As the title would imply, I am adjusting my recaps to fit in my schedule better. Only games that feature pitching stats beyond a win and a loss (in other words: saves, holds, and blown saves), will be covered. Blowouts will be mentioned but not put in excessive detail. With that, we begin with...
Detroit Tigers hosting the Texas Rangers. C.J. Wilson and Brad Penny took the mound. Texas opened in the first with a Josh Hamilton triple to score Michael Young. This was answered by a Ramon Santiago groundout to get Detroit on the board as Austin Jackson crossed the plate. The Rangers retook the lead with Young's sacrifice fly to bring in Mitch Moreland. The Tigers kept pace with the same thing for Victor Martinez, knocking in Ryan Raburn in the fourth inning. Texas regained the lead again in the sixth inning as Adrian Beltre grounded out but gave space for Elvis Andrus to come home. Detroit responded in the bottom of the inning on Raburn's double to score Santiago before coming in himself on a Brennan Boesch single. The Rangers tied it with Nelson Cruz singling and scoring Young. The Tigers made it 5-4 in the ninth inning with Miguel Cabrera's bases loaded single to bring around Brandon Inge. This was a final score, with Darren O'Day getting pinned with a loss. Brayan Villarreal had a hold, although Joaquin Benoit blew the save, setting up a winning situation for Jose Valverde. Young and Raburn were the top batters.
The New York Yankees hosting the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Milwaukee Brewers were both postponed prior to starting.
Onward to Washington, where the Nationals hosted the Philadelphia Phillies. Joe Blanton and Livan Hernandez got the starts. Philadelphia got out to a second inning lead with Ryan Howard's solo home run, but Washington answered in the bottom of the inning on Danny Espinosa's sacrifice fly to bring in Wilson Ramos. The Nationals added on in the fourth with a Ramos double bringing around Jayson Werth, before he was bumped in by Jerry Hairston, Jr.'s, followed by Hernandez sacrificing to the pitcher but giving time for Lance Nix to come around. Werth added a solo shot in the fifth inning. Washington kept going with a Ramos walk with the bases loaded, forcing in Rick Ankiel. The Phillies learned how to score again with Raul Ibanez grounding into a fielder's choice, providing safe passage for Jimmy Rollins, and Howard scored and Ibanez got on second with a wild pitch. The Nationals padded their lead with Alex Cora singling to knock in Espinosa. Philadelphia made it a 7-4 defeat with Placido Polanco singling to score Wilson Valdez, which would not be enough. Blanton was the losing pitcher, Hernandez was the winner, Tyler Clippard recorded a hold and Sean Burnett made the save. Howard and Werth were the top hitters.
Also postponed in New York was the Mets game at Citi Field against the Colorado Rockies.
The Atlanta Braves hosted the Florida Marlins in a 5-0 Atlanta victory. Tommy Hanson picked up the win, defeating Chris Volstad. Mike Stanton and Jason Heyward were the top batters.
Up to Boston, where the Red Sox hosted the Tampa Bay Rays. David Price and Jon Lester were the starters. Boston opened with a Darnell McDonald solo home run in the third inning. Tampa Bay replied in the fifth inning with Sam Fuld's fielder's choice to score Kelly Shoppach. The Rays continued with Johnny Damon bringing in a pair of Johnsons, Dan and Elliot. The Red Sox made it 3-2 in the sixth inning with Jed Lowrie doubling to score Dustin Pedroia. It would not be enough to save Boston, who lost by that score. Lester got stuck with the loss, while Price picked up the win, Joel Peralta got a hold, and Kyle Farnsworth had the save. Damon and Lowrie were the best batters.
Down to Houston with a blowout, where the Astros defeated their guests, the Chicago Cubs, 11-2, behind the arm of Brett Myers. He picked up the win while opposing James Russell. Tyler Colvin and Hunter Pence were the best of the hitters.
Up to Minnesota, where the Twins hosted the Kansas City Royals. Jeff Francis and Brian Duensing got the ball. Minnesota opened up the scoring in the third on Joe Mauer's sacrifice fly that brought in Alexi Casilla. Kansas City answered quickly with Wilson Betemit singling to knock in Billy Butler, followed by Mike Aviles sacrificing his at-bat for Jeff Francoeur to score. The Twins got back into it with a two-RBI single by Luke Hughes, scoring both Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. The Royals tied it with Melky Cabrera singling and driving in Alcides Escobar. The game lasted to the tenth inning, where Minnesota clinched a 4-3 victory with a Danny Valencia single bringing around pinch-runner Jason Repko. Robinson Tejada was dealt the loss, while Dusty Hughes picked up the win. Betemit and Cuddyer took top batting status.
To Chicago, where the White Sox hosted the Oakland Athletics. Trevor Cahill opposed Edwin Jackson. Oakland got the first run in the second inning with Mark Ellis doubling for Ryan Sweeney's sake. Chicago answered in the bottom of the inning with Alexei Ramirez blasting a three-run homer, scoring Alex Rios and A.J. Pierzynski, followed by a Paul Konerko fielder's choice that allowed passage home for Juan Pierre. The Athletics got back into the game with Hideki Matsui producing two runs, a third inning sacrifice fly bringing around Daric Barton and a fifth inning single scoring Coco Crisp. Oakland took the lead with a two run tater from Kevin Kouzmanoff's bat, also bringing in Ellis. Pierre answered for the White Sox with a single, driving in Ramirez. The game lasted to the tenth inning, where Chicago got a home run from Ramirez, the solo shot giving them a 6-5 win. Tony Pena had a blown save, but teammate Chris Sale got the win later anyway, while the loss went to Bobby Cramer. Top batters were Matsui and Ramirez.
To Arizona, with a 13-8 blowout victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Chris Carpenter had the loss, while Armando Galarraga had a win, and Joe Patterson recorded a hold at a close point in the game. Lance Berkman and Chris Young were the best of the good hitters in the offense-filled game.
To San Diego, with another blowout, as the Cincinnati Reds pummeled the Padres 8-2, most of which came in the eleventh inning. Sam LeCure and Clayton Richard pitched, but they both did not factor in the decision. Aroldia Chapman had a hold before Nick Masset blew the save, although Logan Ondrusek still picked up a win for the Reds side of the ledger, while Cory Luebke was stuck with the loss after blowing up his duty. Drew Stubbs and Alberto Gonzalez were the top batters.
Down to Angels Stadium in Anaheim, with the Angels hosting the Cleveland Indians. Fausto Carmona and Dan Haren played on the mound. Los Angeles/Anaheim opened with a Peter Bourjos solo home run. The Angels made it 2-0 with Mark Trumbo going yard himself, also a solo shot. This was the final, with Carmona taking a loss, and Haren taking a 1-hit, 2-walk, complete game shutout. Shin-Soo Choo and Bourjos had the top batting.
Up north to Seattle, where the Mariners hosted the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero and Michael Pineda were the pitchers. The scoring opened with Seattle in the third inning a two-run Ryan Langerhans home run, also scoring Brendan Ryan, followed by Jack Wilson making it home at some undefined point in the inning according to my sources. I apologize for the lack of specificity. Toronto got on the board in the eighth with Corey Patterson hitting a two-RBI single to drive in both Edwin Encarnacion and Yunel Escobar. They would lose 3-2, with Romero taking the loss despite pitching a complete game, while Pineda got a win, Chris Ray took a hold, and Brandon League converted the save. Patterson, a former Mariner, and Langerhans got the top batting honors.
Lastly, to San Francisco, with the Giants hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chad Billingsley and Tim Lincecum took the starts. Los Angeles opened in the fourth inning on a Matt Kemp double to bring in Jamey Carroll, followed by James Loney reaching on a Brandon Belt error, allowing Andre Ethier time to find the plate, before Kemp's trip was finished on a Juan Uribe double. San Francisco answered in the bottom of the inning with Buster Posey drilling a single to knock in Freddy Sanchez before coming around on Pablo Sandoval's double. The Giants added on in the fifth with Aaron Rowand's single driving in Belt, before Posey did the same for Rowand. The Dodgers replied in the seventh with a solo shot from Marcus Thames. San Francisco capped a 5-4 victory with Rowand finding a way home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh. Blake Hawksworth took the loss, Guillermo Mota had a hold, Jeremy Affeldt blew the save but picked up the win, Sergio Romo had another hold, and Brian Wilson's beard converted a save. Kemp and Posey took top batter status.
That's all for Tuesday. I'm still a tad behind, but I'm working on it. Stanley Cup Quarterfinal posts will be out tonight.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday NHL finale and MLB action (Sun./Mon.) (cop-out)
Sunday would put a wrap on the NHL regular season with the final five games, beginning with the...
Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford played in goal. Chicago led off with a Michael Frolik tally, his eleventh of the season coming from Patrick Kane. Detroit answered with a Tomas Holmstrom goal, his 18th of the year going down unassisted. Pavel Datsyuk put the Red Wings in front with his 23rd of the season, with help from Danny Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit extended their lead with Drew Miller sinking his tenth of the campaign, assisted by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. The Blackhawks replied on a Brent Seabrook marker, his ninth of the year, fueled by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Viktor Stalberg. Cleary got the goal back for the Red Wings with his 26th of the season, guided in by Bertuzzi and Brian Rafalski. Chicago made it 4-3 with a Duncan Keith goal, his seventh of the year, helped in by Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa, but the lack of further offense stuck them with a loss. Datsyuk, Seabrook, and Cleary were the three stars.
Next up, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Johan Hedberg took to the blue paint. New Jersey took the early lead with Patrik Elias sinking his 21st of the season, courtesy of Brian Rolston and Henrik Tallinder. Boston tied it with Rich Peverley recording his 18th of the campaign, assisted by Michael Ryder and Andrew Ference. The Devils retook the lead in the third period with Vladimir Zharkov recording his second of the year, with help from Anssi Salmela. New Jersey extended the lead with Alexander Urbom netting his first of the season, helped along by Jacob Josefson and David Clarkson. The Bruins made it 3-2 with a Chris Kelly goal from Dennis Seidenberg and Johnny Boychuk, but they only had four seconds left in the game, thus they lost. Zharkov, Urbom, and Hedberg (24 for 26 saves) were the three stars.
Out to Colorado, with the Avalanche hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Peter Budaj took to the nets. Edmonton opened up with Teemu Hartikainen netting his third of the season on the power play from Linus Omark and Kurtis Foster. Colorado answered with Ryan O'Reilly sinking his 13th of the year, thanks to David Jones and Daniel Winnik. Fifty seconds later, the Avalanche took the lead with the unassisted sixth of the season by Philippe Dupuis. The Oilers retied the game in the second period with Foster's eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Magnus Paajarvi and Omark. Edmonton got in front with Lian Reddox sinking his first of the season, assisted by Ryan O'Marra. Milan Hejduk retied it for Colorado in the third period on his 22nd of the year, a power play goal made possible by Matt Duchene and Jones. The tie lasted into overtime, where the Avalanche took the 4-3 win over the Oilers with a power play goal by Jones, his 27th of the campaign getting help from Duchene and Hejduk. Longtime Av Adam Foote, Hejduk, and Jones were the three stars. Congratulations to Foote on a good career and may he enjoy retirement.
South and east to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Chris Mason went out and blocked pucks. Atlanta opened with Andrew Ladd's 29th of the season on the power play, with assists by Bryan Little and Nik Antropov. Pittsburgh tied it with a second period power play goal by Tyler Kennedy, his 21st of the year powered by Matt Niskanen and Ben Lovejoy. The Penguins got the lead on the 17th of the season, thanks to Max Talbot and Lovejoy. Michael Rupp kept Pittsburgh going with his ninth of the year, assisted by Eric Godard and Lovejoy, the latter wrapping up a sock trick. Mark Letestu also scored for the Penguins, with his 14th of the season gathering steam off Eric Tangradi and Alex Kovalev. The Thrashers got a goal back with Tim Stapleton sinking his fifth of the campaign on the power play via Antropov and Ron Hainsey. Pittsburgh wrapped it up 5-2 with Mike Comrie scoring his first of the year into the empty twine, helped in by Pascal Dupuis and Niskanen. The three stars went to Lovejoy, Dupuis, and Ladd.
The last game of the regular season was in Minnesota, with the Wild hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jose Theodore played in the creases. Minnesota opened on a Brad Staubitz goal, his fourth of the season made possible by Brent Burns and Carson McMillan. Dallas answered with Brad Richards' 28th of the year, with help from Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. The Stars took the lead with a Brenden Morrow power play goal, his 33rd of the season powered by Eriksson and Alex Goligoski. The Wild retied it with Jared Spurgeon on the power play, his fourth of the year guided in by Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu. Minnesota took the lead with the first of the season by Colton Gillies, thanks to Kyle Brodziak and Chuck Kobasew. Dallas tied it yet again with another power play goal, Goligoski's 14th of the year, assisted by Eriksson and Richards. The Wild gained the lead again with Antti Miettinen netting his 16th of the season, helped along by Brunette and Koivu. Pierre-Marc Bouchard netted the last goal of the year, his 12, into an empty net, with assistance from Cal Clutterbuck and Greg Zanon. With the 5-3 final for Minnesota, Gillies, Spurgeon, and Eriksson took home the three stars.
Baseball scores on Yahoo! scores and schedules page because I'm pressed for time. Here's what Sunday and Monday look like. Sunday and Monday are in the links.
Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford played in goal. Chicago led off with a Michael Frolik tally, his eleventh of the season coming from Patrick Kane. Detroit answered with a Tomas Holmstrom goal, his 18th of the year going down unassisted. Pavel Datsyuk put the Red Wings in front with his 23rd of the season, with help from Danny Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit extended their lead with Drew Miller sinking his tenth of the campaign, assisted by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. The Blackhawks replied on a Brent Seabrook marker, his ninth of the year, fueled by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Viktor Stalberg. Cleary got the goal back for the Red Wings with his 26th of the season, guided in by Bertuzzi and Brian Rafalski. Chicago made it 4-3 with a Duncan Keith goal, his seventh of the year, helped in by Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa, but the lack of further offense stuck them with a loss. Datsyuk, Seabrook, and Cleary were the three stars.
Next up, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Johan Hedberg took to the blue paint. New Jersey took the early lead with Patrik Elias sinking his 21st of the season, courtesy of Brian Rolston and Henrik Tallinder. Boston tied it with Rich Peverley recording his 18th of the campaign, assisted by Michael Ryder and Andrew Ference. The Devils retook the lead in the third period with Vladimir Zharkov recording his second of the year, with help from Anssi Salmela. New Jersey extended the lead with Alexander Urbom netting his first of the season, helped along by Jacob Josefson and David Clarkson. The Bruins made it 3-2 with a Chris Kelly goal from Dennis Seidenberg and Johnny Boychuk, but they only had four seconds left in the game, thus they lost. Zharkov, Urbom, and Hedberg (24 for 26 saves) were the three stars.
Out to Colorado, with the Avalanche hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Peter Budaj took to the nets. Edmonton opened up with Teemu Hartikainen netting his third of the season on the power play from Linus Omark and Kurtis Foster. Colorado answered with Ryan O'Reilly sinking his 13th of the year, thanks to David Jones and Daniel Winnik. Fifty seconds later, the Avalanche took the lead with the unassisted sixth of the season by Philippe Dupuis. The Oilers retied the game in the second period with Foster's eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Magnus Paajarvi and Omark. Edmonton got in front with Lian Reddox sinking his first of the season, assisted by Ryan O'Marra. Milan Hejduk retied it for Colorado in the third period on his 22nd of the year, a power play goal made possible by Matt Duchene and Jones. The tie lasted into overtime, where the Avalanche took the 4-3 win over the Oilers with a power play goal by Jones, his 27th of the campaign getting help from Duchene and Hejduk. Longtime Av Adam Foote, Hejduk, and Jones were the three stars. Congratulations to Foote on a good career and may he enjoy retirement.
South and east to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Chris Mason went out and blocked pucks. Atlanta opened with Andrew Ladd's 29th of the season on the power play, with assists by Bryan Little and Nik Antropov. Pittsburgh tied it with a second period power play goal by Tyler Kennedy, his 21st of the year powered by Matt Niskanen and Ben Lovejoy. The Penguins got the lead on the 17th of the season, thanks to Max Talbot and Lovejoy. Michael Rupp kept Pittsburgh going with his ninth of the year, assisted by Eric Godard and Lovejoy, the latter wrapping up a sock trick. Mark Letestu also scored for the Penguins, with his 14th of the season gathering steam off Eric Tangradi and Alex Kovalev. The Thrashers got a goal back with Tim Stapleton sinking his fifth of the campaign on the power play via Antropov and Ron Hainsey. Pittsburgh wrapped it up 5-2 with Mike Comrie scoring his first of the year into the empty twine, helped in by Pascal Dupuis and Niskanen. The three stars went to Lovejoy, Dupuis, and Ladd.
The last game of the regular season was in Minnesota, with the Wild hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jose Theodore played in the creases. Minnesota opened on a Brad Staubitz goal, his fourth of the season made possible by Brent Burns and Carson McMillan. Dallas answered with Brad Richards' 28th of the year, with help from Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. The Stars took the lead with a Brenden Morrow power play goal, his 33rd of the season powered by Eriksson and Alex Goligoski. The Wild retied it with Jared Spurgeon on the power play, his fourth of the year guided in by Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu. Minnesota took the lead with the first of the season by Colton Gillies, thanks to Kyle Brodziak and Chuck Kobasew. Dallas tied it yet again with another power play goal, Goligoski's 14th of the year, assisted by Eriksson and Richards. The Wild gained the lead again with Antti Miettinen netting his 16th of the season, helped along by Brunette and Koivu. Pierre-Marc Bouchard netted the last goal of the year, his 12, into an empty net, with assistance from Cal Clutterbuck and Greg Zanon. With the 5-3 final for Minnesota, Gillies, Spurgeon, and Eriksson took home the three stars.
Baseball scores on Yahoo! scores and schedules page because I'm pressed for time. Here's what Sunday and Monday look like. Sunday and Monday are in the links.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars finale and Fantasy Baseball All-Stars Week 1
This period of time here is the overlap between the two seasons of hockey and baseball. We'll start with the just concluded hockey season and the championship week all stars:
Center: Jason Spezza, 2 goals, 5 assists, +3, 2 penalty minutes, 3 power play points, 10 shots on goal
Left Wing: Alex Ovechkin, 2 goals, 2 assists, +2, 0 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 18 shots on goal
Right Wing: Loui Eriksson, 3 goals, 4 assists, +2, 0 penalty minutes, 3 power play points, 13 shots on goal
Defenseman: Brent Seabrook, 2 goals, 3 assists, +1, 0 penalty minutes, 1 power play point, 13 shots on goal
Goaltender: Jaroslav Halak, 2 wins, 0.50 goals against average, 50 saves, .980 save percentage, 1 shutout
As you can see, a bit lower than recent weeks on the scoring and such. Right wing was a productive area especially, while defenseman was very weak, as Seabrook was the 32nd best player of the last week. As an added bonus, your top performers both overall and by category follows:
Center: Steven Stamkos, 45 goals, 46 assists, +3, 74 penalty minutes, 36 power play points, 272 shots on goal
Left Wing: Daniel Sedin, 41 goals, 63 assists, +30, 32 penalty minutes, 42 power play points, 266 shots on goal
Right Wing: Corey Perry, 50 goals, 48 assists, +9, 104 penalty minutes, 31 power play points, 290 shots on goal
Defenseman: Dustin Byfuglien, 20 goals, 33 assists, -2, 93 penalty minutes, 24 power play points, 347 shots on goal
Goaltender: Tim Thomas, 35 wins, 2.00 goals against average, 1699 saves, .938 save percentage, 9 shutouts
Goals: Corey Perry (50), Steven Stamkos (45), Jarome Iginla (43)
Assists: Henrik Sedin (75), Martin St. Louis (68), Daniel Sedin (63)
+/-: Zdeno Chara (33), Toni Lydman, David Backes, Kevin Bieksa (32)
Penalty Minutes: Zenon Konopka (307), Chris Neil (210), Theo Peckham (198)
Power Play Points: Daniel Sedin (42), Martin St. Louis (41), Nicklas Lidstrom (39)
Shots on Goal: Alex Ovechkin (367), Dustin Byfuglien (347), Jeff Carter (335)
Wins: Roberto Luongo and Carey Price (38), Cam Ward, Jimmy Howard, and Miikka Kiprusoff (37)
Goals Against Average: Tim Thomas (2.00), Roberto Luongo (2.11), Pekka Rinne (2.12)
Saves: Cam Ward (2191), Carey Price (1982), Ilya Bryzgalov (1957)
Save Percantage: Tim Thomas (.938), Pekka Rinne (.930), Cory Schneider (.929)
Shutouts: Henrik Lundqvist (11), Tim Thomas (9), Carey Price (8)
A lot of data there to process for you all, but that would be like a huge all-star list, except for penalty minutes which is irrelevant in the real game. Now for the baseball in its first week
Catcher: Russell Martin, 5 runs, 9 hits, 3 home runs, 8 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, .300 average, .344 on base percentage
First Base: Joey Votto, 12 runs, 15 hits, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, 1 stolen base, .455 average, .548 on base percentage
Second Base: Howie Kendrick, 9 runs, 14 hits, 4 home runs, 4 RBIs, 0 stolen bases, .389 average, .488 on base percentage
Third Base: Scott Rolen, 9 runs, 9 hits, 2 home runs, 10 RBIs, 0 stolen bases, .290 average, .314 on base percentage
Shortstop: Willie Bloomquist, 8 runs, 13 hits, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, .394 average, .429 on base percentage
Outfield: Jose Tabata, 11 runs, 13 hits, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 5 stolen bases, .342 average, .457 on base percentage
Starting Pitcher: Jered Weaver, 20.2 innings pitched 3 wins, 27 strikeouts, 0.87 earned run average, 0.87 WHIP
Relief Pitcher: Neftali Feliz, 5.1 innings pitched, 3 saves, 4 strikeouts, 0 holds, 0 earned run average, 0.19 WHIP
That's a lot more for baseball. I wish you all well on your seasons. In hockey, I ended up taking four first places, four second places, and two third places. Half of my teams in the top three is a beautiful thing.
Center: Jason Spezza, 2 goals, 5 assists, +3, 2 penalty minutes, 3 power play points, 10 shots on goal
Left Wing: Alex Ovechkin, 2 goals, 2 assists, +2, 0 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 18 shots on goal
Right Wing: Loui Eriksson, 3 goals, 4 assists, +2, 0 penalty minutes, 3 power play points, 13 shots on goal
Defenseman: Brent Seabrook, 2 goals, 3 assists, +1, 0 penalty minutes, 1 power play point, 13 shots on goal
Goaltender: Jaroslav Halak, 2 wins, 0.50 goals against average, 50 saves, .980 save percentage, 1 shutout
As you can see, a bit lower than recent weeks on the scoring and such. Right wing was a productive area especially, while defenseman was very weak, as Seabrook was the 32nd best player of the last week. As an added bonus, your top performers both overall and by category follows:
Center: Steven Stamkos, 45 goals, 46 assists, +3, 74 penalty minutes, 36 power play points, 272 shots on goal
Left Wing: Daniel Sedin, 41 goals, 63 assists, +30, 32 penalty minutes, 42 power play points, 266 shots on goal
Right Wing: Corey Perry, 50 goals, 48 assists, +9, 104 penalty minutes, 31 power play points, 290 shots on goal
Defenseman: Dustin Byfuglien, 20 goals, 33 assists, -2, 93 penalty minutes, 24 power play points, 347 shots on goal
Goaltender: Tim Thomas, 35 wins, 2.00 goals against average, 1699 saves, .938 save percentage, 9 shutouts
Goals: Corey Perry (50), Steven Stamkos (45), Jarome Iginla (43)
Assists: Henrik Sedin (75), Martin St. Louis (68), Daniel Sedin (63)
+/-: Zdeno Chara (33), Toni Lydman, David Backes, Kevin Bieksa (32)
Penalty Minutes: Zenon Konopka (307), Chris Neil (210), Theo Peckham (198)
Power Play Points: Daniel Sedin (42), Martin St. Louis (41), Nicklas Lidstrom (39)
Shots on Goal: Alex Ovechkin (367), Dustin Byfuglien (347), Jeff Carter (335)
Wins: Roberto Luongo and Carey Price (38), Cam Ward, Jimmy Howard, and Miikka Kiprusoff (37)
Goals Against Average: Tim Thomas (2.00), Roberto Luongo (2.11), Pekka Rinne (2.12)
Saves: Cam Ward (2191), Carey Price (1982), Ilya Bryzgalov (1957)
Save Percantage: Tim Thomas (.938), Pekka Rinne (.930), Cory Schneider (.929)
Shutouts: Henrik Lundqvist (11), Tim Thomas (9), Carey Price (8)
A lot of data there to process for you all, but that would be like a huge all-star list, except for penalty minutes which is irrelevant in the real game. Now for the baseball in its first week
Catcher: Russell Martin, 5 runs, 9 hits, 3 home runs, 8 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, .300 average, .344 on base percentage
First Base: Joey Votto, 12 runs, 15 hits, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, 1 stolen base, .455 average, .548 on base percentage
Second Base: Howie Kendrick, 9 runs, 14 hits, 4 home runs, 4 RBIs, 0 stolen bases, .389 average, .488 on base percentage
Third Base: Scott Rolen, 9 runs, 9 hits, 2 home runs, 10 RBIs, 0 stolen bases, .290 average, .314 on base percentage
Shortstop: Willie Bloomquist, 8 runs, 13 hits, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, .394 average, .429 on base percentage
Outfield: Jose Tabata, 11 runs, 13 hits, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 5 stolen bases, .342 average, .457 on base percentage
Starting Pitcher: Jered Weaver, 20.2 innings pitched 3 wins, 27 strikeouts, 0.87 earned run average, 0.87 WHIP
Relief Pitcher: Neftali Feliz, 5.1 innings pitched, 3 saves, 4 strikeouts, 0 holds, 0 earned run average, 0.19 WHIP
That's a lot more for baseball. I wish you all well on your seasons. In hockey, I ended up taking four first places, four second places, and two third places. Half of my teams in the top three is a beautiful thing.
Song of the Week XV
This week we pull off a heavy metal song from the band Drowning Pool. This song comes from their album Desensitized, and the track is called Hate. As the title implies, there is a strong amount of anger in the song. The vocals are screamed as opposed to the cleaner singing found throughout the rest of their works. This is because of the singer at the time, Jason Jones, who brought his own style for the one album he worked on. This album is generally considered to be their weakest one, but it's simply unique, which fits with the dynamic transformations the band has gone through during their career. This feature will run again next week.
Sandwich Showdown XIV
This week we have a Roast Beef on Roasted Garlic going against a Chicken on Herbs and Cheese. The Roast Beef opened with a strong taste and a nice kick. Being toasted gave it an advantage in heartiness. The Chicken answered back with its only brand of warmth. It also had a flavorful blast to add a dynamic to the competition. This one was one of the closer ones we've seen, but the Chicken just barely takes the showdown this week. This feature will run next weekend as well.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Saturday Sports, full coverage
I may regret trying this, but I will attempt all sports coverage for Saturday. Beginning with hockey, we start in New York...
With the Rangers hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist played in front of the goals. New Jersey opened the scoring on a Nick Palmieri goal, his ninth of the season created by Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac. New York replied with a Chris Drury goal, his first of the year, assisted by Erik Christensen and Mats Zuccarello. Kovalchuk put the Devils back in front with his 31st of the campaign, with helpers by Andy Greene and Anssi Salmela. The Rangers tied it back up in the second period with Wojtek Wolski notching his 12th of the season, guided in by Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Sauer. Ryan McDonagh put New York in the lead with his first of the year, fueled by Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik. Brandon Prust continued the run for the Rangers, his 13th of the season getting assistance from Brandon Dubinsky and Derek Stepan. New York wrapped up a 5-2 win with a Prospal goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Artem Anisimov and Dan Girardi. McDonagh, Drury, and Prospal were the three stars.
Into Boston, where the Bruins hosted the Ottawa Senators. Curtis McElhinney and Tim Thomas got the starts. Daniel Paille put Boston up front early with his sixth of the season, assisted by Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton. Ottawa tied it with Bobby Butler recording his tenth of the year, from Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza. The Bruins retook the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Nathan Horton, his 26th of the season, powered by Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. Boston made it a 3-1 game, the eventual final, with an unassisted goal by Rich Peverley, his 17th of the year. Thomas (31 for 32 saves), Horton, and Peverley were the three stars.
Down to Florida, where the Panthers hosted the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Tomas Vokoun played goal for the game. Florida opened the scoring in the third period with Bill Thomas sinking his fourth of the campaign, with Patrick Rissmiller and Tim Kennedy picking up the assists. This would be the only goal, with Vokoun (28 save shutout), Thomas, and Neuvirth (22 for 23 saves) taking the three stars.
Into Carolina, where Hurricanes hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning for a chance in the playoffs. Mike Smith and Cam Ward tended the twines. Tampa Bay opened with a Dominic Moore tally, his 18th of the season, guided in by Steve Downie and Marc-Andre Bergeron. The Lightning extended their lead with Vincent Lecavalier netting his 25th of the year, with help from Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay kept rolling with Steven Stamkos finally scoring his 45th of the season, with Teddy Purcell and Simon Gagne providing the help. The Lightning continued on in the second period with Brett Clark potting his ninth of the year, assisted by Lecavalier and St. Louis. Carolina finally put a dent in the scoreboard with Cory Stillman netting his 12th of the season, a power play goal powered by Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes pulled a little closer on Chad LaRose's 16th of the year, from Brandon Sutter and Jamie McBain. Tampa Bay pulled back away with an empty netter from Gagne, his 17th of the season, fueled by Nate Thompson. The Lightning secured victory 6-2 with St. Louis putting his 31st of the year away into empty twine, thanks to Purcell and the goalie Smith. Smith (42 for 44 saves and an assist), Lecavalier, and St. Louis took the three stars.
Over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets hosted the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller opposed Steve Mason for half the game, before Jhonas Enroth took over the twine. The scoring began in the second period with Derek Dorsett netting his fourth of the season for Columbus, assisted by Samuel Pahlsson and Chris Clark. Buffalo matched this with a Jason Pominville goal, his 22nd of the year, guided in by Steve Montador and Brad Boyes. The Sabres took the lead with Chris Butler scoring his second of the season, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Mark Mancari. Tyler Ennis extended the Buffalo lead with his 20th of the year, helped in by Boyes. The Blue Jackets got back within a goal on Jared Boll sinking his seventh of the campaign, fueled by Matt Calvert and Derek MacKenzie. Columbus retied it in the third period with Kristian Huselius netting his 13th of the season, with help from Antoine Vermette and Sami Lepisto. The Sabres got the lead back with Drew Stafford's 31st of the year, a power play goal made possible by Pominville and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Gaustad bolstered the Buffalo lead with his 12th of the season, also on the power play, powered by Boyes and Tyler Myers, the former making a sock trick. Huselius tallied to make it a 5-4 deficit for the Blue Jackets with twenty-three seconds remaining, his 14th of the year and second of the game on the power play coming off of Grant Clitsome and Derick Brassard. They would not be able to overcome, and the three stars went to Pominville, Boyes, and Huselius.
Up north in Toronto, the Maple Leafs hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and James Reimer played between the pipes. Ryan White put Montreal in front early with his second of the season, guided in by Lars Eller and Tom Pyatt. Brian Gionta extended the lead for the Canadiens with his 28th of the year, a power play goal powered by Scott Gomez and Mathieu Darche. Toronto got on the board with Phil Kessel's 32nd of the campaign, helped along by Joe Colborne. Montreal got the goal back in the second period with Gionta tallying again, his 29th of the season and second of the game coming on the power play via Yannick Weber and Roman Hamrlik. The Canadiens cemented a 4-1 victory with Tomas Plekanec notching his 22nd of the year shorthanded in the third period, thanks to Pyatt. The three stars went out to Gionta, Kessel, and Price (27 for 28 saves).
South to Philadelphia, where the Flyers hosted the New York Islanders. The starting goalies were Rick DiPietro and Sergei Bobrovsky, although the latter was replaced by Brian Boucher quickly, and the former did not complete the game as Al Montoya mopped up a second of game time. Philadelphia led off just sixteen seconds into the game with Kimmo Timonen potting his sixth of the season, thanks to Mike Richards and Kris Versteeg. The Flyers added on thirty-one seconds later as Scott Hartnell sank his 23rd of the year, courtesy of Ville Leino and Andrej Meszaros. New York found the scoreboard as Michael Grabner scored his 34th of the season, an unassisted goal. The Islanders tied it as the fifth of the year from Travis Hamonic went down, a power play goal from John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. Nineteen seconds later, Philadelphia had the lead again, as Danny Briere sank his 34th of the season, also an unassisted goal. Tavares retied it for New York on his 29th of the year, made possible by Dylan Reese and P.A. Parenteau. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with Parenteau's 20th of the season, a power play goal powered by Tavares and Matt Moulson. Meszaros retied it for the Flyers with his seventh of the year, assisted by Matt Carle and James van Riemsdyk. Hartnell gave Philadelphia the lead with his 24th of the campaign and second of the game, with Briere and Meszaros doing the work. Meszaros extended the Flyers lead with his second of the game and eighth of the season, a power play goal with guidance from Briere and Jeff Carter. Darroll Powe finished off a 7-4 victory for Philadelphia with his seventh of the year into the empty twine, fueled by Versteeg. Meszaros, Hartnell, and Boucher (25 for 26 saves in relief) were the three stars.
Over to St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak took care of the cages. St. Louis led off the scoring with T.J. Oshie in the second period with his 12th of the season, assisted by David Backes and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues wrapped it 2-0 with Alex Steen netting his 20th of the year unassisted in the third period. The three stars were Oshie, Halak (24 save shutout), and Steen.
Up to Calgary, where the Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Henrik Karlsson were the goalies for the game. Calgary opened the scoring in the second period with Jarome Iginla netting his 43rd of the season, a power play goal from Alex Tanguay and Mark Giordano. Mikael Backlund put the Flames further ahead with his tenth of the year, also on the power play, via Giordano. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with Alexandre Burrows netting his 26th of the season, assisted by Daniel Sedin. The Canucks tied it on the power play with the 41st of the year by Ryan Kesler, powered by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The tie lasted into overtime, where Vancouver beat Calgary with a Christian Ehrhoff goal, his 14th of the campaign, guided in by Alexander Edler and Jannik Hansen. Giordano, Kesler, and Backlund took the three stars.
To Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Dan Ellis and Jonathan Quick played in the blue paint. Anaheim opened with Brandon McMillan sinking his eleventh of the season unassisted. The Ducks extended their lead with Saku Koivu scoring his 15th of the year, a power play goal powered by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim added on another goal, this time from the tape of Francois Beauchemin on the power play, his fifth of the season gathering steam off of Koivu and Lubomir Visnovsky. Los Angeles got on the board with a power play goal by Ryan Smyth, his 23rd of the year making it 3-1 thanks to Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson. The gloves dropped off even during the goalless third period, with Sheldon Brookbank and Teemu Selanne going fist to fist with Kyle Clifford and Brad Richardson. Despite this, the three stars were Koivu, Dustin Brown, and Ellis (43 for 44 saves).
Wrapping the hockey up in San Jose with the Sharks hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Ilya Bryzgalov stood 200 feet away from Antti Niemi. Ian White got the scoring going for San Jose in the second period, his fourth of the season assisted by Torrey Mitchell and Kyle Wellwood. The Sharks extended the lead with Joe Pavelski potting his 20th of the year on the power play, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Phoenix got on the board with a Lauri Korpikoski tally, his 19th of the season going unassisted. San Jose made it 3-1 with Logan Couture netting his 32nd of the year, a power play goal powered by Dany Heatley and Wellwood. Niemi (35 for 36 saves), White, and Bryzgalov (34 for 37 saves) got the three stars.
Onward to the baseball...
Starting with the Boston Red Sox hosting the New York Yankees. Ivan Nova and Clay Buchholz got the ball for the starts. New York opened the scoring in the second inning with a Nick Swisher groundout scoring Alex Rodriguez and then a double by Eric Chavez to score Robinson Cano. Boston got on the board the next inning with Kevin Youkilis grounding out but allowing Dustin Pedroia safe access to home plate. The Yankees replied with a Russell Martin three run homer, also bringing in Curtis Granderson and Chavez. The Red Sox answered in the bottom of the fourth with Jacoby Ellsbury's fielder's choice to bring in J.D. Drew, and then a Pedroia double to score Ellsbury and Carl Crawford. New York went on a home run binge in the next three innings, as a two run shot came from Granderson, knocking Swisher in, and Cano and Martin each had solo shots. This made the final 9-4 Yankees. David Robertson took the win and Buchholz was tacked for the loss. Martin and Pedroia were the top batters.
Moving along to Atlanta, with the Braves hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. Roy Oswalt and Brandon Beachy took the starts. Philadelphia opened up with a Ben Francisco single, scoring Shane Victorino. Atlanta replied in the third inning with Freddie Freeman singling to score Alex Gonzalez and Martin Prado's single and subsequent error by Francisco to allow Freeman safe passage. The Phillies got back with a two run tater by Brian Schneider, scoring Raul Ibanez. Philadelphia continued in the seventh inning with a Carlos Ruiz pinch hit grand slam, with the plate being crossed by Ibanez, John Mayberry, and Wilson Valdez, followed by Ryan Howard doubling to knock in Victorino. The Phillies added on in the tenth as Ruiz came up with another RBI, scoring Michael Martinez with a double before Victorino finished Ruiz's trip on a single. This brought the final to 10-2, with Oswalt grabbing the win and Beachy getting stuck with the loss. Ruiz and Gonzalez were the best hitters.
To Detroit, where the Tigers hosted the Kansas City Royals. Bruce Chen took on Phil Coke with the pitching. Kansas City was first on the board, with a second inning single by Wilson Betemit, scoring Billy Butler, before moving up a base on a bad throw, and this brought Jeff Francoeur in when Alcides Escobar hit a fielder's choice. Francoeur added on a sacrifice fly in the ninth for the Royals, which brought in Alex Gordon. Detroit avoided a shutout by making it 3-1 on a Ryan Raburn solo home run. Chen got the win, holds were given to Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, and Robinson Tejada, and the save was converted by Joakim Soria, while Coke took a loss. Butler and Raburn had the best hitting status.
South to Chicago, with the White Sox hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. Wade Davis dueled with Philip Humber in pitching. Tampa Bay opened with a Ben Zobrist double to score Dan Johnson. Chicago answered with a Gordon Beckham sacrifice fly to bring in Brent Morel. Morel added on a fourth inning single, which allowed a run by Paul Konerko. The White Sox extended the lead in the seventh inning as A.J. Pierzynski doubled to score both Alex Rios and Konerko. The Rays tried to close the gap in the ninth on a Felipe Lopez solo shot, but it would only make it a 4-2 loss. Davis got stuck with the loss, Humber got the win, Will Ohman and Sergio Santos took holds, and Chris Sale was the save converter. Lopez and Pierzynski were the best of the hitters.
Doubleheader time! The Baltimore Orioles hosted a pair with the Texas Rangers. Colby Lewis and Zach Britton pitched the first game. Baltimore got the early lead in the first inning with a solo home run by Nick Markakis. Mark Reynolds also went to the yard with a three run bomb, also knocking in Luke Scott and Adam Jones. In the third inning, Jones singled to make it 5-0 by scoring Vladimir Guerrero. This would last through the next six innings, as Britton took the win and Lewis got tacked for the loss. Josh Hamilton and Reynolds were the best hitters in game one. Game two brought Matt Harrison and Jake Arrieta to the pitching mound. Baltimore opened the scoring again with a Jones solo home run. Texas answered with Elvis Andrus two-RBI single to score Mike Napoli and Mitch Moreland, followed by Hamilton bringing in both Ian Kinsler and Andrus, and capping off the six-run inning was a two-run tater by Adrian Beltre, finishing Hamilton's trip. The Rangers added on in the fourth inning with Napoli sending his solo shot over the fence and a double by Kinsler knocking in Moreland. Texas restarted the scoring in the seventh inning with Nelson Cruz sacrificing his at-bat to score Beltre. The Rangers did some more damage in the ninth inning with Beltre doubling for Hamilton's sake, and then getting knocked in on the three run tater by Cruz, also scoring Michael Young. With a 13-1 score, Harrison got the win, and Arrieta suffered a large loss. Beltre and Jones were the top batters in game two.
Down to Houston, where the Astros hosted the Florida Marlins. Javier Vazquez and Bud Norris took the ball for the starts. Houston opened the scoring in the first inning with a Hunter Pence double to knock in Angel Sanchez. Florida answered with Donnie Murphy grounding out but scoring Mike Stanton. The Astros replied in the bottom of the second on a Norris double to bring in Bill Hall and Sanchez helping Norris complete his trip around. Houston added on as Pence singled, helping Michael Bourn score in the fifth inning. The Marlins righted the ship a bit in the next inning with a Stanton double to bring in Logan Morrison and a Greg Dobbs two run home run to finish Stanton's trot. Florida continued their scoring pattern as Chris Coghlan doubled to bring in Wes Helms, before Omar Infante did the same for him. Dobbs hit an eighth inning double for the Marlins as well, which knocked in Gaby Sanchez. The Astros tried to get back with a Brett Wallace single scoring Carlos Lee, but they failed to score again and lost 7-5. Fernando Abad took the loss, Vazquez got the win, Randy Choate, Ryan Webb, and Clay Hensley took holds, and Leo Nunez got the save. Dobbs and Pence took top batting honors.
To Pittsburgh, with the Pirates hosting the Colorado Rockies. Greg Reynolds pitched against Charlie Morton. Colorado opened up with a first inning groundout into a double play by Carlos Gonzalez, sacrificing Jonathan Herrera but scoring Dexter Fowler. Ryan Doumit answered for Pittsburgh in the next inning on a two run homer to bring in Lyle Overbay. Gonzalez got the Rockies going again in the third with a single to knock in Fowler again. Seth Smith tacked on a sixth inning solo home run for Colorado. The Pirates answered in the seventh with Matt Diaz's single to score Ronny Cedeno. The Rockies retook the lead with a three-run double by Ty Wigginton, bringing around Herrera, Gonzalez, and Jose Lopez. Pittsburgh got one additional run with Jose Tabata's solo shot in the bottom of the eighth, but still lost 6-4. Jose Veras took the loss, while the win went to Matt Belisle, who also had a blown save, holds were taken by Matt Reynolds and Rafael Betancourt, and Matt Lindstrom nabbed the save. Smith and Doumit were the best hitters.
Milwaukee was next on the list, as the Brewers hosted the Chicago Cubs. Matt Garza and Chris Narveson took the starts. Milwaukee opened with a first inning double by Ryan Braun, bringing in Rickie Weeks before getting the last two bases on a double from the bat of Prince Fielder. Fielder doubled in the third inning as well for the Brewers, knocking in Nyjer Morgan and Braun both. Fielder continued his doubling spree with another in fifth, with Braun getting safe passage once more. The Brewers collected an eighth inning run off a Morgan walk forcing in Carlos Gomez. The score sat at its 6-0 final, with Narveson getting the win and Garza taking the loss. Marlon Byrd and Fielder were the best batters.
To New York, where the Mets hosted the Washington Nationals. Tom Gorzelanny and Chris Capuano were the pitchers. New York dented the scoreboard first with Carlos Beltran's two run homer to bring around Jose Reyes. Washington answered with a three run tater of Danny Espinosa's bat, scoring Wilson Ramos and Rick Ankiel. Beltran took it to the yard again in the fourth inning for the Mets, this time a solo shot. The Nationals shot back to take the lead on a solo home run for Ian Desmond. New York replied with a sixth inning, two-RBI triple for Ike Davis, scoring David Wright and Beltran, before he came home on Daniel Murphy's single. The Mets capped off an 8-4 win with Reyes double scoring Scott Hairston and Brad Emaus. Gorzelanny was pinned with the loss while Capuano got the win, Taylor Buchholz and Bobby Parnell picked up holds, and Francisco Rodriguez converted the save. Espinosa and Beltran were the top batters.
To Minnesota, where the Twins hosted the Oakland Athletics. Gio Gonzalez and Nick Blackburn were the pitchers. Oakland opened the scoring with Mark Ellis reaching base on Alexi Casilla's throwing error, allowing Kurt Suzuki safe passage home. This was the only score in the game, and Gonzalez took the win, Grant Balfour had the hold, and Brian Fuentes converted a save as Blackburn was stuck with the hard-luck loss. Daric Barton and the erratic Casilla were the top batters.
Down south to Arizona, where the Diamondbacks hosted the Cincinnati Reds. Bronson Arroyo and Daniel Hudson were the pitchers. Cincinnati opened the scoring in the first inning with Scott Rolen singling to bring in Brandon Phillips, followed by a Jay Bruce sacrifice fly to score Joey Votto. Arizona got on the board with a sixth inning Melvin Mora single, bringing in Chris Young. The Reds capped the game off in the ninth inning with Jonny Gomes' two-run double for Votto and Rolen, Ryan Hanigan singling to complete Gomes trip, and Chris Heisey using his own single for the same purpose on Hanigan, running the final to 6-1. Hudson took the loss, Arroyo had the win, and two holds were given to Bill Bray and Aroldis Chapman. Gomes and Russell Branyan were the best of the hitting.
To Southern California, where the San Diego Padres hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hiroki Kuroda opposed Dustin Moseley. Los Angeles opened up in the first inning with Andre Ethier singling to bring around Tony Gwynn. Ethier also had a homer in the fifth inning, followed by Juan Uribe reaching base on an error and Matt Kemp finding the plate. The Dodgers made it 4-0 with Casey Blake singling to drive in Gywnn. This would be the final, with Kuroda grabbing the win, Jonathan Broxton picking up a save, and Moseley taking the loss. Ethier and Brad Hawpe were the top hitters.
Staying in the same area, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hosted the Toronto Blue Jays. Brett Cecil and Matt Palmer were handed the ball. Los Angeles opened with Howie Kendrick sending a solo home run out in the first inning. Toronto tied it with Travis Snider's groundout to bring safe passage for Adam Lind. The Blue Jays added on in the third with Lind scoring John McDonald with a sacrifice fly. The Angels replied in the bottom of the inning with Maicer Iztruis doubling to score Jeff Mathis, before getting knocked in with a Bobby Abreu single, and then having Abreu come in on Vernon Wells' single. Toronto answered back with a fourth inning Rajai Davis single scoring both Edwin Encarnacion and McDonald, and Davis made it second on an errant throw, before coming the rest of the way on Aaron Hill's single. Peter Bourjos tied it back up for Los Angeles in the bottom of the inning, hitting a sacrifice fly to bring in Alberto Collaspo. This tie lasted for a whole game's worth of time, until the fourteenth inning, where Izturis bumped in Bourjos. Jon Rauch took the loss, while the Angels deprived bullpen caused Dan Haren, a starter, to come in and earn a win. McDonald and Izturis were top batters.
Up to Seattle, where the Mariners hosted the Cleveland Indians. Justin Masterson took on Doug Fister for the game's pitching. Cleveland found the scoreboard with a fourth inning sacrifice fly by Orlando Cabrera to score Asdrubal Cabrera, but a botched fielding play by Milton Bradley allowed Shin-Soo Choo to score as well. Seattle got on the board in the seventh inning with Michael Saunders singling to allow Justin Smoak passage home, and Luis Rodriguez got to third on a Michael Brantley error, but the Mariners were destined to lose 2-1. Fister was stuck with the loss, Masterson picked up the win, Rafael Perez and Travis Sipp took holds, and Chris Perez converted the save. Orlando Cabrera and Chone Figgins were the top batters.
Lastly, the San Francisco Giants hosted the St. Louis Cardinals. Jaime Garcia and Matt Cain played from the mound. San Francisco opened in the fifth inning with Mark DeRosa singling to score Pat Burrell. St. Louis tied it in the next inning as Skip Schumaker scored on a wild pitch. The Cardinals took the lead when Colby Rasmus sent a ball over the fence in the seventh. The Giants snagged a 3-2 victory in the bottom of the ninth with a clutch two-RBI double by Miguel Tejada, scoring both Buster Posey and Brandon Belt. Miguel Batista had a hold, but Ryan Franklin blew the save and was also stuck with the loss, allowing Ramon Ramirez the win. Rasmus and Tejada were the best batters.
With the Rangers hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist played in front of the goals. New Jersey opened the scoring on a Nick Palmieri goal, his ninth of the season created by Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac. New York replied with a Chris Drury goal, his first of the year, assisted by Erik Christensen and Mats Zuccarello. Kovalchuk put the Devils back in front with his 31st of the campaign, with helpers by Andy Greene and Anssi Salmela. The Rangers tied it back up in the second period with Wojtek Wolski notching his 12th of the season, guided in by Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Sauer. Ryan McDonagh put New York in the lead with his first of the year, fueled by Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik. Brandon Prust continued the run for the Rangers, his 13th of the season getting assistance from Brandon Dubinsky and Derek Stepan. New York wrapped up a 5-2 win with a Prospal goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Artem Anisimov and Dan Girardi. McDonagh, Drury, and Prospal were the three stars.
Into Boston, where the Bruins hosted the Ottawa Senators. Curtis McElhinney and Tim Thomas got the starts. Daniel Paille put Boston up front early with his sixth of the season, assisted by Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton. Ottawa tied it with Bobby Butler recording his tenth of the year, from Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza. The Bruins retook the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Nathan Horton, his 26th of the season, powered by Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. Boston made it a 3-1 game, the eventual final, with an unassisted goal by Rich Peverley, his 17th of the year. Thomas (31 for 32 saves), Horton, and Peverley were the three stars.
Down to Florida, where the Panthers hosted the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Tomas Vokoun played goal for the game. Florida opened the scoring in the third period with Bill Thomas sinking his fourth of the campaign, with Patrick Rissmiller and Tim Kennedy picking up the assists. This would be the only goal, with Vokoun (28 save shutout), Thomas, and Neuvirth (22 for 23 saves) taking the three stars.
Into Carolina, where Hurricanes hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning for a chance in the playoffs. Mike Smith and Cam Ward tended the twines. Tampa Bay opened with a Dominic Moore tally, his 18th of the season, guided in by Steve Downie and Marc-Andre Bergeron. The Lightning extended their lead with Vincent Lecavalier netting his 25th of the year, with help from Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay kept rolling with Steven Stamkos finally scoring his 45th of the season, with Teddy Purcell and Simon Gagne providing the help. The Lightning continued on in the second period with Brett Clark potting his ninth of the year, assisted by Lecavalier and St. Louis. Carolina finally put a dent in the scoreboard with Cory Stillman netting his 12th of the season, a power play goal powered by Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes pulled a little closer on Chad LaRose's 16th of the year, from Brandon Sutter and Jamie McBain. Tampa Bay pulled back away with an empty netter from Gagne, his 17th of the season, fueled by Nate Thompson. The Lightning secured victory 6-2 with St. Louis putting his 31st of the year away into empty twine, thanks to Purcell and the goalie Smith. Smith (42 for 44 saves and an assist), Lecavalier, and St. Louis took the three stars.
Over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets hosted the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller opposed Steve Mason for half the game, before Jhonas Enroth took over the twine. The scoring began in the second period with Derek Dorsett netting his fourth of the season for Columbus, assisted by Samuel Pahlsson and Chris Clark. Buffalo matched this with a Jason Pominville goal, his 22nd of the year, guided in by Steve Montador and Brad Boyes. The Sabres took the lead with Chris Butler scoring his second of the season, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Mark Mancari. Tyler Ennis extended the Buffalo lead with his 20th of the year, helped in by Boyes. The Blue Jackets got back within a goal on Jared Boll sinking his seventh of the campaign, fueled by Matt Calvert and Derek MacKenzie. Columbus retied it in the third period with Kristian Huselius netting his 13th of the season, with help from Antoine Vermette and Sami Lepisto. The Sabres got the lead back with Drew Stafford's 31st of the year, a power play goal made possible by Pominville and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Gaustad bolstered the Buffalo lead with his 12th of the season, also on the power play, powered by Boyes and Tyler Myers, the former making a sock trick. Huselius tallied to make it a 5-4 deficit for the Blue Jackets with twenty-three seconds remaining, his 14th of the year and second of the game on the power play coming off of Grant Clitsome and Derick Brassard. They would not be able to overcome, and the three stars went to Pominville, Boyes, and Huselius.
Up north in Toronto, the Maple Leafs hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and James Reimer played between the pipes. Ryan White put Montreal in front early with his second of the season, guided in by Lars Eller and Tom Pyatt. Brian Gionta extended the lead for the Canadiens with his 28th of the year, a power play goal powered by Scott Gomez and Mathieu Darche. Toronto got on the board with Phil Kessel's 32nd of the campaign, helped along by Joe Colborne. Montreal got the goal back in the second period with Gionta tallying again, his 29th of the season and second of the game coming on the power play via Yannick Weber and Roman Hamrlik. The Canadiens cemented a 4-1 victory with Tomas Plekanec notching his 22nd of the year shorthanded in the third period, thanks to Pyatt. The three stars went out to Gionta, Kessel, and Price (27 for 28 saves).
South to Philadelphia, where the Flyers hosted the New York Islanders. The starting goalies were Rick DiPietro and Sergei Bobrovsky, although the latter was replaced by Brian Boucher quickly, and the former did not complete the game as Al Montoya mopped up a second of game time. Philadelphia led off just sixteen seconds into the game with Kimmo Timonen potting his sixth of the season, thanks to Mike Richards and Kris Versteeg. The Flyers added on thirty-one seconds later as Scott Hartnell sank his 23rd of the year, courtesy of Ville Leino and Andrej Meszaros. New York found the scoreboard as Michael Grabner scored his 34th of the season, an unassisted goal. The Islanders tied it as the fifth of the year from Travis Hamonic went down, a power play goal from John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. Nineteen seconds later, Philadelphia had the lead again, as Danny Briere sank his 34th of the season, also an unassisted goal. Tavares retied it for New York on his 29th of the year, made possible by Dylan Reese and P.A. Parenteau. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with Parenteau's 20th of the season, a power play goal powered by Tavares and Matt Moulson. Meszaros retied it for the Flyers with his seventh of the year, assisted by Matt Carle and James van Riemsdyk. Hartnell gave Philadelphia the lead with his 24th of the campaign and second of the game, with Briere and Meszaros doing the work. Meszaros extended the Flyers lead with his second of the game and eighth of the season, a power play goal with guidance from Briere and Jeff Carter. Darroll Powe finished off a 7-4 victory for Philadelphia with his seventh of the year into the empty twine, fueled by Versteeg. Meszaros, Hartnell, and Boucher (25 for 26 saves in relief) were the three stars.
Over to St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak took care of the cages. St. Louis led off the scoring with T.J. Oshie in the second period with his 12th of the season, assisted by David Backes and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues wrapped it 2-0 with Alex Steen netting his 20th of the year unassisted in the third period. The three stars were Oshie, Halak (24 save shutout), and Steen.
Up to Calgary, where the Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Henrik Karlsson were the goalies for the game. Calgary opened the scoring in the second period with Jarome Iginla netting his 43rd of the season, a power play goal from Alex Tanguay and Mark Giordano. Mikael Backlund put the Flames further ahead with his tenth of the year, also on the power play, via Giordano. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with Alexandre Burrows netting his 26th of the season, assisted by Daniel Sedin. The Canucks tied it on the power play with the 41st of the year by Ryan Kesler, powered by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The tie lasted into overtime, where Vancouver beat Calgary with a Christian Ehrhoff goal, his 14th of the campaign, guided in by Alexander Edler and Jannik Hansen. Giordano, Kesler, and Backlund took the three stars.
To Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Dan Ellis and Jonathan Quick played in the blue paint. Anaheim opened with Brandon McMillan sinking his eleventh of the season unassisted. The Ducks extended their lead with Saku Koivu scoring his 15th of the year, a power play goal powered by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim added on another goal, this time from the tape of Francois Beauchemin on the power play, his fifth of the season gathering steam off of Koivu and Lubomir Visnovsky. Los Angeles got on the board with a power play goal by Ryan Smyth, his 23rd of the year making it 3-1 thanks to Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson. The gloves dropped off even during the goalless third period, with Sheldon Brookbank and Teemu Selanne going fist to fist with Kyle Clifford and Brad Richardson. Despite this, the three stars were Koivu, Dustin Brown, and Ellis (43 for 44 saves).
Wrapping the hockey up in San Jose with the Sharks hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Ilya Bryzgalov stood 200 feet away from Antti Niemi. Ian White got the scoring going for San Jose in the second period, his fourth of the season assisted by Torrey Mitchell and Kyle Wellwood. The Sharks extended the lead with Joe Pavelski potting his 20th of the year on the power play, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Phoenix got on the board with a Lauri Korpikoski tally, his 19th of the season going unassisted. San Jose made it 3-1 with Logan Couture netting his 32nd of the year, a power play goal powered by Dany Heatley and Wellwood. Niemi (35 for 36 saves), White, and Bryzgalov (34 for 37 saves) got the three stars.
Onward to the baseball...
Starting with the Boston Red Sox hosting the New York Yankees. Ivan Nova and Clay Buchholz got the ball for the starts. New York opened the scoring in the second inning with a Nick Swisher groundout scoring Alex Rodriguez and then a double by Eric Chavez to score Robinson Cano. Boston got on the board the next inning with Kevin Youkilis grounding out but allowing Dustin Pedroia safe access to home plate. The Yankees replied with a Russell Martin three run homer, also bringing in Curtis Granderson and Chavez. The Red Sox answered in the bottom of the fourth with Jacoby Ellsbury's fielder's choice to bring in J.D. Drew, and then a Pedroia double to score Ellsbury and Carl Crawford. New York went on a home run binge in the next three innings, as a two run shot came from Granderson, knocking Swisher in, and Cano and Martin each had solo shots. This made the final 9-4 Yankees. David Robertson took the win and Buchholz was tacked for the loss. Martin and Pedroia were the top batters.
Moving along to Atlanta, with the Braves hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. Roy Oswalt and Brandon Beachy took the starts. Philadelphia opened up with a Ben Francisco single, scoring Shane Victorino. Atlanta replied in the third inning with Freddie Freeman singling to score Alex Gonzalez and Martin Prado's single and subsequent error by Francisco to allow Freeman safe passage. The Phillies got back with a two run tater by Brian Schneider, scoring Raul Ibanez. Philadelphia continued in the seventh inning with a Carlos Ruiz pinch hit grand slam, with the plate being crossed by Ibanez, John Mayberry, and Wilson Valdez, followed by Ryan Howard doubling to knock in Victorino. The Phillies added on in the tenth as Ruiz came up with another RBI, scoring Michael Martinez with a double before Victorino finished Ruiz's trip on a single. This brought the final to 10-2, with Oswalt grabbing the win and Beachy getting stuck with the loss. Ruiz and Gonzalez were the best hitters.
To Detroit, where the Tigers hosted the Kansas City Royals. Bruce Chen took on Phil Coke with the pitching. Kansas City was first on the board, with a second inning single by Wilson Betemit, scoring Billy Butler, before moving up a base on a bad throw, and this brought Jeff Francoeur in when Alcides Escobar hit a fielder's choice. Francoeur added on a sacrifice fly in the ninth for the Royals, which brought in Alex Gordon. Detroit avoided a shutout by making it 3-1 on a Ryan Raburn solo home run. Chen got the win, holds were given to Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, and Robinson Tejada, and the save was converted by Joakim Soria, while Coke took a loss. Butler and Raburn had the best hitting status.
South to Chicago, with the White Sox hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. Wade Davis dueled with Philip Humber in pitching. Tampa Bay opened with a Ben Zobrist double to score Dan Johnson. Chicago answered with a Gordon Beckham sacrifice fly to bring in Brent Morel. Morel added on a fourth inning single, which allowed a run by Paul Konerko. The White Sox extended the lead in the seventh inning as A.J. Pierzynski doubled to score both Alex Rios and Konerko. The Rays tried to close the gap in the ninth on a Felipe Lopez solo shot, but it would only make it a 4-2 loss. Davis got stuck with the loss, Humber got the win, Will Ohman and Sergio Santos took holds, and Chris Sale was the save converter. Lopez and Pierzynski were the best of the hitters.
Doubleheader time! The Baltimore Orioles hosted a pair with the Texas Rangers. Colby Lewis and Zach Britton pitched the first game. Baltimore got the early lead in the first inning with a solo home run by Nick Markakis. Mark Reynolds also went to the yard with a three run bomb, also knocking in Luke Scott and Adam Jones. In the third inning, Jones singled to make it 5-0 by scoring Vladimir Guerrero. This would last through the next six innings, as Britton took the win and Lewis got tacked for the loss. Josh Hamilton and Reynolds were the best hitters in game one. Game two brought Matt Harrison and Jake Arrieta to the pitching mound. Baltimore opened the scoring again with a Jones solo home run. Texas answered with Elvis Andrus two-RBI single to score Mike Napoli and Mitch Moreland, followed by Hamilton bringing in both Ian Kinsler and Andrus, and capping off the six-run inning was a two-run tater by Adrian Beltre, finishing Hamilton's trip. The Rangers added on in the fourth inning with Napoli sending his solo shot over the fence and a double by Kinsler knocking in Moreland. Texas restarted the scoring in the seventh inning with Nelson Cruz sacrificing his at-bat to score Beltre. The Rangers did some more damage in the ninth inning with Beltre doubling for Hamilton's sake, and then getting knocked in on the three run tater by Cruz, also scoring Michael Young. With a 13-1 score, Harrison got the win, and Arrieta suffered a large loss. Beltre and Jones were the top batters in game two.
Down to Houston, where the Astros hosted the Florida Marlins. Javier Vazquez and Bud Norris took the ball for the starts. Houston opened the scoring in the first inning with a Hunter Pence double to knock in Angel Sanchez. Florida answered with Donnie Murphy grounding out but scoring Mike Stanton. The Astros replied in the bottom of the second on a Norris double to bring in Bill Hall and Sanchez helping Norris complete his trip around. Houston added on as Pence singled, helping Michael Bourn score in the fifth inning. The Marlins righted the ship a bit in the next inning with a Stanton double to bring in Logan Morrison and a Greg Dobbs two run home run to finish Stanton's trot. Florida continued their scoring pattern as Chris Coghlan doubled to bring in Wes Helms, before Omar Infante did the same for him. Dobbs hit an eighth inning double for the Marlins as well, which knocked in Gaby Sanchez. The Astros tried to get back with a Brett Wallace single scoring Carlos Lee, but they failed to score again and lost 7-5. Fernando Abad took the loss, Vazquez got the win, Randy Choate, Ryan Webb, and Clay Hensley took holds, and Leo Nunez got the save. Dobbs and Pence took top batting honors.
To Pittsburgh, with the Pirates hosting the Colorado Rockies. Greg Reynolds pitched against Charlie Morton. Colorado opened up with a first inning groundout into a double play by Carlos Gonzalez, sacrificing Jonathan Herrera but scoring Dexter Fowler. Ryan Doumit answered for Pittsburgh in the next inning on a two run homer to bring in Lyle Overbay. Gonzalez got the Rockies going again in the third with a single to knock in Fowler again. Seth Smith tacked on a sixth inning solo home run for Colorado. The Pirates answered in the seventh with Matt Diaz's single to score Ronny Cedeno. The Rockies retook the lead with a three-run double by Ty Wigginton, bringing around Herrera, Gonzalez, and Jose Lopez. Pittsburgh got one additional run with Jose Tabata's solo shot in the bottom of the eighth, but still lost 6-4. Jose Veras took the loss, while the win went to Matt Belisle, who also had a blown save, holds were taken by Matt Reynolds and Rafael Betancourt, and Matt Lindstrom nabbed the save. Smith and Doumit were the best hitters.
Milwaukee was next on the list, as the Brewers hosted the Chicago Cubs. Matt Garza and Chris Narveson took the starts. Milwaukee opened with a first inning double by Ryan Braun, bringing in Rickie Weeks before getting the last two bases on a double from the bat of Prince Fielder. Fielder doubled in the third inning as well for the Brewers, knocking in Nyjer Morgan and Braun both. Fielder continued his doubling spree with another in fifth, with Braun getting safe passage once more. The Brewers collected an eighth inning run off a Morgan walk forcing in Carlos Gomez. The score sat at its 6-0 final, with Narveson getting the win and Garza taking the loss. Marlon Byrd and Fielder were the best batters.
To New York, where the Mets hosted the Washington Nationals. Tom Gorzelanny and Chris Capuano were the pitchers. New York dented the scoreboard first with Carlos Beltran's two run homer to bring around Jose Reyes. Washington answered with a three run tater of Danny Espinosa's bat, scoring Wilson Ramos and Rick Ankiel. Beltran took it to the yard again in the fourth inning for the Mets, this time a solo shot. The Nationals shot back to take the lead on a solo home run for Ian Desmond. New York replied with a sixth inning, two-RBI triple for Ike Davis, scoring David Wright and Beltran, before he came home on Daniel Murphy's single. The Mets capped off an 8-4 win with Reyes double scoring Scott Hairston and Brad Emaus. Gorzelanny was pinned with the loss while Capuano got the win, Taylor Buchholz and Bobby Parnell picked up holds, and Francisco Rodriguez converted the save. Espinosa and Beltran were the top batters.
To Minnesota, where the Twins hosted the Oakland Athletics. Gio Gonzalez and Nick Blackburn were the pitchers. Oakland opened the scoring with Mark Ellis reaching base on Alexi Casilla's throwing error, allowing Kurt Suzuki safe passage home. This was the only score in the game, and Gonzalez took the win, Grant Balfour had the hold, and Brian Fuentes converted a save as Blackburn was stuck with the hard-luck loss. Daric Barton and the erratic Casilla were the top batters.
Down south to Arizona, where the Diamondbacks hosted the Cincinnati Reds. Bronson Arroyo and Daniel Hudson were the pitchers. Cincinnati opened the scoring in the first inning with Scott Rolen singling to bring in Brandon Phillips, followed by a Jay Bruce sacrifice fly to score Joey Votto. Arizona got on the board with a sixth inning Melvin Mora single, bringing in Chris Young. The Reds capped the game off in the ninth inning with Jonny Gomes' two-run double for Votto and Rolen, Ryan Hanigan singling to complete Gomes trip, and Chris Heisey using his own single for the same purpose on Hanigan, running the final to 6-1. Hudson took the loss, Arroyo had the win, and two holds were given to Bill Bray and Aroldis Chapman. Gomes and Russell Branyan were the best of the hitting.
To Southern California, where the San Diego Padres hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hiroki Kuroda opposed Dustin Moseley. Los Angeles opened up in the first inning with Andre Ethier singling to bring around Tony Gwynn. Ethier also had a homer in the fifth inning, followed by Juan Uribe reaching base on an error and Matt Kemp finding the plate. The Dodgers made it 4-0 with Casey Blake singling to drive in Gywnn. This would be the final, with Kuroda grabbing the win, Jonathan Broxton picking up a save, and Moseley taking the loss. Ethier and Brad Hawpe were the top hitters.
Staying in the same area, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hosted the Toronto Blue Jays. Brett Cecil and Matt Palmer were handed the ball. Los Angeles opened with Howie Kendrick sending a solo home run out in the first inning. Toronto tied it with Travis Snider's groundout to bring safe passage for Adam Lind. The Blue Jays added on in the third with Lind scoring John McDonald with a sacrifice fly. The Angels replied in the bottom of the inning with Maicer Iztruis doubling to score Jeff Mathis, before getting knocked in with a Bobby Abreu single, and then having Abreu come in on Vernon Wells' single. Toronto answered back with a fourth inning Rajai Davis single scoring both Edwin Encarnacion and McDonald, and Davis made it second on an errant throw, before coming the rest of the way on Aaron Hill's single. Peter Bourjos tied it back up for Los Angeles in the bottom of the inning, hitting a sacrifice fly to bring in Alberto Collaspo. This tie lasted for a whole game's worth of time, until the fourteenth inning, where Izturis bumped in Bourjos. Jon Rauch took the loss, while the Angels deprived bullpen caused Dan Haren, a starter, to come in and earn a win. McDonald and Izturis were top batters.
Up to Seattle, where the Mariners hosted the Cleveland Indians. Justin Masterson took on Doug Fister for the game's pitching. Cleveland found the scoreboard with a fourth inning sacrifice fly by Orlando Cabrera to score Asdrubal Cabrera, but a botched fielding play by Milton Bradley allowed Shin-Soo Choo to score as well. Seattle got on the board in the seventh inning with Michael Saunders singling to allow Justin Smoak passage home, and Luis Rodriguez got to third on a Michael Brantley error, but the Mariners were destined to lose 2-1. Fister was stuck with the loss, Masterson picked up the win, Rafael Perez and Travis Sipp took holds, and Chris Perez converted the save. Orlando Cabrera and Chone Figgins were the top batters.
Lastly, the San Francisco Giants hosted the St. Louis Cardinals. Jaime Garcia and Matt Cain played from the mound. San Francisco opened in the fifth inning with Mark DeRosa singling to score Pat Burrell. St. Louis tied it in the next inning as Skip Schumaker scored on a wild pitch. The Cardinals took the lead when Colby Rasmus sent a ball over the fence in the seventh. The Giants snagged a 3-2 victory in the bottom of the ninth with a clutch two-RBI double by Miguel Tejada, scoring both Buster Posey and Brandon Belt. Miguel Batista had a hold, but Ryan Franklin blew the save and was also stuck with the loss, allowing Ramon Ramirez the win. Rasmus and Tejada were the best batters.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday Sports
Pretty heavy slate of games to be played on Friday. We begin with...
The New York Islanders meeting up with their wartime enemies, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Al Montoya made the starts. Pittsburgh opened the scoring with Michael Rupp notching his eighth of the season, courtesy of Eric Godard and Craig Adams. Two fights followed, reminiscent of the previous bloodbath between these two teams, with Godard dropping gloves with Trevor Gillies, possibly to send a message from Eric Tangradi, and then Zenon Konopka and Aaron Asham took a dance later in the period. Both instances were heavily punished on the ice, and it curtailed the violence for the rest of the game. The scoring restarted in the second period with Zbynek Michalek scoring his fifth of the year for the Penguins on the power play from Kris Letang and Tyler Kennedy. New York found twine with the stick of Blake Comeau sinking his 23rd of the season, via Matt Moulson and Jesse Joensuu. Comeau would strike again for the Islanders to tie it in the third period on his second of the game and 24th of the year, a power play goal powered by Michael Grabner and Travis Hamonic. Mark Letestu put Pittsburgh back in front with his 13th of the season, assisted by Rupp and Asham. Hamonic found another equalizer for New York with his fourth of the year, made possible by Kyle Okposo. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Chris Kunitz put the Penguins up 4-3 over the Islanders. Letestu, Comeau, and Rupp were the three stars.
Into the battle of Florida, where the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Dwayne Roloson took care of the twines. Vincent Lecavalier put Tampa Bay out front first with his power play goal, the 23rd of his season, made possible by Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. Florida tied it with Jason Garrison notching his fifth of the year, with assists from Mike Santorelli and Evgeny Dadonov. The Lightning retook the lead with Ryan Malone's 14th of the season, an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay extended their lead on the second goal of the game and 24th of the year for Lecavalier, a penalty shot for the crime by Keaton Ellerby. The Lightning added on some more distance with Pavel Kubina netting his fourth of the season on the power play, thanks to Malone and Steve Downie. Santorelli made it a 4-2 deficit, and eventual loss, for the Panthers with his 20th of the year, assisted by Joe Callahan and Dadonov. Lecavalier, Malone, and Mike Lundin got the three stars.
Back north into Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jhonas Enroth were called on to start. Philadelphia opened the scoring on Scott Hartnell's 22nd of the season, coming off of Danny Briere and Sean O'Donnell. Buffalo tied it in the second period with Nathan Gerbe sinking his 15th of the year, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Mark Mancari. Jason Pominville put the Sabres in front with his 21st of the season, with helpers provided by Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly. The Flyers retied it with Kris Versteeg, his 21st of the year finding twine shorthanded via Claude Giroux. Thirty-nine seconds later, Briere's 33rd of the season had Philadelphia back in front, and Hartnell and Matt Carle picked up assists. Ryan Miller played the third period in relief of Enroth. Buffalo retied it in the third period with Gerbe's second of the game and 16th of the year, guided in by Vanek and Steve Montador. Vanek secured a 4-3 victory in the ensuing overtime as his 32nd of campaign went in unassisted. Gerbe, Vanek, and Briere were the three stars.
Back south to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Ondrej Pavelec were sent to block pucks. Carolina opened with a Jeff Skinner goal, his 31st of the season, helped along by Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes added on with Erik Cole netting his 26th of the year, via Cory Stillman. Carolina struck in the second period with Joni Pitkanen on the power play, his fifth of the season powered by Jamie McBain. Keeping with the one assist theme, The Hurricanes got a third period tally from Brandon Sutter, his 14th of the year, with Chad LaRose getting the helper. Carolina kept going with Jussi Jokinen's 19th of the season, fueled by Ruutu and Skinner. The Hurricanes added some more with Ruutu on the power play, his 19th of the year finding twine thanks to Jokinen and Skinner. With thirty-nine seconds remaining in the regulation time, Bryan Little put his 18th of the campaign in the net, courtesy of Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. With the 6-1 score, the three stars were awarded to Skinner, Ward (18 for 19 saves), and Ruutu.
Heading over to Detroit, where the Red Wings hosted the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard had control in the creases. Chicago opened with a Brent Seabrook goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks also got a Ben Smith goal, his first of the year, thanks to Patrick Kane. Chicago rolled on with a Brian Campbell tally, his fifth of the season, assisted by Michael Frolik and Kane. The Blackhawks added on with Hossa's 25th of the year in the second period, a power play tally powered by Seabrook and the goalie Crawford. Detroit finally got on the board as Drew Miller netted his ninth of the season, with help from Johan Franzen and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings ended up losing 4-2 after Tomas Holmstrom netted his 17th of the year, courtesy of Jonathan Ericsson and Brad Stuart. Kane, Hossa, and Seabrook were the three stars.
Down to Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Pekka Rinne played goal. Nashville opened with a Patric Hornqvist marker, his 20th of the season, assisted by Mike Fisher and Shea Weber. The Predators added on in the second period with Matt Halischuk netting his fourth of the year, via Jerred Smithson and Jordin Tootoo. Hornqvist tallied again for Nashville with his 21st of the season and second of the game, this time needing no assistance. Columbus got on the board as R.J. Umberger guided in the 17th of the campaign for Derick Brassard. The Predators made it 4-1 with Sergei Kostitsyn notching his 23rd of the year, with helpers provided by Hornqvist and Kevin Klein. This final score cemented a three stars of Rinne (44 for 45 saves), Hornqvist, and Halischuk.
Heading north to Edmonton, where the Oilers hosted the Minnesota Wild. Jose Theodore and Devan Dubnyk played between the pipes. Minnesota got lead as Brent Burns netted his 17th of the season on the power play, powered by Mikko Koivu and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The Wild extended the lead in the second period with Jared Spurgeon notching his third of the year, thanks to Bouchard and Koivu. Edmonton got on the board with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Chris VandeVelde. Minnesota secured a 3-1 win with an empty netter by Andrew Brunette, his 18th of the year providing sock tricks for Bouchard and Koivu. Koivu, Hartikainen, and Bouchard took the three stars.
Into Colorado, with the Avalanche hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Peter Budaj opposed each other. Dallas led off with Mike Ribeiro scoring his 19th of the season, thanks to Karlis Skrastins. The Stars extended the lead in the second period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his 27th of the year, guided in by Brad Richards and Jamie Benn. Brandon Yip put Colorado on the board with a shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the campaign, fueled by Philippe Dupuis and Jonas Holos. Dallas got the goal back in the third period with Brenden Morrow netting his 32nd of the season, courtesy of Steve Ott and Ribeiro. Yip made it 3-2 for the Avalanche, with his second of the game and 12th of the year made possible by Jay McClement and Holos. This was the final, with Ribeiro, Morrow, and Yip taking the three stars.
Into the desert, where the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ilya Bryzgalov took care of the goals. Andrew Ebbett used his second of the season to put Phoenix on the board, with help from Kyle Turris. San Jose replied with Ian White sinking his third of the year, courtesy of Niclas Wallin and Torrey Mitchell. The Coyotes took the lead back with Ray Whitney potting his 17th of the campaign, helped in by Shane Doan and Eric Belanger. Radim Vrbata also tallied for Phoenix with his 19th of the season, with Belanger gathering the assist. The Coyotes extended the lead in the third period on the power play from Doan, whose 20th of the year was powered by Vrbata and Lauri Korpikoski. Joe Thornton got the Sharks a little closer with his 21st of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Douglas Murray. San Jose made it 4-3 with a Dany Heatley goal, his 26th of the year, made possible by Patrick Marleau and Jason Demers. This would be the final, and the three stars went to Doan, Vrbata, and Michal Rozsival.
Finishing up in Anaheim, the Ducks hosted their northerly neighbors, the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Dan Ellis had the puckblocking duties. Los Angeles opened with a Ryan Smyth goal, his 22nd of the season, helped in by Dustin Brown and Jarret Stoll. Anaheim had the next two goals, in the second and third periods, come off Teemu Selanne's tape, his 30th and 31st of the year. Luca Sbisa and Jason Blake fueled the first one, while Saku Koivu and Blake did the honors on the decisive tally. The three stars were Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf, and Toni Lydman.
As for baseball, seeing as it wasn't an earth-shattering day, I will post a link here, and hopefully have more time in the near future to actually cover the games. Here's the scores.
The New York Islanders meeting up with their wartime enemies, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Al Montoya made the starts. Pittsburgh opened the scoring with Michael Rupp notching his eighth of the season, courtesy of Eric Godard and Craig Adams. Two fights followed, reminiscent of the previous bloodbath between these two teams, with Godard dropping gloves with Trevor Gillies, possibly to send a message from Eric Tangradi, and then Zenon Konopka and Aaron Asham took a dance later in the period. Both instances were heavily punished on the ice, and it curtailed the violence for the rest of the game. The scoring restarted in the second period with Zbynek Michalek scoring his fifth of the year for the Penguins on the power play from Kris Letang and Tyler Kennedy. New York found twine with the stick of Blake Comeau sinking his 23rd of the season, via Matt Moulson and Jesse Joensuu. Comeau would strike again for the Islanders to tie it in the third period on his second of the game and 24th of the year, a power play goal powered by Michael Grabner and Travis Hamonic. Mark Letestu put Pittsburgh back in front with his 13th of the season, assisted by Rupp and Asham. Hamonic found another equalizer for New York with his fourth of the year, made possible by Kyle Okposo. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Chris Kunitz put the Penguins up 4-3 over the Islanders. Letestu, Comeau, and Rupp were the three stars.
Into the battle of Florida, where the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Dwayne Roloson took care of the twines. Vincent Lecavalier put Tampa Bay out front first with his power play goal, the 23rd of his season, made possible by Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. Florida tied it with Jason Garrison notching his fifth of the year, with assists from Mike Santorelli and Evgeny Dadonov. The Lightning retook the lead with Ryan Malone's 14th of the season, an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay extended their lead on the second goal of the game and 24th of the year for Lecavalier, a penalty shot for the crime by Keaton Ellerby. The Lightning added on some more distance with Pavel Kubina netting his fourth of the season on the power play, thanks to Malone and Steve Downie. Santorelli made it a 4-2 deficit, and eventual loss, for the Panthers with his 20th of the year, assisted by Joe Callahan and Dadonov. Lecavalier, Malone, and Mike Lundin got the three stars.
Back north into Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jhonas Enroth were called on to start. Philadelphia opened the scoring on Scott Hartnell's 22nd of the season, coming off of Danny Briere and Sean O'Donnell. Buffalo tied it in the second period with Nathan Gerbe sinking his 15th of the year, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Mark Mancari. Jason Pominville put the Sabres in front with his 21st of the season, with helpers provided by Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly. The Flyers retied it with Kris Versteeg, his 21st of the year finding twine shorthanded via Claude Giroux. Thirty-nine seconds later, Briere's 33rd of the season had Philadelphia back in front, and Hartnell and Matt Carle picked up assists. Ryan Miller played the third period in relief of Enroth. Buffalo retied it in the third period with Gerbe's second of the game and 16th of the year, guided in by Vanek and Steve Montador. Vanek secured a 4-3 victory in the ensuing overtime as his 32nd of campaign went in unassisted. Gerbe, Vanek, and Briere were the three stars.
Back south to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Ondrej Pavelec were sent to block pucks. Carolina opened with a Jeff Skinner goal, his 31st of the season, helped along by Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes added on with Erik Cole netting his 26th of the year, via Cory Stillman. Carolina struck in the second period with Joni Pitkanen on the power play, his fifth of the season powered by Jamie McBain. Keeping with the one assist theme, The Hurricanes got a third period tally from Brandon Sutter, his 14th of the year, with Chad LaRose getting the helper. Carolina kept going with Jussi Jokinen's 19th of the season, fueled by Ruutu and Skinner. The Hurricanes added some more with Ruutu on the power play, his 19th of the year finding twine thanks to Jokinen and Skinner. With thirty-nine seconds remaining in the regulation time, Bryan Little put his 18th of the campaign in the net, courtesy of Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. With the 6-1 score, the three stars were awarded to Skinner, Ward (18 for 19 saves), and Ruutu.
Heading over to Detroit, where the Red Wings hosted the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard had control in the creases. Chicago opened with a Brent Seabrook goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks also got a Ben Smith goal, his first of the year, thanks to Patrick Kane. Chicago rolled on with a Brian Campbell tally, his fifth of the season, assisted by Michael Frolik and Kane. The Blackhawks added on with Hossa's 25th of the year in the second period, a power play tally powered by Seabrook and the goalie Crawford. Detroit finally got on the board as Drew Miller netted his ninth of the season, with help from Johan Franzen and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings ended up losing 4-2 after Tomas Holmstrom netted his 17th of the year, courtesy of Jonathan Ericsson and Brad Stuart. Kane, Hossa, and Seabrook were the three stars.
Down to Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Pekka Rinne played goal. Nashville opened with a Patric Hornqvist marker, his 20th of the season, assisted by Mike Fisher and Shea Weber. The Predators added on in the second period with Matt Halischuk netting his fourth of the year, via Jerred Smithson and Jordin Tootoo. Hornqvist tallied again for Nashville with his 21st of the season and second of the game, this time needing no assistance. Columbus got on the board as R.J. Umberger guided in the 17th of the campaign for Derick Brassard. The Predators made it 4-1 with Sergei Kostitsyn notching his 23rd of the year, with helpers provided by Hornqvist and Kevin Klein. This final score cemented a three stars of Rinne (44 for 45 saves), Hornqvist, and Halischuk.
Heading north to Edmonton, where the Oilers hosted the Minnesota Wild. Jose Theodore and Devan Dubnyk played between the pipes. Minnesota got lead as Brent Burns netted his 17th of the season on the power play, powered by Mikko Koivu and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The Wild extended the lead in the second period with Jared Spurgeon notching his third of the year, thanks to Bouchard and Koivu. Edmonton got on the board with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Chris VandeVelde. Minnesota secured a 3-1 win with an empty netter by Andrew Brunette, his 18th of the year providing sock tricks for Bouchard and Koivu. Koivu, Hartikainen, and Bouchard took the three stars.
Into Colorado, with the Avalanche hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Peter Budaj opposed each other. Dallas led off with Mike Ribeiro scoring his 19th of the season, thanks to Karlis Skrastins. The Stars extended the lead in the second period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his 27th of the year, guided in by Brad Richards and Jamie Benn. Brandon Yip put Colorado on the board with a shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the campaign, fueled by Philippe Dupuis and Jonas Holos. Dallas got the goal back in the third period with Brenden Morrow netting his 32nd of the season, courtesy of Steve Ott and Ribeiro. Yip made it 3-2 for the Avalanche, with his second of the game and 12th of the year made possible by Jay McClement and Holos. This was the final, with Ribeiro, Morrow, and Yip taking the three stars.
Into the desert, where the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ilya Bryzgalov took care of the goals. Andrew Ebbett used his second of the season to put Phoenix on the board, with help from Kyle Turris. San Jose replied with Ian White sinking his third of the year, courtesy of Niclas Wallin and Torrey Mitchell. The Coyotes took the lead back with Ray Whitney potting his 17th of the campaign, helped in by Shane Doan and Eric Belanger. Radim Vrbata also tallied for Phoenix with his 19th of the season, with Belanger gathering the assist. The Coyotes extended the lead in the third period on the power play from Doan, whose 20th of the year was powered by Vrbata and Lauri Korpikoski. Joe Thornton got the Sharks a little closer with his 21st of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Douglas Murray. San Jose made it 4-3 with a Dany Heatley goal, his 26th of the year, made possible by Patrick Marleau and Jason Demers. This would be the final, and the three stars went to Doan, Vrbata, and Michal Rozsival.
Finishing up in Anaheim, the Ducks hosted their northerly neighbors, the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Dan Ellis had the puckblocking duties. Los Angeles opened with a Ryan Smyth goal, his 22nd of the season, helped in by Dustin Brown and Jarret Stoll. Anaheim had the next two goals, in the second and third periods, come off Teemu Selanne's tape, his 30th and 31st of the year. Luca Sbisa and Jason Blake fueled the first one, while Saku Koivu and Blake did the honors on the decisive tally. The three stars were Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf, and Toni Lydman.
As for baseball, seeing as it wasn't an earth-shattering day, I will post a link here, and hopefully have more time in the near future to actually cover the games. Here's the scores.
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