Saturday, October 19, 2013

NHL Day 19 2013-2014

A huge thirteen games on today, starting in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Vancouver led off in the first period with an Alexander Edler goal, his second of the season, passed from Kevin Bieksa and Henrik Sedin. Pittsburgh tied it on a Sidney Crosby goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins took the lead in the second period with a Kunitz power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Crosby. The Canucks pulled even again as Brad Richardson scored his third of the year, thanks to Dale Weise and Bieksa. Vancouver took the lead with a Zack Kassian goal, assisted by David Booth and Bieksa, the latter getting a sock trick. Pittsburgh retied it as Olli Maatta scored, with the help of Kunitz and Crosby. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Penguins won 4-3 on a lone tally by Malkin. The three stars were Crosby, Kunitz, and Bieksa.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Robin Lehner are the inexperienced goalies. Edmonton was first to score in the first period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on as Nugent-Hopkins potted his third of the year, via Nail Yakupov and Eberle. Ottawa got on the board in the third period as Chris Neil scored, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch. Edmonton iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted empty net goal by Nugent-Hopkins, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign. The three stars were Nugent-Hopkins, Dubnyk (35 for 36 in saves), and Eberle.

Back in the States, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ryan Miller are the veteran goalies. Colorado started in the first period on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his third of the season, assisted by Matt Duchene and Steve Downie. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his second of the year, coming off of Erik Johnson. Colorado extended the lead in the second period as Duchene scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal, powered by O'Reilly and Andre Benoit. Buffalo got on the board with a Cody Hodgson goal, his second of the year, passed from Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek. The Avalanche answered with a Paul Stastny goal, fueled by Landeskog and Ryan Wilson. The Sabres got one back in the third period as Marcus Foligno scored his second of the campaign, with the help of Henrik Tallinder and Tyler Myers. This only made it 4-2, a final, with Duchene, O'Reilly, and Landeskog getting the three stars.

To the west, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Corey Crawford are the young goalies. Chicago got going in the second period as Bryan Bickell scored, thanks to Andrew Shaw and Marcus Kruger. Toronto tied it as Nazem Kadri scored his third of the season, a power play goal, powered by Joffrey Lupul and Cody Franson. The Blackhawks retook the lead on a Michael Kostka goal, with assists provided by Brandon Pirri and Nick Leddy. Chicago added on as Pirri scored his second of the year, helped along by Brandon Saad and Leddy. This was all they needed to win 3-1, with the three stars being Pirri, Crawford (19 for 20 in saves), and Leddy.

Northeast to Montreal, as the Canadiens welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Carey Price tend the twines. Nashville began in the first period with a Shea Weber goal, his second of the season, fueled by David Legwand and Filip Forsberg on the power play. Montreal tied it in the second period as Brendan Gallagher scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Michael Bournival and Lars Eller. The Predators took the lead late in the third period as Seth Jones scored his second of the campaign, assisted by Legwand and Colin Wilson. This made it 2-1, a final, with the three stars awarded to Rinne (28 for 29 in saves), Price (35 for 37 in saves), and Legwand.

Down in Newark, the New Jersey Devils bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Cory Schneider are the masked men. New Jersey opened in the first period with an Andrei Loktionov goal, set up by Anton Volchenkov. The Devils added on as Adam Henrique scored his second of the season, with the help of Rostislav Olesz and Jaromir Jagr. New Jersey extended the lead with a power play goal by Michael Ryder, his third of the year, powered by Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils padded the lead on a Dainius Zubrus goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of Bryce Salvador and Zidlicky. They coasted to a 4-0 win from here, with the three stars being Schneider (22 save shutout), Jagr, and Zidlicky.

Staying in the region, the New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Evgeni Nabokov are in the blue paint. Carolina struck first in the second period as Jiri Tlusty scored, thanks to Eric Staal and Alexander Semin. The Hurricanes added on with a Jordan Staal power play goal, powered by Ryan Murphy and Nathan Gerbe. Carolina extended the lead with a Jeff Skinner goal, his third of the season, made possible by Riley Nash and Tuomo Ruutu. New York got on the board as Matt Moulson potted his third of the year, via Andrew MacDonald and John Tavares. The Hurricanes replied in the third period as Tlusty scored his second of the game, with helpers from Semin and Eric Staal. The Islanders answered with a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Kyle Okposo and Moulson. New York chipped closer with an Okposo goal, his third of the year, guided in by Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Moulson. They failed to get an equalizer, falling 4-3, with the three stars being Tlusty, Semin, and Eric Staal, while Moulson and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ben Bishop receive the starting nods. Boston led off in the first period with a David Krejci goal, assisted by Milan Lucic and Jarome Iginla. The Bruins added on in the second period as Adam McQuaid scored an unassisted goal. Boston extended the lead with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his second of the season, via Reilly Smith and Loui Eriksson. The Bruins padded the lead on a Chris Kelly goal, his third of the year, thanks to Brad Marchand and Carl Soderberg. Anders Lindback relieved Bishop at this time. Boston iced it at 5-0 in the third period as Shawn Thornton scored, with a lone assist by Daniel Paille. The three stars went to Rask (23 save shutout), Krejci, and McQuaid.

Back up the coast, the Washington Capitals bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Braden Holtby occupy the creases. Washington got going in the second period with a Joel Ward power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on as Brooks Laich notched his second of the year, via Steve Oleksy and Martin Erat. Washington extended the lead in the third period on a Troy Brouwer goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Erat. The Capitals padded the lead on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Mike Green and Erat on the power play, the latter of them getting a sock trick. Columbus avoided the shutout as Artem Anisimov scored his second of the campaign, thanks to Marian Gaborik. This resulted in a 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Holtby (37 for 38 in saves), Erat, and Laich.

Back in Florida, the Panthers host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Tim Thomas are between the pipes. Minnesota began in the second period with a Jonas Brodin goal, his third of the season, coming on the power play from Dany Heatley and Mikael Granlund. Florida tied it in the third period as Aleksander Barkov scored his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jonathan Huberdeau and Brad Boyes lifted the Panthers to a 2-1 win. The three stars were Thomsa (30 for 31 in saves), Barkov, and Harding (21 for 22 in saves).

Way to the west, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Mike Smith guard the cages. Detroit opened in the first period with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings added on with a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Phoenix got on the board in the second period as Antoine Vermette scored his third of the season, via Rob Klinkhammer and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes tied it in the third period with a Mike Ribeiro goal, his second of the year, made possible by Mikkel Boedker and Derek Morris. Phoenix took the lead with a Martin Hanzal goal, his second of the season, fueled by Lauri Korpikoski. The Coyotes padded the lead with another Ribeiro goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, with assists provided by Boedker and David Moss. Phoenix iced it at the last second by a 5-2 final score with an unassisted empty net goal by the goalie Smith, the first of his career. The three stars were Smith (31 for 33 in saves and a goal), Ribeiro, and Boedker. 

Northwest to San Jose, as the Sharks bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo is mismatched with Antti Niemi in goal. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Brent Burns goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Joe Pavelski and Brad Stuart. The Sharks added on as Scott Hannan scored his second of the year, thanks to Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl. Calgary got on the board in the second period with the fifth of the season by Sean Monahan, assisted by Sven Baertschi and Kris Russell on the power play. San Jose replied with a power play goal by Pavelski, his second of the year, powered by Patrick Marleau and Matt Irwin. The Sharks extended the lead on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Pavelski and Thornton. The Flames pulled back in the third period as Mikael Backlund scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the year, set up by Lee Stempniak. Calgary chipped back with a Jiri Hudler goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Monahan and Mark Giordano. San Jose replied with a Pavelski power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, pushed through by Logan Couture and Jason Demers. The Sharks wrapped it up at 6-3 with a Couture empty net goal, passed from Tommy Wingels and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The three stars were Pavelski, Couture, and Marleau, while Monahan and Thornton get the honorable mentions.

Finally in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Dallas Stars. Dan Ellis and Jonathan Quick are called on to make the stars. Dallas started in the first period with a Tyler Seguin goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Jamie Benn and Rich Peverley. Los Angeles tied it with a Justin Williams goal, his third of the year, thanks to Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. The Kings took the lead as Williams scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The Stars tied it in the second period as Peverley potted his second of the year, passed from Benn and Seguin. Los Angeles took the lead back in the third period as Doughty notched his second of the season, via Williams and Kopitar, the latter getting a sock trick. The Kings extended the lead on a Kyle Clifford goal, assisted by Matt Greene and Muzzin. Los Angeles wrapped it up at 5-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Greene. The three stars were Williams, Kopitar, and Muzzin, while Greene, Seguin, Benn, and Peverley got the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 46 2013-2014

There are nine games on today, beginning very early (just past midnight on the west coast of the United States), and they start in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Evgeny Ivannikov are given the starting nods. Vladivostok started in the first period with an unassisted power play goal by Enver Lisin. Admiral added on with a Felix Schutz power play goal, powered by Denis Osipov and Niclas Bergfors. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the second period with a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, assisted by Tobias Viklund and Vladislav Yegin. This was it for the scoring, with Admiral holding on for a 2-1 win, and the three stars were Ivannikov (39 for 40 in saves), Schutz, and Lisin.

North to Khabarovsk, as Amur welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period as Timofei Shishkanov scored an unassisted goal. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period on a Mikhail Zhukov goal, with a lone assist by Vitaly Sitnikov. Amur took the lead back on a Dmitry Lugin goal, going in unassisted. Yugra retied it with a Sitnikov goal, fueled by Zhukov and Tomas Starosta. Khabarovsk retook the lead again with an unassisted power play goal by Dmitry Bykov. Amur made it 4-2 on an unassisted Shishkanov goal, his second of the game. This was a final, with Shishkanov, Zhukov, and Sitnikov getting the three stars.

To the west, Sibir Novosibirsk brings in Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Mikko Koskinen are set to start. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, powered by Ivan Lekomtsev and Nikolai Lemtyugov. Sibir added on in the second period as Dmitry Kugryshev scored, with a lone assist by Vyacheslav Belov. Astana got on the board with a power play goal by Nigel Dawes, coming off of Brandon Bochenski and Dustin Boyd. Barys got a lucky break to tie the game, as the goalie Yeremeyev was the last to touch the puck before it sailed into a vacated net, resulting in an unassisted goal for the goalie. Astana took the lead in the third period as Dawes scored again, and Boyd supplied the only assist. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Dawes, Yeremeyev (36 for 38 in saves and a goal), and Boyd.

Staying close by, Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Nikita Lozhkin are the unknown goalies. Novokuznetsk opened in the first period with a Rafael Akhmetov goal, fueled by Konstantin Turukin and Evgeny Lapenkov. Omsk tied it on an Alexander Popov goal, coming off of Stefan Ruzicka. Avangard took the lead in the second period with an Alexander Frolov goal, via Dmitry Semin and Sergei Kostitsyn. Omsk added on when Alexander Perezhogin scored, with a lone assist by Ivan Baranka. Ilya Sorokin relieved Lozhkin at this time. Metallurg got one back as Akhmetov scored his second of the game, thanks to Ansel Galimov and Lapenkov. Novokuznetsk tied it in the third period with a Vadim Mitryakov goal, set up by Zakhar Arzamastsev and Denis Kurepanov. Metallurg took the lead on an Alexei Kosourov goal, made possible by Sergei Yemelin. They went on to win 4-3, with the three stars being Sorokin (perfect in relief), Akhmetov, and Lapenkov.

Way to the west, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich is mismatched with Alexander Yeryomenko in goal. Zagreb struck first in the first period with a Ryan Vesce goal, assisted by Hannu Pikkarainen and Charles Linglet. Moscow tied it in the second period as Martins Karsums scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Vishnevsky and Konstantin Gorovikov. Medvescak took the lead back on a Linglet goal, with a lone helper from Kurtis Foster. Dynamo tied it on a Konstantin Volkov goal in the third period, thanks to Marek Kvapil. Zagreb took the lead once again on a Michael Ryan goal, fueled by Sasa Martinovic. Moscow pulled even with an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, passed from Kvapil. Dynamo took the lead with just four seconds left in regulation on a Denis Mosalyov goal, made possible by Leo Komarov. This was good for a stunning 4-3 comeback win, and the three stars were Mosalyov, Kvapil, and Tsvetkov, while Linglet gets an honorable mention.

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz brings in Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Johan Backlund have the green light to play goal. Podolsk began in the first period on a Dmitry Shitikov goal, coming on the power play from Josh Hennessy and Vladimir Malevich. Donetsk tied it with a Lukas Kaspar goal, assisted by Randy Robitaille. Vityaz retook the lead with a Branislav Mezei goal, going in unassisted. Donbass tied it with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Clay Wilson. Podolsk retook the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Alexander Vasilyev, guided in by Dinar Khafizullin and Maxim Afinogenov. Vityaz iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted, shorthanded, and empty net goal by Afinogenov. The three stars were Afinogenov, Mezei, and Backlund (32 for 34 in saves).

Backtracking to Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Konstantin Barulin are the solid goalies. Kazan started in the first period with an Alexander Svitov goal, assisted by Janne Pesonen and Alexander Osipov on the power play. Ak Bars added on as Tomas Vincour scored, with a lone assist by Evgeny Bodrov. Kazan extended the lead on a Dmitry Obukhov goal, passed from Osipov. Ak Bars padded the lead on a Bodrov goal, courtesy of Artyom Lukoyanov. Minsk got on the board in the third period with a Geoff Platt goal, via Derek Meech and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Kazan replied with a power play goal by Vincour, powered by Kirill Petrov and Alexei Tereshchenko. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Vincour, Bodrov, and Osipov.

Up in Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo welcomes Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Vitaly Koval guard the cages. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period with a Denis Parshin goal, assisted by Sakari Salminen and Alexander Makarov. Torpedo added on with a Pavel Valentenko goal, made possible by Vladimir Galuzin and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead on a Salminen goal, fueled by Parshin and Jarkko Immonen. Moscow got on the board as Alexei Krutov scored, with the help of Evgeny Kulik. Spartak pulled closer in the third period on a Matt Anderson power play goal, set up by Deron Quint and Rastislav Spirko. Moscow tied it as Alexander Niklulin scored a power play goal, thanks to Vyacheslav Kozlov. Spartak completed the comeback with an overtime goal by Kozlov, passed from Mikhail Yunkov, for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Kozlov, Parshin, and Salminen.

Finally, in Prague, Lev brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Petri Vehanen tend the twines. Moscow opened in the first period on an Alexei Morozov goal, fueled by Ilari Filppula and Sergei Shirokov. Prague tied it in the second period as Michal Repik scored, thanks to Ryan O'Byrne. CSKA took the lead back in the third period with a Vladimir Zharkov goal, via Nikolai Prokhorkin and Georgy Misharin. This was good for a 2-1 win, and the three stars went to Stana (32 for 33 in saves), Zharkov, and Morozov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Friday, October 18, 2013

NHL Day 18 2013-2014

Only two games on again today, beginning in...

Winnipeg, where the Jets host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ondrej Pavelec are in the blue paint. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with a David Backes goal, his sixth of the season, via T.J. Oshie. Winnipeg tied it with Olli Jokinen's second of the year, thanks to Matt Halischuk. The Blues took the lead back on an Alexander Steen goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. St. Louis extended the lead as Steen scored his second of the game and seventh of the year in the third period, via Backes and Jay Bouwmeester. The Jets got one back as Evander Kane potted his fourth of the season, with a lone helper from Bryan Little. Winnipeg tied it on a Tobias Enstrom goal, made possible by Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Oshie and Andrew Ladd cancelled each other out, followed by Steen and Little doing the game before Jokinen was able to win it all in sudden-death. The Jets skated away with a 4-3 win, and the three stars were Jokinen, Steen, and Oshie, while Little gets an honorable mention.

The other game comes from Anaheim, where the Ducks bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonas Hiller protect the nets. Anaheim struck first in the first period as Teemu Selanne scored his second of the season, with the help of Mathieu Perreault. Phoenix tied it on an Antoine Vermette goal, his second of the year, passed from Keith Yandle and Mike Ribeiro in the second period. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period as Rostislav Klesla scored, courtesy of Martin Hanzal and Shane Doan. The Ducks tied it as Nick Bonino recorded his third of the campaign, an unassisted goal. This game also went to the shootout, where Bonino was matched by Radim Vrbata, Corey Perry and Ribeiro washed each other out, Selanne and Oliver Ekman-Larsson cancelled each other out, and then Jakob Silfverberg won it for the Ducks with his shootout tally for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Selanne, Ribeiro, and Bonino. 

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 45 2013-2014

Only four games on today, but they are big games. We begin with the biggest one, from...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Andrei Vasilevsky are set to start. Ufa began in the first period with a Dmitry Makarov goal, assisted by Nikita Filatov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev added on as Alexander Mereskin scored, thanks to Ivan Vishnevsky and Denis Khlystov. Ufa extended the lead on an Antti Pihlstrom goal, fueled by Igor Mirnov and Mereskin. Salavat Yulaev padded the lead as Tomas Zaborsky scored, with the help of Khlystov and Brent Sopel. Cherepovets got on the board with a goal by Evgeny Kovyrshin, passed from Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Pavel Buchnevich. Ufa replied in the second period on an Alexander Stepanov goal, coming off of Alexei Glukhov and Yefim Gurkin. Salavat Yulaev kept going in the third period on an Alexander Pankov goal, set up by Anton Babchuk and Gurkin. Ufa struck again with a Hartikainen goal, with assists provided by Makarov and Filatov. Salavat Yulaev got another as Mirnov scored, helped along by Alexei Kaigorodov and Gurkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Severstal answered with an Alexander Yevseyenkov goal, with a lone assist by Linus Videll. Cherepovets chipped back with a Buchnevich goal, made possible by Kazakovtsev and Kovyrshin. This only made it 8-3 Salavat Yulaev, the final, with the three stars going to Makarov, Mirnov, and Gurkin, while Hartikainen, Gurkin, Buchnevich, Kovyrshin, Khlystov, and Filatov get the honorable mentions.

Over in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Vasily Koshechkin are the veteran goalies. St. Petersburg started with an Igor Makarov goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozykin and Jan Kovar. SKA took the lead back in the second period with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, fueled by Roman Cervenka and Vadim Shipachyov. St. Petersburg added on with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, guided in by Panarin and Evgeny Ryasensky. SKA made it 4-1 in the third period with a Maxim Chudinov power play goal, with a lone helper by Viktor Tikhonov. This was the final, with the three stars going to Ezhov (23 for 24 in saves), Kovalchuk, and Panarin.

Next up, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Vladislav Fokin receive the starting nods. Mytishchi led off with a first period goal by Andreas Engqvist, coming off of Yaroslav Dyblenko. Chelyabinsk tied it with an unassisted power play goal by Stanislav Chistov. Traktor took the lead when Jan Bulis scored a power play goal in the second period, powered by Dmitry Ryabykin. Atlant retied the game with another Engqvist goal, fueled by Igor Radulov. Mytishchi took the lead in the third period on a Pavel Kopytin goal, via Radulov. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Engqvist, Galimov (20 for 22 in saves), and Radulov.

Finally, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Sudnitsin protect the nets. Nizhnekamsk opened with a first period Yaroslav Alshevsky goal, fueled by Maxim Berezin and Stanislav Alshevsky. Yaroslavl tied it as Anton But scored an unassisted goal. Lokomotiv took the lead in the third period on a Yegor Averin goal, passed from Sergei Plotnikov and Daniil Apalkov. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars were Averin, Sanford (33 for 34 in saves), and But.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

NHL Day 17 2013-2014

Another day with twelve games on, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Vancouver struck first in the first period as Chris Higgins scored his second of the season, via Mike Santorelli. The Canucks added on in the second period with a Brad Richardson shorthanded goal, his second of the year, set up by Jason Garrison and Santorelli. Vancouver iced it at 3-0 in the third period as Ryan Stanton scored, with the help of Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The three stars were Luongo (25 save shutout), Richardson, and Santorelli.

Down on Long Island, the New York Islanders welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Evgeni Nabokov are in the blue paint. New York started in the first period on a Josh Bailey goal, his third of the season, assisted by Travis Hamonic and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Edmonton tied it as Taylor Hall scored his second of the year, thanks to Justin Schultz and Mark Arcobello. The Oilers took the lead eight seconds later as Hall scored his second of the game and third of the season, passed from Arcobello and Jordan Eberle. The Islanders retied it in the second period with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Matt Moulson and John Tavares. New York took the lead on a Tavares goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Okposo and Michael Grabner. They would hold on for a 3-2 win throughout the scoreless third period, and the three stars were Tavares, Hall, and Okposo, while Arcobello gets an honorable mention.

A bit west, the battle of Pennsylvania is renewed, as the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Steve Mason in goal. Pittsburgh opened in the second period with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on as Chris Kunitz scored his third of the year, thanks to Pascal Dupuis and Matt Niskanen. Philadelphia got on the board as Wayne Simmonds scored a power play goal, powered by Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn. Pittsburgh replied in the third period as Sidney Crosby notched his sixth of the season, assisted by Dupuis. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Malkin empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Craig Adams and Crosby. The three stars were Fleury (24 for 25 in saves), Crosby, and Malkin, while Dupuis gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and James Reimer are the average goalies. Toronto got going with a second period goal by Joffrey Lupul, his sixth of the season, coming off of Paul Ranger. The Maple Leafs added on as Josh Leivo scored, thanks to Dave Bolland and Morgan Rielly. Carolina got on the board with a Ryan Murphy power play goal in the third period, powered by Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes tied it on an Eric Staal goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Justin Faulk. Carolina took the lead as Ron Hainsey scored his second of the season, and the goalie Ward had the only helper. This was good for a 3-2 win, with Ward (24 for 26 in saves), Hainsey, and Staal getting the three stars.

Over in Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal was first to score in the first period on a Rene Bourque power play goal, his second of the season, powered by P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on with a Michael Bournival goal, guided in by Andrei Markov and Subban. Montreal extended the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Markov, going in unassisted. Columbus got on the board as Boone Jenner scored a power play goal, via Ryan Johansen and David Savard. The Blue Jackets pulled closer as Johansen scored, with a lone assist by Fedor Tyutin. Columbus tied it in the third period as Jenner scored his second of the game, another power play goal, made possible by Mark Letestu and Artem Anisimov. The Canadiens took the lead back as Tomas Plekanec scored his second of the year, thanks to Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges. Montreal wrapped it up at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Plekanec, his second of the game and third of the campaign, a shorthanded and empty net goal fueled by Brandon Prust and Raphael Diaz. The three stars were Plekanec, Jenner, and Subban, while Johansen and Markov get honorable mentions.

Back in Ontario again, the Ottawa Senators bring in the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Craig Anderson are manning the creases. Ottawa led off in the first period with an Erik Karlsson, his second of the season, assisted by Bobby Ryan. The Senators added on as Ryan scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur. Ottawa extended the lead in the second period on a Zack Smith goal, his second of the season, fueled by Karlsson and Jason Spezza. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Travis Zajac power play goal, powered by Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias. The Devils pulled closer as Steve Bernier scored, with a lone assist by Stephen Gionta. The Senators replied on a Milan Michalek goal, his second of the year, passed from Spezza and Karlsson. Ottawa finished it at 5-2 with a Spezza empty net goal, set up by Erik Condra. The three stars were given to Karlsson, Anderson (40 for 42 in saves), and Ryan, while Spezza gets an honorable mention.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ben Bishop receive the starting nods. Tampa Bay began in the first period as Tyler Johnson scored his second of the season, a power play goal, powered by Valtteri Filppula and Richard Panik. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Mikko Koivu goal, with assists provided by Nino Neiderreiter and Ryan Suter. The Lightning retook the lead with the fifth of the year from Steven Stamkos, set up by Matthew Carle and Radko Gudas. Tampa Bay iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Sami Salo, going in unassisted. The three stars were Stamkos, Bishop (25 for 26 in saves), and Harding (27 for 29 in saves).

Staying in the south, the Florida Panthers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces his old mentor, Tim Thomas, in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period with a Daniel Paille goal, fueled by Dennis Seidenberg and Matt Bartkowski. The Bruins added on as Dougie Hamilton scored a power play goal, powered by David Krejci and Zdeno Chara. Florida got on the board in the second period on a Kris Versteeg goal, his second of the season, via Jonathan Huberdeau and Tom Gilbert. The Panthers tied it with a Jesse Winchester goal in the third period, passed from Nick Bjugstad. Boston took the lead late on a Reilly Smith goal, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Smith, Hamilton, and Paille.

Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago struck first in the first period as Brandon Pirri scored, with a lone assist from Marian Hossa. St. Louis tied it with a David Backes goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo on the power play. The Blackhawks retook the lead in the second period as Hossa scored his third of the season, thanks to Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blues tied it again as Alexander Steen scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Bouwmeester and T.J. Oshie. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Oshie's lone tally lifted the Blues to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Oshie, Hossa, and Bouwmeester.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne are the star goalies. Nashville opened with a first period Matt Cullen goal, fueled by Craig Smith and Gabriel Bourque. Los Angeles tied it on a Slava Voynov goal, his second of the season, passed from Mike Richards and Kyle Clifford. The tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where Anze Kopitar provided the only tally the Kings needed for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Quick (34 for 35 in saves), Rinne (29 for 30 in saves), and Kopitar.

Southwest to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Dan Ellis are all padded up. San Jose quickly led off nine seconds into the first period with an unassisted goal by Tyler Kennedy. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jamie Benn and Stephane Robidas. The Sharks took the lead back on a Matthew Nieto goal, his second of the year, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Tommy Wingels. The Stars pulled even again in the second period as Trevor Daley scored, with the help of Cody Eakin and Ray Whitney. San Jose took the lead back on a Patrick Marleau goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and the goalie Niemi. Dallas quickly retied it on an Eakin goal, his second of the year, set up by Alex Chiasson and Whitney. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Chiasson had the only goal to lead the Stars to a 4-3 win. Chiasson, Eakin, and Whitney were named the three stars.

Finally in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Semyon Varlamov handle the goaltending duties. Detroit started in the first period with a Johan Franzen power play goal, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Jakub Kindl. The Red Wings added on as Pavel Datsyuk recorded his third of the season, with the help of Danny DeKeyser and Daniel Alfredsson. Colorado got on the board in the second period as Erik Johnson scored a power play goal, fueled by the goalie Varlamov. The Avalanche tied it on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, with a lone assist from Paul Stastny on the power play. Detroit took the lead back in the third period as Franzen scored his second of the game, another power play goal, guided in by Justin Abdelkader and Alfredsson. The Red Wings extended the lead as Datsyuk scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, thanks to Alfredsson, who got a sock trick. The final score was 4-2 from here on, and the three stars were Franzen, Datsyuk, and Alfredsson.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Thursday Night Football Week 7 2013

Tonight's Thursday Night game comes from Arizona, where the Cardinals welcome the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle began in the first quarter as Russell Wilson found Sidney Rice for 31 yards and a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka booted the extra point. The Seahawks added on as Wilson tossed a 15 yard touchdown to Zach Miller in the second quarter, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Arizona got on the board as Jay Feely made a 49 yard field goal. The Cardinals pulled closer as Rashard Mendenhall ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Feely knocked in the extra point. Seattle answered on a Hauschka field goal of 51 yards. Arizona got some back in the third quarter on a 52 yard field goal by Feely. The Seahawks extended the lead on a 1 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Kellen Davis, and Hauschka supplied the PAT. Seattle padded the lead with a Marshawn Lynch touchdown run of 2 yards, and Hauschka made another extra point. The Cardinals replied with a fourth quarter Feely field goal of 22 yards. The Seahawks responded on a Hauschka field goal, good from 42 yards. Arizona took some back as Carson Palmer found Jaron Brown for 8 yards and a touchdown, but the two point attempt failed. This was as close as it got, with the Seahawks winning 34-22, improving to 6-1 while dropping the Cardinals to 3-4.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 44 2013-2014

There are eight games going as the KHL approaches a busier stretch of days. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Mika Jarvinen are the inexperienced goalies. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, with a lone assist by Sami Lepisto. Khabarovsk tied it on an Evgeny Korotkov goal, passed from Alexander Yunkov and Jakub Petruzalek. Amur took the lead in the second period with a Petruzalek goal, going in unassisted. Avtomobilist tied it with a power play goal by Tobias Viklund, powered by Malykhin. Khabarovsk took the lead back in the third period with an unassisted power play goal by Yunkov. Yekaterinburg retied it with an Evgeny Fyodorov goal, coming off of Lepisto. Avtomobilist took the lead again as Vladislav Yegin scored, thanks to Anton Lazarev and Artyom Chernov. Yekaterinburg iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Eduard Lewandowski, set up by Sergei Gusev. The three stars were Malykhin, Lepisto, and Petruzalek, while Yunkov gets an honorable mention.

South to Vladivostok, with Admiral welcoming Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Joakim Lundstrom receive the starting nods. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period as Sergei Barbashev potted the puck, with the help of Vladimir Pervushin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period on a Jonas Andersson power play goal, powered by Denis Sokolov and Stephen Dixon. Admiral retook the lead with a power play goal by Igor Bortnikov, assisted by Artyom Ternavsky and Evgeny Grachyov. Yugra tied it in the third period with a Denis Grot goal, fueled by Artyom Bulyansky and Anton Krysanov. Khanty-Mansiysk took the lead as Andersson scored an unassisted goal. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Andersson, Grot, and Biryukov (32 for 34 in saves).

To the west, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Mathieu Garon and Mikko Koskinen are in the blue paint. Omsk struck first in the first period with a Denis Kulyash goal, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin. Novosibirsk tied it on a second period goal by Nikolai Lemtyugov, assisted by Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir took the lead with a power play goal by Vyacheslav Belov, powered by Jori Lehtera. They were able to protect the lead to the finish, winning 2-1, with the three stars being Belov, Koskinen (35 for 36 in saves), and Lemtyugov.

Moving along to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg brings in Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Nikita Lozhkin are between the pipes. Astana began in the first period with a Dmitry Upper goal, assisted by Nikolai Antropov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, guided in by Vadim Mitryakov and Nikita Vyglazov. Metallurg took the lead with a Denis Kurepanov goal, going in unassisted. Barys tied it as Brandon Bochenski scored an unassisted goal. Novokuznetsk retook the lead in the third period on a Damir Zhafyarov goal, an unassisted goal. Astana retied it as Bochenski scored again, with a lone helper by Nigel Dawes. Barys took the lead as Dawes scored, and Bochenski returned the favor with a lone assist. Astana wrapped it up at 5-3 with a Konstantin Rudenko empty net goal, set up by Upper. The three stars were Bochenski, Dawes, and Upper.

Way to the west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Ivan Lisutin draw the starts. Minsk got going in the second period with an Alexander Materukhin goal, fueled by Geoff Platt and Jaroslav Kristek. Podolsk tied it in the third period on a Dmitry Shitikov goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Solodukhin and Dinar Khafizullin. Vityaz won the game 2-1 in the shootout with goals from Josh Hennessy and Shitikov. The three stars were Shitikov, Lisutin (28 for 29 in saves), and Haugen (38 for 39 in saves).

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Vitaly Koval guard the cages. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the third period as Tim Brent scored a power play goal, powered by Wojtek Wolski. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Koval (25 save shutout), Brent, and Leighton (27 for 28 in saves).

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Konstantin Barulin tend the twines. Kazan opened in the first period with a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, powered by Shaun Heshka and Tim Stapleton. Ak Bars added on as Varnakov scored again, thanks to Alexander Burmistrov. Zagreb got on the board with a Charles Linglet goal, fueled by Ryan Vesce in the second period. Kazan answered with a shorthanded goal by Dmitry Obukhov, passed from Konstantin Korneyev. Ak Bars extended the lead with another shorthanded goal, recorded by Kirill Petrov, and set up by Alexei Tereshchenko. Medvescak got one back in the third period as Patrick Bjorkstrand scored, with a lone assist by Kurtis Foster. Zagreb pulled closer as Vesce scored, with the help of Sasa Martinovic. Ak Bars iced it with an unassisted empty net goal by Tereshchenko for a 5-3 win. The three stars were Varnakov, Vesce, and Tereshchenko.

Finally, we end in Bratislava, where Slovan brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Jaroslav Janus are the masked men. Bratislava led off in the first period as Tomas Netik scored, with the help of Milan Bartovic and Juraj Mikus. Slovan added on with a second period goal by Michel Miklik, via Michal Vondrka and Michal Sersen. Riga got one back as Marcel Hossa scored, thanks to Kyle Wilson and Vitalijs Pavlovs. Bratislava answered on a Martin Stajnoch goal, fueled by Miklik on the power play. Dinamo shot back with a power play goal by Mat Robinson, powered by Wilson and Hossa. Riga tied it as Wilson scored, with a lone assist by Hossa. Dinamo took the lead in the third period with a Robinson goal, set up by Paul Szczechura. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Robinson, Hossa, and Wilson, while Miklik gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

NHL Day 16 2013-2014

Two games on tonight, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. New York opened in the second period with a John Moore goal, passed from Brad Richards and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers added on as Ryan Callahan scored his third of the season, with the help of Richards and Derick Brassard. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Lundqvist (22 save shutout), Richards, and Holtby (34 for 36 in saves).

The other game comes from Anaheim, as the Ducks welcome the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Viktor Fasth are wearing the masks. Anaheim started with a first period goal by Dustin Penner, his second of the season, via Ryan Getzlaf and Bryan Allen. The Ducks added on as Kyle Palmieri scored, an unassisted goal. Calgary got on the board with a Lee Stempniak shorthanded goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Anaheim replied in the second period as Teemu Selanne scored, with the help of Jakob Silfverberg. The Flames got one back in the third period as Jiri Hudler scored his third of the season, thanks to Kris Russell and Joe Colborne. They failed to get an equalizer, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Selanne, Stempniak, and Fasth (33 for 35 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 43 2013-2014

Another day with just four games on, beginning in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Andrei Vasilevsky are given the starting nods. Ufa was first to score in the first period with an Anton Babchuk goal, courtesy of Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev added on when Alexander Pankov scored in the second period, thanks to Alexander Stepanov and Alexei Glukhov. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Vadim Khlopotov goal, assisted by Vitaly Vishnevsky and Anton But. Ufa iced it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Antti Pihlstrom, set up by Brent Sopel. The three stars went to Vasilevsky (20 for 21 in saves), Pankov, and Babchuk.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Mytishchi led off in the first period with a Maxim Velikov goal, passed from Ilya Kablukov. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg took the lead on a Zaripov goal, with a lone assist by Chris Lee. Magnitogorsk added on as Rinat Ibragimov scored, thanks to Zaripov on a power play in the second period. Atlant got one back as Igor Radulov scored, via Sergei Shmelyov. Metallurg shot back in the third period with a power play goal by Vladislav Kamenev, powered by Justin Hodgman. Mytishchi got one back on a Pavel Kopytin goal, fueled by Alexander Kadeikin. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Zaripov, Mozyakin, and Kamenev.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Michael Garnett are in the creases. St. Petersburg began in the first period on a Viktor Tikhonov power play goal, powered by Tony Martensson and Roman Cervenka. SKA added on as Vadim Shipachyov scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Cervenka. St. Petersburg got another in the second period when Patrick Thoresen converted a penalty shot he received after being tripped by Dmitry Ryabykin on a breakaway. SKA extended the lead with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, fueled by Alexei Ponikarovsky. Vladislav Fokin replaced Garnett in goal at this time. St. Petersburg padded the lead on an Igor Makarov goal, assisted by Ilya Kovalchuk and Andrei Sigaryov. SKA struck again in the third period with a Sigaryov goal, set up by Makarov. St. Petersburg got another as Martensson scored, with the help of Thoresen. This made it 7-0, the final, with the three stars being Makarov, Sigaryov, and Thoresen, and the honorable mentions were Martensson, Cervenka, and Ezhov (23 save shutout).

Finally, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexander Sudnitsin are the reliable goalies. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period on a Dmitry Kosmachyov power play goal, powered by Yegor Milovzorov. Cherepovets tied it in the second period as Gleb Klimenko scored a power play goal, via Petr Caslava. Severstal took the lead in the third period on a Niclas Andersen goal, guided in by Evgeny Kovyrshin and Pavel Buchnevich. They held on to win 2-1, with the three stars awarded to Stepanek (35 for 36 in saves), Klimenko, and Andersen.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

NHL Day 15 2013-2014

A whopping twelve games on today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Cam Ward are set to start. Chicago led off in the first period on a Patrick Sharp goal, via Michal Handzus. The Blackhawks added on as Marian Hossa scored his second of the season, with the help of Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw. Carolina got on the board in the third period with an Alexander Semin goal, his second of the year, coming off of Eric Staal and Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes tied it as Ron Hainsey scored an unassisted goal. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Blackhawks won 3-2 with a lone tally by Sharp. The three stars were Sharp, Hossa, and Crawford (32 for 34 in saves).

Out to Long Island, as the New York Islanders welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. New York was first to score in the first period with a Frans Nielsen goal, his third of the season, assisted by Thomas Hickey and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Buffalo tied it on a Tyler Ennis goal, made possible by Drew Stafford and Christian Ehrhoff in the second period. The Islanders took the lead back on a Matt Martin goal, passed from Casey Cizikas and Eric Boulton. The Sabres retied it on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Cody Hodgson and Ehrhoff. New York pulled ahead again in the third period as Matt Moulson scored his second of the season, courtesy of John Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky on the power play. Buffalo tied it again on a Marcus Foligno goal, with a lone assist by Tyler Myers. The tie was broken in favor of the Sabres in the shootout with goals scored by Vanek and Ennis to topple the Islanders' single tally by Moulson. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Ennis, Vanek, and Ehrhoff, while Moulson gets an honorable mention.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo faces a lesser foe in Steve Mason in goal. Philadelphia opened with a Tye McGinn goal, his second of the season, fueled by Nicklas Grossmann and Erik Gustafsson. Vancouver tied it on the second of the year by Ryan Kesler, passed from Jannik Hansen and Christopher Tanev. The Flyers took the lead in the second period as McGinn scored his second of the game and third of the season, set up by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. The Canucks tied it on a Chris Higgins goal in the third period, via Henrik Sedin and Jason Garrison. Vancouver took the lead when Kesler scored his second of the game and third of the year, assisted by Higgins and Henrik Sedin. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Kesler, McGinn, and Higgins, and an honorable mention was given to Henrik Sedin.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Edmonton Oilers. Jason LaBarbera is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his second of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. Edmonton tied it on a second period goal by Ales Hemsky, his second of the year, guided in by David Perron and Jeff Petry. The Penguins retook the lead on a goal by Kunitz, his second of the season, via Crosby and Dupuis. The Oilers retied it as Jordan Eberle scored his second of the year, with the help of Taylor Hall and Mark Arcobello. Pittsburgh gained the lead back as Evgeni Malkin scored his second of the campaign, a power play goal, powered by Paul Martin and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Dupuis, Kunitz, and Crosby.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and James Reimer are in the creases. Toronto began with a Tyler Bozak power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Dave Bolland and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs added on with a Trevor Smith goal, via Morgan Rielly and Franson. Minnesota got on the board as Jason Pominville scored his third of the year, courtesy of Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise on the power play. Toronto replied in the second period on a Mason Raymond power play goal, his third of the season, set up by Nazem Kadri and Rielly. Josh Harding relieved Kuemper at this time. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 in the third period as Raymond scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, an empty net goal pushed through by Phil Kessel. The three stars were handed to Raymond, Reimer (36 for 37 in saves), and Rielly, while Franson gets an honorable mention.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Ben Bishop are the masked men. Nineteen seconds into the first period, Tampa Bay struck first with a Ryan Malone goal, coming off of Sami Salo and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning added on with a Teddy Purcell goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Ondrej Palat and Matthew Carle. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period as St. Louis scored his third of the year, with the help of Steven Stamkos and Andrej Sustr. Ben Scrivens replaced Quick at this time. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with a Slava Voynov goal, made possible by Matt Frattin and Jarret Stoll. The Lightning replied as St. Louis scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Malone and Stamkos. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-1 with a Palat goal, his second of the year, guided in by Purcell and Tyler Johnson. The three stars were St. Louis, Bishop (30 for 31 in saves), and Purcell, while Malone, Palat, and Stamkos get honorable mentions.

Back north, the Detroit Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jonas Gustavsson will occupy the blue paint. Detroit led off in the first period on a Daniel Alfredsson goal, fueled by Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Columbus got on the board as Cam Atkinson scored his second of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Red Wings took the lead back with a power play goal by Todd Bertuzzi, his second of the year, powered by Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. They held on from here for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Zetterberg, Gustavsson (36 for 37 in saves), and Bobrovsky (30 for 32 in saves).

A bit southwest, the St. Louis Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. San Jose started in the first period as Logan Couture scored his third of the season, with the help of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton on the power play. The Sharks added on as Joe Pavelski scored a power play goal, powered by Jason Demers and Marleau. San Jose extended the lead with a Tommy Wingels goal in the second period, his second of the year, guided in by James Sheppard and Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks padded the lead as Scott Hannan scored, via Thornton and Brent Burns. Brian Elliott relieved Halak for the third period. San Jose kept going in the third period on a Thornton goal, with a lone assist by Tomas Hertl. St. Louis got on the board as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his fourth of the season, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Patrik Berglund. The Blues pulled closer with a Roman Polak goal, fueled by Derek Roy and Vladimir Sobotka. The Sharks answered on a Marleau power play goal, his fifth of the year, pushed through by Couture and Thornton. This made it a 6-2 final, with the three stars going to Thornton, Marleau, and Couture.

Eastward to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Pekka Rinne receive the starting nods. Nashville began with a first period Shea Weber goal, via Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson. Florida tied it in the second period as Jonathan Huberdeau scored his third of the season, assisted by Scott Gomez and Mike Weaver. The Predators retook the lead on a Fisher goal, his second of the year, coming off of Craig Smith and Seth Jones. The Panthers retied it on a Marcel Goc goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Jesse Winchester and Shawn Matthias. Nashville pulled ahead again as Smith scored, thanks to Gabriel Bourque and Weber. The Predators extended the lead with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his second of the year, powered by David Legwand and Filip Forsberg. Florida got one back as Matt Gilroy scored, with the help of Tomas Fleischmann and Brad Boyes. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-3, and the three stars went to Weber, Smith, and Fisher.

Back to Canada, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ondrej Pavelec are between the pipes. Montreal opened with a Brandon Prust goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Francis Bouillon and Daniel Briere. The Canadiens added on as P.K. Subban scored his second of the year, thanks to David Desharnais and Josh Gorges. Montreal iced it at 3-0 in the third period as Briere scored an empty net power play goal, going in unassisted. The three stars of the game were Price (36 save shutout), Briere, and Prust.

Southwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Dallas Stars. Dan Ellis and Semyon Varlamov will attempt to stop the puck. Dallas struck first in the first period with a Rich Peverley goal, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Colorado tied it with the fourth of the season by Matt Duchene, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche took the lead a Jan Hejda scored, with the help of Nathan MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Stars tied it with a Cody Eakin goal in the second period, a power play goal powered by Ray Whitney and Erik Cole. Colorado regained the lead with another Duchene goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Parenteau and Erik Johnson. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Duchene, Parenteau, and Varlamov (39 for 41 in saves).

Finally, we end in Phoenix, where the Coyotes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith are the reliable goalies. Phoenix got going in the second period as Rob Klinkhammer scored his third of the season, assisted by Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes added on with a Radim Vrbata goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Mikkel Boedker and Martin Hanzal. Ottawa got one back as Jason Spezza scored his second of the season, with helpers provided by Patrick Wiercioch and Milan Michalek. The Senators tied it in the third period as Spezza scored his second of the game and third of the year, courtesy of Colin Greening. Ottawa took the lead as Spezza finished his natural hat trick with his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Erik Karlsson and Michalek. Phoenix tied it with a Mike Ribeiro power play goal, via Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Vermette. The Senators won 4-3 in overtime on a Cory Conacher goal, his second of the year, with assists from Marc Methot and Greening. The three stars were Spezza, Michalek, and Greening, while Vermette gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 42 2013-2014

Today, there is only one game, and it is the battle of the former Czechoslovakia. Slovan Bratislava hosts Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Jaroslav Janus tend the twines. Bratislava opened with a Michal Vondrka goal in the first period, assisted by Peter Olvecky and Michel Miklik. Slovan added on with a power play goal by Tomas Netik, powered by Juraj Mikus and Zdenek Kutlak. Bratislava extended the lead in the second period as Olvecky scored, with helpers from Vondrka and Miklik. Prague got one back as Calle Ridderwall scored, thanks to Jiri Sekac. Slovan replied as Netik scored his second of the game, an empty net goal, set up by Milan Bartovic. Lev got one back in odd fashion, as they were whistled for a penalty, but Slovan put the puck in their own net, so a goal was credited to Michal Birner, with assists provided by Ryan O'Byrne and Michal Repik. Bratislava iced it at 5-2 with an unassisted goal by Miklik. The three stars were Miklik, Vondrka, and Netik, while Olvecky gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Monday Night Football Week 6 2013

Tonight's Monday night game comes from San Diego, as the Chargers host the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis got going in the first quarter as Adam Vinatieri kicked a 30 yard field goal. San Diego took the lead in the second quarter on a Philip Rivers touchdown pass of 22 yards to Keenan Allen, and Nick Novak made the extra point. The Chargers added on as Novak drilled a 31 yard field goal. The Colts got some back on a 50 yard Vinatieri field goal. San Diego extended the lead on a third quarter 33 yard field goal by Novak. The Chargers padded the lead in the fourth quarter with a Novak field goal from 34 yards. Indianapolis chipped back as Vinatieri made a 51 yard field goal. San Diego wrapped it up with a Novak field goal of 50 yards. This produced a 19-9 final, with the Chargers now at 3-3 and the Colts falling to 4-2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 14 2013-2014

Today, there are only three games on, beginning in...

Boston with a holiday matinee, as the Bruins bring in the Detroit Red Wings in the afternoon. Jonas Gustavsson is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Detroit began in the first period with a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk. Boston tied it as Loui Eriksson scored his second of the year, with the help of Johnny Boychuk and Reilly Smith. The Red Wings retook the lead on a second period goal by Stephen Weiss, his second of the season, passed from Johan Franzen and Brian Lashoff. Detroit extended the lead with Daniel Cleary's goal, courtesy of Daniel Alfredsson and Joakim Andersson. The Bruins pulled back in the third period on a Milan Lucic goal, his third of the year, made possible by Dennis Seidenberg and David Krejci. This wasn't enough to tie the game, and they fell 3-2, with the three stars going to Gustavsson (28 for 30 in saves), Cleary, and Zetterberg.

Over in Washington, the Capitals host the Edmonton Oilers. Jason LaBarbera and Braden Holtby get the stating nods. Edmonton led off in the first period with Boyd Gordon's fourth of the season, assisted by Justin Schultz. Washington tied it as Brooks Laich scored, thanks to Steve Oleksy. The Capitals took the lead on a second period goal by Joel Ward, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. Washington added on as Ovechkin scored his sixth of the year, courtesy of Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. The Capitals extended the lead with a Troy Brouwer power play goal, set up by Mikhail Grabovski and Backstrom, the latter getting a sock trick. The Oilers got one back in the third period as Will Acton scored, with assists provided by Jeff Petry and David Perron. The final was 4-2, with the three stars going to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Holtby (28 for 30 in saves).

Finally, in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jhonas Enroth are in the blue paint. Minnesota got going in the first period as Kyle Brodziak scored, thanks to Matt Cooke and Jonas Brodin. Buffalo tied the game in the second period with a Brian Flynn goal, via Zemgus Girgensons. The Wild took the lead back as Jason Pominville scored his second of the season, a power play goal, powered by Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. They held on to win 2-1, with the three stars going to Pominville, Harding (22 for 23 in saves), and Brodziak.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 41 2013-2014

Four games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Mathieu Garon are in the blue paint. Kazan opened in the first period with a Kirill Petrov goal, assisted by Ilya Nikulin and Alexei Tereshchenko. Ak Bars added on when Alexander Burmistrov scored, thanks to Tim Stapleton and Shaun Heshka. Omsk got on the board when Dmitry Semin scored, with a lone assist from Alexander Frolov. Avangard tied it as Semin scored a second period power play goal, powered by Frolov. Kazan won the game 3-2 in overtime on a Janne Pesonen goal, guided in by Nikulin. The three stars were Semin, Nikulin, and Frolov.

Up to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. Podolsk struck first in the first period with a Sergei Topol goal, coming off of Yakov Seleznyov and Yury Koksharov. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Anton Lazarev and Sami Lepisto. The tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where Avtomobilist won 2-1 with a lone tally by Anthony Stewart. The three stars were given to Kovar (37 for 38 in saves), Lisutin (35 for 36 in saves), and Stewart.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Vitaly Yeremeyev protect the nets. Astana started in the first period on an unassisted goal by Brandon Bochenski. Barys added on as Fyodor Polishchuk scored in the second period, with the help of Mikhail Rakhmanov and Alexei Antsiferov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with an unassisted goal by Juuso Hietanen. Astana replied with an Artemy Lakiza goal in the third period, via Dmitry Upper and Nikolai Antropov. Torpedo shot back on a Jarkko Immonen power play goal, powered by Denis Parshin and Sakari Salminen. Barys iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Dustin Boyd, going in unassisted. The three stars were Lakiza, Bochenski, and Hietanen.

Finally, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Mikhail Biryukov receive the starting nods. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the first period on a goal by Andrei Shefer, coming off of Anton Krysanov. Moscow tied it in the second period as Yury Babenko scored, thanks to Maxim Karpov and Denis Barantsev. Dynamo took the lead on an Alexei Sopin goal, fueled by Martins Karsums and Maxim Solovyov. Moscow added on in the third period when Konstantin Glazachev scored, with assists provided by Karpov and Roman Derlyuk. Dynamo extended the lead on a power play goal by Leo Komarov, powered by Derlyuk and Denis Mosalyov. This made it a 4-1 final, with Yeryomenko (25 for 26 in saves), Karpov, and Derlyuk getting the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

NFL Week 6 2013

Only thirteen games on today, beginning in...

Houston, as the Texans host the St. Louis Rams. St. Louis began in the first quarter with a Sam Bradford touchdown pass of 2 yards to Cory Harkey, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Rams added on in the second quarter as Zuerlein made a 42 yard field goal. Houston answered with a Randy Bullock field goal of 20 yards. St. Louis shot back as Bradford tossed a 2 yard touchdown pass to Lance Kendricks, and Zuerlein was true with the extra point. The Texans got some back as Bullock nailed a 35 yard field goal. The Rams extended the lead in the third quarter on a Bradford touchdown pass of 4 yards to Brian Quick, and Zuerlein made another PAT. St. Louis padded the lead on a Daren Bates 11 yard run on a recovery of fumble that occurred when Keshawn Martin was returning a kickoff, and he took it the end zone for a touchdown, allowing Zuerlein another extra point. The Rams got some more as Alec Ogletree picked off T.J. Yates and returned the interception for 98 yards and a touchdown, and Zuerlein supplied the extra point. Houston chipped back in the fourth quarter on a Ben Tate 1 yard touchdown run, and Bullock drilled the extra point. They would still lose 38-13, and the Rams go to 3-3 while dropping the Texans to 2-4.

North to Buffalo, where the Bills welcome the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati opened in the first quarter with a Mike Nugent field goal of 46 yards. Buffalo took the lead when Thaddeus Lewis ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Dan Carpenter handled the extra point. The Bengals took the lead back as Andy Dalton found A.J. Green for 18 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent supplied the extra point. Cincinnati added on in the second quarter as Dalton passed 20 yards to Giovani Bernard for a touchdown, and Nugent was true with the PAT. The Bills got some back on a Carpenter field goal from 51 yards out. The Bengals responded in the third quarter on a 10 yard Dalton touchdown pass to Marvin Jones, and Nugent knocked in the extra point. Buffalo chipped back in the fourth quarter as Lewis tossed a 22 yard touchdown pass to Scott Chandler, and Carpenter was there with the extra point. The Bills pulled even as Lewis found Marquise Goodwin for 40 yards and a touchdown, and Carpenter's extra point was the equalizer. The game went to overtime, where Cincinnati prevailed on a Nugent field goal of 43 yards for a 27-24 win. The Bengals are now 4-2 while the Bills are 2-4.

West to Minnesota, as the Vikings host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina was first to score in the first quarter on a 2 yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to Steve Smith, and Graham Gano made the extra point. The Panthers added on in the second quarter as Newton found Mike Tolbert for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Gano made another extra point. Minnesota got on the board with a 22 yard field goal by Blair Walsh. Carolina answered in the third quarter on a Newton touchdown pass of 79 yards to Brandon LaFell, and Gano was true with the PAT. The Panthers extended the lead as Newton ran 7 yards for a touchdown, and Gano supplied the extra point. Carolina kept going on a 1 yard touchdown run by Tolbert, and Gano knocked in the extra point. The Vikings got some back with a 23 yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel to Kyle Rudolph, and Walsh drilled the extra point. This produced the 35-10 final score, with the Panthers moving up to 2-3 and the Vikings dropping to 1-4.

Back in the east, the New York Jets bring in the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York struck first in the first quarter on a 25 yard field goal by Nick Folk. Pittsburgh tied it in the second quarter as Shaun Suisham booted a 46 yard field goal. The Steelers took the lead with a field goal of 33 yards by Suisham. Pittsburgh added on as Suisham made a 48 yard field goal. The Jets got some back with a Folk field goal from 39 yards away. The Steelers extended the lead in the third quarter as Ben Roethlisberger found Emmanuel Sanders for 55 yards and a touchdown, and Suisham was true with the extra point. Pittsburgh wrapped it up at 19-6 with a Suisham field goal of 32 yards in the fourth quarter. This moves them to 1-4 and the Jets fall to 3-3.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Buccaneers host the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia led off in the first quarter on a 4 yard touchdown run by Nick Foles, and Alex Henery made the extra point. Tampa Bay got on the board with a 38 yard Rian Lindell field goal. The Buccaneers took the lead in the second quarter on a Mike Glennon 24 yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson, and Lindell was there with the extra point. The Eagles retook the lead as Foles tossed a 12 yard touchdown to DeSean Jackson, and Henery drilled the PAT. Tampa Bay retook the lead as Glennon connected with Vincent Jackson again for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Lindell booted the extra point. Philadelphia edged back ahead in the third quarter on a Foles touchdown pass of 47 yards to Riley Cooper, and Henery was true with the extra point. The Buccaneers got some back on a Lindell field goal in the fourth quarter, good from 27 yards. The Eagles shot back on a 36 yard pass from Foles to DeSean Jackson for a touchdown, and Henery supplied another extra point. Philadelphia ended up winning by a 31-20 score when Henery made a 24 yard field goal. The Eagles improve to 3-3 while the Buccaneers remain a winless 0-5.

Northwest we go, landing in Kansas City, as the Chiefs welcome the Oakland Raiders. Oakland got going in the second quarter with a Terrelle Pryor touchdown pass to Denarius Moore, good for 39 yards, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. Kansas City pulled even as Jamaal Charles ran in a 7 yard touchdown, and Ryan Succop handled the extra point. The Chiefs added on in the third quarter as Charles rushed 2 yards for another touchdown, and Succop booted another PAT. Kansas City extended the lead with a 33 yard field goal by Succop in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs got some more when Husain Abdullah picked off Pryor and returned the ball for 44 yards and a touchdown, allowing Succop to kick another extra point. This gave them a 24-7 win, and the Chiefs remain undefeated at 6-0 while the Raiders fall to 2-4.

Eastward again, with the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay started in the first quarter on a Mason Crosby field goal of 45 yards. The Packers added on in the second quarter when Crosby nailed a 31 yard field goal. Green Bay extended the lead in the third quarter when Crosby booted a 50 yard field goal. Baltimore got on the board with a Justin Tucker field goal of 23 yards. The Packers answered on an Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass of 64 yard to Jordy Nelson, allowing Crosby to kick an extra point. The Ravens replied as Joe Flacco found Jacoby Jones in the fourth quarter for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker supplied the PAT. Green Bay shot back with a Crosby field goal of 31 yards. Baltimore chipped back on a Flacco touchdown pass to Dallas Clark for 18 yards, and Tucker was true with the extra point. They couldn't get an edge though, losing 19-17, and the Packers improved to 3-2 while the Ravens fell to 3-3.

Just over in Ohio, we end the morning games with the Cleveland Browns bringing in the Detroit Lions. Detroit was first to score in the first quarter on a 1 yard Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Joseph Fauria, and David Akers made the extra point. Cleveland answered in the second quarter on a 4 yard touchdown pass from Brandon Weeden to Chris Ogbonnaya, and Billy Cundiff was true with the extra point. The Browns took the lead as Weeden found Greg Little for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Cundiff knocked in another extra point. Cleveland extended the lead as Cundiff made a 40 yard field goal. The Lions shot back in the third quarter on an 18 yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Reggie Bush, and Akers supplied the PAT. Detroit took the lead in the fourth quarter when Stafford tossed a 23 yard touchdown to Fauria, and Akers was true with the extra point. The Lions added on as Akers made a 51 yard field. Detroit padded the lead with a third Stafford touchdown pass to Fauria, this time for 10 yards, and Akers once again made the extra point. This made it a 31-17 final score, with the Lions improving to 4-2 while the Browns drop to 3-3.

Up in the Northwest, the Seattle Seahawks host the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee led off with a first quarter field goal of 38 yards by Rob Bironas. Seattle answered when Marshawn Lynch ran 1 yard in the second quarter for a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka booted the extra point. The Titans took the lead back when Chris Maragos fumbled the snap and Jason McCourty returned it 77 yards for a touchdown to end the half, and Bironas handled the extra point. The Seahawks tied it with a third quarter field goal of 31 yards by Hauschka. Seattle took the lead with a 29 yard field goal by Hauschka in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks extended the lead as Lynch ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Tennessee got some back on a 25 yard field goal by Bironas. They couldn't pull even, losing 20-13, with the Seahawks going to 5-1 while the Titans fall to 3-3.

Southeast a little to Denver, as the Broncos welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Denver stuck first in the first quarter as Peyton Manning found Julius Thomas for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Matt Prater made the extra point. The Broncos added on with a Manning touchdown pass to Wes Welker for 20 yards, and Prater was there with the extra point. Jacksonville got on the board in the econd quarter with a Josh Scobee field goal of 50 yards. The Jaguars pulled closer when Scobee made a 30 yard field goal. Jacksonville chipped away as Paul Posluszny intercepted Manning and returned the ball 59 yards for a touchdown, but the two-point attempt from Chad Henne to Justin Blackmon failed. Denver extended the lead in the third quarter with a 1 yard Knowshon Moreno touchdown run, and another Prater PAT. The Jaguars got some back as Maurice Jones-Drew ran in a 5 yard touchdown, and Scobee knocked in the extra point. The Broncos padded the lead on a Moreno 8 yard touchdown run, and Prater was true with the extra point. Denver kept going as Moreno ran in a 3 yard touchdown as his third of the day, and Prater kicked another extra point. The final stood from here at 35-19, with the Broncos going to 6-0 while the Jaguars fall to 0-6.

Northeast now to Foxboro, where the New England Patriots host the New Orleans Saints. New England began in the first quarter with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal of 35 yards. New Orleans took the lead as Drew Brees tossed a 3 yard touchdown pass to Travaris Cadet, and Garrett Hartley was there with the extra point. The Patriots retook the lead in the second quarter on a Stevan Ridley touchdown run of 1 yard, and Gostkowski knocked in the extra point. New England extended the lead as Ridley ran in a 4 yard touchdown, and Gostkowski drilled another extra point. The Saints got some back in the third quarter on a Hartley field goal of 28 yards. New Orleans tied the game as Khiry Robinson ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Hartley made his PAT. The Patriots retook the lead on a 54 yard Gostkowski field goal. New England added on as Gostkowski made a 23 yard field goal. The Saints edged ahead as Brees found Kenny Stills for 34 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley was there with the extra point. New Orleans got some insurance points on a Hartley 39 yard field goal. The Patriots pulled back ahead as Tom Brady passed a 17 yard touchdown to Kenbrell Thompkins, and Gostkowski supplied the extra point. They hung on for a 30-27 win, and both teams are now 5-1.

All the way west again, the San Francisco 49ers bring in the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco opened with a Phil Dawson field goal in the first quarter from 35 yards out. The 49ers added on as Dawson made a 26 yard field goal. Arizona got on the board with a 75 yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald, and Jay Feely made the extra point. San Francisco retook the lead as Cory Lemonier sacked Palmer for a 4 yard loss and a safety. The 49ers extended the lead as Colin Kaepernick tossed a 61 yard touchdown to Vernon Davis, and Dawson supplied the PAT. The Cardinals answered with an Andre Ellington run of 15 yards for a touchdown, and Feely booted the extra point. San Francisco shot back on another Kaepernick touchdown pass to Davis, this time for 35 yards, and Dawson made another extra point. Arizona pulled back with a Palmer touchdown pass of 10 yard to Michael Floyd, but the two-point attempt from Patrick Peterson to Fitzgerald failed. The 49ers replied on a 6 yard touchdown run by Kendall Hunter, and Dawson supplied the extra point. San Francisco padded the lead as Dawson made a 44 yard field goal. This made it 32-20, with the 49ers improving to 4-2 while the Cardinals fall to 3-3.

Finally, in Dallas, the Cowboys host the Washington Redskins. Dallas started in the first quarter as DeMarco Murray ran in a 4 yard touchdown, and Dan Bailey handled the extra point. Washington got some back with a 20 yard field goal by Kai Forbath. The Cowboys added on in the second quarter as Dwayne Harris ran back an 86 yard punt return for a touchdown, and Bailey was true with the extra point. The Redskins replied as Forbath made a 32 yard field goal. Washington pulled closer in the third quarter as Forbath nailed a 33 yard field goal. Dallas answered on a 15 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Terrance Williams, and Bailey nailed the PAT. The Redskins pulled back as Alfred Morris unleashed a 45 yard touchdown run, and Forbath supplied the extra point. The Cowboys padded the lead on a Bailey field goal of 30 yards in the fourth quarter. Dallas struck again as Joseph Randle ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Bailey was true with the extra point. This produced the 31-16 final score, where the Cowboys improved to 3-3 while dropping the Redskins to 1-4.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 13 2013-2014

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

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Anton Khudobin are given the starting nods. Phoenix led off in the first period with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play from Shane Doan and Derek Morris. Carolina tied it with an Eric Staal goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted goal. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with a Riley Nash goal, via Ryan Murphy and Jay Harrison. The Coyotes evened the score again on a Rob Klinkhammer goal, guided in by Paul Bissonnette and Tim Kennedy. Cam Ward relieved Khudobin midway through the period. Phoenix took the lead as Lauri Korpikoski scored, with the help of Mike Ribeiro and David Moss. Carolina tied it again with a power play goal by Jeff Skinner, his second of the season, powered by Nathan Gerbe. The Coyotes retook the lead on a Klinkhammer goal, his second of the game, fueled by Zbynek Michalek and the goalie Smith. Phoenix added on as Doan scored a power play goal, passed from Radim Vrbata and David Schlemko. This held up for a 5-3 win, with the three stars going to Klinkhammer, Doan, and Nash.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens and Jacob Markstrom are the young goalies. Los Angeles got going in the second period with a Dan Carcillo goal, fueled by Mike Richards and Jordan Nolan. The Kings added on as Justin Williams scored his second of the season, with a lone assist by Anze Kopitar. Los Angeles extended the lead as Nolan scored, with helpers provided by Jarret Stoll and Carcillo. This was good for a 3-0 win, with the three stars going to Scrivens (20 save shutout), Carcillo, and Nolan.

Way to the west, the Anaheim Ducks host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonas Hiller are in the creases. Anaheim opened in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his second of the season, assisted by Pat Maroon and Ryan Getlzaf. The Ducks added on as Getzlaf scored his second of the year, via Hampus Lindholm and Teemu Selanne. Robin Lehner replaced Anderson at this time. Ottawa got one back as Bobby Ryan scored his third of the season, courtesy of Kyle Turris and Joe Corvo. Anaheim replied with a second period period goal by Perry, his second of the game and third of the year, passed from Lindholm. The Ducks extended the lead with a Nick Bonino goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The final stood at 4-1 Ducks, with the three stars being Perry, Getzlaf, and Lindholm.

Finally, we head northeast to Winnipeg, where the Jets bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Al Montoya are the masked men. Winnipeg started in the second period with an Evander Kane goal, his second of the season, coming shorthanded via Mark Stuart and Bryan Little. The Jets added on in the third period on another Kane goal, his second of the game and third of the year, an empty net goal, set up by Olli Jokinen and Michael Frolik. Winnipeg made it 3-0 with an Andrew Ladd goal, with a lone assist by Frolik. The three stars were Kane, Montoya (24 save shutout), and Frolik.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 40 2013-2014

We have ten games on today over in Europe. We begin in...

Prague, as Lev hosts Salavat Yulaev. Andrei Vasilevsky and Petri Vehanen are given the starting nods. Ufa began in the first period with an Alexander Pankov goal, going in unassisted. Salavat Yulaev added on in the second period as Alexei Glukhov scored, with the help of Pankov. Ufa extended the lead on an Igor Mirnov goal, passed from Antti Pihlstrom and Andrei Zubarev. Prague got on the board with a third period goal by Petr Vrana, with a lone assist by Michal Repik. Lev pulled closer as Martin Thornberg scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. They failed to get an equalizer, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Mirnov, Pankov, and Vasilevsky (28 for 30 in saves).

East to Mytishchi, where Atlant welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Sergei Borisov are in the creases. Khabarovsk opened with a first period goal by Alexander Yunkov, assisted by Evgeny Korotkov and Jakub Petruzalek. Mytishchi tied it on a third period power play goal by Andreas Engqvist, powered by Evgeny Artyukhin and Sergei Shmelyov. The tie was broken the shootout when Igor Radulov scored the only goal to give Atlant a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Borisov (24 for 25 in saves), Engqvist, and Murygin (26 for 27 in saves).

Back over to St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Alexander Salak are set to start. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period on an Evgeny Grachyov goal, fueled by Enver Lisin and Denis Osipov. Admiral added on with an unassisted goal by Artyom Ternavsky. St. Petersburg got on the board with a power play goal by Viktor Tikhonov, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Vadim Shipachyov. Vladivostok replied in the second period as Lisin scored a power play goal, set up by Felix Schutz and Artyom Zemchyonok. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Lisin, Ivannikov (44 for 45 in saves), and Ternavsky.

Reversing course, we head back to Moscow, as CSKA brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Rastislav Stana guard the cages. Moscow got going in the second period on an Oleg Saprykin goal, assisted by Roman Lyubimov. CSKA added on with a Sergei Shirokov goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Zubov. Nizhnekamsk got on the board in the third period as Yegor Milovzorov scored, courtesy of Pyotr Khokhryakov. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Stana (37 for 38 in saves), Shirokov, and Saprykin.

East a little to Cherepovets, as Severstal hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Niko Hovinen and Jakub Stepanek are the average goalies, although Hovinen was hurt early in the first period and replaced by Ilya Sorokin. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period with a Vadim Mitryakov goal, fueled by Denis Kurepanov and Ivan Gavrilenko. Cherepovets tied the game on a Gleb Klimenko goal, coming off of Vladimir Antipov and Vadim Berdnikov. Severstal took the lead when Nikolai Kazakovtsev scored, with the help of Teemu Laasko. Cherepovets added on in the second period as Pakhrudin Gimbatov scored, via Alexander Fedoseyev and Alexander Gogolev. Severstal extended the lead as Berdnikov converted a penalty shot he received after being interfered with by Mikhail Chernov. Metallurg got one back with an Alexei Kosourov goal, coming on the power play from Kurtis McLean. Cherepovets replied with another Kazakovtsev power play goal in the third period, assisted by Pavel Buchnevich and Evgeny Kovyrshin. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Berdnikov, Kazakovtsev, and Gimbatov.

Staying close by, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Curtis Sanford are the masked men. Yaroslavl led off in the third period with Jonas Holos goal, via Yegor Averin and Daniil Apalkov. Novosibirsk tied it on a power play goal by Vyacheslav Belov, powered by Jonas Enlund and Ivan Lekomtsev. The tie was broken in the shootout in favor of Sibir as Dmitry Kugryshev and Nikolai Lemtyugov each tallied to lift their team to a 2-1 win. The three stars were Koskinen (23 for 24 in saves), Sanford (27 for 28 in saves), and Lemtyugov.

To the west, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Miroslav Kopriva are in the blue paint. Chelyabinsk started in the first period with a Yegor Dugin goal, assisted by Petri Kontiola and Andrei Kostitsyn. Traktor added on as Kostitsyn scored a power play goal, powered by Kontiola. Chelyabinsk extended the lead on a Dmitry Sayustov goal, coming off of Semyon Kokuyov. Bratislava got on the board as Michal Sersen scored, via Michal Vondrka and Peter Olvecky. Traktor replied in the second period with a Sayustov goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Maxim Kondratyev. Slovan got one back on an unassisted power play goal by Juraj Mikus. Bratislava got closer as Martin Stajnoch scored a power play goal, and Sersen had the only assist. Slovan tied it on a Milan Bartovic goal in the third period, set up by Tomas Netik and Mikus. Chelyabinsk retook the lead with an Alexander Guskov goal, guided in by Kokuyov. Bratislava tied it again with a power play goal by Vondrka, thanks to Michel Miklik. Slovan took the game 6-5 with an unassisted Netik goal in the last minute of regulation. Netik, Mikus, and Vondrka are named the three stars, while Sersen, Sayustov, Kostitsyn, Kontiola, and Kokuyov are the honorable mentions.

Over in Latvia, Dinamo Riga hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Jakub Sedlacek in goal. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Danis Zaripov. Metallurg added on in the second period as Zaripov scored a power play goal, and Mozyakin returned the favor with the lone assist. Riga got on the board in the third period with an unassisted power play goal by Marcel Hossa. Dinamo tied it with a Kristaps Sotnieks goal, fueled by Hossa and Kyle Wilson. Riga took the game 3-2 in overtime on a Vitalijs Pavlovs goal, coming off of Roberts Bukarts. The three stars were Hossa, Mozyakin, and Zaripov.

In Belarus, the other Dinamo, Minsk, brings in Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Kevin Lalande are the solid goalies. Minsk struck first in the first period with a Dmitry Meleshko goal, assisted by Andrei Stas and Derek Meech. Donetsk got on the board with a Clay Wilson goal, passed from Petteri Wirtanen and Peter Podhradsky. Donbass took the lead as Ruslan Fedotenko potted the puck, with the help of Wirtanen. Donetsk added on in the second period as Alexander Toryanik scored, via Roman Blagoi and Sergei Varlamov. Donbass extended the lead with a shorthanded goal by Randy Robitaille, set up by Lukas Kaspar and Oleg Piganovich. Dinamo got one back in the third period with another Meleshko goal, courtesy of Alexei Kalyuzhny and Oleg Goroshko. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-2, and the three stars were awarded to Meleshko, Wirtanen, and Toryanik.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Barry Brust are the North American goalies. Zagreb began with a Michael Ryan goal in the first period, via Ryan Vesce. Moscow tied it in the second period as Tom Wandell scored, with the help of Rastislav Spirko. Medvescak took the lead back on a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, assisted by Matt Murley and Bill Thomas. Spartak tied it on a Deron Quint goal in the third period, passed from Nikolai Zherdev and Andrei Sergeyev. Moscow took the game 3-2 in the shootout on a lone tally by Wandell. The three stars were Wandell, Quint, and Glass (42 for 44 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.