Sunday Night Game week 16

Big NFC North rivalry game tonight as the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears. Green Bay opened with Aaron Rodgers passing to Jermichael Finley for 2 yards and a touchdown, with Mason Crosby making the extra point. Chicago got on the board when Robbie Gould made a 35 yard field goal in the second quarter. The score at halftime was 14-3 Packers because Rodgers threw a 2 yard touchdown to James Jones, followed by a Crosby extra point. . The Bears got going in the third quarter with a Kahlil Bell rush, resulting in fumble which was landed on by Edwin Williams in the end zone, and Gould made his extra point. Green Bay answered with Rodgers finding Jordy Nelson, who did a catch and run for 55 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby tacked on a PAT. Rodgers then looked back to Jones to extend the Packers lead, on a 7 yard touchdown connection, and Crosby made another extra point. In the fourth quarter, Green Bay kept going with Rodgers passing 2 yards for another touchdown to Nelson, and Crosby made the extra point. Chicago got a few back with Josh McCown passing 1 yard to Kellen Davis for a touchdown, and then he ran the ball in on the successful two point conversion. Gould cut the deficit to 35-21 with a late 30 yard field goal, the eventual final. The Packers are now 14-1 while the Bears fell out of the playoff race at 7-8.

NFL Late Games week 16

Only three games going on late today, beginning with...

The Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers at Ford Field in Detroit. Both teams have playoff hopes on the line. Detroit led off with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Brandon Pettigrew, and Jason Hanson made the extra point. The Lions rolled on with Hanson making a 50 yard field goal. Stafford kept Detroit going in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to Kevin Smith for 3 yards, and Hanson again made the extra point. The score at halftime was 24-0 as Stafford tossed Calvin Johnson a touchdown pass of 14 yards and Hanson applied a PAT. San Diego got on the board in the third quarter with Philip Rivers throwing to Malcom Floyd for an 11 yard play resulting in a touchdown, allowing Nick Novak the extra point. Novak also kicked a 22 yard field goal for the Chargers. Detroit replied with a 6 yard touchdown run by Smith, and Hanson was there with the extra point. The Lions iced the game with Cliff Avril picking off Rivers and returning it 4 yards for a touchdown, allowing Hanson the extra point for a 38-10 final. Detroit goes to 10-5 and clinches a playoff spot, while San Diego sits at 7-8 and in serious trouble.

Down to Dallas, with the Cowboys hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia drew first blood with a 13 yard Michael Vick touchdown pass to Brent Celek, and Alex Henery made the extra point. The Eagles led 14-0 at the half with Vick throwing a touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin for 5 yards, and Henery again added the PAT. Henery made a 43 yard field goal for Philadelphia in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Henery nailed a field goal from 51 yards away. Dallas avoided the shutout in the waning minute of the last quarter as Stephen McGee threw 4 yards to Miles Austin, and Dan Bailey kicked an extra point for a 20-7 final. Philadelphia, while out of the playoffs, is 7-8, while the Cowboys now have to fight for their spot at 8-7.

Finishing the day off, we go to Seattle, where the Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle struck first with Tarvaris Jackson throwing a 13 yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. San Francisco got on the board in the second quarter with David Akers kicking a 53 yard field goal. Hauschka gave the Seahawks a 10-3 lead to take into halftime with a 19 yard field goal. The 49ers came out on the attack in the third quarter, allowing Frank Gore to run 4 yards for a touchdown and Akers made the extra point. Akers then his a 29 yard field goal for San Francisco. Akers extended the 49ers lead in the fourth quarter with a 44 yard field goal. Seattle replied on a 4 yard touchdown run for a touchdown, something not yet to occur this season against the San Francisco defense, and Hauschka added the PAT. The 49ers took the game though, as Akers was true from 39 yards on a field goal to make it 19-17. San Francisco goes to 12-3 while Seattle is 7-8, and the latter was eliminated from playoff contention by the Detroit victory.

NFL Early Games week 16

This Saturday morning, there are ten games on. We begin with...

The Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Arizona Cardinals. Cincinnati opened with a Mike Nugent field goal of 24 yards. The Bengals added on with Andy Dalton throwing an 11 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham, and Nugent tacked on the extra point. Cincinnati kept going in the second quarter with Dalton throwing 19 yards to Jerome Simpson, who finished the play with a solid front flip into the end zone, allowing Nugent another extra point. Nugent made it 20-0 at half time for the Bengals with a 41 yard field goal. Nugent kept kicking in the third quarter, adding on a 32 yard field goal for Cincinnati. Arizona got on the board in the fourth quarter when John Skelton tossed a 30 yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald, and Jay Feely made the PAT. The Cardinals pulled closer after Skelton found Jeff King for a 2 yard touchdown connection, but the two point attempt failed on Skelton's run. Feely made it 23-16 with a 29 yard field goal for Arizona. The Bengals would weather the storm from here and hold on to improve to 9-6 while the Cardinals fell to 7-8.

To New Jersey, where the New York Jets host the New York Giants for tri-state supremacy. The Jets got going with a Mark Sanchez touchdown pass to Josh Baker for 5 yards, and Nick Folk kicked the extra point. Lawrence Tynes answered for the Giants by kicking a 21 yard field goal. The Giants took the lead with an impressive Eli Manning touchdown pass, 99 yards on the catch and run by Victor Cruz, and Tynes blasted in the PAT. This left the score at 10-7 for halftime. The Giants added on in the third quarter with a 14 yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw, and Tynes kicked another extra point. Sanchez got the Jets a little closer again by running 1 yard to find a touchdown, and Folk was there with the extra point. The Giants got back on their game by sacking Sanchez for a safety. Bradshaw put the game out of reach at 29-14 with a 19 yard touchdown run, and Tynes secured victory for the Giants with the extra point. The Giants are now 8-7 and in control of their playoff hopes while the Jets fall to the same mark and lose most of their advantage in determining their fate.

Southwest to Tennessee, where the Titans welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tennessee opened with a Rob Bironas field goal from 51 yards. The Titans added on when Matt Hasselbeck threw 55 yards to Jared Cook for a touchdown, and Bironas tacked on the extra point. Jacksonville got a few back with Maurice Jones-Drew rushing 10 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee added an extra point. In the second quarter, Tennessee extended the lead on a Jamie Harper touchdown run of 1 yard, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Jaguars cut the score to 17-10 at the half when Scobee nailed a 39 yard field goal. The Titans replied in the third quarter when Bironas made a 51 yard field goal. Bironas kept kicking in the fourth quarter for Tennessee, as he made a 35 yard field goal. Jacksonville pulled back with Greg Jones running 1 yard for a touchdown, allowing Scobee another PAT. This made it 23-17, improving the Titans to 8-7 and knocking the Jaguars down to 4-11.

Back to the Northeast, as the New England Patriots host the Miami Dolphins. Miami led off with a Dan Carpenter field goal from 47 yards out. Matt Moore kept the Dolphins going with a 19 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall in the second quarter, and Carpenter added on the extra point. Moore continued with a 1 yard touchdown to Charles Clay, and Carpenter's extra point made it 17-0 at the half. New England got on the board in the third quarter with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal of 45 yards. The Patriots kept going with Tom Brady throwing a 1 yard touchdown pass to Deion Branch, and Gostkowski supplied the PAT. New England tied it as Brady took matters in his own hands by rushing a yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski's extra point tied the game. Gostkowski gave the Patriots the lead in the fourth quarter with a 42 yard field. New England extended the lead with Brady again rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski successfully made the extra point. Moore tried to rally the Dolphins with a touchdown pass to Davone Bess for 15 yards, followed by a Carpenter extra point to make it 27-24. This would not be enough to win, allowing the Patriots to go to 12-3 while Miami fell to 5-10.

Staying nearby, the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore got going with Joe Flacco's touchdown pass to Ed Dickson for 5 yards, and Shayne Graham made the extra point. Graham added a 48 yard field goal for the Ravens. Flacco got Baltimore a few more points by passing to Ray Rice, who took the ball 42 yards for a touchdown, and Graham made the extra point again. The score was 17-0 heading into the locker rooms. Graham kicked a 43 yard field goal in the third quarter for the Ravens. Cleveland got on the board as Joshua Cribbs returned a Sam Koch punt for 84 yards and a touchdown, allowing Phil Dawson to make a PAT. The Browns cut it to 20-14 in the fourth quarter as Seneca Wallace threw 6 yards to Evan Moore for a touchdown, and Dawson made another extra point. This would be a final, with Baltimore becoming 11-4 and Cleveland 4-11.

Westward to Kansas City, where the Chiefs fight with the Oakland Raiders to stay alive in the playoff hunt. Oakland struck first with Sebastian Janikowski kicking a 28 yard field goal. Kansas City replied with a 23 yard field goal by Ryan Succop, and the 3-3 tie lasted through the second quarter into halftime. The Raiders gained the lead in the third quarter with Carson Palmer tossing a 61 yard touchdown reception to Denarius Moore, and Janikowski was there with the extra point. The Chiefs got some back with Succop nailing a 20 yard field goal. Janikowski answered for Oakland on a 31 yard field goal. Kansas City tied it when Kyle Orton found Dwayne Bowe on a 3 yard touchdown pass, and Succop's extra point would eventually force an overtime. In the fifth quarter, the Raiders won 16-13 on a Janikowski 36 yard field goal, improving them to 8-7 and knocking the Chiefs out of the playoff picture at 6-9.

Back to the East coast, where the Washington Redskins host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota opened on Ryan Longwell's 36 yard field goal. Adrian Peterson added on for the Vikings in the second quarter by rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Longwell added an extra point. Washington got on the board with Rex Grossman throwing a 5 yard touchdown pass to Donte' Stallworth, and Graham Gano made the extra point. Gano evened the score at 10 just before halftime with a 26 yard field goal for the Redskins. Washington added on in the third quarter as Gano nailed a 53 yard field goal. Minnesota answered with a Joe Webb rushing touchdown of 9 yards, and Longwell was successful with the PAT. Grossman answered back for the Redskins on a 4 yard touchdown connection with Jabar Gaffney, and Gano made another extra point. The Vikings replied when Webb passed 17 yards to Kyle Rudolph, but Longwell blew the extra point here to leave the score at 23-20. Gano tied it for Washington by kicking a 25 yard field goal. Webb answered back for Minnesota on an 8 yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin, and Longwell redeemed himself with the extra point. The kickers traded field goals to make it 33-26, with Longwell good at 23 yards and Gano true from 47. Minnesota went to 3-12 while Washington fell to 5-10.

Down south a bit, the Carolina Panthers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina opened with DeAngelo Williams running 8 yards for a touchdown, and Olindo Mare made the extra point. Mare also added a 21 yard field goal for the Panthers. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second quarter when Josh Freeman lobbed a 4 yard touchdown pass to Arrelious Benn, and Connor Barth made the extra point. Carolina answered on a Cam Newton touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell, a 91 yard play when all said and done, with Mare icing it on an extra point. Barth answered back for the Buccaneers with a 41 yard field goal. The Panthers took a 20-10 lead into the locker rooms as Mare made a 19 yard field goal. Williams got things back on track for Carolina in the third quarter by rushing 22 yards to get a touchdown, and Mare supplied the extra point. Newton helped the Panthers cause when he found Jonathan Stewart on an 11yard touchdown pass, and Mare again made the PAT. Newton took matters in to his own hands when he rushed 49 yards for another Carolina touchdown, and Mare was there with the extra point again. Newton aired it out in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey for 8 yards, and Mare again made the extra point for the Panthers. Tampa Bay got a few back when Freeman rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, but they failed on the two point conversion and would lose heavily by a 48-16 score. Carolina is now 6-9 and the Buccaneers are 4-11.

Back to the north, where the Buffalo Bills host the Denver Broncos. Denver led off with a Tim Tebow touchdown run of 1 yard, and Matt Prater made the extra point. Buffalo got going in the second quarter with Dave Rayner kicking a 28 yard field goal. The Bills next touchdown was special, as Leodis McKelvin returned a Britton Colquitt punt for 80 yards and a touchdown, as Rayner blasted in the extra point. C.J. Spiller kept Buffalo strong with a 4 yard touchdown run just before half, and Rayner's extra point made it 17-7 heading into the locker rooms. The Broncos came out of the gate in the third quarter on the arm of Tebow, who threw 173yards to Daniel Fells for a touchdown, and Prater was there wit the extra point. The Bills wiped it out for the most part with a pair of 25 yard field goals by Rayner. Rayner also kicked a 29 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Buffalo. The Bills ended up winning 40-14 when Jairus Byrd and Spencer Johnson picked Tebow off in rapid succession, as Byrd went 37 yards and Johnson went 17 yards to take each pick back for a touchdown. Rayner made both extra points. The Bills improved to 6-9 while the Broncos playoff chances got more muddled at 8-7.

Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the St. Louis Rams. Pittsburgh opened with Shaun Suisham kicking a 21 yard field goal. The Steelers led 10-0 at halftime when John Clay ran 10 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham made the extra point. Pittsburgh kept going in the third quarter with Suisham kicking a 49 yard field goal. The Steelers were unstoppable by the fourth quarter as Rashard Mendenhall ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Suisham made the PAT. Pittsburgh wound up winning 27-0 due to a 2 yard Isaac Redman touchdown run, and Suisham's extra point. The Steelers are now 11-4 while the Rams are 2-13.

NHL Day 79 2011-2012

Eleven games on the last day before the holiday break. We begin with the...

New York Islanders hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Evgeni Nabokov are in between the pipes. Toronto led off with the tenth of the season for Clarke MacArthur, assisted by Tim Connolly and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on Nazem Kadri's second of the year, a power play goal set up by Mikhail Grabovski and Jake Gardiner. Toronto kept going with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, fueled by Connolly and MacArthur. New York got on the board with Kyle Okposo netting his sixth of the season, via Mike Mottau and Josh Bailey. The Islanders pulled closer in the second period with a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his fifth of the year powered by Matt Moulson and P.A. Parenteau. The Maple Leafs pushed back with a shorthanded Joey Crabb goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Tyler Bozak. New York answered with John Tavares pushing his eleventh of the year over the goal line, thanks to Parenteau and Travis Hamonic. Toronto iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Joffrey Lupul, his sixteenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Phil Kessel. The three stars went to MacArthur, Tavares, and Connolly, while Parenteau earns an honorable mention.

Staying in the region, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Martin Brodeur got the starting nods. New Jersey opened the scoring in the second period with Ilya Kovalchuk on the power play, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Kurtis Foster and Patrik Elias. The Devils added on with an Alexander Urbom goal, made possible by Travis Zajac and Kovalchuk. New Jersey kept up the attack with Adam Henrique registering his ninth of the year, thanks to Matt Taormina and Zach Parise. Washington got on the board in the third period with a Brooks Laich goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals pulled even closer with the twelfth of the year for Jason Chimera, assisted by Alexander Semin. Washington tied it with Chimera sinking his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, guided in by Laich and Semin. The Devils went on to win 4-3 via the shootout, where Kovalchuk and Elias tallied to down the Capitals. Earning the three stars were Kovalchuk, Chimera, and Laich, while Elias and Semin earn honorable mentions.

Over to Boston, where the Bruins welcome in the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Tuukka Rask will be in the nets. Boston struck first on a Brad Marchnd goal, his thirteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal coming from Patrice Bergeron and Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins added on with a power play goal by Milan Lucic, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Bergeron and Nathan Horton. Boston extended the lead with Benoit Pouliot sinking his seventh of the season, with the help of Chris Kelly. The Bruins were relentless when Seidenberg scored, thanks to Joe Corvo and Marchand. At the end of the period, Scott Clemmensen came on in relief of Theodore. Boston stayed strong in the second period on a Gregory Campbell goal, his third of the year, made possible by Marchand and Andrew Ference. The Bruins continued the blitz with Bergeron scoring a power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. Boston made it 7-0 when Marchand potted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, as Chara and Tyler Seguin provided assists. The Bruins doled out more punishment as Marchand finished his hat trick with his fifteenth of the season, and the helpers came from Seguin and Adam McQuaid. The final was 8-0, with Marchand, Rask (30 save shutout), and Bergeron earning the three stars, while Seidenberg, Chara, and Seguin earn honorable mentions.

South to Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Cam Ward put on the goalie pads. Carolina led off with Andreas Nodl scoring his second of the campaign, thanks to Riley Nash and Jamie McBain. Ottawa replied with Filip Kuba potting his third of the season, with help from Nick Foligno and Kyle Turris. The Hurricanes would take the game 2-1 in overtime on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Jay Harrison and Jussi Jokinen. The three stars were Ruutu, Nodl, and Ward (22 for 23 in saves).

A Winter Classic Preview is next, as the New York Rangers host the Philadelphia Flyers. Philosopher Ilya Bryzgalov takes on the fashionable Henrik Lundqvist in net. New York was first on the board in the second period as Derek Stepan recorded his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Stu Bickel. The Rangers extended their lead when Ruslan Fedotenko sank his fifth of the year, via Bickel and Brandon Dubinsky. New York kept scoring in the third period as Marian Gaborik netted his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Anton Stralman and Michael Del Zotto. Philadelphia got on the board with Andrej Meszaros registering his fifth of the year, with the help of Matt Carle and Scott Hartnell on the power play. The Rangers answered promptly to make it 4-1 as Ryan Callahan deposited his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dan Girardi and Del Zotto. The Flyers made it 4-2 on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Meszaros and Matt Read. This was a final, where the three stars were given out to Lundqvist (28 for 30 in saves), Bickel, and Dubinsky, while Meszaros and Del Zotto also played well.

Down to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Richard Bachman are in the blue paint. Dallas opened on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Radek Dvorak and Sheldon Souray. The Stars added on with Loui Eriksson potting his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Trevor Daley and Michael Ryder. Dallas chased Rinne when Steve Ott nailed his sixth of the season, coming off of Daley and Mike Ribeiro. Anders Lindback came on in relief. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Matt Halischuk goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Blake Geoffrion and Jerred Smithson. The Predators pulled closer with the eighth of the season off the tape of Martin Erat, pushed through by Ryan Suter and Shea Weber on the power play. The Stars got one back when Ribeiro netted his fifth of the year, via Brenden Morrow and Ott. In the third period, Nashville pulled back a little closer with a David Legwand power play goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Colin Wilson and Craig Smith. Dallas quickly tallied back with Jamie Benn making his ninth of the year, guided in by Eriksson and Ryder. The Stars iced it at 6-3 with Ryder notching his thirteenth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars were awarded to Ribeiro, Eriksson, and Ryder, while Daley and Ott also played well.

Way to the north, the Winnipeg Jets host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ondrej Pavelec guard the cages. Pittsburgh struck first with a Joe Vitale goal, his second of the season, with a lone helper by Alexandre Picard. Winnipeg tied it on an Alex Burmistrov goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. The Penguins grabbed the lead in the third period on a James Neal goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh extended the lead with the thirteenth of the year for Jordan Staal, a power play goal powered by Kunitz and Steve Sullivan. The Penguins kept the blitz going with Pascal Dupuis recording his tenth of the season, via Tyler Kennedy. The final stood at 4-1 with the three stars being Kunitz, Neal, and Zbynek Michalek, while point earners have an argument to make. 

Back to the south, as the Phoenix Coyotes host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jason LaBarbera will make the starts. Alex Steen got St. Louis on the board first in the second period with his twelfth of the season, and a lone helper was provided by Alex Pietrangelo. Phoenix quickly tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his ninth of the year, and Michal Rozsival had the lone assist. The Blues regained the lead late in the frame on a Matt D'Agostini goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Roman Polak and Evgeny Grachev. St. Louis extended the lead on a Jason Arnott goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Kris Russell and Grachev. The Coyotes got one back when Keith Yandle potted his fifth of the season, with the help of Raffi Torres and Cal O'Reilly. They failed to get an equalizer, leaving the final at 3-2. The three stars went to D'Agostini, Steen, and Doan, with Grachev as an honorable mention.

A little to the north, the Colorado Avalanche host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and fellow French-Canadian Jean-Sebastien Giguere are under the goalie masks. Tampa Bay was first to score as Pavel Kubina put his second of the season in the mesh, and Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis had the assists. Colorado tied it in the second period with Ryan O'Reilly potting his eighth of the year, courtesy of Shane O'Brien and Milan Hejduk. The Avalanche went on to win 2-1 in overtime on a Matt Duchene goal, his twelfth of the campaign, made possible by Stefan Elliott and Gabriel Landeskog. Duchene, O'Reilly, and Kubina were the three stars.

Northwest of that, the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Roberto Luongo got the starting nods. Calgary got on the board with a third period Curtis Glencross goal, his fourteenth of the season, with assists from Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester. The Flames added on with the third of the year for Mikael Backlund, and the lone helper was provided by Lee Stempniak. Vancouver got on the board when Dan Hamhuis deposited his third of the campaign, thanks to Kevin Bieksa and Cody Hodgson. Calgary iced it with Olli Jokinen scoring his twelfth of the year into the empty net with assistance from Iginla and Glencross for a 3-1 win. The three stars were Irving (29 for 30 in saves), Alexandre Burrows, and Glencross, with Iginla for honorable mention.

Finally, the Battle of California continues when the San Jose Sharks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose got things started in the second period with Logan Couture netting his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Ryane Clowe and Patrick Marleau. Los Angeles tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Mike Richards, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty on the power play. The game went to a shootout, where the Sharks topped the Kings on a lone tally by Clowe. The three stars were awarded to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Niemi (28 for 29 in saves), and Quick (34 for 35 in saves), while Clowe should be named MVP.

Happy holidays to everybody out there. Football will be posted a day late, as the games are on Saturday. I will have them out on Sunday. Hockey is off until Monday, so enjoy the break if there's nothing on for you.

NHL Day 78 2011-2012

Eight games on as we head into the second to last day before the holiday break. First up, we have a rivalry match between...

The New York Rangers in the Madison Square Garden, hosting the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Biron will be playing in the creases. Brandon Dubinsky put the Rangers up first with his second of the season, assisted by Stu Bickel and the goalie Biron. The Islanders tied it on a power play goal in the second period, P.A. Parenteau's sixth of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Matt Moulson. The Rangers regained the lead with Marian Gaborik depositing his twentieth of the season, via Artem Anisimov. The Rangers extended the lead on Michael Del Zotto's fourth of the year, with helpers by Brandon Prust and Anton Stralman. The Islanders got one back as Moulson put away his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal, guided in by John Tavares and Streit. The Rangers made it 4-2 on a John Mitchell empty net goal, his second of the year, helped along by Dubinsky and Stralman. The three stars in this game were Del Zotto, Biron (24 for 26 in saves), and Anisimov, while Moulson, Streit, Dubinsky, and Stralman also all played well.

Northward to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs welcome in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and James Reimer tend the twines. Jason Pominville put Buffalo ahead first in the second period with his eleventh of the season, a power play goal with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. Toronto tied it on Dave Steckel's sixth of the year, courtesy of Luke Schenn and Joey Crabb. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead with Phil Kessel netting his twentieth of the season, coming off of Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf. The Sabres retied it on a Derek Roy goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, thanks to Pominville. Toronto regained the lead with a Nazem Kadri goal, helped along by Clarke MacArthur. This made it 3-2, good enough for a win, and the three stars were Kessel, Reimer (40 for 42 in saves), and Pominville.

Staying in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers. Current Panther backup Scott Clemmensen opposes another former Panther backup in net, in the form of Craig Anderson. Ottawa led off with a Chris Neil power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson. Florida tied it in the second period with Michal Repik making a power play goal, with help from Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg. The Senators grabbed the lead again in the third period, as Alfredsson netted his tenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Neil. The Panthers got another equalizer with Shawn Matthias netting his sixth of the season, another power play goal, fueled by Brian Campbell and Mike Santorelli. Ottawa grabbed the lead back with Karlsson registering his fourth of the year, as Alfredsson and Colin Greening picked up the helpers. Florida got a late equalizer again with Tomas Kopecky potting his fifth of the season, first having seen the tape of Versteeg and Matt Bradley. The Senators took the game 4-3 in overtime on the third of the year for Bobby Butler, via Kyle Turris and Jared Cowen. The three stars were given to Alfredsson, Neil, and Butler, while Versteeg and Karlsson are given honorable mention.

Back to the states, where the Nashville Predators are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Pekka Rinne get the starting nods. Nashville led off by a power play goal off the tape of Mike Fisher, his seventh of the season, with helpers provided by Sergei Kostitsyn and Ryan Suter. Columbus tied the game when Jeff Carter recorded his eighth of the year, and the lone assist came from Vinny Prospal. The Blue Jackets took the lead on another Carter goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal from Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus kept on the attack with a power play goal by Ryan Johansen, his sixth of the year, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Derick Brassard. Carter completed the hat trick and added on to the Blue Jackets lead with his tenth of the season, another power play goal, made possible by Nash and Nikita Nikitin. The Predators got one back in the second period as Patric Hornqvist put away his ninth of the year, assisted by Shea Weber and David Legwand. Columbus replied with the second of the game and seventh of the season for Johansen, coming off of Umberger and Brassard on the power play. Nashville shot back with a Nick Spaling goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Colin Wilson and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators clawed back with Roman Josi netting his second of the season, thanks to Francis Bouillon and Martin Erat. Nashville tied it late in the third period when Legwand scored on the power play, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Wilson and Weber. The Predators struck again later in the third period to take a 6-5 lead with the seventh of the campaign by Erat, set up by Suter and Weber, the latter tallying a sock trick. They weathered on to the end nine seconds later and won, with the three stars being Erat, Carter, and Legwand, while honorable mentions include Johansen, Brassard, Nash, Umberger, Weber, Suter, and Wilson.

Back into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ondrej Pavelec will try to stop the puck. Blake Wheeler got Winnipeg on the board first with his fourth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets added on with a Tanner Glass goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period on another Wheeler goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Ron Hainsey and the goalie Pavelec. The Jets iced it at 4-0 in the third period with a Tim Stapleton goal, set up by Wheeler and Zach Bogosian. The three stars were awarded to Wheeler, Pavelec (27 save shutout), and Glass.

To the southwest a tad, as the Calgary Flames host the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Miikka Kiprusoff are manning the cages. Calgary drew first blood with a power play goal by Curtis Glencross, his twelfth of the season, powered by Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. The Flames added on in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, his second of the year, fueled by Brendan Morrison and Tim Jackman. Calgary extended the lead with Glencross striking again, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jay Bouwmeester. Detroit got on the board when Jiri Hudler struck in his eighth of the year in the third period, thanks to Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings made it interesting with an Ian White goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk for a 3-2 score. The Flames held on to this score as a margin of victory, and the three stars were Glencross, Datsyuk, and Jackman.

In northern Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Nikolai Khabibulin get the starting nods. Edmonton led off with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourteenth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Oilers added on with Ryan Smyth recording his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Ladislav Smid and Tom Gilbert. Edmonton extended the lead again with Lennart Petrell notching his third of the season, shorthanded and unassisted. The Oilers attacked again with Eberle potting his second of the night and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Corey Potter. Minnesota got on the board with the tenth of the season for Dany Heatley, fueled by Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen. The final was 4-1 and the three stars were given to Eberle, Khabibulin (30 for 31 in saves), and Smyth.

Finally, the Battle of California is fired up again when the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick are called on to play goal. Niklas Hagman got things started for Anaheim in the second period with his sixth of the season, assisted by Lubomir Visnovsky and Luca Sbisa. Los Angeles tied it with the twelfth of the year by Mike Richards, courtesy of Drew Doughty. The Kings took the lead with Dustin Brown recording his eighth of the season in the third period, thanks to Anze Kopitar and Doughty. Visnovsky got a late equalizer for the Ducks on his third of the year, made possible by Hagman and Toni Lydman. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Jarret Stoll and Brown led Los Angeles to a 3-2 victory over Anaheim, whose one tally from Corey Perry wasn't quite enough. The three stars were Doughty, Visnovsky, and Brown, while Hagman also played well.

Thursday Night Game week 16

This week, the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans. Houston opened with an Arian Foster touchdown run of 9 yards and a Neil Rackers extra point. Adam Vinatieri answered for Indianapolis with a 23 yard field goal. Rackers got it back for the Texans with a 44 yard field goal. The Colts replied in the second quarter on Vinatieri's boot kicking a 32 yard field goal for a 10-6 halftime score. The kickers exchanged field goals of 35 for Rackers and 47 for Vinatieri in the third quarter before trading again straight up in the fourth on 31 yard kicks. Indianapolis sealed the deal late with a 1 yard Reggie Wayne touchdown reception off a Dan Orlovsky pass, and Vinatieri's extra point made it 19-16. The Colts go to 2-13 while the Texans are now 10-5.

NHL Day 77 2011-2012

Just six games on, even if it feels like a little bit more than that, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes welcoming the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Cam Ward were given starting duties. Phoenix opened on a Ray Whitney goal, his twelfth of the season, coming from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Martin Hanzal on the power play. Carolina tied it with Tuomo Ruutu netting his eleventh of the year, with the help of Alexei Poinkarovsky and Jussi Jokinen. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with Andreas Nodl scoring, thanks to Jaroslav Spacek. Carolina extended the lead when Jiri Tlusty recorded his seventh of the season, and the lone assist was by Justin Faulk. The Coyotes got one back as Cal O'Reilly sank his second of the year, fueled by David Rundblad and Kyle Chipchura. Phoenix tied it in the third period when Rostislav Klesla scored, coming off of Lauri Korpikoski and Daymond Langkow. The Coyotes took the lead when Korpikoski sank his ninth of the season, via Derek Morris and Whitney. This made it 4-3, an eventual final, where the three stars are Korpikoski, Whitney, and Ruutu.

In the Midwest, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Official backups Peter Budaj and Corey Crawford get to make the spot starts. Montreal led off in the second period when Andrei Kostitsyn made his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Plekanec and Raphael Diaz. Chicago tied it with the eighth of the year for Andrew Brunette, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks got the lead with Patrick Sharp registering his eighteenth of the season, and Marian Hossa had the lone assist. Chicago extended the lead as Viktor Stalberg notched his seventh of the year, and the lone helper came from Bryan Bickell. Jonathan Toews made it at 4-1 for the Blackhawks with his twentieth of the season, and Seabrook had the only assist. Chicago ended ahead 5-1 due to Bickell's fourth of the year, with help from Stalberg and Brandon Pirri. Crawford (20 for 21 in saves), Brunette, and Sharp had the three stars, while Seabrook and Bickell get honorable mentions.

Down to Texas, where the Dallas Stars host the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Richard Bachman play between the pipes. Dallas quickly struck first with Michael Ryder finding a place for his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. Philadelphia tied it on Claude Giroux's seventeenth of the year, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers took the lead on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Giroux. Philadelphia added on in the second period when Jagr potted his eleventh of the year, also a power play goal, thanks to Giroux and Timonen. The Flyers rolled on in the third period with an Andrej Meszaros goal, made possible by Giroux for a sock trick and Hartnell as his fourth of the campaign. This made it 4-1, and the three stars were Giroux, Jagr, and Timonen, while Hartnell also has a solid case.

North and west to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jean-Sebastien Giguere get the starting nods. Paul Stastny put Colorado on the board first with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Matt Hunwick and Stefan Elliott. The Avalanche added on with Cody McLeod potting his second of the year, fueled by Kevin Porter and Jan Hejda. St. Louis got going when David Backes netted his eleventh of the season, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues tied it on a Chris Stewart goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Patrik Berglund and David Perron. Colorado got the lead back with Jay McClement putting his sixth of the season away, passed from Brad Malone and Shane O'Brien. This made it 3-2, which lasted until the end, and gave the three stars to Giguere (37 for 39 in saves), McClement, and Backes.

Up to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Roberto Luongo will be the masked men. Vancouver struck first on a Chris Higgins goal, his tenth of the season, coming from Mason Raymond and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on as Cody Hodgson put his seventh of the year away, helped along by Jannik Hansen and Manny Malhotra. Detroit got on the board when Todd Bertuzzi scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. Vancouver answered with Alexandre Burrows recording his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Red Wings got it back in the second period with a Drew Miller goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Darren Helm and Danny Cleary. The Canucks replied back when Alexander Edler netter a shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, with a feeder pass from Hansen. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars being Edler, Luongo (38 for 40 in saves), and Hansen.

Finally in San Jose, the Sharks hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. In goal were Mathieu Garon and Antti Niemi. Benn Ferriero got San Jose going first with his second of the season, coming from Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle. The Sharks extended the lead on a Joe Pavelski goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Brent Burns and Thornton. San Jose added on with the third of the season for Andrew Desjardins, and Andrew Murray picked up an assist. Dwayne Roloson relieved Garon at this time. The Sharks kept on the attack with Logan Couture sinking his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe. San Jose was unstoppable when Couture scored again, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Michal Handzus and Clowe. Dominic Moore put Tampa Bay on the board with his third of the year, set up by Eric Brewer. The Sharks got going again in the third period when Burns nailed his sixth of the campaign, and he got assistance from Handzus. The Lightning answered on a Martin St. Louis goal, his tenth of the season, and a lone assist came from Teddy Purcell. San Jose iced it t 7-2 with Marleau notching his thirteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Couture, Clowe, and Thornton took home the three stars while Marleau, Burns, and Handzus earned honorable mentions.