Sunday, June 7, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 14

We begin a full slate of games in...

Houston, as the Dynamo host the New York Red Bulls on Friday. Luis Robles and Tyler Deric are the gloved men. New York had a yellow card for a Chris Duvall foul in the twenty-seventh minute. The Red Bulls began with a Mike Grella goal in the forty-second minute, passed from Bradley Wright-Phillips. Houston tied it on a fifty-ninth minute Oscar Garcia goal, assisted by Will Bruin. New York saw a yellow card go to Grella for a sixty-second minute dive. The Dynamo pulled ahead with a Ricardo Clark goal, set up by Garcia, in the seventy-second minute. Houston added on with a Bruin goal, via Garcia in the eightieth minute. The Red Bulls got one back on a ninetieth minute Anatole Bertrand Abang goal, courtesy of Marius Obekop. The Dynamo iced it at 4-2 with another Bruin goal in stoppage time. The man of the match was Bruin for his brace to secure the game with a wild ending.

On Saturday, the first game saw the Philadelphia Union welcome New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Brian Sylvestre are in goal. New York City saw a yellow card go to Jason Hernandez in the fourth minute for a foul. Philadelphia struck first with a forty-sixth minute C.J. Sapong goal, passed from Sebastien Le Toux. New York City tied it on a Thomas McNamara goal in the fifty-third minute, via Kwadwo Poku. New York City took the lead on a Patrick Mullins goal in the eighty-seventh minute, courtesy of Jeb Brovsky. The Union's Maurice Edu took a yellow card for his eighty-ninth minute foul. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Mullins for his winner.

Over in DC, United brings in Toronto FC. Chris Konopka and Andrew Dykstra man the nets. DC led off in the sixth minute with a Steve Birnbaum goal, assisted by Fabian Espindola. Toronto tied it on a thirty-fourth minute goal by Sebastian Giovinco, coming off of Luke Moore. Around the sixty-fourth minute, Warren Creavalle took a yellow card for his foul for Toronto, while Toronto's Damien Perquis and United's Perry Kitchen received yellow cards for dissent. Toronto took the lead with an eighty-third minute Giovinco goal, made possible by Benoit Cheyrou. In the eighty-seventh minute, Birnbaum of DC had a yellow card for a foul. Toronto took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time by the goalie Konopka. The final stood at 2-1, and the man of the match was Giovinco with a brace.

West to Columbus, as the Crew SC host the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Steve Clark are in the six-yard boxes. Montreal was first to score in the fifty-fifth minute with a Maxim Tissot goal. The Impact saw yellow cards for Marco Donadel in the seventy-fifth minute and Andres Romero in the seventy-eighth minute, both for dissent. Romero made up for his card by adding onto the Montreal lead in the seventy-ninth minute, with the help of Ignacio Piatti. In the eighty-seventh minute, Donny Toia of the Impact took a yellow card for a foul. Columbus got on the board with a Federico Higuian goal in stoppage time. Two minutes later, Jack McInerney took a yellow card for Montreal for his foul. The final stood at 2-1, with Romero being the man of the match by scoring the winner.

Into Chicago, where the Fire welcome Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and Jon Busch are the veteran goalies. Chicago opened with a ninth minute goal by Kennedy Igboananike, coming off of David Accam and Razvan Cocis. Orlando City took yellow cards for fouls in the twenty-fifth minute by Aurelien Collin and in the thirty-fourth minute by Cristian Higuita. Orlando City got an equalizer when the Fire's Adailton put the ball in his own net for an own goal. Chicago retook the lead on a fifty-seventh minute goal by Accam, made possible by Harry Shipp. Orlando City took another pair of yellow cards, going to Darwin Ceren in the sixty-first minute and Sean St. Ledger in the sixty-fourth minute, both for fouls. Orlando City tied it again on a Cyle Larin goal, via Eric Avila in the eighty-second minute. Orlando City took the lead on another own goal by the Fire's Adailton, which can be dubbed the "own-brace." In stoppage time, Chicago took yellow cards for fouls from Lovel Palmer and Quincy Amarikwa. The final stood at 3-2 for Orlando City, and Larin was the man of the match for the only goal they actually earned.

Down in Kansas City, Sporting brings in the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Tim Melia are set to start in goal. Seattle had a yellow card for Frei's dissent in the eighty-second minute. Kansas City cashed in on what he barked about, scoring on a Benny Feilhaber penalty kick in the eighty-fourth minute. The final was 1-0, and Melia was the man of the match with his six-save clean sheet.

Out west, the Portland Timbers host the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are the keepers. New England took a yellow card for a seventh minute foul by Teal Bunbury, but Portland also had a yellow card for Jorge Villafana for unsporting behavior. The Timbers saw a yellow card go to Maximiliano Urruti in the thirty-ninth minute for dissent. The Revolution took a yellow card for London Woodberry's persistent infringement in the forty-fifth minute. In the eighty-fifth minute, New England saw a yellow card for a Lee Nguyen foul. Portland gained the lead as Fanendo Adi scored in the eighty-sixth minute, with the help of Villafana. The Timbers had a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute Rodney Wallace foul. Portland added on as Adi scored in the eighty-ninth minutes, thanks to Alvas Powell and Diego Chara. In stoppage time, the Revolution's Kevin Alston drew a yellow card for a foul. The final stood at 2-0 for Portland, and Adi was the man of the match for his late brace.

Ending Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps. David Ousted and Brian Rowe are the goalies. In the twentieth minute, Steven Beitashour of Vancouver took a yellow card for a foul. The Whitecaps started in the thirty-second minute with a Kekuta Manneh goal, via Octavio Rivero. Los Angeles' Leonardo took a yellow card for a thirty-fourth minute foul. This was all the action in the game, with the final holding at 1-0. Manneh was the man of the match for his goal.

For Sunday, Real Salt Lake brings in the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Nick Rimando are the experienced goalies. Salt Lake had a yellow card go to John Stertzer in the twenty-fifth minute for a foul. Colorado had a yellow card for an Axel Sjoberg foul in the thirty-second minute. The Rapids saw a yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul by Bobby Burling. The score remained 0-0 to the end, and the man of the match was Rimando for his clean sheet.

Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host FC Dallas. David Bingham and Dan Kennedy man the nets. San Jose took a yellow card for an eleventh minute foul by Marvell Wynne. Dallas had three yellow cards in the first half, for a sixteenth minute foul by Victor Ulloa, and for a fortieth minute Michel foul that was followed by dissent from Mauro Diaz. In the second half, the referee lost his yellow card and went straight to the red card. In the fifty-third minute, Mark Sherrod of the Earthquakes took a red for his foul, putting the hosts at ten men. Dallas went to ten men when Je-Vaughn Watson received a yellow card for his foul in the seventy-fifth minute. San Jose ended the game at nine men when J.J. Koval was sent off for a foul in the eighty-seventh minute. Despite the extra space on the field, the final held at 0-0. Bingham's two save clean sheet earned him man of the match honors.

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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

MLS Wednesday Week 14

Three games on the Wednesday slate again, beginning in...

DC, as United hosts the Chicago Fire. Jon Busch and Andrew Dykstra are the goalies making spot starts. Chicago had a yellow card for a Joevin Jones foul in the twenty-fourth minute. The Fire started in the twenty-eighth minute with a David Accam goal, passed from Quincy Amarikwa and Harry Shipp. DC saw a yellow card for a Markus Halsti foul in the thirtieth minute. United had another yellow card in the fifty-seventh minute when Fabian Espindola did not retreat. Chicago's Matt Polster took a yellow card for his fifty-eighth minute foul. DC tied it in the sixty-first minute with a Jairo Arrieta goal, via Espindola. United took the lead on another Arrieta goal. DC iced it at 3-1 with a seventy-fifth minute Conor Doyle goal, assisted by Espindola and Nick DeLeon. The man of the match was Arrieta with the brace.

Over in Philadelphia, the Union welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark faces a lesser foe in Brian Sylvestre in goal. Philadelphia opened in the forty-first minute with a C.J. Sapong goal, courtesy of Sebastien Le Toux and Cristian Maidana. The Union added on with a fifty-second minute Vincent Nogueira goal. Philadelphia extended the lead as Le Toux scored in the fifty-eighth minute, thanks to Sheanon Williams. Columbus had a yellow card go to Hector Jimenez in the eighty-fifth minute for a foul. The Union took a yellow card on an Eric Ayuk Mbu foul in the eighty-sixth minute. The final stood at 3-0 with the man of the match being Le Toux for his goal and assist.

Finally, the Montreal Impact bring in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Evan Bush are the gloved men. Montreal led off in the fourteenth minute with a Jack McInerney goal. Vancouver took a yellow card for a forty-sixth minute Diego Rodriguez foul. The Whitecaps had another yellow card in the seventy-first minute as Tim Parker committed a foul. Vancouver tied it on a seventy-ninth minute penalty kick goal by Pedro Morales. The Impact retook the lead on an Ignacio Piatti goal, set up by Andres Romero in the eighty-third minute. The Whitecaps had a yellow card go to Jordan Harvey in the ninetieth minute for his foul. The final stood at 2-1, and the man of the match was Piatti for the winner.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 13

We begin with a single game on Friday, in...

Kansas City, as Sporting hosts FC Dallas. Dan Kennedy and Tim Melia are set to start in goal. Kansas City led off with a nineteenth minute goal by Krisztian Nemeth, via Kevin Ellis and Graham Zusi. Dallas' Zach Loyd had two straight yellow cards, for thirty-third minute and forty-third minute fouls that saw him ejected before halftime and put his team at ten men. Sporting added on with a Benny Feilhaber goal in the fifty-first minute, passed from Nemeth and Jalil Anibaba. Kansas City extended the lead as Ellis scored in the fifty-seventh minute, with the help of Zusi. Sporting padded the lead on a Zusi goal in the sixty-fourth minute, helped along by Connor Hallisey. Nemeth was the man of the match in Kansas City's 4-0 win for his goal and assist in a full 90 minutes.

On Saturday, the first of seven games saw Toronto FC welcome the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Chris Konopka are the goalies. Toronto opened with a twenty-second minute goal by Justin Morrow, assisted by Sebastian Giovinco and Jonathan Osorio. San Jose tied it on a twenty-fourth minute goal by Chris Wondolowski, a penalty kick goal. Toronto retook the lead on a thirty-third minute goal from Warren Creavalle, passed from Luke Moore. The Earthquakes saw a yellow card go to Sanna Nyassi for a fifty-fifth minute foul. Toronto added on with a Moore goal in the seventy-first minute, via Giovinco. This produced the 3-1 final, with the man of the match being Moore for his goal and assist.

Across Canada, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC bring in Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and David Ousted are in the six-yard boxes. Salt Lake took a yellow card for a John Stertzer foul in the twenty-seventh minute. Vancouver struck first in the thirty-sixth minute with a Gershon Koffie goal. Justen Glad of Real took a yellow card for his forty-first minute foul. The Whitecaps saw a yellow card for a Pa Modou Kah foul in the forty-fourth minute. Salt Lake tied it on a forty-fifth minute goal by Javier Morales. In the seventy-ninth minute, Vancouver took the lead on a Cristian Techera goal. Real had another yellow card for a Kenny Mansally foul in the eighty-ninth minute. Vancouver held on for a 2-1 win, and Techera was the man of the match for his winner.

Down in Yankee Stadium, New York City FC host the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Josh Saunders man the nets. Houston was first to score on a sixteenth minute Will Bruin goal, via David Horst. New York City saw a yellow card for a Chris Wingert foul in the thirty-second minute. Ricardo Clark of the Dynamo took a yellow card for his thirty-fifth minute foul. New York City tied it on a David Villa penalty kick goal in first half stoppage time. In the fifty-fourth minute, Luis Garrido of Houston took a yellow card his foul. New York City saw a yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul by Jason Hernandez. The Dynamo took another yellow card in second half stoppage time for time wasting by Raul Rodriguez. The final stood at 1-1, and the man of the match was Deric for six saves on seven shots to give the Dynamo a road point.

Over in DC, United welcome the Philadelphia Union. Brian Sylvestre and Bill Hamid guard the woodwork. Philadelphia started in the fifth minute on a Sebastien Le Toux goal, passed from Andrew Wenger. DC had a yellow card for a forty-fourth minute foul by Conor Doyle. United tied it in first half stoppage time on a Chris Pontius goal, via Taylor Kemp. In the fifty-ninth minute, DC's Bobby Boswell collected a yellow card for a foul. The Union saw a yellow card for a Vincent Nogueira foul in the sixty-third minute. United received a yellow card for a foul by Pontius in the sixty-fourth minute. DC took the lead on an eighty-fifth minute penalty kick goal by Chris Rolfe. The final stood at 2-1, and Rolfe was the man of the match for nabbing the winner.

South to Florida, as Orlando City SC brings in the Columbus Crew. Steve Clark and Tally Hall are the veteran goalies. Columbus began in the sixth minute on a Tony Tchani goal, passed from Hector Jimenez and Ethan Finlay. The Crew went down to ten men when Michael Parkhurst received a red card for handling on the goal line, and Orlando City tied the game on a Kaka penalty kick in the seventeenth minute. Columbus took the next two yellow cards, for Justin Meram in the thirty-second minute and Jimenez in the fortieth, both for fouls. In first half stoppage time, Carlos Rivas of Orlando City took a yellow card for a foul. The Crew retook the lead in the sixty-first minute as Kei Kamara scored, thanks to Waylon Francis. Orlando City tied it again in the eighty-ninth minute on a Pedro Ribeiro goal. Columbus had yellow cards in the ninetieth minute and first minute of stoppage time for time wasting by Mohammed Saeid and Chris Klute, as well as a foul by Francis. The final stood at 2-2, and the man of the match was Kamara for what served to give the Crew a point.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Fire host the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Jon Busch are the similarly named goalies. In the third minute, Nigel Reo-Coker of Montreal took a yellow card for a foul. Chicago got going with a Harrison Shipp goal in the thirteenth minute, made possible by Kennedy Igboananike. The Impact went to ten men after consecutive yellow cards went to Marco Donadel, for fouls in the twenty-third and thirty-seventh minutes. In the forty-fifth minute, the Fire added on with a Jeff Larentowicz penalty kick goal. Montreal took another yellow card in the seventieth minute for a foul by Calum Mallace. Chicago extended the lead as Igboananike scored in the seventy-second minute, with the help of Razvan Cocis. The final stood at 3-0, with the man of the match being Igboananike for his goal and assist.

Finally, closing out Saturday, the Colorado Rapids welcome the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Clint Irwin are the gloved men. Portland dented the scoreboard in the thirty-eighth minute with a Gaston Fernandez goal, courtesy of Maximiliano Urruti. In the forty-second minute, the Timbers saw a yellow card for a Jack Jewsbury foul. Colorado had a yellow card given to Sam Cronin for his forty-fourth minute foul. The Rapids took another yellow card on a forty-sixth minute foul by James Riley. In the eighty-ninth minute, Colorado tied it on a goal by Cronin. Portland took a 2-1 lead with a stoppage time goal from Jewsbury, and that lead held up as the final. Jewsbury was the man of the match for the late winner.

On Sunday, the first of two games sees the Seattle Sounders FC bring in the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Stefan Frei are the keepers. New York opened in the thirty-sixth minute with a Lloyd Sam goal. In the fifty-first minute, Damien Perrinelle took a yellow card for a foul for the Red Bulls. New York had another yellow card in the sixtieth minute for Sam's persistent infringement. The Red Bulls' Felipe had a yellow card for dissent in the sixty-seventh minute. Seattle tied it on a Marco Pappa goal in the sixty-ninth minute, via Obafemi Martins. The Sounders' Osvaldo Alonso took a yellow card for his seventy-second minute foul. In stoppage time, Seattle took a 2-1 lead with a Chad Barrett  goal, set up by Clint Dempsey and Tyrone Mears. This was the final, and Barrett was the man of the match for his winner.

Finally, the New England Revolution host the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jaime Penedo and Bobby Shuttleworth tend the nets. New England started with a fifth minute goal by Teal Bunbury, assisted by Scott Caldwell and Juan Agudelo. Los Angeles tied it on an eighteenth minute goal by Ignacio Maganto, via Baggio Husidic. The Revolution took a yellow card for a foul by Kevin Alston in the twenty-fourth minute. The Galaxy pulled ahead as Gyasi Zardes scored, thanks to Jose Villarreal and Maganto. In the thirty-seventh minute, New England tied it on a Diego Fagundez goal. The Revolution saw a yellow card assessed to Andy Dorman in the sixty-first minute for a foul. This was a final, with the man of the match being Maganto for a goal and assist.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

NHL Western Conference Final: Anaheim Ducks VS. Chicago Blackhawks

We're down to the Conference Finals, and this post will cover all of the games in the Western Conference Final.

Game 1: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Corey Crawford and Frederik Andersen. Anaheim led off in the first period on a Hampus Lindholm goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Jakob Silfverberg and Matt Beleskey. The Ducks added on in the second period on a Kyle Palmieri goal, made possible by Nate Thompson. Chicago got on the board with a Brad Richards goal, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted. Anaheim retook the lead on a Thompson goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Andrew Cogliano and Lindholm. The Ducks extended the lead with a Silfverberg empty net goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Simon Despres and Ryan Getzlaf.  The three stars of the 4-1 game were Lindholm, Thompson, and Andersen (32 for 33 in saves), while Silfverberg gets an honorable mention. The Ducks hold a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Corey Crawford and Frederik Andersen. Chicago began in the first period on an Andrew Shaw power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks added on with a Marian Hossa power play goal, his second of the playoffs, via Bryan Bickell and Brad Richards. Anaheim got on the board with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Nate Thompson and Cam Fowler. The Ducks tied it in the second period with a Corey Perry goal, his eighth of the playoffs, fueled by Ryan Getzlaf and Sami Vatanen. Chicago won 3-2 in the third overtime on a Marcus Kruger goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Brent Seabrook and Johnny Oduya. The three stars were Kruger, Crawford (60 for 62 in saves), and Andersen (53 for 56 in saves). The series is tied at 1 now, although since they played nearly two games it should really count for two.

Game 3: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Frederik Andersen and Corey Crawford. Anaheim started in the first period on a Patrick Maroon power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, powered by Hampus Lindholm and Ryan Getzlaf. Chicago tied it on a Patrick Kane goal, his eighth of the playoffs, via Brad Richards and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Ducks retook the lead as Simon Despres scored in the second period, thanks to Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Andersen (27 for 28 in saves), Getzlaf, and Despres. The Ducks now hold a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Frederik Andersen and Corey Crawford. Chicago opened in the first period on a Brandon Saad shorthanded goal, his fourth of the postseason, going in unassisted. Anaheim tied it in the second period as Emerson Etem scored his third of the playoffs, thanks to Kyle Palmieri and Francois Beauchemin. The Blackhawks retook the lead in the third period on a Jonathan Toews goal, his fifth of the postseason, guided in by Marian Hossa and Saad. Chicago added on with a Brent Seabrook goal, his fourth of the playoffs, fueled by Saad and Toews. The Ducks pulled back with a Ryan Kesler goal, his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano. Anaheim tied it on an unassisted Matt Beleskey goal, his sixth of the playoffs. The Ducks edged ahead on a Corey Perry goal, his ninth of the postseason, via Ryan Getzlaf. The Blackhawks retied it with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his ninth of the playoffs, powered by Brad Richards and Duncan Keith. Chicago won 5-4 in the second overtime (fifth period) with an Antoine Vermette goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Patrick Sharp and Teuvo Teravainen. The three stars were Saad, Toews, and Vermette. The series is again tied, this time at 2, with the teams heading back to California.

Game 5: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Corey Crawford and Frederik Andersen. Anaheim struck first in the first period on a Cam Fowler goal, his second of the postseason, via Nate Thompson and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks added on with a Ryan Kesler goal, his sixth of the playoffs, courtesy of Jakob Silfverberg and Francois Beauchemin. Anaheim extended the lead as Sami Vatanen scored his third of the postseason, thanks to Ryan Getzlaf. Chicago got on the board in the second period with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Antoine Vermette and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks pulled closer on a Brent Seabrook goal, his fifth of the postseason, assisted by Teravainen and Sharp. The Ducks answered with a Patrick Maroon goal in the third period, his sixth of the playoffs, made possible by Vatanen and Getzlaf. Chicago pulled back with a Jonathan Toews goal, his sixth of the postseason, passed from Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks tied it on another Toews goal, his second of the game and seventh of the playoffs, with helpers from Andrew Shaw and Seabrook. Anaheim won 5-4 on a Matt Beleskey overtime goal, his seventh of the postseason, dished from Kesler and Silfverberg. The three stars were Toews, Kesler, and Teravainen, while Silfverberg, Vatanen, Getzlaf, Sharp, and Seabrook get the honorable mention. Anaheim is up to 3-2 in the series, with a chance to advance in the next game.

Game 6: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Frederik Andersen and Corey Crawford. Chicago got going in the second period on a Brandon Saad goal, his fifth of the postseason, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks added on with a Marian Hossa goal, his third of the playoffs, made possible by Keith and Brad Richards. Chicago extended the lead as Kane scored his tenth of the postseason, with a lone helper from Keith, who got a natural sock trick. Anaheim got on the board with a Patrick Maroon power play goal, his seventh of the playoffs, powered by Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks edged closer on a Clayton Stoner goal, via Nate Thompson and Jakob Silfverberg. The Blackhawks replied with an Andrew Shaw goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Andrew Desjardins and Antoine Vermette. Chicago finished it at 5-2 on a Shaw empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, set up by Desjardins and Marcus Kruger. The three stars were Kane, Keith, and Shaw, while Desjardins gets an honorable mention. The series is tied at 3 now and will move to California again for Game 7. 

Game 7: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Corey Crawford and Frederik Andersen. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his eighth of the postseason, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks added on with another Toews goal, his second of the game and ninth of the playoffs, via Brad Richards and Duncan Keith on the power play. Chicago extended the lead in the second period as Brandon Saad scored his sixth of the postseason, thanks to Kane and Johnny Oduya. The Blackhawks padded the lead on a Marian Hossa goal, his fourth of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Richards. Anaheim got on the board with a Ryan Kesler goal, his seventh of the postseason, fueled by Jakob Silfverberg and Francois Beauchemin. The Ducks pulled closer in the third period on a Corey Perry goal, his tenth of the playoffs, guided in by Patrick Maroon and Ryan Getzlaf. Chicago replied with a Brent Seabrook power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, powered by Kane, who got a sock trick and Keith. Anaheim chipped back on a Matt Beleskey power play goal, his eighth of the playoffs, coming off of Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm. The final stood at 5-3, with the three stars being Toews, Kane, and Richards, while Keith gets an honorable mention. The Blackhawks will face the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Stanley Cup, starting on Wednesday.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Friday, May 29, 2015

NHL Eastern Conference Final: New York Rangers VS. Tampa Bay Lightning

We're down to the Conference Finals, and this post will cover all of the games in the Eastern Conference Final.

Game 1: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Ben Bishop and Henrik Lundqvist. New York got going in the second period on a Derek Stepan goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his fourth of the playoffs, a power play goal powered by Tyler Johnson and Victor Hedman. The Rangers took the lead back on a Dominic Moore goal, assisted by Kevin Hayes and Derick Brassard. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Moore, Lundqvist (23 for 24 in saves), and Stepan. The Rangers lead the series 1-0.

Game 2: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Ben Bishop and Henrik Lundqvist. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a shorthanded Tyler Johnson goal, his ninth of the postseason, set up by Alex Killorn. New York tied it on a Chris Kreider power play goal, his sixth of the playoffs, powered by Martin St. Louis and Dan Boyle. The Lightning retook the lead on Johnson's second of the game and tenth of the postseason, via Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov on the power play. Tampa Bay added on in the second period with Johnson completing his hat trick on his eleventh of the playoffs, fueled by Ondrej Palat and Kucherov. The Rangers chipped back on a Derek Stepan power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, passed from St. Louis and Boyle. The Lightning responded with a Killorn goal, his fourth of the playoffs, coming in the third period from Victor Hedman and Valtteri Filppula. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Stamkos scored his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Braydon Coburn and Kucherov, the latter getting a sock trick. The Lightning ended it at 6-2 with Killorn's second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, a power play goal pushed through by Jason Garrison and Filppula. The three stars were Johnson, Killorn, and Kucherov, while Stamkos, Filppula, Boyle, and St. Louis get the honorable mentions. The series heads south tied at 1.

Game 3: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist and Ben Bishop. New York started in the first period on a Derick Brassard power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, powered by Dan Boyle and Derek Stepan. The Rangers added on with a Jesper Fast goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Steven Stamkos goal, his fifth of the postseason, with a lone assist by Alex Killorn. The Lightning tied it on an Ondrej Palat power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, coming in the second period from Tyler Johnson and Stamkos. Tampa Bay took the lead on Johnson's twelfth of the postseason, fueled by Palat and Victor Hedman. The Lightning extended the lead as Killorn scored his sixth of the playoffs, with the help of Hedman. New York got one back with a Fast goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, made possible by Kevin Klein and Stepan. The Rangers tied it in the third period as McDonagh scored a power play goal, his third of the playoffs, with helpers from Kevin Hayes and Keith Yandle. Tampa Bay regained the lead on Palat's second of the game and sixth of the postseason, pushed through by Nikita Nesterov and Nikita Kucherov. New York tied it again on a Boyle goal, his third of the playoffs, dished from J.T. Miller and Yandle. The Lightning won 6-5 in overtime on a Kucherov goal, his seventh of the postseason, with a lone helper by Nesterov. The three stars were awarded to Kucherov, Palat, and Fast, while Boyle, Johnson, Stamkos, Killorn, Hedman, Nesterov, McDonagh, Stepan, and Yandle all receive honorable mentions. The Lightning are up 2-1 in the so far crazy series.

Game 4: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist and Ben Bishop. New York was first to score in the first period on a Rick Nash goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin. Tampa Bay tied it as Steven Stamkos scored his sixth of the playoffs, thanks to Alex Killorn and Valtteri Filppula in the second period. The Rangers retook the lead on a Chris Kreider goal, his seventh of the postseason, via Kevin Klein and Keith Yandle. New York added on with a Yandle goal, coming off of Klein and Nash. The Rangers extended the lead on a power play goal by Martin St. Louis, powered by Derick Brassard and Dan Boyle. New York padded the lead with a Nash power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, helped along by Hayes and Yandle. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars going to Yandle, Nash, and Klein, while Hayes gets an honorable mention. The series heads north again tied at 2.

Game 5: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Ben Bishop and Henrik Lundqvist. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman. The Lightning added on with a Stamkos power play goal, his seventh of the playoffs, powered by Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with the three stars going to Bishop (26 save shutout), Stamkos, and Filppula. The series now favors the Lightning 3-2, as they return home for the next game.

Game 6: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist and Ben Bishop. New York struck first in the first period on a Derick Brassard goal, his seventh of the postseason, coming off of J.T. Miller and Dan Boyle. The Rangers added on with a Keith Yandle goal, his second of the playoffs, via Brassard and Rick Nash. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, powered by Anton Stralman and Bishop. New York replied in the third period with a Miller goal, courtesy of Brassard and Nash. The Rangers extended the lead as James Sheppard scored, with the help of Dominic Moore and Tanner Glass. New York padded the lead on a Brassard goal, his second of the game and eighth of the postseason, passed from Miller and Nash, the latter getting a sock trick. The Lightning countered with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his eighth of the playoffs, assisted by Tyler Johnson. The Rangers shot back with a Nash power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, dished from Yandle and Miller. Tampa Bay pulled back with Kucherov's second of the game and ninth on the playoffs, with helpers from Johnson and Nikita Nesterov. New York finished it at 7-3 on a Brassard empty net goal to complete his hat trick, his ninth of the postseason, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Brassard, Miller, and Nash, while Kucherov, Johnson, and Yandle pick up the honorable mentions. The series will be decided in Game 7 in New York City. 

Game 7: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Ben Bishop and Henrik Lundqvist. Tampa Bay began in the third period with an Alex Killorn goal, his seventh of the postseason, coming off of Matthew Carle and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning added on with an Ondrej Palat goal, his seventh of the playoffs, set up by Tyler Johnson and the goalie Bishop. This made it 2-0, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Bishop (22 save shutout), Killorn, and Palat. The Lightning are the Eastern Conference representatives for the Stanley Cup Final on a 4-3 series win.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

MLS Wednesday Week 13

Three Wednesday games in what's becoming a common pattern for the middle of the week. We begin in...

Seattle, with the Sounders FC hosting the Colorado Rapids in a game I attended. Clint Irwin and Stefan Frei man the nets. Seattle struck first with a fifteenth minute Marco Pappa goal. In the forty-fourth minute, Colorado took a yellow card for a Jared Watts foul. The Sounders had two yellow cards in the second half, given to Osvaldo Alonso in the fifty-fifth minute and Brad Evans in the sixty-fourth minute, both for fouls. The game ended 1-0 for the Sounders, and Pappa was the man of the match for his beautiful, curling goal.

Down I-5, the Portland Timbers welcome DC United. Bill Hamid and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are the gloved men. Portland began in the fifth minute with a Maximiliano Urruti goal, passed from Gaston Fernandez. In the twenty-ninth minute, DC's Jared Jeffrey took a yellow card. The Timbers had a yellow card for a Norberto Paparatto foul in the fifty-sixth minute, as well as a yellow card for a seventy-sixth minute foul by Diego Chara. In stoppage time, Bobby Boswell of United took a yellow card for his foul. The final stood at 1-0, and the man of the match was Urruti for his early strike.

Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy bring in Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Jaime Penedo guard the nets. Los Angeles led off with a seventh minute penalty kick goal by Juninho. In the tenth minute, Kyle Beckerman of Salt Lake had a yellow card. The Galaxy saw yellow cards for Alan Gordon in the fortieth minute and a foul by Baggio Husidic in first half stoppage time. In the sixty-third minute, Mika Vayrynen took a yellow card for Los Angeles for his foul. Real went down to ten men as Jamison Olave took a straight red card for his offense in second half stoppage time. Los Angeles won 1-0, and the man of the match was Juninho for the early winner.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 12

Full week again, beginning with two games on Friday. The first is...

The Columbus Crew SC hosting the Chicago Fire. Jon Busch and Steve Clark are the veteran goalies. Columbus led off in the eighth minute with a Kei Kamara goal, passed from Ethan Finlay and Justin Meram. The Crew's Kevan George took a yellow card for his twenty-first minute foul. In the forty-second minute, Chicago's Eric Gehrig had a yellow card for a foul. Columbus added on with a fifty-fifth minute Kamara goal, his second of the game, assisted by George and Federico Higuain. The Fire got on the board with a David Accam goal in the fifty-eighth minute. The Crew's Meram got a yellow card in stoppage time for time wasting. He didn't waste enough, as Chicago tied it with a goal two minutes later by Jason Johnson, assisted by Gehrig. The man of the 2-2 match was Kamara with the brace.

Out in Los Angeles, the Galaxy welcome the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Jaime Penedo are set to start in goal. Los Angeles saw a yellow card go to Stefan Ishizaki in the twenty-fourth minute for a foul. Houston's Raul Rodriguez took a yellow card for his forty-third minute foul. The Galaxy's Juninho received a yellow card for his fifty-eighth minute foul. The Dynamo had another yellow card in the eighty-second minute for a Giles Barnes foul. In stoppage time, Los Angeles got the goal they needed for a 1-0 win on the score by Alan Gordon, passed from Robbie Keane. Gordon got a yellow card for excessive celebration. Three minutes later, Oscar Sorto of the Galaxy was ejected on a straight red card for fighting. The man of the match was Gordon.

Leading off Saturday, Toronto FC brings in the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Chris Konopka man the nets. Toronto began in the fifth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, via Luke Moore and Michael Bradley. In the ninetieth minute, Ashtone Morgan of Toronto took a yellow card for a foul. Portland's Diego Chara had a yellow card for his foul in stoppage time. The final stood at 1-0 for Toronto, and the man of the match honors went to Konopka for a clean sheet with five saves to preserve the win throughout much of the game.

Down in New England, the Revolution host DC United. Bill Hamid and Bobby Shuttleworth protect the nets. London Woodberry of New England received a yellow card for a twenty-sixth minute foul. In first half stoppage time, the Revolution got going with a Charlie Davies goal. A minute later, Lee Nguyen took a yellow card for a foul. New England saw the men on the pitch dwindle rapidly in the second half, with a straight red card given to Chris Tierney in the fifty-second minute to put them at ten men, and a second yellow card to Nguyen in the fifty-eighth minute to put them at nine men, both cards for fouls. In the seventy-fifth minute, Sean Franklin took a yellow card for a foul for DC. United tied it in the eightieth minute as Jairo Arrieta scored, thanks to Taylor Kemp and Facundo Coria. DC's Perry Kitchen received a yellow card for an eighty-sixth minute foul. The Revolution's Jermaine Jones was booked for dissent in the eighty-eighth minute, earning a yellow card. United had another yellow card for a Davy Arnaud foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The score remained at 1-1, with the man of the match being Arrieta for salvaging a point for DC.

Back in Canada, the Montreal Impact welcome FC Dallas. Dan Kennedy and Evan Bush are in goal. Montreal was first to score in the twenty-fifth minute with an Ignacio Piatti penalty kick. The Impact saw yellow cards for Bakary Soumare in the twenty-sixth minute for a handball, and Marco Donadel in the twenty-ninth minute for unsporting behavior. Montreal added on with a Jack McInerney goal in the fiftieth minute, passed from Piatti. In the fifty-eighth minute, Andres Romero of the Impact had a yellow card for a foul. Dallas' Matt Hedges received a yellow card for his seventy-fifth minute handball. Dallas got on the board as Hedges earned redemption, scoring in the seventy-seventh minute. Montreal took two more yellow cards, for Calum Mallace in the eighty-seventh minute for a foul and McInerney in stoppage time for time wasting. The Impact won 2-1, with the man of the match being Piatti for a goal and assist.

Out west, the Colorado Rapids bring in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Clint Irwin are the gloved men. Vancouver's Kianz Froese took a yellow card for his dive in the twenty-fourth minute. Colorado saw a yellow card for a foul by Sam Cronin in the forty-third minute. The Rapids struck first in the fifty-first minute with a Lucas Pittinari goal, passed from Gabriel Torres and Dillon Powers. The Whitecaps took two more yellow cards, for fouls by Gershon Koffie in the seventy-fifth minute and Kendall Waston in the seventy-ninth minute. Colorado's Kevin Doyle got booked on a yellow card for an eighty-seventh minute foul. The final held at 1-0, and the man of the match was Irwin for a four-save clean sheet for the win.

Northwest to Seattle, as the Sounders FC host Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Stefan Frei are between the posts. Kansas City had two yellow cards in the eighty-first minute, given to Soni Mustivar for dissent and Kevin Ellis for a foul. This was it in the mostly defensive game, with the final standing at 0-0. The man of the match was Frei for a clean sheet of three saves.

The last of Saturday's slate sees Real Salt Lake welcome New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Nick Rimando are in the six-yard boxes. Salt Lake dented the scoreboard with a John Stertzer goal in the twenty-fifth minute, made possible by Devon Sandoval and Kyle Beckerman. Real saw a yellow card for Demar Phillips in the fortieth minute for a foul. Salt Lake added on with an Alvaro Saborio goal, passed from Luke Mulholland and Jamison Olave in the forty-ninth minute. This was all they needed for the 2-0 win, with the man of the match being Stertzer for his goal.

The week ends on Sunday with two games, the first with the New York Red Bulls bringing in the Philadelphia Union. Brian Sylvestre and Luis Robles are the gloved men. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the fifty-seventh minute with a Vincent Nogueira goal, via Cristian Maidana. The Union added on with a C.J. Sapong goal, made possible by Fabinho and Maidana. Philadelphia's Sapong had a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-third minute. An argument in the seventy-eighth minute meant yellow cards for Maidana of the Union and Felipe of New York. Philadelphia's Nogueira took a yellow card for his eightieth minute foal. The Red Bulls saw a yellow card go to Karl Oiumette in the eighty-fourth minute for his foul. the final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Nogueira for his game-winner.

Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and David Bingham are the keepers. San Jose's Fatai Alashe took a yellow card for his forty-fourth minute foul. Orlando City went down to ten men as Brek Shea received a straight red card for a foul. Orlando City began with a sixty-fourth minute Kaka penalty kick goal. The Earthquakes tied it on a Chris Wondolowski penalty kick goal in the sixty-eighth minute. In the eighty-fifth minute, Martin Peterson took a yellow card for a foul for Orlando City. The game ended 1-1, with the man of the match being Wondolowski for his equalize and 100th MLS goal.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.