Congratulations are in order for yesterday's post, the 500th on this blog in well under 500 days. Thanks to everyone who's stopped by to check it out. We are nearing 2,500 hits, so there's been quite a few of you out there. On to today's hockey, the last of the year, beginning with a few matinee games.
First up, the New York Islanders host the similarly colored Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Evgeni Nabokov picked up the starts. New York began with a John Tavares goal, his thirteenth of the season coming on the power play from P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson. Edmonton answered on a Sam Gagner goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Corey Potter and Andy Sutton. The Islanders answered back on a Moulson goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, assisted by Tavares and Kyle Okposo. New York added on in the second period with a Parenteau power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Moulson and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders made it 4-1 with Matt Martin's fourth of the year, courtesy of Josh Bailey and Michael Grabner. The third period was scoreless, so this was a final, and the three stars went to Tavares, Moulson, and Martin, while Parenteau earns an honorable mention.
Staying in the region, the New Jersey Devils welcomed the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Brodeur were in goal. New Jersey led off with Ilya Kovalchuk converting a penalty shot as his twelfth of the season, coming after Brooks Orpik covered the puck. The Devils added on with a David Clarkson goal, his thirteenth of the year coming on the power play from Patrik Elias and Kovalchuk. The scoring resumed with Pittsburgh in the third period as Chris Kunitz notched his thirteenth of the season on the power play, powered by Matt Niskanen and Steve Sullivan. New Jersey iced it 3-1 with an empty net goal by Zach Parise, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Elias and Kovalchuk. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Clarkson, and Elias.
Down to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Mathieu Garon play in the blue paint. Steven Stamkos put Tampa Bay on the board first with his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Steve Downie. Carolina tied it when Justin Faulk netted his second of the year, a power play goal made possible by Drayson Bowman and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period when Jay Harrison scored on the power play, his third of the season, pushed through by Staal and Jamie McBain. The Lightning retied it as Stamkos scored again, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by St. Louis and Downie. Stamkos finished a hat trick in the third period as he made his twenty-sixth of the season, a power play goal where St. Louis wrapped up a sock trick and Ryan Malone had the other assist. The Lightning kept going with a Teddy Purcell goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Malone and Brett Clark. Tampa Bay added on when Downie put his sixth of the season away, with the help of Malone, who earns a sock trick and Tom Pyatt. The final was 5-2, with the three stars awarded to Stamkos, St. Louis, and Downie, while Malone and Staal earn honorable mentions.
Up to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Phoenix Coyotes. Curtis McElhinney went up against Niklas Backstrom in net. Minnesota struck first in the second period as Pierre-Marc Bouchard netted his ninth of the season, courtesy of Nick Johnson and Matt Cullen. Phoenix answered on a Daymond Langkow power play goal, his sixth of the year, an unassisted tally. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period on a pair of Radim Vrbata goals, his seventeenth and eighteenth of the campaign, with assists doled out to Ray Whitney, Kyle Chipchura, and Keith Yandle. The Wild got one back as Cullen potted his tenth of the season a penalty shot. Whitney iced the game for Phoenix with his fourteenth of the year, and empty net goal made possible by Rostislav Klesla. Vrbata, Cullen, and Bouchard took home the three stars in the 4-2 game, while Whitney also played well.
Now at the regular times, the Winnipeg Jets host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ondrej Pavelec received the starting nods. Toronto drew first blood with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his eleventh of the season, from Carl Gunnarsson and Dion Phaneuf on the power play. Winnipeg answered in the second period with a Zach Bogosian power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Tobias Enstrom and Antti Miettinen. The Jets took the lead with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twelfth of the campaign, assisted by Kyle Wellwood and Johnny Oduya. The Maple Leafs replied on a Phil Kessel goal, his twenty-first of the season, set up by Tim Connolly and Phaneuf. Winnipeg took a 3-2 lead on another power play goal, this time Blake Wheeler's sixth of the year, thanks to Ron Hainsey and Miettinen. There was no third period scoring, leaving this as a final, and giving the three stars to Wheeler, Bogosian, and Kessel, while Miettinen and Phaneuf also played well.
Eastward to Buffalo, as the Sabres welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson will oppose Jhonas Enroth from 200 feet away. Buffalo led off with a Brad Boyes goal, his third of the season, a power play goal made possible by Jordan Leopold and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Matt Carkner answered for Ottawa in the second period, and he was helped by Kyle Turris and Erik Condra. The Sabres took the lead back with a Paul Gaustad goal, his third of the year, via Leopold and Brayden McNabb. The Senators tied it up again on the fifth of the campaign by Chris Neil, fueled by Condra and Zack Smith. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Ottawa toppled Buffalo 3-2 on Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, and Bobby Butler tallies, overpowering scores by Boyes and Jason Pominville. The three stars were Enroth (44 for 46 in saves), Leopold, and Anderson (26 for 28 in saves), while Condra gets an honorable mention.
Across the Great Lakes, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Detroit busted things open in the second period with a Johan Franzen goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings extended the lead with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Drew Miller. Detroit made it 3-0 with Jiri Hudler notching his ninth of the campaign, with the help of Valtteri Filppula and Henrik Zetterberg. The third period was silent, so this was a final. The three stars were awarded to Howard (31 save shutout), Abdelkader, and Hudler.
South a tad to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Steve Mason are the masked men. Columbus got things going in the second period with the second of the season by John Moore, assisted by Rick Nash and Jeff Carter. The Blue Jackets added on with a Samuel Pahlsson goal, his second of the year, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Marc Methot. Washington got on the board in the third period with an unassisted Alex Ovechkin goal, his fifteenth of the season. Alexander Semin tied it for the Capitals on his tenth of the year, courtesy of Dennis Wideman and Nicklas Backstrom. Wideman quickly gave Washington the lead after that, netting his sixth of the season just twenty-eight seconds later, with the help of Marcus Johansson and Roman Hamrlik. The Capitals iced it 4-2 with another Ovechkin goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Dmitry Orlov and Karl Alzner. The three stars were given to Ovechkin, Wideman, ad Pahlsson.
Back to Florida, where the Panthers host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jose Theodore are in the creases, but Scott Clemmensen had to relieve Thoedore in the second period due to injury. Travis Moen got things started for Montreal with his ninth of the season, coming off of Lars Eller and Tomas Kaberle. Florida answered in the second period with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Stephen Weiss and Brian Campbell on the power play. The Panthers added on in the third period with a Shawn Matthias goal, his seventh of the campaign, and Ed Jovanovski had the lone assist. Florida made it 3-1 with another Fleischmann goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, pushed through by Jason Garrison. The Canadiens made a late comeback attempt just eleven seconds later with an Erik Cole goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Yannick Weber and David Desharnais. The final held at 3-2 Panthers, and Fleischmann, Matthias, and Clemmensen (17 for 18 in saves) earned the three stars.
Across the southern end of the USA, the Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere went up against his old team, while Jonas Hiller guarded the opposite goalmouth. Milan Hejduk got things going for Colorado on his tenth of the season, assisted by Ryan O'Reilly. Kyle Quincey added on for the Avalanche in the second period with his fourth of the year, made possible by Stefan Elliott and Kevin Porter. Colorado kept it up with a Chuck Kobasew goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Jay McClement and Ryan O'Byrne. Anaheim got on the board with a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Bobby Ryan and Saku Koivu. The Avalanche replied in the third period with another Hejduk goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog. The Ducks cut it down to 4-2, as close as it would get, when Ryan potted his thirteenth of the year, with a little help from Koivu and Cam Fowler. The three stars were O'Reilly, Hejduk, and Visnovsky, while Ryan and Koivu played well as well.
Back to the east a tad, as the Dallas Stars host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Kari Lehtonen tend the twines. Dallas led off with a Loui Eriksson goal, his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alex Goligoski and Trevor Daley. Boston answered when Tyler Seguin recorded his fifteenth of the year, with the help of David Krejci. Daley shot back for the Stars on his fourth of the season, and Tom Wandell picked up the lone assist. Dallas extended the lead with a Michael Ryder power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Jamie Benn and Daley. Wandell pushed the Stars farther ahead with his second of the season in the second period, helped along by Adam Burish and Benn. The Bruins cut it down to 4-2 in the third period with a Milan Lucic goal, his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Krejci and Dennis Seidenberg. This was a final, and the three stars belonged to Daley, Benn, and Wandell, with honorable mention for Krejci.
Finally, the last game of 2011 is in Los Angeles, where the Kings host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Vancouver opened with a Kevin Bieksa goal, his fourth of the season, with help from Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Los Angeles replied on a Brad Richardson goal, his third of the year, fueled by Andrei Loktionov and Slava Voynov. The Kings took the lead in the second period with Matt Greene nailing his second of the season, with the help of Loktionov. Los Angeles extended the lead with an Anze Kopitar goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Justin Williams and Jack Johnson. The Kings added on again with a power play goal by Williams, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Voynov and Jarret Stoll. This made it 4-1, the eventual final, and the three stars went to Greene, Kopitar, and Quick (27 for 28 in saves), while Loktionov and Voynov also played well.
Everyone please have a safe and happy New Year, and I appreciate the continued support. Best of luck to all in 2012.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
NHL Day 86 2011-2012
Just five games on tonight, beginning with...
The Washington Capitals hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Tomas Vokoun tend the twines. Washington led off with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from the goalie Vokoun. The Capitals extended the lead in the second period with Nicklas Backstrom potting his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Alexander Semin and Roman Hamrlik. Buffalo got on the board when Jochen Hecht notched his fourth of the season, with help from Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Washington made it 3-1 with another Ovechkin goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, fueled by Backstrom and Semin. This went to be finalized, with Vokoun (25 for 26 in saves), Ovechkin, and Backstrom getting the three stars, while Semin gets an honorable mention.
Up to the other nationals capital, as the Ottawa Senators host the Calgary Flames. Backups Leland Irving and Alex Auld are in net. Calgary led off with a Rene Bourque goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. The Flames added on with the fifteenth of the year for Curtis Glencross, a power play goal, powered by Jay Bouwmeester and Jarome Iginla. Calgary struck again with a Chris Butler goal, set up by Anton Babchuk and Mikael Backlund. Ottawa got on the board with a Nick Foligno goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Sergei Gonchar. The Senators pulled closer as Zack Smith recorded his eleventh of the year, coming off of Brian Lee and Chris Phillips. Ottawa tied it as Erik Karlsson registered his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. The game went to overtime, where the Senators downed the Flames with a Daniel Alfredsson power play goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Karlsson and Chris Neil. The three stars were awarded to Alfredsson, Karlsson, and Bouwmeester in the 4-3 game.
To the south, the Florida Panthers welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Scott Clemmensen received the starts, but Jose Theodore relieved Clemmensen in the first period. New York started off with a Carl Hagelin goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers added on with a Brad Richards goal, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Jeff Woywitka. New York extended the lead again with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his fifth of the season, with the assists provided by Richards and Hagelin. The Rangers kept the attack up in the second period, as Brandon Dubinsky netted his fourth of the year, guided in by McDonagh. Florida got on the board with the second of the season for Matt Bradley, pushed through by Erik Gudbranson. New York held on for a 4-1 win, and the three stars were awarded to Richards, Lundqvist (27 for 28 in saves), and Bradley, while Hagelin and McDonagh earn honorable mentions.
Out west, the St. Louis Blues host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak are in front of the cages. Nashville was first to score, as Matt Halischuk deposited his eighth of the season, via Roman Josi. St. Louis replied with a T.J. Oshie goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of David Backes and David Perron. This tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where the Predators took the game 2-1 on a lone tally by Martin Erat, to topple the Blues. The three stars were handed out to Rinne (35 for 36 in saves), Halak (33 for 34 in saves), and Erat.
Finally, in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford will be playing from the creases. Justin Abdelkader opened things up for Detroit with his third of the season, thanks to Drew Miller and Danny Cleary. Chicago answered with the twenty-first of the year by Jonathan Toews, occurring on a penalty shot from a Nicklas Lidstrom hook. The Red Wings got the lead back on Todd Bertuzzi's second period goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Mike Commodore and Jonatha Ericsson. The Blackhawks retied it with Marian Hossa's goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Dan Carcillo and Nick Leddy. Chicago took the lead in the third period on a Brent Seabrook goal, his second of the season, set up by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The final was 3-2 Blackhawks, and the three stars were awarded to Hossa, Toews, and Seabrook.
The Washington Capitals hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Tomas Vokoun tend the twines. Washington led off with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from the goalie Vokoun. The Capitals extended the lead in the second period with Nicklas Backstrom potting his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Alexander Semin and Roman Hamrlik. Buffalo got on the board when Jochen Hecht notched his fourth of the season, with help from Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Washington made it 3-1 with another Ovechkin goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, fueled by Backstrom and Semin. This went to be finalized, with Vokoun (25 for 26 in saves), Ovechkin, and Backstrom getting the three stars, while Semin gets an honorable mention.
Up to the other nationals capital, as the Ottawa Senators host the Calgary Flames. Backups Leland Irving and Alex Auld are in net. Calgary led off with a Rene Bourque goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. The Flames added on with the fifteenth of the year for Curtis Glencross, a power play goal, powered by Jay Bouwmeester and Jarome Iginla. Calgary struck again with a Chris Butler goal, set up by Anton Babchuk and Mikael Backlund. Ottawa got on the board with a Nick Foligno goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Sergei Gonchar. The Senators pulled closer as Zack Smith recorded his eleventh of the year, coming off of Brian Lee and Chris Phillips. Ottawa tied it as Erik Karlsson registered his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. The game went to overtime, where the Senators downed the Flames with a Daniel Alfredsson power play goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Karlsson and Chris Neil. The three stars were awarded to Alfredsson, Karlsson, and Bouwmeester in the 4-3 game.
To the south, the Florida Panthers welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Scott Clemmensen received the starts, but Jose Theodore relieved Clemmensen in the first period. New York started off with a Carl Hagelin goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers added on with a Brad Richards goal, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Jeff Woywitka. New York extended the lead again with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his fifth of the season, with the assists provided by Richards and Hagelin. The Rangers kept the attack up in the second period, as Brandon Dubinsky netted his fourth of the year, guided in by McDonagh. Florida got on the board with the second of the season for Matt Bradley, pushed through by Erik Gudbranson. New York held on for a 4-1 win, and the three stars were awarded to Richards, Lundqvist (27 for 28 in saves), and Bradley, while Hagelin and McDonagh earn honorable mentions.
Out west, the St. Louis Blues host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak are in front of the cages. Nashville was first to score, as Matt Halischuk deposited his eighth of the season, via Roman Josi. St. Louis replied with a T.J. Oshie goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of David Backes and David Perron. This tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where the Predators took the game 2-1 on a lone tally by Martin Erat, to topple the Blues. The three stars were handed out to Rinne (35 for 36 in saves), Halak (33 for 34 in saves), and Erat.
Finally, in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford will be playing from the creases. Justin Abdelkader opened things up for Detroit with his third of the season, thanks to Drew Miller and Danny Cleary. Chicago answered with the twenty-first of the year by Jonathan Toews, occurring on a penalty shot from a Nicklas Lidstrom hook. The Red Wings got the lead back on Todd Bertuzzi's second period goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Mike Commodore and Jonatha Ericsson. The Blackhawks retied it with Marian Hossa's goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Dan Carcillo and Nick Leddy. Chicago took the lead in the third period on a Brent Seabrook goal, his second of the season, set up by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The final was 3-2 Blackhawks, and the three stars were awarded to Hossa, Toews, and Seabrook.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
NHL Day 85 2011-2012
Nine games are going tonight as the year winds down a bit. We begin with...
The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Cam Ward will play goal. Carolina led off with a Brandon Sutter goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Drayson Bowman. Toronto answered in the second period when Nazem Kadri made his third of the year, courtesy of Clarke MacArthur. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead in the third period with a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Darryl Boyce and Mikhail Grabovski. Toronto extended the lead when Joffrey Lupul notched his seventeenth of the year, with a lone helper from Phil Kessel. The Hurricanes got one back with an Eric Staal goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Zac Dalpe and Jiri Tlusty. Carolina tied it with a Dalpe goal, set up by Tlusty and Staal. The game lasted to overtime, where Staal scored for the Hurricanes with his second of the game and ninth of the year, a power play goal powered by Justin Faulk and Jamie McBain to win 4-3 over the Maple Leafs. The three stars went to Staal, Sutter, and Dalpe, while Tlusty had a good game too.
Up to New York, where the Islanders welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Evgeni Nabokov tend the twines. Calgary opened with a Tim Jackman goal, assisted by Tom Kostopoulos and Brendan Morrison. New York tied it on an Andrew MacDonald goal in the second period, his third of the season, made possible by P.A. Parenteau and John Tavares. The Islanders went ahead in the third period on a Tavares goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Kyle Okposo. New York iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Brian Rolston, his fourth of the campaign, fueled by Parenteau and Nielsen. Tavares, Nabokov (29 for 30 in saves), and MacDonald were the three stars, while Parenteau earns an honorable mentions.
Into Pennsylvania, with the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury play in the creases. Pittsburgh led off with Jordan Staal recording his fifteenth of the season, via Tyler Kennedy. Philadelphia answered on a Kimmo Timonen power play goal, powered by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with the twelfth of the year by Jaromir Jagr, assisted by Giroux and Matt Carle to the chagrin of the home crowd. Philadelphia extended the lead on Matt Read's twelfth of the season, courtesy of Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek. The Penguins got one back in the third period as Kennedy put his fifth of the year away, thanks to Evgeni Malkin and Simon Despres. The Flyers iced it at 4-2 with a Max Talbot empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, with help from Voracek and Couturier. The three stars went to Giroux, Kennedy, and Read, while Couturier and Voracek also played well.
Far to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mathieu Garon get the starting nods. Tampa Bay led off with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie. Montreal answered with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his eighth of the year coming on the power play from David Desharnais and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens grabbed the lead in the second period when Desharnais netted his sixth of the season, with help from Andrei Kostitsyn and Diaz. Montreal struck again with an Erik Cole goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Max Pacioretty and Tomas Kaberle. The Lightning got one back as J.T. Wyman scored, coming off of Teddy Purcell and Matt Gilroy. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on a Marc-Andre Bergeron goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Downie and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning took the lead when Vincent Lecavalier deposited his thirteenth of the year, set up by Wyman and Dominic Moore. This 4-3 score held up to be a final, and the three stars were awarded to Stamkos, Wyman, and Desharnais, while Diaz and Downie also played well.
Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Niklas Backstrom will oppose each other from the nets. Edmonton struck first with a Taylor Hall goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Jordan Eberle and Tom Gilbert. Minnesota answered when Mikko Koivu netted his ninth of the year, pushed through by Marek Zidlicky and Greg Zanon. The Wild took the lead with a Jarod Palmer goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota extended the lead with Pierre-Marc Bouchard recording his eighth of the season, thanks to Zidlicky and Zanon. The Oilers got one back with Ladislav Smid netting his third of the year, courtesy of Hall and Ben Eager. The Wild replied with Dany Heatley's twelfth of the season, made possible by Zidlicky for a sock trick and Koivu. Devan Dubnyk replaced Khabibulin in the Edmonton goal for the third period. The Oilers got one back in the third period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his eighth of the year, with Ryan Smyth getting the lone helper. This was it for the scoring, giving Minnesota a 4-3 win. The three stars were officially Matt Kassian, Nate Prosser, and Palmer, while much more deserving players would be Zidlicky, Koivu, Zanon, or Hall.
North again to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Backups Jonathan Bernier and Chris Mason are in front of the goals. The game was completely scoreless until an Evander Kane goal in overtime, his eighteenth of the campaign, assisted by Ron Hainsey and Blake Wheeler. Mason (31 save shutout), Bernier (26 for 27 in saves), and Tobias Enstrom got the three stars, while Kane is most deserving.
Southward quite a ways to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason takes on a returning-from-injury goalie, Kari Lehtonen. Columbus got on the board first with the eleventh of the season for Rick Nash, assisted by Ryan Johansen. Dallas tied it with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his fifth of the year, and the assists came from Radek Dvorak and Nicklas Grossman. The Blue Jackets took the lead back with a second period Antoine Vermette goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by John Moore and Mark Letestu. Columbus extended the lead in the third period on another Nash goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of Moore and Nikita Nikitin. The Blue Jackets finished it at 4-1 with a Fedor Tyutin empty net goal, his third of the campaign, pushed through by R.J. Umberger and Marc Methot. The three stars were given to Nash, Mason (36 for 37 in saves), and Lehtonen (25 for 28 in saves), while Moore also performed well.
Moving into the Rockies, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado was on the board first with a Kevin Porter goal, his third of the season, thanks to Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog. Phoenix tied it with Mikkel Boedker sinking his sixth of the year, with help from Kyle Chipchura and Taylor Pyatt. The Avalanche took the lead back on Stefan Elliott goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by T.J. Galiardi and Kyle Quincey. The Coyotes got another equalizer as Boedker potted his second of the game and seventh of the year, guided in by Pyatt and Chipchura. Colorado took the lead back in the third period when Landeskog notched his eighth of the season, via Chuck Kobasew and Shane O'Brien. This was the decisive tally, giving the Avalanche a 3-2 win, and the three stars were Landeskog, Varlamov (25 for 27 in saves), and Boedker, while Chipchura and Pyatt also played well.
Finally, we wrap up in Anaheim, where the Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Jonas Hiller play between the pipes. Vancouver was first on the board with a Henrik Sedin netting his tenth of the season, courtesy of Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks extended the lead with a Cody Hodgson goal, his eighth of the year, thanks to Dale Weise and Keith Ballard. Vancouver attacked again in the second period with a Mason Raymond goal, his fourth of the season, pushed through by Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. The Canucks kept going with Daniel Sedin scoring his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Henrik and Kevin Bieksa. Dan Ellis relieved Hiller at this time. Anaheim got on the board in the third period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his twelfth of the season, aided by Teemu Selanne and Luca Sbisa. The Ducks got another with Nick Bonino netting his second of the year, with the help of Andrew Gordon and Matt Beleskey. Vancouver made it 5-2 with Daniel's second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, assisted by Henrik and Burrows. This was a final, and the three stars were given to Henrik, Ryan, and Edler, while Burrows and Daniel were the honorable mentions.
The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Cam Ward will play goal. Carolina led off with a Brandon Sutter goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Drayson Bowman. Toronto answered in the second period when Nazem Kadri made his third of the year, courtesy of Clarke MacArthur. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead in the third period with a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Darryl Boyce and Mikhail Grabovski. Toronto extended the lead when Joffrey Lupul notched his seventeenth of the year, with a lone helper from Phil Kessel. The Hurricanes got one back with an Eric Staal goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Zac Dalpe and Jiri Tlusty. Carolina tied it with a Dalpe goal, set up by Tlusty and Staal. The game lasted to overtime, where Staal scored for the Hurricanes with his second of the game and ninth of the year, a power play goal powered by Justin Faulk and Jamie McBain to win 4-3 over the Maple Leafs. The three stars went to Staal, Sutter, and Dalpe, while Tlusty had a good game too.
Up to New York, where the Islanders welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Evgeni Nabokov tend the twines. Calgary opened with a Tim Jackman goal, assisted by Tom Kostopoulos and Brendan Morrison. New York tied it on an Andrew MacDonald goal in the second period, his third of the season, made possible by P.A. Parenteau and John Tavares. The Islanders went ahead in the third period on a Tavares goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Kyle Okposo. New York iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Brian Rolston, his fourth of the campaign, fueled by Parenteau and Nielsen. Tavares, Nabokov (29 for 30 in saves), and MacDonald were the three stars, while Parenteau earns an honorable mentions.
Into Pennsylvania, with the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury play in the creases. Pittsburgh led off with Jordan Staal recording his fifteenth of the season, via Tyler Kennedy. Philadelphia answered on a Kimmo Timonen power play goal, powered by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with the twelfth of the year by Jaromir Jagr, assisted by Giroux and Matt Carle to the chagrin of the home crowd. Philadelphia extended the lead on Matt Read's twelfth of the season, courtesy of Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek. The Penguins got one back in the third period as Kennedy put his fifth of the year away, thanks to Evgeni Malkin and Simon Despres. The Flyers iced it at 4-2 with a Max Talbot empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, with help from Voracek and Couturier. The three stars went to Giroux, Kennedy, and Read, while Couturier and Voracek also played well.
Far to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mathieu Garon get the starting nods. Tampa Bay led off with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie. Montreal answered with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his eighth of the year coming on the power play from David Desharnais and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens grabbed the lead in the second period when Desharnais netted his sixth of the season, with help from Andrei Kostitsyn and Diaz. Montreal struck again with an Erik Cole goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Max Pacioretty and Tomas Kaberle. The Lightning got one back as J.T. Wyman scored, coming off of Teddy Purcell and Matt Gilroy. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on a Marc-Andre Bergeron goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Downie and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning took the lead when Vincent Lecavalier deposited his thirteenth of the year, set up by Wyman and Dominic Moore. This 4-3 score held up to be a final, and the three stars were awarded to Stamkos, Wyman, and Desharnais, while Diaz and Downie also played well.
Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Niklas Backstrom will oppose each other from the nets. Edmonton struck first with a Taylor Hall goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Jordan Eberle and Tom Gilbert. Minnesota answered when Mikko Koivu netted his ninth of the year, pushed through by Marek Zidlicky and Greg Zanon. The Wild took the lead with a Jarod Palmer goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota extended the lead with Pierre-Marc Bouchard recording his eighth of the season, thanks to Zidlicky and Zanon. The Oilers got one back with Ladislav Smid netting his third of the year, courtesy of Hall and Ben Eager. The Wild replied with Dany Heatley's twelfth of the season, made possible by Zidlicky for a sock trick and Koivu. Devan Dubnyk replaced Khabibulin in the Edmonton goal for the third period. The Oilers got one back in the third period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his eighth of the year, with Ryan Smyth getting the lone helper. This was it for the scoring, giving Minnesota a 4-3 win. The three stars were officially Matt Kassian, Nate Prosser, and Palmer, while much more deserving players would be Zidlicky, Koivu, Zanon, or Hall.
North again to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Backups Jonathan Bernier and Chris Mason are in front of the goals. The game was completely scoreless until an Evander Kane goal in overtime, his eighteenth of the campaign, assisted by Ron Hainsey and Blake Wheeler. Mason (31 save shutout), Bernier (26 for 27 in saves), and Tobias Enstrom got the three stars, while Kane is most deserving.
Southward quite a ways to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason takes on a returning-from-injury goalie, Kari Lehtonen. Columbus got on the board first with the eleventh of the season for Rick Nash, assisted by Ryan Johansen. Dallas tied it with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his fifth of the year, and the assists came from Radek Dvorak and Nicklas Grossman. The Blue Jackets took the lead back with a second period Antoine Vermette goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by John Moore and Mark Letestu. Columbus extended the lead in the third period on another Nash goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of Moore and Nikita Nikitin. The Blue Jackets finished it at 4-1 with a Fedor Tyutin empty net goal, his third of the campaign, pushed through by R.J. Umberger and Marc Methot. The three stars were given to Nash, Mason (36 for 37 in saves), and Lehtonen (25 for 28 in saves), while Moore also performed well.
Moving into the Rockies, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado was on the board first with a Kevin Porter goal, his third of the season, thanks to Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog. Phoenix tied it with Mikkel Boedker sinking his sixth of the year, with help from Kyle Chipchura and Taylor Pyatt. The Avalanche took the lead back on Stefan Elliott goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by T.J. Galiardi and Kyle Quincey. The Coyotes got another equalizer as Boedker potted his second of the game and seventh of the year, guided in by Pyatt and Chipchura. Colorado took the lead back in the third period when Landeskog notched his eighth of the season, via Chuck Kobasew and Shane O'Brien. This was the decisive tally, giving the Avalanche a 3-2 win, and the three stars were Landeskog, Varlamov (25 for 27 in saves), and Boedker, while Chipchura and Pyatt also played well.
Finally, we wrap up in Anaheim, where the Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Jonas Hiller play between the pipes. Vancouver was first on the board with a Henrik Sedin netting his tenth of the season, courtesy of Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks extended the lead with a Cody Hodgson goal, his eighth of the year, thanks to Dale Weise and Keith Ballard. Vancouver attacked again in the second period with a Mason Raymond goal, his fourth of the season, pushed through by Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. The Canucks kept going with Daniel Sedin scoring his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Henrik and Kevin Bieksa. Dan Ellis relieved Hiller at this time. Anaheim got on the board in the third period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his twelfth of the season, aided by Teemu Selanne and Luca Sbisa. The Ducks got another with Nick Bonino netting his second of the year, with the help of Andrew Gordon and Matt Beleskey. Vancouver made it 5-2 with Daniel's second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, assisted by Henrik and Burrows. This was a final, and the three stars were given to Henrik, Ryan, and Edler, while Burrows and Daniel were the honorable mentions.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
NHL Day 84 2011-2012
Even less games on tonight, with only six on the slate, beginning in...
New Jersey, as the Devils host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur play in the blue paint. New Jersey struck first with a Petr Sykora goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Patrik Elias and the goalie Brodeur. Sykora added on for the Devils in the second period with his second of the game and tenth of the year, courtesy of Elias and Anton Volchenkov. Zach Parise kept New Jersey in control with his twelfth of the season, with helpers provided by Mark Fayne and Adam Henrique. Buffalo got on the board with a Thomas Vanek goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming on the power play from Jordan Leopold and Drew Stafford. The third period was silent, leaving the score at 3-1, and allowing Sykora, Elias, and Adam Larsson to be rewarded with the three stars.
Into Washington, where the Capitals welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Tomas Vokoun will be in front of the cages. Marcus Johansson put Washington on the board first with his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Jeff Halpern. New York replied with the third of the year by Brandon Dubinsky, thanks to Ryan Callahan. The Capitals took the lead back in the second period when Troy Brouwer potted his tenth of the season, courtesy of John Carlson. Washington extended the lead on an Alexander Semin goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. Semin gave the Capitals a 4-1 lead in the third period on his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, with Ovechkin picking up the only helper. This was a final, where Semin, Ovechkin, and Brouwer had the three stars.
Down to the south and west with the Nashville Predators hosting the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Pekka Rinne get the starting nods. The scoring opened in the third period on a Nashville goal, specifically the sixth of the season for Jordin Tootoo, assisted by Jonathon Blum and Francis Bouillon. Minnesota tied it on a Dany Heatley goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Nate Prosser and Mikko Koivu. The Predators took the game in the shootout on a lone Wilson tally, topping the Wild 2-1. The three stars went to Rinne (34 for 35 in saves), Harding (24 for 25 in saves), and Blum.
Staying in the Midwest, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Corey Crawford will tend the twines. Los Angeles was first on the board with a second period goal by Trent Hunter, his second of the season, helped along by Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser. The Kings extended the lead in the third period on a Jarret Stoll goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Justin Williams and Drew Doughty. The 2-0 score lasted throughout the rest of the game to be finalized, with Quick (38 save shutout), Hunter, and Crawford (36 for 38 in saves).
Heading southwest again to Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask opposes Jason LaBarbera in goal. Boston drew first blood when David Krejci registered his seventh of the season, coming off of Nathan Horton and Brad Marchand. Phoenix tied it on a Ray Whitney goal, his thirteenth of the year, with help from Daymond Langkow and David Schlemko. The tie lasted all the way into overtime, where Dennis Seidenberg made his second of the campaign for the Bruins, and helping him were Benoit Pouliot and Chris Kelly for the 2-1 victory over the Coyotes. The three stars were LaBarbera (27 for 29 in saves), Whitney, and Schlemko.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Antti Niemi are guarding the nets. Vancouver opened with a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifteenth of the season, and Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler picked up the assists. The Canucks added on with a second period power play goal by Ryan Kesler, his tenth of the year, powered by Edler and Kevin Bieksa. San Jose got on the board when Logan Couture scored his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Patrick Marleau. The Sharks tied it when Joe Thornton potted his seventh of the year, an unassisted power play goal. The tie lasted to overtime, where Andrew Ebbett secured a 3-2 Vancouver victory with his fourth of the campaign, fueled by Bieksa and Jannik Hansen. The three stars were given to Luongo (33 for 35 in saves), Ebbett, and Marleau, while Bieksa and Edler both played well.
New Jersey, as the Devils host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur play in the blue paint. New Jersey struck first with a Petr Sykora goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Patrik Elias and the goalie Brodeur. Sykora added on for the Devils in the second period with his second of the game and tenth of the year, courtesy of Elias and Anton Volchenkov. Zach Parise kept New Jersey in control with his twelfth of the season, with helpers provided by Mark Fayne and Adam Henrique. Buffalo got on the board with a Thomas Vanek goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming on the power play from Jordan Leopold and Drew Stafford. The third period was silent, leaving the score at 3-1, and allowing Sykora, Elias, and Adam Larsson to be rewarded with the three stars.
Into Washington, where the Capitals welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Tomas Vokoun will be in front of the cages. Marcus Johansson put Washington on the board first with his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Jeff Halpern. New York replied with the third of the year by Brandon Dubinsky, thanks to Ryan Callahan. The Capitals took the lead back in the second period when Troy Brouwer potted his tenth of the season, courtesy of John Carlson. Washington extended the lead on an Alexander Semin goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. Semin gave the Capitals a 4-1 lead in the third period on his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, with Ovechkin picking up the only helper. This was a final, where Semin, Ovechkin, and Brouwer had the three stars.
Down to the south and west with the Nashville Predators hosting the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Pekka Rinne get the starting nods. The scoring opened in the third period on a Nashville goal, specifically the sixth of the season for Jordin Tootoo, assisted by Jonathon Blum and Francis Bouillon. Minnesota tied it on a Dany Heatley goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Nate Prosser and Mikko Koivu. The Predators took the game in the shootout on a lone Wilson tally, topping the Wild 2-1. The three stars went to Rinne (34 for 35 in saves), Harding (24 for 25 in saves), and Blum.
Staying in the Midwest, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Corey Crawford will tend the twines. Los Angeles was first on the board with a second period goal by Trent Hunter, his second of the season, helped along by Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser. The Kings extended the lead in the third period on a Jarret Stoll goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Justin Williams and Drew Doughty. The 2-0 score lasted throughout the rest of the game to be finalized, with Quick (38 save shutout), Hunter, and Crawford (36 for 38 in saves).
Heading southwest again to Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask opposes Jason LaBarbera in goal. Boston drew first blood when David Krejci registered his seventh of the season, coming off of Nathan Horton and Brad Marchand. Phoenix tied it on a Ray Whitney goal, his thirteenth of the year, with help from Daymond Langkow and David Schlemko. The tie lasted all the way into overtime, where Dennis Seidenberg made his second of the campaign for the Bruins, and helping him were Benoit Pouliot and Chris Kelly for the 2-1 victory over the Coyotes. The three stars were LaBarbera (27 for 29 in saves), Whitney, and Schlemko.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Antti Niemi are guarding the nets. Vancouver opened with a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifteenth of the season, and Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler picked up the assists. The Canucks added on with a second period power play goal by Ryan Kesler, his tenth of the year, powered by Edler and Kevin Bieksa. San Jose got on the board when Logan Couture scored his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Patrick Marleau. The Sharks tied it when Joe Thornton potted his seventh of the year, an unassisted power play goal. The tie lasted to overtime, where Andrew Ebbett secured a 3-2 Vancouver victory with his fourth of the campaign, fueled by Bieksa and Jannik Hansen. The three stars were given to Luongo (33 for 35 in saves), Ebbett, and Marleau, while Bieksa and Edler both played well.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
NHL Day 83 2011-2012
Down to seven games on tonight, beginning in...
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the Penguins hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Marc-Andre Fleury are tending the twines. Carolina began with a Tim Brent goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Tim Gleason. Pittsburgh answered in the second period when James Neal made his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins took the lead in the third period when Steve Sullivan notched his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Malkin and Neal. Pittsburgh extended the lead on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Tyler Kennedy and Zbynek Michalek. The Penguins added on again with a Jordan Staal goal, his fourteenth of the season, set up by Kennedy. The Hurricanes got one back with Tuomo Ruutu potting his fourteenth of the year, with the help of Jussi Jokinen and Alexei Ponikarovsky. The final was 4-2, with the three stars going to Staal, Neal, and Kennedy, while Malkin earns honorable mention.
Over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Steve Mason are responsible for stopping the puck. Columbus first dented the scoreboard in the second period when Derick Brassard notched his fourth of the season, coming off of Mark Letestu and Ryan Johansen. Calgary tied it in the third period with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Olli Jokinen and Derek Smith. The game went into a shootout, where a lone tally by Iginla lifted the Flames over the Blue Jackets by a 2-1 score. The three stars belonged to Kiprusoff (27 for 28 in saves), Iginla, and Mason (25 for 26 in saves).
Southward to Florida, as the Panthers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jose Theodore made the starts. Florida began with the second of the season for Erik Gudbranson, and Tim Kennedy had the lone assist. Mikhail Grabovski replied for Toronto in the second period on his ninth of the year, thanks to Cody Franson and Nikolai Kulemin. The Panthers quickly replied with a Bill Thomas goal, made possible by Evgenii Dadonov and Mark Cullen. Florida chased Reimer with a Michal Repik power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jason Garrison and Brian Campbell. Jonas Gustavsson was the relieving goaltender. The Panthers took little notice, striking again with a Kris Versteeg power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Campbell and Tomas Kopecky. The Maple Leafs got back on track as Dion Phaneuf scored his fifth of the season, and Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul had the helpers. Toronto got another back in the third period with Grabovski's second of the game and tenth of the year, a power play goal, with Clarke MacArthur and Franson picking up the assists. Florida answered when Tomas Fleischmann put away his thirteenth of the season, via Matt Bradley and Campbell, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood at 5-3, and the three stars were awarded to Repik, Grabovski, and Campbell, while Franson deserves an honorable mention.
Northwest to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. St. Louis struck first with a Matt D'Agostini power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Jason Arnott. The Blues extended the lead in the second period with Alex Steen making his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Arnott and Shattenkirk on the power play. Detroit got on the board with a Nicklas Lidstrom goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk and Ian White. The Red Wings tied it in the third period with a Datsyuk goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by White and Bertuzzi. Detroit took the lead on the eighth of the season for Niklas Kronwall, set up by Valtteri Filppula. This was good enough for a 3-2 victory, and the three stars belonged to Datsyuk, Shattenkirk, and Lidstrom. Arnott and White earned honorable mentions.
Up into Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators. Carey Price and Craig Anderson received the starting nods. Ottawa was first on the board when Zack Smith netted his tenth of the season, coming from Sergei Gonchar and Colin Greening. Montreal replied with a shorthanded Lars Eller goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Mathieu Darche and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens took the lead when Tomas Plekanec potted his eighth of the season, assisted by Darche and Diaz. Montreal extended the lead with Michael Cammalleri depositing his seventh of the year, and Louis Leblanc and Diaz got the assists, the latter converting a natural sock trick. The Canadiens struck again in the second period with Leblanc recording his second of the season, with helpers provided by Cammalleri and Hal Gill. Montreal continued its attack with a P.K. Subban goal, his third of the year, guided in by Erik Cole. The Senators finally provided an answer with a Jason Spezza goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson. The Canadiens replied in the third period when Cole put his fourteenth of the year away, a power play goal powered by Plekanec and Subban to make it 6-2. The three stars went to Price (33 for 35 in saves), Cole, and Diaz, while the honorable mentions include Cammalleri, Leblanc, Subban, Plekanec, and Darche.
Back to Florida again, this time in Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Mathieu Garon are in the blue paint. Bruno Gervais got Tampa Bay on the board first with his third of the season, assisted by Adam Hall. Philadelphia replied when Scott Hartnell sank his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr. The Lightning got the lead back in the second period when Steven Stamkos scored his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Brett Clark and Ryan Malone. Tampa Bay added on with a Steve Downie goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Teddy Purcell and Pavel Kubina. The Lightning continued with another Stamkos goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, coming on the power play via Downie and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-1 with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twelfth of the year, and St. Louis had the only assist. Garon (31 for 32 in saves), Stamkos, and Downie took home the three stars, while St. Louis gets an honorable mention.
Finally, in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will play goal. Winnipeg struck first with an Evander Kane goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Blake Wheeler and Alex Burmistrov. The Jets got back to work in the second period with a Tim Stapleton power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Andrew Ladd and Tobias Enstrom. Winnipeg added on with another Kane goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, helped along by Chris Thorburn and Stapleton. The Jets extended the lead again with Jim Slater's seventh of the year, guided in by Tanner Glass. Colorado got on the board with a Kevin Porter goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by David Van der Gulik and Cody McLeod. The final was 4-1 and the three stars were awarded to Kane, Pavelec (32 for 33 in saves), and Paul Stastny, while Stapleton also played well.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the Penguins hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Marc-Andre Fleury are tending the twines. Carolina began with a Tim Brent goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Tim Gleason. Pittsburgh answered in the second period when James Neal made his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins took the lead in the third period when Steve Sullivan notched his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Malkin and Neal. Pittsburgh extended the lead on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Tyler Kennedy and Zbynek Michalek. The Penguins added on again with a Jordan Staal goal, his fourteenth of the season, set up by Kennedy. The Hurricanes got one back with Tuomo Ruutu potting his fourteenth of the year, with the help of Jussi Jokinen and Alexei Ponikarovsky. The final was 4-2, with the three stars going to Staal, Neal, and Kennedy, while Malkin earns honorable mention.
Over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Steve Mason are responsible for stopping the puck. Columbus first dented the scoreboard in the second period when Derick Brassard notched his fourth of the season, coming off of Mark Letestu and Ryan Johansen. Calgary tied it in the third period with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Olli Jokinen and Derek Smith. The game went into a shootout, where a lone tally by Iginla lifted the Flames over the Blue Jackets by a 2-1 score. The three stars belonged to Kiprusoff (27 for 28 in saves), Iginla, and Mason (25 for 26 in saves).
Southward to Florida, as the Panthers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jose Theodore made the starts. Florida began with the second of the season for Erik Gudbranson, and Tim Kennedy had the lone assist. Mikhail Grabovski replied for Toronto in the second period on his ninth of the year, thanks to Cody Franson and Nikolai Kulemin. The Panthers quickly replied with a Bill Thomas goal, made possible by Evgenii Dadonov and Mark Cullen. Florida chased Reimer with a Michal Repik power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jason Garrison and Brian Campbell. Jonas Gustavsson was the relieving goaltender. The Panthers took little notice, striking again with a Kris Versteeg power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Campbell and Tomas Kopecky. The Maple Leafs got back on track as Dion Phaneuf scored his fifth of the season, and Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul had the helpers. Toronto got another back in the third period with Grabovski's second of the game and tenth of the year, a power play goal, with Clarke MacArthur and Franson picking up the assists. Florida answered when Tomas Fleischmann put away his thirteenth of the season, via Matt Bradley and Campbell, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood at 5-3, and the three stars were awarded to Repik, Grabovski, and Campbell, while Franson deserves an honorable mention.
Northwest to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. St. Louis struck first with a Matt D'Agostini power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Jason Arnott. The Blues extended the lead in the second period with Alex Steen making his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Arnott and Shattenkirk on the power play. Detroit got on the board with a Nicklas Lidstrom goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk and Ian White. The Red Wings tied it in the third period with a Datsyuk goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by White and Bertuzzi. Detroit took the lead on the eighth of the season for Niklas Kronwall, set up by Valtteri Filppula. This was good enough for a 3-2 victory, and the three stars belonged to Datsyuk, Shattenkirk, and Lidstrom. Arnott and White earned honorable mentions.
Up into Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators. Carey Price and Craig Anderson received the starting nods. Ottawa was first on the board when Zack Smith netted his tenth of the season, coming from Sergei Gonchar and Colin Greening. Montreal replied with a shorthanded Lars Eller goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Mathieu Darche and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens took the lead when Tomas Plekanec potted his eighth of the season, assisted by Darche and Diaz. Montreal extended the lead with Michael Cammalleri depositing his seventh of the year, and Louis Leblanc and Diaz got the assists, the latter converting a natural sock trick. The Canadiens struck again in the second period with Leblanc recording his second of the season, with helpers provided by Cammalleri and Hal Gill. Montreal continued its attack with a P.K. Subban goal, his third of the year, guided in by Erik Cole. The Senators finally provided an answer with a Jason Spezza goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson. The Canadiens replied in the third period when Cole put his fourteenth of the year away, a power play goal powered by Plekanec and Subban to make it 6-2. The three stars went to Price (33 for 35 in saves), Cole, and Diaz, while the honorable mentions include Cammalleri, Leblanc, Subban, Plekanec, and Darche.
Back to Florida again, this time in Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Mathieu Garon are in the blue paint. Bruno Gervais got Tampa Bay on the board first with his third of the season, assisted by Adam Hall. Philadelphia replied when Scott Hartnell sank his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr. The Lightning got the lead back in the second period when Steven Stamkos scored his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Brett Clark and Ryan Malone. Tampa Bay added on with a Steve Downie goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Teddy Purcell and Pavel Kubina. The Lightning continued with another Stamkos goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, coming on the power play via Downie and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-1 with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twelfth of the year, and St. Louis had the only assist. Garon (31 for 32 in saves), Stamkos, and Downie took home the three stars, while St. Louis gets an honorable mention.
Finally, in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will play goal. Winnipeg struck first with an Evander Kane goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Blake Wheeler and Alex Burmistrov. The Jets got back to work in the second period with a Tim Stapleton power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Andrew Ladd and Tobias Enstrom. Winnipeg added on with another Kane goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, helped along by Chris Thorburn and Stapleton. The Jets extended the lead again with Jim Slater's seventh of the year, guided in by Tanner Glass. Colorado got on the board with a Kevin Porter goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by David Van der Gulik and Cody McLeod. The final was 4-1 and the three stars were awarded to Kane, Pavelec (32 for 33 in saves), and Paul Stastny, while Stapleton also played well.
Fantasy Football All-Stars week 16
First and foremost, congratulations to all of the champions out there this week. A grueling four months is best rewarded with the gold, isn't it? Next, the studs that saved your seasons at all positions:
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Drew Brees
Running Back: Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew, DeAngelo Williams, Kevin Smith
Wide Receiver: Jordy Nelson, Brandon Marshall, Julio Jones
Tight End: Jared Cook, Brandon Pettigrew
Kicker: Graham Gano, David Akers, Dave Rayner
Team Defense: Buffalo, Pittsburgh
Defensive Player: Jairus Byrd, Jerod Mayo
Now, for my performances this week. Out of my twenty teams, I had 5 first place, 0 second place, 4 third place, and 3 fourth place finishes. I also had 6 teams who did not make the playoffs. In addition, next week I have 2 teams playing for various prizes. One is a championship and one is a third place game. Breaking it down, I'm guaranteed to have half of my teams in the top 3, and 70% in the playoffs in their respective leagues. In my opinion, it's been a pretty good season, and I'm happy to have provided assistance for anyone in their pursuit of a championship as well.
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Drew Brees
Running Back: Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew, DeAngelo Williams, Kevin Smith
Wide Receiver: Jordy Nelson, Brandon Marshall, Julio Jones
Tight End: Jared Cook, Brandon Pettigrew
Kicker: Graham Gano, David Akers, Dave Rayner
Team Defense: Buffalo, Pittsburgh
Defensive Player: Jairus Byrd, Jerod Mayo
Now, for my performances this week. Out of my twenty teams, I had 5 first place, 0 second place, 4 third place, and 3 fourth place finishes. I also had 6 teams who did not make the playoffs. In addition, next week I have 2 teams playing for various prizes. One is a championship and one is a third place game. Breaking it down, I'm guaranteed to have half of my teams in the top 3, and 70% in the playoffs in their respective leagues. In my opinion, it's been a pretty good season, and I'm happy to have provided assistance for anyone in their pursuit of a championship as well.
Monday, December 26, 2011
NHL Day 82 2011-2012
Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Tonight, there are ten games on as the NHL gets back to business, beginning with...
The Minnesota Wild hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Niklas Backstrom were given goaltending duties. Minnesota opened with the seventh of the season for Pierre-Marc Bouchard, a power play goal powered by Dany Heatley and Kyle Brodziak. Colorado tied it with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Matt Duchene. The Wild got the lead back with Cal Clutterbuck netting his tenth of the season, via Mikko Koivu and Heatley. Gabriel Landeskog tied it for the Avalanche on his seventh of the year, with helpers provided by David Van der Gulik and T.J. Galiardi. Colorado took the lead in the third period when Jan Hejda scored his fourth of the season, thanks to O'Reilly and Van der Gulik. Galiardi put the Avalanche up 4-2 with his sixth of the year, made possible by Hejda alone. This was a final, with the three stars being Landeskog, Clutterbuck, and O'Reilly, while Hejda, Galiardi, and Van der Gulik also had strong showings.
Another edition in the Battle of New York, as the Rangers host the Islanders again. Evgeni Nabokov and Henrik Lundqvist were called on to play goal. The Rangers struck first in the second period of the fifth of the season for Carl Hagelin, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Michael Del Zotto. The Rangers added on in the third period when as Hagelin scored again, his second of the game and sixth of the year, made possible by Del Zotto and Callahan. The Rangers iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Marian Gaborik, his twenty-second of the campaign, fueled by Anton Stralman. The three stars were Lundqvist (28 save shutout), Hagelin, and Del Zotto, with Callahan as an honorable mention.
Heading upstate, the Buffalo Sabres host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Ryan Miller started the game, but Tomas Vokoun replaced Neuvirth early in the first period for the following reasons. Buffalo struck first on the power play as Jason Pominville notched his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Drew Stafford and Jordan Leopold. The Sabres extended the lead with an unassisted Matt Ellis goal, his second of the year. Buffalo chased Neuvirth on a Christian Ehrhoff goal, his third of the season, thanks to Jochen Hecht and Thomas Vanek. Brayden McNabb kept the Sabres going with a power play goal powered by Brad Boyes and Derek Roy. Washington got on the board in the second period with Mathieu Perreault registering his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Capitals got another back in the third period when Alex Ovechkin potted his twelfth of the season, a power play goal, fueled by Nicklas Backstrom and Dennis Wideman. The final was 4-2, with the three stars going to McNabb, Leopold, and Stafford.
Down to Carolina, as the Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Cam Ward got the coach's approval for playing goal. Carolina opened with a shorthanded Brandon Sutter goal, his seventh of the season, and Tim Gleason had the lone assist. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the second period with Tuomo Ruutu potting his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Tim Brent. Carolina rolled on with an Anthony Stewart goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Andreas Nodl and Brent. New Jersey got on the board in the third period when David Clarkson put his twelfth of the year in the cage, thanks to Anton Volchenkov and Kurtis Foster. The Devils got as close as 3-2 when Adam Henrique deposited his tenth of the season, and Clarkson and Volchenkov picked up the assists. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by the goalie Cam Ward (you are not reading this incorrectly, this is a true story), officially going in unassisted but it certainly looked to have gotten a fair amount of help from the opponents. The three stars were Sutter, Ward (23 for 25 in saves, goal), and Clarkson. Volchenkov and Brent get honorable mentions.
Westward to St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Jaroslav Halak were between the pipes. St. Louis led off with a Chris Stewart goal, his sixth of the season, a power play goal made possible by David Backes and Carlo Colaiacovo. Dallas tied it in the second period when Mike Ribeiro netted his sixth of the year, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Steve Ott. The Blues took the lead back when Adam Cracknell scored, and the lone assist came from Scott Nichol. St. Louis added on with a Jason Arnott power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Patrik Berglund and Kevin Shattenkirk with three seconds left in the second period. Andrew Raycroft relieved Bachman in the third period. The Blues added on again with Evgeny Grachev's goal in the third period, with helpers from David Perron and Berglund. The Stars got one back with Eric Nystrom netting his twelfth of the year, via Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler. Dallas pulled closer on a Michael Ryder goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Jamie Benn. St. Louis iced it as Stewart put away his second of the game and seventh of the year into an empty net for a 5-3 score, and Perron had the lone assist. The three stars were awarded to Perron, Grachev, and Brenden Morrow, while Stewart and Berglund showed well.
Down a little to Nashville, with the Predators hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Pekka Rinne will be in the creases. Detroit led off with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his eleventh of the season, and Henrik Zetterberg had the lone assist. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Todd Bertuzzi and Johan Franzen. Detroit extended the lead again with a Danny Cleary netting his ninth of the season, thanks to Drew Miller. Filppula added on in the third period for the Red Wings with his second of the game and the twelfth of the year, with help from Justin Abdelkader and Cory Emmerton. Nashville got on the board with a Jonathon Blum goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Jordin Tootoo. The final was 4-1, and the three stars were Howard (31 for 32 in saves), Filppula, and Datsyuk.
Staying in the general Midwest area, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Corey Crawford do battle from the nets in a match of underwhelming starters. Chicago opened the scoring in the second period with a Patrick Sharp goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. Viktor Stalberg added on for the Blackhawks with his eighth of the year, and Brent Seabrook got the assist. Stalberg extended the Chicago lead with his second of the game and ninth of the season, fueled by Dave Bolland and Duncan Keith. Columbus got on the board in the third period as James Wisniewski netted his second of the year, with the help of Derek MacKenzie and Mark Letestu. The Blackhawks replied with Hossa's sixteenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Bolland and Andrew Brunette. The final was 4-1, and the three stars were Stalberg, Crawford (37 for 38 in saves), and Hossa.
Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Vancouver was first to score when Andrew Ebbett potted his second of the season, thanks to Chris Higgins and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on with a Daniel Sedin goal, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Henrik Sedin and Keith Ballard. Vancouver extended the lead again as Ebbett scored again, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Jannik Hansen and Cody Hodgson. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Jordan Eberle, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Corey Potter and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Canucks got it back with a shorthanded Alexandre Burrows goal, his fourteenth of the season, with an assist from Ryan Kesler. The Oilers answered on the power play as Ryan Smyth netted his fourteenth of the year, powered by Ryan Jones and Sam Gagner. Vancouver got going again in the third period with a Kesler goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Burrows and Alexander Edler. Potter got the goal back for Edmonton in the form of his third of the year, and Eberle had the only assist. The final was 5-3, with Burrows, Eberle, and Kesler as the three stars. Ebbett earns an honorable mention.
Down the coast to Los Angeles, as the Kings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Jonathan Quick wear the goalie masks. Los Angeles drew first blood with a Rob Scuderi goal, set up by Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. Phoenix tied it on a Raffi Torres goal, his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Kings took the lead back with Brad Richardson making his second of the year, thanks to Slava Voynov and Kopitar. The Coyotes retied it when Torres struck again, his second of the game and sixth of the season, assisted by Patrick O'Sullivan and David Schlemko. Los Angeles grabbed the lead back in the third period on Willie Mitchell's second of the year, fueled by Dustin Penner and Justin Williams. The Kings added on with Dustin Brown sinking his ninth of the season, via Jack Johnson, chasing away LaBarbera in favor of Curtis McElhinney. Phoenix replied with a Daymond Langkow goal, his fifth of the year, and the assists were provided by Mikkel Boedker and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The final was 4-3 with the three stars being Kopitar, Torres, and Mitchell.
Finally, the Battle of California rages on as the San Jose Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Luca Sbisa put Anaheim ahead first, and he was helped by George Parros and Nick Bonino. San Jose got on the board late in the frame with a Joe Pavelski goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Joe Thornton and Jason Demers. The Ducks regained the lead in the second period as Bobby Ryan put his eleventh of the year away, unassisted. Jamie McGinn tied it again for the Sharks with his eighth of the season, and Justin Braun and Colin White picked up the assists. Anaheim took the lead again with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Matt Beleskey and Andrew Gordon. The final held up at 3-2 with the three stars belonging to Ryan, Cogliano, and McGinn.
The Minnesota Wild hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Niklas Backstrom were given goaltending duties. Minnesota opened with the seventh of the season for Pierre-Marc Bouchard, a power play goal powered by Dany Heatley and Kyle Brodziak. Colorado tied it with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Matt Duchene. The Wild got the lead back with Cal Clutterbuck netting his tenth of the season, via Mikko Koivu and Heatley. Gabriel Landeskog tied it for the Avalanche on his seventh of the year, with helpers provided by David Van der Gulik and T.J. Galiardi. Colorado took the lead in the third period when Jan Hejda scored his fourth of the season, thanks to O'Reilly and Van der Gulik. Galiardi put the Avalanche up 4-2 with his sixth of the year, made possible by Hejda alone. This was a final, with the three stars being Landeskog, Clutterbuck, and O'Reilly, while Hejda, Galiardi, and Van der Gulik also had strong showings.
Another edition in the Battle of New York, as the Rangers host the Islanders again. Evgeni Nabokov and Henrik Lundqvist were called on to play goal. The Rangers struck first in the second period of the fifth of the season for Carl Hagelin, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Michael Del Zotto. The Rangers added on in the third period when as Hagelin scored again, his second of the game and sixth of the year, made possible by Del Zotto and Callahan. The Rangers iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Marian Gaborik, his twenty-second of the campaign, fueled by Anton Stralman. The three stars were Lundqvist (28 save shutout), Hagelin, and Del Zotto, with Callahan as an honorable mention.
Heading upstate, the Buffalo Sabres host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Ryan Miller started the game, but Tomas Vokoun replaced Neuvirth early in the first period for the following reasons. Buffalo struck first on the power play as Jason Pominville notched his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Drew Stafford and Jordan Leopold. The Sabres extended the lead with an unassisted Matt Ellis goal, his second of the year. Buffalo chased Neuvirth on a Christian Ehrhoff goal, his third of the season, thanks to Jochen Hecht and Thomas Vanek. Brayden McNabb kept the Sabres going with a power play goal powered by Brad Boyes and Derek Roy. Washington got on the board in the second period with Mathieu Perreault registering his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Capitals got another back in the third period when Alex Ovechkin potted his twelfth of the season, a power play goal, fueled by Nicklas Backstrom and Dennis Wideman. The final was 4-2, with the three stars going to McNabb, Leopold, and Stafford.
Down to Carolina, as the Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Cam Ward got the coach's approval for playing goal. Carolina opened with a shorthanded Brandon Sutter goal, his seventh of the season, and Tim Gleason had the lone assist. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the second period with Tuomo Ruutu potting his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Tim Brent. Carolina rolled on with an Anthony Stewart goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Andreas Nodl and Brent. New Jersey got on the board in the third period when David Clarkson put his twelfth of the year in the cage, thanks to Anton Volchenkov and Kurtis Foster. The Devils got as close as 3-2 when Adam Henrique deposited his tenth of the season, and Clarkson and Volchenkov picked up the assists. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by the goalie Cam Ward (you are not reading this incorrectly, this is a true story), officially going in unassisted but it certainly looked to have gotten a fair amount of help from the opponents. The three stars were Sutter, Ward (23 for 25 in saves, goal), and Clarkson. Volchenkov and Brent get honorable mentions.
Westward to St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Jaroslav Halak were between the pipes. St. Louis led off with a Chris Stewart goal, his sixth of the season, a power play goal made possible by David Backes and Carlo Colaiacovo. Dallas tied it in the second period when Mike Ribeiro netted his sixth of the year, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Steve Ott. The Blues took the lead back when Adam Cracknell scored, and the lone assist came from Scott Nichol. St. Louis added on with a Jason Arnott power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Patrik Berglund and Kevin Shattenkirk with three seconds left in the second period. Andrew Raycroft relieved Bachman in the third period. The Blues added on again with Evgeny Grachev's goal in the third period, with helpers from David Perron and Berglund. The Stars got one back with Eric Nystrom netting his twelfth of the year, via Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler. Dallas pulled closer on a Michael Ryder goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Jamie Benn. St. Louis iced it as Stewart put away his second of the game and seventh of the year into an empty net for a 5-3 score, and Perron had the lone assist. The three stars were awarded to Perron, Grachev, and Brenden Morrow, while Stewart and Berglund showed well.
Down a little to Nashville, with the Predators hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Pekka Rinne will be in the creases. Detroit led off with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his eleventh of the season, and Henrik Zetterberg had the lone assist. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Todd Bertuzzi and Johan Franzen. Detroit extended the lead again with a Danny Cleary netting his ninth of the season, thanks to Drew Miller. Filppula added on in the third period for the Red Wings with his second of the game and the twelfth of the year, with help from Justin Abdelkader and Cory Emmerton. Nashville got on the board with a Jonathon Blum goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Jordin Tootoo. The final was 4-1, and the three stars were Howard (31 for 32 in saves), Filppula, and Datsyuk.
Staying in the general Midwest area, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Corey Crawford do battle from the nets in a match of underwhelming starters. Chicago opened the scoring in the second period with a Patrick Sharp goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. Viktor Stalberg added on for the Blackhawks with his eighth of the year, and Brent Seabrook got the assist. Stalberg extended the Chicago lead with his second of the game and ninth of the season, fueled by Dave Bolland and Duncan Keith. Columbus got on the board in the third period as James Wisniewski netted his second of the year, with the help of Derek MacKenzie and Mark Letestu. The Blackhawks replied with Hossa's sixteenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Bolland and Andrew Brunette. The final was 4-1, and the three stars were Stalberg, Crawford (37 for 38 in saves), and Hossa.
Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Vancouver was first to score when Andrew Ebbett potted his second of the season, thanks to Chris Higgins and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on with a Daniel Sedin goal, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Henrik Sedin and Keith Ballard. Vancouver extended the lead again as Ebbett scored again, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Jannik Hansen and Cody Hodgson. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Jordan Eberle, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Corey Potter and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Canucks got it back with a shorthanded Alexandre Burrows goal, his fourteenth of the season, with an assist from Ryan Kesler. The Oilers answered on the power play as Ryan Smyth netted his fourteenth of the year, powered by Ryan Jones and Sam Gagner. Vancouver got going again in the third period with a Kesler goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Burrows and Alexander Edler. Potter got the goal back for Edmonton in the form of his third of the year, and Eberle had the only assist. The final was 5-3, with Burrows, Eberle, and Kesler as the three stars. Ebbett earns an honorable mention.
Down the coast to Los Angeles, as the Kings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Jonathan Quick wear the goalie masks. Los Angeles drew first blood with a Rob Scuderi goal, set up by Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. Phoenix tied it on a Raffi Torres goal, his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Kings took the lead back with Brad Richardson making his second of the year, thanks to Slava Voynov and Kopitar. The Coyotes retied it when Torres struck again, his second of the game and sixth of the season, assisted by Patrick O'Sullivan and David Schlemko. Los Angeles grabbed the lead back in the third period on Willie Mitchell's second of the year, fueled by Dustin Penner and Justin Williams. The Kings added on with Dustin Brown sinking his ninth of the season, via Jack Johnson, chasing away LaBarbera in favor of Curtis McElhinney. Phoenix replied with a Daymond Langkow goal, his fifth of the year, and the assists were provided by Mikkel Boedker and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The final was 4-3 with the three stars being Kopitar, Torres, and Mitchell.
Finally, the Battle of California rages on as the San Jose Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Luca Sbisa put Anaheim ahead first, and he was helped by George Parros and Nick Bonino. San Jose got on the board late in the frame with a Joe Pavelski goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Joe Thornton and Jason Demers. The Ducks regained the lead in the second period as Bobby Ryan put his eleventh of the year away, unassisted. Jamie McGinn tied it again for the Sharks with his eighth of the season, and Justin Braun and Colin White picked up the assists. Anaheim took the lead again with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Matt Beleskey and Andrew Gordon. The final held up at 3-2 with the three stars belonging to Ryan, Cogliano, and McGinn.
Monday Night Football week 16
This week, the New Orleans Saints hosted the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta opened on a 34 yard field goal for Matt Bryant. New Orleans answered with a Pierre Thomas touchdown run of 4 yards, and John Kasay made the extra point. The Falcons answered on a Matt Ryan touchdown pass of 21 yards to Julio Jones, and Bryant was there with the extra point. The Saints got the lead back on a Drew Brees touchdown pass, going 8 yards for Marques Colston, and Kasay made another extra point. New Orleans would take a 21-10 lead into the locker room when Brees tossed Jimmy Graham a 9 yard touchdown pass, and Kasay supplied the PAT. Brees kept the Saints going in the third quarter by lobbing a 24 yard touchdown to Robert Meachem, and Kasay made another extra point. Atlanta got a few points back when Bryant nailed a 51 yard field goal. New Orleans answered with Kasay's 29 yard field goal. The Falcons replied in the fourth quarter with a 30 yard field goal. The Saints went defensive on the next touchdown as Malcom Jenkins returned a Julio Jones fumble for 30 yards and a touchdown, and Kasay made the extra point again. New Orleans made it 45-16 with Brees passing to Darren Sproles for a 9 yard touchdown connection, and Kasay was there with the extra point. The Saints go to 12-3 while the Falcons are now 9-6.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 11
1. Roberto Luongo, 2 W, 1.34 GAA, 99 SV, .961 SV%, 1 SO
2. Tuukka Rask, 1 W, 0.00 GAA, 30 SV, 1.000 SV%, 1 SO
3. Ray Whitney, 2 G, 2 A, +1, 10 PIM, 3 PPP, 6 SOG
4. Curtis Glencross, 4 G, 1 A, +5, 0 PIM, 1 PPP, 8 SOG
5. Erik Karlsson, 2 G, 2 A, +5, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 7 SOG
Bit of a fractured week with the holiday in there, and we're about halfway through the hockey season now. The next 2-3 months are very important as you make your playoff pushes.
2. Tuukka Rask, 1 W, 0.00 GAA, 30 SV, 1.000 SV%, 1 SO
3. Ray Whitney, 2 G, 2 A, +1, 10 PIM, 3 PPP, 6 SOG
4. Curtis Glencross, 4 G, 1 A, +5, 0 PIM, 1 PPP, 8 SOG
5. Erik Karlsson, 2 G, 2 A, +5, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 7 SOG
Bit of a fractured week with the holiday in there, and we're about halfway through the hockey season now. The next 2-3 months are very important as you make your playoff pushes.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Sunday Night Game week 16
Big NFC North rivalry game tonight as the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears. Green Bay opened with Aaron Rodgers passing to Jermichael Finley for 2 yards and a touchdown, with Mason Crosby making the extra point. Chicago got on the board when Robbie Gould made a 35 yard field goal in the second quarter. The score at halftime was 14-3 Packers because Rodgers threw a 2 yard touchdown to James Jones, followed by a Crosby extra point. . The Bears got going in the third quarter with a Kahlil Bell rush, resulting in fumble which was landed on by Edwin Williams in the end zone, and Gould made his extra point. Green Bay answered with Rodgers finding Jordy Nelson, who did a catch and run for 55 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby tacked on a PAT. Rodgers then looked back to Jones to extend the Packers lead, on a 7 yard touchdown connection, and Crosby made another extra point. In the fourth quarter, Green Bay kept going with Rodgers passing 2 yards for another touchdown to Nelson, and Crosby made the extra point. Chicago got a few back with Josh McCown passing 1 yard to Kellen Davis for a touchdown, and then he ran the ball in on the successful two point conversion. Gould cut the deficit to 35-21 with a late 30 yard field goal, the eventual final. The Packers are now 14-1 while the Bears fell out of the playoff race at 7-8.
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