Saturday, January 14, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 91

Twelve games spread throughout the day, including two matinees. The first is...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Tuukka Rask are the goalies. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his third of the season, guided in by Ivan Provorov and Chris VandeVelde. Boston tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Brad Marchand goal, his sixteenth of the year. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with a David Krejci power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Austin Czarnik. Boston added on with a Torey Krug goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Marchand and David Pastrnak. The Flyers got one back with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Bruins replied with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his ninth of the year, via Marchand and Krug. Boston extended the lead as Zdeno Chara scored his third of the season, coming off of Pastrnak and Marchand, the latter earning a sock trick. Philadelphia got one back with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Jakub Voracek and Giroux. The Bruins iced it at 6-3 with an unassisted Marchand empty net goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign. The three stars went to Marchand, Pastrnak, and Krug, while Giroux gets an honorable mention.

Over in Colorado, the other matinee sees the Avalanche welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Semyon Varlamov are the veterans in goal. Colorado began in the first period with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his eighth of the season, via Matt Duchene and Matt Nieto. The Avalanche added on with a Francois Beauchemin goal in the second period, helped along by Mikhail Grigorenko. Nashville got on the board with a Cody McLeod goal, his second of the year, coming off of Harry Zolniercyzk and Derek Grant. The Predators tied it in the third period with a Mike Fisher goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Austin Watson. Nashville took the lead with a Filip Forsberg goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted Ryan Johansen. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars going to Forsberg, Fisher, and McLeod.

Back east, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Jared Coreau in goal. Washington opened in the first period with a Kris Letang goal, his fourth of the season, via Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his eighteenth of the year, helped along by Carl Hagelin. Detroit got on the board with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Xavier Ouellet and Nick Jensen. The Red Wings tied it on a Thomas Vanek goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Justin Abdelkader. Pittsburgh retook the lead with a Matt Cullen goal, his eighth of the season, a power play goal going in unassisted. Detroit tied it on a Frans Nielsen goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Mike Green and Vanek. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period with a Andreas Athanasiou goal, his ninth of the season, going in unassisted. Detroit extended the lead as Green scored a power play goal, his eighth of the year, thanks to Anthony Mantha and Nyquist. The Red Wings padded the lead on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his ninth of the campaign, with helpers from Nyquist and Mantha. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Green, Nyquist, and Vanek, while Mantha gets an honorable mention.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Cam Ward play goal. New York started in the first period with a John Tavares goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Scott Mayfield. Carolina tied it on a Brock McGinn goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Elias Lindholm and Jordan Staal. The Islanders took the lead back with an Anders Lee goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey. New York added on in the second period with a Jason Chimera goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Anthony Beauvillier and Alan Quine. The Hurricanes got one back with a Justin Faulk goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Lindholm. Carolina tied it on a Lindholm goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers from McGinn and Staal. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Brett Pesce goal, his second of the season, fueled by McGinn and Lee Stempniak. New York tied it in the third period with a Tavares goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, via Lee and Bailey. Carolina pulled ahead again with a Stempniak goal, his ninth of the season, dished from Teuvo Teravainen. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Teravainen goal, his tenth of the year, with assists provided by Faulk and Stempniak. Carolina iced it at 7-4 with a Staal goal, his ninth of the campaign, helped along by Matt Tennyson and McGinn. The three stars were McGinn, Stempniak, and Teravainen, while Lindholm, Staal, Faulk, Tavares, Lee, and Bailey get the honorable mentions.

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the New York Rangers. Antti Raanta and Carey Price are the goalies. New York struck first in the first period with a Brandon Pirri goal, his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan. Raanta came out injured, replaced by Henrik Lundqvist at the start of the second period. Montreal tied it on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his tenth of the year, via Mark Barberio and Max Pacioretty. The Rangers took the lead with a Rick Nash goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Kevin Hayes and Pavel Buchnevich. The Canadiens retied it on a Brian Flynn goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Phillip Danault and Jeff Petry. New York retook the lead with a J.T. Miller shorthanded goal, his fourteenth of the season, set up by Hayes. Montreal tied it again with an Alexei Emelin goal, his second of the year, helped along by Paul Byron and Danault. The Canadiens took the lead with a Pacioretty goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Zach Redmond. Montreal added on with a Byron goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Danault, who got a sock trick, and Emelin. The Rangers got one back with a Stepan goal, his tenth of the campaign, guided in by Mats Zuccarello and Nick Holden. This only made it 5-4, with the three stars being Danault, Pacioretty, and Emelin, while Byron, Stepan, and Hayes get the honorable mentions.

In Ontario, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Curtis McElhinney and Mike Condon are the backups in goal. Toronto was first to score in the first period with a Nazem Kadri power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a Bozak goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Mitchell Marner. Ottawa got on the board with a Dion Phaneuf goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Mike Hoffman and Erik Karlsson. The Senators tied it on a Kyle Turris goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Bobby Ryan and Ryan Dzingel. Toronto took the lead back in the third period with a Kadri goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, passed from William Nylander and Matt Hunwick. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-2 with a Connor Brown goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Auston Matthews. The three stars were Kadri, Bozak, and Brown.

Back south, the Florida Panthers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and James Reimer are the backups in goal. Florida led off in the first period with a Shawn Thornton goal, assisted by Aaron Ekblad. Columbus tied it on a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Ryan Murray and Seth Jones. The Blue Jackets took the lead with an unassisted Cam Atkinson goal, his twenty-first of the year, going in unassisted. The Panthers tied it in the second period with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Jason Demers. Florida took the lead back with a Jonathan Marchessault unassisted goal, his thirteenth of the year. The Panthers added on in the third period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Trocheck and Jakub Kindl. Columbus got one back with a Boone Jenner goal, his eighth of the year, via Brandon Dubinsky and Jones. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Trocheck, Jones, and Jagr.

Westward to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Antti Niemi make the starts in goal. Minnesota began in the first period with an unassisted Mikko Koivu goal, his thirteenth of the season. The Wild added on with an Eric Staal goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Charlie Coyle and Christian Folin. Minnesota extended the lead as Matt Dumba scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker. Kari Lehtonen replaced Niemi in goal. The Wild padded the lead as Chris Stewart scored his eighth of the year, with the help of Jordan Schroeder and Ryan Suter. Dallas got on the board with an Antoine Roussel goal, his sixth of the season, via Radek Faksa and Brett Ritchie. The Stars got closer in the second period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his second of the year, made possible by Devin Shore and John Klingberg. Dallas chipped closer with a Tyler Seguin goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from Jamie Benn and Klingberg. The Stars tied it in the third period on a Klingberg power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Seguin and Jason Spezza. Minnesota retook the lead on a Zucker goal, his eleventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Granlund. The final stayed at 5-4, with the three stars going to Zucker, Klingberg, and Granlund, while Seguin gets an honorable mention.

Further west, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonathan Bernier and Louis Domingue are the backups in goal. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Hampus Lindholm goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Ducks added on in the third period with a Nick Ritchie goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Ondrej Kase. Anaheim iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Ryan Kesler, his eighteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Bernier (26 save shutout), Lindholm, and Ritchie. 

Up in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host their provincial rivals, the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Cam Talbot are the goalies. Edmonton got going in the second period with a Patrick Maroon power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Drake Caggiula and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Johnny Gaudreau and Dougie Hamilton. The Oilers won 2-1 with tallies by Leon Draisaitl and Mark Letestu in the shootout. The three stars were Maroon, Talbot (23 for 24 in saves), and Elliott (25 for 26 in saves).

Out in California, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Peter Budaj are the lesser-known goalies. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Marian Gaborik goal, his third of the season, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Alec Martinez. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Drew Stafford power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mathieu Perreault and Mark Scheifele. The Jets took the lead in the third period with a Dustin Byfuglien power play goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Perreault. The Kings retied it on a Dustin Brown goal, his sixth of the year, via Kopitar and Derek Forbort. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime with a Jeff Carter goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, made possible by Jake Muzzin and Kopitar, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Kopitar, Carter, and Perreault.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Carter Hutton and Martin Jones draw the starts in goal. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Colton Parayko power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Paul Stastny and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues added on with a David Perron goal, his eleventh of the year, via Parayko and Robby Fabbri. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period as Jori Lehtera scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues padded the lead with an Alexander Steen empty net goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Jaden Schwartz and Shattenkirk. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Hutton (23 save shutout), Parayko, and Shattenkirk.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 133

Six games on in the league today, beginning with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Dinamo Riga. Janis Kalnins and Juha Metsola are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk got going in the second period with a Kirill Kapustin goal, via Vitaly Atyushov and Vyacheslav Litovchenko. Amur added on with a Vyacheslav Ushenin goal, passed from Vladislav Ushenin. Khabarovsk extended the lead as Kristian Kuusela scored, thanks to Teemu Ramstedt. Amur padded the lead with a Vyacheslav Ushenin goal in the third period, a power play goal powered by Alexander Yelesin. Khabarovsk finished it at 5-0 with a Jan Kolar goal, assisted by Ramstedt and Tomas Zohorna. The three stars were Vyacheslav Ushenin, Metsola (15 save shutout), and Ramstedt.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Igor Bobkov are the goalies. Helsinki started in the first period with a Ville Lajunen goal, passed from Masi Marjamaki and Roope Talaja. Vladivostok tied it on a Viktor Alexandrov goal, helped along by Maxim Kazakov on the power play. Admiral took the lead with a Kazakov power play goal, powered by Jonathon Blum. Vladivostok added on in the second period with a Blum power play goal, coming off of Dmitry Sayustov and Alexandrov. Admiral extended the lead as Kazakov scored again, thanks to Pavel Makarenko and Damir Zhafyarov. Jokerit got one back with a Jesse Joensuu goal, assisted by Peter Regin and Charles Genoway on the power play. Helsinki got closer with a Genoway power play goal in the third period, with helpers from Regin and Brian O'Neill. Jokerit tied it on an O'Neill goal, with a lone assist by Pekka Jormakka. Vladivostok won 5-4 in overtime with Kazakov completing his hat trick with the help of Oskars Bartulis. The three stars belonged to Kazakov, Blum, and Alexandrov, while Genoway, O'Neill, and Regin earn the honorable mentions.

Down in China, Kunlun Red Star Beijing brings in Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Tomi Karhunen play goal. Beijing opened in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Sean Collins, set up by Chad Rau. Minsk tied it on a Fredrik Pettersson power play goal, powered by Matt Ellison and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Kunlun Red Star took the lead back with a Tommi Taimi goal, with a lone assist by Rau. Dinamo tied it on a second period power play goal by Evgeny Lisovets, via Alexander Pavlovich and Sergei Kostitsyn. Dinamo won 3-2 in the shootout with tallies by Pettersson and Aaron Palushaj. The three stars went to Pettersson, Rau, and Lisovets.

Out west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Andrei Kareyev is mismatched with Alexei Murygin in goal. Nizhnekamsk led off in the first period with a Gennady Stolyarov power play goal, powered by Kirill Lyamin and Richard Gynge. Yaroslavl tied it in the second period with a Staffan Kronwall goal, helped along by Brandon Kozun and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv took the lead with an Artyom Ilyenko goal in the third period, fueled by Alexander Kadeikin. Yaroslavl won 3-1 with a Kozun goal, guided in by Maxime Talbot and Kontiola. The three stars were Kozun, Kontiola, and Murygin (22 for 23 in saves).

Along to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Stanislav Galimov and Igor Saprykin are given the starting nods in goal. Kazan began in the first period with a Mikhail Glukhov goal, via Rafael Batyrshin and Anton Glinkin. Podolsk tied it on an Alexei Kopeikin goal, assisted by Mario Kempe and Miro Aaltonen. Vityaz took the lead with a Kempe power play goal, powered by Aaltonen and Roman Horak. Podolsk added on in the second period with an Alexei Makeyev goal, passed from Igor Golovkov and Maxim Afinogenov. Ak Bars pulled back in the third period with a Maxim Lazarev goal, coming off of Artyom Lukoyanov and Albert Yarullin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Kempe, Aaltonen, and Makeyev.

Finally, Dynamo Moscow brings in Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Alexander Yeryomenko protect the nets. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Martins Karsums goal, via Juuso Hietanen. Dynamo added on with an Andrei Kuteikin goal, courtesy of Denis Kokarev and Artyom Podshendyalov. Moscow extended the lead in the third period as Maxim Karpov scored a power play goal, with the help of Ilya Nikulin and Hietanen. Dynamo padded the lead on a Nikolai Chebykin goal, passed from Vladimir Bryukvin. Moscow finished it at 5-0 with a Hietanen goal, assisted by Alexei Tsvetkov and Kokarev. The three stars were Hietanen, Kokarev, and Chebykin.

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Friday, January 13, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 90

Seven games on, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Henrik Lundqvist are in the blue paint. Toronto began in the first period with a William Nylander goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Nazem Kadri and Matt Hunwick. The Maple Leafs added on with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Mitchell Marner and Tyler Bozak. New York got on the board in the second period with a Chris Kreider goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello. Toronto retook the lead on a Connor Brown goal, his tenth of the year, via Auston Matthews and Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as Connor Carrick scored his second of the season on the power play in the third period, thanks to Bozak and Marner. The Rangers got one back on a J.T. Miller goal, his thirteenth of the year, with helpers from Pavel Buchnevich and Adam Clendening. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Marner, Bozak, and Brown.

Down in Washington, the Capitals welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington led off in the first period with a Jay Beagle goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Daniel Winnik and Tom Wilson. The Capitals added on with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by T.J. Oshie and Alex Ovechkin. Washington extended the lead as Brett Connolly scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Lars Eller and Andre Burakovsky. The Capitals padded the lead on a second period Wilson goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Nate Schmidt and Eller. Washington continued in the third period with an Oshie goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Backstrom and Schmidt. The Capitals iced it at 6-0 with a Beagle goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, via John Carlson and Wilson. The three stars went to Wilson, Beagle, and Backstrom, while Oshie, Schmidt, Eller, and Holtby (23 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

Further south, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Nilsson and Cam Ward are set to start in goal. Buffalo opened in the first period with a William Carrier goal, his third of the season, via Ryan O'Reilly. Carolina tied it on a second period goal by Jeff Skinner, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Derek Ryan and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes took the lead with another Skinner goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, with a lone assist by Justin Faulk. Carolina added on with a Brock McGinn goal, his third of the year, passed from Elias Lindholm and Ron Hainsey. The Sabres got one back with a shorthanded and unassisted Brian Gionta goal, his ninth of the season. The Hurricanes replied in the third period with a Victor Rask goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Noah Hanifin and Skinner. Carolina extended the lead as McGinn scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, helped along by Staal. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Skinner, McGinn, and Staal.

Continuing to Florida, where the Panthers host the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Roberto Luongo man the nets. New York started in the first period with a Jason Chimera goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Anthony Beauvillier. The Islanders added on with a John Tavares goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey. Florida got on the board with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Jaromir Jagr and Keith Yandle. New York shot back in the second period with a Leddy goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Panthers pulled back in the third period with a Reilly Smith power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Trocheck and Yandle. The Islanders answered with a Tavares goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Bailey. New York extended the lead as Tavares scored an empty net goal to complete his hat trick, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Casey Cizikas and Leddy. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars being Tavares, Leddy, and Trocheck, while Bailey and Yandle received the honorable mentions.

Staying in the state, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo is mismatched with Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Jonathan Drouin goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Valtteri Filppula and Ondrej Palat. Columbus tied it on a second period with a Josh Anderson goal, his tenth of the year, via David Savard. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period on a Nick Foligno power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Zach Werenski and Alexander Wennberg. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with a Boone Jenner shorthanded empty net goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Foligno, Anderson, and Korpisalo (31 for 32 in saves).

Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames bring in the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid and Chad Johnson draw the starts in goal. New Jersey was first to score in the first period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his ninth of the season, via Jon Merrill and Travis Zajac. The Devils added on with a Taylor Hall power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Palmieri and Kyle Stollery. Calgary got on the board in the second period with a Sean Monahan goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Dougie Hamilton and Kris Versteeg. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Palmieri, Hall, and Kinkaid (31 for 32 in saves).

Finally, in Arizona, the Coyotes host the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Winnipeg drew first blood in the first period with a Shawn Matthias goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Toby Enstrom and Jacob Trouba. Arizona tied it on a Brendan Perlini goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Shane Doan. The Coyotes took the lead with a Peter Holland goal, made possible by Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. Arizona added on with a Jamie McGinn goal, his seventh of the season, via Luke Schenn and Vrbata. Michael Hutchinson replaced Hellebuyck. The Coyotes extended the lead as Perlini scored his second of the game and sixth of the year, a power play goal powered by Vrbata and Ekman-Larsson, both of whom got sock tricks. The Jets got one back with a Mark Stuart goal in the third period, assisted by Paul Postma. Winnipeg chipped closer with a Blake Wheeler goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Bryan Little and Nikolaj Ehlers. The game ended at 4-3, with the three stars given to Perlini, Ekman-Larsson, and Vrbata.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 132

Seven games on the schedule today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Pavel Francouz are in the creases. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period with a Maxim Yakutsenya power play goal, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Nikolai Belov. Sochi tied it on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, helped along by Ilya Krikunov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Andre Petersson and Yegor Morozov topped Derek Roy to give the Leopards a 2-1 win. The three stars were Barulin (31 for 32 in saves), Morozov, and Francouz (44 for 45 in saves).

Over in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Spartak Moscow. Markus Svensson and Vasily Koshechkin are the goalies. Moscow led off in the first period with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, guided in by Viktor Bobrov. Spartak added on with an Alexander Vasilyev power play goal, powered by Igor Mirnov and Konstantin Glazachev. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Mirnov scored, thanks to Vasilyev and Glazachev. Ilya Samsonov replaced Koshechkin in goal. Magnitogorsk got on the board with an unassisted Sergei Mozyakin goal. Metallurg got closer with an Alexander Semin power play goal, fueled by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period with a Yaroslav Kosov goal, passed from Vladislav Kaletnik and Tommi Santala. Metallurg took the lead with a Mozyakin power play goal, his second of the game, with helpers from Lee and Zaripov. Magnitogorsk padded the lead with an empty net goal by Tomas Filippi, set up by Jan Kovar and Evgeny Biryukov. Metallurg iced it at 6-3 with a Kosov goal, via Lee, who got a sock trick, and Kaletnik. The three stars were Mozyakin, Kosov, and Mirnov, while Vasilyev, Glazachev, Lee, Zaripov, and Kaletnik get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Cherepovets, where Severstal brings in Avangard Omsk. Oleg Shilin and Jakub Kovar man the nets. Omsk got going in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Vladimir Sobotka. Avangard iced it at 2-0 with an Ilya Zubov empty net goal in the third period, set up by Maxim Pestushko. The three stars went to Shilin (31 save shutout), Sobotka, and Zubov.

In Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava hosts Barys Astana. Kevin Poulin and Barry Brust play goal. Bratislava dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Jeff Taffe power play goal, powered by Michal Sersen and Tomas Kundratek. Slovan added on with a Patrik Lusnak goal, via Patrik Bacik. Bratislava extended the lead as Nick Plastino scored, with the help of Ivan Svarny and Kyle Chipchura. Astana got on the board in the third period with a Brandon Bochenski power play goal, assisted by Kevin Dallman and Dustin Boyd. Slovan iced it at 4-1 with a Chipchura goal, coming off of Igor Musatov. The three stars were Chipchura, Lusnak, and Plastino.

Back in Russia, CSKA Moscow welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Ilya Sorokin are the masked men. Moscow started in the first period with a Maxim Mamin goal, assisted by Andrei Kuzmenko and Andrei Svetlakov. Novosibirsk tied it in the third period with a Zach Boychuk goal, with a lone assist by Maxim Ignatovich. CSKA retook the lead with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, via Kirll Petrov and Alexander Kutuzov. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kugryshev, Mamin, and Sorokin (22 for 23 in saves).

Over in St. Petersburg, SKA brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky is mismatched with Igor Shestyorkin in goal. St. Petersburg began in the first period with an Anton Belov goal, passed from Yegor Yakovlev and Ilya Kovalchuk. SKA added on with a Viktor Tikhonov goal, made possible by Yegor Rykov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Alexander Khokhlachyov scored, thanks to Evgeny Ketov. Rafael Khakimov replaced Podyapolsky in goal. SKA padded the lead on an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Nikita Gusev and Vadim Shipachyov. St. Petersburg kept going with an unassisted Shipachyov power play goal in the second period. SKA continued with a shorthanded Shipachyov goal, set up by Dadonov. St. Petersburg struck again with a Dinar Khafizullin goal, helped along by Shipachyov and Dadonov. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Alexei Razumov goal, via Vladimir Ionin and Artyom Mikheyev. SKA answered with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, courtesy of Shestyorkin and Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg finished it at 6-1 with a Gusev goal, with helpers from Rykov and Dadonov, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Shipachyov, Dadonov, and Gusev, while Kovalchuk and Rykov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Sergei Gaiduchenko make the starts in goal. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period with an Evgeny Chesalin goal, assisted by Michal Cajkovsky and Alexander Torchenyuk. Avtomobilist added on with an Oleg Gubin goal, passed from Alexei Simakov. The game finished at 2-0, with the three stars handed to Sokhatsky (25 save shutout), Chesalin, and Gubin.

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Thursday, January 12, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 89

Nine games on for tonight, beginning with...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Steve Mason are the veterans in goal. Vancouver opened in the first period with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Troy Stecher and Henrik Sedin. Philadelphia tied it on a Travis Konecny power play goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Dale Weise and Sean Couturier. The Canucks took the lead with a Markus Granlund goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Christopher Tanev and Bo Horvat in the second period. The Flyers tied it again with a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his second of the year, via Matt Read. Philadelphia took the lead with a Couturier goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Jakub Voracek and Nick Cousins. Vancouver tied it on a Granlund goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, fueled by Jayson Megna and Brandon Sutter. The Canucks took the lead back with a Sutter goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Megna and Stecher. Michal Neuvirth replaced Mason in goal. The Flyers tied it again in the third period with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, with helpers from Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers won 5-4 in the shootout with Giroux tally, the three stars went to Giroux, Couturier, and Granlund, while Sutter and Megna get the honorable mentions.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Mike Condon are given the starting nods in goal. Ottawa started in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, a power play goal from Chris Wideman and Derick Brassard. The Senators added on with a Mike Hoffman power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Erik Karlsson and Kyle Turris. Ottawa extended the lead in the second period as Tom Pyatt scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Karlsson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Conor Sheary goal, his eleventh of the year, via Evgeni Malkin and Ian Cole. The Senators shot back in the third period with a Mark Stone goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Brassard and Zack Smith. The final held from here at 4-1, with the three stars going to Brassard, Condon (29 for 30 in saves), and Karlsson.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Nilsson and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. Buffalo led off in the first period with a Matt Moulson goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Zemgus Girgensons and Taylor Fedun. Tampa Bay tied it on an Ondrej Palat power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Tyler Johnson and Jonathan Drouin. The Lightning took the lead in the second period with another Palat goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, assisted by Nikita Nesterov and Vladislav Namestnikov. Tampa Bay added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his seventeenth of the year, helped along by Victor Hedman and Palat. The Sabres got one back with an Evander Kane goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Jack Eichel and Justin Falk. The Lightning replied with an Anton Stralman power play goal, his second of the year, going into the empty net set up by Valtteri Filppula and Brian Boyle. This produced the 4-2 final, with the three stars given to Palat, Kucherov, and Bishop (24 for 26 in saves).

Northwest to Nashville, where the Predators host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Juuse Saros are the Finnish goalies. Zane McIntyre had to replace Rask after the latter was injured midway through the first period. Nashville got going in the second period with an Austin Watson goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Boston tied it on a Torey Krug power play goal, his third of the year, an unassisted goal. The Predators took the lead back with a Filip Forsberg goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Forsberg, Saros (35 for 36 in saves), and Watson.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Devan Dubnyk tend the twines. Minnesota began in the first period with a Christian Folin goal, helped along by Eric Staal and Jonas Brodin. The Wild added on in the second period with a Staal goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Charlie Coyle and Matt Dumba. Minnesota extended the lead as Jordan Schroeder scored his third of the year, thanks to Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. The Wild padded the lead on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Mikko Koivu and Dumba. Minnesota continued in the third period with a Jason Zucker power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Spurgeon and Mikael Granlund. The Wild kept going with a Suter power play goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Dumba, who got a sock trick, and Staal. Minnesota struck again with a Niederreiter goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, passed from Jason Pominville and Erik Haula. Montreal got on the board with a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, his sixth of the season, with helpers from Mark Barberio and Sven Andrighetto. This produced the 7-1 final, with the three stars given to Staal, Niederreiter, and Dumba, while Suter and Spurgeon get the honorable mentions.

South to Texas, where the Dallas Stars bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Antti Niemi are between the pipes. Dallas struck first in the first period with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Jordie Benn and Patrick Sharp. Detroit tied it with a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Thomas Vanek and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings took the lead with a Zetterberg goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Nyquist and Anthony Mantha. The Stars tied it in the second period with a Brett Ritchie goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Radek Faksa. Dallas took the lead with a John Klingberg goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Devin Shore. The Stars added on with Stephen Johns goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Johnny Oduya and Jason Spezza. Dallas iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Patrick Eaves, his fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted in the third period. The three stars were Klingberg, Johns, and Zetterberg, while Nyquist gets an honorable mention.

In Canada, the Edmonton Oilers host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Cam Talbot guard the cages. New Jersey drew first blood in the first period with a Travis Zajac goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Kyle Palmieri and Michael Cammalleri. Edmonton tied it on a second period Andrej Sekera goal, his fifth of the year, via Leon Draisaitl and Adam Larsson. The Devils took the lead back with a Steven Santini goal, assisted by Taylor Hall and P.A. Parenteau. The Oilers tied it again with a third period Patrick Maroon goal, his seventeenth of the season, helped along by Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Edmonton won 3-2 in overtime with a Draisaitl goal, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by McDavid and Oscar Klefbom. The three stars belonged to Draisaitl, McDavid, and Maroon.

Back stateside, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Semyon Varlamov occupy the creases. Anaheim was first to score in the first period with an unassisted Jakob Silfverberg goal, his thirteenth of the season. Colorado tied it on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Ducks took the lead back with a Rickard Rakell goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim added on with a Ryan Kesler goal in the second period, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Shea Theodore and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks iced it at 4-1 with a Corey Perry empty net goal, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Rakell and Cam Fowler. The three stars were Rakell, Gibson (33 for 34 in saves), and Kesler.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Peter Budaj receive the starting nods. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Jake Muzzin power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Drew Doughty and Nic Dowd. The Kings added on with a Trevor Lewis goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Marian Gaborik and Alec Martinez. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period Muzzin scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, with the help of Gaborik and Anze Kopitar. Carter Hutton replaced Allen in goal. The Kings padded the lead with a Tanner Pearson goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Dustin Brown and Jeff Carter. St. Louis got on the board with a Paul Stastny goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Alexander Steen and Jaden Schwartz. Los Angeles fired back with a Pearson goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, via Carter and Brown. The game ended at 5-1, with the three stars given to Pearson, Muzzin, and Carter, while Brown and Gaborik get the honorable mentions.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 131

Six games on the schedule today, beginning with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Dinamo Minsk. Ben Scrivens and Juha Metsola are the goalies. Khabarovsk got going in the third period with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, going in unassisted. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Metsola (33 save shutout), Litovchenko, and Scrivens (29 for 30 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Dinamo Riga. Janis Kalnins and Igor Bobkov are in goal. Riga opened in the first period with a Filipp Toluzakov power play goal, powered by Colton Gillies and Krisjanis Redlihs. Dinamo added on in the second period with a Tim Sestito goal, helped along by Roberts Lipsbergs. Vladivostok got on the board with an Alexander Gorshkov goal, via Viktor Alexandrov and Dmitry Sayustov. Riga replied in the third period with another Sestito goal, assisted by Toluzakov and Gillies. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Sestito, Toluzakov, and Gillies.

In China, Kunlun Red Star Beijing brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Ryan Zapolski and Tomi Karhunen are in the creases. Helsinki started in the first period with a Brian O'Neill goal, via Peter Regin. Jokerit added on in the second period with a Roope Talaja goal, coming off of Joonas Jalvanti and Oliver Lauridsen. Beijing got on the board with a shorthanded Chad Rau goal, set up by Sean Collins. Kunlun Red Star tied it on a Martin Bakos goal, helped along by Janne Jalasvaara and Damien Fleury. Beijing took the lead in the third period with a Fleury power play goal, powered by Tommi Taimi and Tomas Marcinko. Kunlun Red Star extended the lead as Marcinko scored, thanks to Fleury and Bakos. Beijing padded the lead with a Tobias Viklund goal, passed from Taimi and Bakos. Helsinki pulled back with a Ville Lajunen goal, made possible by Regin and Jesse Joensuu. Kunlun Red Star iced it at 6-3 with a Tomi Sallinen empty net goal, with helpers from Alexei Ponikarovsky and Jalasvaara. The three stars were Fleury, Marcinko, and Bakos, while Regin, Jalasvaara, and Taimi get the honorable mentions.

Back in Russia, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Niklas Svedberg are set to start in goal. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period with an Ivan Vishnevsky goal, coming off of Stanislav Yegorshev and John Norman. Ufa tied it with a Linus Omark goal, passed from Alexander Loginov and Kirill Kaprizov. Torpedo took the lead back with a Carter Ashton power play goal, powered by Vishnevsky and Brandon McMillan. Nizhny Novgorod added on with another Ashton goal in the second period, made possible by Vishnevsky, who got a sock trick, and Nikolai Zherdev. Torpedo extended the lead as Denis Barantsev scored a power play goal, thanks to Bobby Butler and Maxim Osipov. Nizhny Novgorod padded the lead with a Kirill Urakov goal in the third period, assisted by Vyacheslav Kulyomin and Evgeny Mozer. Torpedo iced it at 6-1 with a Danil Veryayev goal, via Dmitry Shulenin. The three stars were Ashton, Vishnevsky, and Biryukov (38 for 39 in saves).

West to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Alexei Murygin are the masked men. Kazan began in the first period with a Jiri Sekac goal, coming off of Justin Azevedo. Yaroslavl tied it on a Yegor Averin goal, guided in by Dmitry Lugin and Ilya Lyubushkin. Lokomotiv took the lead in the second period with an Artyom Ilyenko goal, with a lone assist from Lyubushkin. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars handed to Ilyenko, Lyubushkin, and Murygin (24 for 25 in saves).

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Andrei Kareyev is mismatched with Alexander Yeryomenko in goal. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Yakov Rylov power play goal, powered by Konstantin Gorovikov and Denis Kokarev. Dynamo added on with an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, via Dmitry Vishnevsky and Kokarev. Ville Kolppanen replaced Kareyev in goal. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Rylov scored, with the help of Alexei Tsvetkov and Artyom Fyodorov. Dynamo padded the lead in the third period with a Lukas Kaspar goal, with a lone assist by Martins Karsums. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Rylov, Yeryomenko (31 save shutout), and Kokarev.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 88

Four games to be played tonight, beginning in...

Brooklyn, as the New York Islanders host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Thomas Greiss are the goalies. Florida began in the first period with a Keith Yandle goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jared McCann and Vincent Trocheck. New York tied it on a Nick Leddy goal, his sixth of the year, via Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. The Panthers took the lead back in the second period on a Jason Demers goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Jonathan Marchessault and Jussi Jokinen. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars going to Demers, Luongo (29 for 30 in saves), and Yandle.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Connor Hellebuyck are given the starting nods in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Phillip Danault goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Alexander Radulov and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens added on with a Brian Flynn goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Sven Andrighetto and Nathan Beaulieu. Winnipeg got on the board with a Mark Scheifele goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Drew Stafford. The Jets tied it with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Montreal took the lead back with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Artturi Lehkonen. Michael Hutchinson replaced Hellebuyck in goal. The Canadiens extended the lead in the second period as Andrighetto scored, thanks to Flynn and Torrey Mitchell. Montreal padded the lead with a Danault goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg got one back with a Scheifele power play goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, powered by Nikolaj Ehlers and Nic Petan. The Canadiens shot back with a Lehkonen goal, his ninth of the year, with helpers from Shea Weber and Paul Byron. Montreal continued with a Lehkonen goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, via Beaulieu and Weber. The Jets pulled back with a Little goal, his seventh of year, with a lone assist by Stafford. This produced the 7-4 final, with the three stars handed to Danault, Lehkonen, and Scheifele, while Andrighetto, Beaulieu, Flynn, Weber, Little, and Stafford get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Washington Capitals bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington opened in the first period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals added on in the second period with an Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the game and the twenty-first of the year, powered by John Carlson and Backstrom. Washington extended the lead in the third period as Justin Williams scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov. Pittsburgh got on the board with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, via Justin Schultz and Phil Kessel. The Capitals shot back on a Backstrom power play goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Oshie and Carlson. The Penguins countered with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Sidney Crosby and Kessel. Washington iced it at 5-2 with a Lars Eller empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Backstrom and Oshie, both of whom got sock tricks. The three stars were Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Oshie, while Kessel and Carlson receive the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the San Jose Sharks. Aaron Dell and Chad Johnson are in the blue paint. San Jose started in the first period with a Logan Couture power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. Calgary tied it on a Michael Frolik goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Deryk Engelland and Matthew Tkachuk. The Sharks retook the lead with a Burns goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Mikkel Boedker and Melker Karlsson. The Flames tied it again in the second period with a Tkachuk power play goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Mikael Backlund and Dougie Hamilton. Calgary took the lead in the third period with a Hamilton goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Mark Giordano and Backlund. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars awarded to Hamilton, Tkachuk, and Burns, while Backlund gets an honorable mention.

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