Just two games on tonight. First off...
The Chicago Blackhawks hosted the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ray Emery made the starts. San Jose struck first with Jamie McGinn notching his sixth of the season, courtesy of Michal Handzus and Dan Boyle. Chicago tied it in the second period with the third of the year by Marcus Kruger, via Niklas Hjalmarsson and Nick Leddy. The Sharks quickly regained it on a Justin Braun goal, with help from Brad Winchester and Andrew Desjardins. The Blackhawks tied it back up late in the third period when Andrew Brunette deposited his seventh of the season, coming off of Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith. Chicago won the game 3-2 in overtime on Patrick Sharp's sixteenth of the year, assisted by Hossa and Brent Seabrook. Sharp, McGinn, and Emery (35 for 37 in saves) were the three stars, with honorable mention for Hossa.
Over to New York, where the Rangers host the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Henrik Lundqvist play in goal, until the end of the second period, where Theodore was pulled in favor of Scott Clemmensen. New York was first on the board with a Brad Richards power play goal, his eleventh of the season, with the lone assist by Ryan Callahan. The Rangers added on with Artem Anisimov netting his sixth of the year, also a power play goal, powered by Erik Christensen and Anton Stralman. Florida got on the board with an Erik Gudbranson goal, made possible by Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss. New York answered back in the second period with an unassisted Derek Stepan goal, his sixth of the season. The Rangers kept going with the second of the year from Steve Eminger, guided in by John Mitchell and Brian Boyle. New York extended the lead again with Marian Gaborik potting his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Anisimov and Stepan. The Rangers made it 6-1 when Stepan scored again, his second of the game and seventh of the year, helped along by Michael Del Zotto and Gaborik. This score lasted through the rest of the game to be preserved as a final. Stepan, Del Zotto, and Eminger were awarded the three stars, while Gaborik and Anisimov earn honorable mentions.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
NFL Late Games week 14
On the other wave of kickoffs, we have four games. First,
The Denver Broncos welcome the Chicago Bears. The game was scoreless through the first half. Chicago busted things open in the third quarter with Marion Barber's 9 yard touchdown run, and Robbie Gould made the extra point. The Bears added on with Gould kicking a 57 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Denver got on the board as Tim Tebow tossed a 10 yard touchdown to Demaryius Thomas, and Matt Prater tacked on the PAT. Prater tied it late for the Broncos and sent it to overtime with a 59 yard field goal. It was here Denver took the game 13-10 on a Prater field goal from merely 51 yards. The Broncos go to 8-5 and drop Chicago to 7-6.
Also, the Arizona Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco led off with a 46 yard David Akers field goal. Akers added on a 22 yard field goal in the second quarter for the 49ers. Arizona took the lead on a John Skelton touchdown pass to Early Doucet, a 60 yard play capped off by Jay Feely kicking the extra point. San Francisco would lead 12-7 at halftime after two more Akers field goals, from 27 and 22 yards. The 49ers kept extending the lead in the third quarter with a 37 yard touchdown run by Frank Gore, and Akers handled the PAT. The Cardinals got it back when Skelton found Larry Fitzgerald for a 47 yard touchdown reception, and Feely kicked another extra point. Arizona got the lead in the fourth quarter when Skelton found Andre Roberts for a 3 yard touchdown reception, and Feely made another extra point. The Cardinals held on for a 21-19 win, improving them to 6-7 while the 49ers fell to 10-3.
Moving into southern California, the San Diego Chargers host the Buffalo Bills. San Diego opened with Philip Rivers throwing a 9 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates, and Nick Novak made the extra point. Mike Tolbert added on in the second quarter for the Chargers by rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, but Novak missed the extra point. Novak made up for the earlier failure by booting a 47 yard field goal to make it 16-0 at the half. Buffalo got on the board in the third quarter as Dave Rayner kicked a 37 yard field goal. The Bills got a little closer as Bryan Scott recovered a Rivers fumble and pounced on it in the end zone. The Chargers got back in gear with another Rivers-Gates connection, this time for 2 yards and the touchdown, and Novak was good on the extra point. San Diego went defensive for the next touchdown, as Steve Gregory picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick and took it back 26 yards for the score, allowing Novak to make the ensuing PAT. The Chargers boosted the lead again in the fourth quarter with Rivers tossing a 26 yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton, and Novak once again was good on the extra point. The final was 37-10 and the Chargers are now 6-7 while the Bills go to 5-8.
Finally, the Green Bay Packers host the Oakland Raiders. Green Bay struck first with a 47 yard Ryan Grant touchdown run, and a Mason Crosby extra point. The Packers added on when Aaron Rodgers found Ryan Taylor for a 4 yard touchdown reception, and Crosby again kicked the extra point. Green Bay kept rolling in the second quarter when Crosby nailed a 34 yard field goal. The Packers padded the lead with Rodgers throwing 37 yards to Jordy Neslon for a touchdown, and Crosby made the PAT. Green Bay remained absolutely relentless with Grant running 6 yards into the end zone for another touchdown, and Crosby kept kicking with the extra point. This made it 31-0, which was a score taken into the locker rooms. Crosby kept the Packers strong in the third quarter with a 38 yard field goal. Oakland finally awoke on a 2 yard Michael Bush touchdown run, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. Crosby added on again for Green Bay with a 49 yard field goal. The Packers went defensive to get the next touchdown, as Erik Walden picked up a Marcel Reece fumble and took it back 5 yards to score, allowing Crosby the extra point. Crosby also kicked a 33 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Green Bay. The Raiders got a couple more points with Matt Flynn getting sacked for a safety by Tommy Kelly. Oakland added on far too late as Carson Palmer connected with Kevin Boss on a 5 yard touchdown, and Janikowski added another extra point. The final was 46-16, and the Packers are now 13-0 while the Raiders fell to 7-6.
The Denver Broncos welcome the Chicago Bears. The game was scoreless through the first half. Chicago busted things open in the third quarter with Marion Barber's 9 yard touchdown run, and Robbie Gould made the extra point. The Bears added on with Gould kicking a 57 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Denver got on the board as Tim Tebow tossed a 10 yard touchdown to Demaryius Thomas, and Matt Prater tacked on the PAT. Prater tied it late for the Broncos and sent it to overtime with a 59 yard field goal. It was here Denver took the game 13-10 on a Prater field goal from merely 51 yards. The Broncos go to 8-5 and drop Chicago to 7-6.
Also, the Arizona Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco led off with a 46 yard David Akers field goal. Akers added on a 22 yard field goal in the second quarter for the 49ers. Arizona took the lead on a John Skelton touchdown pass to Early Doucet, a 60 yard play capped off by Jay Feely kicking the extra point. San Francisco would lead 12-7 at halftime after two more Akers field goals, from 27 and 22 yards. The 49ers kept extending the lead in the third quarter with a 37 yard touchdown run by Frank Gore, and Akers handled the PAT. The Cardinals got it back when Skelton found Larry Fitzgerald for a 47 yard touchdown reception, and Feely kicked another extra point. Arizona got the lead in the fourth quarter when Skelton found Andre Roberts for a 3 yard touchdown reception, and Feely made another extra point. The Cardinals held on for a 21-19 win, improving them to 6-7 while the 49ers fell to 10-3.
Moving into southern California, the San Diego Chargers host the Buffalo Bills. San Diego opened with Philip Rivers throwing a 9 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates, and Nick Novak made the extra point. Mike Tolbert added on in the second quarter for the Chargers by rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, but Novak missed the extra point. Novak made up for the earlier failure by booting a 47 yard field goal to make it 16-0 at the half. Buffalo got on the board in the third quarter as Dave Rayner kicked a 37 yard field goal. The Bills got a little closer as Bryan Scott recovered a Rivers fumble and pounced on it in the end zone. The Chargers got back in gear with another Rivers-Gates connection, this time for 2 yards and the touchdown, and Novak was good on the extra point. San Diego went defensive for the next touchdown, as Steve Gregory picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick and took it back 26 yards for the score, allowing Novak to make the ensuing PAT. The Chargers boosted the lead again in the fourth quarter with Rivers tossing a 26 yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton, and Novak once again was good on the extra point. The final was 37-10 and the Chargers are now 6-7 while the Bills go to 5-8.
Finally, the Green Bay Packers host the Oakland Raiders. Green Bay struck first with a 47 yard Ryan Grant touchdown run, and a Mason Crosby extra point. The Packers added on when Aaron Rodgers found Ryan Taylor for a 4 yard touchdown reception, and Crosby again kicked the extra point. Green Bay kept rolling in the second quarter when Crosby nailed a 34 yard field goal. The Packers padded the lead with Rodgers throwing 37 yards to Jordy Neslon for a touchdown, and Crosby made the PAT. Green Bay remained absolutely relentless with Grant running 6 yards into the end zone for another touchdown, and Crosby kept kicking with the extra point. This made it 31-0, which was a score taken into the locker rooms. Crosby kept the Packers strong in the third quarter with a 38 yard field goal. Oakland finally awoke on a 2 yard Michael Bush touchdown run, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. Crosby added on again for Green Bay with a 49 yard field goal. The Packers went defensive to get the next touchdown, as Erik Walden picked up a Marcel Reece fumble and took it back 5 yards to score, allowing Crosby the extra point. Crosby also kicked a 33 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Green Bay. The Raiders got a couple more points with Matt Flynn getting sacked for a safety by Tommy Kelly. Oakland added on far too late as Carson Palmer connected with Kevin Boss on a 5 yard touchdown, and Janikowski added another extra point. The final was 46-16, and the Packers are now 13-0 while the Raiders fell to 7-6.
NFL Early Games week 14
Nine games on this morning, starting off in...
Washington, D.C., as the Redskins welcome the New England Patriots. New England opened the scoring on a Vince Wilfork fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. Washington got on the board when Graham Gano kicked a 24 yard field goal. The Patriots replied with an 11 yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski was true with the extra point again. The Redskins got it back with Rex Grossman passing 9 yards to Jabar Gaffney for a touchdown, and Gano had the extra point. Washington took the lead with Brandon Banks throwing 49 yards for a touchdown to Santana Moss, and Gano added on the extra point. New England retied it with Gostkowski's 23 yard field goal. The Redskins reclaimed the lead as Gano was true from 25 yards with the field goal. The Patriots would have none of it, tying the score at 20 as the first half expired on Gostkowski's 24 yard field goal. New England was back to work in the third quarter, as Brady found Gronkowski on a pass, eventually becoming a touchdown after the catch and run. Washington retied it again when Grossman passed 6 yards to David Anderson, and Gano added on another PAT. The Patriots retook the lead once more with Brady throwing a 24 yard touchdown to Wes Welker, and Gostkowski was there to make the extra point. This would hold up during a scoreless fourth quarter, allowing a 34-27 New England win, improving them to 10-3 and pushing the Redskins down to 4-9.
Southwest to Tennessee, where the Titans host the New Orleans Saints. John Kasay put New Orleans up early with his 25 yard field goal. Tennessee evened it in the second quarter when Rob Bironas nailed a 43 yard field goal. Kasay made it 6-3 Saints at halftime on a 29 yard field goal. New Orleans added on to the lead in the third quarter with a 22 yard Kasay field goal. The Titans took the lead with Jake Locker running 6 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas making the PAT. The Saints reclaimed the lead with Drew Brees throwing 35 yards to Marques Colston for a touchdown, and Kasay kicking an extra point. New Orleans tacked a few more on as Brees found Colston again, this time a 28 yard touchdown, but they failed on the two point conversion in the fourth quarter. Tennessee got back in their groove with a Locker touchdown pass of 40 yards to Nate Washington, and Bironas made the extra point. The final was 22-17 Saints, even after a furious comeback attempt from the Titans, and New Orleans became 10-3 while Tennessee became 7-6.
Down to Miami, where the Dolphins host the Philadelphia Eagles. Matt Moore led off for Miami by throwing 16 yards to find Brandon Marshall for the touchdown, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point. Philadelphia tied it in the second quarter as LeSean McCoy ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Alex Henery made his own extra point. The Eagles grabbed the lead on a 1 yard run by McCoy, also finding the end zone for a touchdown, and Henery made the PAT. Philadelphia extended their lead with Henery kicking a 40 yard field goal. The Eagles rolled on with a Michael Vick touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson, a 34 yard play, and Henery iced it on the extra point. Philadelphia owned a 24-7 lead heading into the locker rooms. The Dolphins pulled back in the third quarter on a 22 yard Carpenter field goal. The Eagles added on with a safety by sacking J.P. Losman. This made it 26-10, the eventual final, where Philadelphia improves to 5-8 and Miami falls to 4-9.
North a tad to Carolina, with the Panthers hosting the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta struck first on a Matt Ryan touchdown pass of 5 yards to Roddy White, and Matt Bryant made the extra point. Carolina evened the score as Cam Newton found Jeremy Shockey for a 6 yard touchdown, and Olindo Mare made the PAT. The Panthers got a safety as Antwan Applewhite sacked Ryan for a safety. Carolina continued to attack with a 74 yard DeAngelo Williams touchdown run, and Mare made the extra point. The Panthers added on again with Newton throwing 44 yards to Greg Olsen for a touchdown, and Mare made the extra point. This made it 23-7 at the half. Bryant pulled the Falcons closer in the third quarter with a 30 yard field goal. Atlanta charged even closer to evening the game as Ryan found Jacquizz Rodgers for a 31 yard touchdown pass, and Bryant made another extra point. The Falcons finally grabbed the lead when Ryan found Julio Jones for a 17 yard touchdown play, and Bryant's extra point put them in the lead. Atlanta extended the lead with Ryan tossing to Jones, and Jones found the end zone for a 75 yard catch and run play, allowing Bryant an extra point. The Falcons held on and won 31-23, improving to 8-5 while Carolina fell to 4-9.
Back into Florida, as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay was first to score as LeGarrette Blount ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Connor Barth tallied an extra point. The Buccaneers extended the lead on a 13 yard touchdown run for Josh Freeman, and Barth again made the extra point. Jacksonville got on the board with Nick Harris punting to Preston Parker, who ran around and lost 12 yards before coughing the ball up for Colin Cloherty, who took it the next 8 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee happily tacked on the extra point. The Jaguars tied it on a 1 yard Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown run, and Scobee made the extra point. Jacksonville took the lead when Freeman fumbled and Nate Collins pounced on it in the end zone, for a touchdown, with Scobee supplying the PAT. The Jaguars took a 28-14 lead into the locker rooms when Blaine Gabbert tossed a 5 yard touchdown pass to Jones-Drew, and yet again, Scobee had the extra point. After a quiet third quarter, Gabbert and Jones-Drew did a reenactment of the previous touchdown, as they connected with 5 yards in between again, and Scobee's extra point made it 35-14 Jacksonville. Just for good measure, the Jaguars made it 41-14 after Jones-Drew banged in a 1 yard touchdown run, but they showboated a bit and failed on the two point attempt. This was a final, and both teams moved to 4-9.
Heading up to Cincinnati, where the Bengals host the Houston Texans. Neil Rackers got Houston going with a 46 yard field goal. Mike Nugent took the lead for Cincinnati on a pair of field goals, from 22 and 47 yards. The Bengals extended the lead with Andy Dalton connecting with Jerome Simpson for 17 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent had the extra point. Nugent tallied a 49 yard field goal for Cincinnati to make it 16-3 before halftime. The Texans got within striking distance when T.J. Yates threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Joel Dreessen, and Rackers nailed the PAT, all in the third quarter. Nugent re-extended the Bengals lead with a 28 yard field goal. Houston pulled closer again with a 33 yard Rackers field goal in the fourth quarter. The Texans would win 20-19 after Yates threw 6 yards to Kevin Walter, and Rackers made the go-ahead extra point. Houston is now 10-3 and the Bengals fell to 7-6.
Farther north, the Detroit Lions welcome the Minnesota Vikings. Detroit was defensive on its first touchdown as Christian Ponder fumbled and Stephen Tulloch fell on it for a touchdown, with Jason Hanson kicking the extra point. The Lions tacked on another touchdown with a 57 yard connection between Matthew Stafford and Titus Young, allowing another Hanson extra point. Detroit rolled on as Stafford tossed a 12 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew, and Hanson supplied another extra point. Minnesota got on the board when Ponder threw 7 yards for a touchdown to Visanthe Shiancoe, and Ryan Longwell had the extra point. The Lions got going again in the second quarter, going defensive again when Alphonso Smith picked off Ponder and took it back 30 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings got a few more back with Ponder tossing 6 yards to Percy Harvin for a touchdown, and Longwell added another PAT. Hanson made it 31-14 before the half by kicking a 30 yard field goal for Detroit. Minnesota got some back with a 65 yard Joe Webb run for a touchdown, and Longwell kicked another extra point. The Lions added a few more insurance points with Hanson's 26 yard field goal. The Vikings came surging back with Webb tossing a 2 yard touchdown to Toby Gerhart, and Longwell's extra point put them within striking distance. Detroit weathered a late storm to win 34-28, and improved to 8-5 while sending Minnesota reeling to 2-11.
Over to New York (Jersey) where the Jets host the Kansas City Chiefs. New York got going first with a 1 yard Mark Sanchez touchdown run, and Nick Folk had the extra point. Kansas City got on the board with Ryan Succop kicking a 53 yard field goal. The Jets replied back in the second quarter with Sanchez tossing 4 yards for Santonio Holmes, who caught it for the touchdown, and Folk made another extra point. New York added on again with a 7 yard touchdown run for Shonn Greene, and Folk tacked on an extra point. The Jets made it 28-3 at the half with Sanchez throwing 19 yards to LaDainian Tomlinson for a touchdown, and Folk made another extra point. New York added on some more in the third quarter when Sanchez rushed 3 yards for a touchdown, and Folk again made an extra point. The Chiefs got a few back with a 24 yard Tyler Palko touchdown pass to Jerheme Urban in the fourth quarter, and Succop made the extra point. Adding insult to Kansas City was a poorly timed backwards rush of a yard by Jackie Battle, resulting in a Jets safety, and a 37-10 score. This was a final, making New York 8-5 and Kansas City 5-8.
Finally, in Baltimore, the Ravens host the Indianapolis Colts. Baltimore opened on a Joe Flacco touchdown pass to Torrey Smith, an 8 yard play, capped off by Billy Cundiff's extra point. Cundiff later added a 36 yard field goal. The Ravens stayed strong in the second quarter with a 6 yard touchdown run by Ray Rice, and Cundiff supplied another extra point. Indianapolis got on the board with a 22 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The score was 17-3 Ravens at the half. The Ravens kept up the attack in the third quarter as Flacco found Dennis Pitta on a 7 yard touchdown pass, and Cundiff made the PAT. As time expired for the game, the Colts scored a Dan Orlovsky touchdown pass to Jacob Tamme, a 13 yard play, and Vinatieri made it 24-10 with the extra point. Baltimore improves to 10-3 while the Colts are now 0-13.
Washington, D.C., as the Redskins welcome the New England Patriots. New England opened the scoring on a Vince Wilfork fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. Washington got on the board when Graham Gano kicked a 24 yard field goal. The Patriots replied with an 11 yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski was true with the extra point again. The Redskins got it back with Rex Grossman passing 9 yards to Jabar Gaffney for a touchdown, and Gano had the extra point. Washington took the lead with Brandon Banks throwing 49 yards for a touchdown to Santana Moss, and Gano added on the extra point. New England retied it with Gostkowski's 23 yard field goal. The Redskins reclaimed the lead as Gano was true from 25 yards with the field goal. The Patriots would have none of it, tying the score at 20 as the first half expired on Gostkowski's 24 yard field goal. New England was back to work in the third quarter, as Brady found Gronkowski on a pass, eventually becoming a touchdown after the catch and run. Washington retied it again when Grossman passed 6 yards to David Anderson, and Gano added on another PAT. The Patriots retook the lead once more with Brady throwing a 24 yard touchdown to Wes Welker, and Gostkowski was there to make the extra point. This would hold up during a scoreless fourth quarter, allowing a 34-27 New England win, improving them to 10-3 and pushing the Redskins down to 4-9.
Southwest to Tennessee, where the Titans host the New Orleans Saints. John Kasay put New Orleans up early with his 25 yard field goal. Tennessee evened it in the second quarter when Rob Bironas nailed a 43 yard field goal. Kasay made it 6-3 Saints at halftime on a 29 yard field goal. New Orleans added on to the lead in the third quarter with a 22 yard Kasay field goal. The Titans took the lead with Jake Locker running 6 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas making the PAT. The Saints reclaimed the lead with Drew Brees throwing 35 yards to Marques Colston for a touchdown, and Kasay kicking an extra point. New Orleans tacked a few more on as Brees found Colston again, this time a 28 yard touchdown, but they failed on the two point conversion in the fourth quarter. Tennessee got back in their groove with a Locker touchdown pass of 40 yards to Nate Washington, and Bironas made the extra point. The final was 22-17 Saints, even after a furious comeback attempt from the Titans, and New Orleans became 10-3 while Tennessee became 7-6.
Down to Miami, where the Dolphins host the Philadelphia Eagles. Matt Moore led off for Miami by throwing 16 yards to find Brandon Marshall for the touchdown, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point. Philadelphia tied it in the second quarter as LeSean McCoy ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Alex Henery made his own extra point. The Eagles grabbed the lead on a 1 yard run by McCoy, also finding the end zone for a touchdown, and Henery made the PAT. Philadelphia extended their lead with Henery kicking a 40 yard field goal. The Eagles rolled on with a Michael Vick touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson, a 34 yard play, and Henery iced it on the extra point. Philadelphia owned a 24-7 lead heading into the locker rooms. The Dolphins pulled back in the third quarter on a 22 yard Carpenter field goal. The Eagles added on with a safety by sacking J.P. Losman. This made it 26-10, the eventual final, where Philadelphia improves to 5-8 and Miami falls to 4-9.
North a tad to Carolina, with the Panthers hosting the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta struck first on a Matt Ryan touchdown pass of 5 yards to Roddy White, and Matt Bryant made the extra point. Carolina evened the score as Cam Newton found Jeremy Shockey for a 6 yard touchdown, and Olindo Mare made the PAT. The Panthers got a safety as Antwan Applewhite sacked Ryan for a safety. Carolina continued to attack with a 74 yard DeAngelo Williams touchdown run, and Mare made the extra point. The Panthers added on again with Newton throwing 44 yards to Greg Olsen for a touchdown, and Mare made the extra point. This made it 23-7 at the half. Bryant pulled the Falcons closer in the third quarter with a 30 yard field goal. Atlanta charged even closer to evening the game as Ryan found Jacquizz Rodgers for a 31 yard touchdown pass, and Bryant made another extra point. The Falcons finally grabbed the lead when Ryan found Julio Jones for a 17 yard touchdown play, and Bryant's extra point put them in the lead. Atlanta extended the lead with Ryan tossing to Jones, and Jones found the end zone for a 75 yard catch and run play, allowing Bryant an extra point. The Falcons held on and won 31-23, improving to 8-5 while Carolina fell to 4-9.
Back into Florida, as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay was first to score as LeGarrette Blount ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Connor Barth tallied an extra point. The Buccaneers extended the lead on a 13 yard touchdown run for Josh Freeman, and Barth again made the extra point. Jacksonville got on the board with Nick Harris punting to Preston Parker, who ran around and lost 12 yards before coughing the ball up for Colin Cloherty, who took it the next 8 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee happily tacked on the extra point. The Jaguars tied it on a 1 yard Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown run, and Scobee made the extra point. Jacksonville took the lead when Freeman fumbled and Nate Collins pounced on it in the end zone, for a touchdown, with Scobee supplying the PAT. The Jaguars took a 28-14 lead into the locker rooms when Blaine Gabbert tossed a 5 yard touchdown pass to Jones-Drew, and yet again, Scobee had the extra point. After a quiet third quarter, Gabbert and Jones-Drew did a reenactment of the previous touchdown, as they connected with 5 yards in between again, and Scobee's extra point made it 35-14 Jacksonville. Just for good measure, the Jaguars made it 41-14 after Jones-Drew banged in a 1 yard touchdown run, but they showboated a bit and failed on the two point attempt. This was a final, and both teams moved to 4-9.
Heading up to Cincinnati, where the Bengals host the Houston Texans. Neil Rackers got Houston going with a 46 yard field goal. Mike Nugent took the lead for Cincinnati on a pair of field goals, from 22 and 47 yards. The Bengals extended the lead with Andy Dalton connecting with Jerome Simpson for 17 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent had the extra point. Nugent tallied a 49 yard field goal for Cincinnati to make it 16-3 before halftime. The Texans got within striking distance when T.J. Yates threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Joel Dreessen, and Rackers nailed the PAT, all in the third quarter. Nugent re-extended the Bengals lead with a 28 yard field goal. Houston pulled closer again with a 33 yard Rackers field goal in the fourth quarter. The Texans would win 20-19 after Yates threw 6 yards to Kevin Walter, and Rackers made the go-ahead extra point. Houston is now 10-3 and the Bengals fell to 7-6.
Farther north, the Detroit Lions welcome the Minnesota Vikings. Detroit was defensive on its first touchdown as Christian Ponder fumbled and Stephen Tulloch fell on it for a touchdown, with Jason Hanson kicking the extra point. The Lions tacked on another touchdown with a 57 yard connection between Matthew Stafford and Titus Young, allowing another Hanson extra point. Detroit rolled on as Stafford tossed a 12 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew, and Hanson supplied another extra point. Minnesota got on the board when Ponder threw 7 yards for a touchdown to Visanthe Shiancoe, and Ryan Longwell had the extra point. The Lions got going again in the second quarter, going defensive again when Alphonso Smith picked off Ponder and took it back 30 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings got a few more back with Ponder tossing 6 yards to Percy Harvin for a touchdown, and Longwell added another PAT. Hanson made it 31-14 before the half by kicking a 30 yard field goal for Detroit. Minnesota got some back with a 65 yard Joe Webb run for a touchdown, and Longwell kicked another extra point. The Lions added a few more insurance points with Hanson's 26 yard field goal. The Vikings came surging back with Webb tossing a 2 yard touchdown to Toby Gerhart, and Longwell's extra point put them within striking distance. Detroit weathered a late storm to win 34-28, and improved to 8-5 while sending Minnesota reeling to 2-11.
Over to New York (Jersey) where the Jets host the Kansas City Chiefs. New York got going first with a 1 yard Mark Sanchez touchdown run, and Nick Folk had the extra point. Kansas City got on the board with Ryan Succop kicking a 53 yard field goal. The Jets replied back in the second quarter with Sanchez tossing 4 yards for Santonio Holmes, who caught it for the touchdown, and Folk made another extra point. New York added on again with a 7 yard touchdown run for Shonn Greene, and Folk tacked on an extra point. The Jets made it 28-3 at the half with Sanchez throwing 19 yards to LaDainian Tomlinson for a touchdown, and Folk made another extra point. New York added on some more in the third quarter when Sanchez rushed 3 yards for a touchdown, and Folk again made an extra point. The Chiefs got a few back with a 24 yard Tyler Palko touchdown pass to Jerheme Urban in the fourth quarter, and Succop made the extra point. Adding insult to Kansas City was a poorly timed backwards rush of a yard by Jackie Battle, resulting in a Jets safety, and a 37-10 score. This was a final, making New York 8-5 and Kansas City 5-8.
Finally, in Baltimore, the Ravens host the Indianapolis Colts. Baltimore opened on a Joe Flacco touchdown pass to Torrey Smith, an 8 yard play, capped off by Billy Cundiff's extra point. Cundiff later added a 36 yard field goal. The Ravens stayed strong in the second quarter with a 6 yard touchdown run by Ray Rice, and Cundiff supplied another extra point. Indianapolis got on the board with a 22 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The score was 17-3 Ravens at the half. The Ravens kept up the attack in the third quarter as Flacco found Dennis Pitta on a 7 yard touchdown pass, and Cundiff made the PAT. As time expired for the game, the Colts scored a Dan Orlovsky touchdown pass to Jacob Tamme, a 13 yard play, and Vinatieri made it 24-10 with the extra point. Baltimore improves to 10-3 while the Colts are now 0-13.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
NHL Day 66 2011-2012
Another day with a lot of games, as Saturday is here. First up, the...
New Jersey Devils host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Martin Brodeur will be playing goal. Montreal got things going in the second period when the eleventh of the campaign by Max Pacioretty found twine, a power play goal powered by Erik Cole and Tomas Kaberle. The Canadiens added on in the third period with Cole recording his tenth of the season, and Mathieu Darche and Kaberle had the assists. Nick Palmieri cut it to 2-1 for New Jersey with his fourth of the year, via Mattias Tedenby and Petr Sykora, but the Devils failed to record an equalizer, and lost. The three stars were Cole, Kaberle, and Price (28 for 29 in saves).
Staying in the Atlantic Division, the Philadelphia Flyers are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Ilya Bryzgalov received the starting nods, but Bryzgalov came out early in the third period, presumably to injury. Tampa Bay opened the scoring as Ryan Shannon potted his second of the season, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Victor Hedman. Philadelphia tied it in the second period when Danny Briere netted his ninth of the year, and Wayne Simmonds had the lone assist. The Flyers grabbed the lead with Jaromir Jagr registering his tenth of the season, thanks to Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. Philadelphia extended the lead with Simmonds scoring a power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. The Lightning replied early in the third period when Vincent Lecavalier netted his eleventh of the campaign, assisted by Marc-Andre Bergeron and Ryan Malone on the power play. The Flyers took it back with Matt Carle sinking his fourth of the season, another power play goal, coming off of Briere and Matt Read. Hartnell iced it at 5-2 with his fourteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Jagr and Timonen. The three stars went out to Jagr, Simmonds, and Briere, while Hartnell, Giroux, and Timonen also had two-point nights.
Into Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Curtis Sanford were the goalies of choice to begin with, but Thomas came out after the second period in favor of Tuukka Rask. Columbus led off when Rick Nash potted his ninth of the season, thanks to Vinny Prospal and James Wisniewski. Jeff Carter extended the Blue Jackets lead when his fifth of the year crossed the goal line, a power play goal made possible by Derick Brassard and Wisniewski. Boston got one back when Joe Corvo scored, assisted by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. The Bruins tied it on Nathan Horton's eighth of the season, courtesy of Lucic and Andrew Ference. Boston took the lead in the second period as the sixth of the year by Zdeno Chara went in, a power play goal, and Lucic recorded his natural sock trick alongside a Krejci assist. Columbus retied it with R.J. Umberger knocking his fifth of the season in, via Samuel Pahlsson and Derek MacKenzie. The Bruins retook the lead in the third period when Corvo struck again, a power play goal coming off of Dennis Seidenberg and Tyler Seguin. Boston made it 5-3, the final, with a power play goal by Chris Kelly, his eleventh of the year, powered by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Corvo, Lucic, and Umberger got the three stars, while Krejci and Wisniewski also played well.
Up to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the "ready" Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jimmy Howard tend the twines, although Pavelec came out early in the third period in favor of Chris Mason. Winnipeg struck first on the tenth of the season by Bryan Little, courtesy of Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. Detroit struck back on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his third of the year, with Johan Franzen and Nicklas Lidstrom picking up the helpers. The Red Wings tied took the lead when Henrik Zetterberg found a place for his sixth of the season, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit kept going in the second period as Jiri Hudler notched his fifth of the year, assisted by Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings remained relentless when Chris Conner scored, helped along by Danny Cleary and Darren Helm. Detroit struck again with Filppula recording his tenth of the campaign, via Datsyuk and Ian White. The Red Wings added on with Drew Miller putting his third of the season away, coming off of Brad Stuart and Bertuzzi. Hudler iced it at 7-1 in the third period with his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Zetterberg. Filppula, Hudler, and Franzen received the three stars, while Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Bertuzzi also put out worthy efforts.
Back toward the east, where the Buffalo Sabres welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron takes on fellow backup Jhonas Enroth. New York got it going with Carl Hagelin netting a shorthanded goal in the second period, the second of the season for him, assisted by Steve Eminger and Michael Del Zotto. Buffalo answered when Thomas Vanek potted his fourteenth of the year, and Jason Pominville had the lone assist. The Rangers reclaimed the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted goal for Ryan Callahan, his twelfth of the campaign. New York added on again in the third period, as Hagelin sank his third of the season and second of the game, coming off of Del Zotto and the goalie Biron. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 when Marian Gaborik sniped his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Mitchell and Eminger. Hagelin, Biron (32 for 33 in saves), and Callahan were given the three stars, while Del Zotto and Eminger also played very well.
Staying in New York state, the Islanders host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Al Montoya were charged with the duty of stopping the puck. New York struck first with a David Ullstrom goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Dylan Reese and Josh Bailey. The Islanders added on with Milan Jurcina sinking a power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo. Steve Sullivan put Pittsburgh on the board with his fifth of the season, via Joe Vitale and Matt Niskanen. James Neal tied it for the Penguins with his sixteenth of the year, and Evgeni Malkin had the lone assist. Okposo gave New York the lead back on his fourth of the season, thanks to Michael Graber and Travis Hamonic. Pittsburgh tied it again with Neal on the power play, the seventeenth of the year for the great equalizer, guided in by Chris Kunitz and Sullivan. The Penguins went ahead as Pascal Dupuis notched his ninth of the season, with the help of Tyler Kennedy and Alexandre Picard. Pittsbrugh extended the lead on a Matt Cooke goal, his seventh of the year, and the helpers were provided by Kennedy and Niskanen. The Penguins finished the game up 6-3 after a Paul Martin goal, helped along by Malkin and Kunitz. The three stars were awarded to Neal, Malkin, and Okposo, while the honorable mentions include Sullivan, Niskanen, Kennedy, and Kunitz.
To the north, the Ottawa Senators host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Craig Anderson played in the creases. Vancouver led off with an Alexander Edler power play goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks added on with a Kesler goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond. Vancouver rolled on in the second period when Kesler struck again, his second of the game and seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Ottawa got on the board when Colin Greening potted his seventh of the campaign shorthanded, with helpers from Jason Spezza and Brian Lee. The Canucks finished it at 4-1 with Dale Weise netting his second of the year, via Aaron Rome. The three stars were Kesler, Henrik, and Chris Neil, although any other point earners would argue the third star.
Southward, the Nashville Predators host the Anaheim Ducks. Playing goal for this new-found rivalry were Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne. The first goal was Andrew Gordon's second of the season in the second period, giving Anahiem a lead with assists by Brandon McMillan and Niklas Hagman. Nashville replied on a Nick Spaling goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Colin Wilson and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a Roman Josi power play goal, powered by Shea Weber and Martin Erat. Nashville extended the lead with Tootoo's fourth of the season, via Kevin Klein and Jerred Smithson. The Ducks tried to pull closer as Francois Beauchemin notched his fourth of the year, coming off of Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry, but 3-2 was as close as it got, as time later expired. The three stars were awarded to Tootoo, Spaling, and Josi.
In the Southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Mike Smith wore the goalie masks. Minnesota was first to score with a power play goal by Kyle Brodziak, his ninth of the season, with Pierre-Marc Bouchard grabbing the lone assist. The Wild added on in the second period with Mikko Koivu scoring his seventh of the year, courtesy of Jeff Taffe and Mike Lundin. Minnesota extended the lead further with Brodziak scoring another power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, powered by Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild would not stop in the third period as Dany Heatley recorded his ninth of the year, also a power play goal, guided in by Spurgeon and Bouchard. Phoenix got on the board late as Lauri Korpikoski spoiled the shutout with his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Shane Doan and Daymond Langkow. The three stars in the 4-1 game went to Brodziak, Backstrom (35 for 36 in saves), and Koivu, while Spurgeon and Bouchard also played well.
Back eastward a bit, the St. Louis Blues host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Brian Elliott got the green light to play goal. Kevin Shattenkirk put St. Louis up 1-0 in the first period with his fourth of the season, a power play goal coming off of David Perron and Jason Arnott. This goal held up throughout the rest of the game, for a final score. Elliott (24 save shutout), Shattenkirk, and Roman Polak got the three stars, while honorable mentions go to Perron, Arnott, and Niemi (18 for 19 in saves).
Restarting the Battle of Alberta, the Calgary Flames host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Calgary got things going in the second period with the third of the campaign for Tom Kostopoulos, a power play goal made possible by Derek Smith and Matt Stajan. The Flames added on with the tenth of the season by Jarome Iginla, assisted by Brendan Morrison and Jay Bouwmeester. Calgary iced it at 3-0 in the third period when Iginla struck again for his second of the game and eleventh of the year, and the lone assist on the empty net goal belonged to Olli Jokinen. Kiprusoff (21 save shutout), Bouwmeester, and Iginla earned the three stars.
Finally, we end in Los Angeles, where the Kings hosted the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Jonathan Bernier play goal. Dallas opened on the seventh of the season by Jamie Benn, courtesy of Michael Ryder and Trevor Daley on the power play. Los Angeles tied it in the second period as Brad Richardson scored shorthanded, and Anze Kopitar notched the lone assist. The Stars made it 2-1 with Daley's second of the year, thanks to Tomas Vincour and Tom Wandell. This lasted through the third period and was the final, with the three stars being Daley, Richardson, and Bachman (26 for 27 in saves).
New Jersey Devils host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Martin Brodeur will be playing goal. Montreal got things going in the second period when the eleventh of the campaign by Max Pacioretty found twine, a power play goal powered by Erik Cole and Tomas Kaberle. The Canadiens added on in the third period with Cole recording his tenth of the season, and Mathieu Darche and Kaberle had the assists. Nick Palmieri cut it to 2-1 for New Jersey with his fourth of the year, via Mattias Tedenby and Petr Sykora, but the Devils failed to record an equalizer, and lost. The three stars were Cole, Kaberle, and Price (28 for 29 in saves).
Staying in the Atlantic Division, the Philadelphia Flyers are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Ilya Bryzgalov received the starting nods, but Bryzgalov came out early in the third period, presumably to injury. Tampa Bay opened the scoring as Ryan Shannon potted his second of the season, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Victor Hedman. Philadelphia tied it in the second period when Danny Briere netted his ninth of the year, and Wayne Simmonds had the lone assist. The Flyers grabbed the lead with Jaromir Jagr registering his tenth of the season, thanks to Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. Philadelphia extended the lead with Simmonds scoring a power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. The Lightning replied early in the third period when Vincent Lecavalier netted his eleventh of the campaign, assisted by Marc-Andre Bergeron and Ryan Malone on the power play. The Flyers took it back with Matt Carle sinking his fourth of the season, another power play goal, coming off of Briere and Matt Read. Hartnell iced it at 5-2 with his fourteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Jagr and Timonen. The three stars went out to Jagr, Simmonds, and Briere, while Hartnell, Giroux, and Timonen also had two-point nights.
Into Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Curtis Sanford were the goalies of choice to begin with, but Thomas came out after the second period in favor of Tuukka Rask. Columbus led off when Rick Nash potted his ninth of the season, thanks to Vinny Prospal and James Wisniewski. Jeff Carter extended the Blue Jackets lead when his fifth of the year crossed the goal line, a power play goal made possible by Derick Brassard and Wisniewski. Boston got one back when Joe Corvo scored, assisted by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. The Bruins tied it on Nathan Horton's eighth of the season, courtesy of Lucic and Andrew Ference. Boston took the lead in the second period as the sixth of the year by Zdeno Chara went in, a power play goal, and Lucic recorded his natural sock trick alongside a Krejci assist. Columbus retied it with R.J. Umberger knocking his fifth of the season in, via Samuel Pahlsson and Derek MacKenzie. The Bruins retook the lead in the third period when Corvo struck again, a power play goal coming off of Dennis Seidenberg and Tyler Seguin. Boston made it 5-3, the final, with a power play goal by Chris Kelly, his eleventh of the year, powered by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Corvo, Lucic, and Umberger got the three stars, while Krejci and Wisniewski also played well.
Up to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the "ready" Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jimmy Howard tend the twines, although Pavelec came out early in the third period in favor of Chris Mason. Winnipeg struck first on the tenth of the season by Bryan Little, courtesy of Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. Detroit struck back on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his third of the year, with Johan Franzen and Nicklas Lidstrom picking up the helpers. The Red Wings tied took the lead when Henrik Zetterberg found a place for his sixth of the season, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit kept going in the second period as Jiri Hudler notched his fifth of the year, assisted by Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings remained relentless when Chris Conner scored, helped along by Danny Cleary and Darren Helm. Detroit struck again with Filppula recording his tenth of the campaign, via Datsyuk and Ian White. The Red Wings added on with Drew Miller putting his third of the season away, coming off of Brad Stuart and Bertuzzi. Hudler iced it at 7-1 in the third period with his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Zetterberg. Filppula, Hudler, and Franzen received the three stars, while Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Bertuzzi also put out worthy efforts.
Back toward the east, where the Buffalo Sabres welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron takes on fellow backup Jhonas Enroth. New York got it going with Carl Hagelin netting a shorthanded goal in the second period, the second of the season for him, assisted by Steve Eminger and Michael Del Zotto. Buffalo answered when Thomas Vanek potted his fourteenth of the year, and Jason Pominville had the lone assist. The Rangers reclaimed the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted goal for Ryan Callahan, his twelfth of the campaign. New York added on again in the third period, as Hagelin sank his third of the season and second of the game, coming off of Del Zotto and the goalie Biron. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 when Marian Gaborik sniped his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Mitchell and Eminger. Hagelin, Biron (32 for 33 in saves), and Callahan were given the three stars, while Del Zotto and Eminger also played very well.
Staying in New York state, the Islanders host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Al Montoya were charged with the duty of stopping the puck. New York struck first with a David Ullstrom goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Dylan Reese and Josh Bailey. The Islanders added on with Milan Jurcina sinking a power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo. Steve Sullivan put Pittsburgh on the board with his fifth of the season, via Joe Vitale and Matt Niskanen. James Neal tied it for the Penguins with his sixteenth of the year, and Evgeni Malkin had the lone assist. Okposo gave New York the lead back on his fourth of the season, thanks to Michael Graber and Travis Hamonic. Pittsburgh tied it again with Neal on the power play, the seventeenth of the year for the great equalizer, guided in by Chris Kunitz and Sullivan. The Penguins went ahead as Pascal Dupuis notched his ninth of the season, with the help of Tyler Kennedy and Alexandre Picard. Pittsbrugh extended the lead on a Matt Cooke goal, his seventh of the year, and the helpers were provided by Kennedy and Niskanen. The Penguins finished the game up 6-3 after a Paul Martin goal, helped along by Malkin and Kunitz. The three stars were awarded to Neal, Malkin, and Okposo, while the honorable mentions include Sullivan, Niskanen, Kennedy, and Kunitz.
To the north, the Ottawa Senators host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Craig Anderson played in the creases. Vancouver led off with an Alexander Edler power play goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks added on with a Kesler goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond. Vancouver rolled on in the second period when Kesler struck again, his second of the game and seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Ottawa got on the board when Colin Greening potted his seventh of the campaign shorthanded, with helpers from Jason Spezza and Brian Lee. The Canucks finished it at 4-1 with Dale Weise netting his second of the year, via Aaron Rome. The three stars were Kesler, Henrik, and Chris Neil, although any other point earners would argue the third star.
Southward, the Nashville Predators host the Anaheim Ducks. Playing goal for this new-found rivalry were Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne. The first goal was Andrew Gordon's second of the season in the second period, giving Anahiem a lead with assists by Brandon McMillan and Niklas Hagman. Nashville replied on a Nick Spaling goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Colin Wilson and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a Roman Josi power play goal, powered by Shea Weber and Martin Erat. Nashville extended the lead with Tootoo's fourth of the season, via Kevin Klein and Jerred Smithson. The Ducks tried to pull closer as Francois Beauchemin notched his fourth of the year, coming off of Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry, but 3-2 was as close as it got, as time later expired. The three stars were awarded to Tootoo, Spaling, and Josi.
In the Southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Mike Smith wore the goalie masks. Minnesota was first to score with a power play goal by Kyle Brodziak, his ninth of the season, with Pierre-Marc Bouchard grabbing the lone assist. The Wild added on in the second period with Mikko Koivu scoring his seventh of the year, courtesy of Jeff Taffe and Mike Lundin. Minnesota extended the lead further with Brodziak scoring another power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, powered by Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild would not stop in the third period as Dany Heatley recorded his ninth of the year, also a power play goal, guided in by Spurgeon and Bouchard. Phoenix got on the board late as Lauri Korpikoski spoiled the shutout with his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Shane Doan and Daymond Langkow. The three stars in the 4-1 game went to Brodziak, Backstrom (35 for 36 in saves), and Koivu, while Spurgeon and Bouchard also played well.
Back eastward a bit, the St. Louis Blues host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Brian Elliott got the green light to play goal. Kevin Shattenkirk put St. Louis up 1-0 in the first period with his fourth of the season, a power play goal coming off of David Perron and Jason Arnott. This goal held up throughout the rest of the game, for a final score. Elliott (24 save shutout), Shattenkirk, and Roman Polak got the three stars, while honorable mentions go to Perron, Arnott, and Niemi (18 for 19 in saves).
Restarting the Battle of Alberta, the Calgary Flames host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Calgary got things going in the second period with the third of the campaign for Tom Kostopoulos, a power play goal made possible by Derek Smith and Matt Stajan. The Flames added on with the tenth of the season by Jarome Iginla, assisted by Brendan Morrison and Jay Bouwmeester. Calgary iced it at 3-0 in the third period when Iginla struck again for his second of the game and eleventh of the year, and the lone assist on the empty net goal belonged to Olli Jokinen. Kiprusoff (21 save shutout), Bouwmeester, and Iginla earned the three stars.
Finally, we end in Los Angeles, where the Kings hosted the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Jonathan Bernier play goal. Dallas opened on the seventh of the season by Jamie Benn, courtesy of Michael Ryder and Trevor Daley on the power play. Los Angeles tied it in the second period as Brad Richardson scored shorthanded, and Anze Kopitar notched the lone assist. The Stars made it 2-1 with Daley's second of the year, thanks to Tomas Vincour and Tom Wandell. This lasted through the third period and was the final, with the three stars being Daley, Richardson, and Bachman (26 for 27 in saves).
Friday, December 9, 2011
NHL Day 65 2011-2012
Tonight we have just four games being played. First up...
The Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Tomas Vokoun will play in the nets. Washington opened with Dennis Wideman scoring his fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Mike Knuble and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on in the second period on another Wideman power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich. Toronto got on the board with the eighteenth of the season by Phil Kessel, with helpers provided by Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul. Washington got it back when Nicklas Backstrom sent his eleventh of the year into the net, with the help of Wideman and Alexander Semin on the power play. The Maple Leafs got even closer with the third of the season for Cody Franson, an unassisted goal. The Capitals iced it 4-2 with Wideman notching his sixth of the year to complete a power play hat trick, and assisting him this time were John Carlson and Backstrom. The three stars were Wideman, Backstrom, and Ovechkin.
Into Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ryan Miller have control of the cages. Buffalo struck first on the seventh of the season by Derek Roy, with assists from Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis. Florida tied it on a power play goal by Jason Garrison, his ninth of the year, powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg. The game went into overtime, where the Sabres took it as Jason Pominville deposited his tenth of the campaign, via Paul Szczechura and Jordan Leopold. Pominville, Roy, and Stafford were the three stars.
Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Chris Mason stand between the pipes. Dustin Byfuglien put Winnipeg on the board first with his sixth of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler. The Jets extended the lead on Evander Kanes's fifteenth of the year, and once again Wheeler had the lone assist. Winnipeg padded the lead farther in the third period as Tim Stapleton made his third of the season, a power play goal coming off of Kyle Wellwood and Byfuglien. The Jets rolled on as Bryan Little scored his ninth of the year on the power play, courtesy of Kane and Wheeler, the latter finishing a sock trick. Mike Murphy came on in relief of Ward at this point. Carolina got on the board when Justin Faulk scored in the third period, assisted by Jaroslav Spacek and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes pulled closer with the sixth of the campaign by Brandon Sutter, a power play goal, powered by Tim Gleason and Spacek. The final was 4-2, and the three stars were Wheeler, Byfuglien, and Mason (23 for 25 in saves), while Spacek and Kane also played well.
Finally, a little farther west, the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamovand Nikolai Khabibulin got the starting nods. Edmonton was first on the board with the second of the season by Sam Gagner, an unassisted power play goal. The Oilers tacked on another as Ben Eager sank his second of the year, thanks to Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones. Colorado got on the board when Jay McClement scored his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Daniel Winnik and Ryan O'Byrne. Edmonton got it back with Jordan Eberle's eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Gagner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers kept going with a late second period goal from Gagner, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle. The third period was silent, giving Edmonton a 4-1 win, and the three stars were handed to Gagner, Nugent-Hopkins, and Khabibulin (28 for 29 in saves), while Eberle also played well.
The Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Tomas Vokoun will play in the nets. Washington opened with Dennis Wideman scoring his fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Mike Knuble and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on in the second period on another Wideman power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich. Toronto got on the board with the eighteenth of the season by Phil Kessel, with helpers provided by Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul. Washington got it back when Nicklas Backstrom sent his eleventh of the year into the net, with the help of Wideman and Alexander Semin on the power play. The Maple Leafs got even closer with the third of the season for Cody Franson, an unassisted goal. The Capitals iced it 4-2 with Wideman notching his sixth of the year to complete a power play hat trick, and assisting him this time were John Carlson and Backstrom. The three stars were Wideman, Backstrom, and Ovechkin.
Into Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ryan Miller have control of the cages. Buffalo struck first on the seventh of the season by Derek Roy, with assists from Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis. Florida tied it on a power play goal by Jason Garrison, his ninth of the year, powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg. The game went into overtime, where the Sabres took it as Jason Pominville deposited his tenth of the campaign, via Paul Szczechura and Jordan Leopold. Pominville, Roy, and Stafford were the three stars.
Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Chris Mason stand between the pipes. Dustin Byfuglien put Winnipeg on the board first with his sixth of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler. The Jets extended the lead on Evander Kanes's fifteenth of the year, and once again Wheeler had the lone assist. Winnipeg padded the lead farther in the third period as Tim Stapleton made his third of the season, a power play goal coming off of Kyle Wellwood and Byfuglien. The Jets rolled on as Bryan Little scored his ninth of the year on the power play, courtesy of Kane and Wheeler, the latter finishing a sock trick. Mike Murphy came on in relief of Ward at this point. Carolina got on the board when Justin Faulk scored in the third period, assisted by Jaroslav Spacek and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes pulled closer with the sixth of the campaign by Brandon Sutter, a power play goal, powered by Tim Gleason and Spacek. The final was 4-2, and the three stars were Wheeler, Byfuglien, and Mason (23 for 25 in saves), while Spacek and Kane also played well.
Finally, a little farther west, the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamovand Nikolai Khabibulin got the starting nods. Edmonton was first on the board with the second of the season by Sam Gagner, an unassisted power play goal. The Oilers tacked on another as Ben Eager sank his second of the year, thanks to Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones. Colorado got on the board when Jay McClement scored his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Daniel Winnik and Ryan O'Byrne. Edmonton got it back with Jordan Eberle's eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Gagner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers kept going with a late second period goal from Gagner, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle. The third period was silent, giving Edmonton a 4-1 win, and the three stars were handed to Gagner, Nugent-Hopkins, and Khabibulin (28 for 29 in saves), while Eberle also played well.
Thursday Night Game week 14
This week, the AFC North is showcased in prime time as the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland got things going when Phil Dawson kicked a 20 yard field goal. Pittsburgh answered to make it 7-3 when Ben Roehtlisberger passed 11 yards to Jerricho Cotchery, and Shaun Suisham made the extra point. This score was taken through the second and third quarters, and deep into the fourth, as the Steelers then scored on a Roethlisberger touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, and the play ended up as a 79 yard catch and run. Suisham iced the game at 14-3 with the PAT. The Steelers go to 10-3 while the Browns are 4-9.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
NHL Day 64 2011-2012
Big slate of games being played, as we see twelve pucks drop to start games. First up...
The New Jersey Devils host the Ottawa Senators. Alex Auld and Martin Brodeur were called to start, but Johan Hedberg took over for Brodeur in the second period and onward. Ottawa struck first with the eighteenth of the season for Milan Michalek, and Jason Spezza had the lone assist. The Senators added on with the tenth of the year by Nick Foligno, assisted by Jared Cowen and Colin Greening. Ottawa added on in the second period with a Daniel Alfredsson power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Spezza. New Jersey got on the board with Zach Parise netting a shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Adam Henrique. The Devils pulled closer in the third period on the eighth of the season by Dainius Zubrus, a shorthanded goal, and the lone helper was by Patrik Elias. New Jersey tied it with a Mattias Tedenby goal, courtesy of David Clarkson and Adam Larsson. The Devils grabbed the lead on the eighth of the campaign for Ilya Kovalchuk, with the help of Parise and Henrique. The Senators retied it on a shorthanded Jesse Winchester goal, coming from Chris Phillips and Alfredsson. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Parise, Elias, and Henrique toppled Spezza and Alfredsson to pace New Jersey on a 5-4 win over Ottawa. The three stars went to Winchester, Parise, and Kovalchuk, while Elias, Henrqiue, Alfredsson, and Spezza all played well.
Staying in the region, the New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Henrik Lundqvist play between the pipes. New York was first to score with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Brad Richards and Derek Stepan. Tampa Bay answered in the second period with Ryan Malone netting his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Rangers took the lead back on a shorthanded Artem Anisimov goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Michael Del Zotto and Brandon Dubinsky. The Lightning tied it in the third period with a shorthanded Dominic Moore goal, via Victor Hedman and Eric Brewer. The game went to a shootout, where Tampa Bay won 3-2 as Moore scored the only tally. The three stars went to Moore, Lundqvist (29 for 31 in saves), and Malone.
Over in Boston, the Bruins hosted the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Tim Thomas tend the twines. Florida scored first with approximately two and a half minutes remaining in regulation time, as the fourth of the season for Tomas Kopecky crossed the goal line, with the help of Shawn Matthias and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers iced it at 2-0 with Kris Versteeg netting his thirteenth of the year into the empty cage, helped out by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. The three stars were awarded to Theodore (40 save shutout), Thomas (28 for 29 in saves), and Kopecky.
To the Midwest area, as the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Curtis Sanford will be stopping the puck tonight. Columbus got going with the fourth of the season by Jeff Carter, courtesy of Vinny Prospal and Rick Nash. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with the fourth of the year from Antoine Vermette, pushed through by Jared Boll and Nikita Nikitin. Nashville got on the board with the sixth of the season by Mike Fisher, assisted by Sergei Kostitsyn and Francis Bouillon. Columbus took it back in the third period when the sixth of the year for Derek Dorsett, thanks to Marc Methot and James Wisniewski. The Predators replied with the eighth of the campaign by Patric Hornqvist, guided in by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. With just thirteen seconds left in regulation, Kostitsyn struck to tie the game for Nashville, and helping him sink his fourth of the season were Martin Erat and Suter on the man advantage. The tie was broken by the Predators in overtime with a Colin Wilson tally, his seventh of the year, set up by Erat for a 4-3 win. The three stars were handed out to Wilson, Vermette, and Kostitsyn, while Erat and Suter also played decently.
Back to New York, with the Islanders welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Al Montoya get the starting nods. Marian Hossa put Chicago on the board first with a power play goal by Marian Hossa, his twelfth of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead with Sharp notching his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson. New York got on the board when Travis Hamonic scored, via P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Michael Grabner goal, made possible by Steve Staios and Frans Nielsen as his eighth of the season. The tie lasted into overtime, where Sharp netted his second of the game and fifteenth of the year to win it 3-2 for Chicago, and Hossa had the lone helper. The three stars went to Sharp, Hamonic, and Hossa.
Into the Battle of Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilya Bryzgalov will play in the blue paint. Danny Briere got Philadelphia on the board first with his eighth of the season, made possible by Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on in the second period when Simmonds scored on the power play, his sixth of the year, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia kept rolling on a Scott Hartnell goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle. Pittsburgh got on the board when the fifteenth of the year by James Neal found twine, a power play goal powered by Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins got closer with the tenth of the campaign by Malkin, fueled by Brooks Orpik and Arron Asham, but it did not save them from losing 3-2. The three stars were Hartnell, Malkin, and Meszaros, while Simmonds had a respectable effort.
Up to Montreal, where the Canadiens host cross-country rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. Stud goalies Roberto Luongo and Carey Price will be in charge of guarding the cages. Montreal opened on a Frédéric St-Denis goal, assisted by Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec. Raphael Diaz added on for the Canadiens with his second of the season, fueled by Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole. Montreal added on in the second period as Cole netted his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Vancouver finally answered with a shorthanded Mason Raymond goal, with the help of Jannik Hansen. The Canucks pulled closer with the sixth of the season for Cody Hodgson, an unassisted goal coming in the third period. Vancouver tied it with Sami Salo notching his sixth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Canucks toppled the Canadiens on a Hodgson tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Hodgson, Cole, and St-Denis.
Down south a bit in Detroit, where the Red Wings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard were given the green light, but Smith was quickly pulled in favor of Jason LaBarbera for the following reasons. Detroit opened on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his second of the season, guided in by Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with Valtteri Filppula recording his ninth of the year, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Jiri Hudler. Detroit kept going with the fifth of the season for Tomas Holmstrom, a power play goal powered by Ian White and Datsyuk. The Red Wings extended the lead chased Smith with fourth of the year for Darren Helm, courtesy of Chris Conner and Jakub Kindl. Hudler kept Detroit even more firmly in control by recording his fourth of the season, with the help of Zetterberg and Filppula. Phoenix got on the board in the second period, as the fourteenth of the year for Radim Vrbata found twine, and it was set up by Keith Yandle and Derek Morris. The Coyotes got as close as 5-2 with the fourth of the campaign for Martin Hanzal in the third period, a power play goal made possible by Shane Doan and Ray Whitney. Filppula, Zetterberg, and Conner earned the three stars, while Hudler and Datsyuk also performed well.
Staying in the Central Division vs Pacific Division theme, the St. Louis Blues host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jaroslav Halak wear the goalie masks. Chris Porter got St. Louis on the board, his second of the season, assisted by Jamie Langenbrunner and Ian Cole. Anaheim replied with the tenth of the year from the tape of Bobby Ryan, previously hitting the sticks of Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. Cole took the lead back for the Blues in the second period, and he was helped out by Matt D'Agostini and Langenbrunner. St. Louis extended the lead with T.J. Oshie potting his eighth of the campaign, courtesy of Carlo Colaiacovo. The Ducks got within one in the third period when the third of the season by Devante Smith-Pelly found twine, with helpers provided by Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan. The Blues put it away 4-2 on Oshie's second of the night and ninth of the year, an empty net goal set up by David Backes. The three stars were awarded to Oshie, Langenbrunner, and Cole, while Ryan played admirably in the losing effort.
Back to the northwest, where the Calgary Flames welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Miikka Kiprusoff are in the creases. Colorado opened the scoring late in the second period on Matt Duchene's tenth of the season, thanks to Jan Hejda. Calgary tied it in the third period when Lee Stempniak netted his eighth of the campaign, a power play goal made possible by Brendan Morrison and Chris Butler. The Flames took the lead on a Curtis Glencross power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Morrison and Stempniak. The Avalanche tied it up with the fourth of the season for T.J. Galiardi, assisted by Milan Hejduk. Calgary would take the game 3-2 when the eighth of the year (crazy eights for those Flames tonight) by Olli Jokinen crossed into the cage, and he received assistance from Jarome Iginla and Glencross. Morrison, Glencross, and Iginla got the three stars, while Stempniak earns honorable mention.
Down to California, as the Los Angeles Kings host the Minnesota Wild. Matt Hackett and Jonathan Quick get to block the puck. Minnesota struck early with the sixth of the season for Mikko Koivu, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon and Jeff Taffe. The Wild added on in the second period when Darroll Powe notched his third of the year, coming off of Nick Johnson and Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota extended the lead again with the third of the season for Marco Scandella, assisted by Dany Heatley and Matt Cullen. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period, as Dustin Penner scored, with the help of Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar for his second of the year. The Wild replied with a Cody Almond goal, made possible by Nick Johnson and Powe. The Kings cut it to 4-2 with a Trent Hunter goal, fueled by Kyle Clifford and Jack Johnson. This was a final, and the three stars went out to Hackett (42 for 44 in saves), Spurgeon, and Powe, while both Johnsons had multi-point efforts.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks welcomed the Dallas Stars. Andrew Raycroft and Antti Niemi got the starts, but Raycroft was replaced by Richard Bachman for the third period. Logan Couture gave San Jose an early lead on his eleventh of the season, and Ryane Clowe had the lone assist. Jamie McGinn added on for the Sharks with his fifth of the year, courtesy of Michal Handzus and Justin Braun. Dallas got on the board when Mike Ribeiro potted his third of the season, with the help of Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott. Morrow tied it in the second period with his fourth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Ribeiro and Stephane Robidas. San Jose grabbed the lead back on a Clowe goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Joe Thornton and Martin Havlat. The Sharks added on as Brad Winchester registered his third of the season, thanks to Thornton and Brent Burns. San Jose made it 5-2 on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his third of the year, guided in by McGinn. The third period was silent in scoring, leaving the above score as a final, and awarding the three stars to Winchester, McGinn, and Mitchell, while Ribeiro, Morrow, Thornton, and Clowe had honorable mentions.
The New Jersey Devils host the Ottawa Senators. Alex Auld and Martin Brodeur were called to start, but Johan Hedberg took over for Brodeur in the second period and onward. Ottawa struck first with the eighteenth of the season for Milan Michalek, and Jason Spezza had the lone assist. The Senators added on with the tenth of the year by Nick Foligno, assisted by Jared Cowen and Colin Greening. Ottawa added on in the second period with a Daniel Alfredsson power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Spezza. New Jersey got on the board with Zach Parise netting a shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Adam Henrique. The Devils pulled closer in the third period on the eighth of the season by Dainius Zubrus, a shorthanded goal, and the lone helper was by Patrik Elias. New Jersey tied it with a Mattias Tedenby goal, courtesy of David Clarkson and Adam Larsson. The Devils grabbed the lead on the eighth of the campaign for Ilya Kovalchuk, with the help of Parise and Henrique. The Senators retied it on a shorthanded Jesse Winchester goal, coming from Chris Phillips and Alfredsson. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Parise, Elias, and Henrique toppled Spezza and Alfredsson to pace New Jersey on a 5-4 win over Ottawa. The three stars went to Winchester, Parise, and Kovalchuk, while Elias, Henrqiue, Alfredsson, and Spezza all played well.
Staying in the region, the New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Henrik Lundqvist play between the pipes. New York was first to score with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Brad Richards and Derek Stepan. Tampa Bay answered in the second period with Ryan Malone netting his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Rangers took the lead back on a shorthanded Artem Anisimov goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Michael Del Zotto and Brandon Dubinsky. The Lightning tied it in the third period with a shorthanded Dominic Moore goal, via Victor Hedman and Eric Brewer. The game went to a shootout, where Tampa Bay won 3-2 as Moore scored the only tally. The three stars went to Moore, Lundqvist (29 for 31 in saves), and Malone.
Over in Boston, the Bruins hosted the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Tim Thomas tend the twines. Florida scored first with approximately two and a half minutes remaining in regulation time, as the fourth of the season for Tomas Kopecky crossed the goal line, with the help of Shawn Matthias and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers iced it at 2-0 with Kris Versteeg netting his thirteenth of the year into the empty cage, helped out by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. The three stars were awarded to Theodore (40 save shutout), Thomas (28 for 29 in saves), and Kopecky.
To the Midwest area, as the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Curtis Sanford will be stopping the puck tonight. Columbus got going with the fourth of the season by Jeff Carter, courtesy of Vinny Prospal and Rick Nash. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with the fourth of the year from Antoine Vermette, pushed through by Jared Boll and Nikita Nikitin. Nashville got on the board with the sixth of the season by Mike Fisher, assisted by Sergei Kostitsyn and Francis Bouillon. Columbus took it back in the third period when the sixth of the year for Derek Dorsett, thanks to Marc Methot and James Wisniewski. The Predators replied with the eighth of the campaign by Patric Hornqvist, guided in by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. With just thirteen seconds left in regulation, Kostitsyn struck to tie the game for Nashville, and helping him sink his fourth of the season were Martin Erat and Suter on the man advantage. The tie was broken by the Predators in overtime with a Colin Wilson tally, his seventh of the year, set up by Erat for a 4-3 win. The three stars were handed out to Wilson, Vermette, and Kostitsyn, while Erat and Suter also played decently.
Back to New York, with the Islanders welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Al Montoya get the starting nods. Marian Hossa put Chicago on the board first with a power play goal by Marian Hossa, his twelfth of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead with Sharp notching his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson. New York got on the board when Travis Hamonic scored, via P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Michael Grabner goal, made possible by Steve Staios and Frans Nielsen as his eighth of the season. The tie lasted into overtime, where Sharp netted his second of the game and fifteenth of the year to win it 3-2 for Chicago, and Hossa had the lone helper. The three stars went to Sharp, Hamonic, and Hossa.
Into the Battle of Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilya Bryzgalov will play in the blue paint. Danny Briere got Philadelphia on the board first with his eighth of the season, made possible by Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on in the second period when Simmonds scored on the power play, his sixth of the year, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia kept rolling on a Scott Hartnell goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle. Pittsburgh got on the board when the fifteenth of the year by James Neal found twine, a power play goal powered by Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins got closer with the tenth of the campaign by Malkin, fueled by Brooks Orpik and Arron Asham, but it did not save them from losing 3-2. The three stars were Hartnell, Malkin, and Meszaros, while Simmonds had a respectable effort.
Up to Montreal, where the Canadiens host cross-country rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. Stud goalies Roberto Luongo and Carey Price will be in charge of guarding the cages. Montreal opened on a Frédéric St-Denis goal, assisted by Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec. Raphael Diaz added on for the Canadiens with his second of the season, fueled by Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole. Montreal added on in the second period as Cole netted his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Vancouver finally answered with a shorthanded Mason Raymond goal, with the help of Jannik Hansen. The Canucks pulled closer with the sixth of the season for Cody Hodgson, an unassisted goal coming in the third period. Vancouver tied it with Sami Salo notching his sixth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Canucks toppled the Canadiens on a Hodgson tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Hodgson, Cole, and St-Denis.
Down south a bit in Detroit, where the Red Wings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard were given the green light, but Smith was quickly pulled in favor of Jason LaBarbera for the following reasons. Detroit opened on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his second of the season, guided in by Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with Valtteri Filppula recording his ninth of the year, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Jiri Hudler. Detroit kept going with the fifth of the season for Tomas Holmstrom, a power play goal powered by Ian White and Datsyuk. The Red Wings extended the lead chased Smith with fourth of the year for Darren Helm, courtesy of Chris Conner and Jakub Kindl. Hudler kept Detroit even more firmly in control by recording his fourth of the season, with the help of Zetterberg and Filppula. Phoenix got on the board in the second period, as the fourteenth of the year for Radim Vrbata found twine, and it was set up by Keith Yandle and Derek Morris. The Coyotes got as close as 5-2 with the fourth of the campaign for Martin Hanzal in the third period, a power play goal made possible by Shane Doan and Ray Whitney. Filppula, Zetterberg, and Conner earned the three stars, while Hudler and Datsyuk also performed well.
Staying in the Central Division vs Pacific Division theme, the St. Louis Blues host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jaroslav Halak wear the goalie masks. Chris Porter got St. Louis on the board, his second of the season, assisted by Jamie Langenbrunner and Ian Cole. Anaheim replied with the tenth of the year from the tape of Bobby Ryan, previously hitting the sticks of Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. Cole took the lead back for the Blues in the second period, and he was helped out by Matt D'Agostini and Langenbrunner. St. Louis extended the lead with T.J. Oshie potting his eighth of the campaign, courtesy of Carlo Colaiacovo. The Ducks got within one in the third period when the third of the season by Devante Smith-Pelly found twine, with helpers provided by Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan. The Blues put it away 4-2 on Oshie's second of the night and ninth of the year, an empty net goal set up by David Backes. The three stars were awarded to Oshie, Langenbrunner, and Cole, while Ryan played admirably in the losing effort.
Back to the northwest, where the Calgary Flames welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Miikka Kiprusoff are in the creases. Colorado opened the scoring late in the second period on Matt Duchene's tenth of the season, thanks to Jan Hejda. Calgary tied it in the third period when Lee Stempniak netted his eighth of the campaign, a power play goal made possible by Brendan Morrison and Chris Butler. The Flames took the lead on a Curtis Glencross power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Morrison and Stempniak. The Avalanche tied it up with the fourth of the season for T.J. Galiardi, assisted by Milan Hejduk. Calgary would take the game 3-2 when the eighth of the year (crazy eights for those Flames tonight) by Olli Jokinen crossed into the cage, and he received assistance from Jarome Iginla and Glencross. Morrison, Glencross, and Iginla got the three stars, while Stempniak earns honorable mention.
Down to California, as the Los Angeles Kings host the Minnesota Wild. Matt Hackett and Jonathan Quick get to block the puck. Minnesota struck early with the sixth of the season for Mikko Koivu, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon and Jeff Taffe. The Wild added on in the second period when Darroll Powe notched his third of the year, coming off of Nick Johnson and Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota extended the lead again with the third of the season for Marco Scandella, assisted by Dany Heatley and Matt Cullen. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period, as Dustin Penner scored, with the help of Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar for his second of the year. The Wild replied with a Cody Almond goal, made possible by Nick Johnson and Powe. The Kings cut it to 4-2 with a Trent Hunter goal, fueled by Kyle Clifford and Jack Johnson. This was a final, and the three stars went out to Hackett (42 for 44 in saves), Spurgeon, and Powe, while both Johnsons had multi-point efforts.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks welcomed the Dallas Stars. Andrew Raycroft and Antti Niemi got the starts, but Raycroft was replaced by Richard Bachman for the third period. Logan Couture gave San Jose an early lead on his eleventh of the season, and Ryane Clowe had the lone assist. Jamie McGinn added on for the Sharks with his fifth of the year, courtesy of Michal Handzus and Justin Braun. Dallas got on the board when Mike Ribeiro potted his third of the season, with the help of Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott. Morrow tied it in the second period with his fourth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Ribeiro and Stephane Robidas. San Jose grabbed the lead back on a Clowe goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Joe Thornton and Martin Havlat. The Sharks added on as Brad Winchester registered his third of the season, thanks to Thornton and Brent Burns. San Jose made it 5-2 on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his third of the year, guided in by McGinn. The third period was silent in scoring, leaving the above score as a final, and awarding the three stars to Winchester, McGinn, and Mitchell, while Ribeiro, Morrow, Thornton, and Clowe had honorable mentions.
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