Saturday, November 12, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 31

It's eleven games that will keep us entertained tonight. We begin with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Cam Ward are set to start in goal. Washington led off in the first period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Carolina tied it on a Sebastian Aho goal, assisted by Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Teravainen goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Aho and Staal. Carolina added on in the second period with a Staal power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Elias Lindholm and Teravainen. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Victor Rask scored his sixth of the year, via Klas Dahlbeck and Lee Stempniak. Carolina padded the lead with an Aho empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Teravainen and Staal, both of whom received sock tricks. The game ended at 5-1, with the three stars given to Teravainen, Staal, and Aho.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Carey Price protect the nets. Montreal began in the first period with a Phillip Danault goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Andrew Shaw and the goalie Price. The Canadiens added on with a Paul Byron goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Montreal extended the lead as Shea Weber scored his sixth of the season on the power play, with the help of Alexander Radulov and Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens padded the lead in the second period on a Shaw power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Galchenyuk and Andrei Markov. Montreal kept going with a Max Pacioretty goal, his third of the season, via Shaw and Danault. The scored held at 5-0, with the three stars going to Shaw, Pacioretty, and Danauly, while Galchenyuk and Price (25 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Cory Schneider are the masked men. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Kyle Quincey goal, via Damon Severson and Adam Henrique. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Marcus Foligno goal, his third of the season, helped along by Brian Gionta. The Devils took the lead with a Nick Lappin goal, his second of the year, guided in by Taylor Hall and Ben Lovejoy. New Jersey added on with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his third of the season, coming off of Severson and Andy Greene. The Devils extended the lead in the third period as John Moore scored his second of the year, thanks to Henrique and Hall. The Sabres got one back with a Matt Moulson goal, his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Derek Grant and Cody Franson. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to Severson, Henrique, and Hall.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Michal Neuvirth are the goalies. Minnesota started in the first period with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Charlie Coyle and Eric Staal. Philadelphia tied it on a Brandon Manning goal, his third of the year, via Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. Steve Mason replaced Neuvirth for the second period. The Wild retook the lead in the second period on a Mikael Granlund goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mikko Koivu. The Flyers tied it again with a Michael Del Zotto goal, with a lone helper by Michael Raffl. Philadelphia pulled ahead in the third period on a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Schenn, Del Zotto, and Manning.

West to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Matt Murray draw the starts in goal. Toronto struck first in the first period with a Zach Hyman goal, his second of the season, assisted by Matt Hunwick and Martin Marincin. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his eighth of the year, coming on the power play from Kris Letang and Patric Hornqvist. The Penguins took the lead with a Chris Kunitz goal, his second of the season, made possible by Bryan Rust and Ian Cole. Pittsburgh added on in the third period with a Rust goal, his second of the year, via Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary. The Penguins extended the lead as Crosby scored his tenth of the campaign, thanks to Brian Dumoulin and Letang. This held for a 4-1 win, with the three stars awarded to Rust, Crosby, and Murray (35 for 36 in saves), while Letang gets an honorable mention.

Southward to Florida, with the Tampa Bay Lightning bringing in the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Ben Bishop protect the nets. San Jose was first to score in the first period on a Patrick Marleau goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Brent Burns and Paul Martin. The Sharks added on with a Tommy Wingels goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Chris Tierney and Melker Karlsson. San Jose extended the lead in the second period as Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored his third of the season on the power play, with the help of Tomas Hertl and Joonas Donskoi. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with an Anton Stralman goal, coming off of Brian Boyle and Cedric Paquette. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Wingels, Jones (25 for 26 in saves), and Vlasic.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. New York led off in the first period with a Brock Nelson goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Calvin de Haan and Jason Chimera. The Islanders added on in the second period with a Nick Leddy power play goal, his third of the year, powered by John Tavares and Josh Bailey. Florida got on the board in the third period with a Kyle Rau goal, via Michael Matheson and Derek MacKenzie. The Panthers tied it with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Aleksander Barkov and Keith Yandle. Florida won 3-2 in overtime on a Denis Malgin goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Vincent Trocheck and Matheson. The three stars went to Matheson, Malgin, and Marchessault.

Back north, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Sergei Bobrovsky are the solid goalies. Columbus began in the first period with a Sam Gagner goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Scott Hartnell and Lukas Sedlak. St. Louis tied it on a Kevin Shattenkirk power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Vladimir Tarasenko and David Perron. The Blue Jackets took the lead back with a Nick Foligno goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Brandon Saad. Columbus added on with an Alexander Wennberg goal, his second of the year, passed from Saad and Foligno. The Blue Jackets extended the lead in the second period as Gagner scored again, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with the help of Hartnell and Sedlak. Carter Hutton relieved Allen in goal. Columbus kept going with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, made possible by Cam Atkinson and Boone Jenner. The Blue Jackets continued with a Markus Nutivaara goal, with helpers from Atkinson and Jenner. Columbus struck again as William Karlsson scored his second of the year, thanks to David Savard and Atkinson, the latter earning a natural sock trick. The Blues got one back with a Robby Fabbri power play goal, his second of the season, via Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera. St. Louis got closer in the third period on a Tarasenko power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Shattenkirk and Perron. The Blue Jackets countered with a Zach Werenski power play goal, his fourth of the season, dished from Atkinson and Foligno. The Blues chipped back on a Fabbri power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, from Tarasenko and Perron, both of whom earned a sock trick. The wild game ended at 8-4, with the three stars going to Foligno, Gagner, and Atkinson, while Tarasenko, Fabbri, Perron, Shattenkirk, Hartnell, Sedlak, Jenner, and Saad receive honorable mentions.

Out in the desert, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. Boston got going in the second period with a Ryan Spooner goal, his third of the season, coming off of Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. The Bruins added on with a David Pastrnak goal, his tenth of the year, helped along by Brad Marchand and Torey Krug. Arizona got on the board in the third period with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Anthony DeAngelo and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Rask (31 for 32 in saves), Pastrnak, and Spooner.

Backtracking to Nashville, the Predators host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Pekka Rinne are in the blue paint. Nashville opened in the first period with a Ryan Ellis goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Filip Forsberg. The Predators added on in the second period with a James Neal goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Viktor Ardvidsson. Nashville extended the lead on a shorthanded Colton Sissons goal, set up by Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators padded the lead as Forsberg scored, with the help of Ryan Johansen and Yannick Weber. Jonathan Bernier relieved Gibson in goal. Nashville struck again in the third period with a Neal power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, powered by Mike Fisher and Roman Josi. This produced the 5-0 final, with the three stars given to Neal, Forsberg, and Rinne (27 save shutout), while Arvidsson gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Elliott tend the twines. New York started in the first period with a Michael Grabner goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Jesper Fast. The Rangers added on with a Derek Stepan goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Chris Kreider. New York extended the lead in the second period as Jimmy Vesey scored his seventh of the season, with the help of Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. The Rangers padded the lead with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad. Calgary got one back with a Micheal Ferland power play goal in the third period, his third of the campaign, powered by T.J. Brodie and Dennis Wideman. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Lundqvist (35 for 36 in saves), Stepan, and Vesey.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 77

Ten more games are on for today, beginning with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Danny Taylor are the masked men. Novosibirsk started in the first period with an Alexei Glukhov power play goal, powered by Sergei Shumakov and Stepan Sannikov. Sibir added on with a Konstantin Okulov goal in the second period, assisted by Adam Polasek and Sannikov. Novosibirsk extended the lead in the third period as Sannikov scored, thanks to Nikolai Glukhov and Shumakov. Sochi got on the board with a Yury Alexandrov goal, passed from Andrei Kostitsyn and Igor Ignatushkin. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars being Sannikov, Taylor (43 for 44 in saves), and Shumakov.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Mikhail Biryukov are the average goalies. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, assisted by Nikolai Zherdev. Torpedo added on in the third period with an Alexander Frolov goal, guided in by Kaspars Daugavins and Dmitry Semin. Torpedo extended the lead with a Semin power play goal, powered by Frolov and Daugavins. Nizhny Novgorod padded the lead as Frolov scored a power play goal, his second of the game, with the help of Sam Lofquist and Semin. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Andrei Taratukhin power play goal, with assists provided by Mikhail Kuklev and Kirill Semyonov. Metallurg shot back with an Evgeny Solovyov goal, with a lone helper from Semyonov. This made it 4-2, with the three stars going to Frolov, Semin, and Daugavins, while Semyonov gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ivan Lisutin and Vasily Demchenko are set to start in goal. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period with an Alexei Petrov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Pestunov and Paul Szczechura. Traktor added on in the second period with an Alexander Sharov goal, courtesy of Kirill Koltsov. Chelyabinsk extended the lead as Yury Petrov scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Alexander Chernikov. Traktor padded the lead with a Konstantin Klimontov goal, via Szczechura on the power play in the third period. Ville Kolppanen replaced Lisutin in goal. Chelyabinsk kept going with a Derek Roy goal, coming off of Klimontov. Traktor iced it at 6-0 with a Sharov empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Sharov, Klimontov, and Szczechura.

Backtracking to Omsk, with Avangard hosting Spartak Moscow. Nikita Bespalov and Dominik Furch are in the blue paint. Omsk began in the first period with an Anton Burdasov power play goal, powered by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Avangard added on with a Jonas Ahnelov goal in the second period, helped along by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Mikhail Yunkov. Moscow got on the board with a Marcus Hogstrom goal, via Anatoly Nikontsev and Alexander Vasilyev. Spartak tied it with a Matthew Gilroy goal, fueled by Hogstrom and Konstantin Glazachev. Omsk retook the lead in the third period with a Maxim Pestushko goal, guided in by Pyotr Khokhryakov and Yegor Martynov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Pestushko, Hogstrom, and Ahnelov.

Next up, Metallurg Magnitogorsk welcomes Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Ilya Samsonov are the goalies. Togliatti struck first in the first period with a Nikita Filatov goal, via Andrei Ivanov and Dmitry Sinitsyn. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Jan Kovar. Lada retook the lead in the second period on an Anton Krysanov goal, guided in by Ivanov and Filatov. Metallurg retied it with a Danis Zaripov goal, going in unassisted on the power play. Magnitogorsk took the lead with a Bogdan Potekhin goal, assisted by Mozyakin and Denis Kazionov. Togliatti tied it again with a Yefim Gurkin goal, helped along by Maxim Rybin and Denis Zernov. Metallurg pulled ahead with a Denis Kazionov goal, courtesy of Denis Platonov and Dmitry Kazionov. Edgars Masalskis relieved Ezhov in goal. Magnitogorsk added on with an Oskar Osala goal, with a lone assist by Yaroslav Khabarov. This produced the 5-3 final score, with the three stars going to Denis Kazionov, Mozyakin, and Filatov, while Ivanov gets an honorable mention.

Continuing along, Salavat Yulaev Ufa brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Stanislav Galimov and Niklas Svedberg protect the nets. Ufa opened in the first period with a Sami Lepisto goal, assisted by Enver Lisin and Igor Makarov. Kazan tied it with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, fueled by Mikhail Zhukov and Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars took the lead with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, coming off of Artyom Lukoyanov. Salavat Yulaev retied it on a Zakhar Arzamastsev power play goal, powered by Evgeny Bodrov and Alexander Loginov. Ufa took the lead in the third period with a Teemu Hartikainen power play goal, with helpers from Kirill Kaprizov and Linus Omark. Salavat Yulaev finished it at 4-2 with a Bodrov power play goal, made possible by Lepisto and Lisin. The three stars went to Bodrov, Lepisto, and Lisin.

Following that, Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Slovan Bratislava. Barry Brust and Alexander Sharychenkov received the starting nods. Khanty-Mansiysk got going in the second period with a Konstantin Mayorov goal, helped along by Evgeny Kulik and Andrei Ankudinov. Bratislava tied it on a Vaclav Nedorost goal in the third period, via Mislav Rosandic and Radek Smolenak. Ugra retook the lead with a Roman Lyuduchin goal, courtesy of Nikita Khlystov and Evgeny Lapenkov. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Lyuduchin, Sharychenkov (31 for 32 in saves), and Mayorov.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Ben Scrivens guard the cages. Minsk started in the first period with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, assisted by Sergei Kostitsyn and Alexander Pavlovich. Dinamo added on with an Andrei Stepanov goal, fueled by Pavlovich and Alexander Kitarov. Minsk extended the lead in the second period with an Evgeny Kovyrshin power play goal, powered by Matt Ellison and Stepanov. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 3-0 and the three stars awarded to Scrivens (17 save shutout), Stepanov, and Pavlovich.

Up in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki brings in Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Andrei Makarov and Ryan Zapolski play goal. Helsinki led off in the first period with a Peter Regin power play goal, powered by Charles Genoway. Beijing tied it on a Janne Jalasvaara power play goal, coming off of Sean Collins and Chad Rau. Jokerit took the lead back with a Pekka Jormakka power play goal, via Genoway in the third period. Helsinki added on with a Sakari Salminen goal, assisted by Mika Niemi and Jesse Joensuu. Kunlun Red Star got one back with a Tuukka Mantyla goal, helped along by Oleg Yashin. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars going to Genoway, Salminen, and Jormakka.

Finally, Dinamo Riga hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Janis Kalnins have the green light to play goal. Riga began in the first period with an Edgars Kulda goal, coming off of Georgijs Pujacs. Dinamo added on with a Gints Meija goal, via Krisjanis Redlihs and Filipp Toluzakov. Riga extended the lead in the second period as Pujacs scored, thanks to Patrick Mullen and Kulda. Vladivostok got on the board with an Andrei Sigaryov goal, helped along by Vladimir Tkachyov and James Wright. Admiral pulled closer on another Sigaryov goal, with a lone assist from Tkachyov. This made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Pujacs, Kulda, and Sigaryov, while Tkachyov gets an honorable mention.

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Friday, November 11, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 30

Six games on tonight, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid and Anders Nilsson are the backups in goal. Buffalo started in the first period with a Matt Moulson power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Kyle Okposo and Ryan O'Reilly. New Jersey tied it on a Yohann Auvitu goal in the third period, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Travis Zajac. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime on an Andy Greene goal, his second of the year, coming on a penalty shot. The three stars were Kinkaid (25 for 26 in saves), Greene, and Auvitu.

In Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Frederik Andersen are the struggling goalies. Toronto opened in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Morgan Rielly and Nikita Zaitsev. Philadelphia tied it with a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his seventh of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Flyers took the lead with a Travis Konecny goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Radko Gudas and Michael Del Zotto. The Maple Leafs retied with a Rielly power play goal, with assists provided by Mitchell Marner and James van Riemsdyk. Philadelphia retook the lead in the second period on another Simmonds goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming shorthanded from Sean Couturier. Toronto tied it on a third period Martin Marincin goal, assisted by Rielly and Kadri. The Maple Leafs took the lead with a Zach Hyman goal, guided in by Auston Matthews and Connor Carrick. Toronto added on with a shorthanded and unassisted Leo Komarov goal. The Maple Leafs iced it at 6-3 with a Marner power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Rielly and Tyler Bozak, the former earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Rielly, Marner, and Kadri, while Simmonds gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the province, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jeff Zatkoff is mismatched with Craig Anderson in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period with a Dwight King goal, his second of the season, via Jeff Carter and Teddy Purcell. Zatkoff was unable to play the third period, so Peter Budaj took over in the Kings net. Ottawa tied it in the third period with a Zack Smith goal, his third of the year, passed from Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Erik Karlsson. The Senators took the game 2-1 late with a Mark Stone goal, his second of the campaign, assisted by Karlsson and Pageau. The three stars went to Pageau, Karlsson, and Anderson (32 for 33 in saves).

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford tend the nets. Washington led off in the first period with a shorthanded Jay Beagle goal, his second of the season, set up by T.J. Oshie and Matt Niskanen. Chicago tied it with a Brian Campbell power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Marian Hossa and Gustav Forsling. The Capitals retook the lead on another Beagle goal, his second of the game and third of the season, assisted by Daniel Winnik and John Carlson. The Blackhawks tied it again in the third period on a Hossa goal, his eighth of the year, via Artemi Panarin and Duncan Keith. Washington won 3-2 in overtime on a Marcus Johansson goal, his seventh of the campaign, courtesy of Dmitry Orlov. The three stars were Beagle, Hossa, and Johansson.

Into Canada again, where the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Cam Talbot draw the starts in goal. Dallas began in the first period with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his third of the season, helped along by Jamie Benn. Edmonton tied it on a Patrick Maroon goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Jordan Eberle and Connor McDavid. The Stars took the lead back with a Patrick Eaves goal, his fourth of the season, coming on the power play from Tyler Seguin and Benn. The Oilers tied it again with a Tyler Pitlick goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Dallas retook the lead in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, his third of the season, passed from Seguin and Eaves. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Seguin, Eaves, and Benn.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Semyon Varlamov are between the pipes. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the second period with a power play goal by Mikko Rantanen, powered by Erik Johnson and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche added on with a Rene Bourque goal, his third of the season, coming off of Tyson Barrie and Gabriel Landeskog. Winnipeg got on the board with a Blake Wheeler goal, his fifth of the year, via Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets tied it with a Mark Scheifele power play goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Wheeler and Ehlers. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime with a Bourque goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Bourque, Wheeler, and Ehlers.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 76

Four games for today, beginning with...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Medvescak Zagreb. Michael Garnett and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the goalies. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period with an Anatoly Golyshev goal, passed from Alexei Simakov and Rok Ticar. Avtomobilist added on in the third period with an Artyom Gareyev power play goal, powered by Niclas Andersen and Petr Koukal. Yekaterinburg extended the lead as Gareyev scored again, thanks to Alexei Mikhnov and Alexei Vasilevsky. Zagreb got on the board with a Brandon McMillan power play goal, guided in by Jakub Krejcik and Goran Bezina. Medvescak pulled closer on another McMillan power play goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Gareyev, McMillan, and Golyshev.

Over in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Sorokin and Alexei Murygin tend the twines. Moscow began in the first period with an unassisted Igor Ozhiganov power play goal. Yaroslavl tied it on a Petri Kontiola power play goal, going in unassisted. Lokomotiv took the lead in the third period on a Denis Mosalyov power play goal, powered by Daniil Apalkov and Alexander Kadeikin. Yaroslavl iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted empty net goal by Kontiola. The three stars went to Kontiola, Mosalyov, and Murygin (25 for 26 in saves).

Into Podolsk, where Vityaz brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Igor Shestyorkin and Harri Sateri are the masked men. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Jarno Koskiranta goal. SKA added on with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal in the second period, powered by Sergei Plotnikov and Vyacheslav Voynov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Kovalchuk scored another power play goal, thanks to Plotnikov and Pavel Datsyuk. SKA padded the lead with a Nikita Gusev goal, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Anton Belov. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Kovalchuk, Shestyorkin (20 save shutout), and Plotnikov.

Finally, Dynamo Moscow hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Kovar and Alexander Lazushin are in the blue paint. Cherepovets struck first in the first period with a Nikolai Stasenko goal, made possible by Yury Trubachyov and Daniil Vovchenko on the power play. Moscow tied it with an Alexei Tsvetkov power play goal in the second period, powered by Martins Karsums and Mat Robinson. Dynamo took the lead with an Andrei Kuteikin goal, coming off of Denis Kokarev in overtime for the 2-1 win. The three stars went to Kuteikin, Tsvetkov, and Lazushin (31 for 32 in saves).

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Thursday, November 10, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 29

Ten games on for tonight, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Tuukka Rask are in goal. Columbus opened in the first period with a Nick Foligno goal, his fifth of the season, via Alexander Wennberg. Boston tied it on a Torey Krug goal, passed from David Krejci and David Backes. The Bruins took the lead with a Matt Beleskey goal, guided in by Austin Czarnik. Boston added on with a Czarnik goal, his second of the year, assisted by Riley Nash and Beleskey. The Bruins extended the lead as Tim Schaller scored his second of the season, with the help of Dominic Moore. Curtis McElhinney replaced Bobrovsky in goal. Boston padded the lead in the second period with a Backes goal, his third of the year, coming off of Krejci and Ryan Spooner. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Sam Gagner goal in the third period, his fourth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Czarnik, Beleskey, and Backes, while Krejci gets an honorable mention.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonathan Bernier and Cam Ward are the mediocre goalies. Anaheim got going in the second period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks added on with a Silfverberg goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Cam Fowler and Cogliano. Anaheim extended the lead on an unassisted Silfverberg goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season. Carolina got on the board with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his third of the year, made possible by Jaccob Slavin and Sebastian Aho. The Hurricanes got closer in the third period on a Victor Rask goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Jeff Skinner and Lee Stempniak. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 with a Kesler empty net goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, set up by Ryan Getzlaf and Silfverberg. The three stars went to Silfverberg, Kesler and Cogliano.

Back north, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Marc-Andre Fleury man the nets. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Phil Kessel and Kris Letang. Minnesota tied it on a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Ryan Suter and Eric Staal. The Penguins retook the lead with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, helped along by Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. The Wild retied it on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Staal. Minnesota took the lead in the third period with a Staal goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Coyle and Niederreiter. The Wild iced it at 4-2 with a Jason Pominville empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Jared Spurgeon. The three stars went to Staal, Niederreiter, and Coyle, while Kessel gets an honorable mention.

Over to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Jimmy Howard are the veterans in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist. The Red Wings added on with a Brendan Smith goal, his second of the year, via Niklas Kronwall and Zetterberg. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Henrik Sedin and Troy Stecher. Detroit replied with a Steve Ott goal, passed from Jonathan Ericsson and Alexey Marchenko. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Howard (37 for 38 in saves), Zetterberg, and Smith.

In Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal began in the first period with a Paul Byron goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens added on with a Daniel Carr goal, passed from Andrei Markov and Torrey Mitchell. Montreal extended the lead in the second period as Phillip Danault scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Jeff Petry and Max Pacioretty. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. The Canadiens finished it at 4-1 with an Alex Galchenyuk empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Nathan Beaulieu and Pacioretty. The three stars went to Price (23 for 24 in saves), Pacioretty, and Carr.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Andrei Vasilevskiy receive the starting nods in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Tyler Johnson and Vladislav Namestnikov. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his fifth of the year, via Victor Hedman and Stamkos. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Johnson scored a power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, thanks to Stamkos and Ondrej Palat. Thomas Greiss replaced Halak in goal. New York got on the board with an Andrew Ladd goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Johnny Boychuk. The Lightning replied in the third period with a Brian Boyle goal, his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Cedric Paquette. The three stars of the 4-1 game were Stamkos, Johnson, and Vasilevskiy (31 for 32 in saves).

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones faces former backup James Reimer in goal. Florida was first to score in the first period with a Jason Demers goal, helped along by Jared McCann. The Panthers added on with another Demers goal, via Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Sharks tied it in the second period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Joel Ward. San Jose took the lead in the third period with a Tommy Wingels goal, his second of the season, assisted by Chris Tierney. The Sharks iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Logan Couture, his third of the year, set up by Justin Braun. The three stars went to Wingels, Demers, and Pavelski.

Up to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the St. Louis Blues. Carter Hutton faces his former mentor Pekka Rinne in goal. St. Louis drew first blood in the first period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his third of the season, made possible by Vladimir Tarasenko and Colton Parayko. Nashville tied it in the second period with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his second of the year, helped along by Colin Wilson and Matt Irwin. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a James Neal goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mike Ribeiro and Pontus Aberg. Nashville added on with another Jarnkrok goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with helpers from Mike Fisher and Filip Forsberg. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Jarnkrok, Neal, and Rinne (23 for 24 in saves).

Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Brian Elliott are the masked men. Dallas cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his second of the season, fueled by Radek Faksa. The Stars added on with a Jamie Benn goal, his third of the year, helped along by John Klingberg and Faksa. Calgary got on the board in the second period with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his third of the season, via Brett Kulak and Sean Monahan. The Flames tied it with another Gaudreau goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, coming off of Kulak and Michael Frolik. Dallas retook the lead in the third period with a Benn power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, powered by Tyler Seguin and Antoine Roussel. The Stars iced it at 4-2 with a Roussel empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Justin Dowling. The three stars went to Benn, Gaudreau, and Faksa, while Roussel and Kulak get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. Winnipeg dented the scoreboard in the first period with an Andrew Copp goal, his second of the season, assisted by Mark Scheifele and Toby Enstrom. Arizona tied it with a Radim Vrbata goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Jordan Martinook and Jamie McGinn. The Jets retook the lead in the second period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Nic Petan and Tyler Myers. Winnipeg added on in the third period with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Patrik Laine. The Coyotes got one back with a Tobias Rieder goal, his third of the campaign, passed from Max Domi and Shane Doan. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Ehlers, Wheeler, and Copp.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 75

Another ten-game slate awaits. We begin with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Danny Taylor man the nets. Novosibirsk got going in the second period with a Sergei Shumakov power play goal, powered by Stepan Sannikov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Kirill Rasskazov goal, guided in by Nikolai Zherdev. Torpedo took the lead in the third period with an Alexei Potapov goal, via Zherdev. Nizhny Novgorod added on with an Alexander Frolov goal, passed from Vladimir Galuzin and Dmitry Shulenin. Torpedo iced it at 4-1 with a Carter Ashton empty net goal, set up by Zherdev, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Zherdev, Potapov, and Frolov.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg welcomes Spartak Moscow. Nikita Bespalov and Andrei Kareyev are set to start in goal. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Alexei Bondarev goal, assisted by Dmitry Kalinin and Vladimir Bobylyov. Spartak added on with a Ryan Stoa goal, made possible by Anatoly Nikontsev and Lukas Radil. Moscow extended the lead in the third period as Vadim Berdnikov scored, with the help of Vyacheslav Leshchenko and Yaroslav Dyblenko. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars being Bespalov (33 save shutout), Bondarev, and Stoa.

Westward to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor brings in Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Pavel Francouz are the goalies. Togliatti led off in the first period with a Stanislav Bocharov goal, passed from Vasily Streltsov and Dmitry Sinitsyn. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Dmitry Pestunov, set up by Alexei Petrov. The tie went to a shootout, where Bocharov lifted Lada to a 2-1 win with his lone tally. The three stars went to Bocharov, Ezhov (45 for 46 in saves), and Francouz (39 for 40 in saves).

Back to Omsk, where Avangard hosts the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Dominik Furch protect the nets. Omsk began in the first period with a Pyotr Khokryakov goal, courtesy of Anton Burdasov and Alexander Kucheryavenko. Avangard added on in the second period with an unassisted goal by Burdasov. Omsk extended the lead in the third period as Khokhryakov scored, thanks to Kucheryavenko. Dmitry Shikin replaced Barulin in goal. Avangard iced it at 4-0 with a power play goal by Erik Gustafsson, powered by Denis Parshin. The three stars went to Khokhryakov, Burdasov, and Kucheryavenko.

Along to Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Vasily Koshechkin are the reliable goalies. Magnitogorsk started in the first period with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, powered by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Kazan tied it on an Albert Yarullin power play goal, with assists provided by Anton Glinkin and Fyodor Malykhin. Ak Bars took the lead with an Alexander Svitov power play goal in the second period, fueled by Vasily Tokranov and Jiri Sekac. Metallurg retied it with a Zaripov power play goal, guided in by Sergei Mozyakin and Kovar. In the shootout, Malykhin scored the only goal for a 3-2 Ak Bars win. The three stars went to Malykhin, Zaripov, and Kovar.

Next up, Salavat Yulaev Ufa brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ivan Lisutin and Niklas Svedberg draw the starts in goal. Ufa opened in the first period with a Teemu Hartikainen power play goal, powered by Linus Omark and Kirill Kaprizov. Salavat Yulaev added on with another Hartikainen goal in the second period, helped along by Maxim Mayorov. Nizhnekamsk got one back with a Gilbert Brule goal, made possible by Geoffrey Kinrade and Dan Sexton. Ufa shot back with a Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, via Evgeny Korotkov. Ville Kolppanen replaced Lisutin for the third period. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead as Hartikainen completed his hat trick with a power play goal in the third period, thanks to Alexander Loginov and Omark. The final held at 4-1, with the three stars given to Hartikainen, Svedberg (35 for 36 in saves), and Omark.

In Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Slovan Bratislava. Justin Pogge and Henrik Karlsson play goal. Astana struck first in the first period with a Roman Starchenko goal, guided in by Alexander Lipin and Ivan Kuchin. Barys added on with a Nigel Dawes goal, passed from Martin St. Pierre and Brandon Bochenski. Bratislava got on the board in the second period with a Patrik Lusnak goal, coming off of Lukas Vopelka and Michal Hlinka. Astana replied with a Kuchin power play goal, powered by Starchenko and Roman Savchenko. Barys extended the lead in the third period as Starchenko scored a power play goal, thanks to Evgeny Rymarev and Kuchin. Astana padded the lead with a Bochenski power play goal, with assists provided by Dawes and Kevin Dallman. The three stars of the 5-1 game were Starchenko, Kuchin, and Dawes, while Bochenski gets an honorable mention.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Artyom Zagidulin and Ben Scrivens are in the creases. Minsk was first to score in the first period with an unassisted goal by Andrei Stas. Dinamo added on with an Alexander Kitarov goal, fueled by Stas. Beijing got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Tobias Viklund, powered by Tomas Marcinko and Martin Bakos. Kunlun Red Star tied it in the third period with a Sean Collins power play goal, via Chad Rau and Linus Videll. Minsk retook the lead on an Andrei Stepanov power play goal, helped along by Matt Ellison. Beijing retied it with a Rau goal, with a lone assist by Collins on the power play. Kunlun Red Star took the lead on another Rau goal, made possible by Collins and Janne Jalasvaara. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars awarded to Rau, Collins, and Stas.

In Finland, Jokerit Helsinki brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Ryan Zapolski are given the starting nods in goal. Vladivostok cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a shorthanded James Wright goal, set up by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Helsinki tied it on a Tommi Huhtala power play goal, powered by Maki Marjamaki. Jokerit took the lead in the third period with a Peter Regin goal, assisted by Brian O'Neill and Pekka Jormakka on the power play. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Zapolski (26 for 27 in saves), Regin, and Huhtala.

Finally, Dinamo Riga hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Janis Kalnins are the masked men. Riga drew first blood in the first period with a Pyotr Schastlivy goal, passed from Gints Meija. Khabarovsk tied it on a Teemu Ramstedt power play goal, powered by Artyom Zub and Tomas Zohorna. Dinamo retook the lead with a Maris Bicevskis goal, coming off of Lauris Darzins. Riga added on with a Darzins goal in the third period, helped along by Miks Indrasis. Amur got one back with a Zohorna goal, via Ramstedt. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars belonging to Darzins, Zohorna, and Ramstedt.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2016

NHL 2016/17 - Day 28

Only three games on tonight, beginning with...

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Sergei Bobrovsky are set to start in goal. Columbus led off in the first period with a Boone Jenner goal, passed from Scott Hartnell and Cam Atkinson. The Blue Jackets added on with a Brandon Saad goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Ryan Murray and Jack Johnson. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his fourth of the year, via Cam Fowler and Josh Manson. The Ducks tied it in the third period on a Nick Ritchie goal, his third of the season, assisted by Joseph Cramarossa. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime with a Zach Werenski goal, guided in by Alexander Wennberg and Saad. The three stars went to Saad, Werenski, and Jenner.

East to Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Robin Lehner draw the starts in goal. Buffalo began in the first period with a Nicholas Baptiste goal, his second of the season, assisted by Cole Schneider and Derek Grant. Ottawa tied it in the second period on a Ryan Dzingel goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Derick Brassard and Dion Phaneuf. The tie went to a shootout, where Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan lifted the Senators 2-1 over Sam Reinhart. The three stars went to Condon (31 for 32 in saves), Dzingel, and Lehner (28 for 29 in saves).

Finally, in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jake Allen guard the cages. Chicago got going in the second period with a Marian Hossa goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Gustav Forsling and Artemi Panarin. St. Louis tied it on an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his third of the year, guided in by Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in overtime with a Panarin goal, his sixth of the campaign, via Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane. The three stars were awarded to Panarin, Hossa, and Crawford (27 for 28 in saves).

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