It's playoff time in 2017, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup begins. This series features Central Division rivals, the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues.
Game 1: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Jake Allen for the Blues and Devan Dubnyk for the Wild. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, passed from Alexander Steen. Minnesota tied it on a Zach Parise goal in the third period, guided in by Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund. The Blues won 2-1 in overtime with an unassisted Joel Edmundson goal. The three stars belonged to Allen (51 for 52 in saves), Edmundson, and Sobotka. The Blues take a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Jake Allen for the Blues and Devan Dubnyk for the Wild. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Joel Edmundson goal, his second of the postseason, via Patrik Berglund and Magnus Paajarvi. Minnesota tied it on a power play goal by Zach Parise, his second of the playoffs, helped along by Eric Staal and Ryan Suter. The Blues took the lead in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Kyle Brodziak. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Allen (23 for 24 in saves), Schwartz, and Edmundson. The Blues head home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Devan Dubnyk for the Wild and Jake Allen for the Blues. St. Louis opened in the first period with a Colton Parayko goal, via Patrik Berglund and David Perron. Minnesota tied it in the second period with a Charlie Coyle goal, coming off of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Blues took the lead back with a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Alexander Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko. St. Louis iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Steen in the third period, set up by Berglund and Vladimir Sobotka. The three stars were Allen (40 for 41 in saves), Steen, and Berglund. The Blues have a 3-0 series lead.
Game 4: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Devan Dubnyk for the Wild and Jake Allen for the Blues. Minnesota started in the first period with a Charlie Coyle goal, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Wild added on with a Martin Hanzal goal, passed from Jason Pominville and Nate Prosser in the second period. The game ended at 2-0, with the three stars handed to Dubnyk (28 save shutout), Coyle, and Hanzal. The Wild have staved off elimination for now, standing at a 3-1 deficit as they head home.
Game 5: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Jake Allen for the Blues and Devan Dubnyk for the Wild. St. Louis struck first in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, via Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on with an Alexander Steen goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Colton Parayko. Minnesota got on the board with a Ryan Suter power play goal, powered by Jared Spurgeon. St. Louis replied with a Paul Stastny goal, assisted by Schwartz and Jori Lehtera in the third period. The Wild got one back with a Mikko Koivu power play goal, with assists provided by Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. Minnesota tied it on a Jason Zucker goal, coming off of Erik Haula and Jonas Brodin. The Blues won 4-3 in overtime on a Magnus Paajarvi goal, helped along by Vladimir Sobotka and Lehtera. The three stars were Schwartz, Paajarvi, and Lehtera. The Blues won the series 4-1.
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Saturday, April 22, 2017
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Central Division Playoffs: 1) Chicago Blackhawks VS. 4) Nashville Predators
It's playoff time in 2017, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup begins. This series features Central Division rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators.
Game 1: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks. Nashville opened in the first period with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, passed from Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. This held up all game for a 1-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Rinne (29 save shutout), Arvidsson, and Crawford (19 for 20 in saves). The Predators take a 1-0 series lead early on.
Game 2: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks. Nashville started in the first period with a Ryan Ellis goal, made possible by Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi. The Predators added on in the second period with a Harry Zolnierczyk goal, coming off of Mattias Ekholm and the goalie Rinne. Nashville extended the lead as Colton Sissons scored, thanks to Pontus Aberg and Craig Smith. The Predators padded the lead in the third period on a Johansen goal, via Filip Forsberg and the goalie Rinne. Nashville iced it at 5-0 with a Kevin Fiala power play goal, powered by Johansen and P.K. Subban. The three stars were Rinne (30 save shutout), Johansen, and Ellis. The Predators head home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Chicago got going in the second period with a Dennis Rasmussen goal, assisted by Marcus Kruger and Richard Panik. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane power play goal, powered by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Nashville got on the board in the third period with a Filip Forsberg goal, made possible by Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators tied it on another Forsberg goal, helped along by Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime with a Kevin Fiala goal, his second of the playoffs, via James Neal and Calle Jarnkrok. The three stars were Forsberg, Fiala, and Rinne (34 for 36 in saves). The Predators have a 3-0 series lead, pushing the Blackhawks to the brink of elimination.
Game 4: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Roman Josi goal, passed from Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. The Predators added on with a Colton Sissons goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Viktor Arvidsson and Ellis in the third period. Nashville extended the lead as Josi scored again, thanks to Sissons and Austin Watson. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, powered by Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with an Arvidsson empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban. The three stars were awarded to Josi, Sissons, and Rinne (30 for 31 in saves), while Ellis and Arvidsson get the honorable mentions. The Predators won the series in a 4-0 sweep, advancing to the Central Division Finals.
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Game 1: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks. Nashville opened in the first period with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, passed from Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. This held up all game for a 1-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Rinne (29 save shutout), Arvidsson, and Crawford (19 for 20 in saves). The Predators take a 1-0 series lead early on.
Game 2: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks. Nashville started in the first period with a Ryan Ellis goal, made possible by Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi. The Predators added on in the second period with a Harry Zolnierczyk goal, coming off of Mattias Ekholm and the goalie Rinne. Nashville extended the lead as Colton Sissons scored, thanks to Pontus Aberg and Craig Smith. The Predators padded the lead in the third period on a Johansen goal, via Filip Forsberg and the goalie Rinne. Nashville iced it at 5-0 with a Kevin Fiala power play goal, powered by Johansen and P.K. Subban. The three stars were Rinne (30 save shutout), Johansen, and Ellis. The Predators head home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Chicago got going in the second period with a Dennis Rasmussen goal, assisted by Marcus Kruger and Richard Panik. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane power play goal, powered by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Nashville got on the board in the third period with a Filip Forsberg goal, made possible by Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators tied it on another Forsberg goal, helped along by Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime with a Kevin Fiala goal, his second of the playoffs, via James Neal and Calle Jarnkrok. The three stars were Forsberg, Fiala, and Rinne (34 for 36 in saves). The Predators have a 3-0 series lead, pushing the Blackhawks to the brink of elimination.
Game 4: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Roman Josi goal, passed from Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. The Predators added on with a Colton Sissons goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Viktor Arvidsson and Ellis in the third period. Nashville extended the lead as Josi scored again, thanks to Sissons and Austin Watson. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, powered by Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with an Arvidsson empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban. The three stars were awarded to Josi, Sissons, and Rinne (30 for 31 in saves), while Ellis and Arvidsson get the honorable mentions. The Predators won the series in a 4-0 sweep, advancing to the Central Division Finals.
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Metropolitan Division Playoffs: 2) Pittsburgh Penguins VS. 3) Columbus Blue Jackets
It's playoff time in 2017, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup begins. This series features Metropolitan Division rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Game 1: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Bryan Rust goal, coming off of Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Kessel power play goal, powered by Justin Schultz and Malkin. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Nick Bonino scored, thanks to Patric Hornqvist and Olli Maatta. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Matt Calvert goal, with a lone assist from Josh Anderson. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Kessel, Malkin, and Fleury (31 for 32 in saves). The Penguins hold a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, via Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary. Columbus tied it in the second period on a Brandon Saad goal, assisted by Alexander Wennberg and Seth Jones. The Penguins retook the lead with a Guentzel goal, coming off of Crosby and Ian Cole. Pittsburgh added on in the third period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, passed from Crosby and Cole. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Patric Hornqvist empty net goal, set up by Matt Cullen and Tom Kuhnhackl. The three stars were Crosby, Fleury (39 for 40 in saves), and Guentzel, while Cole gets an honorable mention. The Penguins take a 2-0 series lead west with them.
Game 3: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Sergei Bobrovsky for the Blue Jackets. Columbus began in the first period with a Cam Atkinson goal, assisted by Brandon Dubinsky and Nick Foligno. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Ron Hainsey and Sidney Crosby. The Blue Jackets retook the lead with another Atkinson goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. Columbus added on with a Zach Werenski power play goal, powered by Sam Gagner and Foligno. The Penguins pulled back with a Bryan Rust goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Brian Dumoulin and Evgeni Malkin in the second period. Pittsburgh tied it on an unassisted Malkin goal, his second of the postseason. The Penguins took the lead with Guentzel's second of the game and third of the playoffs in the third period, helped along by Malkin and Phil Kessel on the power play. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Dubinsky goal, guided in by Jack Johnson and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Pittsburgh won 5-4 in overtime with a Guentzel goal, completing his hat trick with his fourth of the postseason, fueled by Crosby. The three stars were Guentzel, Malkin, and Crosby, while Atkinson, Dubinsky, and Foligno get the honorable mentions. The Penguins have a stranglehold on the series at 3-0.
Game 4: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Sergei Bobrovsky for the Blue Jackets. Columbus started in the first period with a Jack Johnson goal, with a lone assist by David Savard. The Blue Jackets added on with a Josh Anderson goal, via William Karlsson and Kyle Quincey. Columbus extended the lead as Markus Nutivaara scored in the second period, thanks to Boone Jenner and Brandon Saad. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Justin Schultz and Phil Kessel. The Penguins replied with a Ron Hainsey goal, assisted by Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. The Blue Jackets shot back with a Karlsson goal in the third period, coming off of Matt Calvert. Pittsburgh chipped back with a Tom Kuhnhackl goal, passed from Matt Cullen and Ian Cole. Columbus answered on a Jenner goal, made possible by Saad and Nutivaara. The Penguins shot back with a Jake Guentzel shorthanded goal, his fifth of the playoffs, set up by Kessel, who got a sock trick, and Malkin. The final stayed at 5-4, with the three stars going to Jenner, Nutivaara, and Karlsson, while Saad, Kessel, and Malkin get the honorable mentions. The Blue Jackets stayed alive, but the Penguins still have a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Justin Schultz and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Bryan Rust goal, his third of the playoffs, via Kessel and Malkin. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Rust scored his second of the game and fourth of the postseason, with a lone assist by Ron Hainsey. Columbus got on the board with a William Karlsson goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Sam Gagner. The Blue Jackets got closer with a Boone Jenner power play goal, his second of the postseason, with assists provided by Seth Jones and Cam Atkinson. The Penguins replied with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Malkin, who got a sock trick, and Kessel. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with a Scott Wilson goal, passed from Trevor Daley and Conor Sheary. The three stars were Rust, Malkin, and Fleury (49 for 51 in saves), while Kessel gets an honorable mention. The Penguins advance with a 4-1 series win, heading to the Metropolitan Division Finals.
Game 1: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Bryan Rust goal, coming off of Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Kessel power play goal, powered by Justin Schultz and Malkin. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Nick Bonino scored, thanks to Patric Hornqvist and Olli Maatta. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Matt Calvert goal, with a lone assist from Josh Anderson. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Kessel, Malkin, and Fleury (31 for 32 in saves). The Penguins hold a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, via Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary. Columbus tied it in the second period on a Brandon Saad goal, assisted by Alexander Wennberg and Seth Jones. The Penguins retook the lead with a Guentzel goal, coming off of Crosby and Ian Cole. Pittsburgh added on in the third period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, passed from Crosby and Cole. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Patric Hornqvist empty net goal, set up by Matt Cullen and Tom Kuhnhackl. The three stars were Crosby, Fleury (39 for 40 in saves), and Guentzel, while Cole gets an honorable mention. The Penguins take a 2-0 series lead west with them.
Game 3: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Sergei Bobrovsky for the Blue Jackets. Columbus began in the first period with a Cam Atkinson goal, assisted by Brandon Dubinsky and Nick Foligno. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Ron Hainsey and Sidney Crosby. The Blue Jackets retook the lead with another Atkinson goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. Columbus added on with a Zach Werenski power play goal, powered by Sam Gagner and Foligno. The Penguins pulled back with a Bryan Rust goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Brian Dumoulin and Evgeni Malkin in the second period. Pittsburgh tied it on an unassisted Malkin goal, his second of the postseason. The Penguins took the lead with Guentzel's second of the game and third of the playoffs in the third period, helped along by Malkin and Phil Kessel on the power play. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Dubinsky goal, guided in by Jack Johnson and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Pittsburgh won 5-4 in overtime with a Guentzel goal, completing his hat trick with his fourth of the postseason, fueled by Crosby. The three stars were Guentzel, Malkin, and Crosby, while Atkinson, Dubinsky, and Foligno get the honorable mentions. The Penguins have a stranglehold on the series at 3-0.
Game 4: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Sergei Bobrovsky for the Blue Jackets. Columbus started in the first period with a Jack Johnson goal, with a lone assist by David Savard. The Blue Jackets added on with a Josh Anderson goal, via William Karlsson and Kyle Quincey. Columbus extended the lead as Markus Nutivaara scored in the second period, thanks to Boone Jenner and Brandon Saad. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Justin Schultz and Phil Kessel. The Penguins replied with a Ron Hainsey goal, assisted by Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. The Blue Jackets shot back with a Karlsson goal in the third period, coming off of Matt Calvert. Pittsburgh chipped back with a Tom Kuhnhackl goal, passed from Matt Cullen and Ian Cole. Columbus answered on a Jenner goal, made possible by Saad and Nutivaara. The Penguins shot back with a Jake Guentzel shorthanded goal, his fifth of the playoffs, set up by Kessel, who got a sock trick, and Malkin. The final stayed at 5-4, with the three stars going to Jenner, Nutivaara, and Karlsson, while Saad, Kessel, and Malkin get the honorable mentions. The Blue Jackets stayed alive, but the Penguins still have a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Justin Schultz and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Bryan Rust goal, his third of the playoffs, via Kessel and Malkin. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Rust scored his second of the game and fourth of the postseason, with a lone assist by Ron Hainsey. Columbus got on the board with a William Karlsson goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Sam Gagner. The Blue Jackets got closer with a Boone Jenner power play goal, his second of the postseason, with assists provided by Seth Jones and Cam Atkinson. The Penguins replied with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Malkin, who got a sock trick, and Kessel. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with a Scott Wilson goal, passed from Trevor Daley and Conor Sheary. The three stars were Rust, Malkin, and Fleury (49 for 51 in saves), while Kessel gets an honorable mention. The Penguins advance with a 4-1 series win, heading to the Metropolitan Division Finals.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Pacific Division Playoffs: 1) Anaheim Ducks VS. 4) Calgary Flames
It's playoff time in 2017, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup begins. This series features the Pacific Division champion Anaheim Ducks against the Calgary Flames.
Game 1: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Brian Elliott for the Flames and John Gibson for the Ducks. Anaheim started in the first period with a Ryan Getzlaf power play goal, powered by Jakob Silfverberg and Shea Theodore. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan power play goal, helped along by Kris Versteeg and T.J. Brodie. The Flames took the lead in the second period with a Sam Bennett goal, via Versteeg and Dougie Hamilton. The Ducks retied it on a Rickard Rakell goal, made possible by Getzlaf and Kevin Bieksa. Anaheim retook the lead with a Silfverberg power play goal, guided in by Patrick Eaves and Theodore. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars going to Getzlaf, Silfverberg, and Theodore, while Versteeg gets an honorable mention. The Ducks lead the series 1-0.
Game 2: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Brian Elliott for the Flames and John Gibson for the Ducks. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Brandon Montour and Shea Theodore. The Ducks added on with a Rickard Rakell goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf and Kevin Bieksa. Calgary got on the board with a shorthanded Mikael Backlund goal, set up by Michael Frolik. The Flames tied it in the second period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie. Anaheim regained the lead in the third period with a Getzlaf power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Getzlaf, Rakell, and Silfverberg. The Ducks leave home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Brian Elliott for the Flames. Calgary led off in the first period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Troy Brouwer and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames added on with a Kris Versteeg power play goal, with assists provided by Monahan and T.J. Brodie. Anaheim got on the board with a Nick Ritchie goal, made possible by Antoine Vermette and Hampus Lindholm. Calgary replied in the second period with a Michael Stone goal, guided in by Brodie and Mikael Backlund. The Flames extended the lead as Sam Bennett scored a power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with the help of Mark Giordano and Backlund. The Ducks got one back with a Shea Theodore goal, helped along by Rickard Rakell and Kevin Bieksa. Anaheim pulled closer with a Nate Thompson goal in the third period, fueled by Lindholm and Corey Perry. The Ducks tied it on a Theodore goal, his second of the game, coming off of Bieksa and Thompson. Anaheim completed the comeback with a Perry goal in overtime, with helpers from Rakell and Thompson for the 5-4 win. The three stars were handed to Perry, Theodore, and Thompson, while Rakell, Lindholm, Bieksa, Monahan, Backlund, and Brodie receive the honorable mentions. The Ducks are ahead 3-0 in the series, giving them up to four chances to advance.
Game 4: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Brian Elliott for the Flames. Anaheim began in the first period with an unassisted Patrick Eaves goal. Chad Johnson replaced Elliott in goal. The Ducks added on with a Nate Thompson goal, his second of the postseason, via Rickard Rakell and Corey Perry. Calgary got on the board in the second period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, powered by Kris Versteeg and Troy Brouwer. Anaheim iced it at 3-1 with a Ryan Getzlaf empty net goal, his third of the postseason, going in unassisted in the third period. The three stars were Gibson (36 for 37 in saves), Thompson, and Eaves. The Ducks swept the series 4-0, and they are the first team to advance to the Division Finals.
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Game 1: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Brian Elliott for the Flames and John Gibson for the Ducks. Anaheim started in the first period with a Ryan Getzlaf power play goal, powered by Jakob Silfverberg and Shea Theodore. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan power play goal, helped along by Kris Versteeg and T.J. Brodie. The Flames took the lead in the second period with a Sam Bennett goal, via Versteeg and Dougie Hamilton. The Ducks retied it on a Rickard Rakell goal, made possible by Getzlaf and Kevin Bieksa. Anaheim retook the lead with a Silfverberg power play goal, guided in by Patrick Eaves and Theodore. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars going to Getzlaf, Silfverberg, and Theodore, while Versteeg gets an honorable mention. The Ducks lead the series 1-0.
Game 2: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Brian Elliott for the Flames and John Gibson for the Ducks. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Brandon Montour and Shea Theodore. The Ducks added on with a Rickard Rakell goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf and Kevin Bieksa. Calgary got on the board with a shorthanded Mikael Backlund goal, set up by Michael Frolik. The Flames tied it in the second period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie. Anaheim regained the lead in the third period with a Getzlaf power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Getzlaf, Rakell, and Silfverberg. The Ducks leave home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Brian Elliott for the Flames. Calgary led off in the first period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Troy Brouwer and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames added on with a Kris Versteeg power play goal, with assists provided by Monahan and T.J. Brodie. Anaheim got on the board with a Nick Ritchie goal, made possible by Antoine Vermette and Hampus Lindholm. Calgary replied in the second period with a Michael Stone goal, guided in by Brodie and Mikael Backlund. The Flames extended the lead as Sam Bennett scored a power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with the help of Mark Giordano and Backlund. The Ducks got one back with a Shea Theodore goal, helped along by Rickard Rakell and Kevin Bieksa. Anaheim pulled closer with a Nate Thompson goal in the third period, fueled by Lindholm and Corey Perry. The Ducks tied it on a Theodore goal, his second of the game, coming off of Bieksa and Thompson. Anaheim completed the comeback with a Perry goal in overtime, with helpers from Rakell and Thompson for the 5-4 win. The three stars were handed to Perry, Theodore, and Thompson, while Rakell, Lindholm, Bieksa, Monahan, Backlund, and Brodie receive the honorable mentions. The Ducks are ahead 3-0 in the series, giving them up to four chances to advance.
Game 4: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Brian Elliott for the Flames. Anaheim began in the first period with an unassisted Patrick Eaves goal. Chad Johnson replaced Elliott in goal. The Ducks added on with a Nate Thompson goal, his second of the postseason, via Rickard Rakell and Corey Perry. Calgary got on the board in the second period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, powered by Kris Versteeg and Troy Brouwer. Anaheim iced it at 3-1 with a Ryan Getzlaf empty net goal, his third of the postseason, going in unassisted in the third period. The three stars were Gibson (36 for 37 in saves), Thompson, and Eaves. The Ducks swept the series 4-0, and they are the first team to advance to the Division Finals.
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MLS Midweek: April 19, 2017
Just one game for the first midweek session of the year, as the New England Revolution host the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Cody Cropper are in goal. San Jose's Anibal Godoy took a yellow card for a twenty-seventh minute foul. The Earthquakes had a yellow card for Bingham's time wasting in the eighty-fifth minute. The final held at 0-0, with the man of the match being Bingham for his five-save clean sheet.
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Sunday, April 16, 2017
NWSL 2017: Week 1
We're back for our second season of NWSL coverage, but there will be changes this year. Due to the change of streaming service by the league going from YouTube to Go90, I will be aligning my coverage of the NWSL with how I do MLS and NHL coverage. I apologize to those who enjoyed the play-by-play style of last year, but I will not be able to do it with just a phone. Instead, the condensed style will focus on goals and disciplinary action, although my viewing of the games will provide insight as I name the players of the match and potentially a team of the week. Without further delay...
The Houston Dash open the season by hosting the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Lydia Williams are the keepers. Houston began in the fifteenth minute with a Kealia Ohai goal, assisted by Amber Brooks on a long pass. Chicago's Alyssa Mautz took a yellow card for a twenty-ninth minute foul. The Dash's Bruna took a yellow card for a fifty-sixth minute foul. Houston added on in the eightieth minute with a Rachel Daly goal, set up by Ohai. The final stood at 2-0, with Ohai being the woman of the match with her goal and assist.
Up in Portland, the Thorns FC welcome the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Adrianna Franch are in the six-yard boxes. Portland led off in the thirty-second minute with a Nadia Nadim penalty kick goal, after Alanna Kennedy of Orlando committed a handball in the box. The Thorns added on in the sixty-seventh minute with a Christine Sinclair goal, via Allie Long. This stood for a 2-0 win, with Long the woman of the match with her defensive play and distribution from the back.
Back east, the Washington Spirit host the North Carolina Courage. Sabrina D'Angelo and Stephanie Labbe protect the nets. North Carolina opened in the eighteenth minute with a McCall Zerboni goal, coming off of Makenzy Doniak. In the twenty-eighth minute, Washington's Kristie Mewis received a yellow card for a foul. In the seventieth minute, Zerboni took a yellow card for the Courage for a foul. The Spirit's Shelina Zadorsky took a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. The game ended at 1-0, with Zerboni named woman of the match for her goal.
Saturday's games end with the Seattle Reign FC bringing in Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Haley Kopmeyer are between the posts. Seattle got going in the fifty-sixth minute with a Megan Rapinoe penalty kick goal after being fouled by Sky Blue's Erica Skroski. In the sixty-second minute, Merritt Mathias of the Reign took a yellow card for her foul in the box on Kelley O'Hara, and Sky Blue's Sarah Killion converted the penalty kick to tie the game. The final stood at 1-1, with Kopmeyer the woman of the match for her eight saves on nine shots on target.
Finally, FC Kansas City hosts the Boston Breakers. Abby Smith and Nicole Barnhart are the keepers. Kansas City started in the seventh minute with a Sydney Leroux goal, courtesy of Becky Sauerbrunn. Boston's Allysha Chapman took a yellow card for a thirty-seventh minute foul. Kansas City added on in the forty-eighth minute with an Amy Rodriguez goal, via Shea Groom. Rosie White of the Breakers had a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. The game ended at 2-0, with the woman of the match being Sauerbrunn.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0. I will try to do better with being prepared and organized for the league next week.
The Houston Dash open the season by hosting the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Lydia Williams are the keepers. Houston began in the fifteenth minute with a Kealia Ohai goal, assisted by Amber Brooks on a long pass. Chicago's Alyssa Mautz took a yellow card for a twenty-ninth minute foul. The Dash's Bruna took a yellow card for a fifty-sixth minute foul. Houston added on in the eightieth minute with a Rachel Daly goal, set up by Ohai. The final stood at 2-0, with Ohai being the woman of the match with her goal and assist.
Up in Portland, the Thorns FC welcome the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Adrianna Franch are in the six-yard boxes. Portland led off in the thirty-second minute with a Nadia Nadim penalty kick goal, after Alanna Kennedy of Orlando committed a handball in the box. The Thorns added on in the sixty-seventh minute with a Christine Sinclair goal, via Allie Long. This stood for a 2-0 win, with Long the woman of the match with her defensive play and distribution from the back.
Back east, the Washington Spirit host the North Carolina Courage. Sabrina D'Angelo and Stephanie Labbe protect the nets. North Carolina opened in the eighteenth minute with a McCall Zerboni goal, coming off of Makenzy Doniak. In the twenty-eighth minute, Washington's Kristie Mewis received a yellow card for a foul. In the seventieth minute, Zerboni took a yellow card for the Courage for a foul. The Spirit's Shelina Zadorsky took a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. The game ended at 1-0, with Zerboni named woman of the match for her goal.
Saturday's games end with the Seattle Reign FC bringing in Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Haley Kopmeyer are between the posts. Seattle got going in the fifty-sixth minute with a Megan Rapinoe penalty kick goal after being fouled by Sky Blue's Erica Skroski. In the sixty-second minute, Merritt Mathias of the Reign took a yellow card for her foul in the box on Kelley O'Hara, and Sky Blue's Sarah Killion converted the penalty kick to tie the game. The final stood at 1-1, with Kopmeyer the woman of the match for her eight saves on nine shots on target.
Finally, FC Kansas City hosts the Boston Breakers. Abby Smith and Nicole Barnhart are the keepers. Kansas City started in the seventh minute with a Sydney Leroux goal, courtesy of Becky Sauerbrunn. Boston's Allysha Chapman took a yellow card for a thirty-seventh minute foul. Kansas City added on in the forty-eighth minute with an Amy Rodriguez goal, via Shea Groom. Rosie White of the Breakers had a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. The game ended at 2-0, with the woman of the match being Sauerbrunn.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0. I will try to do better with being prepared and organized for the league next week.
2017 Gagarin Cup Finals - Metallurg Magnitogorsk VS. SKA St. Petersburg
This is it for the 2016/17 KHL season, with four to seven games to determine this year's champion.
Game 1: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Shestyorkin of SKA and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov power play goal, powered by Patrik Hersley and Anton Belov. Magnitogorsk tied it on an Evgeny Timkin goal in the second period, passed from Sergei Tereshchenko and Yaroslav Kosov. Metallurg took the lead with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, going in unassisted. SKA retied it on an Evgeny Dadonov goal, made possible by Nikita Gusev. St. Petersburg took the lead with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, via Hersley and Alexander Barabanov. Magnitogorsk tied it again with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, with assists provided by Chris Lee and Mozyakin. SKA took the lead with a Hersley power play goal in the third period, guided in by Vadim Shipachyov and Gusev. St. Petersburg added on with an unassisted Dadonov goal. Metallurg got one back with a Tomas Filippi goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Hersley, Dadonov, and Mozyakin, while Gusev gets an honorable mention. SKA leads the series 1-0.
Game 2: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Shestyorkin of SKA and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Jan Kovar power play goal, powered by Chris Lee. St. Petersburg tied it on a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, with assists provided by Ilya Kovalchuk and Nikita Gusev. Metallurg took the lead back in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Vladislav Kaletnik, set up by Oskar Osala. Magnitogorsk iced it at 3-1 with a Tommi Santala empty net goal in the third period, via Evgeny Timkin and Evgeny Biryukov. The three stars were Koshechkin (43 for 44 in saves), Kaletnik, and Kovar. The series heads west tied at 1.
Game 3: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg and Mikko Koskinen of SKA. St. Petersburg got going in the second period with an Andrei Zubarev goal, via Artyom Zub and Sergei Shirokov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, assisted by Chris Lee and Vladislav Kaletnik. SKA won 2-1 in double overtime with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Nikita Gusev. The three stars went to Dadonov, Zubarev, and Koskinen (27 for 28 in saves). SKA leads the series 2-1.
Game 4: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg and Mikko Koskinen of SKA. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Viktor Antipin goal, assisted by Evgeny Biryukov and Sergei Mozyakin. St. Petersburg tied it in the second period on a Dinar Khafizullin goal, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Nikita Gusev. Metallurg retook the lead with an Oskar Osala goal, via Tommi Santala. SKA tied it in the third period with an Andrei Zubarev goal, guided in by Nikolai Prokhorkin and Gusev. St. Petersburg won with a Khafizullin goal, his second of the game, made possible by Patrik Hersley and Gusev on the power play. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Khafizullin, Gusev, and Zubarev. SKA heads back on the road with a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Mikko Koskinen of SKA and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. Magnitogorsk started in the first period with an Oskar Osala goal, via Tommi Santala and Yaroslav Khabarov. Metallurg added on with a Viktor Antipin goal, with a lone assist by Jan Kovar in the second period. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Nikita Gusev power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA tied it on an Alexander Barabanov goal, passed from Ilya Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg took the lead with a Dadonov goal, coming off of Shipachyov and Gusev. SKA extended the lead as Kovalchuk scored in the third period, thanks to Patrik Hersley. Magnitogorsk got one back with a Yaroslav Kosov going, going in unassisted. St. Petersburg iced it at 5-3 with a Sergei Plotnikov empty net goal, set up by Nikolai Prokhorkin. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Dadonov, and Gusev, while Shipachyov gets an honorable mention. SKA won the Gagarin Cup 4-1, but Metallurg's Koshechkin was the Playoff MVP.
With that, my time covering the KHL comes to a close. As I continue toward a professional career in sports, I must be more resourceful with my time, and covering the KHL, while quite the pleasure to a hockey fan like me, will not help me at this stage. I plan on continuing to follow the league from a distance, but there will be no more posts on this blog. I have enjoyed the four and a half years I spent learning about hockey outside of the NHL, but it's time to move on and I hope everyone can understand that decision. With that, I am still accessible on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
Game 1: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Shestyorkin of SKA and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov power play goal, powered by Patrik Hersley and Anton Belov. Magnitogorsk tied it on an Evgeny Timkin goal in the second period, passed from Sergei Tereshchenko and Yaroslav Kosov. Metallurg took the lead with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, going in unassisted. SKA retied it on an Evgeny Dadonov goal, made possible by Nikita Gusev. St. Petersburg took the lead with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, via Hersley and Alexander Barabanov. Magnitogorsk tied it again with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, with assists provided by Chris Lee and Mozyakin. SKA took the lead with a Hersley power play goal in the third period, guided in by Vadim Shipachyov and Gusev. St. Petersburg added on with an unassisted Dadonov goal. Metallurg got one back with a Tomas Filippi goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Hersley, Dadonov, and Mozyakin, while Gusev gets an honorable mention. SKA leads the series 1-0.
Game 2: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Shestyorkin of SKA and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Jan Kovar power play goal, powered by Chris Lee. St. Petersburg tied it on a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, with assists provided by Ilya Kovalchuk and Nikita Gusev. Metallurg took the lead back in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Vladislav Kaletnik, set up by Oskar Osala. Magnitogorsk iced it at 3-1 with a Tommi Santala empty net goal in the third period, via Evgeny Timkin and Evgeny Biryukov. The three stars were Koshechkin (43 for 44 in saves), Kaletnik, and Kovar. The series heads west tied at 1.
Game 3: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg and Mikko Koskinen of SKA. St. Petersburg got going in the second period with an Andrei Zubarev goal, via Artyom Zub and Sergei Shirokov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, assisted by Chris Lee and Vladislav Kaletnik. SKA won 2-1 in double overtime with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Nikita Gusev. The three stars went to Dadonov, Zubarev, and Koskinen (27 for 28 in saves). SKA leads the series 2-1.
Game 4: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg and Mikko Koskinen of SKA. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Viktor Antipin goal, assisted by Evgeny Biryukov and Sergei Mozyakin. St. Petersburg tied it in the second period on a Dinar Khafizullin goal, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Nikita Gusev. Metallurg retook the lead with an Oskar Osala goal, via Tommi Santala. SKA tied it in the third period with an Andrei Zubarev goal, guided in by Nikolai Prokhorkin and Gusev. St. Petersburg won with a Khafizullin goal, his second of the game, made possible by Patrik Hersley and Gusev on the power play. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Khafizullin, Gusev, and Zubarev. SKA heads back on the road with a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Mikko Koskinen of SKA and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. Magnitogorsk started in the first period with an Oskar Osala goal, via Tommi Santala and Yaroslav Khabarov. Metallurg added on with a Viktor Antipin goal, with a lone assist by Jan Kovar in the second period. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Nikita Gusev power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA tied it on an Alexander Barabanov goal, passed from Ilya Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg took the lead with a Dadonov goal, coming off of Shipachyov and Gusev. SKA extended the lead as Kovalchuk scored in the third period, thanks to Patrik Hersley. Magnitogorsk got one back with a Yaroslav Kosov going, going in unassisted. St. Petersburg iced it at 5-3 with a Sergei Plotnikov empty net goal, set up by Nikolai Prokhorkin. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Dadonov, and Gusev, while Shipachyov gets an honorable mention. SKA won the Gagarin Cup 4-1, but Metallurg's Koshechkin was the Playoff MVP.
With that, my time covering the KHL comes to a close. As I continue toward a professional career in sports, I must be more resourceful with my time, and covering the KHL, while quite the pleasure to a hockey fan like me, will not help me at this stage. I plan on continuing to follow the league from a distance, but there will be no more posts on this blog. I have enjoyed the four and a half years I spent learning about hockey outside of the NHL, but it's time to move on and I hope everyone can understand that decision. With that, I am still accessible on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
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