Big day today, with thirteen games on to fill the time. We begin in...
Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off in the first period as Beau Bennett scored his second of the season, assisted by Dsutin Jeffrey and Tyler Kennedy. The Penguins added on in the third period as Kennedy scored a power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Kris Letang and Paul Martin. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Pascal Dupuis scored his fourteenth of the season, via Jeffrey and Matt Cooke. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Fleury (23 save shutout), Kennedy, and Jeffrey.
Over in Boston, the Bruins host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Anton Khudobin are the backups making spot starts. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Nathan Horton goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Milan Lucic and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins added on with a David Krejci goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Lucic and Horton. Washington got on the board in the second period as Marcus Johansson scored his second of the season, officially unassisted but with help from a poor clearing attempt by the Bruins. Boston responded as Andrew Ference scored, with helpers provided by Horton and Krejci. The Bruins extended the lead in the third period with a Rich Peverley power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Lucic, who got a sock trick, and Krejci. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 4-1 final, with the three stars being Horton, Khudobin (32 for 33 in saves), and Lucic, while Krejci gets an honorable mention.
West to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jean-Sebastien Giguere make the starts. Minnesota opened in the first period with a Ryan Suter power play goal, his second of the season, set up by Jared Spurgeon and Zach Parise. The Wild added on as Devin Setoguchi scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Matt Cullen and Clayton Stoner. Minnesota extended the lead with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist from Dany Heatley. Colorado got on the board when John Mitchell notched his ninth of the year, with Aaron Palushaj getting the only assist. The Wild shot back as Kyle Brodziak scored his fourth of the season, via Heatley and Setoguchi. The Avalanche chipped back in the second period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado pulled closer as Landeskog netted his fourth of the season, with assists by Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. Minnesota replied on an unassisted Pierre-Marc Bouchard goal, his third of the year. The Wild padded the lead in the third period as Setoguchi scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, helped along by Bouchard and Justin Falk. The Avalanche got one back with a Chuck Kobasew goal, his third of the year, coming off of Cody McLeod and Greg Zanon. This only made it 6-4, the final, with the three stars belonging to Setoguchi, Bouchard, and Parenteau, and the honorable mentions went to Suter, Heatley, Duchene, and Landeskog.
Back in the east, the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Ottawa Senators. Ben Bishop and Ryan Miller receive the starting nods. Buffalo began with a first period Mike Weber goal, coming off of Ville Leino and Steve Ott. The Sabres added on as Drew Stafford scored his third of the season, with helpers from Nathan Gerbe and Jordan Leopold. Ottawa got on the board in the second period as Patrick Wierioch scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Sergei Gonchar and Kyle Turris. The Senators tied it with the fourth of the season by Chris Phillips, made possible by Jim O'Brien. Ottawa took the lead as Turris potted his sixth of the year, courtesy of Guillaume Latendresse and Wiercioch. Buffalo retied it on a third period goal by Stafford, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Christian Ehrhoff and Jochen Hecht. The Senators won 4-3 in overtime with a goal by Turris, his second of the game and seventh of the year, a power play goal guided in by Daniel Alfredsson and Gonchar. The three stars were handed to Stafford, Turris, and Wiercioch, while Gonchar gets an honorable mention.
Back west, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the blue paint. The game went sixty-five minutes scoreless, and was determined in the shootout. Columbus prevailed here with Artem Anisimov and Mark Letestu scoring for a 1-0 win. The three stars were Bobrovsky (39 save shutout), Letestu, and Smith (23 save "shutout").
Southeast to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Mathieu Garon are called on to start. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Tyler Johnson goal, assisted by Alex Killorn and Cory Conacher. The Lightning added on in the second period when Ondrej Palat scored, thanks to Sami Salo and Johnson. Tampa Bay extended the lead on a Nate Thompson goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of B.J. Crombeen and Matt Carle. The Lightning padded the lead in the third period with a Teddy Purcell goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Martin St. Louis and Victor Hedman. Carolina got on the board as Eric Staal scored his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Alexander Semin. This only made it 4-1, a final, with the three stars going to Hedman, Johnson, and Thompson.
Back up the coast, the New Jersey Devils host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Johan Hedberg will be between the pipes. Montreal started in the first period with an unassisted Colby Armstrong goal. New Jersey tied it in the second period as Peter Harrold scored a power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk. The Canadiens retook the lead in the third period as Tomas Plekanec netted his twelfth of the season, via Jarred Tinordi. This was good for a 2-1 win, with Plekanec, Price (32 for 33 in saves), and Harrold receiving the three stars.
Crossing into Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Ben Scrivens have the green light to start. Toronto was first to score in the first period as Joffrey Lupul scored, with a lone assist from Nazem Kadri. Winnipeg tied it in the second period on a James Wright goal, fueled by Kyle Wellwood and Nik Antropov. The Jets took the lead as Antti Miettinen scored his second of the season, thanks to Dustin Byfuglien and Olli Jokinen. Winnipeg extended the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd. The Jets padded the lead as Wheeler scored again, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, coming off of Ladd and Zach Bogosian. The Maple Leafs shot back on a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his third of the year, guided in by Jay McClement. Toronto pulled closer as Lupul scored his second of the game, and Kadri again had the only helper. James Reimer relieved Scrivens for the third periodThe Maple Leafs tied it in the third period with a Phil Kesel goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk. Winnipeg won it 5-4 in the shootout as Wheeler was matched by Bozak, and then in the tenth round Bogosian sealed it for the Jets. The three stars were awarded to Wheeler, Lupul, and Bogosian, while Ladd and Kadri got the honorable mentions.
Back south to Florida, where the Panthers host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Scott Clemmensen are all padded up. New York began in the first period with a Kyle Okposo goal, his third of the season, fueled by Frans Nielsen and Andrew MacDonald. The Islanders added on as Radek Martinek scored his second of the year, thanks to Mark Streit and Marty Reasoner. New York extended the lead in the second period on a Brad Boyes goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Florida got on the board in the third period with a T.J. Brennan goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Mike Santorelli and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers quickly chipped in another as Marcel Goc potted his third of the season, courtesy of Tomas Fleischmann and Tomas Kopecky. Florida tied it on a Santorelli goal, his second of the year, guided in by Jack Skille and Brian Campbell. The Islanders took the lead back on a Casey Cizikas goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Colin McDonald and Keith Aucoin. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars given to Cizikas, Brennan, and Santorelli.
Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jake Allen guard the cages. Anaheim struck first in the first period on a Saku Koivu goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Bryan Allen and Cam Fowler. St. Louis tied it as Kris Russell scored a power play goal, powered by Vladimir Tarasenko and Chris Stewart. The Blues won 2-1 in overtime as Stewart potted his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Vladimir Sobotka. The three stars went to Allen (27 for 28 in saves), Russell, and Tarasenko, while Stewart gets an honorable mention.
Down in Dallas, the Stars host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Kari Lehtonen the masked men. Chicago opened in the first period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Nick Leddy and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks added on as Toews scored again, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, set up by Saad and Duncan Keith. Chicago extended the lead with a Leddy goal, his third of the season, coming off of Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell. The Blackhawks struck again in the second period on a Johnny Oduya goal, his second of the year, fueled by Stalberg and Bickell. Richard Bachman relieved Lehtonen at this time. Chicago padded the lead with Marian Hossa scoring his twelfth of the season, guided in by Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks got another as Hossa scored his second of the night and thirteenth of the year on the power play, powered by Toews and Kane. Chicago kept going in the third period as Keith scored his second of the season, with helpers from Bickell and Stalberg, who each got sock tricks. Dallas got on the board as Trevor Daley scored his second of the year, a power play goal, made possible by Jamie Benn and Ray Whitney. The Blackhawks answered with a Kane power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Dave Bolland and Leddy. This made it an 8-1 final score, with the three stars awarded to Toews, Hossa, and Kane, while Bickell, Stalberg, Leddy, Keith, and Saad all get honorable mentions.
Back in Canada again, the Vancouver Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Six seconds into the first period, Vancouver led off with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler. Detroit tied it with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his second of the year, coming off of Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period as Henrik Zetterberg scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Datsyuk and Franzen. Detroit struck again in the third period with another Zetterberg goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, set up by Valtteri Filppula and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings padded the lead as Daniel Cleary scored his sixth of the season, with the help of Joakim Andersson and Damien Brunner. Detroit extended the lead as Abdelkader scored his second of the game and third of the year, passed from Datsyuk and Jakub Kindl. The Canucks got one one back as Burrows scored his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, courtesy of Edler and Kevin Bieksa. This only made it 5-2, a final, with the three stars going to Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Burrows, while Abdelkader, Franzen, and Edler get the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end with the battle of California, as the Los Angeles Kings welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi faces a lesser foe in Jonathan Bernier in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Kyle Clifford goal, his third of the season, coming off of Slava Voynov and Rob Scuderi. The Kings added on with a Justin Williams goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. San Jose got on the board in the second period as Patrick Marleau scored his fourteenth of the season, via Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. Los Angeles replied with a Jarret Stoll goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Trevor Lewis and Alec Martinez. The Kings extended the lead on another Clifford goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Dustin Penner and Colin Fraser. Alex Stalock relieved Niemi at this time. Los Angeles padded the lead on a Dwight King goal, his third of the year, set up by Stoll and Lewis. The Sharks got one back in the third period when Matt Irwin scored his fourth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Burns and Scott Gomez. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars given to Clifford, Bernier (20 for 22 in saves), and Stoll, while Lewis and Burns receive the honorable mentions.
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Saturday, March 16, 2013
Eastern Conference Semifinal: Avangard Omsk VS. Traktor Chelyabinsk
Welcome to the post for the semifinal series between Avangard Omsk and Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.
Game 1: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Karri Ramo for Avangard. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period as Petri Kontiola scored a power play goal, powered by Vyacheslav Belov. Traktor added on as Valery Nichushkin scored, thanks to Maxim Karpov and Yegor Dugin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the third period when Andrei Popov scored, courtesy of Andrei Kostitsyn and Vladimir Antipov. Traktor padded the lead on a power play goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov, set up by Deron Quint. Chelyabinsk iced it at 5-0 with a power play goal by Kontiola, made possible by Kostitsyn and Maxim Yakutsenya. The three stars were Garnett (33 save shutout), Kontiola, and Kostitsyn. Traktor takes an early 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Karri Ramo for Avangard. Chelyabinsk was first to score with a first period goal by Valery Nichushkin, going in unassisted. Traktor added on in the third period when Nichushkin scored again, with a lone assist by Yegor Dugin. Chelyabinsk iced it at 3-0 with an unassisted goal by Petri Kontiola. The three stars were awarded to Garnett (21 save shutout), Nichushkin, and Kontiola. Traktor heads home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Karri Ramo for Avangard and Michael Garnett for Traktor. Chelyabinsk started in the first period with an Alexei Vasilchenko goal, assisted by Maxim Yakutsenya. Traktor padded the lead in the third period as Yakutsenya potted the puck, via Konstantin Panov. Chelyabinsk finished the scoring at 3-0 when Andrei Popov scored, with the help of Andrei Kostitsyn and Vladimir Antipov. The three stars were given to Yakutsenya, Garnett (24 save shutout), and Vasilchenko. Traktor pushes Avangard to the brink with a 3-0 series lead.
Game 4: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Karri Ramo for Avangard and Michael Garnett for Traktor. Omsk got going in the second period with a Sergei Kalinin goal, assisted by Anssi Salmela. Avangard added on as Dmitry Syomin converted the penalty shot he was awarded after being hooked by Alexei Vasilchenko on a breakaway. Chelyabinsk got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Stanislav Chistov, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Ryabykin. Omsk iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Tomas Zaborsky, going in unassisted. The three stars were Syomin, Ramo (14 for 15 in saves), and Kalinin. Traktor's lead now stands at 3-1 in the series.
Game 5: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Karri Ramo for Avangard. Chelyabinsk struck first in the second period as Maxim Karpov scored, with the help of Yegor Dugin and Stanislav Chistov. Traktor added on with a Jan Bulis goal, fueled by Chistov and Vyacheslav Belov on the power play. Chelyabinsk extended the lead with a power play goal by Maxim Yakutsenya, powered by Petri Kontiola. Traktor finished it at 4-0 with an empty net goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov, with a lone assist from Bulis. The three stars went to Garnett (33 save shutout), Bulis, and Karpov, while Chistov gets an honorable mention. Traktor advances to the Conference Finals with a 4-1 series win.
Game 1: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Karri Ramo for Avangard. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period as Petri Kontiola scored a power play goal, powered by Vyacheslav Belov. Traktor added on as Valery Nichushkin scored, thanks to Maxim Karpov and Yegor Dugin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the third period when Andrei Popov scored, courtesy of Andrei Kostitsyn and Vladimir Antipov. Traktor padded the lead on a power play goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov, set up by Deron Quint. Chelyabinsk iced it at 5-0 with a power play goal by Kontiola, made possible by Kostitsyn and Maxim Yakutsenya. The three stars were Garnett (33 save shutout), Kontiola, and Kostitsyn. Traktor takes an early 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Karri Ramo for Avangard. Chelyabinsk was first to score with a first period goal by Valery Nichushkin, going in unassisted. Traktor added on in the third period when Nichushkin scored again, with a lone assist by Yegor Dugin. Chelyabinsk iced it at 3-0 with an unassisted goal by Petri Kontiola. The three stars were awarded to Garnett (21 save shutout), Nichushkin, and Kontiola. Traktor heads home with a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Karri Ramo for Avangard and Michael Garnett for Traktor. Chelyabinsk started in the first period with an Alexei Vasilchenko goal, assisted by Maxim Yakutsenya. Traktor padded the lead in the third period as Yakutsenya potted the puck, via Konstantin Panov. Chelyabinsk finished the scoring at 3-0 when Andrei Popov scored, with the help of Andrei Kostitsyn and Vladimir Antipov. The three stars were given to Yakutsenya, Garnett (24 save shutout), and Vasilchenko. Traktor pushes Avangard to the brink with a 3-0 series lead.
Game 4: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Karri Ramo for Avangard and Michael Garnett for Traktor. Omsk got going in the second period with a Sergei Kalinin goal, assisted by Anssi Salmela. Avangard added on as Dmitry Syomin converted the penalty shot he was awarded after being hooked by Alexei Vasilchenko on a breakaway. Chelyabinsk got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Stanislav Chistov, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Ryabykin. Omsk iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Tomas Zaborsky, going in unassisted. The three stars were Syomin, Ramo (14 for 15 in saves), and Kalinin. Traktor's lead now stands at 3-1 in the series.
Game 5: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Karri Ramo for Avangard. Chelyabinsk struck first in the second period as Maxim Karpov scored, with the help of Yegor Dugin and Stanislav Chistov. Traktor added on with a Jan Bulis goal, fueled by Chistov and Vyacheslav Belov on the power play. Chelyabinsk extended the lead with a power play goal by Maxim Yakutsenya, powered by Petri Kontiola. Traktor finished it at 4-0 with an empty net goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov, with a lone assist from Bulis. The three stars went to Garnett (33 save shutout), Bulis, and Karpov, while Chistov gets an honorable mention. Traktor advances to the Conference Finals with a 4-1 series win.
Friday, March 15, 2013
NHL March 15th 2013
There are three games on today, beginning in...
Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Ilya Bryzgalov are given the starting nods. Philadelphia began in the first period on a Max Talbot goal, his third of the season, assisted by Simon Gagne and Matt Read. New Jersey tied it in the second period when David Clarkson scored his eleventh of the year, via Bryce Salvador and Marek Zidlicky. The Flyers won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Read and Claude Giroux topping a lone goal by the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk. Giroux, Talbot, and Clarkson got the three stars, while Read deserves an honorable mention.
Northwest to Calgary, as the Flames host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Miikka Kiprusoff are the Finnish goalies. Calgary led off with a first period Mark Giordano goal, his second of the season, coming off of Alex Tanguay and Michael Cammalleri. The Flames added on with a Blake Comeau goal, his third of the year, fueled by Jiri Hudler and Mikael Backlund. Calgary extended the lead in the second period as Hudler scored a power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Cammalleri and Dennis Wideman. Nashville got on the board as Gabriel Bourque scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal set up by Shea Weber and Roman Josi. The Flames shot back in the third period when Curtis Glencross potted his tenth of the season, guided in by Lee Stempniak and Matt Stajan. The Predators answered with a Mike Fisher goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Josi and Nick Spaling. Calgary replied on another Glencross goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, pushed through by Stempniak and Stajan. Nashville pulled back on a David Legwand goal, his sixth of the year, with a helper from Matt Halischuk. The Flames iced it at 6-3 with Glencross completing his hat trick on his twelfth of the campaign, an empty net goal passed from Stajan, who gets a sock trick. Glencross, Giordano, and Hudler got the three stars, while Stajan, Stempniak, Josi, and Cammalleri all get honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Edmonton, as the Oilers host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Edmonton started in the first period as Taylor Hall scored his sixth of the season, courtesy of Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky. The Oilers added on in the second period as Sam Gagner scored his eleventh of the year, made possible by Nail Yakupov and Hall. Detroit got on the board in the third period as Valtteri Filppula scored his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings tied in on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime as Pavel Datsyuk netted his ninth of the campaign, courtesy of Kronwall. Hall, Datsyuk, and Howard (30 for 32 in saves) were given the three stars, while Kronwall gets an honorable mention.
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Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Ilya Bryzgalov are given the starting nods. Philadelphia began in the first period on a Max Talbot goal, his third of the season, assisted by Simon Gagne and Matt Read. New Jersey tied it in the second period when David Clarkson scored his eleventh of the year, via Bryce Salvador and Marek Zidlicky. The Flyers won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Read and Claude Giroux topping a lone goal by the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk. Giroux, Talbot, and Clarkson got the three stars, while Read deserves an honorable mention.
Northwest to Calgary, as the Flames host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Miikka Kiprusoff are the Finnish goalies. Calgary led off with a first period Mark Giordano goal, his second of the season, coming off of Alex Tanguay and Michael Cammalleri. The Flames added on with a Blake Comeau goal, his third of the year, fueled by Jiri Hudler and Mikael Backlund. Calgary extended the lead in the second period as Hudler scored a power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Cammalleri and Dennis Wideman. Nashville got on the board as Gabriel Bourque scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal set up by Shea Weber and Roman Josi. The Flames shot back in the third period when Curtis Glencross potted his tenth of the season, guided in by Lee Stempniak and Matt Stajan. The Predators answered with a Mike Fisher goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Josi and Nick Spaling. Calgary replied on another Glencross goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, pushed through by Stempniak and Stajan. Nashville pulled back on a David Legwand goal, his sixth of the year, with a helper from Matt Halischuk. The Flames iced it at 6-3 with Glencross completing his hat trick on his twelfth of the campaign, an empty net goal passed from Stajan, who gets a sock trick. Glencross, Giordano, and Hudler got the three stars, while Stajan, Stempniak, Josi, and Cammalleri all get honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Edmonton, as the Oilers host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Edmonton started in the first period as Taylor Hall scored his sixth of the season, courtesy of Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky. The Oilers added on in the second period as Sam Gagner scored his eleventh of the year, made possible by Nail Yakupov and Hall. Detroit got on the board in the third period as Valtteri Filppula scored his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings tied in on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime as Pavel Datsyuk netted his ninth of the campaign, courtesy of Kronwall. Hall, Datsyuk, and Howard (30 for 32 in saves) were given the three stars, while Kronwall gets an honorable mention.
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Western Conference Semifinal: CSKA Moscow VS. Dynamo Moscow
Welcome to the post for the semifinal series between CSKA Moscow and Dynamo Moscow in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire all-Moscow series.
Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. Dynamo led off with a first period Alexei Sopin goal, assisted by Konstantin Kasyanchuk. Dynamo added on as Sergei Konkov scored, thanks to Sergei Soin and Maxim Solovyov. Dynamo padded the lead with an unassisted goal by Konstantin Gorovikov. This held up throughout the final two periods for a 3-0 final. The three stars were Yeryomenko (21 save shutout), Sopin, and Konkov. Dynamo leads their cross-town rivals 1-0 in the series.
Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. CSKA began with an Igor Grigorenko goal in the first period, made possible by Sergei Shirokov and Oleg Kvasha. Dynamo tied it as Andrei Mironov scored, with a lone helper from Jakub Petruzalek. CSKA took the lead back in the second period on a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, guided in by Shaone Morrisonn and Nikolai Prokhorkin. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1 CSKA, and the three stars were Stana (26 for 27 in saves), Kugryshev, and Grigorenko. The series moves across town even at 1.
Game 3: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Dynamo was first to score in the first period on a Roman Derlyuk goal, fueled by Konstantin Gorovikov. CSKA tied it as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored, via Dmitry Kugryshev and Ilya Zubov. CSKA gained the lead with an Oleg Kvasha goal, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Igor Radulov. Dynamo tied it again in the third period as Janne Jalasvaara scored, with helpers provided by Marek Kvapil and Denis Mosalyov. Dynamo won 3-2 with an overtime goal by Gorovikov, set up by Konstantin Kasyanchuk. The three stars were handed to Gorovikov, Jalasvaara, and Stana (49 for 52 in saves). Dynamo holds a 2-1 series lead now.
Game 4: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Dynamo struck first in the first period with a Sergei Soin goal, made possible by Dominik Granak and Yury Babenko. CSKA tied it in the second period as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored, with a lone helper from Dmitry Kugryshev. Dynamo won 2-1 in overtime on a Sergei Konkov goal, passed from Babenko and Soin. The three stars were given to Soin, Konkov, and Yeryomenko (20 for 21 in saves), while Babenko gets an honorable mention. Dynamo has CSKA on the edge, holding a 3-1 series lead over them.
Game 5: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. Dynamo finally got going in the third period as Filip Novak scored, with the help of Alexei Sopin. Dynamo iced it at 2-0 as Jakub Petruzalek scored an empty net goal. The three stars were Yeryomenko (28 save shutout), Novak, and Petruzalek. Dynamo wins the series 4-1, and will play SKA St. Petersburg in the Conference Final.
Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. Dynamo led off with a first period Alexei Sopin goal, assisted by Konstantin Kasyanchuk. Dynamo added on as Sergei Konkov scored, thanks to Sergei Soin and Maxim Solovyov. Dynamo padded the lead with an unassisted goal by Konstantin Gorovikov. This held up throughout the final two periods for a 3-0 final. The three stars were Yeryomenko (21 save shutout), Sopin, and Konkov. Dynamo leads their cross-town rivals 1-0 in the series.
Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. CSKA began with an Igor Grigorenko goal in the first period, made possible by Sergei Shirokov and Oleg Kvasha. Dynamo tied it as Andrei Mironov scored, with a lone helper from Jakub Petruzalek. CSKA took the lead back in the second period on a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, guided in by Shaone Morrisonn and Nikolai Prokhorkin. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1 CSKA, and the three stars were Stana (26 for 27 in saves), Kugryshev, and Grigorenko. The series moves across town even at 1.
Game 3: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Dynamo was first to score in the first period on a Roman Derlyuk goal, fueled by Konstantin Gorovikov. CSKA tied it as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored, via Dmitry Kugryshev and Ilya Zubov. CSKA gained the lead with an Oleg Kvasha goal, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Igor Radulov. Dynamo tied it again in the third period as Janne Jalasvaara scored, with helpers provided by Marek Kvapil and Denis Mosalyov. Dynamo won 3-2 with an overtime goal by Gorovikov, set up by Konstantin Kasyanchuk. The three stars were handed to Gorovikov, Jalasvaara, and Stana (49 for 52 in saves). Dynamo holds a 2-1 series lead now.
Game 4: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Dynamo struck first in the first period with a Sergei Soin goal, made possible by Dominik Granak and Yury Babenko. CSKA tied it in the second period as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored, with a lone helper from Dmitry Kugryshev. Dynamo won 2-1 in overtime on a Sergei Konkov goal, passed from Babenko and Soin. The three stars were given to Soin, Konkov, and Yeryomenko (20 for 21 in saves), while Babenko gets an honorable mention. Dynamo has CSKA on the edge, holding a 3-1 series lead over them.
Game 5: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA. Dynamo finally got going in the third period as Filip Novak scored, with the help of Alexei Sopin. Dynamo iced it at 2-0 as Jakub Petruzalek scored an empty net goal. The three stars were Yeryomenko (28 save shutout), Novak, and Petruzalek. Dynamo wins the series 4-1, and will play SKA St. Petersburg in the Conference Final.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
NHL March 14th 2013
I hope the math nerd holiday, Pi Day, finds you all doing well. We have eleven hockey games to get us through the day, beginning in...
Boston, as the Bruins host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Tuukka Rask are in goal. Boston opened in the first period with a Zdeno Chara goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by David Krejci and Nathan Horton. The Bruins added on with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin. Florida got on the board in the second period as Shawn Matthias scored his eighth of the season, a shorthanded goal going in unassisted. Boston replied in the third period as Shawn Thornton scored his third of the year, via Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Bergeron empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, passed from Marchand. Rask (29 for 30 in saves), Bergeron, and Matthias got the three stars, while Marchand gets an honorable mention.
Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Ben Scrivens. Toronto was first to score in the second period as Tyler Bozak scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Cody Franson and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins took the lead as Dupuis scored his second of the night and thirteenth of the season, with a lone Kunitz helper. Pittsburgh finished the scoring at 3-1 with a Craig Adams empty net goal, his third of the year, going down unassisted. Crosby, Dupuis, and Fleury (28 for 29 in saves) received the three stars, while Kunitz gets an honorable mention.
Back stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Chicago got going in the second period with a Johnny Oduya goal, set up by Patrick Kane and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Columbus tied it with a power play goal by Jack Johnson, his fourth of the season, powered by Derick Brassard and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in the shootout as Jonathan Toews and Kane scored to topple a lone tally by Artem Anisimov. The three stars were awarded to Bobrovsky (39 for 40 in saves), Crawford (29 for 30 in saves), and Kane.
East to Carolina, as the Hurricanes welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dan Ellis receive the starting nods. Carolina started with a first period Alexander Semin goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes added on as Patrick Dwyer scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Tim Gleason and Joe Corvo. Washington got on the board as Joey Crabb scored his second of the season in the second period, via Aaron Volpatti and Karl Alzner. The Capitals tied it in the third period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington took the lead as Mike Ribeiro scored his tenth of the campaign, courtesy of Ovechkin and John Carlson. This stood for a 3-2 win, with Ribeiro, Neuvirth (36 for 38 in saves), and Ovechkin getting the three stars.
Down south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Anders Lindback are called on to start. New York began in the second period with a John Tavares power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes. The Islanders finished it at 2-0 with a Boyes empty net goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist from Andrew MacDonald. Nabokov (18 save shutout), Tavares, and Lindback (27 for 28 in saves) receive the three stars, while Boyes is the honorable mention.
Northwest to Winnipeg, with the Jets hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec tend the twines. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Nik Antropov, his third of the season, assisted by Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Wellwood. New York tied it in the second period when Ryan Callahan scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The Jets took the lead back as Antti Miettinen scored, with the help of Byfuglien and Grant Clitsome. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 with an Andrew Ladd empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Blake Wheeler and Olli Jokinen. Pavelec (28 for 29 in saves), Byfuglien, and Lundqvist (30 for 32 in saves) got the three stars.
Down to Minnesota, with the Wild bringing in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Niklas Backstrom are the masked men. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his second of the season, assisted by Matt Cullen. Colorado tied it on a power play goal by P.A. Parenteau, his eleventh of the year, powered by Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny. The Wild took the lead in the second period with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Cullen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Minnesota added on as Jonas Brodin scored, with the help of Ryan Suter. The Avalanche got one back with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his third of the year, passed from Ryan O'Reilly and Erik Johnson. The Wild answered on a Mikko Koivu goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Zach Parise and Suter. Colorado chipped back on a Parenteau goal in the third period, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, guided in by Johnson and Greg Zanon. Minnesota wrapped it up as Koivu scored his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, an empty net goal helped along by Parise and Suter, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were given to Brodin, Cullen, and Suter, while Koivu, Parise, Parenteau, and Johnson get the honorable mentions.
Further to the south, the St. Louis Blues host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jake Allen are between the pipes. St. Louis got going in the second period as Chris Stewart scored his twelfth of the season, made possible by David Backes and Alex Steen. The Blues added on in the third period as Steen scored his fifth of the year, passed from Stewart and Backes. St. Louis extended the lead as Stewart scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Steen. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-0 final, with the three stars belonging to Allen (28 save shutout), Stewart, and Steen, while Backes gets an honorable mention.
Continuing on to Dallas, where the Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen are the veteran goalies. Dallas opened with a first period goal by Ray Whitney, his third of the season, assisted by Loui Eriksson and Alex Goligoski. Anaheim tied it on an Andrew Cogliano goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, guided in by Peter Holland and Daniel Winnik. The Ducks won 2-1 in the shootout with goals from Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. The three stars went to Hiller (33 for 34 in saves), Lehtonen (29 for 30 in saves), and Getzlaf.
Up in Canada again, the Vancouver Canucks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo are in the creases. Vancouver began in the first period as Andrew Ebbett scored, thanks to Jannik Hansen. Nashville tied it as Matt Halischuk scored, an unassisted goal. The Canucks took the lead back with an Alexander Edler goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Chris Tanev and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead with a Mason Raymond goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Ebbett and Hansen. The Canucks padded the lead with a second period goal by Maxim Lapierre, his second of the season, guided in by Dale Weise and Raymond. Chris Mason relieved Rinne at that time. The Predators got one back with a Nick Spaling goal, his fifth of the year, via Zach Boychuk. Vancouver shot back on a Hansen goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Ebbett and Edler. Nashville took one back in the third period as Mike Fisher netted his fifth of the year, courtesy of Halischuk. The Predators got closer with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his eighth of the season, via David Legwand. The Canucks shot back as Henrik Sedin scored his seventh of the year on a penalty shot. Vancouver iced it at 7-4 with an empty net goal by David Booth, with assists coming from Lapierre and Weise. The three stars went to Ebbett, Hansen, and Henrik Sedin, while Halischuk, Raymond, Edler, Lapierre, and Weise get the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in San Jose, where the Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi are in the blue paint. San Jose started in the first period with a Brent Burns goal, his second of the season, made possible by Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on in the second period with a Matt Irwin power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Ryane Clowe and Scott Gomez. San Jose extended the lead with a power play goal by Couture, his eleventh of the season, set up by Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle. Jonathan Bernier replaced Quick at this time. Los Angeles got on the board as Dustin Brown scored a power play goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. The Sharks shot back in the third period as Couture scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season, assisted by Burns. The Kings answered with Brown's second of the game and eleventh of the year, guided in by Williams and Scuderi. Los Angeles got closer with a Dwight King goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Scuderi and Keaton Ellerby. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-3 and the three stars going to Burns, Couture, and Brown, while Williams and Scuderi get honorable mentions.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Boston, as the Bruins host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Tuukka Rask are in goal. Boston opened in the first period with a Zdeno Chara goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by David Krejci and Nathan Horton. The Bruins added on with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin. Florida got on the board in the second period as Shawn Matthias scored his eighth of the season, a shorthanded goal going in unassisted. Boston replied in the third period as Shawn Thornton scored his third of the year, via Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Bergeron empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, passed from Marchand. Rask (29 for 30 in saves), Bergeron, and Matthias got the three stars, while Marchand gets an honorable mention.
Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Ben Scrivens. Toronto was first to score in the second period as Tyler Bozak scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Cody Franson and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins took the lead as Dupuis scored his second of the night and thirteenth of the season, with a lone Kunitz helper. Pittsburgh finished the scoring at 3-1 with a Craig Adams empty net goal, his third of the year, going down unassisted. Crosby, Dupuis, and Fleury (28 for 29 in saves) received the three stars, while Kunitz gets an honorable mention.
Back stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Chicago got going in the second period with a Johnny Oduya goal, set up by Patrick Kane and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Columbus tied it with a power play goal by Jack Johnson, his fourth of the season, powered by Derick Brassard and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in the shootout as Jonathan Toews and Kane scored to topple a lone tally by Artem Anisimov. The three stars were awarded to Bobrovsky (39 for 40 in saves), Crawford (29 for 30 in saves), and Kane.
East to Carolina, as the Hurricanes welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dan Ellis receive the starting nods. Carolina started with a first period Alexander Semin goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes added on as Patrick Dwyer scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Tim Gleason and Joe Corvo. Washington got on the board as Joey Crabb scored his second of the season in the second period, via Aaron Volpatti and Karl Alzner. The Capitals tied it in the third period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington took the lead as Mike Ribeiro scored his tenth of the campaign, courtesy of Ovechkin and John Carlson. This stood for a 3-2 win, with Ribeiro, Neuvirth (36 for 38 in saves), and Ovechkin getting the three stars.
Down south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Anders Lindback are called on to start. New York began in the second period with a John Tavares power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes. The Islanders finished it at 2-0 with a Boyes empty net goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist from Andrew MacDonald. Nabokov (18 save shutout), Tavares, and Lindback (27 for 28 in saves) receive the three stars, while Boyes is the honorable mention.
Northwest to Winnipeg, with the Jets hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec tend the twines. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Nik Antropov, his third of the season, assisted by Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Wellwood. New York tied it in the second period when Ryan Callahan scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The Jets took the lead back as Antti Miettinen scored, with the help of Byfuglien and Grant Clitsome. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 with an Andrew Ladd empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Blake Wheeler and Olli Jokinen. Pavelec (28 for 29 in saves), Byfuglien, and Lundqvist (30 for 32 in saves) got the three stars.
Down to Minnesota, with the Wild bringing in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Niklas Backstrom are the masked men. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his second of the season, assisted by Matt Cullen. Colorado tied it on a power play goal by P.A. Parenteau, his eleventh of the year, powered by Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny. The Wild took the lead in the second period with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Cullen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Minnesota added on as Jonas Brodin scored, with the help of Ryan Suter. The Avalanche got one back with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his third of the year, passed from Ryan O'Reilly and Erik Johnson. The Wild answered on a Mikko Koivu goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Zach Parise and Suter. Colorado chipped back on a Parenteau goal in the third period, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, guided in by Johnson and Greg Zanon. Minnesota wrapped it up as Koivu scored his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, an empty net goal helped along by Parise and Suter, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were given to Brodin, Cullen, and Suter, while Koivu, Parise, Parenteau, and Johnson get the honorable mentions.
Further to the south, the St. Louis Blues host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jake Allen are between the pipes. St. Louis got going in the second period as Chris Stewart scored his twelfth of the season, made possible by David Backes and Alex Steen. The Blues added on in the third period as Steen scored his fifth of the year, passed from Stewart and Backes. St. Louis extended the lead as Stewart scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Steen. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-0 final, with the three stars belonging to Allen (28 save shutout), Stewart, and Steen, while Backes gets an honorable mention.
Continuing on to Dallas, where the Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen are the veteran goalies. Dallas opened with a first period goal by Ray Whitney, his third of the season, assisted by Loui Eriksson and Alex Goligoski. Anaheim tied it on an Andrew Cogliano goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, guided in by Peter Holland and Daniel Winnik. The Ducks won 2-1 in the shootout with goals from Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. The three stars went to Hiller (33 for 34 in saves), Lehtonen (29 for 30 in saves), and Getzlaf.
Up in Canada again, the Vancouver Canucks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo are in the creases. Vancouver began in the first period as Andrew Ebbett scored, thanks to Jannik Hansen. Nashville tied it as Matt Halischuk scored, an unassisted goal. The Canucks took the lead back with an Alexander Edler goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Chris Tanev and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead with a Mason Raymond goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Ebbett and Hansen. The Canucks padded the lead with a second period goal by Maxim Lapierre, his second of the season, guided in by Dale Weise and Raymond. Chris Mason relieved Rinne at that time. The Predators got one back with a Nick Spaling goal, his fifth of the year, via Zach Boychuk. Vancouver shot back on a Hansen goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Ebbett and Edler. Nashville took one back in the third period as Mike Fisher netted his fifth of the year, courtesy of Halischuk. The Predators got closer with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his eighth of the season, via David Legwand. The Canucks shot back as Henrik Sedin scored his seventh of the year on a penalty shot. Vancouver iced it at 7-4 with an empty net goal by David Booth, with assists coming from Lapierre and Weise. The three stars went to Ebbett, Hansen, and Henrik Sedin, while Halischuk, Raymond, Edler, Lapierre, and Weise get the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in San Jose, where the Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi are in the blue paint. San Jose started in the first period with a Brent Burns goal, his second of the season, made possible by Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on in the second period with a Matt Irwin power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Ryane Clowe and Scott Gomez. San Jose extended the lead with a power play goal by Couture, his eleventh of the season, set up by Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle. Jonathan Bernier replaced Quick at this time. Los Angeles got on the board as Dustin Brown scored a power play goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. The Sharks shot back in the third period as Couture scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season, assisted by Burns. The Kings answered with Brown's second of the game and eleventh of the year, guided in by Williams and Scuderi. Los Angeles got closer with a Dwight King goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Scuderi and Keaton Ellerby. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-3 and the three stars going to Burns, Couture, and Brown, while Williams and Scuderi get honorable mentions.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
NHL March 13th 2013
Three games tonight on a sparse Wednesday. The first comes from...
Montreal, with the Canadiens hosting the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal struck first in the first period as Lars Eller scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Gabriel Dumont. Ottawa tied it with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his sixth of the year coming on the power play from Jakob Silfverberg and Chris Neil. The Canadiens took the lead back in the second period as Brendan Gallagher scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. Montreal added on as Subban netted his seventh of the year, a power play goal set up by Andrei Markov and Tomas Plekanec. The Senators got one back as Daniel Alfredsson put away his sixth of the season, a power play goal passed from Kyle Turris and Sergei Gonchar. Ottawa tied it in the third period as Patrick Wiercioch scored his third of the year, thanks to Andre Benoit and Zack Smith. The Canadiens won 4-3 in the shootout with tallies by Alex Galchenyuk and Eller, topping a lone Silfverberg goal for the Senators. Eller, Subban and Gallagher got the three stars.
Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Johan Hedberg play between the pipes. New Jersey was first to score in the first period as Patrik Elias scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Adam Henrique and Steve Bernier. Philadelphia tied it as Jakub Voracek scored his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Wayne Simmonds and Scott Hartnell. The Devils took the lead back with a Henrique goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Elias and the goalie Hedberg. New Jersey added on with an Ilya Kovalchuk shorthanded goal, his tenth of the year, via Stephen Gionta. The Devils extended the lead in the second period as Andrei Loktionov scored his fourth of the season, with a lone assist from Alexei Ponikarovsky. New Jersey padded the lead in the third period on another Henrique goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year coming on the power play with the help of Loktionov and Marek Zidlicky. The Flyers got one back as Hartnell notched his second of the season, with an assist provided by Voracek. This only made it 5-2, a final, with the three stars going to Henrique, Hedberg (23 for 25 in saves), and Loktionov, while Elias, Hartnell, and Voracek get the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Calgary, as the Flames host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Miikka Kiprusoff receive the starting nods. Detroit opened in the first period with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist from Pavel Datsyuk. Calgary tied it with an Alex Tanguay goal, his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Michael Cammalleri and Dennis Wideman. The Flames took the lead with a Jay Bouwmeester goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Lee Stempniak and Matt Stajan. The Red Wings tied it in the second period with a Valtteri Filppula power play goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Kyle Quincey and Gustav Nyquist. Calgary took the lead back in the third period as Stempniak scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Curtis Glencross and Stajan. The Flames extended the lead as Glencross scored his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Calgary padded the lead on a Blake Comeau goal, his second of the season, helped along by Mikael Backlund. This made it 5-2, a final, with the three stars being Kiprusoff (36 for 38 in saves), Bouwmeester, and Glencross, while Stajan and Stempniak get honorable mentions.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Montreal, with the Canadiens hosting the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal struck first in the first period as Lars Eller scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Gabriel Dumont. Ottawa tied it with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his sixth of the year coming on the power play from Jakob Silfverberg and Chris Neil. The Canadiens took the lead back in the second period as Brendan Gallagher scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. Montreal added on as Subban netted his seventh of the year, a power play goal set up by Andrei Markov and Tomas Plekanec. The Senators got one back as Daniel Alfredsson put away his sixth of the season, a power play goal passed from Kyle Turris and Sergei Gonchar. Ottawa tied it in the third period as Patrick Wiercioch scored his third of the year, thanks to Andre Benoit and Zack Smith. The Canadiens won 4-3 in the shootout with tallies by Alex Galchenyuk and Eller, topping a lone Silfverberg goal for the Senators. Eller, Subban and Gallagher got the three stars.
Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Johan Hedberg play between the pipes. New Jersey was first to score in the first period as Patrik Elias scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Adam Henrique and Steve Bernier. Philadelphia tied it as Jakub Voracek scored his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Wayne Simmonds and Scott Hartnell. The Devils took the lead back with a Henrique goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Elias and the goalie Hedberg. New Jersey added on with an Ilya Kovalchuk shorthanded goal, his tenth of the year, via Stephen Gionta. The Devils extended the lead in the second period as Andrei Loktionov scored his fourth of the season, with a lone assist from Alexei Ponikarovsky. New Jersey padded the lead in the third period on another Henrique goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year coming on the power play with the help of Loktionov and Marek Zidlicky. The Flyers got one back as Hartnell notched his second of the season, with an assist provided by Voracek. This only made it 5-2, a final, with the three stars going to Henrique, Hedberg (23 for 25 in saves), and Loktionov, while Elias, Hartnell, and Voracek get the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Calgary, as the Flames host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Miikka Kiprusoff receive the starting nods. Detroit opened in the first period with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist from Pavel Datsyuk. Calgary tied it with an Alex Tanguay goal, his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Michael Cammalleri and Dennis Wideman. The Flames took the lead with a Jay Bouwmeester goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Lee Stempniak and Matt Stajan. The Red Wings tied it in the second period with a Valtteri Filppula power play goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Kyle Quincey and Gustav Nyquist. Calgary took the lead back in the third period as Stempniak scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Curtis Glencross and Stajan. The Flames extended the lead as Glencross scored his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Calgary padded the lead on a Blake Comeau goal, his second of the season, helped along by Mikael Backlund. This made it 5-2, a final, with the three stars being Kiprusoff (36 for 38 in saves), Bouwmeester, and Glencross, while Stajan and Stempniak get honorable mentions.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
NHL March 12th 2013
Delayed post due to my attendance at the historic Seattle Sounders CONCACAF Champions League comeback in the second leg of a quarterfinal with Tigres UANL of Monterrey, Mexico. For the eleven hockey games, we begin in...
Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Sergei Bobrovsky are all padded up. Columbus got going in the second period with a Mark Letestu goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Vinny Prospal. Vancouver tied it on a Jason Garrison goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Cam Barker. The game went into a shootout, where the Canucks won 2-1 with a lone tally by Mason Raymond. The three stars went to Bobrovsky (37 for 38 in saves), Luongo (26 for 27 in saves), and Garrison.
Over in Buffalo, the Sabres host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Jhonas Enroth in goal. New York began in the second period as Derek Stepan scored his seventh of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Ryan Callahan. Buffalo tied it on a Marcus Foligno goal, his second of the year, via Christian Ehrhoff and Andrej Sekera. The Sabres took the lead on a Thomas Vanek goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Cody Hodgson. Buffalo iced it at 3-1 in the third period when Foligno scored his second of the game and third of the year, with the help of Sekera and Brian Flynn. The three stars were handed to Foligno, Enroth (32 for 33 in saves), and Sekera.
Down in Washington, the Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Braden Holtby receive the starting nods. Carolina opened in the first period as Joe Corvo scored his fourth of the season, coming off of Alexander Semin and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Riley Nash goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jay Harrison and Drayson Bowman. Carolina extended the lead on another Nash goal, his second of the game and third of the season, passed from Patrick Dwyer and Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes finished the scoring at 4-0 in the third period on a Dwyer empty net goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Peters (26 save shutout), Nash, and Eric Staal, while Dwyer gets an honorable mention.
Further to the south, the Florida Panthers host their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Jacob Markstrom are the young goalies. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with the seventh of the season by Vincent Lecavalier, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Alex Killorn. The Lightning added on as St. Louis potted his seventh of the year, fueled by Killorn and Lecavalier. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Kris Versteeg goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Marcel Goc. The Panthers tied it with a Tomas Kopecky goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist from Jack Skille. Tampa Bay gained the lead back in the third period as Steven Stamkos scored his twentieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and St. Louis. They held on to win 3-2 with, with the three stars belonging to St. Louis, Stamkos, and Lindback (37 for 39 in saves), while Lecavlier and Killorn receive the honorable mentions.
Back north a bit, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period as Zdeno Chara scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dennis Seidenberg and Rich Peverley. The Bruins extended the lead as Tyler Seguin notched his ninth of the year, with helpers provided by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third period as Chris Kunitz recorded his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Kris Letang and Deryk Engelland. The Penguins tied it with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to James Neal and Beau Bennett. Pittsburgh took the lead as Sutter potted his second of the night and eighth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. This was the decisive marker, resulting in a 3-2 final, with the three stars being named as Sutter, Kunitz, and Chara.
Westward to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jake Allen man the creases. St. Louis struck first in the first period as Chris Stewart scored his tenth of the season, assisted by David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues added on in the second period as David Perron scored his ninth of the year, via Patrik Berglund. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns goal, fueled by Scott Gomez and Matt Irwin. St. Louis answered with a Chris Porter goal, with a lone assist by Barret Jackman. The Sharks took one back in the third period as Dan Boyle scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Blues iced it at 4-2 with Stewart's second of the game and eleventh of the year, an empty net goal made possible by Jackman. The three stars were awarded to Allen (39 for 41 in saves), Stewart, and Porter, while Jackman gets an honorable mention.
Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom are between the pipes. Minnesota started in the first period with a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Matt Cullen and Tom Gilbert. Anaheim tied it in the third period on a Pat Maroon goal, his second of the year, with assists from Toni Lydman and Brandon McMillan. The Ducks gained the lead as Luca Sbisa scored, thanks to Teemu Selanne and Daniel Winnik. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Hiller (30 for 31 in saves), Cullen, and Zenon Konopka (fight), while any point-earner can take the third slot.
Crossing into Canada, we have the Winnipeg Jets welcoming the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ondrej Pavelec protect the nets. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Nik Antropov goal, his second of the season coming on the power play from Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Wellwood. Toronto tied it in the second period with an unassisted Phil Kessel goal, his eighth of the year. The Jets answered as Blake Wheeler recorded his ninth of the season, thanks to Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd. Winnipeg added on with a Wellwood goal, his second of the year, passed from Byfuglien and Antropov. The Jets padded the lead as Evander Kane notched his eleventh of the campaign, with a lone assist from Antropov. Ben Scrivens replaced Reimer at this time. Winnipeg extended the lead on another Wheeler goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, with assists provided by Eric Tangradi and Byfuglien, the latter getting a sock trick. The Maple Leafs got one back as Kessel scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, courtesy of Korbinian Holzer and James van Riemsdyk. This only made it a 5-2 final, with the three stars going to Antropov, Wheeler, and Kane, while Byfuglien, Wellwood, and Kessel receive honorable mentions.
Way to the south, the Dallas Stars bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen tend the twines. Nashville began in the first period as Nick Spaling scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Matt Halischuk. The Predators added on in the second period when Shea Weber scored a power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Craig Smith and David Legwand. Nashville extended the lead on a Richard Clue penalty shot conversion, his third goal of the season, with the attempt awarded from a Jordie Benn hook on a breakaway. The Predators iced it at 4-0 in the third period when Gabriel Bourque scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal passed from Smith and Legwand. Rinne (32 save shutout), Clune, and Weber got the three stars while Smtih and Legwand picked up the honorable mentions.
Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Edmonton opened in the first period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ales Hemsky and Taylor Hall. The Oilers added on with a Sam Gagner goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Magnus Paajarvi and Ryan Whitney. Edmonton extended the lead in the second period on a Paajarvi goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Nick Schultz and Gagner. The Oilers padded the lead in the third period as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Hall and Hemsky. This made it 4-0, a final, with the three stars belonging to Dubnyk (36 save shutout), Gagner, and Paajarvi, while Hall and Hemsky receive honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. Phoenix started in the first period with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Raffi Torres and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes added on with a Shane Doan goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Derek Morris and Steve Sullivan. Phoenix kept going in the second period on a Boedker power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Keith Yandle. The Coyotes extended the lead as Torres scored his fifth of the year, via Doan. Los Angeles got on the board as Mike Richards netted his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Slava Voynov and Jarret Stoll. The Kings pulled closer in the third period as Dustin Brown scored a power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, coming off of Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. Phoenix wrapped it up at 5-2 with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his second of the year, made possible by David Moss. The three stars were awarded to Boedker, Doan, and Torres.
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Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Sergei Bobrovsky are all padded up. Columbus got going in the second period with a Mark Letestu goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Vinny Prospal. Vancouver tied it on a Jason Garrison goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Cam Barker. The game went into a shootout, where the Canucks won 2-1 with a lone tally by Mason Raymond. The three stars went to Bobrovsky (37 for 38 in saves), Luongo (26 for 27 in saves), and Garrison.
Over in Buffalo, the Sabres host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Jhonas Enroth in goal. New York began in the second period as Derek Stepan scored his seventh of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Ryan Callahan. Buffalo tied it on a Marcus Foligno goal, his second of the year, via Christian Ehrhoff and Andrej Sekera. The Sabres took the lead on a Thomas Vanek goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Cody Hodgson. Buffalo iced it at 3-1 in the third period when Foligno scored his second of the game and third of the year, with the help of Sekera and Brian Flynn. The three stars were handed to Foligno, Enroth (32 for 33 in saves), and Sekera.
Down in Washington, the Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Braden Holtby receive the starting nods. Carolina opened in the first period as Joe Corvo scored his fourth of the season, coming off of Alexander Semin and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Riley Nash goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jay Harrison and Drayson Bowman. Carolina extended the lead on another Nash goal, his second of the game and third of the season, passed from Patrick Dwyer and Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes finished the scoring at 4-0 in the third period on a Dwyer empty net goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Peters (26 save shutout), Nash, and Eric Staal, while Dwyer gets an honorable mention.
Further to the south, the Florida Panthers host their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Jacob Markstrom are the young goalies. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with the seventh of the season by Vincent Lecavalier, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Alex Killorn. The Lightning added on as St. Louis potted his seventh of the year, fueled by Killorn and Lecavalier. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Kris Versteeg goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Marcel Goc. The Panthers tied it with a Tomas Kopecky goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist from Jack Skille. Tampa Bay gained the lead back in the third period as Steven Stamkos scored his twentieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and St. Louis. They held on to win 3-2 with, with the three stars belonging to St. Louis, Stamkos, and Lindback (37 for 39 in saves), while Lecavlier and Killorn receive the honorable mentions.
Back north a bit, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period as Zdeno Chara scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dennis Seidenberg and Rich Peverley. The Bruins extended the lead as Tyler Seguin notched his ninth of the year, with helpers provided by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third period as Chris Kunitz recorded his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Kris Letang and Deryk Engelland. The Penguins tied it with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to James Neal and Beau Bennett. Pittsburgh took the lead as Sutter potted his second of the night and eighth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. This was the decisive marker, resulting in a 3-2 final, with the three stars being named as Sutter, Kunitz, and Chara.
Westward to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jake Allen man the creases. St. Louis struck first in the first period as Chris Stewart scored his tenth of the season, assisted by David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues added on in the second period as David Perron scored his ninth of the year, via Patrik Berglund. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns goal, fueled by Scott Gomez and Matt Irwin. St. Louis answered with a Chris Porter goal, with a lone assist by Barret Jackman. The Sharks took one back in the third period as Dan Boyle scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Blues iced it at 4-2 with Stewart's second of the game and eleventh of the year, an empty net goal made possible by Jackman. The three stars were awarded to Allen (39 for 41 in saves), Stewart, and Porter, while Jackman gets an honorable mention.
Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom are between the pipes. Minnesota started in the first period with a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Matt Cullen and Tom Gilbert. Anaheim tied it in the third period on a Pat Maroon goal, his second of the year, with assists from Toni Lydman and Brandon McMillan. The Ducks gained the lead as Luca Sbisa scored, thanks to Teemu Selanne and Daniel Winnik. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Hiller (30 for 31 in saves), Cullen, and Zenon Konopka (fight), while any point-earner can take the third slot.
Crossing into Canada, we have the Winnipeg Jets welcoming the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ondrej Pavelec protect the nets. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Nik Antropov goal, his second of the season coming on the power play from Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Wellwood. Toronto tied it in the second period with an unassisted Phil Kessel goal, his eighth of the year. The Jets answered as Blake Wheeler recorded his ninth of the season, thanks to Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd. Winnipeg added on with a Wellwood goal, his second of the year, passed from Byfuglien and Antropov. The Jets padded the lead as Evander Kane notched his eleventh of the campaign, with a lone assist from Antropov. Ben Scrivens replaced Reimer at this time. Winnipeg extended the lead on another Wheeler goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, with assists provided by Eric Tangradi and Byfuglien, the latter getting a sock trick. The Maple Leafs got one back as Kessel scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, courtesy of Korbinian Holzer and James van Riemsdyk. This only made it a 5-2 final, with the three stars going to Antropov, Wheeler, and Kane, while Byfuglien, Wellwood, and Kessel receive honorable mentions.
Way to the south, the Dallas Stars bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen tend the twines. Nashville began in the first period as Nick Spaling scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Matt Halischuk. The Predators added on in the second period when Shea Weber scored a power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Craig Smith and David Legwand. Nashville extended the lead on a Richard Clue penalty shot conversion, his third goal of the season, with the attempt awarded from a Jordie Benn hook on a breakaway. The Predators iced it at 4-0 in the third period when Gabriel Bourque scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal passed from Smith and Legwand. Rinne (32 save shutout), Clune, and Weber got the three stars while Smtih and Legwand picked up the honorable mentions.
Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Edmonton opened in the first period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ales Hemsky and Taylor Hall. The Oilers added on with a Sam Gagner goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Magnus Paajarvi and Ryan Whitney. Edmonton extended the lead in the second period on a Paajarvi goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Nick Schultz and Gagner. The Oilers padded the lead in the third period as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Hall and Hemsky. This made it 4-0, a final, with the three stars belonging to Dubnyk (36 save shutout), Gagner, and Paajarvi, while Hall and Hemsky receive honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. Phoenix started in the first period with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Raffi Torres and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes added on with a Shane Doan goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Derek Morris and Steve Sullivan. Phoenix kept going in the second period on a Boedker power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Keith Yandle. The Coyotes extended the lead as Torres scored his fifth of the year, via Doan. Los Angeles got on the board as Mike Richards netted his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Slava Voynov and Jarret Stoll. The Kings pulled closer in the third period as Dustin Brown scored a power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, coming off of Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. Phoenix wrapped it up at 5-2 with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his second of the year, made possible by David Moss. The three stars were awarded to Boedker, Doan, and Torres.
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Western Conference Semifinal: SKA St. Petersburg VS. Severstal Cherepovets
Welcome to the post for the semifinal series between SKA St. Petersburg and Severstal Cherepovets in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.
Game 1: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Ivan Kasutin for SKA. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Mikhail Varnakov, assisted by Kevin Dallman. Cherepovets tied it with a Nikita Alexeyev goal, with a lone assist from Linus Videll. SKA took the lead back as Viktor Tikhonov scored, courtesy of Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg added on in the second period as Thoresen scored a power play goal, powered by Dallman and Dmitry Kalinin. Severstal shot back with a Mikhail Anisin goal, fueled by Niclas Bergfors and Vadim Berdnikov. Cherepovets retied it on an Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal gained the lead on a Ketov power play goal, set up by Shipachyov and Bogdan Kiselevich. SKA retied it as Martensson scored, with assists provided by Thoresen and Dallman, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Petersburg gained the lead again in the third period on a Tikhonov goal, coming off of Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA padded the lead with an empty net goal by Maxim Afinogenov, via Evgeny Artyukhin. St. Petersburg iced it at 7-4 with another empty net goal by Tikhonov, completing his hat trick with the help of Martensson, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Tikhonov, Martensson, and Thoresen, while Dallman, Shipachyov, and Ketov receive the honorable mentions. SKA takes an early 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Ilya Ezhov for SKA. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Viktor Tikhonov, powered by Kevin Dallman and Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on in the second period when Teemu Ramstedt scored, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with another Tikhonov goal, with a lone assist from Anton Burdasov. Cherepovets got on the board in the third period when Alexander Ryazantsev scored, with the help of Evgeny Ketov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA replied with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, passed from Evgeny Artyukhin. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Tikhonov, Ezhov (43 for 44 in saves), and Ramstedt. SKA will head east with a 2-0 series lead in hand.
Game 3: Ice Palace, Cherepovets, Russia. In goal: Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal. St. Petersburg began in the first period with a Teemu Ramstedt goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin. SKA added on as Mikhail Varnakov scored, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with an Anton Burdasov goal, passed from Dmitry Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA padded the lead in the second period as Ivan Nepryayev scored, with the help of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Kalinin. This was all for the scoring, resulting a 4-0 final, with Ezhov (32 save shutout), Ramstedt, and Kalinin receiving the three stars. SKA has pushed Severstal to the brink of elimination, with a 3-0 series lead in hand.
Game 4: Ice Palace, Cherepovets, Russia. In goal: Ivan Kasutin for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with a power play goal by Dmitry Kalinin, powered by Kevin Dallman and Viktor Tikhonov. Cherepovets tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, fueled by Vadim Shipachyov on the power play. Severstal took the lead in the second period as Mikhail Anisin scored, thanks to Gennady Stolyarov. SKA tied it again on a Yury Alexandrov goal, assisted by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Artemy Panarin. St. Petersburg took the lead with a Kucheryavenko goal, set up by Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA extended the lead as Evgeny Artyukhin scored, with a lone assist from Kucheryavenko. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Kucheryavenko, Kalinin, and Kasutin (34 for 36 in saves). SKA will advance to the conference finals, sweeping Severstal away 4-0.
Game 1: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Ivan Kasutin for SKA. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Mikhail Varnakov, assisted by Kevin Dallman. Cherepovets tied it with a Nikita Alexeyev goal, with a lone assist from Linus Videll. SKA took the lead back as Viktor Tikhonov scored, courtesy of Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg added on in the second period as Thoresen scored a power play goal, powered by Dallman and Dmitry Kalinin. Severstal shot back with a Mikhail Anisin goal, fueled by Niclas Bergfors and Vadim Berdnikov. Cherepovets retied it on an Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal gained the lead on a Ketov power play goal, set up by Shipachyov and Bogdan Kiselevich. SKA retied it as Martensson scored, with assists provided by Thoresen and Dallman, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Petersburg gained the lead again in the third period on a Tikhonov goal, coming off of Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA padded the lead with an empty net goal by Maxim Afinogenov, via Evgeny Artyukhin. St. Petersburg iced it at 7-4 with another empty net goal by Tikhonov, completing his hat trick with the help of Martensson, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Tikhonov, Martensson, and Thoresen, while Dallman, Shipachyov, and Ketov receive the honorable mentions. SKA takes an early 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Ilya Ezhov for SKA. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Viktor Tikhonov, powered by Kevin Dallman and Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on in the second period when Teemu Ramstedt scored, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with another Tikhonov goal, with a lone assist from Anton Burdasov. Cherepovets got on the board in the third period when Alexander Ryazantsev scored, with the help of Evgeny Ketov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA replied with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, passed from Evgeny Artyukhin. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Tikhonov, Ezhov (43 for 44 in saves), and Ramstedt. SKA will head east with a 2-0 series lead in hand.
Game 3: Ice Palace, Cherepovets, Russia. In goal: Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal. St. Petersburg began in the first period with a Teemu Ramstedt goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin. SKA added on as Mikhail Varnakov scored, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with an Anton Burdasov goal, passed from Dmitry Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA padded the lead in the second period as Ivan Nepryayev scored, with the help of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Kalinin. This was all for the scoring, resulting a 4-0 final, with Ezhov (32 save shutout), Ramstedt, and Kalinin receiving the three stars. SKA has pushed Severstal to the brink of elimination, with a 3-0 series lead in hand.
Game 4: Ice Palace, Cherepovets, Russia. In goal: Ivan Kasutin for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with a power play goal by Dmitry Kalinin, powered by Kevin Dallman and Viktor Tikhonov. Cherepovets tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, fueled by Vadim Shipachyov on the power play. Severstal took the lead in the second period as Mikhail Anisin scored, thanks to Gennady Stolyarov. SKA tied it again on a Yury Alexandrov goal, assisted by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Artemy Panarin. St. Petersburg took the lead with a Kucheryavenko goal, set up by Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA extended the lead as Evgeny Artyukhin scored, with a lone assist from Kucheryavenko. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Kucheryavenko, Kalinin, and Kasutin (34 for 36 in saves). SKA will advance to the conference finals, sweeping Severstal away 4-0.
Monday, March 11, 2013
NHL March 11th 2013
Two games only today, beginning with...
The Ottawa Senators hosting the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Robin Lehner protect the nets. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Guillaume Latendresse goal, assisted by Sergei Gonchar and Chris Phillips. The Senators added on as Kyle Turris scored his fifth of the season, fueled by Phillips. Boston got on the board with a Shawn Thornton goal, his second of the year, guided in by Zdeno Chara. The Bruins tied it in the second period when Daniel Paille scored his fifth of the season, thanks to David Krejci and Adam McQuaid. Boston won 3-2 in the shootout as Patrice Bergeron and Krejci goals overpowered a lone Turris tally. The three stars went to Krejci, Phillips, and Paille.
Out west, we finish in Los Angeles, as the Kings host the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Dustin Brown power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Slava Voynov and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on with a Jarret Stoll goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Muzzin. Calgary got on the board in the third period as Mikael Backlund scored his fourth of the season, via Alex Tanguay. Los Angeles iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted Brown empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year. The three stars went to Muzzin, Stoll, and Jay Bouwmeester, while Brown could take the third slot.
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The Ottawa Senators hosting the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Robin Lehner protect the nets. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Guillaume Latendresse goal, assisted by Sergei Gonchar and Chris Phillips. The Senators added on as Kyle Turris scored his fifth of the season, fueled by Phillips. Boston got on the board with a Shawn Thornton goal, his second of the year, guided in by Zdeno Chara. The Bruins tied it in the second period when Daniel Paille scored his fifth of the season, thanks to David Krejci and Adam McQuaid. Boston won 3-2 in the shootout as Patrice Bergeron and Krejci goals overpowered a lone Turris tally. The three stars went to Krejci, Phillips, and Paille.
Out west, we finish in Los Angeles, as the Kings host the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Dustin Brown power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Slava Voynov and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on with a Jarret Stoll goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Muzzin. Calgary got on the board in the third period as Mikael Backlund scored his fourth of the season, via Alex Tanguay. Los Angeles iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted Brown empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year. The three stars went to Muzzin, Stoll, and Jay Bouwmeester, while Brown could take the third slot.
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Sunday, March 10, 2013
NHL March 10th 2013
Ten more games to end the weekend, beginning in...
Washington, D.C., as the Capitals host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Braden Holtby receive the starting nods. Washington opened with a Steve Oleksy goal, fueled by Jason Chimera and Marcus Johansson. New York tied it as Derek Stepan scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Marian Gaborik and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers took the lead as Brian Boyle scored, via McDonagh and Carl Hagelin. New York padded the lead on a Ryan Callahan goal, his eighth of the year, coming on the power play from Rick Nash and Michael Del Zotto. Michal Neuvirth relieved Holtby at this time. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 with a Brad Richards goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Hagelin and Nash. The three stars went to Biron (28 for 29 in saves), McDonagh, and Oleksy, while Nash and Hagelin get the honorable mentions.
Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jimmy Howard are in the blue paint. Columbus got going in the second period as Derick Brassard scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Fedor Tyutin and Cam Atkinson. Detroit tied it with a Jakub Kindl goal, his third of the year, passed from Pavel Datsyuk. The Blue Jackets got the lead back on an R.J. Umberger goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno. The Red Wings tied it again in the third period as Johan Franzen scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Damien Brunner and Henrik Zetterberg. Columbus won 3-2 in the shootout, with tallies by Johansen and Matt Calvert toppling Datsyuk's lone goal. Umberger, Datsyuk, and Jack Johnson got the three stars, while Johansen gets the honorable mention.
Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Jacob Markstrom are set to start. Montreal began with a David Desharnais goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Brendan Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens added on as Michael Ryder scored a power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Tomas Plekanec. Montreal extended the lead in the second period as Brian Gionta scored his ninth of the season, guided in by Subban and Plekanec. The Canadiens padded the lead with a Francis Bouillon goal, coming off of Ryder and Gionta. Florida got on the board in the third period when Tomas Kopecky scored his tenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Panthers pulled closer as Shawn Matthias netted his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Jack Skille. Montreal shot back as Ryder scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Subban, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Markov. This produced a 5-2 final score, with the three stars belonging to
Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Ray Emery are called on to start. Edmonton led off with a first period Mike Brown goal, with a lone assist from Nick Schultz. The Oilers added on as Sam Gagner scored his eighth of the season, guided in by Magnus Paajarvi and Nail Yakupov. Edmonton padded the lead as Ryan Whitney scored his third of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky. Corey Crawford relieved Emery at this time. The Oilers struck again with another Gagner goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, coming on the power play from Whitney and Jordan Eberle. Chicago got on the board in the second period when Patrick Kane scored his thirteenth of the year, via Dave Bolland. The Blackhawks chipped away as Marian Hossa potted his eleventh of the season, thanks to Jonathan Toews and Nick Leddy. Yann Danis had to relieve Dubnyk due to injury shortly after this goal. Edmonton shot back on a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. Chicago chipped back on a Sheldon Brookbank shorthanded goal, with an assist from Hossa. The Oilers answered on a Hall power play goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. The Blackhawks swiftly replied again with a Brent Seabrook goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Kane and Duncan Keith. Chicago pulled closer in the third period on Kane's second of the night and fourteenth of the season, helped along by Bolland and Brandon Saad on the power play. They failed to complete the comeback, losing 6-5, with the three stars going to Gagner, Kane, and Hall, while Justin Schultz, Nugent-Hopkins, Whitney, Hossa, and Bolland receive the honorable mentions.
Back east, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tomas Vokoun are the veteran goalies. Pittsburgh started with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on as Kunitz scored his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal, passed from James Neal and Crosby. Pittsburgh struck again with another Kunitz power play gol, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, powered by Neal and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. New York got on the board in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Casey Cizikas and Matt Moulson. The Penguins replied as Kunitz finished his hat trick with his seventeenth of the season, pushed through by Kris Letang and Crosby. Pittsburgh padded the lead on a Neal goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone helper from Letang. Kevin Poulin took over in net for Nabokov in the third period. The Penguins extended the lead as Dupuis scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, passed from Crosby and Kunitz. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 6-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Kunitz, Crosby, and Dupuis, while Neal and Letang get the honorable mentions.
Further east, the New Jersey Devils host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Johan Hedberg are between the pipes. New Jersey was first to score in the first period as Ryan Carter scored his third of the season, made possible by Travis Zajac and Anton Volchenkov. The Devils added on with the third of the year by Stephen Gionta, passed from Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Larsson. Winnipeg got on the board as Mark Stuart potted his second of the season, courtesy of Nik Antropov and Antti Miettinen. The Jets tied it in the second period with Evander Kane scoring his tenth of the year, with a lone assist from Stuart. New Jersey won 3-2 in the shootout as Patrik Elias scored the only goal. Kane, Carter, and Stuart get the three stars.
Crossing into Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ilya Bryzgalov guard the cages. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Simon Gagne power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and the goalie Bryzgalov. The Flyers added on with the second of the year by Max Talbot, a shorthanded goal coming off of Ruslan Fedotenko. Buffalo got on the board as Matt Flynn scored his second of the season, assisted by Kevin Porter and Andrej Sekera. Philadelphia extended the lead on a Claude Giroux goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Timonen. The Sabres got one back in the third period on a Jochen Hecht shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Steve Ott. They failed to get the equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being handed to Giroux, Talbot, and Porter, while Timonen gets an honorable mention.
Way west to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Semyon Varlamov protect the nets. Colorado opened with a first period Matt Duchene power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by P.A. Parenteau and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche added on in the second period as Ryan O'Reilly scored his second of the year, with the help of Aaron Palushaj and John Mitchell. San Jose got on the board with a Patrick Marleau goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Ryane Clowe. The Sharks tied it in the third period as Logan Couture netted his tenth of the year, courtesy of Joe Thornton. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime as Duchene scored his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, with helpers provided by Parenteau and Jan Hejda. Duchene, Varlamov (36 for 38 in saves), and Niemi (39 for 42 in saves) were named the three stars, and Parenteau gets an honorable mention.
Into California, where the Anaheim Ducks welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. St. Louis began with a Ryan Reaves goal, fueled by Wade Redden and Adam Cracknell. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Andrew Cogliano, his ninth of the season, passed from Emerson Etem and Ben Lovejoy. The Blues took the lead back in the third period on a Patrik Berglund power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kris Russell and T.J. Oshie. The Ducks tied it on a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Francois Beauchemin. Anaheim gained the lead as Corey Perry scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal set up by Getzlaf and Beauchemin. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 with Perry scoring his second of the game and ninth of the campaign in the empty net, with assists provided by Beauchemin, who got a sock trick, and Sheldon Souray. Getzlaf, Perry, and Beauchemin received the three stars.
Finally, we end in Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Niklas Backstrom occupy the creases. Minnesota quickly started in the first period with Zach Parise's tenth of the season, assisted by Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on as Jason Zucker scored his fourth of the year, fueled by Matt Cullen and Clayton Stoner. Minnesota padded the lead in the second period on a Spurgeon power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Ryan Suter and Parise. Vancouver got on the board as Chris Higgins notched his seventh of the year, via Andrew Alberts. The Canucks pulled closer in the third period on a Henrik Sedin goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Jason Garrison and David Booth. The Wild extended the lead on another Parise goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, courtesy of Suter and Charlie Coyle. This was good for a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Parise, Suter, and Coyle, while Spurgeon got the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Washington, D.C., as the Capitals host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Braden Holtby receive the starting nods. Washington opened with a Steve Oleksy goal, fueled by Jason Chimera and Marcus Johansson. New York tied it as Derek Stepan scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Marian Gaborik and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers took the lead as Brian Boyle scored, via McDonagh and Carl Hagelin. New York padded the lead on a Ryan Callahan goal, his eighth of the year, coming on the power play from Rick Nash and Michael Del Zotto. Michal Neuvirth relieved Holtby at this time. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 with a Brad Richards goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Hagelin and Nash. The three stars went to Biron (28 for 29 in saves), McDonagh, and Oleksy, while Nash and Hagelin get the honorable mentions.
Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jimmy Howard are in the blue paint. Columbus got going in the second period as Derick Brassard scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Fedor Tyutin and Cam Atkinson. Detroit tied it with a Jakub Kindl goal, his third of the year, passed from Pavel Datsyuk. The Blue Jackets got the lead back on an R.J. Umberger goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno. The Red Wings tied it again in the third period as Johan Franzen scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Damien Brunner and Henrik Zetterberg. Columbus won 3-2 in the shootout, with tallies by Johansen and Matt Calvert toppling Datsyuk's lone goal. Umberger, Datsyuk, and Jack Johnson got the three stars, while Johansen gets the honorable mention.
Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Jacob Markstrom are set to start. Montreal began with a David Desharnais goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Brendan Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens added on as Michael Ryder scored a power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Tomas Plekanec. Montreal extended the lead in the second period as Brian Gionta scored his ninth of the season, guided in by Subban and Plekanec. The Canadiens padded the lead with a Francis Bouillon goal, coming off of Ryder and Gionta. Florida got on the board in the third period when Tomas Kopecky scored his tenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Panthers pulled closer as Shawn Matthias netted his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Jack Skille. Montreal shot back as Ryder scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Subban, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Markov. This produced a 5-2 final score, with the three stars belonging to
Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Ray Emery are called on to start. Edmonton led off with a first period Mike Brown goal, with a lone assist from Nick Schultz. The Oilers added on as Sam Gagner scored his eighth of the season, guided in by Magnus Paajarvi and Nail Yakupov. Edmonton padded the lead as Ryan Whitney scored his third of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky. Corey Crawford relieved Emery at this time. The Oilers struck again with another Gagner goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, coming on the power play from Whitney and Jordan Eberle. Chicago got on the board in the second period when Patrick Kane scored his thirteenth of the year, via Dave Bolland. The Blackhawks chipped away as Marian Hossa potted his eleventh of the season, thanks to Jonathan Toews and Nick Leddy. Yann Danis had to relieve Dubnyk due to injury shortly after this goal. Edmonton shot back on a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. Chicago chipped back on a Sheldon Brookbank shorthanded goal, with an assist from Hossa. The Oilers answered on a Hall power play goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. The Blackhawks swiftly replied again with a Brent Seabrook goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Kane and Duncan Keith. Chicago pulled closer in the third period on Kane's second of the night and fourteenth of the season, helped along by Bolland and Brandon Saad on the power play. They failed to complete the comeback, losing 6-5, with the three stars going to Gagner, Kane, and Hall, while Justin Schultz, Nugent-Hopkins, Whitney, Hossa, and Bolland receive the honorable mentions.
Back east, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tomas Vokoun are the veteran goalies. Pittsburgh started with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on as Kunitz scored his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal, passed from James Neal and Crosby. Pittsburgh struck again with another Kunitz power play gol, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, powered by Neal and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. New York got on the board in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Casey Cizikas and Matt Moulson. The Penguins replied as Kunitz finished his hat trick with his seventeenth of the season, pushed through by Kris Letang and Crosby. Pittsburgh padded the lead on a Neal goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone helper from Letang. Kevin Poulin took over in net for Nabokov in the third period. The Penguins extended the lead as Dupuis scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, passed from Crosby and Kunitz. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 6-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Kunitz, Crosby, and Dupuis, while Neal and Letang get the honorable mentions.
Further east, the New Jersey Devils host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Johan Hedberg are between the pipes. New Jersey was first to score in the first period as Ryan Carter scored his third of the season, made possible by Travis Zajac and Anton Volchenkov. The Devils added on with the third of the year by Stephen Gionta, passed from Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Larsson. Winnipeg got on the board as Mark Stuart potted his second of the season, courtesy of Nik Antropov and Antti Miettinen. The Jets tied it in the second period with Evander Kane scoring his tenth of the year, with a lone assist from Stuart. New Jersey won 3-2 in the shootout as Patrik Elias scored the only goal. Kane, Carter, and Stuart get the three stars.
Crossing into Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ilya Bryzgalov guard the cages. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Simon Gagne power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and the goalie Bryzgalov. The Flyers added on with the second of the year by Max Talbot, a shorthanded goal coming off of Ruslan Fedotenko. Buffalo got on the board as Matt Flynn scored his second of the season, assisted by Kevin Porter and Andrej Sekera. Philadelphia extended the lead on a Claude Giroux goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Timonen. The Sabres got one back in the third period on a Jochen Hecht shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Steve Ott. They failed to get the equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being handed to Giroux, Talbot, and Porter, while Timonen gets an honorable mention.
Way west to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Semyon Varlamov protect the nets. Colorado opened with a first period Matt Duchene power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by P.A. Parenteau and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche added on in the second period as Ryan O'Reilly scored his second of the year, with the help of Aaron Palushaj and John Mitchell. San Jose got on the board with a Patrick Marleau goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Ryane Clowe. The Sharks tied it in the third period as Logan Couture netted his tenth of the year, courtesy of Joe Thornton. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime as Duchene scored his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, with helpers provided by Parenteau and Jan Hejda. Duchene, Varlamov (36 for 38 in saves), and Niemi (39 for 42 in saves) were named the three stars, and Parenteau gets an honorable mention.
Into California, where the Anaheim Ducks welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. St. Louis began with a Ryan Reaves goal, fueled by Wade Redden and Adam Cracknell. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Andrew Cogliano, his ninth of the season, passed from Emerson Etem and Ben Lovejoy. The Blues took the lead back in the third period on a Patrik Berglund power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kris Russell and T.J. Oshie. The Ducks tied it on a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Francois Beauchemin. Anaheim gained the lead as Corey Perry scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal set up by Getzlaf and Beauchemin. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 with Perry scoring his second of the game and ninth of the campaign in the empty net, with assists provided by Beauchemin, who got a sock trick, and Sheldon Souray. Getzlaf, Perry, and Beauchemin received the three stars.
Finally, we end in Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Niklas Backstrom occupy the creases. Minnesota quickly started in the first period with Zach Parise's tenth of the season, assisted by Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on as Jason Zucker scored his fourth of the year, fueled by Matt Cullen and Clayton Stoner. Minnesota padded the lead in the second period on a Spurgeon power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Ryan Suter and Parise. Vancouver got on the board as Chris Higgins notched his seventh of the year, via Andrew Alberts. The Canucks pulled closer in the third period on a Henrik Sedin goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Jason Garrison and David Booth. The Wild extended the lead on another Parise goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, courtesy of Suter and Charlie Coyle. This was good for a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Parise, Suter, and Coyle, while Spurgeon got the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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