Saturday, October 12, 2013

NHL Day 12 2013-2014

We have the promised eleven games on today, beginning with a matinee from...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Jack Johnson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by James Wisniewski and Marian Gaborik. Boston tied the game in the second period with a Chris Kelly goal, his second of the year, fueled by Jarome Iginla and David Krejci. The Bruins took the lead in the third period on a Loui Eriksson goal, set up by Patrice Bergeron and Reilly Smith. Boston iced it at 3-1 with a Milan Lucic empty net goal, his second of the season, coming off of Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk. The three stars were Iginla, Rask (26 for 27 in saves), and Bobrovsky (33 for 35 in saves).

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Jimmy Howard draw the starts. Detroit was first to score in the first period with a Todd Bertuzzi power play goal, coming off of Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on in the second period when Kronwall scored a power play goal, powered by Alfredsson and Henrik Zetterberg. Philadelphia tied it with an Erik Gustafsson goal, via Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. Detroit replied on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his second of the season coming on the power play from Kronwall and Alfredsson, the latter getting a sock trick. The Flyers answered on a Tye McGinn goal, fueled by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. The Red Wings shot back as Zetterberg notched his third of the year, with the help of Datsyuk and Kyle Quincey. Detroit iced it at 5-2 as Zetterberg scored his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Datsyuk and Cleary. The three stars were Kronwall, Zetterberg, and Alfredsson, while Datsyuk gets an honorable mention.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Anders Lindback are given the starting nods. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Alex Killorn and Richard Panik. Pittsburgh tied it with a second period power play goal by Sidney Crosby, his third of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Chris Kunitz. The Lightning retook the lead with a Steven Stamkos goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Victor Hedman. The Penguins answered on a Brooks Orpik goal, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Kunitz. Tampa Bay pulled ahead again with a Teddy Purcell power play goal, coming off of Sami Salo and St. Louis as his third of the year. Pittsburgh retied it in the third period with Crosby's second of the game and fourth of the season, set up by Rob Scuderi and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins pulled ahead as Crosby completed the hat trick with his fifth of the year, a power play goal, fueled by Jokinen and Evgeni Malkin. The Lightning evened the score on a Killorn power play goal, his second of the season, passed from Panik and Tyler Johnson. Pittsburgh got the lead back on a late Niskanen power play goal, via Malkin and Crosby. They went on to win 5-4, with the three stars being Crosby, Niskanen, and Killorn, while St. Louis, Kunitz, Panik, Malkin, and Jokinen get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking up to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonathan Bernier are the young goalies. Edmonton began in the first period with a Ryan Smyth goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mark Arcobello. Toronto tied it with a Nazem Kadri goal, his second of the year, made possible by Mason Raymond and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs took the lead as James van Riemsdyk notched his fourth of the season, with the help of Cody Franson and Phaneuf on the power play. The Oilers retied it on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Justin Schultz and Anton Belov. Edmonton took the lead in the second period as Boyd Gordon scored his third of the season, via David Perron and Taylor Hall. Toronto pulled even with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Kadri and David Broll. The Oilers shot back with a Jordan Eberle goal in the third period, assisted by Arcobello and Hall. The Maple Leafs tied it again as van Riemsdyk scored his second of the game and fifth of the season, with helpers from Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel. Edmonton edged back ahead as Smyth scored his second of the game and third of the year, thanks to Eberle and Arcobello, the latter getting a sock trick. Toronto tied it again with Lupul's second of the game and fifth of the season, passed from Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs won 6-5 with an overtime goal by Dave Bolland, his third of the year, with assists provided by Franson and Raymond. The three stars were Lupul, van Riemsdyk, and Smith, while Arcobello, Kadri, Eberle, Hall, Franson, Phaneuf, and Raymond pick up the honorable mentions.

Into the States again, with the Washington Capitals welcoming the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are the former teammates in the creases. Colorado started in the first period with an Alex Tanguay goal, assisted by Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche added on with a Matt Duchene goal, his third of the season, thanks to Ryan O'Reilly and Andre Benoit. Colorado extended the lead in the second period as Nathan MacKinnon scored a power play goal, powered by Paul Stastny and Landeskog. The Avalanche padded the lead in the third period on Tanguay's second of the game, a shorthanded goal set up by Stastny and Benoit. Washington got on the board as Eric Fehr scored, with the help of Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. Colorado replied on a goal by Jamie McGinn, via P.A. Parenteau and MacKinnon. This made it 5-1, the final, with Varlamov (40 for 41 in saves), Tanguay, and MacKinnon getting the three stars, while Benoit, Stastny, and Landeskog get the honorable mentions.

To the west, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Corey Crawford protect the nets. Chicago started with a first period goal by Ben Smith, coming off of Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks added on in the second period as Patrick Kane scored, with the help of Patrick Sharp and Andrew Shaw. Buffalo got on the board in the third period when Drew Stafford scored, courtesy of Cody Hodgson and Mark Pysyk. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars were Crawford (28 for 29 in saves), Kane, and Miller (38 for 40 in saves).

Down in St. Louis, the Blues host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with an Alexander Steen goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by T.J. Oshie and David Backes. New York tied it with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, powered by Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan. The Blues took the lead back in the second period with a Backes goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Steen. St. Louis took the lead as Derek Roy notched his second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Kevin Shattenkirk and Steen. The Rangers took the lead back as Brad Richards scored his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Brassard. The Blues answered as Backes scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with assists provided by Oshie and Steen, the latter getting a sock trick. Henrik Lundqvist relieved Biron in the third period. New York chipped back in the third period on another Callahan goal, his second of the game, passed from Richards and Stepan. St. Louis replied on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, pushed through by Shattenkirk and Roy. This was good for a 5-3 win, with the three stars awarded to Steen, Backes, and Callahan, while Richards, Roy, Shattenkirk, Stepan, Brassard, and Oshie all get honorable mentions.

A bit to the east, the Nashville Predators welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Pekka Rinne man the blue paint. Nashville struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Seth Jones, powered by David Legwand and Shea Weber. New York tied it with a Frans Nielsen goal, his second of the season, guided in by Kyle Okposo and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders took the lead with a John Tavares goal, his third of the year, assisted by Okposo and Brian Strait. The Predators retied it on a Patric Hornqvist goal, via Colin Wilson and Ryan Ellis. Nashville took the lead in the second period as Ellis scored, with the help of Matt Cullen and Craig Smith. This was all they needed for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Ellis, Okposo, and Jones.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Dallas Stars. Backups Dan Ellis and Josh Harding are in goal. Minnesota led off with a Justin Fontaine goal in the first period, with a lone assist by Matt Cooke. The Wild added on as Cooke scored his third of the season, an unassisted goal. Minnesota extended the lead in the second period with a Mathew Dumba power play goal, powered by Dany Heatley and Jonas Brodin. The Wild padded the lead as Nino Neiderreiter scored, thanks to Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. Dallas got on the board with a Jordie Benn power play goal, via Tyler Seguin and Alex Chiasson. Minnesota made it 5-1 in the third period with a power play goal by Zach Parise, his fourth of the year, set up by Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. This was a final, with the three stars going to Cooke, Spurgeon, and Harding (18 for 19 in saves).

Way out west, the San Jose Sharks host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Antti Niemi are the masked men. San Jose quickly opened in the first period as Tomas Hertl scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Dan Boyle and Brent Burns. Ottawa tied it on a Zack Smith goal, courtesy of Chris Phillips and Colin Greening. The Senators took the lead on a Bobby Ryan power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Jason Spezza and Patrick Wiercioch. The Sharks retied it in the second period as Patrick Marleau scored, with the help of Joe Pavelski and Matt Irwin. San Jose took the lead in the third period on a Burns goal, his third of the season, guided in by Joe Thornton and Matthew Nieto. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Burns, Lehner (47 for 50 in saves), and Niemi (21 for 23 in saves).

Finally, we end in Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Montreal started in the first period with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Francis Bouillon and Raphael Diaz. Vancouver tied it on a Henrik Sedin goal, set up by Daniel Sedin and Jason Garrison. The Canadiens retook the lead as Lars Eller scored his fifth of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Montreal added on in the third period with a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, assisted by Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens wrapped it up at 4-1 with a Josh Gorges goal, courtesy of Diaz and Travis Moen. The three stars were handed to Price (39 for 40 in saves), Eller, and Diaz.

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KHL Day 39 2013-2014

Four games today as a prelude to eleven NHL games later. We begin in...

Omsk, where Avangard hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Andrei Mezin are set to start. Nizhny Novgorod began in the first period with a Wojtek Wolski power play goal, assisted by Sakari Salminen. Omsk tied it in the second period when Alexander Popov scored, via Dmitry Vorobyov and Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard took the lead with a Roman Berdnikov goal, guided in by Sergei Kalinin. Omsk extended the lead in the third period as Andrei Ivanov scored, courtesy of Oleg Kvasha. Avangard added on with a shorthanded empty net goal by Ivanov, set up by Ivan Baranka. Omsk padded the lead as Popov scored his second of the game, with a lone assist by Perezhogin. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Popov, Ivanov, and Mezin (21 for 22 in saves), while Perezhogin gets an honorable mention.

Over in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Jakub Kovar draw the starts. Moscow led off in the first period as Konstantin Volkov scored, thanks to Dmitry Pestunov and Marek Kvapil. Dynamo added on with an unassisted goal by Maxim Karpov. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Artyom Chernov, powered by Anton Lazarev and Fyodor Malykhin. Avtomobilist tied the game when Tobias Viklun scored an unassisted goal. Moscow took the lead back in the third period on a Roman Derlyuk goal, going in unassisted. Dynamo iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted goal from Kvapil. The three stars were Kvapil, Lazushin (19 for 21 in saves), and Derlyuk.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Ari Ahonen tend the twines. Kazan started in the first period with a Janne Pesonen goal, coming off of Ilya Nikulin and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, fueled by Stepan Zakharchuk and Alexander Burmistrov. Kazan extended the lead with a Tomas Vincour goal, assisted by Burmistrov and Grigory Panin. Ak Bars padded the lead with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, with a lone assist by Petrov. Kazan iced it at 5-0 with a power play goal by Evgeny Medvedev, powered by Tim Stapleton and Burmistrov. The three stars were Barulin (18 save shutout), Burmistrov, and Petrov.

Finally, we end in Khanty-Mansiysk, with Yugra bringing in Vityaz Podolsk. Johan Backlund and Alexei Kuznetsov are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk opened with a first period goal by Kirill Knyazev, passed from Anton Krysanov. Yugra took the lead as Krysanov scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Pepelyaev. Podolsk got on the board with a Maxim Rybin goal, with a lone helper by Josh Hennessy. Khanty-Mansiysk answered in the second period on a Marek Troncinsky power play goal, assisted by Krysanov and Pepelyaev. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Krysanov, Kuznetsov (31 for 32 in saves), and Pepelyaev.

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Friday, October 11, 2013

NHL Day 11 2013-2014

Tonight, there are just six games on, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Cam Ward are in between the pipes. Los Angeles got going in the third period on a Dwight King shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. Carolina tied it as Jeff Skinner scored, with the help of Andrej Sekera and Nathan Gerbe. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Jeff Carter sealed a 2-1 Kings victory. The three stars went to Quick (27 for 28 in saves), Ward (36 for 37 in saves), and King.

Up in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss and Steve Mason are the replacement level goalies. Phoenix started in the first period with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, assisted by Derek Morris and Tim Kennedy. Philadelphia tied it in the second period on a Max Talbot goal, coming off of Zac Rinaldo and Sean Couturier. The Coyotes took the lead with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mike Ribeiro and Martin Hanzal. The scoring ended here, with the Coyotes winning 2-1, and Greiss (36 for 37 in saves), Ekman-Larsson, and Klinkhammer were given the three stars.

Back south, the Florida Panthers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff and Jacob Markstrom are the inexperienced goalies. Florida opened in the first period on a Brad Boyes goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Tomas Fleischmann. Pittsburgh tied it with an Evgeni Malkin goal, courtesy of Beau Bennett. The Panthers retook the lead on a Kris Versteeg goal, via Scott Gomez and Shawn Matthias. The Penguins retied it on the third of the year by Craig Adams, assisted by Tanner Glass and Joe Vitale. Florida took the lead again on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play from Versteeg and Fleischmann. The Panthers added on with an Aleksander Barkov power play goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Pittsburgh got one back as Pascal Dupuis scored, and Sidney Crosby had the only helper. Florida shot back in the third period on a Fleischmann goal, fueled by Barkov and Boyes. The Panthers iced it at 6-3 as Boyes scored his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Barkov and Fleischmann, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were Fleischmann, Barkov, and Boyes, while Versteeg gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Nikolai Khabibulin are the backups making spot starts. Chicago began with a first period goal by Joakim Nordstrom, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on as Jonathan Toews scored his second of the season, courtesy of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. New York got on the board when Josh Bailey scored his second of the year, with the help of Michael Grabner. The Islanders tied it when Kyle Okposo scored, with a lone assist by John Tavares. Chicago retook the lead on a second period goal by Michal Handzus, via Keith and Ben Smith. They would cruise from here to a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Keith, Handzus, and Toews.

Crossing into Canada, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Ondrej Pavelec receive the starting nods. Dallas struck first in the first period on an Alex Chiasson power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Tyler Seguin and Sergei Gonchar. The Stars added on with a Seguin goal, set up by Rich Peverley and Jamie Benn. Dallas extended the lead with a Benn goal, fueled by Brendon Dillon and Seguin. The Stars padded the lead in the second period with Seguin's second of the night, a power play goal made possible by Benn and Chiasson. Lehtonen had to be relieved by Dan Ellis after turning aside 21 shots, due to an injury. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period when Blake Wheeler scored a power play goal, with the help of Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. They got no closer, losing 4-1, with the three stars going to Seguin, Benn, and Chiasson.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames bring in the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur faces a lesser foe in Joey MacDonald in goal. New Jersey led off with a first period goal by Adam Henrique, courtesy of Damien Brunner and Andy Greene. Calgary tied it with a second period power play goal by Dennis Wideman, powered by Mark Giordano and Jiri Hudler. The Devils took the lead back as Dainius Zubrus scored, with the help of Travis Zajac. The Flames tied it again on a Giordano power play goal, his second of the season, via Hudler and Curtis Glencross. Calgary gained the lead in the third period with a Sean Monahan goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Sven Baertschi and Wideman. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Monahan, Wideman, and Giordano, while Hudler gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 38 2013-2014

The KHL goes for ten games today, beginning in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Curtis Sanford man the creases. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Amur got goals from Dmitry Tarasov and Jakub Petruzalek to defeat Lokomotiv, whose lone tally was from Daniil Apalkov. The three stars of the 1-0 game were Jarvinen (38 save shutout), Sanford (32 save "shutout"), and Petruzalek.

Over to Moscow, as CSKA hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Rastislav Stana tend the twines. Magnitogorsk struck first in the second period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Evgeny Biryukov and Jan Kovar. Moscow tied it in the third period as Oleg Saprykin scored, with the help of Dmitry Ogurtsov and Roman Lyubimov. The game went to a shootout, where Ilya Zubov's goal led CSKA to a 2-1 victory. The three stars were Stana (27 for 28 in saves), Zubov, and Koshechkin (32 for 33 in saves).

Backtracking to Cherepovets, with Severstal welcoming Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Jakub Stepanek are set to start. Vladivostok began with a first period Niclas Bergfors goal, assisted by Felix Schutz and Yegor Antropov. Cherepovets tied it on a Pavel Buchnevich goal, courtesy of Evgeny Kovyrshin. Admiral took the lead back with a Konstantin Sokolov goal, passed from Mathias Porseland and Evgeny Grachyov. Severstal retied it in the second period on a Teemu Laasko power play goal, powered by Gleb Klimenko and Bogdan Kiselevich. Vladivostok retook the lead as Artyom Ternavsky scored, with a lone assist by Enver Lisin. Cherepovets tied it again in the third period on a Vladimir Antipov goal, made possible by Vadim Berdnikov. Admiral regained the lead on another Ternavsky goal, via Bergfors and Schutz. Severstal got yet another equalizer on an Alexander Fedoseyev goal, coming off of Linus Videll and Kiselevich. The game went into a shootout, where Antipov led Severstal to a 5-4 win with the lone tally. The three stars were Antipov, Ternavsky, and Bergfors, while Schutz and Kiselevich get the honorable mentions.

West again to Mytishchi, where Atlant brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Stanislav Galimov are between the pipes. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Kristian Kudroc power play goal, powered by Jori Lehtera and Vyacheslav Belov. Mytishchi tied it in the third period as Igor Radulov scored, with a lone assist by Andreas Engqvist. Sibir won 2-1 in overtime with an Alexander Kutuzov goal, fueled by Lehtera. The three stars were Kutuzov, Koskinen (25 for 26 in saves), and Lehtera.

Into St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin is mismatched with Ilya Ezhov in goal. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an Alexei Semenov goal, guided in by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on in the second period with a Kevin Dallman power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Tony Martensson notched a power play goal, with the help of Roman Cervenka and Kovalchuk. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Ansel Galimov, courtesy of Rafael Akhmetov and Tuuka Mantyla. SKA answered on a Dmitry Kalinin power play goal, with a lone helper by Kovalchuk. This made it a 4-1 final, with Kovalchuk, Ezhov (29 for 30 in saves), and Dallman getting the three stars.

Leaving Russia and into Belarus, where Dinamo Minsk hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Kevin Lalande are the North American goalies. Minsk started in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Zbynek Irgl, set up by Tomas Surovy. Moscow tied it with a Tom Wandell power play goal, powered by Andrei Sergeyev and Matt Anderson. Dinamo took the lead with a shorthanded goal in the third period by Alexei Yefimenko, guided in by Alexander Kitarov and Andrei Filichkin. Minsk extended the lead with an Alexander Materukhin goal, coming off of Alexei Kalyuzhny. They would coast to a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Yefimenko, Lalande (43 for 44 in saves), and Materukhin.

Over in Ukraine, Donbass Donetsk brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Michael Leighton guard the cages. Zagreb opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Patrick Bjorkstrand. Medvescak added on with a Bill Thomas power play goal, powered by Kurtis Foster and Matt Murley. Donetsk got on the board with a Teemu Laine power play goal, assisted by Oleg Piganovich and Lukas Kaspar. Zagreb replied in the second period on a Michael Ryan power play goal, with a lone assist from Ryan Vesce. Donbass got one back in the third period as Petteri Wirtanen scored, via Vaclav Nedorost. Medvescak replied on an Andrew Murray goal, with a lone helper by Bjorkstrand. Zagreb iced it at 5-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Thomas. The three stars belonged to Bjorkstrand, Thomas, and Ryan.

Moving along to Latvia, as Dinamo Riga welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Mikael Tellqvist have the green light to start. Riga got going in the first period with a Martins Cipulis goal, assisted by Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Mikhail Anisin, powered by Dmitry Kosmachyov. Dinamo took the lead back in the third period on a Sandis Ozolins power play goal, coming off of Kyle Wilson and Marcel Hossa. This stood up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Tellqvist (27 for 28 in saves), Ozolins, and Cipulis.

Further on our journey to Bratislava, where Slovan hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Miroslav Kopriva draw the starts. Bratislava began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Jonathan Sigalet. Ufa tied it as Yegor Dubrovsky scored a power play goal, powered by Arturs Kulda and Dmitry Makarov. Slovan won 2-1 in the shootout with a Tomas Netik goal. The three stars went to Kopriva (30 for 31 in saves), Netik, and Volkov (33 for 34 in saves).

Finally, Lev Praha hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Petri Vehanen are prepared to start. Praha led off in the first period as Marc-Andre Gragnani scored, thanks to Tomsa Kubalik. Lev added on with a Jakub Klepis power play goal, powered by Ondrej Nemec and Nathan Oystrick. Chelyabinsk got on the board as Stanislav Chistov scored, courtesy of Konstantin Panov. Praha answered in the second period on a Martin Sevc power play goal, set up by Justin Azevado. Lev struck again when Topi Jaakola scored, with a lone helper by Jiri Sekac. Praha extended the lead on a Spencer Humphries goal, guided in by Michal Repik and Petr Vrana. Lev padded the lead in the third period with a Martin Thornberg power play goal, pushed through by Klepis. Praha got another on a Patrik Zackrisson goal, fueled by Sekac. Traktor took one back when Anton Glinkin sank a power play goal, with assistance from Dmitry Ryabykin. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 7-2, and the three stars were awarded to Klepis, Sekac, and Sevc.

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

NHL Day 10 2013-2014

Busy day of ten games on the tenth day of the tenth month. Funny how that works out sometimes. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Tuukka Rask are in the blue paint. Colorado began in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Andre Benoit and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche iced it at 2-0 with a third period empty net goal by Duchene, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Giguere (39 save shutout), O'Reilly, and Duchene.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Columbus was first to score in the first period on a Cam Atkinson goal, guided in by Marian Gaborik and James Wisniewski. Buffalo tied it on a Thomas Vanek goal, his second of the season, pushed through by Steve Ott and Cody Hodgson. The Blue Jackets retook the lead as Nick Foligno notched his second of the year, thanks to Ryan Johansen and R.J. Umberger. Columbus added on as Gaborik potted his second of the season, assisted by Atkinson and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets extended the lead in the second period on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, fueled by David Savard and Gaborik. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Gaborik, Bobrovsky (26 for 27 in saves), and Atkinson.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Braden Holtby are given the starting nods. Washington started in the first period on a Jason Chimera goal, assisted by Eric Fehr and John Carlson. Carolina tied it as Elias Lindholm scored in the second period, with the help of Jeff Skinner and Ryan Murphy. The Capitals took the lead back as Alex Ovechkin scored his fifth of the season, courtesy of Steve Oleksy and Nicklas Backstrom. The Hurricanes tied it again on a power play goal by Alexander Semin, powered by Eric Staal and Skinner. Carolina pulled ahead in the third period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his third of the year, via Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk. They would win the game 3-2, with the three stars going to Gerbe, Skinner, and Ovechkin.

Northwest to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard are the reliable goalies. Phoenix opened in the first period on a Derek Morris goal, set up by Antoine Vermette. Detroit tied it with a Joakim Andersson goal in the second period, coming off of Jakub Kindl and Todd Bertuzzi. The Red Wings took the lead with an unassisted goal by Jonathan Ericsson. The Coyotes retied it on a Mikkel Boedker goal, fueled by Morris. Phoenix retook the lead in the third period on a Michael Stone goal, with assists provided by Mike Ribeiro and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes iced it at 4-2 on a Vermette empty net goal, with a lone assist by Boedker. The three stars were Boedker, Morris, and Vermette.

Way to the south, the battle of Florida is renewed as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Martin St. Louis goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell. Clemmensen was pulled in favor of Markstrom when the former suffered an injury. The Lightning added on with a Stamkos shorthanded goal, set up by St. Louis and Victor Hedman. Florida got on the board in the second period as Brad Boyes scored his second of the year, a power play goal, guided in by Brian Campbell and Tomas Fleischmann. Tampa Bay shot back as Stamkos scored his second of the game, assisted by Matthew Carle and Ryan Malone. The Lightning extended the lead with an Ondrej Palat goal, via Alex Killorn and the goalie Bishop. The Panthers answered as Jonathan Huberdeau scored a goal, made possible by Scott Gomez and Kris Versteeg. Tampa Bay replied with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play from Carle and Killorn. The Lightning padded the lead with another Filppula goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by Purcell and Sami Salo. Tampa Bay kept going as Stamkos finished his hat trick with a power play goal, powered by Salo and Purcell, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood at 7-2, with the three stars being Stamkos, Filppula, and St. Louis, while Purcell, Carle, Salo, and Killorn all get honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Toronto got going in the second period on a Phil Kessel goal in the second period, his second of the season, assisted by James van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs added on with a van Riemsdyk goal, his third of the year, made possible by Kessel and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto extended the lead with a power play goal in the third period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his second of the season, powered by Kessel and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs wrapped it up at 4-0 with a Joffrey Lupul power play goal, his third of the year, set up by Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri. The three stars were Kessel, Bernier (36 save shutout), and van Riemsdyk.

Further north, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Josh Harding have the green light to start. Minnesota led off in the first period as Jonas Brodin potted his second of the season, with the help of Matt Cooke and Kyle Brodziak. Winnipeg tied it with a power play goal by Bryan Little, his third of the year, powered by Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien. The Wild took the lead back in the second period as Cooke scored his second of the campaign, via Torrey Mitchell and Clayton Stoner. This was it for the scoring, with the Wild taking a 2-1 win. Cooke, Harding (14 for 15 in saves), and Brodin were named the three stars.

To the west, the Edmonton Oilers host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Devan Dubnyk occupy the creases. Edmonton began in the second period with a Ryan Smyth power play goal, powered by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Montraeal tied it as Brendan Gallagher scored his third of the season, a power play goal, with helpers from Alex Galchenyuk and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens took the lead on a Brandon Prust goal, coming off of Travis Moen and Subban. Montreal added on in the third period as Galchenyuk scored, with a lone assist by Gallagher. The Canadiens iced it at 4-1 with a Max Pacioretty empty net goal, set up by Daniel Briere and Subban, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars belonged to Gallagher, Galchenyuk, and Subban.

Over in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. San Jose started in the first period with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his second of the season, assisted by Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on as Matt Pelech scored, with the help of James Sheppard. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with a Mike Santorelli goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Ryan Stanton and Christopher Tanev. San Jose answered with a Patrick Marleau goal, his third of the season, made possible by Tyler Kennedy and Logan Couture. The Sharks wrapped it up at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Burns, his second of the year, set up by Thornton and Couture. The three stars were Niemi (25 for 26 in saves), Burns, and Thornton, while Couture gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Anaheim, as the Ducks host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Jonas Hiller draw the starts. Anaheim struck first in the first period with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, assisted by Corey Perry and Dustin Penner. The Ducks added on as Jakob Silfverberg scored his third of the season, with the help of Teemu Selanne and Mathieu Perreault. Anaheim extended the lead when Daniel Winnik scored, via Sami Vatanen. The Ducks padded the lead in the second period with another Silfverberg goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Selanne and Perreault. Anaheim kept going as Saku Koivu scored his second of the season, thanks to Winnik and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks got another as Penner scored, with helpers provided by Perry and Bryan Allen. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 6-0 final score, with the three stars going to Hiller (34 save shutout), Silfverberg, and Penner, while Winnik, Perry, Selanne, and Perreault all get honorable mentions.

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Thursday Night Football Week 6 2013

Tonight's game is in Chicago, as the Bears host the New York Giants. Chicago led off in the first quarter as Tim Jennings returned an interception of Eli Manning for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Robbie Gould made the extra point. New York tied it on a 4 yard touchdown run by Brandon Jacobs, and Josh Brown booted the extra point. The Bears took the lead back in the second quarter as Jay Cutler tossed a 10 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, and Gould again made the extra point. The Giants answered as Manning found Rueben Randle for 37 yards and a touchdown, and Brown knocked in the PAT. Chicago took the lead again as Cutler and Marshall connected for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Gould was true with the extra point. The Bears added on with a Gould field goal of 40 yards. Chicago extended the lead with a 52 yard field goal by Gould in the third quarter. New York shot back with a 1 yard Jacobs rush for a touchdown, and Brown nailed the extra point. The fourth quarter went scoreless, so the Bears held on for a 27-21 win, and improved to 4-2 while the Giants fall to 0-6.

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KHL Day 37 2013-2014

There are only four games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Denis Kostin were given the starting nods. Omsk led off in the first period with a power play goal by Sergei Kostitsyn, powered by Dmitry Semin and Alexander Frolov. Avangard added on with a Denis Kazionov goal, fueled by Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Mike Iggulden goal, assisted by Alexandr Vasilyev. Omsk answered with a Perezhogin goal, via Denis Kulyash and Popov. This was good for a 3-1 win, and the three stars were awarded to Perezhogin, Kostin (12 for 13 in saves), and Popov.

Into Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Evgeny Lobanov will be the in blue paint. Yekaterinburg opened with an Alexander Streltsov goal in the first period, going in unassisted. Kazan tied it on a second period Tim Stapleton goal, fueled by Mikhail Varnakov and Albert Yarullin. Ak Bars took the lead with a power play goal by Shaun Heshka, powered by Alexander Burmistrov and Evgeny Medvedev. Avtomobilist tied it in the third period as Sami Lepisto scored, thanks to Anton Lazarev. The game went into a shootout, where Stapleton scored two goals to lead Ak Bars to a 3-2 lead, topping a lone tally by Filipp Toluzakov. The three stars belonged to Stapleton, Barulin (37 for 39 in saves), and Lobanov (25 for 27 in saves).

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Vitaly Yeremeyev were the masked men. Moscow got going in the second period on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, via Alexander Boikov and Maxim Karpov. Astana tied it with an Artemy Lakiza goal, fueled by Talgat Zhailauov and Roman Starchenko. Dynamo took the lead back with a power play goal by Martins Karsums, powered by Filip Novak and Leo Komarov. Moscow added on in the third period on another Karsums power play goal, set up by Konstantin Volkov and Novak. Barys got one back as Roman Savchenko scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Mike Lundin. Astana retied it on a Dmitry Upper power play goal, via Savchenko and Nikolai Antropov. The tie was broken in the shootout, as Nigel Dawes was matched by Tsvetkov, followed by an exchange of goals between Antropov and Komarov, before Barys won with a Dustin Boyd goal for a 4-3 final. the three stars were Karsums, Savchenko, and Novak.

Finally, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Alexei Kuznetsov are set to start. Khanty-Mansiysk started in the first period with a Stephen Dixon goal, assisted by Jonas Andersson. Yugra added on as Andersson scored an unassisted goal. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board when Tim Brent scored an unassisted goal. Torpedo tied it in the second period on a Jarkko Immonen goal, fueled by Sakari Salminen. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin, coming off of Vladimir Galuzin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it again as Vitaly Sitnikov scored, with the help of Mikhail Zhukov. Yugra took the lead on a third period goal by Kirill Knyazev, guided in by Alexei Pepelyaev. They held on for a 4-3 win, with the three stars given to Andersson, Knyazev, and Sitnikov.

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

NHL Day 9 2013-2014

There are only three games on for today, beginning in...

Calgary, as the Flames host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Joey MacDonald are in between the pipes. Calgary opened in the first period on a Sean Monahan goal, his third of the season, coming off of Lee Stempniak. The Flames added on with a Sven Baertschi goal, via Monahan. Calgary extended the lead in the second period as Curtis Glencross scored a power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler. Montreal got on the board with a P.K. Subban power play goal, with the help of Max Pacioretty and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens pulled closer in the third period on a Lars Eller goal, guided in by Alex Galchenyuk and Subban. They got no closer, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Monahan, MacDonald (33 for 35 in saves), and Subban.

Southeast to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. St. Louis started in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his second of the season, passed from Patrik Berglund. Chicago tied it on a Patrick Kane power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews. The Blues took the lead back in the second period on a David Backes power play goal, his second of the season, fueled by Alex Pietrangelo and T.J. Oshie. The Blackhawks tied it again with a power play goal from Toews, via Kane and Sharp. St. Louis ended up winning 3-2 with a late third period goal by Alexander Steen, his third of the year, assisted by Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester. The three stars were Steen, Pietrangelo, and Toews, while Kane and Sharp get the honorable mentions.

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, where the Kings bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Quick are the masked men. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Dustin Brown goal, an unassisted goal. The Kings added on with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mike Richards. Los Angeles extended the lead as Brown scored his second of the game, courtesy of Carter and Anze Kopitar on the power play. Ottawa got on the board in the second period as Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored, with the help of Erik Condra and Joe Corvo. The Senators pulled closer with a third period power play goal by Bobby Ryan, set up by Erik Karlsson and Chris Phillips. Ottawa tied it with a Milan Michalek goal, set up by Corvo and Ryan. The Kings won 4-3 in overtime on another Carter power play goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Richards and Kopitar. The three stars were Carter, Brown, and Richards, while Ryan, Kopitar, and Corvo get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 36 2013-2014

Nine games are on the schedule today, beginning in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Curtis Sanford are given the starting nods. Yaroslavl began in the first period on a David Ullstrom goal, assisted by Staffan Kronwall and Kirill Kapustin. Lokomotiv added on as Kapustin scored, with the help of Alexander Chernikov and Kronwall. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the second period on an Alexei Vasilyev goal, guided in by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv padded the lead as Averin potted the puck, thanks to Plotnikov and Vitaly Vishnevsky. They would coast to a 4-0 win from there, with the three stars belonging to Sanford (37 save shutout), Averin, and Kapustin, while Kronwall and Plotnikov got the honorable mentions.

Over in Cherepovets, Severstal welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Jakub Stepanek are the reliable goalies. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period with a Linus Videll goal, made possible by Nikolai Bushuyev and Anatoly Nikontsev. Severstal added on with a shorthanded goal by Evgeny Kovyrshin, set up by Nikolai Kavakoztsev. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period when Jan Mursak scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Denis Yezhov and Jakub Petruzalek. Amur tied it when Vladimir Loginov scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Lugin and Alexander Loginov. Cherepovets regained the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Vadim Berdnikov. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Berdnikov, Kovyrshin, and Videll.

Further west, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Alexander Salak will be in the creases. St. Petersburg opened with a first period power play goal by Tony Martensson, powered by Roman Cervenka and Dmitry Kalinin. Novosibirsk tied it in the third period on a Ivan Lekomtsev power play goal, guided in by Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Sibir won the game 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Dmitry Kugryshev and Nikolai Lemtyugov scored, and SKA only saw Cervenka score. The three stars went to Koskinen (23 for 24 in saves), Salak (21 for 22 in saves), and Cervenka.

Down to Moscow, as CSKA hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Rasitslav Stana tend the twines. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, fueled by Dmitry Ryabykin and Petri Kontiola. Traktor added on in the second period when Yegor Dugin scored, thanks to Kostitsyn and Kontiola. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Sergei Shirokov, powered by Andrei Pervyshin and Ilari Filppula. Chelyabinsk replied with a Kostitsyn empty net goal, set up by Anton Glinkin. The final stood at 3-1, with Kostitsyn, Garnett (31 for 32 in saves), and Kontiola being awarded the three stars.

Staying close by, Atlant Mytishchi welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Niko Hovinen and Stanislav Galimov will be all padded up. Mytishchi led off in the first period with a Nikita Soshnikov goal, coming off of Oleg Yashin. Atlant added on in the second period as Yury Trubachyov scored a power play goal, powered by Yashin. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period with a Kurtis McLean goal, fueled by Yegor Martynov and Alexei Kosourov. They got no closer, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Trubachyov, Galimov (20 for 21 in saves), and Yashin.

Leaving Russia, we land in Minsk, where Dinamo brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Kevin Lalande are between the pipes. Minsk started in the first period with an Andrei Stas goal, assisted by Derek Meech and Dmitry Meleshko. Dinamo added on with a Tomas Surovy power play goal, powered by Geoff Platt and Zbynek Irgl. Zagreb got on the board with a power play goal from Ryan Vesce, guided in by Mathieu Carle and Mark Katic. Medvescak tied it as Boyd Kane scored in the second period, with the help of Patrick Bjorkstrand. The tie lasted into overtime, where Zagreb won 3-2 with a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, with a lone assist by Matt Murley. The three stars were handed to Brust (19 for 21 in saves), Cheechoo, and Lalande (40 for 43 in saves).

Onward to Latvia, as Dinamo Riga hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov is mismatched with Mikael Tellqvist in goal. Ufa was first to score in the first period with a Nikita Filatov power play goal, powered by Teemu Hartikainen and Dmitry Makarov. Riga tied it on a Mat Robinson goal, helped along by Marcel Hossa and Kyle Wilson. Dinamo took the lead in the second period as Robinson scored, with the help of Hossa and Wilson on the power play. Salavat Yulaev retied the game on a Yegor Dubrovsky goal, fueled by Alexander Mereskin. Ufa took the lead again on an Igor Mirnov goal, assisted by Alexei Kaigorodov and Antti Pihlstrom. Salavat Yulaev added on as Hartikainen scored, with a lone assist by Makarov. Ufa iced it at 5-2 in the third period on an Anton Slepyshev goal, set up by Alexei Glukhov. The three stars went to Hartikainen, Makarov, and Robinson, while Hossa and Wilson got the honorable mentions.

Further west, Lev Praha welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Petri Vehanen guard the cages. Praha got going in the second period with a Jakub Klepis goal, fueled by Ondrej Nemec. Lev added on in the third period as Michal Repik scored, via Michal Birner and Petr Vrana. This made it a 2-0 final score, with the three stars being Vehanen (25 save shutout), Klepis, and Sudnitsin (36 for 38 in saves).

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Miroslav Kopriva have the green light to start. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, assisted by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. Bratislava tied it with a Milan Bartovic goal, fueled by Tomas Netik and Jonathan Sigalet. Slovan took the lead with a Michel Miklik goal, guided in by Libor Hudacek and Michal Sersen. Bratislava added on in the second period with a power play goal by Michal Vondrka, powered by Peter Olvecky and Miklik. Metallurg got one back with a Chris Lee goal, passed from Kovar and Zaripov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period as Zaripov scored again, thanks to Kovar, who got a sock trick, and Evgeny Biryukov. Slovan won 4-3 in overtime as Vondrka scored his second of the game, made possible by Miklik and Sersen. The three stars were Vondrka, Zaripov, and Kovar, while Miklik and Sersen get the honorable mentions.

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

NHL Day 8 2013-2014

The NHL goes for eight games tonight, starting in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Evgeni Nabokov are given the starting nods. New York began in the first period with a Peter Regin goal, with a lone assist by Brock Nelson. The Islanders added on with a John Tavares power play goal, powered by Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. New York extended the lead in the second period on a Matt Donovan power play goal, guided in by Regin and Josh Bailey. Phoenix got on the board with a Martin Hanzal goal, fueled by Mikkel Boedker and Radim Vrbata. The Islanders replied on Tavares' second of the night, coming off of Michael Grabner and Bailey. New York padded the lead with a Colin McDonald goal, made possible by Nielsen and Grabner. Thomas Greiss relieved Smith for the third period. The Islanders struck again in the third period with a Bailey goal, with assists provided by Nielsen and Grabner, both of whom got a sock trick. The score was final at this time, with the Islanders winning 6-1, and the three stars were Tavares, Bailey, and Regin, while Nabokov (33 for 34 in saves), Nielsen, and Grabner got the honorable mentions.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Steve Mason will play goal. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with the second of the season by Brayden Schenn, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Vincent Lecavalier. The Flyers added on as Braydon Coburn scored, with a lone assist by Sean Couturier. Thomas was replaced by Jacob Markstrom at this time. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, guided in by Brian Campbell and Aleksander Barkov. They got no closer, losing 2-1, with the three stars being Mason (33 for 34 in saves), Coburn, and Markstrom (25 for 25 in saves in relief).

Across the state, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Marc-Andre Fleury will protect the nets. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Jussi Jokinen goal, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz on the power play. The Penguins added on in the second period as Paul Martin scored, thanks to Brooks Orpik and Crosby. Carolina got one back as Eric Staal scored, with the help of Justin Faulk and Andrej Sekera. The Hurricanes tied it in the third period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his second of the season, made possible by Patrick Dwyer and Sekera. Pittsburgh took the lead back as Jokinen scored his second of the game, with assists from Evgeni Malkin and Olli Maatta. The Penguins extended the lead with a Tanner Glass goal, with a lone assist by Joe Vitale. Pittsburgh padded the lead as Jokinen finished his hat trick with his third of the game, a power play goal, powered by Maatta and Brandon Sutter. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars being Jokinen, Crosby, and Maatta, while Sekera gets an honorable mention.

Up in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier are the young goalies. Toronto got going in the second period with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his second of the season, assisted by Carter Ashton. Colorado tied it with a Cory Sarich goal, thanks to Steve Downie and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche took the lead in the third period on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his third of the year, set up by Jamie McGinn and Nathan MacKinnon. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Varlamov (27 for 28 in saves), Parenteau, and Bernier (31 for 33 in saves).

Back stateside, the Buffalo Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Jhonas Enroth are the backups making spot starts. Buffalo was first to score in the second period on a Cody Hodgson power play goal, powered by Thomas Vanek and Jamie McBain. Tampa Bay tied it with a Tyler Johnson goal, fueled by Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat. The Sabres took the lead with a power play goal by McBain, set up by Hodgson and Vanek. The Lightning retied the game in the third period on a power play goal by Teddy Purcell, his second of the season, helped along by Ryan Malone and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime on an Alex Killorn goal, passed from Eric Brewer and Valtteri Filppula. The three stars were Hodgson, McBain, and Vanek.

South to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Pekka Rinne are the veteran goalies. Minnesota led off with a power play goal by Zach Parise, his third of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. Nashville tied it as Filip Forsberg scored a power play goal, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Seth Jones. The Predators took the lead with a power play goal by Colin Wilson, coming off of Matt Cullen and Mike Fisher. Backstrom was pulled with an injury midway through the first period, and Josh Harding came on in relief. Harding promptly gave up a Nashville goal as Eric Nystrom converted a penalty shot. The Wild replied in the second period with a power play goal by Jared Spurgeon, via Nino Neiderreiter and Mikael Granlund. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars going to Rinne (32 for 34 in saves), Harding (19 for 20 in saves in relief), and Nystrom.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo finally get to actually oppose each other in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with the second of the season by Jaromir Jagr, assisted by Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils added on with an Elias goal in the second period, his second of the year, fueled by Anton Volchenkov and Jagr. Vancouver got on the board as Daniel Sedin scored his second of the campaign, via Christopher Tanev and Ryan Stanton. The Canucks tied it with an Alexander Edler goal, set up by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime as Jason Garrison potted his third of the year, coming off of David Booth. Daniel Sedin, Jagr, and Elias were given the three stars.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi tend the twines. New York started in the first period with the third of the season by Brad Richards, a power play goal powered by Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan. San Jose tied it on a Marc-Edouard Vlasic shorthanded goal, set up by Joe Pavelski. The Sharks took the lead as Dan Boyle scored, thanks to Matthew Nieto and Pavelski. San Jose added on in the second period as Nieto scored, with the help of Tommy Wingels and Pavelski, the latter getting a natural sock trick. The Sharks extended the lead as Tomas Hertl scored his third of the year, via Andrew Desjardins and Jason Demers. Martin Biron replaced Lundqvist at this time. San Jose padded the lead with a Logan Couture goal, his second of the season, guided in by Patrick Marleau and Matt Irwin. The Sharks struck again with another Hertl goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Joe Thornton. The Rangers answered in the third period when Derek Dorsett scored, with helpers from Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman. San Jose shot back as Hertl completed his hat trick on his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Demers and Tyler Kennedy on the power play. The Sharks kept going as Hertl scored his fourth of the game and sixth of the year, pushed through by Demers, who got a sock trick, and the goalie Niemi. San Jose added insult to injury with Justin Braun's second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Nieto and Wingels. This proved to be plenty good for a 9-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Hertl, Nieto, and Pavelski, while Wingels and Demers get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 35 2013-2014

Five games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Eduard Reizvikh are set to start. Moscow opened in the first period with an Alexander Boikov goal, coming off of Maxim Karpov. Dynamo added on with a Leo Komarov goal, set up by Konstantin Volkov. Moscow extended the lead as Karpov scored a power play goal, powered by Yury Babenko. Dynamo padded the lead in the second period with an unassisted goal by Karpov. Moscow kept going as Martins Karsums scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo got another in the third period as Karpov finished his hat trick, thanks to Tsvetkov and Karsums. They would go on to win 6-0, with the three stars being Karpov, Yeryomenko (36 save shutout), and Karsums, while Tsvetkov gets an honorable mention.

Over in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Torpedo Nizny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Jakub Kovar are in the blue paint. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, assisted by Maxim Potapov and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Torpedo added on with a Potapov goal, courtesy of Galuzin and Kulyomin. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead as Jarkko Immonen scored, with the help of Juuso Hietanen and Sakari Salminen. Yekaterinburg got on the board as Igor Yemeleyev scored an unassisted goal. Torpedo answered in the second period with a Salminen power play goal, powered by Denis Parshin. Avtomobilist got one back in the third period on a Anton Lazarev goal, coming off of Fyodor Malykhin. They got no closer, losing 4-2, and the three stars were Salminen, Potapov, and Galuzin, while Kulyomin gets an honorable mention.

Continuing to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Mikhail Biryukov are the average goalies. Kazan started in the first period with a Tim Stapleton goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Burmistrov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Veli-Matti Savinainen power play goal, powered by Jonas Andersson and Stephen Dixon. Ak Bars took the lead back with a Danil Faizullin goal, helped along by Dmitry Obukhov. Yugra tied it again in the second period on a Vladimir Gorbunov goal, going in unassisted. Khanty-Mansiysk took the lead in the third period on an Andersson power play goal, via Dixon. Kazan tied it again as Mikhail Varnakov scored, thanks to Stapleton. Ak Bars took the game 4-3 in overtime on an Alexander Svitov goal, courtesy of Evgeny Medvedev. The three stars were Stapleton, Andersson, and Dixon.

Down in Astana, Barys brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Ari Ahonen are between the pipes. Astana got going in the second period on an Evgeny Blokhin goal, assisted by Maxim Semyonov and Talgat Zhailauov on the power play. Podolsk tied it with a power play goal by Yakov Seleznyov, powered by Josh Hennessy and Dmitry Shitikov. Vityaz took the lead in the third period on a Sergei Topol goal, via Yury Koksharov and Seleznyov. Barys tied it on a power play goal by Roman Savchenko, guided in by Konstantin Rudenko and Roman Starchenko. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Astana took the game 3-2 with a lone tally by Starchenko. The three stars belonged to Starchenko, Seleznyov, and Ahonen (21 for 23 in saves).

Finally, we end in Moscow, Spartak hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Jeff Glass are the North American goalies. Moscow struck first in the second period with a Matt Anderson goal, coming off of Andrei Sergeyev and Rastislav Spirko. Spartak added on in the third period with an Alexei Krutov goal, via Alexander Nesterov and Mikhail Yunkov. Donetsk got on the board with a Ruslan Fedotenko goal, made possible by Teemu Laine and Oleg Piganovich. They failed to tie the game, dropping a 2-1 decision. Glass (22 for 23 in saves), Krutov, and Leighton (31 for 33 in saves) were awarded the three stars.

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Monday, October 7, 2013

NHL Day 7 2013-2014

Our season is now a week old, and we celebrate with just two games, beginning in...

Edmonton, where the Oilers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur faces a lesser foe in Jason LaBarbera in goal. New Jersey began with a first period Jaromir Jagr goal, assisted by Marek Zidlicky. The Devils added on as Damien Brunner scored his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique. New Jersey extended the lead in the second period on a Michael Ryder goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Edmonton got on the board in the third period as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a power play goal, guided in by David Perron and Boyd Gordon. The Oilers got closer as Andrew Ference scored, thanks to Justin Schultz and Jordan Eberle. Edmonton tied it on a Perron goal, with a lone assist by Mark Arcobello. The Oilers pulled ahead as Taylor Hall scored, with the help of Ales Hemsky. The Devils retied the game with a shorthanded goal by Patrik Elias, set up by Brunner and Zidlicky. Edmonton took the game 5-4 in the shootout with goals by Eberle and Perron. The three stars were Perron, Brunner, and Eberle, while Zidlicky gets an honorable mention.

The other game is from Los Angeles, where the Kings bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. New York led off in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, fueled by Rick Nash and Derek Stepan. The Rangers added on in the second period as Brad Richards scored again, with the help of Nash. Los Angeles got on the board with a Jake Muzzin goal, coming off of Mike Richards. New York answered in the third period with a shorthanded Ryan McDonagh goal, set up by Brian Boyle. This was good for a 3-1 final, with the three stars being Brad Richards, Lundqvist (28 for 29 in saves), and Nash.

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Monday Night Football Week 5 2013

Tonight's game comes from Atlanta, where the Falcons host the New York Jets. New York was first to score in the first quarter with a Nick Folk field goal of 22 yards. Atlanta took the lead in the second quarter as Matt Ryan tossed a 4 yard touchdown to Jason Snelling, and Matt Bryant was there with the extra point. The Jets answered on a Geno Smith touchdown pass of 20 yards to Jeff Cumberland, and Folk was true with the extra point. New York added on as Smith tossed a 16 yard touchdown to Jeremy Kerley, and Folk handled the PAT. The Falcons got some back in the third quarter as Jacquizz Rodgers ran 4 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant tacked on the extra point. The Jets shot back on a 36 yard Folk field goal. New York padded the lead in the fourth quarter with a 1 yard touchdown pass from Smith to Kellen Winslow, and Folk booted another extra point. Atlanta replied with a 19 yard Rodgers touchdown run, and Bryant supplied the extra point. The Falcons took the lead as Ryan tossed a 3 yard touchdown to Levine Toilolo, and Bryant's extra point put them ahead by one. The Jets took the lead game 30-28 when Folk kicked a 43 yard field goal as time expired. The Jets are now 3-2 while the Falcons are 1-4.

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KHL Day 34 2013-2014

The hockey is kicking back up again in Russia, with seven games today, beginning in...

Moscow, as CSKA hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Rastislav Stana are given the starting nods. Ufa led off with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, assisted by Kirill Koltsov. Moscow tied it with a Yakov Rylov goal, passed from Nikolai Prokhorkin. CSKA took the lead as Daniil Markov scored an unassisted goal. Salavat Yulaev retied the game in the second period with a power play goal by Nikita Filatov, powered by Anton Babchuk and Dmitry Makarov. Moscow retook the lead in the third period with a Prokhorkin goal, fueled by Igor Grigorenko and Georgy Misharin. They held on to win 3-2, with the three stars being awarded to Prokhorkin, Markov, and Stana (24 for 26 in saves).

Backtracking to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Jakub Stepanek are in the blue paint. Novosibirsk was first to score in the first period on a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, fueled by Jarno Koskiranta and Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir added on in the second period with an unassisted goal by Oleg Gubin. Cherepovets got on the board with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, coming off of Petr Caslava and Linus Videll. Novosibirsk answered with a power play goal by Ivan Lekomtsev, powered by Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Severstal got one back in the third period when Bogdan Kiselevich scored, via Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Vladimir Antipov. They failed to get an equalizer, dropping a 3-2 decision, with the three stars being Lemtyugov, Gubin, and Lekomtsev.

Moving along to Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Niko Hovinen and Curtis Sanford are set to start. The game was scoreless until Yaroslavl's Yegor Averin scored an unassisted goal in overtime for a 1-0 win. Sanford (22 save shutout), Averin, and Hovinen (40 for 41 in saves) were the three stars.

Over in St. Petersburg, SKA hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Ilya Ezhov are the backups manning the nets. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with a Artemy Panarin power play goal, set up by Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, guided in by Viktor Tikhonov and Panarin. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period as Vadim Shipachyov scored, with a lone assist by Kevin Dallman. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, made possible by Dmitry Tarasov and Dmitry Lugin. Amur pulled closer on a Mikhail Klimchuk goal, fueled by Artyom Dubinin. Khabarovsk tied it in the third period as Jan Mursak scored, with the help of Mikhail Fisenko and Denis Yezhov. SKA won it 4-3 in overtime as Tikhonov scored, and Panarin had the only assist. Tikhonov, Panarin, and Kalinin were given the three stars.

East a little to Mytishchi, where Atlant welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Stanislav Galimov are the reliable goalies. Vladivostok struck first in the first period as Yegor Antropov scored, courtesy of Vladimir Pervushin and Sergei Barbashev. Mytishchi tied it in the second period on a Maxim Mayorov goal, guided in by Vitaly Novopashin and Bobby Sanguinetti. Atlant took the lead in the third period with a Konstantin Koltsov goal, assisted by Mikhail Glukhov and Ilya Kablukov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Galimov (34 for 35 in saves), Koltsov, and Mayorov.

Over in the Czech Republic, Lev Praha brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Petri Vehanen are the masked men. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period on a Danis Zaripov penalty shot conversion, which came to be when Juraj Mikus slashed Zaripov on a breakaway. Praha tied it on a Justin Azevedo goal, going in unassisted. Lev took the lead with an unassisted power play goal by Topi Jaakola. Metallurg pulled even in the third period with a Zaripov power play goal, powered by Jan Kovar and Sergei Mozyakin. Praha retook the lead as Petr Vrana found twine, with assists provided by Martin Sevc and Mikus. Magnitogorsk tied it again on a power play goal by Evgeny Timkin, set up by Mozyakin and Chris Lee. Metallurg won 4-3 in overtime as Lee notched a power play goal, pushed through by Mozyakin and Zaripov. The three stars were Zaripov, Lee, and Mozyakin.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Barry Brust are the North American goalies. Zagreb started in the first period on a Charles Linglet goal, via Kurtis Foster and Ryan Vesce. Medvescak added on with a Foster power play goal, powered by Mark Katic and Matt Ellison. Zagreb extended the lead with an Ellison goal, guided in by Linglet and Vesce. Medvescak padded the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, courtesy of Matt Murley and Hannu Pikkarainen. Zagreb kept going with a Murley goal, assisted by Cheechoo on the power play. Medvescak got another with an unassisted Patrick Bjorkstrand goal. This was good enough for a 6-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Linglet, Foster, and Ellison, while Cheechoo, Murley, Vesce, and Brust (30 save shutout, his third consecutive shutout) get the honorable mentions.

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Sunday, October 6, 2013

NFL Week 5 2013

Twelve games on as, with the bye weeks beginning to heat up. The first game comes from...

Miami, as the Dolphins host the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore was first to score in the first quarter on a Justin Tucker 42 yard field goal. Miami answered as Caleb Sturgis booted a 37 yard field goal. The Ravens retook the lead in the second quarter on a Tucker 50 yard field goal. The Dolphins retied it on a Sturgis field goal of 25 yards. Miami took the lead on a Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass of 9 yards to Charles Clay, and Sturgis was good with the extra point. Baltimore answered in the third quarter as Ray Rice ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Tucker knocked in the PAT. The Ravens gained the lead with a Tucker field goal from 25 yards. Baltimore extended their lead in the fourth quarter with a 3 yard touchdown run by Rice, and Tucker supplied another extra point. The Dolphins shot back as Sturgis handled a 48 yard field goal. Miami tied it on a 25 yard interception return as Reshad Jones picked off Joe Flacco and ran the ball back for a touchdown. The Ravens won with a last second 44 yard field goal by Tucker. They won 26-23, and both teams are now 3-2.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Rams welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville struck first in the first quarter on a 67 yard touchdown pass from Blaine Gabbert to Justin Blackmon, and Josh Scobee was there with the extra point. St. Louis tied it as Matt Giordano returned an interception of Gabbert 82 yards for a touchdown, and Greg Zuerlein handled the extra point. The Jaguars took the lead on a 48 yard field goal. The Rams answered in the second quarter with a Zuerlein field goal from 32 yards out. St. Louis gained the lead with a Sam Bradford touchdown pass of 16 yards to Lance Kendricks, and Zuerlein was true with the PAT. The Rams added on as Bradford found Austin Pettis for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Zuerlein knocked in the extra point. Jacksonville got some back in the third quarter on a 34 yard field goal by Scobee. St. Louis replied in the fourth quarter as Zuerlein supplied a 37 yard field goal. The Jaguars got some back on a 4 yard Chad Henne touchdown pass to Cecil Shorts, and Scobee booted the extra point. The Rams wrapped it up at 34-20 with a Bradford touchdown pass to Pettis, this time for 34 yards, and Zuerlein iced the play with the extra point. The Rams improve to 2-3 while leaving the Jaguars at a winless 0-5.

Backtracking to Tennessee, where the Titans bring in the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City led off in the first quarter on a punt recovery in the end zone by Marcus Cooper for a touchdown, and Ryan Succop booted the extra point. The Chiefs added on in the second quarter with a Succop field goal of 29 yards. Kansas City extended the lead with a Succop field goal of 24 yards. Tennessee got on the board in the third quarter with a 49 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Chris Johnson, and Rob Bironas came on for the extra point. The Titans pulled closer on a Bironas 22 yard field goal. Tennessee took the lead in the fourth quarter as Fitzpatrick rushed 9 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas booted the PAT. The Chiefs retook the lead as Jamaal Charles ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Succop was there with the extra point. Kansas City padded the lead with a 33 yard Succop field goal. The Chiefs kept going as Succop made a 48 yard field goal. This gave them a 26-17 win, and they improved to 5-0 while dropping the Titans to 3-2.

Northeast to New Jersey, as the New York Giants host their divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. New York began in the first quarter on a 5 yard touchdown run by David Wilson, and Josh Brown made the extra point. Philadelphia replied with a 40 yard field goal by Alex Henery. The Eagles got some more in the second quarter on a 27 yard Henery field goal. Philadelphia took the lead as LeSean McCoy ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Henery supplied the extra point. The Eagles added on as Henery booted a 29 yard field goal. Philadelphia extended the lead with a Henery field goal from 36 yards away. The Giants shot back in the third quarter with an Eli Manning touchdown pass of 26 yards to Rueben Randle, and Brown drilled the extra point. New York gained the lead on another Manning touchdown pass to Randle, for 6 yards, and Brown again made the extra point. The Eagles pulled back ahead on a 41 yard Henery field goal. Philadelphia padded the lead on a 25 yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles to Brent Celek, and Henery blasted in the extra point. The Eagles got some more with Foles finding DeSean Jackson for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Henery again got the extra point. The Eagles won by a 36-21 score, improving to 2-3 and dropping the Giants to 0-5.

Back to the west, the Indianapolis Colts welcome the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle opened with a first quarter field goal by Steven Hauschka, good from 42 yards. The Seahawks added on as Russell Wilson tossed a 10 yard touchdown to Golden Tate, and Hauschka was there with the extra point. Seattle got some more as Jermaine Kearse blocked a punt, which rolled out of the end zone for a safety. Indianapolis got on the board when Andrew Luck tossed a 73 yard touchdown to T.Y. Hilton, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. The Colts gained the lead in the second quarter with a Delano Howell return of a blocked field goal for 61 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri cleanly made the extra point. The Seahawks retook the lead on a Wilson touchdown pass to Kearse for 28 yards, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Indianapolis got some back as Vinatieri made a 41 yard field goal. Seattle replied in the third quarter as Hauschka booted a 36 yard field goal. The Seahawks padded the lead on a Hauschka field goal from 41 yards. The Colts pulled closer as Luck found Hilton for 29 yards and a touchdown, but he failed to connect with Darrius Heyward-Bey on the two-point attempt. Seattle responded on a Hauschka field goal from 46 yards out. Indianapolis pulled ahead as Donald Brown ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and then Luck found Reggie Wayne for the two-point conversion. The Colts got some more on a Vinatieri field goal of 49 yards. They held on for a 34-28 win, and both teams are now at 4-1 on the season.

Up in Green Bay, the Packers bring in the Detroit Lions. Green Bay started with a 26 yard field goal by Mason Crosby in the third quarter. The Packers added on as Crosby booted a second quarter field goal from 52 yards. Detroit got on the board with a 53 yard field goal by David Akers. Green Bay shot back in the third quarter on a Crosby field goal of 31 yards. The Packers extended the lead as Aaron Rodger connected with James Jones for 83 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby supplied the PAT. Green Bay padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Crosby made a 42 yard field goal. The Packers kept going with a Crosby 45 yard field goal. The Lions got some back as Matthew Stafford found Kris Durham for 13 yards and a touchdown, but they couldn't reconnect on the two-point attempt. The final ended up being 22-9 Packers, improving them to 2-2 while dropping the Lions to 3-2.

Over in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals host the New England Patriots. Cincinnati struck first in the second quarter with a 39 yard field goal by Mike Nugent. New England tied it as Stephen Gostkowski made a 42 yard field goal. The Bengals answered in the third quarter with a 50 yard field goal by Nugent. Cincinnati added on in the fourth quarter as BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Nugent drilled the extra point. The Patriots got some back as Gostkowski made a 19 yard field goal. This was as close as it got, with the final being 13-6, and the Bengals went to 3-2 while the Patriots drop to 4-1.

A little west, the Chicago Bears welcome the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans was first to score in the first quarter with a Garrett Hartley field goal of 47 yards. The Saints added on as Hartley made a 19 yard field goal. New Orleans kept going in the second quarter with a Drew Brees touchdown pas to Pierre Thomas for 2 yards and a touchdown, followed by a Hartley extra point. Chicago got on the board as Jay Cutler found Alshon Jeffrey for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Robbie Gould made the extra point. The Saints replied as Brees found Thomas for 25 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley made the PAT. New Orleans extended the lead with a third quarter field goal of 36 yards by Hartley. The Bears answered as Gould made a 27 yard field goal. The Saints shot back on a 48 yard field goal by Hartley in the fourth quarter. Chicago chipped back on a Cutler touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall for 2 yards and a touchdown, and the two-point attempt was converted on a Matt Forte run. This wasn't enough, as they ended up losing 26-18, and the Saints improved to 5-0 while the Bears fell to 3-2.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Cardinals bring in the Carolina Panthers. Carolina began in the first quarter on a 22 yard field goal by Graham Gano. Arizona tied it in the second quarter on a Jay Feely field goal from 42 yards out. The Panthers retook the lead as Gano made a 51 yard field goal. The Cardinals took the lead in the third quarter with a Rashard Mendenhall touchdown run of 1 yard, and Feely knocked in the extra point. Arizona added on as Calais Campbell sacked Cam Newton for a safety. The Cardinals extended the lead with a 50 yard field goal by Feely. Arizona padded the lead as Carson Palmer threw a 7 yard touchdown to Jim Dray, and Feely was true with the PAT. They would go on to win 22-6, improving to 3-2 while dropping the Panthers 1-3.

Back to the east, the Dallas Cowboys host the Denver Broncos. Dallas led off in the first quarter as Tony Romo threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, and Dan Bailey drilled the extra point. The Cowboys added on with a DeMarco Murray touchdown run of 4 yards, and Bailey knocked in the extra point. Denver got on the board as Peyton Manning found Julius Thomas for a 4 yard touchdown connection, and Matt Prater was there with the extra point. Dallas answered on a 43 yard Bailey field goal in the second quarter. The Broncos replied with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Eric Decker, and Prater booted the extra point. Denver took the lead on a Manning touchdown connection with Thomas, this time for 9 yards, and Prater supplied the extra point. The Broncos padded the lead as Manning ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Prater drove in the extra point. The Cowboys got some back on a 48 yard Bailey field goal. Denver shot back in the third quarter on a 2 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Wes Welker, and Prater was true with the PAT. Dallas chipped back as Romo found Terrance Williams for 82 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey handled the extra point. The Broncos responded with a Prater 48 yard field goal. The Cowboys clawed back with a Romo 2 yard touchdown pass to Bryant, but Romo's run attempt for two points failed. Dallas took the lead in the fourth quarter on a Romo touchdown pass to Jason Witten for 10 yards, and then Romo found Williams for the two-point conversion. Denver tied it as Prater nailed a 50 yard field goal. The Cowboys edged back ahead as Romo tossed a touchdown to Cole Beasley for 4 yards, and Bailey blasted the extra point. The Broncos retied the score as Knowshon Moreno ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Prater supplied the extra point. Denver ended up taking the game 51-48 with a Prater field goal of 28 yards as time expired. The Broncos remain undefeated at 5-0 while the Cowboys fall to 2-3.

Northwest a bit to San Francisco for the Sunday Night game, as the 49ers welcome the Houston Texans. San Francisco opened with a first quarter Tramaine Brock interception of Matt Schaub, returned 18 yards for a touchdown, and Phil Dawson made the extra point. The 49ers added on as Frank Gore ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Dawson supplied the extra point. San Francisco extended the lead in the second quarter on an Anthony Dixon touchdown run from 2 yards away, and Dawson booted another PAT. Houston got on the board in the third quarter with a 41 yard field goal by Randy Bullock. The 49ers answered with a field goal by Dawson, good from 38 yards. San Francisco padded the lead in the fourth quarter on a 64 yard touchdown pass from Colin Kaepernick to Vernon Davis, and Dawson was true with the extra point. The 49ers wrapped it up at 34-3 with a Dawson 24 yard field goal. The 49ers are now 3-2 while the Texans are 2-3.

Across the bay, the rescheduled game of the day comes from Oakland, where the Raiders bring in the San Diego Chargers. Oakland started in the first quarter as Terrelle Pryor passed 44 yards for a touchdown to Rod Streater, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. The Raiders added on as Pryor found Denarius Moore for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the extra point. Oakland extended the lead in the second quarter on a 47 yard field goal by Janikowski. San Diego got on the board in the third quarter as Nick Novak nailed a 35 yard field goal. The Raiders replied as Charles Woodson returned a fumble by Danny Woodhead for 75 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski drilled the PAT. The Chargers got some back as Philip Rivers found Woodhead for 5 yards for a touchdown, and Novak was there with the extra point. San Diego pulled closer as Rivers connected with Keenan Allen for a touchdown of 7 yards, and Novak supplied the extra point. Oakland responded with a Janikowski field goal of 50 yards. This held up for a 27-17 win, with both teams now at 2-3.

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NHL Day 6 2013-2014

Three games of hockey on this afternoon, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Anton Khudobin are the replacement-level goalies. Carolina began in the first period with a Jay Harrison goal, assisted by Ryan Murphy and Jeff Skinner. Philadelphia tied it in the second period on a Luke Schenn goal, coming off of Kris Newbury. The Hurricanes took the lead back on a Radek Dvorak goal, his second of the season, guided in by Skinner. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars were handed to Khudobin (17 for 18 in saves), Skinner, and Mason (32 for 34 in saves).

Way to the northwest, the Calgary Flames welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Joey MacDonald are in the blue paint. Vancouver started in the first period with a David Booth goal, coming off of Jason Garrison and Alexander Edler. Calgary tied it on a Mark Giordano goal, courtesy of David Jones and Curtis Glencross. The Flames took the lead in the second period when Mikael Backlund scored, thanks to T.J. Galiardi and Jiri Hudler. Calgary added on in the third period with a Sean Monahan goal, his second of the season, assisted by Lee Stempniak and Shane O'Brien. The Canucks answered with a Jannik Hansen goal, his second of the year, made possible by Daniel Sedin. Vancouver tied it on a Mike Santorelli goal, with assists provided by Henrik Sedin and Chris Higgins. The Canucks took the lead as Dale Weise scored, with the help of Brad Richardson and Dan Hamhuis. The Flames retied the game with a Jones goal, guided in by Hudler and T.J. Brodie. Vancouver won 5-4 in overtime as Santorelli scored his second of the game, with helpers from Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Stanton. The three stars were given to Santorelli, Jones, and Hudler.

Finally, in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Ondrej Pavelec are the overrated goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period as Andrew Ladd scored a power play goal, powered by Blake Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. Anaheim tied it on a Mathieu Perreault goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Jakob Silfverberg and Ben Lovejoy. The Jets took the lead back on another Ladd goal, his second of the game, coming off of Wheeler and Bryan Little. The Ducks retied the game in the second period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Saku Koivu. Anaheim gained the lead in the third period with a Corey Perry goal, going in unassisted. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Ladd, Wheeler, and Perry.

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KHL Day 33 2013-2014

This is the last day of one game only specials, and we are playing in...

Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Jakub Kovar are set to start. Donetsk opened in the first period as Vaclav Nedorost scored, thanks to Clay Wilson and Maxim Yakutsenya on the power play. Donbass added on with a Peter Podhradsky goal, via Ruslan Fedotenko and Teemu Laine. Donetsk extended the lead on a Laine goal, coming off of Petteri Wirtanen and Fedotenko. They ended up winning 3-0, and the three stars were Leighton (25 save shutout), Laine, and Fedotenko.

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