Saturday, December 26, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 77

Nine games tonight as the NHL returns from the holiday. The first is in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres. Chad Johnson and Jonas Gustavsson are the goalies. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Evander Kane goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Tyler Ennis and Jack Eichel. Boston tied it on a Matt Beleskey goal, his fifth of the year, via Kevan Miller and Loui Eriksson. The Bruins took the lead with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his twelfth of the campaign, assisted by Brad Marchand and Zdeno Chara. Boston added on with a David Krejci goal in the third period, his tenth of the season, with a lone assist from Eriksson. The Sabres got one back on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Mike Weber and Cody Franson. Buffalo tied it on an Eichel goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Jake McCabe. The Sabres took the lead as Jamie McGinn scored his eighth of the season, thanks to O'Reilly and Zach Bogosian. Buffalo extended the lead as Eichel scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, an unassisted empty net goal. The Sabres finished it at 6-3 on an O'Reilly empty net goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Eichel and McGinn. The three stars were Eichel, O'Reilly, and McGinn, while Eriksson gets an honorable mention.

Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Cam Ward receive the starting nods. Carolina got going in the second period on a Brett Pesce goal, his third of the season, fueled by John-Michael Liles and Joakim Nordstrom. New Jersey tied it in the third period on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Mike Cammalleri and Adam Henrique. The Hurricanes retook the lead with a Justin Faulk goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Eric Staal and Kris Versteeg. Carolina added on with a Nordstrom goal, his second of the year, made possible by Faulk. This held for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Faulk, Nordstrom, and Ward (19 for 20 in saves).

Further south, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay led off in the first period on a Mike Blunden goal, his second of the season, via Andrej Sustr and Erik Condra. Columbus tied it on a Rene Bourque goal, coming off of Boone Jenner and Ryan Johansen. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period with a Scott Hartnell goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Alexander Wennberg and Dalton Prout. The Lightning tied it again on a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Jonathan Marchessault. Tampa Bay took the lead as Stamkos scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the season on the power play, with assists provided by Marchessault and Kucherov. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Nesterov power play goal, his second of the year, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Stamkos. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period as Jason Garrison scored his third of the campaign, with the help of Blunden. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars handed to Stamkos, Blunded, and Marchessault, while Kucherov gets an honorable mention.

North to DC, with the Washington Capitals hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Mike Condon and Braden Holtby are the in the blue paint. Washington opened in the first period on an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Nate Schmidt and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals added on with a Jay Beagle goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, fueled by Tom Wilson and Jason Chimera. Montreal got on the board with a Daniel Carr goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Andrei Markov and Alex Galchenyuk. Washington won 3-1 with a third period goal by Chimera, his tenth of the year, passed from Wilson and Schmidt. The three stars were Chimera, Wilson, and Schmidt, while Holtby (29 for 30 in saves) gets an honorable mention.

West to St. Louis, with the Blues welcoming the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Jake Allen protect the nets. St. Louis drew first blood in the second period on an Alexander Steen power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Vladimir Tarasenko. Dallas tied it on a Colton Sceviour goal, his third of the year, passed from Cody Eakin and Jamie Benn. The Stars took the lead with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twentieth of the season, via Patrick Sharp and Alex Goligoski. The Blues tied it in the third period as Robby Fabbri scored his eighth of the year, helped along by Jay Bouwmeester and David Backes. The tie went to a long shootout, where Tarasenko and Steen got matched by Benn and Sharp in the early going, and then Jori Lehtera, Dmitrij Jaskin, and Backes scored, with the first two matched by Jason Spezza and Patrick Eaves before the Blues could claim the 3-2 win. The three stars are Backes, Tarasenko, and Steen, while Benn and Sharp get the honorable mentions.

East a little to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Detroit started in the first period on a Brendan Smith goal, his second of the season, passed from Alexey Marchenko and Pavel Datsyuk. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Mike Ribeiro. The Red Wings took the lead back in the second period as Riley Sheahan scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Brad Richards and Tomas Tatar. The Predators tied it with a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, via Craig Smith and Ribeiro. Detroit took the lead again in the third period on a Luke Glendening goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Smith and Darren Helm. This held for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Smith, Forsberg, and Ribeiro.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matthew Murray and Devan Dubnyk are the goalies with alliterative names. Pittsburgh was first to score in the second period on a Sidney Crosby goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by David Perron and Kris Letang. The Penguins added on with an Eric Fehr goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Kevin Porter and Matt Cullen. Minnesota got on the board with a Jason Zucker goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Thomas Vanek and Marco Scandella. Pittsburgh replied on a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Crosby and Letang. This stood for a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Crosby, Murray (25 for 26 in saves), and Letang.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Coyotes welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. Arizona began in the first period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Antoine Vermette. Los Angeles tied it in the third period on a Drew Doughty power play goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Alec Martinez and Anze Kopitar. The Kings took the lead with a Tanner Pearson goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Marian Gaborik. Los Angeles added on with a Dustin Brown power play goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Nick Shore and Jamie McBain. The Coyotes got one back on a Vermette power play goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Michael Stone and Boedker. Arizona tied it on a power play goal by Ekman-Larsson, his second of the game and ninth of the year, coming off of Max Domi and Boedker, the latter getting a sock trick. The Kings won 4-3 in overtime on a Kopitar shorthanded and unassisted goal, his tenth of the campaign. The three stars went to Ekman-Larsson, Kopitar, and Boedker, while Vermette gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Jacob Markstrom are set to start in goal. Edmonton struck first in the first period on a Mark Letestu goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Lauri Korpikoski and Matt Hendricks. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Jannik Hansen goal, his eleventh of the year, via Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks won 2-1 in overtime with a Hansen goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, set up by Matt Bartkowski and the goalie Markstrom. The three stars belonged to Hansen, Markstrom (32 for 33 in saves), and Letestu.

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2015/16 Premier League Week 18

Full slate all on Saturday for the Boxing Day tradition. We begin with...

Stoke City hosting Manchester United. David de Gea and Jack Butland are in goal. Stoke City struck first on a nineteenth minute goal by Bojan, via Glen Johnson. Manchester United had a yellow card given to Ashley Young in the twenty-fifth minute for a hand ball. Stoke City added on with a Marko Arnautovic goal in the twenty-sixth minute. In the forty-ninth minute, Bojan took a yellow card for Stoke City for a dive. Andreas Pereira of Manchester United had a yellow card for an eighty-third minute foul. The final held at 2-0 for Stoke City.

Down to Aston Villa welcoming West Ham United. Adrian and Brad Guzan are the goalies. Leandro Bacuna took a yellow card for an eleventh minute foul for Aston Villa. Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United took a yellow card in the twelfth minute. In first half stoppage time, West Ham United got going on an Aaron Cresswell goal, guided in by Michail Antonio. James Collins of West Ham United took a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-eighth minute. Aston Villa tied it on a sixty-second minute penalty shot goal by Jordan Ayew. In the seventy-fourth minute, Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United took a yellow card for a foul. Aston Villa saw yellow cards for a seventy-eighth minute Alan Hutton foul and a foul by Joleon Lescott in second half stoppage time. The final stayed at 1-1 in the draw.

South to Bournemouth bringing in Crystal Palace. Wayne Hennessey and Artur Boruc man the nets. In the thirty-sixth minute, Harry Arter of Bournemouth took a yellow card for his foul. The game was mostly uneventful, ending in a 0-0 draw.

In London, Chelsea hosts Watford. Heurelho Gomes and Thibaut Courtois are the gloved men. Chelsea opened with a thirty-sixth minute Diego Costa goal, set up by Gary Cahill. Watford tied it on a forty-second minute penalty kick goal by Troy Deeney. Miguel Britos of Watford had a yellow card in the forty-fourth minute for a foul. Watford's Craig Cathcart took a yellow card in the forty-eighth minute for a foul. Watford took the lead in the fifty-sixth minute on an Odion Ighalo goal, passed from Jurado. In the sixty-fifth minute, Costa tied it for Chelsea, with the help of Willian. Watford saw yellow cards to Jose Holebas in the eighty-first minute and Valon Behrami in the eighty-third minute, both for fouls. Chelsea took a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute foul by Costa. The score stayed at 2-2.

North to Liverpool welcoming Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Simon Mignolet guard the woodwork. Adam Lallana of Liverpool took a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. Emre Can of Liverpool received a yellow card in the fifty-second minute. In the sixty-second minute, Robert Huth of Leicester City took a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool dented the scoreboard with a sixty-third minute Christian Benteke goal, via Roberto Firmino. The final stayed at 1-0 for Liverpool.

East to Manchester, where City brings in Sunderland. Vito Mannone and Joe Hart are in the six-yard boxes. Manchester City had a yellow card given to Raheem Sterling in the fourth minute for diving. In the twelfth minute, Sterling started Manchester City with a goal, via Kevin De Bruyne. Manchester City added on in the seventeenth minute on a Yaya Toure goal, coming off of David Silva. Manchester City extended the lead as Wilfried Bony scored in the twenty-second minute, thanks to De Bruyne. In the thirty-sixth minute, Billy Jones of Sunderland had a yellow card for his foul. Manchester City padded the lead on a De Bruyne goal in the fifty-fourth minute. Sunderland got on the board with a fifty-ninth minute Fabio Borini goal. The final held at 4-1 for Manchester City.

Out in Wales, Swansea City hosts West Bromwich Albion. Boaz Myhill and Lukasz Fabianski are set to start in goal. Swansea City was first to score in the ninth minute with a Ki Sung-Yueng goal. West Bromwich Albion had a yellow card go to Jonas Olsson in the forty-first minute. In the sixty-fourth minute, Claudio Yacob of West Bromwich Albion took a yellow card. Angel Rangel of Swansea City received a yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute, as did Callum McManaman of West Bromwich Albion. The final stood for a 1-0 Swansea City win.

Back to London, where Tottenham Hotspur welcomes Norwich City. Declan Rudd and Hugo Lloris are the keepers. Tottenham Hotspur began in the twenty-sixth minute with a Harry Kane penalty kick goal. In the forty-second minute, Tottenham Hotspur's Kane scored again, with the help of Dele Alli. Norwich City saw a yellow card given to Alexander Tettey in first half stoppage time for a foul. Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-fourth minute. Norwich City had another yellow card for Jonny Howson's foul in the seventy-seventh minute. Tottenham Hotspur extended the lead in the eightieth minute on a Tom Carroll goal, set up by Ben Davies. This made it a 3-0 win for Tottenham Hotspur.

North to Newcastle United bringing in Everton. Tim Howard and Robert Elliot play goal. Newcastle United had a yellow card given to Daryl Janmaat in the eleventh minute for a foul. In the thirty-sixth minute, Gareth Barry of Everton took a yellow card for a foul. Everton had a yellow card for a foul by Ross Barkley in the sixty-third minute. Jack Colback of Newcastle United took a yellow card for his eighty-second minute foul. Everton won 1-0 with a Tom Cleverley goal in stoppage time, making it a very late winner.

Finally, Southampton hosts Arsenal. Petr Cech and Maarten Stekelenburg draw the starts in goal. Southampton led off in the nineteenth minute with a Cuco Martina goal. Shane Long of Southampton took a yellow card for a thirty-fourth minute foul. Southampton added on with a Long goal in the fifty-fifth minute, set up by Sadio Mane. Southampton extended the lead as Jose Fonte scored in the sixty-ninth minute, with the help of Ryan Bertrand. In stoppage time, Long scored again, thanks to Dusan Tadic. The game ended in a 4-0 win for Southampton.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 106

Five games for today, beginning with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Magnitogorsk struck first on a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Wojtek Wolski and Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on with a Zaripov goal, via Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Chris Lee scored, with the help of Mozyakin. Evgeny Ivannikov came on for Engren. Metallurg padded the lead in the second period on an Alexander Semin goal, passed from Bogdan Potekhin. This made it 4-0, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Zaripov, Mozyakin, and Koshechkin (20 save shutout).

Up to Khanty-Mansiysk, with Yugra welcoming Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Georgy Gelashvili are the goalies. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, assisted by Maxim Karpov and Andrei Mironov. Dynamo added on with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal in the second period, guided in by Maxim Pestushko and Mat Robinson. Moscow extended the lead as Daniil Tarasov scored, with the help of Yury Babenko and Mironov. Dynamo padded the lead with a Pestushko goal, passed from Tereshchenko and Mironov, the latter getting a sock trick. Moscow continued in the third period on a Jakub Petruzalek goal, via Pestushko. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with a Vitaly Sitnikov goal, courtesy of Kirill Belyayev. Yugra got closer on a Konstantin Panov goal, with a lone helper by Igor Bortnikov. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Pestushko, Tereshchenko, and Mironov.

Along to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Niklas Svedberg protect the nets. Ufa got going with an Artyom Chernov goal in the second period, fueled by Alexander Nesterov and Sergei Soin. St. Petersburg tied it on a third period goal by Steve Moses, coming off of Sergei Shirokov and Ilya Kovalchuk on the power play. Salavat Yulaev won 2-1 with an Enver Lisin overtime goal, courtesy of the goalie Svedberg and Alexander Loginov. The three stars were Svedberg (31 for 32 in saves), Lisin, and Chernov.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Alexander Sudnitsin tend the twines. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period on a Ryan Stoa goal, via Kirill Lyamin and Marek Kvapil. Neftekhimik added on with an Alexander Kitarov goal, coming off of Pavel Kulikov and Kvapil. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Igor Polygalov scored, thanks to Yegor Milovzorov and Denis Kuzmin. Igor Saprykin replaced Sateri in the second period. Podolsk got on the board with an Alexander Shibayev goal, made possible by Ilya Davydov and Igor Musatov. Vityaz got closer with a Mario Kempe goal, helped along by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexei Makeyev. Podolsk tied it on an unassisted Denis Abdullin goal. Ivan Lisutin replaced Sudnitsin at this time. Neftekhimik took the lead back in the third period on a Stoa goal, assisted by Alexander Bryntsev and Kvapil, the latter getting a sock trick. Nizhnekamsk made it 5-3 on a Jeff Taffe goal, dished from Evgeny Ryasensky and Evgeny Grigorenko. The three stars went to Stoa, Kvapil, and Taffe.

Finally, out west, Slovan Bratislava hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Maxim Alyapkin is mismatched with Barry Brust in goal. Bratislava started in the first period on a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, powered by Marek Viedensky and Cam Barker. Slovan added on with a second period Barker power play goal, going in unassisted. Bratislava extended the lead with an unassisted Pavol Skalicky goal in the third period. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Brust (30 save shutout), Barker, and Kaspar.

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Friday, December 25, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 105

Four games on as the world celebrates Christmas today, beginning with...

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosting Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Alexei Murygin man the nets. Yaroslavl opened in the first period on an Andrei Loktionov goal, via Staffan Kronwall and Emil Galimov. Lokomotiv added on in the second period on a Stanislav Chistov goal, passed from Dmitry Maltsev and Loktionov. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Vladislav Gavrikov scored, thanks to Denis Mosalyov and Galimov. This made it 3-0, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Murygin (21 save shutout), Loktionov, and Galimov.

Into Moscow, where CSKA welcomes Lada Togliatti. Ivan Kasutin and Ilya Sorokin draw the starts. Togliatti led off in the first period on an Alexander Bolshakov goal, assisted by Viktor Komarov and Stanislav Bocharov. Moscow tied it with an Alexander Radulov power play goal, powered by Sergei Andronov and Gennady Stolyarov. Lada took the lead on a Martin Zatovic goal in the third period, fueled by Komarov and Tobias Viklund. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Komarov, Kasutin (34 for 35 in saves), and Zatovic.

Down in Sochi, the Leopards bring in Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Konstantin Barulin are in the creases. Sochi began in the first period on a Ben Maxwell goal, fueled by Andre Petersson and Evgeny Skachkov. Khabarovsk tied it on a Vyacheslav Ushenin goal, courtesy of Vladislav Ushenin and Jan Kolar. Amur took the lead on a Vitaly Shulakov goal, passed from Tomas Zohorna and Tom Wandell. Khabarovsk added on with a Mikhail Zheleznov goal, coming off of Alexei Byvaltsev and Vitaly Atyushov. Dmitry Shikin replaced Barulin in goal. The Leopards got one back on a Ziyat Paigin goal, made possible by Pyotr Schastlivy. Sochi tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Skachkov, powered by Petersson and Paigin. The Leopards took the lead with a power play goal from Andrei Kostitsyn, assisted by Ilya Krikunov and Paigin. Sochi extended the lead as Mikhail Anisin scored, thanks to Max Warn. Amur got one back on a Niclas Bergfors goal, helped along by Kolar on the power play. The Leopards won 6-4 on an Igor Ignatushkin goal, with a lone helper from Kostitsyn. The three stars were Paigin, Skachkov, and Petersson, while Kostitsyn gets an honorable mention.

Back north, the day ends with Severstal Cherepovets hosting Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas and Sergei Magarilov are set to start in goal. Cherepovets started in the first period on a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, via Sergei Kuptsov and Sergei Dorofeyev. Severstal added on with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, guided in by Maxim Trunyov and Vadim Berdnikov. Kazan got on the board on an Alexander Svitov goal, courtesy of Mattias Sjogren and Oscar Moller on the power play. Ak Bars tied it on a Justin Azevedo goal in the second period, coming off of Konstantin Korneyev. Kazan took the lead with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, with a lone assist by Azevedo. Roman Smiryagin replaced Magarilov in goal. Cherepovets tied it again as Trunyov scored an unassisted goal. Ak Bars won 4-3 in overtime on a Vasily Tokranov power play goal, powered by Azevedo and Moller. The three stars were Azevedo, Moller, and Trunyov.

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Thursday, December 24, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 104

Seven games for today, beginning in...

Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts Avangard Omsk. Eduard Reizvikh and Vladislav Podyapolsky. Omsk started in the first period on a Yury Alexandrov goal, passed from Ilya Zubov and Anton Burdasov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Roman Manukhov power play goal, powered by Robert Kousal and Mikhail Plotnikov. Avangard took the lead back with a Sergei Gusev goal, courtesy of Maxim Kazakov and Zubov. Metallurg tied it on a second period goal by Kirill Lebedev, via Nikita Lyamkin. Omsk took the lead back on a third period Kazakov power play goal, assisted by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Martin Erat. Novokuznetsk tied it again on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, made possible by Kousal and Grigory Glebov. The tie went to a shootout, where Yury Petrov and Vladimir Sobotka lifted Avangard 4-3 over Kirill Semyonov of Metallurg. The three stars went to Kazakoc, Zubov, and Kousal.

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir welcomes Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Alexander Salak protect the nets. Novosibirsk struck first in the first period on a Calle Ridderwall power play goal, powered by Sergei Shumakov and Andrej Meszaros. Astana tied it on a Brandon Bochenski goal, helped along by Kevin Dallman. Sibir took the lead back in the second period on a Maxim Shalunov goal, assisted by Damir Zhafyarov and Dmitry Monya. Novosibirsk added on with a Shumakov goal, coming off of Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir extended the lead in the third period as Shalunov scored his second of the game, thanks to Monya. Novosibirsk padded the lead on a Shumakov power play goal, with a lone assist by Fyodor Belyakov. This made it a 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Shumakov, Shalunov, and Salak (46 for 47 in saves), while Monya gets an honorable mention.

Out to Zagreb, where Medvescak brings in Dinamo Minsk in a matinee. Jeff Glass and Danny Taylor draw the starts in goal. Minsk was first to score in the first period on an unassisted goal by Alexei Kalyuzhny. Zagreb tied it on a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, courtesy of Edwin Hedberg and Colby Genoway. Dinamo took the lead on a second period power play goal by Ryan Vesce, powered by Matt Ellison and Ryan Gunderson. Medvescak tied it on a third period goal from Tomas Mertl, set up by Tuukka Mantyla. Zagreb won 3-2 with a Gilbert Brule goal, via Bjorkstrand and Simon Gysbers in overtime. The three stars were Bjorkstrand, Brule, and Mertl.

Back east, Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Igor Shestyorkin is mismatched with Vasily Koshechkin in goal. St. Petersburg led off in the first period on an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Vadim Shipachyov and Nikita Gusev. SKA added on with a Gusev power play goal, with helpers from Kovalchuk and Shipachyov. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Danis Zaripov goal, via Viktor Antipin and Alexei Kaigorodov. St. Petersburg replied with a Steve Moses goal, courtesy of Kovalchuk and Alexander Kadeikin in the second period. SKA extended the lead as Gusev scored his second of the game, thanks to Evgeny Dadonov and Shipachyov, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Petersburg padded the lead on a Jarno Koskiranta goal, helped along by Dinar Khafizullin and Jonas Enlund. Metallurg pulled back in the third period on a Zaripov goal, assisted by Chris Lee and Jan Kovar on the power play. Magnitogorsk chipped away with a Kovar goal, guided in by Lee and Sergei Mozyakin on the power play. Metallurg edged closer on a Mozyakin goal, fueled by Antipin and Kovar. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Gusev, Kovalchuk, and Shipachyov, while Zaripov, Kovar, Mozyakin, and Lee get the honorable mentions.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Vladislav Fokin man the nets. Podolsk opened in the first period on an Alexei Makeyev goal, passed from Georgy Berdyukov and Maxim Afinogenov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Konstantin Panov goal, helped along by Igor Bortnikov and Andrei Taratukhin in the second period. Vityaz took the lead on a Denis Abdullin goal, via Nikita Vyglazov and Dmitry Shitikov. Yugra tied it again with a Vitaly Sitnikov goal, assisted by Grigory Zheldakov. In the third period, Podolsk took the lead on a Shitikov penalty shot goal after he was hooked by Alexander Ugolnikov. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Shitikov, Sateri (40 for 42 in saves), and Abdullin.

Over to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Vasily Demchenko are in the blue paint. Moscow began in the first period on an Ilya Nikulin goal, assisted by Konstantin Gorovikov. Chelyabinsk tied it on a second period power play goal by Anton Glinkin, powered by Alexander Rybakov and Yegor Martynov. Traktor took the lead on a Vladimir Denisov goal, courtesy of Martin Ruzicka and Artyom Penkovsky. Dynamo tied it with a Konstantin Volkov goal, with a lone assist by Alexei Tsvetkov. Moscow took the lead on a third period power play goal from Vladimir Bryukvin, coming off of Alexei Tereshchenko and Nikulin. Chelyabinsk tied it again on an Alexander Sharov goal, via Semyon Kokuyov. Traktor won 4-3 in overtime on a Filip Novak goal, fueled by Rybakov and Kokuyov. The three stars went to Nikulin, Rybakov, and Kokuyov.

Finally, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Niklas Svedberg are the masked men. Moscow drew first blood on a shorthanded and unassisted Charles Genoway goal. Spartak added on with a Genoway goal in the second period, his second of the game, helped along by Konstantin Glazachev. Ufa got on the board in the third period with a Sami Lepisto goal, via Zakhar Arzamastsev and Andreas Engqvist. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Genoway, Engren (35 for 36 in saves), and Svedberg (35 for 37 in saves).

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 103

Four games for today, beginning in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Vitaly Kolesnik are in goal. Yaroslavl began in the first period on a Vladislav Gavrikov goal, assisted by Andrei Sigaryov and Ilya Lyubushkin. Khabarovsk tied it on a Vladislav Ushenin goal in the third period, courtesy of Vyacheslav Ushenin and Rinat Ibragimov. Lokomotiv took the lead on a Lyubushkin goal, passed from Staffan Kronwall and Vladislav Kartayev. Yaroslavl added on with a Yegor Averin goal, coming off of Patrik Hersley and Daniil Apalkov. Lokomotiv iced it at 4-1 with a Petri Kontiola empty net goal, set up by Averin. The three stars went to Lyubushkin, Kolesnik (21 for 22 in saves), and Averin.

Into Moscow, where CSKA welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Viktor Fasth are the masked men. Moscow struck first in the first period on an Ivan Telegin goal, passed from Mikhail Yunkov. CSKA added on with an unassisted Jan Mursak goal. Kazan got on the board with a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, powered by Yakov Rylov and Oscar Moller. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars being Fasth (19 for 20 in saves), Mursak, and Garipov (32 for 34 in saves).

Down in Sochi, the Leopards bring in Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Konstantin Barulin are the reliable goalies. Sochi got going in the second period on an unassisted Evgeny Skachkov goal, coming shorthanded. Vladivostok tied it on an Alexander Kuznetsov goal, passed from Konstantin Makarov and Artyom Podshendyalov. Admiral took the lead on a Yegor Yakovlev goal, courtesy of Maxim Mamin and Kirill Voronin. Vladivostok added on with an Artyom Zemchyonok goal, made possible by David Vooth. Admiral finished it at 4-1 on a Booth goal in the third period, fueled by Viktor Alexandrov. The three stars went to Booth, Nalimov (37 for 38 in saves), and Yakovlev.

Finally, Severstal Cherepovets host Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Sergei Magarilov are in the creases. Cherepovets led off in the first period with a Sergei Demagin goal, coming off of Kirill Sviyazov and Daniil Vovchenko. Severstal added on in the second period on a Pavel Chernov goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Togliatti got on the board in the third period as Dmitry Vorobyov scored, thanks to Georgy Belousov and Anton Krysanov. Lada tied it on a Martin Zatovic goal, assisted by Viktor Komarov and Tobias Viklund. Togliatti took the lead with an Anton Shenfeld goal, passed from Belousov. Cherepovets tied it on a Vovchenko power play goal, powered by Yury Trubachyov. In the shootout, a lone tally by Chernov gave Severstal the 4-3 win. The three stars went to Chernov, Vovchenko, and Belousov.

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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 76

Ten games on tonight, and that will have to hold everyone over until Saturday, as the NHL takes its holiday break. The first is in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. St. Louis got going in the second period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Magnus Paajarvi and David Backes. The Blues added on with a Robby Fabbri goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Allen (32 save shutout), Tarasenko, and Fabbri.

Over in New York, the Rangers welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Henrik Lundqvist draw the starts. Anaheim led off in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Rickard Rakell. New York tied it on a Derick Brassard goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The Rangers took the lead in the third period on a Brassard goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, via Mats Zuccarello. The Ducks tied it on a Rakell goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. New York won 3-2 on a Zuccarello power play goal in overtime, his fifteenth of the campaign, powered by Dan Boyle and Brassard. The three stars went to Brassard, Zuccarello, and Rakell.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Jimmy Howard protect the nets. New Jersey opened in the first period on a Kyle Palmieri power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Jon Merrill. The Devils added on with a Jordin Tootoo goal, his third of the year, coming off of Andy Greene. New Jersey extended the lead as David Schlemko scored his third of the season, thanks to Palmieri. Petr Mrazek replaced Howard in goal. Detroit got on the board with a Dylan Larkin power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings got closer on a second period Mike Green goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play from Brad Richards and Pavel Datsyuk. The Devils answered in the third period with a Sergey Kalinin goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Jacob Josefson. Detroit pulled back on a Riley Sheahan goal, his fourth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Tomas Jurco. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Palmieri, Kalinin, and Schlemko.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Vancouver began in the first period on a Sven Baertschi goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Radim Vrbata and Alex Biega. Tampa Bay tied it on a Jonathan Marchessault power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Anton Stralman. The Canucks took the lead in the third period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Henrik Sedin. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Markstrom (26 for 27 in saves), Daniel Sedin, and Baertschi.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Roberto Luongo are the experienced goalies. Florida dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Corban Knight goal, passed from Quinton Howden and Jaromir Jagr. Ottawa tied it on a Mark Stone power play goal, his eighth of the campaign, powered by Erik Karlsson and Mika Zibanejad in the third period. The tie went to a shootout, where Brandon Pirri and Aleksander Barkov sealed the 2-1 win for the Panthers. The three stars belonged to Anderson (39 for 40 in saves), Barkov, and Luongo (15 for 16 in saves).

Way to the north, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Mike Condon and Darcy Kuemper are the unimpressive goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period on a Jason Pominville goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Mikael Granlund. The Wild added on in the third period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Nino Niederreiter. Montreal got on the board with a Daniel Carr goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Lars Eller and Alex Galchenyuk. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Kuemper (24 for 25 in saves), Coyle, and Pominville.

South again to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and former Blackhawks Antti Niemi protect the nets. Dallas drew first blood in the second period on a Jason Spezza power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Patrick Sharp and John Klingberg. The Stars added on with a Sharp goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Jamie Benn and Jason Demers in the third period. Dallas extended the lead as Colton Sceviour scored his second of the season, assisted by Jordie Benn and Antoine Roussel. The Stars padded the lead with a Mattias Janmark goal, his eighth of the year, via Demers and Johnny Oduya. This made it 4-0, with the three stars handed to Niemi (20 save shutout), Sharp, and Demers.

Back in Canada, the Calgary Flames welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Karri Ramo are the mediocre goalies. Calgary started in the first period on a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Sean Monahan and T.J. Brodie. The Flames added on with a Joe Colborne goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Mark Giordano and Micheal Ferland. Winnipeg got on the board with a Tyler Myers goal, his fourth of the season, via Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Calgary replied in the third period on a Gaudreau goal, his fourteenth of the year and second of the game, assisted by Brodie and Jiri Hudler. The Flames iced it as Gaudreau finished his hat trick with an empty net goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, set up by Mikael Backlund and Giordano. The final was 4-1, and the three stars were Gaudreau, Brodie, and Giordano.

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. Toronto was first to score in the first period on a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Dion Phaneuf and P.A. Parenteau. Arizona tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Stefan Elliott and Brad Richardson. The Coyotes took the lead with a Doan goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, via Kyle Chipchura. The Maple Leafs tied it in the second period on a Nazem Kadri goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Tyler Bozak and Morgan Rielly. Arizona regained the lead in the third period on a Connor Murphy goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Richardson and Doan. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Doan, Richardson, and Domingue (37 for 39 in saves).

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones faces former mentor Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles got started in the first period on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Tanner Pearson and Jeff Carter. The Kings added on with a Trevor Lewis goal, his third of the year, fueled by Dustin Brown and Alec Martinez. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Thornton goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Brenden Dillon. Los Angeles answered on a Toffoli goal in the second period, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, passed from Pearson. The Sharks pulled back on a Brent Burns goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Thornton and Joonas Donskoi. San Jose tied it on a Pavelski power play goal in the third period, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Burns. The Sharks took the lead on another Pavelski power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Thornton. San Jose iced it at 5-3 on a Burns empty net goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Pavelski, Burns, and Thornton, while Toffoli and Pearson get the honorable mentions.

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