Wednesday, November 2, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 21

Just three games tonight, beginning with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. Montreal got going in the second period with a Nathan Beaulieu goal, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens added on with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Phillip Danault and Brian Flynn. Montreal iced it at 3-0 with an Alexander Radulov empty net goal in the third period, his third of the year, set up by Galchenyuk and Gallagher. The three stars were Price (42 save shutout), Galchenyuk, and Gallagher.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek faces a lesser foe in Michal Neuvirth in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Gustav Nyquist and Mike Green. The Red Wings added on with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his third of the year, via Riley Sheahan and Jonathan Ericsson. Philadelphia got one back in the second period on a Chris VandeVelde goal, courtesy of Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Flyers tied it on a Roman Lyubimov goal in the third period, passed from Andrew MacDonald and Sean Couturier. Detroit retook the lead with a Henrik Zetterberg goal, made possible by Tomas Tatar and Justin Abdelkader. Philadelphia tied it again with a Streit goal, his third of the season, guided in by Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers won 4-3 in overtime with a Jakub Voracek goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Claude Giroux. The three stars went to Streit, Voracek, and Schenn.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and John Gibson are the young goalies. Pittsburgh began in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Phil Kessel and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on with a Matt Cullen goal, his third of the year, passed from Tom Sestito and Eric Fehr. Anaheim got on the board with a Cam Fowler power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Sami Vatanen and Ryan Kesler. Pittsburgh added on in the second period with a Bryan Rust goal, via Nick Bonino and Kris Letang. The Penguins extended the lead in the third period as Letang scored a power play goal, made possible by Justin Schultz. Pittsburgh padded the lead with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers from Sidney Crosby and Carl Hagelin. The game ended at 5-1, with the three stars going to Letang, Murray (32 for 33 in saves), and Cullen.

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Tuesday, November 1, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 20

After a day off, there's twelve games to contest today. We begin in...

New York, as the Rangers host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York led off in the first period with a Dan Girardi goal, his second of the season, helped along by Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers added on with a Jimmy Vesey power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Brady Skjei. New York extended the lead as Rick Nash scored his fifth of the season in the second period, thanks to Vesey. The Rangers padded the lead on a Mats Zuccarello power play goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Carter Hutton relieved Allen in goal. New York continued with a Kevin Hayes goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by J.T. Miller and Vesey. The final held at 5-0, with the three stars going to Vesey, Kreider, and Lundqvist (35 save shutout).

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Sergei Bobrovsky are set to start in goal. Columbus got going in the second period with a Nick Foligno goal, his third of the season, via Zach Werenski and Brandon Saad. Dallas tied it on a Jason Spezza goal, his third of the year, assisted by Johnny Oduya and Stephen Johns. The Stars took the lead in the third period on a Tyler Seguin goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Jamie Benn and John Klingberg. The Blue Jackets tied it again with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Cam Atkinson and Werenski. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime with a Seth Jones goal, his second of the campaign, with helpers from Saad and Alexander Wennberg. The three stars were given to Saad, Werenski, and Bobrovsky (36 for 38 in saves).

Back in New York, the Islanders bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Thomas Greiss draw the starts in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period on a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on with another Kucherov power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, helped along by Hedman and Alex Killorn. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Stamkos scored his seventh of the season, with the help of Slater Koekkoek and Kucherov. Jaroslav Halak replaced Greiss in goal. The Lightning padded the lead in the second period on a Brian Boyle goal, his second of the year, fueled by Ryan Callahan and Valtteri Filppula. Tampa Bay kept going with a shorthanded and unassisted J.T. Brown goal. The Lightning continued on a Filppula goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Kucherov and Koekkoek. New York got on the board with a Dennis Seidenberg goal, his third of the year, guided in by Calvin de Haan and John Tavares. The game ended at 6-1, with the three stars awarded to Kucherov, Stamkos, and Filppula, while Hedman and Koekkoek get the honorable mentions.

Up to Canada, where the Ottawa Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Carolina began in the first period with a Jaccob Slavin goal, going in unassisted. Ottawa tied it with a Dion Phaneuf goal, assisted by Cody Ceci and Tom Pyatt. The Senators won 2-1 in overtime with a Kyle Turris goal, his fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Erik Karlsson. The three stars went to Turris, Anderson (32 for 33 in saves), and Phaneuf.

Also in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Frederik Andersen are called on to start in goal. Toronto opened in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Connor Brown and Roman Polak. Edmonton tied it with an Anton Lander goal, via Tyler Pitlick and Mark Letestu. The Maple Leafs took the lead back with a Ben Smith goal, fueled by Nikita Soshnikov and Matt Martin in the second period. The Oilers retied it in the third period on a Darnell Nurse goal, his second of the year, helped along by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Toronto won 3-2 in overtime with a Kadri goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, made possible by Morgan Rielly. The three stars belonged to Kadri, Andersen (44 for 46 in saves), and Smith.

South to Florida, with the Panthers bringing in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Boston started in the first period with a Brad Marchand penalty shot goal, his fourth of the season, coming after a hooking call on Reilly Smith. The Bruins added on with a Dominic Moore shorthanded goal in the second period, his third of the year, going in unassisted. Florida got on the board in the third period with a Denis Malgin goal, coming off of Keith Yandle and Mark Pysyk. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Rask (33 for 34 in saves), Moore, and Marchand.

In Canada again, the Winnipeg Jets host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Connor Hellebuyck are the masked men. Washington was first to score in the first period with a Karl Alzner goal, his second of the season, helped along by Marcus Johansson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals added on with a Johansson goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, via Kuznetsov. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Ben Chiarot. The Jets tied it with an Adam Lowry goal, passed from Joel Armia and Kyle Connor. Washington regained the lead with a Jay Beagle goal, courtesy of John Carlson. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Johansson, Beagle, and Kuznetsov.

Back stateside, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Devan Dubnyk are between the pipes. Buffalo led off in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Minnesota tied it on a second period goal by Mikael Granlund, his second of the year, a power play goal with assists provided by Eric Staal and Jason Pominville. The Sabres retook the lead in the third period with a Johan Larsson goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Brian Gionta. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Larsson, O'Reilly, and Lehner (27 for 28 in saves).

In Chicago, the Blackhawks bring in the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Corey Crawford occupy the creases. Chicago began in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, his third of the season, assisted by Michal Rozsival. Calgary tied it on a shorthanded Michael Frolik goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Mikael Backlund in the second period. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Kane and Artemi Panarin. Chicago added on with a Tyler Motte goal, his third of the year, helped along by Nick Schmaltz and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks extended the lead with an empty net goal by Panarin, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist provided by Kane. Chicago finished it at 5-1 with a Niklas Hjalmarsson goal, his second of the year, made possible by Richard Panik and Anisimov. The three stars were Kane, Crawford (33 for 34 in saves), and Panarin, while Anisimov gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Semyon Varlamov are the experienced goalies. Nashville opened in the first period with a Craig Smith goal, his third of the season, fueled by Mike Ribeiro and Colin Wilson. Colorado tied it on a Jarome Iginla goal, his second of the year, helped along by Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog. The Predators retook the lead with a Matt Irwin goal, passed from James Neal and Filip Forsberg. Nashville added on in the second period with a Ryan Johansen power play goal, powered by Mike Fisher and Neal. The Predators extended the lead in the third period as Roman Josi scored his second of the season, thanks to Johansen and Forsberg. Nashville iced it with another Smith goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 5-1 game were Smith, Johansen, and Neal, while Forsberg gets an honorable mention. 

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. San Jose started in the first period with a Patrick Marleau goal, his third of the season, coming off of Melker Karlsson and Tomas Hertl. Arizona tied it in the second period on a Brad Richardson goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Tobias Rieder and Luke Schenn. The Coyotes took the lead with a Lawson Crouse goal, passed from Kevin Connauton and Ryan White. Arizona added on with a Jamie McGinn goal, his second of the season, guided in by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Alex Goligoski. The Sharks got one back in the third period on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his second of the year, fueled by Joonas Donskoi and Hertl. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to McGinn, Crowse, and Hertl.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Peter Budaj are given the starting nods in goal. Anaheim was first to score in the first period with a Rickard Rakell goal, passed from Ryan Kesler. The Ducks added on in the second period with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, powered by Rakell and Corey Perry. Anaheim extended the lead as Kesler scored his second of the season on the power play, thanks to Ryan Getzlaf and Perry. The Ducks padded the lead with a Joseph Cramarossa goal, via Rakell and Vermette. Jack Campbell took over for Budaj for the third period in goal. The final stood at 3-0, with the three stars going to Rakell, Kesler, and Vermette, while Perry and Gibson (30 save shutout) get honorable mentions.

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KHL 2016/17 - Days 70 and 71

Since the schedule is calming down early this week, and we have an NHL gap as well on Halloween, October 31, we'll put the next three KHL games in one post. We begin with...

Admiral Vladivostok hosting Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Andrei Makarov and Ivan Nalimov are in the blue paint. Beijing opened in the first period with a Chad Rau goal, passed from Sean Collins. Vladivostok tied it with a Sergei Ilyin goal, courtesy of James Wright. Kunlun Red Star gained the lead with a Tuukka Mantyla goal, coming off of Rau and Collins. Beijing added on with a Damien Fleury goal, assisted by Oleg Yashin and Vadim Pereskokov. Igor Bobkov replaced Nalimov at the start of the second period. Admiral got one back in the third period on a Wright goal, made possible by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. The game ended at 3-2 for Kunlun Red Star, with the three stars going to Rau, Wright, and Collins.

Across Russia in Cherepovets, Severstal welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Drew MacIntyre and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. Cherepovets started in the first period with a Daniil Vovchenko power play goal, powered by Yury Trubachyov and Alexander Yevseyenkov. Severstal added on with a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, via Pavel Chernov. Cherepovets extended the lead in the second period as Yevseyenkov scored, thanks to Trubachyov and Maxim Trunyov. Severstal padded the lead on a Ruslan Karlin goal, coming off of Sergei Monakhov and Adam Masuhr. Sergei Gaiduchenko replaced MacIntyre in goal. Cherepovets kept going with a Denis Yezhov goal, guided in by Vovchenko and Trubachyov, the latter earning a sock trick. Zagreb got on the board with a Colby Genoway goal, helped along by Edwin Hedberg. Medvescak got closer with a Lukas Lessio goal, fueled by Thomas Larkin and Brandon McMillan. Zagreb chipped away at the deficit with a Hedberg goal, made possible by Francis Pare and Blake Parlett. Severstal countered with a Monakhov goal, assisted by Igor Magogin. Cherepovets iced it at 7-3 with a Chernov empty net goal, set up by Kagarlitsky and Vojtech Polak. The three stars were given to Vovchenko, Trubachyov, and Kagarlitsky, while Yevseyenkov, Chernov, Monakhov, and Hedberg get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Dinamo Minsk on Tuesday. Ben Scrivens and Jakub Sedlacek are the goalies. Minsk struck first in the first period with an Alexander Materukhin power play goal, powered by Rob Klinkhammer and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Riga tied it on a Miks Indrasis power play goal, passed from Oskars Cibulskis and Mikelis Redlihs. Riga took the lead with a Maris Bicevskis goal, assisted by Guntis Galvins. Minsk retied it in the third period on a Klinkhammer goal, made possible by Sergei Kostitsyn. Minsk took the lead on a Kostitsyn goal, helped along by Matt Ellison and Klinkhammer. Riga retied it with another Indrasis goal, via Krisjanis Redlihs and Mikelis Redlihs. Riga pulled ahead with a Gints Meija goal, courtesy of Galvins and Indrasis. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Indrasis, Galvins, and Mikelis Redlihs, while Klinkhammer and Kostitsyn get the honorable mentions.

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Sunday, October 30, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 19

Eight games on for today in an unusually busy Sunday for the NHL. We begin with the first of four somewhat early games, as...

The Winnipeg Jets host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Michael Hutchinson are in goal. Buffalo opened in the first period with a Kyle Okposo goal, his third of the season, assisted by Zemgus Girgensons and Jake McCabe. The Sabres added on with a Brian Gionta goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. Buffalo extended the lead in the second period as Okposo scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with the help of Ryan O'Reilly and Cody Franson. Connor Hellebuyck replaced Hutchinson in goal. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his second of the year, coming off of Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The game ended 3-1, with the three stars going to Okposo, Lehner (37 for 38 in saves), and Gionta.

In Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Petr Mrazek are in the creases. Florida started in the first period with a Colton Sceviour goal, his third of the season, assisted by Vincent Trocheck and Jason Demers on the power play. The Panthers added on with another Sceviour goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, helped along by Keith Yandle and Reilly Smith. Florida extended the lead as Jonathan Marchessault scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Denis Malgin and Kyle Rau. Detroit got on the board in the second period with a Dylan Larkin power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Brendan Smith and Frans Nielsen. The Panthers shot back with a Trocheck goal, his fourth of the season, with assists by Sceviour and Alex Petrovic. Jimmy Howard replaced Mrazek in goal. Florida padded the lead on a shorthanded Sceviour goal, completing his hat trick with his fifth of the year, set up by Demers. The Red Wings got one back in the third period with a Smith power play goal, with helpers from Nielsen and Riley Sheahan. The game ended 5-2, with the three stars being Sceviour, Trocheck, and Demers, while Smith and Nielsen get the honorable mentions.

Southeast to Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and cam Ward are the sub-par goalies. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted on the power play. Carolina tied it in the second period with a Justin Faulk goal, his third of the year, via Ron Hainsey and Jeff Skinner. The Flyers retook the lead with a Radko Gudas goal, fueled by Wayne Simmonds and Claude Giroux. The Hurricanes retied it on a Skinner goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Hainsey and Victor Rask. Carolina took the lead with an unassisted Viktor Stalberg goal, his second of the year. Philadelphia tied it again with a Giroux goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Simmonds. The Flyers gained the lead in the third period with a shorthanded Brandon Manning goal, his second of the year, set up by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The final held at 4-3, with the three stars going to Giroux, Simmonds, and Skinner, while Hainsey gets an honorable mention.

Up in Brooklyn, the New York Islanders bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Thomas Greiss and Jhonas Enroth are the backups in goal. New York was first to score in the first period with a Travis Hamonic goal, his second of the season, made possible by Nick Leddy and Nikolay Kulemin. The Islanders added on with a Casey Cizikas goal, coming off of Cal Clutterbuck and Kulemin. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a Jake Gardiner power play goal, powered by William Nylander and James van Riemsdyk. New York replied with a Shane Prince goal, his second of the year, helped along by Dennis Seidenberg and Brock Nelson. The Islanders extended the lead as Nelson scored his third of the season, with the help of Prince and Seidenberg. New York finished it at 5-1 with a Josh Bailey goal, his second of the year, guided in by Leddy and John Tavares. The three stars belonged to Prince, Nelson, and Greiss (33 for 34 in saves), while Kulemin and Leddy get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj and Corey Crawford receive the starting nods in goal. Chicago led off in the first period with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, powered by Brian Campbell and Nick Schmaltz. The Blackhawks added on with an Artem Anisimov goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Marian Hossa and Artemi Panarin. Chicago extended the lead as Hossa buried a third period empty net goal on the power play, his third of the year, set up by Toews. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Toews, Hossa, and Crawford (32 save shutout).

Back in New York, the Rangers welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Antti Raanta draw the starts. New York got going in the second period with a Rick Nash goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nick Holden. The Rangers added on with a Michael Grabner goal, his third of the year, assisted by Brady Skjei and Kevin Hayes. New York extended the lead as Jimmy Vesey scored his fifth of the season, with a lone helper by Nash. The Rangers padded the lead with a J.T. Miller goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Hayes and Dan Girardi. New York kept going in the third period with a Grabner goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Miller and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers continued with Grabner completing his hat trick on his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Hayes and Miller, the former getting a sock trick as well. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Anton Stralman. The game ended at 6-1, with the three stars being Grabner, Miller, and Hayes, while Nash gets an honorable mention.

In Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Cam Talbot are between the pipes. Ottawa dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Mike Hoffman goal, coming off of Tom Pyatt and Kyle Turris. The Senators iced it at 2-0 with a Bobby Ryan empty net goal in the third period, his third of the campaign, set up by Chris Kelly. The three stars went to Anderson (37 save shutout), Hoffman, and Ryan.

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Brian Elliott guard the cages. Washington began in the first period with a Brett Connolly goal, made possible by Jay Beagle and Zachary Sanford. The Capitals added on with a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Calgary got on the board with a Mikael Backlund goal, assisted by Matthew Tkachuk and Michael Frolik. Washington replied in the third period with another Johansson goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, going into the empty net off a pass from Beagle. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Johansson, Holtby (21 for 22 in saves), and Beagle.

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MLS Conference Semifinals - Leg 1

Four games fill today's schedule, as the lower-seeded teams host the higher seeds in the first of two matches to determine which teams advance to the Conference Finals. First, in the east, we have...

The Montreal Impact hosting the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Evan Bush man the nets. In the thirteenth minute, Felipe of New York and Hassoun Camara of Montreal both took yellow cards for fouls. Montreal got going in the sixty-first minute with a Matteo Mancosu goal, assisted by Marco Donadel. The Red Bulls went down to ten men in stoppage time as Omer Damari took a straight red card for violent conduct. The game ended at 1-0, with the man of the match being Mancosu for his winner.

Out in California, the Los Angeles Galaxy welcome the Colorado Rapids. Tim Howard and Brian Rowe are the gloved men. Dominique Badji of Colorado had a yellow card for a twelfth minute foul. Los Angeles saw a yellow card given to Jelle Van Damme in the forty-fifth minute for a foul. The Rapids took a yellow card for a foul by Jared Watts in the fiftieth minute The Galaxy dented the scoreboard on a Giovani dos Santos goal in the fifty-fifth minute, assisted by Van Damme. Colorado's Jermaine Jones had a yellow card for a foul in the sixtieth minute. In the sixty-seventh minute, Los Angeles' Ashley Cole received a yellow card for a foul. The game ended 1-0, with the man of the match being dos Santos.

Back in Canada, Toronto FC hosts New York City FC. Eirik Johansen and Clint Irwin are in goal. Armando Cooper of Toronto had a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul. Jack Harrison of New York City had a yellow card for a thirty-third minute foul, as did teammate Maxime Chanot in the forty-fourth minute. Mikey Lopez of New York City received a yellow card for a fifty-eighth minute foul. New York City's Federico Bravo took a yellow card for delay of game in the sixty-fifth minute. Frank Lampard of New York City had a seventy-third minute yellow card for a foul. Toronto struck first in the eighty-fourth minute on a Jozy Altidore goal. Toronto added on with a Tosaint Ricketts goal in stoppage time, making it a 2-0 final. Altidore was the man of the match.

Finally, the Seattle Sounders FC brings in FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Stefan Frei are between the posts. Seattle was first to score in the fiftieth minute on a Nelson Valdez goal, passed from Joevin Jones. The Sounders added on in the fifty-fifth minute with a Nicolas Lodeiro goal, set up by Jordan Morris. Seattle extended the lead as Lodeiro scored in the fifty-eighth minute, thanks to Jones. In the eighty-fifth minute, Dallas' Maynor Figueroa took a yellow card for a foul. The game ended at 3-0, with Lodeiro's brace making him the man of the match.

Leg 2 is next weekend. Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

KHL 2016/17 - Day 69

Three games on today, beginning with...

Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosting Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexei Krasikov and Niklas Svedberg are in the creases. Ufa led off in the first period with a Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, via Kirill Kaprizov and Denis Bodrov. Salavat Yulaev added on with an Igor Makarov goal, coming off of Enver Lisin. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Dmitry Chernykh scored, thanks to Stepan Khripunov. Salavat Yulaev padded the lead with a Linus Omark goal, helped along by Sami Lepisto. Ufa kept going with another Arzamastsev goal, made possible by Bodrov and Maxim Mayorov. Danny Taylor replaced Krasikov. Salavat Yulaev continued in the third period on Anton Lazarev goal, courtesy of Evgeny Korotkov and Mayorov. The game ended at 6-0, with the three stars being Arzamastsev, Bodrov, and Mayorov.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Pavel Francouz are the mediocre goalies. Chelyabinsk began in the first period with a Dmitry Pestunov power play goal, powered by Paul Szczechura and Alexei Petrov. Traktor added on with a Yury Petrov goal, passed from Maxim Yakutsenya and Alexander Pankov on the power play. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars given to Francouz (21 save shutout), Petunov, and Yury Petrov.

Finally, in Podolsk, Vityaz brings in Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Harri Sateri draw the starts in goal. Podolsk struck first in the first period with an Alexei Makeyev goal, coming off of Alexander Nikulin and Maxim Afinogenov. Vityaz added on with a Makeyev power play goal, powered by Nikulin and Afinogenov. Minsk got one back with a Rob Klinkhammer power play goal, with assists provided by Alexander Materukhin and Matt Ellison. Dinamo tied it on an Andrei Stas goal, helped along by Charles Linglet and Evgeny Lisovets. Podolsk pulled back ahead with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, assisted by Jakub Jerabek on the power play. Vityaz extended the lead as Mario Kempe scored, thanks to Kopeikin and Jerabek. Minsk answered with an Ellison goal, courtesy of Klinkhammer and Sergei Kostitsyn. Podolsk replied with a Jerabek goal, with helpers from Dmitry Shitikov and Miro Aaltonen. Mikhail Karnaukhov replaced Scrivens in goal. Vityaz padded the lead with an Afinogenov goal in the third period, fueled by Alexei Semenov and Roman Horak. Dinamo countered with an Ilya Shinkevich goal, guided in by Stas and Linglet. Minsk got closer with another Shinkevich goal, made possible by Andrei Stepanov and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Podolsk pulled away on a Jerabek power play goal, passed from Aaltonen and Kopeikin. Vityaz struck again on a power play goal by Aaltonen, with a lone assist by Jerabek, who got a sock trick. Dinamo got one back on a Materukhin goal, via Lisovets. Podolsk iced it on an unassisted Yury Koksharov empty net goal, resulting in the wild 9-6 final. The three stars went to Jerabek, Afinogenov, and Aaltonen, while Kopeikin, Makeyev, Shinkevich, Ellison, Klinkhammer, Stas, Materukhin, Lisovets, and Linglet receive the honorable mentions.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 18

Ten games grace the schedule today, including the first matinee of the year. We begin early in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Anders Nilsson make the starts in goal. Buffalo started in the first period with a Johan Larsson goal, assisted by Brian Gionta and Marcus Foligno. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen. Buffalo extended the lead in the third period as Reinhart scored, thanks to Matt Moulson on the power play. The game ended at 3-0, with the three stars going to Nilsson (33 save shutout), Reinhart, and Larsson.

At the usual time, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Jimmy Howard are the veterans in goal. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Tim Schaller goal, via Dominic Moore. This lasted for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Rask (24 save shutout), Schaller, and Howard (35 for 36 in saves).

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Carey Price are in goal. Montreal got going in the second period with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his third of the season, helped along by Alexander Radulov and Nathan Beaulieu. Toronto tied it on a Nazem Kadri power play goal in the third period, his third of the year, powered by William Nylander and Jake Gardiner. The Canadiens retook the lead with a Shea Weber power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Radulov and Galchenyuk. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Galchenyuk, Radulov, and Price (37 for 38 in saves).

Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Cory Schneider are the masked men. New Jersey opened in the first period with an Adam Henrique goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Damon Severson and Michael Cammalleri. The Devils added on with a Severson goal, guided in by Henrique and Andy Greene. New Jersey extended the lead in the second period as Devante Smith-Pelly scored, thanks to Nick Lappin and Kyle Quincey. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Tyler Johnson goal, his second of the year, coming off of Brayden Point in the third period. The game closed at 3-1, with the three stars being Schneider (32 for 33 in saves), Severson, and Henrique.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Steve Mason are between the pipes. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his fourth of the season, via Brandon Manning and Radko Gudas. The Flyers added on with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Brayden Schenn and Shayne Gostisbehere. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, his third of the season, coming off of Patric Hornqvist and Scott Wilson. The Penguins tied it with a Crosby power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, assisted by Hornqvist and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Matt Cullen goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Tom Kuhnhackl. The Penguins extended the lead in the second period as Evgeni Malkin scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Kessel and Chris Kunitz. Philadelphia got one back with a Claude Giroux goal, fueled by Simmonds and Gudas on the power play. The Flyers retied it on another Voracek goal, coming on a penalty shot after Brian Dumoulin hook, going in as his fifth of the season. Pittsburgh retook the lead in the third period on a Malkin goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, made possible by Olli Maatta. The final held at 5-4, with the three stars given to Malkin, Crosby, and Voracek, while Hornqvist, Simmonds, Kessel, and Gudas receive the honorable mentions.

Out west, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj is mismatched with Jake Allen in goal. St. Louis cracked the scoresheet in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko. This proved to be the only goal for a 1-0 Blues win, with the three stars going to Schwartz, Allen (27 save shutout), and Budaj (24 for 25 in saves).

North to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Devan Dubnyk are the average goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a shorthanded Mikael Granlund goal, set up by Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on with a third period goal by Nino Niederreiter, his second of the season, coming off of Charlie Coyle and Granlund. Minnesota extended the lead as Eric Staal scored his fourth of the year on the power play, with the help of Ryan Suter and Jason Pominville. The Wild padded the lead on a Tyler Graovac goal, courtesy of Jason Zucker and Christoph Bertschy. The game ended at 4-0, with the three stars given to Granlund, Dubnyk (29 save shutout), and Graovac.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Coyotes welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Louis Domingue are the relatively unknown goalies. Arizona began in the first period with a Radim Vrbata goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Max Domi and Martin Hanzal. Colorado tied it on a Matt Duchene goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Mikhail Grigorenko and Erik Johnson in the second period. The Avalanche took the lead in the third period with a Rene Bourque power play goal, with assists provided by Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. Colorado added on with a Duchene goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, fueled by Gabriel Landeskog and Eric Gelinas. The Coyotes got one back on a Tobias Rieder goal, his second of the year, via Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brad Richardson. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars going to Duchene, Bourque, and Landeskog.

Up in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Jacob Markstrom are the backups in goal. Washington was first to score in the first period with a Marcus Johansson goal, his second of the season, passed from Matt Niskanen. The Capitals added on with a Tom Wilson goal, made possible by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Johansson. Vancouver got on the board with a Jannik Hansen goal, his second of the year, helped along by Erik Gudbranson. Washington shot back in the second period with a Johansson power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, guided in by T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom. The Canucks got one back with a Bo Horvat goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Sven Baertschi and Jake Virtanen. The Capitals shot back in the third period with an Oshie goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Andre Burakovsky and Nate Schmidt. Washington iced it at 5-2 with a Karl Alzner empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Johansson, Oshie, and Wilson.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Martin Jones are set to start in goal. San Jose drew first blood in the first period on a Joonas Donskoi goal, his second of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Paul Martin. The Sharks added on with an unassisted Joe Pavelski power play goal in the second period, his fourth of the year. San Jose extended the lead as Tommy Wingels scored, thanks to Micheal Haley and David Schlemko. Nashville got on the board with a James Neal goal, made possible by Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. San Jose iced it at 4-1 with a Joe Thornton empty net goal in the third period, set up by Pavelski and Tomas Hertl. The three stars went to Pavelski, Jones (27 for 28 in saves), and Wingels.

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