NHL Day 173 2013-2014

Eleven games on today, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller and Steve Mason are set to start. St. Louis opened in the first period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twenty-second of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Kevin Shattenkirk and Vladimir Sobotka. Philadelphia tied it on a power play goal in the second period from Scott Hartnell, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead on a Brayden Schenn goal, his eighteenth of the season, via Wayne Simmonds. Philadelphia added on in the third period with a Voracek goal, his nineteenth of the year, fueled by Giroux and Hartnell. The Flyers extended the lead with a Simmonds empty net goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, with assists provided by Vincent Lecavalier and Brayden Schenn. This made it 4-1, a final, with the three stars going to Hartnell, Voracek, and Mason (32 for 33 in saves), while Giroux, Simmonds, and Brayden Schenn get the honorable mentions.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Backups Anders Lindback and Jeff Zatkoff are in goal. Pittsburgh got going in the second period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and the goalie Zatkoff. Tampa Bay tied it on a Valtteri Filppula power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead on a Stamkos goal, his twentieth of the season, via Alex Killorn and Radko Gudas. The Penguins tied it on a Malkin goal, his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal made possible by Matt Niskanen and Crosby. Pittsburgh took the lead on a Malkin goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, passed from Jussi Jokinen. Tampa Bay tied it again on an Ondrej Palat goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Gudas and Matthew Carle. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime as James Neal scored a power play goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, thanks to Malkin and Crosby. The three stars were Malkin, Crosby, and Stamkos, while Gudas gets an honorable mention.

Westward again to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Darcy Kuemper are given the starting nods. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Mikko Koivu power play goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Suter and Matt Moulson. Detroit tied it on a Brendan Smith power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by David Legwand and Jakub Kindl. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period with a Legwand power play goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Riley Sheahan and Kindl. The Wild retied it in the third period on a Charlie Coyle penalty shot goal, his eighth of the year. Detroit took the lead on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twenty-first of the season, fueled by Sheahan and Smith. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Smith, Kindl, and Sheahan.

Down in Dallas, the Stars host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Kari Lehtonen are between the pipes. Ottawa began in the first period with an Erik Karlsson goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Colin Greening. Dallas tied it in the second period as Cody Eakin notched his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Valeri Nichushkin and Jordie Benn. The Stars got the lead in the third period with a Trevor Daley goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Ray Whitney and Colton Sceviour. Dallas extended the lead with a Jamie Benn goal, his thirtieth of the year, made possible by Tyler Seguin and Jordie Benn. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Jordie Benn, Jamie Benn, and Daley.

Further to the west, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Kyle Clifford and Willie Mitchell. The Kings added on with a Mike Richards goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Lewis and Drew Doughty. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period with a Dustin Brown goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Jarret Stoll and Dwight King. The Kings padded the lead in the third period with an Alec Martinez power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Slava Voynov and Jeff Carter. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Quick (24 save shutout), Lewis, and Richards.

Northeast to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and James Reimer man the creases. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-first of the season, assisted by David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on with a Rene Bourque goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Brian Gionta and Mike Weaver. Toronto got on the board with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his twentieth of the season, passed from Mason Raymond. The Maple Leafs tied it with a Tyler Bozak goal, his sixteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Phil Kessel. Montreal retook the lead on a Gionta goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Bourque. Toronto tied it again in the third period on a Nazem Kadri power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Lupul and Raymond. The Canadiens retook the lead on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, via Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Bourque, Gionta, and Lupul, while Raymond gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur are the future Hall of Fame goalies. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Rick Nash goal, his twenty-third of the season, fueled by Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider. The Rangers added on in the third period as Stepan scored a power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by the goalie Lundqvist and Ryan McDonagh. This produced the 2-0 final, with the three stars being Lundqvist (21 save shutout), Stepan, and Nash.

Into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Al Montoya are the mediocre goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the second period on a Jim Slater goal, with a lone assist by Mark Stuart. Carolina tied it on an Eric Staal goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Jiri Tlusty and Andrej Sekera. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Jordan Staal power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Sekera and John-Michael Liles. Carolina added on as Riley Nash potted his ninth of the season, thanks to Jeff Skinner and Patrick Dwyer. The Jets got one back in the third period on a Bryan Little goal, his twenty-first of the year, pushed through by Michael Frolik. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Sekera, Jordan Staal, and Eric Staal.

South to Arizona, as the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Mike Smith will have the green light to play goal. Boston opened in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Andrej Meszaros. Phoenix tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Brandon McMillan and Mike Ribeiro. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, his twelfth of the season, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. The Bruins retied it in the third period on a Jarome Iginla goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, fueled by Zdeno Chara and Dougie Hamilton. Boston took the lead as Shawn Thornton netted his fifth of the season, thanks to Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 with an Iginla empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, set up by Milan Lucic. Iginla, Thornton, and Bergeron received the three stars.

Up in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Calgary Flames for a Battle of Alberta. Karri Ramo and Viktor Fasth are set to start. Edmonton started in the first period with a Jeff Petry power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Calgary tied it on a Mark Giordano goal, his twelfth of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and T.J. Brodie. The Flames took the lead in the second period on a Cammalleri goal, his twenty-third of the season, helped along by Mikael Backlund. Calgary added on with a Matt Stajan penalty shot goal for his eleventh of the year. The Flames extended the lead as Paul Byron scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Cammalleri and Brodie. Calgary padded the lead with a Curtis Glencross goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Stajan and Giordano. Ben Scrivens replaced Fasth at this time. The Flames kept going in the third period on another Glencross goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, assisted by Stajan and Jiri Hudler. Calgary struck again with a Kevin Westgarth goal, his second of the year, passed from Tyler Wotherspoon and Ladislav Smid. The Flames wrapped it up at 8-1 as Glencross finished his hat trick with his tenth of the campaign, coming off of Stajan, who got a sock trick, and Chris Butler. Glencross, Stajan, and Cammalleri were the three stars, while Brodie and Giordano got the honorable mentions.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Antti Niemi are the masked men. Washington led off in the first period with an unassisted Eric Fehr goal, his twelfth of the season. San Jose tied it on a Patrick Marleau goal, his thirtieth of the year, coming off of Logan Couture and Matthew Nieto. The Sharks took the lead with a James Sheppard third period goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Capitals retied it on a Chris Brown goal, via Dustin Penner and Tom Wilson. Washington won 3-2 in the shootout with goals by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom to overwhelm Marleau's lone tally. The three stars were Brown, Marleau, and Backstrom.

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KHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Day 2 2014

Two games on in the east today, beginning in...

Astana, as Barys hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Vitaly Yeremeyev are in the blue paint. Ufa was first to score in the first period with an Andrei Zubarev power play goal, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev added on as Yegor Dubrovsky scored an unassisted goal. Astana got on the board with a Kristian Kudroc goal, via Dustin Boyd and Brandon Bochenski. Barys tied it in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Konstantin Rudenko. Astana took the lead with a Cam Barker goal, with a lone assist from Andrei Gavrilin. Barys extended the lead in the third period on a Gavrilin goal, guided in by Bochenski and Boyd. Astana finished it at 5-2 with a Boyd goal, made possible by Bochenski, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Boyd, Bochenski, and Gavrilin. The series is now tied at 1.

Up in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted goal from Dmitry Kazionov. Novosibirsk took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Dmitry Monya, powered by Vyacheslav Belov. Metallurg retook the lead as Francis Pare scored a power play goal, made possible by Chris Lee. Magnitogorsk added on as Sergei Mozyakin scored a power play goal, thanks to Danis Zaripov. Sibir shot back in the third period with another Monya goal, assisted by Konstantin Alexeyev. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Mozyakin, Monya, and Koshechkin (28 for 30 in saves). Metallurg takes a 2-0 series lead on the road.

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NHL Day 172 2013-2014

Four games are on today, beginning in...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Columbus got going in the third period on a Nick Foligno goal, his eighteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. New York tied it with a Derek Stepan goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Ryan McDonagh and Anton Stralman. The Rangers took the lead on a Derick Brassard goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from Stralman and Mats Zuccarello. New York iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Carl Hagelin, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Zuccarello and Marc Staal. The three stars were handed to Lundqvist (25 for 26 in saves), Stralman, and Zuccarello.

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Chicago dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirtieth of the season, assisted by Andrew Shaw and Michal Handzus. The Blackhawks added on as Kris Versteeg notched his eleventh of the year, with the help of Nick Leddy and Brent Seabrook. Carolina got on the board with an Alexander Semin goal, his twentieth of the season, guided in by Eric Staal and Andrej Sekera. The Hurricanes tied it with another Semin goal in the third period, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year coming on the power play from Eric Staal. Chicago retook the lead on a shorthanded goal by Jonathan Toews, his twenty-eighth of the season, going in unassisted. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Semin, Toews, and Eric Staal.

Further to the west, the Colorado Avalanche host the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson is mismatched with Semyon Varlamov in goal. Boston opened in the first period on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by Dougie Hamilton and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins added on as Carl Soderberg scored a power play goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Loui Eriksson and Hamilton. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with Johnson (31 save shutout), Hamilton, and Bergeron earning the three stars.

Up in Calgary, the Flames bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Joni Ortio are the Finnish goalies. Nashville started in the first period with a Victor Bartley goal, courtesy of Craig Smith and Seth Jones. The Predators added on with a Shea Weber goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Mike Fisher and Matt Cullen. Calgary got on the board with a Kris Russell power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Mark Giordano and Michael Cammalleri. Nashville shot back in the second period on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Michael Del Zotto and Cullen. The Flames got one back on a Cammalleri goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone helper by Russell. Calgary tied it with a Giordano goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Curtis Glencross and Jiri Hudler. The Predators pulled ahead again on a Viktor Stalberg goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by Gabriel Bourque and Calle Jarnkrok. The Flames tied it again with a Mikael Backlund goal, his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Lance Bouma and Brian McGrattan. Nashville gained the lead in the third period on a Weber goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, pushed through by Cullen, who got a sock trick, and Hornqvist on the power play. The Predators struck again with a Cullen goal, his seventh of the season, from Roman Josi and Hornqvist. Calgary got one back again with a Cammalleri goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, guided in by Russell and Backlund. The final in the marathon game stood at 6-5, with the three stars being Weber, Hornqvist, and Cullen, while Cammalleri, Backlund, Russell, and Giordano get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Western Conference Semifinals Day 2 2014

Two more games on today, beginning with...

SKA St. Petersburg welcoming Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Salak are set to start. Yaroslavl led off in the first period with a Sergei Konkov goal, via Emil Galimov and Vladislav Kartayev. St. Petersburg tied it on a Roman Cervenka goal, passed from Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. SKA took the lead in the second period with an Ilya Kablukov goal, courtesy of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Ilya Kovalchuk. Lokomotiv retied it with a power play goal by Konkov, powered by Geoff Platt and Ilya Gorokhov. St. Petersburg retook the lead on a Kovalchuk goal, assisted by Kevin Dallman and Kablukov. SKA added on with a Cervenka goal, via Dinar Khafizullin and Thoresen. Yaroslavl got one back in the third period on a Staffan Kronwall goal, coming off of Galimov. Lokomotiv retied it on a Daniil Apalkov power play goal, with assists provided by Kronwall and Sergei Plotnikov. Yaroslavl won 5-4 in overtime as Kartayev scored, with a lone helper form Kronwall. The three stars were awarded to Kartayev, Kronwall, and Konkov, while Galimov, Cervenka, Kovalchuk, Kablukov, and Thoresen all get honorable mentions. The series heads west tied at 1.

Over in Prague, Lev brings in Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Petri Vehanen are the masked men. Donetsk began in the first period with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, assisted by Ruslan Fedotenko and Maxim Yakutsenya. Prague tied it with a Petr Vrana goal, via Nathan Oystrick and Mikko Maenpaa on the power play. Lev added on as Vrana scored another power play goal, powered by Maenpaa. Donbass tied it in the second period with a power play goal from Evgeny Belukhin, coming off of Oskars Bartulis. Prague pulled ahead with a Lukas Cingel goal, made possible by Jakub Matai. Donetsk tied it in the third period with a Yakutsenya goal, fueled by Belukhin and Dadonov. Donbass won in the fourth overtime by a 4-3 score on a Belukhin goal, guided in by Yakutsenya. The three stars were Belukhin, Yakutsenya, and Vrana, while Maenpaa and Dadonov get the honorable mentions. The series is now tied at 1.

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KHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Day 1 2014

As is normal, the semifinals have two games on today for the Eastern Conference. We begin in...

Astana, as Barys hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Vitaly Yeremeyev are in goal. Astana was first to score in the first period with a Mike Lundin goal, courtesy of Brandon Bochenski and Andrei Gavrilin. Ufa tied it in the second period with a Dmitry Makarov power play goal, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the third period on an Alexei Kaigorodov goal, assisted by Koltsov and Antti Pihlstrom. Barys retied it with a Nikolai Antropov goal, coming off of Maxim Semyonov. Ufa won 3-2 in overtime on an unassisted goal by Nikita Filatov. The three stars were Filatov, Koltsov, and Vasilevsky (35 for 37 in saves). Salavat Yulaev takes a 1-0 series lead.

Up in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period with a Jan Kovar power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on in the third period with a Danis Zaripov goal, with a lone helper by Mozyakin. Novosibirsk got on the board as Konstantin Alexeyev scored an unassisted goal. Sibir tied it on an Ivan Lekomtsev goal, passed from Jonas Enlund. Magnitogorsk won 3-2 in overtime with a Mozyakin goal, fueled by Kovar on the power play. The three stars belonged to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Koshechkin (32 for 34 in saves). Metallurg leads the series 1-0.

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NHL Day 171 2013-2014

Nine games on the schedule today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Minnesota Wild. Ilya Bryzgalov and Cory Schneider draw the starts. New Jersey was first to score in the first period on a Michael Ryder goal, his seventeenth of the season, courtesy of Patrik Elias and Adam Henrique. The Devils added on in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Mark Fayne, his fourth of the year, set up by Henrique and Elias. Minnesota got on the board with a Zach Parise power play goal in the third period, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon. New Jersey shot back with a power play goal by Jaromir Jagr, his twenty-third of the year, assisted by Ryane Clowe and Travis Zajac. The Wild pulled back on a Mikael Granlund goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Spurgeon. Minnesota tied it on a Matt Cooke goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Marco Scandella and Jonas Brodin. The Devils won 4-3 in overtime on an Andy Greene goal, his eighth of the campaign, with assists provided by Henrique and Elias, both of whom got sock tricks. The three stars belonged to Henrique, Elias, and Spurgeon.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Dallas Stars. Tim Thomas and Steve Mason are the overrated goalies. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Mark Streit goal, his ninth of the season, with a lone assist by Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on with a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Scott Hartnell and Jakub Voracek. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Jamie Benn, his twenty-eighth of the season, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Alex Goligoski. Philadelphia replied with Simmonds' second of the game and twenty-third of the year, via Vincent Lecavalier and Brayden Schenn. The Stars shot back on a Jamie Benn goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the season, with a lone helper from Seguin. The Flyers answered on a Michael Raffl goal, his ninth of the year, helped along by Sean Couturier and Kimmo Timonen. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Simmonds, Benn, and Seguin.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Alex Galchenyuk and Tomas Plekanec. Columbus tied it with a shorthanded goal from Derek MacKenzie, his eighth of the year, set up by Mark Letestu. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Blake Comeau and Jack Johnson. The Canadiens tied it in the third period on a Thomas Vanek goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, via Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. Columbus took the lead on an unassisted goal by Ryan Johansen, his twenty-seventh of the campaign. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Johansen, Dubinsky, and MacKenzie.

West to Ontario, as the Ottawa Senators host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces former teammate Robin Lehner in goal. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Teddy Purcell goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Victor Hedman and Tyler Johnson. Ottawa tied it on a Clarke MacArthur goal, his twenty-first of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Kyle Turris. The Lightning retook the lead with another Purcell goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, guided in by Hedman and Johnson. The Senators pulled even as Erik Karlsson netted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Mike Hoffman and Jason Spezza. Tampa Bay pulled ahead on a second period power play goal by Valtteri Filppula, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Ondrej Palat and Sami Salo. Ottawa tied it again with an Ales Hemsky goal, his eleventh of the year, via Milan Michalek. The Lightning regained the lead with an Eric Brewer goal, made possible by J.T. Brown and Alex Killorn. Tampa Bay added on with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with helpers from Palat and Salo. The Senators got one back with a Michalek goal, his thirteenth of the year, from Karlsson and Spezza. The final was 5-4, with the three stars going to Purcell, Karlsson, and Michalek, while Hedman, Johnson, Palat, and Salo get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jimmy Howard protect the nets. Detroit started in the first period with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Johan Franzen and Danny DeKeyser. The Red Wings added on as Gustav Nyquist scored his twentieth of the year in the second period, a power play goal powered by Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Lee Stempniak goal, his tenth of the season, via Chris Kunitz and Robert Bortuzzo. The Penguins tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by James Neal and Jussi Jokinen. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Malkin power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, fueled by Neal and Jokinen. Detroit retied it in the third period with a Tomas Tatar goal, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Riley Sheahan and DeKeyser. The Red Wings took the lead again on an unassisted Todd Bertuzzi goal, his ninth of the season. The Penguins tied it again on a Craig Adams goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Brandon Sutter and Joe Vitale. Detroit won in the last second of overtime on a shorthanded Alfredsson goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Nyquist. The three stars of the 5-4 game were Alfredsson, Nyquist, and Malkin, with the honorable mentions going to Neal, Jokinen, and DeKeyser.

Westward to Edmonton, as the Oilers bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett is mismatched with Ben Scrivens in goal. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Taylor Hall power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Justin Schultz and David Perron. Buffalo tied it in the second period as Cory Conacher scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Jamie McBain. The Sabres took the lead in the third period with Conacher's second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Torrey Mitchell and Cody Hodgson. Buffalo added on as Drew Stafford netted his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Tyler Ennis. This made it 3-1, the final, with Conacher, Hackett (35 for 36 in saves), and Stafford getting the three stars.

Way south to Arizona, as the Phoenix Coyotes host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Mike Smith are the Canadian Olympic goaltenders. Phoenix began in the first period with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Martin Hanzal and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes added on with an Antoine Vermette goal, his twenty-third of the year, thanks to Michael Stone and Mikkel Boedker. Florida got on the board with a third period goal by Scott Gomez, his second of the campaign, with a lone assist from Dmitry Kulikov. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Smith (22 for 23 in saves), Vermette, and Vrbata.

Out in Los Angeles, the Kings welcome the Washington Capitals. Jaroslav Halak and Jonathan Quick are the masked men. Los Angeles opened in the first period with an Anze Koptiar goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Marian Gaborik and Justin Williams. Washington tied it on a Joel Ward goal in the third period, his twenty-second of the year, assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. The Kings won with goals by Gaborik and Carter in the shootout, topping a lone tally by Kuznetsov. Gaborik, Quick (21 for 22 in saves), and Kuznetsov were the three stars.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Antti Niemi are called on for the starts. San Jose started in the first period with a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, powered by Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks took the lead in the third period on a Teemu Selanne goal, his eighth of the season, via Perry and Getzlaf. The Sharks tied it with a Thornton goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. San Jose won 3-2 as Burns deposited his twentieth of the campaign, with the help of Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The three stars went to Burns, Thornton, and Perry, while Getzlaf gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Western Conference Semifinals Day 1 2014

The KHL has made it to the second round, and the Western Conference opens up their semifinals today. We begin in...

St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Salak tend the twines. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on a Patrick Thoresen goal, coming off of Alexei Semenov and Roman Cervenka. This was the only goal in the game, as SKA won 1-0. The three stars were awarded to Salak (18 save shutout), Thoresen, and Sanford (31 for 32 in saves). SKA takes a 1-0 series lead.

The other game is in Prague, as Lev hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Petri Vehanen are set to start. Prague struck first in the first period on a Justin Azevedo goal, from Jiri Sekac. Lev added on in the second period with a Jakub Matai goal, fueled by Calle Ridderwall. Prague extended the lead as Jiri Novotny scored, thanks to David Ullstrom and Azevedo. Michael Leighton relieved Laco at this time. Lev padded the lead on a Petr Vrana goal, assisted by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Michal Repik. Prague kept going with a Patrik Zackrisson goal, coming off of Niko Kapanen and Repik. Donetsk got on the board in the third period with an unassisted goal by Viktor Zakharov. Donbass pulled closer on a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, assisted by Zakharov and Jan Kolar. This made it 5-2, the final, with Azevedo, Repik, and Zakharov being the three stars. Lev leads the series 1-0.

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NHL Day 170 2013-2014

Four games on tonight, beginning in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and James Reimer are called on to start in goal. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Radko Gudas goal, his third of the season, guided in by Valtteri Filppula. Toronto tied it on a Phil Kessel goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of James van Riemsdyk and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs took the lead as Nikolai Kulemin scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Tim Gleason and Morgan Rielly. The Lightning retied it on a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Filppula. Tampa Bay took the lead on another Stamkos goal, his eighteenth of the season and second of the game, via Tyler Johnson and Sami Salo. The Lightning added on in the second period as Stamkos finished his natural hat trick with his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Malone and Eric Brewer. Toronto got one back in the third period on a Jake Gardiner goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Cody Franson and Tyler Bozak. Tampa Bay shot back with a power play goal by Johnson, his twenty-second of the year, assisted by Teddy Purcell. This made it 5-3, the final, with Stamkos, Johnson, and Filppula getting the three stars.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago began in the first period with a power play goal by Duncan Keith, his fifth of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with an Andrew Shaw goal, his eighteenth of the year, guided in by Nick Leddy and Sharp. Chicago extended the lead in the third period on a Marcus Kruger goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Peter Regin and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks padded the lead on a Ben Smith power play goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Kris Versteeg and Leddy. This made it 4-0, the final, with Crawford (23 save shutout), Leddy, and Sharp being the three stars.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Reto Berra and Al Montoya are in the creases. Colorado led off in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Matt Duchene and Jamie McGinn. Winnipeg tied it on Andrew Ladd's twentieth of the year, helped along by Bryan Little and Jacob Trouba. The Jets took the lead with an Eric Tangradi goal, his second of the season, fueled by Blake Wheeler and Olli Jokinen. The Avalanche tied it up with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Andre Benoit and Nathan MacKinnon. Winnipeg retook the lead in the second period as Evander Kane scored his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Devin Setoguchi and Paul Postma. Colorado tied it on a Nick Holden goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Tyson Barrie and Max Talbot. The Jets retook the lead as Ladd potted his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, a power play goal powered by Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. The Avalanche tied it with a Cody McLeod goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Talbot and Nate Guenin. Winnipeg won 5-4 in overtime on a Wheeler goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, set up by Postma and Enstrom. The three stars went to Ladd, Wheeler, and Postma, while Talbot and Enstrom get the honorable mentions.

Finally, out in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Eddie Lack are set to start. Vancouver got going in the third period on a Nicklas Jensen goal, his third of the season, via Henrik Sedin and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks added on as Alexander Edler scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal powered by Kevin Bieksa and Henrik Sedin. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Lack (30 save shutout), Henrik Sedin, and Jensen.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 169 2013-2014

Big night tonight, with twelve games on. We begin with the...

New Jersey Devils hosting the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Martin Brodeur are in the blue paint. Boston led off in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his twentieth of the season, made possible by Reilly Smith and Andrej Meszaros. New Jersey tied it in the second period on a Patrik Elias power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Travis Zajac and Michael Ryder. The Bruins retook the lead on a shorthanded Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, set up by Bergeron and Zdeno Chara. Boston added on with a Jarome Iginla goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, coming off of David Krejci and Torey Krug. The Bruins extended the lead with a third period Chris Kelly goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson. The Devils got one back on a Zajac goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Eric Gelinas and Jaromir Jagr. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Bergeron, Zajac, and Iginla.

Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders welcome the Minnesota Wild. Ilya Bryzgalov and Anders Nilsson are the backups making spot starts. Minnesota opened in the first period on a Matt Moulson goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Fontaine and Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on as Jared Spurgeon scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Dany Heatley and Nino Neiderreiter. Minnesota extended the lead in the second period with a Mikael Granlund goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Zach Parise. The Wild padded the lead in the third period on a Clayton Stoner goal, with a lone assist by Koivu. Minnesota kept going on a Fontaine goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Moulson and Koivu, the latter getting a sock trick. The Wild finished it at 6-0 with another Moulson goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Matt Cooke and Kyle Brodziak. The three stars belonged to Moulson, Koivu, and Fontaine, while Bryzgalov (36 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.

West a little to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen returns from injury to the crease, opposing Jeff Zatkoff. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, thirty-second of the season, assisted by Craig Adams. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirty-first of the year, fueled by Trevor Daley. The Penguins retook the lead on a Chris Kunitz goal, his thirty-second of the campaign, coming off of Lee Stempniak. Pittsburgh added on with a second period Stempniak goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Kunitz and Crosby. The Penguins extended the lead in the third period with Crosby's second of the game and thirty-third of the year, passed from Stempniak and Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh wrapped it up at 5-1 with a Brandon Sutter shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by Brian Gibbons and Robert Bortuzzo. The three stars were given to Crosby, Stempniak, and Kunitz, while Zatkoff (32 for 33 in saves) picks up the honorable mention.

Crossing into Ohio, as the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Sergei Bobrovsky are between the pipes. Carolina struck first in the first period on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his fifteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Patrick Dwyer. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a power play goal by Andrei Loktionov, his fifth of the year, powered by Jay Harrison and Riley Nash. Carolina extended the lead as Dwyer notched his seventh of the season, with the help of Loktionov and Harrison. Curtis McElhinney relieved Bobrovsky for the third period. Columbus got on the board in the period with a Boone Jenner goal, his thirteenth of the year, with helpers from Ryan Johansen and Nathan Horton. This only made it a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Khudobin (46 for 47 in saves), Dwyer, and Loktionov, while Harrison gets an honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Colorado started in the first period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his twenty-third of the season, helped along by Paul Stastny and Erik Johnson. Montreal tied it in the second period on a Thomas Vanek goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by David Desharnais. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Max Talbot goal, his eighth of the campaign, made possible by Matt Duchene and Jamie McGinn. The Canadiens pulled even on a Travis Moen goal, his second of the season, passed from Brandon Prust and Mike Weaver. Montreal took the lead in the third period with a Prust goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin. Colorado retied it on a McGinn goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, fueled by Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. The Canadiens took the lead again as Vanek netted his twenty-third of the season, a power play goal powered by Max Pacioretty and Desharnais. Montreal added on with another Vanek power play goal, completing his hat trick on his twenty-fourth of the year, thanks to Emelin and Pacioretty. The Canadiens wrapped it up at 6-3 with a Dale Weise goal, his fifth of the campaign, courtesy of Tomas Plekanec. The three stars were Vanek, McGinn, and Desharnais, while Pacioretty, Emelin, Prust, and Duchene were named as honorable mentions.

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Robin Lehner are called on to start. Ottawa began in the first period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his second of the season, assisted by Erik Condra and Marc Methot. New York tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Rick Nash goal, his twenty-first of the year. The Senators retook the lead with a Mika Zibanejad power play goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, powered by Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. The Rangers retied it in the second period on a Derick Brassard goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Carl Hagelin and Kevin Klein. New York took the lead with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The Rangers added on with an unassisted goal by John Moore, his third of the campaign. New York extended the lead as Ryan McDonagh scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Brassard and Dan Girardi. Ottawa got one back in the third period with a Milan Michalek goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The Rangers shot back on a Derek Stepan goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Mats Zuccarello. New York padded the lead on a Brassard goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, with assists provided by Zuccarello and Martin St. Louis. The Senators replied on a Bobby Ryan goal, his twenty-third of the year, fueled by Eric Gryba and Clarke MacArthur. The Rangers finished it at 8-4 on Nash's second of the game and twenty-second of the campaign, helped along by Chris Kreider and Dominic Moore. Brassard, Nash, and Zuccarello earned the three stars.

Moving along to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jimmy Howard are the masked men. Detroit opened with a first period goal by Gustav Nyquist, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Quincey. The Red Wings added on in the third period as Nyquist netted his second of the night and nineteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Toronto got on the board with a Jake Gardiner power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, powered by Morgan Rielly. Detroit shot back as Daniel Alfredsson scored his fifteenth of the season, with the help of David Legwand and Niklas Kronwall. The Maple Leafs pulled back on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, coming off of Dion Phaneuf and Joffrey Lupul. This only made it 3-2, the final, with Nyquist, Howard (31 for 33 in saves), and Alfredsson receiving the three stars.

Back east to Philadelphia, where the Flyers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Ray Emery have the green light to start. Chicago struck first in the first period with an Andrew Shaw goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Michal Handzus and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks added on as Duncan Keith scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. Philadelphia got on the board with a Scott Hartnell goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Braydon Coburn. The Flyers tied it on another Hartnell goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Claude Giroux and Matt Read. Philadelphia won 3-2 with five seconds left in overtime on a Giroux goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Mark Streit. The three stars went to Hartnell, Giroux, and Emery (23 for 25 in saves).

Way out west, the Calgary Flames bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Nathan Lieuwen and Joni Ortio are the completely unknown goalies. Buffalo began in the first period with a Drew Stafford goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Calgary tied it on a second period Joe Colborne goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Sean Monahan and T.J. Brodie. The Flames took the lead in the third period on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his twentieth of the season, made possible by Chris Butler and Mikael Backlund. Calgary added on with a Paul Byron shorthanded goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Butler. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Butler, Cammalleri, and Byron.

Staying in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Viktor Fasth in goal. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Sam Gagner goal, his eighth of the season, via Martin Marincin and David Perron. The Oilers added on in the second period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Jordan Eberle and Philip Larsen. Edmonton extended the lead on a Taylor Hall goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, fueled by Gagner and Andrew Ference. Nashville got on the board as Gabriel Bourque scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Patric Hornqvist and Shea Weber. The Oilers shot back in the third period on an Eberle goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Anton Lander and Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton wrapped it up at 5-1 with another Eberle goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the campaign, assisted by Nugent-Hopkins. Carter Hutton closed out the game instead of Rinne. The three stars went to Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, and Gagner.

Down in Anaheim, the Ducks welcome the Washington Capitals. Jaroslav Halak and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Washington was first to score in the first period with a Joel Ward goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Jason Chimera and Patrick Wey. Anaheim tied it on a Ben Lovejoy goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Andrew Cogliano and Hampus Lindholm. The Capitals took the lead back with a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Ducks retied it in the third period on a Mathieu Perreault goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Lindholm and Ryan Getzlaf. Washington took the lead again on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his forty-sixth of the campaign, made possible by John Carlson and Backstrom. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Halak (43 for 45 in saves), Ovechkin, and Backstrom, while Lindholm gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose started in the second period with a Martin Havlat goal, his eighth of the season, coming on the power play from Brent Burns and Matthew Nieto. Florida tied it on a Brandon Pirri goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The Panthers took the lead with a Quinton Howden goal, his third of the season, via Pirri and Jimmy Hayes. Florida added on as Scottie Upshall netted his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Joey Crabb and Nick Bjugstad. The Sharks got one back in the third period on a Burns goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, coming off of Joe Thornton. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars being Pirri, Upshall, and Burns.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Day 7 2014

Only one game on today, as Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Andrei Vasilevsky are in goal. Ufa dented the scoreboard in the second period on a power play goal by Igor Mirnov, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev added on with a power play goal from Sergei Zinovyev, with a lone assist by Denis Khlystov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Sergei Bernatsky scored, thanks to Denis Parshin. They couldn't get the equalizer, losing 2-1, with the three stars being Vasilevsky (34 for 35 in saves), Zinovyev, and Mirnov. Salavat Yulaev wins the series 4-3 and concludes the quarterfinals.

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NHL Day 168 2013-2014

Four games on this evening, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Tuukka Rask are in the blue paint. Boston got going in the second period on a Jarome Iginla goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, passed from Matt Bartkowski and Andrej Meszaros. The Bruins added on with a Loui Eriksson goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Carl Soderberg. Minnesota got on the board on a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, guided in by Ryan Suter and Mikael Granlund. Boston shot back in the third period with a Reilly Smith goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with an Iginla empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign, set up by Chara. The three stars went to Rask (33 for 34 in saves), Iginla, and Chara.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Ondrej Palat and Ryan Callahan. The Lightning added on in the second period with a Palat goal, his eighteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Matthew Carle. Tampa Bay extended the lead with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming off of Stamkos. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Alexandre Burrows, his fourth of the year, assisted by Kevin Bieksa and Alexander Edler. The Lightning replied with a Tom Pyatt goal, his third of the season, made possible by J.T. Brown and Victor Hedman. The Canucks pulled back on a Burrows goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, fueled by Nicklas Jensen and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver chipped closer on a Jannik Hansen shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Burrows. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with the three stars going to Stamkos, Palat, and Burrows.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Ryan Miller are called on to start. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brenden Morrow goal, his eleventh of the season, via Derek Roy and Jay Bouwmeester. Winnipeg tied it in the third period on an Eric O'Dell goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian. The Blues took the lead back with a power play goal by David Backes, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Ian Cole and Bouwmeester. St. Louis finished it as Backes was awarded his twenty-third of the year while being slashed on a breakaway with an empty net. This was good for a 3-1 win, with Backes, Miller (16 for 17 in saves), and Morrow picking up the three stars.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick protect the nets. Phoenix started in the first period with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes added on with a Mikkel Boedker power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle. Los Angeles got on the board with a Tanner Pearson goal, his second of the season, fueled by Jarret Stoll and Tyler Toffoli. The Kings tied it in the second period on an Alec Martinez goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Jeff Carter. Los Angeles took the lead on a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Anze Kopitar and Slava Voynov. Phoenix tied it in the third period on an unassisted Yandle goal, his eighth of the year. The Coyotes took the lead as Jeff Halpern scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Shane Doan and Kyle Chipchura. This made it 4-3, the final, with Yandle, Halpern, and Boedker getting the three stars.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals Day 7 2014

This is it for the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Two games decide who makes it to the semifinals and who goes home. We begin in...

Moscow, as Dynamo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Yeryomenko are the masked men. Yaroslavl opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Alexander Chernikov. Lokomotiv added on with a Geoff Platt goal, coming off of Mikelis Redlihs and Janis Sprukts. Moscow got on the board in the second period on a Leo Komarov goal, passed from Konstantin Gorovikov. Yaroslavl replied in the third period with a goal by Sergei Konkov, going in unassisted. Lokomotiv extended the lead with an unassisted power play goal from Konkov. Yaroslavl finished it at 5-1 with a Yegor Averin goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Plotnikov. The three stars were Konkov, Sanford (31 for 32 in saves), and Platt. Lokomotiv ousts Dynamo 4-3 in the series, completing an unlikely upset.

The other game comes from Bratislava, where Donbass Donetsk hosts Dinamo Riga. The game is being played in Slovakia due to security concerns in Ukraine. Jakub Sedlacek and Jan Laco are in goal. Donetsk started in the first period with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Maxim Yakutsenya. Donbass added on as Teemu Laine scored, thanks to Clay Wilson. Riga got on the board with a Gints Meija goal, with a lone assist by Maris Bicevskis. Donetsk replied in the third period on a Dadonov goal, fueled by Yakutsenya and Ruslen Fedotenko. This was good for a 3-1 win. The three stars were awarded to Dadonov, Laco (24 for 25 in saves), and Yakutsenya. Donbass wins the series 4-3 and advances to the semifinals against Lev.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 167 2013-2014

Nine games on, inexplicably, this Sunday. We begin with the second half of yesterday's Battle of Pennsylvania...

As the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Marc-Andre Fleury again get the starts. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Brayden Schenn goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Vincent Lecavalier. The Flyers added on with a Simmonds power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead as Simmonds potted his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, thanks to Giroux and Jakub Voracek on the power play. Fleury was replaced by Jeff Zatkoff in goal. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Brooks Orpik goal, his second of the year, guided in by Robert Bortuzzo and Joe Vitale. The Penguins pulled closer in the second period on a Matt Niskanen goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Rob Scuderi and Jussi Jokinen. The Flyers shot back with a shorthanded goal by Matt Read, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Luke Schenn. Pittsburgh replied on a Jayson Megna goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Brian Gibbons. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Simmonds,
Giroux, and Read.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack faces former mentor Roberto Luongo in goal. Florida led off in the first period with a power play goal by Jimmy Hayes, his eighth of the season, powered by Tom Gilbert and Brandon Pirri. Vancouver tied it on a Dan Hamhuis goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Alexandre Burrows and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on as Nicklas Jensen scored his second of the season, thanks to Burrows and Henrik Sedin. The Panthers retied it in the third period on a Trocheck goal, his second of the year, coming off of Quinton Howden. Vancouver regained the lead on a Burrows power play goal, his third of the season, an unassisted goal. Florida even the score with another Hayes power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, assisted by Brian Campbell and Pirri. The Canucks won in the shootout on a Jensen tally. The three stars were Burrows, Jensen, and Henrik Sedin, while Pirri and Hayes get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jaroslav Halak are set to start. Washington began in the first period with a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on as Jason Chimera put away his thirtieth of the year, with the help of Joel Ward and Karl Alzner. Washington extended the lead on a Ward goal, his twentieth of the season, coming off of Dustin Penner and Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Toronto got on the board with a Troy Bodie goal, his third of the year, guided in by Mason Raymond and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs pulled closer on a second period Dion Phaneuf goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Carl Gunnarsson and Joffrey Lupul. The Capitals iced it at 4-2 in the third period with an empty net goal by Brouwer, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, set up by Alzner. The three stars were Brouwer, Ward, and Alzner.

South again to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Anton Khudobin are the underrated goalies. Edmonton struck first in the first period on a Matt Hendricks goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Boyd Gordon and Justin Schultz. Carolina tied it with a Jordan Staal goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Eric Staal and Justin Faulk. The Oilers took the lead back in the third period on a Schultz power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by David Perron and Taylor Hall. this was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Schultz, Scrivens (29 for 30 in saves), and Khudobin (31 for 33 in saves).

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. San Jose opened in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Logan Couture goal, his nineteenth of the season. This was the only goal in the game, resulting in a 1-0 final. The three stars were awarded to Niemi (41 save shutout), Couture, and Lundqvist (28 for 29 in saves).

Crossing into Canada, as the Ottawa Senators bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Robin Lehner are called on to start. Colorado got going in the second period on an Andre Benoit goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Patrick Bordeleau and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche added on in the third period with a Nick Holden goal, his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Jamie McGinn and Duchene. Colorado extended the lead on a John Mitchell goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon. Ottawa got on the board late with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Varlamov (38 for 39 in saves), Duchene, and Holden.

Into Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Jhonas Enroth are the unknown goalies. Montreal started in the first period with a Dale Weise goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on as Brendan Gallagher scored his seventeenth of the year, with the help of Tomas Plekanec and Alexei Emelin. Late in the second period, Enroth was hurt, and was replaced by Nathan Lieuwen.

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome longtime rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Chicago dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Nick Leddy power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Ben Smith. Detroit tied it with a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall. The Blackhawks retook the lead on a Smith goal, his ninth of the season, via Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. Chicago added on in the third period as Hossa potted his twenty-fifth of the year, thanks to Patrick Sharp and Keith. The Blackhawks extended the lead on a shorthanded Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-seventh of the campaign, set up by Hossa. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Hossa, Smith, and Keith.

Finally, in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Dallas Stars. Tim Thomas and Al Montoya are between the pipes. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Jacob Trouba goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Blake Wheeler. Dallas tied it on a Alex Chiasson goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Alex Goligoski and Cody Eakin. The Stars took the lead with a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirtieth of the season, assisted by Valeri Nichushkin and Jamie Benn. The Jets retied it on a Michael Frolik goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Tobias Enstrom. Winnipeg gained the lead with an Enstrom goal, his eighth of the season, from Wheeler and Patrice Cormier. The Jets added on as Olli Jokinen scored his sixteenth of the year in the second period, thanks to Wheeler, who got a sock trick, and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg extended the lead on a Byfuglien power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Jokinen and Enstrom. The Jets padded the lead in the third period on another Byfuglien goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, coming off of Wheeler and Jokinen. Winnipeg kept going with an Evander Kane goal, his sixteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The final was 7-2. The three stars were given to Byfuglien, Wheeler, and Enstrom, while Jokinen gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Day 6 2014

Two games on today as the playoff picture thins a bit. We begin with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Mikko Koskinen draw the starts. Kazan got going in the second period on an unassisted goal by Evgeny Medvedev. Ak Bars added on with an Alexander Svitov goal, courtesy of Janne Pesonen and Medvedev. Novosibirsk got on the board as Dmitry Kugryshev scored in the third period, thanks to Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir tied it on an Alexander Kutuzov goal, guided in by Kopeikin and Yegor Martynov. Novosibirsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Stepan Sannikov goal, via Sergei Shumakov and Oleg Gubin. The three stars were Sannikov, Kopeikin, and Medvedev. Sibir survives to advance to the semifinals with a 4-2 series win.

Westward to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Ivan Kasutin are in the creases. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period on a Denis Parshin goal, with a lone assist by Vladimir Galuzin. Torpedo added on with a Jarkko Immonen power play goal, powered by Wojtek Wolski. Ufa got on the board with a Dmitry Makarov goal, fueled by Brent Sopel. Salavat Yulaev tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Yegor Dubrovsky, coming off of Makarov and Ivan Vishnevsky. Nizhny Novgorod pulled ahead in the third period on a Galuzin goal, via Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Torpedo extended the lead as Sakari Salminen scored, thanks to Vladimir Denisov. Nizhny Novgorod padded the lead as Salminen scored again, with the help of Juuso Hietanen on the power play. Vladimir Sokhatsky came on in relief of Vasilevsky. Torpedo iced it at 6-2 on an Immonen power play goal, assisted by Salminen and Hietanen. The three stars were Salminen, Immonen, and Galuzin, while Makarov and Hietanen get the honorable mentions. The series is tied at 3 and will conclude on Tuesday in Ufa.

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