose drew first blood in the first period with a Patrick Marleau goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Joe Thornton and Justin Braun. Carolina tied it on a Lee Stempniak power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Teuvo Teravainen and Jaccob Slavin. The Sharks took the lead back with a Paul Martin goal, via Mikkel Boedker and Melker Karlsson. The Hurricanes retied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Andrej Nestrasil, his second of the season, set up by Victor Rask. San Jose regained the lead on a Logan Couture goal, his eleventh of the year, helped along by Brent Burns and Joel Ward. The Sharks extended the lead as Kevin Labanc scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Dylan DeMelo and Thornton. Carolina got one back in the third period with a Derek Ryan power play goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers provided by Jeff Skinner and Rask. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Thornton, Rask, and Labanc.

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MLS Cup 2016 - Toronto FC VS. Seattle Sounders FC

It's the championship game for MLS action, with the winner taking all tonight. In goal are Clint Irwin for Toronto and Stefan Frei for Seattle. Seattle's Chad Marshall had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. The Sounders' Joevin Jones took a yellow card for his seventy-second minute foul. In second half stoppage time, Michael Bradley of Toronto received a yellow card for his foul. The game went through extra time with no score, leading to a penalty shootout. Here, the Sounders prevailed as Roman Torres provided the difference-maker, with other Sounders tallies coming from Brad Evans, Andreas Ivanschitz, Joevin Jones, and Nicolas Lodeiro, which topped the four goals by Jozy Altidore, Benoit Cheyrou, Will Johnson, and Drew Moor. The MVP was Frei, who had a seven-save clean sheet on the night as the Sounders took the championship in a 1-0 win.

As I like to do at the end of each season I cover, I'll provide a status update on where my career is going. I have nearly completed my degree in sports journalism at this time, and as such, 2017 is likely to be a year of changes for myself and my blogging output. I hope to get a job working in some sort of sports journalism or for a particular team in one of the sports I'm familiar with. Should this happen, I will drop whichever league I'm coming from this blog with the purpose of maintaining a situation where there is no conflict of interest. That being said, I have no intentions of shuttering this site as a whole no matter where I end up working. This will be where I got started in my career, and I will keep it going as long as I possibly can, until I'm working in a full-time, year-round position that will demand the attention I usually pay to this. However, I do not see this being the case next year. As always, I hope you enjoyed my MLS coverage this season, and I'll be back for next year's games when they begin in March. Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

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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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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