NHL December 30th, 2014

Four games for the night, beginning with...

The Florida Panthers hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Roberto Luongo are in the blue paint. Montreal got going in the second period on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Lars Eller and Nathan Beaulieu. Florida tied it on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Aaron Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau. In the shootout, P.A. Parenteau's goal gave the Canadiens a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Tokarski (36 for 37 in saves), Luongo (33 for 34 in saves), and Parenteau.

Up to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Nashville started in the first period on a Shea Weber goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Olli Jokinen and Gabriel Bourque. St. Louis tied it with a Chris Butler goal in the second period, assisted by David Backes. The Blues took the lead as T.J. Oshie scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Backes and Alexander Steen. The Predators retied it on a Bourque goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jokinen and Paul Gaustad. Nashville took the lead in the third period on a Weber shorthanded goal, his eighth of the season, set up by Roman Josi. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Weber, Bourque, and Jokinen, while Backes gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces his former backup, Ben Scrivens, in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Matt Hendricks goal, his third of the season, via Derek Roy and Oscar Klefbom. The Oilers added on in the second period on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Taylor Hall. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period on a Drew Doughty goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Jeff Carter. The Kings tied it with a Jake Muzzin power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar. The Oilers won 3-2 with a shootout goal by David Perron. The three stars went to Nugent-Hopkins, Hendricks, and Scrivens (37 for 39 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller faces a lesser foe in Alex Stalock in goal. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Bo Horvat goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Derek Dorsett and Ryan Stanton. The Canucks added on in the second period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Alexander Edler and Brad Richardson. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Thornton goal, his ninth of the season, coming on a penalty shot. Vancouver replied with a Radim Vrbata goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. This held up for a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Hansen, Miller (31 for 32 in saves), and Vrbata.

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KHL December 30th, 2014

This is it for the Russian league until after New Year's. We begin the six-game slate in...

Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Nikita Bespalov. Novosibirsk started in the first period on a Dmitry Kugryshev power play goal, powered by Jonas Enlund and Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir added on with a David Ullstrom goal, via Enlund and Dmitry Monya. Novosibirsk extended the lead as Kugryshev scored, thanks to Koskiranta and Enlund on the power play, the latter getting a sock trick. Sibir padded the lead with a Maxim Ignatovich goal, courtesy of Sergei Gimayev and Oleg Gubin. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period with a Mikhail Fisenko goal, passed from Vladimir Loginov. Novosibirsk replied on a Kugryshev power play goal to complete his hat trick, made possible by Koskiranta, who got a sock trick, and Enlund. Sibir struck again with another Ignatovich goal, with assists provided by Monya and Ivan Vereshchagin. Amur got one back on an Evgeny Orlov goal, with a lone helper from Grigory Shafigulin. This made it 6-2, the final, with Kugryshev, Enlund, and Ignatovich getting the three stars while Koskiranta and Monya get the honorable mentions.

Over to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Nikita Lozhkin are set to start in goal. Vladivostok began in the first period with a Vladislav Ushenin goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Ushenin. Admiral added on with a Jan Kolar goal, passed from Alexander Kuznetsov and Alexander Goroshansky. Rafael Khakimov relieved Lozhkin at this time. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a Nikita Kamalov goal, guided in by Ansel Galimov. Vladivostok replied in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Shaun Heshka. Admiral extended the lead on a Richard Gynge empty net goal in the third period, set up by Vladislav Ushenin and Niclas Bergfors. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Vladislav Ushenin, Proskuryakov (24 for 25 in saves), and Kolar.

Southwest to Astana, as Barys brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Pavel Poluektov are in the blue paint. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, assisted by Francis Pare. Astana tied it with a Nigel Dawes goal, fueled by Mike Lundin and Dustin Boyd. Traktor took the lead back in the second period on an Andrei Popov power play goal, powered by Vitaly Atyushov and Maxim Kondratyev. Barys tied it again as Roman Starchenko scored, thanks to Nikolai Antropov and Nikita Mikhailis. Astana took the lead in the third period on another Starchenko goal, guided in by Lundin. Barys iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Dawes, set up by Brandon Bochenski and Boyd. The three stars were handed to Starchenko, Dawes, and Lundin, while Boyd gets an honorable mention.

Up in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Emil Garipov are the underrated goalies. Kazan struck first in the first period on an Oscar Moller goal, coming off of Mikhail Varnakov and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars added on with an Azevedo goal, passed from Ilya Nikulin and Varnakov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the second period with an Alexander Korolyuk power play goal, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Ben Maxwell. Kazan shot back in the third period on an Igor Mirnov goal, via Alexander Burmistrov and Evgeny Medvedev. Yugra took one back on a Philip Larsen goal, made possible by Kaspar. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Azevedo, Varnakov, and Kaspar.

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Jakub Stepanek are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period with a Gennady Stolyarov power play goal, powered by Jarkko Immonen and Juuso Hietanen. Torpedo added on in the second period with a Hietanen goal, fueled by Evgeny Mozer and Nikita Filatov. Cherepovets got on the board in the third period as Maxim Trunyov scored an unassisted goal. Severstal tied it with a Pavel Chernov power play goal, assisted by Evgeny Mons and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. In the shootout, Immonen and Wojtek Wolski scored for Torpedo to top Severstal's lone tally by Marek Kvapil for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Hietanen, Immonen, and Stolyarov.

Finally, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Curtis Sanford are the veteran goalies. Sochi was first to score in the second period with a Cory Emmerton goal, with a lone assist by Max Warn. Yaroslavl tied it on an Andrei Loktionov goal, guided in by Staffan Kronwall and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv took the lead with a Sergei Plotnikov goal, going in unassisted. Yaroslavl added on with a power play goal by Kontiola, powered by Martin Thornberg and Loktionov. The Leopards got one back in the third period on an Andre Petersson power play goal, made possible by Andrei Kostitsyn and Igor Ignatushkin. Lokomotiv iced it at 4-2 on a Yegor Averin empty net goal, set up by Plotnikov. The three stars were Kontiola, Loktionov, and Plotnikov.

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NHL December 29th, 2014

Twelve games on tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Tuukka Rask protect the nets. Boston opened in the first period on a Reilly Smith goal, his ninth of the season, via Dougie Hamilton. Detroit tied it on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall. The Bruins took the lead back with a Gregory Campbell goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Torey Krug and Carl Soderberg. Boston added on with a Soderberg goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Loui Eriksson and Kevan Miller. The Red Wings got one back in the second period on a Tomas Tatar power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Danny DeKeyser and Stephen Weiss. The Bruins replied in the third period with a Seth Griffith power play goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by David Krejci. Boston finished it at 5-2 with a Chris Kelly empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Soderberg and Eriksson. The three stars were Soderberg, Eriksson, and Griffith.

Down to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Cam Ward are the experienced goalies. Montreal got going in the second period with a Jiri Sekac goal, his seventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens added on with a Lars Eller goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Dale Weise and Sergei Gonchar. Carolina got on the board in the third period as Eric Staal scored a power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jiri Tlusty and Jordan Staal. Montreal iced it at 3-1 on a Max Pacioretty empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Brandon Prust. The three stars were Price (28 for 29 in saves), Eller, and Sekac.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Pittsburgh began in the first period on a Sidney Crosby goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Chris Kunitz and Derrick Pouliot. New Jersey tied it in the second period on a Travis Zajac power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Dainius Zubrus and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils took the lead with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Jon Merrill. New Jersey wrapped it up at 3-1 with an Adam Henrique goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Zajac. The three stars belonged to Zajac, Schneider (27 for 28 in saves), and Jagr.

Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jaroslav Halak are between the pipes. New York struck first with an Anders Lee goal in the first period, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Thomas Hickey and Ryan Strome. The Islanders added on in the second period as Lubomir Visnovsky scored a power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Frans Nielsen and Mikhail Grabovski. New York extended the lead with a shorthanded goal by Calvin de Haan in the third period, set up by John Tavares and Nikolay Kulemin. Washington got on the board with an Eric Fehr goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Brooks Laich and Jack Hillen. The Capitals pulled closer on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Alex Ovechkin. Washington tied it on Ovechkin's seventeenth of the season, via Backstrom. The Islanders won 4-3 in overtime with an unassisted power play goal by Johnny Boychuk, his third of the year. The three stars belonged to Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Boychuk.

Into Canada, where the Ottawa Senators welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Craig Anderson draw the starts. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Mark Pysyk goal, via Chris Stewart. The Sabres gained the lead as Zemgus Girgensons scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Matt Moulson and Nikita Zadorov. The Senators retied it on a Ryan goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, fueled by Mike Hoffman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Ottawa took the lead in the third period on a Ryan goal, completing his hat trick on his tenth of the year, with the help of Karlsson. The Senators added on with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Chris Phillips and Mark Stone. Ottawa ended it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Colin Greening, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Ryan, Karlsson, and MacArthur.

Back stateside, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. Toronto started in the first period with a Mike Santorelli goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs added on with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period as Ryan Callahan scored a power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning tied it on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his seventh of the year, via Hedman and Callahan. Tampa Bay took the lead in the third period as Stamkos scored his twentieth of the season, thanks to Matthew Carle. This was good for a 3-2 win, and the three stars went to Stamkos, Callahan, and Hedman.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Martin Brodeur are set to start in goal. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his third of the season, via Paul Stastny. The Blues added on with a Chris Butler goal, guided in by T.J. Oshie and Stastny. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Brodeur (16 save shutout), Jaskin, and Stastny.

Into Canada again, where the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Michael Hutchinson are the young goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period on a Michael Frolik power play goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. The Jets added on in the second period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little on the power play. Minnesota got on the board with a Ryan Carter goal, his third of the season, assisted by Brett Sutter and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild tied it with a Justin Fontaine goal, his third of the year, helped along by Sutter and Brodziak. Minnesota gained the lead with a Marco Scandella goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Zach Parise and Jason Pominville. This was all they needed for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Scandella, Sutter, and Brodziak.

South to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford are the reliable goalies. Nashville began in the first period with a Roman Josi goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Paul Gaustad. The Predators added on with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Colin Wilson and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville extended the lead in the second period as James Neal scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Wilson and the goalie Rinne. Chicago got on the board with a Brad Richards goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Kris Versteeg and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks pulled closer with an Andrew Shaw goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell. Chicago tied it on a power play goal by Marian Hossa, his eighth of the year, powered by Patrick Kane and Keith. The Predators retook the lead on a Neal power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Filip Forsberg and Josi. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period on a Bickell goal, his fifth of the year, with a helpers from David Rundblad and Keith, the latter getting a sock trick. In the shootout, Chicago won with a lone tally by Jonathan Toews for a 5-4 final. The three stars went to Bickell, Keith, and Neal, while Wilson and Josi get the honorable mentions.

Into Texas, where the Dallas Stars host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Kari Lehtonen tend the twines. New York led off in the first period with a J.T. Miller power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh. Dallas tied it with a John Klingberg power play goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Erik Cole and Colton Sceviour. The Stars took the lead as Ales Hemsky scored his third of the season, thanks to Jason Demers. The Rangers retied it on a Kevin Hayes goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Marc Staal and Dan Boyle. Dallas regained the lead in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Garbutt and Cody Eakin. This was it for the scoring in the 3-2 game, with the three stars going to Roussel, Hemsky, and Klingberg.

Way north to Alberta, as the Calgary Flames welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jonas Hiller receive the starting nods. Calgary struck first in the first period with a Curtis Glencross goal, his eighth of the season, via Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan. The Flames added on with a Markus Granlund goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Hudler and Johnny Gaudreau. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis. This was it for the scoring, with Calgary claiming a 2-1 win. The three stars were Hiller (26 for 27 in saves), Hudler, and Granlund.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Devan Dubnyk occupy the creases. Arizona was first to score in the first period with an Antoine Vermette goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Vermette scored again, his second of the game and tenth of the year, assisted by Zbynek Michalek and Martin Erat. Arizona extended the lead in the third period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Boedker and Keith Yandle. Philadelphia got on the board with an R.J. Umberger goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Mark Streit and Sean Couturier. The Flyers pulled closer on Umberger's second of the game and fifth of the season, made possible by Couturier and Matt Read. The Coyotes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Vermette, completing his hat trick with his eleventh of the year, set up by Martin Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski. The three stars were Vermette, Umberger, and Boedker, while Couturier gets an honorable mention.

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Premier League Week 19

Ten more games, beginning with...

Tottenham Hotspur hosting Manchester United. David de Gea and Hugo Lloris are given the starting nods. Tottenham Hotspur took two yellow cards in the first half, for Benjamin Stambouli's offense in the twenty-sixth minute and a twenty-seventh minute Andros Townshend foul. Manchester United took four yellow cards in the second half: Ashley Young in the fiftieth minute, Patrick McNair in the seventy-first minute, Falcao in the eighty-fourth minute, and Rafael in the eighty-sixth minute, all for fouls. The final score was 0-0.

Along to Southampton welcoming Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Fraser Forster are in the six-yard boxes. Southampton began in the seventeenth minute on a Sadio Mane goal, via Dusan Tadic on a through ball. In the thirty-first minute, Nemanja Matic of Chelsea received a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea tied the game in first half stoppage time with an Eden Hazard goal, assisted by Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas took a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul. In the fifty-seventh minute, Maya Yoshida of Southampton received a yellow card for a foul, followed by Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin taking a yellow card for a seventy-second minute foul. Southampton went down to ten men in the eighty-eighth minute as Schneiderlin took another yellow card on a foul. In stoppage time, Graziano Pelle of Southampton had a yellow card foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up, Aston Villa brings in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Brad Guzan protect the nets. Aston Villa took a yellow card for a Ron Vlaar foul in the forty-fourth minute. Aston Villa went down to ten men in the forty-ninth minute as Fabian Delph was given a red card for a bad foul. Sunderland collected the next four yellow cards, for the following: Lee Cattermole's fifty-sixth minute foul, Adam Johnson's seventy-third minute foul, a Wes Brown foul in the eighty-ninth minute, and a stoppage time foul by Emanuele Giaccherini. The final was a 0-0 draw.

Up north, Hull City hosts Leicester City. Ben Hamer is mismatched with Allan McGregor in goal. Leicester City had a yellow card go to Danny Simpson for a thirty-first minute foul. Leciester City led off in the thirty-second minute as Riyad Mahrez scored, with the help of David Nugent. Leicester City had a yellow card given to Paul Konchesky for a foul in the fifty-eighth minute, and then they went to ten men when Konchesky took a second yellow card in the eighty-eighth minute. In stoppage time, Hull City's Stephen Quinn was given a straight red card for a foul, putting the teams level at ten men each. Leicester City held on for a 1-0 win.

Over in Manchester, City welcomes Burnley. Tom Heaton and Joe Hart are the gloved men. Manchester City opened with a twenty-third minute David Silva goal, via Jesus Navas. Manchester City added on with a Fernandinho goal at the thirty-three minute mark, coming off of Samir Nasri. Manchester City took a yellow card for a forty-second minute Fernando foul. In the forty-seventh minute, George Boyd put Burnley on the board with a goal, set up by Danny Ings. Burnley took a yellow card for a Ben Mee foul in the seventy-first minute. Manchester City's Navas was given a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-ninth minute. In the eighty-first minute, Pablo Zabaleta was given a yellow card for a foul, and Burnley tied the game on an Ashley Barnes goal, guided in by Michael Keane after a set piece. In the eighty-eighth minute, Silva of Manchester City took a yellow card.

Back in London, the Queens Park Rangers bring in Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Robert Green are the goalies. QPR took the first yellow card in first half stoppage time on a Clint Hill foul. QPR had another yellow card for a sixty-second minute Joey Barton foul. Crystal Palace was given a yellow card in the seventy-second minute on a Jason Puncheon foul. The final stood at 0-0.

Following that, Stoke City hosts West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Asmir Begovic guard the woodwork. Stoke City got going in the fifty-first minute on a Mame Biram Diouf goal, via Erik Pieters. In the sixty-sixth minute, Stoke City added on with another Diouf goal, passed from Marko Arnautovic. In the sixty-eighth minute, Chris Brunt of West Brom was given a yellow card for a foul. West Brom had a yellow card go to Chris Baird in the seventy-sixth minute. Stoke City cruised to a 2-0 win.

Continuing to West Ham United welcoming Arsenal. Wojciech Szczesny and Adrian are between the posts. West Ham United had a yellow card go to Andy Carroll in the thirty-sixth minute for a foul. Arsenal started in the forty-first minute as Santiago Cazorla scored on a penalty kick. In the forty-fourth minute, Danny Welbeck scored for Arsenal, with the help of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal took a yellow card for a forty-eighth minute Alexis Sanchez foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Cheikhou Kouyate got West Ham United on the board with a goal, passed from James Tomkins on a cross after a corner kick. In the eightieth minute, Mathieu Debuchy of Arsenal received a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United had a pair of yellow cards, for a Tomkins foul in the eighty-fourth minute and Winston Reid's offense in the eighty-eighth minute. Arsenal had a yellow card in stoppage time, going to Francis Coquelin. Arsenal won 2-1.

Closing out Sunday, Newcastle United brings in Everton. Joel Robles and Jak Alnwick are the backups in goal. Everton dented the scoreboard in the fifth minute with an Arouna Kone goal, made possible by a Seamus Coleman cross. In the twenty-seventh minute, Yoan Gouffran of Newcastle United took a yellow card for a foul. Everton saw a yellow card go to James McCarthy in the twenty-eighth minute. Newcastle United tied it in the thirty-fourth minute on a Papiss Demba Cisse goal, guided in by Michael Williamson after a corner kick. In the fifty-first minute Ayoze Perez gave Newcastle United the lead with his goal, set up by Cheick Tiote. Newcastle United added on with a Jack Colback goal in the sixty-eighth minute. In the seventy-first minute, Everton's Antolin Alcaraz was given a yellow card. Everton pulled back on a Kevin Mirallas goal in the eighty-fourth minute, coming off of Leighton Baines with the through ball. Newcastle United saw a yellow card go to Paul Dummett in stoppage time. Newcastle United held on for a 3-2 win.

The lone Monday game had Liverpool host Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Simon Mignolet tend the nets. Liverpool started in the thirty-third minute with an Alberto Moreno goal, guided in by Jordan Henderson. In the forty-ninth minute, Liverpool's Martin Skrtel took a yellow card for a foul. Liverpool added on in the fifty-first minute with an Adam Lallana goal from outside the box. Swansea City got on the board in the fifty-second minute as Gylfi Sigurdsson scored. Liverpool shot back in the sixty-first minute on another Lallana goal, set up by Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool extended the lead in the sixty-ninth minute when Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey was saddled with an own goal. This made it 4-1, the final, favoring Liverpool.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

KHL December 29th, 2014

Two games today, beginning with...

Dinamo Minsk hosting Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Danny Taylor are set to start in goal. Minsk struck first in the first period on a Pavel Razvadovsky goal, via Andrei Stepanov and Nick Bailen. Podolsk tied it on an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, guided in by Denis Grebeshkov. Vityaz took the lead on a Roman Horak goal, made possible by Dmitry Tsyganov. Dinamo tied it in the second period as Paul Szczechura scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Bailen. Minsk gained the lead on an Alexander Materukhin goal, passed from Charles Linglet. Podolsk pulled even on a power play goal in the third period from Mathias Porseland, with a lone assist by Horak. Vityaz took the lead as Vyacheslav Solodukhin scored a power play goal, with the help of Anton Korolyov and Kucheryavenko. Dinamo tied it again with an Ilya Shinkevich goal, assisted by Bailen, who got a sock trick, and Szczechura. Minsk won 5-4 on a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, helped along by Szczechura. The three stars went to Szczechura, Bailen, and Kucheryavenko, while Horak gets an honorable mention.

The other game is Atlant Mytishchi hosting Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Atte Engren protect the nets. Riga was first to score in the first period on a Maris Bicevskis goal, guided in by Gunars Skvorcovs. Dinamo added on in the second period with a power play goal by Miks Indrasis, powered by Kyle Wilson. Riga extended the lead on a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, fueled by Skvorcovs. Mytishchi got on the board in the third period as Matthew Gilroy scored, thanks to Sergei Shmelyov and Dmitry Korobov. Atlant pulled closer on an Andrei Taratukhin power play goal, with a lone assist from Anton Babchuk. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Skvorcovs, Redlihs, and Indrasis.

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NHL December 28th, 2014

Two games tonight, beginning in...

Florida, as the Panthers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Roberto Luongo are in the creases. Toronto got going in the second period on a Richard Panik goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Morgan Rielly and David Clarkson. Florida tied it on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Brian Campbell and Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers took the lead on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Sean Bergenheim. The Maple Leafs tied it again on a Roman Polak goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Joffrey Lupul and Jake Gardiner. Toronto took the lead with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Cody Franson and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on with a Nazem Kadri goal, his eleventh of the year, with assists provided by Lupul and Gardiner. Florida got one back in the third period on a Dmitry Kulikov goal, courtesy of Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers tied it on a Willie Mitchell goal, his second of the season, via Huberdeau. Florida gained the lead on a Brad Boyes power play goal, his sixth of the year, from Kulikov and Jokinen. The Panthers iced it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Scottie Upshall, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Tomas Kopecky and Derek MacKenzie. The three stars went to Huberdeau, Kulikov, and Jokinen, while Lupul and Gardiner are given honorable mentions.

The other game has the Anaheim Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Frederik Andersen protect the nets. Vancouver dented the scoreboard with a second period goal by Yannick Weber, his third of the season, assisted by Jannik Hansen and Alexandre Burrows. Anaheim tied it on a Francois Beauchemin goal in the third period, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks won 2-1 on a Cam Fowler overtime goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Devante Smith-Pelly and Getzlaf. The three stars went to Andersen (13 for 14 in saves), Getzlaf, and Fowler.

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KHL December 28th, 2014

Eight games on for today, beginning with...

Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Rafael Khakimov are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk opened in the first period on a Michel Miklik goal, coming off of Anton Krysanov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a power play goal by Mikhail Plotnikov, powered by Artyom Garifullin. Amur took the lead back in the second period as Sergei Tverdokhlebov scored, thanks to Mikhail Zheleznov. Metallurg retied it in the third period with an unassisted Alexei Kosourov goal. Khabarovsk regained the lead on a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, assisted by Alexander Ryazantsev and Grigory Shafigulin. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Litovchenko, Tverdokhlebov, and Miklik.

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Alexander Salak are set to start in goal. Novosibirsk began in the first period with a David Ullstrom power play goal, powered by Alexei Kopeikin and Igor Ozhiganov. Sibir added on with an Ullstrom goal, his second of the game, via Sergei Gimayev and Artyom Voroshilo. Novosibirsk extended the lead on a Jarno Koskiranta goal in the third period, coming off of Jonas Enlund and Patrik Hersley on the power play. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars given to Ullstrom, Salak (41 save shutout), and Koskiranta.

West to Omsk, where Avangard hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Konstantin Barulin are the masked men. Astana got going in the second period on a Roman Starchenko power play goal, powered by Mike Lundin and Konstantin Rudenko. Omsk tied it with a Denis Kulyash goal, courtesy of Igor Musatov and Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard took the lead in the third period with a Denis Parshin goal, fueled by Anton Kuryanov and Alexander Popov. Omsk iced it at 3-1 with an Igor Musatov empty net goal, set up by Evgeny Kulik. The three stars belonged to Barulin (33 for 34 in saves), Parshin, and Kulyash.

Continuing to Metallurg Magnitogorsk bringing in Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Vasily Koshechkin protect the nets. Magnitogorsk led off in the first period on a Danis Zaripov power play goal, with a lone assist by Chris Lee. Kazan tied it on a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, guided in by Mikhail Glukhov and Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars took the lead in the second period as Evgeny Medvedev scored a power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo. Metallurg tied it again in the third period on a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, assisted by Lee and Zaripov. Kazan pulled ahead on a Vladimir Denisov goal, fueled by Konstantin Koltsov and Artyom Lukoyanov. They managed a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Denisov, Zaripov, and Lee.

Out in Togliatti, Lada hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Evgeny Ivannikov are the masked men. Togliatti started in the first period with a Vasily Streltsov goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Streltsov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on an Alexander Korolyuk power play goal, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Philip Larsen. Yugra gained the lead in the second period as Nikita Gusev converted a penalty shot he received for Peter Podhradsky's hook. Lada tied it on a Podhradsky goal, via Alexei Mastryukov and Denis Barantsev in the third period. Togliatti retook the lead as Alexander Chernikov scored, thanks to Mastryukov. Khanty-Mansiysk pulled even with a Gusev goal, passed from Kaspar and Pavel Valentenko. Lada claimed a 4-3 win with a lone tally from Yury Petrov in the shootout. The three stars were given to Gusev, Kaspar, and Mastryukov.

Westward to Moscow, where CSKA welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Kevin Lalande draw the starts. Moscow struck first in the first period with an Andreas Engqvist goal, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Nikita Zaitsev. Sochi tied it in the second period on a Max Warn goal, courtesy of Igor Radulov and Cory Emmerton. CSKA retook the lead with a Zaitsev power play goal, powered by Igor Grigorenko and Alexander Radulov. The Leopards got another equalizer with a Nikita Shchitov goal, made possible by Clay Wilson. Sochi pulled ahead as Evgeny Lapenkov scored on a penalty shot from a Bogdan Kiselevich slashing call. Moscow tied it with an Alexander Radulov goal, fueled by Grigorenko and Engqvist. CSKA took the lead again in the third period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal, with a lone helper by Denis Denisov. Moscow finished it at 5-3 with an Igor Makarov goal, passed from Ondrej Nemec and Sergei Andronov. The three stars went to Alexander Radulov, Engqvist, and Zaitsev, while Grigorenko gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek faces a lesser foe in Vitaly Kolesnik in goal. Yaroslavl was first to score on a Yegor Averin power play goal in the first period, powered by Staffan Kronwall. Cherepovets tied it in the second period on a Sergei Kuptsov goal, coming off of Yegor Antropov and Andreas Thuresson. Lokomotiv took the lead as Andrei Loktionov scored, thanks to Petri Kontiola and Martin Thornberg. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Kolesnik (15 for 16 in saves), Loktionov, and Averin.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Mikko Koskinen are between the pipes. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, powered by Konstantin Volkov and Alexander Osipov. St. Petersburg tied it in the third period on an Andrei Kuteikin goal, via Patrick Thoresen. Dynamo took the lead back on a Maxim Karpov goal, assisted by Alexei Tsvetkov. This gave them a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Sharychenkov (35 for 36 in saves), Karpov, and Pestushko.

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