Saturday, March 23, 2013

NHL March 23rd 2013

Nine games on to entertain us throughout the day, beginning in...

Minnesota, as the Wild host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Niklas Backstrom are in the creases. Minnesota got going in the second period as Zach Parise scored his twelfth of the season, made possible by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. The Wild added on in the third period as Jared Spurgeon scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Suter and Koivu. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Backstrom (33 save shutout), Suter, and Parise, while Koivu gets an honorable mention.

Over in Ottawa, the Senators host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Robin Lehner receive the starting nods. Ottawa led off in the first period as Jakob Siflverberg scored his eighth of the season, assisted by Marc Methot. The Senators added on as Eric Gryba scored, with the help of Kyle Turris and Methot. Ottawa chased Garon as Guillaume Latendresse scored his fourth of the year, fueled by Silfverberg and Mika Zibanejad. Cedrick Desjardins relieved Garon. The Senators struck again on a power play goal by Daniel Alfredsson, his seventh of the season, powered by Patrick Wiercioch and Sergei Gonchar. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period as Tyler Johnson scored his second of the year, coming off of Eric Brewer and Richard Panik. The Lightning pulled closer as Johnson scored his second of the game and third of the season, with a lone helper from Matt Carle. Tampa Bay chipped closer as Teddy Purcell recorded his seventh of the year, guided in by Victor Hedman and Sami Salo. Ottawa iced it at 5-3 with another Alfredsson goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, set up by Turris and Colin Greening. The three stars went to Alfredsson, Methot, and Johnson, while Turris and Silfverberg get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Jonathan Quick are set to start. Vancouver was first to score in the first period as Mason Raymond scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Jordan Schroeder and Jannik Hansen. The Canucks won 1-0 with this goal, and the three stars were Schneider (20 save shutout), Quick (12 for 13 in saves), and Raymond.

Back northeast, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Carey Price guard the cages. Buffalo started in the second period as Thomas Vanek scored his fifteenth  of the season, a power play goal made possible by Christian Ehrhoff and Cody Hodgson. The Sabres added on with another Vanek goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Tyler Ennis and Ville Leino. Montreal got on the board in the third period as Michael Ryder scored his tenth of the season, a power play powered by Andrei Markov. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being handed to Miller (38 for 39 in saves), Vanek, and Ryder.

Into Ontario again, as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin and James Reimer are the inconsistent goalies. Toronto struck first in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Clarke MacArthur and John-Michael Liles. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period as Mikhail Grabovski scored his eighth of the year, via Ryan Hamilton and Matt Frattin. Toronto extended the lead in the third period on a Frazer McLaren goal, his third of the season, coming off of Colton Orr and Jay McClement. Tuukka Rask came on in relief of Khudobin at this time. Boston got on the board with a Dennis Seidenberg goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Brad Marchand. The Bruins got one back as Andrew Ference scored his second of the campaign, passed from David Krejci and Rich Peverley. This produced a 3-2 final, with the three stars being given to Reimer (31 for 33 in saves), Orr, and Grabovski.

Stateside, we have the New Jersey Devils hosting the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Martin Brodeur draw the starts. New Jersey opened in the second period with a Patrik Elias goal, his tenth of the season, with a lone assist from Travis Zajac. The Devils extended the lead as David Clarkson notched his twelfth of the year, helped along by Zajac. Florida got on the board as Peter Mueller scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Tomas Fleischmann. They failed to get an equalizer, falling 2-1, with the three stars given to Zajac, Brodeur (17 for 18 in saves), and Clarkson.

Down in Dallas, the Stars host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Kari Lehtonen protect the nets. Dallas began in the first period as Derek Roy scored his fourth of the season, with a lone assist from Loui Eriksson. The Stars added on with a Jordie Benn power play goal, powered by Roy and Alex Goligoski. Dallas extended the lead in the second period as Eric Nystrom potted his fourth of the year, thanks to Jamie Benn and Jaromir Jagr. The Stars struck again with a Cody Eakin goal, his fifth of the season, via Jamie Benn. Jean-Sebastien Giguere relieved Varlamov at this time. Colorado got on the board with a P.A. Parenteau power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Ryan O'Reilly and Paul Stastny. The Avalanche pulled closer in the third period as Stastny scored his eighth of the season, with a lone helper from John Mitchell. Dallas answered with a Jagr goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Nystrom and Jamie Benn, the latter getting a sock trick. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars handed to Roy, Jordie Benn, and Jagr, while Jamie Benn, Stastny, and Nystrom receive the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville led off in the first period with a Taylor Beck goal, coming off of Gabriel Bourque and Jonathon Blum. The Predators added on as Shea Weber scored his sixth of the season on the power play, with the help of Bobby Butler and Martin Erat. Columbus got on the board when R.J. Umberger scored a power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Tim Erixon. Nashville answered on a David Legwand goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Bourque and Beck. The Predators extended the lead with a Matt Halischuk goal, his second of the year, fueled by Butler and Chris Mueller. Steve Mason relieved Bobrovsky at this time. The Blue Jackets got one back in the second period with an Artem Anisimov goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Cam Atkinson and Matt Calvert. Nashville finished it at 5-2 with a third period empty net goal by Roman Josi, his fifth of the year, set up by Mike Fisher and Erat. The three stars were awarded to Beck, Bourque, and Butler, while Erat gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Nikolai Khabibulin are all padded up. St. Louis started in the first period with a Chris Stewart goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alex Steen and the goalie Halak. The Blues extended the lead in the third period as Steen scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Roman Polak. St. Louis iced it at 3-0 as T.J. Oshie scored his sixth of the campaign, fueled by Andy McDonald and Patrik Berglund. The three stars were named as Stewart, Steen, and Halak (19 save shutout).

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Friday, March 22, 2013

NHL March 22nd 2013

Four games tonight, beginning in...

Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ondrej Pavelec are the masked men. Washington started in the first period with a Brooks Laich goal, assisted by Mike Ribeiro. The Capitals added on as Troy Brouwer scored his twelfth of the season, guided in by Ribeiro. Washington extended the lead in the second period as Jay Beagle netted his second of the year, fueled by Joel Ward and Matt Hendricks. Al Montoya relieved Pavelec at this time. The Capitals padded the lead with the fourteenth of the season, from Alex Ovechkin, courtesy of Marcus Johansson and Karl Alzner. Washington kept going in the third period on a Mike Green goal, his third of the year, set up by Dmitry Orlov and Johansson. Winnipeg got on the board as Dustin Byfuglien scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Grant Clitsome and Andrew Ladd. The Capitals replied as Ovechkin scored his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. This made it 6-1, a final, with the three stars going to Hotlby (30 for 31 in saves), Ovechkin, and Ribeiro, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

Down in the US, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Columbus opened in the first period with a Jared Boll goal, his second of the season, coming off of Colton Gillies and Derek MacKenzie. Calgary tied it in the second period on a Curtis Glencross goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Matt Stajan and Lee Stempniak. The Blue Jackets took the lead back as Nick Foligno scored his fourth of the season, with the help of R.J. Umberger and Nikita Nikitin. Columbus added on as Foligno scored again, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Umberger and Fedor Tyutin. The Blue Jackets extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Artem Anisimov goal, his seventh of the season. Columbus wrapped it up 5-1 with a Gillies goal, via Jack Johnson and MacKenzie. The three stars went to Foligno, Gillies, and Anisimov, while Umberger and MacKenzie get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the New York Islanders bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tomas Vokoun and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. New York led off in the first period as Mark Streit scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Matt Carkner and Frans Nielsen. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Joe Vitale goal, his second of the year, set up by Craig Adams. The Islanders regained the lead on a Josh Bailey goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by John Tavares and Travis Hamonic. The Penguins pulled even with Chris Kunitz's nineteenth of the year, with assists provided by Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third period as Brandon Sutter scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Matt Cooke and James Neal. The Penguins iced it at 4-2 with a Dupuis empty net goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Crosby and the goalie Vokoun. The three stars were awarded to Kunitz, Sutter, and Bailey, while Dupuis and Crosby receive the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Viktor Fasth are in the blue paint. Anaheim began in the first period as Teemu Selanne scored his eighth of the season, assisted by Kyle Palmieri and Cam Fowler. Detroit tied it with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Brendan Smith and the goalie Howard. The Red Wings took the lead as Pavel Datsyuk scored his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Damien Brunner and Henrik Zetterberg. Detroit padded the lead in the second period as Abdelkader scored his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Johan Franzen and Jakub Kindl. Jonas Hiller relieved Fasth at this time. The Red Wings added on as Abdelkader completed his hat trick with his sixth of the season, via Franzen and Datsyuk. Detroit extended the lead in the third period as Franzen scored his sixth of the year, courtesy of Abdelkader and Datsyuk. This made it 5-1, a final, with the three stars being Abdelkader, Franzen, and Selanne, while Datsyuk gets an honorable mention.

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Thursday, March 21, 2013

NHL March 21st 2013

There's nine games on tonight, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Dan Ellis are in the creases. New Jersey began in the first period as the goalie Brodeur scored an unassisted power play goal after Jordan Staal's clearing attempt on a delayed penalty call Ellis' vacated net. The Devils added on in the second period with an Adam Henrique goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Larsson. New Jersey extended the lead as Peter Harrold scored his second of the year, with the help of Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Eric Staal. The Devils shot back with a power play goal by Andrei Loktionov, his fifth of the year, guided in by Steve Bernier and Zajac. This made it 4-1, a final, with the three stars being Brodeur (17 for 18 in saves, and the honor of scoring as many as he gave up tonight), Henrique, and Zajac.

Up to New York City, with the Rangers hosting the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Florida was first to score in the first period as Brian Campbell netted his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by T.J. Brennan and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers added on in the second period as Scottie Upshall scored his second of the year, via Jack Skille and Shawn Matthias. New York got going in the third period with a Marian Gaborik goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Rick Nash and Michael Del Zotto. The Panthers iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Tomas Kopecky, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Markstrom (44 for 45 in saves), Campbell, and Upshall.

Out on Long Island, the New York Islanders bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Kevin Poulin receive the starting nods. Montreal struck first in the first period on a Michael Ryder power play goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Andrei Markov and Tomas Plekanec. New York tied it on the eighteenth of the year by John Tavares, with a lone assist from Matt Moulson. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Moulson and Brad Boyes. The Canadiens pulled even with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Plekanec. Montreal gained the lead in the third period on a Brian Gionta goal, his tenth of the season, passed from David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on as Brendan Gallagher scored his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Max Pacioretty and Subban. Montreal extended the lead with another Gallagher goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, helped along by Pacioretty and Desharnais. This produced a 5-2 final, with the three stars being awarded to Gallagher, Subban, and Gionta, while Desharnais, Plekanec, Pacioretty, and Moulson all get honorable mentions.

Staying in the state, the Buffalo Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ryan Miller have the green light to start. Toronto opened in the first period as Tyler Bozak scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal, thanks to Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs added on as Nazem Kadri scored his twelfth of the year, set up by Nikolai Kulemin and Clarke MacArthur. Buffalo got on the board with a goal by Tyler Ennis, his ninth of the season, coming off of Steve Ott and Christian Ehrhoff. Toronto responded in the third period with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Jake Gardiner and Kadri. The Sabres pulled back on a Marcus Foligno goal, his fourth of the season, coming from Kevin Porter and Ehrhoff. Buffalo tied it as Jason Pominville scored his tenth of the year, with a lone assist from Cody Hodgson. The Sabres took the lead in the third period as Ehrhoff scored his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Hodgson and Ennis. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Kadri power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Cody Franson and Kessel. The game went to a shootout, where Buffalo won 5-4 as Drew Stafford matched a Bozak tally, allowing Ott to pot the winner. Ehrhoff, Kadri, and Ennis received the three stars, while Hodgson and Kessel get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada, where the Ottawa Senators host the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin and Robin Lehner protect the nets. Ottawa got going in the second period as Kaspars Daugavins scored, thanks to Mika Zibanejad and Sergei Gonchar. Boston tied it with a Daniel Paille goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Johnny Boychuk and Gregory Campbell. The Bruins took the lead as Dennis Seidenberg scored, with the help of Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. This made it 2-1, a final, with the three stars going to Bergeron, Khudobin (27 for 28 in saves), and Lehner (27 for 29 in saves).

Over in the west, the Winnipeg Jets host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ondrej Pavelec guard the cages. Washington led off in the first period as Troy Brouwer scored his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist from Brooks Laich. The Capitals added on as Marcus Johansson scored his fourth of the year, coming off of Alex Ovechkin. Washington extended the lead in the third period as Ovechkin scored his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson. The Capitals padded the lead as Backstrom scored his fourth of the year, via Ovechkin and Johansson. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 4-0, and Holtby (19 save shutout), Ovechkin, and Brouwer got the three stars, while Backstrom and Johansson were the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Nashville Predators welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Pekka Rinne are the Finnish goalies. Calgary started in the first period with a Mark Giordano shorthanded goal, his third of the season, set up by Lee Stempniak. Nashville tied it with a power play goal by Martin Erat, his fourth of the year, powered by Roman Josi and Bobby Butler. The Flames took the lead back with another shorthanded goal, this time Blake Comeau's fourth of the season, made possible by Giordano and Jay Bouwmeester. The Predators tied it again as Mike Fisher netted his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Erat. Nashville took the lead in the second period as Fisher scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, passed from Josi and Erat. The Predators padded the lead with a Nick Spaling goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Victor Bartley and Kevin Klein. Nashville extended the lead on a Brandon Yip goal, his third of the season, with assists coming from Klein and Richard Clune. Calgary got one back with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay. This only made it 5-3, a final, with Fisher, Erat, and Klein getting the three stars, while Josi gets an honorable mention.

Southwest to Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Vancouver struck first in the first period on a Chris Tanev goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mason Raymond. Phoenix tied it in the third period as Antoine Vermette scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Radim Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Canucks took the lead back as Jordan Schroeder scored his third of the season, with the help of Jannik Hansen and Alexander Edler. This produced a 2-1 final score, with the three stars being Schneider (33 for 34 in saves), Ekman-Larsson, and Schroeder.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Dallas got going in the third period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn. The Stars added on as Ray Whitney notched his fifth of the year, guided in by Alex Goligoski and Loui Eriksson. This made it 2-0, a final, with the three stars being Lehtonen (40 save shutout), Goligoski, and Quick (19 for 21 in saves).

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

NHL March 20th 2013

Five games on today, starting in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and James Reimer are given the starting nods. Toronto began as Joffrey Lupul scored his third of the season in the first period, assisted by Nazem Kadri and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period as Dion Phaneuf scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Gunnarsson and Kadri. Toronto extended the lead as Tyler Bozak netted his eighth of the season, via Phil Kessel and Mark Fraser. Anders Lindback relieved Garon at this time. The Maple Leafs padded the lead with a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Kadri, who got a sock trick, and Lupul. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period as Radko Gudas scored, with assists provided by Pierre-Cedric Labrie and B.J. Crombeen. The Lightning got another back as Cory Conacher netted his eighth of the season, coming off of Tyler Johnson and Martin St. Louis. This only made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars being given to Kadri, Lupul, and Gunnarsson.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Minnesota was first to score in the first period with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Matt Cullen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The Wild added on in the second period with a Kyle Brodziak power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. Detroit got on the board as Gustav Nyquist scored, an unassisted goal. Minnesota shot back as Mikko Koivu scored his seventh of the season, with the help of Charlie Coyle and Zach Parise. The Wild padded the lead as Setoguchi scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal set up by Dany Heatley and Bouchard. The Red Wings took one back late in the third period as Drew Miller scored a power play goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Jordin Tootoo and Cory Emmerton. This only made it 4-2, the final, with Setoguchi, Nyquist, and Backstrom (36 for 38 in saves) receiving the three stars, while Bouchard gets an honorable mention.

Southwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas led off in the first period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Vernon Fiddler. The Stars added on as Trevor Daley scored his third of the year, passed from Jagr and Alex Goligoski. Colorado got on the board in the second period as Mark Olver netted his third of the season, thanks to Patrick Bordeleau and Chuck Kobasew. The Avalanche tied it as Gabriel Landeskog scored his sixth of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Dallas took the lead back as Ray Whitney scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Jagr and Cody Eakin. Colorado retied it in the third period as Ryan O'Reilly notched his third of the year, with assists provided by Olver and Jan Hejda. The Avalanche took the lead on a Kobasew goal, his fourth of the season, via Matt Hunwick and Olver. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars belonging to Kobasew, Jagr, and O'Reilly, while Olver gets an honorable mention.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Edmonton got going in the first period with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Nail Yakupov and Ryan Whitney. San Jose tied it with a Logan Couture, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Martin Havlat. The Oilers took the lead back in the second period on a Shawn Horcoff goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nick Schultz and Lennart Petrell. Edmonton extended the lead as Ryan Jones scored, an unassisted goal. The Sharks got one back as Couture scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, a power play goal with a lone assist from Joe Thornton. San Jose tied it on a Tommy Wingels goal, his second of the season, guided in by T.J. Galiardi. The Sharks won 4-3 in the shootout with goals by Couture and Boyle to upend a lone tally from Jordan Eberle. Horcoff, Couture, and Jones received the three stars, while Boyle gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Anaheim, where the Ducks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jonas Hiller protect the nets. Anaheim struck first in the first period with a Peter Holland goal, his third of the season, made possible by Luca Sbisa and Daniel Winnik. Chicago tied it on a Jonathan Toews goal, his fifteenth of the year, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The Blackhawks took the lead in the second period as Nick Leddy scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad. The Ducks pulled even with a Bobby Ryan goal in the third period, his ninth of the year, guided in by Ryan Getzlaf and Kyle Palmieri. Anaheim took the lead as Teemu Selanne scored his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Getzlaf. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 with a Sheldon Souray empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by the goalie Hiller. The three stars belonged to Getzlaf, Cam Fowler, and Toews, while any other point-earner could take the second slot.

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Eastern Conference Semifinal: Ak Bars Kazan VS. Salavat Yulaev Ufa

Welcome to the post for the semifinal series between Ak Bars Kazan and Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars. Kazan got going in the second period with a Dmitry Obukhov goal, fueled by Janne Pesonen and Stepan Zakharchuk. Ufa tied it with a power play goal by Antti Pihlstrom, with a lone assist from Kirill Koltsov. Ak Bars took the lead back in the third period when Pesonen scored, thanks to Zakharchuk and Jarkko Immonen. Salavat Yulaev tied it on another Pihlstrom goal, coming off of Koltsov and Vitaly Atyushov. Ufa gained the lead when Nikita Filatov scored, courtesy of Andrei Zubarev. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Pesonen, Zakharchuk, and Pihlstrom, and Koltsov got an honorable mention. Salavat Yulaev owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars. Ufa began in the first period as Stefan Ruzicka scored, thanks to Miroslav Blatak. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead in the third period with an empty net goal by Sergei Zinovyev, set up by Igor Musatov. This produced the 2-0 final, with the three stars going to Tarkki (37 save shutout), Ruzicka, and Barulin (23 for 25 in saves). Salavat Yulaev takes a 2-0 series lead home with them.

Game 3: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev. Kazan started in the second period as Jarkko Immonen scored, with the help of Janne Pesonen and Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars added on with a Denis Golubev goal, fueled by Evgeny Bodrov and Nikolai Zherdev. Kazan iced it at 3-0 in the third period with an empty net goal by Kirill Petrov, set up by Alexei Tereshchenko and the goalie Barulin. The three stars were given to Barulin (28 save shutout and an assist), Immonen, and Golubev. Ak Bars has cut the deficit to 2-1 in the series.

Game 4: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev. Ufa opened with a first period power play goal from Stefan Ruzicka, assisted by Nikita Filatov. Kazan tied it on a Dmitry Obukhov goal, fueled by Janne Pesonen and Jarkko Immonen. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back in the second period as Antti Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Vitaly Atyushov and Kirill Koltsov. Ak Bars tied it again with a Niko Kapanen goal, with a lone assist from Denis Kulyash. Kazan took the lead with a Kapanen power play goal, powered by Ilya Nikulin and Alexei Morozov. Ufa retied it as Atyushov scored a power play goal, made possible by Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ak Bars gained the lead again in the third period on a Kirill Petrov goal, fueled by Artyom Lukoyanov. Kazan iced it at 5-3 when Kapanen finished his hat trick, with helpers from Nikulin and Morozov on the power play. Kapanen, Nikulin, and Morozov received the three stars, while Atyushov gets an honorable mention. The series is now tied at 2.

Game 5: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars. Kazan led off in the first period as Jarkko Immonen scored, thanks to Janne Pesonen and Dmitry Obukhov. Ufa tied it with an Alexander Svitov goal, fueled by Yury Trubachyov. Ak Bars took the lead in the second period as Ilya Nikulin scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Morozov and Konstantin Korneyev. Salavat Yulaev tied it again in the third period as Igor Musatov scored an unassisted goal. Kazan regained the lead on a Nikulin power play goal, going in unassisted. Ufa pulled even again with a Stefan Ruzicka goal, assisted by Sergei Zinovyev and Miroslav Blatak. The game went to overtime, where Ak Bars won with a Morozov goal, made possible by Danis Zaripov for a 4-3 final. The three stars belonged to Nikulin, Morozov, and Barulin (41 for 44 in saves). Ak Bars takes the series lead at 3-2, leaving Salavat Yulaev on the brink of elimination.

Game 6: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev. Ufa was first to score in the first period with an Alexander Svitov goal, with a lone assist from Vitaly Proshkin. Salavat Yulaev added on in the second period as Alexander Stepanov scored, and Svitov had the only assist. Kazan got on the board with a Kirill Petrov goal, fueled by Alexei Tereshchenko. Ak Bars tied it as Jarkko Immonen scored, thanks to Janne Pesonen and Dmitry Obukhov. Ufa retook the lead in the third period with another Stepanov goal, assisted by Igor Musatov. Kazan retied it on an Obukhov goal, coming off of Pesonen. Salavat Yulaev won 4-3 in the second overtime on a Brent Sopel goal, made possible by Stefan Ruzicka and Sergei Zinovyev. The three stars were Stepanov, Sopel, and Svitov, while Obukhov and Pesonen get the honorable mentions. The series will be decided in Game 7 at Kazan, with each team currently holding 3 games. 

Game 7: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars. Ufa struck first in the first period as Brent Sopel scored, with the help of Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Kazan tied it in the second period as Danis Zaripov scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Morozov and Ilya Nikulin. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back as Yury Trubachyov scored, with a lone assist from Vitaly Atyushov. Ak Bars retied it when Kirill Petrov scored a goal, fueled by Zaripov and Evgeny Medvedev. Ufa shot back on a Mirnov power play goal, made possible by Sergei Zinovyev and Kirill Koltsov. Kazan tied it once again as Nikolai Zherdev scored, thanks to Stepan Zakharchuk. Ak Bars took the lead in the third period on an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, passed from Artyom Lukoyanov. They held on for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Tereshchenko, Zaripov, and Mirnov. Ak Bars wins the series 4-3 and will play in the Eastern Conference finals against Traktor Chelyabinsk. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

NHL March 19th 2013

Nine games tonight, beginning in...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Columbus opened in the second period as Fedor Tyutin scored his second of the season, courtesy of RJ. Umberger and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets added on with a Mark Letestu goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Vinny Prospal and Dalton Prout. Nashville got on the board as Gabriel Bourque scored his tenth of the season, coming off of Roman Josi and David Legwand. Columbus extended the lead in the third period on a Nikita Nikitin power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Prospal and Johnson. The Blue Jackets padded the lead with a Derick Brassard goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Letestu and Prospal, the latter getting a sock trick. The Predators shot back as Chris Mueller scored, thanks to Richard Clune and Shea Weber. Nashville got another as Mike Fisher recorded his seventh of the year, passed from Brandon Yip and Weber. They failed to tie it, falling 4-3, with the three stars going to Prospal, Letestu, and Johnson, while Weber gets an honorable mention.

East to Long Island, where the New York Islanders host the Ottawa Senators. Ben Bishop and Evgeni Nabokov draw the starts. Ottawa started in the first period with a Matt Kassian goal, coming off of Sergei Gonchar and Patrick Wiercioch. New York tied it on a Keith Aucoin goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey. The Islanders took the lead in the second period when Bailey scored his third of the year, via Okposo and Frans Nielsen. New York extended the lead on a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his second of the season coming on the power play from Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes. The Senators got one back in the third period as Jakob Silfverberg scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Wiercioch and Peter Regin. Ottawa tied it on a Zack Smith goal, his third of the season, made possible by Gonchar and Andre Benoit. The Senators took the lead on a Gonchar goal, his second of the year, guided in by Wiercioch, who got a sock trick, and Guillaume Latendresse. Ottawa iced it at 5-3 with Latendresse scoring his third of the campaign, with the help of Daniel Alfredsson on the empty net goal. The three stars were handed to Gonchar, Okposo, and Smith, while Wiercioch, Latendresse, and Bailey get the honorable mentions.

Over in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Johan Hedberg will be between the pipes. New York was first to score in the first period on a Michael Del Zotto goal, his third of the season, coming shorthanded via Derek Stepan. New Jersey tied it on a Travis Zajac goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Peter Harrold and Ilya Kovalchuk on the power play. The Rangers took the lead back on a Carl Hagelin goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan. The Devils tied it again as Anton Volchenkov scored, with a lone assist by Stephen Gionta. New York took the lead again in the second period on a Rick Nash goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Del Zotto. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars went to Del Zotto, Nash, and Zajac.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Dan Ellis receive the starting nods. Florida got going in the third period as Tomas Fleischmann netted his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Tomas Kopecky. The Panthers added on with a Marcel Goc power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Filip Kuba and Brian Campbell. Florida extended the lead as Shawn Matthias scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Kuba and Jonathan Huberdeau. Carolina got one back as Jordan Staal potted his seventh of the year, via Joni Pitkanen and the goalie Ellis. The Panthers iced it at 4-1 as Jerred Smithson put his second of the campaign into the empty net, an unassisted goal. The three stars were handed to Kuba, Markstrom (33 for 34 in saves), and Ellis (40 for 43 in saves with an assist).

Back north to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury are the masked men. Washington struck first in the second period on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Troy Brouwer and Mike Ribeiro. Pittsburgh tied it with a Paul Martin power play goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Sidney Crosby and Beau Bennett. The Penguins took the lead in the third period on a Matt Niskanen goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Matt Cooke and Crosby. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Niskanen, Fleury (28 for 29 in saves), and Holtby (34 for 36 in saves), while Crosby receives an honorable mention.

Into Quebec, where the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Carey Price are in the blue paint. Buffalo began in the first period as Steve Ott scored his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Sabres added on as Tyler Ennis scored his eighth of the year, guided in by Tyler Myers and Ville Leino. Montreal got on the board in the third period on a Max Pacioretty goal, his ninth of the season, pushed through by Brendan Gallagher and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens tied it with Colby Armstrong scoring his second of the year, thanks to Alex Galchenyuk and Lars Eller. Buffalo won 3-2 in overtime as Ott scored his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, with the help of Jordan Leopold and Leino. The three stars were awarded to Ott, Enroth (32 for 34 in saves), and Gallagher, while Leino gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ondrej Pavelec guard the cages. Boston led off in the second period as Brad Marchand notched his thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg tied it in the third period with a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Zach Bogosian and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets took the lead on an Evander Kane goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Grant Clitsome and Kyle Wellwood. Winnipeg won 3-1 as Wheeler scored his second of the night and fourteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little. Pavelec (27 for 28 in saves), Wheeler, and Marchand were named the three stars.

Further to the west, the Vancouver Canucks host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Cory Schneider are the young goalies. Vancouver got going in the second period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Mason Raymond. The Canucks added on as Daniel Sedin scored his ninth of the year, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Dan Hamhuis. Vancouver extended the lead as Dale Weise scored his second of the season, via Jordan Schroeder and Daniel Sedin. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his third of the year, coming off of Vladimir Tarasenko and Wade Redden. The Blues pulled closer as Patrik Berglund netted his fourteenth of the campaign, with the help of Kris Russell and David Perron. It wasn't enough to avoid a 3-2 loss, with the three stars belonging to Daniel Sedin, Berglund, and Schneider (32 for 34 in saves).

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, as the Kings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith faces a lesser foe in Jonathan Bernier in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Dustin Penner goal, his second of the season, assisted by Justin Williams and Anze Kopitar. The Kings added on in the second period with a Drew Doughty goal, fueled by Jake Muzzin and Mike Richards. Phoenix got on the board in the third period as Shane Doan potted is tenth of the year, courtesy of Keith Yandle and Derek Morris. Los Angeles shot back as Jarret Stoll scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Richards and Alec Martinez. The Coyotes chipped back as Doan scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, passed from Mikkel Boedker and Raffi Torres. They still lost 3-2, with the three stars given to Bernier (40 for 42 in saves), Doan, and Doughty, while Richards gets an honorable mention.

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Monday, March 18, 2013

NHL March 18th 2013

Seven games on for a slightly busier-than-usual Monday. We begin in...

Madison Square Garden, as the New York Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Dan Ellis is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Carolina began in the first period as Eric Staal scored his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Joni Pitkanen and Alexander Semin. New York tied it in the second period as Derek Stepan scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Carl Hagelin and Ryan Callahan. The Rangers won 2-1 in the shootout as Rick Nash and J.T. Miller scored. The three stars went to Lundqvist (29 for 30 in saves), Michael Del Zotto, and Stepan, while any point-earner can take the second slot.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Anders Lindback are set to start. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period as Ondrej Palat scored his second of the season, via Dana Tyrell and Sami Salo. Philadelphia tied it on a Max Talbot goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Andrej Meszaros. The Lightning took the lead back with a Tom Pyatt goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Tyler Johnson and Victor Hedman. The Flyers retied it in the second period as Claude Giroux netted his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay took the lead again in the third period as Teddy Purcell put away his sixth of the season, with the help of Keith Aulie and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 as Stamkos scored his twenty-first of the year, an empty net goal passed from Alex Killorn and Martin St. Louis. Ryan Malone, Lindback (28 for 30 in saves), and Talbot get the three stars, and Stamkos gets an honorable mention.

To the west, the Dallas Stars host the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Kari Lehtonen are given the starting nods. Dallas was first to score in the first period as Erik Cole netted his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Jordie Benn and Jamie Oleksiak. The Stars added on as Eric Nystrom scored his third of the year, with the help of Antoine Roussel and the goalie Lehtonen. Dallas extended the lead with Loui Eriksson's eighth of the season, made possible by Ray Whitney and Derek Roy. Calgary got on the board in the second period as Jiri Hudler scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal powered by T.J. Brodie and Michael Cammalleri. The Flames pulled closer as Jay Bouwmeester scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal set up by Curtis Glencross and Lee Stempniak. The Stars replied in the third period on another Eriksson goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, fueled by Jamie Benn and Whitney. Calgary got one back with Alex Tanguay recording his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Cammalleri and Jarome Iginla. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars belonging to Eriksson, Whitney, and Nystrom, while Cammalleri gets an honorable mention.

Up in Colorado, the Avalanche host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Semyon Varlamov are the masked men. Chicago started in the first period as Jimmy Hayes scored, with Patrick Kane getting the lone assist. The Blackhawks added on as Andrew Shaw scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell. Colorado got on the board as Gabriel Landeskog scored a shorthanded goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Matt Duchene. Chicago answered in the second period on a Kane goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks extended the lead as Brent Seabrook scored his fifth of the year, passed from Kane and Toews. The Avalanche took one back as Milan Hejduk potted his fourth of the season, via John Mitchell and the goalie Varlamov. Chicago finished the scoring at 5-2 with a Toews goal in the third period, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Brandon Saad and Seabrook. Kane, Toews, and Landeskog got the three stars, while Seabrook gets an honorable mention.

Southwest to Anaheim, as the Ducks host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Viktor Fasth play in the blue paint. Anaheim led off in the first period as Francois Beauchemin scored his third of the season, helped along by Dave Steckel and Kyle Palmieri. San Jose tied it on a Jason Demers goal, fueled by T.J. Galiardi and Scott Gomez. The Ducks took the lead back in the second period as Peter Holland scored his second of the year, coming off of Andrew Cogliano and Bobby Ryan. Anaheim added on as Emerson Etem scored, thanks to Daniel Winnik and Bryan Allen. The Ducks padded the lead as Ryan Getzlaf scored his eleventh of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Etem. The Sharks got one back as Patrick Marleau potted his fifteenth of the year, via Martin Havlat and Douglas Murray. San Jose chipped closer in the third period with a Matt Irwin goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone helper by Brent Burns. Anaheim iced it at 5-3 with a Beauchemin empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, via Getzlaf and Winnik. The three stars went to Etem, Beauchemin, and Getzlaf, while Winnik gets an honorable mention.

Up in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Vancouver got going in the second period on a Henrik Sedin goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Daniel Sedin and Jason Garrison on the power play. Minnesota tied it with a Jonas Brodin power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Dany Heatley and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The Wild took the lead in the third period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his third of the season, coming off of Clayton Stoner and Mikko Koivu. Minnesota extended the lead as Matt Cullen notched his fourth of the year, made possible by Devin Setoguchi and Bouchard. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Ryan Suter, Henrik Sedin, and Backstrom (35 for 36 in saves), while Bouchard could take the second slot.

Back in California, we end with the Los Angeles Kings hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles opened in the first period as Jake Muzzin scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. The Kings extended the lead in the second period as Tyler Toffoli scored a power play goal, made possible by Jeff Carter and Slava Voynov. Los Angeles padded the lead in the third period with a Kopitar goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Williams and Drew Doughty. The Kings iced it at 4-0 on a Carter goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Toffoli and Rob Scuderi. The three stars were awarded to Quick (27 save shutout), Kopitar, and Toffoli, while Carter and Williams receive the honorable mentions.

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Sunday, March 17, 2013

NHL March 17th 2013

St. Patrick's Day finds us with four games, beginning in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Tomas Vokoun are given the starting nods. Pittsburgh led off with Sidney Crosby scoring his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. Boston tied it as Tyler Seguin scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Patrice Bergeron and Johnny Boychuk. The Penguins took the lead back with a Joe Vitale goal, made possible by Craig Adams and Brooks Orpik. The scoring ended here at 2-1, with the three stars going to Vokoun (31 for 32 in saves), Crosby, and Seguin.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Robin Lehner draw the starts. Ottawa began with a Guillaume Latendresse goal, his second of the season, passed from Daniel Alfredsson and Zack Smith. The Senators added on as Jakob Silfverberg scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Sergei Gonchar and Chris Neil. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period as Zach Bogosian scored his second of the season, made possible by Ron Hainsey and Andrew Ladd. Ottawa replied on a Kyle Turris power play goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Alfredsson and Gonchar. The Senators iced it at 4-1 with another Silfverberg goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, assisted by Mika Zibanejad and Andre Benoit. The three stars were Lehner (25 for 26 in saves), Silfverberg, and Gonchar, while Alfredsson gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Braden Holtby are the masked men. Washington opened in the first period as Alex Ovechkin netted his eleventh of the season, guided in by Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. Buffalo tied it in the second period when Cody Hodgson recorded his eleventh of the year, with the help of Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. The Capitals took the lead back with Troy Brouwer's tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mike Ribeiro and Backstrom. Washington extended the lead on a Jason Chimera goal, set up by Brouwer and Ribeiro. The Capitals added on as Johansson scored his third of the year, pushed through by Mathieu Perreault and Joel Ward. The Sabres got one back on a Brian Flynn goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Marcus Foligno and Tyler Ennis. Buffalo pulled closer in the third period on a Hodgson power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, made possible by Ennis and Pominville. Washington responded as Perreault put away his fifth of the campaign, via Ward. This held up for a 5-3 win, with the three stars being awarded to Johansson, Hodgson, and Ribeiro, while Brouwer, Perreault, Ward, Backstrom, Pominville, and Ennis all get honorable mentions.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Devan Dubnyk tend the twines. Edmonton started in the second period with a Magnus Paajarvi power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Whitney. Nashville tied it as Shea Weber scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Roman Josi and Craig Smith. The Oilers took the lead in the third period as Lennart Petrell scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Sam Gagner. Edmonton extended the lead on an Eberle goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone helper by Taylor Hall. The Predators got one back late on a Josi goal, his fourth of the campaign, guided in by Mike Fisher and Bobby Butler, but they still lost 3-2. The three stars were given to Dubnyk (29 for 31 in saves), Eberle, and Hall, while Josi gets an honorable mention.

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