One game on tonight as the St. Louis Blues host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Brian Elliott tend the twines. Keith Yandle began for Phoenix with his eleventh of the season, thanks to Daymond Langkow and Raffi Torres. St. Louis got an equalizer with Patrik Berglund potting his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of T.J. Oshie and Andy McDonald. The Coyotes retook the lead in the second period on a Radim Vrbata goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, pushed through by Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. Phoenix added on with a Shane Doan goal, his twenty-second of the year, made possible by Antoine Vermette and Mikkel Boedker. Boedker extended the Coyotes lead in the third period with his tenth of the campaign, assisted by Vermette. This produced a 4-1 final, with the three stars being Smith (31 for 32 in saves), Boedker, and Doan, while Vermette gets honorable mention.
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Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
NHL Day 183 2011-2012
Tick tick tick! The clock is running out on the NHL regular season, and there are 14 games on tonight. We will start with a meaningless game...
As the New York Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Al Montoya got the call to start. New York began with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, assisted by John Tavares. The Islanders added on with a Kyle Okposo goal, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen. Tobias Enstrom got one back for Winnipeg on his sixth of the season, via Jim Slater and Dustin Byfuglien. Andrew Ladd tied it for the Jets on his twenty-eighth of the year, coming off of Bryan Little and Zach Bogosian. New York regained the lead with a second period Okposo goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, set up by Tavares. Winnipeg tied it again in the third period as Bogosian shelved his fifth of the year, with the help of Chris Thorburn. The Islanders again took the lead when Michael Grabner sneaked his eighteenth of the season in on a penalty shot. The Jets took little time in finding an equalizer, as Byfuglien found a place for his twelfth of the year, and Enstrom had the lone assist. New York steered the game away from overtime with another Grabner goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, pushed through by Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald for a 5-4 victory. The three stars went to Grabner, Okposo, and Tavares, with honorable mentions for Byfuglien, Bogosian and Enstrom.
Up north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Ben Scrivens try to stop the puck. Tampa Bay struck first with a Martin St. Louis goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Brian Lee and Ryan Malone. Toronto tied it as Tim Connolly netted his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Jake Gardiner and Dave Steckel. The Lightning took the lead with a third period Steven Stamkos goal, his fifty-ninth of the season, made possible by Bruno Gervais and St. Louis. The Maple Leafs got another equalizer with Gardiner notching his seventh of the year, an unassisted goal. Toronto took the game in overtime with Dion Phaneuf recording his eleventh of the campaign, guided in by Phil Kessel. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Phaneuf, Gardiner, and Stamkos, while St. Louis gets the honorable mention.
We finally uncover some playoff teams when we head to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Marc-Andre Fleury are in front of the nets. Pittsburgh opened with a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, set up by Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. New York tied it on a Brandon Dubinsky tally, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. The Penguins took the lead again on a Tyler Kennedy goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Jordan Staal and Zbynek Michalek. Pittsburgh extended their lead in the second period on a Richard Park goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Pascal Dupuis and Eric Tangradi. The Penguins added on again when Malkin put away his forty-ninth of the season, with helpers provided by Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. The Rangers took one back late in the third period with a Boyle power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Dan Girardi and Dubinsky. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with a Letang empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, with a lone Staal assist. The three stars were named as Malkin, Kunitz, and Letang, while the honorable mentions include Boyle and Staal.
Down to Washington, where the Capitals welcome the Florida Panthers with heavy playoff implications. Jose Theodore and Michal Neuvirth started, but Theodore was spelled by Scott Clemmensen for awhile before returning, and Neuvirth was injured, causing Braden Holtby to relieve him. Washington was first on the board with a Jay Beagle goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Troy Brouwer and Karl Alzner. The Capitals added on in the second period when Alex Ovechkin sank his thirty-seventh of the year, via Marcus Johansson. Washington kept going on a Brooks Laich tally, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Keith Aucoin and Roman Hamrlik. Florida got one back as Mikael Samuelsson scored his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Sean Bergenheim and Marcel Goc. The Panthers pulled within one with a third period goal off the tape of Ed Jovanovski, his third of the season, guided in by Brian Campbell and Jason Garrison. The Capitals iced it at 4-2 with an Alexander Semin goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Laich and Dmitry Orlov. Laich, Beagle, and Semin claimed the three stars.
The other huge Eastern Conference game is back in Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the barely breathing Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ilya Bryzgalov guard the cages. Buffalo started the scoring in the second period when Ville Leino netted his seventh of the season, set up by Drew Stafford and Robyn Regehr. Philadelphia tied it up in the third period on a Marc-Andre Bourdon goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Andreas Lilja and Claude Giroux. The Flyers gained the lead as Matt Read scored his twenty-fourth of the season, with the help of Jakub Voracek. They held on from here to win 2-1, putting a serious dent in the Sabres' playoff hopes. The three stars were given to Read, Bryzgalov (25 for 26 in saves), and Miller (33 for 35 in saves).
Down the coast, the Carolina Hurricanes host fellow bottom-feeders, the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Cam Ward are in the blue paint. Montreal was first to score with a second period Blake Geoffrion goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mike Blunden and Josh Gorges. Carolina tied the game with a Chad LaRose goal, his nineteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jamie McBain and Joni Pitkanen.The Hurricanes won 2-1 in the shootout as Eric Staal's lone tally toppled the Canadiens. The three stars were handed to Ward (30 for 31 in saves), Staal, and LaRose.
Back to Canada, with the Ottawa Senators hosting their likely first-round playoff opponents, the Boston Bruins. Youngsters Anton Khudobin and Ben Bishop made the starts. Boston started with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his sixteenth of the season, from Brian Rolston and Jordan Caron. The Bruins extended the lead when Greg Zanon sniped his third of the year, an unassisted goal. Jason Spezza took one back for Ottawa when he netted his thirty fourth of the season, with the help of Erik Karlsson and Filip Kuba. Boston added an insurance marker in the third period when Milan Lucic deposited his twenty-sixth of the year, via David Krejci and Torey Krug. This produced a 3-1 final, with the three stars being Khudobin (44 for 45 in saves), Zanon, and Chris Phillips, while any point-earner can claim the third star.
Just back in the states, we go to Michigan, where the Detroit Red Wings welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Jimmy Howard protect the nets. New Jersey led off with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Peter Harrold and David Clarkson. Detroit evened it in the second period as Tomas Holmstrom scored his eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula. The Devils retook the lead in the third period when Petr Sykora sank his twentieth of the season, with the help of Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus. This was all for the scoring, with New Jersey taking a 2-1 win, and the three stars went to Brodeur (23 for 24 in saves), Hudler, and Ponikarovsky.
A tad to the west, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Josh Harding are all padded up. Chicago had the game's first goal with Jamal Mayers recording his sixth of the season, thanks to Michael Frolik. Minnesota tied it late in the third period on a Cal Clutterbuck power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Marco Scandella and Dany Heatley. The game went to a shootout, where the Wild were lifted to a 2-1 victory on a Devin Setoguchi goal to defeat the Blackhawks. The three stars in this contest were Scandella, Clutterbuck, and Harding (22 for 23 in saves).
Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Pekka Rinne are in front of the cages. Nashville finally dented the scoreboard in the third period when Francis Bouillon scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Patric Hornqvist and Andrei Kostitsyn. The Predators added on with a Hornqvist goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, assisted by Brandon Yip and Mike Fisher. They held on to win 2-0, with Rinne (28 save shutout), Bouillon, and Hornqvist getting the three stars.
Westward again, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Semyon Varlamov received the starting nods. Cam Atkinson got things going for Columbus with his third of the season, thanks to Darryl Boyce and Colton Gillies. Colorado answered as David Jones netted his twentieth of the year, via Jamie McGinn and Paul Stastny. The Blue Jackets got the lead back on a Rick Nash goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, courtesy of Mark Letestu and Vinny Prospal. The Avalanche retied it in the second period when Stastny put away his twenty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Peter Mueller. Columbus took the lead again with another Nash goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the season coming on the power play from Derick Brassard and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets extended their lead with Atkinson's second of the game and fourth of the year, with a lone R.J. Umberger assist. Atkinson put the dagger in Colorado as he iced the game 5-2 for Columbus on his fifth of the campaign for a hat trick on the night, and the goalie Mason had the only assist on the empty netter. The three stars ended up with Atkinson, Nash, and Stastny.
Up in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in their coastal rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Vancouver opened on a shorthanded Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, with a lone Dan Hamhuis assist. Calgary tied it in the third period on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his nineteenth of the year, helped along by Jay Bouwmeester and Akim Aliu. The Flames took the lead with a Curtis Glencross goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, an unassisted goal. Calgary extended their lead as Cammalleri put down his second of the night and twentieth of the year, via Lee Stempniak and Mark Giordano. The Canucks got one back with a Jannik Hansen goal, his sixteenth of the season, set up by Kevin Bieksa and Hamhuis. The Flames held on from here for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being awarded to Cammalleri, Burrows, and Cory Sarich, while Hamhuis gets an honorable mention.
Staying in the province, the Edmonton Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks. Jeff Deslauriers and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Sam Gagner put Edmonton on the board first in the second period with his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Jeff Petry and Ryan Jones. Anaheim tied it with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone Luca Sbisa helper. The Ducks gained the lead when Bobby Ryan scored his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Devante Smith-Pelly and Nick Bonino. The Oilers got an equalizer in the third period when Jordan Eberle sank his thirty-fourth of the year, with the help of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ales Hemsky. Anaheim won 3-2 with an unassisted Ryan Getzlaf overtime goal, his eleventh of the campaign. The three stars went out to Eberle, Teemu Selanne, and Nick Schultz, while putting point earners in there might be a novel concept as the scourge of Anaheim's three star selections travels with them.
Finally, we land in Los Angeles for the second to last Battle of California, with the Kings hosting the San Jose Sharks in a very important game. Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick are between the pipes. Tensions were high early with Joe Thornton dropping the gloves with Drew Doughty. Los Angeles opened with an Alec Martinez power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. The agitation increased as Ryane Clowe and Matt Greene fought shortly after the goal. San Jose tied it with Jason Demers potting his fourth of the year, courtesy of Daniel Winnik and Dominic Moore. The Kings got the lead back on a Jarret Stoll power play goal, his sixth of the season coming in the second period off of Dwight King and Willie Mitchell. Los Angeles added on as Brown shelved his twenty-second of the year, assisted by Kopitar and Mitchell. Clowe returned to pugilism after this goal by taking a dance with Kyle Clifford. The Sharks got one back when Thornton scored his eighteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Dan Boyle and Logan Couture. San Jose tied it as Clowe turned productive early in the third period with his unassisted seventeenth of the year. The Kings regained the lead when Justin Williams made his twentieth of the season, a power play goal courtesy of Martinez and Mitchell, the latter getting a sock trick. The Sharks got yet another tying goal as Patrick Marleau potted his twenty-ninth of the year, a power play goal set up by Joe Pavelski and Thornton, the latter finishing off his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Martin Havlat put San Jose in front with a power play goal of his own, his seventh of the season, guided in by Clowe, who completed his own Gordie Howe Hat Trick, and Marleau. Williams retied it for Los Angeles with a, you guessed it, power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year thanks to Mike Richards and Kopitar, the latter getting a sock trick. Before we go to the shootout, it's important to note the array of tricks, animosity, and fortunate non-calls by the referees in this game, so while it's not hockey by the rules, it was a very interesting affair. In the shootout, Pavelski was the only one to find the back of the twine, leading the Sharks to a 6-5 win over the Kings. The three stars (which won't even begin to cover the degree of awesome in the game) were given to Mitchell, Clowe, and Williams, while Thornton, Marleau, Kopitar, Brown, and Martinez all get honorable mentions for their efforts. These two teams meet again up north on Saturday, enjoy.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
As the New York Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Al Montoya got the call to start. New York began with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, assisted by John Tavares. The Islanders added on with a Kyle Okposo goal, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen. Tobias Enstrom got one back for Winnipeg on his sixth of the season, via Jim Slater and Dustin Byfuglien. Andrew Ladd tied it for the Jets on his twenty-eighth of the year, coming off of Bryan Little and Zach Bogosian. New York regained the lead with a second period Okposo goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, set up by Tavares. Winnipeg tied it again in the third period as Bogosian shelved his fifth of the year, with the help of Chris Thorburn. The Islanders again took the lead when Michael Grabner sneaked his eighteenth of the season in on a penalty shot. The Jets took little time in finding an equalizer, as Byfuglien found a place for his twelfth of the year, and Enstrom had the lone assist. New York steered the game away from overtime with another Grabner goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, pushed through by Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald for a 5-4 victory. The three stars went to Grabner, Okposo, and Tavares, with honorable mentions for Byfuglien, Bogosian and Enstrom.
Up north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Ben Scrivens try to stop the puck. Tampa Bay struck first with a Martin St. Louis goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Brian Lee and Ryan Malone. Toronto tied it as Tim Connolly netted his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Jake Gardiner and Dave Steckel. The Lightning took the lead with a third period Steven Stamkos goal, his fifty-ninth of the season, made possible by Bruno Gervais and St. Louis. The Maple Leafs got another equalizer with Gardiner notching his seventh of the year, an unassisted goal. Toronto took the game in overtime with Dion Phaneuf recording his eleventh of the campaign, guided in by Phil Kessel. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Phaneuf, Gardiner, and Stamkos, while St. Louis gets the honorable mention.
We finally uncover some playoff teams when we head to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Marc-Andre Fleury are in front of the nets. Pittsburgh opened with a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, set up by Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. New York tied it on a Brandon Dubinsky tally, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. The Penguins took the lead again on a Tyler Kennedy goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Jordan Staal and Zbynek Michalek. Pittsburgh extended their lead in the second period on a Richard Park goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Pascal Dupuis and Eric Tangradi. The Penguins added on again when Malkin put away his forty-ninth of the season, with helpers provided by Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. The Rangers took one back late in the third period with a Boyle power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Dan Girardi and Dubinsky. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with a Letang empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, with a lone Staal assist. The three stars were named as Malkin, Kunitz, and Letang, while the honorable mentions include Boyle and Staal.
Down to Washington, where the Capitals welcome the Florida Panthers with heavy playoff implications. Jose Theodore and Michal Neuvirth started, but Theodore was spelled by Scott Clemmensen for awhile before returning, and Neuvirth was injured, causing Braden Holtby to relieve him. Washington was first on the board with a Jay Beagle goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Troy Brouwer and Karl Alzner. The Capitals added on in the second period when Alex Ovechkin sank his thirty-seventh of the year, via Marcus Johansson. Washington kept going on a Brooks Laich tally, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Keith Aucoin and Roman Hamrlik. Florida got one back as Mikael Samuelsson scored his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Sean Bergenheim and Marcel Goc. The Panthers pulled within one with a third period goal off the tape of Ed Jovanovski, his third of the season, guided in by Brian Campbell and Jason Garrison. The Capitals iced it at 4-2 with an Alexander Semin goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Laich and Dmitry Orlov. Laich, Beagle, and Semin claimed the three stars.
The other huge Eastern Conference game is back in Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the barely breathing Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ilya Bryzgalov guard the cages. Buffalo started the scoring in the second period when Ville Leino netted his seventh of the season, set up by Drew Stafford and Robyn Regehr. Philadelphia tied it up in the third period on a Marc-Andre Bourdon goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Andreas Lilja and Claude Giroux. The Flyers gained the lead as Matt Read scored his twenty-fourth of the season, with the help of Jakub Voracek. They held on from here to win 2-1, putting a serious dent in the Sabres' playoff hopes. The three stars were given to Read, Bryzgalov (25 for 26 in saves), and Miller (33 for 35 in saves).
Down the coast, the Carolina Hurricanes host fellow bottom-feeders, the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Cam Ward are in the blue paint. Montreal was first to score with a second period Blake Geoffrion goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mike Blunden and Josh Gorges. Carolina tied the game with a Chad LaRose goal, his nineteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jamie McBain and Joni Pitkanen.The Hurricanes won 2-1 in the shootout as Eric Staal's lone tally toppled the Canadiens. The three stars were handed to Ward (30 for 31 in saves), Staal, and LaRose.
Back to Canada, with the Ottawa Senators hosting their likely first-round playoff opponents, the Boston Bruins. Youngsters Anton Khudobin and Ben Bishop made the starts. Boston started with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his sixteenth of the season, from Brian Rolston and Jordan Caron. The Bruins extended the lead when Greg Zanon sniped his third of the year, an unassisted goal. Jason Spezza took one back for Ottawa when he netted his thirty fourth of the season, with the help of Erik Karlsson and Filip Kuba. Boston added an insurance marker in the third period when Milan Lucic deposited his twenty-sixth of the year, via David Krejci and Torey Krug. This produced a 3-1 final, with the three stars being Khudobin (44 for 45 in saves), Zanon, and Chris Phillips, while any point-earner can claim the third star.
Just back in the states, we go to Michigan, where the Detroit Red Wings welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Jimmy Howard protect the nets. New Jersey led off with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Peter Harrold and David Clarkson. Detroit evened it in the second period as Tomas Holmstrom scored his eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula. The Devils retook the lead in the third period when Petr Sykora sank his twentieth of the season, with the help of Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus. This was all for the scoring, with New Jersey taking a 2-1 win, and the three stars went to Brodeur (23 for 24 in saves), Hudler, and Ponikarovsky.
A tad to the west, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Josh Harding are all padded up. Chicago had the game's first goal with Jamal Mayers recording his sixth of the season, thanks to Michael Frolik. Minnesota tied it late in the third period on a Cal Clutterbuck power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Marco Scandella and Dany Heatley. The game went to a shootout, where the Wild were lifted to a 2-1 victory on a Devin Setoguchi goal to defeat the Blackhawks. The three stars in this contest were Scandella, Clutterbuck, and Harding (22 for 23 in saves).
Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Pekka Rinne are in front of the cages. Nashville finally dented the scoreboard in the third period when Francis Bouillon scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Patric Hornqvist and Andrei Kostitsyn. The Predators added on with a Hornqvist goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, assisted by Brandon Yip and Mike Fisher. They held on to win 2-0, with Rinne (28 save shutout), Bouillon, and Hornqvist getting the three stars.
Westward again, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Semyon Varlamov received the starting nods. Cam Atkinson got things going for Columbus with his third of the season, thanks to Darryl Boyce and Colton Gillies. Colorado answered as David Jones netted his twentieth of the year, via Jamie McGinn and Paul Stastny. The Blue Jackets got the lead back on a Rick Nash goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, courtesy of Mark Letestu and Vinny Prospal. The Avalanche retied it in the second period when Stastny put away his twenty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Peter Mueller. Columbus took the lead again with another Nash goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the season coming on the power play from Derick Brassard and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets extended their lead with Atkinson's second of the game and fourth of the year, with a lone R.J. Umberger assist. Atkinson put the dagger in Colorado as he iced the game 5-2 for Columbus on his fifth of the campaign for a hat trick on the night, and the goalie Mason had the only assist on the empty netter. The three stars ended up with Atkinson, Nash, and Stastny.
Up in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in their coastal rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Vancouver opened on a shorthanded Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, with a lone Dan Hamhuis assist. Calgary tied it in the third period on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his nineteenth of the year, helped along by Jay Bouwmeester and Akim Aliu. The Flames took the lead with a Curtis Glencross goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, an unassisted goal. Calgary extended their lead as Cammalleri put down his second of the night and twentieth of the year, via Lee Stempniak and Mark Giordano. The Canucks got one back with a Jannik Hansen goal, his sixteenth of the season, set up by Kevin Bieksa and Hamhuis. The Flames held on from here for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being awarded to Cammalleri, Burrows, and Cory Sarich, while Hamhuis gets an honorable mention.
Staying in the province, the Edmonton Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks. Jeff Deslauriers and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Sam Gagner put Edmonton on the board first in the second period with his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Jeff Petry and Ryan Jones. Anaheim tied it with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone Luca Sbisa helper. The Ducks gained the lead when Bobby Ryan scored his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Devante Smith-Pelly and Nick Bonino. The Oilers got an equalizer in the third period when Jordan Eberle sank his thirty-fourth of the year, with the help of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ales Hemsky. Anaheim won 3-2 with an unassisted Ryan Getzlaf overtime goal, his eleventh of the campaign. The three stars went out to Eberle, Teemu Selanne, and Nick Schultz, while putting point earners in there might be a novel concept as the scourge of Anaheim's three star selections travels with them.
Finally, we land in Los Angeles for the second to last Battle of California, with the Kings hosting the San Jose Sharks in a very important game. Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick are between the pipes. Tensions were high early with Joe Thornton dropping the gloves with Drew Doughty. Los Angeles opened with an Alec Martinez power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. The agitation increased as Ryane Clowe and Matt Greene fought shortly after the goal. San Jose tied it with Jason Demers potting his fourth of the year, courtesy of Daniel Winnik and Dominic Moore. The Kings got the lead back on a Jarret Stoll power play goal, his sixth of the season coming in the second period off of Dwight King and Willie Mitchell. Los Angeles added on as Brown shelved his twenty-second of the year, assisted by Kopitar and Mitchell. Clowe returned to pugilism after this goal by taking a dance with Kyle Clifford. The Sharks got one back when Thornton scored his eighteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Dan Boyle and Logan Couture. San Jose tied it as Clowe turned productive early in the third period with his unassisted seventeenth of the year. The Kings regained the lead when Justin Williams made his twentieth of the season, a power play goal courtesy of Martinez and Mitchell, the latter getting a sock trick. The Sharks got yet another tying goal as Patrick Marleau potted his twenty-ninth of the year, a power play goal set up by Joe Pavelski and Thornton, the latter finishing off his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Martin Havlat put San Jose in front with a power play goal of his own, his seventh of the season, guided in by Clowe, who completed his own Gordie Howe Hat Trick, and Marleau. Williams retied it for Los Angeles with a, you guessed it, power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year thanks to Mike Richards and Kopitar, the latter getting a sock trick. Before we go to the shootout, it's important to note the array of tricks, animosity, and fortunate non-calls by the referees in this game, so while it's not hockey by the rules, it was a very interesting affair. In the shootout, Pavelski was the only one to find the back of the twine, leading the Sharks to a 6-5 win over the Kings. The three stars (which won't even begin to cover the degree of awesome in the game) were given to Mitchell, Clowe, and Williams, while Thornton, Marleau, Kopitar, Brown, and Martinez all get honorable mentions for their efforts. These two teams meet again up north on Saturday, enjoy.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
MLB Day 4 2012
Seven games as the Opening Day festivities kick up a bit. Most games would be classified as matinees or afternoon specials. We begin in...
Detroit, with the Tigers hosting the Boston Red Sox. Jon Lester and Justin Verlander are the pitchers. Detroit got the first run in the seventh inning as Alex Avila doubled to score Jhonny Peralta. The Tigers added on with a Prince Fielder sacrifice fly that allowed Austin Jackson safe passage home. Boston got one back in the ninth inning as David Ortiz hit his own sacrifice fly and Dustin Pedroia scored. The Red Sox tied it with Ryan Sweeney tripling to drive in pinch-runner Darnell McDonald. Detroit eked out a victory with Jackson hitting a walk-off single to secure a 3-2 win as pinch-runner Danny Worth scored. Jose Valverde got the win despite blowing the save, while Mark Melancon was pinned with the loss.
Back east a bit, the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves. Tommy Hanson and Johan Santana are given the ball. New York struck first with a sixth inning David Wright single, knocking in Andres Torres. This was it for scoring, leaving the Mets up 1-0, and Ramon Ramirez got the win, Frank Francisco closed for the save, and Hanson was dealt the loss.
Later on, the Pittsburgh Pirates bring in the cross-state Philadelphia Phillies for the battle of Pennsylvania. Roy Halladay and Erik Bedard will start. Philadelphia started off with a Carlos Ruiz sacrifice fly that allowed Ty Wigginton to score in the seventh inning. This was the only run for a 1-0 final, with Halladay earning the win by allowing just 2 hits, Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect final inning for the save, and Bedard suffered the loss.
Westward to Chicago, with the Cubs welcoming the Washington Nationals. Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Dempster take the mound. Chicago opened the scoring with a fourth inning Marlon Byrd single to bring around Ian Stewart. Washington tied it when Jayson Werth drew a walk with the bases loaded, forcing Ian Desmond home. The Nationals claimed the lead with a ninth inning Desmond single to score pinch-runner Brett Carroll. This was good enough to earn them a 2-1 win, with Tyler Clippard earning the win, Brad Lidge getting the save, and Carlos Marmol getting handed the loss.
Backtracking east again, with the Cleveland Indians hosting the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero and Justin Masterson will pace the game. Cleveland began with a second inning Casey Kotchman groundout that allowed Carlos Santana to cross home. The Indians kept going with a three-run homer by Jack Hannahan, bring around Shelley Duncan and Jason Kipnis. Toronto got one back with a fourth inning Jose Bautista solo home run. The Blue Jays attempted a comeback in the ninth, beginning on a Bautista sacrifice fly to score Yunel Escobar, and they got the tying run with an Edwin Encarnacion double scoring both Kelly Johnson and pinch-runner Rajai Davis. Toronto completed the comeback in the sixteenth inning on a three-run blast by J.P. Arencibia, also scoring Brett Lawrie and Omar Vizquel. Luis Perez picked up the win after four inning of relief, and the 7-4 loss was stuck on Jairo Asencio.
Across the state of Ohio, the Cincinnati Reds welcome the Miami Marlins. Mark Buehrle and Johnny Cueto will pitch. Cincinnati first dented the scoreboard with a Jay Bruce sacrifice fly to bring around Zack Cozart. The Reds padded their lead in the sixth inning as Ryan Ludwick doubled to score Scott Rolen. Cincinnati added more insurance with a solo shot from the bat of Bruce in the eighth inning, and then followed it up with a Chris Heisey double allowing Drew Stubbs to make it home. This left the final at 4-0, with Cueto picking up the win and Buehrle getting tagged with the loss.
Finally, the festivities end in a National League Battle of California with the San Diego Padres hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw and Edinson Volquez were named opening day pitchers. Los Angeles kept things simple when they began scoring in the fourth inning, as James Loney and A.J. Ellis walked with the bases loaded to force in Matt Kemp and Juan Rivera, respectively. The Dodgers added on in the fifth inning as Kemp reached on an error and Dee Gordon darted home. San Diego got to wok in the sixth with a Jesus Guzman double knocking in Will Venable. Los Angeles answered in the top of the eighth on a two-run blast by Kemp, also scoring Mark Ellis. The Padres replied in their half of the inning with Cameron Maybin's two-run homer, which brought around pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida. They never caught up despite the effort, losing 5-3, with Josh Lindblom getting the win after a sickness-shortened outing for Kershaw, Javy Guerra picked up the save, and Volquez was tagged for the loss.
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Detroit, with the Tigers hosting the Boston Red Sox. Jon Lester and Justin Verlander are the pitchers. Detroit got the first run in the seventh inning as Alex Avila doubled to score Jhonny Peralta. The Tigers added on with a Prince Fielder sacrifice fly that allowed Austin Jackson safe passage home. Boston got one back in the ninth inning as David Ortiz hit his own sacrifice fly and Dustin Pedroia scored. The Red Sox tied it with Ryan Sweeney tripling to drive in pinch-runner Darnell McDonald. Detroit eked out a victory with Jackson hitting a walk-off single to secure a 3-2 win as pinch-runner Danny Worth scored. Jose Valverde got the win despite blowing the save, while Mark Melancon was pinned with the loss.
Back east a bit, the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves. Tommy Hanson and Johan Santana are given the ball. New York struck first with a sixth inning David Wright single, knocking in Andres Torres. This was it for scoring, leaving the Mets up 1-0, and Ramon Ramirez got the win, Frank Francisco closed for the save, and Hanson was dealt the loss.
Later on, the Pittsburgh Pirates bring in the cross-state Philadelphia Phillies for the battle of Pennsylvania. Roy Halladay and Erik Bedard will start. Philadelphia started off with a Carlos Ruiz sacrifice fly that allowed Ty Wigginton to score in the seventh inning. This was the only run for a 1-0 final, with Halladay earning the win by allowing just 2 hits, Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect final inning for the save, and Bedard suffered the loss.
Westward to Chicago, with the Cubs welcoming the Washington Nationals. Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Dempster take the mound. Chicago opened the scoring with a fourth inning Marlon Byrd single to bring around Ian Stewart. Washington tied it when Jayson Werth drew a walk with the bases loaded, forcing Ian Desmond home. The Nationals claimed the lead with a ninth inning Desmond single to score pinch-runner Brett Carroll. This was good enough to earn them a 2-1 win, with Tyler Clippard earning the win, Brad Lidge getting the save, and Carlos Marmol getting handed the loss.
Backtracking east again, with the Cleveland Indians hosting the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero and Justin Masterson will pace the game. Cleveland began with a second inning Casey Kotchman groundout that allowed Carlos Santana to cross home. The Indians kept going with a three-run homer by Jack Hannahan, bring around Shelley Duncan and Jason Kipnis. Toronto got one back with a fourth inning Jose Bautista solo home run. The Blue Jays attempted a comeback in the ninth, beginning on a Bautista sacrifice fly to score Yunel Escobar, and they got the tying run with an Edwin Encarnacion double scoring both Kelly Johnson and pinch-runner Rajai Davis. Toronto completed the comeback in the sixteenth inning on a three-run blast by J.P. Arencibia, also scoring Brett Lawrie and Omar Vizquel. Luis Perez picked up the win after four inning of relief, and the 7-4 loss was stuck on Jairo Asencio.
Across the state of Ohio, the Cincinnati Reds welcome the Miami Marlins. Mark Buehrle and Johnny Cueto will pitch. Cincinnati first dented the scoreboard with a Jay Bruce sacrifice fly to bring around Zack Cozart. The Reds padded their lead in the sixth inning as Ryan Ludwick doubled to score Scott Rolen. Cincinnati added more insurance with a solo shot from the bat of Bruce in the eighth inning, and then followed it up with a Chris Heisey double allowing Drew Stubbs to make it home. This left the final at 4-0, with Cueto picking up the win and Buehrle getting tagged with the loss.
Finally, the festivities end in a National League Battle of California with the San Diego Padres hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw and Edinson Volquez were named opening day pitchers. Los Angeles kept things simple when they began scoring in the fourth inning, as James Loney and A.J. Ellis walked with the bases loaded to force in Matt Kemp and Juan Rivera, respectively. The Dodgers added on in the fifth inning as Kemp reached on an error and Dee Gordon darted home. San Diego got to wok in the sixth with a Jesus Guzman double knocking in Will Venable. Los Angeles answered in the top of the eighth on a two-run blast by Kemp, also scoring Mark Ellis. The Padres replied in their half of the inning with Cameron Maybin's two-run homer, which brought around pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida. They never caught up despite the effort, losing 5-3, with Josh Lindblom getting the win after a sickness-shortened outing for Kershaw, Javy Guerra picked up the save, and Volquez was tagged for the loss.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
MLB Day 3 2012
Only one game as baseball comes back for the stateside debut of the season. We start in shiny new Marlins Ballpark, as the Miami (no longer representing all of Florida) Marlins host the World Series champions St. Louis Cardinals. Kyle Lohse and Josh Johnson were on the mound. St. Louis started with David Freese singling in Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman in the first inning. The Cardinals added on in the second with a Rafael Furcal single scoring Daniel Descalso. St. Louis then padded the lead in the eighth inning when Descalso grounded out, offering enough time for Freese to dart home. Miami avoided the shutout in the bottom of the same inning with a John Buck double that brought around Omar Infante. The final held from here at 4-1, with Lohse picking up the win, Jason Motte the save, and Johnson getting stuck with the loss.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
NHL Day 182 2011-2012
Only two games tonight, and in a following post one baseball game as well. We begin the light slate in...
Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sebastien Caron and Peter Budaj are in goal. Montreal opened with an Alexei Emelin goal, his third of the season, set up by David Desharnais and the goalie Budaj. Tampa Bay tied it on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens got the lead back in the second period as Erik Cole notched his thirty-third of the season, helped along by Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Montreal extended their lead with a Cole power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-fourth of the year, powered by Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov. The Lightning pulled back on a Bruno Gervais goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Tim Wallace and Victor Hedman. The Canadiens shot back on a Pacioretty goal, his thirty-first of the year, coming off of Josh Gorges and Plekanec. Pacioretty later sank his second of the game and thirty-second of the season to add on for Montreal, with a lone P.K. Subban helper. The final stood here at 5-2, with the three stars being Cole, Pacioretty, and Desharnais. Plekanec gets an honorable mention.
The other game takes place in St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Brian Elliott tend the twines. St. Louis got things started in the third period with a David Perron goal, his twentieth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. The Blues added on with an unassisted Andy McDonald goal, his tenth of the year. Detroit got one back with a Johan Franzen goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi. The Red Wings got an equalizer as Franzen made his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, with the help of Datsyuk and Bertuzzi. Detroit won with a Bertuzzi shootout goal, toppling St. Louis 3-2. The three stars went to Franzen, David Backes, and Datsyuk, while Bertuzzi gets the honorable mention.
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Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sebastien Caron and Peter Budaj are in goal. Montreal opened with an Alexei Emelin goal, his third of the season, set up by David Desharnais and the goalie Budaj. Tampa Bay tied it on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens got the lead back in the second period as Erik Cole notched his thirty-third of the season, helped along by Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Montreal extended their lead with a Cole power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-fourth of the year, powered by Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov. The Lightning pulled back on a Bruno Gervais goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Tim Wallace and Victor Hedman. The Canadiens shot back on a Pacioretty goal, his thirty-first of the year, coming off of Josh Gorges and Plekanec. Pacioretty later sank his second of the game and thirty-second of the season to add on for Montreal, with a lone P.K. Subban helper. The final stood here at 5-2, with the three stars being Cole, Pacioretty, and Desharnais. Plekanec gets an honorable mention.
The other game takes place in St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Brian Elliott tend the twines. St. Louis got things started in the third period with a David Perron goal, his twentieth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. The Blues added on with an unassisted Andy McDonald goal, his tenth of the year. Detroit got one back with a Johan Franzen goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi. The Red Wings got an equalizer as Franzen made his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, with the help of Datsyuk and Bertuzzi. Detroit won with a Bertuzzi shootout goal, toppling St. Louis 3-2. The three stars went to Franzen, David Backes, and Datsyuk, while Bertuzzi gets the honorable mention.
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012
NHL Day 181 2011-2012
Ten games for the viewing pleasure tonight. We begin with a naturally large Atlantic Division battle as...
The Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ilya Bryzgalov tend the twines. New York was first on the board as Ryan McDonagh shelved his seventh of the season, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on with a Brian Boyle goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of McDonagh and Ruslan Fedotenko. New York kept going with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Dan Girardi and Brandon Dubinsky. The Rangers extended their lead as Ryan Callahan notched his twenty-ninth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Richards and Derek Stepan. Philadelphia got one back when Jakub Voracek sank his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux in the second period. New York answered with Gaborik's forty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and Marc Staal. The Flyers struck again with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, from Giroux and Voracek. Philadelphia continued the comeback in the third period with an Andreas Lilja goal, guided in by Giroux, who got a sock trick, and Jaromir Jagr. New York held on from here for a 5-3 win, with Gaborik, Lundqvist (37 for 40 in saves), and Giroux earning the three stars, and McDonagh, Voracek, and Richards getting the honorable mentions.
Speaking of New York, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Toronto led off with a Tyler Bozak goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Matt Frattin and Phil Kessel. Frattin then dropped the gloves with Marcus Foligno. The Maple Leafs added on with another Bozak goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Kessel and Luke Schenn. Toronto kept going with a Frattin goal to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick, his eighth of the season, helped along by Bozak and Kessel, the latter getting a sock trick. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Alexander Sulzer and Foligno. Sulzer helped the Sabres get closer with his unassisted second of the season. The Maple Leafs took it back in the third period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his twentieth of the year, via Joey Crabb. Buffalo responded with a power play goal off the tape of Derek Roy, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville. Toronto shot back with a Jake Gardiner goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Tim Connolly and Joe Colborne. The Sabres pulled closer again with another Sulzer goal, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Thomas Vanek and Brayden McNabb. Buffalo tied it when Jordan Leopold registered his tenth of the year, thanks to Ennis and Foligno. The Sabres completed the comeback with another Roy power play goal in the overtime period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Vanek and Pominville for a 6-5 win. Foligno, Bozak, and Sulzer had the three stars, while Frattin, Roy, Vanek, Pominivlle, Ennis, and Kessel had the honorable mentions.
Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Johan Hedberg get the starting nods. New Jersey struck early on a Patrik Elias goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Petr Sykora and Mark Fayne. New York evened it with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Mark Streit and John Tavares. The Devils regained the lead as Travis Zajac netted a second period power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Elias. New Jersey iced it with a third period empty net goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Parise for a 3-1 win. Zajac, Elias, and Parise got the three stars.
Rounding out the fifth active Atlantic team, the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Boston Bruins. Backups Brent Johnson and Marty Turco are in goal. Pittsburgh was first on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Pascal Dupuis and Kris Letang. The Penguins extended the lead on a Paul Martin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Tyler Kennedy and Letang. Boston got going with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston. The Bruins tied it in the second period on a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with assists by David Krejci and Rich Peverley. Pittsburgh regained the lead when James Neal scored his fortieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Crosby. The Penguins re-established a two-goal lead as Crosby put down his second of the night and seventh of the year, another power play goal, set up by Letang, who got a sock trick, and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh padded their lead in the third period with an Arron Asham goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Craig Adams and Joe Vitale. Boston shot back on a Peverley goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Lucic and Krejci. The final was 5-3, and Crosby, Lucic, and Letang had the three stars, while Peverley and Krejci get the honorable mentions.
Well to the south, the Florida Panthers take on their Southeast Division rivals, the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jose Thoedore are in between the pipes. Florida began as Marco Sturm potted his third of the season, with the help of Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers added on when Kris Versteeg recorded his twenty-third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Florida struck again in the second period as Fleischmann deposited his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to Versteeg. Winnipeg finally got on the board with an Evander Kane goal, his thirtieth of the year, helped along by Spencer Machacek and Zach Bogosian. The Jets pulled a little closer with a Bogosian goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Andrew Ladd tied it for Winnipeg in the third period as he made his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead with Little's twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by Blake Wheeler and Byfuglien. The Panthers got an equalizer on a Tomas Kopecky goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone Sturm assist. Winnipeg took the game in overtime with another Ladd goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Wheeler for a 5-4 win. The three stars of the game were Ladd, Kopecky, and Bogosian, while Fleischmann, Versteeg, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Little, and Sturm get honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are in the blue paint. Carolina was first on the board with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventeenth of the season coming in the second period off of Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended their lead on a Tuomo Ruutu power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pitkanen. Jason Spezza cut the deficit to 2-1 with thirteen seconds to play, as Ottawa avoided being shut out with his thirty-third of the campaign, via Colin Greening and Daniel Alfredsson. The three stars were named as Ward (38 for 39 in saves), Chris Neil, and Bryan Allen, while better choices would be anyone who actually contributed to the scoring.
Southwest of there, the Nashville Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Anders Lindback are the masked men. Nashville dented the scoreboard first in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Nick Spaling. Minnesota tied it as Dany Heatley put away his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Nate Prosser and Mikko Koivu. The Predators won it with a lone Alexander Radulov shootout tally for a 2-1 victory. The three stars were awarded to Lindback (25 for 26 in saves), Bourque, and Heatley.
Continuing the path, we go to a tornado-hit Dallas (thoughts and prayers with those in the big D) as the Stars host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. San Jose opened the scoring with a Daniel Winnik goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Andrew Desjardins and Brent Burns. Dallas tied it up on a Brenden Morrow goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Mark Fistric. The Stars took the lead in the second period on an Alex Goligoski goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Philip Larsen. The Sharks retied it with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose grabbed the lead on a Logan Couture power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Martin Havlat and Dan Boyle. The Sharks added an insurance marker in the third period as Joe Thornton made his seventeenth of the year, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. San Jose iced it at 5-2 with a Ryane Clowe empty net goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, passed from Couture. Couture, Benn, and Galiardi got the three stars.
Northwest from there, the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Anaheim led off with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Corey Perry. Vancouver tied it on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, coming off of Henrik Sedin and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The Ducks got the lead back with a Perry power play goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, powered by Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. The Canucks retied it on a Chris Higgins goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Dan Hamhuis and Jannik Hansen. Anaheim took the lead again with a Rod Pelley goal, his second of the season, set up by Ryan and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Ducks extended their lead on a Smith-Pelly goal, his seventh of the year, via Ryan, who got a sock trick, and Saku Koivu. Cory Schneider relieved Luongo from here on out. Vancouver got one back as Burrows put down his second of the night and twenty-seventh of the season, with the help of Hamhuis and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it again with a Maxim Lapierre goal, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Sedin and Mason Raymond. The game went to a shootout, where Vancouver won with Burrows, Edler, and Lapierre tallies, all overwhelming Teemu Selanne's lone goal for Anaheim. The three stars of the 5-4 win were Burrows, Ryan, and Sedin, while Edler, Lapierre, Perry, Smith-Pelly, and Hamhuis get the honorable mentions.
Finally, in the desert the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Allen York and Mike Smith are protecting the nets. Phoenix opened the scoring in the second period with a Boyd Gordon goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski and Taylor Pyatt. The Coyotes added on as Gilbert Brule made his fifth of the year, with the help of Michal Rozsival and Daymond Langkow. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars going to Smith (54 flippin' save shutout), Gordon, and Korpikoski.
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The Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ilya Bryzgalov tend the twines. New York was first on the board as Ryan McDonagh shelved his seventh of the season, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on with a Brian Boyle goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of McDonagh and Ruslan Fedotenko. New York kept going with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Dan Girardi and Brandon Dubinsky. The Rangers extended their lead as Ryan Callahan notched his twenty-ninth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Richards and Derek Stepan. Philadelphia got one back when Jakub Voracek sank his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux in the second period. New York answered with Gaborik's forty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and Marc Staal. The Flyers struck again with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, from Giroux and Voracek. Philadelphia continued the comeback in the third period with an Andreas Lilja goal, guided in by Giroux, who got a sock trick, and Jaromir Jagr. New York held on from here for a 5-3 win, with Gaborik, Lundqvist (37 for 40 in saves), and Giroux earning the three stars, and McDonagh, Voracek, and Richards getting the honorable mentions.
Speaking of New York, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Toronto led off with a Tyler Bozak goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Matt Frattin and Phil Kessel. Frattin then dropped the gloves with Marcus Foligno. The Maple Leafs added on with another Bozak goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Kessel and Luke Schenn. Toronto kept going with a Frattin goal to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick, his eighth of the season, helped along by Bozak and Kessel, the latter getting a sock trick. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Alexander Sulzer and Foligno. Sulzer helped the Sabres get closer with his unassisted second of the season. The Maple Leafs took it back in the third period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his twentieth of the year, via Joey Crabb. Buffalo responded with a power play goal off the tape of Derek Roy, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville. Toronto shot back with a Jake Gardiner goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Tim Connolly and Joe Colborne. The Sabres pulled closer again with another Sulzer goal, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Thomas Vanek and Brayden McNabb. Buffalo tied it when Jordan Leopold registered his tenth of the year, thanks to Ennis and Foligno. The Sabres completed the comeback with another Roy power play goal in the overtime period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Vanek and Pominville for a 6-5 win. Foligno, Bozak, and Sulzer had the three stars, while Frattin, Roy, Vanek, Pominivlle, Ennis, and Kessel had the honorable mentions.
Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Johan Hedberg get the starting nods. New Jersey struck early on a Patrik Elias goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Petr Sykora and Mark Fayne. New York evened it with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Mark Streit and John Tavares. The Devils regained the lead as Travis Zajac netted a second period power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Elias. New Jersey iced it with a third period empty net goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Parise for a 3-1 win. Zajac, Elias, and Parise got the three stars.
Rounding out the fifth active Atlantic team, the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Boston Bruins. Backups Brent Johnson and Marty Turco are in goal. Pittsburgh was first on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Pascal Dupuis and Kris Letang. The Penguins extended the lead on a Paul Martin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Tyler Kennedy and Letang. Boston got going with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston. The Bruins tied it in the second period on a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with assists by David Krejci and Rich Peverley. Pittsburgh regained the lead when James Neal scored his fortieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Crosby. The Penguins re-established a two-goal lead as Crosby put down his second of the night and seventh of the year, another power play goal, set up by Letang, who got a sock trick, and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh padded their lead in the third period with an Arron Asham goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Craig Adams and Joe Vitale. Boston shot back on a Peverley goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Lucic and Krejci. The final was 5-3, and Crosby, Lucic, and Letang had the three stars, while Peverley and Krejci get the honorable mentions.
Well to the south, the Florida Panthers take on their Southeast Division rivals, the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jose Thoedore are in between the pipes. Florida began as Marco Sturm potted his third of the season, with the help of Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers added on when Kris Versteeg recorded his twenty-third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Florida struck again in the second period as Fleischmann deposited his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to Versteeg. Winnipeg finally got on the board with an Evander Kane goal, his thirtieth of the year, helped along by Spencer Machacek and Zach Bogosian. The Jets pulled a little closer with a Bogosian goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Andrew Ladd tied it for Winnipeg in the third period as he made his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead with Little's twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by Blake Wheeler and Byfuglien. The Panthers got an equalizer on a Tomas Kopecky goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone Sturm assist. Winnipeg took the game in overtime with another Ladd goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Wheeler for a 5-4 win. The three stars of the game were Ladd, Kopecky, and Bogosian, while Fleischmann, Versteeg, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Little, and Sturm get honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are in the blue paint. Carolina was first on the board with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventeenth of the season coming in the second period off of Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended their lead on a Tuomo Ruutu power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pitkanen. Jason Spezza cut the deficit to 2-1 with thirteen seconds to play, as Ottawa avoided being shut out with his thirty-third of the campaign, via Colin Greening and Daniel Alfredsson. The three stars were named as Ward (38 for 39 in saves), Chris Neil, and Bryan Allen, while better choices would be anyone who actually contributed to the scoring.
Southwest of there, the Nashville Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Anders Lindback are the masked men. Nashville dented the scoreboard first in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Nick Spaling. Minnesota tied it as Dany Heatley put away his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Nate Prosser and Mikko Koivu. The Predators won it with a lone Alexander Radulov shootout tally for a 2-1 victory. The three stars were awarded to Lindback (25 for 26 in saves), Bourque, and Heatley.
Continuing the path, we go to a tornado-hit Dallas (thoughts and prayers with those in the big D) as the Stars host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. San Jose opened the scoring with a Daniel Winnik goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Andrew Desjardins and Brent Burns. Dallas tied it up on a Brenden Morrow goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Mark Fistric. The Stars took the lead in the second period on an Alex Goligoski goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Philip Larsen. The Sharks retied it with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose grabbed the lead on a Logan Couture power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Martin Havlat and Dan Boyle. The Sharks added an insurance marker in the third period as Joe Thornton made his seventeenth of the year, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. San Jose iced it at 5-2 with a Ryane Clowe empty net goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, passed from Couture. Couture, Benn, and Galiardi got the three stars.
Northwest from there, the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Anaheim led off with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Corey Perry. Vancouver tied it on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, coming off of Henrik Sedin and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The Ducks got the lead back with a Perry power play goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, powered by Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. The Canucks retied it on a Chris Higgins goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Dan Hamhuis and Jannik Hansen. Anaheim took the lead again with a Rod Pelley goal, his second of the season, set up by Ryan and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Ducks extended their lead on a Smith-Pelly goal, his seventh of the year, via Ryan, who got a sock trick, and Saku Koivu. Cory Schneider relieved Luongo from here on out. Vancouver got one back as Burrows put down his second of the night and twenty-seventh of the season, with the help of Hamhuis and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it again with a Maxim Lapierre goal, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Sedin and Mason Raymond. The game went to a shootout, where Vancouver won with Burrows, Edler, and Lapierre tallies, all overwhelming Teemu Selanne's lone goal for Anaheim. The three stars of the 5-4 win were Burrows, Ryan, and Sedin, while Edler, Lapierre, Perry, Smith-Pelly, and Hamhuis get the honorable mentions.
Finally, in the desert the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Allen York and Mike Smith are protecting the nets. Phoenix opened the scoring in the second period with a Boyd Gordon goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski and Taylor Pyatt. The Coyotes added on as Gilbert Brule made his fifth of the year, with the help of Michal Rozsival and Daymond Langkow. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars going to Smith (54 flippin' save shutout), Gordon, and Korpikoski.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Monday, April 2, 2012
NHL Day 180 2011-2012
Only two games, both having some impact on the stretch run. We begin on the East Coast...
As the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dwayne Roloson tend the twines. Washington opened in the second period as Alexander Semin notched his twentieth of the season, with the help of Mathieu Perreault. Tampa Bay got it back on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Twenty-five seconds later, Victor Hedman scored to give the Lightning the lead, his fifth of the season coming off of Nate Thompson and Tom Pyatt . The Capitals tied it in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Semin. Tampa Bay got a lead with a Stamkos goal, his fifty-seventh of the season, fueled by Brett Clark and Brian Lee. Stamkos iced it at 4-2 Lighting on his second of the game and fifty-eighth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Thompson and Eric Brewer. The three stars of the game were Roloson (31 for 33 in saves), Stamkos, and Pyatt, while Semin and Thompson get honorable mentions.
Out west, we end in Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles opened with a third period Slava Voynov goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Brad Richardson. The Kings iced it at 2-0 when Dwight King potted his fifth of the year, with a lone Mike Richards assist. The three stars were given to Quick (19 save shutout), Dubnyk (35 for 37 in saves), and Voynov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
As the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dwayne Roloson tend the twines. Washington opened in the second period as Alexander Semin notched his twentieth of the season, with the help of Mathieu Perreault. Tampa Bay got it back on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Twenty-five seconds later, Victor Hedman scored to give the Lightning the lead, his fifth of the season coming off of Nate Thompson and Tom Pyatt . The Capitals tied it in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Semin. Tampa Bay got a lead with a Stamkos goal, his fifty-seventh of the season, fueled by Brett Clark and Brian Lee. Stamkos iced it at 4-2 Lighting on his second of the game and fifty-eighth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Thompson and Eric Brewer. The three stars of the game were Roloson (31 for 33 in saves), Stamkos, and Pyatt, while Semin and Thompson get honorable mentions.
Out west, we end in Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles opened with a third period Slava Voynov goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Brad Richardson. The Kings iced it at 2-0 when Dwight King potted his fifth of the year, with a lone Mike Richards assist. The three stars were given to Quick (19 save shutout), Dubnyk (35 for 37 in saves), and Voynov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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