How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part twenty-eight tells us about much-maligned starting pitcher Barry Zito.
Barry Zito was born on May 13, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1996, and began attending college at University of California's Santa Barbara campus, where he was named a Freshman All-American. He next went to Los Angeles Pierce College, earning all-state and all-conference honors, before again switching schools to pitch at University of Southern California. Here, he was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year in 1999. After having been a fifty-ninth round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1996 and a third round draft pick in 1998 by the Texas Rangers, Zito finally signed in his third draft, when he was the ninth overall selection in the first round of the 1999 draft, selected by the Oakland Athletics. In 1999, he pitched at three levels of the Athletics' minor league organization, beginning in the Class A Advanced California League with the Visalia Oaks, before a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Midland RockHounds, and then a promotion for a late season start in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League with the Vancouver Canadians of British Columbia (which was their final season in Vancouver). Throughout the season, Zito compiled a 3.16 earned run average in thirteen starts, while striking out ninety-seven in sixty-eight and one-third innings. The Canadians relocated to Sacramento in 2000, becoming the River Cats, and Zito began the year with them, pitching to a 3.19 earned run average with ninety-one strikeouts in 101 and 2/3 innings pitched, before a promotion to Oakland on July 22, 2000. He won his major league debut, and pitched in twelve major league games in total, posting a 2.72 earned run average as well as seventy-eight strikeouts in ninety-two and two-thirds innings. Zito struggled early in the 2001 season, but went into high gear in August and September to end the season with a 3.49 earned run average, 205 strikeouts, and 214 and 1/3 innings of work. He pitched in the postseason as well, starting Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, taking a hard luck loss by allowing just one run over eight innings while striking out six. The Yankees won the series 3-2, and made it to the World Series before losing 4-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2002, Zito had a star-making season, making the first All-Star team of his career. At the end of the year, he had an impressive 23-5 record with just seven no-decisions (five of which the Athletics won anyway), and a 2.75 earned run average with 182 strikeouts in 229 and 1/3 innings. This earned him the league title for wins, as well as the American Cy Young Award for the best pitcher as voted upon by the Baseball Writers Association of America. His one postseason start in the American League Division Series did not go as well as his regular season, an ugly six inning win against the Minnesota Twins in Game 3, striking out eight while allowing three runs. Zito regressed noticeably in 2003, ending the year with a 3.30 earned run average and 146 strikeouts over 231 and 2/3 innings. He made his second consecutive All-Star Game, and pitched in two postseason games against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series. In Game 2, Zito got the win, but he lost the decisive Game 5, allowing the Red Sox to advance. He ended with a 3.46 earned run average and thirteen strikeouts in thirteen innings during the two postseason appearances. Zito's 2004 season was a microcosm of the Athletics season, with another large regression, to the point where it looked like his talent was fading. He ended the year with a 4.48 earned run average and 163 strikeouts in 213 innings, while Oakland missed the playoffs for the first time since he joined them on a full-time basis. Zito rebounded a bit in 2005, pitching to a 3.86 earned run average and 171 strikeouts in 228 and 1/3 innings of work, but again Oakland missed the playoffs. He continued his resurgence in his walk year, 2006, and was the American League starter in the All-Star Game, his third. He ended the season with a 3.83 earned run average and 151 strikeouts in 221 innings pitched. During his time in Oakland, Zito's durability as well as his reliability made him a very valuable pitcher, as he never missed a start and frequently produced at a better-than-average level. After seven years in Oakland, Zito needed a change, hiring big name player agent Scott Boras. He was rumored in deals to the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, but was not traded, instead going to free agency. Here, he managed a then-record $128 million, seven-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. Zito was on his way across the bay for 2007 and beyond. It took hm three starts to get a win, and he struggled for much of the year, thought to be under enormous pressure due to the size of the contract. He possessed a 4.53 earned run average with 131 strikeouts in 196 and 2/3 innings pitched. August was an interesting month in particular for him, as he pitched in relief on August 5th after an injury to help relieve the stress on an overworked bullpen. Two days later, he earned his first run batted in (having been in the American League, he did not have to hit except in interleague play) in the same game as fellow Barry Bonds' 756th home run. Looking for a rebound in 2008, Zito got the opposite of that, struggling mightily and even being sent to the bullpen in early May. He couldn't figure things out all season, ending with a 5.15 earned run average and 120 strikeouts in 180 innings. Zito was better in 2009, returning a serviceable level of pitching, but the Giants did not do themselves any favors by giving him low run support in many of his starts. When it was all over, he had a recognizable 4.03 earned run average and 154 strikeouts in 192 innings of work. Zito looked to be regaining his form in 2010, but ended the season in a slump, seeing his numbers inflate to a 4.15 earned run average and 150 strikeouts in 199 and 1/3 innings pitched. The slump alarmed the Giants management, and he was not named to the postseason roster. This exile left San Francisco with a rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, and Madison Bumgarner, a well-oiled machine that efficiently worked past the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers to win the World Series. While not on the roster, and therefore not officially a World Series Champion, Zito received his first World Series ring for his regular season contributions. The 2011 season as a mess for Zito, as he suffered his first major league injury in his right foot while attempting to field a ball, and made his first disabled list appearance. From April 16th to Jun 28th, Zito was out healing the injury, and he made his rehabilitation appearances with the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants of the Pacific Coast League. In three games, he owned a 2.53 earned run average in twenty-one and one-third innings, before returning to San Francisco. He lasted a month before suffering another injury, and then while rehabilitating this injury with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, he suffered a setback. He finally returned for four starts in September to close out the season. His playing time became sporadic at the major league level due to the emergence of Ryan Vogelsong, who returned from Japan and excelled in the fifth-starter's role. Zito finished with a 5.87 earned run average with thirty-two strikeouts in fifty-three and two-thirds innings during the fractured (no pun intended) season. Looking to be a sunken cost with his massive contract and equally-horrendous statistics, Zito changed his pitching approach in 2012. The results were admirable, with his first start being his first shutout in nearly nine years. He was able to keep his spot in the rotation when Vogelsong came back from the disabled list, and was effective in a majority of his starts. At the end of the year, he had a 4.15 earned run average, with 114 strikeouts in 184 and 1/3 innings. Still, he was unable to earn the respect of Giants fans, and was faced with further negativity when he was named the fourth postseason starter ahead of the struggling fan favorite and former staff ace Tim Lincecum. The fans became even more restless after his start in Game 4against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, which lasted just two and two-thirds innings. The Giants held on to win the game and the next one to win the series, but when Lincecum picked up the win out of the bullpen, the fans were nervous. Zito did his best to prove them wrong in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, with the Giants season again on the line. Pitching against Lance Lynn of the St. Louis Cardinals, Zito had one of his best games of the year, seven and two-thirds innings with just six hits and one walk allowed, as well as six strikeouts. He was the inspiration behind one of the biggest Twitter trends in history, the #RallyZito hashtag. The Giants official Twitter feed created more rally-pitcher hashtags in the next two games, and the results were the same, as the Giants came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the series and advance to play the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. Zito had proven his worth to San Francisco, after six years of average-to-miserable results, and they were willing to forgive him if he could help them win the World Series. In Game 1, he did just that, earning the win by allowing only one run in five and two-thirds innings, with seven baserunners allowed. The fact that he won was big enough, as the Giants worked on short rest while the Tigers were able to align their rotation as they wished. This meant Zito dueled with one of the game's best, Justin Verlander, and got the better of him. Three games later, the Giants had swept the Tigers in the World Series, and the monkey the fans of San Francisco had placed on Zito's back had been lifted. He earned his first official World Series title, and while he will likely part ways with the Giants in the coming years, Zito looks to continue the success he found in the postseason for 2013 and beyond.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
NFL Morning Games Week 12 2012
The fight to catch up continues as I move along to the NFL. Eight early games on, beginning in...
Kansas City, as the Chiefs hosts the Denver Broncos. Kansas City opened in the first quarter as Ryan Succop made a field goal of 34 yards. The Chiefs added as Succop booted a 22 yard field goal. Denver took the lead in the second quarter as Peyton Manning passed 7 yards to Jacob Tamme for a touchdown, and Matt Prater made the extra point. Kansas City shot back in the third quarter when Succop made a 49 yard field goal. The Broncos reclaimed the lead on a Manning 30 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, and Prater was true with the PAT. Denver padded the lead as Prater made a 34 yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and this was good for a 17-9 win. Denver is now 8-3 while Kansas City drops to 1-10.
Up in Indianapolis, the Colts host the Buffalo Bills. Indianapolis was first to score in the first quarter as T.Y. Hilton returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. Buffalo got on the board with a Rian Lindell field goal of 33 yards. The Colts answered in the second quarter as Vinatieri made a 25 yard field goal. The Bills shot back on a Lindell field goal from 31 yards out. Indianapolis replied as Vinatieri made a 19 yard field goal. The Colts padded the lead in the third quarter as Andrew Luck passed 8 yards to Hilton for a touchdown. Buffalo got some back in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Lee Smith, and Lindell was there with the PAT. They couldn't pull even, dropping a 20-13 decision to the Colts, who are now 7-4, while the Bills fall to 4-7.
Over to Cleveland, where the Browns welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh led off in the first quarter as Lawrence Timmons returned an interception of Brandon Weeden 53 yards for a touchdown, and Shaun Suisham made the extra point. Cleveland got on the board as Phil Dawson knocked in a 28 yard field goal. The Browns took the lead as Weeden found Jordan Cameron for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson was there with the PAT. Cleveland extended the lead when Dawson made a 32 yard field goal. The Steelers tied it as Chris Rainey ran 1 yard for a touchdown, before taking the lead on the Suisham extra point. The Browns retook the lead as Trent Richardson ran 15 yards for a touchdown, and Dawson supplied the extra point. This held up under a late flurry for a 20-14 win, with Cleveland now at 3-8 while Pittsburgh drops to 6-5.
Staying in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals host the Oakland Raiders. Cincinnati began with a first quarter touchdown run of 1 yard by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals added on with a 2 yard Andy Dalton touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu, and Nugent knocked in another extra point. Cincinnati padded the lead in the second quarter as Dalton passed 5 yards for another touchdown to Sanu, and Nugent was true with the PAT. The Bengals got some more as Nugent made a 55 yard field goal. Oakland got going in the third quarter as Sebastian Janikowski made a 55 yard field goal. The Raiders pulled closer as Carson Palmer passed 20 yards to Denarius Moore for a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the extra point. Cincinnati answered in the fourth quarter on a Nugent field goal of 20 yards. The Bengals padded the lead some more with a Dalton touchdown pass of 7 yards to Jermaine Gresham, and Nugent again handled the extra point. This iced the game at 34-10, with the Bengals now at 6-5 and the Raiders falling to 3-8.
Down in Florida, the Miami Dolphins bring in the Seattle Seahawks. Miami got going in the second quarter as Reggie Bush ran 21 yards for a touchdown, and Dan Carpenter supplied the extra point. Seattle tied it with a Russell Wilson 3 yard touchdown pass to Anthony McCoy, and Steven Hauschka's extra point was the equalizer. The Seahawks took the lead in the third quarter as Wilson found Michael Robinson for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka booted the PAT. The Dolphins tied the game in the fourth quarter as Daniel Thomas rushed 3 yards for a touchdown, and Carpenter knocked in the extra point. Seattle answered on the ensuing kickoff when Leon Washington ran it back 98 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka came on to make the extra point. Miami tied it when Ryan Tannehill passed 29 yards to Charles Clay for a touchdown, and Carpenter again tied the game with an extra point. The Dolphins won it 24-21 when Carpenter made a 43 yard field goal as time expired. Miami jumps up to 5-6 while the Seahawks are now 6-5.
Still in the state, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta started in the first quarter with a Matt Bryant 31 yard field goal. Tampa Bay answered as Doug Martin ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Connor Barth was there with the extra point. The Falcons took the lead back in the second quarter when Jacquizz Rodgers ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant supplied the extra point. The Buccaneers pulled even on a Barth field goal of 22 yards. Tampa Bay took the lead again in the third quarter as Barth made a 42 yard field goal. Atlanta edged ahead as Matt Ryan passed 80 yards to Julio Jones for a touchdown, and Bryant supplied the PAT. The Buccaneers answered in the fourth quarter as Martin ran in another 1 yard touchdown, and Barth booted the extra point. Barth extended the lead for Tampa Bay on a 48 yard field goal. The Falcons pulled back ahead as Michael Turner ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant was true with the extra point. They held on for a 24-23 win, and Atlanta improved to 10-1 while Tampa Bay dropped to 6-5.
Northwest to Chicago, where the Bears host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota struck first with a Blair Walsh field goal of 40 yards. Chicago answered as Michael Bush ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Robbie Gould was there with the extra point. The Bears extended the lead with a Gould 47 yard field goal. Chicago struck again in the second quarter when Bush ran 1 yard for another touchdown, and then Adam Podlesh made up for a botched hold by running in the two-point conversion. The Bears padded the lead as Jay Cutler found Matt Spaeth for 13 yards and a touchdown, and Gould knocked in the PAT. The Vikings answered in the third quarter on a Christian Ponder 2 yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph, and Walsh made the extra point. Chicago replied with a Gould 46 yard field goal. This made it 28-10, and after a scoreless fourth quarter, it was a final. The Bears are now 8-3 and the Vikings fall to 6-5.
Back to Florida to close out the games, as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee staked a lead with a Rob Bironas field goal of 38 yards. Jacksonville took the lead when Rashad Jennings ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee knocked in the extra point. The Titans pulled back in the second quarter when Bironas kicked a 40 yard field goal. The Jaguars extended the lead in the third quarter as Chad Henne passed 59 yards to Cecil Shorts for a touchdown, and Scobee again made the extra point. Tennessee shot back with a 39 yard field goal by Bironas. The Titans chipped away in the fourth quarter when Bironas made a 33 yard field goal. Jacksonville replied as Henne passed 7 yards to Justin Blackmon for a touchdown, and Scobee booted the PAT. Tennessee shot back as Jake Locker passed 6 yards for a touchdown to Kenny Britt, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Jaguars made it 24-19 when Scobee kicked a 41 yard field goal, and this was a final. Jacksonville is now 2-9 while the Titans fall to 4-7.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Kansas City, as the Chiefs hosts the Denver Broncos. Kansas City opened in the first quarter as Ryan Succop made a field goal of 34 yards. The Chiefs added as Succop booted a 22 yard field goal. Denver took the lead in the second quarter as Peyton Manning passed 7 yards to Jacob Tamme for a touchdown, and Matt Prater made the extra point. Kansas City shot back in the third quarter when Succop made a 49 yard field goal. The Broncos reclaimed the lead on a Manning 30 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, and Prater was true with the PAT. Denver padded the lead as Prater made a 34 yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and this was good for a 17-9 win. Denver is now 8-3 while Kansas City drops to 1-10.
Up in Indianapolis, the Colts host the Buffalo Bills. Indianapolis was first to score in the first quarter as T.Y. Hilton returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. Buffalo got on the board with a Rian Lindell field goal of 33 yards. The Colts answered in the second quarter as Vinatieri made a 25 yard field goal. The Bills shot back on a Lindell field goal from 31 yards out. Indianapolis replied as Vinatieri made a 19 yard field goal. The Colts padded the lead in the third quarter as Andrew Luck passed 8 yards to Hilton for a touchdown. Buffalo got some back in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Lee Smith, and Lindell was there with the PAT. They couldn't pull even, dropping a 20-13 decision to the Colts, who are now 7-4, while the Bills fall to 4-7.
Over to Cleveland, where the Browns welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh led off in the first quarter as Lawrence Timmons returned an interception of Brandon Weeden 53 yards for a touchdown, and Shaun Suisham made the extra point. Cleveland got on the board as Phil Dawson knocked in a 28 yard field goal. The Browns took the lead as Weeden found Jordan Cameron for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson was there with the PAT. Cleveland extended the lead when Dawson made a 32 yard field goal. The Steelers tied it as Chris Rainey ran 1 yard for a touchdown, before taking the lead on the Suisham extra point. The Browns retook the lead as Trent Richardson ran 15 yards for a touchdown, and Dawson supplied the extra point. This held up under a late flurry for a 20-14 win, with Cleveland now at 3-8 while Pittsburgh drops to 6-5.
Staying in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals host the Oakland Raiders. Cincinnati began with a first quarter touchdown run of 1 yard by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals added on with a 2 yard Andy Dalton touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu, and Nugent knocked in another extra point. Cincinnati padded the lead in the second quarter as Dalton passed 5 yards for another touchdown to Sanu, and Nugent was true with the PAT. The Bengals got some more as Nugent made a 55 yard field goal. Oakland got going in the third quarter as Sebastian Janikowski made a 55 yard field goal. The Raiders pulled closer as Carson Palmer passed 20 yards to Denarius Moore for a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the extra point. Cincinnati answered in the fourth quarter on a Nugent field goal of 20 yards. The Bengals padded the lead some more with a Dalton touchdown pass of 7 yards to Jermaine Gresham, and Nugent again handled the extra point. This iced the game at 34-10, with the Bengals now at 6-5 and the Raiders falling to 3-8.
Down in Florida, the Miami Dolphins bring in the Seattle Seahawks. Miami got going in the second quarter as Reggie Bush ran 21 yards for a touchdown, and Dan Carpenter supplied the extra point. Seattle tied it with a Russell Wilson 3 yard touchdown pass to Anthony McCoy, and Steven Hauschka's extra point was the equalizer. The Seahawks took the lead in the third quarter as Wilson found Michael Robinson for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka booted the PAT. The Dolphins tied the game in the fourth quarter as Daniel Thomas rushed 3 yards for a touchdown, and Carpenter knocked in the extra point. Seattle answered on the ensuing kickoff when Leon Washington ran it back 98 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka came on to make the extra point. Miami tied it when Ryan Tannehill passed 29 yards to Charles Clay for a touchdown, and Carpenter again tied the game with an extra point. The Dolphins won it 24-21 when Carpenter made a 43 yard field goal as time expired. Miami jumps up to 5-6 while the Seahawks are now 6-5.
Still in the state, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta started in the first quarter with a Matt Bryant 31 yard field goal. Tampa Bay answered as Doug Martin ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Connor Barth was there with the extra point. The Falcons took the lead back in the second quarter when Jacquizz Rodgers ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant supplied the extra point. The Buccaneers pulled even on a Barth field goal of 22 yards. Tampa Bay took the lead again in the third quarter as Barth made a 42 yard field goal. Atlanta edged ahead as Matt Ryan passed 80 yards to Julio Jones for a touchdown, and Bryant supplied the PAT. The Buccaneers answered in the fourth quarter as Martin ran in another 1 yard touchdown, and Barth booted the extra point. Barth extended the lead for Tampa Bay on a 48 yard field goal. The Falcons pulled back ahead as Michael Turner ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant was true with the extra point. They held on for a 24-23 win, and Atlanta improved to 10-1 while Tampa Bay dropped to 6-5.
Northwest to Chicago, where the Bears host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota struck first with a Blair Walsh field goal of 40 yards. Chicago answered as Michael Bush ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Robbie Gould was there with the extra point. The Bears extended the lead with a Gould 47 yard field goal. Chicago struck again in the second quarter when Bush ran 1 yard for another touchdown, and then Adam Podlesh made up for a botched hold by running in the two-point conversion. The Bears padded the lead as Jay Cutler found Matt Spaeth for 13 yards and a touchdown, and Gould knocked in the PAT. The Vikings answered in the third quarter on a Christian Ponder 2 yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph, and Walsh made the extra point. Chicago replied with a Gould 46 yard field goal. This made it 28-10, and after a scoreless fourth quarter, it was a final. The Bears are now 8-3 and the Vikings fall to 6-5.
Back to Florida to close out the games, as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee staked a lead with a Rob Bironas field goal of 38 yards. Jacksonville took the lead when Rashad Jennings ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee knocked in the extra point. The Titans pulled back in the second quarter when Bironas kicked a 40 yard field goal. The Jaguars extended the lead in the third quarter as Chad Henne passed 59 yards to Cecil Shorts for a touchdown, and Scobee again made the extra point. Tennessee shot back with a 39 yard field goal by Bironas. The Titans chipped away in the fourth quarter when Bironas made a 33 yard field goal. Jacksonville replied as Henne passed 7 yards to Justin Blackmon for a touchdown, and Scobee booted the PAT. Tennessee shot back as Jake Locker passed 6 yards for a touchdown to Kenny Britt, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Jaguars made it 24-19 when Scobee kicked a 41 yard field goal, and this was a final. Jacksonville is now 2-9 while the Titans fall to 4-7.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
KHL November 25th 2012
Due to time constraints, I will forgo any three stars nominations for the nine games on today. Spoiler alert: High scoring games today. First up is...
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist are in goal. Yekaterinburg began with a first period goal by Sergei Nemolodyshev, assisted by Rastislav Spirko. Astana tied it with a power play goal from Roman Starchenko, and Vitaly Novopashin supplied the assist. Barys took the lead in the second period on a Dmitry Upper goal, with Victor Hedman recording the lone assist. Avtomobilist tied it again on the power play as Josef Straka scored a goal, powered by Fyodor Malykhin. Astana took the lead again as Talgat Zhailauov scored, thanks to Hedman. Yekaterinburg pulled even with an unassisted power play goal by Artyom Kryukov. Barys shot back as Dustin Boyd scored, via the goalie Lassila and Hedman, who gets a sock trick. Avtomobilist retied the game in the third period on a Denis Sokolov goal, fueled by Vasily Streltsov. The game went into overtime, where Astana won 5-4 when Nigel Dawes put down an unassisted goal.
To the west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Dinamo Riga. Maris Jucers for Dinamo and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev guard the cages. Ufa led off with a first period goal by Nikita Filatov, courtesy of Andrei Zubarev and Denis Parshin. Riga tied it in the second period on an Alexandre Giroux goal, made possible by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back as Zubarev scored, via Igor Mirnov. Ufa extended the lead on a Mirnov goal, set up by Vitaly Proshkin. Salavat Yulaev kept going with a power play goal by Antti Pihlstrom, powered by Miroslav Blatak and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa got another with a power play goal from Oleg Saprykin, passed from Sergei Zinovyev. Dinamo shot back with a power play goal of their own, as Martins Porejs scored, with the help of Guntis Galvins and Martins Karsums. Salavat Yulaev answered with another Pihlstrom goal, guided in by Zubarev and Kaigorodov shorthanded. Riga pulled back in the third period on a power play goal from Karsums, coming off of Galvins and Porejs. Ufa finished the scoring at 7-3 with Pihlstrom potting his third of the night for a hat trick, and the assists were credited to Zubarev, who gets a sock trick, and Mirnov.
Next, we head south, as Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Edgars Masalskis for Yugra and Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg are all padded up. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the second period with a power play goal by Igor Skorokhodov, powered by Anton But and Denis Grebeshkov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Evgeny Malkin, assisted by Sergei Mozyakin and Nikolai Kulemin. Yugra won 2-1 in overtime with a But goal, with a lone assist from Anton Krysanov.
Back east a touch, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo for Avangard and Andrei Mezin for Traktor have the green light to start. Chelyabinsk started with a first period Jan Bulis goal, passed from Maxim Yakutsenya. Omsk tied it with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, coming off of Anton Belov. Traktor took the lead in the second period when Evgeny Kuznetsov scored, thanks to Yakutsenya. Avangard tied it when Tomas Zaborsky converted a penalty shot he received for being tripped by Deron Quint on a breakaway. Chelyabinsk reclaimed the lead when Vyacheslav Belov scored, with the help of Petri Kontiola. Omsk again tied the game as Sergei Kalinin scored a goal, fueled by Dmitry Syomin and Oleg Piganovich. Traktor edged ahead once more with a power play goal from Bulis, powered by Quint and Kuznetsov. Avangard evened the score again as Igor Volkov scored a goal, guided in by Matti Kuparinen and Kalinin. Omsk took the lead as Kirill Lyamin scored, courtesy of Zaborsky and Andrei Ivanov. Traktor pulled Mezin at this time for Vladislav Fokin. Avangard made it 6-4 with an empty net shorthanded goal by Sergei Kostitsyn, assisted by Nikita Nikitin, and this was the final score.
In the west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne for Dinamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal tend the twines. Minsk struck first in the second period as Teemu Laine scored, with the help of Tim Stapleton and Andrei Stas. Cherepovets tied it with a Niclas Bergfors goal coming on the power play from Mikko Lehtonen and Alexander Ryazantsev. Dinamo took the lead again in the third period on an Alexander Kulakov goal, passed from Stanislav Lopachuk. Minsk extended the lead as Zbynek Irgl scored, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Pavel Chernook. Severstal shot back as Nikolai Kazakovtsev potted the puck, guided in by Denis Kazionov and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Cherepovets tied the game as Vadim Berdnikov netted a goal, with a lone assist by Tom Wandell. Severstal won it 4-3 after a shootout as two goals from Berdnikov topped a lone Stapleton tally.
Back east, Nefekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Spartak Moscow. Sergei Borisov of Spartak and Matt Dalton of Neftekhimik play in the blue paint. Nizhnekamsk opened with a first period power play goal goal by Petr Koukal, powered by Nail Yakupov and Renat Mamashev. Neftekhimik added on in the second period with another power play goal, this time off the tape of Alexander Seluyanov, assisted by Yakupov and Mamashev. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a goal by Mikhail Mamkin, courtesy of Mikhail Yunkov and Alexander Suglobov. They got no closer, so Neftekhimik won 2-1.
A little to the northwest, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco of Donbass and Konstantin Barulin of Ak Bars are between pipes. Kazan got going in the first period when Danis Zaripov scored, with the help of Niko Kapanen. Donetsk tied it with a Clay Wilson goal, fueled by Vaclav Nedorost and Tuomas Kiiskinen. Ak Bars took the lead as Alexei Yemelin scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Janne Pesonen. Kazan added on in the second period when Dmitry Obukhov scored, thanks to Jarkko Immonen. Ak Bars kept going with a Alexei Morozov goal, coming off of Zaripov and Ilya Nikulin. Kazan struck again when Kirill Petrov scored an unassisted goal. Donbass answered with a power play goal by Nedorost, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Kiiskinen. Donetsk pulled closer in the third period with a Sergei Peretyagin power play goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko and Sergei Varlamov. Ak Bars replied on a Morozov goal, passed from Zaripov. Donbass chipped away on a Kiiskinen goal, made possible by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Fedotenko. They scored no more goals, losing 6-4 to Ak Bars.
Westward again, as SKA St. Petersburg hosts Vityaz Chekhov. Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz and Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA are in the creases. Chekhov led off with a first period Anton Korolyov goal, passed from Alexander Korolyuk. Vityaz added on in the second period as Korolyuk scored a goal with a lone assist by Korolyov. St. Petersburg got on the board in the third period when Patrick Thoresen scored a power play goal, made possible by Dmitry Kalinin. SKA tied the game with a Maxim Rybin goal, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov and Igor Makarov. St. Petersburg took the lead when Petr Prucha scored, via Tony Martensson and Thoresen. SKA extended the lead with a Martensson goal, assisted by Kalinin and Thoresen. Chekhov got one back as Josh Hennessy scored a power play goal powered by Evgeny Timkin and Artemy Panarin. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3 to SKA.
Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik for Lokomotiv and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are the masked men. Bratislava began with a first period goal by Libor Hudacek, coming off of Milan Bartovic and Mario Bliznak. Yaroslavl tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Emil Galimov, powered by Artyom Anisimov and Staffan Kronwall. Slovan replied as Lubomir Visnovsky scored a power play goal, made possible by Martin Stajnoch. Lokomotiv tied it again as Niklas Hagman scored, via Kronwall and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Bratislava made it 3-2, a final, in the third period with a power play goal by Hudacek, assisted by Michael Vondrka and Bliznak.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist are in goal. Yekaterinburg began with a first period goal by Sergei Nemolodyshev, assisted by Rastislav Spirko. Astana tied it with a power play goal from Roman Starchenko, and Vitaly Novopashin supplied the assist. Barys took the lead in the second period on a Dmitry Upper goal, with Victor Hedman recording the lone assist. Avtomobilist tied it again on the power play as Josef Straka scored a goal, powered by Fyodor Malykhin. Astana took the lead again as Talgat Zhailauov scored, thanks to Hedman. Yekaterinburg pulled even with an unassisted power play goal by Artyom Kryukov. Barys shot back as Dustin Boyd scored, via the goalie Lassila and Hedman, who gets a sock trick. Avtomobilist retied the game in the third period on a Denis Sokolov goal, fueled by Vasily Streltsov. The game went into overtime, where Astana won 5-4 when Nigel Dawes put down an unassisted goal.
To the west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Dinamo Riga. Maris Jucers for Dinamo and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev guard the cages. Ufa led off with a first period goal by Nikita Filatov, courtesy of Andrei Zubarev and Denis Parshin. Riga tied it in the second period on an Alexandre Giroux goal, made possible by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back as Zubarev scored, via Igor Mirnov. Ufa extended the lead on a Mirnov goal, set up by Vitaly Proshkin. Salavat Yulaev kept going with a power play goal by Antti Pihlstrom, powered by Miroslav Blatak and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa got another with a power play goal from Oleg Saprykin, passed from Sergei Zinovyev. Dinamo shot back with a power play goal of their own, as Martins Porejs scored, with the help of Guntis Galvins and Martins Karsums. Salavat Yulaev answered with another Pihlstrom goal, guided in by Zubarev and Kaigorodov shorthanded. Riga pulled back in the third period on a power play goal from Karsums, coming off of Galvins and Porejs. Ufa finished the scoring at 7-3 with Pihlstrom potting his third of the night for a hat trick, and the assists were credited to Zubarev, who gets a sock trick, and Mirnov.
Next, we head south, as Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Edgars Masalskis for Yugra and Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg are all padded up. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the second period with a power play goal by Igor Skorokhodov, powered by Anton But and Denis Grebeshkov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Evgeny Malkin, assisted by Sergei Mozyakin and Nikolai Kulemin. Yugra won 2-1 in overtime with a But goal, with a lone assist from Anton Krysanov.
Back east a touch, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo for Avangard and Andrei Mezin for Traktor have the green light to start. Chelyabinsk started with a first period Jan Bulis goal, passed from Maxim Yakutsenya. Omsk tied it with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, coming off of Anton Belov. Traktor took the lead in the second period when Evgeny Kuznetsov scored, thanks to Yakutsenya. Avangard tied it when Tomas Zaborsky converted a penalty shot he received for being tripped by Deron Quint on a breakaway. Chelyabinsk reclaimed the lead when Vyacheslav Belov scored, with the help of Petri Kontiola. Omsk again tied the game as Sergei Kalinin scored a goal, fueled by Dmitry Syomin and Oleg Piganovich. Traktor edged ahead once more with a power play goal from Bulis, powered by Quint and Kuznetsov. Avangard evened the score again as Igor Volkov scored a goal, guided in by Matti Kuparinen and Kalinin. Omsk took the lead as Kirill Lyamin scored, courtesy of Zaborsky and Andrei Ivanov. Traktor pulled Mezin at this time for Vladislav Fokin. Avangard made it 6-4 with an empty net shorthanded goal by Sergei Kostitsyn, assisted by Nikita Nikitin, and this was the final score.
In the west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne for Dinamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal tend the twines. Minsk struck first in the second period as Teemu Laine scored, with the help of Tim Stapleton and Andrei Stas. Cherepovets tied it with a Niclas Bergfors goal coming on the power play from Mikko Lehtonen and Alexander Ryazantsev. Dinamo took the lead again in the third period on an Alexander Kulakov goal, passed from Stanislav Lopachuk. Minsk extended the lead as Zbynek Irgl scored, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Pavel Chernook. Severstal shot back as Nikolai Kazakovtsev potted the puck, guided in by Denis Kazionov and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Cherepovets tied the game as Vadim Berdnikov netted a goal, with a lone assist by Tom Wandell. Severstal won it 4-3 after a shootout as two goals from Berdnikov topped a lone Stapleton tally.
Back east, Nefekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Spartak Moscow. Sergei Borisov of Spartak and Matt Dalton of Neftekhimik play in the blue paint. Nizhnekamsk opened with a first period power play goal goal by Petr Koukal, powered by Nail Yakupov and Renat Mamashev. Neftekhimik added on in the second period with another power play goal, this time off the tape of Alexander Seluyanov, assisted by Yakupov and Mamashev. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a goal by Mikhail Mamkin, courtesy of Mikhail Yunkov and Alexander Suglobov. They got no closer, so Neftekhimik won 2-1.
A little to the northwest, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco of Donbass and Konstantin Barulin of Ak Bars are between pipes. Kazan got going in the first period when Danis Zaripov scored, with the help of Niko Kapanen. Donetsk tied it with a Clay Wilson goal, fueled by Vaclav Nedorost and Tuomas Kiiskinen. Ak Bars took the lead as Alexei Yemelin scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Janne Pesonen. Kazan added on in the second period when Dmitry Obukhov scored, thanks to Jarkko Immonen. Ak Bars kept going with a Alexei Morozov goal, coming off of Zaripov and Ilya Nikulin. Kazan struck again when Kirill Petrov scored an unassisted goal. Donbass answered with a power play goal by Nedorost, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Kiiskinen. Donetsk pulled closer in the third period with a Sergei Peretyagin power play goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko and Sergei Varlamov. Ak Bars replied on a Morozov goal, passed from Zaripov. Donbass chipped away on a Kiiskinen goal, made possible by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Fedotenko. They scored no more goals, losing 6-4 to Ak Bars.
Westward again, as SKA St. Petersburg hosts Vityaz Chekhov. Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz and Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA are in the creases. Chekhov led off with a first period Anton Korolyov goal, passed from Alexander Korolyuk. Vityaz added on in the second period as Korolyuk scored a goal with a lone assist by Korolyov. St. Petersburg got on the board in the third period when Patrick Thoresen scored a power play goal, made possible by Dmitry Kalinin. SKA tied the game with a Maxim Rybin goal, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov and Igor Makarov. St. Petersburg took the lead when Petr Prucha scored, via Tony Martensson and Thoresen. SKA extended the lead with a Martensson goal, assisted by Kalinin and Thoresen. Chekhov got one back as Josh Hennessy scored a power play goal powered by Evgeny Timkin and Artemy Panarin. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3 to SKA.
Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik for Lokomotiv and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are the masked men. Bratislava began with a first period goal by Libor Hudacek, coming off of Milan Bartovic and Mario Bliznak. Yaroslavl tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Emil Galimov, powered by Artyom Anisimov and Staffan Kronwall. Slovan replied as Lubomir Visnovsky scored a power play goal, made possible by Martin Stajnoch. Lokomotiv tied it again as Niklas Hagman scored, via Kronwall and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Bratislava made it 3-2, a final, in the third period with a power play goal by Hudacek, assisted by Michael Vondrka and Bliznak.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, Dairy Farmers of Washington, and Les Schwab Tires High School Football Semifinals 2012
It's that time of year again, with football semifinals being played the days after Thanksgiving. The first three games were played on Friday, and then the next four came on Saturday. First up...
Was the 2A semifinal between the Lynden Lions and Capital Cougars. Lynden began with a first quarter 40 yard touchdown run by Josh Kraght, and Alex Otano-Guenther made the extra point. The Lions added on when Kraght ran in a 7 yard touchdown, and Otano-Guenther again handled the extra point. Lynden kept going in the second quarter as Kraght ran a 1 yard touchdown in, and Otano-Guenther was true with the extra point. The Lions padded the lead as Kraght ran in his fourth touchdown of the game, this time from 6 yards away, but Otano-Guenther missed the extra point this time. Lynden struck again in the third quarter on a Kraght touchdown pass of 23 yards to Luke Christianson, and Otano-Gunether booted the extra point. Capital got on the board in the fourth quarter with a Kai Vansickle 37 yard touchdown rush, and Joey Geraci knocked in the extra point. The Lions shot back with Christianson running 47 yards for a touchdown, and Otano-Guenther made the PAT. Lynden scored some more as Christianson ran in a 68 yard touchdown, and Otano-Guenther converted another extra point. The Cougars answered with Derrick Becker passing 48 yards for a touchdown to Ted Maiava, and Geraci came on for the extra point. Capitals inched closer when Vansickle ran 8 yards for a touchdown, and Geraci again kicked the extra point. This produced the 48-21 final, with MVP honors going to Josh Kraght for his outstanding rushing and passing game.
Next up was the 2B semifinal between the Morton-White Pass Timberwolves and the La Conner Braves. The first quarter went by scoreless, and Morton-White Pass led off with a second quarter Rylon Kolb 31 yard touchdown pass to Gianni Bertucci, but Brian Reynolds missed the extra point. The Timberwolves extended the lead in the third quarter as Kolb passed 21 yards to Ben Powell for a touchdown, but they couldn't complete a two-point conversion. The fourth quarter was also silent for scoring, with Morton-White Pass winning 12-0 in the end. MVP honors of this occasionally sloppy and weak offense game went to Tyler Barnett's defensive play, where he had two interceptions in the red zone, likely saving the game for Morton-White Pass.
Wrapping up Friday, the 3A semifinal between the nationally acclaimed Bellevue Wolverines and the Mount Si Wildcats. Mount Si started with a first quarter Nick Mitchell 16 yard touchdown pass to Joey Cotto, and Cameron Van Winkle (who later punted a football into the rafters during second-half warmups) made the extra point. Bellevue shot back with a John Nguyen 10 yard touchdown run, and Ryan Bordner handled the extra point. The Wolverines took the lead on a Bordner field goal of 47 yards in the second quarter. Bellevue struck again when Nguyen ran 5 yards for the touchdown, and Bordner booted another PAT. Bordner supplied some more points for the Wolverines by kicking a 43 yard field goal. Budda Baker extended the Bellevue lead in the third quarter by running 11 yards for a touchdown, and Bordner was true with the extra point. The Wolverines padded the lead as Nguyen ran 1 yard for his third touchdown of the game, and Alexander Kruse came on to make the extra point. Bellevue iced it at 37-7 in the fourth quarter with Bordner making a 20 yard field goal. The MVP honors go to Nguyen for his three rushing touchdowns and power rushing game.
To lead off Saturday, the 1A semifinal between the Montesano Bulldogs and Mount Baker Mountaineers. Montesano opened in the first quarter as Tucker Ibabao ran 4 yards for a touchdown, and Anthony Louthan made the extra point. The Bulldogs added on with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Jensen to Ben Ohashi, and Louthan again kicked the extra point. Montesano extended the lead in the second quarter with Ibabao running 1 yard for a touchdown, allowing Louthan to kick the PAT. The Bulldogs got some more in the third quarter as Jensen passed 2 yards to Shad Rogers for a touchdown, and Louthan supplied the extra point. Mount Baker got on the board as Jake Schleimer rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, but Edgar Zavala missed the extra point. There was no scoring in the fourth quarter, so Montesano win 28-6, and Matthew Jensen received MVP honors.
The next game of the day was the first of two 4A semifinals, with the Skyline Spartans playing the Camas Papermakers. Camas struck first in the first quarter with a 24 yard touchdown run by Nate Beasley, and Roldan Alcobendas made the extra point. The Papermakers added on with a Reilly Hennessey 94 yard touchdown pass to Zach Eagle, and Alcobendas again handled the extra point. Skyline got on the board as Max Browne lateraled to Matt Sinatro, who then fired a 7 yard touchdown pass to Nic Sblendorio, and Sean McDonald came on for the extra point. The Spartans tied it in the second quarter as Browne passed 14 yards to Austin Bui for a touchdown, and McDonald again made the extra point. Skyline took the lead as Browne passed 34 yards for a touchdown to Sblendorio, and McDonald nailed the extra point. The Spartans got some more when McDonald made a 47 yard field goal. Skyline continued to pad the lead in the third quarter with another Browne lateral to Sinatro, who again found Sblendorio for 49 yards and a touchdown, and McDonald again knocked in the PAT. The Spartans extended the lead with Browne firing a 27 yard touchdown pass to Cedric Cooper, and McDonald booted another extra point. Skyline got defensive with the next touchdown, as Andrew Giese picked off Hennessey and returned the ball 33 yards for a touchdown, but the extra point attempt was botched. Camas shot back with a 2 yard touchdown run by Hennessey, and Alcobendas was true with the extra point. The Papermakers pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Hennessey found Eagle for another touchdown, this time a connection of 24 yards, and Alcobendas knocked in the extra point. The Spartans iced the game at 51-28 when Browne found Trevor Barney for 23 yards and a touchdown, and McDonald made his extra point. The MVP of the game goes to the highly accurate University of Southern California commit Max Browne, who threw 28-31 with four touchdowns and 378 yards, as well as being the mastermind for the two laterals.
In a dramatic shift of levels, we have the 1B semifinal between the Neah Bay Red Devils and Lummi Blackhawks in an eight-man game. Lummi was first on the board with a first quarter Jared Tom 74 yard touchdown pass to Austin Brockie, but their two-point pass attempt was swatted away. Neah Bay pulled even as Josiah Greene ran 80 yards for a touchdown, and then they took the lead as Josiah Greene passed to Zeke Greene for the two-point conversion. The Red Devils added on as Tom fumbled in the end zone and was tackled when he recovered it for a safety. Neah Bay struck again as Josiah Greene passed 17 yards to Leyton Doherty for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion attempt was intercepted. The Red Devils padded the lead in the second quarter as Joey Monje ran 79 yards for a touchdown, and then Josiah Greene ran in the two-point conversion. Neah Bay got some more in the third quarter when Josiah Greene ran 25 yards for a touchdown, and then he passed again to Zeke Greene on a successful two-point conversion. The Blackhawks finally answered when Tom passed 36 yards to Devin Cooper for a touchdown, but again the two-point pass attempt was swatted away. The Red Devils shot back as Josiah Greene ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Cody Cummins followed suit on the two-point conversion. Lummi replied with a Deion Hoskins 3 yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion run failed. The Blackhawks pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Logan Toby passed 34 yards for a touchdown to Dino Williams, but for the third time, their two-point conversion attempt was swatted. Lummi chipped away with a Hoskins 1 yard touchdown run, but the two-point rush attempt was stuffed. They got no closer, dropping a 40-30 decision to Neah Bay, with the MVP being Josiah Greene.
Finally, the last game of the weekend was the other 4A semifinal between the Bellarmine Prep Lions and the Auburn Trojans. Auburn got going in the first quarter as Harold Lee ran 1 yard for a touchdown, but Axel Barajas (narrowly) missed the extra point. Bellarmine Prep tied the game as Sefo Liufau ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and then took the lead on the Matthew Phillichi extra point kick. The Lions extended the lead with a second quarter Liufau 66 yard touchdown pass to Drew Griffin, and Phillichi again made the PAT. The Trojans shot back in the third quarter as Jacob Waldo ran 37 yards for a touchdown, but the two-point rushing attempt was denied. Bellarmine Prep added on with a fourth quarter Liufau 21 yard touchdown pass to Garrett McKay, and Phillichi knocked in the extra point. Auburn chipped away with a Darnell Hagans 71 yard touchdown run, and Barajas made the extra point. The Lions weathered a late storm to win 21-19, and Sefo Liufau was the MVP.
Just of note, you can watch all of next weekend's championship games broadcast live on wiaanetwork.com if you're so interested. Based on what I observed, look for Skyline to cruise to victory next week against Bellarmine Prep, and Lynden will likely have an easy win as well. Anything else is up in the air and looks to be good football. Let's have a great third year on this blog. Happy reading.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Was the 2A semifinal between the Lynden Lions and Capital Cougars. Lynden began with a first quarter 40 yard touchdown run by Josh Kraght, and Alex Otano-Guenther made the extra point. The Lions added on when Kraght ran in a 7 yard touchdown, and Otano-Guenther again handled the extra point. Lynden kept going in the second quarter as Kraght ran a 1 yard touchdown in, and Otano-Guenther was true with the extra point. The Lions padded the lead as Kraght ran in his fourth touchdown of the game, this time from 6 yards away, but Otano-Guenther missed the extra point this time. Lynden struck again in the third quarter on a Kraght touchdown pass of 23 yards to Luke Christianson, and Otano-Gunether booted the extra point. Capital got on the board in the fourth quarter with a Kai Vansickle 37 yard touchdown rush, and Joey Geraci knocked in the extra point. The Lions shot back with Christianson running 47 yards for a touchdown, and Otano-Guenther made the PAT. Lynden scored some more as Christianson ran in a 68 yard touchdown, and Otano-Guenther converted another extra point. The Cougars answered with Derrick Becker passing 48 yards for a touchdown to Ted Maiava, and Geraci came on for the extra point. Capitals inched closer when Vansickle ran 8 yards for a touchdown, and Geraci again kicked the extra point. This produced the 48-21 final, with MVP honors going to Josh Kraght for his outstanding rushing and passing game.
Next up was the 2B semifinal between the Morton-White Pass Timberwolves and the La Conner Braves. The first quarter went by scoreless, and Morton-White Pass led off with a second quarter Rylon Kolb 31 yard touchdown pass to Gianni Bertucci, but Brian Reynolds missed the extra point. The Timberwolves extended the lead in the third quarter as Kolb passed 21 yards to Ben Powell for a touchdown, but they couldn't complete a two-point conversion. The fourth quarter was also silent for scoring, with Morton-White Pass winning 12-0 in the end. MVP honors of this occasionally sloppy and weak offense game went to Tyler Barnett's defensive play, where he had two interceptions in the red zone, likely saving the game for Morton-White Pass.
Wrapping up Friday, the 3A semifinal between the nationally acclaimed Bellevue Wolverines and the Mount Si Wildcats. Mount Si started with a first quarter Nick Mitchell 16 yard touchdown pass to Joey Cotto, and Cameron Van Winkle (who later punted a football into the rafters during second-half warmups) made the extra point. Bellevue shot back with a John Nguyen 10 yard touchdown run, and Ryan Bordner handled the extra point. The Wolverines took the lead on a Bordner field goal of 47 yards in the second quarter. Bellevue struck again when Nguyen ran 5 yards for the touchdown, and Bordner booted another PAT. Bordner supplied some more points for the Wolverines by kicking a 43 yard field goal. Budda Baker extended the Bellevue lead in the third quarter by running 11 yards for a touchdown, and Bordner was true with the extra point. The Wolverines padded the lead as Nguyen ran 1 yard for his third touchdown of the game, and Alexander Kruse came on to make the extra point. Bellevue iced it at 37-7 in the fourth quarter with Bordner making a 20 yard field goal. The MVP honors go to Nguyen for his three rushing touchdowns and power rushing game.
To lead off Saturday, the 1A semifinal between the Montesano Bulldogs and Mount Baker Mountaineers. Montesano opened in the first quarter as Tucker Ibabao ran 4 yards for a touchdown, and Anthony Louthan made the extra point. The Bulldogs added on with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Jensen to Ben Ohashi, and Louthan again kicked the extra point. Montesano extended the lead in the second quarter with Ibabao running 1 yard for a touchdown, allowing Louthan to kick the PAT. The Bulldogs got some more in the third quarter as Jensen passed 2 yards to Shad Rogers for a touchdown, and Louthan supplied the extra point. Mount Baker got on the board as Jake Schleimer rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, but Edgar Zavala missed the extra point. There was no scoring in the fourth quarter, so Montesano win 28-6, and Matthew Jensen received MVP honors.
The next game of the day was the first of two 4A semifinals, with the Skyline Spartans playing the Camas Papermakers. Camas struck first in the first quarter with a 24 yard touchdown run by Nate Beasley, and Roldan Alcobendas made the extra point. The Papermakers added on with a Reilly Hennessey 94 yard touchdown pass to Zach Eagle, and Alcobendas again handled the extra point. Skyline got on the board as Max Browne lateraled to Matt Sinatro, who then fired a 7 yard touchdown pass to Nic Sblendorio, and Sean McDonald came on for the extra point. The Spartans tied it in the second quarter as Browne passed 14 yards to Austin Bui for a touchdown, and McDonald again made the extra point. Skyline took the lead as Browne passed 34 yards for a touchdown to Sblendorio, and McDonald nailed the extra point. The Spartans got some more when McDonald made a 47 yard field goal. Skyline continued to pad the lead in the third quarter with another Browne lateral to Sinatro, who again found Sblendorio for 49 yards and a touchdown, and McDonald again knocked in the PAT. The Spartans extended the lead with Browne firing a 27 yard touchdown pass to Cedric Cooper, and McDonald booted another extra point. Skyline got defensive with the next touchdown, as Andrew Giese picked off Hennessey and returned the ball 33 yards for a touchdown, but the extra point attempt was botched. Camas shot back with a 2 yard touchdown run by Hennessey, and Alcobendas was true with the extra point. The Papermakers pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Hennessey found Eagle for another touchdown, this time a connection of 24 yards, and Alcobendas knocked in the extra point. The Spartans iced the game at 51-28 when Browne found Trevor Barney for 23 yards and a touchdown, and McDonald made his extra point. The MVP of the game goes to the highly accurate University of Southern California commit Max Browne, who threw 28-31 with four touchdowns and 378 yards, as well as being the mastermind for the two laterals.
In a dramatic shift of levels, we have the 1B semifinal between the Neah Bay Red Devils and Lummi Blackhawks in an eight-man game. Lummi was first on the board with a first quarter Jared Tom 74 yard touchdown pass to Austin Brockie, but their two-point pass attempt was swatted away. Neah Bay pulled even as Josiah Greene ran 80 yards for a touchdown, and then they took the lead as Josiah Greene passed to Zeke Greene for the two-point conversion. The Red Devils added on as Tom fumbled in the end zone and was tackled when he recovered it for a safety. Neah Bay struck again as Josiah Greene passed 17 yards to Leyton Doherty for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion attempt was intercepted. The Red Devils padded the lead in the second quarter as Joey Monje ran 79 yards for a touchdown, and then Josiah Greene ran in the two-point conversion. Neah Bay got some more in the third quarter when Josiah Greene ran 25 yards for a touchdown, and then he passed again to Zeke Greene on a successful two-point conversion. The Blackhawks finally answered when Tom passed 36 yards to Devin Cooper for a touchdown, but again the two-point pass attempt was swatted away. The Red Devils shot back as Josiah Greene ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Cody Cummins followed suit on the two-point conversion. Lummi replied with a Deion Hoskins 3 yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion run failed. The Blackhawks pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Logan Toby passed 34 yards for a touchdown to Dino Williams, but for the third time, their two-point conversion attempt was swatted. Lummi chipped away with a Hoskins 1 yard touchdown run, but the two-point rush attempt was stuffed. They got no closer, dropping a 40-30 decision to Neah Bay, with the MVP being Josiah Greene.
Finally, the last game of the weekend was the other 4A semifinal between the Bellarmine Prep Lions and the Auburn Trojans. Auburn got going in the first quarter as Harold Lee ran 1 yard for a touchdown, but Axel Barajas (narrowly) missed the extra point. Bellarmine Prep tied the game as Sefo Liufau ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and then took the lead on the Matthew Phillichi extra point kick. The Lions extended the lead with a second quarter Liufau 66 yard touchdown pass to Drew Griffin, and Phillichi again made the PAT. The Trojans shot back in the third quarter as Jacob Waldo ran 37 yards for a touchdown, but the two-point rushing attempt was denied. Bellarmine Prep added on with a fourth quarter Liufau 21 yard touchdown pass to Garrett McKay, and Phillichi knocked in the extra point. Auburn chipped away with a Darnell Hagans 71 yard touchdown run, and Barajas made the extra point. The Lions weathered a late storm to win 21-19, and Sefo Liufau was the MVP.
Just of note, you can watch all of next weekend's championship games broadcast live on wiaanetwork.com if you're so interested. Based on what I observed, look for Skyline to cruise to victory next week against Bellarmine Prep, and Lynden will likely have an easy win as well. Anything else is up in the air and looks to be good football. Let's have a great third year on this blog. Happy reading.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 27
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part twenty-seven is about the interesting reliever Sergio Romo.
Sergio Romo was born in Brawley, California, on March 4, 1983. He attended Brawley Union High School, where he graduated from in 2001. Originally working as an infielder in high school, Romo transferred to pitching in college. He originally attended Orange Coast College, and then transferred to Arizona Western College. He then moved along to the University of North Alabama in 2004 and Colorado Mesa University in 2005. He was still flying under the radar for the most part, but was drafted in 2005 by the San Francisco Giants in the twenty-eighth round. Romo went to pitching in the Class A Short Season Northwest League for the rest of the season, appearing in fifteen games (fourteen starts) for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in Oregon. He owned a 2.75 earned run average as well as sixty-five strikeouts in sixty-eight and two-thirds innings pitched. In 2006, he was promoted to the Augusta Greenjackets of the Class A South Atlantic League, in Augusta, Georgia. Here, he continued to work as a starter before being converted into a reliever. This resulted in thirty-one appearances, ten of which were starts and ten more that ended the game, with his numbers reading a 2.53 earned run average, ninety-five strikeouts, and 103 and 1/3 innings pitched. In 2007, he again stepped up, moving to the Class A Advanced California League to work as a part-time closer for the San Jose Giants. With a 1.36 earned run average, Romo turned nine saves while striking out a whopping 106 in just sixty-six and one-third innings pitched. Romo continued to work his way up in the Giants organization, starting 2008 in primarily a closer role for the Connecticut Defenders of Norwich, Connecticut of the Class AA Eastern League. He turned eleven saves in twenty-seven innings, as well as thirty strikeouts, composing a 4.00 earned run average. Romo was brought up to the San Francisco Giants on June 24, 2008, and made his debut two days later. He was with the team until August 6th, but returned after being designated for assignment to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and stayed with the team to close the year from August 16th onward. With the major league Giants, Romo had a 2.12 earned run average over thirty-four innings pitched, striking out thirty-three batters. Romo began the 2009 season on the disabled list, and after rehabilitation appearances in San Jose and Fresno, he was in San Francisco on May 30th. Romo was deployed in high-leverage and late-inning situations for most of the season. On July 7th, he turned his first major league save against the Florida Marlins. Overall, he had a 3.97 earned run average over thirty-four innings, striking out forty-one batters and accumulating ten holds. His role expanded in 2010, and Romo became noticed as one of the premier setup relievers in the major leagues during the season. For the year, he had a 2.18 earned run average and seventy strikeouts in sixty-two innings pitched. He also pitched to twenty-one holds during the year, and was an easy choice for the postseason roster. In his first trip to the postseason, Romo didn't fare extremely well, blowing two saves (although neither resulted in a Giants loss). He wasn't a complete detriment either though, improving after getting past the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. In the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and against the Texas Rangers in the World Series, Romo appeared four times without giving up a run. The rest of the team was good enough to help Romo earn his first World Series title when things were all said and done. Romo's biggest feat in 2011 was throwing ten consecutive perfect innings during a span of fourteen games, only the fifth reliever in history to do so. At the end of the year, Romo had a 1.50 earned run average, seventy strikeouts, twenty-three holds, and just forty-eight innings of work. Alas, it wasn't enough to bring the Giants back to the postseason. Romo's role increased again in 2012 after Brian Wilson's season-ending Tommy John surgery. He was a critical part of the closer committee, working both in a setup role to the tune of twenty-three holds, and as a closer later on, where he turned fourteen saves, with just one blown save all year. Evidence of his talents are on display in his 1.79 earned run average, as well as his sixty-three strikeouts in fifty-five and one-third innings. Romo was the designated closer during the postseason, and he appeared in ten games overall during the playoffs. His only run allowed during the playoffs came against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, while he was turning his first save in Game 5. He also earned the win in Game 3 of that series. He made four appearances against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, protecting the lead in non-save situations in all of the games. He was only used in games the Giants won in that series. The star-making moment came in the national spotlight though, as he saved Games 2, 3, and 4 in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched three innings in the World Series, playing perfect baseball with five strikeouts, including the final strikeout of the season against Miguel Cabrera in Game 4, which he then emphatically celebrated before being mobbed by his teammates on the mound. Looking to the future, Romo will be a valuable piece of the Giants bullpen no matter which role he is used in.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Sergio Romo was born in Brawley, California, on March 4, 1983. He attended Brawley Union High School, where he graduated from in 2001. Originally working as an infielder in high school, Romo transferred to pitching in college. He originally attended Orange Coast College, and then transferred to Arizona Western College. He then moved along to the University of North Alabama in 2004 and Colorado Mesa University in 2005. He was still flying under the radar for the most part, but was drafted in 2005 by the San Francisco Giants in the twenty-eighth round. Romo went to pitching in the Class A Short Season Northwest League for the rest of the season, appearing in fifteen games (fourteen starts) for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in Oregon. He owned a 2.75 earned run average as well as sixty-five strikeouts in sixty-eight and two-thirds innings pitched. In 2006, he was promoted to the Augusta Greenjackets of the Class A South Atlantic League, in Augusta, Georgia. Here, he continued to work as a starter before being converted into a reliever. This resulted in thirty-one appearances, ten of which were starts and ten more that ended the game, with his numbers reading a 2.53 earned run average, ninety-five strikeouts, and 103 and 1/3 innings pitched. In 2007, he again stepped up, moving to the Class A Advanced California League to work as a part-time closer for the San Jose Giants. With a 1.36 earned run average, Romo turned nine saves while striking out a whopping 106 in just sixty-six and one-third innings pitched. Romo continued to work his way up in the Giants organization, starting 2008 in primarily a closer role for the Connecticut Defenders of Norwich, Connecticut of the Class AA Eastern League. He turned eleven saves in twenty-seven innings, as well as thirty strikeouts, composing a 4.00 earned run average. Romo was brought up to the San Francisco Giants on June 24, 2008, and made his debut two days later. He was with the team until August 6th, but returned after being designated for assignment to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and stayed with the team to close the year from August 16th onward. With the major league Giants, Romo had a 2.12 earned run average over thirty-four innings pitched, striking out thirty-three batters. Romo began the 2009 season on the disabled list, and after rehabilitation appearances in San Jose and Fresno, he was in San Francisco on May 30th. Romo was deployed in high-leverage and late-inning situations for most of the season. On July 7th, he turned his first major league save against the Florida Marlins. Overall, he had a 3.97 earned run average over thirty-four innings, striking out forty-one batters and accumulating ten holds. His role expanded in 2010, and Romo became noticed as one of the premier setup relievers in the major leagues during the season. For the year, he had a 2.18 earned run average and seventy strikeouts in sixty-two innings pitched. He also pitched to twenty-one holds during the year, and was an easy choice for the postseason roster. In his first trip to the postseason, Romo didn't fare extremely well, blowing two saves (although neither resulted in a Giants loss). He wasn't a complete detriment either though, improving after getting past the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. In the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and against the Texas Rangers in the World Series, Romo appeared four times without giving up a run. The rest of the team was good enough to help Romo earn his first World Series title when things were all said and done. Romo's biggest feat in 2011 was throwing ten consecutive perfect innings during a span of fourteen games, only the fifth reliever in history to do so. At the end of the year, Romo had a 1.50 earned run average, seventy strikeouts, twenty-three holds, and just forty-eight innings of work. Alas, it wasn't enough to bring the Giants back to the postseason. Romo's role increased again in 2012 after Brian Wilson's season-ending Tommy John surgery. He was a critical part of the closer committee, working both in a setup role to the tune of twenty-three holds, and as a closer later on, where he turned fourteen saves, with just one blown save all year. Evidence of his talents are on display in his 1.79 earned run average, as well as his sixty-three strikeouts in fifty-five and one-third innings. Romo was the designated closer during the postseason, and he appeared in ten games overall during the playoffs. His only run allowed during the playoffs came against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, while he was turning his first save in Game 5. He also earned the win in Game 3 of that series. He made four appearances against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, protecting the lead in non-save situations in all of the games. He was only used in games the Giants won in that series. The star-making moment came in the national spotlight though, as he saved Games 2, 3, and 4 in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched three innings in the World Series, playing perfect baseball with five strikeouts, including the final strikeout of the season against Miguel Cabrera in Game 4, which he then emphatically celebrated before being mobbed by his teammates on the mound. Looking to the future, Romo will be a valuable piece of the Giants bullpen no matter which role he is used in.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
KHL November 24th 2012
Only one game for today, as Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Jeff Glass for Sibir and Alexander Lazushin for Metallurg tend the twines. Novosibirsk scored first in the first period as Anton Malyshev potted the puck, with a lone assist from Artyom Voroshilo. This was the only goal in the game, with Sibir winning 1-0. Malyshev, Glass (35 save shutout), and Lazushin (24 for 25 in saves) receive the three stars.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Friday, November 23, 2012
KHL November 23rd 2012
We've got another eleven games on today. I apologize if I can't finish this post before I leave the house for High School Football later. Some of the games are a bit late starting. We begin in...
Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco for Donbass and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev are in front of the nets. Ufa led off with a first period goal by Igor Musatov, assisted by Alexander Stepanov. Donetsk tied it as Clay Wilson scored, with the help of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Sergei Varlamov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back on an Igor Mirnov goal, passed from Antti Pihlstrom and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Mirnov and Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev kept going with a Nikita Filatov goal, set up by Yury Trubachyov and Denis Parshin. Ufa iced the game at 5-1 with a third period goal coming off the tape of Andrei Konev, fueled by Denis Khlystov and Vitaly Parshin. The three stars belonged to Mirnov, Pihlstrom, and Kaigorodov.
Next, we head south, as Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Ari Ahonen for Metallurg are set to start in goal. Magnitogorsk began with a Cal O'Reilly goal, made possible by Sergei Mozyakin in the first period. Astana tied it as Maxim Spiridonov scored a power play goal, set up by Nikolai Antropov and Brandon Bochenski. Metallurg retook the lead as Nikoali Kulemin scored, with a lone assist from Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Dmitry Kazionov scored a power play goal, powered by Mozyakin, who got a sock trick, and Sergei Gonchar. Metallurg padded the lead with a Gonchar goal, and Evgeny Malkin had the only assist on the power play tally. Magnitogorsk struck again with another Kazionov goal, courtesy of Justin Hodgman. This prompted Barys to replace Lassila in net, opting to go with Pavel Poluektov. It worked, as he gave up no goals, but they didn't score either, falling 5-1. Kazionov, Mozyakin, and Gonchar earn the three stars.
A little to the east, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov for Yugra and Andrei Mezin for Traktor are between the pipes. Chelyabinsk got going with a second period unassisted goal by Yegor Dugin. Traktor added on when Mazim Yakutsenya scored a goal, with a lone assist provided by Evgeny Kuznetsov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period when Maxim Belyaev scored, and Rinat Ibragimov supplied the only assist. They couldn't tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Yakutsenya, Mezin (17 for 18 in saves), and Dugin.
Up north, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes Avangard Omsk. Eduard Reizvikh for Avangard and Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist are given the starting nods. Omsk was first to score in the first period as Pavel Valentenko scored with the help of Dmitry Syomin. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Nikita Tryamkin goal, fueled by Joffrey Lupul and Fyodor Malykhin. Avangard retook the lead in the second period on an Alexander Frolov goal, made possible by Sergei Kostitsyn and Georgijs Pujacs. Avtomobilist retied the game as Rastislav Spirko scored a goal, assisted by Sergei Gusev and Evgeny Lapenkov. Omsk took the lead again in the third period on a Tomas Zaborsky goal, coming off of Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard extended the lead with a Syomin goal, courtesy of Anton Belov and Frolov. Omsk struck again on a power play goal by Kostitsyn, powered by Oleg Piganovich. Avangard continued with another Syomin goal, passed from Kostitsyn and Frolov. Yekaterinburg got one back as Josef Straka scored, with a lone assist provided by Denis Makarov. This produced the 6-3 final in Avangard's favor, with the three stars being Syomin, Kostitsyn, and Frolov.
To the northwest, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Yakhin for Spartak and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars are in the blue paint. Moscow opened with an Alexander Suglobov goal, with a lone assist by Jakub Nakladal on the power play. Kazan tied it in the second period with a Janne Pesonen goal, fueled by Jarkko Immonen. Spartak took the lead when Alexander Romanovsky scored, via Alexander Khokhlachyov. Ak Bars tied it again in the third period with a power play goal from Alexei Yemelin, powered by Immonen and Evgeny Medvedev. The game went into overtime, where Moscow won 3-2 on a Branko Radivojevic, with the only helper coming from Nikita Shchitov. The three stars went to Radivojevic, Immonen, and Yakhin (32 for 34 in saves).
Just a bit to the southeast, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik are protecting the nets. Riga started in the second period as Paul Szczechura scored, with help from Martins Karsums and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. This was the only goal, leading to a 1-0 Dinamo win, with the three stars belonging to Tellqvist (47 save shutout), Szczechura, and Karsums.
Way to the west, CSKA Moscow hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval for Torpedo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA have the green light to start. Nizhny Novgorod began with a second period goal from Vladimir Gorbunov, passed from Alexander Semin. Torpedo added on in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Makarov, powered by Juuso Hietanen and Matt Ellison. Moscow got on the board as Alexander Radulov scored, with the help of Pavel Datsyuk and Mikhail Grabovsky. CSKA tied the game as Datsyuk scored, and Grabovsky recorded the lone assist. The tie was broken in the shootout by a lone goal from Sergei Shirokov for a 3-2 win by CSKA. Datsyuk, Grabovsky, and Shirokov receive the three stars.
Staying in the city of Moscow, Dynamo hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Alexei Volkov for Dynamo tend the twines. Cherepovets struck first early in the second period as Alexander Ryazantsev scored, thanks to Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal added on as Bogdon Kiselevich scored a power play goal, and Shipachyov recorded the only assist. Cherepovets kept going as Teemu Laasko scored, with the help of Evgeny Ketov and Tom Wandell. Moscow replied when Dmitry Pestunov scored a goal, assisted by Denis Kokarev and Ilya Gorokhov. Dynamo pulled closer with an Alexander Ovechkin goal, courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom and Leo Komarov. Moscow tied it with a power play goal by Filip Novak, powered by Komarov and Backstrom. Dynamo took the lead when Ovechkin scored his second goal of the game, helped along by Backstrom, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Mironov. Moscow iced it at 5-3 with a Backstrom goal in the third period, pushed through by Denis Mosalyov and Novak on the power play. The three stars went to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Novak, while Komarov and Shipachyov get the honorable mentions.
Northwest to St. Petersburg, as SKA welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne of Dinamo and Ilya Ezhov of SKA are the masked men. St. Petersburg was the first on the board as Vladimir Tarasenko scored, courtesy of the goal Ezhov and Ivan Nepryayev. SKA padded the lead as Tony Martensson scored, and Dmitry Kalinin had the only assist. Minsk got on the board as Charles Linglet scored, thanks to Jere Karalahti and Cory Murphy. Dinamo tied it in the third period when Karalahti scored a goal, assisted by Vladimir Denisov on the power play. St. Petersburg won it 3-2 in overtime as Yury Alexandrov scored, and Patrick Thoresen provided an assist to seal the game. The three stars go to Alexandrov, Karalahti, and Ezhov (36 for 38 in saves with an assist).
Southwest to Prague, where Lev Praha hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv and Jakub Stepanek for Lev are in the creases. Praha scored first in the first period as Roman Cervenka potted the puck, with help from Jiri Novotny. Lev added on in the second period as Tomas Surovy scored, courtesy of Ondrej Nemec and Martin Skoula. Praha kept going as Skoula scored, thanks to Marcel Hossa and Nemec on the power play. Lokomotiv pulled Sanford at this time in favor of Vitaly Kolesnik. Lubos Bartecko extended the lead for Lev, pushed through by Jakub Klepis and Mathias Porseland. Yaroslavl got on the board with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, set up by Daniil Apalkov. Praha shot back as Klepis scored, and Bartecko and Petr Vrana were credited with the assists. Lokomotiv shot back as Sergei Plotnikov scored, via Emil Galimov and Artyom Anisimov. Sanford replaced Kolesnik for the third period. Yaroslavl answered in the third period on a Yury Petrov goal, coming off of Alexander Chernikov and Mark Flood shorthanded. Lev replied again when Bartecko scored another goal, helped along by Vrana and Klepis. Praha iced the game at 7-3 with an empty net goal by Michal Repik, and Erik Christensen picked up the assist. The three stars went to Skoula, Klepis, and Bartecko, while Vrana and Nemec got the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Bratislava, as Slovan hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Anton Khudobin for Atlant and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are all padded up. Bratislava led off with a first period goal by Peter Olvecky, courtesy of Tomas Mikus. Mytishchi tied it late with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Sandis Ozolins on the power play. Atlant took the lead on a Viktor Bobrov goal, assisted by Alexander Rybakov and Artyom Dorofeyev. Slovan got it back on a Marko Dano goal, made possible by Ivan Svarny and Olvecky. Bratislava got the lead in the third period on a Roman Kukumberg goal, helped along by Milan Kytnar and Vladimir Dravecky. This held up for a 3-2 win, giving the three stars to Olvecky, Kukumberg, and Janus (33 for 35 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco for Donbass and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev are in front of the nets. Ufa led off with a first period goal by Igor Musatov, assisted by Alexander Stepanov. Donetsk tied it as Clay Wilson scored, with the help of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Sergei Varlamov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back on an Igor Mirnov goal, passed from Antti Pihlstrom and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Mirnov and Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev kept going with a Nikita Filatov goal, set up by Yury Trubachyov and Denis Parshin. Ufa iced the game at 5-1 with a third period goal coming off the tape of Andrei Konev, fueled by Denis Khlystov and Vitaly Parshin. The three stars belonged to Mirnov, Pihlstrom, and Kaigorodov.
Next, we head south, as Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Ari Ahonen for Metallurg are set to start in goal. Magnitogorsk began with a Cal O'Reilly goal, made possible by Sergei Mozyakin in the first period. Astana tied it as Maxim Spiridonov scored a power play goal, set up by Nikolai Antropov and Brandon Bochenski. Metallurg retook the lead as Nikoali Kulemin scored, with a lone assist from Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Dmitry Kazionov scored a power play goal, powered by Mozyakin, who got a sock trick, and Sergei Gonchar. Metallurg padded the lead with a Gonchar goal, and Evgeny Malkin had the only assist on the power play tally. Magnitogorsk struck again with another Kazionov goal, courtesy of Justin Hodgman. This prompted Barys to replace Lassila in net, opting to go with Pavel Poluektov. It worked, as he gave up no goals, but they didn't score either, falling 5-1. Kazionov, Mozyakin, and Gonchar earn the three stars.
A little to the east, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov for Yugra and Andrei Mezin for Traktor are between the pipes. Chelyabinsk got going with a second period unassisted goal by Yegor Dugin. Traktor added on when Mazim Yakutsenya scored a goal, with a lone assist provided by Evgeny Kuznetsov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period when Maxim Belyaev scored, and Rinat Ibragimov supplied the only assist. They couldn't tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Yakutsenya, Mezin (17 for 18 in saves), and Dugin.
Up north, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes Avangard Omsk. Eduard Reizvikh for Avangard and Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist are given the starting nods. Omsk was first to score in the first period as Pavel Valentenko scored with the help of Dmitry Syomin. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Nikita Tryamkin goal, fueled by Joffrey Lupul and Fyodor Malykhin. Avangard retook the lead in the second period on an Alexander Frolov goal, made possible by Sergei Kostitsyn and Georgijs Pujacs. Avtomobilist retied the game as Rastislav Spirko scored a goal, assisted by Sergei Gusev and Evgeny Lapenkov. Omsk took the lead again in the third period on a Tomas Zaborsky goal, coming off of Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard extended the lead with a Syomin goal, courtesy of Anton Belov and Frolov. Omsk struck again on a power play goal by Kostitsyn, powered by Oleg Piganovich. Avangard continued with another Syomin goal, passed from Kostitsyn and Frolov. Yekaterinburg got one back as Josef Straka scored, with a lone assist provided by Denis Makarov. This produced the 6-3 final in Avangard's favor, with the three stars being Syomin, Kostitsyn, and Frolov.
To the northwest, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Yakhin for Spartak and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars are in the blue paint. Moscow opened with an Alexander Suglobov goal, with a lone assist by Jakub Nakladal on the power play. Kazan tied it in the second period with a Janne Pesonen goal, fueled by Jarkko Immonen. Spartak took the lead when Alexander Romanovsky scored, via Alexander Khokhlachyov. Ak Bars tied it again in the third period with a power play goal from Alexei Yemelin, powered by Immonen and Evgeny Medvedev. The game went into overtime, where Moscow won 3-2 on a Branko Radivojevic, with the only helper coming from Nikita Shchitov. The three stars went to Radivojevic, Immonen, and Yakhin (32 for 34 in saves).
Just a bit to the southeast, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik are protecting the nets. Riga started in the second period as Paul Szczechura scored, with help from Martins Karsums and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. This was the only goal, leading to a 1-0 Dinamo win, with the three stars belonging to Tellqvist (47 save shutout), Szczechura, and Karsums.
Way to the west, CSKA Moscow hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval for Torpedo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA have the green light to start. Nizhny Novgorod began with a second period goal from Vladimir Gorbunov, passed from Alexander Semin. Torpedo added on in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Makarov, powered by Juuso Hietanen and Matt Ellison. Moscow got on the board as Alexander Radulov scored, with the help of Pavel Datsyuk and Mikhail Grabovsky. CSKA tied the game as Datsyuk scored, and Grabovsky recorded the lone assist. The tie was broken in the shootout by a lone goal from Sergei Shirokov for a 3-2 win by CSKA. Datsyuk, Grabovsky, and Shirokov receive the three stars.
Staying in the city of Moscow, Dynamo hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Alexei Volkov for Dynamo tend the twines. Cherepovets struck first early in the second period as Alexander Ryazantsev scored, thanks to Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal added on as Bogdon Kiselevich scored a power play goal, and Shipachyov recorded the only assist. Cherepovets kept going as Teemu Laasko scored, with the help of Evgeny Ketov and Tom Wandell. Moscow replied when Dmitry Pestunov scored a goal, assisted by Denis Kokarev and Ilya Gorokhov. Dynamo pulled closer with an Alexander Ovechkin goal, courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom and Leo Komarov. Moscow tied it with a power play goal by Filip Novak, powered by Komarov and Backstrom. Dynamo took the lead when Ovechkin scored his second goal of the game, helped along by Backstrom, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Mironov. Moscow iced it at 5-3 with a Backstrom goal in the third period, pushed through by Denis Mosalyov and Novak on the power play. The three stars went to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Novak, while Komarov and Shipachyov get the honorable mentions.
Northwest to St. Petersburg, as SKA welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne of Dinamo and Ilya Ezhov of SKA are the masked men. St. Petersburg was the first on the board as Vladimir Tarasenko scored, courtesy of the goal Ezhov and Ivan Nepryayev. SKA padded the lead as Tony Martensson scored, and Dmitry Kalinin had the only assist. Minsk got on the board as Charles Linglet scored, thanks to Jere Karalahti and Cory Murphy. Dinamo tied it in the third period when Karalahti scored a goal, assisted by Vladimir Denisov on the power play. St. Petersburg won it 3-2 in overtime as Yury Alexandrov scored, and Patrick Thoresen provided an assist to seal the game. The three stars go to Alexandrov, Karalahti, and Ezhov (36 for 38 in saves with an assist).
Southwest to Prague, where Lev Praha hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv and Jakub Stepanek for Lev are in the creases. Praha scored first in the first period as Roman Cervenka potted the puck, with help from Jiri Novotny. Lev added on in the second period as Tomas Surovy scored, courtesy of Ondrej Nemec and Martin Skoula. Praha kept going as Skoula scored, thanks to Marcel Hossa and Nemec on the power play. Lokomotiv pulled Sanford at this time in favor of Vitaly Kolesnik. Lubos Bartecko extended the lead for Lev, pushed through by Jakub Klepis and Mathias Porseland. Yaroslavl got on the board with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, set up by Daniil Apalkov. Praha shot back as Klepis scored, and Bartecko and Petr Vrana were credited with the assists. Lokomotiv shot back as Sergei Plotnikov scored, via Emil Galimov and Artyom Anisimov. Sanford replaced Kolesnik for the third period. Yaroslavl answered in the third period on a Yury Petrov goal, coming off of Alexander Chernikov and Mark Flood shorthanded. Lev replied again when Bartecko scored another goal, helped along by Vrana and Klepis. Praha iced the game at 7-3 with an empty net goal by Michal Repik, and Erik Christensen picked up the assist. The three stars went to Skoula, Klepis, and Bartecko, while Vrana and Nemec got the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Bratislava, as Slovan hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Anton Khudobin for Atlant and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are all padded up. Bratislava led off with a first period goal by Peter Olvecky, courtesy of Tomas Mikus. Mytishchi tied it late with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Sandis Ozolins on the power play. Atlant took the lead on a Viktor Bobrov goal, assisted by Alexander Rybakov and Artyom Dorofeyev. Slovan got it back on a Marko Dano goal, made possible by Ivan Svarny and Olvecky. Bratislava got the lead in the third period on a Roman Kukumberg goal, helped along by Milan Kytnar and Vladimir Dravecky. This held up for a 3-2 win, giving the three stars to Olvecky, Kukumberg, and Janus (33 for 35 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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