Thursday, November 19, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 77

Ten games are on the schedule today, beginning with...

Admiral Vladivostok hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Ivan Nalimov are in goal. Vladivostok struck first in the first period on an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, passed from Konstantin Makarov and Ivan Glazkov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Robert Kousal goal, via Maxim Kazakov in the third period. Admiral regained the lead on a Dmitry Sayustov goal, assisted by Jonathon Blum. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Sayustov, Nalimov (18 for 19 in saves), and Podshendyalov.

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Alexander Pechursky draw the starts. Novosibirsk got going in the second period with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, coming off of Andrej Meszaros. Sibir added on with a shorthanded goal from Oleg Gubin, set up by Maxim Shalunov. Novosibirsk iced it at 3-0 on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Tomas Vincour in the third period, going into the empty net. The three stars were Salak (30 save shutout), Zhafyarov, and Gubin.

Westward to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev brings in Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Niklas Svedberg are in the blue paint. Ufa began with a first period power play goal by Dmitry Makarov, powered by Alexander Loginov and Linus Omark. Togliatti tied it on a Tobias Viklund goal, guided in by Igor Magogin and Yefim Gurkin on the power play. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead in the second period on an Andreas Engqvist power play goal, via Loginov and Sami Lepisto. Ufa added on with a Lepisto power play goal, with a lone assist by Omark. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead in the third period as Maxim Goncharov scored, thanks to Omark and Igor Grigorenko. Ufa padded the lead on a Sergei Soin goal, helped along by Anton Lazarev and Denis Bodrov. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Lepisto, Loginov, and Omark.

Down to Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Vasily Koshechkin protect the nets. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a power play goal by Wojtek Wolski, powered by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Kazan tied it in the third period with a shorthanded Mikhail Varnakov goal, set up by Fyodor Malykhin. The tie went to the shootout, where Malykhin's two tallies topped one from Wolski for a 2-1 Ak Bars win. The three stars went to Malykhin, Garipov (32 for 33 in saves), and Wolski.

Out west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Vitaly Kolesnik are between the pipes. Yekaterinburg led off in the first period on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, assisted by Alexei Simakov. Avtomobilist added on with another Golyshev, with another lone assist from Simakov. Yekaterinburg chased Kolesnik with a Petr Koukal goal, fueled by Tommi Kivisto and Nikita Tryamkin. Alexei Murygin took over in goal. Yaroslavl got on the board with an Alexander Polunin goal, via Yegor Korshkov. Lokomotiv got closer with a Denis Mosalyov goal, guided in by Daniil Apalkov and Ilya Lyubushkin. Yaroslavl tied it on an Apalkov power play goal, powered by Petri Kontiola and Ilya Gorokhov. Avtomobilist regained the lead in the second period on an Eero Elo power play goal, with a lone helper by Simakov, who got a sock trick. Lokomotiv retied it as Sergei Konkov scored, with the help of Staffan Kronwall and Kontiola. Yaroslavl took the lead on a Pavel Kraskovsky goal, passed from Korshkov and Polunin. Lokomotiv extended the lead in the third period as Mosalyov scored again, thanks to Kontiola, who got a sock trick. Yaroslavl iced it on a shorthanded empty net goal from Mosalyov to complete his hat trick, making it 7-4 with the unassisted goal. The three stars went to Mosalyov, Golyshev, and Kontiola, while Simakov, Polunin, Korshkov, and Apalkov get the honorable mentions.

Into Moscow, where CSKA brings in Slovan Bratislava. Michael Garnett and Stanislav Galimov tend the twines. Bratislava got started in the second period on a Marek Viedensky goal, assisted by David Skokan. Slovan capped it at 2-0 with a third period empty net goal by Francis Pare, set up by Tomas Surovy. The three stars went to Garnett (45 save shutout), Viedensky, and Pare.

South to Sochi, with the Leopards hosting Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Vladislav Fokin and Konstantin Barulin receive the starting nods. Khanty-Mansiysk drew first blood in the second period with an Igor Bortnikov power play goal, powered by Kirill Rasskazov and Oleg Pogorishny. Sochi tied it on a Sergei Bernatsky goal, via Andre Petersson and Denis Kazionov. The Leopards took the lead in the third period on a Ziyat Paigin goal, with a lone assist from Kazionov. Sochi added on with an Ilya Krikunov goal, courtesy of Andrei Kostitsyn and Sergei Kuznetsov. The Leopards extended the lead as Mikhail Anisin scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Paigin. Sochi finished it at 5-1 with a Kostitsyn power play goal, powered by Igor Ignatushkin and Petersson. The three stars were handed to Paigin, Kostitsyn, and Barulin (26 for 27 in saves), while Kazionov and Petersson get the honorable mentions.

Back north to Cherepovets, with Severstal welcoming Medvescak Zagreb. Danny Taylor and Sergei Magarilov are the goalies. Cherepovets opened in the first period on an Andrei Shefer goal, guided in by Vadim Kudako and Maxim Trunyov. Severstal added on with an unassisted Pavel Buchnevich goal in the second period. Cherepovets extended the lead in the third period on a Buchnevich goal, assisted by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Severstal padded the lead as Buchnevich completed his natural hat trick, with the help of Kagarlitsky and Yury Trubachyov. The final held at 4-0, with the three stars being Buchnevich, Magarilov (22 save shutout), and Kagarlitsky.

Further north to Helsinki, with Jokerit bringing in Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Henrik Karlsson man the nets. Helsinki was first to score in the first period on a Brandon Kozun goal, fueled by Philip Larsen and Peter Regin. Omsk tied it on an Ilya Mikheyev goal in the second period, guided in by Alexander Popov and Evgeny Kulik. Avangard took the lead as Denis Kulyash scored, thanks to Ilya Zubov and Popov on the power play. Jokerit tied it in the third period with a Regin power play goal, powered by Kozun. Omsk won 3-2 in overtime with a Martin Erat goal, via Alexander Perezhogin and Yury Alexandrov. The three stars were Popov, Kozun, and Regin.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Mikko Koskinen guard the cages. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Anton Burdasov. SKA added on with an Alexander Barabanov goal, coming off of Joakim Lindstrom and Jarno Koskiranta. Astana got on the board with a shorthanded and unassisted Maxim Khudyakov goal. St. Petersburg answered in the second period on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, with a lone assist by Kovalchuk. SKA extended the lead as Kovalchuk scored, thanks to Shipachyov and Evgeny Dadonov on the power play. St. Petersburg padded the lead in the third period with a Koskiranta goal, passed from Barabanov and Lindstrom. The final held at 5-1, with the three stars named as Kovalchuk, Koskiranta, and Shipachyov, while Barabanov and Lindstrom get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 43

Three games for today, beginning in...

Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Ondrej Pavelec are the veteran goalies. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Mark Scheifele power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Mathieu Perreault and Blake Wheeler. Vancouver tied it on a Daniel Sedin power play goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Alexandre Burrows and Henrik Sedin. The Jets took the lead back with a Drew Stafford goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Toby Enstrom and Tyler Myers. Winnipeg added on in the third period as Scheifele scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, passed from Perreault and Stafford. The Jets iced it at 4-1 on a Stafford empty net goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, set up by Scheifele and Perreault, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Scheifele, Stafford, and Perreault.

Over to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Petr Mrazek guard the cages. Detroit began in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Pavel Datsyuk. Washington tied it on a Justin Williams power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Matt Niskanen and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime on an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his sixth of the campaign, coming off of Niskanen and Karl Alzner. The three stars went to Kuznetsov, Holtby (25 for 26 in saves), and Niskanen.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Anders Nilsson are in the creases. Chicago got going in the second period on a Duncan Keith goal, his second of the season, fueled by Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin on the power play. The Blackhawks added on with a Panarin goal, his seventh of the year, via Artem Anisimov and Kane. Edmonton got on the board with a Jordan Eberle goal, his second of the season, made possible by Brandon Davidson. The Oilers tied it on a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Darnell Nurse and Teddy Purcell in the third period. Chicago took the lead back on an Andrew Shaw goal, his second of the season, guided in by Tanner Kero and Marcus Kruger. Edmonton retied it on a Leon Draisaitl goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Taylor Hall and Purcell. The Blackhawks won 4-3 in overtime on a Marian Hossa goal, assisted by Brent Seabrook and Panarin. The three stars belonged to Panarin, Kane, and Purcell.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 42

Eight games grace the schedule today, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Tuukka Rask are the starting goalies. San Jose led off in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Melker Karlsson and Brent Burns. Boston tied it on a Tyler Randell goal, his third of the year, via Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins took the lead on a Brad Marchand goal, his sixth of the season, coming on the power play from Zdeno Chara and Brett Connolly. The Sharks retied it with a Joonas Donskoi goal, his third of the year, assisted by Paul Martin and Tommy Wingels. Boston regained the lead in the second period with a Loui Eriksson goal, his sixth of the season, passed from David Krejci and Seidenberg. San Jose tied it again as Karlsson scored his second of the year, thanks to Joe Thornton and Pavelski. The Sharks took the lead on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Burns. San Jose added on with a Thornton power play goal, his third of the year, guided in by Pavelski and Burns, the latter getting a sock trick. The Bruins got one back in the third period on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his seventh of the season, with helpers from Ryan Spooner and Krejci. The Sharks held on for a 5-4 win, with the three stars handed to Pavelski, Burns, and Thornton, while Karlsson, Krejci, and Seidenberg get the honorable mentions.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi faces a lesser foe in Linus Ullmark in goal. Dallas started in the first period on a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his second of the season, coming off of Antoine Roussel and Cody Eakin. The Stars added on in the third period with an Alex Goligoski goal, his second of the year, via Mattias Janmark and Jason Spezza. Buffalo got on the board with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Cody Franson and Tyler Ennis. Dallas won 3-1 with a Tyler Seguin empty net goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Jamie Benn and Goligoski. The three stars were Goligoski, Niemi (24 for 25 in saves), and Nichushkin.

Down to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Steve Mason are the experienced goalies. Philadelphia began in the first period on a Shayne Gostisbehere power play goal, powered by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Los Angeles tied it on a Jamie McBain goal, coming on the power play from Alec Martinez and Tanner Pearson. The Flyers took the lead in the third period as Giroux scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Voracek and Michael Del Zotto. The Kings retied it on a Milan Lucic goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Tyler Toffoli and Jake Muzzin. Los Angeles won 3-2 in the shootout with an Anze Kopitar tally. The three stars were Giroux, Voracek, and Lucic.

Westward to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets bringing in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the creases. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, made possible by Magnus Paajarvi and Dmitrij Jaskin. Columbus tied it on a Cody Goloubef goal, assisted by Kerby Rychel and Gregory Campbell. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period with a Brandon Saad goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Ryan Murray and Cam Atkinson. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with a Saad empty net goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year in the third period, set up by Ryan Johansen. The three stars belonged to Saad, Bobrovsky (19 for 20 in saves), and Elliott (35 for 37 in saves).

Backtracking to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a David Perron goal, his second of the season, via Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Minnesota tied it on a Mikael Granlund goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek. The Penguins retook the lead on a Beau Bennett power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Malkin and Patric Hornqvist. Pittsburgh added on in the second period with a Malkin goal, his fifth of the year, coming on the power play with the help of Letang. The Penguins extended the lead as Malkin scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, thanks to Phil Kessel and Adam Clendening. The Wild answered with a Jared Spurgeon power play goal, his third of the year, helped along by Matt Dumba and Charlie Coyle. Minnesota got closer in the third period on a Mikko Koivu power play goal, his fourth of the season, with helpers from Granlund and Ryan Suter. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Malkin, Letang, and Granlund.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Reto Berra and James Reimer are the unexpectedly good goalies. Toronto struck first in the first period with a Leo Komarov shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Shawn Matthias. The Maple Leafs added on with a P.A. Parenteau power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Peter Holland and Tyler Bozak. Toronto extended the lead in the second period as Bozak scored his third of the season on the power play, with assists provided by Brad Boyes and Holland. Colorado got on the board with an Erik Johnson goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon. The Maple Leafs fired back in the third period on a Parenteau power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, via Holland, who got a sock trick, and Bozak. Toronto wrapped it up at 5-1 on a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Matt Hunwick and Morgan Rielly. The three stars were awarded to Parenteau, Holland, and Bozak.

Back stateside, the Nashville Predators host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Pekka Rinne are the reliable goalies. Nashville drew first blood with a Shea Weber power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Roman Josi and Mike Ribeiro. Anaheim tied it with a Rickard Rakell goal, his third of the year, via Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen. The Predators retook the lead on a James Neal goal, his ninth of the season, going in unassisted. Nashville added on in the second period with a Miikka Salomaki goal, passed from Mattias Ekholm. Anton Khudobin relieved Andersen in goal. The Ducks got one back in the third period as Mike Santorelli scored his third of the year, thanks to Kevin Bieksa and Patrick Maroon. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Salomaki, Neal, and Rinne (38 for 40 in saves).

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Karri Ramo are called on to start. Calgary got started on a T.J. Brodie goal, his second of the season, fueled by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. The Flames added on with a Matt Stajan goal, via David Jones and Joe Colborne. New Jersey got on the board with a Bobby Farnham goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Stephen Gionta and Brian O'Neill in the second period. Calgary shot back on a Jones goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Colborne and Stajan. The Devils answered on a Jordin Tootoo power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Lee Stempniak and Mike Cammalleri. This was as close as it got, with the final at 3-2. The three stars were Jones, Stajan, and Colborne.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 76

Eight games are up for today, beginning with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Juha Metsola are in goal. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on an Evgeny Orlov goal, passed from Ignat Zemchenko. Khabarovsk tied it in the second period with a Nikolai Skladnichenko goal, via Denis Tolpeko. Metallurg took the lead back on a Maxim Kazakov goal, coming off of Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Stoa. Novokuznetsk added on with a Stoa power play goal in the third period, powered by Roman Manukhov. Amur pulled back on a Vyacheslav Ushenin goal, assisted by Artyom Zub and Vladislav Ushenin. Khabarovsk retied it with an unassisted goal by Kirill Maslov. Metallurg took the lead back on a Kaprizov goal, going in unassisted. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Kaprizov, Stoa, and Kazakov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Ivan Nalimov are given the starting nods. Vladivostok opened with a power play goal by Oskars Bartulis in the first period, powered by Konstantin Makarov and Artyom Podshendyalov. Admiral added on with a second period Makarov goal, via Alexander Kuznetsov. Novosibirsk got on the board with an Artyom Voroshilo goal, courtesy of Calle Ridderwall and Tomas Vincour. Vladivostok answered with a Makarov goal in the third period, made possible by Ivan Glazkov and Nikita Lisov. Sibir shot back with a Stepan Sannikov goal, assisted by Igor Fefelov and Sergei Shumakov. Admiral iced it at on an empty net goal by Yegor Dugin, set up by Dmitry Sayustov. This made it 4-2, with the three stars being Makarov, Bartulis, and Sannikov.

West to Chelyabinsk, with Traktor hosting Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Pavel Francouz draw the starts. Togliatti started on a first period power play goal by Igor Magogin, powered by Tobias Viklund and Martin Zatovic. Chelyabinsk tied it with a second period goal from Dmitry Pestunov, courtesy of Deron Quint and Stanislav Chistov. Traktor took the lead as Yegor Martynov scored, thanks to Anton Glinkin and Alexander Rybakov. Lada retied it in the third period on a Viklund power play goal, with a lone assist by Magogin. Traktor won 3-2 with a Glinkin tally in the shootout. The three stars were Glinkin, Viklund, and Magogin.

Back to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Niklas Svedberg are between the pipes. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Daniil Apalkov goal, fueled by Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv added on with an Alexander Polunin goal, passed from Yegor Korshkov. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Patrik Hersley scored a power play goal, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Apalkov. Ufa got on the board in the third period with an Igor Grigorenko power play goal, made possible by Sami Lepisto and Linus Omark. Lokomotiv shot back with a shorthanded Apalkov goal, with a lone assist by Jiri Novotny. Salavat Yulaev tied it with an Omark power play goal, guided in by Andreas Engqvist and Alexander Loginov. This only made it 4-2, with the three stars handed to Apalkov, Omark, and Hersley.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg hosts the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Sochi was first to score in the first period on a Ziyat Paigin goal, assisted by Clay Wilson and Denis Kazionov. Magnitogorsk tied it on an Oskar Osala goal, fueled by Danis Zaripov and Tomas Filippi. The Leopards took the lead back with a Denis Kazionov goal in the second period, coming off of Max Warn and Dmitry Kazionov. Metallurg retied it with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, with a lone assist by Zaripov. Magnitogorsk took the lead on a Zaripov goal in the third period, via Yaroslav Khabarov and Bogdan Potekhin. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Zaripov, Denis Kazionov, and Koshechkin (29 for 31 in saves).

Up in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas and Alexander Sudnitsin protect the nets. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period with an Alexander Kitarov goal, fueled by Danil Romantsev. Kazan tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Fyodor Malykhin, powered by Oscar Moller and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars took the lead in the third period on an Azevedo power play goal, assisted by Mikhail Varnakov and Malykhin. Neftekhimik tied it again with a Jeff Taffe power play goal, coming off of Andrei Sergeyev and Dan Sexton. In the shootout, Malykhin was topped by Yegor Milovzorov and Sexton as Neftekhimik took the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Malykhin, Azevedo and Sexton.

Into Moscow, where Spartak hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Evgeny Ivannikov are the masked men. Astana began in the first period on a Kevin Dallman goal, guided in by Brandon Bochenski and Mike Lundin. Barys added on with a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, assisted by Roman Savchenko and Maxim Khudyakov. Astana extended the lead in the second period as Konstantin Romanov scored, with the help of Maxim Semyonov and Roman Starchenko. Moscow got on the board with an Alexander Mereskin goal, via Konstantin Glazachev. Barys replied in the third period with a Khudyakov goal, with a lone helper by Krasnoslobodtsev. Spartak fired back on a Gleb Klimenko goal, passed from Charles Genoway and Evgeny Bodrov. Astana finished it at 5-2 with an unassisted goal by Martin St. Pierre. The three stars went to Khudyakov, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Romanov.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Ilya Ezhov occupy the creases. Omsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Sergei Shirokov goal, assisted by Vladimir Sobotka and Martin Erat. St. Petersburg tied it with an Anton Burdasov goal, guided in by Vyacheslav Voynov and Alexander Barabanov. Avangard took the lead on a Denis Kulyash goal, fueled by Denis Parshin and Ilya Zubov. Omsk added on with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, via Ilya Mikheyev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Furch (34 for 35 in saves), Kulyash, and Perezhogin.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Monday, November 16, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 41

Six games on for today, all being completed fairly early. The first is in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Anaheim Ducks. Anton Khudobin faces his former team and replacement as backup, Eddie Lack, in goal. Anaheim opened in the first period on a Shawn Horcoff goal, his third of the season, via Carl Hagelin and Andrew Cogliano. Carolina tied it in the second period on a Noah Hanifin goal, fueled by Joakim Nordstrom and Justin Faulk. The Ducks retook the lead on a Sami Vatanen goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf and Hagelin. Anaheim added on with a Hagelin goal in the third period, his second of the campaign, with a lone helper by Horcoff. The Ducks iced it at 4-1 with a Getzlaf empty net goal, set up by Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg. The three stars went to Hagelin, Horcoff, and Khudobin (24 for 25 in saves), while Getzlaf gets an honorable mention.

Up in Brooklyn, the New York Islanders welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Anders Lindback is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. New York led off in the first period on a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his sixth of the year, via Casey Cizikas and Okposo. New York extended the lead as Tavares scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Okposo, who got a sock trick, and Nelson. The Islanders padded the lead on a Steve Bernier goal, passed from Johnny Boychuk and Nielsen. Arizona got on the board with a Martin Hanzal goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Anthony Duclair and Max Domi. The Coyotes pulled closer on a Mikkel Boedker power play goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Oliver Ekman-Larsson. New York finished it at 5-2 with a Tavares empty net goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Tavares, Okposo, and Nelson, while Nielsen gets an honorable mention.

North to Montreal, where the Canadiens bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Mike Condon are the backups in goal. Vancouver started in the first period on an Adam Cracknell goal, his third of the season, guided in by Derek Dorsett and Matt Bartkowski. The Canucks added on with a Jared McCann power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Henrik Sedin and Radim Vrbata. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period as Daniel Sedin scored a power play goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Yannick Weber and Alexander Edler. Montreal got on the board with a shorthanded Lars Eller goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Tom Gilbert. The Canadiens pulled closer on a Max Pacioretty goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Brendan Gallagher. Montreal tied it on a Tomas Fleischmann goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, helped along by Nathan Beaulieu and Jeff Petry. The Canadiens completed the comeback with an overtime goal by David Desharnais, his sixth of the campaign, via P.K. Subban and Fleischmann. The three stars in the 4-3 game belonged to Fleishcmann, Desharnais, and Eller.

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Detroit began in the first period on a Dylan Larkin goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Danny DeKeyser. The Red Wings added on with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Justin Abdelkader and Mike Green. Ottawa got on the board with a Mike Hoffman power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone. Detroit replied on a second period goal by Riley Sheahan, his third of the year, passed from Luke Glendening and Green. The Senators countered in the third period with a Chris Wideman goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. Ottawa tied it with a Bobby Ryan goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Hoffman and Cody Ceci. The Red Wings won 4-3 in overtime on a Tomas Tatar goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Nyquist. The three stars were Nyquist, Green, and Hoffman.

Back south to Florida, with the Panthers welcoming the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Roberto Luongo are between the pipes. Florida dented the scoreboard late in the third period on an Aaron Ekblad goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Jonathan Huberdeau and Jaromir Jagr. The final remained at 1-0, with the three stars being Luongo (39 save shutout), Ekblad, and Vasilevskiy (18 for 19 in saves).

Finally, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Jake Allen are the young goalies. St. Louis drew first blood in the first period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Colton Parayko and David Backes. The Blues added on with a Backes goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Kevin Shattenkirk and Tarasenko on the power play. Winnipeg got on the board in the second period with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Alex Burmistrov. The Jets tied it on a Bryan Little goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Mathieu Perreault and Anthony Peluso. St. Louis regained the lead on a Backes goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, via Alexander Steen and Shattenkirk. This produced the eventual 3-2 final score, with the three stars awarded to Backes, Tarasenko, and Shattenkirk.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 75

Six games on for the day beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Dinamo Riga. Joacim Eriksson and Jakub Kovar receive the starting nods. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period on a Vitaly Popov goal, passed from Nikolai Timashov. Riga tied it with a Tim Sestito power play goal in the second period, powered by Steven Seigo and Guntis Galvins. Avtomobilist took the lead back on an Eero Elo goal in the third period, coming off of Timashov. Dinamo tied it as Tomas Kundratek scored, thanks to Mikelis Redlihs. The tie went to a shootout, where Kaspars Saulietis had the only goal, giving Riga a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Timashov, Kundratek, and Saulietis.

Along to Khanty-Mansiysk, with Yugra welcoming Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Georgy Gelashvili are in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk opened in the first period on a Vitaly Sitnikov goal, via Andrei Antonov and Grigory Zheldakov. Helsinki tied it on a Philip Larsen goal, assisted by Brandon Kozun in the second period. Jokerit pulled ahead with a Juhamatti Aaltonen goal, courtesy of Jesper Jensen and Larsen. Yugra retied it on an unassisted goal by Oleg Pogorishny in the third period. Helsinki retook the lead with another Aaltonen goal, made possible by Topi Jaakola. Jokerit iced it at 4-2 with a Jaakola empty net goal, set up by Atte Ohtamaa. The three stars went to Aaltonen, Larsen, and Jaakola.

West to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Mikhail Biryukov protect the nets. Moscow was first to score in the first period on a Konstantin Volkov goal, guided in by Mat Robinson and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period with an Alexander Budkin goal, fueled by Carter Ashton. Torpedo pulled ahead on a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, coming off of Alexander Frolov. Dynamo retied it in the third period as Martins Karsums scored, with the help of Alexei Tsvetkov and Maxim Karpov. In the shootout, two tallies from Maxim Pestushko put Dynamo at a 3-2 win after Sergei Kostitsyn had just one tally for Torpedo. The three stars went to Pestushko, Karsums, and Volkov.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Dmitry Milchakov are the masked men. Minsk drew first blood in the first period on an Andrei Stepanov power play goal, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny. Dinamo added on with a Matt Ellison goal, via Ryan Vesce and Jonathan Cheechoo. Minsk extended the lead as Paul Szczechura scored in the second period, thanks to Nick Bailen. Podolsk got on the board with a Denis Abdullin goal, assisted by Teemu Eronen. Vityaz got closer in the third period on an Alexander Nikulin goal, guided in by Dmitry Kostromitin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Szczechura, Ellison, and Stepanov.

In Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Danny Taylor are in the creases. The goalies dazzled in this game, which ended 1-0 for Zagreb with an overtime goal by Patrick Bjorkstrand, set up by Gilbert Brule and Blake Parlett. The three stars went to Bjorkstrand, Taylor (39 save shutout), and Sorokin (15 for 16 in saves).

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Sergei Magarilov and Barry Brust are between the pipes. Cherepovets started in the first period on an Ondrej Nemec goal, courtesy of Nikolai Stasenko and Dmitry Kagarlitsky on the power play. Bratislava tied it on a Michel Miklik goal, coming off of Cam Barker. Severstal regained the lead with a Vadim Berdnikov goal, helped along by Nemec. Slovan tied it again on a Marek Viedensky goal, passed from Lubomir Visnovsky. Cherepovets reclaimed the lead in the second period on a Kagarlitsky goal, with a lone assist by Pavel Buchnevich. Bratislava tied it on a power play goal by Patrik Lusnak, powered by Barker and Pavol Skalicky. Slovan pulled ahead on a Rok Ticar goal, fueled by Visnovsky. Severstal tied it again on a third period shorthanded goal by Sergei Monakhov, set up by Evgeny Kovyrshin. Bratislava won 5-4 with a Visnovsky power play goal, with a lone helper from Tomas Starosta. The three stars were awarded to Visnovsky, Barker, and Kagarlitsky, while Nemec gets the honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

KHL Day 74/NHL Day 40 2015-16

Seven games across the two leagues today. The first five are KHL, beginning in...

Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Andrei Kareyev are the goalies. Novosibirsk struck first in the first period on a Calle Ridderwall goal, via Konstantin Okulov and Tomas Vincour. Novokuznetsk tied it in the second period on a Ryan Stoa power play goal, powered by Cade Fairchild. Metallurg took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Maxim Kazakov, with a lone assist by Roman Manukhov. Novokuznetsk iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Grigory Glebov, set up by Alexander Romanov. The three stars went to Kareyev (27 for 28 in saves), Kazakov, and Stoa.

Over to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Pavel Francouz are set to start. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period on a power play goal by Vyacheslav Osnovin, powered by Maxim Yakutsenya and Konstantin Klimontov. Kazan tied it on an Oscar Moller goal, via Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars took the lead in the third period on a Fyodor Malykhin goal, passed from Mikhail Glukhov. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Malykhin, Garipov (25 for 26 in saves), Moller.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Yaroslavl started on a first period Jiri Novotny goal, assisted by Pavel Koledov and Denis Mosalyov. Magnitogorsk tied it on an unassisted Wojtek Wolski goal. Metallurg took the lead on a Jan Kovar power play goal in the second period, powered by Wolski and Danis Zaripov. Magnitogorsk added on with a Sergei Tereshchenko goal, guided in by Tomas Filippi and Bogdan Potekhin on the power play. Metallurg extended the lead as Oskar Osala scored, thanks to Zaripov and Tereshchenko. This made it 4-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Wolski, Zaripov, and Tereshchenko.

Westward to Moscow, where Spartak hosts the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Atte Engren are the masked men. Sochi was first to score in the first period on a Ben Maxwell goal, coming off of Andre Petersson. Moscow tied it on a Konstantin Glazachev goal in the second period, made possible by Alexander Mereskin and Lukas Radil. The Leopards took the lead on a Maxwell power play goal, powered by Sergei Kuznetsov. Spartak tied it again in the third period with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Leshchenko. Sochi took the lead on a Mikhail Anisin goal, fueled by Pyotr Schastlivy and Sergei Bernatsky. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars going to Maxwell, Anisin, and Shmelyov.

The Russian games end with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk bringing in Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Alexander Sudnitsin are in the creases. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period on an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, fueled by Jeff Taffe and Dan Sexton. Togliatti tied it on a Stanislav Romanov goal, going in unassisted. Lada took the lead with a Dmitry Vorobov goal, made possible by Igor Magogin and Alexander Bumagin. Togliatti added on with an unassisted Alexander Streltsov goal in the second period. Lada extended the lead as Anton Shenfeld scored in the third period, with the help of Yefim Gurkin and Georgy Belousov. Ivan Lisutin replaced Sudnitsin in goal. Neftekhimik got one back on an Andrei Sergeyev goal, via Sexton. Togliatti finished it at 5-2 on a Belousov empty net goal, set up by Shenfeld. The three stars were Shenfeld, Belousov, and Sexton.

In the NHL, the New York Rangers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier faces a lesser foe in Antti Raanta in goal. Toronto began in the first period on a Peter Holland goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Bryan Froese. New York tied it on a Ryan McDonagh goal, his third of the year, via Mats Zuccarello and Dan Girardi in the second period. The Rangers took the lead on a Derek Stepan goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Chris Kreider and Marc Staal. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Froese and Dion Phaneuf. New York retook the lead in the third period on a Derick Brassard goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Zuccarello and Kevin Klein. Toronto tied it again with a Phaneuf goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Tyler Bozak. The Rangers won 4-3 on a Zuccarello goal, his ninth of the campaign, helped along by McDonagh. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Zuccarello, McDonagh, and Phaneuf, while Froese gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Scott Darling are the mediocre goalies. Calgary dented the scoreboard with a David Jones goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Joe Colborne and Kris Russell. Chicago tied it on a Patrick Kane goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk and Artem Anisimov. The Blackhawks took the lead with a Marian Hossa goal, his second of the season, with a lone helper from Duncan Keith. Chicago added on with an Artemi Panarin goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks iced it on a Jonathan Toews empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The three stars of the 4-1 game were Kane, Hossa, and Darling (25 for 26 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.