First up, the AFC #3 seed Houston Texans take on the #6 Cincinnati Bengals Saturday afternoon. Cincinnati struck first with a 1 yard Cedric Benson touchdown rush, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. Houston replied with an 8 yard Arian Foster touchdown run, and Neil Rackers tied it with the extra point. Nugent put the Bengals back ahead in the second quarter with a 37 yard field goal. Rackers replied for the Texans with a 39 yard field goal. Houston took a 17-10 lead into the locker rooms when J.J. Watt picked off Andy Dalton and ran it 29 yards for a touchdown, allowing Rackers a PAT. The Texans rolled on in the third quarter with a T.J. Yates touchdown throw to Andre Johnson, a 40 yard play capped off by the Rackers extra point. Houston would finish ahead 31-10 after a fourth quarter Foster touchdown run from 42 yards away, and another Rackers extra point. The Texans will face the Baltimore Ravens next weekend, while Cincinnati has been eliminated.
East to New Orleans, as the #3 seed in the NFC hosts the #6 seed Detroit Lions. Detroit drew first blood with a 10 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Will Heller, and a Jason Hanson extra point. New orleans evened it in the second quarter as Darren Sproles ran 2 yards for a touchdown and John Kasay supplied the extra point. The Lions regained the lead with a Stafford touchdown pass of 13 yards to Calvin Johnson, iced off by a Hanson extra point. The Saints cut it to 14-10 at the half with a last second Kasay field goal from 24 yards. Drew Brees got New Orleans in front in the third quarter on his 41 yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, and Kasay was there with the extra point. The Saints added on when Brees found Jimmy Graham for a 3 yard touchdown pass, and Kasay was again good with the extra point. Detroit got a few back as Stafford ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Hanson made his extra point. New Orleans answered in the fourth quarter with Sproles rushing 17 yards for a touchdown, and Kasay was good with the extra point. The Saints pulled away when Brees found Robert Meachem on a 56 yard touchdown connection, and Kasay was the with the PAT. The Lions tried a comeback beginning with Stafford finding Johnson again, a 12 yard touchdown reception finished off with a Hanson extra point. New Orleans crushed their hopes with a 1 yard Pierre Thomas touchdown run, and Kasay's extra point made it 45-28. The Saints will play the San Francisco 49ers next weekend while Detroit goes home.
Staying in the NFC, we go up to East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, as the #4 seed New York Giants host the #5 seed Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta took the lead in the second quarter due to an Intentional Grounding penalty by Eli Manning, occurring in the end zone for a safety. Manning made up for his mistake by putting New York ahead with a touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks, for 4 yards, and Lawrence Tynes made the extra point. The score at halftime was 7-2. The Giants added on in the third quarter with Tynes kicking a 22 yard field goal. Manning and Nicks extended the New York lead with another touchdown connection of 72 yards, and Tynes handled the PAT. The Giants rolled on in the fourth quarter with a Manning touchdown pass of 27 yards to Mario Manningham, allowing one more extra point by Tynes. The final stood at 24-2, with NewYork headed to Green Bay next weekend to face the Packers and the Falcons facing a long trip home.
Out to Denver, as the #4 seed Broncos welcome the #5 seed Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh led off with a 45 yard Shaun Suisham field goal. Suisham added for the Steelers with a 38 yard field goal. Denver got on the board when Tim Tebow tossed a touchdown to Eddie Royal, a thirty yard play, finished off with a Matt Prater extra point. Tebow extended the Broncos lead with an 8 yard touchdown rush, and Prater again made the extra point. Denver added on with a Prater field goal of 20 yards. The Broncos rolled on with Prater kicking a field goal from 28 yards away. This made it 20-6 at halftime. Pittsburgh finally answered back with a Mike Wallace 1 yard touchdown rush, and Suisham was true with the extra point. Denver shot back in the fourth quarter with Prater's 35 yard field goal. Suisham put the Steelers back in reach with a 37 yard field goal. Pittsburgh tied it when Ben Roethlisberger found Jerricho Cotchery on a 31 yard touchdown pass, and Suisham's PAT tied the game. The Broncos would win 29-23 in overtime when Tebow lobbed an 80 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas for the win, sending them to New England to play the Patriots next week as the Steelers sit at home.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
NHL Day 94 2011-2012
A total of thirteen games run today, beginning at 10 AM Pacific with the...
Boston Bruins hosting the Vancouver Canucks in a Stanley Cup Rematch. Cory Schneider and Tim Thomas will be starting in goal. Vancouver drew first blood with a Ryan Kesler power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Sami Salo and Daniel Sedin. Boston tied it when Brad Marchand potted his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with a Rich Peverley goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Benoit Pouliot. The Canucks tied it when Alexandre Burrows scored on the power play, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Cody Hodgson and Kevin Bieksa. Vancouver took the lead late with another power play goal, the eleventh of the season by Henrik Sedin, set up by Alexander Edler and Bieksa. The Canucks kept the power play prowess going in the third period when Hodgson recorded his tenth of the year, and Dan Hamhuis had the lone helper. Boston shot back when David Krejci notched his tenth of the season, and Joe Corvo picked up the assist. The final was 4-3 Vancouver, with the three stars being Hodgson, Nathan Horton, and Krejci, while Bieksa gets the honorable mention.
Also, in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Taking the nets are Craig Anderson and Ilya Bryzgalov. Philadelphia was first on the board with a Danny Briere goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Andrej Meszaros. Ottawa tied it in the second period when Milan Michalek scored his twentieth of the year, thanks to Sergei Gonchar and Erik Karlsson on the power play. The Senators took the lead in the third period on a Bobby Butler goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Karlsson and Filip Kuba. The Flyers retied it when Briere struck again, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, coming on the power play from Kimmo Timonen and Brayden Schenn. Philadelphia won it 3-2 in overtime with a Briere goal, completing his hat trick on his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Voracek. The three stars belonged to Briere, Bryzgalov (35 for 37 in saves), and Anderson (36 for 39 in saves), while Voracek and Karlsson earn honorable mentions.
Later on, we go south to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Richard Bachman get the starting nods. Edmonton led off with a Taylor Hall goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Sam Gagner and Ladislav Smid. Dallas tied it in the second period with a Jamie Benn goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Trevor Daley and Loui Eriksson. The Stars gained the lead when Benn scored in the third period, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, coming off of Adam Burish and Tom Wandell. Dallas would cruise to a 4-1 win with Mike Ribeiro's pair of goals, his ninth and tenth of the year, with assists provided by Eriksson on both goals for a sock trick and Brenden Morrow on the empty netter only. The three stars were Benn, Bachman (25 for 26 in saves), and Ribeiro, while Eriksson earns honorable mention.
Out west, the Los Angeles Kings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jonathan Quick picked up the starts. Columbus made it 1-0 in the second period on a Grant Clitsome goal, his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Derick Brassard and David Savard. This was the only goal, and the three stars went to Sanford (31 save shutout), Fedor Tyutin, and Justin Williams, while the point earners may argue these nominations.
Crossing the country diagonally to Buffalo, with the Sabres welcoming the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec adn Jhonas Enroth were the masked men. Buffalo led the scoring off in the second period with a Tyler Myers power play goal, his third of the season, thanks to Jason Pominville and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Winnipeg answered on the power play when Blake Wheeler notched his eighth of the year, powered by Tobias Enstrom and Bryan Little. The game went to overtime, where the Jets downed the Sabres 2-1 with a Johnny Oduya goal, his second of the campaign, pushed through by Evander Kane. Oduya, Pavelec (31 for 32 in saves), and Enroth (39 for 41 in saves) were awarded the three stars.
Into Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Carey Price played between the pipes. Tampa Bay opened with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Dominic Moore and Eric Brewer. Montreal answered with a Mike Blunden goal, made possible by Hal Gill and Mathieu Darche. The Canadiens took the lead with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by P.K. Subban. Montreal iced it at 3-1 with a late Erik Cole power play goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, powered by David Desharnais and Pacioretty. The three stars were Pacioretty, Price (23 for 24 in saves), and Lecavalier.
Back stateside, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Marc-Andre Fleury were in the blue paint. Pittsburgh was first on the board with Evgeni Malkin recording his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz. New Jersey replied with an Adam Henrique shorthanded goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Zach Parise alone. The Devils took the lead when Ilya Kovalchuk netted his fifteenth of the season, via Parise and Henrique. New Jersey would take the game 3-1 due to a third period power play goal from Dainius Zubrus, his twelfth of the year, powered by Patrik Elias and Kovalchuk. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Brodeur (41 for 42 in saves), and Malkin, while Parise and Henrique also played very well.
Northward to Canada again, as the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jonas Gustavsson guard the cages. Toronto led off when Phil Kessel converted a penalty shot as his twenty-fourth of the season. The Maple Leafs added on with a Dion Phaneuf power play goal, his seventh of the year going in unassisted. Toronto struck again on a Dave Steckel goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Joffrey Lupul and Kessel. Detroit got going in the second period on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen. The Red Wings pulled closer on a Niklas Kronwall goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Franzen and Datsyuk. Detroit tied it in the third period with the twelfth of the campaign by Jiri Hudler, set up by Brad Stuart and Henrik Zetterberg. The Maple Leafs would grab the lead back and hold it at 4-3 with an unassisted Lupul goal, his nineteenth of the year. Lupul, Kessel, and Datsyuk were the three stars, while Franzen gets an honorable mention.
To the south, the Nashville Predators hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters attempted to oppose Pekka Rinne in goal. Nashville was first on the board as Shea Weber got his ninth of the season, assisted by Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn. The Predators extended the lead with a Craig Smtih power play goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of David Legwand and Colin Wilson. Nashville added on in the second period with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his tenth of the season, via Mike Fisher and Ryan Ellis. Hornqvist added on in the third period for the Predators with another power play goal, his second of the night and eleventh of the year, thanks to Erat and Fisher. Carolina got on the board with a Jay Harrison goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Anthony Stewart. Nashville shot back with an Ellis power play goal, powered by Roman Josi and Fisher, the latter getting a sock trick. The Hurricanes cut it down to 5-2 with a Harrison power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Jamie McBain and Brandon Sutter. Hornqvist, Rinne (27 for 29 in saves), and Ellis had the three stars while Fisher, Harrison, and Erat get honorable mentions.
In the desert, the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Mike Smith were in front of the goalmouths. Phoenix led off with a Shane Doan goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Daymond Langkow. New York tied it on a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau. The Coyotes took the lead back in the second period with Doan's second of the night and eleventh of the season, and the lone assist came from Keith Yandle. Taylor Pyatt added on for Phoenix with his fifth of the year, thanks to Lauri Korpikoski and Marc-Antoine Pouliot. The Coyotes extended the lead further with the seventh of the season for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, made possible by Radim Vrbata and Rostislav Klesla. Phoenix iced it at 5-1 when Doan finished his hat trick with his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Ray Whitney and Ekman-Larsson. The three stars went out to Doan, Smith (31 for 32 in saves), and Ekman-Larsson.
Back to the Midwest, where the St. Louis Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Brian Elliott will wear the pads. Patrik Berglund sparked things for St. Louis on his tenth of the season, guided in by T.J. Oshie and Matt D'Agostini. The Blues added on with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his sixth of the year, pushed through by Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Sobotka. St. Louis kept going in the second period with a power play goal by Jason Arnott, his ninth of the season, thanks to Sobotka and Shattenkirk. The Blues made it 4-0 with another power play goal, the thirteenth of the year for David Backes, powered by Oshie and Pietrangelo. The third period was silent, so this held as a final, and the three stars were Oshie, Berglund, and Sobotka, while Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk got the honorable mentions.
Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Calgary got things going with a third period Lance Bouma goal, made possible by Lee Stempniak and Mikael Backlund. The Flames added on with a Jarome Iginla goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Curtis Glencross and Olli Jokinen. It is the 500th of his career. Calgary extended the lead again with Glencross potting his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Jay Bouwmeester and T.J. Brodie. Minnesota got on the board with a Dany Heatley goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Mikko Koivu and Devin Setoguchi. This concluded the scoring, and the three stars in the 3-1 game were Iginla, Kiprusoff (27 for 28 in saves), and Bouma, while Glencross gets honorable mention.
Down to the Pacific Coast, with the San Jose Sharks hosting the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Antti Niemi man the creases. San Jose struck first with a Jason Demers goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jamie McGinn and Torrey Mitchell in the second period. Washington answered with Dennis Wideman potting his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Troy Brouwer and Alexander Semin. The Sharks took the lead late in the frame when Brent Burns put his seventh of the season away on the power play, guided in by Dan Boyle and Patrick Marleau. The Capitals tied it again with a Joel Ward goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, pushed through by Wideman and Jason Chimera. San Jose stole it back sixteen seconds later on a Marleau's fifteenth of the season, coming off of Joe Thornton and Boyle. The Sharks extended the lead with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, set up by Ryane Clowe and Marleau, as his third of the year. Mitchell iced it at 5-2 for San Jose with an empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, allowing Boyle to get a sock trick alongside a Michal Handzus assist. Marleau, Boyle, and Mitchell got the three stars, while Wideman earned the honorable mention.
Boston Bruins hosting the Vancouver Canucks in a Stanley Cup Rematch. Cory Schneider and Tim Thomas will be starting in goal. Vancouver drew first blood with a Ryan Kesler power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Sami Salo and Daniel Sedin. Boston tied it when Brad Marchand potted his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with a Rich Peverley goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Benoit Pouliot. The Canucks tied it when Alexandre Burrows scored on the power play, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Cody Hodgson and Kevin Bieksa. Vancouver took the lead late with another power play goal, the eleventh of the season by Henrik Sedin, set up by Alexander Edler and Bieksa. The Canucks kept the power play prowess going in the third period when Hodgson recorded his tenth of the year, and Dan Hamhuis had the lone helper. Boston shot back when David Krejci notched his tenth of the season, and Joe Corvo picked up the assist. The final was 4-3 Vancouver, with the three stars being Hodgson, Nathan Horton, and Krejci, while Bieksa gets the honorable mention.
Also, in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Taking the nets are Craig Anderson and Ilya Bryzgalov. Philadelphia was first on the board with a Danny Briere goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Andrej Meszaros. Ottawa tied it in the second period when Milan Michalek scored his twentieth of the year, thanks to Sergei Gonchar and Erik Karlsson on the power play. The Senators took the lead in the third period on a Bobby Butler goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Karlsson and Filip Kuba. The Flyers retied it when Briere struck again, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, coming on the power play from Kimmo Timonen and Brayden Schenn. Philadelphia won it 3-2 in overtime with a Briere goal, completing his hat trick on his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Voracek. The three stars belonged to Briere, Bryzgalov (35 for 37 in saves), and Anderson (36 for 39 in saves), while Voracek and Karlsson earn honorable mentions.
Later on, we go south to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Richard Bachman get the starting nods. Edmonton led off with a Taylor Hall goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Sam Gagner and Ladislav Smid. Dallas tied it in the second period with a Jamie Benn goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Trevor Daley and Loui Eriksson. The Stars gained the lead when Benn scored in the third period, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, coming off of Adam Burish and Tom Wandell. Dallas would cruise to a 4-1 win with Mike Ribeiro's pair of goals, his ninth and tenth of the year, with assists provided by Eriksson on both goals for a sock trick and Brenden Morrow on the empty netter only. The three stars were Benn, Bachman (25 for 26 in saves), and Ribeiro, while Eriksson earns honorable mention.
Out west, the Los Angeles Kings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jonathan Quick picked up the starts. Columbus made it 1-0 in the second period on a Grant Clitsome goal, his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Derick Brassard and David Savard. This was the only goal, and the three stars went to Sanford (31 save shutout), Fedor Tyutin, and Justin Williams, while the point earners may argue these nominations.
Crossing the country diagonally to Buffalo, with the Sabres welcoming the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec adn Jhonas Enroth were the masked men. Buffalo led the scoring off in the second period with a Tyler Myers power play goal, his third of the season, thanks to Jason Pominville and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Winnipeg answered on the power play when Blake Wheeler notched his eighth of the year, powered by Tobias Enstrom and Bryan Little. The game went to overtime, where the Jets downed the Sabres 2-1 with a Johnny Oduya goal, his second of the campaign, pushed through by Evander Kane. Oduya, Pavelec (31 for 32 in saves), and Enroth (39 for 41 in saves) were awarded the three stars.
Into Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Carey Price played between the pipes. Tampa Bay opened with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Dominic Moore and Eric Brewer. Montreal answered with a Mike Blunden goal, made possible by Hal Gill and Mathieu Darche. The Canadiens took the lead with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by P.K. Subban. Montreal iced it at 3-1 with a late Erik Cole power play goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, powered by David Desharnais and Pacioretty. The three stars were Pacioretty, Price (23 for 24 in saves), and Lecavalier.
Back stateside, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Marc-Andre Fleury were in the blue paint. Pittsburgh was first on the board with Evgeni Malkin recording his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz. New Jersey replied with an Adam Henrique shorthanded goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Zach Parise alone. The Devils took the lead when Ilya Kovalchuk netted his fifteenth of the season, via Parise and Henrique. New Jersey would take the game 3-1 due to a third period power play goal from Dainius Zubrus, his twelfth of the year, powered by Patrik Elias and Kovalchuk. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Brodeur (41 for 42 in saves), and Malkin, while Parise and Henrique also played very well.
Northward to Canada again, as the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jonas Gustavsson guard the cages. Toronto led off when Phil Kessel converted a penalty shot as his twenty-fourth of the season. The Maple Leafs added on with a Dion Phaneuf power play goal, his seventh of the year going in unassisted. Toronto struck again on a Dave Steckel goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Joffrey Lupul and Kessel. Detroit got going in the second period on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen. The Red Wings pulled closer on a Niklas Kronwall goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Franzen and Datsyuk. Detroit tied it in the third period with the twelfth of the campaign by Jiri Hudler, set up by Brad Stuart and Henrik Zetterberg. The Maple Leafs would grab the lead back and hold it at 4-3 with an unassisted Lupul goal, his nineteenth of the year. Lupul, Kessel, and Datsyuk were the three stars, while Franzen gets an honorable mention.
To the south, the Nashville Predators hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters attempted to oppose Pekka Rinne in goal. Nashville was first on the board as Shea Weber got his ninth of the season, assisted by Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn. The Predators extended the lead with a Craig Smtih power play goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of David Legwand and Colin Wilson. Nashville added on in the second period with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his tenth of the season, via Mike Fisher and Ryan Ellis. Hornqvist added on in the third period for the Predators with another power play goal, his second of the night and eleventh of the year, thanks to Erat and Fisher. Carolina got on the board with a Jay Harrison goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Anthony Stewart. Nashville shot back with an Ellis power play goal, powered by Roman Josi and Fisher, the latter getting a sock trick. The Hurricanes cut it down to 5-2 with a Harrison power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Jamie McBain and Brandon Sutter. Hornqvist, Rinne (27 for 29 in saves), and Ellis had the three stars while Fisher, Harrison, and Erat get honorable mentions.
In the desert, the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Mike Smith were in front of the goalmouths. Phoenix led off with a Shane Doan goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Daymond Langkow. New York tied it on a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau. The Coyotes took the lead back in the second period with Doan's second of the night and eleventh of the season, and the lone assist came from Keith Yandle. Taylor Pyatt added on for Phoenix with his fifth of the year, thanks to Lauri Korpikoski and Marc-Antoine Pouliot. The Coyotes extended the lead further with the seventh of the season for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, made possible by Radim Vrbata and Rostislav Klesla. Phoenix iced it at 5-1 when Doan finished his hat trick with his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Ray Whitney and Ekman-Larsson. The three stars went out to Doan, Smith (31 for 32 in saves), and Ekman-Larsson.
Back to the Midwest, where the St. Louis Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Brian Elliott will wear the pads. Patrik Berglund sparked things for St. Louis on his tenth of the season, guided in by T.J. Oshie and Matt D'Agostini. The Blues added on with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his sixth of the year, pushed through by Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Sobotka. St. Louis kept going in the second period with a power play goal by Jason Arnott, his ninth of the season, thanks to Sobotka and Shattenkirk. The Blues made it 4-0 with another power play goal, the thirteenth of the year for David Backes, powered by Oshie and Pietrangelo. The third period was silent, so this held as a final, and the three stars were Oshie, Berglund, and Sobotka, while Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk got the honorable mentions.
Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Calgary got things going with a third period Lance Bouma goal, made possible by Lee Stempniak and Mikael Backlund. The Flames added on with a Jarome Iginla goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Curtis Glencross and Olli Jokinen. It is the 500th of his career. Calgary extended the lead again with Glencross potting his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Jay Bouwmeester and T.J. Brodie. Minnesota got on the board with a Dany Heatley goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Mikko Koivu and Devin Setoguchi. This concluded the scoring, and the three stars in the 3-1 game were Iginla, Kiprusoff (27 for 28 in saves), and Bouma, while Glencross gets honorable mention.
Down to the Pacific Coast, with the San Jose Sharks hosting the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Antti Niemi man the creases. San Jose struck first with a Jason Demers goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jamie McGinn and Torrey Mitchell in the second period. Washington answered with Dennis Wideman potting his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Troy Brouwer and Alexander Semin. The Sharks took the lead late in the frame when Brent Burns put his seventh of the season away on the power play, guided in by Dan Boyle and Patrick Marleau. The Capitals tied it again with a Joel Ward goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, pushed through by Wideman and Jason Chimera. San Jose stole it back sixteen seconds later on a Marleau's fifteenth of the season, coming off of Joe Thornton and Boyle. The Sharks extended the lead with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, set up by Ryane Clowe and Marleau, as his third of the year. Mitchell iced it at 5-2 for San Jose with an empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, allowing Boyle to get a sock trick alongside a Michal Handzus assist. Marleau, Boyle, and Mitchell got the three stars, while Wideman earned the honorable mention.
Friday, January 6, 2012
NHL Day 93 2011-2012
Only five games to go on tonight, starting in...
Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury get the starting nods. Pittsburgh led off with a Ben Lovejoy goal, assisted by Craig Adams and Joe Vitale. New York replied with the fifteenth of the season for Brad Richards, made possible by Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers took the lead in the second period with a shorthanded Dubinsky goal, his fifth of the year, with passes from Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. New York extended the lead when Derek Stepan potted his ninth of the season, an unassisted goal. This was it for scoring, and the final sat at 3-1, with the three stars as Lundqvist (37 for 38 in saves), Dubinsky, and Lovejoy.
Down the coast to Carolina, as the Hurricanes welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Cam Ward will be in goal. Carolina got going in the second period with a Justin Faulk power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal. Buffalo answered twenty-one seconds later when Thomas Vanek notched his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Jason Pominville and Jochen Hecht. The Hurricanes took the lead again in the third period as Staal registered his tenth of the season, with the help of Tuomo Ruutu and Tim Gleason. The Sabres tied it back up on a Pominville goal, his fourteenth of the year, going down unassisted. Carolina again stole the lead with a Chad LaRose goal, his eleventh of the season, also unassisted. The Hurricanes iced it 4-2 with an empty net goal by Brandon Sutter his, tenth of the year, coming off of Staal. The three stars were Staal, LaRose, and Ward (31 for 33 in saves), while Pominville earns honorable mention.
Northward again to New Jersey, as the Devils bring in the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Johan Hedberg tend the twines. New Jersey was first on the board as Adam Henrique netted his eleventh of the season, assisted by Zach Parise. Florida answered on Mikael Samuelsson's second of the year, set up by Marcel Goc and Tomas Kopecky. The Devils gained the lead again in the second period with a Patrik Elias goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Henrik Tallinder and Mark Fayne. The Panthers retied it with a Krys Barch goal, courtesy of Michal Repik and Brian Campbell. New Jersey reclaimed the lead on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Elias and Matt Taormina. Kovalchuk added on for the Devils with his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, coming off of Bryce Salvador and Henrique, an empty net goal. New Jersey iced it 5-2 with another empty netter, this time from Parise, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Elias and Dainius Zubrus. The three stars went to Elias, Kovalchuk, and Henrique, while Parise gets an honorable mention.
Out to the Midwest, with the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Corey Crawford will be between the pipes. Colorado was first on the board with a David Jones goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Erik Johnson and T.J. Galiardi. The Avalanche extended the lead in the second period when Galiardi sank his seventh of the year, with helpers provided by Paul Stastny and Johnson. Colorado advanced further with a David van der Gulik goal, made possible by Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche put the game away at 4-0 with the fifth of the campaign by Chuck Kobasew, assisted by Jay McClement and Daniel Winnik. Galiardi, Varlamov (27 save shutout), and Johnson earned the three stars.
Finally, the Anaheim Ducks take on the New York Islanders in a battle of the woeful. Evgeni Nabokov and Jonas Hiller will wear the goalie masks. Anaheim opened the scoring in the second period on a Bobby Ryan goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Jason Blake and Saku Koivu. New York tied it with a Matt Martin goal, his fifth of the year, coming from Mark Eaton and Michael Grabner. The Islanders took the lead in the third period, as Kyle Okposo made his eighth of the season, with the help of John Tavares and Matt Moulson. The Ducks retied it with another Ryan goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year shorthanded via Corey Perry and Toni Lydman. Anaheim grabbed the lead on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Perry and Luca Sbisa. The Ducks extended the lead with a Teemu Selanne goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Niklas Hagman and Cam Fowler. This was a 4-2 score at the final, with the three stars being Ryan, Getzlaf, and Perry.
Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury get the starting nods. Pittsburgh led off with a Ben Lovejoy goal, assisted by Craig Adams and Joe Vitale. New York replied with the fifteenth of the season for Brad Richards, made possible by Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers took the lead in the second period with a shorthanded Dubinsky goal, his fifth of the year, with passes from Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. New York extended the lead when Derek Stepan potted his ninth of the season, an unassisted goal. This was it for scoring, and the final sat at 3-1, with the three stars as Lundqvist (37 for 38 in saves), Dubinsky, and Lovejoy.
Down the coast to Carolina, as the Hurricanes welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Cam Ward will be in goal. Carolina got going in the second period with a Justin Faulk power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal. Buffalo answered twenty-one seconds later when Thomas Vanek notched his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Jason Pominville and Jochen Hecht. The Hurricanes took the lead again in the third period as Staal registered his tenth of the season, with the help of Tuomo Ruutu and Tim Gleason. The Sabres tied it back up on a Pominville goal, his fourteenth of the year, going down unassisted. Carolina again stole the lead with a Chad LaRose goal, his eleventh of the season, also unassisted. The Hurricanes iced it 4-2 with an empty net goal by Brandon Sutter his, tenth of the year, coming off of Staal. The three stars were Staal, LaRose, and Ward (31 for 33 in saves), while Pominville earns honorable mention.
Northward again to New Jersey, as the Devils bring in the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Johan Hedberg tend the twines. New Jersey was first on the board as Adam Henrique netted his eleventh of the season, assisted by Zach Parise. Florida answered on Mikael Samuelsson's second of the year, set up by Marcel Goc and Tomas Kopecky. The Devils gained the lead again in the second period with a Patrik Elias goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Henrik Tallinder and Mark Fayne. The Panthers retied it with a Krys Barch goal, courtesy of Michal Repik and Brian Campbell. New Jersey reclaimed the lead on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Elias and Matt Taormina. Kovalchuk added on for the Devils with his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, coming off of Bryce Salvador and Henrique, an empty net goal. New Jersey iced it 5-2 with another empty netter, this time from Parise, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Elias and Dainius Zubrus. The three stars went to Elias, Kovalchuk, and Henrique, while Parise gets an honorable mention.
Out to the Midwest, with the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Corey Crawford will be between the pipes. Colorado was first on the board with a David Jones goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Erik Johnson and T.J. Galiardi. The Avalanche extended the lead in the second period when Galiardi sank his seventh of the year, with helpers provided by Paul Stastny and Johnson. Colorado advanced further with a David van der Gulik goal, made possible by Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche put the game away at 4-0 with the fifth of the campaign by Chuck Kobasew, assisted by Jay McClement and Daniel Winnik. Galiardi, Varlamov (27 save shutout), and Johnson earned the three stars.
Finally, the Anaheim Ducks take on the New York Islanders in a battle of the woeful. Evgeni Nabokov and Jonas Hiller will wear the goalie masks. Anaheim opened the scoring in the second period on a Bobby Ryan goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Jason Blake and Saku Koivu. New York tied it with a Matt Martin goal, his fifth of the year, coming from Mark Eaton and Michael Grabner. The Islanders took the lead in the third period, as Kyle Okposo made his eighth of the season, with the help of John Tavares and Matt Moulson. The Ducks retied it with another Ryan goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year shorthanded via Corey Perry and Toni Lydman. Anaheim grabbed the lead on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Perry and Luca Sbisa. The Ducks extended the lead with a Teemu Selanne goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Niklas Hagman and Cam Fowler. This was a 4-2 score at the final, with the three stars being Ryan, Getzlaf, and Perry.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
NHL Day 92 2011-2012
There are nine games of hockey tonight. We begin in...
Boston, as the Bruins host the Calgary Flames. Backups Leland Irving and Tuukka Rask were in goal. Boston led off with a Tyler Seguin goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Benoit Pouliot. The Bruins added on with a Milan Lucic goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Nathan Horton and David Krejci. Boston kept going with a Krejci power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Rich Peverley and Zdeno Chara. Bergeron kept the Bruins going in the second period with his tenth of the year, coming off of Seguin and Pouliot. Boston extended the lead again with a Chris Kelly goal, his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Andrew Ference and Peverley. The Bruins chased Irving with a Horton goal, his eleventh of the year, guidecd in by Lucic and Chara. Miikka Kiprusoff came in on mop up duty. Boston was relentless when Horton scored again, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, set up by Dennis Seidenberg and Krejci. The Bruins were back to work in the third period with the second Bergeron goal of the game, and his eleventh of the year, via Seguin and Pouliot, the latter getting a sock trick. Boston scored again, this time shorthanded, with a Daniel Paille goal, his seventh of the season, with no assistance. The final stood at 9-0, with Bergeron, Seguin, and Rask (25 save shutout) getting the three stars. Honorable mentions for Horton, Krejci, and Pouliot (two points doesn't earn you much here) while dishonorable mention goes to the Flames as a whole, Gregory Campbell, Shawn Thornton, Zach Hamill, and Adam McQuaid.
To New York, with the Rangers hosting the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Martin Biron will be in the blue paint. Florida led off with the third of the season for Marcel Goc, fueled by Mikael Samuelsson and Matt Bradley. New York tied it with Anton Stralman's tally, made possible by Ruslan Fedotenko. The Rangers took the lead with a third period Ryan Callahan goal, his fourteenth of the year coming on the power play from Brad Richards and Dan Girardi. The Panthers retied it on the fifth of the season for Mike Santorelli, courtesy of Brian Campbell and Samuelsson. New York would take the game 3-2 in overtime with a Marian Gaborik goal, his twenty-third of the year, with helpers provided by Derek Stepan and Michael Del Zotto. The three stars belonged to Gaborik, Richards, and Clemmensen (38 for 41 in saves), while Samuelsson gets an honorable mention.
Up to Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Ilya Bryzgalov took to the cages. Jimmy Hayes opened for Chicago with his second of the season, assisted by Jamal Mayers. Philadelphia tied it with a Jakub Voracek goal, his sixth of the year, coming from Braydon Coburn and Marc-Andre Bourdon. The Blackhawks got it back in the second period with an Andrew Shaw goal, helped along by Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. The Flyers retied it with Scott Hartnell's eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Claude Giroux and Matt Read. Philadelphia took the lead on a Harry Zolnierczyk goal, his third of the year, thanks to Sean Couturier and Andrej Meszaros. The Flyers added on with James van Riemsdyk potting his tenth of the season, via Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. Chicago pulled back in the third period on Brent Seabrook's third of the year, courtesy of Dave Bolland. The Blackhawks tied it when Patrick Kane deposited his tenth of the season, via Patrick Sharp and Toews. Philadelphia took the game 5-4 late on another van Riemsdyk goal, his eleventh of the year, a power play goal with assistance from Hartnell and Giroux. The three stars would be van Riemsdyk, Toews, and Zolnierczyk, while Giroux and Hartnell get honorable mentions.
North again to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Winnipeg Jets. Backups Chris Mason and Jonas Gustavsson will wear the masks. Toronto struck first with a Phil Kessel goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Joffrey Lupul and Tim Connolly. The Maple Leafs scored again in the second period with Connolly notching his seventh of the year, thanks to Joey Crabb and Dion Phaneuf. Toronto extended the lead in the third period with the twelfth of the season for Mikhail Grabovski, pushed through by Nikolai Kulemin and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs attacked again with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Grabovski and Cody Franson. This made the final 4-0, and the three stars went to Gustavsson (24 save shutout), Grabovski, and Connolly.
Over to Ottawa, with the Senators welcoming the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Craig Anderson got the starting nods. Ottawa scored first with Jason Spezza recording his fifteenth of the season, with the help of Colin Greening and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators added on in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, made possible by Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Condra. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period as Steven Stamkos netted his twenty-eighth of the year, from Vincent Lecavalier and Matt Gilroy. Ottawa struck back when Zack Smith sank his twelfth of the season, and Alfredsson had the lone helper. Alfredsson iced things at 4-1 for the Senators on his thirteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Turris and Nick Foligno. The three stars were awarded to Anderson (35 for 36 in saves), Alfredsson, and Turris.
Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jaroslav Halak are guarding the goalmouths. St. Louis was first to score as Chris Stewart potted his ninth of the season, and the lone assist came from Jamie Langenbrunner. Edmonton tied it in the second period with a Taylor Hall power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Ales Hemsky and Ryan Jones. Fifteen seconds later, the Oilers had a lead when Ben eager registered his fourth of the season, coming off of Andy Sutton. Edmonton extended the lead with a Jordan Eberle power play goal, set up by Sam Gagner as his seventeenth of the year. The Blues got one back as Alex Pietrangelo put away his sixth of the season in the third period, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo and David Backes on the power play. St. Louis tied the game with Backes registering his twelfth of the year, another power play goal, thanks to David Perron and Colaiacovo. The Blues took the lead with a Matt D'Agostini goal, fueled by T.J Oshie and Colaiacovo, the latter getting a sock trick on the scorer's ninth of the season. This was a final at 4-3, with the three stars handed out to Pietrangelo, Colaiacovo, and Shawn Horcoff, while Backes gets the honorable mention.
Back to the east a bit, with the Nashville Predators welcoming the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen opposes Pekka Rinne in goal. Dallas opened on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Loui Eriksson and Brenden Morrow. Nashville replied with a Gabriel Bourque goal, made possible by Jordin Tootoo and Nick Spaling. The Stars took the lead back with another Ribeiro goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, guided in by Nicklas Grossman and Eriksson. Dallas extended the lead in the second period on a Jamie Benn goal, his eleventh of the season, going down unassisted. The Stars added on again in the third period with an Adam Burish goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Tom Wandell and Jamie. This made it 4-1, a final, with the three stars being Ribeiro, Lehtonen (24 for 25 in saves), and Eriksson, while Jamie also did well.
To the west coast, where the San Jose Sharks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Backups Curtis Sanford and Thomas Greiss will be wearing the goalie gear. Columbus led off when Vinny Prospal made his eighth of the season, assisted by Mark Letestu and Antoine Vermette. San Jose tied it with a Ryane Clowe power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Michal Handzus and Jason Demers. Joe Thornton kept the crazy eights theme going for the Sharks in the second period with his eighth of the season, thanks to Patrick Marleau and Demers. The final was 2-1 after the third period went scoreless, leaving the three stars as Demers, Sanford (37 for 39 in saves), and Thornton.
Down the coast to Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Joanthan Quick will be in the creases. Los Angeles downed Phoenix in overtime by a 1-0 score with a Drew Doughty goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Jarret Stoll and Jack Johnson. The three stars were awarded to Quick (22 save shutout), Smith (27 for 28 in saves), and Doughty.
Boston, as the Bruins host the Calgary Flames. Backups Leland Irving and Tuukka Rask were in goal. Boston led off with a Tyler Seguin goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Benoit Pouliot. The Bruins added on with a Milan Lucic goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Nathan Horton and David Krejci. Boston kept going with a Krejci power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Rich Peverley and Zdeno Chara. Bergeron kept the Bruins going in the second period with his tenth of the year, coming off of Seguin and Pouliot. Boston extended the lead again with a Chris Kelly goal, his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Andrew Ference and Peverley. The Bruins chased Irving with a Horton goal, his eleventh of the year, guidecd in by Lucic and Chara. Miikka Kiprusoff came in on mop up duty. Boston was relentless when Horton scored again, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, set up by Dennis Seidenberg and Krejci. The Bruins were back to work in the third period with the second Bergeron goal of the game, and his eleventh of the year, via Seguin and Pouliot, the latter getting a sock trick. Boston scored again, this time shorthanded, with a Daniel Paille goal, his seventh of the season, with no assistance. The final stood at 9-0, with Bergeron, Seguin, and Rask (25 save shutout) getting the three stars. Honorable mentions for Horton, Krejci, and Pouliot (two points doesn't earn you much here) while dishonorable mention goes to the Flames as a whole, Gregory Campbell, Shawn Thornton, Zach Hamill, and Adam McQuaid.
To New York, with the Rangers hosting the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Martin Biron will be in the blue paint. Florida led off with the third of the season for Marcel Goc, fueled by Mikael Samuelsson and Matt Bradley. New York tied it with Anton Stralman's tally, made possible by Ruslan Fedotenko. The Rangers took the lead with a third period Ryan Callahan goal, his fourteenth of the year coming on the power play from Brad Richards and Dan Girardi. The Panthers retied it on the fifth of the season for Mike Santorelli, courtesy of Brian Campbell and Samuelsson. New York would take the game 3-2 in overtime with a Marian Gaborik goal, his twenty-third of the year, with helpers provided by Derek Stepan and Michael Del Zotto. The three stars belonged to Gaborik, Richards, and Clemmensen (38 for 41 in saves), while Samuelsson gets an honorable mention.
Up to Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Ilya Bryzgalov took to the cages. Jimmy Hayes opened for Chicago with his second of the season, assisted by Jamal Mayers. Philadelphia tied it with a Jakub Voracek goal, his sixth of the year, coming from Braydon Coburn and Marc-Andre Bourdon. The Blackhawks got it back in the second period with an Andrew Shaw goal, helped along by Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. The Flyers retied it with Scott Hartnell's eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Claude Giroux and Matt Read. Philadelphia took the lead on a Harry Zolnierczyk goal, his third of the year, thanks to Sean Couturier and Andrej Meszaros. The Flyers added on with James van Riemsdyk potting his tenth of the season, via Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. Chicago pulled back in the third period on Brent Seabrook's third of the year, courtesy of Dave Bolland. The Blackhawks tied it when Patrick Kane deposited his tenth of the season, via Patrick Sharp and Toews. Philadelphia took the game 5-4 late on another van Riemsdyk goal, his eleventh of the year, a power play goal with assistance from Hartnell and Giroux. The three stars would be van Riemsdyk, Toews, and Zolnierczyk, while Giroux and Hartnell get honorable mentions.
North again to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Winnipeg Jets. Backups Chris Mason and Jonas Gustavsson will wear the masks. Toronto struck first with a Phil Kessel goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Joffrey Lupul and Tim Connolly. The Maple Leafs scored again in the second period with Connolly notching his seventh of the year, thanks to Joey Crabb and Dion Phaneuf. Toronto extended the lead in the third period with the twelfth of the season for Mikhail Grabovski, pushed through by Nikolai Kulemin and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs attacked again with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Grabovski and Cody Franson. This made the final 4-0, and the three stars went to Gustavsson (24 save shutout), Grabovski, and Connolly.
Over to Ottawa, with the Senators welcoming the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Craig Anderson got the starting nods. Ottawa scored first with Jason Spezza recording his fifteenth of the season, with the help of Colin Greening and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators added on in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, made possible by Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Condra. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period as Steven Stamkos netted his twenty-eighth of the year, from Vincent Lecavalier and Matt Gilroy. Ottawa struck back when Zack Smith sank his twelfth of the season, and Alfredsson had the lone helper. Alfredsson iced things at 4-1 for the Senators on his thirteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Turris and Nick Foligno. The three stars were awarded to Anderson (35 for 36 in saves), Alfredsson, and Turris.
Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jaroslav Halak are guarding the goalmouths. St. Louis was first to score as Chris Stewart potted his ninth of the season, and the lone assist came from Jamie Langenbrunner. Edmonton tied it in the second period with a Taylor Hall power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Ales Hemsky and Ryan Jones. Fifteen seconds later, the Oilers had a lead when Ben eager registered his fourth of the season, coming off of Andy Sutton. Edmonton extended the lead with a Jordan Eberle power play goal, set up by Sam Gagner as his seventeenth of the year. The Blues got one back as Alex Pietrangelo put away his sixth of the season in the third period, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo and David Backes on the power play. St. Louis tied the game with Backes registering his twelfth of the year, another power play goal, thanks to David Perron and Colaiacovo. The Blues took the lead with a Matt D'Agostini goal, fueled by T.J Oshie and Colaiacovo, the latter getting a sock trick on the scorer's ninth of the season. This was a final at 4-3, with the three stars handed out to Pietrangelo, Colaiacovo, and Shawn Horcoff, while Backes gets the honorable mention.
Back to the east a bit, with the Nashville Predators welcoming the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen opposes Pekka Rinne in goal. Dallas opened on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Loui Eriksson and Brenden Morrow. Nashville replied with a Gabriel Bourque goal, made possible by Jordin Tootoo and Nick Spaling. The Stars took the lead back with another Ribeiro goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, guided in by Nicklas Grossman and Eriksson. Dallas extended the lead in the second period on a Jamie Benn goal, his eleventh of the season, going down unassisted. The Stars added on again in the third period with an Adam Burish goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Tom Wandell and Jamie. This made it 4-1, a final, with the three stars being Ribeiro, Lehtonen (24 for 25 in saves), and Eriksson, while Jamie also did well.
To the west coast, where the San Jose Sharks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Backups Curtis Sanford and Thomas Greiss will be wearing the goalie gear. Columbus led off when Vinny Prospal made his eighth of the season, assisted by Mark Letestu and Antoine Vermette. San Jose tied it with a Ryane Clowe power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Michal Handzus and Jason Demers. Joe Thornton kept the crazy eights theme going for the Sharks in the second period with his eighth of the season, thanks to Patrick Marleau and Demers. The final was 2-1 after the third period went scoreless, leaving the three stars as Demers, Sanford (37 for 39 in saves), and Thornton.
Down the coast to Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Joanthan Quick will be in the creases. Los Angeles downed Phoenix in overtime by a 1-0 score with a Drew Doughty goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Jarret Stoll and Jack Johnson. The three stars were awarded to Quick (22 save shutout), Smith (27 for 28 in saves), and Doughty.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
NHL Day 91 2011-2012
Only four games rolling tonight. We begin north of the border...
As the Montreal Canadiens host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Carey Price get the starting nods. Winnipeg struck first with the sixth of the season by Tim Stapleton, courtesy of Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler. Montreal answered with a Josh Gorges goal, his second of the year, coming off of David Desharnais and Erik Cole. The Canadiens took the lead on an unassisted Lars Eller goal, his fifth of the season. Montreal extended the lead in the second period with a Tomas Kaberle goal, made possible by Travis Moen and Eller. The Jets got one back on the power play as Wheeler put away his seventh of the year, thanks to Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom. The Canadiens got it back in the third period when Eller netted his second of the game and sixth of the season, with the help of Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn. Montreal hit again twenty-two seconds later with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Cole and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens kept the attack up twenty-eight seconds later with another Eller goal, completing the hat trick on his seventh of the season, guided in by Kostitsyn and Moen, the latter getting a sock trick. Chris Mason relieved Pavelec after this stunning outburst. Montreal extended the lead again later with an Eller goal on a penalty shot, his officially doubling his goal total for the season with his eighth of the year on a Ron Hainsey hook. Winnipeg finally answered meekly with an Andrew Ladd goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, guided in by Hainsey and Nik Antropov. The final was 7-3, and the three stars go to Eller, Kostitsyn, and Cole, while the honorable mentions include Wheeler, Moen, and did I mention Eller?
Down to New Jersey with the Devils welcoming the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Martin Brodeur will be in goal. David Clarkson got things started in New Jersey's favor by netting his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal from Zach Parise. Boston tied it with a Gregory Campbell goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Andrew Ference and Chris Kelly. The Bruins took the lead with a Nathan Horton power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Boston extended the lead in the second period when Patrice Bergeron put away his eighth of the year unassisted. The Bruins kept going in the third with another Bergeron goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, with assists from Brad Marchand and Lucic. Krejci kept Boston going with his eighth of the year, thanks to Dennis Seidenberg and Lucic, the latter getting a sock trick. The Bruins added on once again with a Shawn Thornton goal, his third of the season, pushed through by Daniel Paille and Seidenberg. The final was 6-1 with Bergeron, Krejci, and Thomas (30 for 31 in saves) getting the three stars and Lucic and Seidenberg earning honorable mention.
To the west, where the Vancouver Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Roberto Luongo will tend the twines. Vancouver struck first on a Daniel Sedin goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Henrik Sedin and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks added on with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Daniel and Henrik.
Finally, the Battle of California continues when the Anaheim Ducks welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Anaheim led off with a Corey Perry goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Andrew Cogliano. San Jose got going in the second period with a Brad Winchester goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Jamie McGinn and Jason Demers. The Sharks took the lead with Benn Ferriero notching his fourth of the season, thanks to Logan Couture and Dan Boyle. San Jose struck again in the third period with the sixteenth of the year for Joe Pavelski, set up by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. The final was 3-1, and the three stars went to Perry, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Cam Fowler, while point-earners would like some representation.
As the Montreal Canadiens host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Carey Price get the starting nods. Winnipeg struck first with the sixth of the season by Tim Stapleton, courtesy of Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler. Montreal answered with a Josh Gorges goal, his second of the year, coming off of David Desharnais and Erik Cole. The Canadiens took the lead on an unassisted Lars Eller goal, his fifth of the season. Montreal extended the lead in the second period with a Tomas Kaberle goal, made possible by Travis Moen and Eller. The Jets got one back on the power play as Wheeler put away his seventh of the year, thanks to Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom. The Canadiens got it back in the third period when Eller netted his second of the game and sixth of the season, with the help of Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn. Montreal hit again twenty-two seconds later with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Cole and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens kept the attack up twenty-eight seconds later with another Eller goal, completing the hat trick on his seventh of the season, guided in by Kostitsyn and Moen, the latter getting a sock trick. Chris Mason relieved Pavelec after this stunning outburst. Montreal extended the lead again later with an Eller goal on a penalty shot, his officially doubling his goal total for the season with his eighth of the year on a Ron Hainsey hook. Winnipeg finally answered meekly with an Andrew Ladd goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, guided in by Hainsey and Nik Antropov. The final was 7-3, and the three stars go to Eller, Kostitsyn, and Cole, while the honorable mentions include Wheeler, Moen, and did I mention Eller?
Down to New Jersey with the Devils welcoming the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Martin Brodeur will be in goal. David Clarkson got things started in New Jersey's favor by netting his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal from Zach Parise. Boston tied it with a Gregory Campbell goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Andrew Ference and Chris Kelly. The Bruins took the lead with a Nathan Horton power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Boston extended the lead in the second period when Patrice Bergeron put away his eighth of the year unassisted. The Bruins kept going in the third with another Bergeron goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, with assists from Brad Marchand and Lucic. Krejci kept Boston going with his eighth of the year, thanks to Dennis Seidenberg and Lucic, the latter getting a sock trick. The Bruins added on once again with a Shawn Thornton goal, his third of the season, pushed through by Daniel Paille and Seidenberg. The final was 6-1 with Bergeron, Krejci, and Thomas (30 for 31 in saves) getting the three stars and Lucic and Seidenberg earning honorable mention.
To the west, where the Vancouver Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Roberto Luongo will tend the twines. Vancouver struck first on a Daniel Sedin goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Henrik Sedin and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks added on with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Daniel and Henrik.
Finally, the Battle of California continues when the Anaheim Ducks welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Anaheim led off with a Corey Perry goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Andrew Cogliano. San Jose got going in the second period with a Brad Winchester goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Jamie McGinn and Jason Demers. The Sharks took the lead with Benn Ferriero notching his fourth of the season, thanks to Logan Couture and Dan Boyle. San Jose struck again in the third period with the sixteenth of the year for Joe Pavelski, set up by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. The final was 3-1, and the three stars went to Perry, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Cam Fowler, while point-earners would like some representation.
NHL Day 90 2011-2012
Six games will go tonight, and we begin with...
The Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Jonas Gustavsson pick up the starts. Tampa Bay struck early with the fourteenth of the season by Vincent Lecavalier, assisted by J.T. Wyman and Dominic Moore. Toronto tied it on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Tim Connolly and Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead on a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Connolly and Lupul. The Lightning retied it with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, made possible by Martin St. Louis. Toronto shot back on a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Lupul and Luke Schenn. Tampa Bay got another equalizer when Pavel Kubina put his third of the year away, thanks to Eric Brewer. The Maple Leafs regained the lead again quickly as Darryl Boyce scored, helped along by Matt Frattin and Keith Aulie. Toronto added on again with a Frattin goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Nazem Kadri and Matthew Lombardi. The Maple Leafs rolled on with a power play goal in the third period, the sixth of the season for Dion Phaneuf, powered by Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur. Toronto iced it at 7-3 with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming from Lupul for a sock trick and Phaneuf. Lupul, Frattin, and Gunnarsson had the three stars while Connolly, Grabovski, and Phaneuf were the honorable mentions.
Down to Carolina, where the Hurricanes host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Cam Ward guard the cages. New York was first to score with a Matt Moulson power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Frans Nielsen. Carolina got an equalizer when Anthony Stewart potted his sixth of the year, with the help of Jay Harrison and Andreas Nodl. Brandon Sutter put the Hurricanes ahead in the second period on his ninth of the season, made possible by Drayson Bowman.The Islanders retied it on a Nielsen power play goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Mark Streit and Tavares. Carolina shot back with a Chad LaRose goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Sutter. New York got a quick equalizer with a Kyle Okposo goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Tavares for a sock trick and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders would take the game 4-3 over the Hurricanes in the shootout when P.A. Parenteau and Nielsen outscored Jussi Jokinen. The three stars went to Tavares, LaRose, and Sutter, while Nielsen picks up an honorable mention.
Up just a bit to Washington with the Capitals welcoming the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Tomas Vokoun tend the twines. Washington was first to score with Alex Ovechkin netting his seventeenth of the season on the power play with help from Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with a second period Troy Brouwer goal, his eleventh of the year coming on the power play via Ovechkin and Backstrom. Calgary got on the board with a Curtis Glencross goal, his sixteenth of the season, helped along by Jarome Iginla and T.J. Brodie. Washington got it back when Dennis Wideman scored his seventh of the year, assisted by Backstrom for a sock trick and Johansson. The third period was scoreless, so the final was 3-1, and the three stars were Backstrom, Johansson, and Ovechkin.
Into upstate New York, as the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Ryan Miller will attempt to stop the puck. Edmonton struck first with a Taylor Hall goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Ales Hemsky. Buffalo tied it with a Jason Pominville goal, his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Jochen Hecht and Brayden McNabb. The Sabres took the lead in the second period when the seventh of the season by Jordan Leopold found twine, and he got help from Drew Stafford and McNabb. The Oilers got it back with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jeff Petry and Hemsky. Stafford gave Buffalo another lead in the third period on his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Nathan Gerbe and Derek Roy. The Sabres extended the lead with Gerbe's fourth of the season, and the lone assist was off Stafford's tape. Edmonton got it to 4-3 with a Corey Potter goal, his third of the year, thanks to Jordan Eberle and Anton Lander. This would be a final, and the three stars would go to Stafford, Gerbe, and McNabb. Gagner and Hemsky earned honorable mentions.
Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Kari Lehtonen are the masked men. Detroit was first to score as Valtteri Filppula netted his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Ian White. The Red Wings extended the lead on a Jiri Hudler goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Zetterberg and Filppula. Dallas got on the board when Loui Eriksson scored his fourteenth of the season, set up by Jamie Benn and Jordie Benn. Detroit got it back when Hudler netted his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with helpers provided by Filppula and Zetterberg, the latter notching a sock trick. The Stars pulled back in the second period with a Jamie goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Michael Ryder. Cory Emmerton shot back for the Red Wings with his fourth of the year, fueled by Gustav Nyquist and Brad Stuart. Dallas replied again on a Ryder goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Jamie and Eriksson. Detroit answered yet again on a Johan Franzen goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Pavel Datsyuk. The Stars got to 5-4 before the game expired as Ryder potted his second of the night and seventeenth of the year, helped along by Tom Wandell and Trevor Daley. Hudler, Ryder, and Filppula got the three stars while Zetterbeg, Jamie, and Eriksson were the honorable mentions.
Up a little to our terminus in St. Louis, as the Blues take on the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jaroslav Halak got the starting nods. St. Louis led off with a Chris Stewart goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by David Backes and David Perron. The Blues added on with a Jamie Langenbrunner goal, his third of the year, pushed through by Barret Jackman and Vladimir Sobotka. Phoenix got on the board with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. St. Louis got it back in the second period when T.J. Oshie potted a power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Alex Pietrangelo and Perron. The Blues iced it in the third period at 4-1 with a Patrik Berglund empty net goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Langenbrunner and Pietrangelo. The three stars went to Halak (34 for 35 in saves), Stewart, and Jackman, while Langenbrunner, Pietrangelo, and Perron pick up honorable mentions.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Jonas Gustavsson pick up the starts. Tampa Bay struck early with the fourteenth of the season by Vincent Lecavalier, assisted by J.T. Wyman and Dominic Moore. Toronto tied it on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Tim Connolly and Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead on a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Connolly and Lupul. The Lightning retied it with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, made possible by Martin St. Louis. Toronto shot back on a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Lupul and Luke Schenn. Tampa Bay got another equalizer when Pavel Kubina put his third of the year away, thanks to Eric Brewer. The Maple Leafs regained the lead again quickly as Darryl Boyce scored, helped along by Matt Frattin and Keith Aulie. Toronto added on again with a Frattin goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Nazem Kadri and Matthew Lombardi. The Maple Leafs rolled on with a power play goal in the third period, the sixth of the season for Dion Phaneuf, powered by Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur. Toronto iced it at 7-3 with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming from Lupul for a sock trick and Phaneuf. Lupul, Frattin, and Gunnarsson had the three stars while Connolly, Grabovski, and Phaneuf were the honorable mentions.
Down to Carolina, where the Hurricanes host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Cam Ward guard the cages. New York was first to score with a Matt Moulson power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Frans Nielsen. Carolina got an equalizer when Anthony Stewart potted his sixth of the year, with the help of Jay Harrison and Andreas Nodl. Brandon Sutter put the Hurricanes ahead in the second period on his ninth of the season, made possible by Drayson Bowman.The Islanders retied it on a Nielsen power play goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Mark Streit and Tavares. Carolina shot back with a Chad LaRose goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Sutter. New York got a quick equalizer with a Kyle Okposo goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Tavares for a sock trick and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders would take the game 4-3 over the Hurricanes in the shootout when P.A. Parenteau and Nielsen outscored Jussi Jokinen. The three stars went to Tavares, LaRose, and Sutter, while Nielsen picks up an honorable mention.
Up just a bit to Washington with the Capitals welcoming the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Tomas Vokoun tend the twines. Washington was first to score with Alex Ovechkin netting his seventeenth of the season on the power play with help from Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with a second period Troy Brouwer goal, his eleventh of the year coming on the power play via Ovechkin and Backstrom. Calgary got on the board with a Curtis Glencross goal, his sixteenth of the season, helped along by Jarome Iginla and T.J. Brodie. Washington got it back when Dennis Wideman scored his seventh of the year, assisted by Backstrom for a sock trick and Johansson. The third period was scoreless, so the final was 3-1, and the three stars were Backstrom, Johansson, and Ovechkin.
Into upstate New York, as the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Ryan Miller will attempt to stop the puck. Edmonton struck first with a Taylor Hall goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Ales Hemsky. Buffalo tied it with a Jason Pominville goal, his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Jochen Hecht and Brayden McNabb. The Sabres took the lead in the second period when the seventh of the season by Jordan Leopold found twine, and he got help from Drew Stafford and McNabb. The Oilers got it back with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jeff Petry and Hemsky. Stafford gave Buffalo another lead in the third period on his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Nathan Gerbe and Derek Roy. The Sabres extended the lead with Gerbe's fourth of the season, and the lone assist was off Stafford's tape. Edmonton got it to 4-3 with a Corey Potter goal, his third of the year, thanks to Jordan Eberle and Anton Lander. This would be a final, and the three stars would go to Stafford, Gerbe, and McNabb. Gagner and Hemsky earned honorable mentions.
Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Kari Lehtonen are the masked men. Detroit was first to score as Valtteri Filppula netted his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Ian White. The Red Wings extended the lead on a Jiri Hudler goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Zetterberg and Filppula. Dallas got on the board when Loui Eriksson scored his fourteenth of the season, set up by Jamie Benn and Jordie Benn. Detroit got it back when Hudler netted his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with helpers provided by Filppula and Zetterberg, the latter notching a sock trick. The Stars pulled back in the second period with a Jamie goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Michael Ryder. Cory Emmerton shot back for the Red Wings with his fourth of the year, fueled by Gustav Nyquist and Brad Stuart. Dallas replied again on a Ryder goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Jamie and Eriksson. Detroit answered yet again on a Johan Franzen goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Pavel Datsyuk. The Stars got to 5-4 before the game expired as Ryder potted his second of the night and seventeenth of the year, helped along by Tom Wandell and Trevor Daley. Hudler, Ryder, and Filppula got the three stars while Zetterbeg, Jamie, and Eriksson were the honorable mentions.
Up a little to our terminus in St. Louis, as the Blues take on the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jaroslav Halak got the starting nods. St. Louis led off with a Chris Stewart goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by David Backes and David Perron. The Blues added on with a Jamie Langenbrunner goal, his third of the year, pushed through by Barret Jackman and Vladimir Sobotka. Phoenix got on the board with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. St. Louis got it back in the second period when T.J. Oshie potted a power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Alex Pietrangelo and Perron. The Blues iced it in the third period at 4-1 with a Patrik Berglund empty net goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Langenbrunner and Pietrangelo. The three stars went to Halak (34 for 35 in saves), Stewart, and Jackman, while Langenbrunner, Pietrangelo, and Perron pick up honorable mentions.
Monday, January 2, 2012
NHL Day 89 2011-2012
Today, our first game is the Winter Classic from Citizens Bank Park. It is here that the Philadelphia Flyers take the New York Rangers outside for the fifth edition of this annual event. Henrik Lundqvist opposes Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. The scoring began in the second period with a Brayden Schenn goal for Philadelphia, assisted by Matt Carle. The Flyers added on with Claude Giroux potting his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Max Talbot and Scott Hartnell. Thirty seconds later, New York got on the board as Michael Rupp potted his second of the year, with the help of Brandon Prust and John Mitchell. Rupp tied it for the Rangers in the third period with his second of the game and third of the season, via Prust and Mitchell again. New York gained a 3-2 lead they would hold to the end of the game with a Brad Richards goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan. Rupp, Lundqvist (34 for 36 in saves), and Giroux earned the three stars, while Mitchell and Prust earn honorable mentions.
Up to Ottawa, where the Senators host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Craig Anderson get the starting nods. Dainius Zubrus got New Jersey going in the second period with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Petr Sykora. The Devils added on with a David Clarkson goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Travis Zajac and Mattias Tedenby. Ottawa got on the board with a third period Jason Spezza goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Erik Karlsson and the goalie Anderson. The Senators tied it with a shorthanded goal by Erik Condra, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Filip Kuba. Ottawa would take the game 3-2 in the overtime period when Daniel Alfredsson scored on the power play, his twelfth of the year, powered by Karlsson and Spezza. Alfredsson, Anderson (27 for 29 in saves), and Clarkson rounded out the three stars of sons, and Spezza and Karlsson get the honorable mentions.
West to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Vancouver led off with a Jannik Hansen goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Cody Hodgson. San Jose replied in the second period when Benn Ferriero netted his third of the year, courtesy of Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture. The Sharks took the lead with a Patrick Marleau goal, his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Justin Braun and Joe Pavelski. The Canucks evened the score again in the third period on a Hodgson power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa. The tie lasted to a shootout, where San Jose beat Vancouver 3-2 on a lone Michal Handzus tally. The three stars were awarded to Hodgson, Marleau, and Luongo (33 for 35 in saves).
Southeast to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Corey Crawford were in the blue paint. Chicago opened the scoring with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Dan Carcillo. Edmonton tied it in the second period with a Ryan Smyth power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Shawn Horcoff and Taylor Hall. The Oilers grabbed the lead with another power play goal, Hall's eleventh of the season, with assistance from Jordan Eberle and Corey Potter. The Blackhawks retied it with Andrew Brunette's goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Patrick Kane. Edmonton regained the lead with Andy Sutton expertly notching his second of the season, with the help of Eberle and Smyth. The Oilers extended the lead in the third period with a Ben Eager goal, his third of the year, set up by Jeff Petry. Chicago got it to 4-3 but no further with a Jimmy Hayes goal, made possible by Bryan Bickell and Jamal Mayers. The three stars went to Smyth, Hall, and Toews, while Eberle also played decently.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles was the first to dent the scoreboard in the second period with the tenth of the season for Dustin Brown, assisted by Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards. Colorado tied it on a Ryan O'Reilly goal in the third period, his tenth of the year, thanks to Kyle Quincey. The game went to a shootout, where the Avalanche toppled the Kings with a lone Milan Hejduk tally, for a 2-1 victory. The three stars were Varlamov (31 for 32 in saves), Brown, and Quick (20 for 21 in saves).
Up to Ottawa, where the Senators host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Craig Anderson get the starting nods. Dainius Zubrus got New Jersey going in the second period with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Petr Sykora. The Devils added on with a David Clarkson goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Travis Zajac and Mattias Tedenby. Ottawa got on the board with a third period Jason Spezza goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Erik Karlsson and the goalie Anderson. The Senators tied it with a shorthanded goal by Erik Condra, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Filip Kuba. Ottawa would take the game 3-2 in the overtime period when Daniel Alfredsson scored on the power play, his twelfth of the year, powered by Karlsson and Spezza. Alfredsson, Anderson (27 for 29 in saves), and Clarkson rounded out the three stars of sons, and Spezza and Karlsson get the honorable mentions.
West to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Vancouver led off with a Jannik Hansen goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Cody Hodgson. San Jose replied in the second period when Benn Ferriero netted his third of the year, courtesy of Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture. The Sharks took the lead with a Patrick Marleau goal, his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Justin Braun and Joe Pavelski. The Canucks evened the score again in the third period on a Hodgson power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa. The tie lasted to a shootout, where San Jose beat Vancouver 3-2 on a lone Michal Handzus tally. The three stars were awarded to Hodgson, Marleau, and Luongo (33 for 35 in saves).
Southeast to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Corey Crawford were in the blue paint. Chicago opened the scoring with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Dan Carcillo. Edmonton tied it in the second period with a Ryan Smyth power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Shawn Horcoff and Taylor Hall. The Oilers grabbed the lead with another power play goal, Hall's eleventh of the season, with assistance from Jordan Eberle and Corey Potter. The Blackhawks retied it with Andrew Brunette's goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Patrick Kane. Edmonton regained the lead with Andy Sutton expertly notching his second of the season, with the help of Eberle and Smyth. The Oilers extended the lead in the third period with a Ben Eager goal, his third of the year, set up by Jeff Petry. Chicago got it to 4-3 but no further with a Jimmy Hayes goal, made possible by Bryan Bickell and Jamal Mayers. The three stars went to Smyth, Hall, and Toews, while Eberle also played decently.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles was the first to dent the scoreboard in the second period with the tenth of the season for Dustin Brown, assisted by Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards. Colorado tied it on a Ryan O'Reilly goal in the third period, his tenth of the year, thanks to Kyle Quincey. The game went to a shootout, where the Avalanche toppled the Kings with a lone Milan Hejduk tally, for a 2-1 victory. The three stars were Varlamov (31 for 32 in saves), Brown, and Quick (20 for 21 in saves).
Fantasy Football All-Stars week 17
Not many people go this week, but for those who did, the following players were the best to own.
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Matt Flynn, Drew Brees
Running Back: Ray Rice and Michael Turner
Wide Receiver: Jordy Nelson, Calvin Johnson, Marques Colston
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez
Kicker: Dan Carpenter, Sebastian Janikowski, David "Touchdown" Akers
Team Defense: Chicago
No Defensive Players this week, as I had no teams in leagues running week 17 playoffs and IDP.
I also managed to snag a third place win and a second place loss this week, the first and only runner-up finish I had. It was a great season and an exciting end to it as well, and I'll be recapping the playoffs as they progress for the next few weeks.
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Matt Flynn, Drew Brees
Running Back: Ray Rice and Michael Turner
Wide Receiver: Jordy Nelson, Calvin Johnson, Marques Colston
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez
Kicker: Dan Carpenter, Sebastian Janikowski, David "Touchdown" Akers
Team Defense: Chicago
No Defensive Players this week, as I had no teams in leagues running week 17 playoffs and IDP.
I also managed to snag a third place win and a second place loss this week, the first and only runner-up finish I had. It was a great season and an exciting end to it as well, and I'll be recapping the playoffs as they progress for the next few weeks.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 12
Top 10 list this week, too many studs to leave out.
1. Alex Ovechkin, 5 G, 2 A, +4, 4 PIM, 3 PPP, 17 SOG
2. Henrik Lundqvist, 2 W, 0.50 GAA, 55 SV, .982 SV%, 1 SO
3. Jonathan Quick, 3 W, 1.33 GAA, 91 SV, .958 SV%, 1 SO
4. Jimmy Howard, 3 W, 1.51 GAA, 116 SV, .951 SV%, 1 SO
5. Steve Downie, 2 G, 5 A, +5, 4 PIM, 1 PPP, 8 SOG
6. Steven Stamkos, 6 G, 0 A, +2, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 10 SOG
7. Chris Mason, 1 W, 0.00 GAA, 31 SV, 1.000 SV%, 1 SO
8. Daniel Sedin, 4 G, 1 A, +4, 4 PIM, 0 PPP, 16 SOG
9. Tomas Vokoun, 3 W, 1.32 GAA, 107 SV, .955 SV%, 0 SO
10. Martin St. Louis, 0 G, 6 A, +2, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 7 SOG
1. Alex Ovechkin, 5 G, 2 A, +4, 4 PIM, 3 PPP, 17 SOG
2. Henrik Lundqvist, 2 W, 0.50 GAA, 55 SV, .982 SV%, 1 SO
3. Jonathan Quick, 3 W, 1.33 GAA, 91 SV, .958 SV%, 1 SO
4. Jimmy Howard, 3 W, 1.51 GAA, 116 SV, .951 SV%, 1 SO
5. Steve Downie, 2 G, 5 A, +5, 4 PIM, 1 PPP, 8 SOG
6. Steven Stamkos, 6 G, 0 A, +2, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 10 SOG
7. Chris Mason, 1 W, 0.00 GAA, 31 SV, 1.000 SV%, 1 SO
8. Daniel Sedin, 4 G, 1 A, +4, 4 PIM, 0 PPP, 16 SOG
9. Tomas Vokoun, 3 W, 1.32 GAA, 107 SV, .955 SV%, 0 SO
10. Martin St. Louis, 0 G, 6 A, +2, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 7 SOG
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sunday Night Game week 17
The final playoff spot is determined tonight as the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys for NFC East supremacy. New York struck first with Eli Manning tossing a touchdown pass to Victor Cruz, who, after the catch and run, had racked up 74 yards. Lawrence Tynes made the extra point. The Giants added on in the second quarter with a 5 yard Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown rush, and Tynes was good with the extra point once again. New York would lead 21-0 at halftime after Manning found Bradshaw for a 10 yard touchdown connection, and Tynes added the PAT. Dallas got going in the third quarter with a 34 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Laurent Robinson, and Dan Bailey was there to make the extra point. The Cowboys pulled even closer in the fourth quarter, as Romo found Robinson again, this time a 6 yard connection for a touchdown, and Bailey made another extra point. The Giants got some back with a 28 yard Tynes field goal. New York put it away at 31-14 with Manning tossing a 4 yard touchdown to Hakeem Nicks, and Tynes had the extra point. This was a final, and the Giants entered the playoffs as NFC East champions with a 9-7 record, while the Cowboys were 8-8.
NFL Late Games week 17
Six games on this afternoon, beginning with an NFC South battle between the in Atlanta Falcons and out Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fine state of Georgia. Atlanta struck first with a Jacquizz Rodgers touchdown run of 1 yard, and Matt Bryant supplied the extra point. The Falcons added on with a Matt Ryan touchdown to Julio Jones, a 17 yard play capped by a Bryant PAT. Ryan and Jones met up on the next offensive drive, this time going 48 yards to nab another touchdown connection, and Bryant was there with the extra point for Atlanta. The Falcons continued to dominate in the second quarter as Michael Turner ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Bryant tallied another extra point. Atlanta turned to the defense next, as Curtis Lofton picked off Josh Freeman and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown, allowing Bryant the extra point. Turner picked up the Falcons offense again by ripping off an 81 yard touchdown rush, and Bryant was there with the extra point once again. Tampa Bay finally woke up and said something, as Freeman found Dezmon Briscoe for a 2 yard touchdown pass, and Connor Barth finally got a chance to kick an extra point. The score sat at 42-7 for halftime. The Buccaneers continued on the "comeback" trail with a third quarter field goal by Barth, from 41 yards away. Tampa Bay continued as Elbert Mack picked off Chris Redman for 40 yards and a touchdown, and Freeman passed to Kellen Winslow for the two point conversion. The Buccaneers rolled on in the fourth quarter with a Freeman and Briscoe connection, a 5 yard touchdown play, capped off by a failed two-point run for Freeman. Atlanta had some parting gifts when Bryant nailed a 20 yard field goal. This made it 45-24, the final, improving the Falcons to 10-6 and dropping the Buccaneers to 4-12. Atlanta will take the fifth seed in the NFC with the victory.
Out west, the Arizona Cardinals take on their NFC West opponents, the Seattle Seahawks in a meaningless game. Arizona drew first blood with a 1 yard Chester Taylor touchdown run, and Jay Feely made the extra point. Seattle answered in the second quarter on a Steven Hauschka field goal from 43 yards away. Feely answered for the Cardinals with a 41 yard field goal. This gave them a 10-3 lead to take into the half. The Seahawks tied it in the third quarter when Leon Washington unleashed a 48 yard touchdown run, and Hauschka supplied the extra point. Arizona took the lead again on a John Skelton touchdown pass of 13 yards to Todd Heap, and Feely made the extra point. Feely added a 43 yard field goal for the Cardinals in the fourth quarter. Seattle got back within range on Hauschka's 26 yard field goal. The Seahawks tied it with a 61 yard touchdown pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Ricardo Lockette, and Hauschka had the tying extra point. The game went to overtime, where Arizona won it on Feely's 28 yard field goal, improving them to 8-8, and dropping Seattle to 7-9.
Just a little to the northwest, the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers will go to war for AFC West and California pride, where the Raiders need a win to stay in the postseason conversation. The Raiders are the underdogs here, requiring both a win and a Denver loss to clinch. Oakland was first on the board with a 3 yard Carson Palmer touchdown pass, this one landing in the hands of Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. San Diego tied it up with Philip Rivers throwing a touchdown to Antonio Gates, a 38 yard play finished off by a Nick Novak extra point. The Chargers gained the lead with a 1 yard Mike Tolbert rush for a touchdown, and Novak was there with the extra point. The Raiders pulled back with Janikowski kicking a 52 yard field goal. San Diego quickly made up for it with a return of the ensuing kickoff by Richard Goodman for 105 yards and a touchdown, allowing Novak to score an extra point. Oakland got a few back again as Janikowski made a 43 yard field goal. The Chargers answered with Novak kicking a 51 yard field goal for a 24-13 lead, which lasted to halftime. Janikowski pulled the Raiders back in range again in the third quarter on a 27 yard chip shot. San Diego shot back when Rivers passed 13 yards to Vincent Jackson for a touchdown, and Novak made his PAT. Oakland kept kicking with a 32 yard field goal from Janikowski's foot. The Raiders pulled within shouting distance as Palmer connected with Kevin Boss for 22 yards and a touchdown, allowing Janikowski the extra point. The Chargers got more separation with Rivers throwing 43 yards for Malcom Floyd, resulting in a touchdown and a Novak extra point. The final is 38-26, eliminating Oakland from playoff contention on a tiebreaker with Denver. Both teams here are 8-8, but do not hold a tiebreaker advantage, and the wild card positions have been taken care of, so they are out on that front as well.
A similar situation unfolds in Denver, as the Broncos will need to beat their AFC West opponents, the Kansas City Chiefs to have a chance at a playoff seed. The Broncos have the upper hand over Oakland as mentioned above, needing only a win or an Oakland loss. Kansas City was first on the board with a 21 yard touchdown rush by Dexter McCluster, iced off with a Ryan Succop extra point. This lasted to halftime as a 7-0 score. Matt Prater got Denver on the board in the third quarter with a 38 yard field goal. This made it 7-3, and after a silent fourth quarter, the score was finalized. The Chiefs improve to 7-9, and the Broncos are now 8-8, and will take the division anyway due to a Raiders loss.
Back to Ohio, where the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. The Steelers would like this game and a Baltimore Ravens loss (see next paragraph) to clinch a bye next week. Cleveland first dented the scoreboard with a second quarter Phil Dawson field goal of 26 yards. The Browns added on with a Dawson kicking a 45 yard field goal. Pittsburgh got on the board as the half expired with a Shaun Suisham field goal of 19 yards, for a 6-3 score. Suisham evened the score for the Steelers with a 29 yard field goal in the third quarter. Pittsburgh grabbed a lead when Isaac Redman ran 7 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham nailed the extra point. Cleveland got a few back with Dawson kicking a 49 yard field goal. The Steelers managed to hold off a furious late rally, improving to 12-4 while dropping the Browns to 4-12. Pittsburgh will be playing as a wild card next week due to the Baltimore victory below.
Finally, still in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens for AFC North pride. Baltimore will have a bye next week with a win, while Cincinnati would like this game to clinch in the wild card race. Baltimore wasted little time getting on the board as Ray Rice busted out a 70 yard touchdown run, and Billy Cundiff kicked the extra point in. Cundiff added on a 42 yard field goal for the Ravens. Cincinnati replied on a 46 yard field goal from the boot of Mike Nugent. Baltimore replied back in the second quarter with Joe Flacco's 9 yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta, and Cundiff made it 17-3 with the PAT, which would be taken to the locker rooms. The Bengals replied in the third quarter on a 25 yard Bernard Scott touchdown run, iced off by a Nugent extra point. Cincinnati pulled closer when Nugent kicked a 46 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Ravens pulled farther ahead as Rice unleashed another big run, a 51 yard dash to the end zone for the touchdown, and Cundiff made the extra point. The Bengals got back within range as Nugent made a 23 yard field goal. The final here was 24-16, improving Baltimore to 12-4 and the advantage of a bye next week while Cincinnati falls to 9-7, who clinched the sixth seed thanks to a Denver loss.
Out west, the Arizona Cardinals take on their NFC West opponents, the Seattle Seahawks in a meaningless game. Arizona drew first blood with a 1 yard Chester Taylor touchdown run, and Jay Feely made the extra point. Seattle answered in the second quarter on a Steven Hauschka field goal from 43 yards away. Feely answered for the Cardinals with a 41 yard field goal. This gave them a 10-3 lead to take into the half. The Seahawks tied it in the third quarter when Leon Washington unleashed a 48 yard touchdown run, and Hauschka supplied the extra point. Arizona took the lead again on a John Skelton touchdown pass of 13 yards to Todd Heap, and Feely made the extra point. Feely added a 43 yard field goal for the Cardinals in the fourth quarter. Seattle got back within range on Hauschka's 26 yard field goal. The Seahawks tied it with a 61 yard touchdown pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Ricardo Lockette, and Hauschka had the tying extra point. The game went to overtime, where Arizona won it on Feely's 28 yard field goal, improving them to 8-8, and dropping Seattle to 7-9.
Just a little to the northwest, the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers will go to war for AFC West and California pride, where the Raiders need a win to stay in the postseason conversation. The Raiders are the underdogs here, requiring both a win and a Denver loss to clinch. Oakland was first on the board with a 3 yard Carson Palmer touchdown pass, this one landing in the hands of Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. San Diego tied it up with Philip Rivers throwing a touchdown to Antonio Gates, a 38 yard play finished off by a Nick Novak extra point. The Chargers gained the lead with a 1 yard Mike Tolbert rush for a touchdown, and Novak was there with the extra point. The Raiders pulled back with Janikowski kicking a 52 yard field goal. San Diego quickly made up for it with a return of the ensuing kickoff by Richard Goodman for 105 yards and a touchdown, allowing Novak to score an extra point. Oakland got a few back again as Janikowski made a 43 yard field goal. The Chargers answered with Novak kicking a 51 yard field goal for a 24-13 lead, which lasted to halftime. Janikowski pulled the Raiders back in range again in the third quarter on a 27 yard chip shot. San Diego shot back when Rivers passed 13 yards to Vincent Jackson for a touchdown, and Novak made his PAT. Oakland kept kicking with a 32 yard field goal from Janikowski's foot. The Raiders pulled within shouting distance as Palmer connected with Kevin Boss for 22 yards and a touchdown, allowing Janikowski the extra point. The Chargers got more separation with Rivers throwing 43 yards for Malcom Floyd, resulting in a touchdown and a Novak extra point. The final is 38-26, eliminating Oakland from playoff contention on a tiebreaker with Denver. Both teams here are 8-8, but do not hold a tiebreaker advantage, and the wild card positions have been taken care of, so they are out on that front as well.
A similar situation unfolds in Denver, as the Broncos will need to beat their AFC West opponents, the Kansas City Chiefs to have a chance at a playoff seed. The Broncos have the upper hand over Oakland as mentioned above, needing only a win or an Oakland loss. Kansas City was first on the board with a 21 yard touchdown rush by Dexter McCluster, iced off with a Ryan Succop extra point. This lasted to halftime as a 7-0 score. Matt Prater got Denver on the board in the third quarter with a 38 yard field goal. This made it 7-3, and after a silent fourth quarter, the score was finalized. The Chiefs improve to 7-9, and the Broncos are now 8-8, and will take the division anyway due to a Raiders loss.
Back to Ohio, where the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. The Steelers would like this game and a Baltimore Ravens loss (see next paragraph) to clinch a bye next week. Cleveland first dented the scoreboard with a second quarter Phil Dawson field goal of 26 yards. The Browns added on with a Dawson kicking a 45 yard field goal. Pittsburgh got on the board as the half expired with a Shaun Suisham field goal of 19 yards, for a 6-3 score. Suisham evened the score for the Steelers with a 29 yard field goal in the third quarter. Pittsburgh grabbed a lead when Isaac Redman ran 7 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham nailed the extra point. Cleveland got a few back with Dawson kicking a 49 yard field goal. The Steelers managed to hold off a furious late rally, improving to 12-4 while dropping the Browns to 4-12. Pittsburgh will be playing as a wild card next week due to the Baltimore victory below.
Finally, still in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens for AFC North pride. Baltimore will have a bye next week with a win, while Cincinnati would like this game to clinch in the wild card race. Baltimore wasted little time getting on the board as Ray Rice busted out a 70 yard touchdown run, and Billy Cundiff kicked the extra point in. Cundiff added on a 42 yard field goal for the Ravens. Cincinnati replied on a 46 yard field goal from the boot of Mike Nugent. Baltimore replied back in the second quarter with Joe Flacco's 9 yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta, and Cundiff made it 17-3 with the PAT, which would be taken to the locker rooms. The Bengals replied in the third quarter on a 25 yard Bernard Scott touchdown run, iced off by a Nugent extra point. Cincinnati pulled closer when Nugent kicked a 46 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Ravens pulled farther ahead as Rice unleashed another big run, a 51 yard dash to the end zone for the touchdown, and Cundiff made the extra point. The Bengals got back within range as Nugent made a 23 yard field goal. The final here was 24-16, improving Baltimore to 12-4 and the advantage of a bye next week while Cincinnati falls to 9-7, who clinched the sixth seed thanks to a Denver loss.
NHL Day 88 2011-2012
Just one game on tonight, as the Nashville Predators open the New Year at home against the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Calgary was on the board early with Jarome Iginla netting his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross. Nashville replied with Kevin Klein netting his second of the year, with the help of Nick Spaling and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators took the lead on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Mike Fisher and Patric Hornqvist. Nashville stayed on the offensive in the second period with a Matt Halischuk goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Tootoo and Jack Hillen. Kostitsyn helped the Predators even more with another goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, guided in by Hornqvist and Jerred Smithson. The Flames got going again in the third period when Rene Bourque registered his thirteenth of the year, via Lee Stempniak and Blake Comeau. Calgary got within one as Brendan Morrison made his fourth of the season, assisted by T.J. Brodie and Paul Byron. Nashville iced it at 5-3 with Kostitsyn completing his hat trick on his eighth of the year, and the lone assist went to Kevin Klein. The three stars went to Kostitsyn, Hornqvist, and Tootoo, while Klein earns an honorable mention.
NFL Early Games week 17
Last week of the regular season for the NFL. There are five teams in the NFC all locked up for their spots in the postseason (Packers, Lions, Falcons, 49ers, and Saints) while in prime time the Giants and Cowboys will go toe-to-toe for the last spot left on the table. In the AFC, the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, and Texans are all locked up, while the Jets, Bengals, Titans, Raiders, and Broncos fight for the remaining spots, with the Bengals having a clear edge, and the AFC West teams also clinching on a win and enemy loss. With that said, nine games will be played on the first wave of kickoffs. First up...
The Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions, with the Packers resting their starters in an NFC North duel. Detroit drew first blood with an 8 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Titus Young, and Jason Hanson handled the extra point. They added on with a tackle on the ensuing kickoff for a 1 yard loss, resulting in a safety. Green Bay got on the board with a 22 yard Mason Crosby field goal. The Packers got the lead when Matt Flynn threw a 7 yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson, and Crosby made the extra point. Detroit took the lead back with a 13 yard Stafford touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, and Hanson supplied another extra point. Green Bay quickly reclaimed the lead when Flynn passed to Ryan Grant, and after a catch and run of 80 yards, he was in the end zone, allowing the go-ahead point by Crosby. The Lions retook the lead with a Hanson field goal from 30 yards away. The Packers regained the lead and rode it into the half when Flynn threw a 36 yard touchdown to Nelson and Crosby made it 24-19 with the extra point. Detroit shot back and regained the lead once more on a Stafford and Young connection, a 2 yard play iced off by Hanson's PAT. Green Bay took control again with Flynn finding Nelson on a 58 yard connection for a touchdown, iced by Crosby with the extra point. The Lions replied and took the lead when Stafford threw 5 yards to Kevin Smith, good for a touchdown, and they made it a 3 point lead when Stafford found Tony Scheffler on the successful two point attempt. The Packers took the lead back yet again in the most back-and-forth game of the season when Flynn connected with Donald Driver for a 35 yard reception, and Crosby again made the extra point. Detroit took the lead back once more on a Stafford touchdown pass of 12 yards to Scheffler, and Hanson was there to make the extra point. Green Bay ended up ahead in the end by a 45-41 margin when Flynn found Jermichael Finley for 4 yards and a touchdown, allowing a final extra point for Crosby. The Packers are now 15-1 while the Lions fell to 10-6 and will be watching the Falcons in the later wave of games to determine where they will be seeded.
A meaningless AFC South games follows, as the Jacksonville Jaguars welcome the Indianapolis Colts, who had done very well in the vein of "Suck for Luck." Jacksonville was first to score when Blaine Gabbert found Chastin West on a 23 yard touchdown connection, and Josh Scobee kicked in the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board in the second quarter with an Adam Vinatieri field goal of 48 yards. Scobee answered for the Jaguars with a 25 yard field goal. The score favored Jacksonville 10-3 at halftime. The Colts got a few back with Vinatieri making a third quarter field goal from 20 yards. The Jaguars replied with a pair of Scobee field goals, good from 32 and 47 yards away. Scobee kept kicking for Jacksonville in the fourth quarter, true from 39 yards. Indianapolis cut it to 19-13 with Dan Orlovsky throwing 12 yards for Austin Collie, good for a touchdown finished off with a Vinatieri PAT. This was a final, moving the Jaguars to 5-11 and the Colts down to 2-14.
To the AFC East, where the Miami Dolphins look to spoil the day of the New York Jets. Miami got out to an early lead with a 44 yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. New York took the lead with a 1 yard Mark Sanchez touchdown pass to Dustin Keller, allowing Nick Folk to kick the extra point. The Jets added on to the lead in the second quarter with a 31 yard field goal. The Dolphins cut the deficit to 10-6 with a Carpenter field goal from a whopping 58 yards as the half expired. Scoring resumed in the fourth quarter when Miami took the lead on a 1 yard Matt Moore touchdown pass to Charles Clay and Carpenter supplied the PAT. The Dolphins pulled away a little when Carpenter blasted in a 40 yard field goal. Miami put the game out of reach with a Carpenter field goal of 44 yards. New York wasn't done yet, as Sanchez found Patrick Turner with a 10 yard touchdown pass, and Folk's extra point put them within two, as 75 seconds remained on the clock. The Dolphins weathered the storm and won 19-17, improving to 6-10 while officially eliminating the Jets, who are now 8-8.
Back to the west a tad, as the NFC South sees the New Orleans Saints throw a long-shot attempt at clinching a bye against the visiting Carolina Panthers. New Orleans was first to score as Christopher Ivory busted out a 35 yard touchdown run, and John Kasay made the extra point. Carolina answered with a 12 yard Cam Newton pass to Steve Smith, good for a touchdown, and Olindo Mare kicked the extra point. The Saints took the lead back with a 15 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Marques Colston, and Kasay tacked on the extra point. Mare got a few back for the Panthers with a 41 yard field goal in the second quarter. New Orleans replied with a Kasay field goal of 43 yards. Carolina retied it when Jonathan Stewart ran 29 yards for a touchdown, and Mare made the extra point. The Saints took the lead back at 24-17 before the half when Brees found Colston gaain, this time a 42 yard connection resulting in a touchdown, and Kasay was true with the PAT. New Orleans kept on the attack in the third quarter when Brees threw a touchdown to Jimmy Graham for 19 yards, and Kasay added the extra point. The Saints rolled on with Brees throwing 1 yard for Jed Collins to record a touchdown, and Kasay again made the extra point. New Orleans didn't stop in the fourth quarter, as Brees lobbed a 9 yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles, and Kasay handled the extra point once more. This made it 45-17, the final, where the Saints went to 13-3 and knocked the Panthers back to 6-10.
Northward to the NFC North, as the Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears, with nothing on the line. Minnesota got on the board when Ryan Longwell nailed a 26 yard field goal. Percy Harvin helped the Vikings extend the lead with a 5 yard touchdown rush, and Longwell supplied the extra point. Chicago got going in the second quarter with a Josh McCown touchdown pass to Roy Williams, a 22 yard play, capped off by a Robbie Gould extra point. The Bears took the lead when Charles Tillman picked off Christian Ponder for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Gould again handled the extra point. Minnesota pulled back with Longwell kicking a 26 yard field goal for a 14-13 score heading into the locker rooms. Chicago added some distance with Gould nailing a 27 yard field goal. The Bears held on to by a 17-13 score, improving themselves to 8-8 and dropping the Vikings to 3-13.
East again, as the other AFC East matchup features the New England Patriots looking to clinch home field against the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo was first on the board with a 4 yard Tashard Choice touchdown rush, and Brandon Coutu added on the extra point. The Bills added on with a Ryan Fitzpatrick tossing an 18 yard touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson, and Coutu was there with the extra point. Buffalo kept the attack up with a 15 yard Fitzpatrick touchdown throw to C.J. Spiller, and Coutu again made the extra point. New England woke up in the second quarter with a 1 yard BenJarvus Green-Ellis touchdown rush, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point afterward. The Patriots pulled closer with Tom Brady throwing a touchdown of 39 yards to Aaron Hernandez, and Gostkowski supplied the extra point. The score was 21-14 Bills at halftime. New England got within a point in the third quarter after field goals of 47 and 20 yards by Gostkowski. The Patriots went ahead on a 17 yard Brady touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, and they made it a 7 point lead with Danny Woodhead's successful two point rush. New England got a little more separation with a 3 yard Green-Ellis run for a touchdown, and Gostkowski was good with the extra point. The Patriots continued the rally with Brady finding Gronkowski again for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski had the 42nd unanswered point. New England rubbed some salt in the wound when Sterling Moore picked Fitzpatrick off and took it 21 yards to the house to record another touchdown, with Gostkowski kicking the extra point. The final stood at 49-21, hard to believe after the first quarter, with the Patriots now at 13-3 heading into the postseason and the Bills falling to 6-10 after what was an impressive start to their season.
In the AFC South again, the Houston Texans bring in the Tennessee Titans, as the Titans look to join their opponents in the playoffs. Houston was first on the board with a 4 yard Ben Tate touchdown rush, and Neil Rackers supplied the extra point. Tennessee got on the board with a 21 yard Rob Bironas field goal. The Titans took the lead on a Matt Hasselbeck touchdown pass to Donnie Avery, a 1 yard play, iced off with Bironas on the extra point. Rackers evened it for the Texans on a 52 yard field goal. Tennessee took a 13-10 lead into halftime when Bironas nailed a 43 yard field goal. Rackers tied it again in the third quarter for Houston with his 37 yard field goal. Bironas replied for the Titans on a 33 yard field goal. Rackers again tied the game in the fourth quarter as he made a 22 yard field goal for the Texans. Tennessee took the lead again on Hasselbeck's 23 yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington, and Bironas was there with the PAT. Houston answered late with Jake Delhomme tossing a touchdown of 5 yards to Bryant Johnson, but the two-point attempt after a penalty of their own doing was unsuccessful. The Titans would go on to win 23-22, improving them to 9-7 and knocking the Texans down to 10-6. Tennessee will be biting their fingernails about the TV during the later kickoffs, as they require a Cincinnati Bengals loss, Oakland Raiders win, and Denver Broncos win to get in.
Again returning to the Atlantic area, as the Philadelphia Eagles welcome the Washington Redskins to close out the schedule. Alex Henery put Philadelphia on the board first with a 35 yard field goal. The Eagles extended the lead in the second quarter with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Chad Hall, and Henery added on an extra point. They took a 10-0 lead into the locker rooms. Washington got on the board in the third quarter when Rex Grossman passed to Roy Helu, who had a touchdown after traveling 47 yards, and Graham Gano made the PAT. Henery replied for Philadelphia by making a 20 yard field goal. The Redskins pulled back when Gano converted a 27 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Eagles added separationwhen Vick threw to DeSean Jackson for 62 yards and a touchdown, and Henery was there to make the extra point. Philadelphia put the game out of reach with a Vick touchdown pass to Brent Celek, a 4 yard reception, with Henery supplying the extra point to make it 27-10. The Eagles continued their attack as Dion Lewis ran 9 yards for a touchdown, and Henery again made an extra point for a 34-10 lead. This was a final, giving the Eagles an 8-8 record and the Redskins a mark of 5-11.
Finally in the morning, the St. Louis Rams host the San Francisco 49ers, where both teams have little to play for besides pride. St. Louis surprisingly scored first as Kellen Clemens ran 18 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Brown added the extra point. San Francisco tied it up with an 8 yard Alex Smith touchdown run, and David Akers was there with the extra point. The 49ers grabbed the lead in the second quarter as Smith tossed a 28 yard touchdown to Michael Crabtree, and Akers made the extra point again. San Francisco extended the lead again with an Akers field goal from 36 yards. The 49ers continued to score with Akers good on a 42 yard field goal, making it 20-7, a score that lasted through halftime. The Rams got a few points back in the third quarter as Brown made a 49 yard field goal. San Francisco answered on an Akers touchdown pass to Crabtree on a trick play, 14 yards for the score, and then the magician kicked the PAT. Brown replied for St. Louis with a 48 yard field goal. The 49ers shot back when Anthony Dixon rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, and Akers made the extra point. The Rams got a few back again as Clemens passed 36 yards to Brandon Lloyd for a touchdown, and Brown handled the extra point. St. Louis continued the furious comeback attempt on a 1 yard Carnell Williams touchdown run, and Brown again made the extra point. They would fall short at 34-27, as San Francisco improves to 13-3 and will be the #2 seed in the NFC, and the Rams fall to 2-14.
The Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions, with the Packers resting their starters in an NFC North duel. Detroit drew first blood with an 8 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Titus Young, and Jason Hanson handled the extra point. They added on with a tackle on the ensuing kickoff for a 1 yard loss, resulting in a safety. Green Bay got on the board with a 22 yard Mason Crosby field goal. The Packers got the lead when Matt Flynn threw a 7 yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson, and Crosby made the extra point. Detroit took the lead back with a 13 yard Stafford touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, and Hanson supplied another extra point. Green Bay quickly reclaimed the lead when Flynn passed to Ryan Grant, and after a catch and run of 80 yards, he was in the end zone, allowing the go-ahead point by Crosby. The Lions retook the lead with a Hanson field goal from 30 yards away. The Packers regained the lead and rode it into the half when Flynn threw a 36 yard touchdown to Nelson and Crosby made it 24-19 with the extra point. Detroit shot back and regained the lead once more on a Stafford and Young connection, a 2 yard play iced off by Hanson's PAT. Green Bay took control again with Flynn finding Nelson on a 58 yard connection for a touchdown, iced by Crosby with the extra point. The Lions replied and took the lead when Stafford threw 5 yards to Kevin Smith, good for a touchdown, and they made it a 3 point lead when Stafford found Tony Scheffler on the successful two point attempt. The Packers took the lead back yet again in the most back-and-forth game of the season when Flynn connected with Donald Driver for a 35 yard reception, and Crosby again made the extra point. Detroit took the lead back once more on a Stafford touchdown pass of 12 yards to Scheffler, and Hanson was there to make the extra point. Green Bay ended up ahead in the end by a 45-41 margin when Flynn found Jermichael Finley for 4 yards and a touchdown, allowing a final extra point for Crosby. The Packers are now 15-1 while the Lions fell to 10-6 and will be watching the Falcons in the later wave of games to determine where they will be seeded.
A meaningless AFC South games follows, as the Jacksonville Jaguars welcome the Indianapolis Colts, who had done very well in the vein of "Suck for Luck." Jacksonville was first to score when Blaine Gabbert found Chastin West on a 23 yard touchdown connection, and Josh Scobee kicked in the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board in the second quarter with an Adam Vinatieri field goal of 48 yards. Scobee answered for the Jaguars with a 25 yard field goal. The score favored Jacksonville 10-3 at halftime. The Colts got a few back with Vinatieri making a third quarter field goal from 20 yards. The Jaguars replied with a pair of Scobee field goals, good from 32 and 47 yards away. Scobee kept kicking for Jacksonville in the fourth quarter, true from 39 yards. Indianapolis cut it to 19-13 with Dan Orlovsky throwing 12 yards for Austin Collie, good for a touchdown finished off with a Vinatieri PAT. This was a final, moving the Jaguars to 5-11 and the Colts down to 2-14.
To the AFC East, where the Miami Dolphins look to spoil the day of the New York Jets. Miami got out to an early lead with a 44 yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. New York took the lead with a 1 yard Mark Sanchez touchdown pass to Dustin Keller, allowing Nick Folk to kick the extra point. The Jets added on to the lead in the second quarter with a 31 yard field goal. The Dolphins cut the deficit to 10-6 with a Carpenter field goal from a whopping 58 yards as the half expired. Scoring resumed in the fourth quarter when Miami took the lead on a 1 yard Matt Moore touchdown pass to Charles Clay and Carpenter supplied the PAT. The Dolphins pulled away a little when Carpenter blasted in a 40 yard field goal. Miami put the game out of reach with a Carpenter field goal of 44 yards. New York wasn't done yet, as Sanchez found Patrick Turner with a 10 yard touchdown pass, and Folk's extra point put them within two, as 75 seconds remained on the clock. The Dolphins weathered the storm and won 19-17, improving to 6-10 while officially eliminating the Jets, who are now 8-8.
Back to the west a tad, as the NFC South sees the New Orleans Saints throw a long-shot attempt at clinching a bye against the visiting Carolina Panthers. New Orleans was first to score as Christopher Ivory busted out a 35 yard touchdown run, and John Kasay made the extra point. Carolina answered with a 12 yard Cam Newton pass to Steve Smith, good for a touchdown, and Olindo Mare kicked the extra point. The Saints took the lead back with a 15 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Marques Colston, and Kasay tacked on the extra point. Mare got a few back for the Panthers with a 41 yard field goal in the second quarter. New Orleans replied with a Kasay field goal of 43 yards. Carolina retied it when Jonathan Stewart ran 29 yards for a touchdown, and Mare made the extra point. The Saints took the lead back at 24-17 before the half when Brees found Colston gaain, this time a 42 yard connection resulting in a touchdown, and Kasay was true with the PAT. New Orleans kept on the attack in the third quarter when Brees threw a touchdown to Jimmy Graham for 19 yards, and Kasay added the extra point. The Saints rolled on with Brees throwing 1 yard for Jed Collins to record a touchdown, and Kasay again made the extra point. New Orleans didn't stop in the fourth quarter, as Brees lobbed a 9 yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles, and Kasay handled the extra point once more. This made it 45-17, the final, where the Saints went to 13-3 and knocked the Panthers back to 6-10.
Northward to the NFC North, as the Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears, with nothing on the line. Minnesota got on the board when Ryan Longwell nailed a 26 yard field goal. Percy Harvin helped the Vikings extend the lead with a 5 yard touchdown rush, and Longwell supplied the extra point. Chicago got going in the second quarter with a Josh McCown touchdown pass to Roy Williams, a 22 yard play, capped off by a Robbie Gould extra point. The Bears took the lead when Charles Tillman picked off Christian Ponder for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Gould again handled the extra point. Minnesota pulled back with Longwell kicking a 26 yard field goal for a 14-13 score heading into the locker rooms. Chicago added some distance with Gould nailing a 27 yard field goal. The Bears held on to by a 17-13 score, improving themselves to 8-8 and dropping the Vikings to 3-13.
East again, as the other AFC East matchup features the New England Patriots looking to clinch home field against the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo was first on the board with a 4 yard Tashard Choice touchdown rush, and Brandon Coutu added on the extra point. The Bills added on with a Ryan Fitzpatrick tossing an 18 yard touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson, and Coutu was there with the extra point. Buffalo kept the attack up with a 15 yard Fitzpatrick touchdown throw to C.J. Spiller, and Coutu again made the extra point. New England woke up in the second quarter with a 1 yard BenJarvus Green-Ellis touchdown rush, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point afterward. The Patriots pulled closer with Tom Brady throwing a touchdown of 39 yards to Aaron Hernandez, and Gostkowski supplied the extra point. The score was 21-14 Bills at halftime. New England got within a point in the third quarter after field goals of 47 and 20 yards by Gostkowski. The Patriots went ahead on a 17 yard Brady touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, and they made it a 7 point lead with Danny Woodhead's successful two point rush. New England got a little more separation with a 3 yard Green-Ellis run for a touchdown, and Gostkowski was good with the extra point. The Patriots continued the rally with Brady finding Gronkowski again for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski had the 42nd unanswered point. New England rubbed some salt in the wound when Sterling Moore picked Fitzpatrick off and took it 21 yards to the house to record another touchdown, with Gostkowski kicking the extra point. The final stood at 49-21, hard to believe after the first quarter, with the Patriots now at 13-3 heading into the postseason and the Bills falling to 6-10 after what was an impressive start to their season.
In the AFC South again, the Houston Texans bring in the Tennessee Titans, as the Titans look to join their opponents in the playoffs. Houston was first on the board with a 4 yard Ben Tate touchdown rush, and Neil Rackers supplied the extra point. Tennessee got on the board with a 21 yard Rob Bironas field goal. The Titans took the lead on a Matt Hasselbeck touchdown pass to Donnie Avery, a 1 yard play, iced off with Bironas on the extra point. Rackers evened it for the Texans on a 52 yard field goal. Tennessee took a 13-10 lead into halftime when Bironas nailed a 43 yard field goal. Rackers tied it again in the third quarter for Houston with his 37 yard field goal. Bironas replied for the Titans on a 33 yard field goal. Rackers again tied the game in the fourth quarter as he made a 22 yard field goal for the Texans. Tennessee took the lead again on Hasselbeck's 23 yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington, and Bironas was there with the PAT. Houston answered late with Jake Delhomme tossing a touchdown of 5 yards to Bryant Johnson, but the two-point attempt after a penalty of their own doing was unsuccessful. The Titans would go on to win 23-22, improving them to 9-7 and knocking the Texans down to 10-6. Tennessee will be biting their fingernails about the TV during the later kickoffs, as they require a Cincinnati Bengals loss, Oakland Raiders win, and Denver Broncos win to get in.
Again returning to the Atlantic area, as the Philadelphia Eagles welcome the Washington Redskins to close out the schedule. Alex Henery put Philadelphia on the board first with a 35 yard field goal. The Eagles extended the lead in the second quarter with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Chad Hall, and Henery added on an extra point. They took a 10-0 lead into the locker rooms. Washington got on the board in the third quarter when Rex Grossman passed to Roy Helu, who had a touchdown after traveling 47 yards, and Graham Gano made the PAT. Henery replied for Philadelphia by making a 20 yard field goal. The Redskins pulled back when Gano converted a 27 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Eagles added separationwhen Vick threw to DeSean Jackson for 62 yards and a touchdown, and Henery was there to make the extra point. Philadelphia put the game out of reach with a Vick touchdown pass to Brent Celek, a 4 yard reception, with Henery supplying the extra point to make it 27-10. The Eagles continued their attack as Dion Lewis ran 9 yards for a touchdown, and Henery again made an extra point for a 34-10 lead. This was a final, giving the Eagles an 8-8 record and the Redskins a mark of 5-11.
Finally in the morning, the St. Louis Rams host the San Francisco 49ers, where both teams have little to play for besides pride. St. Louis surprisingly scored first as Kellen Clemens ran 18 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Brown added the extra point. San Francisco tied it up with an 8 yard Alex Smith touchdown run, and David Akers was there with the extra point. The 49ers grabbed the lead in the second quarter as Smith tossed a 28 yard touchdown to Michael Crabtree, and Akers made the extra point again. San Francisco extended the lead again with an Akers field goal from 36 yards. The 49ers continued to score with Akers good on a 42 yard field goal, making it 20-7, a score that lasted through halftime. The Rams got a few points back in the third quarter as Brown made a 49 yard field goal. San Francisco answered on an Akers touchdown pass to Crabtree on a trick play, 14 yards for the score, and then the magician kicked the PAT. Brown replied for St. Louis with a 48 yard field goal. The 49ers shot back when Anthony Dixon rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, and Akers made the extra point. The Rams got a few back again as Clemens passed 36 yards to Brandon Lloyd for a touchdown, and Brown handled the extra point. St. Louis continued the furious comeback attempt on a 1 yard Carnell Williams touchdown run, and Brown again made the extra point. They would fall short at 34-27, as San Francisco improves to 13-3 and will be the #2 seed in the NFC, and the Rams fall to 2-14.
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