Friday, January 25, 2013

KHL and NHL January 25 2013

A total of eight games on in hockey today, with the first of this post coming from the KHL...

As Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Vitaly Koval are the masked men. Mytishchi was first to score in the first period as Alexander Shevchenko scored, thanks to Maxim Mayorov and Andreas Engqvist. Atlant added on in the second period as Engqvist scored, via Mayorov and Alexander Osipov on the power play. Mytishchi padded the lead with an Igor Ignatushkin goal, passed from Oleg Yashin and Sergei Shmelyov. Atlant struck again with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, fueled by Sandis Ozolins and Nikita Tochitsky. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Alexei Vasilyev scored an unassisted power play goal. Torpedo pulled closer in the third period on a Jonas Andersson power play goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Yevseyenkov. Nizhny Novgorod chipped away as Maxim Potapov scored, with the help of Mikhail Varnakov and Matt Ellison. Mytishchi extended the lead with a power play goal by Yashin, powered by Mikhnov and Ignatushkin. This produced a 5-3 final score, with the three stars being Mikhnov, Yashin, and Engqvist, while Ignatushkin and Mayorov get the honorable mentions.

Over in North America, the NHL's day begins with the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Dan Ellis and Ryan Miller receive the starting nods. Buffalo struck first in the third period as Thomas Vanek scored his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Jason Pominville and Christian Ehrhoff. Carolina tied it with an Alexander Semin goal, fueled by Jordan Staal on the power play. The Hurricanes took the lead as Jay Harrison scored a goal, with a lone Eric Staal assist. Carolina iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Jeff Skinner, his fourth of the year, set up by Tim Gleason and Harrison. The three stars were awarded to Harrison, Ellis (40 for 41 in saves), and Miller (39 for 41 in saves).

Down into New Jersey, where the Devils welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Martin Brodeur are in the creases. New Jersey led off with a first period goal by Stephen Gionta, assisted by Jacob Josefson and Mark Fayne. The Devils added on in the second period as Patrik Elias scored a power play goal, powered by David Clarkson and Marek Zidlicky. Washington got on the board in the third period as Mike Ribeiro scored a power play goal, coming off of Joel Ward and Mike Green. The Capitals tied it on an unassisted Green goal. New Jersey won the game in overtime by a 3-2 score as Ilya Kovalchuk scored his second of the season, via Andy Greene. The three stars were handed to Kovalchuk, Green, and Josefson.

Back north a bit, the Boston Bruins host the New York Islanders. Rick DiPietro and Tuukka Rask will protect the nets. Boston got going in the first period as Shawn Thornton scored, with the help of Daniel Paille and Dougie Hamilton. New York tied it as Keith Aucoin scored his second of the season, via Colin McDonald and David Ullstrom. The Islanders got the lead in the second period with Aucoin's second of the game and third of the year, an unassisted goal. The Bruins retied it as Gregory Campbell scored, thanks to David Krejci and Chris Kelly. Boston took the lead in the third period as Zdeno Chara scored, with assists provided by Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton. The Bruins padded the lead with a Patrice Bergeron goal, set up by Brad Marchand and Hamilton. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars being Hamilton, Campbell, and Aucoin.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning host the Ottawa Senators. Ben Bishop and Anders Lindback are given the green light to start. Tampa Bay began with a first period Matt Carle power play goal, powered by Cory Conacher and Marc-Andre Bergeron. Ottawa tied it in the second period as Erik Condra scored, with the help of Chris Neil and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators got the lead as Jason Spezza scored his second of the season, a power play goal set up by Daniel Alfredsson and Gonchar. Ottawa added on as Erik Karlsson scored his third of the year, thanks to Milan Michalek. The Lightning replied on a Steven Stamkos goal, his second of the season, helped along by Sami Salo and Martin St. Louis. The Senators shot back with a Kyle Turris goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Alfredsson and Kaspars Daugavins. Tampa Bay answered as Victor Hedman scored, courtesy of Stamkos and St. Louis. The Lightning tied it in the third period as Ryan Malone scored his second of the season, passed from Salo and Conacher. Tampa Bay took the lead as Malone potted his second of the game and third of the year, with helpers provided by Vincent Lecavalier and Hedman. The Lightning iced it at 6-4 with a Tom Pyatt empty net goal, his second of the season, with Stamkos picking up the only assist. The three stars were given to Malone, Salo, and Turris, while the honorable mentions include Stamkos, Hedman, St. Louis, Conacher, Gonchar, and Alfredsson.

Northwest to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jimmy Howard are between the pipes. Detroit started early in the second period with a Damien Brunner goal, his second of the season, coming off of Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall on the power play. The Red Wings added on with a Todd Bertuzzi goal, passed from Valtteri Filppula and Brendan Smith. Minnesota got on the board as Zach Parise potted his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu. The Wild tied it on a Tom Gilbert goal, assisted by Mikael Granlund and Jonas Brodin. Detroit pulled back with a Zetterberg goal, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk and Filppula. The Red Wings struck again as Datsyuk scored his second of the season, a power play goal set up by Kronwall and Johan Franzen. Detroit extended the lead in the third period as Bertuzzi scored his second of the game, with the help of Datsyuk and Filppula, the latter getting a sock trick. Minnesota shot back as Parise scored his second of the game and third of the year, courtesy of Gilbert and Koivu. They got no closer, losing 5-3, with the three stars belonging to Datsyuk, Bertuzzi, and Parise, while Zetterberg, Filppula, Kronwall, Gilbert, and Koivu pick up the honorable mentions.

Up in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tomas Vokoun and Ondrej Pavelec make the starts. Pittsburgh opened in the first period as Sidney Crosby scored a goal, via Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang as his second of the season. The Penguins added on with Crosby's second of the game and third of the year, thanks to Matt Niskanen. Winnipeg got on the board in the second period as Evander Kane scored his second of the season, with the help of Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets tied it with a Byfuglien power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Tobias Enstrom and Andrew Ladd. Winnipeg gained the lead as Ladd scored his second of the season, and Bryan Little had the only assist. The Jets iced it at 4-2 when Wheeler scored his second of the year into an empty net, set up by Kane. The three stars were Kane, Ladd, and Byfuglien, while Crosby and Wheeler got the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Jonas Hiller will guard the cages. Vancouver got things going in the first period as Daniel Sedin scored a power play goal, his second of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on with a Mason Raymond power play goal, his second of the year powered by Alexandre Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Vancouver padded the lead in the second period as Aaron Volpatti scored, going in unassisted. The Canucks extended the lead in the third period on a Zack Kassian power play goal, his third of the season, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver iced it at 5-0 in the third period on another Raymond goal, his second of the game and third of the year, coming off of Jordan Schroeder. The three stars went to Daniel Sedin, Schneider (30 save shutout), and Saku Koivu, while Raymond or Henrik Sedin would slot in nicely in the third slot.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

NHL January 24th 2013

Ten games to roll with tonight. The first comes from...

Washington, with the Capitals hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Michal Neuvirth receive the starting nods. Montreal got going in the second period with a power play goal by Tomas Plekanec, his second of the season, assisted by Andrei Markov and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens padded the lead as Markov scored a power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole. Montreal added on with a Brian Gionta goal, his second of the season, thanks to Rene Bourque and Diaz. The Canadiens kept going as Josh Gorges scored, with the help of Francis Bouillon and Pacioretty. Washington got on the board in the third period with a Joey Crabb goal, via Jason Chimera and Jay Beagle. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-1, and the three stars went to Price (30 for 31 in saves), Markov, and Pacioretty, while Diaz gets an honorable mention.

Into Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ben Scrivens are the underwhelming goalies. Toronto began with a first period goal by Carl Gunnarsson, coming off of Cody Fransomn. New York tied it with a Matt Moulson goal, with a lone assist by John Tavares. The Maple Leafs retook the lead as Nazem Kadri scored his third of the season, thanks to John-Michael Liles and Matt Frattin. Toronto added on as Mikhail Grabovski scored his second of the year, with the help of Frattin and Gunnarsson. The Islanders pulled back in the second period as Mark Streit drained a power play goal, courtesy of Brad Boyes and Tavares. New York tied it on a Boyes goal, fueled by Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner. Grabner gave the Islanders the lead in the third period with his second of the season, made possible by Boyes and Nielsen. New York extended the lead as Keith Aucoin scored a goal, passed from David Ullstrom and Colin McDonald. The Islanders got another as Moulson scored his second of the game, going down unassisted. The Maple Leafs pulled back as Frattin scored, with helpers provided by Kadri and Gunnarsson. New York iced it at 7-4 with Grabner's second of the game and third of the year, an empty net goal needing no assists. The three stars were handed to Moulson, Boyes, and Grabner, while the honorable mentions include Nielsen, Tavares, Gunnarsson, Frattin, and Kadri.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ilya Bryzgalov are in the blue paint. Philadelphia finally started in the second period as Wayne Simmonds scored, via Nicklas Grossmann and Matt Read. The Flyers struck again as Jakub Voracek scored a power play goal, powered by Sean Couturier and Simmonds. New York got on the board in the third period with a Taylor Pyatt power play goal, his third of the season, made possible by Marian Gaborik. They failed to tie it, falling 2-1, with the three stars going to Simmonds, Bryzgalov (18 for 19 in saves), and Lundqvist (31 for 33 in saves).

South to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Cam Ward will wear the pads. Carolina finally opened in the second period with Jeff Skinner's second of the season, assisted by Jordan Staal and Zac Dalpe. The Hurricanes added on as Justin Faulk scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Jordan Staal. Buffalo got on the board with a Cody Hodgson goal, his third of the year, made possible by Jordan Leopold and Thomas Vanek. The Sabres tied it as Jason Pominville potted his second of the season, with the help of Christian Ehrhoff and Alexander Sulzer. Carolina regained the lead as Skinner scored his second of the game and third of the year, an unassisted goal. The Hurricanes padded the lead with an Eric Staal goal, guided in by Jamie McBain and Joni Pitkanen. Buffalo chipped back in the third period on another Pominville goal, his second of the game and third of the season, helped along by Vanek and Robyn Regehr. Carolina responded as Eric Staal scored his second of the game, with a lone helper coming from Pitkanen. The Hurricanes iced it at 6-3 when Eric Staal finished his hat trick into the empty net, and Dalpe provided the assist. The three stars were given to Eric Staal, Skinner, and Jordan Staal, while Pominville, Pitkanen, Dalpe, and Vanek get the honorable mentions.

Further to the south, the Florida Panthers host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jose Theodore man the creases. Florida led off with a first period Tomas Fleischmann power play goal, powered by Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecky. Ottawa tied it as Chris Phillips scored a power play goal, passed from Marc Methot and Zack Smith. The Senators took the lead with Erik Karlsson's second of the season, an unassisted goal in the second period. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Jason Spezza, going down unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Anderson (25 for 26 in saves), Karlsson, and Theodore (34 for 36 in saves).

Northwest to St. Louis, with the Blues welcoming the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak are the masked men. St. Louis struck first in the first period as T.J. Oshie scored his third of the season, a power play goal, powered by Patrik Berglund and David Backes. The Blues added on in the second period as Berglund scored his second of the year on a penalty shot. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Alex Steen and Vladimir Sobotka. This made it 3-0, a final, with the three stars handed to Berglund, Tarasenko, and Halak (13 save shutout).

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas was first on the board in the first period with just one second left as Loui Eriksson scored a shorthanded goal, passed from Derek Roy and Alex Goligoski as his second of the season. The Stars added on in the second period with a Ray Whitney goal, his second of the year, via Cody Eakin. Chicago got on the board when Patrick Sharp scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks tied it as Jonathan Toews scored his second of the year, a power play goal set up by Sharp and Duncan Keith. Chicago finished it in overtime with Marian Hossa's fifth of the season, a power play goal courtesy of Kane and Sharp. The three stars went to Hossa, Lehtonen (38 for 41 in saves), and Toews, while Sharp and Kane

Northwest again to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Semyon Varlamov are the Russian-conditioned goalies, spending time in the KHL during the lockout. Colorado started in the first period as P.A. Parenteau scored his second of the season, assisted by Matt Duchene and Jan Hejda. The Avalanche added on with a Duchene goal, fueled by Chuck Kobasew and Milan Hejduk. Colorado extended the lead in the third period as John Mitchell potted his second of the year, coming off of Hejduk and Ryan Wilson. The Avalanche ended the scoring at 4-0 as Duchene scored his second of the game, with the help of Parenteau. The three stars were awarded to Varlamov (33 save shutout), Duchene, and Erik Johnson, while Parenteau or Hejduk would be a better choice for the third star.

Up in Canada again, the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Devan Dubnyk are between the pipes. Los Angeles finally got going in the second period as Jeff Carter scored, with a lone Kyle Clifford assist. Edmonton tied it in the third period with just five seconds left on a Nail Yakupov goal, his second of the season, coming off of Taylor Hall and Justin Schultz. The Oilers won it with a Sam Gagner power play goal, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Schultz. This made it 2-1, a final, with Dubnyk (30 for 31 in saves), Quick (37 for 39 in saves), and Yakupov getting the three stars, while Schultz gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end with the San Jose Sharks hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Antti Niemi will protect the nets. San Jose began with a first period Logan Couture power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. Phoenix tied it in the second period as Steve Sullivan scored a power play goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Radim Vrbata and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes got the lead in the third period on an Antoine Vermette goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play via Sullivan and Derek Morris. Phoenix added on as Lauri Korpikoski scored his second of the year, thanks to Boyd Gordon and David Moss. The Sharks replied as Patrick Marleau scored his fifth of the season, with the help of Thornton and Matt Irwin. San Jose tied it when Martin Havlat sank his second of the year, assisted by Ryane Clowe and Couture. The Sharks took the lead with another Marleau goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Pavelski and Thornton, the latter getting a sock trick. San Jose iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Thornton, passed from Pavelski, who got a sock trick, and Marleau. The three stars went to Marleau, Thornton, and Couture, while Pavelski and Sullivan get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 24th 2013

Only two games on today, as the winding down continues. First up...

Vityaz Chekhov hosts Donbass Donetsk. Christopher Holt and Ivan Lisutin are the masked men. Donetsk opened with a first period goal by Tuomas Kiiskinen, coming on the power play from Petr Podhradsky and Vaclav Nedorost. Chekhov tied it as Ainars Podzins scored a goal, with the help of Brian Fahey and Roman Kudinov. Vityaz gained the lead in the third period on a Josh Hennessy goal, fueled by Dinar Khafizullin and Artemy Panarin. This made it 2-1, the final, with Hennessy, Lisutin (41 for 42 in saves), and Podzins getting the three stars.

The other game for today featured CSKA Moscow hosting Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Rastislav Stana will protect the nets. Moscow got going in the second period with a power play goal by Niklas Persson, powered by Evgeny Ryasensky and Alexander Radulov. Minsk tied it as Sergei Drozd scored, via Andrei Mikhalyov and Cory Murphy. CSKA gained the lead back in the third period on an Igor Radulov goal, guided in by Yakov Rylov and Persson. This produced the 2-1 final score, with Persson, Stana (30 for 31 in saves), and Igor Radulov picking up the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

NHL January 23rd 2013

Four games on tonight, beginning with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Marc-Andre Fleury will receive the starting nods. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period as Evgeni Malkin scored a power play goal, powered by Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Toronto tied it in the second period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, fueled by Nazem Kadri and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs gained the lead as James van Riemsdyk scored, with the help of Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski. The Penguins tied it as Crosby scored, thanks to Pascal Dupuis. Toronto retook the lead with an unassisted goal by van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs padded the lead in the third period as Grabovski scored a goal, with Kulemin, who got a sock trick, and van Riemsdyk picking up the helpers. Toronto iced it at 5-2 with a Tyler Bozak power play goal, his second of the season, assisted by MacArthur and Mike Kostka. The three stars went to van Riemsdyk, Kulemin, and Crosby, while Grabovski and MacArthur get honorable mentions.

Over in New York, the Rangers host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Henrik Lundqvist are in the blue paint. New York was first to score in the first period with a Marian Gaborik goal, assisted by Rick Nash and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on as Gaborik scored his second of the game, via Michael Del Zotto and Marc Staal. Boston got on the board in the second period as Brad Marchand potted his second of the season, thanks to Dougie Hamilton and Rich Peverley on the power play. The Bruins tied it with Milan Lucic's second of the year, made possible by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. New York regained the lead as Taylor Pyatt scored his second of the season, coming off of Derek Stepan. Boston tied it in the third period as Nathan Horton scored, courtesy of Gregory Campbell. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime as Gaborik completed the hat trick with an unassisted goal. Gaborik, Nash, and Richards received the three stars.

Way out west, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Mike Smith protect the nets. Eleven minutes into the game, Jason LaBarbera relieved Smith, with the latter being pulled due to injury. Columbus started in the second period as Fedor Tyutin scored, with the help of Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett. Phoenix tied it as Steve Sullivan scored a goal, assisted by Antoine Vermette and Shane Doan. The Coyotes took the lead with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, via Matthew Lombardi and Mikkel Boedker. Phoenix extended the lead in the third period as Sullivan scored again, a power play goal, powered by Boedker and Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes padded the lead when Sullivan finished his hat trick, with assists provided by Derek Morris and Vermette. Phoenix kept going as Ekman-Larsson potted his second of the night, courtesy of David Moss and Boyd Gordon. This produced the 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Sullivan, Ekman-Larsson, and Boedker, while Vermette gets an honorable mention.

Up north, we end in Vancouver, as the Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Cory Schneider are the masked men. Vancouver opened in the second period with a Zack Kassian goal, his second of the season, going down unassisted. The Canucks added on as Mason Raymond scored a power play goal, powered by Daniel Sedin and Dan Hamhuis. Calgary got on the board as Alex Tanguay scored his second of the year, thanks to Curtis Glencross. The Flames tied the game as Mikael Backlund scored a power play goal, with the help of Jarome Iginla and the goalie Kiprusoff. The game went into a shootout, where Alexandre Burrows was matched by Tanguay, before Vancouver prevailed on a Kassian goal for a 3-2 win. The three stars belonged to Kassian, Tanguay, and Chris Tanev, while any point getter can take Tanev's slot in third star.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 23rd 2013

Three games on today in what will be a light hockey schedule on both sides of the planet. First up in Russia...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen and Michael Garnett tend the twines. Chelyabinsk led off with a first period goal by Jan Bulis, coming on the power play from Stanislav Chistov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Traktor added on in the second period as Bulis scored again, and it was assisted by Chistov and Kuznetsov again as well. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the third period when Sergei Mozyakin scored, with the help of Enver Lisin and Justin Hodgman. Chelyabinsk replied with a power play goal by Petri Kontiola, powered by Maxim Yakutsenya and Konstantin Panov. Traktor iced it at 4-1 with an Alexander Shinin power play goal, with a lone assist from Deron Quint. The three stars went to Bulis, Kuznetsov, and Garnett (33 for 34 in saves), while Chistov gets the honorable mention.

Over in Ufa, Salavat Yulaev hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Sergei Gaiduchenko and Iiro Tarkki are in the blue paint. Ufa began in the first period with an Ildar Isangulov goal, fueled by Igor Musatov. Salavat Yulaev added on as Alexander Svitov scored, with the help of Igor Mirnov and Oleg Saprykin. Ufa padded the lead in the third period with an Antti Pihlstrom goal, coming off of Sergei Zinovyev and Anton Slepyshev. Novosibirsk avoided the shutout with a late Jori Lehtera goal, made possible by Jonas Enlund. This resulted in a 3-1 final, with the three stars being Tarkki (25 for 26 in saves), Svitov, and Isangulov.

Finally, we end in Kazan, with Ak Bars hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Yury Klyuchnikov and Emil Garipov receive the starting nods. Kazan got going in the first period with a Nikolai Zherdev goal, assisted by Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on in the second period as Alexei Tereshchenko scored a power play goal, powered by Zherdev and Petrov. Kazan extended the lead on a Janne Pesonen goal, made possible by Jarkko Immonen and Denis Kulyash. Ak Bars kept going in the third period as Dmitry Obukhov scored a power play goal, courtesy of Immonen and Pesonen. Kazan padded the lead as Niko Kapanen scored an unassisted goal. Novokuznetsk got on the board as Alexander Mereskin scored, with Anton Lazarev getting the only assist. This ended the scoring at 5-1, with the three stars being Zherdev, Pesonen, and Immonen, while Petrov and Garipov (36 for 37 in saves) receive the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

NHL January 22nd 2013

Nine games to enjoy tonight, beginning in...

Carolina, as the Hurricanes host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Cam Ward make the starts. Tampa Bay led off in the first period as Tom Pyatt scored, with the help of Vincent Lecavalier and Matt Carle. The Lightning added on as Cory Conacher scored his second of the season, thanks to Lecavalier and Teddy Purcell. Carolina got on the board in the second period with a Jeff Skinner power play goal, powered by Jordan Staal and Alexander Semin. Tampa Bay shot back in the third period on a Keith Aulie goal, fueled by Brendan Mikkelson. The Lightining padded the lead as Ryan Malone potted a power play goal, coming off of Martin St. Louis and Sami Salo.  This made it 4-1, a final, with Lecavalier, Garon (35 for 36 in saves), and Conacher picking up the three stars.

Up the coast, the Washington Capitals host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington began in the first period as Matt Hendricks scored, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. Winnipeg tied it as Evander Kane scored a power play goal set up by Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets took the lead with an Andrew Ladd power play goal, powered by Nik Antropov and Tobias Enstrom. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period as Wheeler notched a goal, with the help of Kane and Enstrom. The Jets padded the lead when Jim Slater scored a goal, passed from  Byfuglien and Enstrom, the latter getting a sock trick. The Capitals got one back in the third period on a Troy Brouwer power play goal, guided in by Mike Ribeiro and Backstrom. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Kane, Enstrom, and Pavelec (32 for 34 in saves), while Byfuglien, Wheeler, and Backstrom get the honorable mentions.

North further to Montreal, as the Canadiens host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Carey Price protect the nets. Montreal started in the first period as Tomas Plekanec scored, with the help of Brian Gionta and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens added on as Andrei Markov sank a power play goal, powered by Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. Florida got on the board in the second period as Tomas Kopecky scored a power play goal, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Montreal replied with Markov's second power play goal of the night, via Diaz and Pacioretty. The Canadiens padded the lead on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, set up by Brandon Prust and Brendan Gallagher. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 4-1, and the three stars were Galchenyuk, Markov, and Price (27 for 28 in saves), while Diaz and Pacioretty picked up the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Martin Brodeur guard the cages. New Jersey struck first in the first period with Travis Zajac's second of the season, assisted by Bryce Salvador and Dainius Zubrus. The Devils added on with a David Clarkson power play goal, fueled by Ilya Kovalchuk and Marek Zidlicky. New Jersey got on the board in the second period as Kovalchuk converted a penalty shot after being tripped by Kimmo Timonen. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-0 final, with the three stars going to Brodeur (24 save shutout), Kovalchuk, and Zajac.

West to Detroit, with the Red Wings hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jimmy Howard man the creases. Dallas was first to score in the first period on a Michael Ryder goal, made possible by Cody Eakin and Brenden Morrow. The Stars added on with a third period goal by Ryder, coming off of Ray Whitney and Eakin. Detroit got on the board as Damien Brunner scored, via Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Lehtonen (39 for 40 in saves), Ryder, and Howard (30 for 32 in saves), while Eakin gets an honorable mention.

Northwest a bit to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Nashville Predators. Chris Mason and Niklas Backstrom are the masked men. Minnesota opened in the first period as Zach Parise scored his second of the season, with assists provided by Dany Heatley and Clayton Stoner. Nashville tied it on a Nick Spaling goal, fueled by Kevin Klein and Brandon Yip. The Predators took the lead in the third period as Martin Erat potted his second of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville iced it at 3-1 as David Legwand scored a power play goal, powered by Spaling. The three stars were awarded to Mason (29 for 30 in saves), Heatley, and Parise, while Spaling gets an honorable mention.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks play host to the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Corey Crawford will stand between the pipes. Chicago got going in the first period as Patrick Kane scored his second of the year, with assists provided by Patrick Sharp and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the second period as Brent Seabrook scored a power play goal, powered by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Chicago extended the lead with a Viktor Stalberg goal in the third period, his second of the season, coming off of Bryan Bickell and Johnny Oduya. St. Louis got on the board as Andy McDonald scored his second of the year, thanks to Alex Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues got closer with a T.J. Oshie netted a power play goal, his second of the season, via David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo. They couldn't get an equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being Kane, McDonald, and Keith.

Westward to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Semyon Varlamov will handle the goaltending duties. Los Angeles began in the first period as Kyle Clifford scored, courtesy of Jordan Nolan and Alec Martinez. Colorado tied it in the third period as Gabe Landeskog scored, with the help of Jan Hejda and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche took the lead as David Jones scored a power play goal, powered by Paul Stastny. Colorado added on as P.A. Parenteau scored, via Erik Johnson and Ryan Wilson. This gave them a 3-1 lead, which was good for the win, and Landeskog, Varlamov (28 for 29 in saves), and Duchene were given the three stars.

Finally, we end in Edmonton, with the Oilers welcoming the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Devan Dubnyk will receive the starting nods. San Jose led off with a first period Dan Boyle power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Sharks extended the lead with a Logan Couture power play goal, via Patrick Marleau and Pavelski. Edmonton replied with a Nail Yakupov goal, fueled by Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky on the power play. San Jose shot back as Marleau scored, his third of the year, with helpers from Thornton and Brad Stuart. The Sharks added on with another Marleau goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by Thornton, who gets a sock trick, and Couture. San Jose padded the lead as Couture scored his second of the game, with the help of Martin Havlat and T.J. Galiardi. The Sharks got another as Marc-Eduard Vlasic potted the puck, courtesy of Tommy Wingels and Galiardi. Yann Danis relieved Dubnyk at the start of the second period. The Oilers got one back in the second period as Justin Schultz scored a power play goal, assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Edmonton pulled closer in the third period as Taylor Hall scored, with helpers from Eberle and Ladislav Smid. This was as close as it got, resulting in a 6-3 final, with the three stars going to Marleau, Couture, and Schultz, while Thornton, Pavelski, Galiardi, and Eberle get honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 22nd 2013

Five games on as the KHL winds down the game counts before going to next week's extremes. The first up for today comes from...

Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Pavel Poluektov receive the starting nods. Bratislava got going in the second period with a Roman Kukumberg goal, assisted by Milan Bartovic and Peter Olvecky. Slovan added on in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Michel Miklik, passed from Jan Tabacek. Astana got on the board as Roman Savchenko scored, with a lone assist from Brandon Bochenski. Barys tied it with a Dustin Boyd goal, set up by Nigel Dawes. Bratislava got the lead back with a power play goal by Mario Bliznak, powered by Miklik and Libor Hudacek. Slovan iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Bartovic, coming off of Kukumberg and Milan Kytnar. The three stars went to Miklik, Bartovic, and Kukumberg.

To the north, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Lev Praha. Tomas Popperle and Edgars Masalskis guard the cages. Praha began with a first period power play goal by Jakub Klepis, powered by Petr Vrana and Ondrej Nemec. Lev extended the lead in the second period with a Jakub Krejcik goal, with a lone assist by Michal Birner. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with a Konstantin Glazachev goal, fueled by Alexei Pepelyaev and Igor Skorokhodov. Yugra tied it in the third period with a power play goal from Rinat Ibragimov, assisted by Kirill Safronov and Sergei Demagin. Khanty-Mansiysk gained the lead on a Skorokhodov goal, made possible by Glazachev and Marek Troncinsky. Yugra finished the scoring with an empty net goal by Safronov, with Anton Krysanov getting the only assist. This made it 4-2, a final, with Skorokhodov, Glazachev, and Safronov picking up the three stars.

In the west, Dynamo Moscow welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Alexander Yeryomenko draw the starts. St. Petersburg started in the first period with an Igor Makarov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kalinin and Viktor Tikhonov. SKA added on in the second period as Kalinin scored, with a lone assist by Tony Martensson. Moscow got on the board in the third period as Konstantin Kasyanchuk scored, via Marek Kvapil and Dominik Granak. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Kalinin, Ezhov (37 for 38 in saves), and Yeryomenko (25 for 27 in saves).

North to Mytishchi, where Atlant brings in Spartak Moscow. Jan Lasak and Stanislav Galimov are in the creases. Mytishchi opened with a first period goal by Sergei Shmelyov, courtesy of Igor Ignatushkin and Alexei Petrov. Atlant added on as Alexei Mikhnov scored, thanks to Andreas Engqvist. Mytishchi struck again with a Nikita Tochitsky goal, made possible by Mikhnov. Moscow got on the board in the second period as Vyacheslav Kozlov scored, with the help of Alexander Suglobov. Atlant answered with a power play goal by Mikhail Glukhov, powered by Ilya Kablukov and Konstantin Koltsov. Mytishchi padded the lead as Koltsov scored a goal, with a lone assist from Roman Rukavishnikov. Spartak got one back in the third period when Andrei Ankudinov scored a goal, guided in by Valery Vasilyev. This only made it 5-2, the final, with Mikhnov, Koltsov, and Galimov (18 for 20 in saves) getting the three stars.

Finally, in Riga, Dinamo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Maris Jucers play in the blue paint. Yaroslavl finally led off in the third period with an Alexei Kruchinin goal, passed from Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Riga tied it as Miks Indrasis scored, with the help of Martins Karsums and Oskars Cibulskis. The game went into a shootout, where Lokomotiv topped Dinamo 2-1 with a lone tally by Yury Petrov. The three stars were Petrov, Sanford (21 for 22 in saves), and Jucers (28 for 29 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.