Wednesday, February 13, 2013

NHL February 13th 2013

Unlike their Russian counterparts, the NHL is going with a low number of games today. The first of three is in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period as Pascal Dupuis potted his fifth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. Ottawa tied it in the second period with a goal from Stephane Da Costa, courtesy of Daniel Alfredsson and Sergei Gonchar. Twenty-four seconds later, Jim O'Brien notched his fourth of the year, via Erik Condra. The Penguins tied it with a James Neal power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Crosby and Paul Martin. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third period on another Neal goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, fueled by Matt Cooke and Deryk Engelland. The Penguins padded the lead with Crosby's sixth of the season, coming off of Martin and Neal. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars belonging to Neal, Crosby, and Martin.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Jimmy Howard occupy the creases. Detroit struck first in the first period on a Tomas Tatar goal, fueled by Patrick Eaves. The Red Wings added on with a Drew Miller goal, assisted by Jordin Tootoo and Jakub Kindl. St. Louis got on the board as Patrik Berglund recorded his sixth of the season, a shorthanded goal made possible by T.J. Oshie. The Blues tied it in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Chris Stewart and Andy McDonald. St. Louis took the lead as Stewart scored his sixth of the season, via Alex Pietrangelo. Detroit tied it with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his sixth of the year (seems to be the number of the night), passed from Valtteri Filppula and Jonathan Ericsson. The Blues won 4-3 in overtime as Alex Steen notched his third of the campaign, courtesy of Barret Jackman and David Backes. The three stars were awarded to Steen, Stewart, and Datsyuk.

Northwest to Calgary, where we end with the Flames hosting the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Leland Irving draw the starts. Calgary began with a first period Jay Bouwmeester goal, his third of the season, assisted by Michael Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. The Flames added on as Jiri Hudler scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Alex Tanguay and Dennis Wideman. Calgary padded the lead as Cammalleri scored a power play goal, via Jarome Iginla and Roman Cervenka. Dallas got on the board as Eric Nystrom potted his second of the season, with the help of Vernon Fiddler and Ryan Garbutt. The Flames replied with a Cervenka goal, his second of the year, made possible by Tanguay and T.J. Brodie. The Stars answered in the second period on the second of the season by Brenden Morrow, coming off of Jaromir Jagr and Jamie Benn on the power play. Calgary shot back as Cammalleri scored his second of the game, with the help of Stempniak and Mark Giordano. Dallas pulled back on another Morrow goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Jamie Oleksiak and Jagr. The Flames responded as Curtis Glencross notched his fifth of the season, pushed through by Iginla and Blair Jones. The Stars chipped away in the third period on a Cody Eakin power play goal, set up by Michael Ryder and Alex Goligoski. Calgary iced it at 7-4 as Cammalleri finished his hat trick with an unassisted empty net goal. The three stars were handed to Cammalleri, Bouwmeester, and Morrow, while Cervenka, Iginla, Tanguay, Jagr, and Stempniak get the honorable mentions.

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KHL February 13th 2013

As well as today, the regular season will be closing out on Friday and Sunday as well. Two more big days of games before the Gagarin Cup playoffs. Twelve games today begin with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov and Michael Garnett are given the starting nods. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period as Deron Quint scored, with the help of Evgeny Kuznetsov. Yekaterinburg tied it as Rastislav Spirko scored, via Alexei Simakov. Traktor retook the lead in the second period when Andrei Kostitsyn scored a goal, made possible by Andrei Popov. Chelyabinsk added on in the third period when Yegor Dugin scored, with a lone assist from Vladimir Antipov. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Garnett (20 for 21 in saves), Kostitsyn, and Dugin.

Northeast in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Ivan Kasutin and Mikhail Biryukov will play goal. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a power play goal by Petr Prucha, powered by Tony Martensson and Kevin Dallman. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the second period as Anton Krysanov scored a power play goal, set up by Konstantin Glazachev and Marek Troncinsky. Yugra gained the lead with an unassisted goal by Alexei Pepelyaev. SKA tied the game on an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, assisted by Igor Makarov and Anton Burdasov. St. Petersburg took the lead in the third period with an unassisted Mikhail Varnakov goal. They held on for the 3-2 win, with Varnakov, Kasutin (27 for 29 in saves), and Kucheryavenko getting the three stars.

South to Barys, as Astana brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Vitaly Yeremeyev are the masked men. Astana quickly began in the first period as Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Litvinenko and Talgat Zhailauov. Barys added on in the second period when Brandon Bochenski scored, with a lone assist from Nigel Dawes. Astana extended the lead in the third period as Konstantin Rudenko scored, thanks to Mikhail Rakhmanov. Barys padded the lead as Zhailauov scored a power play goal, fueled by Fyodor Polishchuk and Krasnoslobodtsev. Moscow got on the board with an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, coming off of Dominik Granak. Dynamo pulled closer when Ilya Gorokhov scored a power play goal, passed from Konstantin Gorovikov and Janne Jalasvaara. They failed to tie the game, falling 4-2, with Krasnoslobodtsev, Zhailauov, and Yeremeyev (26 for 28 in saves) getting the three stars.

In the west, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin faces a lesser foe in Denis Peretyagin. Kazan got going in the second period with a Kirill Petrov goal, fueled by Vadim Khomitsky and Nikolai Zherdev. Ak Bars iced it at 2-0 in the third period with a Jarkko Immonen empty net goal, passed from Ilya Nikulin and Dmitry Obukhov. The three stars of the game went to Barulin (46 save shutout), Petrov, and Peretyagin (29 for 30 in saves).

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Curtis Sanford are in the blue paint. Yaroslavl led off in the first period with a Niklas Hagman goal, assisted by Stephen Dixon and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Lokomotiv added on in the second period as Hagman scored a power play goal, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Kalyuzhny. Yaroslavl extended the lead on a Kronwall power play goal, set up by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv kept going in the third period with a power play goal by Hagman, fueled by Dixon and Alexander Guskov. Khabarovsk got on the board with a power play goal scored by Alexander Yunkov, made possible by Vladimir Loginov and Juha-Pekka Hytonen. This only made it 4-1, the final, with Hagman, Kronwall, and Sanford (25 for 26 in saves) getting the three stars, as well as honorable mentions for Kalyuzhny and Dixon.

A bit east again, where Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Yury Klyuchnikov and Nikita Bespalov will make the starts. Novokuznetsk was first to score in the first period as Anton Lazarev scored a shorthanded goal, via Alexander Mereskin. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Ruslan Zainullin goal, coming off of Alexei Ugarov. Torpedo took the lead with a Martin Thornberg goal, assisted by Juuso Hietanen and Dmitry Makarov. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the second period when Alexei Potapov scored, courtesy of Vladimir Galuzin and Grigory Mishchenko. Metallurg replied on a Stanislav Romanov goal, set up by Denis Kurepanov and Konstantin Turukin. Torpedo shot back with a power play goal by Alexei Vasilyev, powered by Hietanen and Ugarov. Nizhny Novgorod made it 5-2 in the third period with a Vladimir Gorbunov goal, guided in by Vasilyev. This was a final score, with Vasilyev, Hietanen, and Ugarov getting the three stars.

Further to the east, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Iiro Tarkki and Matt Dalton guard the cages. Ufa struck first in the second period as Igor Mirnov scored, with a lone assist from Vitaly Proshkin. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead on an Anton Slepyshev goal, fueled by Brent Sopel. Nizhnekamsk got on the board in the third period with a Roman Lyuduchin goal, set up by Ruslan Nurtdinov. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1. The three stars went to Tarkki (35 for 36 in saves), Slepyshev, and Mirnov.

Into Moscow, as Spartak hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Jan Lasak are in between the pipes. Bratislava got going in the second period with a Roman Kukumberg goal, assisted by Jan Tabacek. Moscow tied it as Alexander Suglobov scored a power play goal, powered by Branko Radivojevic and Vyacheslav Kozlov. Slovan took the lead back with a Milan Bartovic goal, with a lone assist by Tabacek. Spartak tied it again on an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, fueled by Andrei Ankudinov. Bratislava took the lead once again on a Juraj Mikus goal, via Martin Stajnoch and Ivan Svarny. Moscow pulled even again in the third period as Kozlov scored a goal, helped along by Grigory Zheldakov and Radivojevic. Slovan won it in overtime 4-3 with a Bartovic goal, made possible by Mario Bliznak and Tomas Mojzis. The three stars went to Bartovic, Kozlov, and Tabacek, while Radivojevic gets an honorable mention.

Up into Mytishchi, with Atlant hosting Sibir Novosibirsk. Jeff Glass and Stanislav Galimov man the creases. Mytishchi began in the first period on a Maxim Mayorov goal, fueled by Sandis Ozolins and Alexander Shevchenko. Novosibirsk tied it on an unassisted goal by Stepan Sannikov. Sibir took the lead in the second period with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, powered by Ivan Lekomtsev. Atlant tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Alexei Mikhnov, with a lone helper from Oleg Yashin. The game required a shootout to determine the winner, which was Novosibirsk on a lone tally by Jonas Enlund for a 3-2 final. The three stars were Enlund, Glass (24 for 26 in saves), and Galimov (28 for 30 in saves).

South to Chekhov, as Vityaz welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Ivan Lisutin are all padded up. Minsk led off in the first period with a Dmitry Meleshko goal, assisted by Alexander Kulakov. Dinamo added on as Teemu Laine scored, courtesy of Kim Hirschovits and Zbynek Irgl in the second period. Minsk padded the lead with a power play goal by Andrei Mikhalyov, powered by Tim Stapleton. Chekhov got on the board in the third period as Georgy Belousov scored a goal, with a lone assist by Roman Tatalin. Vityaz pulled closer as Dinar Khafizullin scored a goal, helped along by Roman Kudinov. Dinamo iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Stapleton. The three stars were Stapleton, Haugen (29 for 31 in saves), and Mikhalyov.

Over in Ukraine, Donbass Donetsk hosts CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Jan Laco tend the twines. Moscow opened in the second period with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, fueled by Dmitry Monya and Yakov Rylov. Donetsk tied it in the third period on a Petteri Wirtanen goal, assisted by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. The game went to a shootout, where CSKA won 2-1 on a lone tally by Alexander Radulov. The three stars were Stana (27 for 29 in saves), Radulov, and Laco (32 for 33 in saves).

We end the day in Latvia, as Dinamo Riga brings in Lev Praha. Tomas Popperle and Mikael Tellqvist protect the nets. Praha started in the second period with a Petr Vrana goal, assisted by Michal Birner and Mikko Maenpaa on the power play. Riga tied it with a power play goal by Martins Karsums, courtesy of Kristaps Sotnieks and Paul Szczechura. Lev took the lead back in the third period on a Nathan Oystrick power play goal, fueled by Nicklas Danielsson. Praha iced it at 3-1 with a power play goal by Maenpaa, powered by Danielsson and Oystrick. The three stars went to Oystrick, Maenpaa, and Popperle (27 for 28 in saves), while Danielsson gets the honorable mention.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

NHL February 12th 2013

Programming note: the KHL (obviously everyone's favorite league considering the reduction in view count this past week and a half) comes back tomorrow and will play every other day thru Sunday before the playoffs begin. The NHL rolls today with ten games, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Martin Brodeur man the creases. New Jersey opened in the first period as Ilya Kovalchuk scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias on the power play. Carolina tied it in the second period with a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, powered by Joe Corvo and Joni Pitkanen. The Hurricanes took the lead on a Patrick Dwyer goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Jay Harrison and Justin Faulk. The Devils tied it again as Ryan Carter scored his second of the season, an unassisted goal. Carolina gained the lead back as Jiri Tlusty potted his fourth of the year, courtesy of Eric Staal. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with a Tlusty empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, set up by Eric Staal and Faulk. Tlusty, Ward (26 for 28 in saves), and Kovalchuk picked up the three stars, while Eric Staal and Faulk get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Scott Clemmensen are given the starting nods. Washington was first to score in the first period as Mike Ribeiro recorded his fifth of the season, a power play goal helped along by Tomas Kundratek. Florida tied it on a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his fourth of the year, via Filip Kuba. The Panthers took the lead as Shawn Matthias scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Marcel Goc and Dmitry Kulikov. The Capitals tied it in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Karl Alzner, set up by Eric Fehr and Joel Ward. Florida took the lead back as Jonathan Huberdeau scored his fourth of the year, passed from Peter Mueller and Erik Gudbranson. Washington replied as Matt Hendricks put away his third of the season, a shorthanded goal guided in by Alex Ovechkin and Ribeiro. The Panthers regained the lead as Jonathan Huberdeau scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Mueller and Drew Shore. Florida extended the lead as Shore scored in the third period, with the help of Jack Skille. The Capitals chipped away as Fehr scored, with a lone helper from Mike Green. Washington tied it on an Ovechkin power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Ribeiro and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals completed the comeback in overtime as Troy Brouwer scored his sixth of the year, coming off of Backstrom. This made it a 6-5 final, with Backstrom, Huberdeau, and Ovechkin getting the three stars, while Ribeiro, Fehr, Mueller, and Shore get the honorable mentions.

North a touch to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Anders Lindback protect the nets. Montreal led off in the first period with a Brian Gionta power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens extended the lead in the second period as Subban scored his third of the year, with a lone assist from Lars Eller. Montreal padded the lead as Travis Moen scored, via Eller and Colby Armstrong. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Victor Hedman, his third of the season, made possible by Tom Pyatt and Benoit Pouliot. The Lightning got closer with another Hedman goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Teddy Purcell and Sami Salo. Tampa Bay tied it with a Salo power play goal, powered by Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. The Canadiens saved face in the shootout with a lone tally by David Desharnais lifting them to a 4-3 win, with the three stars belonging to Hedman, Lindback (31 for 34 in saves), and Subban, while Salo and Eller get the honorable mentions.

Further north, the Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. New York began with a first period goal by Carl Hagelin, his fourth of the season, assisted by Rick Nash and Dan Girardi. The Rangers added on as Derek Stepan scored his second of the year, an unassisted goal. New York padded the lead in the third period as Anton Stralman put away an unassisted goal. Boston got on the board as David Krejci scored his fourth of the season, via Milan Lucic and Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins pulled closer on a Nathan Horton goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Lucic and Andrew Ference. Boston tied it on a Brad Marchand, his seventh of the season, set up by Patrice Bergeron and Seidenberg. The game required a shootout, where the Rangers got redemption as Nash and Marchand traded goals before a Ryan Callahan tally lifted the Rangers to a 4-3 win. The three stars were Nash, Krejci, and Girardi, while Marchand, Seidenberg, and Lucic get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada, as the Ottawa Senators welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Craig Anderson will be between the pipes. Ottawa got going in the second period as Erik Karlsson scored his sixth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Milan Michalek. The Senators added on with an Erik Condra goal, his second of the year, fueled by Kyle Turris and Sergei Gonchar. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Anderson (42 save shutout), Karlsson, and Condra.

South to Nashville, as the Predators host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Pekka Rinne are the Finnish goalies. Nashville started and ended the scoring in overtime on the fourth of the campaign by Colin Wilson, assisted by Ryan Ellis and David Legwand. This produced the 1-0 final, with the three stars awarded to Rinne (25 save shutout), Wilson, and Niemi (24 for 25 in saves).

Back up in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Al Montoya are set to start. Philadelphia struck first with a first period Brayden Schenn goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Braydon Coburn. Winnipeg tied it as Andrew Ladd scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Blake Wheeler. The Flyers retook the lead as Kimmo Timonen scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Ondrej Pavelec relieved Montoya for the third period. Philadelphia padded the lead as Tye McGinn scored his third of the year in the third period, coming off of Voracek. The Jets took one back on a Ladd goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, fueled by Evander Kane and Wheeler. This only made it 3-2, a final, with the three stars being Voracek, Ladd, and Bryzgalov (24 for 26 in saves), while Wheeler picks up an honorable mention.

Stateside again, with the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Corey Crawford will be in the blue paint. Anaheim opened in the second period with a Ryan Getzlaf power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Nick Bonino and Ben Lovejoy. Chicago tied it on a Nick Leddy power play goal, his second of the year, guided in by Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks took the lead as Brandon Saad scored his second of the season, thanks to Jonathan Toews. The Ducks tied it on a third period Andrew Cogliano goal, coming off of Francois Beauchemin and Lovejoy. Anaheim took the game in the shootout as Bonino and Corey Perry scored to top a lone Chicago tally from Toews. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Crawford (29 for 31 in saves), Saad, and Marcus Kruger, while Bonino or Lovejoy could more readily fill the third star selection.

Northwest to Edmonton, as the Oilers bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Edmonton led off in the first period as Taylor Hall scored his third of the season, with the help of Jordan Eberle. Dallas tied it in the second period on a Brenden Dillon goal, his second of the year, fueled by Stephane Robidas and Derek Roy. The Stars took the lead in the third period as Eric Nystrom scored, with a lone assist from Vernon Fiddler. Dallas added on as Jaromir Jagr scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn. The Stars extended the lead on the second of the year from Ryan Garbutt, via Fiddler. Lehtonen (35 for 36 in saves), Hall, and Dillon got the three stars, while Fiddler gets an honorable mention in the 4-1 game.

Finally, we end in Vancouver, as the Canucks welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper is mismatched with Roberto Luongo in goal. Vancouver struck first in the first period as Kevin Bieksa scored his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Zack Kassian and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks added on in the second period as Jannik Hansen scored his third of the year, assisted by Keith Ballard and Mason Raymond. Minnesota got on the board in the second period with a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, his second of the season, passed from Matt Cullen and Mikael Granlund.

Monday, February 11, 2013

NHL February 11th 2013

Six games tonight, beginning in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and James Reimer are the often-inconsistent goalies. Philadelphia started in the first period as Wayne Simmonds scored his third of the season, assisted by Danny Briere and Luke Schenn. Toronto tied it on a Dion Phaneuf goal, his second of the year, fueled by Leo Komarov and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period as Colton Orr scored, with the help of Frazer McLaren and Cody Franson. Toronto added on as Matt Frattin recorded his seventh of the season, courtesy of Nazem Kadri and Franson. Reimer left shortly after due to injury, and was replaced by Ben Scrivens. The Maple Leafs struck again with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his second of the year, guided in by Kadri and Frattin. Bryzgalov was pulled in favor of Brian Boucher at this time. Toronto padded the lead in the third period as James van Riemsdyk put away his eighth of the season, coming off of Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. The Flyers got as close as 5-2 with a Tye McGinn goal, his second of the year, via Kurtis Foster and Ruslan Fedotenko. Scrivens (32 for 33 in saves in relief), Orr, and Mark Fraser got the three stars, while Frattin, Franson, or Kadri are much more deserving of the third star.

South to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets hosting the San Jose Sharks. Thomas Greiss and Steve Mason will draw the starts. Columbus quickly struck first in the first period as Brandon Dubinsky scored, with the help of Matt Calvert and Fedor Tyutin. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period as James Wisniewski scored a power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. Columbus extended the lead as Cody Goloubef scored a goal, made possible by Derek MacKenzie and Nick Foligno. San Jose got on the board thirteen seconds later with the tenth of the year by Patrick Marleau, assisted by Logan Couture and Douglas Murray. The Blue Jackets shot back in the third period as Nikita Nikitin scored, with assists provided by Calvert and Dubinsky. Columbus padded the lead as Vinny Prospal netted his fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by Foligno and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets quickly got another as Mark Letestu scored his fifth of the year just eight seconds later, with a lone assist by Artem Anisimov. The Sharks got one back late on a Joe Pavelski goal, his sixth of the campaign coming on the power play from Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. This made it 6-2, a final, with the three stars being Dubinsky, Foligno, and Calvert.

Back east, the New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Rick DiPietro will be between the pipes. New York began with a first period power play goal by Frans Nielsen, powered by Josh Bailey and Travis Hamonic. Carolina tied it on a Tim Wallace goal, set up by Jamie McBain and Andreas Nodl. The Islanders reclaimed the lead in the second period as John Tavares scored a power play goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Matt Moulson and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Hurricanes tied it as Jeff Skinner recoded his seventh of the year, via Jordan Staal. New York regained the lead with a Moulson power play goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Brad Boyes and Tavares. Carolina pulled even again in the third period on a Jiri Tlusty goal, his second of the year, made possible by Alexander Semin and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes took the lead as Semin scored his third of the season, with a lone assist by Tlusty. Carolina extended the lead as Eric Staal scored his eighth of the year, courtesy of Tlusty and Jay Harrison. The Islanders replied as Visnovsky scored a power play goal, passed from Boyes and Mark Streit. The Hurricanes iced it at 6-4 as Tlusty put his second of the game and third of the campaign into the empty, with assists provided by Semin and Justin Faulk. The three stars were awarded to Tlusty, Semin, and Tavares, while Eric Staal, Visnovsky, Moulson, and Boyes receive the honorable mentions.

Westward to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Brian Elliott are the backups making spot starts. Los Angeles was first to score in the first period as Jeff Carter notched his fifth of the season, assisted by Slava Voynov and Mike Richards. The Kings added on in the second period as Carter scored his second of the game and sixth of the year, coming off of Keaton Ellerby. Los Angeles padded the lead with a Davis Drewiske power play goal, powered by Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. St. Louis got on the board as Alex Steen scored his second of the season, a power play goal set up by Kevin Shattenkirk and Andy McDonald. The Kings replied in the third period as Jarret Stoll put down his second of the year, via Voynov and Dustin Penner. This made it 4-1, the final, with Carter, Voynov, and Bernier (21 for 22 in saves) picking up the three stars.

Out in Colorado, the Avalanche welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Semyon Varlamov tend the twines. Phoenix opened with a first period goal by Shane Doan, his third of the season, coming off of Kyle Chipchura. Colorado tied it in the second period as Mark Olver scored, thanks to Milan Hejduk and Ryan O'Byrne. The Avalanche took the lead with a Matt Duchene goal, his third of the year, made possible by P.A. Parenteau. The Coyotes tied it again in the third period as Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored his third of the season, with the help of Lauri Korpikoski and Doan. Phoenix won it in overtime on Doan's second of the game and fourth of the year, set up by Chipchura. This made it 3-2, with the three stars going to Doan, Duchene, and Ekman-Larsson, while Chipchura gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Calgary, as the Flames host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Leland Irving have the green light to start. Minnesota got going in the second period on a Kyle Brodziak goal, fueled by Devin Setoguchi and Ryan Suter. Calgary tied it in the third period as Jiri Hudler scored his third of the season, assisted by Roman Cervenka. The game went to a shootout, where the Wild got goals from Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu to earn a 2-1 win, beating a lone tally by Hudler for the Flames. The three stars were Dennis Wideman, Hudler, and Koivu, while Parise, Brodziak, Backstrom (23 for 24 in saves), or Irving (23 for 24 in saves) could take the first slot.

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Sunday, February 10, 2013

NHL February 10th 2013

Six games for today, beginning in...

Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Detroit led off in the first period with a Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on as Damien Brunner scored his sixth of the year, courtesy of Zetterberg and Ian White. Los Angeles got on the board with an Anze Kopitar goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Rob Scuderi and Slava Voynov. The Kings tied it late in the third period as Alec Martinez scored, with a lone assist provided by Kyle Clifford. Detroit took the game with just five seconds remaining on an unassisted Jonathan Ericsson goal, his second of the year. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Howard (45 for 47 in saves), Zetterberg, and Martinez.

Down in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Sergei Bobrovsky are given the starting nods. Edmonton started in the first period as Ales Hemsky potted his fifth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall. Columbus tied it in the third period as R.J. Umberger scored, via Fedor Tyutin and Brandon Dubinsky. The Oilers retook the lead with a Magnus Paajarvi shorthanded goal, set up by Sam Gagner and Ladislav Smid. Edmonton iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Gagner, coming off of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The three stars went to Dubnyk (39 for 40 in saves), Gagner, and Umberger.

East to Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin and Ryan Miller man the creases. Boston got going in the second period as Brad Marchand recorded his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Andrew Ference. Buffalo tied it with a Tyler Ennis goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Drew Stafford. The Bruins took the lead back in the third period Patrice Bergeron scored his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Chris Bourque and Rich Peverley. Boston iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Milan Lucic, his third of the year, courtesy of David Krejci and Dennis Seidenberg. The three stars were given to Khudobin (25 for 26 in saves), Miller (36 for 38 in saves), and Bergeron.

Down in New York City, the Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Henrik Lundqvist are between the pipes. New York struck first in the first period with an early goal by Carl Hagelin, his second of the season, fueled by Rick Nash and Dan Girardi. The Rangers added on as Ryan Callahan scored his third of the year, an unassisted goal. New York padded the lead in the second period with another Hagelin goal, his second of the game and third of the season, with an assist provided by Marc Staal. Garon was relieved by Anders Lindback at this time. Tampa Bay got on the board as Vincent Lecavalier scored his fifth of the year, assisted by Victor Hedman and Alexander Killorn. The Rangers shot back in the third period as Arron Asham scored, courtesy of Ryan McDonagh. New York iced it at 5-1 with Nash's third of the campaign, with assists provided by Hagelin and Girardi. The three stars were awarded to Hagelin, Lundqvist (19 for 20 in saves), and Nash, while Girardi gets an honorable mention.

West to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the New Jersey Devils. Backups Johan Hedberg and Tomas Vokoun guard the cages. New Jersey began in the first period with the eighth of the season by David Clarkson, assisted by Adam Henrique. The Devils added on with a second period goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Stefan Matteau. New Jersey extended the lead when Clarkson scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, a power play goal, powered by Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third period as James Neal scored a power play goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin. This was as close as it got, with th efinal standing at 3-1, and the three stars were Clarkson, Hedberg (23 for 24 in saves), and Neal.

Finally, we end in the Nashville, with the Predators hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne protect the nets. Chicago opened in the second period on a Marcus Kruger goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Blackhawks added on with a Jonathan Toews goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa. Chicago extended the lead in the third period when Patrick Kane potted his ninth of the season, guided in by Dave Bolland and Michal Rozsival. This produced the 3-0 final score, with the three stars awarded to Kruger, Kane, and Crawford (17 save shutout).

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Saturday, February 9, 2013

NHL February 9th 2013

Twelve Eleven games on today, as the Bruins and Lightning are postponed due to the blizzard in the Northeastern United States, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Brodeur will be in the creases. Pittsburgh quickly opened in the first period as Brandon Sutter scored a power play goal, his third of the season, assisted by Simon Despres and Tyler Kennedy. New Jersey tied it in the second period as Stefan Matteau scored, via Andy Greene and Adam Larsson. The Devils took the lead in the third period on an Adam Henrique power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Bobby Butler and Ilya Kovalchuk. New Jersey padded the lead as Butler scored a power play goal, courtesy of Greene and Kovalchuk. This produced the 3-1 final, with Matteau, Butler, and Henrique picking up the three stars, while Kovalchuk, Greene, and Brodeur (24 for 25 in saves) receive the honorable mentions.

A short trip to Philadelphia, where the Flyers bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Ilya Bryzgalov will protect the nets. Carolina was first to score in the first period as Jiri Tlusty scored, thanks to Joe Corvo and Eric Staal. Philadelphia tied it as Brayden Schenn scored his second of the season, passed from Kimmo Timonen and Jakub Voracek. The Flyers took the lead in the second period on a Matt Read goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Mike Knuble. The Hurricanes tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Jordan Staal and Joni Pitkanen. Philadelphia retook the lead as Voracek scored his third of the year, with the help of Schenn and the goalie Bryzgalov. Carolina pulled even in the third period as Corvo scored, with a lone assist by Tim Gleason. The Flyers won 4-3 in overtime as Danny Briere potted his second of the campaign, fueled by Nicklas Grossmann and Schenn. Briere, Schenn, and Voracek were named the three stars, while Corvo gets the honorable mention.

West to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jimmy Howard will make the starts. Detroit began in the second period on a Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Damien Brunner and Henrik Zetterberg. Edmonton tied it with a Justin Schultz power play goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Jordan Eberle and Teemu Hartikainen. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal, coming off of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Datsyuk, Khabibulin (28 for 30 in saves), and Zetterberg.

Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the Winnipeg Jets. Backups Al Montoya and Ben Bishop will cover the spot starts. Winnipeg got going in the third period as Alexei Ponikarovsky scored his second of the season, with a lone assist by Kyle Wellwood. This stood for a 1-0 victory, where Montoya (33 save shutout), Bishop (36 for 37 in saves), and Mark Stuart got the three stars, while Ponikarovsky should have the third star.

West to San Jose, with the Sharks hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Antti Niemi are given the starting nods. The game was scoreless into the shootout, until Mikkel Boedker and Radim Vrbata both found the twine behind Niemi for a 1-0 Phoenix win. The three stars were Smith (33 save shutout), Niemi (21 save "shutout"), and Boedker.

Back east, the Boston Bruins host the Tampa Bay Lightn........ Frozen... Please Wait...

Sorry for the delay, that game above has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Next up, the Washington Capitals host the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Washington started in the first period as Troy Brouwer scored his fourth of the season, with a lone assist from John Carlson. The Capitals added on with a Brouwer power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by the goalie Holtby. Washington extended the lead when Joel Ward recorded his fifth of the season, with the help of Eric Fehr and Mathieu Perreault. The Capitals padded the lead in the third period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Jason Chimera and Mike Ribeiro. Washington kept going as Perreault scored, thanks to Jeff Schultz and Ward. Scott Clemmensen relieved Theodore at this time. This was all they needed to win 5-0, with the three stars being Holtby (27 save shutout), Brouwer, and Ward, while Perreault gets an honorable mention.

Back north a bit, the New York Islanders host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Evgeni Nabokov have the green light to start. Buffalo led off in the first period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Cody Hodgson and Jordan Leopold. New York tied it on a John Tavares goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Brian Strait and Brad Boyes. The Sabres took the lead back in the second period with a Christian Ehrhoff goal, fueled by Hodgson and Vanek. The Islanders tied it again as Colin McDonald scored, with assists provided by Casey Cizikas and Strait. The Sabres regained the lead as Alexander Sulzer recorded his third of the season, via Steve Ott and Mikhail Grigorenko. This stood as a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Miller (41 for 43 in saves), Tavares, and Vanek, while Strait receives an honorable mention.

Into Canada again, with the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Carey Price stand 200 feet apart. Leo Komarov struck first for Toronto, scoring a goal in the first period, helped along by Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs added on with a Tyler Bozak goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and John-Michael Liles. Toronto extended the lead in the second period with a van Riemsdk goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs padded the lead as Kessel scored his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson. Toronto continued in the third period with a Korbinian Holzer goal, his second of the year, coming off of Colton Orr and Jay McClement. The Maples Leafs were relentless as Phaneuf scored a power play goal, set up by Kessel. This ended the scoring at 6-0, with the three stars going to Reimer (37 save shutout), van Riemsdyk, and Bozak, while Kessel and Phaneuf receive the honorable mentions.

Back in the states, the St. Louis Blues host the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Brian Elliott are the masked men. St. Louis opened in the first period with an Alex Steen power play goal, powered by Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. Anaheim tied it as Bobby Ryan scored his third of the season, courtesy of Teemu Selanne and Francois Beauchemin. The Blues took the lead back as David Backes notched his second of the year, thanks to Andy McDonald and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis padded the lead as David Perron score his third of the season, coming off of Shattenkirk and Patrik Berglund. The Ducks pulled back in the second period on a Selanne goal, his fourth of the year, via Saku Koivu and Ryan. Anaheim tied it on an Andrew Cogliano goal, fueled by Nick Bonino and Daniel Winnik. The Ducks took the lead with another Ryan goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, made possible by Selanne and Beauchemin. The Blues retied it in the third period as T.J. Oshie knocked in his fourth of the year, guided in by Backes. Anaheim retook the lead with a Koivu goal, his fourth of the season, pushed through by Ryan and Selanne, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Louis tied it as Chris Stewart potted his fifth of the year, a power play goal passed from Steen and McDonald. The Ducks would win in the shootout 6-5, but not without a fight, as Perron matched Koivu, Stewart cancelled out Corey Perry, and Steen kept pace with Ryan Getzlaf before Bonino potted the decisive goal. The three stars were awarded to Ryan, Selanne, and Backes, while Steen, Stewart, Koivu, Beauchemin, Shattenkirk, and McDonald all receive honorable mentions.

Northward to Minnesota, with the Wild hosting the Nashville Predators. Chris Mason is mismatched with Niklas Backstrom in goal. Nashville began in the first period as Paul Gaustad scored, with a lone assist from Craig Smith. Minnesota tied it in the second period on a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his second of the season, made possible by Ryan Suter and Matt Cullen. The Wild won 2-1 in overtime with a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, powered by Mikko Koivu and Suter. The three stars belonged to Backstrom (25 for 26 in saves), Clutterbuck, and Setoguchi, while Suter gets the honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Vancouver, with the Canucks welcoming the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Cory Schneider will protect the nets. Calgary got going in the first period with a Lee Stempniak goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Matt Stajan and Blake Comeau. Vancouver tied it in the second period on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his third of the year, set up by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks took the lead as Jordan Schroeder scored a power play goal, powered by Alexander Edler and Burrows. Vancouver padded the lead as Kevin Bieksa recorded his second of the season, coming off of Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks kept going in the third period on a Chris Higgins goal, his second of the year, guided in by Maxim Lapierre and Bieksa. Vancouver iced it at 5-1 with another Schroeder goal, his second of the game, passed from Mason Raymond and Chris Tanev. The three stars were awarded to Schroeder, Henrik Sedin, and Schneider (33 for 34 in saves), while Bieksa, Daniel Sedin, and Burrows receive the honorable mentions.

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Friday, February 8, 2013

NHL February 8th 2013

One game on tonight, twelve tomorrow though. We begin and end in...

Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas began with a first period Trevor Daley power play goal, powered by Derek Roy and Loui Eriksson. The Stars added on as Jamie Benn scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Brenden Morrow and Alex Goligoski. Viktor Fasth relieved Hiller for the second period. Anaheim tied it on a Nick Bonino goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, assisted by Luca Sbisa and Corey Perry. Dallas replied in the third period as Eriksson scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Roy and Goligoski. This made it 3-1, with the three stars going to Daley, Lehtonen (20 for 21 in saves), and Benn, while Eriksson, Roy, and Goligoski get the honorable mentions.

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