Thursday, January 31, 2013

NHL January 31st 2013

Nine games on today, and I'll be typing these while I play pool for the first time in forever. We begin in...

New York City, as the Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tomas Vokoun and Henrik Lundqvist are the goalies. Pittsburgh quickly opened in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his second of the season, assisted by Simon Despres and Kris Letang. The Penguins added on in the third period as James Neal scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Sidney Crosby and Malkin. Pittsburgh padded the lead with a Despres goal, passed from Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams. This produced the 3-0 final score, with Vokoun (28 save shutout), Malkin, and Despres getting the three stars.

Up in Boston, the Bruins bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Tuukka Rask are between the pipes. Buffalo got going in the second period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville. Boston tied it on a Rich Peverley goal, made possible by Daniel Paille and Chris Kelly. The Bruins took the lead as Brad Marchand potted his fourth of the year, with a lone assist from Patrice Bergeron. Boston added on as Marchand scored again, his second of the game and fifth of the season, coming off of Bergeron and Tyler Seguin. The Sabres shot back with a Vanek power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Ennis. Buffalo tied it as Ennis scored his second of the season, via Vanek and Marcus Foligno. The Bruins took the lead back in the third period with a David Krejci goal, his second of the year, passed from Nathan Horton. The Sabres quickly tied it with an Alexander Sulzer goal, courtesy of Mikhail Grigorenko and Jochen Hecht. Buffalo regained the lead on a Hodgson goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Vanek and Pominville. The Sabres padded the lead as Vanek finished his hat trick with his sixth of the year, and Hodgson had the lone assist. Buffalo iced it at 7-4 with a Pominville empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Vanek, Marchand, and Miller (38 for 42 in saves), while Pominville, Hodgson, Ennis, and Bergeron get the honorable mentions.

Back to the south, the New Jersey Devils host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Brodeur are the veteran netminders. New York began with a first period power play goal by John Tavares, his third of the season, assisted by Brad Boyes and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders added on in the second period with a power play goal by Keith Aucoin, his fourth of the year, powered by Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald. New Jersey got on the board with a Steve Bernier goal, passed from Stephen Gointa and Ryan Carter. The Devils tied it as Carter scored a goal, guided in by Matt Anderson and Gionta. New York took the lead back as Tavares scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, helped along by Matt Moulson and the goalie Nabokov. New Jersey tied it again with a Henrik Tallinder goal, set up by Travis Zajac. The Islanders regained the lead in the third period as Mark Streit scored his third of the year, with a lone David Ullstrom assist. The Devils quickly retied the game on an Adam Henrique goal, coming off of David Clarkson. New York won 5-4 in overtime as Boyes scored a power play goal, with the help of Nielsen and Tavares. The three stars were handed to Boyes, Carter, and Tavares, while the honorable mentions were Nielsen and Gionta.

North to Canada, where the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and James Reimer will attempt to stop the puck. Washington led off in the first period as Joel Ward scored his fourth of the season, made possible by Mike Ribeiro and Jason Chimera. Toronto tied it as James van Riemsdyk netted his fourth of the year, a power play goal, coming off of Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. The Capitals took the lead back in the second period on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Ribeiro and Nicklas Backstrom. The Maple Leafs tied it as Nikolai Kulemin scored, via Mike Kostka and Jay McClement. Toronto took the lead with a Matt Frattin goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Nazem Kadri. This held up for a 3-2 win, and the three stars were van Riemsdyk, Frattin, and Neuvirth (37 for 40 in saves), while Ribeiro gets the honorable mention.

Down in the states again, where the Columbus Blue Jackets host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Sergei Bobrovsky will protect the nets. St. Louis struck first in the first period with a Barret Jackman goal, his second of the season, pushed through by Ryan Reaves and Jamie Langenbrunner. The Blues added on with Patrik Berglund recording his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by T.J. Oshie and David Backes. St. Louis extended the lead when Vladimir Tarasenko put away his fifth of the season, thanks to Alex Steen and Alex Pietrangelo. Steve Mason relieved Bobrovsky at this time. Columbus got on the board as Derick Brassard scored a power play goal in the second period, set up by Brandon Dubinsky and James Wisniewski. The Blues finished it at 4-1 with a Backes empty net goal in the third period, passed from Vladimir Sobotka and Oshie. The three stars were Berglund, Tarasenko, and Mason (13 for 13 in saves in relief), while Backes and Oshie get the honorable mentions.

Southeast to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jose Theodore receive the starting nods. Florida started in the second period on a Brian Campbell power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Tomas Kopecky. Winnipeg tied it as Grant Clitsome scored a goal, with assists provided by Andrew Ladd and Paul Postma. The Jets took the lead in the third period on an Olli Jokinen goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Blake Wheeler. The Panthers tied it on a Kris Versteeg goal, made possible by Fleischmann and Dmitry Kulikov. Winnipeg took the lead back with a Tobias Enstrom goal, passed from Evander Kane and Wheeler. Florida tied it again as Peter Mueller scored his third of the season, a power play goal, coming off of Filip Kuba and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers took the lead as Alex Kovalev scored his second of the year, a power play goal, assisted by Fleischmann, who got a sock trick, and Kopecky. Florida kept going on a Huberdeau unassisted goal, his second of the season The Panthers padded the lead as Kopecky put his second of the year into the empty net, with no assistance. The final was 6-3, and Kovalev, Fleischmann, and Mueller got the three stars, while Kopecky, and Wheeler get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Calgary, as the Flames host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Miikka Kiprusoff stand in the blue paint. Calgary was first to score in the first period with a Jiri Hudler goal, made possible by Matt Stajan. Colorado tied it on a John Mitchell goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Flames took the lead back in the second period as Hudler scored his second of the night, and Stajan and Roman Cervenka supplied the assists. The Avalanche retied it with P.A. Parenteau scoring his fourth of the year, thanks to Jamie McGinn and Matt Duchene. Colorado took the lead as Mitchell scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with the help of Chuck Kobasew and Cody McLeod. Calgary tied it as Alex Tanguay potted his third of the year, courtesy of Hudler and Dennis Wideman. The Avalanche took the lead back on a Paul Stastny power play goal, going in unassisted. Colorado added on with Stastny's second of the game, with a lone assist from Mitchell. The Avalanche iced it at 6-3 as Parenteau scored his second of the game and fifth of the season into the empty net, coming off of Matt Duchene. The three stars were awarded to Hudler, Mitchell, and Stastny, while Parenteau, Duchene, and Stajan get the honorable mentions.

Down in San Jose, the Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Antti Niemi man the creases. San Jose opened in the first period with a Logan Couture goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Sharks added on as Joe Pavelski potted his fourth of the year, with no assists needed. Edmonton got on the board with the third of the season by Sam Gagner, assisted by Mark Fistric and Nail Yakupov. The Oilers tied it in the third period as Taylor Hall put away his second of the year, coming off of Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The game went to a shootout, where San Jose came away with a 3-2 win after two unanswered tallies by Michal Handzus and Dan Boyle. The three stars were Niemi (26 for 28 in saves), Dubnyk (36 for 38 in saves), and Handzus.

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, where the Kings welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Nashville quickly got going in the first period as Brandon Yip scored his second of the season, via Gabriel Bourque and David Legwand. Los Angeles tied it as Dustin Brown scored a power play goal, powered by Drew Doughty and Mike Richards. The deadlock lasted into shootout, where Legwand was matched by Richards, Craig Smith was paced by Brown, and Bourque covered an Anze Kopitar tally before the eighth round, Sergei Kostitsyn's goal gave the Predators a 2-1 win. Jeff Carter, Shea Weber, and Doughty got the three stars, while the top two slots could go to Richads, Legwand, Brown, or Bourque very easily, and Kostitsyn also deserves accolades for ending it.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

NHL January 30th 2013

Four games on today, beginning in...

Canada, as the Ottawa Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Craig Anderson receive the starting nods. Montreal opened with a first period Tomas Plekanec goal, his fourth of the season coming on the power play from Andrei Markov and Raphael Diaz. Ottawa tied it with Jim O'Brien scoring his third of the year, thanks to Erik Karlsson and Erik Condra. The Senators took the lead in the second period on a Daniel Alfredsson power play goal, powered by Patrick Wiercioch and Kyle Turris. Ottawa kept going as Mika Zibanejad scored, with the help of Colin Greening and Andre Benoit on the power play. The Senators padded the lead with a Chris Phillips goal, his second of the season, coming off of Zack Smith and Greening. Ottawa got another in the third period as Chris Neil potted his second of the year, courtesy of Benoit and Smith. This produced the 5-1 final score, with the three stars being Anderson (31 for 32 in saves), Zibanejad, and Phillips, while Greening, Benoit, and Smith getting the honorable mentions.

Over in Minnesota, the Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Josh Harding will play goal. Minnesota quickly began in the first period with a Matt Cullen goal, assisted by Devin Setoguchi and Mikael Granlund. Chicago tied it on an Andrew Shaw goal, fueled by Bryan Bickell and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks took the lead as Jonathan Toews scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Marian Hossa. Niklas Backstrom relieved Harding after this. The Wild tied it with a Cal Clutterbuck goal in the second period, and Tom Gilbert picked up the only assist. The game required a shootout to be decided, and it was there that Zach Parise and Cullen lifted Minnesota to a 3-2 win over a lone Toews tally for Chicago. The three stars were Backstrom (28 for 28 in saves in relief), Clutterbuck, and Cullen, while Toews gets an honorable mention.

Southwest to Phoenix, where the Coyotes welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Chad Johnson are in the creases. Edmonton led off with a first period goal by Lennart Petrell, assisted by Ryan Smyth and Sam Gagner. Phoenix tied it late in the third period as Nick Johnson scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by David Moss and Radim Vrbata. The Oilers won 2-1 in overtime on a power play goal by Nail Yakupov, his fourth of the year, passed from Ryan Whitney and Taylor Hall. Dubnyk (27 for 28 in saves), Chad Johnson (19 for 21 in saves), and Yakupov get the three stars.

North to Vancouver, as we end the day with the Canucks hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Vancouver started in the first period as Jason Garrison scored an unassisted goal. The Canucks added on in the second period as Maxim Lapierre scored an unassisted goal. Vancouver extended the lead in the third period with the fifth of the season by Zack Kassian, a power play goal powered by Dan Hamhuis and Alexander Edler. This was good for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Luongo (24 save shutout), Alexandre Burrows, and Garrison, while Lapierre or Kassian deserve the second slot.

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KHL January 30th 2013

Twelve more games in the KHL, the last really big day for awhile. First up...

Amur Khabarovsk hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Alexei Kuznetsov will be in front of the nets. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period as Igor Ozhiganov scored a power play goal, courtesy of Perttu Lindgren and Dmitry Tarasov. Donetsk tied it as Vaclav Nedorost scored an unassisted goal. Donbass took the lead with a Sergei Peretyagin goal, with a lone assist from Petteri Wirtanen. Donetsk added on in the second period as Randy Robitaille scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Donbass finished the scoring at 4-1 in the third period on a Tuomas Kiiskinen goal, assisted by Nedorost and Evgeny Dadonov. The three stars were Nedorost, Laco (38 for 39 in saves), and Peretyagin.

West to Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Dinamo Riga. Kristers Gudlevskis and Jeff Glass will play goal. Novosibirsk got going in the second period on an Alexander Kutuzov goal, fueled by Viktor Bobrov. Sibir added on as Nikita Zaitsev scored thirty seconds later, and the lone assist went to Alexei Kopeikin. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 2-0 final, and the three stars were Glass (28 save shutout), Kutuzov, and Zaitsev.

Backtracking to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg brings in Spartak Moscow. Jan Lasak and Yury Klyuchnikov are given the starts. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Filipp Metlyuk, powered by Dmitry Chernykh. Metallurg added on in the third period as Anton Lazarev scored a goal, guided in by Konstantin Turukin. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Klyuchnikov (32 save shutout), Metlyuk, and Lazarev.

Westward to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo and Iiro Tarkki protect the nets. Ufa started in the first period with an Anton Slepyshev goal, passed from Alexander Pankov. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Sergei Zinovyev goal, set up by Vitaly Proshkin. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Miroslav Blatak scored a power play goal, powered by Stefan Ruzicka and Zinovyev. Eduard Reizvikh relieved Ramo. Salavat Yulaev padded the lead on another Blatak goal, assisted by Antti Pihlstrom and Yefim Gurkin. Ufa struck again with a power play goal by Ruzicka, made possible by Blatak and Denis Khlystov. Omsk got on the board with a power play goal from Tomas Zaborsky, courtesy of Anton Belov and Georgijs Pujacs. Salavat Yulaev replied in the third period as Alexei Kaigorodov scored, thanks to Andrei Zubarev. This made it 6-1, which was the final score, and the three stars went to Blatak, Zinovyev, and Ruzicka, while Tarkki (32 for 33 in saves) was the honorable mention.

Further west, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Edgars Masalskis and Jani Nieminen have the green light to start. Khanty-Mansiysk began in the first period with an Igor Skorokhodov goal, made possible by Vitaly Sitnikov on the power play. Kazan tied it with a Jarkko Immonen goal, fueled by Janne Pesonen and Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars gained the lead with an Alexei Tereshchenko power play goal, helped along by Denis Kulyash. Yugra tied the game again as Igor Magogin scored, and the lone assist went to Sitnikov. Khanty-Mansiysk took the lead in the second period on a Sergei Demagin goal, passed from Alexei Pepelyaev and Konstantin Glazachev. Yugra padded the lead as Skorokhodov scored an unassisted goal. Kazan chipped back in the third period with a Nikolai Zherdev goal, courtesy of Artyom Lukoyanov. Khanty-Mansiysk replied with an Andrei Kuzmin goal, coming off of Stanislav Bocharov. Ak Bars shot back on an Ilya Nikulin power play goal, powered by Tereshchenko and Alexei Morozov. They failed to tie the game, losing 5-4, and the three stars were Skorokhodov, Sitnikov, and Tereshchenko.

Backing up to Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Barys Astana. Pavel Poluektov and Matt Dalton are all padded up. Astana opened with a first period Konstantin Romanov goal, going down unassisted. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period with Maxim Petushko's goal, via Renat Mamashev and Vitaly Shulakov on the power play. Neftekhimik took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Yegor Milovzorov, powered by Oskar Osala and Mamashev. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Dalton (16 for 17 in saves), Milovzorov, and Poluektov (40 for 42 in saves).

West into Moscow, as the CSKA hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin and Rastislav Stana tend the twines. Moscow led off in the first period with an Evgeny Ryasensky power play goal with a lone assist provided by Yakov Rylov. Cherepovets tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Nikita Alexeyev, powered by Bogdan Kiselevich and Evgeny Ketov. Severstal tied it in the third period on a Vadim Berdnikov goal, fueled by Mikhail Anisin. CSKA retied it with an Alexander Radulov goal, made possible by Igor Radulov and Ryasensky. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime as Denis Denisov scored, with Alexander Radulov and Igor Radulov picking up the helpers. The three stars were handed to Alexander Radulov, Ryasensky, and Igor Radulov.

Staying in the city, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov and Alexander Yeryomenko receive the starting nods. Moscow started in the first period as Grigory Shafigulin scored, with the help of Kirill Knyazev and Denis Tolpeko. Dynamo added on in the second period as Denis Kokarev scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Moscow padded the lead as Dmitry Vishnevsky scored, courtesy of Tolpeko and Filip Novak. Yekaterinburg got on the board with a power play goal by Sergei Gusev, powered by Evgeny Rybnitsky and Fyodor Malykhin. Avtomobilist got closer with a Stanislav Zhmakin goal, assisted by Malykhin. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Rastislav Spirko goal, fueled by Alexei Simakov and Denis Sokolov. Avtomobilist took the lead as Simakov scored an unassisted goal. Dynamo retied it as Kokarev scored again, a power play goal, guided in by Konstantin Gorovikov and Dmitry Pestunov. Moscow won 5-4 in overtime on a Marek Kvapil goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Kokarev, Kvapil, and Tolpeko, while Simakov and Malykhin get the honorable mentions.

Farther west, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen and Ilya Ezhov will be in the blue paint. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period as Patrick Thoresen scored, with a lone helper from Dmitry Vorobyov. SKA extended the lead in the third period as Tony Martensson scored, thanks to Thoresen and Petr Prucha. St. Petersburg finished the game at 3-0 with a Gleb Klimenko goal, via Viktor Tikhonov on the power play. The three stars were given to Thoresen, Ezhov (11 save shutout), and Martensson.

Back to the Moscow region, as Atlant Mytishchi hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Stanislav Galimov man the creases. Mytishchi got going in the second period on an Andreas Engqvist goal, fueled by Maxim Mayorov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it as Mikhail Varnakov scored, with the help of Dmitry Makarov. Atlant took the lead on a power play goal by Roman Rukavishnikov, powered by Konstantin Koltsov. Torpedo retied it as Makarov scored a goal, pushed through by Maxxim Potapov. Mytishchi was able to win 3-2 in overtime with a goal by Rafael Batyrshin on the power play, passed from Alexander Osipov. The three stars were Batyrshin, Makarov, and Galimov (26 for 28 in saves).

Southwest to Minsk, where Dinamo hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin and Lars Haugen are the masked men. Chelaybinsk was first to score in the first period with a Valey Nichushkin goal, with a lone Anton Glinkin assist. Minsk tied it with an Andrei Mikhalyov goal, fueled by Janne Niskala and Andrei Stas. Dinamo took the lead with a Tim Stapleton goal, made possible by Cory Murphy and Oleg Goroshko. Traktor tied it in the second period as Maxim Karpov converted a penalty shot he was awarded after being hooked by Lukas Krajicek on a breakaway. Chelyabinsk gained the lead as Yegor Dugin scored a goal, assisted by Glinkin. Traktor padded the lead with an unassisted goal by Konstantin Panov. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the third period as Vladimir Antipov scored a goal, guided in by Maxim Yakutsenya. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars being Glinkin, Dugin, and Mezin (31 for 33 in saves).

Finally, we end in Prague, as Lev Praha hosts Vityaz Chekhov. Ivan Lisutin and Tomas Popperle are guarding the cages. Praha opened in the first period with a shorthanded Petr Vrana goal, fueled by Michal Birner and Jakub Nakladal. Chekhov tied it in the second period on a Yakov Seleznyov goal, going in unassisted. Lev took the lead back in the third period as Nicklas Danielsson scored, thanks to Richard Gynge. Praha added on with a Gynge goal, coming off of Jiri Novotny. Lev extended the lead as Nakladal scored a goal, assisted by Martins Cipulis. Praha padded the lead as Novotny scored, via Danielsson and Nathan Oystrick. Vityaz got one back as Evgeny Timkin scored a power play goal, powered by Brian Fahey and Igor Golovkov. This only made it 5-2, the final, and the three stars were Nakladal, Gynge, and Danielsson, while Novotny gets the honorable mention.

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

NHL January 29th 2013

Ten games on today, beginning in...

Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer is mismatched with Ryan Miller in goal. Toronto was first to score in the first period as Jay McClement scored, with the help of Nazem Kadri and Nikolai Kulemin. Buffalo tied it as Jason Pominville scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Marcus Foligno and Thomas Vanek on the power play. The Sabres took the lead in the second period on an Andrej Sekera goal, fueled by Drew Stafford and Christian Ehrhoff. The Maple Leafs tied it as Matt Frattin potted his second of the year, via Cody Franson and Leo Komarov. Toronto took the lead with a Franson goal, made possible by Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. Buffalo tied it in the third period with a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, coming off of Mike Weber and Foligno. The Maple Leafs won it 4-3 in overtime on a Frattin goal, his second of the game and third of the season, guided in by John-Michael Liles. The three stars were to Frattin, Grigorenko, and Franson, while the honorable mention goes to Foligno.

Down in New York City, the Rangers host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Henrik Lundqvist are between the pipes. New York opened with a Michael Del Zotto goal, set up by Benn Ferriero. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Del Zotto and Rick Nash. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period as Kimmo Timonen scored a power play goal, set up by Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Del Zotto, Lundqvist (26 for 27 in saves), and Nash.

North to Boston, as the Bruins host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Tuukka Rask are given the starting nods. New Jersey got going in the second period on a David Clarkson goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias on the power play. Boston tied it with a Nathan Horton goal in the third period, his third of the year, via David Krejci and Milan Lucic. The Bruins won it in the shootout as Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand's goals lifted them over the lone Devils tally by Ilya Kovalchuk. This resulted in a 2-1 final score, with Horton, Clarkson, and Marchand getting the three stars, and a nod to each of the goalies for making it difficult to win.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Marc-Andre Fleury are in the blue paint. New York struck first in the first period as Casey Cizikas scored an unassisted goal. The Islanders added on in the second period as Michael Grabner notched his fourth of the season, thanks to Mark Streit and Marty Reasoner. New York padded the lead with a John Tavares power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Matt Moulson and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders extended the lead as Moulson potted his fourth of the season on the power play, set up by Brad Boyes and Nielsen. Tomas Vokoun relieved Fleury for the third period. Pittsburgh avoided the shutout with a third period Pascal Dupuis goal, his second of the year, passed from Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. This made it a 4-1 final, with the three stars handed to Moulson, Nabokov (37 for 38 in saves), and Grabner, while Nielsen gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Carey Price wear the pads. Montreal led off in the first period as Rene Bourque scored a power play goal, powered by Andrei Markov and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens padded the lead with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his second of the season, fueled by Alex Galchenyuk and Francis Bouillon. Winnipeg got on the board as Blake Wheeler scored his third of the year, a power play goal, assisted by Olli Jokinen and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets tied it in the second period as Nik Antropov scored, with the help of Bryan Little and Ron Hainsey. Winnipeg gained the lead as Jokinen scored, with assists provided by Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien. Montreal tied it as Erik Cole scored a goal, with a lone assist from Gallagher. The Canadiens took the lead in the third period as Tomas Plekanec scored his third of the season, a power play goal, coming off of Diaz and Markov. The final was 4-3, with the three stars given to Gallagher, Galchenyuk, and Bourque, and the honorable mentions include Jokinen, Markov, and Diaz.

Back in the states, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Dallas started in the second period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Cody Eakin and Jaromir Jagr. Detroit tied it as Valtteri Filppula scored, with a lone assist from Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings pulled ahead as Henrik Zetterberg put away his second of the year, a power play goal, powered by Patrick Eaves and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit extended the lead in the third period as Damien Brunner scored his third of the season, via Johan Franzen and Zetterberg. The Red Wings padded the lead as Filppula scored his second of the game, with the help of Datsyuk. Richard Bachman relieved Lehtonen in the last five minutes of the game, but the 4-1 final didn't change. The three stars were Filppula, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg.

Southeast to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host their cross-state rivals, the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Anders Lindback have the green light to start. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Steven Stamkos goal, his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Martin St. Louis and Vicnent Lecavalier. Florida tied it with a Peter Mueller goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The Lightning shot back as Cory Conacher scored his third of the season, pushed through by Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period on a Tom Pyatt goal, his third of the year, guided in by Dana Tyrell. The Lightning struck again (horrible pun completely intended) as Tyrell scored, with helpers provided by Pyatt and Benoit Pouliot. Tampa Bay padded the lead with a third period Lecavalier power play goal, his third of the season, helped along by Pouliot and Conacher. The Panthers got one back as Tomas Fleischmann scored his second of the year as a shorthanded and unassisted goal. This was as close as it got, with the final standing at 5-2, and the three stars were awarded to Conacher, Pyatt, and Tyrell, while Lecavalier and Pouliot get the honorable mentions.

Back north in Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Craig Anderson protect the nets. Washington opened in the first period on a Troy Brouwer goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Wojtek Wolski and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with a Matt Hendrick goal, his second of the year, passed from John Erskine and Jay Beagle. Ottawa got on the board as Jim O'Brien scored his second of the season in the second period, made possible by Erik Condra and Mika Zibanejad. The Senators tied it in the third period as Milan Michalek scored his second of the year, assisted by Kyle Turris. Ottawa gained the lead as Sergei Gonchar scored a power play goal, powered by Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson. They held on to win 3-2, with the three stars going to Zibanejad, Brouwer, and Anderson (31 for 33 in saves).

Over in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Niklas Backstrom are the masked men. Minnesota was first to score in the first period as Mikko Koivu notched his second of the season, passed from Jonas Brodin and Ryan Suter. The Wild added on as Tom Gilbert potted his second of the year, made possible by Koivu and Clayton Stoner. Columbus got on the board in the second period on a Mark Letestu goal, his second of the season, coming off of James Wisniewski and John Moore. The Blue Jackets tied it with a third period Jack Johnson power play goal, powered by Brandon Dubinsky. Minnesota regained the lead on the second of the year by Pierre-Marc Bouchard, guided in by Torrey Mitchell and Justin Falk. This made it 3-2, which was the final, and the three stars were Bouchard, Koivu, and Suter.

Finally, out in California, the San Jose Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose led off in the first period as Joe Pavelski scored his third of the season, assisted by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a Francois Beauchemin goal, set up by Saku Koivu and Bobby Ryan. The Ducks took the lead as Matt Beleskey scored, with the help of Ryan Getzlaf and Daniel Winnik. The Sharks retied it on a third period Logan Couture goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Scott Gomez and Ryane Clowe. San Jose won it in the shootout by a 3-2 margin with a lone tally by Michal Handzus. The three stars went to Niemi (28 for 30 in saves), Couture, and Hiller (16 for 18 in saves).

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Monday, January 28, 2013

NHL January 28th 2013

Five games in this hemisphere today, much thinner than the previous post. We begin here in...

Carolina, as the Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin and Cam Ward will play in the blue paint. Boston started with a shorthanded goal by Brad Marchand, his third of the season, assisted by Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on as Chara scored his second of the year, a power play goal set up by David Krejci and Tyler Seguin. Carolina got on the board with a Jamie McBain goal, fueled by Eric Staal and Alexander Semin. Boston answered in the second period as Nathan Horton notched his second of the season, courtesy of Chara and Johnny Boychuk. The Hurricanes shot back as Jeff Skinner potted his fifth of the year, via Jordan Staal. Carolina tied it on an Eric Staal goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Semin. The Bruins took the lead late in the third period on a Krejci goal, coming off of Dougie Hamilton and Horton. Boston iced it at 5-3 as Seguin scored an empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Chara, Krejci, and Eric Staal, while Horton, Seguin, and Semin get the honorable mentions.

West to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Sergei Bobrovsky receive the starting nods. Dallas led off in the second period with a Philip Larsen goal, fueled by Alex Goligoski and Jamie Benn on the power play. Columbus tied it when Derek Dorsett scored, thanks to Fedor Tyutin and Artem Anisimov. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period as Vinny Prospal potted his second of the season, with the help of James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson. This was good for a 2-1 win, and the three stars were Prospal, Dorsett, and Johnson.

Southwest to Phoenix, where the Coyotes host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Chad Johnson in goal. Phoenix opened with a first period Antoine Vermette goal, his third of the season, assisted by Nick Johnson and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes added on in the second period when Lauri Korpikoski notched his third of the year, with Boyd Gordon getting the only assist. Phoenix struck again in the third period as Johnson scored, with the help of Yandle and Derek Morris. The Coyotes padded the lead with a Yandle power play goal, powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. This made it a 4-0 final, with Chad Johnson (22 save shutout), Yandle, and Nick Johnson getting the three stars.

North to Edmonton, where the Oilers host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Devan Dubnyk are between the pipes. Edmonton got going with a first period power play goal by Ales Hemsky, set up by Teemu Hartikainen and Sam Gagner as his second of the season. The Oilers extended the lead on a Jordan Eberle power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Taylor Hall and Ryan Whitney. Edmonton padded the lead in the second period on a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, coming off of Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Colorado got on the board in the third period as P.A. Parenteau scored his third of the season, with the help of Matt Duchene and Jamie McGinn. The Oilers iced it at 4-1 with a Nail Yakupov empty net goal, his third of the year, passed from Gagner. Eberle, Hall, and Dubnyk (37 for 38 in saves) got the three stars, while Gagner had an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, as the Kings bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Vancouver began in the first period with a Zack Kassian goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alexander Edler and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks padded the lead in the second period as Alexandre Burrows scored his second of the year, thanks to Chris Higgins and Chris Tanev. Los Angeles got on the board as Jeff Carter potted his third of the season, a power play goal, powered by Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. The Kings tied it with a Slava Voynov goal in the third period, made possible by Anze Kopitar. The game went to a shootout, where Los Angeles won 3-2 on a lone tally by Carter. The three stars belonged to Kopitar, Luongo (26 for 28 in saves), and Voynov, while Carter gets the honorable mention.

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KHL January 28th 2013

Twelve games makes today a busy day for the Russian league. We start in...

Khabarovsk, with Amur hosting Spartak Moscow. Jan Lasak and Alexei Kuznetsov are the goalies. Moscow got going in the first period as Branko Radivojevic scored a power play goal, powered by Alexander Suglobov and Nikita Shchitov. Khabarovsk tied it on a power play goal by Topi Jaakola, assisted by Dmitry Tarasov and Igor Ozhiganov. Spartak retook the lead in the second period as Oleg Gubin potted the puck, with a lone assist by Yegor Mikhailov. The scoring ended here at 2-1, with the three stars going to Lasak (34 for 35 in saves), Gubin, and Radivojevic.

Way west to Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Jeff Glass man the creases. Donetsk was first to score in the first period as Lukas Kaspar scored, thanks to Peter Podhradsky. Novosibirsk tied it in the second period as Jori Lehtera scored an unassisted goal. Sibir gained the lead with an Alexander Nikulin goal, set up by Alexei Kopeikin. Donbass tied it again as Kaspar scored another goal, via Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Randy Robitaille. Donetsk got the lead again with a power play goal by Kagarlitsky, powered by Robitaille and Kaspar. Donbass added on in the third period as Kagarlitsky scored another power play goal, with a lone Robitaille assist, earning him a sock trick. Donetsk extended the lead as Robitaille scored, with the help of Kaspar and Evgeny Dadonov. This made it 5-2, a final, with Kaspar, Kagarlitsky, and Robitaille picking up the three stars.

Southeast a little to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Yury Klyuchnikov are called on to start. Novokuznetsk began with a first period Alexander Bumagin goal, passed from Dmitry Chernykh. Metallurg added on as Anton Lazarev scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Riga got on the board as Paul Szczechura scored a power play goal, with a lone assist from Krisjanis Redlihs. Novokuznetsk answered on a power play goal by Nikita Vyglazov, powered by Bumagin. The scoring stopped here at 3-1, and the three stars went to Bumagin, Lazarev, and Klyuchnikov (30 for 31 in saves).

Much farther west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Andrei Vasilevsky will be in the blue paint. Ufa struck first in the first period on an Alexei Glukhov goal, set up by Ildar Isangulov and Oleg Saprykin. Salavat Yulaev added on as Stefan Ruzicka scored, courtesy of Denis Khlystov and Vitaly Proshkin. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with an Igor Skorokhodov power play goal, powered by Vitaly Sitnikov and Denis Grebeshkov. Ufa responded in the second period as Igor Musatov found twine, with the help of Vitaly Atyushov and Saprykin. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead on an Andrie Zubarev goal, fueled by Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Yugra pulled back with Skorokhodov scoring a power play goal, assisted by Alexei Pepelyaev and Igor Magogin. Ufa shot back on a Mirnov goal, coming off of Antti Pihlstrom and Kirill Koltsov. Khanty-Mansiysk pulled back in the third period as Andrei Kuzmin scored, with assists provided by Ivan Yatsenko and Stanislav Bocharov. Yugra chipped away on a Marek Troncinsky goal, made possible by Sitnikov. They failed to tie the game, losing 5-4, with the three stars being Mirnov, Saprykin, and Skorokhodov, while Sitnikov gets the honorable mention.

To the northwest, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Curtis Sanford are given the starting nods. Yaroslavl led off with a first period goal by Daniil Apalkov, assisted by Niklas Hagman and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the second period as Staffan Kronwall scored, with a lone assist from Alexei Kruchinin. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board on a Maxim Potapov goal, passed from Vladimir Malenkikh and Mikhail Varnakov. This was all for the scoring, with the final resting at 2-1, and the three stars belonged to Kronwall, Apalkov, and Sanford (31 for 32 in saves).

Backtracking southeast to Kazan, where Ak Bars hosts Barys Astana. Pavel Poluektov and Konstantin Barulin will wear the pads. Kazan opened with a first period goal by Alexei Morozov, made possible by Niko Kapanen and Vasily Tokranov. Astana tied it as Brandon Bochenski scored, thanks to Alexei Litvinenko and Nigel Dawes. Barys took the lead in the second period on an Andrew Hutchinson goal, fueled by Roman Starchenko. Ak Bars retied it with a power play goal by Ilya Nikulin, passed from Danis Zaripov and Morozov. Astana took the lead back on an Ilya Solaryov goal, courtesy of Konstantin Savenkov and Viktor Alexandrov. Barys iced it at 4-2 with a power play goal by Starchenko, powered by Hutchinson and Dmitry Upper. The three stars were given to Hutchinson, Starchenko, and Morozov.

Moving along to Nizhnekamsk, with Neftekhimik welcoming Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo and Matt Dalton will attempt to stop the puck. Nizhnekamsk finally got going in the second period on a Renat Mamashev goal, with a lone Maxim Pestushko assist. Omsk tied it as Alexander Popov scored, with the help of Anssi Salmela and the goalie Ramo. Avangard took the lead as Dmitry Syomin scored a goal, assisted by Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. Omsk struck again on an Igor Volkov goal, guided in by Nikita Pivtsakin. Avangard finished it in the third period on an unassisted empty net goal by Sergei Kalinin. The three stars were Popov, Ramo (43 for 44 in saves and an assist), and Syomin.

Back west into Moscow, as Dynamo hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Magnitogorsk started in the second period as Sergei Mozyakin scored, with a helper provided by Justin Hodgman. Moscow tied it in the third period on an Ilya Gorokhov power play goal, powered by Konstantin Gorovikov and Jakub Petruzalek. The game went to a shootout, where Petruzalek came through with the only goal to give Dynamo a 2-1 win. The three stars were Petruzalek, Yeryomenko (21 for 22 in saves), and Ahonen (34 for 35 in saves).

Further to the west, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Ivan Kasutin have the green light to start. St. Petersburg led off with a first period power play goal by Viktor Tikhonov, with a lone assist from Gleb Klimenko. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Stanislav Chistov goal, passed from Evgeny Kuznetsov. SKA took the lead back in the second period on a Tony Martensson goal, set up by Dmitry Kalinin and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg added on in the third period as Petr Prucha scored, with assists provided by Martensson and Thoresen. SKA extended the lead on an unassisted power play goal by Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg wrapped it up at 5-1 with a Martensson goal, fueled by Thoresen, who got a sock trick, and Alexei Semenov. The three stars went to Martensson, Thoresen, and Kasutin (24 for 25 in saves).

Back east a bit, Vityaz Chekhov hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov and Ivan Lisutin stand between the pipes. Chekhov began in the second period as Anton Tikhomirov scored, with assists provided by Denis Sergeyev and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Vityaz added on in the third period on a Josh Hennessy goal, coming off of Anton Korolyuk and Ainars Podzins. Yekaterinburg got on the board with a Stanislav Zhmakin power play goal, powered by Sergei Gusev. They still lost 2-1, with the three stars being Lisutin (25 for 26 in saves), Hennessy, and Tikhomirov.

Out in Prague, Lev Praha hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin and Jakub Stepanek guard the cages. Cherepovets opened in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Evgeny Ketov, set up by Petr Caslava and Alexander Ryazantsev. Severstal added on as Ketov scored a power play goal, assisted by Stanislav Yegorshev and Bogdan Kiselevich. Cherepovets extended the lead as Vadim Berdnikov scored a power play goal, fueled by Linus Videll and Mikhail Anisin. Praha got on the board in the second period with a Jiri Novotny power play goal, powered by Richard Gynge and Jakub Nakladal. Lev pulled closer as Gynge scored, via Sami Lepisto. Severstal replied on a Vadim Shipachyov goal, guided in by Denis Kazionov. Praha shot back with a Michal Repik goal, made possible by Nathan Oystrick on the power play. Lev tied it in the third period with another Repik goal, passed from Lepisto and Ondrej Nemec on the power play. Praha got the lead with a Michal Birner goal, with Repik the only one credited with an assist. This held up for a 5-4 win, with the three stars going to Repik, Lepisto, and Gynge, while Ketov gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Bratislava, as Slovan hosts Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Jaroslav Janus protect the nets. Minsk started with a first period goal by Lukas Krajicek, assisted by Teemu Laine and Sergei Drozd. Dinamo added on with a Tim Stapleton goal, with a lone assist by Jere Karalahti. Bratislava got on the board in the second period with an unassisted goal by Tomas Mojzis. They couldn't find an equalizer, falling 2-1, with the three stars being Stapleton, Haugen (37 for 38 in saves), and Krajicek.

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Fantasy Hockey All-Stars Week 1 2013

Here's your top ten players from the opening week-plus of the season.

1 Patrick Marleau
2 Joe Thornton
3 Craig Anderson
4 Joe Pavelski
5 Zach Parise
6 Thomas Vanek
7 Vladimir Tarasenko
8 Marian Hossa
9 Martin St. Louis
10 Steven Stamkos

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