Saturday, January 16, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 98

Ten games around the league today, beginning with three matinees. The first is in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Steve Mason are in the blue paint. Philadelphia led off in the first period on a Brayden Schenn goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Sean Couturier and Michael Raffl. New York tied it on a J.T. Miller power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Lundqvist. The Rangers took the lead in the second period on a Chris Kreider goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Rick Nash and Derek Stepan. The Flyers tied it again in the third period on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The tie went to a shootout, where Mats Zuccarello's lone tally gave New York a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Lundqvist (34 for 36 in saves), Mason (29 for 31 in saves), and Zuccarello.

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Anders Lindback in goal. New Jersey struck first in the first period with a Reid Boucher goal, made possible by Lee Stempniak and Travis Zajac. The Devils iced it at 2-0 in the third period on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, assisted by Joseph Blandisi and Adam Larsson. The three stars were awarded to Schneider (38 save shutout), Boucher, and Palmieri.

The last of the matinees has the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Quick are the veterans in goal. Los Angeles was first to score in the first period on a Jeff Carter goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Tyler Toffoli and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on with a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Carter in the second period. Ottawa got on the board with an Alex Chiasson goal, his third of the year, via Curtis Lazar. Los Angeles answered with a Toffoli goal, his twenty-first of the season, helped along by Milan Lucic and Anze Kopitar in the third period. The Senators pulled back with a Bobby Ryan goal, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Mika Zibanejad and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa tied it on a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Senators gained the lead with a Zibanejad power play goal, his ninth of the year, with helpers from Ryan and Cody Ceci. Ottawa sealed it at 5-3 with a Mark Borowiecki empty net goal, set up by Pageau. The three stars went to Zibanejad, Ryan, and Carter, while Toffoli and Pageau get the honorable mentions.

Back east at the normal time, the Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Tuukka Rask are the masked men. Boston began in the first period on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Torey Krug and Kevan Miller. Toronto tied it on a Leo Komarov goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf. The Bruins regained the lead in the second period with a Bergeron goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, made possible by Zdeno Chara and Zach Trotman. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Shawn Matthias goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Tyler Bozak. Boston took the lead in the third period with a Brad Marchand goal, his sixteenth of the campaign. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Bergeron, Marchand, and Rask (27 for 29 in saves).

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Chad Johnson are in the creases. Buffalo opened in the first period on a Phil Varone goal, coming off of Rasmus Ristolainen and Zach Bogosian. The Sabres added on with a Tim Schaller goal, coming shorthanded and unassisted. Buffalo extended the lead in the second period as Evander Kane scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Ryan O'Reilly and Sam Reinhart. Philipp Grubauer took over for Holtby at this time. The Sabres padded the lead with a Cody Franson power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Kane and Bogosian. Washington got on the board with a Marcus Johansson goal, his eleventh of the campaign, helped along by Jason Chimera. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Kane, Bogosian, and Johnson (33 for 34 in saves).

Southwest to St. Louis, with the Blues bringing in the Montreal Canadiens. Mike Condon and Brian Elliott are the underrated goalies. St. Louis quickly started in the first period with a Robby Fabbri goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko. Montreal tied it in the second period with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Andrei Markov. The Canadiens took the lead with a Max Pacioretty goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Nathan Beaulieu and Tomas Plekanec. The Blues tied it again with a Paul Stastny goal, his fourth of the year, via Colton Parayko and Patrik Berglund. Montreal took the lead on a third period Plekanec goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher. St. Louis tied it again with a Ty Rattie goal, his second of the year, coming off of David Backes and Berglund. The Blues won 4-3 in overtime on a Lehtera goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Fabbri. The three stars went to Lehtera, Fabbri, and Plekanec, while Pacioretty and Berglund get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Joonas Korpisalo are the unknown goalies. Columbus struck first in the first period on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his ninth of the season, via Ryan Murray and Seth Jones. Colorado tied it in the second period on a Chris Wagner goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Jarome Iginla and Chris Bigras. The Blue Jackets retook the lead on a Jack Johnson goal in the third period, his sixth of the season, helped along by Cody Goloubef and Brandon Saad. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Johnson, Korpisalo (29 for 30 in saves), and Dubinsky.

Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Carter Hutton are the goalies. Nashville was first to score in the first period on an Eric Nystrom goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Shea Weber and Mike Fisher. The Predators added on in the third period with a Roman Josi power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Ryan Johansen and Weber. Nashville iced it at 3-0 with a Filip Forsberg goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by James Neal. The three stars went to Hutton (29 save shutout), Nystrom, and Weber.

In Canada, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Cam Talbot draw the starts in goal. Calgary led off in the first period with a Sam Bennett goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik. Edmonton tied it on a Mark Fayne goal, helped along by Taylor Hall. The Oilers won 2-1 with a Teddy Purcell shootout tally. The three stars went to Talbot (31 for 32 in saves), Hiller (36 for 37 in saves), and Fayne.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi faces his former team and Martin Jones in goal. Dallas began in the first period on an Ales Hemsky goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Mattias Janmark and Antoine Roussel. San Jose got on the board in the second period with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl. The Sharks took the lead with a Chris Tierney power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Tommy Wingels and Matt Nieto. The Stars tied it in the third period as Tyler Seguin scored his twenty-fifth of the year, thanks to Jamie Benn. San Jose retook the lead on a Vlasic power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, with assists provided by Dylan DeMelo and Joonas Donskoi. Dallas tied it on a Jason Spezza goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Benn and Seguin. The Sharks won with a Hertl goal in overtime, his seventh of the campaign, made possible by Vlasic and Logan Couture. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Vlasic, Hertl, and Seguin, while Benn gets an honorable mention.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 124

Three games today, beginning in...

Sochi, as the Leopards host Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Konstantin Barulin are the goalies. Yaroslavl struck first in the first period on an Andrei Loktionov goal, assisted by Vladislav Gavrikov and Stanislav Chistov. Lokomotiv added on with a Denis Mosalyov goal, fueled by Ilya Gorokhov and Loktionov. Andrei Gavrilov took over for Barulin at this time. Sochi got on the board with a Ben Maxwell goal, via Andre Petersson and Evgeny Skachkov. Yaroslavl answered on a Pavel Koledov goal, passed from Chistov and Loktionov. The Leopards shot back with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Ilya Krikunov. A couple minutes later, Kolesnik came out of the game for Alexei Murygin. Lokomotiv replied on a Daniil Apalkov goal, with a lone assist by Yegor Averin. Yaroslavl iced it at 5-2 with an unassisted Andrei Sigaryov goal. The three stars went to Loktionov, Chistov, and Koledov.

Out in Zagreb, Medvescak welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Danny Taylor are the masked men. Moscow got going in the second period with an Ilya Shipov goal, fueled by Ivan Igumnov and Alexander Osipov. Zagreb tied it on a Tuukka Mantyla power play goal, powered by Jesse Saarinen and Tomas Mertl. Medvescak gained the lead with a Gilbert Brule power play goal in the third period, via Simon Gysbers and Mark Katic. The game ended 2-1, with the three stars given to Brule, Taylor (28 for 29 in saves), and Mantyla.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Barry Brust man the nets. Bratislava was first to score in the first period on a Michel Miklik goal, fueled by Tomas Surovy and Milan Bartovic. Podolsk tied it on a Dmitry Kostromitin goal, courtesy of Denis Abdullin. Slovan retook the lead on a Cam Barker power play goal, powered by Lukas Kaspar. Bratislava added on in the second period on a Ziga Jeglic goal, with a lone assist by Andrej Stastny. Slovan extended the lead as Kaspar scored in the third period, thanks to Marek Viedensky and Vaclav Nedorost. Vityaz got one back with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, going in unassisted. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Kaspar, Jeglic, and Barker.

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Friday, January 15, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 97

Six games today, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Boston Bruins. Jonas Gustavsson and Robin Lehner make the starts in goal. Buffalo opened in the first period with a David Legwand goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. Boston tied it in the second period as Matt Beleskey scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Ryan Spooner and Loui Eriksson. The Bruins took the lead in the third period on a Zdeno Chara goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Spooner and Beleskey. Boston added on with a Spooner goal, his tenth of the year, via Eriksson and Kevan Miller. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Brett Connolly empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars went to Spooner, Beleskey, and Gustavsson (33 for 34 in saves), while Eriksson gets an honorable mention.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Cam Ward are the inconsistent goalies. Vancouver started in the first period on an unassisted Linden Vey goal. Carolina tied it with a Kris Versteeg power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Staal. The Canucks took the lead back in the second period on a Bo Horvat goal, his seventh of the year, via Taylor Fedun and Matt Bartkowski. The Hurricanes tied it again in the third period with a John-Michael Liles goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Andrej Nestrasil and Victor Rask. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime as Horvat scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, thanks to Radim Vrbata and Christopher Tanev. The three stars belonged to Horvat, Markstrom (38 for 40 in saves), and Vey.

North to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs bringing in the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and James Reimer are in the blue paint. Chicago got going in the second period with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, courtesy of Duncan Keith and Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks added on with a Kane power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Panarin and Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead in the third period on a Panarin power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Kane and Seabrook. Toronto got on the board with a Morgan Rielly goal, his fifth of the year, via P.A. Parenteau and Shawn Matthias. The Blackhawks finished it at 4-1 with a Kane empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his twenty-eighth of the campaign, set up by Teuvo Teravainen. The three stars were awarded to Kane, Panarin, and Seabrook.

South to Tampa Bay, with the Lightning hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Tampa Bay led off in the first period on a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Nesterov. Pittsburgh tied it on a Kris Letang goal, his sixth of the year, via Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. The Lightning took the lead back in the second period on a Valtteri Filppula power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Tyler Johnson and Stamkos. Tampa Bay added on with a Namestnikov power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, helped along by Victor Hedman and Filppula. The Penguins pulled back on a Hornqvist power play goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and Letang. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period with a Trevor Daley goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Malkin and Phil Kessel. The Penguins pulled ahead with a Chris Kunitz goal, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Olli Maatta and Hornqvist. The Lightning retied it on an Anton Stralman goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Filppula and Cedric Paquette. Tampa Bay won 5-4 in overtime with a Namestnikov goal, completing his hat trick on his ninth of the campaign, courtesy of Nikita Kucherov. The three stars were given to Namestnikov, Filppula, and Hornqvist, while Stamkos, Malkin, and Letang get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Devan Dubnyk protect the nets. Winnipeg drew first blood in the first period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Bryan Little. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Hellebuyck (24 save shutout), Wheeler, and Dubnyk (25 for 26 in saves).

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Frederik Andersen receive the starting nods. Anaheim began in the first period on a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Josh Manson and Carl Hagelin. The Ducks added on with a Sami Vatanen goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Andrew Cogliano and Nate Thompson. Anaheim extended the lead as Hampus Lindholm scored his third of the season, with the help of Ryan Kesler and Silfverberg on the power play. The Ducks padded the lead with a Corey Perry goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Shea Theodore and Ryan Getzlaf. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a Mattias Janmark shorthanded goal, his tenth of the season, set up by Travis Moen. The Stars pulled closer in the third period on a Jamie Benn power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, powered by Jason Spezza and Jason Demers. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Silfverberg, Lindholm, and Perry.

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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 123

Ten games on today across the KHL, beginning in...

Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period on a shorthanded Sergei Kostitsyn goal, set up by Dmitry Semin. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period with an Alexei Bereglazov power play goal, powered by Denis Osipov and Alexander Semin. The tie went to a shootout, where Chris Lee's tally gave Metallurg a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Koshechkin (26 for 27 in saves), Proskuryakov (26 for 27 in saves), and Lee.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Roman Smiryagin and Vasily Demchenko are in the blue paint. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period with a Danil Gubarev goal, fueled by Alexei Petrov and Nikita Zhuldikov. Traktor added on with an Andrei Popov goal, helped along by Maxim Yakutsenya and Alexei Kruchinin. Cherepovets got on the board in the second period with a Nikolai Kazakovtsev power play goal, powered by Mattias Karlsson and Dinar Khamidullin. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Demchenko (19 for 20 in saves), Popov, and Gubarev.

Westward to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev brings in Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Vladimir Sokhatsky draw the starts in goal. Ufa struck first in the first period with a Sergei Soin goal, guided in by Alexander Nesterov. Minsk tied it on a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Ryan Gunderson and Matt Ellison. Salavat Yulaev took the lead on a Linus Omark goal in the second period, made possible by Andreas Engqvist. Ufa added on with an Engqvist goal, coming off of Omark on the power play. Dinamo pulled back with a third period power play goal from Ellison, assisted by Cheechoo and Gunderson. Minsk tied it with a Dmitry Znakharenko goal, set up by Sergei Drozd. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, with a lone helper from Anton Lazarev. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Engqvist, Omark, and Ellison, while Cheechoo and Gunderson get the honorable mentions.

Along to Togliatti, where Lada hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Igor Ustinsky and Edgars Masalskis are between the pipes. Yekaterinburg was first to score in the first period with an Anatoly Golyshev goal, assisted by Petr Koukal and Alexei Mikhnov. Avtomobilist iced it at 2-0 with a Kirill Knyazev empty net goal, with a lone assist by Koukal. The three stars were awarded to Ustinsky (13 save shtuout), Golyshev, and Koukal.

Next up, Ak Bars Kazan welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Vladislav Fokin and Stanislav Galimov protect the nets. Kazan opened in the first period with an Oscar Moller goal, fueled by Igor Mirnov and Ryan Wilson. Ak Bars added on with a power play goal from Mirnov, powered by Justin Azevedo and Moller. Kazan extended the lead in the second period as Yakov Rylov scored, thanks to Mattias Sjogren and Albert Yarullin. Georgy Gelashvili took over in goal in favor of Fokin. Ak Bars padded the lead in the third period on a Denis Golubev goal, helped along by Alexander Svitov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with a power play goal by Yakov Seleznyov, assisted by Pavel Medvedev and Ivan Yatsenko. This made it a 4-1 win for Ak Bars, with the three stars handed to Mirnov, Moller, and Galimov (22 for 23 in saves).

Nearby, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Alexander Sudnitsin are the underrated goalies. Moscow began in the first period on a Geoff Platt goal, helped along by Jan Mursak. CSKA added on with a Kirill Petrov goal, with a lone assist by Dmitry Kugryshev. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Sorokin (24 save shutout), Platt, and Petrov.

Westward to Moscow, where Spartak hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Moscow struck first in the first period on an Alexander Mereskin goal, assisted by Lukas Radil and Yaroslav Dyblenko. Vladivostok tied it on a Dmitry Lugin power play goal, powered by Mikhail Fisenko and Oskars Bartulis. Spartak took the lead on a Sergei Shmelyov goal, guided in by Dmitry Korobov. Admiral tied it on a Dmitry Sayustov shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. Moscow took the lead back on a Casey Wellman goal, coming off of Vyacheslav Leshchenko and Shmelyov. Spartak added on with a Radil goal, helped along by Mereskin. Igor Bobkov replaced Nalimov in the second period. Vladivostok pulled back with a third period Fisenko goal, with assists provided by Jonathon Blum and Bartulis. Admiral tied it on a Viktor Alexandrov goal, via Alexei Ugarov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Spartak's Gleb Klimenko had the only goal to salvage a 5-4 win for them. The three stars were Mereskin, Radil, and Shmelyov, while Fisenko and Bartulis get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to St. Petersburg, where SKA welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky and Mikko Koskinen are the goalies. Khabarovsk got going in the second period on a Tomas Zohorna goal, fueled by Niclas Bergfors. St. Petersburg tied it on a Dmitry Kalinin goal in the third period, via Vadim Shipachyov and Steve Moses. Amur won 2-1 in overtime with a Vladislav Ushenin penalty shot goal after he was hooked by Maxim Chudinov. The three stars belonged to Ushenin, Pechursky (29 for 30 in saves), and Zohorna.

Into Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Henrik Karlsson tend the twines. Helsinki dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Peter Regin power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Niko Kapanen. Jokerit added on in the second period with a Pekka Jormakka goal, guided in by Petteri Wirtanen. Novosibirsk got on the board with an Andrej Meszaros goal, helped along by Calle Ridderwall and Tomas Vincour. The score stayed at 2-1, with the three stars given to Karlsson (22 for 23 in saves), Jormakka, and Regin.

Finally, Dinamo Riga hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladispav Podyapolsky and Joacim Eriksson are given the green light to play goal. Novokuznetsk was first to score in the first period on an Ilya Musin goal, helped along by Vadim Mitryakov and Alexander Romanov. Riga tied it on a Tim Sestito goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg took the lead back with a power play goal by Robert Kousal, powered by Nikita Lyamkin. Novokuznetsk added on with a Kirill Shchukin goal, assisted by Pavel Makarenko. Jakub Sedlacek took over for Eriksson in goal. Dinamo got closer on a third period Sestito power play goal, his second of the game, assisted by Kaspars Saulietis and Gints Meija. Riga tied it on a Sestito power play goal to complete his hat trick, with assists provided by Gunars Skvorcovs and Miks Indrasis. Dinamo won 4-3 in overtime on an Andris Dzerins goal, via Guntis Galvins and Indrasis. The three stars went to Sestito, Indrasis, and Dzerins.

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

2015-16 KHL Day 122/NHL Day 96

Nine games across the two leagues again, with one in Russia as...

The Sochi Leopards host Vityaz Podolsk. Igor Saprykin and Konstantin Barulin are in goal. Podolsk opened in the first period on a Maxim Afinogenov goal, via Roman Horak and Pavel Lukin. Sochi tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, assisted by Dmitry Kazionov and Ivan Glazkov. The Leopards took the lead on an Ilya Krikunov goal, fueled by Igor Ignatushkin. Sochi added on in the second period with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Renat Mamashev and Ignatushkin. Vityaz got one back on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin power play goal in the third period, powered by Lukin. Podolsk tied it as Igor Musatov scored, thanks to Viktor Drugov and Teemu Eronen. The Leopards pulled ahead on another Denis Kazionov goal, made possible by Dmitry Kazionov and Vadim Shchegolkov.Sochi extended the lead as Ignatushkin scored, with a lone assist by Krikunov. Vityaz got one back with a Dmitry Shitikov goal, passed from Alexei Makeyev and Yegor Voronkov. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Ignatushkin, Denis Kazionov, and Krikunov, while Dmitry Kazionov and Lukin get the honorable mentions.

In the NHL, we have the New York Islanders welcoming their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. The Rangers got going in the second period with a Marc Staal goal, his second of the season, fueled by Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider. The Islanders tied it in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Adam Pelech. The Islanders took the lead with a Nick Leddy power play goal, his second of the season, powered by John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders won 3-1 with an unassisted Okposo empty net goal, his eleventh of the year. The three stars were Halak (34 for 35 in saves), Okposo, and Leddy.

Along to DC, where the Washington Capitals bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Braden Holtby draw the starts. Washington dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals added on with a Karl Alzner goal, his third of the year, via Andre Burakovsky and Justin Williams. Washington extended the lead in the third period as Tom Wilson scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Kuznetsov and Burakovsky. Vancouver got on the board with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Bo Horvat and Henrik Sedin. The Capitals iced it at 4-1 on a Kuznetsov empty net goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Kuznetsov, Holtby (29 for 30 in saves), and Burakovsky.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Mike Condon are in the blue paint. Chicago started in the first period on a Jonathan Toews goal, his seventeenth of the season, via Andrew Shaw and Duncan Keith. Montreal tied it with a Montreal tied it on a Paul Byron goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of David Desharnais and P.K. Subban. The Blackhawks took the lead back with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Michal Rozsival and Richard Panik. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Crawford (39 for 40 in saves), Garbutt, and Toews.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Eddie Lack and Brian Elliott receive the starting nods. Carolina drew first blood in the second period with a Jeff Skinner goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes added on in the third period with a Brett Pesce power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Jaccob Slavin and Victor Rask. Carolina extended the lead as Brock McGinn scored his third of the season, thanks to Skinner. Jordan Binnington took over for Elliott in goal. St. Louis got on the board with a Jori Lehtera goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Joel Edmundson. The Hurricanes finished it at 4-1 with a Riley Nash goal, his second of the campaign, with a lone helper by Ron Hainsey. The three stars belonged to Skinner, Lack (23 for 24 in saves), and Pesce.

Into Canada again, with the Winnipeg Jets bringing in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Connor Hellebuyck are the inconsistent goalies. Nashville led off in the first period with a Kevin Fiala goal, courtesy of Ryan Johansen and the goalie Rinne. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Andrew Ladd and Jacob Trouba. The Jets took the lead on a Bryan Little goal, his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Blake Wheeler and Mathieu Perreault. Winnipeg added on with an unassisted Byfuglien goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season. The Jets extended the lead in the third period as Nikolaj Ehlers scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Ladd and Ben Chiarot. The Predators pulled back on a Johansen power play goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by James Neal and Shea Weber. Nashville got closer on an Eric Nystrom goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Ryan Ellis. The Predators tied it with a Neal goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Johansen and Paul Gaustad. Winnipeg won 5-4 in overtime with a Wheeler goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Little and Ladd, with the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars belonged to Byfuglien, Wheeler, and Johansen, while Little, Ladd, and Neal get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Colorado began in the first period on a Matt Duchene goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Nick Holden and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Tyson Barrie shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Nathan MacKinnon and Alex Tanguay. Colorado extended the lead in the third period as Carl Soderberg scored his eighth of the campaign, an empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Pickard (27 save shutout), Duchene, and Barrie.

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Louis Domingue are the masked men. Arizona was first to score in the second period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jordan Martinook and Brad Richardson. The Coyotes added on with a Shane Doan power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Tobias Rieder and Mikkel Boedker. Detroit got on the board in the third period with a Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Mike Green and Gustav Nyquist. The Red Wings tied it on a Nyquist power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Datsyuk and Green. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime on a Danny DeKeyser goal, his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Dylan Larkin and Datsyuk. The three stars were handed to Datsyuk, Nyquist, and Green.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Martin Jones are set to start in goal. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Melker Karlsson and Joe Thornton. Edmonton tied it on a Nail Yakupov goal in the second period, his third of the year, helped along by Lauri Korpikoski and Justin Schultz. In the shootout, Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi lifted the Sharks to a 2-1 win with their tallies. The three stars went to Talbot (36 for 37 in saves), Jones (24 for 25 in saves), and Vlasic.

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2015-16 NHL Season - Day 95

Four games tonight, beginning in...

Toronto, with the Maple Leafs hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and James Reimer are in goal. Columbus struck first in the first period on a Boone Jenner goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Seth Jones and Kerby Rychel. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with an Alexander Wennberg goal, his fifth of the year, via Justin Falk and Scott Hartnell. Toronto got on the board with a Brad Boyes goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Leo Komarov and Morgan Rielly in the third period. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with a Brandon Dubinsky empty net goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Jenner on the power play. The three stars went to Jenner, Korpisalo (41 for 42 in saves), and Wennberg.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Steve Mason draw the starts. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Jakub Voracek goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Claude Giroux. Boston tied it with a Kevan Miller goal, his third of the year, passed from Max Talbot in the second period. The Bruins took the lead on a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Ryan Spooner and Torey Krug. The Flyers tied it again in the third period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his eleventh of the year, helped along by Voracek and Giroux. Philadelphia pulled ahead with a Mark Streit goal, his fourth of the campaign, guided in by Giroux, who got a sock trick, and Voracek. The three stars were awarded to Voracek, Giroux, and Mason (30 for 32 in saves).

Out west, the Calgary Flames bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Jonas Hiller are in the creases. Calgary opened in the first period on a Sam Bennett goal, his seventh of the season, via Jiri Hudler and Dougie Hamilton. The Flames added on with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his nineteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Calgary extended the lead as Bennett scored his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, thanks to Mikael Backlund and Hamilton. The Flames padded the lead as Bennett finished his hat trick on his ninth of the season, assisted by Deryk Engelland and Josh Jooris. Al Montoya replaced Luongo in goal for the second period. Calgary kept going with a second period Mason Raymond goal, hi fourth of the year, fueled by David Jones and Mark Giordano. The Flames iced it at 6-0 with Bennett's fourth of the night and tenth of the campaign in the third period, set up by Hudler. The three stars were given to Bennett, Hamilton, and Hudler.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Frederik Andersen are the similarly named goalies. Anaheim got going in the second period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Kevin Bieksa. Ottawa tied it on a Curtis Lazar goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The Ducks regained the lead in the third period with a Shea Theodore power play goal, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Sami Vatanen. Anaheim added on with a Carl Hagelin goal, his fourth of the season, via Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks extended the lead as Silfverberg scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Hampus Lindholm and Hagelin. This made it a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Hagelin, Silfverberg, and Theodore.

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

2015/16 Premier League Week 21

This is a midweek set of games, beginning with three on Tuesday. First up...

Aston Villa hosts Crystal Palace. Wayne Hennessey and Mark Bunn get the starts in goal. Aston Villa got going in the fifty-eighth minute on a Joleon Lescott goal, via Jordan Veretout. In the sixty-eighth minute, Veretout took a yellow card for his foul for Aston Villa. Crystal Palace saw a yellow card for a Joel Ward foul in the seventy-ninth minute. Aston Villa received a yellow card for an eightieth minute Idrissa Gueye foul. The final held at 1-0 for Aston Villa.

Next up, Bournemouth welcomes West Ham United. Adrian and Artur Boruc man the nets. Bournemouth struck first in the seventeenth minute on a Harry Arter goal, passed from Andrew Surman. Adam Smith of Bournemouth had a yellow card for a sixty-sixth minute foul. West Ham United tied it on a Dimitri Payet goal in the sixty-seventh minute, but he also got a yellow card for excessive celebration. At the seventy-four minute mark, Enner Valencia scored to put West Ham United ahead, thanks to Payet. In the eighty-fourth minute, Valencia made it a brace with another goal. West Ham United won with the 3-1 final from here.

In the north, the last Tuesday game sees Newcastle United bring in Manchester United. David de Gea and Robert Elliot are the goalies. Wayne Rooney was first to score for Manchester United on a ninth minute penalty kick goal. Manchester United saw yellow cards for Marouane Fellaini in the twenty-fifth minute and Ander Herrera in the thirtieth minute, both for fouls. Cheick Tiote of Newcastle United took a yellow card in the thirty-fifth minute. In the thirty-eighth minute, Manchester United added on with a Jesse Lingard goal, set up by Rooney. Newcastle United got on the board with a Georginio Wijnaldum goal, assisted by Aleksandar Mitrovic. In the sixty-sixth minute, Chris Smalling of Manchester United had a yellow card for a foul. Newcastle United tied it with a Mitrovic penalty kick goal in the sixty-seventh minute. In the seventy-ninth minute, Rooney scored to restore a Manchester United lead. Newcastle United tied it on a Paul Demmett goal in the ninetieth minute. This produced the 3-3 final.

Leading off Wednesday's seven games, Chelsea hosts West Bromwich Albion. Boaz Myhill and Thibaut Courtois draw the starts in goal. In the twentieth minute, Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta opened the scoring, with the help of Branislav Ivanovic. West Bromwich Albion had a yellow card go to Claudio Yacob in the twenty-fifth minute. In the thirty-third minute, West Bromwich Albion tied it with a Craig Gardner goal, passed from Darren Fletcher. Chelsea saw a yellow card for a Diego Costa foul in the forty-ninth minute. In the sixty-eighth minute, West Bromwich Albion keeper Myhill took a yellow card, and two minutes later, Chelsea goalie Courtois also received a yellow card. James McClean of West Bromwich Albion also had a yellow card in the seventieth minute. In the seventy-third minute, Gareth McAuley of West Bromwich Albion gifted Chelsea a goal when he put the ball in his own net. Azpilicueta of Chelsea had a yellow card for an eighty-fifth minute. McClean scored in the eighty-sixth minute, tying the game for West Bromwich Albion at 2-2, which would be the final.

Up to Manchester, where City welcomes Everton. Tim Howard and Joe Hart are the keepers. In the fiftieth minute, Muhamed Besic of Everton took a yellow card for a foul. The game itself was defensively sound, ending 0-0.

Backtracking to Southampton bringing in Watford. Heurelho Gomes and Fraser Forster take the starts in goal. Southampton started in the seventeenth minute with a Shane Long goal, guided in by Matt Targett. Cedric Soares of Southampton received a yellow card for his twenty-fourth minute foul. Sebastian Prodl of Watford took a yellow card for his sixty-seventh minute foul. Southampton added on in the seventy-third minute with a Dusan Tadic goal, via Steven Davis. In the seventy-seventh minute, Troy Deeney of Watford had a yellow card for a foul. Southampton cruised to a 2-0 win.

Next up, Stoke City hosts Norwich City. Declad Rudd and Jack Butland are the lesser-known goalies. Norwich City went down to ten men in the thirty-first minute when Gary O'Neil received a straight red card for a foul. Stoke City drew first blood in the forty-ninth minute with a Jonathan Walters goal, via Marko Arnautovic. Norwich City tied it on a fifty-fifth minute Jonny Howson goal, coming off of Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe. In the sixty-seventh minute, Stoke City regained the lead on a Joselu goal, passed from Ibrahim Afellay. In the seventy-seventh minute, Alexander Tettey took a yellow card for his foul for Norwich City. Stoke City added on in the seventy-seventh minute as Norwich City's Ryan Bennett put the ball in his own net. This produced the 3-1 final favoring Stoke City.

Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Sunderland. Vito Mannone and Lukasz Fabianski protect the nets. In the fourth minute, Sunderland led off with a Jermain Defoe goal. Swansea City tied it in the twenty-first minute on a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty kick goal. Swansea City went down to ten men when Kyle Naughton picked up a straight red card for his thirty-seventh minute foul. Andre Ayew of Swansea City gave them a lead with his fortieth minute goal, set up by the keeper Fabianski. Sunderland tied it on a forty-ninth minute Patrick van Aanholt goal, fueled by Adam Johnson. Sunderland took the lead back in the sixty-first minute with a Defoe goal, assisted by Johnson. Mannone of Sunderland had a yellow card in the sixty-seventh minute, as did teammate van Aanholt in the seventy-ninth minute. Sunderland extended the lead as Defoe completed his hat trick in the eighty-fifth minute, courtesy of van Aanholt. This secured Sunderland's 4-2 win.

Back in England, Liverpool brings in Arsenal. Petr Cech and Simon Mignolet tend the nets. Liverpool began in the tenth minute on a Roberto Firmino goal. Arsenal tied it on a fourteenth minute goal by Aaron Ramsey, via Joel Campbell. Liverpool regained the lead in the nineteenth minute as Firmino scored again, with the help of James Milner. Arsenal retied it on a twenty-fifth minute goal by Olivier Giroud, set up by Ramsey. Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool had a yellow card for his fifty-third minute handball. Arsenal retook the lead in the fifty-fifth minute on a Giroud goal. Joe Allen of Liverpool leveled the score again in the ninetieth minute with his goal helped along by Christian Benteke. The score remained 3-3 to the end.

Finally, Tottenham Hotspur hosts Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Hugo Lloris are in the six-yard boxes. Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card for a foul by Eric Dier in the seventy-ninth minute. Leicester City dented the scoreboard with an eighty-third minute Robert Huth goal, set up by Christian Fuchs. This stood for a 1-0 win for Leicester City.

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