NHL Day 54 2013-2014

Twelve games on today, including two matinees. The first is in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward faces a lesser foe in Chad Johnson in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with an Andrej Sekera goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal on the power play. Boston tied it with a power play goal by Zdeno Chara, his fourth of the year, powered by Milan Lucic and Torey Krug. The Bruins took the lead in the second period as Reilly Smith scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Carl Soderberg and Matt Bartkowski. The Hurricanes retied it in the third period with a Patrick Dwyer goal, his second of the year, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Boston won 3-2 in overtime as David Krejci scored his fourth of the campaign, via Jarome Iginla and Johnny Boychuk. The three stars went to Krejci, Dwyer, and Smith.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom returns from injury to face Ondrej Pavelec in goal. Winnipeg got going in the second period as Michael Frolik scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Matt Halischuk. Minnesota tied it as Nino Neiderreiter scored his fifth of the year in the third period, passed from Marco Scandella and Zach Parise. The Jets took the lead back with a Halischuk goal, his second of the season, guided in by Frolik and Mark Scheilefe. The Wild tied it again as Parise scored a shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Koivu and Bryan Little swapped goals before Charlie Coyle gave Minnesota a 3-2 win. The three stars were Parise, Halischuk, and Frolik.

East to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and James Reimer are in the blue paint. Toronto dented the scoreboard in the second period with a David Clarkson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri. Washington tied it in the third perid as Alex Ovechkin scored his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by Mike Green. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Toronto's James van Riemsdyk matched Washington's Eric Fehr before the Maple Leafs won with a Joffrey Lupul goal by a 2-1 score. The three stars went to Reimer (49 for 50 in saves), Holtby (27 for 28 in saves), and Lupul.

Into the States, as the Detroit Red Wings host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner is mismatched with Jimmy Howard in goal. Detroit opened in the first period on a Darren Helm goal, his fourth of the season, coming via Tomas Tatar and Jakub Kindl on the power play. Ottawa answered with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Bobby Ryan and Patrick Wiercioch. The Senators took the lead on a Chris Neil goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Cory Conacher and Zack Smith. The Red Wings tied it on a Pavel Datsyuk third period power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Niklas Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg. Ottawa retook the lead on a Ryan power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza. The Senators finished it at 4-2 with a MacArthur power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Wiercioch and Karlsson. The three stars were MacArthur, Karlsson, and Ryan, while Wiercioch gets the honorable mention.

Back east, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Steve Mason are the unreliable goalies. Philadelphia began in the second period as Matt Read scored his seventh of the season, with the help of Sean Couturier and Steve Downie. The Flyers added on as Wayne Simmonds scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Vincent Lecavalier and Erik Gustafsson. Philadelphia extended the lead on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. Anders Nilsson replaced Poulin at this time. New York got on the board as John Tavares scored his tenth of the year, fueled by Thomas Vanek and Matt Donovan. The Islanders pulled closer in the third period with an Eric Boulton goal, coming off of Casey Cizikas. The Flyers answered as Brayden Schenn scored his seventh of the season, passed from Voracek and Giroux. Philadelphia iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Read, his second of the game and eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Read, Giroux, and Simmonds, while Voracek gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada again, as the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal struck first in the second period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens added on in the third period as Tomas Plekanec scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. Montreal extended the lead when Pacioretty scored his seventh of the season and second of the game, with the help of Raphael Diaz. Pittsburgh got on the board with the third of the year by James Neal, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and Paul Martin on the power play. The Penguins pulled closer as Neal scored his second of the night and fourth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Malkin. They failed to tie the score, losing 3-2, with the three stars belonging to Pacioretty, Neal, and Malkin.

Back south, the St. Louis Blues host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Brian Elliott are the veteran goalies. St. Louis started in the first period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and T.J. Oshie. Dallas tied it with a Brenden Dillon goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Rich Peverley and Jamie Benn. The Blues took the lead back as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis added on in the second period with a David Backes goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Blues extended the lead as Derek Roy scored his sixth of the season in the third period, a power play goal powered by Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis padded the lead with a Chris Stewart goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Brenden Morrow and Jay Bouwmeester. Dan Ellis relieved Lehtonen. The Blues wrapped it up at 6-1 with an Oshie goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Pietrangelo and Patrik Berglund. The three stars went to Elliott (34 for 35 in saves), Oshie, and Pietrangelo.

Over in Nashville, the Predators welcome the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Marek Mazanec are the unheard of goalies. New York was first to score in the second period with a Ryan McDonagh goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Dan Girardi and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers added on as Derek Stepan scored his fifth of the year in the third period, with a lone helper by Zuccarello. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars going to Talbot (17 save shutout), Zuccarello, and McDonagh.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Mike Smith are the masked men. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Dustin Penner power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Cam Fowler and Nick Bonino. Phoenix tied it in the second period on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Derek Morris and Shane Doan. The Ducks retook the lead as Penner scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, thanks to Ben Lovejoy. Anaheim added on as Corey Perry scored his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks extended the lead with a Sami Vatanen power play goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mathieu Perreault and Matt Beleskey. The Coyotes got one back in the third period as Shane Doan scored his eleventh of the year, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. They got no closer, losing 4-2, with the three stars being Penner, Hiller (42 for 44 in saves), and Doan.

Way to the north, as the Vancouver Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Vancouver opened in the first period on a Ryan Kesler goal, his tenth of the season, coming on the power play from Jason Garrison and Daniel Sedin. Chicago tied it in the third period as Andrew Shaw scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks gained the lead with a Marcus Kruger goal, his third of the season, passed from Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Crawford (36 for 37 in saves), Kruger, and Luongo (27 for 29 in saves).

Into California, where the San Jose Sharks welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Antti Niemi protect the nets. San Jose started in the first period with a Scott Hannan goal, his third of the season, passed from Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Sharks added on when Tyler Kennedy potted his third of the year, thanks to Martin Havlat and Jason Demers. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Patrik Elias goal, his fourth of the season, coming on the power play from Andy Greene and Eric Gelinas. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Niemi (18 for 19 in saves), Brodeur (28 for 30 in saves), and Kennedy.

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, as the Kings bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ben Scrivens are between the pipes. The final was 1-0 in favor of Colorado in overtime with a Jamie McGinn goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of John Mitchell and Jan Hejda. Varlamov (19 save shutout), McGinn, and Scrivens (32 for 33 in saves) receive the three stars.

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KHL Day 81 2013-2014

Only one game today, as Severstal Cherepovets hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Jakub Stepanek receive the starting nods. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period with a Nikolai Bushuyev goal, assisted by Linus Videll and Alexander Guskov. Severstal added on as Pavel Buchnevich converted a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Pavel Kopytin on a breakaway. Cherepovets extended the lead in the second period as Buchnevich scored his second of the game, via Nikolai Kazakovtsev. Severstal iced it at 4-0 in the third period with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Buchnevich. The three stars were Buchnevich, Stepanek (25 save shutout), and Bushuyev.

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NHL Day 53 2013-2014

This post comes from home, and details five NHL games. We begin in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Jeff Zatkoff are given the starting nods. Pittsburgh led off with a Chris Kunitz goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the power play. The Penguins added on as Kunitz scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by James Neal and Paul Martin. New York got on the board in the second period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his sixth of the season, via Kyle Okposo and Radek Martinek. Pittsburgh answered with a Malkin goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Neal and Jussi Jokinen. The Islanders got one back as Colin McDonald scored his second of the season, courtesy of Casey Cizikas. New York tied it with another Vanek goal, his second of the night and seventh of the year, made possible by Okposo and John Tavares. The Penguins won 4-3 in the third period as Crosby scored his twelfth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Pascal Dupuis and Kunitz. The three stars were Kunitz, Crosby, and Malkin, while Vanek and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Michal Neuvirth are the backups making spot starts. Montreal began in the first period as Travis Moen scored, with the help of Michael Bournival and Ryan White. The Canadiens added on as David Desharnais scored, thanks to Josh Gorges and Andrei Markov. Montreal extended the lead as Daniel Briere netted his fourth of the season, courtesy of Gorges and Alexei Emelin on the power play. Washington got on the board with Alex Ovechkin scoring his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Carlson and Troy Brouwer. The Capitals pulled closer in the third period with Ovechkin's second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, a power play goal coming off of Carlson and Mikhail Grabovski. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars being given to Ovechkin, Gorges, and Carlson.

Way to the west, the Calgary Flames host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Reto Berra man the creases. Florida was first to score in the first period with a Tom Gilbert goal, fueled by Nick Bjugstad. Calgary tied it in the second period as Joe Colborne notched his third of the season, via David Jones. The Flames took the lead as Sven Baertschi scored his second of the year, courtesy of Colborne and T.J. Brodie on the power play. Calgary extended the lead as Blair Jones scored in the third period, via Lance Bouma and Mikael Backlund. The Panthers got one back with an unassisted Jimmy Hayes goal. Florida tied it on a Marcel Goc goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Sean Bergenheim and Scott Gomez. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jiri Hudler and Brad Boyes traded goals, followed by Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Fleischmann doing the same, and then the Flames won 4-3 as Sean Monahan went unanswered in the sixth round. The three stars were Colborne, Monahan, and Baertschi.

Over in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Columbus started in the first period with a Matt Calvert goal, coming off of Michael Chaput. Vancouver tied it on a Daniel Sedin goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on as Zack Kassian scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Brad Richardson and Ryan Stanton. Vancouver extended the lead with a Henrik Sedin goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks padded the lead with an Edler goal, his third of the year, assisted by Chris Higgins and Mike Santorelli. Vancouver got another in the third period as Henrik Sedin scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Stanton. The Blue Jackets got one back as Artem Anisimov scored his sixth of the year, guided in by Nikita Nikitin and David Savard. The Canucks replied as Jeremy Welsh scored, with the help of Stanton, who got a sock trick, and Dale Weise. This made it 6-2, the final, with Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, and Stanton getting the three stars, while Edler gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Anaheim won 1-0 in overtime on a Ryan Getzlaf goal with just six seconds left, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The three stars were Getzlaf, Hiller (31 save shutout), and Bishop (41 for 42 in saves).

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KHL Day 80 2013-2014

Twelve more games today. This is a travel day for me, so I will be late with NHL games tonight, either delayed until tomorrow or very late tonight. We begin hockey today in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Mathieu Garon draw the starts. Moscow started with an Ilari Filppula goal in the first period, assisted by Oleg Saprykin. Omsk tied it in the second period on a Denis Kulyash goal, fueled by Alexander Popov. CSKA retook the lead with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, coming off of Alexander Radulov and Saprykin. Avangard tied it in again as Alexander Perezhogin scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Moscow gained the lead again on an unassisted goal by Alexei Morozov. CSKA added on in the third period as Brandon Reid scored, with the help of Alexander Frolov. Omsk got one back as Stefan Ruzicka scored, via Ivan Baranka and Popov. Moscow extended the lead when Prokhorkin scored his second of the game, thanks to Yakov Rylov and Radulov. This was good for a 5-3 final, with Prokhorkin, Radulov, and Saprykin getting the three stars, while Popov gets an honorable mention.

Up in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Jakub Kovar are given the starts. Prague began in the first period with a Jiri Novotny goal, assisted by Justin Azevedo. Lev added on in the third period with another Novotny goal, going in unassisted. Yekaterinburg got on the board as Sami Lepisto scored a power play goal, powered by Artyom Chernov. Prague answered with Novotny completing his hat trick on an unassisted empty net goal. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Novotny, Vehanen (28 for 29 in saves), and Lepisto.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Ari Ahonen are the experienced goalies. Riga was first to score in the first period with an unassisted goal by Marcel Hossa. Dinamo added on in the second period when Krisjanis Redlihs scored a power play goal, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Miks Indrasis. Astana got on the board with a Dustin Boyd goal, coming off of Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Riga answered with a power play goal by Hossa, with a lone helper by Sandis Ozolins. Barys replied with a Roman Starchenko goal, via Konstantin Rudenko and Nikolai Antropov. Astana tied it as Boyd scored his second of the game, with a lone assist from Cam Barker on the power play. Barys took the the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Dawes, guided in by the goalie Ahonen and Barker. Dinamo retied it as Paul Szczechura scored, with the help of Hossa and Mat Robinson. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Szczechura finished what he started by scoring the lone tally for a 5-4 Dinamo win. The three stars were Szczechura, Hossa, and Boyd, while Dawes and Barker get the honorable mentions.

Back in Russia, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Alexei Kuznetsov man the creases. They did that well, keeping the game scoreless into a shootout. It was here that Slovan won 1-0 on a Tomas Netik goal. The three stars were awarded to Janus (27 save shutout), Kuznetsov (15 save "shutout"), and Netik.

A bit west to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Vitaly Koval play goal. Khabarovsk led off in the first period with an Andrei Stepanov power play goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Loginov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a power play goal by Wojtek Wolski, powered by Justin Hodgman and Sakari Salminen. Torpedo took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Juuso Hietanen, guided in by Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. Nizny Novgorod added on with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, passed from Vadim Khomitsky. Torpedo extended the lead when Vladimir Denisov scored, with the help of Denis Parshin and Immonen. Amur got one back in the third period with a Dmitry Tarasov goal, fueled by Jakub Petruzalek. Nizhny Novgorod replied as Parshin scored, and Immonen's assist gave him a sock trick. Torpedo wrapped it up at 6-2 with an Mikhail Grigoryev goal, made possible by Maxim Potapov and Sergei Sentyurin.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Emil Garipov are the masked men. Kazan struck first in the first period as Alexei Tereshchenko scored, with a lone assist by Ilya Nikulin. Novosibirsk tied it in the third period on a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, coming off of Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Lemtyugov and Jori Lehtera. The three stars were Lemtyugov, Koskinen (27 for 28 in saves), and Garipov (35 for 36 in saves).

Way to the west, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vladislav Fokin and Alexander Salak. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on an Evgeny Skachkov goal, assisted by Anton Burdasov and Andrei Sigaryov. SKA added on as Ilya Kovalchuk scored, via Roman Cervenka. St. Petersburg extended the lead with a Maxim Chudinov shorthanded goal, set up by Kovalchuk and Skachkov. They held on for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Salak (29 save shutout), Kovalchuk, and Skachkov.

Backtracking to Moscow, as Spartak welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Alexei Ivanov are in the blue paint. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the first period as Deron Quint scored a power play goal, powered by Denis Bodrov and Matt Anderson. Spartak added on as Tom Wandell scored, thanks to Andrei Sergeyev and Anderson. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a Denis Tolpeko goal, courtesy of Martin Cibak and Nikolai Belov on the power play. Moscow replied in the second period when Viktor Bobrov scored an unassisted goal. Neftekhimik chipped back with a Maxim Rybin goal, via Roman Lyuduchin and Petr Koukal. Spartak iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Anderson, set up by Vyacheslav Kozlov. The three stars were Anderson, Ivanov (19 for 21 in saves), and Bobrov.

Staying in the city, Dynamo Moscow brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Alexander Yeryomenko guard the cages. Moscow got going in the first period on a Denis Kokarev goal, assisted by Yury Babenko and Sergei Soin. Dynamo added on with a power play goal by Dominik Granak, powered by Dmitry Pestunov. Vladivostok got on the board in the second period as Andrei Nikitenko scored, with the help of Alexei Ugarov and Evgeny Grachyov. Moscow answered with a Martins Karsums power play goal, fueled by Maxim Solovyov and Maxim Karpov. Admiral got one back in the third period Viktor Drugov's goal, with a lone helper from Igor Bortnikov. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars were Karsums, Granak, and Kokarev.

Over in Minsk, Dinamo hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Lars Haugen will be between the pipes. Ufa began in the first period with an Alexander Mereskin goal, assisted by Anton Slepyshev and Andrei Zubarev. Minsk tied it in the second period on a Geoff Platt goal, coming off of Tomas Surovy. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back on an unassisted goal by Alexander Pankov. Ufa added on with a Dmitry Makarov goal, passed from Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Igor Mirnov, powered by Kirill Koltsov. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Pankov, Volkov (28 for 29 in saves), and Makarov.

Moving along to Ukraine, where Donbass Donetsk welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Michael Leighton protect the nets. Donetsk started in the first period on a Teemu Laine goal, coming off of Tuomas Kiiskinen and Ruslan Fedotenko. Novokuznetsk tied it with a power play goal by Artyom Gareyev, powered by Mikhail Chernov and Vladislav Kartayev. Donbass took the lead as Maxim Yakutsenya scored, via Evgeny Dadonov and Randy Robitaille. Donetsk added on in the third period with a Fedotenko goal, courtesy of Oleg Piganovich on the power play. Donbass extended the lead as Piganovich scored, assisted by Laine and Fedotenko. Donetsk wrapped it up at 5-1 with a Robitaille goal, passed from Dadonov and Piganovich. The three stars were handed to Fedotenko, Piganovich, and Robitaille, while Laine and Dadonov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Barry Brust tend the twines. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, going in unassisted. Zagreb got on the board as Bill Thomas scored in the third period, with the help of Matt Murley and Ivan Svarny. Medvescak took the lead with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Kurtis Foster and Mark Popovic. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being given to Brust (18 for 19 in saves), Cheechoo, and Thomas.

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Thursday Night Football Week 12 2013

Tonight's game is an NFC South battle between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints from Atlanta. Atlanta was first to score in the first quarter as Steven Jackson ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Matt Bryant. New Orleans answered as Drew Brees found Benjamin Watson for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Garrett Hartley nailed the extra point. The Falcons took the lead back in the second quarter as Bryant made a 39 yard field goal. The Saints took the lead back as Brees connected for 44 yards and a touchdown with Jimmy Graham, while Hartley booted the PAT. Atlanta got some back with a 24 yard Bryant field goal. New Orleans replied in the third quarter as Hartley booted a 41 yard field goal. This held up for a 17-13 win, with the Saints going to 9-2 while the Falcons fall to 2-9.

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NHL Day 52 2013-2014

We have ten games on today, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ray Emery are the veteran goalies. Buffalo opened in the first period with a Tyler Myers goal, his second of the season, thanks to Ville Leino and Tyler Ennis on the power play. Philadelphia tied it in the second period Matt Read scored his fifth of the year, coming off of Steve Downie and Sean Couturier. The Flyers took the lead as Read scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, with assists again provided by Downie and Couturier. Philadelphia added on in the third period as Vincent Lecavalier scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Flyers wrapped it up at 4-1 with a Scott Hartnell empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Adam Hall. The three stars were Read, Downie, and Couturier.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec is mismatched with Jonathan Bernier in goal. Toronto led off in the first period with a Peter Holland goal, his second of the season, coming off of Nikolai Kulemin and Morgan Rielly. Nashville tied it in the second period with a Seth Jones power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Matt Cullen and Colin Wilson. The Predators took the lead on a Cullen goal, his fourth of the season, thanks to Gabriel Bourque and Craig Smith. Nashville added on as Smith scored a power play goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Wilson and Cullen. The Predators extended the lead in the third period with a Smith goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, passed from Cullen, who got a sock trick, and Nick Spaling. The Maple Leafs got one back as Nazem Kadri scored his sixth of the year, via Mason Raymond and Rielly. This only made it 4-2, the final, with Smith, Cullen, and Wilson getting the three stars, while Rielly got the honorable mention.

Back in the States, the Boston Bruins host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Boston began in the first period as Gregory Campbell scored, via Torey Krug and Daniel Paille. St. Louis tied it as Derek Roy scored his sixth of the season, with the help of Barret Jackman and Chris Stewart. The Blues took the lead in the second period as David Backes scored his ninth of the year, with a lone assist from Kevin Shattenkirk. The Bruins retied it when Carl Soderberg scored his third of the campaign, courtesy of Reilly Smith and Chris Kelly. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Patrice Bergeron and Alexander Steen exchanged goals before Roy scored to give St. Louis a 3-2 win. Roy, Steen, and Backes were given the three stars.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Jonas Gustavsson are the backups making spot starts. Detroit was first to score in the first period with a Gustav Nyquist goal, assisted by Jonathan Ericsson and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings added on in the second period as Darren Helm scored his third of the season, with the help of Justin Abdelkader. Carolina got on the board as Brett Bellemore scored, thanks to Radek Dvorak and Drayson Bowman. The Hurricanes tied it as Andrej Sekera scored his third of the year, with a lone assist by Eric Staal. Detroit retook the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Niklas Kronwall, his second of the season, powered by Johan Franzen and Zetterberg. The Red Wings extended the lead as Nyquist scored his second of the game, via Zetterberg, who got a sock trick. Carolina got one back late as Sekera scored his second of the night and fourth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Jordan Staal. This wasn't enough to avoid a 4-3 loss, with the three stars being Nyquist, Sekera, and Zetterberg.

North to Manitoba, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Ondrej Pavelec are the masked men. Chicago struck first in the first period as Patrick Kane scored his twelfth of the season, a power play goal fueled by Nick Leddy and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks added on in the second period as Brandon Saad scored his seventh of the year, with the help of Marian Hossa. Winnipeg got on the board with an Andrew Ladd goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Bryan Little and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets tied it as Keaton Ellerby scored a power play goal, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Ladd. Chicago took the lead back on a Toews goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Duncan Keith and Kane. Winnipeg retied it as Byfuglien scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal with assists provided by Little and Blake Wheeler. The Blackhawks gained the lead again in the third period as Hossa scored his tenth of the year, coming off of Toews and Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead as Ben Smith scored his third of the season, made possible by Marcus Kruger and Kris Versteeg. The Blackhawks iced it at 6-3 on a Patrick Sharp goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Toews and Seabrook to go into the empty net. Toews, Hossa, and Kane get the three stars while Byfuglien, Ladd, Little, and Seabrook get the honorable mentions.

South to Dallas, as the Stars host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. New York started in the first period as Rick Nash scored a power play goal, powered by Ryan Callahan and the goalie Lundqvist. Dallas tied it in the second period as Stephane Robidas scored his third of the season, a power play goal guided in by Sergei Gonchar and Cody Eakin. The Rangers took the lead back in the third period as Chris Kreider scored his third of the year, coming off of Derek Stepan and Dan Girardi. New York added on as John Moore scored his second of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Carl Hagelin. The Stars got one back as Alex Chiasson scored his sixth of the year, passed from Eakin and Erik Cole. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with Lundqvist (41 for 43 in saves with an assist), Eakin, and Nash getting the three stars.

Over in Phoenix, the Coyotes welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Mike Smith protect the nets. Colorado got going in the second period with a power play goal by John Mitchell, his fourth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Avalanche added on as Andre Benoit scored an unassisted goal. Phoenix got on the board with a Michael Stone goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Kyle Chipchura and Paul Bissonnette. The Coyotes tied it in the third period on a Martin Hanzal goal, his seventh of the season, via Tim Kennedy and Rostislav Klesla. Phoenix gained the lead on an Antoine Vermette goal, his sixth of the year coming on the power play with the help of Shane Doan and Keith Yandle. Colorado tied it again as Cody McLeod scored his second of the season, passed from Benoit and Mitchell. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime as Ryan O'Reilly scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal, made possible by Parneteau and Benoit. The three stars were Benoit, Mitchell, and Parenteau.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Devan Dubnyk show alliteration in the goalie matchup. Edmonton opened in the first period with a Jordan Eberle power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall. The Oilers added on in the second period as Sam Gagner scored, thanks to Nail Yakupov and Corey Potter. Edmonton extended the lead as David Perron recorded his eighth of the year, passed from Justin Schultz and Nugent-Hopkins on the power play. Florida got on the board as Scottie Upshall scored his fourth of the season, fueled by Aleksander Barkov and Brad Boyes. The Oilers won 4-1 with another Eberle goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, going into the empty net after being set up by Nugent-Hopkins and Hall. The three stars belonged to Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, and Hall.

Back in the south, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Ben Scrivens are the backups in the creases. New Jersey dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Ryan Carter goal, his third of the season, assisted by Michael Ryder and Stephen Gionta. Los Angeles tied it as Justin Williams potted his ninth of the year, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime as Jaromir Jagr scored his ninth of the campaign, with helpers from Marek Zidlicky and Dainius Zubrus. The three stars were given to Schneider (34 for 35 in saves), Jagr, and Carter.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Antti Niemi receive the starting nods. San Jose began in the first period with a Tommy Wingels goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on as Brad Stuart scored his second of the year, guided in by Tyler Kennedy and Couture. San Jose extended the lead in the second period as Wingels potted his seventh of the season, fueled by Marleau and Justin Braun. The Sharks padded the lead in the third period on a Brent Burns goal, his fifth of the year, via Joe Thornton and Scott Hannan. San Jose got another as Marleau scored his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Couture, who got a sock trick, and Braun. Tampa Bay got on the board as Tyler Johnson scored his fifth of the year, pushed through by Ondrej Palat and Richard Panik. This made it a 5-1 final, with the three stars being Wingels, Marleau, and Niemi (36 for 37 in saves), while Couture and Braun got the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 79 2013-2014

Another day with just one game, as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Curtis Sanford are set to start. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Yury Petrov goal, assisted by Mikhail Pashnin. Lokomotiv added on in the third period as Igor Musatov scored, with the help of Ilya Gorokhov. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars were Sanford (36 save shutout), Petrov, and Musatov.

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NHL Day 51 2013-2014

Only four games tonight, beginning in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Craig Anderson are in the blue paint. Ottawa started with a Kyle Turris shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Clarke MacArthur. Minnesota tied it on a Jason Pominville power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu. The Senators retook the lead with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Derek Grant and Erik Condra. The Wild tied it again in the second period with a Jonas Brodin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Dany Heatley and Justin Fontaine. Minnesota took the lead as Heatley scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Koivu and Brodin. Ottawa retied it in the third period on a Milan Michalek power play goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Zibanejad and Erik Karlsson. The Wild took the lead back as Koivu scored his fifth of the campaign, with the help of Parise and Charlie Coyle. This was good for a 4-3 win, with Koivu, Brodin, and Heatley getting the three stars, while Zibanejad and Parise got the honorable mentions.

From Canada's capital to America's, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Braden Holtby are the masked men. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period as Paul Martin scored his second of the season, thanks to Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on with a Beau Bennett goal, fueled by Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Crosby scored his eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by James Neal and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins padded the lead in the third period as Neal scored his second of the season, with the help of Martin and Malkin. They went on to win 4-0, with Fleury (18 save shutout), Martin, and Crosby getting the three stars while Neal and Malkin get the honorable mentions.

Way out west, the Calgary Flames bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky faces a lesser foe in Reto Berra in goal. Columbus struck first in the first period as Nick Foligno scored his fifth of the season, assisted by R.J. Umberger and Nikita Nikitin. Calgary tied it in the third period as Joe Colborne scored his second of the year, with helpers provided by David Jones and Kris Russell. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 with a Nikitin goal in overtime, fueled by David Savard and Cam Atkinson. Nikitin, Bobrovsky (23 for 24 in saves), and Foligno got the three stars.

Finally, down in Anaheim, the Ducks host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Jonas Hiller are the veteran goalies. Anaheim opened in the first period as Matt Beleskey scored, via Hampus Lindholm and Kyle Palmieri. New Jersey tied it with a Marek Zidlicky power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Patrik Elias and Eric Gelinas. The Devils added on as Gelinas scored his second of the year, thanks to Adam Henrique and Elias on the power play. The Ducks retied it in the second period on a Nick Bonino power play goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Dustin Penner and Cam Fowler. Anaheim took the lead when Ryan Getzlaf potted his twelfth of the year, via Penner and Bonino on the power play. New Jersey retied it in the third period as Jaromir Jagr scored his eighth of the season, assisted by Elias, who got a sock trick, and Dainius Zubrus. The Devils won 4-3 in overtime with an unassisted goal by Travis Zajac, his third of the year. The three stars were Elias, Gelinas, Bonino, while Penner gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 78 2013-2014

Only one game today, as SKA St. Petersburg hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexander Salak receive the starting nods. St. Petersburg got going in the second period as Roman Cervenka scored, thanks to Viktor Tikhonov and the goalie Salak. Cherepovets tied it in the third period with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, fueled by Vadim Berdnikov and Petr Caslava. SKA took the lead back with a shorthanded goal by Evgeny Ketov, set up by Vadim Shipachyov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with Salak (25 for 26 in saves with an assist), Ketov, and Cervenka getting the three stars.

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NHL Day 50 2013-2014

Ten games to go with tonight, beginning in...

Ontario, as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Jonathan Bernier are set to start. Toronto started in the first period with a Trevor Smith goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period as Phil Kessel potted his eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Lupul and Dion Phaneuf. New York got on the board with a Casey Cizikas goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. Toronto replied in the third period when Mason Raymond potted his eighth of the year, via Jay McClement. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on a David Clarkson goal, fueled by Smith and Lupul, the latter getting a sock trick. The Islanders got one back with a Frans Nielsen goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Josh Bailey. Toronto shot back as Kessel scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, guided in by James van Riemsdyk and Smith. This resulted in a 5-2 final, with Kessel, Smith, and Lupul getting the three stars.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Steve Mason are in the blue paint. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jakub Voracek and Kimmo Timonen. The Flyers added on as Sean Couturier scored in the second period, with a lone assist from Timonen. Ottawa got on the board as Clarke MacArthur scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Chris Phillips. The Senators tied it in the third period as Kyle Turris notched his fifth of the season, a power play goal helped along by Marc Methot and MacArthur. Philadelphia took the lead back as Timonen scored, thanks to Matt Read and Steve Downie. The Flyers extended the lead as Wayne Simmonds scored his third of the year, coming off of Vincent Lecavalier and Brayden Schenn. Philadelphia iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Adam Hall, set up by Nicklas Grossmann. The three stars went to Timonen, MacArthur, and Simmonds.

Back to the north, the Buffalo Sabres host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Buffalo opened ten seconds into the first period with a Tyler Ennis goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Ville Leino and Henrik Tallinder. St. Louis quickly tied it as Brenden Morrow scored his third of the year, guided in by Chris Stewart and Roman Polak. The Blues took the lead on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by T.J. Oshie and Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis added on in the second period as Morrow scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, via Stewart and Derek Roy. The Blues extended the lead in the third period as Magnus Paajarvi scored, with helpers provided by Ryan Reaves and Jay Bouwmeester. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars handed to Morrow, Halak (23 for 24 in saves), and Stewart.

To the west, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec is mismatched with Jimmy Howard in goal. Nashville got going in the second period as Shea Weber scored a power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by David Legwand. The Predators added on in the third period as Gabriel Bourque scored his third of the year, with a lone assist by Viktor Stalberg. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Mazanec (27 save shutout), Weber, and Bourque.

Eastward to New York, as the Rangers host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period as Shawn Thornton scored his third of the season, via Brad Marchand and Chris Kelly. The Bruins added on as Daniel Paille scored his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Gregory Campbell. New York got on the board as Derick Brassard put away his fourth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by John Moore and Chris Kreider. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1, and Rask (43 for 44 in saves), Paille, and Thornton received the three stars.

Crossing into Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Carey Price are the masked men. Montreal struck first in the second period as Max Pacioretty scored his third of the season, assisted by David Desharnais and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on as Pacioretty scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, via Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher. Montreal extended the lead when Pacioretty finished his natural hat trick with his fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Gallagher and Subban. The Canadiens padded the lead with a Michael Bournival goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Travis Moen. Montreal got another in the third period on a Daniel Briere goal, his third of the season, coming off of Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec. Minnesota got on the board as Nino Neiderreiter scored his fourth of the year, passed from Kyle Brodziak and Matt Cooke. The Canadiens shot back on an Alex Galchenyuk power play goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Andrei Markov and Brandon Prust. The Wild got one back as Dany Heatley scored his third of the year, with assists provided by Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin on the power play. They got no closer, losing 6-2, with the three stars going to Pacioretty, Desharnais, and Gallagher, while Subban gets an honorable mention.

Southwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado led off in the first period with a Paul Stastny goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. The Avalanche added on as Gabriel Landeskog scored his seventh of the year via Andre Benoit and Ryan O'Reilly. Colorado extended the lead with a John Mitchell goal, his third of the season, coming off of Max Talbot and Tyson Barrie. Antti Raanta replaced Crawford at this time. The Avalanche padded the lead with a P.A. Parenteau scored his seventh of the year, guided in by Stastny and Jan Hejda. Colorado got another in the third period as Cody McLeod scored, with helpers provided by Barrie and Talbot. Chicago got on the board as Brandon Saad scored his sixth of the campaign, fueled by Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. This produced a 5-1 final, with the three stars being Stastny, Varlamov (36 for 37 in saves), and Talbot, while the honorable mention went to Barrie.

Up in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Devan Dubnyk are the unappreciated goalies. Edmonton began in the first period as Jordan Eberle scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Corey Potter and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on as David Perron scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal powered by Nail Yakupov and Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton extended the lead with a power play goal by Ryan Smyth, his fourth of the season, coming off of Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky. The Oilers chased Bobrovsky in the second period with another Perron goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, fueled by Smyth and Boyd Gordon. Curtis McElhinney came on in relief. Edmonton padded the lead on a Yakupov power play goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Perron. The Oilers got another with a Justin Schultz goal, his second of the year, passed from Perron and Smyth. Edmonton finished it at 7-0 in the third period as Taylor Hall scored his sixth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Eberle. The three stars went to Perron, Smyth, and Yakupov, while Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, and Dubnyk (14 save shutout) are given honorable mentions.

Over in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Florida opened in the first period with a Brad Boyes goal, his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Aleksander Barkov and Scottie Upshall. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Chris Higgins goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Mike Santorelli and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks took the lead in the third period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Panthers tied it on a Shawn Matthias goal, his third of the year, passed from Nick Bjugstad and Tomas Kopecky. Florida won 3-2 in the shootout as Jonathan Huberdeau scored the only goal. The three stars went to Matthias, Luongo (34 for 36 in saves), and Huberdeau.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Ben Scrivens are the young goalies. Los Angeles started in the first period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Justin Williams. The Kings added on as Matt Frattin scored his second of the year, a power play goal, powered by Slava Voynov and Jarret Stoll. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period as Williams scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal set up by Doughty and Kopitar. The Kings padded the lead with a Dwight King goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone helper by Linden Vey. Tampa Bay got on the board as Valtteri Filppula scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal, made possible by Victor Hedman and Martin St. Louis. Los Angeles answered with a Dustin Brown goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Frattin. The Lightning got one back as Hedman scored his fourth of the season, with a lone assist provided by Tyler Johnson. This was as close as it got, with the final being 5-2, and the three stars were Kopitar, Frattin, and Hedman, while Doughty got an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 77 2013-2014

Twelve games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Alexei Murygin are given the starting nods. Moscow started in the first period with a Maxim Karpov power play goal, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov and Martins Karsums. Dynamo added on in the third period as Karpov scored an unassisted goal. Khabarovsk got on the board as Dmitry Tarasov scored a power play goal, coming off of Jan Mursak and Alexander Loginov. Moscow replied as Karpov scored another unassisted goal to complete his hat trick. Dynamo wrapped it up at 4-1 with a Tsvetkov goal, courtesy of Karsums and Karpov. The three stars were Karpov, Tsvetkov, and Yeryomenko (33 for 34 in saves), while Karsums gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Evgeny Ivannikov play goal. Podolsk got going in the third period as Airat Ziazov scored, with a lone assist by Alexander Vasilyev. This was the only goal, so Vityaz won 1-0. The three stars were Lisutin (34 save shutout), Ivannikov (30 for 31 in saves), and Ziazov.

To the west, Metallurg Novokuznetsk brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Ilya Sorokin are in the blue paint. Kazan led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars added on in the second period as Alexander Burmistrov scored a power play goal, going in unassisted. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Garipov (40 save shutout), Obukhov, and Burmistrov.

Staying in the area, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Mikko Koskinen are the underrated goalies. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period as Denis Parshin scored, with a lone assist by Sakari Salminen. Novosibirsk tied it with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, courtesy of Jonas Enlund. Sibir took the lead in the second period as Enlund scored, thanks to Kugryshev and Alexei Kopeikin. Novosibirsk iced it at 3-1 with another Enlund goal, going into the empty net with the help of Jori Lehtera. The three stars were Enlund, Koskinen (29 for 30 in saves), and Kugryshev.

Further west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Milchakov is mismatched with Alexei Volkov in goal. Minsk struck first in the first period as Zbynek Irgl scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Andrei Stas and Lukas Krajicek. Ufa tied it in the second period when Kirill Koltsov scored, thanks to Dmitry Makarov and Yegor Dubrovsky. Dinamo retook the lead on an Alexei Kalyuzhny power play goal, powered by Geoff Platt. Salavat Yulaev tied it again in the third period when Antti Pihlstrom scored, with the help of Sergei Zinovyev and Arturs Kulda. Ufa took the lead as Denis Khlystov scored, assisted by Koltsov. Salavat Yulaev added on as Teemu Hartikainen scored, via Makarov. Ufa wrapped it up at 5-2 as Anton Slepyshev scored a goal, guided in by Makarov, who got a sock trick, and Khlystov. The three stars of the game were Khlystov, Koltsov, and Makarov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov and Vasily Koshechkin are in the creases. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Danis Zaripov goal, with a lone assist from Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on as Yaroslav Kosov scored, thanks to Evgeny Timkin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead with a Viktor Antipin goal, coming off of Sergei Mozyakin. Moscow got on the board as Deron Quint scored in the third period, via Tom Wandell. Spartak pulled closer on a Rastislav Spirko goal, fueled by Andrei Sergeyev. This was as close as it got, with 3-2 being the final, and the three stars went to Antipin, Kosov, and Zaripov.

Into the Urals, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Michael Garnett are the North American goalies. Chelyabinsk began in the first period as Semyon Kokuyov converted a penalty shot he received after Geoff Waugh tripped him on a breakaway. Zagreb tied it on a power play goal by Ryan Vesce, powered by Charles Linglet and Mathieu Carle. Traktor took the lead back on a Jan Bulis goal, fueled by Stanislav Chistov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Chelyabinsk added on in the second period with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Anton Glinkin and Dmitry Ryabykin. Traktor extended the lead as Petri Kontiola scored a power play goal, with helpers provided by Kostitsyn and Ryabykin. Chelyabinsk padded the lead in the third period with an unassisted goal by Kontiola on the power play. This made it 5-1, with the three stars being named as Kontiola, Kostitsyn, and Ryabykin, while Garnett (28 for 29 in saves) gets an honorable mention.

Up in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Matt Dalton are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period on a Martin Cibak goal, coming off of Dmitry Kosmachyov. Neftekhimik iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Roman Lyuducinn in the third period, set up by Petr Koukal. The three stars went to Cibak, Dalton (43 save shutout), and Leighton (21 for 22 in saves).

Into Moscow, where CSKA brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Ilya Proskuryakov protect the nets. Moscow led off in the first period with an Alexander Frolov power play goal, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Yakov Rylov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it as Marek Troncinsky scored a power play goal, powered by Stephen Dixon and Radek Smolenak. CSKA retook the lead as Igor Grigorenko scored, with assists provided by Nikolai Prokhorkin and Radulov. Yugra tied it with an Artyom Bulyansky goal, going in unassisted. Moscow took the lead back with an Alexei Morozov power play goal, guided in by Radulov, who got a sock trick, and Nikita Zaitsev. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Smolenak goal in the third period, with a lone assist by Dixon. Yugra won 4-3 in overtime when Troncinsky scored his second of the game, an unassisted goal. The three stars belonged to Troncinsky, Smolenak, and Radulov, while Dixon got an honorable mention.

Leaving Russia for Latvia, as Dinamo Riga hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov and Mikael Tellqvist are between the pipes. Riga was first to score in the first period as Vitalijs Pavlovs scored, assisted by Miks Indrasis and Kristaps Sotnieks. Dinamo added on with a Kyle Wilson goal, made possible by Paul Szczechura and Marcel Hossa. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the third period with an Alexei Simakov goal, coming off of Igor Yemeleyev. Riga answered with a Marcel Hascak goal, with a lone assist from Indrasis. This resulted in a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Indrasis, Tellqvist (15 for 16 in saves), and Wilson.

Moving onto Prague, as Lev welcomes Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Petri Vehanen are set to start. Astana began in the first period as Talgat Zhailauov scored, with a lone assist by Dmitry Upper. Prague tied it with a Jakub Klepis goal in the second period, fueled by Jiri Novotny and Martin Sevc. Barys took the lead back in the third period as Roman Starchenko scored, courtesy of Nikolai Antropov and Alexei Litvinenko. Lev tied it again as Jiri Sekac scored, via Martin Thornberg. The tie lasted to overtime where Zhailauov scored his second of the game, with the help of Upper and Cam Barker for a 3-2 Astana win. The three stars were Zhailauov, Upper, and Starchenko.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan brings in Avangard Omsk. Mathieu Garon and Miroslav Kopriva guard the cages. Omsk dented the scoreboard in the second period as Dmitry Semin scored, thanks to Sergei Kostitsyn. Bratislava got on the board with a Milan Bartovic power play goal, powered by Martin Skoula. Slovan took the lead with a Peter Olvecky goal, coming off of Tomas Mojzis. Bratislava added on in the third period as Michel Miklik scored, with the help of Libor Hudacek. This made it 3-1, the final, with Olvecky, Kopriva (31 for 32 in saves), and Bartovic getting the three stars.

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Monday Night Football Week 11 2013

Tonight's Monday Night game comes from Carolina, as the Panthers host the New England Patriots. Carolina opened in the first quarter as Cam Newton tossed a 9 yard touchdown to Brandon LaFell, and Graham Gano knocked in the extra point. The Panthers added on as Gano made a 43 yard field goal in the second quarter. New England got on the board with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal of 42 yards. The Patriots tied it in the third quarter as Tom Brady found Rob Gronkowski for 9 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski handled the PAT. Carolina retook the lead as Newton connected on a 15 yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen, and Gano was true with the extra point. New England evened the score again as Stevan Ridley ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski drove in the extra point. The Patriots took the lead as Gostkowski made a 26 yard field goal. The Panthers pulled ahead again as Newton passed a 25 yard touchdown to Ted Ginn, Jr., and Gano supplied the extra point. This made it 24-20, a final, with the Panthers improving to 7-3 while dropping the Patriots to the same record.

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NHL Day 49 2013-2014

Only three games today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Cam Ward are the solid goalies. Boston led off in the first period with a Reilly Smith power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson. The Bruins added on as Soderberg scored his second of the year, thanks to Dennis Seidenberg and Smith. Carolina got on the board as Tuomo Ruutu scored, with the help of Eric Staal and Drayson Bowman. Boston replied in the third period with an unassisted goal by Johnny Boychuk. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Milan Lucic, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Jarome Iginla. The three stars were Soderberg, Rask (23 for 24 in saves), and Smith.

Up in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Marc-Andre Fleury are the masked men. Pittsburgh got going in the third period as Brian Gibbons scored, with the help of Evgeni Malkin and Tanner Glass. The Penguins added on with a Brandon Sutter goal, his fourth of the season, via Olli Maatta and Gibbons. Anaheim answered with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Ben Lovejoy and Corey Perry. Pittsburgh replied as Sidney Crosby notched his tenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Malkin and Joe Vitale. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Gibbons, Fleury (27 for 28 in saves), and Malkin.

Finally, in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Al Montoya are the weak goalies. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period as Michael Cammalleri scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Lee Stempniak and Sean Monahan. Winnipeg tied it as Michael Frolik scored his fifth of the year, via Grant Clitsome and Dustin Byfuglien. The Flames regained the lead as T.J. Brodie scored his second of the season, thanks to Kris Russell and Cammalleri. The Jets retied it in the third period as Olli Jokinen scored his fourth of the year, coming off of Devin Setoguchi and Clitsome. Calgary took the lead again as Lance Bouma scored his second of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Matt Stajan. Winnipeg pulled even with a power play goal by Byfuglien, his fifth of the year, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. The Flames edged ahead once more as Jiri Hudler netted his seventh of the season, with helpers provided by Brodie and Sven Baertschi. The Jets got another equalizer as Little recorded his twelfth of the year, guided in by Evander Kane and Wheeler. The tie went to a shootout, where Joe Colborne and Andrew Ladd traded goals, followed by Wheeler and Stempniak doing the same before Monahan's eighth round goal clinched the 5-4 victory for the Flames. Monahan, Cammalleri, and Brodie get the three stars while Stempniak, Little, Wheeler, Byfuglien, and Clitsome all get honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 76 2013-2014

Only one game on today, as SKA St. Petersburg hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Salak are the masked men. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on a Dmitry Kalinin goal, courtesy of Viktor Tikhonov and Andrei Kuteikin. Yaroslavl tied it on the power play with an Ilya Gorokhov goal, fueled by Alexei Vasilyev and Daniil Apalkov. Lokomotiv took the lead in the third period as Sergei Plotnikov scored, via Apalkov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Plotnikov, Sanford (23 for 24 in saves), and Apalkov.

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NFL Week 11 2013

Thirteen games to cover this Sunday. We begin in...

Chicago, as the Bears host the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore began in the first quarter with a Ray Rice touchdown run of 1 yard, and Justin Tucker made the extra point. The Ravens added on as Justin Tucker made a 52 yard field goal. The game was stopped at risk of tornadoes for a couple of hours after the field goal. Chicago got on the board after the delay in the second quarter as Robbie Gould made a 20 yard field goal. The Bears tied it as David Bass returned an interception of Joe Flacco for 24 yards and a touchdown, and Gould handled the extra point. Baltimore retook the lead as Flacco found Torrey Smith for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker nailed the PAT. Chicago answered as Gould made a 46 yard field goal. The Bears gained the lead in the fourth quarter as Josh McCown tossed a 14 yard touchdown to Matt Forte, and Gould knocked in the extra point. The Ravens tied it late with a 21 yard field goal by Tucker. The game went into overtime, where Chicago won 23-20 with a 38 yard field goal by Gould. This put the Bears at 6-4 while the Ravens fall to 4-6.

East to Philadelphia, as the Eagles welcome the Washington Redskins. Philadelphia was first to score in the first quarter on as Nick Foles 4 yard touchdown run, and Alex Henery made the extra point. The Eagles added on as LeSean McCoy ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Henery handled another extra point. Philadelphia extended the lead on a Henery 24 yard field goal. The Eagles padded the lead in the third quarter as McCoy ran in another 1 yard touchdown, and Henery booted the PAT. Washington got on the board in the fourth quarter as Robert Griffin III found Darrel Young for 62 yards and a touchdown, and then he connected with Nick Williams for the two-point conversion. The Redskins pulled closer as Griffin tossed a 41 yard touchdown to Aldrick Robinson, and Griffin ran in this two-point conversion himself. They couldn't tie the game, losing 24-16, with the Eagles improving to 6-5 while the Redskins drop to 3-7.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Steelers bring in the Detroit Lions. Pittsburgh started in the first quarter as Ben Roethlisberger tossed a 34 yard touchdown to Antonio Brown, and Shaun Suisham kicked the extra point. The Steelers added on when Roethlisberger passed a 47 yard touchdown to Brown, and Suisham made another extra point. Detroit got on the board in the second quarter as David Akers made a 35 yard field goal. Pittsburgh replied as Suisham knocked in a 25 yard field goal. The Lions pulled closer with a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass of 79 yards to Calvin Johnson, and Akers drilled the extra point. The Steelers shot back as Suisham handled a 34 yard field goal. Detroit chipped back on another Stafford touchdown pass to Johnson, this time for 19 yards and a touchdown, and Akers nailed the PAT. The Lions took the lead as Joique Bell rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, and Akers booted another extra point. Detroit extended the lead on a 19 yard field goal by Akers. Pittsburgh got some back in the third quarter as Suisham drove in a 21 yard field goal. The Steelers gained the lead as Roethlisberger passed a 1 yard touchdown to Will Johnson, and Suisham kicked the extra point. Pittsburgh padded the lead with a 20 yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Jericho Cotchery, and Suisham made another extra point. This was good for a 37-27 win, with the Steelers improving to 4-6 while dropping the Lions to 6-4.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons. Tampa Bay got going in the first quarter on a Rian Lindell field goal of 30 yards. Atlanta tied it in the second quarter as Matt Bryant made a 46 yard field goal. The Buccaneers took the lead back as Bobby Rainey rushed 43 yards for a touchdown, and Lindell knocked in the extra point. Tampa Bay added on as Mason Foster returned an interception of Matt Ryan for 37 yards and a touchdown, and Lindell drilled another extra point. The Buccaneers extended the lead with a 3 yard touchdown run by Rainey, and Lindell made the PAT. The Falcons got some back on a Bryant 49 yard field goal. Tampa Bay responded in the third quarter with a Mike Glennon touchdown pass of 4 yards to Rainey, and Lindell booted another extra point. The Buccaneers padded the lead on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Glennon to Vincent Jackson, and Lindell kicked the extra point. Atlanta replied with an 80 yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Harry Douglas, and Bryant was there with the extra point. Tampa Bay shot back on a 46 yard field goal by Lindell in the fourth quarter. The Falcons answered with a 50 yard touchdown run by Antone Smith, and then Dominique Davis converted the two-point attempt with a pass to Tony Gonzalez. Atlanta pulled closer as Ryan found Roddy White for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant booted the extra point. This only made it 41-28, with the Buccaneers holding on from here for the win, and they improved to 2-8 while dropping the Falcons to the same record.

Back north, the Buffalo Bills welcome the New York Jets. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the second quarter as Dan Carpenter made a 40 yard field goal. The Bills added on as EJ Manuel passed a 34 yard touchdown to T.J. Graham, and Carpenter made the extra point. Buffalo extended the lead as Frank Summers ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Carpenter made another extra point. The Bills padded the lead as Carpenter made a 42 yard field goal. New York got on the board in the third quarter with a 1 yard touchdown run by Chris Ivory, and Nick Folk made the extra point. Buffalo replied as Manuel tossed a 43 yard touchdown to Marquise Goodwin, and Carpenter was true with the PAT. The Bills got defensive on their next score as Da'Norris Searcy intercepted Geno Smith and returned the ball for 32 yards and a touchdown, and Carpenter handled the extra point. The Jets got some back in the fourth quarter as Matt Simms tossed a 13 yard touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland, allowing Folk to make an extra point. Buffalo replied with a Carpenter 43 yard field goal. This produced the 37-14 final score, with the Bills improving to 4-7 while the Jets fall to 5-5.

Backtracking to Florida, as the Jacksonville Jaguars bring in the Arizona Cardinals. Jacksonville struck first in the first quarter as Chad Henne tossed a 62 yard touchdown to Danny Noble, and Josh Scobee made the extra point. Arizona tied it on a 14 yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald, and Jay Feely had the game-tying extra point. The Jaguars regained the lead as Maurice Jones-Drew ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Scobee booted the extra point. The Cardinals pulled even again as Rashard Mendenhall rushed 5 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, and Feely made another extra point. Arizona took the lead in the third quarter on a Feely field goal of 21 yards. The Cardinals added on with a Palmer touchdown pass of 91 yards to Michael Floyd, and Feely handled the PAT. Arizona extended the lead in the fourth quarter as Feely made a 32 yard field goal. This left the final score at 27-14, with the Cardinals going to 6-4 while the Jaguars fall to 1-9.

West to Houston, as the Texans host the Oakland Raiders. Oakland led off in the first quarter as Matt McGloin threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Denarius Moore, and Sebastian Janikowski handled the extra point. The Raiders added on with a 16 yard touchdown pass from McGloin to Rod Streater, and Janikowski was true with another extra point. Houston got on the board in the second quarter as Case Keenum threw a 42 yard touchdown to Garrett Graham, and Randy Bullock supplied the extra point. The Texans tied it when Keshawn Martin returned a punt for 87 yards and a touchdown, and Bullock handled another extra point. Houston gained the lead on a 51 yard field goal by Bullock. Oakland regained the lead in the third quarter as McGloin tossed a 26 yard touchdown pass to Mychal Rivera, and Janikowski knocked in the PAT. The Raiders padded the lead with an 80 yard touchdown run by Rashad Jennings, and Janikowski was there to make the extra point. The Texans chipped back in the fourth quarter as Bullock made a 26 yard field goal. Houston got closer with a 30 yard Bullock field goal. They scored no more, losing 28-23, with the Raiders improving to 4-6 while the Texans fell to 2-8.

Up in Cincinnati, the Bengals welcome the Cleveland Browns to the Battle of Ohio. Cleveland opened in the first quarter as Billy Cundiff made a 20 yard field goal. The Browns added on as Cundiff made a 28 yard field goal. Cleveland extended the lead as Joe Haden returned an interception of Andy Dalton for 29 yards and a touchdown, and Cundiff was there with the extra point. Cincinnati got on the board in the second quarter with a Dalton 25 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals took the lead as Dalton found Mohamed Sanu for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent handled the extra point. Cincinnati padded their lead with Tony Dye picking up a blocked punt and returning it 24 yards for a touchdown, allowing Nugent to make another extra point. The Bengals got some more as Vontaze Burfict recovered a fumble by Chris Ogbonnaya, and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown, with Nugent supplying the PAT. Cincinnati kept going on a Nugent field goal of 41 yards. The Browns chipped back in the third quarter when Jason Campbell tossed a 74 yard touchdown to Josh Gordon, and Cundiff drilled the extra point. The Bengals got some more in the fourth quarter on a 2 yard touchdown pass from Dalton to Alex Smith, and Nugent kicked in another extra point. Cincinnati made it 41-20 with a Nugent field goal of 38 yards. The Bengals improved to 7-4 while dropping the Browns to 4-6.

Once again to Florida, as the Miami Dolphins bring in the San Diego Chargers. Miami began in the first quarter on a 22 yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis. San Diego took the lead as Philip Rivers tossed a 5 yard touchdown to Antonio Gates, and Nick Novak handled the extra point. The Dolphins took the lead back on a second quarter 1 yard touchdown run by Daniel Thomas, which allowed Sturgis to kick an extra point. The Chargers replied as Novak made a 27 yard field goal to tie the game. Miami took the lead again in the third quarter as 39 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill to Charles Clay, and Sturgis kicked the PAT. San Diego answered with a Novak 50 yard field goal. The Chargers got closer in the fourth quarter with a Novak 29 yard field goal. The Dolphins padded their lead witha Sturgis 37 yard field goal. This was good for a 20-16 win, with the Dolphins improving to 5-5 while the Chargers fall to 4-6.

Up north, the New York Giants host the Green Bay Packers. New York was first to score in the first quarter as Eli Manning found Rueben Randle for 26 yards and a touchdown, and Josh Brown made the extra point. The Giants added on in the second quarter as Brown made a 40 yard field goal. Green Bay got on the board with a 24 yard field goal by Mason Crosby. The Packers pulled closer as Crosby made a whopping 57 yard field goal. New York replied in the third quarter as Brown handled a 28 yard field goal. The Giants extended the lead with a 1 yard touchdown run by Brandon Jacobs, and Brown nailed the PAT. Green Bay chipped back as Eddie Lacy rushed in a 4 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Crosby was true with the extra point. New York iced it at 27-13 when Jason Pierre-Paul intercepted Scott Tolzien for 24 yards and a touchdown, and Brown kicked in another extra point. The Giants went to 4-6 while the Packers fell to 5-5.

Back south, the New Orleans Saints welcome the San Francisco 49ers. New Orleans started in the first quarter as Drew Brees found Josh Hill for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Garrett Hartley made the extra point. San Francisco got on the board in the second quarter as Colin Kaepernick threw a touchdown pass of 11 yards to Anquan Boldin, and Phil Dawson made the extra point. The 49ers took the lead as Dawson made a 55 yard field goal. The Saints took the lead back as Jed Collins ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Hartley was true with the extra point. San Francisco retook the lead as Kaepernick found Vernon Davis for a 17 yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Dawson nailed the PAT. The 49ers got some more as Dawson made a 29 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. New Orleans pulled back on a Hartley field goal of 21 yards. The Saints tied it when Hartley booted a 42 yard field goal. New Orleans won 23-20 as time expired on a Hartley field goal from 31 yards out. The Saints go to 8-2 with the win while dropping the 49ers to 6-4.

Way to the northwest, the Seattle Seahawks bring in the Minnesota Vikings. Seattle opened in the first quarter on a Steven Hauschka field goal of 50 yards. Minnesota tied it with a Blair Walsh field goal of 32 yards. The Seahawks took the lead as Marshawn Lynch rushed 4 yards for a touchdown, and Haushcka was true with the extra point. The Vikings retied it in the second quarter as Christian Ponder threw a 38 yard touchdown pass to Jarius Wright, and Walsh nailed the extra point. Seattle regained the lead on a 1 yard Lynch touchdown run, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Minnesota shot back on a Walsh field goal of 45 yards. The Seahawks responded with a 19 yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Doug Baldwin. Seattle extended the lead in the fourth quarter as Wilson threw a 6 yard touchdown to Lynch, and Haushcka was true with the PAT. The Seahawks added on as Walter Thurmond returned an interception of Ponder for 29 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka nailed the extra point. Seattle padded the lead with a Haushcka field goal from 26 yards away. The Vikings got some back late as Matt Cassel threw a 21 yard touchdown pass to Wright, and Walsh booted the extra point. This only made it 41-20, with the Seahawks becoming 10-1 while the Vikings dropped to 2-8.

Finally, on Sunday Night Football, the Denver Broncos host the Kansas Chiefs for AFC West supremacy. Denver led off in the first quarter with a Matt Prater 54 yard field goal. The Broncos added on as Peyton Manning tossed a 9 yard touchdown pass to Julius Thomas, and Prater made the extra point. Kansas City got on the board in the second quarter as Alex Smith found Dwayne Bowe for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. Denver shot back as Montee Ball rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, and Prater booted the PAT. The Chiefs got some back with a 20 yard field goal by Succop. The Broncos extended the lead in the third quarter with an 8 yard touchdown run by Ball, and Prater made another extra point. Denver padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Prater made a 36 yard field goal. Kansas City pulled back as Smith found Anthony Fasano for a 10 yard touchdown, and Succop nailed the extra point. This only made it 27-17, with the Broncos and Chiefs each going to 9-1.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 48 2013-2014

Six games on today as the long weekend is winding down. We begin with a matinee in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Craig Anderson are the masked men. Columbus led off with a Ryan Johansen power play goal in the first period, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Murray and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period as R.J. Umberger scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Johansen and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus extended the lead as Tyutin scored his second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets padded the lead on a third period Derek MacKenzie goal, his second of the year, passed from Mark Letestu and Blake Comeau. Ottawa got on the board with a power play goal from Erik Karlsson, his seventh of the campaign, with assists provided by Chris Phillips and Milan Michalek. This only made it 4-1, the final, with Johansen, Tyutin, and Bobrovsky (29 for 30 in saves) getting the three stars.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington started in the first period as Alex Ovechkin scored his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and Steve Oleksy. The Capitals added on as Ovechkin scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, fueled by Karl Alzner and Backstrom. Washington extended the lead on a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his seventh of the season, via Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. St. Louis got on the board in the second period as Vladimir Sobotka scored a power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Jay Bouwmeester. The Capitals replied with a power play goal by John Carlson, his fifth of the campaign, coming off of Backstrom, who got a sock trick, and Marcus Johansson. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 4-1 final, with the three stars being awarded to Holtby (46 for 47 in saves), Ovechkin, and Backstrom.

Over in New York, the Rangers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Tyler Toffoli scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Mike Richards and Slava Voynov. This was the only goal in the game, with the Kings winning 1-0. The three stars were Scrivens (37 save shutout), Toffoli, and Lundqvist (29 for 30 in saves).

To the west, the Chicago Blackhawks host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Chicago opened in the first period with a Brandon Pirri goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg. San Jose tied it in the second period as Joe Pavelski scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Tyler Kennedy and Justin Braun. The Blackhawks took the lead back as Patrick Sharp found twine with his sixth of the season, passed from Marcus Kruger and Brandon Saad. Chicago added on in the third period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Ben Smith and Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead on a Versteeg goal, his third of the season, made possible by Saad and Pirri. Chicago iced it at 5-1 as Sharp scored his second of the game and seventh of the year on a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The three stars were Sharp, Pirri, and Versteeg, while Saad and Crawford (23 for 24 in saves) get the honorable mentions.

North to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Josh Harding are in the blue paint. Minnesota began in the first period on a Mikko Koivu goal, his third of the season, coming off of Zach Parise and Marco Scandella. Winnipeg tied it in the third period as Dustin Byfuglien scored his fourth of the year, via Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler. The Wild took the lead back as Koivu scored his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, with the help of Charlie Coyle and Ryan Suter. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being named as Koivu, Harding (21 for 22 in saves), and Byfuglien.

Way to the west, we end in Vancouver, where the Canucks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Dallas struck first in the first period with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his second of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on in the third period with an Erik Cole goal, his second of the year, thanks to Cody Eakin and Alex Chiasson. Vancouver got on the board as Henrik Sedin scored a power play goal, his fourth of the campaign, powered by Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Lehtonen (42 for 43 in saves), Cole, and Nichushkin.

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KHL Day 75 2013-2014

The games start early today, or should I say yesterday for the American fans, beginning at 10 PM Pacific and 10 AM Moscow time. We begin in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Joakim Lundstrom protect the nets. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period with a Sergei Barbashev goal, assisted by Mathias Porseland. Moscow tied it when Martins Karsums scored, thanks to Maxim Karpov. Admiral retook the lead as Konstantin Sokolov converted a penalty shot he received after being held by Dominik Granak. Dynamo retied the game on a second period goal by Alexei Tsvetkov, courtesy of Karpov and Karsums. Vladivostok took the lead back in the period as Niclas Bergfors scored, with a lone assist by Felix Schutz. Moscow tied it again on a Konstantin Kasyanchuk goal, passed from Dmitry Pestunov. Dynamo won 4-3 as Alexei Sopin scored, and Denis Barantsev had the only assist. The three stars were handed to Karsums, Karpov, and Barantsev.

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Alexei Murygin receive the starting nods. Khabarovsk struck first in the first period with an Artyom Dubinin goal, going in unassisted. Amur added on in the second period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, fueled by Evgeny Korotkov. Khabarovsk extended the lead as Petruzalek scored his second of the game, assisted by Dylan Reese. Amur padded the lead on a power play goal by Jan Mursak, powered by Alexander Loginov and Timofei Shishkanov. Podolsk got on the board as Dmitry Shitikov scored in the third period, thanks to Gleb Klimenko and Yury Koksharov. Vityaz got closer as Maxim Afinogenov scored an unassisted goal, but this only made it 4-2. The three stars were Petruzalek, Mursak, and Dubinin.

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir brings in Ak Bars Kazan. At this time, I would like to take a moment to honor the victims of the recent plane crash in Kazan, and to extend my condolences to their families. In goal are Konstantin Barulin and Mikko Koskinen. Kazan got going in the second period with a Janne Pesonen goal, fueled by Shaun Heshka and Evgeny Medvedev. Ak Bars added on in the third period as Evgeny Bodrov scored an empty net goal, set up by Alexei Tereshchenko. This resulted in a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Barulin (48 save shutout), Pesonen, and Koskinen (19 for 20 in saves).

Moving along to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Niko Hovinen are the underrated goalies. Novokuznetsk opened in the first period with a Vladislav Kartayev goal, with a lone assist from Raymond Giroux. Nizhny Novgorod answered with a Denis Parshin goal, fueled by Sakari Salminen. Torpedo took the lead in the second period with a Daniil Zharkov goal, coming off of Justin Hodgman. Nizhny Novgorod added on with a power play goal by Jarkko Immonen, powered by Parshin and Salminen. Torpedo made it 4-1 in the third period on a power play goal by Pavel Valentenko, set up by Wojtek Wolski. This was a final, with the three stars going to Parshin, Gelashvili (29 for 30 in saves), and Salminen.

Further west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Andrei Vasilevsky are between the pipes. Donetsk began in the first period with a Lukas Kaspar goal, assisted by Roman Blagoi and Oleg Piganovich. Donbass added on as Alexander Toryanik scored, with a lone assist from Viktor Zakharov. Ufa got on the board as Antti Pihlstrom scored, with the help of Nikita Shchitov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev tied the game with an Alexander Pankov goal, fueled by Yegor Dubrovsky. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Randy Robitaille and Maxim Yakutsenya both scored for Donetsk to give them a 3-2 win. The three stars were Yakutsenya, Toryanik, and Kaspar.

Into Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Magnitogorsk started in the first period with a Chris Lee goal, coming off of Dmitry Kazionov. Metallurg added on in the second period when Jan Kovar scored, thanks to Viktor Antipin and Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the third period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, fueled by Kovar. Metallurg padded the lead as Mozyakin scored again, with the help of Lee and Kovar. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars being given to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Lee, while Koshechkin (30 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.

To the Urals, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Michael Garnett are the North American goalies. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period as Vyacheslav Kozlov scored, thanks to Tom Wandell. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Petri Kontiola power play goal, powered by Lauris Darzins and Alexei Vasilchenko. Traktor took the lead as Kontiola scored his second of the game, with a lone assist by Evgeny Kuznetsov. Chelyabinsk added on in the third period with a Stanislav Chistov power play goal, coming off of Jan Bulis and Kuznetsov. Spartak replied on a power play goal by Mikhail Yunkov, made possible by Denis Bodrov and Evgeny Kulik. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Kontriola, Kuznetsov, and Garnett (26 for 28 in saves).

Next up, CSKA Moscow welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Ilya Proskuryakov are the young goalies. Moscow led off in the first period with a power play goal by Yakov Rylov, powered by Alexander Radulov and Alexander Frolov. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the third period with an Artyom Chernov power play goal, via Tobias Viklund and Sami Lepisto. CSKA gained the lead back on a power play goal from Nikita Zaitsev, coming off of Radulov and Georgy Misharin. They would win 2-1, with the three stars being Zaitsev, Proskuryakov (33 for 34 in saves), and Radulov.

Back east, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Alexander Sudnitsin occupy the creases. Minsk was first to score in the first period with an Alexander Materukhin goal, assisted by Alexei Yefimenko. Nizhnekamsk tied it as Yegor Milovzorov scored, thanks to Petr Koukal. Neftekhimik took the lead on a Roman Lyuduchin goal, going in unassisted. Dinamo retied it in the second period on a Zbynek Irgl power play goal, powered by Geoff Platt and Lukas Krajicek. Nizhnekamsk retook the lead as Andrei Taratukhin scored, with helpers provided by Maxim Berezin and Maxim Trunyov on the power play. Haugen was replaced by Kevin Lalande. Neftekhimik added on as Koukal scored a power play goal, set up by Dmitry Kosmachyov and Milovzorov. Nizhnekamsk iced it at 5-2 in the third period with a shorthanded and unassisted Lyuduchin goal. The three stars were Lyuduchin, Milovzorov, and Koukal.

Speaking of Dinamo, the team of the same name in Riga hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov faces a lesser foe in Jakub Sedlacek in goal. Riga opened in the first period with a Miks Indrasis shorthanded goal, set up by Vitalijs Pavlovs. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it with a Radek Smolenak goal, coming off of Veli-Matti Savinainen. Yugra took the lead with an unassisted goal by Tomas Starosta. Dinamo tied it with a power play goal by Kyle Wilson, powered by Marcel Hossa and Mat Robinson. Riga took the lead as Hossa scored in the third period, thanks to Paul Szczechura. Khanty-Mansiysk retied it on a power play goal by Kirill Knyazev, passed from Vitaly Sitnikov and Mikhail Zhukov. The tie lasted into overtime, where Dinamo won 4-3 as Indrasis scored his second of the game, with helpers provided by Pavlovs and Robinson. The three stars were handed to Indrasis, Hossa, and Robinson, while Pavlovs gets an honorable mention.

Over in Prague, Lev welcomes Avangard Omsk. Mathieu Garon and Atte Engren will handle the goaltending duties. Omsk got going in the second period with an Ivan Baranka goal, fueled by Alexander Popov. Prague tied it with a power play goal by Jiri Sekac, powered by Martin Thornberg and Patrik Zackrisson. Avangard took the lead as Alexander Perezhogin scored, thanks to Miroslav Blatak and Maxim Kazakov in the third period. Lev retied it with a Jakub Klepis goal, with a lone assist by Ondrej Nemec. The tie went to a shootout, where Prague's goals by Thornberg and Klepis topped a lone goal from Omsk by Kazakov for a 3-2 Lev victory. The three stars were Klepis, Thornberg, and Kazakov.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan brings in Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Jaroslav Janus are in the blue paint. Astana started in the first period on a Roman Starchenko goal, assisted by Nikolai Antropov and Evgeny Blokhin. Bratislava got on the board with a Tomas Netik goal, coming off of Andrej Stastny and Martin Bakos. Barys took the lead with an unassisted goal by Nigel Dawes. Slovan tied it again in the second period as Netik scored a power play goal, with a lone assist from Milan Bartovic. Astana took the lead back as Konstantin Rudenko scored, via Antropov and Starchenko. Barys added on with an Alexei Litvinenko power play goal, powered by Antropov, who got a sock trick, and Starchenko. Astana extended the lead as Starchenko scored his second of the game, an unassisted goal. Barys iced it at 6-2 with a Dustin Boyd goal, set up by Brandon Bochenski. The three stars were Starchenko, Antropov, and Rudenko.

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