Tuesday, March 1, 2016

2015/16 KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: 3) Sibir Novosibirsk VS. 6) Admiral Vladivostok

As is standard procedure for the playoffs, this post will cover the entire series.

Game 1: Ice Sports Palace Sibir, Novosibirsk, Russia: In goal: Ivan Nalimov for Vladivostok and Alexander Salak for Novosibirsk. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with an Ivan Vereshchagin goal, made possible by Vitaly Menshikov and Tomas Vincour. Sibir added on in the second period with a Viktor Bobrov goal, passed from Artyom Voroshilo and Konstantin Okulov. Vladivostok got on the board with an Alexander Kuznetsov goal, assisted by Konstantin Makarov. Novosibirsk replied with a Stepan Sannikov power play goal, powered by Sergei Shumakov. Admiral got one back with a Makarov power play goal, with assists provided by Geoffrey Kinrade and Artyom Podshendyalov. Sibir countered in the third period with a Konstantin Alexeyev power play goal, guided in by Sannikov and Maxim Shalunov. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to Sannikov, Makarov, and Alexeyev.

Game 2: Ice Sports Palace Sibir, Novosibirsk, Russia: In goal: Ivan Nalimov for Vladivostok and Alexander Salak for Novosibirsk. Novosibirsk started in the first period with a Viktor Bobrov goal, helped along by Konstantin Okulov. Sibir added on with a Calle Ridderwall goal in the second period, assisted by David Ullstrom and Tomas Vincour. Novosibirsk extended the lead as Sergei Shumakov scored, with the help of Stepan Sannikov and Maxim Shalunov on the power play. Novosibirsk iced it 4-0 with a Shalunov empty net goal in the third period, set up by Shumakov. The three stars went to Shumakov, Salak (36 save shutout), and Shalunov. Sibir heads east with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Fetisov Arena, Vladivostok, Russia. In goal: Alexander Salak for Novosibirsk and Ivan Nalimov for Vladivostok. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Konstantin Okulov goal, going in unassisted. Vladivostok tied it on a power play goal by Konstantin Makarov, powered by Oskars Bartulis and Alexander Kuznetsov. Sibir took the lead back in the second period with a Sergei Shumakov goal, with a lone helper by Ivan Vereshchagin. Novosibirsk added on with a Vladislav Naumov goal, guided in by Maxim Shalunov and Shumakov. This made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going Shumakov, Salak (21 for 22 in saves), and Okulov. Sibir has a chance to sweep as they hold a 3-0 lead in the series.

Game 4: Fetisov Arena, Vladivostok, Russia. In goal: Alexander Salak for Novosibirsk and Igor Bobkov for Vladivostok. Vladivostok got going in the second period with a Konstantin Makarov power play goal, powered by Artyom Podshendyalov and Jonathon Blum. Admiral iced it at 2-0 with a Yegor Dugin empty net goal, set up by Alexander Gorshkov. The three stars went to Bobkov (22 save shutout), Makarov, and Dugin. Admiral showed a sign of life, but still trail Sibir 3-1 in the series, which shifts west to Novosibirsk in two days.

Game 5: Ice Sports Palace Sibir, Novosibirsk, Russia: In goal: Igor Bobkov for Vladivostok and Alexander Salak for Novosibirsk. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, passed from Oleg Gubin. Sibir added on with a Sergei Shumakov goal, helped along by Stepan Sannikov. Novosibirsk extended the lead as Artyom Voroshilo scored, thanks to Andrej Meszaros and Tomas Vincour. Sibir padded the lead in the third period with an unassisted Konstantin Okulov goal. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars given to Salak (52 save shutout), Zhafyarov, and Shumakov. Sibir won the series 4-1, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

Monday, February 29, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 137

Six games on today, the NHL's Trade Deadline day. We begin the part of the season that sees old faces in new places with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Antti Raanta are the little-known goalies. New York opened in the first period with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his twenty-first of the season, via Dan Boyle. Columbus tied it on a third period goal by Cam Atkinson, his twentieth of the year, going in unassisted. The Rangers regained the lead with a Derek Stepan shorthanded goal, his fourteenth of the season, set up by Ryan McDonagh. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Stepan, Raanta (26 for 27 in saves), and Zuccarello.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Arizona Coyotes, their frequent trading partners. Louis Domingue is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on with Hornqvist's second of the game and fourteenth of the year, assisted by Chris Kunitz and Crosby. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the second period as Kunitz scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Kris Letang and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. The Penguins padded the lead with a Hornqvist power play goal, completing his hat trick on his fifteenth of the year, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh kept going in the third period with a Letang goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Olli Maatta and Hornqvist. The Penguins iced it at 6-0 with a Matt Cullen goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Bryan Rust and Ian Cole. The three stars were awarded to Hornqvist, Crosby, and Fleury (30 save shutout), while Kunitz and Letang get the honorable mentions.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Garret Sparks are the backups in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Nikita Kucherov and Braydon Coburn. The Lightning added on with Johnson's second of the game and eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his twelfth of the campaign, courtesy of Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Johnson, Vasilevskiy (31 for 32 in saves), and Sparks (26 for 28 in saves).

Back in Pennsylvania, the Flyers host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Michal Neuvirth are the inconsistent goalies. Calgary started in the first period with a Sean Monahan goal, his twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie. Philadelphia tied it on a Bryaden Schenn goal, his nineteenth of the year, helped along by Claude Giroux and Radko Gudas. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, with assists provided by Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere. Philadelphia added on with a Schenn goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, assisted by Andrew MacDonald and Giroux, the latter getting a sock trick. The Flyers extended the lead as Schenn finished his hat trick on his twenty-first of the season, with the help of Mark Streit and Giroux on the power play. The Flames got one back with a Micheal Ferland goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Mark Giordano and Brodie. Calgary edged closer with a Michael Frolik goal, his eleventh of the season, with helpers from Joe Colborne and Dougie Hamilton. The Flyers iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal from Simmonds, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, set up by Michael Raffl and Nick Schultz. The three stars were awarded to Schenn, Giroux, and Simmonds, while Brodie gets an honorable mention.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Antti Niemi are the experienced goalies. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his third of the season, guided in by Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist. Dallas tied it on a Colton Sceviour goal, his eighth of the year, via Vernon Fiddler and Alex Goligoski. The Red Wings took the lead back in the third period with another Athanasiou goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Mike Green and Luke Glendening. The Stars tied it as Fiddler scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Ales Hemsky and Jason Demers. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime with an unassisted power play goal by Pavel Datsyuk, his thirteenth of the campaign. The three stars went to Athanasiou, Fiddler, and Howard (39 for 41 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Mike Condon and Martin Jones are the young goalies. San Jose was first to score in the first period with a Joe Thornton goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Joe Pavelski and Justin Braun. Montreal tied it on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. The Sharks took the lead back with a Pavelski goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, assisted by Thornton and Brent Burns. San Jose added on with a second period Burns goal, his twenty-first of the year, via Thornton. The Canadiens answered with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Paul Byron and Phillip Danault. The Sharks replied with a Melker Karlsson goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Chris Tierney and Dainius Zubrus. San Jose extended the lead as Nick Spaling scored his third of the season, thanks to Logan Couture and Paul Martin. The Sharks padded the lead with a Pavelski goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, with assists provided by Tierney and Burns. The final stood from here at 6-2, with the three stars given to Pavelski, Thornton, and Burns, while Tierney gets an honorable mention.

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2015/16 KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals: 3) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl VS. 6) SKA St. Petersburg

As is standard procedure for the playoffs, this post will cover the entire series.

Game 1: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Alexei Murygin for Yaroslavl. St. Petersburg began in the first period with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Nikita Gusev. Yaroslavl tied it in the second period with a Denis Mosalyov goal, coming off of Emil Galimov and Vladislav Kartayev. SKA retook the lead with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, made possible by Joakim Lindstrom and Anton Belov. Lokomotiv tied it with a Vladislav Gavrikov goal, courtesy of Stanislav Chistov and Andrei Loktionov. The tie went to overtime, where Yaroslavl emerged with a 3-2 win on a Jiri Novotny goal, assisted by Staffan Kronwall and Daniil Apalkov. The three stars were Novotny, Gavrikov, and Mosalyov.

Game 2: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Alexei Murygin for Yaroslavl. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an Alexander Barabanov goal, courtesy of Pavel Buchnevich. SKA added on in the second period with a Sergei Shirokov goal, passed from Anton Belov and Barabanov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Jarno Koskiranta scored, thanks to Steve Moses. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Daniil Apalkov goal in the third period, assisted by Patrick Hersley and Staffan Kronwall. Lokomotiv got closer with a Kronwall goal, with assists provided by Hersley and Apalkov on the power play. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Barabanov, Kronwall, and Apalkov, while Hersley gets an honorable mention. The series heads west tied at 1.

Game 3: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Alexei Murygin for Yaroslavl and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with a Sergei Shirokov goal, passed from Alexander Barabanov and Pavel Buchnevich. SKA added on with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal in the second period, powered by Andrei Kuteikin and Evgeny Dadonov. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the third period as Maxim Chudinov scored, with a lone assist by Dadonov. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars handed to Koskinen (29 save shutout), Dadonov, and Shirokov. SKA takes a 2-1 series lead here.

Game 4: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Alexei Murygin for Yaroslavl and Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg got going in the second period on a Nikita Gusev power play goal, powered by Vadim Shipachyov. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars given to Koskinen (25 save shutout), Gusev, and Murygin (24 for 25 in saves). SKA heads back to Yaroslavl with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to advance. 

Game 5: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen for St. Petersburg and Alexei Murygin for Yaroslavl. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with a Vadim Shipachyov power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Nikita Gusev. SKA added on in the second period with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Barabanov. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars going to Koskinen (21 save shutout), Shipachyov, and Buchnevich. With the win, SKA advances on a 4-1 series win, awaiting a chance to face either Dynamo Moscow or CSKA Moscow in the Western Conference Semifinals, depending on the result of the final series.

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Sunday, February 28, 2016

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 136

Seven games on for today, beginning with...

The Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Washington Capitals as the first of three matinees. Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Washington began in the first period with a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Justin Williams and Nicklas Backstrom. Chicago tied it on a Patrick Kane goal, his thirty-sixth of the year, via Trevor van Riemsdyk and Artem Anisimov. The Blackhawks took the lead on a Jonathan Toews power play goal in the second period, his twenty-second of the season, with assists provided by Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Ladd. Chicago added on in the third period with a Dennis Rasmussen goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Richard Panik and Brandon Mashinter. The Capitals got one back with an unassisted Evgeny Kuznetsov power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars given to Rasmussen, Toews, and Crawford (28 for 30 in saves).

To the east, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Cam Ward make the starts in goal. St. Louis led off in the first period with a Ty Rattie goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Scottie Upshall and Kyle Brodziak. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Ron Hainsey and Victor Rask. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Hainsey goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Skinner and Brad Malone. The Blues tied it in the second period on a David Backes goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Magnus Paajarvi and Dmitrij Jaskin. St. Louis took the lead with a shorthanded Brodziak goal, his third of the season, set up by Upshall. The Blues added on with a Robby Fabbri goal in the third period, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko. St. Louis extended the lead as Pietrangelo scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Patrik Berglund and Fabbri. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Brodziak, Pietrangelo, and Fabbri, while Upshlal, Skinner, and Hainsey get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya and Devan Dubnyk draw the starts. Minnesota struck first in the first period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Roberto Luongo had to replace an injured Montoya just after this goal. Florida tied it in the second period with an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Aleksander Barkov. The Wild took the lead with an unassisted Erik Haula goal, his eighth of the season, coming in the third period. Minnesota iced it at 3-1 with a Jason Pominville empty net goal on the power play, his tenth of the year, set up by Haula. The three stars went to Haula, Luongo (21 for 22 in saves in relief), and Dubnyk (17 for 18 in saves).

East again to Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Boston opened in the first period with a Kevan Miller goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Joonas Kemppainen and Landon Ferraro. Tampa Bay tied it with an Alex Killorn power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Anton Stralman and Ryan Callahan. The Lightning took the lead with a Callahan goal, his ninth of the season, with a lone assist from Killorn. Tampa Bay added on in the second period with a Callahan power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Stralman. The Lightning extended the lead on a Stamkos penalty shot goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, coming after Brad Marchand hooked him. The final stood from here at 4-1, with the three stars going to Callahan, Killorn, and Stamkos, while Bishop (32 for 33 in saves) and Stralman get the honorable mentions.

Way out west, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Vancouver got going in the second period with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming off of Henrik Sedin and Ben Hutton. San Jose tied it in the third period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, helped along by Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks took the lead with a Tomas Hertl goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Justin Braun and Vlasic. San Jose added on with a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Joe Thornton and Pavelski. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 with a Braun empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Logan Couture. The three stars went to Pavelski, Vlasic, and Braun.

Down in Anaheim, the Ducks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and John Gibson are the American goalies. Anaheim started in the first period with a Corey Perry power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Sami Vatanen and Ryan Getzlaf. Los Angeles tied it on an Alec Martinez power play goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. The Kings took the lead with a Tanner Pearson goal in the second period, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Ducks tied it on another Perry power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, helped along by Cam Fowler. Anaheim took the lead with a Perry goal in the third period, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Vatanen. The Ducks added on with a David Perron power play goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone assist by Perry. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars going to Perry, Vatanen, and Gibson (27 for 29 in saves).

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak faces a lesser foe in Cam Talbot in goal. New York dented the scoreboard with a Casey Cizikas goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Nick Leddy and Cal Clutterbuck. Edmonton tied it on a third period goal by Anton Lander, guided in by Jordan Oesterle and Brandon Davidson. The Oilers took the lead with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Taylor Hall and Zack Kassian. Edmonton added on with a Davidson goal, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Jordan Eberle and Connor McDavid. The three stars of the 3-1 belonged to Talbot (36 for 37 in saves), Davidson, and Draisaitl.

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2015/16 Premier League Week 27

Due to interruptions from the Capital One Cup, there are only eight games for this league week, with two of them being postponed to later dates. The first of six Saturday games is...

West Ham United hosting Sunderland. Vito Mannone and Adrian get the starts in goal. West Ham United opened in the thirtieth minute with a Michail Antonio goal. West Ham United saw a yellow card go to Sam Byram in the seventy-first minute for his foul. The final favored West Ham United 1-0.

Up to Leicester City welcoming Norwich City. John Ruddy and Kasper Schmeichel are in the six-yard boxes. Norwich City had yellow cards for Steven Naismith in the forty-eighth minute and Ryan Bennett in the fifty-first minute, both for fouls. Leicester City got going in the eighty-ninth minute with a Leonardo Ulloa goal, passed from Jamie Vardy. This late tally gave them a 1-0 win.

Back south, Southampton hosts Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Fraser Forster are given the starts. In the nineteenth minute, Steven Davis of Southampton took a yellow card for a foul. Southampton started in the forty-second minute with a Shane Long goal. Chelsea had a yellow card given to Diego Costa for a sixty-third minute foul. Southampton had yellow cards for Ryan Bertrand's sixty-fourth minute foul and Jordy Clasie's sixty-fifth minute foul. Chelsea tied it on a seventy-fifth minute Cesc Fabregas goal, coming off of Costa. Chelsea took the lead with a Branislav Ivanovic goal in the eighty-ninth minute, made possible by Willian. This stood for a 2-1 win.

Next up, Stoke City brings in Aston Villa. Mark Bunn and Jack Butland are the goalies. Aston Villa saw yellow cards given to Idrissa Gueye in the thirty-sixth minute and Alan Hutton in the forty-fifth minute, the first for a foul and the latter for a dissent. Stoke City led off in the fifty-first minute with a Marko Arnautovic penalty kick goal. Stoke City added on with a fifty-sixth minute goal by Arnautovic, helped along by Xherdan Shaqiri. Aston Villa got on the board with a Leandro Bacuna goal in the seventy-ninth minute, set up by Rudy Gestede. Jores Okore of Aston Villa had a yellow card for his foul in stoppage time. Stoke City won 2-1.

Back to Watford hosting Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Heurelho Gomes man the nets. Watford saw yellow cards for Ben Watson in the seventy-seventh minute, Valon Behrami in the eighty-second minute, and Craig Cathcart in the eighty-seventh minute, while Bournemouth's Andrew Surman took a yellow card at the eighty-four minute mark. All were for fouls, and it was the closest thing to action in a 0-0 draw.

Ending Saturday, West Bromwich Albion welcome Crystal Palace. Wayne Hennessey and Ben Foster are the gloved men. West Bromwich Albion began in the twelfth minute on a Craig Gardner goal. West Bromwich Albion took a yellow card for a seventeenth minute Craig Dawson foul. West Bromwich Albion added on with a twentieth minute goal by Dawson, assisted by Gardner. In the twenty-fifth minute, Crystal Palace's Emmanuel Adebayor took a yellow card. West Bromwich Albion extended the lead as Saido Berahino scored in the thirty-first minute, thanks to Stephane Sessegnon. Crystal Palace got on the board in the forty-eighth minute goal by Connor Wickham, coming off of Damien Delaney. Yohan Cabaye of Crystal Palace received a yellow card for a sixty-fourth minute foul. West Bromwich Albion had a yellow card for a foul by James Chester in the seventy-eighth minute. Crystal Palace pulled closer with an eightieth minute goal from Wickham. This only made it 3-2, the final.

On Sunday, Manchester United hosts Arsenal. Petr Cech and David de Gea are the gloved men. Manchester United saw yellow cards for Guillermo Varela in the ninth minute and Michael Carrick in the twenty-second minute, both for fouls. Manchester United struck first in the twenty-ninth minute with a Marcus Rashford goal. In the thirty-second minute, Manchester United added on with another Rashford goal, set up by Jesse Lingard. Arsenal got on the board with a fortieth minute Danny Welbeck goal, helped along by Mesut Ozil. In the sixty-fifth minute, Manchester United countered on an Ander Herrera goal, via Rashford. In the sixty-ninth minute, Arsenal got one back on an Ozil goal. In the seventy-first minute, Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey had a yellow card, as did Manchester United's Herrera seconds later. Arsenal saw a yellow card for Mohamed Elneny's foul in the seventy-third minute. In stoppage time, Ozil had a yellow card for his foul for Arsenal, as did Adnan Januzaj for Manchester United. The final was 3-2 for Manchester United. 

Finally, Tottenham Hotspur brings in Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Hugo Lloris are in the six-yard boxes. Swansea City was first to score in the nineteenth minute with an Alberto Paloschi goal, via Jack Cork. Swansea City had yellow cards for Ashley Williams in the twenty-eighth minute and Paloschi in the forty-second minute, both for fouls. Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-sixth minute. Swansea City received a yellow card for an Andre Ayew foul in the fifty-eighth minute. Tottenham Hotspur tied it with a seventieth minute Nacer Chadli goal, assisted by Kyle Walker. Tottenham Hotspur took the lead with a seventy-seventh minute goal by Rose. In stoppage time, Walker received a yellow card for time wasting for Tottenham Hotspur, but it worked and they won 2-1.

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2015/16 KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: 1) Avangard Omsk VS. 8) Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk

As is standard procedure for the playoffs, this post will cover the entire series.

Game 1: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Sudnitsin for Nizhnekamsk and Dominik Furch for Omsk. Omsk got going in the second period with an Artur Lauta goal, assisted by Yury Petrov and Alexander Chernikov. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Nikita Shchitov goal, passed from Kirill Lyamin and Evgeny Grigorenko. Avangard retook the lead with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, coming off of Ilya Zubov and Martin Erat. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Perezhogin, Furch (30 for 31 in saves), and Lauta.

Game 2: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Sudnitsin for Nizhnekamsk and Dominik Furch for Omsk. Omsk began in the first period with a Yury Petrov goal, coming off of Alexander Chernikov. Avangard added on in the second period with an Ilya Zubov goal, fueled by Yury Alexandrov and Denis Parshin. Omsk extended the lead with a power play goal by Martin Erat, powered by Zubov and Andrei Pervyshin. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a power play goal from Andrei Sergeyev, via Evgeny Ryasensky and Mikhail Zhukov. Neftekhimik got closer in the third period with a Jeff Taffe power play goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Grigorenko. Avangard iced it at 4-2 with a power play empty net goal by Nikolai Lemtyugov, set up by Pervyshin and Erat. The three stars went to Erat, Zubov, and Pervyshin. Avangard will travel with a 2-0 series lead to their names.

Game 3: SCC Arena, Nizhnekamsk, Russia. In goal: Dominik Furch for Omsk and Alexander Sudnitsin for Nizhnekamsk. Omsk led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Anton Burdasov. Avangard added on with a Yury Alexandrov goal in the second period, assisted by Vladimir Sobotka and Ilya Mikheyev. Nizhnekamsk got on the board in the third period with a Bogdan Yakimov goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Furch (46 for 47 in saves), Alexandrov, and Burdasov. Avangard has a chance to sweep given their 3-0 series lead to this point. 

Game 4: SCC Arena, Nizhnekamsk, Russia. In goal: Dominik Furch for Omsk and Ivan Lisutin for Nizhnekamsk. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period with an Andrei Sergeyev goal, assisted by Bogdan Yakimov and Ryan Stoa. Neftekhimik added on with an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, passed from Igor Polygalov. Omsk got on the board in the second period with a Yury Alexandrov goal, via Vladimir Sobotka and Martin Erat. Avangard tied it in the third period as Alexander Perezhogin scored, thanks to Ilya Zubov. Omsk won it 3-2 in the third overtime on a Denis Parshin goal, with a lone assist by Ivan Lekomtsev. The three stars were Parshin, Perezhogin, and Alexandrov. Avangard gets the 4-0 series sweep to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

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2015-16 NHL Season - Day 135

Nine games for today, including a massive five matinees. The first is...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue and Michal Neuvirth are the surprising goalies. Philadelphia struck first in the first period on a Scott Laughton goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Nick Cousins and Mark Streit. Arizona tied it with a Brad Richardson goal, his seventh of the year, via Max Domi and Shane Doan. The Flyers took the lead back with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, powered by Streit and Brayden Schenn. Philadelphia added on with a Sam Gagner goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Sean Couturier and Streit, the latter getting a sock trick. The Coyotes got one back in the third period with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his nineteenth of the year, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Michael Stone. The Flyers wrapped it up at 4-2 with a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Wayne Simmonds and Schenn. The three stars went to Streit, Schenn, and Gagner.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Marc-Andre Fleury man the nets. Pittsburgh got going in the second period with a Kris Letang goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on with a Carl Hagelin goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Ian Cole and Derrick Pouliot. Winnipeg got on the board as Blake Wheeler scored his eighteenth of the season on the power play, with the help of Dustin Byfuglien and Nikolaj Ehlers. Pittsburgh replied with a Scott Wilson goal in the third period, his fourth of the year, made possible by Pouliot and Nick Bonino. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Hagelin goal, his seventh of the campaign, with helpers from Phil Kessel and Cole. The three stars were Hagelin, Fleury (27 for 28 in saves), and Pouliot, while Cole gets an honorable mention.

Down in Nashville, the Predators bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Pekka Rinne protect the nets. Nashville started in the first period with a Craig Smith goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Filip Forsberg. The Predators added on in the second period with a Forsberg goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Petter Granberg and Smith. Nashville extended the lead as Forsberg scored his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Smith and Ribeiro. The Predators chased Allen with a Forsberg power play goal, completing his hat trick on his twenty-sixth of the year, powered by Ribeiro, who got a sock trick, and Roman Josi. Pheonix Copley replaced Allen in goal. Nashville capped it at 5-0 in the third period with a Colin Wilson goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Viktor Arvidsson and Anthony Bitetto. The three stars went to Forsberg, Smith, and Ribeiro.

Backtracking to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Joonas Korpisalo are between the pipes. Florida was first to score in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Jaromir Jagr and Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers added on with a Vincent Trocheck goal in the second period, his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Alex Petrovic and Garrett Wilson. Columbus got on the board with a Scott Hartnell goal, his twentieth of the campaign, helped along by Alexander Wennberg. The Blue Jackets tied it with a third period Seth Jones power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Brandon Dubinsky and Nick Foligno. Columbus took the lead on a Brandon Saad goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Hartnell and Wennberg. Florida retied it with a Logan Shaw power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, with assists provided by Nick Bjugstad and Dmitry Kulikov. In the shootout, Dubinsky's lone tally gave the Blue Jackets a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Hartnell, Dubinsky, and Wennberg.

Down in Dallas, the last matinee has the Stars welcoming the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Kari Lehtonen are the experienced goalies. New York dented the scoreboard on a Chris Kreider power play goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and Derick Brassard. Dallas tied it with a Colton Sceviour goal, his seventh of the year, via Tyler Seguin and Radek Faksa. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with a Ryan McDonagh goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Oscar Lindberg and Viktor Stalberg. The Stars tied it again on a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Sceviour and Faksa. New York pulled ahead with a Kevin Klein goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars going to Klein, Sceviour, and Faksa.

At the usual time, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Mike Condon are the goalies. Toronto opened in the first period with a Matt Hunwick goal, his second of the season, assisted by Brendan Leipsic and Brad Boyes. Montreal tied it with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Sven Andrighetto and Lars Eller. The Canadiens took the lead on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his sixth of the season, via Michael McCarron and Alexei Emelin in the second period. Montreal added on in the third period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twenty-second of the year, helped along by Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens extended the lead as Pacioretty scored his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, thanks to Greg Pateryn and Tomas Plekanec. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Pacioretty, Condon (31 for 32 in saves), and Smith-Pelly.

Now, we head west and outdoors in Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche host the Detroit Red Wings in this season's second Stadium Series game. Petr Mrazek and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Detroit led off in the first period with a Tomas Tatar goal, his seventeenth of the season, going in unassisted. Colorado tied it on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche pulled ahead with a Tyson Barrie goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Blake Comeau and Mihkail Grigorenko. The Red Wings tied it in the third period on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Riley Sheahan and Tatar. Detroit took the lead with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Darren Helm and Luke Glendening. Colorado tied it on an Alex Tanguay goal, his fourth of the year, via Landeskog and MacKinnon. The Red Wings took the lead with a Brad Richards goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Niklas Kronwall. Detroit iced it at 5-3 with a Helm empty net goal, his eighth of the year, set up by the goalie Mrazek and Kronwall. The three stars went to Tatar, Helm, and MacKinnon, while Kronwall and Landeskog get the honorable mentions.

Up in Calgary, the Flames welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Joni Ortio occupy the creases. Calgary began in the first period with a Joe Colborne power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Sam Bennett and Mikael Backlund. The Flames added on with a Sean Monahan goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie. Ottawa got on the board with a Zack Smith power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone. Calgary replied in the second period with a Gaudreau goal, his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Brodie. The Senators answered with a Nick Paul goal, his second of the season, fueled by Curtis Lazar and Mike Hoffman. The Flames countered on Gaudreau's second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, guided in by Monahan and Brodie, the latter getting a sock trick. Ottawa pulled back in the third period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his twelfth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Senators tied it on a Zibanejad goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, made possible by Alex Chiasson and Eriksson. Ottawa took the lead with a Zibanejad goal that completed his hat trick, with his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Stone and Hoffman. The Senators iced it at 6-4 with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Stone, who got a sock trick, and Cody Ceci. The three stars were Zibanejad, Gaudreau, and Stone, while Brodie, Monahan, Eriksson, and Hoffman get the honorable mentions

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Jhonas Enroth are the little-known goalies. Los Angeles drew first blood in the second period with a Tanner Pearson goal, his ninth of the season, via Alec Martinez and Rob Scuderi. The Kings added on with another Pearson goal in the third period, his second of the game and tenth of the year, courtesy of Jake Muzzin and Vincent Lecavalier. The three stars of the 2-0 game went to Pearson, Enroth (23 save shutout), and Lehner (33 for 35 in saves).

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