Only three games going on late today, beginning with...
The Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers at Ford Field in Detroit. Both teams have playoff hopes on the line. Detroit led off with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Brandon Pettigrew, and Jason Hanson made the extra point. The Lions rolled on with Hanson making a 50 yard field goal. Stafford kept Detroit going in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to Kevin Smith for 3 yards, and Hanson again made the extra point. The score at halftime was 24-0 as Stafford tossed Calvin Johnson a touchdown pass of 14 yards and Hanson applied a PAT. San Diego got on the board in the third quarter with Philip Rivers throwing to Malcom Floyd for an 11 yard play resulting in a touchdown, allowing Nick Novak the extra point. Novak also kicked a 22 yard field goal for the Chargers. Detroit replied with a 6 yard touchdown run by Smith, and Hanson was there with the extra point. The Lions iced the game with Cliff Avril picking off Rivers and returning it 4 yards for a touchdown, allowing Hanson the extra point for a 38-10 final. Detroit goes to 10-5 and clinches a playoff spot, while San Diego sits at 7-8 and in serious trouble.
Down to Dallas, with the Cowboys hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia drew first blood with a 13 yard Michael Vick touchdown pass to Brent Celek, and Alex Henery made the extra point. The Eagles led 14-0 at the half with Vick throwing a touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin for 5 yards, and Henery again added the PAT. Henery made a 43 yard field goal for Philadelphia in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Henery nailed a field goal from 51 yards away. Dallas avoided the shutout in the waning minute of the last quarter as Stephen McGee threw 4 yards to Miles Austin, and Dan Bailey kicked an extra point for a 20-7 final. Philadelphia, while out of the playoffs, is 7-8, while the Cowboys now have to fight for their spot at 8-7.
Finishing the day off, we go to Seattle, where the Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle struck first with Tarvaris Jackson throwing a 13 yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. San Francisco got on the board in the second quarter with David Akers kicking a 53 yard field goal. Hauschka gave the Seahawks a 10-3 lead to take into halftime with a 19 yard field goal. The 49ers came out on the attack in the third quarter, allowing Frank Gore to run 4 yards for a touchdown and Akers made the extra point. Akers then his a 29 yard field goal for San Francisco. Akers extended the 49ers lead in the fourth quarter with a 44 yard field goal. Seattle replied on a 4 yard touchdown run for a touchdown, something not yet to occur this season against the San Francisco defense, and Hauschka added the PAT. The 49ers took the game though, as Akers was true from 39 yards on a field goal to make it 19-17. San Francisco goes to 12-3 while Seattle is 7-8, and the latter was eliminated from playoff contention by the Detroit victory.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
NFL Early Games week 16
This Saturday morning, there are ten games on. We begin with...
The Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Arizona Cardinals. Cincinnati opened with a Mike Nugent field goal of 24 yards. The Bengals added on with Andy Dalton throwing an 11 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham, and Nugent tacked on the extra point. Cincinnati kept going in the second quarter with Dalton throwing 19 yards to Jerome Simpson, who finished the play with a solid front flip into the end zone, allowing Nugent another extra point. Nugent made it 20-0 at half time for the Bengals with a 41 yard field goal. Nugent kept kicking in the third quarter, adding on a 32 yard field goal for Cincinnati. Arizona got on the board in the fourth quarter when John Skelton tossed a 30 yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald, and Jay Feely made the PAT. The Cardinals pulled closer after Skelton found Jeff King for a 2 yard touchdown connection, but the two point attempt failed on Skelton's run. Feely made it 23-16 with a 29 yard field goal for Arizona. The Bengals would weather the storm from here and hold on to improve to 9-6 while the Cardinals fell to 7-8.
To New Jersey, where the New York Jets host the New York Giants for tri-state supremacy. The Jets got going with a Mark Sanchez touchdown pass to Josh Baker for 5 yards, and Nick Folk kicked the extra point. Lawrence Tynes answered for the Giants by kicking a 21 yard field goal. The Giants took the lead with an impressive Eli Manning touchdown pass, 99 yards on the catch and run by Victor Cruz, and Tynes blasted in the PAT. This left the score at 10-7 for halftime. The Giants added on in the third quarter with a 14 yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw, and Tynes kicked another extra point. Sanchez got the Jets a little closer again by running 1 yard to find a touchdown, and Folk was there with the extra point. The Giants got back on their game by sacking Sanchez for a safety. Bradshaw put the game out of reach at 29-14 with a 19 yard touchdown run, and Tynes secured victory for the Giants with the extra point. The Giants are now 8-7 and in control of their playoff hopes while the Jets fall to the same mark and lose most of their advantage in determining their fate.
Southwest to Tennessee, where the Titans welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tennessee opened with a Rob Bironas field goal from 51 yards. The Titans added on when Matt Hasselbeck threw 55 yards to Jared Cook for a touchdown, and Bironas tacked on the extra point. Jacksonville got a few back with Maurice Jones-Drew rushing 10 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee added an extra point. In the second quarter, Tennessee extended the lead on a Jamie Harper touchdown run of 1 yard, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Jaguars cut the score to 17-10 at the half when Scobee nailed a 39 yard field goal. The Titans replied in the third quarter when Bironas made a 51 yard field goal. Bironas kept kicking in the fourth quarter for Tennessee, as he made a 35 yard field goal. Jacksonville pulled back with Greg Jones running 1 yard for a touchdown, allowing Scobee another PAT. This made it 23-17, improving the Titans to 8-7 and knocking the Jaguars down to 4-11.
Back to the Northeast, as the New England Patriots host the Miami Dolphins. Miami led off with a Dan Carpenter field goal from 47 yards out. Matt Moore kept the Dolphins going with a 19 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall in the second quarter, and Carpenter added on the extra point. Moore continued with a 1 yard touchdown to Charles Clay, and Carpenter's extra point made it 17-0 at the half. New England got on the board in the third quarter with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal of 45 yards. The Patriots kept going with Tom Brady throwing a 1 yard touchdown pass to Deion Branch, and Gostkowski supplied the PAT. New England tied it as Brady took matters in his own hands by rushing a yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski's extra point tied the game. Gostkowski gave the Patriots the lead in the fourth quarter with a 42 yard field. New England extended the lead with Brady again rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski successfully made the extra point. Moore tried to rally the Dolphins with a touchdown pass to Davone Bess for 15 yards, followed by a Carpenter extra point to make it 27-24. This would not be enough to win, allowing the Patriots to go to 12-3 while Miami fell to 5-10.
Staying nearby, the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore got going with Joe Flacco's touchdown pass to Ed Dickson for 5 yards, and Shayne Graham made the extra point. Graham added a 48 yard field goal for the Ravens. Flacco got Baltimore a few more points by passing to Ray Rice, who took the ball 42 yards for a touchdown, and Graham made the extra point again. The score was 17-0 heading into the locker rooms. Graham kicked a 43 yard field goal in the third quarter for the Ravens. Cleveland got on the board as Joshua Cribbs returned a Sam Koch punt for 84 yards and a touchdown, allowing Phil Dawson to make a PAT. The Browns cut it to 20-14 in the fourth quarter as Seneca Wallace threw 6 yards to Evan Moore for a touchdown, and Dawson made another extra point. This would be a final, with Baltimore becoming 11-4 and Cleveland 4-11.
Westward to Kansas City, where the Chiefs fight with the Oakland Raiders to stay alive in the playoff hunt. Oakland struck first with Sebastian Janikowski kicking a 28 yard field goal. Kansas City replied with a 23 yard field goal by Ryan Succop, and the 3-3 tie lasted through the second quarter into halftime. The Raiders gained the lead in the third quarter with Carson Palmer tossing a 61 yard touchdown reception to Denarius Moore, and Janikowski was there with the extra point. The Chiefs got some back with Succop nailing a 20 yard field goal. Janikowski answered for Oakland on a 31 yard field goal. Kansas City tied it when Kyle Orton found Dwayne Bowe on a 3 yard touchdown pass, and Succop's extra point would eventually force an overtime. In the fifth quarter, the Raiders won 16-13 on a Janikowski 36 yard field goal, improving them to 8-7 and knocking the Chiefs out of the playoff picture at 6-9.
Back to the East coast, where the Washington Redskins host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota opened on Ryan Longwell's 36 yard field goal. Adrian Peterson added on for the Vikings in the second quarter by rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Longwell added an extra point. Washington got on the board with Rex Grossman throwing a 5 yard touchdown pass to Donte' Stallworth, and Graham Gano made the extra point. Gano evened the score at 10 just before halftime with a 26 yard field goal for the Redskins. Washington added on in the third quarter as Gano nailed a 53 yard field goal. Minnesota answered with a Joe Webb rushing touchdown of 9 yards, and Longwell was successful with the PAT. Grossman answered back for the Redskins on a 4 yard touchdown connection with Jabar Gaffney, and Gano made another extra point. The Vikings replied when Webb passed 17 yards to Kyle Rudolph, but Longwell blew the extra point here to leave the score at 23-20. Gano tied it for Washington by kicking a 25 yard field goal. Webb answered back for Minnesota on an 8 yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin, and Longwell redeemed himself with the extra point. The kickers traded field goals to make it 33-26, with Longwell good at 23 yards and Gano true from 47. Minnesota went to 3-12 while Washington fell to 5-10.
Down south a bit, the Carolina Panthers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina opened with DeAngelo Williams running 8 yards for a touchdown, and Olindo Mare made the extra point. Mare also added a 21 yard field goal for the Panthers. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second quarter when Josh Freeman lobbed a 4 yard touchdown pass to Arrelious Benn, and Connor Barth made the extra point. Carolina answered on a Cam Newton touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell, a 91 yard play when all said and done, with Mare icing it on an extra point. Barth answered back for the Buccaneers with a 41 yard field goal. The Panthers took a 20-10 lead into the locker rooms as Mare made a 19 yard field goal. Williams got things back on track for Carolina in the third quarter by rushing 22 yards to get a touchdown, and Mare supplied the extra point. Newton helped the Panthers cause when he found Jonathan Stewart on an 11yard touchdown pass, and Mare again made the PAT. Newton took matters in to his own hands when he rushed 49 yards for another Carolina touchdown, and Mare was there with the extra point again. Newton aired it out in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey for 8 yards, and Mare again made the extra point for the Panthers. Tampa Bay got a few back when Freeman rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, but they failed on the two point conversion and would lose heavily by a 48-16 score. Carolina is now 6-9 and the Buccaneers are 4-11.
Back to the north, where the Buffalo Bills host the Denver Broncos. Denver led off with a Tim Tebow touchdown run of 1 yard, and Matt Prater made the extra point. Buffalo got going in the second quarter with Dave Rayner kicking a 28 yard field goal. The Bills next touchdown was special, as Leodis McKelvin returned a Britton Colquitt punt for 80 yards and a touchdown, as Rayner blasted in the extra point. C.J. Spiller kept Buffalo strong with a 4 yard touchdown run just before half, and Rayner's extra point made it 17-7 heading into the locker rooms. The Broncos came out of the gate in the third quarter on the arm of Tebow, who threw 173yards to Daniel Fells for a touchdown, and Prater was there wit the extra point. The Bills wiped it out for the most part with a pair of 25 yard field goals by Rayner. Rayner also kicked a 29 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Buffalo. The Bills ended up winning 40-14 when Jairus Byrd and Spencer Johnson picked Tebow off in rapid succession, as Byrd went 37 yards and Johnson went 17 yards to take each pick back for a touchdown. Rayner made both extra points. The Bills improved to 6-9 while the Broncos playoff chances got more muddled at 8-7.
Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the St. Louis Rams. Pittsburgh opened with Shaun Suisham kicking a 21 yard field goal. The Steelers led 10-0 at halftime when John Clay ran 10 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham made the extra point. Pittsburgh kept going in the third quarter with Suisham kicking a 49 yard field goal. The Steelers were unstoppable by the fourth quarter as Rashard Mendenhall ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Suisham made the PAT. Pittsburgh wound up winning 27-0 due to a 2 yard Isaac Redman touchdown run, and Suisham's extra point. The Steelers are now 11-4 while the Rams are 2-13.
The Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Arizona Cardinals. Cincinnati opened with a Mike Nugent field goal of 24 yards. The Bengals added on with Andy Dalton throwing an 11 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham, and Nugent tacked on the extra point. Cincinnati kept going in the second quarter with Dalton throwing 19 yards to Jerome Simpson, who finished the play with a solid front flip into the end zone, allowing Nugent another extra point. Nugent made it 20-0 at half time for the Bengals with a 41 yard field goal. Nugent kept kicking in the third quarter, adding on a 32 yard field goal for Cincinnati. Arizona got on the board in the fourth quarter when John Skelton tossed a 30 yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald, and Jay Feely made the PAT. The Cardinals pulled closer after Skelton found Jeff King for a 2 yard touchdown connection, but the two point attempt failed on Skelton's run. Feely made it 23-16 with a 29 yard field goal for Arizona. The Bengals would weather the storm from here and hold on to improve to 9-6 while the Cardinals fell to 7-8.
To New Jersey, where the New York Jets host the New York Giants for tri-state supremacy. The Jets got going with a Mark Sanchez touchdown pass to Josh Baker for 5 yards, and Nick Folk kicked the extra point. Lawrence Tynes answered for the Giants by kicking a 21 yard field goal. The Giants took the lead with an impressive Eli Manning touchdown pass, 99 yards on the catch and run by Victor Cruz, and Tynes blasted in the PAT. This left the score at 10-7 for halftime. The Giants added on in the third quarter with a 14 yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw, and Tynes kicked another extra point. Sanchez got the Jets a little closer again by running 1 yard to find a touchdown, and Folk was there with the extra point. The Giants got back on their game by sacking Sanchez for a safety. Bradshaw put the game out of reach at 29-14 with a 19 yard touchdown run, and Tynes secured victory for the Giants with the extra point. The Giants are now 8-7 and in control of their playoff hopes while the Jets fall to the same mark and lose most of their advantage in determining their fate.
Southwest to Tennessee, where the Titans welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tennessee opened with a Rob Bironas field goal from 51 yards. The Titans added on when Matt Hasselbeck threw 55 yards to Jared Cook for a touchdown, and Bironas tacked on the extra point. Jacksonville got a few back with Maurice Jones-Drew rushing 10 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee added an extra point. In the second quarter, Tennessee extended the lead on a Jamie Harper touchdown run of 1 yard, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Jaguars cut the score to 17-10 at the half when Scobee nailed a 39 yard field goal. The Titans replied in the third quarter when Bironas made a 51 yard field goal. Bironas kept kicking in the fourth quarter for Tennessee, as he made a 35 yard field goal. Jacksonville pulled back with Greg Jones running 1 yard for a touchdown, allowing Scobee another PAT. This made it 23-17, improving the Titans to 8-7 and knocking the Jaguars down to 4-11.
Back to the Northeast, as the New England Patriots host the Miami Dolphins. Miami led off with a Dan Carpenter field goal from 47 yards out. Matt Moore kept the Dolphins going with a 19 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall in the second quarter, and Carpenter added on the extra point. Moore continued with a 1 yard touchdown to Charles Clay, and Carpenter's extra point made it 17-0 at the half. New England got on the board in the third quarter with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal of 45 yards. The Patriots kept going with Tom Brady throwing a 1 yard touchdown pass to Deion Branch, and Gostkowski supplied the PAT. New England tied it as Brady took matters in his own hands by rushing a yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski's extra point tied the game. Gostkowski gave the Patriots the lead in the fourth quarter with a 42 yard field. New England extended the lead with Brady again rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski successfully made the extra point. Moore tried to rally the Dolphins with a touchdown pass to Davone Bess for 15 yards, followed by a Carpenter extra point to make it 27-24. This would not be enough to win, allowing the Patriots to go to 12-3 while Miami fell to 5-10.
Staying nearby, the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore got going with Joe Flacco's touchdown pass to Ed Dickson for 5 yards, and Shayne Graham made the extra point. Graham added a 48 yard field goal for the Ravens. Flacco got Baltimore a few more points by passing to Ray Rice, who took the ball 42 yards for a touchdown, and Graham made the extra point again. The score was 17-0 heading into the locker rooms. Graham kicked a 43 yard field goal in the third quarter for the Ravens. Cleveland got on the board as Joshua Cribbs returned a Sam Koch punt for 84 yards and a touchdown, allowing Phil Dawson to make a PAT. The Browns cut it to 20-14 in the fourth quarter as Seneca Wallace threw 6 yards to Evan Moore for a touchdown, and Dawson made another extra point. This would be a final, with Baltimore becoming 11-4 and Cleveland 4-11.
Westward to Kansas City, where the Chiefs fight with the Oakland Raiders to stay alive in the playoff hunt. Oakland struck first with Sebastian Janikowski kicking a 28 yard field goal. Kansas City replied with a 23 yard field goal by Ryan Succop, and the 3-3 tie lasted through the second quarter into halftime. The Raiders gained the lead in the third quarter with Carson Palmer tossing a 61 yard touchdown reception to Denarius Moore, and Janikowski was there with the extra point. The Chiefs got some back with Succop nailing a 20 yard field goal. Janikowski answered for Oakland on a 31 yard field goal. Kansas City tied it when Kyle Orton found Dwayne Bowe on a 3 yard touchdown pass, and Succop's extra point would eventually force an overtime. In the fifth quarter, the Raiders won 16-13 on a Janikowski 36 yard field goal, improving them to 8-7 and knocking the Chiefs out of the playoff picture at 6-9.
Back to the East coast, where the Washington Redskins host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota opened on Ryan Longwell's 36 yard field goal. Adrian Peterson added on for the Vikings in the second quarter by rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Longwell added an extra point. Washington got on the board with Rex Grossman throwing a 5 yard touchdown pass to Donte' Stallworth, and Graham Gano made the extra point. Gano evened the score at 10 just before halftime with a 26 yard field goal for the Redskins. Washington added on in the third quarter as Gano nailed a 53 yard field goal. Minnesota answered with a Joe Webb rushing touchdown of 9 yards, and Longwell was successful with the PAT. Grossman answered back for the Redskins on a 4 yard touchdown connection with Jabar Gaffney, and Gano made another extra point. The Vikings replied when Webb passed 17 yards to Kyle Rudolph, but Longwell blew the extra point here to leave the score at 23-20. Gano tied it for Washington by kicking a 25 yard field goal. Webb answered back for Minnesota on an 8 yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin, and Longwell redeemed himself with the extra point. The kickers traded field goals to make it 33-26, with Longwell good at 23 yards and Gano true from 47. Minnesota went to 3-12 while Washington fell to 5-10.
Down south a bit, the Carolina Panthers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina opened with DeAngelo Williams running 8 yards for a touchdown, and Olindo Mare made the extra point. Mare also added a 21 yard field goal for the Panthers. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second quarter when Josh Freeman lobbed a 4 yard touchdown pass to Arrelious Benn, and Connor Barth made the extra point. Carolina answered on a Cam Newton touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell, a 91 yard play when all said and done, with Mare icing it on an extra point. Barth answered back for the Buccaneers with a 41 yard field goal. The Panthers took a 20-10 lead into the locker rooms as Mare made a 19 yard field goal. Williams got things back on track for Carolina in the third quarter by rushing 22 yards to get a touchdown, and Mare supplied the extra point. Newton helped the Panthers cause when he found Jonathan Stewart on an 11yard touchdown pass, and Mare again made the PAT. Newton took matters in to his own hands when he rushed 49 yards for another Carolina touchdown, and Mare was there with the extra point again. Newton aired it out in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey for 8 yards, and Mare again made the extra point for the Panthers. Tampa Bay got a few back when Freeman rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, but they failed on the two point conversion and would lose heavily by a 48-16 score. Carolina is now 6-9 and the Buccaneers are 4-11.
Back to the north, where the Buffalo Bills host the Denver Broncos. Denver led off with a Tim Tebow touchdown run of 1 yard, and Matt Prater made the extra point. Buffalo got going in the second quarter with Dave Rayner kicking a 28 yard field goal. The Bills next touchdown was special, as Leodis McKelvin returned a Britton Colquitt punt for 80 yards and a touchdown, as Rayner blasted in the extra point. C.J. Spiller kept Buffalo strong with a 4 yard touchdown run just before half, and Rayner's extra point made it 17-7 heading into the locker rooms. The Broncos came out of the gate in the third quarter on the arm of Tebow, who threw 173yards to Daniel Fells for a touchdown, and Prater was there wit the extra point. The Bills wiped it out for the most part with a pair of 25 yard field goals by Rayner. Rayner also kicked a 29 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Buffalo. The Bills ended up winning 40-14 when Jairus Byrd and Spencer Johnson picked Tebow off in rapid succession, as Byrd went 37 yards and Johnson went 17 yards to take each pick back for a touchdown. Rayner made both extra points. The Bills improved to 6-9 while the Broncos playoff chances got more muddled at 8-7.
Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the St. Louis Rams. Pittsburgh opened with Shaun Suisham kicking a 21 yard field goal. The Steelers led 10-0 at halftime when John Clay ran 10 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham made the extra point. Pittsburgh kept going in the third quarter with Suisham kicking a 49 yard field goal. The Steelers were unstoppable by the fourth quarter as Rashard Mendenhall ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Suisham made the PAT. Pittsburgh wound up winning 27-0 due to a 2 yard Isaac Redman touchdown run, and Suisham's extra point. The Steelers are now 11-4 while the Rams are 2-13.
Friday, December 23, 2011
NHL Day 79 2011-2012
Eleven games on the last day before the holiday break. We begin with the...
New York Islanders hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Evgeni Nabokov are in between the pipes. Toronto led off with the tenth of the season for Clarke MacArthur, assisted by Tim Connolly and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on Nazem Kadri's second of the year, a power play goal set up by Mikhail Grabovski and Jake Gardiner. Toronto kept going with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, fueled by Connolly and MacArthur. New York got on the board with Kyle Okposo netting his sixth of the season, via Mike Mottau and Josh Bailey. The Islanders pulled closer in the second period with a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his fifth of the year powered by Matt Moulson and P.A. Parenteau. The Maple Leafs pushed back with a shorthanded Joey Crabb goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Tyler Bozak. New York answered with John Tavares pushing his eleventh of the year over the goal line, thanks to Parenteau and Travis Hamonic. Toronto iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Joffrey Lupul, his sixteenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Phil Kessel. The three stars went to MacArthur, Tavares, and Connolly, while Parenteau earns an honorable mention.
Staying in the region, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Martin Brodeur got the starting nods. New Jersey opened the scoring in the second period with Ilya Kovalchuk on the power play, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Kurtis Foster and Patrik Elias. The Devils added on with an Alexander Urbom goal, made possible by Travis Zajac and Kovalchuk. New Jersey kept up the attack with Adam Henrique registering his ninth of the year, thanks to Matt Taormina and Zach Parise. Washington got on the board in the third period with a Brooks Laich goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals pulled even closer with the twelfth of the year for Jason Chimera, assisted by Alexander Semin. Washington tied it with Chimera sinking his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, guided in by Laich and Semin. The Devils went on to win 4-3 via the shootout, where Kovalchuk and Elias tallied to down the Capitals. Earning the three stars were Kovalchuk, Chimera, and Laich, while Elias and Semin earn honorable mentions.
Over to Boston, where the Bruins welcome in the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Tuukka Rask will be in the nets. Boston struck first on a Brad Marchnd goal, his thirteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal coming from Patrice Bergeron and Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins added on with a power play goal by Milan Lucic, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Bergeron and Nathan Horton. Boston extended the lead with Benoit Pouliot sinking his seventh of the season, with the help of Chris Kelly. The Bruins were relentless when Seidenberg scored, thanks to Joe Corvo and Marchand. At the end of the period, Scott Clemmensen came on in relief of Theodore. Boston stayed strong in the second period on a Gregory Campbell goal, his third of the year, made possible by Marchand and Andrew Ference. The Bruins continued the blitz with Bergeron scoring a power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. Boston made it 7-0 when Marchand potted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, as Chara and Tyler Seguin provided assists. The Bruins doled out more punishment as Marchand finished his hat trick with his fifteenth of the season, and the helpers came from Seguin and Adam McQuaid. The final was 8-0, with Marchand, Rask (30 save shutout), and Bergeron earning the three stars, while Seidenberg, Chara, and Seguin earn honorable mentions.
South to Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Cam Ward put on the goalie pads. Carolina led off with Andreas Nodl scoring his second of the campaign, thanks to Riley Nash and Jamie McBain. Ottawa replied with Filip Kuba potting his third of the season, with help from Nick Foligno and Kyle Turris. The Hurricanes would take the game 2-1 in overtime on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Jay Harrison and Jussi Jokinen. The three stars were Ruutu, Nodl, and Ward (22 for 23 in saves).
A Winter Classic Preview is next, as the New York Rangers host the Philadelphia Flyers. Philosopher Ilya Bryzgalov takes on the fashionable Henrik Lundqvist in net. New York was first on the board in the second period as Derek Stepan recorded his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Stu Bickel. The Rangers extended their lead when Ruslan Fedotenko sank his fifth of the year, via Bickel and Brandon Dubinsky. New York kept scoring in the third period as Marian Gaborik netted his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Anton Stralman and Michael Del Zotto. Philadelphia got on the board with Andrej Meszaros registering his fifth of the year, with the help of Matt Carle and Scott Hartnell on the power play. The Rangers answered promptly to make it 4-1 as Ryan Callahan deposited his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dan Girardi and Del Zotto. The Flyers made it 4-2 on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Meszaros and Matt Read. This was a final, where the three stars were given out to Lundqvist (28 for 30 in saves), Bickel, and Dubinsky, while Meszaros and Del Zotto also played well.
Down to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Richard Bachman are in the blue paint. Dallas opened on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Radek Dvorak and Sheldon Souray. The Stars added on with Loui Eriksson potting his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Trevor Daley and Michael Ryder. Dallas chased Rinne when Steve Ott nailed his sixth of the season, coming off of Daley and Mike Ribeiro. Anders Lindback came on in relief. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Matt Halischuk goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Blake Geoffrion and Jerred Smithson. The Predators pulled closer with the eighth of the season off the tape of Martin Erat, pushed through by Ryan Suter and Shea Weber on the power play. The Stars got one back when Ribeiro netted his fifth of the year, via Brenden Morrow and Ott. In the third period, Nashville pulled back a little closer with a David Legwand power play goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Colin Wilson and Craig Smith. Dallas quickly tallied back with Jamie Benn making his ninth of the year, guided in by Eriksson and Ryder. The Stars iced it at 6-3 with Ryder notching his thirteenth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars were awarded to Ribeiro, Eriksson, and Ryder, while Daley and Ott also played well.
Way to the north, the Winnipeg Jets host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ondrej Pavelec guard the cages. Pittsburgh struck first with a Joe Vitale goal, his second of the season, with a lone helper by Alexandre Picard. Winnipeg tied it on an Alex Burmistrov goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. The Penguins grabbed the lead in the third period on a James Neal goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh extended the lead with the thirteenth of the year for Jordan Staal, a power play goal powered by Kunitz and Steve Sullivan. The Penguins kept the blitz going with Pascal Dupuis recording his tenth of the season, via Tyler Kennedy. The final stood at 4-1 with the three stars being Kunitz, Neal, and Zbynek Michalek, while point earners have an argument to make.
Back to the south, as the Phoenix Coyotes host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jason LaBarbera will make the starts. Alex Steen got St. Louis on the board first in the second period with his twelfth of the season, and a lone helper was provided by Alex Pietrangelo. Phoenix quickly tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his ninth of the year, and Michal Rozsival had the lone assist. The Blues regained the lead late in the frame on a Matt D'Agostini goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Roman Polak and Evgeny Grachev. St. Louis extended the lead on a Jason Arnott goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Kris Russell and Grachev. The Coyotes got one back when Keith Yandle potted his fifth of the season, with the help of Raffi Torres and Cal O'Reilly. They failed to get an equalizer, leaving the final at 3-2. The three stars went to D'Agostini, Steen, and Doan, with Grachev as an honorable mention.
A little to the north, the Colorado Avalanche host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and fellow French-Canadian Jean-Sebastien Giguere are under the goalie masks. Tampa Bay was first to score as Pavel Kubina put his second of the season in the mesh, and Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis had the assists. Colorado tied it in the second period with Ryan O'Reilly potting his eighth of the year, courtesy of Shane O'Brien and Milan Hejduk. The Avalanche went on to win 2-1 in overtime on a Matt Duchene goal, his twelfth of the campaign, made possible by Stefan Elliott and Gabriel Landeskog. Duchene, O'Reilly, and Kubina were the three stars.
Northwest of that, the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Roberto Luongo got the starting nods. Calgary got on the board with a third period Curtis Glencross goal, his fourteenth of the season, with assists from Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester. The Flames added on with the third of the year for Mikael Backlund, and the lone helper was provided by Lee Stempniak. Vancouver got on the board when Dan Hamhuis deposited his third of the campaign, thanks to Kevin Bieksa and Cody Hodgson. Calgary iced it with Olli Jokinen scoring his twelfth of the year into the empty net with assistance from Iginla and Glencross for a 3-1 win. The three stars were Irving (29 for 30 in saves), Alexandre Burrows, and Glencross, with Iginla for honorable mention.
Finally, the Battle of California continues when the San Jose Sharks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose got things started in the second period with Logan Couture netting his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Ryane Clowe and Patrick Marleau. Los Angeles tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Mike Richards, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty on the power play. The game went to a shootout, where the Sharks topped the Kings on a lone tally by Clowe. The three stars were awarded to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Niemi (28 for 29 in saves), and Quick (34 for 35 in saves), while Clowe should be named MVP.
Happy holidays to everybody out there. Football will be posted a day late, as the games are on Saturday. I will have them out on Sunday. Hockey is off until Monday, so enjoy the break if there's nothing on for you.
New York Islanders hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Evgeni Nabokov are in between the pipes. Toronto led off with the tenth of the season for Clarke MacArthur, assisted by Tim Connolly and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on Nazem Kadri's second of the year, a power play goal set up by Mikhail Grabovski and Jake Gardiner. Toronto kept going with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, fueled by Connolly and MacArthur. New York got on the board with Kyle Okposo netting his sixth of the season, via Mike Mottau and Josh Bailey. The Islanders pulled closer in the second period with a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his fifth of the year powered by Matt Moulson and P.A. Parenteau. The Maple Leafs pushed back with a shorthanded Joey Crabb goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Tyler Bozak. New York answered with John Tavares pushing his eleventh of the year over the goal line, thanks to Parenteau and Travis Hamonic. Toronto iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Joffrey Lupul, his sixteenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Phil Kessel. The three stars went to MacArthur, Tavares, and Connolly, while Parenteau earns an honorable mention.
Staying in the region, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Martin Brodeur got the starting nods. New Jersey opened the scoring in the second period with Ilya Kovalchuk on the power play, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Kurtis Foster and Patrik Elias. The Devils added on with an Alexander Urbom goal, made possible by Travis Zajac and Kovalchuk. New Jersey kept up the attack with Adam Henrique registering his ninth of the year, thanks to Matt Taormina and Zach Parise. Washington got on the board in the third period with a Brooks Laich goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals pulled even closer with the twelfth of the year for Jason Chimera, assisted by Alexander Semin. Washington tied it with Chimera sinking his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, guided in by Laich and Semin. The Devils went on to win 4-3 via the shootout, where Kovalchuk and Elias tallied to down the Capitals. Earning the three stars were Kovalchuk, Chimera, and Laich, while Elias and Semin earn honorable mentions.
Over to Boston, where the Bruins welcome in the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Tuukka Rask will be in the nets. Boston struck first on a Brad Marchnd goal, his thirteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal coming from Patrice Bergeron and Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins added on with a power play goal by Milan Lucic, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Bergeron and Nathan Horton. Boston extended the lead with Benoit Pouliot sinking his seventh of the season, with the help of Chris Kelly. The Bruins were relentless when Seidenberg scored, thanks to Joe Corvo and Marchand. At the end of the period, Scott Clemmensen came on in relief of Theodore. Boston stayed strong in the second period on a Gregory Campbell goal, his third of the year, made possible by Marchand and Andrew Ference. The Bruins continued the blitz with Bergeron scoring a power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. Boston made it 7-0 when Marchand potted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, as Chara and Tyler Seguin provided assists. The Bruins doled out more punishment as Marchand finished his hat trick with his fifteenth of the season, and the helpers came from Seguin and Adam McQuaid. The final was 8-0, with Marchand, Rask (30 save shutout), and Bergeron earning the three stars, while Seidenberg, Chara, and Seguin earn honorable mentions.
South to Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Cam Ward put on the goalie pads. Carolina led off with Andreas Nodl scoring his second of the campaign, thanks to Riley Nash and Jamie McBain. Ottawa replied with Filip Kuba potting his third of the season, with help from Nick Foligno and Kyle Turris. The Hurricanes would take the game 2-1 in overtime on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Jay Harrison and Jussi Jokinen. The three stars were Ruutu, Nodl, and Ward (22 for 23 in saves).
A Winter Classic Preview is next, as the New York Rangers host the Philadelphia Flyers. Philosopher Ilya Bryzgalov takes on the fashionable Henrik Lundqvist in net. New York was first on the board in the second period as Derek Stepan recorded his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Stu Bickel. The Rangers extended their lead when Ruslan Fedotenko sank his fifth of the year, via Bickel and Brandon Dubinsky. New York kept scoring in the third period as Marian Gaborik netted his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Anton Stralman and Michael Del Zotto. Philadelphia got on the board with Andrej Meszaros registering his fifth of the year, with the help of Matt Carle and Scott Hartnell on the power play. The Rangers answered promptly to make it 4-1 as Ryan Callahan deposited his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dan Girardi and Del Zotto. The Flyers made it 4-2 on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Meszaros and Matt Read. This was a final, where the three stars were given out to Lundqvist (28 for 30 in saves), Bickel, and Dubinsky, while Meszaros and Del Zotto also played well.
Down to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Richard Bachman are in the blue paint. Dallas opened on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Radek Dvorak and Sheldon Souray. The Stars added on with Loui Eriksson potting his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Trevor Daley and Michael Ryder. Dallas chased Rinne when Steve Ott nailed his sixth of the season, coming off of Daley and Mike Ribeiro. Anders Lindback came on in relief. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Matt Halischuk goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Blake Geoffrion and Jerred Smithson. The Predators pulled closer with the eighth of the season off the tape of Martin Erat, pushed through by Ryan Suter and Shea Weber on the power play. The Stars got one back when Ribeiro netted his fifth of the year, via Brenden Morrow and Ott. In the third period, Nashville pulled back a little closer with a David Legwand power play goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Colin Wilson and Craig Smith. Dallas quickly tallied back with Jamie Benn making his ninth of the year, guided in by Eriksson and Ryder. The Stars iced it at 6-3 with Ryder notching his thirteenth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars were awarded to Ribeiro, Eriksson, and Ryder, while Daley and Ott also played well.
Way to the north, the Winnipeg Jets host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ondrej Pavelec guard the cages. Pittsburgh struck first with a Joe Vitale goal, his second of the season, with a lone helper by Alexandre Picard. Winnipeg tied it on an Alex Burmistrov goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. The Penguins grabbed the lead in the third period on a James Neal goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh extended the lead with the thirteenth of the year for Jordan Staal, a power play goal powered by Kunitz and Steve Sullivan. The Penguins kept the blitz going with Pascal Dupuis recording his tenth of the season, via Tyler Kennedy. The final stood at 4-1 with the three stars being Kunitz, Neal, and Zbynek Michalek, while point earners have an argument to make.
Back to the south, as the Phoenix Coyotes host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jason LaBarbera will make the starts. Alex Steen got St. Louis on the board first in the second period with his twelfth of the season, and a lone helper was provided by Alex Pietrangelo. Phoenix quickly tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his ninth of the year, and Michal Rozsival had the lone assist. The Blues regained the lead late in the frame on a Matt D'Agostini goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Roman Polak and Evgeny Grachev. St. Louis extended the lead on a Jason Arnott goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Kris Russell and Grachev. The Coyotes got one back when Keith Yandle potted his fifth of the season, with the help of Raffi Torres and Cal O'Reilly. They failed to get an equalizer, leaving the final at 3-2. The three stars went to D'Agostini, Steen, and Doan, with Grachev as an honorable mention.
A little to the north, the Colorado Avalanche host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and fellow French-Canadian Jean-Sebastien Giguere are under the goalie masks. Tampa Bay was first to score as Pavel Kubina put his second of the season in the mesh, and Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis had the assists. Colorado tied it in the second period with Ryan O'Reilly potting his eighth of the year, courtesy of Shane O'Brien and Milan Hejduk. The Avalanche went on to win 2-1 in overtime on a Matt Duchene goal, his twelfth of the campaign, made possible by Stefan Elliott and Gabriel Landeskog. Duchene, O'Reilly, and Kubina were the three stars.
Northwest of that, the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Roberto Luongo got the starting nods. Calgary got on the board with a third period Curtis Glencross goal, his fourteenth of the season, with assists from Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester. The Flames added on with the third of the year for Mikael Backlund, and the lone helper was provided by Lee Stempniak. Vancouver got on the board when Dan Hamhuis deposited his third of the campaign, thanks to Kevin Bieksa and Cody Hodgson. Calgary iced it with Olli Jokinen scoring his twelfth of the year into the empty net with assistance from Iginla and Glencross for a 3-1 win. The three stars were Irving (29 for 30 in saves), Alexandre Burrows, and Glencross, with Iginla for honorable mention.
Finally, the Battle of California continues when the San Jose Sharks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose got things started in the second period with Logan Couture netting his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Ryane Clowe and Patrick Marleau. Los Angeles tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Mike Richards, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty on the power play. The game went to a shootout, where the Sharks topped the Kings on a lone tally by Clowe. The three stars were awarded to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Niemi (28 for 29 in saves), and Quick (34 for 35 in saves), while Clowe should be named MVP.
Happy holidays to everybody out there. Football will be posted a day late, as the games are on Saturday. I will have them out on Sunday. Hockey is off until Monday, so enjoy the break if there's nothing on for you.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
NHL Day 78 2011-2012
Eight games on as we head into the second to last day before the holiday break. First up, we have a rivalry match between...
The New York Rangers in the Madison Square Garden, hosting the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Biron will be playing in the creases. Brandon Dubinsky put the Rangers up first with his second of the season, assisted by Stu Bickel and the goalie Biron. The Islanders tied it on a power play goal in the second period, P.A. Parenteau's sixth of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Matt Moulson. The Rangers regained the lead with Marian Gaborik depositing his twentieth of the season, via Artem Anisimov. The Rangers extended the lead on Michael Del Zotto's fourth of the year, with helpers by Brandon Prust and Anton Stralman. The Islanders got one back as Moulson put away his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal, guided in by John Tavares and Streit. The Rangers made it 4-2 on a John Mitchell empty net goal, his second of the year, helped along by Dubinsky and Stralman. The three stars in this game were Del Zotto, Biron (24 for 26 in saves), and Anisimov, while Moulson, Streit, Dubinsky, and Stralman also all played well.
Northward to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs welcome in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and James Reimer tend the twines. Jason Pominville put Buffalo ahead first in the second period with his eleventh of the season, a power play goal with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. Toronto tied it on Dave Steckel's sixth of the year, courtesy of Luke Schenn and Joey Crabb. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead with Phil Kessel netting his twentieth of the season, coming off of Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf. The Sabres retied it on a Derek Roy goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, thanks to Pominville. Toronto regained the lead with a Nazem Kadri goal, helped along by Clarke MacArthur. This made it 3-2, good enough for a win, and the three stars were Kessel, Reimer (40 for 42 in saves), and Pominville.
Staying in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers. Current Panther backup Scott Clemmensen opposes another former Panther backup in net, in the form of Craig Anderson. Ottawa led off with a Chris Neil power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson. Florida tied it in the second period with Michal Repik making a power play goal, with help from Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg. The Senators grabbed the lead again in the third period, as Alfredsson netted his tenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Neil. The Panthers got another equalizer with Shawn Matthias netting his sixth of the season, another power play goal, fueled by Brian Campbell and Mike Santorelli. Ottawa grabbed the lead back with Karlsson registering his fourth of the year, as Alfredsson and Colin Greening picked up the helpers. Florida got a late equalizer again with Tomas Kopecky potting his fifth of the season, first having seen the tape of Versteeg and Matt Bradley. The Senators took the game 4-3 in overtime on the third of the year for Bobby Butler, via Kyle Turris and Jared Cowen. The three stars were given to Alfredsson, Neil, and Butler, while Versteeg and Karlsson are given honorable mention.
Back to the states, where the Nashville Predators are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Pekka Rinne get the starting nods. Nashville led off by a power play goal off the tape of Mike Fisher, his seventh of the season, with helpers provided by Sergei Kostitsyn and Ryan Suter. Columbus tied the game when Jeff Carter recorded his eighth of the year, and the lone assist came from Vinny Prospal. The Blue Jackets took the lead on another Carter goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal from Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus kept on the attack with a power play goal by Ryan Johansen, his sixth of the year, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Derick Brassard. Carter completed the hat trick and added on to the Blue Jackets lead with his tenth of the season, another power play goal, made possible by Nash and Nikita Nikitin. The Predators got one back in the second period as Patric Hornqvist put away his ninth of the year, assisted by Shea Weber and David Legwand. Columbus replied with the second of the game and seventh of the season for Johansen, coming off of Umberger and Brassard on the power play. Nashville shot back with a Nick Spaling goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Colin Wilson and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators clawed back with Roman Josi netting his second of the season, thanks to Francis Bouillon and Martin Erat. Nashville tied it late in the third period when Legwand scored on the power play, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Wilson and Weber. The Predators struck again later in the third period to take a 6-5 lead with the seventh of the campaign by Erat, set up by Suter and Weber, the latter tallying a sock trick. They weathered on to the end nine seconds later and won, with the three stars being Erat, Carter, and Legwand, while honorable mentions include Johansen, Brassard, Nash, Umberger, Weber, Suter, and Wilson.
Back into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ondrej Pavelec will try to stop the puck. Blake Wheeler got Winnipeg on the board first with his fourth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets added on with a Tanner Glass goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period on another Wheeler goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Ron Hainsey and the goalie Pavelec. The Jets iced it at 4-0 in the third period with a Tim Stapleton goal, set up by Wheeler and Zach Bogosian. The three stars were awarded to Wheeler, Pavelec (27 save shutout), and Glass.
To the southwest a tad, as the Calgary Flames host the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Miikka Kiprusoff are manning the cages. Calgary drew first blood with a power play goal by Curtis Glencross, his twelfth of the season, powered by Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. The Flames added on in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, his second of the year, fueled by Brendan Morrison and Tim Jackman. Calgary extended the lead with Glencross striking again, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jay Bouwmeester. Detroit got on the board when Jiri Hudler struck in his eighth of the year in the third period, thanks to Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings made it interesting with an Ian White goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk for a 3-2 score. The Flames held on to this score as a margin of victory, and the three stars were Glencross, Datsyuk, and Jackman.
In northern Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Nikolai Khabibulin get the starting nods. Edmonton led off with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourteenth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Oilers added on with Ryan Smyth recording his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Ladislav Smid and Tom Gilbert. Edmonton extended the lead again with Lennart Petrell notching his third of the season, shorthanded and unassisted. The Oilers attacked again with Eberle potting his second of the night and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Corey Potter. Minnesota got on the board with the tenth of the season for Dany Heatley, fueled by Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen. The final was 4-1 and the three stars were given to Eberle, Khabibulin (30 for 31 in saves), and Smyth.
Finally, the Battle of California is fired up again when the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick are called on to play goal. Niklas Hagman got things started for Anaheim in the second period with his sixth of the season, assisted by Lubomir Visnovsky and Luca Sbisa. Los Angeles tied it with the twelfth of the year by Mike Richards, courtesy of Drew Doughty. The Kings took the lead with Dustin Brown recording his eighth of the season in the third period, thanks to Anze Kopitar and Doughty. Visnovsky got a late equalizer for the Ducks on his third of the year, made possible by Hagman and Toni Lydman. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Jarret Stoll and Brown led Los Angeles to a 3-2 victory over Anaheim, whose one tally from Corey Perry wasn't quite enough. The three stars were Doughty, Visnovsky, and Brown, while Hagman also played well.
The New York Rangers in the Madison Square Garden, hosting the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Biron will be playing in the creases. Brandon Dubinsky put the Rangers up first with his second of the season, assisted by Stu Bickel and the goalie Biron. The Islanders tied it on a power play goal in the second period, P.A. Parenteau's sixth of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Matt Moulson. The Rangers regained the lead with Marian Gaborik depositing his twentieth of the season, via Artem Anisimov. The Rangers extended the lead on Michael Del Zotto's fourth of the year, with helpers by Brandon Prust and Anton Stralman. The Islanders got one back as Moulson put away his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal, guided in by John Tavares and Streit. The Rangers made it 4-2 on a John Mitchell empty net goal, his second of the year, helped along by Dubinsky and Stralman. The three stars in this game were Del Zotto, Biron (24 for 26 in saves), and Anisimov, while Moulson, Streit, Dubinsky, and Stralman also all played well.
Northward to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs welcome in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and James Reimer tend the twines. Jason Pominville put Buffalo ahead first in the second period with his eleventh of the season, a power play goal with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. Toronto tied it on Dave Steckel's sixth of the year, courtesy of Luke Schenn and Joey Crabb. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead with Phil Kessel netting his twentieth of the season, coming off of Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf. The Sabres retied it on a Derek Roy goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, thanks to Pominville. Toronto regained the lead with a Nazem Kadri goal, helped along by Clarke MacArthur. This made it 3-2, good enough for a win, and the three stars were Kessel, Reimer (40 for 42 in saves), and Pominville.
Staying in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers. Current Panther backup Scott Clemmensen opposes another former Panther backup in net, in the form of Craig Anderson. Ottawa led off with a Chris Neil power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson. Florida tied it in the second period with Michal Repik making a power play goal, with help from Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg. The Senators grabbed the lead again in the third period, as Alfredsson netted his tenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Neil. The Panthers got another equalizer with Shawn Matthias netting his sixth of the season, another power play goal, fueled by Brian Campbell and Mike Santorelli. Ottawa grabbed the lead back with Karlsson registering his fourth of the year, as Alfredsson and Colin Greening picked up the helpers. Florida got a late equalizer again with Tomas Kopecky potting his fifth of the season, first having seen the tape of Versteeg and Matt Bradley. The Senators took the game 4-3 in overtime on the third of the year for Bobby Butler, via Kyle Turris and Jared Cowen. The three stars were given to Alfredsson, Neil, and Butler, while Versteeg and Karlsson are given honorable mention.
Back to the states, where the Nashville Predators are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Pekka Rinne get the starting nods. Nashville led off by a power play goal off the tape of Mike Fisher, his seventh of the season, with helpers provided by Sergei Kostitsyn and Ryan Suter. Columbus tied the game when Jeff Carter recorded his eighth of the year, and the lone assist came from Vinny Prospal. The Blue Jackets took the lead on another Carter goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal from Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus kept on the attack with a power play goal by Ryan Johansen, his sixth of the year, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Derick Brassard. Carter completed the hat trick and added on to the Blue Jackets lead with his tenth of the season, another power play goal, made possible by Nash and Nikita Nikitin. The Predators got one back in the second period as Patric Hornqvist put away his ninth of the year, assisted by Shea Weber and David Legwand. Columbus replied with the second of the game and seventh of the season for Johansen, coming off of Umberger and Brassard on the power play. Nashville shot back with a Nick Spaling goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Colin Wilson and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators clawed back with Roman Josi netting his second of the season, thanks to Francis Bouillon and Martin Erat. Nashville tied it late in the third period when Legwand scored on the power play, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Wilson and Weber. The Predators struck again later in the third period to take a 6-5 lead with the seventh of the campaign by Erat, set up by Suter and Weber, the latter tallying a sock trick. They weathered on to the end nine seconds later and won, with the three stars being Erat, Carter, and Legwand, while honorable mentions include Johansen, Brassard, Nash, Umberger, Weber, Suter, and Wilson.
Back into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ondrej Pavelec will try to stop the puck. Blake Wheeler got Winnipeg on the board first with his fourth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets added on with a Tanner Glass goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period on another Wheeler goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Ron Hainsey and the goalie Pavelec. The Jets iced it at 4-0 in the third period with a Tim Stapleton goal, set up by Wheeler and Zach Bogosian. The three stars were awarded to Wheeler, Pavelec (27 save shutout), and Glass.
To the southwest a tad, as the Calgary Flames host the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Miikka Kiprusoff are manning the cages. Calgary drew first blood with a power play goal by Curtis Glencross, his twelfth of the season, powered by Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. The Flames added on in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, his second of the year, fueled by Brendan Morrison and Tim Jackman. Calgary extended the lead with Glencross striking again, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jay Bouwmeester. Detroit got on the board when Jiri Hudler struck in his eighth of the year in the third period, thanks to Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings made it interesting with an Ian White goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk for a 3-2 score. The Flames held on to this score as a margin of victory, and the three stars were Glencross, Datsyuk, and Jackman.
In northern Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Nikolai Khabibulin get the starting nods. Edmonton led off with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourteenth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Oilers added on with Ryan Smyth recording his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Ladislav Smid and Tom Gilbert. Edmonton extended the lead again with Lennart Petrell notching his third of the season, shorthanded and unassisted. The Oilers attacked again with Eberle potting his second of the night and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Corey Potter. Minnesota got on the board with the tenth of the season for Dany Heatley, fueled by Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen. The final was 4-1 and the three stars were given to Eberle, Khabibulin (30 for 31 in saves), and Smyth.
Finally, the Battle of California is fired up again when the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick are called on to play goal. Niklas Hagman got things started for Anaheim in the second period with his sixth of the season, assisted by Lubomir Visnovsky and Luca Sbisa. Los Angeles tied it with the twelfth of the year by Mike Richards, courtesy of Drew Doughty. The Kings took the lead with Dustin Brown recording his eighth of the season in the third period, thanks to Anze Kopitar and Doughty. Visnovsky got a late equalizer for the Ducks on his third of the year, made possible by Hagman and Toni Lydman. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Jarret Stoll and Brown led Los Angeles to a 3-2 victory over Anaheim, whose one tally from Corey Perry wasn't quite enough. The three stars were Doughty, Visnovsky, and Brown, while Hagman also played well.
Thursday Night Game week 16
This week, the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans. Houston opened with an Arian Foster touchdown run of 9 yards and a Neil Rackers extra point. Adam Vinatieri answered for Indianapolis with a 23 yard field goal. Rackers got it back for the Texans with a 44 yard field goal. The Colts replied in the second quarter on Vinatieri's boot kicking a 32 yard field goal for a 10-6 halftime score. The kickers exchanged field goals of 35 for Rackers and 47 for Vinatieri in the third quarter before trading again straight up in the fourth on 31 yard kicks. Indianapolis sealed the deal late with a 1 yard Reggie Wayne touchdown reception off a Dan Orlovsky pass, and Vinatieri's extra point made it 19-16. The Colts go to 2-13 while the Texans are now 10-5.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
NHL Day 77 2011-2012
Just six games on, even if it feels like a little bit more than that, beginning with...
The Carolina Hurricanes welcoming the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Cam Ward were given starting duties. Phoenix opened on a Ray Whitney goal, his twelfth of the season, coming from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Martin Hanzal on the power play. Carolina tied it with Tuomo Ruutu netting his eleventh of the year, with the help of Alexei Poinkarovsky and Jussi Jokinen. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with Andreas Nodl scoring, thanks to Jaroslav Spacek. Carolina extended the lead when Jiri Tlusty recorded his seventh of the season, and the lone assist was by Justin Faulk. The Coyotes got one back as Cal O'Reilly sank his second of the year, fueled by David Rundblad and Kyle Chipchura. Phoenix tied it in the third period when Rostislav Klesla scored, coming off of Lauri Korpikoski and Daymond Langkow. The Coyotes took the lead when Korpikoski sank his ninth of the season, via Derek Morris and Whitney. This made it 4-3, an eventual final, where the three stars are Korpikoski, Whitney, and Ruutu.
In the Midwest, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Official backups Peter Budaj and Corey Crawford get to make the spot starts. Montreal led off in the second period when Andrei Kostitsyn made his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Plekanec and Raphael Diaz. Chicago tied it with the eighth of the year for Andrew Brunette, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks got the lead with Patrick Sharp registering his eighteenth of the season, and Marian Hossa had the lone assist. Chicago extended the lead as Viktor Stalberg notched his seventh of the year, and the lone helper came from Bryan Bickell. Jonathan Toews made it at 4-1 for the Blackhawks with his twentieth of the season, and Seabrook had the only assist. Chicago ended ahead 5-1 due to Bickell's fourth of the year, with help from Stalberg and Brandon Pirri. Crawford (20 for 21 in saves), Brunette, and Sharp had the three stars, while Seabrook and Bickell get honorable mentions.
Down to Texas, where the Dallas Stars host the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Richard Bachman play between the pipes. Dallas quickly struck first with Michael Ryder finding a place for his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. Philadelphia tied it on Claude Giroux's seventeenth of the year, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers took the lead on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Giroux. Philadelphia added on in the second period when Jagr potted his eleventh of the year, also a power play goal, thanks to Giroux and Timonen. The Flyers rolled on in the third period with an Andrej Meszaros goal, made possible by Giroux for a sock trick and Hartnell as his fourth of the campaign. This made it 4-1, and the three stars were Giroux, Jagr, and Timonen, while Hartnell also has a solid case.
North and west to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jean-Sebastien Giguere get the starting nods. Paul Stastny put Colorado on the board first with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Matt Hunwick and Stefan Elliott. The Avalanche added on with Cody McLeod potting his second of the year, fueled by Kevin Porter and Jan Hejda. St. Louis got going when David Backes netted his eleventh of the season, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues tied it on a Chris Stewart goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Patrik Berglund and David Perron. Colorado got the lead back with Jay McClement putting his sixth of the season away, passed from Brad Malone and Shane O'Brien. This made it 3-2, which lasted until the end, and gave the three stars to Giguere (37 for 39 in saves), McClement, and Backes.
Up to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Roberto Luongo will be the masked men. Vancouver struck first on a Chris Higgins goal, his tenth of the season, coming from Mason Raymond and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on as Cody Hodgson put his seventh of the year away, helped along by Jannik Hansen and Manny Malhotra. Detroit got on the board when Todd Bertuzzi scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. Vancouver answered with Alexandre Burrows recording his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Red Wings got it back in the second period with a Drew Miller goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Darren Helm and Danny Cleary. The Canucks replied back when Alexander Edler netter a shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, with a feeder pass from Hansen. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars being Edler, Luongo (38 for 40 in saves), and Hansen.
Finally in San Jose, the Sharks hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. In goal were Mathieu Garon and Antti Niemi. Benn Ferriero got San Jose going first with his second of the season, coming from Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle. The Sharks extended the lead on a Joe Pavelski goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Brent Burns and Thornton. San Jose added on with the third of the season for Andrew Desjardins, and Andrew Murray picked up an assist. Dwayne Roloson relieved Garon at this time. The Sharks kept on the attack with Logan Couture sinking his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe. San Jose was unstoppable when Couture scored again, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Michal Handzus and Clowe. Dominic Moore put Tampa Bay on the board with his third of the year, set up by Eric Brewer. The Sharks got going again in the third period when Burns nailed his sixth of the campaign, and he got assistance from Handzus. The Lightning answered on a Martin St. Louis goal, his tenth of the season, and a lone assist came from Teddy Purcell. San Jose iced it t 7-2 with Marleau notching his thirteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Couture, Clowe, and Thornton took home the three stars while Marleau, Burns, and Handzus earned honorable mentions.
The Carolina Hurricanes welcoming the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Cam Ward were given starting duties. Phoenix opened on a Ray Whitney goal, his twelfth of the season, coming from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Martin Hanzal on the power play. Carolina tied it with Tuomo Ruutu netting his eleventh of the year, with the help of Alexei Poinkarovsky and Jussi Jokinen. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with Andreas Nodl scoring, thanks to Jaroslav Spacek. Carolina extended the lead when Jiri Tlusty recorded his seventh of the season, and the lone assist was by Justin Faulk. The Coyotes got one back as Cal O'Reilly sank his second of the year, fueled by David Rundblad and Kyle Chipchura. Phoenix tied it in the third period when Rostislav Klesla scored, coming off of Lauri Korpikoski and Daymond Langkow. The Coyotes took the lead when Korpikoski sank his ninth of the season, via Derek Morris and Whitney. This made it 4-3, an eventual final, where the three stars are Korpikoski, Whitney, and Ruutu.
In the Midwest, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Official backups Peter Budaj and Corey Crawford get to make the spot starts. Montreal led off in the second period when Andrei Kostitsyn made his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Plekanec and Raphael Diaz. Chicago tied it with the eighth of the year for Andrew Brunette, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks got the lead with Patrick Sharp registering his eighteenth of the season, and Marian Hossa had the lone assist. Chicago extended the lead as Viktor Stalberg notched his seventh of the year, and the lone helper came from Bryan Bickell. Jonathan Toews made it at 4-1 for the Blackhawks with his twentieth of the season, and Seabrook had the only assist. Chicago ended ahead 5-1 due to Bickell's fourth of the year, with help from Stalberg and Brandon Pirri. Crawford (20 for 21 in saves), Brunette, and Sharp had the three stars, while Seabrook and Bickell get honorable mentions.
Down to Texas, where the Dallas Stars host the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Richard Bachman play between the pipes. Dallas quickly struck first with Michael Ryder finding a place for his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. Philadelphia tied it on Claude Giroux's seventeenth of the year, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers took the lead on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Giroux. Philadelphia added on in the second period when Jagr potted his eleventh of the year, also a power play goal, thanks to Giroux and Timonen. The Flyers rolled on in the third period with an Andrej Meszaros goal, made possible by Giroux for a sock trick and Hartnell as his fourth of the campaign. This made it 4-1, and the three stars were Giroux, Jagr, and Timonen, while Hartnell also has a solid case.
North and west to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jean-Sebastien Giguere get the starting nods. Paul Stastny put Colorado on the board first with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Matt Hunwick and Stefan Elliott. The Avalanche added on with Cody McLeod potting his second of the year, fueled by Kevin Porter and Jan Hejda. St. Louis got going when David Backes netted his eleventh of the season, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues tied it on a Chris Stewart goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Patrik Berglund and David Perron. Colorado got the lead back with Jay McClement putting his sixth of the season away, passed from Brad Malone and Shane O'Brien. This made it 3-2, which lasted until the end, and gave the three stars to Giguere (37 for 39 in saves), McClement, and Backes.
Up to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Roberto Luongo will be the masked men. Vancouver struck first on a Chris Higgins goal, his tenth of the season, coming from Mason Raymond and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on as Cody Hodgson put his seventh of the year away, helped along by Jannik Hansen and Manny Malhotra. Detroit got on the board when Todd Bertuzzi scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. Vancouver answered with Alexandre Burrows recording his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Red Wings got it back in the second period with a Drew Miller goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Darren Helm and Danny Cleary. The Canucks replied back when Alexander Edler netter a shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, with a feeder pass from Hansen. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars being Edler, Luongo (38 for 40 in saves), and Hansen.
Finally in San Jose, the Sharks hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. In goal were Mathieu Garon and Antti Niemi. Benn Ferriero got San Jose going first with his second of the season, coming from Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle. The Sharks extended the lead on a Joe Pavelski goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Brent Burns and Thornton. San Jose added on with the third of the season for Andrew Desjardins, and Andrew Murray picked up an assist. Dwayne Roloson relieved Garon at this time. The Sharks kept on the attack with Logan Couture sinking his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe. San Jose was unstoppable when Couture scored again, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Michal Handzus and Clowe. Dominic Moore put Tampa Bay on the board with his third of the year, set up by Eric Brewer. The Sharks got going again in the third period when Burns nailed his sixth of the campaign, and he got assistance from Handzus. The Lightning answered on a Martin St. Louis goal, his tenth of the season, and a lone assist came from Teddy Purcell. San Jose iced it t 7-2 with Marleau notching his thirteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Couture, Clowe, and Thornton took home the three stars while Marleau, Burns, and Handzus earned honorable mentions.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
NHL Day 76 2011-2012
Another seven games on tonight, beginning with the New Jersey Devils hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur have control of the cages. New Jersey opened on a Travis Zajac goal, fueled by Dainius Zubrus and Petr Sykora. New York answered in the second period as Artem Anisimov netted his seventh of the season, thanks to Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with Gaborik scoring his eighteenth of the year, with assists from Anisimov and Stepan. New York added on with a shorthanded Carl Hagelin goal, his fourth of the season, with the lone helper by Stu Bickel. The Rangers iced it 4-1 with Gaborik's second of the game, an empty net goal going in unassisted. The three stars were Lundqvist (30 for 31 in saves), Anisimov, and Hagelin, while Stepan and Gaborik make good choices as well.
Into Washington, where the Capitals welcome the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Michal Neuvirth get the starting nods. Washington led off when the eleventh of the season by Alex Ovechkin went into the net, assisted by Karl Alzner and John Carlson. Nicklas Backstrom extended the Capitals lead on his twelfth of the year, with a lone assist by Roman Hamrlik. Sergei Kostitsyn put Nashville on the board in the third period with his fifth of the season, made possible by Shea Weber. Washington answered with Alexander Semin finding a place for his seventh of the year, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. The Capitals added on again with Troy Brouwer recording his ninth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Dennis Wideman and Johansson. The final was 4-1, and Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Johansson took home the three stars.
Up to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Marc-Andre Fleury will tend the twines. Chris Kunitz got things going for Pittsburgh by scoring his twelfth of the season, via Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen on the power play. In the second period, the Penguins extended their lead with James Neal potting his nineteenth of the year, and Malkin and Niskanen picked up the helpers again. Pittsburgh added on with the fourth of the season for Tyler Kennedy, assisted by Ben Lovejoy and Malkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks pulled closer on a Stalberg goal, his sixth of the season, pushed through by Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. The comeback attempt fell short, leaving the Penguins to a 3-2 victory, with the three stars as Malkin, Fleury (36 for 38 in saves), and Stalberg, while Niskanen also played well.
Southward to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jose Theodore have the green light to play goal. Phoenix struck first when Ray Whitney netted a power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes extended the lead on Vrbata goal, his sixteenth of the year, with Keith Yandle and Whitney getting the helpers on the power play. Florida got on the board with Brian Campbell making his third of the season, guided in by Kris Versteeg and Jason Garrison. This 2-1 score lasted through the third period to the end, although during this frame, Jason LaBarbera had to relieve an injured Smith in net. The three stars belonged to Whitney, Campbell, and Shawn Matthias, although Vrbata also played well.
Crossing to Canada in the north, where the Ottawa Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Craig Anderson are in between the pipes. Ottawa opened on the ninth of the season by Zack Smith, assisted by Chris Neil and Matt Carkner. Buffalo tied it in the second period on the power play, as Jordan Leopold potted his sixth of the year, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Thomas Vanek. The Senators took the lead back in the third period on an Erik Condra goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Kyle Turris. Ottawa extended the lead on Erik Karlsson's third of the year, a power play goal fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. The Senators tied it with another Condra goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign finding the empty net with assistance from Karlsson only. Condra, Anderson (22 for 23 in saves), and Miller (35 for 38 in saves) earned the three stars.
To the west, the Winnipeg Jets host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Ondrej Pavelec are playing goal. New York opened with the fifth of the season by P.A. Parenteau, helped along by Matt Moulson and John Tavares. Winnipeg tied it as Nik Antropov made his fifth of the year, coming off of Johnny Oduya. The Islanders regained control with the tenth of the season by Michael Grabner, made possible by Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald. The Jets tied it on Andrew Ladd registering his eleventh of the year with Antrpov and Kyle Wellwood's assistance. Evgeni Nabokov relieved Montoya late in the second period. The tie lasted into a shootout, where New York beat Winnipeg as Parenteau and Frans Nielsen tallied. The three stars were awarded to Antropov, Tavares, and Pavelec (31 for 33 in saves), while Parenteau has a good case.
Westward again to today's finale, with the Calgary Flames hosting the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Miikka Kiprusoff man the nets. Curtis Glencross put Calgary on the board early with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Jarome Iginla and Chris Butler. Minnesota tied it with a Pierre-Marc Bouchard goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen. Iginla put the Flames back in the lead in the second period with his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Derek Smith and Olli Jokinen. The score held up at 2-1 for a Calgary win, with Iginla, Mikael Backlund, and Kiprusoff (29 for 30 in saves) as the three stars.
Into Washington, where the Capitals welcome the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Michal Neuvirth get the starting nods. Washington led off when the eleventh of the season by Alex Ovechkin went into the net, assisted by Karl Alzner and John Carlson. Nicklas Backstrom extended the Capitals lead on his twelfth of the year, with a lone assist by Roman Hamrlik. Sergei Kostitsyn put Nashville on the board in the third period with his fifth of the season, made possible by Shea Weber. Washington answered with Alexander Semin finding a place for his seventh of the year, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. The Capitals added on again with Troy Brouwer recording his ninth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Dennis Wideman and Johansson. The final was 4-1, and Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Johansson took home the three stars.
Up to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Marc-Andre Fleury will tend the twines. Chris Kunitz got things going for Pittsburgh by scoring his twelfth of the season, via Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen on the power play. In the second period, the Penguins extended their lead with James Neal potting his nineteenth of the year, and Malkin and Niskanen picked up the helpers again. Pittsburgh added on with the fourth of the season for Tyler Kennedy, assisted by Ben Lovejoy and Malkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks pulled closer on a Stalberg goal, his sixth of the season, pushed through by Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. The comeback attempt fell short, leaving the Penguins to a 3-2 victory, with the three stars as Malkin, Fleury (36 for 38 in saves), and Stalberg, while Niskanen also played well.
Southward to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jose Theodore have the green light to play goal. Phoenix struck first when Ray Whitney netted a power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes extended the lead on Vrbata goal, his sixteenth of the year, with Keith Yandle and Whitney getting the helpers on the power play. Florida got on the board with Brian Campbell making his third of the season, guided in by Kris Versteeg and Jason Garrison. This 2-1 score lasted through the third period to the end, although during this frame, Jason LaBarbera had to relieve an injured Smith in net. The three stars belonged to Whitney, Campbell, and Shawn Matthias, although Vrbata also played well.
Crossing to Canada in the north, where the Ottawa Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Craig Anderson are in between the pipes. Ottawa opened on the ninth of the season by Zack Smith, assisted by Chris Neil and Matt Carkner. Buffalo tied it in the second period on the power play, as Jordan Leopold potted his sixth of the year, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Thomas Vanek. The Senators took the lead back in the third period on an Erik Condra goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Kyle Turris. Ottawa extended the lead on Erik Karlsson's third of the year, a power play goal fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. The Senators tied it with another Condra goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign finding the empty net with assistance from Karlsson only. Condra, Anderson (22 for 23 in saves), and Miller (35 for 38 in saves) earned the three stars.
To the west, the Winnipeg Jets host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Ondrej Pavelec are playing goal. New York opened with the fifth of the season by P.A. Parenteau, helped along by Matt Moulson and John Tavares. Winnipeg tied it as Nik Antropov made his fifth of the year, coming off of Johnny Oduya. The Islanders regained control with the tenth of the season by Michael Grabner, made possible by Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald. The Jets tied it on Andrew Ladd registering his eleventh of the year with Antrpov and Kyle Wellwood's assistance. Evgeni Nabokov relieved Montoya late in the second period. The tie lasted into a shootout, where New York beat Winnipeg as Parenteau and Frans Nielsen tallied. The three stars were awarded to Antropov, Tavares, and Pavelec (31 for 33 in saves), while Parenteau has a good case.
Westward again to today's finale, with the Calgary Flames hosting the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Miikka Kiprusoff man the nets. Curtis Glencross put Calgary on the board early with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Jarome Iginla and Chris Butler. Minnesota tied it with a Pierre-Marc Bouchard goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen. Iginla put the Flames back in the lead in the second period with his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Derek Smith and Olli Jokinen. The score held up at 2-1 for a Calgary win, with Iginla, Mikael Backlund, and Kiprusoff (29 for 30 in saves) as the three stars.
Fantasy Football All-Stars week 15
For those of you who had good weeks in the early parts of the playoffs, these following players might be part of the reason why.
Quarterback: Drew Brees
Running Back: C.J. Spiller
Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson
Tight End: Aaron Hernandez
Kicker: Ryan Succop
Team Defense: Seattle
Defensive Player: Jacob Lacey
A lot of leagues are going for championships this week. Best of luck to everyone, and hopefully I'll have something to show for my efforts as well.
Quarterback: Drew Brees
Running Back: C.J. Spiller
Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson
Tight End: Aaron Hernandez
Kicker: Ryan Succop
Team Defense: Seattle
Defensive Player: Jacob Lacey
A lot of leagues are going for championships this week. Best of luck to everyone, and hopefully I'll have something to show for my efforts as well.
Monday, December 19, 2011
NHL Day 75 2011-2012
Just six games on tonight, beginning in...
Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and James Reimer will be guarding the cages. Los Angeles led off with Justin Williams scoring his fifth of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderi. Toronto tied it with John-Michael Liles potting his fourth of the year, coming off of Tyler Bozak. The Kings took the lead in the second period with a power play goal for Dustin Brown, his seventh of the season, powered by Simon Gagne and Anze Kopitar. The Maple Leafs evened things out again in the third period on Matt Frattin's fourth of the year, made possible by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. Los Angeles would defeat Toronto in the shootout on a lone Brown tally, to win 3-2. Quick (31 for 33 in saves), Reimer (40 for 42 in saves), and Brown picked up the three stars.
Stateside, the Boston Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price opposes Tim Thomas in goal. Boston was first to score as the sixth of the season for Benoit Pouliot went in, with the help of Rich Peverley. Montreal tied it as Tomas Plekanec served up his seventh of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and Travis Moen. The Bruins reclaimed the lead in the season period with the sixth of the season by David Krejci, off the lone helper by Andrew Ference. Boston added on in the third period with Brad Marchand netting his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The Canadiens got one back as Erik Cole shelved his thirteenth of the campaign late in the game, with helpers provided by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. The final was 3-2, with the three stars being Thomas (33 for 35 in saves), Pouliot, and Marchand.
Down to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Richard Bachman receive the starting nods. Dallas led off as Brenden Morrow sank his seventh of the season, assisted by Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott. The Stars added on in the second period with Alex Goligoski's third of the year, a power play goal powered by Sheldon Souray and Loui Eriksson. Dallas extended the lead again quickly with Ribeiro sinking his fourth of the season, and the assists went to Morrow and Stephane Robidas. Anaheim got on the board with Teemu Selanne sinking his eleventh of the year, thanks to Corey Perry and Lubomir Visnovsky on the power play. The Ducks pulled even closer with Visnovsky potting a power play goal, fueled by Cam Fowler and Selanne as his second of the season. Anaheim tied it when Nick Bonino scored, with guidance from Fowler and Matt Beleskey. The Stars regained the lead as Michael Ryder notched his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Eriksson and Jamie Benn. Dallas made it 5-3 on the eleventh of the season for Eric Nystrom, aided by Vernon Fiddler and Radek Dvorak. This would last to the end, giving the three stars to
Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be in the blue paint. Philadelphia drew first blood as the sixteenth of the season for Scott Hartnell found twine, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Jaromir Jagr on the power play. Colorado answered in the second period when Gabriel Landeskog sank his sixth of the year, courtesy of Shane O'Brien and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche took the lead with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Brad Malone and Paul Stastny. The Flyers got an equalizer in the third period with Wayne Simmonds netting his tenth of the year, via Danny Briere and Hartnell. Colorado would defeat Philadelphia 3-2 in the shootout with Milan Hejduk, Matt Duchene, and Ryan O'Reilly all tallying to overpower Briere and James van Riemsdyk. Giguere (31 for 33 in saves), Landeskog, and Briere earned the three stars.
Northward farther to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Nikolai Khabibulin man the nets. Detroit struck first as Danny Cleary potted his eighth of the season, and the lone assist belonged to Jakub Kindl. Edmonton tied it as Ryan Jones scored in the second period, his eleventh of the year, from Sam Gagner and Eric Belanger. The Red Wings took the lead back with Jiri Hudler recording his seventh of the season, with help from Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula. The Oilers retied the game when Jordan Eberle scored in the last second of the middle period, a power play goal with assists from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall as his thirteenth of the year. Detroit got the lead again in the third period when Drew Miller deposited his sixth of the campaign, courtesy of Nicklas Lidstrom and Darren Helm. This made it 3-2, and the Red Wings held on to win, leaving the three stars to Pavel Datsyuk, Khabibulin (25 for 28 in saves), and Eberle, while other point earners have valid arguments.
Westward as we end in Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Roberto Luongo are tending the twines. Vancouver led off with a power play goal by Henrik Sedin, his ninth of the season, set up by Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on in the third period with Ryan Kesler on the power play, his eighth of the year, assisted by Daniel and Henrik. Vancouver struck again on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twelfth of the season, giving Daniel a sock trick alongside Henrik's assist. The Canucks iced it 4-0 with a Jannik Hansen goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Cody Hodgson and Manny Malhotra. The three stars were simply Luongo (33 save shutout), Henrik, and Daniel.
Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and James Reimer will be guarding the cages. Los Angeles led off with Justin Williams scoring his fifth of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderi. Toronto tied it with John-Michael Liles potting his fourth of the year, coming off of Tyler Bozak. The Kings took the lead in the second period with a power play goal for Dustin Brown, his seventh of the season, powered by Simon Gagne and Anze Kopitar. The Maple Leafs evened things out again in the third period on Matt Frattin's fourth of the year, made possible by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. Los Angeles would defeat Toronto in the shootout on a lone Brown tally, to win 3-2. Quick (31 for 33 in saves), Reimer (40 for 42 in saves), and Brown picked up the three stars.
Stateside, the Boston Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price opposes Tim Thomas in goal. Boston was first to score as the sixth of the season for Benoit Pouliot went in, with the help of Rich Peverley. Montreal tied it as Tomas Plekanec served up his seventh of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and Travis Moen. The Bruins reclaimed the lead in the season period with the sixth of the season by David Krejci, off the lone helper by Andrew Ference. Boston added on in the third period with Brad Marchand netting his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The Canadiens got one back as Erik Cole shelved his thirteenth of the campaign late in the game, with helpers provided by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. The final was 3-2, with the three stars being Thomas (33 for 35 in saves), Pouliot, and Marchand.
Down to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Richard Bachman receive the starting nods. Dallas led off as Brenden Morrow sank his seventh of the season, assisted by Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott. The Stars added on in the second period with Alex Goligoski's third of the year, a power play goal powered by Sheldon Souray and Loui Eriksson. Dallas extended the lead again quickly with Ribeiro sinking his fourth of the season, and the assists went to Morrow and Stephane Robidas. Anaheim got on the board with Teemu Selanne sinking his eleventh of the year, thanks to Corey Perry and Lubomir Visnovsky on the power play. The Ducks pulled even closer with Visnovsky potting a power play goal, fueled by Cam Fowler and Selanne as his second of the season. Anaheim tied it when Nick Bonino scored, with guidance from Fowler and Matt Beleskey. The Stars regained the lead as Michael Ryder notched his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Eriksson and Jamie Benn. Dallas made it 5-3 on the eleventh of the season for Eric Nystrom, aided by Vernon Fiddler and Radek Dvorak. This would last to the end, giving the three stars to
Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be in the blue paint. Philadelphia drew first blood as the sixteenth of the season for Scott Hartnell found twine, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Jaromir Jagr on the power play. Colorado answered in the second period when Gabriel Landeskog sank his sixth of the year, courtesy of Shane O'Brien and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche took the lead with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Brad Malone and Paul Stastny. The Flyers got an equalizer in the third period with Wayne Simmonds netting his tenth of the year, via Danny Briere and Hartnell. Colorado would defeat Philadelphia 3-2 in the shootout with Milan Hejduk, Matt Duchene, and Ryan O'Reilly all tallying to overpower Briere and James van Riemsdyk. Giguere (31 for 33 in saves), Landeskog, and Briere earned the three stars.
Northward farther to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Nikolai Khabibulin man the nets. Detroit struck first as Danny Cleary potted his eighth of the season, and the lone assist belonged to Jakub Kindl. Edmonton tied it as Ryan Jones scored in the second period, his eleventh of the year, from Sam Gagner and Eric Belanger. The Red Wings took the lead back with Jiri Hudler recording his seventh of the season, with help from Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula. The Oilers retied the game when Jordan Eberle scored in the last second of the middle period, a power play goal with assists from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall as his thirteenth of the year. Detroit got the lead again in the third period when Drew Miller deposited his sixth of the campaign, courtesy of Nicklas Lidstrom and Darren Helm. This made it 3-2, and the Red Wings held on to win, leaving the three stars to Pavel Datsyuk, Khabibulin (25 for 28 in saves), and Eberle, while other point earners have valid arguments.
Westward as we end in Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Roberto Luongo are tending the twines. Vancouver led off with a power play goal by Henrik Sedin, his ninth of the season, set up by Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on in the third period with Ryan Kesler on the power play, his eighth of the year, assisted by Daniel and Henrik. Vancouver struck again on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twelfth of the season, giving Daniel a sock trick alongside Henrik's assist. The Canucks iced it 4-0 with a Jannik Hansen goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Cody Hodgson and Manny Malhotra. The three stars were simply Luongo (33 save shutout), Henrik, and Daniel.
Monday Night Football week 15
This week, delayed shortly by a power outage at Candlestick Park, the San Francisco 49ers host the Pittsburgh Steelers. San Francisco struck first with a 22 yard David Akers field goal. Akers added on for the 49ers in the second quarter with a 38 yard field goal. The score was 6-0 at halftime. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third quarter with a Shaun Suisham 51 yard field goal. San Francisco extended the lead with Alex Smith tossing a 1 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Akers made the PAT. The 49ers kept it up in the fourth quarter with a 5 yard touchdown rush by Frank Gore, and Akers was there with the extra point. San Francisco held on for a 20-3 win, improving to 11-3 while the Steelers are now 10-4.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 10
1. Zach Parise, 3 G, 5 A, +6, 4 PIM, 0 PPP, 18 SOG
2. Tim Thomas, 2 W, 1.00 GAA, 78 SV, .975 SV%, 1 SO
3. Evgeni Malkin, 5 G, 3 A, -1, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 16 SOG
4. Olli Jokinen, 3 G, 3 A, -3, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 18 SOG
5. Ilya Kovalchuk, 2 G, 5 A, +3, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 13 SOG
2. Tim Thomas, 2 W, 1.00 GAA, 78 SV, .975 SV%, 1 SO
3. Evgeni Malkin, 5 G, 3 A, -1, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 16 SOG
4. Olli Jokinen, 3 G, 3 A, -3, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 18 SOG
5. Ilya Kovalchuk, 2 G, 5 A, +3, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 13 SOG
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday Night game week 15
This week, the San Diego Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens. San Diego opened with a 2 yard Mike Tolbert touchdown run, and a Nick Novak extra point. Baltimore answered in the second quarter as Joe Flacco tossed a 15 yard touchdown to Ed Dickson, and Billy Cundiff added the extra point. The Chargers got the lead back with Novak's field goal of 45 yards. Ryan Mathews extended the San Diego lead on a 1 yard touchdown run, and Novak's PAT made it 17-7 at the half. The Chargers added on again in the third quarter with a 28 yard touchdown from Philip Rivers to Malcom Floyd, and Novak kicked another extra point. Mathews kept San Diego on a roll with a 3 yard touchdown run, and Novak was there with the extra point. Novak added a 28 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for the Chargers. The Ravens got a few back when Flacco tossed a 36 yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith, and Cundiff supplied the extra point. This made it 34-14, with San Diego going to 7-7 and Baltimore falling to 10-4.
NHL Day 74 2011-2012
Only three games on today, and a reminder that there is no hockey over the Christmas weekend in respect of the holiday. Football is primarily on Saturday to avoid the holiday as well, although there will be one regular Sunday night game. With that said, we begin in...
Florida, as the Panthers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jose Theodore play in the blue paint. Sean Bergenheim got Florida on the board first with his seventh of the season, assisted by Shawn Matthias and Ed Jovanovski. Carolina replied with Tim Gleason's goal, coming off of Jamie McBain and Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with an unassisted Chad LaRose goal, his ninth of the year. The Panthers tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Jason Garrison, his tenth of the season, powered by Mikael Samuelsson and Jovanovski. Florida went on to beat Carolina in overtime when the sixteenth of the year for Kris Versteeg crossed the goal line, and helping him earn the 3-2 victory were Stephen Weiss and Brian Campbell. The three stars belong to Versteeg, Garrison, and LaRose, while Jovanovski gets honorable mention.
Over to Chicago, where the Blackhawks hosted the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Ray Emery played between the pipes. Chicago opened with Steve Montador sinking his fifth of the season, courtesy of Jamal Mayers and Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks added on in the second period when Niklas Hjalmarsson scored, via Marian Hossa and Marcus Kruger. Chicago kept going with a Patrick Kane goal, his ninth of the year coming on the power play from Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Calgary got on the board when the eleventh of the campaign by Olli Jokinen found twine, also a power play goal, fueled by Alex Tanguay and Curtis Glencross. The Blackhawks answered back with Hossa's fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland. The Flames got as close as 4-2 before taking the loss when Glencross potted his tenth of the year, yet another power play goal, with the help of Jarome Iginla and Jokinen. Hjalmarsson, Hossa, and Toews earned the official three stars, while Jokinen and Glencross earn honorable mentions.
Finally, the St. Louis Blues host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Jaroslav Halak were the masked men. Columbus struck first with a Derek MacKenzie goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Fedor Tyutin. St. Louis quickly replied on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fifth of the year, with the lone assist by Matt D'Agostini. The Blues soon took the lead with T.J. Oshie potting his eleventh of the season, and the lone helper came from David Backes. The Blue Jackets got going again in the second period with the seventh of the year from Derek Dorsett, passed from Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin. Columbus took the lead on a power play goal, Mark Letestu's fifth of the season, powered by R.J. Umberger and Derick Brassard. St. Louis tied it again with Alex Steen putting his eleventh of the year away, thanks to Oshie and Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues took a lead with Jason Arnott recording his sixth of the season, coming off of David Perron and Jamie Langenbrunner. St. Louis went farther ahead with Alex Pietrangelo notching his fifth of the year, with the help of Backes. The Blue Jackets got one back when Brassard found a home for his third of the season, guided in by Umberger and Tyutin, the latter picking up a sock trick. The Blues iced it 6-4 with an empty net goal from Patrik Berglund, his eighth of the year, set up by Langenbrunner and Perron. The three stars were awarded to Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, and Tyutin, while Brassard, Oshie, Umberger, Langenbrunner, Backes, and Perron all had nice cases for inclusion.
Florida, as the Panthers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jose Theodore play in the blue paint. Sean Bergenheim got Florida on the board first with his seventh of the season, assisted by Shawn Matthias and Ed Jovanovski. Carolina replied with Tim Gleason's goal, coming off of Jamie McBain and Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with an unassisted Chad LaRose goal, his ninth of the year. The Panthers tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Jason Garrison, his tenth of the season, powered by Mikael Samuelsson and Jovanovski. Florida went on to beat Carolina in overtime when the sixteenth of the year for Kris Versteeg crossed the goal line, and helping him earn the 3-2 victory were Stephen Weiss and Brian Campbell. The three stars belong to Versteeg, Garrison, and LaRose, while Jovanovski gets honorable mention.
Over to Chicago, where the Blackhawks hosted the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Ray Emery played between the pipes. Chicago opened with Steve Montador sinking his fifth of the season, courtesy of Jamal Mayers and Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks added on in the second period when Niklas Hjalmarsson scored, via Marian Hossa and Marcus Kruger. Chicago kept going with a Patrick Kane goal, his ninth of the year coming on the power play from Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Calgary got on the board when the eleventh of the campaign by Olli Jokinen found twine, also a power play goal, fueled by Alex Tanguay and Curtis Glencross. The Blackhawks answered back with Hossa's fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland. The Flames got as close as 4-2 before taking the loss when Glencross potted his tenth of the year, yet another power play goal, with the help of Jarome Iginla and Jokinen. Hjalmarsson, Hossa, and Toews earned the official three stars, while Jokinen and Glencross earn honorable mentions.
Finally, the St. Louis Blues host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Jaroslav Halak were the masked men. Columbus struck first with a Derek MacKenzie goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Fedor Tyutin. St. Louis quickly replied on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fifth of the year, with the lone assist by Matt D'Agostini. The Blues soon took the lead with T.J. Oshie potting his eleventh of the season, and the lone helper came from David Backes. The Blue Jackets got going again in the second period with the seventh of the year from Derek Dorsett, passed from Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin. Columbus took the lead on a power play goal, Mark Letestu's fifth of the season, powered by R.J. Umberger and Derick Brassard. St. Louis tied it again with Alex Steen putting his eleventh of the year away, thanks to Oshie and Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues took a lead with Jason Arnott recording his sixth of the season, coming off of David Perron and Jamie Langenbrunner. St. Louis went farther ahead with Alex Pietrangelo notching his fifth of the year, with the help of Backes. The Blue Jackets got one back when Brassard found a home for his third of the season, guided in by Umberger and Tyutin, the latter picking up a sock trick. The Blues iced it 6-4 with an empty net goal from Patrik Berglund, his eighth of the year, set up by Langenbrunner and Perron. The three stars were awarded to Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, and Tyutin, while Brassard, Oshie, Umberger, Langenbrunner, Backes, and Perron all had nice cases for inclusion.
NFL Late Games week 15
Four games on the back half of the slate, beginning with the Oakland Raiders hosting the Detroit Lions. Louis Murphy put Oakland on the board first with a 12 yard touchdown run, and Sebastian Janikowski added on the extra point. Detroit answered with a 51 yard Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, and Jason Hanson was there to kick the extra point. The Raiders took the lead again in the second quarter when Carson Palmer found Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 43 yard touchdown connection, and Janikowski tacked on the extra point. The Lions kept pace with Stafford finding Nate Burleson for 39 yards and a touchdown, allowing another Hanson extra point. The score favored Oakland 17-14 at the half due to a Janikowski field goal from 46 yards. The Raiders got some separation after a silent third quarter with a fourth quarter field goal of 51 yards from the boot of Janikowski. Oakland added on again with Aaron Curry returning a Stafford fumble for a touchdown, a 6 yard play capped off with a Janikowski extra point. Detroit pulled back with Stafford finding Titus Young for a 3 yard touchdown connection, and Hanson added on the extra point. The Lions took the lead when Stafford tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Johnson, and Hanson had the go-ahead extra point. Detroit was able to hold onto the 28-27 lead despite a furious attempt by Oakland for the comeback, and this improved them to 9-5 while the Raiders fell to 7-7.
A little south and east, the Arizona Cardinals host the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland opened on a 1 yard Peyton Hillis touchdown run, and Phil Dawson supplied the extra point. Dawson also kicked a second quarter field goal from 44 yards for the Browns. Arizona got on the board and made it 10-7 at the half with John Skelton tossing a touchdown pass of 9 yards to Andre Roberts, with Jay Feely good on the extra point. Cleveland extended their lead in the third quarter as Seneca Wallace threw 76 yards to Greg little for a touchdown, and Dawson tallied his extra point. The Cardinals pulled back in the fourth quarter on a Beanie Wells touchdown run of a yard, and Feely made another extra point. Feely tied it for Arizona with a 33 yard field goal. The Cardinals beat the Browns in overtime on a 22 yard Feely field goal, and improved to 7-7 while sending the opposition to 4-10.
In the east, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New York Jets in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia started by recovering a fumble from Santonio Holmes and having Juqua Parker take it 47 yards for the touchdown, allowing Alex Henery the right to the extra point. The Eagles were a bit more conventional on the next touchdown, as Michael Vick threw 26 yards to Brent Celek for the score, and Henery made another extra point. Philadelphia continued the attack in the second quarter on an 11 yard Vick touchdown run, and Henery made another extra point. The Eagles pounded away when LeSean McCoy ran 9 yards for his touchdown, and Henery added on another extra point. New York finally got on the board with Nick Folk blasting in a 39 yard field goal. The Jets got some momentum with Mark Sanchez's 25 yard touchdown pass to Holmes, and a Folk extra point. The score at halftime was 28-13 due to New York getting a late field goal of 28 yards from Folk. Philadelphia added on again in the third quarter with a 1 yard McCoy touchdown run, and Henery was there to add the extra point. The Eagles also tallied on Henery's 28 yard field goal. Philadelphia stayed unstoppable with McCoy busting out a 33 yard touchdown run, and Henery supplying another extra point. The Jets got a few back, far too late, as Sanchez threw 9 yards to Plaxico Burress for the touchdown, but they failed on the two point attempt. This made it 45-19, and that was a final in the Eagles favor, allwoing them to advance to 6-8 and bring New York down to 8-6.
Finally, in Denver, the Broncos host the New England Patriots in a dream game for the media. Denver drew first blood with a 9 yard Tim Tebow touchdown run, but they failed the two point attempt. New England took the lead when Tom Brady threw 33 yards for a touchdown to Chad Ochocinco, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Broncos took the lead again as Lance Ball ran 32 yards for a touchdown, and Matt Prater got the shot this time to make the extra point. Prater also added a 26 yard field goal for Denver in the second quarter. The Patriots shot back with Brady finding Aaron Hernandez on a 1 yard touchdown pass, and Gostkowski added on another extra point. Gostkowski kicked a 21 yard field goal for New England after that, giving them the lead again. The Patriots extended the lead with Brady himself running 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski supplied the extra point. New England led 27-16 at halftime thanks to Gostkowski's 34 yard field goal. The Patriots added on late in the third quarter with a touchdown run of 10 yards for Danny Woodhead, and Gostkowski kicked another PAT. Denver got some back with Tebow running 2 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Prater's extra point made it 34-23. New England re-extended their lead with a 1 yard BenJarvus Green-Ellis touchdown run, and Gostkowski easily added the extra point. The Patriots won the game 41-23, and improved to 11-3 while taking Denver to 8-6.
A little south and east, the Arizona Cardinals host the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland opened on a 1 yard Peyton Hillis touchdown run, and Phil Dawson supplied the extra point. Dawson also kicked a second quarter field goal from 44 yards for the Browns. Arizona got on the board and made it 10-7 at the half with John Skelton tossing a touchdown pass of 9 yards to Andre Roberts, with Jay Feely good on the extra point. Cleveland extended their lead in the third quarter as Seneca Wallace threw 76 yards to Greg little for a touchdown, and Dawson tallied his extra point. The Cardinals pulled back in the fourth quarter on a Beanie Wells touchdown run of a yard, and Feely made another extra point. Feely tied it for Arizona with a 33 yard field goal. The Cardinals beat the Browns in overtime on a 22 yard Feely field goal, and improved to 7-7 while sending the opposition to 4-10.
In the east, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New York Jets in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia started by recovering a fumble from Santonio Holmes and having Juqua Parker take it 47 yards for the touchdown, allowing Alex Henery the right to the extra point. The Eagles were a bit more conventional on the next touchdown, as Michael Vick threw 26 yards to Brent Celek for the score, and Henery made another extra point. Philadelphia continued the attack in the second quarter on an 11 yard Vick touchdown run, and Henery made another extra point. The Eagles pounded away when LeSean McCoy ran 9 yards for his touchdown, and Henery added on another extra point. New York finally got on the board with Nick Folk blasting in a 39 yard field goal. The Jets got some momentum with Mark Sanchez's 25 yard touchdown pass to Holmes, and a Folk extra point. The score at halftime was 28-13 due to New York getting a late field goal of 28 yards from Folk. Philadelphia added on again in the third quarter with a 1 yard McCoy touchdown run, and Henery was there to add the extra point. The Eagles also tallied on Henery's 28 yard field goal. Philadelphia stayed unstoppable with McCoy busting out a 33 yard touchdown run, and Henery supplying another extra point. The Jets got a few back, far too late, as Sanchez threw 9 yards to Plaxico Burress for the touchdown, but they failed on the two point attempt. This made it 45-19, and that was a final in the Eagles favor, allwoing them to advance to 6-8 and bring New York down to 8-6.
Finally, in Denver, the Broncos host the New England Patriots in a dream game for the media. Denver drew first blood with a 9 yard Tim Tebow touchdown run, but they failed the two point attempt. New England took the lead when Tom Brady threw 33 yards for a touchdown to Chad Ochocinco, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Broncos took the lead again as Lance Ball ran 32 yards for a touchdown, and Matt Prater got the shot this time to make the extra point. Prater also added a 26 yard field goal for Denver in the second quarter. The Patriots shot back with Brady finding Aaron Hernandez on a 1 yard touchdown pass, and Gostkowski added on another extra point. Gostkowski kicked a 21 yard field goal for New England after that, giving them the lead again. The Patriots extended the lead with Brady himself running 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski supplied the extra point. New England led 27-16 at halftime thanks to Gostkowski's 34 yard field goal. The Patriots added on late in the third quarter with a touchdown run of 10 yards for Danny Woodhead, and Gostkowski kicked another PAT. Denver got some back with Tebow running 2 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Prater's extra point made it 34-23. New England re-extended their lead with a 1 yard BenJarvus Green-Ellis touchdown run, and Gostkowski easily added the extra point. The Patriots won the game 41-23, and improved to 11-3 while taking Denver to 8-6.
NFL Early Games week 15
There are eight early games on this week. First of all...
The Houston Texans host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina struck first with Cam Newton tossing a touchdown pass to Steve Smith 26 yards away, and Olindo Mare handled the extra point. The Panthers moved along in the second quarter on Newton's 9 yard touchdown to Jeremy Shockey, and Mare again handled the PAT. Carolina was up 21-0 at the half due to a 7 yard touchdown run by Richie Brockel, and Mare once again kicked an extra point. Houston got on the board in the third quarter with two Neil Rackers field goals, from 26 and 34 yards away. The Texans pulled closer with a 1 yard Arian Foster touchdown run in the fourth quarter, allowing a Rackers extra point. The Panthers put the game in the bag with a 24 yard DeAngelo Williams touchdown rush, and Mare's extra point made it 28-13. Carolina is now 5-9 while Houston is 10-4.
Up to Buffalo, where the Bills welcomed in the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo led off with C.J. Spiller rushing 24 yards for a touchdown, and Dave Rayner made the extra point. Miami tied it with a Matt Moore touchdown pass of 22 yards to Anthony Fasano, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point here. Carpenter left it at 13-7 Dolphins when halftime came after kicking two field goals, good from 20 and 26 yards out. Miami extended the lead in the third quarter when Moore found Brandon Marshall for a 65 yard touchdown connection, allowing Carpenter to kick a PAT. Carpenter added on for the Dolphins with another 26 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Bills tried to get some back as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed a 3 yard throw to Spiller for a touchdown, but the two-point attempt was a failure. Miami answered with Reggie Bush ripping off a 76 yard touchdown run, and Carpenter was true with the extra point. Buffalo answered back on Fitzpatrick's 2 yard touchdown to Derek Hagan, and Rayner was good with the extra point. Raynerr cut the score to 30-23 with a 34 yard field goal for the Bills, but they couldn't tie the game and lost. Both teams are now 5-9.
Down a bit to Indianapolis, where the Colts host the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis led off when Adam Vinatieri nailed a 47 yard field goal. Tennessee answered in the second quarter with a pair of Rob Bironas field goals for a 6-3 halftime score, good from 53 and 21 yards away. The Colts got going again in the third quarter as Dan Orlovsky threw 18 yards for a touchdown to Reggie Wayne, and Vinatieri made the extra point. Indianapolis got defensive on the next score, as Jacob Lacey picked off Matt Hasselbeck, and took it 32 yards to get the touchdown, allowing another Vinatieri PAT. Vinatieri also kicked a 40 yard field goal for Indianapolis in the fourth quarter. Jake Locker tried to rally the Titans with a 7 yard touchdown to Nate Washington and Bironas making the extra point. The Colts squashed the comeback with an 80 yard Donald Brown touchdown run, making it 27-13 after the Vinatieri extra point. This held as a final, giving the Colts a 1-13 record and the Titans a 7-7 marker.
A little to the west, the St. Louis Rams hosted the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati opened with Mike Nugent making a 21 yard field goal. St. Louis took a 6-3 lead into the locker rooms after field goals of 26 and 43 yards by Josh Brown. Nugent tied it for the Bengals in the third quarter on a 41 yard field goal kick. Cincinnati took the lead when Bernard Scott ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Nugent tallied the extra point. Cedric Benson extended the Bengal lead with a 4 yard touchdown run, and Nugent tacked on another PAT. The Rams got as close as 20-13 when Kellen Clemens found Danario Alexander on a 25 yard touchdown pass, and Brown made the extra point. This was a final, and the Bengals are now 8-6 while the Rams are 2-12.
North a tad to Chicago, as the Bears host the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle led off with a 2 yard Marshawn Lynch Skittle mission, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. Chicago quickly got it back as Tarvaris Jackson fumbled in the end zone and it was picked up by Israel Idonije, allowing Robbie Gould the tying extra point. The Bears led 14-7 at halftime thanks to Caleb Hanie tossing a 25 yard touchdown to Kahlil Bell, and Gould adding on another extra point. Lynch went for bag number two in the third quarter by rushing 3 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka retied the game with the extra point for the Seahawks. Seattle took the lead as Red Bryant intercepted Hanie and took it in 20 yards for a touchdown, allowing Hauschka another PAT. Hauschka also kicked a 33 yard field goal for the Seahawks near the end of the quarter. Jackson corrected his early mistake for Seattle by tossing a 2 yard touchdown to Michael Robinson, and Hauschka was there for the extra point yet again. The Seahawks iced the game at 38-14 when Brandon Browner pickd Hanie off and ran to the end zone for a touchdown play of 42 yards, allowing Hauschka a final extra point. Seattle is now 7-7, as is Chicago.
North again, as the Minnesota Vikings hosted the New Orleans Saints. Minnesota opened on a Ryan Longwell field goal of 44 yards. New Orleans replied with a 5 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Lance Moore, and John Kasay made the extra point. Longwell pulled the Vikings back in the second quarter on a 49 yard field goal. Brees and the Saints sped away again with a 1 yard touchdown to Jimmy Graham, and Kasay was there with the extra point. Minnesota got some back with Christian Ponder tossing a 10 yard touchdown pass to Toby Gerhart, and Longwell was true with the extra point. New Orleans would take a 21-13 lead into the locker rooms when Brees tossed a 13 yard touchdown to Darren Sproles, and Kasay once more made the extra point. Brees continued to throw well for the Saints in the third quarter by finding John Gilmore for a 2 yard touchdown reception, and Kasay kicked another PAT. Brees hooked up with Moore again to give New Orleans an even bigger lead, this time a 47 yard connection, and Kasay kicked another extra point. The Saints added to the domination in the fourth quarter when Pierre Thomas rushed 1 yard to get the touchdown, and Kasay supplied his last extra point of the game. The Vikings cut the deficit only to 42-20 when Ponder found Gerhart on a 16 yard touchdown pass, and Longwell finished the scoring with the extra point. New Orleans is now 11-3 while Minnesota is 2-12.
Back to Missouri, where the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Green Bay Packers. The score was 6-0 at halftime because of Kansas City's Ryan Succop kicked a 19 and a 32 yard field goal each in the first quarter, and scoring silence in the second quarter. The game picked up a bit in the third quarter as Green Bay took the lead when Aaron Rodgers passed 2 yard for a touchdown to Donald Driver, and Mason Crosby made the extra point. Succop gave the Chiefs the lead back with a 46 yard field goal. Succop also kicked a 20 yard field goal for Kansas City in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs took a larger lead with a 1 yard Jackie Battle touchdown run, allowing Succop to kick the extra point. The Packers got it to 19-14 with Rodgers rushing 8 yards to get a touchdown, and Crosby was good with the PAT, but they could not get any farther and they lost. Green Bay is now 13-1, the pursuit of a perfect season once again squashed, and Kansas City is now 6-8.
Finally, the New York Giants host the Washington Redskins. Washington started off with Graham Gano kicking a 36 yard field goal. Rex Grossman kept the Redskins going in the second quarter, by passing a touchdown to Santana Moss for 20 yards, and Gano made the extra point. Washington extended the lead again on Darrel Young's 6 yard touchdown rush and a Gano extra point. New York got on the board just before the half with a Lawrence Tynes field goal of 40 yards, for a 17-3 score. The Redskins went back on the attack in the third quarter with Gano blasting a 43 yard field goal. Washington added on again in the fourth quarter with Gano's 25 yard field goal. The Giants made it 23-10, and got no further points after that, when Ahmad Bradshaw ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes kicked in a PAT. Washington improves to 5-9 while dropping New York to 7-7.
The Houston Texans host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina struck first with Cam Newton tossing a touchdown pass to Steve Smith 26 yards away, and Olindo Mare handled the extra point. The Panthers moved along in the second quarter on Newton's 9 yard touchdown to Jeremy Shockey, and Mare again handled the PAT. Carolina was up 21-0 at the half due to a 7 yard touchdown run by Richie Brockel, and Mare once again kicked an extra point. Houston got on the board in the third quarter with two Neil Rackers field goals, from 26 and 34 yards away. The Texans pulled closer with a 1 yard Arian Foster touchdown run in the fourth quarter, allowing a Rackers extra point. The Panthers put the game in the bag with a 24 yard DeAngelo Williams touchdown rush, and Mare's extra point made it 28-13. Carolina is now 5-9 while Houston is 10-4.
Up to Buffalo, where the Bills welcomed in the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo led off with C.J. Spiller rushing 24 yards for a touchdown, and Dave Rayner made the extra point. Miami tied it with a Matt Moore touchdown pass of 22 yards to Anthony Fasano, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point here. Carpenter left it at 13-7 Dolphins when halftime came after kicking two field goals, good from 20 and 26 yards out. Miami extended the lead in the third quarter when Moore found Brandon Marshall for a 65 yard touchdown connection, allowing Carpenter to kick a PAT. Carpenter added on for the Dolphins with another 26 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Bills tried to get some back as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed a 3 yard throw to Spiller for a touchdown, but the two-point attempt was a failure. Miami answered with Reggie Bush ripping off a 76 yard touchdown run, and Carpenter was true with the extra point. Buffalo answered back on Fitzpatrick's 2 yard touchdown to Derek Hagan, and Rayner was good with the extra point. Raynerr cut the score to 30-23 with a 34 yard field goal for the Bills, but they couldn't tie the game and lost. Both teams are now 5-9.
Down a bit to Indianapolis, where the Colts host the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis led off when Adam Vinatieri nailed a 47 yard field goal. Tennessee answered in the second quarter with a pair of Rob Bironas field goals for a 6-3 halftime score, good from 53 and 21 yards away. The Colts got going again in the third quarter as Dan Orlovsky threw 18 yards for a touchdown to Reggie Wayne, and Vinatieri made the extra point. Indianapolis got defensive on the next score, as Jacob Lacey picked off Matt Hasselbeck, and took it 32 yards to get the touchdown, allowing another Vinatieri PAT. Vinatieri also kicked a 40 yard field goal for Indianapolis in the fourth quarter. Jake Locker tried to rally the Titans with a 7 yard touchdown to Nate Washington and Bironas making the extra point. The Colts squashed the comeback with an 80 yard Donald Brown touchdown run, making it 27-13 after the Vinatieri extra point. This held as a final, giving the Colts a 1-13 record and the Titans a 7-7 marker.
A little to the west, the St. Louis Rams hosted the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati opened with Mike Nugent making a 21 yard field goal. St. Louis took a 6-3 lead into the locker rooms after field goals of 26 and 43 yards by Josh Brown. Nugent tied it for the Bengals in the third quarter on a 41 yard field goal kick. Cincinnati took the lead when Bernard Scott ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Nugent tallied the extra point. Cedric Benson extended the Bengal lead with a 4 yard touchdown run, and Nugent tacked on another PAT. The Rams got as close as 20-13 when Kellen Clemens found Danario Alexander on a 25 yard touchdown pass, and Brown made the extra point. This was a final, and the Bengals are now 8-6 while the Rams are 2-12.
North a tad to Chicago, as the Bears host the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle led off with a 2 yard Marshawn Lynch Skittle mission, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. Chicago quickly got it back as Tarvaris Jackson fumbled in the end zone and it was picked up by Israel Idonije, allowing Robbie Gould the tying extra point. The Bears led 14-7 at halftime thanks to Caleb Hanie tossing a 25 yard touchdown to Kahlil Bell, and Gould adding on another extra point. Lynch went for bag number two in the third quarter by rushing 3 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka retied the game with the extra point for the Seahawks. Seattle took the lead as Red Bryant intercepted Hanie and took it in 20 yards for a touchdown, allowing Hauschka another PAT. Hauschka also kicked a 33 yard field goal for the Seahawks near the end of the quarter. Jackson corrected his early mistake for Seattle by tossing a 2 yard touchdown to Michael Robinson, and Hauschka was there for the extra point yet again. The Seahawks iced the game at 38-14 when Brandon Browner pickd Hanie off and ran to the end zone for a touchdown play of 42 yards, allowing Hauschka a final extra point. Seattle is now 7-7, as is Chicago.
North again, as the Minnesota Vikings hosted the New Orleans Saints. Minnesota opened on a Ryan Longwell field goal of 44 yards. New Orleans replied with a 5 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Lance Moore, and John Kasay made the extra point. Longwell pulled the Vikings back in the second quarter on a 49 yard field goal. Brees and the Saints sped away again with a 1 yard touchdown to Jimmy Graham, and Kasay was there with the extra point. Minnesota got some back with Christian Ponder tossing a 10 yard touchdown pass to Toby Gerhart, and Longwell was true with the extra point. New Orleans would take a 21-13 lead into the locker rooms when Brees tossed a 13 yard touchdown to Darren Sproles, and Kasay once more made the extra point. Brees continued to throw well for the Saints in the third quarter by finding John Gilmore for a 2 yard touchdown reception, and Kasay kicked another PAT. Brees hooked up with Moore again to give New Orleans an even bigger lead, this time a 47 yard connection, and Kasay kicked another extra point. The Saints added to the domination in the fourth quarter when Pierre Thomas rushed 1 yard to get the touchdown, and Kasay supplied his last extra point of the game. The Vikings cut the deficit only to 42-20 when Ponder found Gerhart on a 16 yard touchdown pass, and Longwell finished the scoring with the extra point. New Orleans is now 11-3 while Minnesota is 2-12.
Back to Missouri, where the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Green Bay Packers. The score was 6-0 at halftime because of Kansas City's Ryan Succop kicked a 19 and a 32 yard field goal each in the first quarter, and scoring silence in the second quarter. The game picked up a bit in the third quarter as Green Bay took the lead when Aaron Rodgers passed 2 yard for a touchdown to Donald Driver, and Mason Crosby made the extra point. Succop gave the Chiefs the lead back with a 46 yard field goal. Succop also kicked a 20 yard field goal for Kansas City in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs took a larger lead with a 1 yard Jackie Battle touchdown run, allowing Succop to kick the extra point. The Packers got it to 19-14 with Rodgers rushing 8 yards to get a touchdown, and Crosby was good with the PAT, but they could not get any farther and they lost. Green Bay is now 13-1, the pursuit of a perfect season once again squashed, and Kansas City is now 6-8.
Finally, the New York Giants host the Washington Redskins. Washington started off with Graham Gano kicking a 36 yard field goal. Rex Grossman kept the Redskins going in the second quarter, by passing a touchdown to Santana Moss for 20 yards, and Gano made the extra point. Washington extended the lead again on Darrel Young's 6 yard touchdown rush and a Gano extra point. New York got on the board just before the half with a Lawrence Tynes field goal of 40 yards, for a 17-3 score. The Redskins went back on the attack in the third quarter with Gano blasting a 43 yard field goal. Washington added on again in the fourth quarter with Gano's 25 yard field goal. The Giants made it 23-10, and got no further points after that, when Ahmad Bradshaw ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes kicked in a PAT. Washington improves to 5-9 while dropping New York to 7-7.
Saturday Night Football week 15
The game this Saturday night is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo got Dallas going with an 8 yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin, and Dan Bailey made the extra point. Romo then add on for the Cowboys with an 8 yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, and Bailey made another extra point. Romo upped the distance a bit in the second quarter, good for a touchdown of 9 yards to Laurent Robinson, and Bailey was true with the extra point again. Romo then chose to run a 1 yard touchdown in, and the extra point from Bailey made it 28-0 Cowboys at halftime. Romo kept getting involved in the scoring, but this time it was his fumble and the 7 yard touchdown return of it by Dekoda Watson that was the scoring play, and Connor Barth made the extra point. Bailey answered for Dallas with a 30 yard field goal. The Buccaneers made it 31-15 after Josh Freeman found Dezmon Briscoe for a 13 yard touchdown pass and Kellen Winslow on the two-point conversion. The fourth quarter was silent, leaving the above score as a final, moving the Cowboys to 8-6 and Tampa Bay down to 4-10.
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