Another slate of four games this weekend, beginning on the west coast with the NFC #2 seed San Francisco 49ers hosting the #3 seed New Orleans Saints. Alex Smith got San Francisco on the board first as he tossed a 49 touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and David Akers handled the extra point. Smith kept the 49ers going on a 4 yard touchdown to Michael Crabtree, and Akers was good with the extra point again. San Francisco kept going with Akers kicking a 25 yard field goal in the second quarter. Drew Brees got New Orleans going with a 14 touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham, capped off with a John Kasay extra point. The Saints made it 17-14 at the half with Brees hooking up with Marques Colston for a 25 yard touchdown connection, and Kasay was there on the extra point. The 49ers gained a little separation in the third quarter on an Akers field goal from 41 yards away. Kasay pulled New Orleans back with a fourth quarter field goal of 48 yards. Akers answered for San Francisco on a 37 yard field goal. The Saints attacked with a Brees touchdown of 44 yards to Darren Sproles, finished off by Kasay's extra point to take the lead. The 49ers replied to take the lead on a 28 yard touchdown run by the quarterback Smith, but they failed the two point conversion. New Orleans quickly replied with a Brees touchdown to Graham, a 66 yard play, and Brees passed to Sproles for the two point conversion and a three point lead. This was irrelevant, as San Francisco took the game 36-32 with a Smith touchdown pass to Davis for 14 yards, and Akers' extra point. The 49ers will compete for the NFC Championship next weekend, while the Saints now head home.
The late game tonight has the AFC #1 seed New England Patriots hosting the #4 seed Denver Broncos. New England wasted little time in striking first, as Tom Brady fired a 7 yard touchdown to Wes Welker, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots added on with Brady's touchdown pass of 10 yards to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski was successful with the extra point. Denver got on the board in the second quarter with a Willis McGahee touchdown run of 5 yards, and Matt Prater added the extra point. New England answered with Brady finding Gronkowski again for a 12 yard touchdown connection. The Patriots rolled on with a Brady touchdown pass to Deion Branch, good for 61 yards on the catch and run, and Gostkowski supplied another extra point. New England would take a 35-7 lead into the locker rooms as Brady tossed another touchdown to Gronkowski, this time from 19 yards, and Gostkowski had the PAT. The Patriots kept going in the third quarter, as Brady found Aaron Hernandez on a 17 yard touchdown pass, and Gostkowski made another extra point. The Broncos got a little back with a 41 yard field goal by Prater. New England shot back in the fourth quarter as Gostkowski kicked a 20 yard field goal. This was it, leading the Patriots to 45-10 win, as they sit and await their AFC Championship opponent.
Continuing on Sunday with AFC #2 Baltimore Ravens hosting the #3 Houston Texans. Houston struck first on a Neil Rackers field goal of 40 yards. Baltimore answered on a Joe Flacco touchdown pass of 1 yard to Kris Wilson, and Billy Cundiff made the extra point. The Ravens added on with a Cundiff field goal from 48 yards. Baltimore rolled on with Flacco tossing a 10 yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin, and Cundiff supplied the extra point. Rackers answered in the second quarter for the Texans on a 33 yard field goal. Houston pulled closer with an Arian Foster touchdown run of 1 yard, and Rackers made the PAT for a 17-13 score at the half. The Ravens finally gained a little separation with a Cundiff field goal in the fourth quarter, good from 44 yards away. The final was 20-13, and the Ravens head to New England for the AFC Championship while the Texans return home.
Finally, the NFC #1 seed Green Bay Packers host the #4 New York Giants. New York opened the scoring on a Lawrence Tynes field goal from 31 yards away. Green Bay answered with a Mason Crosby field goal, good from 47 yards. The Giants took the lead again on an Eli Manning touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks, a 66 yard play iced off by a Tynes extra point. The Packers tied it in the second quarter with an Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass to John Kuhn for 8 yards, and Crosby had the tying point. New York took the lead back with Tynes kicking a 23 yard field goal. The Giants owned a 20-10 lead at the half thanks to a last second Manning and nicks connection for 37 yards and a touchdown, finished off with Tynes' PAT. Green Bay pulled a little closer with a Crosby field goal in the third quarter, from 35 yards out. New York answered in the fourth quarter as Tynes supplied a 35 yard field goal. The Giants extended the lead with a Manning touchdown of 4 yards to Mario Manningham, and Tynes made another extra point. The Packers pulled closer again with Rodgers tossing a 16 yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver, allowing a Crosby extra point. New York iced it at 37-20 with Brandon Jacobs rushing 14 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes was good with the extra point. The Giants will play in San Francisco next weekend, while the Packers shamefully head home.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
NHL Day 101 2011-2012
Only eleven games on today, a low total for a Saturday, but they're spread out pretty well. Beginning at 9:30 AM Pacific, the...
Detroit Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard get the starts. Detroit struck first with a power play goal by Tomas Holmstrom, his seventh of the season, coming off of Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Datsyuk and White. Chicago got on the board with an Andrew Shaw goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks got an equalizer in the third period as Marian Hossa netted his eighteenth of the year, with the help of Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Detroit would go on to win in overtime on Bertuzzi's second of the game and eighth of the campaign, assisted by Valtteri Filppula and Nicklas Lidstrom for a 3-2 final. The three stars were Bertuzzi, Datsyuk, and Hossa, while White gets honorable mention.
Also in the afternoon, the Winnipeg Jets host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ondrej Pavelec will take care of the goals. Winnipeg opened the scoring with an Andrew Ladd goal, his fifteenth of the season, with a lone helper from Johnny Oduya. New Jersey got started in the third period on the second of the campaign by Kurtis Foster, via Dainius Zubrus. The Devils took a 2-1 lead they'd take to the end as Patrik Elias notched his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Adam Larsson and Petr Sykora. The three stars went to Elias, Ladd, and David Clarkson, with Brodeur (22 for 23 in saves) as an honorable mention.
Much farther south, the Dallas Stars host the Colorado Avalanche in the last of the matinees for today. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Kari Lehtonen will take to the twines. Colorado led off with a David Jones goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Paul Stastny. Dallas tied it in the third period with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Radek Dvorak and Eric Nystrom. The Avalanche took the lead back on a Stastny power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Erik Johnson and Ryan O'Reilly. This was all for the scoring in the 2-1 game, with Stastny, Fiddler, and Giguere (21 for 22 in saves) getting the three stars.
Back to the east in the regularly scheduled games, beginning as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Cam Ward get the starting nods. Boston opened things up in the second period when Patrice Bergeron scored his twelfth of the season, coming on a lone assist from Johnny Boychuk. Carolina evened the ledger with a Patrick Dwyer goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Brandon Sutter. The Bruins gained the lead again with a third period Milan Lucic goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by David Krejci. The Hurricanes tied it again as Justin Faulk scored his fourth of the year, with a lone helper from Tim Brent. Carolina took the lead on a Jay Harrison goal, his seventh of the season, going down unassisted. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 when Eric Staal put his eleventh of the year into the empty net, another unassisted goal. The three stars were Harrison, Faulk, and Ward (33 for 35 in saves).
Northward in Canada to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs hosting the New York Rangers. Martin Biron will guard the net as will Jonas Gustavsson. New York opened the scoring in the second period with the fourth of the season by Michael Rupp, thanks to Derek Stepan and Wojtek Wolski. The Rangers took the lead with a Brian Boyle goal, his third of the year, set up by Brandon Prust and Ryan McDonagh. New York iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Stepan goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Carl Hagelin and the goalie Biron. The three stars went to Stepan, Biron (20 save shutout), and Prust.
Speaking of New York, the Islanders are home at Nassau Coliseum to host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Evgeni Nabokov stand in the blue paint. Matt Moulson got New York on the board first with his twenty-first of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Travis Hamonic. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Patrick Kaleta goal, his third of the year, made possible by Mike Weber. The Islanders retook the lead on a Kyle Okposo goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Moulson and Steve Staios. The Sabres tied it again with a Derek Roy goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Nathan Gerbe. New York took the game with a pair of Michael Grabner goals, his twelfth and thirteenth of the campaign, with assists doled out to P.A. Parenteau on both the even strength and empty net goals, Mark Streit on the earlier even strength, and Tavares on the empty netter. The three stars in the 4-2 game were Nabokov (23 for 25 in saves), Grabner, and Moulson, with honorable mention to Tavares and Parenteau.
Up to Quebec, with the Montreal Canadiens bringing in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Carey Price will tend the twines. Montreal started the scoring in the third period with Tomas Plekanec netting his ninth of the season, shorthanded and unassisted. Ottawa answered with a Kyle Turris goal, his second of the year, thanks to Sergei Gonchar and Nick Foligno. The Senators gained the lead with a Jason Spezza power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Filip Kuba. The Canadiens tied it on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by David Desharnais and Chris Campoli. The game was decided in the shootout with a lone tally by Daniel Alfredsson to lead Ottawa to a 3-2 victory over Montreal. The three stars were awarded to Alfredsson, Spezza, and Anderson (33 for 35 in saves).
Southwest to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the San Jose Sharks. Thomas Greiss and Curtis Sanford are the masked men. San Jose drew first blood with a second period Ryane Clowe goal, his ninth of the season coming on the power play via Logan Couture and Brent Burns. Columbus answered in the third period as Rick Nash supplied his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Nikita Nikitin and Antoine Vermette. The Sharks would take the game 2-1 with a Patrick Marleau goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, pushed through by Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle. Marleau, Sanford (31 for 33 in saves), and Greiss (25 for 26 in saves) were the three star recipients.
Farther to the south, the Nashville Predators welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya "The Universe" Bryzgalov and Pekka "The Wall" Rinne have control of the cages. Only one of those nicknames is widely accepted. Nonetheless, Nashville was first on the board as Martin Erat potted his tenth of the season on the power play, with the help of Shea Weber and Mike Fisher. The Predators added on in the second period with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Gabriel Bourque. Philadelphia got on the board with Sean Couturier notching his ninth of the season, thanks to Wayne Simmonds and Andrej Meszaros. Nashville got it back in the third period after Nick Spaling's goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Jordin Tootoo and Kevin Klein. The Flyers shot back on a Simmonds goal, his twelfth of the season, with the help of Matt Read and Couturier. Fisher iced it with an empty net goal, his eighth of the year, passed through Kostitsyn and Erat, for a 4-2 final. The three stars were given to Spaling, Couturier, and Rinne (36 for 38 in saves), while Simmonds, Fisher, Kostitsyn, and Erat were the honorable mentions
A bit to the west, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jaroslav Halak are tasked with stopping the puck. Minnesota was first on the board with a David McIntyre goal, assisted by Matt Cullen and Darroll Powe. St. Louis tied it in the second period with David Perron registering his third of the season, via Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues took the lead with an Alex Pietrangelo power play goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by David Backes and T.J. Oshie. The Wild evened the score again with a power play goal by Jared Spurgeon, his third of the season, powered by Kyle Brodziak. St. Louis would take the game 3-2 in the shootout with a Shattenkirk tally. Pietrangelo, Harding (47 for 49 in saves), and Halak (29 for 31 in saves) were the three stars, with a nod to Shattenkirk.
Lastly, the Sutter Cup battle takes place in Calgary, with Brent's Flames opposing the visiting Los Angeles Kings headed by Darryl. Jonathan Quick and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the pipes. Los Angeles led off with a second period Mike Richards, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Dustin Penner and Rob Scuderi. Matt Greene added on for the Kings with his third of the year, fueled by Jarret Stoll and Richards. Los Angeles kept going with an Anze Kopitar goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Justin Williams and Dustin Brown. Calgary replied with returning hero Michael Cammalleri's tenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Anton Babchuk and Jay Bouwmeester. Brown iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Williams and Drew Doughty. The three stars were Richards, Mikael Backlund, and Quick (29 for 30 in saves), while Williams and Brown earn honorable mentions.
Detroit Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard get the starts. Detroit struck first with a power play goal by Tomas Holmstrom, his seventh of the season, coming off of Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Datsyuk and White. Chicago got on the board with an Andrew Shaw goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks got an equalizer in the third period as Marian Hossa netted his eighteenth of the year, with the help of Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Detroit would go on to win in overtime on Bertuzzi's second of the game and eighth of the campaign, assisted by Valtteri Filppula and Nicklas Lidstrom for a 3-2 final. The three stars were Bertuzzi, Datsyuk, and Hossa, while White gets honorable mention.
Also in the afternoon, the Winnipeg Jets host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ondrej Pavelec will take care of the goals. Winnipeg opened the scoring with an Andrew Ladd goal, his fifteenth of the season, with a lone helper from Johnny Oduya. New Jersey got started in the third period on the second of the campaign by Kurtis Foster, via Dainius Zubrus. The Devils took a 2-1 lead they'd take to the end as Patrik Elias notched his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Adam Larsson and Petr Sykora. The three stars went to Elias, Ladd, and David Clarkson, with Brodeur (22 for 23 in saves) as an honorable mention.
Much farther south, the Dallas Stars host the Colorado Avalanche in the last of the matinees for today. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Kari Lehtonen will take to the twines. Colorado led off with a David Jones goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Paul Stastny. Dallas tied it in the third period with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Radek Dvorak and Eric Nystrom. The Avalanche took the lead back on a Stastny power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Erik Johnson and Ryan O'Reilly. This was all for the scoring in the 2-1 game, with Stastny, Fiddler, and Giguere (21 for 22 in saves) getting the three stars.
Back to the east in the regularly scheduled games, beginning as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Cam Ward get the starting nods. Boston opened things up in the second period when Patrice Bergeron scored his twelfth of the season, coming on a lone assist from Johnny Boychuk. Carolina evened the ledger with a Patrick Dwyer goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Brandon Sutter. The Bruins gained the lead again with a third period Milan Lucic goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by David Krejci. The Hurricanes tied it again as Justin Faulk scored his fourth of the year, with a lone helper from Tim Brent. Carolina took the lead on a Jay Harrison goal, his seventh of the season, going down unassisted. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 when Eric Staal put his eleventh of the year into the empty net, another unassisted goal. The three stars were Harrison, Faulk, and Ward (33 for 35 in saves).
Northward in Canada to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs hosting the New York Rangers. Martin Biron will guard the net as will Jonas Gustavsson. New York opened the scoring in the second period with the fourth of the season by Michael Rupp, thanks to Derek Stepan and Wojtek Wolski. The Rangers took the lead with a Brian Boyle goal, his third of the year, set up by Brandon Prust and Ryan McDonagh. New York iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Stepan goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Carl Hagelin and the goalie Biron. The three stars went to Stepan, Biron (20 save shutout), and Prust.
Speaking of New York, the Islanders are home at Nassau Coliseum to host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Evgeni Nabokov stand in the blue paint. Matt Moulson got New York on the board first with his twenty-first of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Travis Hamonic. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Patrick Kaleta goal, his third of the year, made possible by Mike Weber. The Islanders retook the lead on a Kyle Okposo goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Moulson and Steve Staios. The Sabres tied it again with a Derek Roy goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Nathan Gerbe. New York took the game with a pair of Michael Grabner goals, his twelfth and thirteenth of the campaign, with assists doled out to P.A. Parenteau on both the even strength and empty net goals, Mark Streit on the earlier even strength, and Tavares on the empty netter. The three stars in the 4-2 game were Nabokov (23 for 25 in saves), Grabner, and Moulson, with honorable mention to Tavares and Parenteau.
Up to Quebec, with the Montreal Canadiens bringing in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Carey Price will tend the twines. Montreal started the scoring in the third period with Tomas Plekanec netting his ninth of the season, shorthanded and unassisted. Ottawa answered with a Kyle Turris goal, his second of the year, thanks to Sergei Gonchar and Nick Foligno. The Senators gained the lead with a Jason Spezza power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Filip Kuba. The Canadiens tied it on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by David Desharnais and Chris Campoli. The game was decided in the shootout with a lone tally by Daniel Alfredsson to lead Ottawa to a 3-2 victory over Montreal. The three stars were awarded to Alfredsson, Spezza, and Anderson (33 for 35 in saves).
Southwest to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the San Jose Sharks. Thomas Greiss and Curtis Sanford are the masked men. San Jose drew first blood with a second period Ryane Clowe goal, his ninth of the season coming on the power play via Logan Couture and Brent Burns. Columbus answered in the third period as Rick Nash supplied his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Nikita Nikitin and Antoine Vermette. The Sharks would take the game 2-1 with a Patrick Marleau goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, pushed through by Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle. Marleau, Sanford (31 for 33 in saves), and Greiss (25 for 26 in saves) were the three star recipients.
Farther to the south, the Nashville Predators welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya "The Universe" Bryzgalov and Pekka "The Wall" Rinne have control of the cages. Only one of those nicknames is widely accepted. Nonetheless, Nashville was first on the board as Martin Erat potted his tenth of the season on the power play, with the help of Shea Weber and Mike Fisher. The Predators added on in the second period with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Gabriel Bourque. Philadelphia got on the board with Sean Couturier notching his ninth of the season, thanks to Wayne Simmonds and Andrej Meszaros. Nashville got it back in the third period after Nick Spaling's goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Jordin Tootoo and Kevin Klein. The Flyers shot back on a Simmonds goal, his twelfth of the season, with the help of Matt Read and Couturier. Fisher iced it with an empty net goal, his eighth of the year, passed through Kostitsyn and Erat, for a 4-2 final. The three stars were given to Spaling, Couturier, and Rinne (36 for 38 in saves), while Simmonds, Fisher, Kostitsyn, and Erat were the honorable mentions
A bit to the west, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jaroslav Halak are tasked with stopping the puck. Minnesota was first on the board with a David McIntyre goal, assisted by Matt Cullen and Darroll Powe. St. Louis tied it in the second period with David Perron registering his third of the season, via Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues took the lead with an Alex Pietrangelo power play goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by David Backes and T.J. Oshie. The Wild evened the score again with a power play goal by Jared Spurgeon, his third of the season, powered by Kyle Brodziak. St. Louis would take the game 3-2 in the shootout with a Shattenkirk tally. Pietrangelo, Harding (47 for 49 in saves), and Halak (29 for 31 in saves) were the three stars, with a nod to Shattenkirk.
Lastly, the Sutter Cup battle takes place in Calgary, with Brent's Flames opposing the visiting Los Angeles Kings headed by Darryl. Jonathan Quick and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the pipes. Los Angeles led off with a second period Mike Richards, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Dustin Penner and Rob Scuderi. Matt Greene added on for the Kings with his third of the year, fueled by Jarret Stoll and Richards. Los Angeles kept going with an Anze Kopitar goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Justin Williams and Dustin Brown. Calgary replied with returning hero Michael Cammalleri's tenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Anton Babchuk and Jay Bouwmeester. Brown iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Williams and Drew Doughty. The three stars were Richards, Mikael Backlund, and Quick (29 for 30 in saves), while Williams and Brown earn honorable mentions.
Friday, January 13, 2012
NHL Day 100 2011-2012
Only have five games on tonight. First up, the...
Washington Capitals are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Tomas Vokoun are in goal. Washington drew first blood on the power play as Alex Ovechkin put away his eighteenth of the season, powered by Marcus Johansson and Dennis Wideman. The Capitals added on with a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Alexander Semin and Wideman. Washington rolled on in the second period as Brouwer scored again, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, fueled by Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble. Tampa Bay got on the board when Tom Pyatt scored his fourth of the year, and the lone assist came from Martin St. Louis. The Lightning got within one as Steven Stamkos scored his thirtieth of the season in the third period, a power play goal set up by Ryan Malone and Vincent Lecavalier. The Capitals got it back on an empty net goal by Brouwer, completing his hat trick with his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Laich and Jeff Halpern. Tampa Bay made it look closer as Lecavalier struck late on his seventeenth of the campaign, courtesy of St. Louis and Teddy Purcell, resulting in a 4-3 final. The three stars were awarded to Brouwer, Wideman, and Vokoun (28 for 31 in saves), while Laich, Lecavalier, and St. Louis earn the honorable mentions.
West a tad to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Curtis Sanford will be in the creases. Phoenix led off with Adrian Aucoin netting his second of the season, thanks to Lauri Korpikoski and Boyd Gordon. Columbus answered with Tomas Kubalik scoring, with the help of Aaron Johnson and Antoine Vermette. The Blue Jackets took the lead on a Rick Nash goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by David Savard and Derick Brassard. Columbus extended their lead in the second period with Ryan Russell's goal, via Samuel Pahlsson and Derek Dorsett. The Coyotes got one back on a Korpikoski goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Radim Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Blue Jackets quickly replied on a Brassard goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Fedor Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin. Phoenix pulled back in the third period as Vrbata nailed his twenty-second of the season, helped through by Korpikoski and Ekman-Larsson. They never got an equalizer, and lost 4-3, with the three stars going to Brassard, Korpikoski, and Dorsett, while honorable mentions include Ekman-Larsson and Vrbata.
Southeast to South Florida, with the Panthers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury opposes Scott Clemmensen in front of the goalmouths. Pittsburgh opened the scoring in the second period with Steve Sullivan registering his eighth of the season, and Matt Cooke had a lone assist. The Penguins added on late in the frame as Evgeni Malkin potted his eighteenth of the year, assisted by James Neal and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the third period as Tyler Kennedy sent his sixth of the season to the twine, with helpers from Brooks Orpik and Pascal Dupuis. Florida got on the board as Michal Repik sank his second of the year, thanks to Jason Garrison and Krys Barch. Neal made it 4-1 Penguins on his twenty-second of the campaign, via Kunitz. This was a final, with the three stars being Malkin, Neal, and Fleury (25 for 26 in saves), and Kunitz gets the honorable mention.
North for a boarder skirmish as the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Buffalo struck first as Matt Ellis sank his third of the season, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Patrick Kaleta. Gaustad added on for the Sabres with his fourth of the year, made possible by Brayden McNabb and Kaleta. Toronto got going on a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs tied it with Joey Crabb recording his seventh of the year, with the help of Grabovski. Buffalo gained the lead again in the second period as Jason Pominville put away his fifteenth of the season, and Thomas Vanek picked up the lone helper. This was all for the scoring in the 3-2 game, leaving the three stars awards to Gaustad, Pominville, and Grabovski, with honorable mention for Kaleta.
Across the continent, the Edmonton Oilers welcomed the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller nad Nikolai Khabibulin guard the cages. Anaheim was first to score as Jason Blake potted the puck, thanks to Cam Fowler and Francois Beauchemin. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Teemu Selanne power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Lubomir Visnovsky and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim extended the lead on a Bobby Ryan goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by Getzlaf and Luca Sbisa. This prompted Devan Dubnyk to take over control of the net from Khabibulin. This wouldn't stop the Ducks, as Corey Perry quickly added his nineteenth of the season, via Getzlaf for a sock trick and Sheldon Brookbank. Perry iced it at 5-0 for Anaheim in the third period on his second of the game and twentieth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Selanne and Getzlaf. The three stars belong to Hiller (33 save shutout), Getzlaf, and Perry, while Selanne takes the honorable mention.
Washington Capitals are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Tomas Vokoun are in goal. Washington drew first blood on the power play as Alex Ovechkin put away his eighteenth of the season, powered by Marcus Johansson and Dennis Wideman. The Capitals added on with a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Alexander Semin and Wideman. Washington rolled on in the second period as Brouwer scored again, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, fueled by Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble. Tampa Bay got on the board when Tom Pyatt scored his fourth of the year, and the lone assist came from Martin St. Louis. The Lightning got within one as Steven Stamkos scored his thirtieth of the season in the third period, a power play goal set up by Ryan Malone and Vincent Lecavalier. The Capitals got it back on an empty net goal by Brouwer, completing his hat trick with his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Laich and Jeff Halpern. Tampa Bay made it look closer as Lecavalier struck late on his seventeenth of the campaign, courtesy of St. Louis and Teddy Purcell, resulting in a 4-3 final. The three stars were awarded to Brouwer, Wideman, and Vokoun (28 for 31 in saves), while Laich, Lecavalier, and St. Louis earn the honorable mentions.
West a tad to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Curtis Sanford will be in the creases. Phoenix led off with Adrian Aucoin netting his second of the season, thanks to Lauri Korpikoski and Boyd Gordon. Columbus answered with Tomas Kubalik scoring, with the help of Aaron Johnson and Antoine Vermette. The Blue Jackets took the lead on a Rick Nash goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by David Savard and Derick Brassard. Columbus extended their lead in the second period with Ryan Russell's goal, via Samuel Pahlsson and Derek Dorsett. The Coyotes got one back on a Korpikoski goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Radim Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Blue Jackets quickly replied on a Brassard goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Fedor Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin. Phoenix pulled back in the third period as Vrbata nailed his twenty-second of the season, helped through by Korpikoski and Ekman-Larsson. They never got an equalizer, and lost 4-3, with the three stars going to Brassard, Korpikoski, and Dorsett, while honorable mentions include Ekman-Larsson and Vrbata.
Southeast to South Florida, with the Panthers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury opposes Scott Clemmensen in front of the goalmouths. Pittsburgh opened the scoring in the second period with Steve Sullivan registering his eighth of the season, and Matt Cooke had a lone assist. The Penguins added on late in the frame as Evgeni Malkin potted his eighteenth of the year, assisted by James Neal and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the third period as Tyler Kennedy sent his sixth of the season to the twine, with helpers from Brooks Orpik and Pascal Dupuis. Florida got on the board as Michal Repik sank his second of the year, thanks to Jason Garrison and Krys Barch. Neal made it 4-1 Penguins on his twenty-second of the campaign, via Kunitz. This was a final, with the three stars being Malkin, Neal, and Fleury (25 for 26 in saves), and Kunitz gets the honorable mention.
North for a boarder skirmish as the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Buffalo struck first as Matt Ellis sank his third of the season, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Patrick Kaleta. Gaustad added on for the Sabres with his fourth of the year, made possible by Brayden McNabb and Kaleta. Toronto got going on a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs tied it with Joey Crabb recording his seventh of the year, with the help of Grabovski. Buffalo gained the lead again in the second period as Jason Pominville put away his fifteenth of the season, and Thomas Vanek picked up the lone helper. This was all for the scoring in the 3-2 game, leaving the three stars awards to Gaustad, Pominville, and Grabovski, with honorable mention for Kaleta.
Across the continent, the Edmonton Oilers welcomed the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller nad Nikolai Khabibulin guard the cages. Anaheim was first to score as Jason Blake potted the puck, thanks to Cam Fowler and Francois Beauchemin. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Teemu Selanne power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Lubomir Visnovsky and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim extended the lead on a Bobby Ryan goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by Getzlaf and Luca Sbisa. This prompted Devan Dubnyk to take over control of the net from Khabibulin. This wouldn't stop the Ducks, as Corey Perry quickly added his nineteenth of the season, via Getzlaf for a sock trick and Sheldon Brookbank. Perry iced it at 5-0 for Anaheim in the third period on his second of the game and twentieth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Selanne and Getzlaf. The three stars belong to Hiller (33 save shutout), Getzlaf, and Perry, while Selanne takes the honorable mention.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
NHL Day 99 2011-2012
We roll with eleven games tonight, beginning as...
The New York Islanders host the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Evgeni Nabokov will be in front of the mesh. Philadelphia opened with a Scott Hartnell goal, his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jaromir Jagr and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on in the second period when Wayne Simmonds scored his eleventh of the year, and Kimmo Timonen had the lone assist. New York got on the board in the third period with Kyle Okposo registering his tenth of the season, thanks to Andrew MacDonald and John Tavares. Philadelphia shot back with Sean Couturier netting his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Max Talbot. With sixteen seconds left in the game, Tavares made it 3-2 on his fifteenth of the campaign, coming off of P.A. Parenteau and MacDonald. They never got the equalizer, and the three stars went to Bobrovsky (33 for 35 in saves), Hartnell, and Okposo, while MacDonald and Tavares had the honorable mentions.
Into Massachusetts, as the Boston Bruins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tim Thomas tend the twines. Jordan Caron got things started with his second of the season for Boston, made possible by Johnny Boychuk and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins extended the lead in the third period with a Milan Lucic goal, his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Nathan Horton and David Krejci. Montreal got on the board as Yannick Weber potted his fourth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kaberle and David Desharnais. This was it in the scoring, leaving the final at 2-1, with the three stars being Thomas (31 for 32 in saves), Lucic, and Tyler Seguin. Note to Boston: Seguin is not a boss in every game, and therefore is not designated for automatic incorporation every game. Please learn from your errors and correct them.
Backtracking to New York again, as the Rangers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Henrik Lundqvist received the starting nods. Ottawa drew first blood in the second period when Jason Spezza recorded his seventeenth of the season, with a lone helper by Chris Phillips. The Senators added on in the third period with Milan Michalek putting his twenty-third of the year away, thanks to Erik Karlsson and Colin Greening. Ottawa made it 3-0 with another Spezza goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the campaign, pushed through by Karlsson on the power play. The final was 3-0, and the three stars were Anderson (34 save shutout), Spezza, and Michalek, while Karlsson gets the honorable mention.
Southward to Tampa Bay, with the Lightning hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Mathieu Garon began the game, but Garon was pulled in favor of Dwayne Roloson in the first period. Carolina struck first on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes extended the lead when Tlusty deposited his eighth of the year, thanks to Staal. Tampa Bay got on the board with an unassisted Nate Thompson goal, his fourth of the season. Carolina quickly shot back on a Jay Harrison goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Ruutu and Justin Faulk. Tlusty added on again for the Hurricanes with his second of the game and ninth of the season, allowing Staal a sock trick and Ruutu picked up the secondary assist. Harrison then dropped the gloves with Ryan Malone. The Lightning crawled back a bit with a second period Teddy Purcell goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Bruno Gervais and Steven Stamkos. Carolina made it 5-2 in the third period on a Tim Brent goal his fifth of the season, courtesy of Anthony Stewart and Harrison, the latter getting the third Gordie Howe Hat Trick in three days. The final was 5-2, and the three stars went to Tlusty, Ruutu, and Staal, while Harrison earns honorable mention.
Northwest of here, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Phoenix was first to score as Radim Vrbata made his twenty-first of the season, fueled by David Rundblad. Detroit answered as Valtteri Filppula notched his fifteenth of the year, with a little assistance from Ian White. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period on a Taylor Pyatt goal, his sixth of the season, coming from Kyle Chipchura. The Red Wings got an equalizer with a Johan Franzen goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Danny Cleary. Detroit toppled Phoenix in the shootout with Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg outweighing Vrbata for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Smith (40 for 42 in saves).
A little south again, as the Nashville Predators welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Pekka Rinne will have the task of stopping the puck. Colorado was first on the scoreboard with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twelfth of the season going in unassisted. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of O'Reilly and Milan Hejduk. Nashville got on the board in the second period as David Legwand sank his eleventh of the season, with helpers provided by Matt Halischuk and Francis Bouillon. The Predators tied it in the third period on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Mike Fisher and Roman Josi. Nashville won it 3-2 in overtime on Legwand's twelfth of the campaign and second of the game, guided in by Shea Weber. The three stars were Legwand, Kostitsyn, and O'Reilly.
Out west a tad to St. Louis, with the Blues bringing in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Brian Elliott will wear the pads. Vancouver struck first when Alexandre Burrows netted his seventeenth of the season, and Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin picked up the assists. St. Louis tied it up with Jason Arnott's eleventh of the year, thanks to Jamie Langenbrunner and Ian Cole. The Blues took the lead in the second period with another Arnott goal, his twelfth of the season and second of the game, coming off of Alex Pietrangelo. Burrows helped the Canucks tie it with his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, fueled by Alexander Edler and Manny Malhotra. Vancouver completed the comeback by winning 3-2 in overtime on a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Henrik and Edler. The three stars went to Burrows, Arnott, and Henrik, while Daniel and Edler earn honorable mentions.
Way north to Winnipeg, as the Jets host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ondrej Pavelec have the green lights to start. San Jose struck first in the second period as Logan Couture put away his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Brent Burns. The Sharks extended their lead with a third period Brad Winchester goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Desjardins and Andrew Murray. The final sat at 2-0, and the three stars went to Couture, Niemi (24 save shutout), and Dan Boyle, although other point earners should have a mention.
Back south to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ray Emery do battle as the backups own the creases. Minnesota struck first when Devin Setoguchi made his ninth of the season, with the help of Marek Zidlicky and Dany Heatley. Chicago tied it with the second of the year for Andrew Shaw, via Sean O'Donnell and Michael Frolik. The Blackhawks took the lead with a second period goal by Jimmy Hayes, his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Dave Bolland and Andrew Brunette. Chicago extended their lead on a Viktor Stalberg goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Jonathan Toews and Steve Montador. The Blackhawks kept going with a Bolland power play goal, his eleventh of the season, thanks to Montador and Hayes. Matt Hackett relieved Harding at this time. The Wild got one back with a third period Kyle Brodziak goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Darroll Powe. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with another Bolland goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign going into the empty net via Frolik and Marian Hossa. The three stars were awarded to Bolland, Hayes, and Shaw, while Frolik and Montador earn the honorable mentions.
North and west to Calgary, where the Flames will welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the pipes. The game's scoring started and ended in overtime as Blair Jones potted his third of the season, with assists from Mark Giordano and Lee Stempniak. Kiprusoff (23 save shutout), Hiller (18 for 19 in saves), and T.J. Brodie earned the three stars, while Jones gets serious props for his goal.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonathan Quick have control of the blue paint. Dallas did the first scoring, with a Loui Eriksson goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Tom Wandell and Brenden Morrow. The Stars added on with the thirteenth of the year by Eric Nystrom, courtesy of Radek Dvorak. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period as Anze Kopitar potted his thirteenth of the season on the power play via Jack Johnson and Justin Williams. Dallas answered as Alex Goligoski sank his fifth of the year, thanks to Michael Ryder and Morrow. The Kings pulled back on a Trevor Lewis goal, fed to him by Brad Richardson. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with Johnson scoring a power play goal off of Drew Doughty and Kopitar, his seventh of the campaign. The Kings took the lead on a Brown power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Kopitar and Williams. Eriksson retied it for the Stars on his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, another power play goal, guided in by Ryder and Goligoski. The game went to the shootout, where Eriksson had the lone tally to propel Dallas to a 5-4 victory over Los Angeles. Johnson, Eriksson, and Kopitar claimed the three stars, while Goligoski, Morrow, Williams, and Ryder take honorable mentions.
The New York Islanders host the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Evgeni Nabokov will be in front of the mesh. Philadelphia opened with a Scott Hartnell goal, his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jaromir Jagr and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on in the second period when Wayne Simmonds scored his eleventh of the year, and Kimmo Timonen had the lone assist. New York got on the board in the third period with Kyle Okposo registering his tenth of the season, thanks to Andrew MacDonald and John Tavares. Philadelphia shot back with Sean Couturier netting his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Max Talbot. With sixteen seconds left in the game, Tavares made it 3-2 on his fifteenth of the campaign, coming off of P.A. Parenteau and MacDonald. They never got the equalizer, and the three stars went to Bobrovsky (33 for 35 in saves), Hartnell, and Okposo, while MacDonald and Tavares had the honorable mentions.
Into Massachusetts, as the Boston Bruins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tim Thomas tend the twines. Jordan Caron got things started with his second of the season for Boston, made possible by Johnny Boychuk and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins extended the lead in the third period with a Milan Lucic goal, his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Nathan Horton and David Krejci. Montreal got on the board as Yannick Weber potted his fourth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kaberle and David Desharnais. This was it in the scoring, leaving the final at 2-1, with the three stars being Thomas (31 for 32 in saves), Lucic, and Tyler Seguin. Note to Boston: Seguin is not a boss in every game, and therefore is not designated for automatic incorporation every game. Please learn from your errors and correct them.
Backtracking to New York again, as the Rangers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Henrik Lundqvist received the starting nods. Ottawa drew first blood in the second period when Jason Spezza recorded his seventeenth of the season, with a lone helper by Chris Phillips. The Senators added on in the third period with Milan Michalek putting his twenty-third of the year away, thanks to Erik Karlsson and Colin Greening. Ottawa made it 3-0 with another Spezza goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the campaign, pushed through by Karlsson on the power play. The final was 3-0, and the three stars were Anderson (34 save shutout), Spezza, and Michalek, while Karlsson gets the honorable mention.
Southward to Tampa Bay, with the Lightning hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Mathieu Garon began the game, but Garon was pulled in favor of Dwayne Roloson in the first period. Carolina struck first on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes extended the lead when Tlusty deposited his eighth of the year, thanks to Staal. Tampa Bay got on the board with an unassisted Nate Thompson goal, his fourth of the season. Carolina quickly shot back on a Jay Harrison goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Ruutu and Justin Faulk. Tlusty added on again for the Hurricanes with his second of the game and ninth of the season, allowing Staal a sock trick and Ruutu picked up the secondary assist. Harrison then dropped the gloves with Ryan Malone. The Lightning crawled back a bit with a second period Teddy Purcell goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Bruno Gervais and Steven Stamkos. Carolina made it 5-2 in the third period on a Tim Brent goal his fifth of the season, courtesy of Anthony Stewart and Harrison, the latter getting the third Gordie Howe Hat Trick in three days. The final was 5-2, and the three stars went to Tlusty, Ruutu, and Staal, while Harrison earns honorable mention.
Northwest of here, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Phoenix was first to score as Radim Vrbata made his twenty-first of the season, fueled by David Rundblad. Detroit answered as Valtteri Filppula notched his fifteenth of the year, with a little assistance from Ian White. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period on a Taylor Pyatt goal, his sixth of the season, coming from Kyle Chipchura. The Red Wings got an equalizer with a Johan Franzen goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Danny Cleary. Detroit toppled Phoenix in the shootout with Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg outweighing Vrbata for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Smith (40 for 42 in saves).
A little south again, as the Nashville Predators welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Pekka Rinne will have the task of stopping the puck. Colorado was first on the scoreboard with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twelfth of the season going in unassisted. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of O'Reilly and Milan Hejduk. Nashville got on the board in the second period as David Legwand sank his eleventh of the season, with helpers provided by Matt Halischuk and Francis Bouillon. The Predators tied it in the third period on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Mike Fisher and Roman Josi. Nashville won it 3-2 in overtime on Legwand's twelfth of the campaign and second of the game, guided in by Shea Weber. The three stars were Legwand, Kostitsyn, and O'Reilly.
Out west a tad to St. Louis, with the Blues bringing in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Brian Elliott will wear the pads. Vancouver struck first when Alexandre Burrows netted his seventeenth of the season, and Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin picked up the assists. St. Louis tied it up with Jason Arnott's eleventh of the year, thanks to Jamie Langenbrunner and Ian Cole. The Blues took the lead in the second period with another Arnott goal, his twelfth of the season and second of the game, coming off of Alex Pietrangelo. Burrows helped the Canucks tie it with his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, fueled by Alexander Edler and Manny Malhotra. Vancouver completed the comeback by winning 3-2 in overtime on a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Henrik and Edler. The three stars went to Burrows, Arnott, and Henrik, while Daniel and Edler earn honorable mentions.
Way north to Winnipeg, as the Jets host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ondrej Pavelec have the green lights to start. San Jose struck first in the second period as Logan Couture put away his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Brent Burns. The Sharks extended their lead with a third period Brad Winchester goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Desjardins and Andrew Murray. The final sat at 2-0, and the three stars went to Couture, Niemi (24 save shutout), and Dan Boyle, although other point earners should have a mention.
Back south to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ray Emery do battle as the backups own the creases. Minnesota struck first when Devin Setoguchi made his ninth of the season, with the help of Marek Zidlicky and Dany Heatley. Chicago tied it with the second of the year for Andrew Shaw, via Sean O'Donnell and Michael Frolik. The Blackhawks took the lead with a second period goal by Jimmy Hayes, his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Dave Bolland and Andrew Brunette. Chicago extended their lead on a Viktor Stalberg goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Jonathan Toews and Steve Montador. The Blackhawks kept going with a Bolland power play goal, his eleventh of the season, thanks to Montador and Hayes. Matt Hackett relieved Harding at this time. The Wild got one back with a third period Kyle Brodziak goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Darroll Powe. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with another Bolland goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign going into the empty net via Frolik and Marian Hossa. The three stars were awarded to Bolland, Hayes, and Shaw, while Frolik and Montador earn the honorable mentions.
North and west to Calgary, where the Flames will welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the pipes. The game's scoring started and ended in overtime as Blair Jones potted his third of the season, with assists from Mark Giordano and Lee Stempniak. Kiprusoff (23 save shutout), Hiller (18 for 19 in saves), and T.J. Brodie earned the three stars, while Jones gets serious props for his goal.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonathan Quick have control of the blue paint. Dallas did the first scoring, with a Loui Eriksson goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Tom Wandell and Brenden Morrow. The Stars added on with the thirteenth of the year by Eric Nystrom, courtesy of Radek Dvorak. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period as Anze Kopitar potted his thirteenth of the season on the power play via Jack Johnson and Justin Williams. Dallas answered as Alex Goligoski sank his fifth of the year, thanks to Michael Ryder and Morrow. The Kings pulled back on a Trevor Lewis goal, fed to him by Brad Richardson. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with Johnson scoring a power play goal off of Drew Doughty and Kopitar, his seventh of the campaign. The Kings took the lead on a Brown power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Kopitar and Williams. Eriksson retied it for the Stars on his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, another power play goal, guided in by Ryder and Goligoski. The game went to the shootout, where Eriksson had the lone tally to propel Dallas to a 5-4 victory over Los Angeles. Johnson, Eriksson, and Kopitar claimed the three stars, while Goligoski, Morrow, Williams, and Ryder take honorable mentions.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
NHL Day 98 2011-2012
Just two games on again, beginning with the Washington Capitals hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tomas Vokoun get the starting nods. Washington was first to score as Jason Chimera converted his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Jeff Halpern and Joel Ward. This was it for scoring, giving the three stars out to Vokoun (30 save shutout), Fleury (20 for 21 in saves), and Chimera.
The last game of the day is in Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Nikolai Khabibulin were in goal. New Jersey drew first blood with a second period shorthanded Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his seventeenth of the season, going down unassisted. Edmonton tied it in the third period with an Ales Hemsky power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Corey Potter and Taylor Hall. The game was decided in overtime with Zach Parise netting his fifteenth of the campaign on the power play, via Patrik Elias and Kovalchuk. The three stars were Hall, Kovalchuk, and Parise.
The last game of the day is in Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Nikolai Khabibulin were in goal. New Jersey drew first blood with a second period shorthanded Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his seventeenth of the season, going down unassisted. Edmonton tied it in the third period with an Ales Hemsky power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Corey Potter and Taylor Hall. The game was decided in overtime with Zach Parise netting his fifteenth of the campaign on the power play, via Patrik Elias and Kovalchuk. The three stars were Hall, Kovalchuk, and Parise.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
NHL Day 97 2011-2012
A whopping thirteen games on tonight. We begin in...
New York City, as the Rangers host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Henrik Lundqvist will tend the twines. New York got things started in the third period on a Ruslan Fedotenko goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Brian Boyle and Carl Hagelin. Phoenix tied it with a Radim Vrbata goal, his twentieth of the year, thanks to Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Michal Rozsival. The game went to a shootout, where the Rangers downed the Coyotes after Marian Gaborik and Derek Stepan overpowered Vrbata. Lundqvist (18 for 19 in saves), Stepan, and Smith (31 for 32 in saves) had the three stars.
Northward to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jonas Gustavsson earned the coach's approval to start. Toronto opened when Nikolai Kulemin potted his fifth of the season, thanks to Cody Franson and Carl Gunnarsson on the power play. The Maple Leafs added on with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Kulemin and Joey Crabb. This was all there was for scoring, leaving the game at 2-0, and the three stars were Gustavsson (32 save shutout), Kulemin, and Grabovski.
Back to the Atlantic coast, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cam Ward will be in the creases. The scoring began in the second period with Philadelphia's Brayden Schenn notching his second of the season, with the help of Wayne Simmonds. Carolina replied with Jerome Samson scoring on the power play, powered by Justin Faulk and Eric Staal. The Flyers took the lead again on a Sean Couturier goal, his seventh of the year, pushed through by Harry Zolnierczyk. This was all they needed to win 2-1, giving the three stars to Couturier, Samson, and Bobrovsky (34 for 35 in saves).
Up the coast, the Boston Bruins take on the Winnipeg Jets from TD Garden. Ondrej Pavelec and Tuukka Rask are the dueling goaltenders. Winnipeg began when Andrew Ladd potted his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom. Boston answered with a Nathan Horton goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. The Jets took the lead again in the second period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his ninth of the season, thanks to Enstrom and Bogosian. The Bruins tied it again with a Shawn Thornton penalty shot conversion, good as his fourth of the year, resulting from a Tim Stapleton hold. Eric Fehr put Winnipeg back in front with a goal, and Stapleton had the lone assist to make up for his previous error. Boston retied it eight seconds into the third period on another Horton tally, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, guided in by Krejci and Lucic. The Bruins gained the lead when Tyler Seguin sent his seventeenth of the year into the cage, with helpers provided by Patrice Bergeron. Boston struck again with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his eighth of the season coming on the power play via Bergeron and Rich Peverley. This made it 5-3, the final, and the three stars went to Horton, Thornton, and Krejci, while Lucic, Bogosian, Enstrom, and Bergeron get honorable mentions.
Into Pennsylvania, where the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Brent Johnson received the starts, but Johnson flubbed his and was replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury in the early second period. Ottawa dealt the first blow with a Chris Neil goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Kyle Turris and Nick Foligno. The Senators added on with a Bobby Butler goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Foligno. Ottawa roared on and chased Johnson with a second period Jason Spezza goal, his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Colin Greening and Chris Phillips. The Senators extended the lead again with a Milan Michalek power play goal, his twenty-first of the year going in off a skate in a controversial play, powered by Greening and Spezza. Pittsburgh got going with the seventeenth of the season by Evgeni Malkin, an unassisted goal. Ottawa kept rolling in the third period as Michalek scored again, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, fueled by Greening, who gets and sock trick, and Filip Kuba. The final rested at 5-1, with the three stars being Michalek, Spezza, and Greening, with honorable mention to Foligno.
In roundabout fashion, we're back in New York to see the Islanders host the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Evgeni Nabokov are tasked with stopping the puck. New York drew first blood as Matt Moulson scored his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal coming from P.A. Parenteau and Mark Streit. The Islanders kept going in the second period with a John Tavares goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Kyle Okposo. Okposo added the next goal for New York as his ninth of the season found twine, thanks to Tavares and Moulson. The Islanders extended the lead again with a Michael Grabner goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Matt Martin and Streit. Detroit got on the board in the third period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Jakub Kindl and Tomas Holmstrom. New York iced it at 5-1 with Moulson's second of the game and twentieth of the year, via Streit for a sock trick and Tavares. The three stars were Tim Wallace, Nabokov (23 for 24 in saves), and Moulson, while Tavares, Okposo, and Streit have valid cases for honorable mention.
Back in Canada again, as the Montreal Canadiens take on the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak returns to face his former understudy, Carey Price, from the nets. St. Louis opened the scoring in the second period with the tenth of the season by Jason Arnott, assisted by Ryan Reaves and Vladimir Sobotka. The Blues extended the lead with a David Backes goal, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Chris Stewart and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis struck again in the third period on a Stewart goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Backes. The final was 3-0, and the three stars easily went to Halak (19 save shutout), Backes, and Arnott, while Stewart earns an honorable mention.
A bit to the west, the Minnesota Wild host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Josh Harding wear the goalie masks. Minnesota opened as Cal Clutterbuck registered his eleventh of the season, with the help of Casey Wellman and Marek Zidlicky. San Jose tied it with a Dan Boyle power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Wild took the lead again on a Warren Peters second period goal, set up by Justin Falk and David McIntyre. Minnesota extended the lead in the third period as Nick Johnson sank his fifth of the season, assisted by Dany Heatley and Falk. The Sharks shot back with Benn Ferriero registering his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Boyle. The Wild answered with a Matt Cullen goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Wellman and Clutterbuck. Logan Couture got San Jose going again with his seventeenth of the campaign, fueled by Brent Burns and Boyle. The Sharks tied it on Marleau's sixteenth of the year, thanks to Thornton and Joe Pavelski. Minnesota would take the game anyway in the shootout, using goals by Cullen and Mikko Koivu to propel themselves to a 5-4 win. The three stars were Cullen, Clutterbuck, and Wellman, while Boyle, Falk, Thornton, and Marleau all played well too.
Southeast to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning will host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Dwayne Roloson will guard the goalmouths. Vancouver led off with an Alexander Edler goal, his seventh of the season, thanks to Alexander Sulzer and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on with a Jannik Hansen shorthanded goal, his thirteenth of the year made possible by Dan Hamhuis. Tampa Bay got going in the second period as Steven Stamkos recorded his twenty-ninth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Malone and Marc-Andre Bergeron. Vancouver got it back as Manny Malhotra scord his fourth of the year, with guidance from Mike Duco and Keith Ballard. The Lightning pulled back with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Stamkos and Matt Gilroy. The Canucks replied on a Ryan Kesler goal thirty seconds later and with two seconds left in the period, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Mason Raymond and Cody Hodgson. Tampa Bay pulled back in the third period as Teddy Purcell potted his seventh of the season, assisted by Pavel Kubina and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning tied it with a Malone goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by St. Louis and Lecavalier. Vancouver took the game 5-4 in a shootout with a lone Raymond tally. The three stars went to Raymond, Stamkos, and St. Louis while Lecavalier and Malone earn honorable mentions.
Back to the Midwest, as the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Corey Crawford stand in the blue paint. Chicago got things going in the second period with a shorthanded Dave Bolland goal, his tenth of the season, and Marian Hossa had the only assist. Columbus tied it up with an R.J. Umberger goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of David Savard and Aaron Johnson. The Blackhawks regained the lead when Viktor Stalberg put away his tenth of the season, thanks to Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Chicago rolled on in the third period with another Stalberg goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, coming off of Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook. Twenty-seven seconds later, the Blackhawks extended their lead as Ben Smith notched his second of the season, with the help of Bryan Bickell ad Sean O'Donnell. The Blue Jackets shot back with an Antoine Vermette goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Ryan Johansen and Johnson. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with Stalberg finishing his hat trick into the empty net for his twelfth of the campaign, from Bolland. The three stars went out to Stalberg, Hossa, and Umberger, while Bolland and Johnson earn the honorable mentions.
Westward to Colorado, as the Avalanche take on the Nashville Predators at Pepsi Center. Pekka Rinne and Semyon Varlamov will take to the nets. Nashville opened with Nick Spaling netting his sixth of the season, thanks to Jordin Tootoo and Gabriel Bourque. Ryan Ellis added on for the Predators with his second of the year, a power play goal set up by Roman Josi and Martin Erat. Nashville kept it going when Erat potted his ninth of the season, via Mike Fisher and Ryan Suter. Colorado got on the board late in the second period as Ryan O'Reilly netted his eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Paul Stastny. The Predators iced it at 4-1 when Patric Hornqvist sank his twelfth of the campaign in the third period, and Ellis had the only helper. Rinne (32 for 33 in saves), Erat, and O'Reilly were the three stars, while Ellis gets the honorable mention.
Into Canada we go again, as the Calgary Flames host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the irons. Calgary struck first on a Jay Bouwmeester's second of the season, helped along by Jarome Iginla and Chris Butler. The Flames added on with a Cory Sarich goal, made possible by Mikael Backlund and Lance Bouma, chasing Brodeur away in favor of Johan Hedberg. Calgary extended the lead again with Curtis Glencross recording his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Olli Jokinen and Iginla. Shortly after this, Iginla and Henrique dropped the gloves.The Flames kept the blitz going as T.J. Brodie put his second of the season away on the power play, powered by Bouwmeester and Glencross. New Jersey got on the board in the second period as Ilya Kovalchuk deposited his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Adam Henrique and Zach Parise. Lee Stempniak quickly answered back for Calgary with his ninth of the season, passed through by Backlund and Glencross. The Devils shot back just as fast with a Henrique shorthanded goal, finishing off a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Parise and Adam Larsson. New Jersey crept closer in the third period on a Patrik Elias power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, with assistance from Kovalchuk and Kurtis Foster. The Flames got some breathing room as Iginla nailed his seventeenth of the year to finish off his own Gordie Howe Hat Trick, helped out by Jokinen and Glencross, the latter clinching a sock trick. This made it 6-3, the final, with Iginla, Glencross, and Henrique taking the three stars and the honoravle mentions going to Parise, Kovalchuk, Bouwmeester, Jokinen, Backlund, and Stempniak.
Finally, in California, the Anaheim Ducks welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jeff Deslauriers are in front of the twines. Anaheim drew first blood when Saku Koivu recorded his seventh of the season, and a lone assist came from Toni Lydman. The Ducks added on with a Luca Sbisa goal in the second period, his second of the year, via Kyle Palmieri. Dallas got going in the third period with a Steve Ott goal, his seventh of the season, pushed through by Michael Ryder and Nicklas Grossman. The Stars tied it when Alex Goligoski scored his fourth of the year, guided in by Ott and Jamie Benn. Anaheim retook the lead on the second Koivu goal of the night, his eighth of the season, assisted by Teemu Selanne and Francois Beauchemin. Matt Beleskey added to the Ducks lead, and the assist came from Andrew Cogliano. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with Koivu finishing his hat trick on his ninth of the year, thanks to Selanne and Hagman. The three stars went out to Koivu, Cogliano, and Sbisa, while Selanne and Ott get honorable mentions.
New York City, as the Rangers host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Henrik Lundqvist will tend the twines. New York got things started in the third period on a Ruslan Fedotenko goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Brian Boyle and Carl Hagelin. Phoenix tied it with a Radim Vrbata goal, his twentieth of the year, thanks to Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Michal Rozsival. The game went to a shootout, where the Rangers downed the Coyotes after Marian Gaborik and Derek Stepan overpowered Vrbata. Lundqvist (18 for 19 in saves), Stepan, and Smith (31 for 32 in saves) had the three stars.
Northward to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jonas Gustavsson earned the coach's approval to start. Toronto opened when Nikolai Kulemin potted his fifth of the season, thanks to Cody Franson and Carl Gunnarsson on the power play. The Maple Leafs added on with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Kulemin and Joey Crabb. This was all there was for scoring, leaving the game at 2-0, and the three stars were Gustavsson (32 save shutout), Kulemin, and Grabovski.
Back to the Atlantic coast, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cam Ward will be in the creases. The scoring began in the second period with Philadelphia's Brayden Schenn notching his second of the season, with the help of Wayne Simmonds. Carolina replied with Jerome Samson scoring on the power play, powered by Justin Faulk and Eric Staal. The Flyers took the lead again on a Sean Couturier goal, his seventh of the year, pushed through by Harry Zolnierczyk. This was all they needed to win 2-1, giving the three stars to Couturier, Samson, and Bobrovsky (34 for 35 in saves).
Up the coast, the Boston Bruins take on the Winnipeg Jets from TD Garden. Ondrej Pavelec and Tuukka Rask are the dueling goaltenders. Winnipeg began when Andrew Ladd potted his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom. Boston answered with a Nathan Horton goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. The Jets took the lead again in the second period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his ninth of the season, thanks to Enstrom and Bogosian. The Bruins tied it again with a Shawn Thornton penalty shot conversion, good as his fourth of the year, resulting from a Tim Stapleton hold. Eric Fehr put Winnipeg back in front with a goal, and Stapleton had the lone assist to make up for his previous error. Boston retied it eight seconds into the third period on another Horton tally, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, guided in by Krejci and Lucic. The Bruins gained the lead when Tyler Seguin sent his seventeenth of the year into the cage, with helpers provided by Patrice Bergeron. Boston struck again with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his eighth of the season coming on the power play via Bergeron and Rich Peverley. This made it 5-3, the final, and the three stars went to Horton, Thornton, and Krejci, while Lucic, Bogosian, Enstrom, and Bergeron get honorable mentions.
Into Pennsylvania, where the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Brent Johnson received the starts, but Johnson flubbed his and was replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury in the early second period. Ottawa dealt the first blow with a Chris Neil goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Kyle Turris and Nick Foligno. The Senators added on with a Bobby Butler goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Foligno. Ottawa roared on and chased Johnson with a second period Jason Spezza goal, his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Colin Greening and Chris Phillips. The Senators extended the lead again with a Milan Michalek power play goal, his twenty-first of the year going in off a skate in a controversial play, powered by Greening and Spezza. Pittsburgh got going with the seventeenth of the season by Evgeni Malkin, an unassisted goal. Ottawa kept rolling in the third period as Michalek scored again, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, fueled by Greening, who gets and sock trick, and Filip Kuba. The final rested at 5-1, with the three stars being Michalek, Spezza, and Greening, with honorable mention to Foligno.
In roundabout fashion, we're back in New York to see the Islanders host the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Evgeni Nabokov are tasked with stopping the puck. New York drew first blood as Matt Moulson scored his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal coming from P.A. Parenteau and Mark Streit. The Islanders kept going in the second period with a John Tavares goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Kyle Okposo. Okposo added the next goal for New York as his ninth of the season found twine, thanks to Tavares and Moulson. The Islanders extended the lead again with a Michael Grabner goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Matt Martin and Streit. Detroit got on the board in the third period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Jakub Kindl and Tomas Holmstrom. New York iced it at 5-1 with Moulson's second of the game and twentieth of the year, via Streit for a sock trick and Tavares. The three stars were Tim Wallace, Nabokov (23 for 24 in saves), and Moulson, while Tavares, Okposo, and Streit have valid cases for honorable mention.
Back in Canada again, as the Montreal Canadiens take on the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak returns to face his former understudy, Carey Price, from the nets. St. Louis opened the scoring in the second period with the tenth of the season by Jason Arnott, assisted by Ryan Reaves and Vladimir Sobotka. The Blues extended the lead with a David Backes goal, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Chris Stewart and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis struck again in the third period on a Stewart goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Backes. The final was 3-0, and the three stars easily went to Halak (19 save shutout), Backes, and Arnott, while Stewart earns an honorable mention.
A bit to the west, the Minnesota Wild host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Josh Harding wear the goalie masks. Minnesota opened as Cal Clutterbuck registered his eleventh of the season, with the help of Casey Wellman and Marek Zidlicky. San Jose tied it with a Dan Boyle power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Wild took the lead again on a Warren Peters second period goal, set up by Justin Falk and David McIntyre. Minnesota extended the lead in the third period as Nick Johnson sank his fifth of the season, assisted by Dany Heatley and Falk. The Sharks shot back with Benn Ferriero registering his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Boyle. The Wild answered with a Matt Cullen goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Wellman and Clutterbuck. Logan Couture got San Jose going again with his seventeenth of the campaign, fueled by Brent Burns and Boyle. The Sharks tied it on Marleau's sixteenth of the year, thanks to Thornton and Joe Pavelski. Minnesota would take the game anyway in the shootout, using goals by Cullen and Mikko Koivu to propel themselves to a 5-4 win. The three stars were Cullen, Clutterbuck, and Wellman, while Boyle, Falk, Thornton, and Marleau all played well too.
Southeast to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning will host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Dwayne Roloson will guard the goalmouths. Vancouver led off with an Alexander Edler goal, his seventh of the season, thanks to Alexander Sulzer and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on with a Jannik Hansen shorthanded goal, his thirteenth of the year made possible by Dan Hamhuis. Tampa Bay got going in the second period as Steven Stamkos recorded his twenty-ninth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Malone and Marc-Andre Bergeron. Vancouver got it back as Manny Malhotra scord his fourth of the year, with guidance from Mike Duco and Keith Ballard. The Lightning pulled back with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Stamkos and Matt Gilroy. The Canucks replied on a Ryan Kesler goal thirty seconds later and with two seconds left in the period, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Mason Raymond and Cody Hodgson. Tampa Bay pulled back in the third period as Teddy Purcell potted his seventh of the season, assisted by Pavel Kubina and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning tied it with a Malone goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by St. Louis and Lecavalier. Vancouver took the game 5-4 in a shootout with a lone Raymond tally. The three stars went to Raymond, Stamkos, and St. Louis while Lecavalier and Malone earn honorable mentions.
Back to the Midwest, as the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Corey Crawford stand in the blue paint. Chicago got things going in the second period with a shorthanded Dave Bolland goal, his tenth of the season, and Marian Hossa had the only assist. Columbus tied it up with an R.J. Umberger goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of David Savard and Aaron Johnson. The Blackhawks regained the lead when Viktor Stalberg put away his tenth of the season, thanks to Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Chicago rolled on in the third period with another Stalberg goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, coming off of Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook. Twenty-seven seconds later, the Blackhawks extended their lead as Ben Smith notched his second of the season, with the help of Bryan Bickell ad Sean O'Donnell. The Blue Jackets shot back with an Antoine Vermette goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Ryan Johansen and Johnson. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with Stalberg finishing his hat trick into the empty net for his twelfth of the campaign, from Bolland. The three stars went out to Stalberg, Hossa, and Umberger, while Bolland and Johnson earn the honorable mentions.
Westward to Colorado, as the Avalanche take on the Nashville Predators at Pepsi Center. Pekka Rinne and Semyon Varlamov will take to the nets. Nashville opened with Nick Spaling netting his sixth of the season, thanks to Jordin Tootoo and Gabriel Bourque. Ryan Ellis added on for the Predators with his second of the year, a power play goal set up by Roman Josi and Martin Erat. Nashville kept it going when Erat potted his ninth of the season, via Mike Fisher and Ryan Suter. Colorado got on the board late in the second period as Ryan O'Reilly netted his eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Paul Stastny. The Predators iced it at 4-1 when Patric Hornqvist sank his twelfth of the campaign in the third period, and Ellis had the only helper. Rinne (32 for 33 in saves), Erat, and O'Reilly were the three stars, while Ellis gets the honorable mention.
Into Canada we go again, as the Calgary Flames host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the irons. Calgary struck first on a Jay Bouwmeester's second of the season, helped along by Jarome Iginla and Chris Butler. The Flames added on with a Cory Sarich goal, made possible by Mikael Backlund and Lance Bouma, chasing Brodeur away in favor of Johan Hedberg. Calgary extended the lead again with Curtis Glencross recording his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Olli Jokinen and Iginla. Shortly after this, Iginla and Henrique dropped the gloves.The Flames kept the blitz going as T.J. Brodie put his second of the season away on the power play, powered by Bouwmeester and Glencross. New Jersey got on the board in the second period as Ilya Kovalchuk deposited his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Adam Henrique and Zach Parise. Lee Stempniak quickly answered back for Calgary with his ninth of the season, passed through by Backlund and Glencross. The Devils shot back just as fast with a Henrique shorthanded goal, finishing off a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Parise and Adam Larsson. New Jersey crept closer in the third period on a Patrik Elias power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, with assistance from Kovalchuk and Kurtis Foster. The Flames got some breathing room as Iginla nailed his seventeenth of the year to finish off his own Gordie Howe Hat Trick, helped out by Jokinen and Glencross, the latter clinching a sock trick. This made it 6-3, the final, with Iginla, Glencross, and Henrique taking the three stars and the honoravle mentions going to Parise, Kovalchuk, Bouwmeester, Jokinen, Backlund, and Stempniak.
Finally, in California, the Anaheim Ducks welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jeff Deslauriers are in front of the twines. Anaheim drew first blood when Saku Koivu recorded his seventh of the season, and a lone assist came from Toni Lydman. The Ducks added on with a Luca Sbisa goal in the second period, his second of the year, via Kyle Palmieri. Dallas got going in the third period with a Steve Ott goal, his seventh of the season, pushed through by Michael Ryder and Nicklas Grossman. The Stars tied it when Alex Goligoski scored his fourth of the year, guided in by Ott and Jamie Benn. Anaheim retook the lead on the second Koivu goal of the night, his eighth of the season, assisted by Teemu Selanne and Francois Beauchemin. Matt Beleskey added to the Ducks lead, and the assist came from Andrew Cogliano. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with Koivu finishing his hat trick on his ninth of the year, thanks to Selanne and Hagman. The three stars went out to Koivu, Cogliano, and Sbisa, while Selanne and Ott get honorable mentions.
Monday, January 9, 2012
NHL Day 96 2011-2012
Only two games of hockey tonight. The numbers in games won't be this low again until just before the all-star break. First...
The Florida Panthers host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Scott Clemmensen get the starts. Dale Weise put Vancouver ahead first with his third of the season, and Manny Malhotra had the lone assist. Florida tied it with a Dmitry Kulikov goal in the second period, his fourth of the year set up by Marcel Goc and Shawn Matthias. The Panthers took the lead with a Goc goal, his fourth of the season coming on the power play via Kris Versteeg and Mikael Samuelsson. The third period was silent, leaving the final at 2-1, and the three stars went to Clemmensen (25 for 26 in saves), Goc, and Kulikov.
Across the southern United States, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Jonathan Bernier are the masked men. Washington was first to score with a Marcus Johansson goal, eighth of the season, assisted by Mike Knuble. Los Angeles tied it with a Kyle Clifford goal, his second of the year, thanks to Trent Hunter and Willie Mitchell. The Kings gained the lead with an Anze Kopitar goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Dustin Brown. Los Angeles added on in the second period with Jack Johnson registering his sixth of the year, and Clifford and Hunter had the helpers. The Kings rolled on with a Jarret Stoll goal, his fifth of the season, going down via Dustin Penner and Mike Richards. Michal Neuvirth relieved Vokoun for the third period. Los Angeles extended the lead again in the third period when Justin Williams put away his seventh of the campaign, a power play goal, powered by Drew Doughty and Johnson. The Capitals pulled as close as 5-2 when Johansson made his second of the game and ninth of the year, courtesy of Roman Hamrlik and Alexander Semin. The three stars were Clifford, Johansson, and Hunter, while Johnson gets an honorable mention.
The Florida Panthers host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Scott Clemmensen get the starts. Dale Weise put Vancouver ahead first with his third of the season, and Manny Malhotra had the lone assist. Florida tied it with a Dmitry Kulikov goal in the second period, his fourth of the year set up by Marcel Goc and Shawn Matthias. The Panthers took the lead with a Goc goal, his fourth of the season coming on the power play via Kris Versteeg and Mikael Samuelsson. The third period was silent, leaving the final at 2-1, and the three stars went to Clemmensen (25 for 26 in saves), Goc, and Kulikov.
Across the southern United States, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Jonathan Bernier are the masked men. Washington was first to score with a Marcus Johansson goal, eighth of the season, assisted by Mike Knuble. Los Angeles tied it with a Kyle Clifford goal, his second of the year, thanks to Trent Hunter and Willie Mitchell. The Kings gained the lead with an Anze Kopitar goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Dustin Brown. Los Angeles added on in the second period with Jack Johnson registering his sixth of the year, and Clifford and Hunter had the helpers. The Kings rolled on with a Jarret Stoll goal, his fifth of the season, going down via Dustin Penner and Mike Richards. Michal Neuvirth relieved Vokoun for the third period. Los Angeles extended the lead again in the third period when Justin Williams put away his seventh of the campaign, a power play goal, powered by Drew Doughty and Johnson. The Capitals pulled as close as 5-2 when Johansson made his second of the game and ninth of the year, courtesy of Roman Hamrlik and Alexander Semin. The three stars were Clifford, Johansson, and Hunter, while Johnson gets an honorable mention.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 13
1. Semyon Varlamov, 2 W, 0.48 GAA, 58 SV, .983 SV%, 1 SO
2. Erik Karlsson, 1 G, 5 A, +7 (insert Bryzism here), 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 16 SOG
3. Alex Pietrangelo, 1 G, 5 A, +2, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 12 SOG
4. Jonathan Quick, 1 W, 0.66 GAA, 59 SV, .967 SV%, 1 SO
5. Taylor Hall, 4 G, 1 A, -3, 4 PIM, 3 PPP, 19 SOG
2. Erik Karlsson, 1 G, 5 A, +7 (insert Bryzism here), 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 16 SOG
3. Alex Pietrangelo, 1 G, 5 A, +2, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 12 SOG
4. Jonathan Quick, 1 W, 0.66 GAA, 59 SV, .967 SV%, 1 SO
5. Taylor Hall, 4 G, 1 A, -3, 4 PIM, 3 PPP, 19 SOG
Sunday, January 8, 2012
NHL Day 95 2011-2012
Only three games going on today. The first is a semi-early game from Ottawa...
As the Senators bring in their hosts from yesterday, the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Craig Anderson will start again. Ottawa got on the board first with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Kyle Turris and Jared Cowen. Philadelphia replied with an Andrej Meszaros goal, his sixth of the year, thanks to Max Talbot. The Senators regained the lead with a Chris Neil goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Nick Foligno and Erik Karlsson. The Flyers retied it when Marc-Andre Bourdon potted his second of the year, fueled by Danny Briere. Philadelphia grabbed the lead on a Sean Couturier goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Matt Read. Read got the Flyers going again in the second period when he made his thirteenth of the year on the power play, powered by James van Riemsdyk and Matt Carle. Ottawa got one back with Colin Greening's goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. The Senators tied it with Karlsson making his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. Ottawa took a late 5-4 lead with Filip Kuba recording his fourth of the season, with helpers from Erik Condra and Alfredsson. The Senators cied it at 6-4 with a Foligno empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Neil. The three stars went to
To the southwest, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted fierce rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Corey Crawford get the starting nods. Chicago opened with a Dave Bolland power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks added on forty-four seconds later with a Patrick Sharp goal, his twentieth of the year, coming from Michael Frolik and Hossa. Detroit pulled closer with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fourteenth of the season coming on the power play via Henrik Zetterberg and Jiri Hudler. The Red Wings tied it in the third period on a Zetterberg goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Danny Cleary and Filppula. Detroit took the game in overtime when Pavel Datsyuk scored shorthanded, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Jonathan Ericsson and Johan Franzen. The three stars went to Filppula, Hossa, and Cleary, while Zetterberg earns the honorable mention.
Finally, out in Anaheim, the Ducks host the equally dismal Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Jonas Hiller started in goal, but Curtis Sanford and Iiro Tarkki came on in relief of their starters by the time the second period began. Anaheim opened with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Luca Sbisa and Jason Blake. The Ducks added on when Corey Perry scored his sixteenth of the year, via Bobby Ryan and Francois Beauchemin. Columbus got on the board when Rick Nash scored, netting his thirteenth of the season with the help of Vinny Prospal. Anaheim quickly shot back on the power play as Teemu Selanne deposited his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Ryan Getzlaf and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Ducks extended the lead with Saku Koivu's goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Ryan. The Blue Jackets got one back in the second period on a Derick Brassard goal, his fifth of the year coming on the power play from Aaron Johnson and Grant Clitsome. Anaheim replied with Perry's second of the game and seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Koivu and Visnovsky. Selanne added on again for the Ducks in the third period with his second of the night and fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Niklas Hagman and Koivu. Columbus answered with another Nash goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, going down unassisted. The Blue Jackets pulled closer with a Derek Dorsett goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Prospal. Perry iced it by completing his hat trick with his eighteenth of the campaign, an empty net goal, produced by Beauchemin. The final was 7-4, and the three stars were Perry, Selanne, and Nash, while honorable mentions include Prospal, Beauchemin, Koivu, Visnovsky, and Ryan.
As the Senators bring in their hosts from yesterday, the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Craig Anderson will start again. Ottawa got on the board first with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Kyle Turris and Jared Cowen. Philadelphia replied with an Andrej Meszaros goal, his sixth of the year, thanks to Max Talbot. The Senators regained the lead with a Chris Neil goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Nick Foligno and Erik Karlsson. The Flyers retied it when Marc-Andre Bourdon potted his second of the year, fueled by Danny Briere. Philadelphia grabbed the lead on a Sean Couturier goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Matt Read. Read got the Flyers going again in the second period when he made his thirteenth of the year on the power play, powered by James van Riemsdyk and Matt Carle. Ottawa got one back with Colin Greening's goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. The Senators tied it with Karlsson making his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. Ottawa took a late 5-4 lead with Filip Kuba recording his fourth of the season, with helpers from Erik Condra and Alfredsson. The Senators cied it at 6-4 with a Foligno empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Neil. The three stars went to
To the southwest, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted fierce rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Corey Crawford get the starting nods. Chicago opened with a Dave Bolland power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks added on forty-four seconds later with a Patrick Sharp goal, his twentieth of the year, coming from Michael Frolik and Hossa. Detroit pulled closer with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fourteenth of the season coming on the power play via Henrik Zetterberg and Jiri Hudler. The Red Wings tied it in the third period on a Zetterberg goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Danny Cleary and Filppula. Detroit took the game in overtime when Pavel Datsyuk scored shorthanded, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Jonathan Ericsson and Johan Franzen. The three stars went to Filppula, Hossa, and Cleary, while Zetterberg earns the honorable mention.
Finally, out in Anaheim, the Ducks host the equally dismal Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Jonas Hiller started in goal, but Curtis Sanford and Iiro Tarkki came on in relief of their starters by the time the second period began. Anaheim opened with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Luca Sbisa and Jason Blake. The Ducks added on when Corey Perry scored his sixteenth of the year, via Bobby Ryan and Francois Beauchemin. Columbus got on the board when Rick Nash scored, netting his thirteenth of the season with the help of Vinny Prospal. Anaheim quickly shot back on the power play as Teemu Selanne deposited his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Ryan Getzlaf and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Ducks extended the lead with Saku Koivu's goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Ryan. The Blue Jackets got one back in the second period on a Derick Brassard goal, his fifth of the year coming on the power play from Aaron Johnson and Grant Clitsome. Anaheim replied with Perry's second of the game and seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Koivu and Visnovsky. Selanne added on again for the Ducks in the third period with his second of the night and fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Niklas Hagman and Koivu. Columbus answered with another Nash goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, going down unassisted. The Blue Jackets pulled closer with a Derek Dorsett goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Prospal. Perry iced it by completing his hat trick with his eighteenth of the campaign, an empty net goal, produced by Beauchemin. The final was 7-4, and the three stars were Perry, Selanne, and Nash, while honorable mentions include Prospal, Beauchemin, Koivu, Visnovsky, and Ryan.
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