Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Western Conference Semifinal: SKA St. Petersburg VS. Severstal Cherepovets

Welcome to the post for the semifinal series between SKA St. Petersburg and Severstal Cherepovets in the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Ivan Kasutin for SKA. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Mikhail Varnakov, assisted by Kevin Dallman. Cherepovets tied it with a Nikita Alexeyev goal, with a lone assist from Linus Videll. SKA took the lead back as Viktor Tikhonov scored, courtesy of Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg added on in the second period as Thoresen scored a power play goal, powered by Dallman and Dmitry Kalinin. Severstal shot back with a Mikhail Anisin goal, fueled by Niclas Bergfors and Vadim Berdnikov. Cherepovets retied it on an Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal gained the lead on a Ketov power play goal, set up by Shipachyov and Bogdan Kiselevich. SKA retied it as Martensson scored, with assists provided by Thoresen and Dallman, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Petersburg gained the lead again in the third period on a Tikhonov goal, coming off of Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA padded the lead with an empty net goal by Maxim Afinogenov, via Evgeny Artyukhin. St. Petersburg iced it at 7-4 with another empty net goal by Tikhonov, completing his hat trick with the help of Martensson, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Tikhonov, Martensson, and Thoresen, while Dallman, Shipachyov, and Ketov receive the honorable mentions. SKA takes an early 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Ilya Ezhov for SKA. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Viktor Tikhonov, powered by Kevin Dallman and Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on in the second period when Teemu Ramstedt scored, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with another Tikhonov goal, with a lone assist from Anton Burdasov. Cherepovets got on the board in the third period when Alexander Ryazantsev scored, with the help of Evgeny Ketov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA replied with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, passed from Evgeny Artyukhin. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Tikhonov, Ezhov (43 for 44 in saves), and Ramstedt. SKA will head east with a 2-0 series lead in hand.

Game 3: Ice Palace, Cherepovets, Russia. In goal: Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal. St. Petersburg began in the first period with a Teemu Ramstedt goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin. SKA added on as Mikhail Varnakov scored, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg extended the lead with an Anton Burdasov goal, passed from Dmitry Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA padded the lead in the second period as Ivan Nepryayev scored, with the help of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Kalinin. This was all for the scoring, resulting a 4-0 final, with Ezhov (32 save shutout), Ramstedt, and Kalinin receiving the three stars. SKA has pushed Severstal to the brink of elimination, with a 3-0 series lead in hand.

Game 4: Ice Palace, Cherepovets, Russia. In goal: Ivan Kasutin for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with a power play goal by Dmitry Kalinin, powered by Kevin Dallman and Viktor Tikhonov. Cherepovets tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, fueled by Vadim Shipachyov on the power play. Severstal took the lead in the second period as Mikhail Anisin scored, thanks to Gennady Stolyarov. SKA tied it again on a Yury Alexandrov goal, assisted by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Artemy Panarin. St. Petersburg took the lead with a Kucheryavenko goal, set up by Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA extended the lead as Evgeny Artyukhin scored, with a lone assist from Kucheryavenko. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Kucheryavenko, Kalinin, and Kasutin (34 for 36 in saves). SKA will advance to the conference finals, sweeping Severstal away 4-0.  

Monday, March 11, 2013

NHL March 11th 2013

Two games only today, beginning with...

The Ottawa Senators hosting the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Robin Lehner protect the nets. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Guillaume Latendresse goal, assisted by Sergei Gonchar and Chris Phillips. The Senators added on as Kyle Turris scored his fifth of the season, fueled by Phillips. Boston got on the board with a Shawn Thornton goal, his second of the year, guided in by Zdeno Chara. The Bruins tied it in the second period when Daniel Paille scored his fifth of the season, thanks to David Krejci and Adam McQuaid. Boston won 3-2 in the shootout as Patrice Bergeron and Krejci goals overpowered a lone Turris tally. The three stars went to Krejci, Phillips, and Paille.

Out west, we finish in Los Angeles, as the Kings host the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Dustin Brown power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Slava Voynov and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on with a Jarret Stoll goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Muzzin. Calgary got on the board in the third period as Mikael Backlund scored his fourth of the season, via Alex Tanguay. Los Angeles iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted Brown empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year. The three stars went to Muzzin, Stoll, and Jay Bouwmeester, while Brown could take the third slot.

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Sunday, March 10, 2013

NHL March 10th 2013

Ten more games to end the weekend, beginning in...

Washington, D.C., as the Capitals host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Braden Holtby receive the starting nods. Washington opened with a Steve Oleksy goal, fueled by Jason Chimera and Marcus Johansson. New York tied it as Derek Stepan scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Marian Gaborik and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers took the lead as Brian Boyle scored, via McDonagh and Carl Hagelin. New York padded the lead on a Ryan Callahan goal, his eighth of the year, coming on the power play from Rick Nash and Michael Del Zotto. Michal Neuvirth relieved Holtby at this time. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 with a Brad Richards goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Hagelin and Nash. The three stars went to Biron (28 for 29 in saves), McDonagh, and Oleksy, while Nash and Hagelin get the honorable mentions.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jimmy Howard are in the blue paint. Columbus got going in the second period as Derick Brassard scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Fedor Tyutin and Cam Atkinson. Detroit tied it with a Jakub Kindl goal, his third of the year, passed from Pavel Datsyuk. The Blue Jackets got the lead back on an R.J. Umberger goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno. The Red Wings tied it again in the third period as Johan Franzen scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Damien Brunner and Henrik Zetterberg. Columbus won 3-2 in the shootout, with tallies by Johansen and Matt Calvert toppling Datsyuk's lone goal. Umberger, Datsyuk, and Jack Johnson got the three stars, while Johansen gets the honorable mention.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Jacob Markstrom are set to start. Montreal began with a David Desharnais goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Brendan Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens added on as Michael Ryder scored a power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Tomas Plekanec. Montreal extended the lead in the second period as Brian Gionta scored his ninth of the season, guided in by Subban and Plekanec. The Canadiens padded the lead with a Francis Bouillon goal, coming off of Ryder and Gionta. Florida got on the board in the third period when Tomas Kopecky scored his tenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Panthers pulled closer as Shawn Matthias netted his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Jack Skille. Montreal shot back as Ryder scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Subban, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Markov. This produced a 5-2 final score, with the three stars belonging to

Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Ray Emery are called on to start. Edmonton led off with a first period Mike Brown goal, with a lone assist from Nick Schultz. The Oilers added on as Sam Gagner scored his eighth of the season, guided in by Magnus Paajarvi and Nail Yakupov. Edmonton padded the lead as Ryan Whitney scored his third of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky. Corey Crawford relieved Emery at this time. The Oilers struck again with another Gagner goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, coming on the power play from Whitney and Jordan Eberle. Chicago got on the board in the second period when Patrick Kane scored his thirteenth of the year, via Dave Bolland. The Blackhawks chipped away as Marian Hossa potted his eleventh of the season, thanks to Jonathan Toews and Nick Leddy. Yann Danis had to relieve Dubnyk due to injury shortly after this goal. Edmonton shot back on a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. Chicago chipped back on a Sheldon Brookbank shorthanded goal, with an assist from Hossa. The Oilers answered on a Hall power play goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. The Blackhawks swiftly replied again with a Brent Seabrook goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Kane and Duncan Keith. Chicago pulled closer in the third period on Kane's second of the night and fourteenth of the season, helped along by Bolland and Brandon Saad on the power play. They failed to complete the comeback, losing 6-5, with the three stars going to Gagner, Kane, and Hall, while Justin Schultz, Nugent-Hopkins, Whitney, Hossa, and Bolland receive the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tomas Vokoun are the veteran goalies. Pittsburgh started with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on as Kunitz scored his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal, passed from James Neal and Crosby. Pittsburgh struck again with another Kunitz power play gol, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, powered by Neal and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. New York got on the board in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Casey Cizikas and Matt Moulson. The Penguins replied as Kunitz finished his hat trick with his seventeenth of the season, pushed through by Kris Letang and Crosby. Pittsburgh padded the lead on a Neal goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone helper from Letang. Kevin Poulin took over in net for Nabokov in the third period. The Penguins extended the lead as Dupuis scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, passed from Crosby and Kunitz. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 6-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Kunitz, Crosby, and Dupuis, while Neal and Letang get the honorable mentions.

Further east, the New Jersey Devils host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Johan Hedberg are between the pipes. New Jersey was first to score in the first period as Ryan Carter scored his third of the season, made possible by Travis Zajac and Anton Volchenkov. The Devils added on with the third of the year by Stephen Gionta, passed from Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Larsson. Winnipeg got on the board as Mark Stuart potted his second of the season, courtesy of Nik Antropov and Antti Miettinen. The Jets tied it in the second period with Evander Kane scoring his tenth of the year, with a lone assist from Stuart. New Jersey won 3-2 in the shootout as Patrik Elias scored the only goal. Kane, Carter, and Stuart get the three stars.

Crossing into Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ilya Bryzgalov guard the cages. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Simon Gagne power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and the goalie Bryzgalov. The Flyers added on with the second of the year by Max Talbot, a shorthanded goal coming off of Ruslan Fedotenko. Buffalo got on the board as Matt Flynn scored his second of the season, assisted by Kevin Porter and Andrej Sekera. Philadelphia extended the lead on a Claude Giroux goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Timonen. The Sabres got one back in the third period on a Jochen Hecht shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Steve Ott. They failed to get the equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being handed to Giroux, Talbot, and Porter, while Timonen gets an honorable mention.

Way west to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Semyon Varlamov protect the nets. Colorado opened with a first period Matt Duchene power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by P.A. Parenteau and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche added on in the second period as Ryan O'Reilly scored his second of the year, with the help of Aaron Palushaj and John Mitchell. San Jose got on the board with a Patrick Marleau goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Ryane Clowe. The Sharks tied it in the third period as Logan Couture netted his tenth of the year, courtesy of Joe Thornton. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime as Duchene scored his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, with helpers provided by Parenteau and Jan Hejda. Duchene, Varlamov (36 for 38 in saves), and Niemi (39 for 42 in saves) were named the three stars, and Parenteau gets an honorable mention.

Into California, where the Anaheim Ducks welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. St. Louis began with a Ryan Reaves goal, fueled by Wade Redden and Adam Cracknell. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Andrew Cogliano, his ninth of the season, passed from Emerson Etem and Ben Lovejoy. The Blues took the lead back in the third period on a Patrik Berglund power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kris Russell and T.J. Oshie. The Ducks tied it on a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Francois Beauchemin. Anaheim gained the lead as Corey Perry scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal set up by Getzlaf and Beauchemin. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 with Perry scoring his second of the game and ninth of the campaign in the empty net, with assists provided by Beauchemin, who got a sock trick, and Sheldon Souray. Getzlaf, Perry, and Beauchemin received the three stars.

Finally, we end in Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Niklas Backstrom occupy the creases. Minnesota quickly started in the first period with Zach Parise's tenth of the season, assisted by Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on as Jason Zucker scored his fourth of the year, fueled by Matt Cullen and Clayton Stoner. Minnesota padded the lead in the second period on a Spurgeon power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Ryan Suter and Parise. Vancouver got on the board as Chris Higgins notched his seventh of the year, via Andrew Alberts. The Canucks pulled closer in the third period on a Henrik Sedin goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Jason Garrison and David Booth. The Wild extended the lead on another Parise goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, courtesy of Suter and Charlie Coyle. This was good for a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Parise, Suter, and Coyle, while Spurgeon got the honorable mention.

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Saturday, March 9, 2013

NHL March 9th 2013

Ten games to go with today, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Evgeni Nabokov play goal. New York was first to score as Josh Bailey scored his second of the season in the first period, with assists from Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit. Washington tied it on a second period power play goal by Mathieu Perreaul, his fourth of the year, powered by tJoel Ward and John Carlson. The Islanders retook the lead as Casey Cizikas scored his third of the season, thanks to Matt Martin and Colin McDonald. The Capitals tied it in the third period as Nicklas Backstrom put away his third of the year, coming off of Eric Fehr and Karl Alzner. New York retook the lead as John Tavares scored a power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Brad Boyes and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Islanders extended the lead as Tavares scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, another power play goal, guided in by Matt Moulson and Boyes. New York iced it at 5-2 with a shorthanded goal by Nielsen, his third of the campaign, made possible by Travis Hamonic and Bailey. The three stars went to Tavares, Nielsen, and Cizikas, while Boyes gets an honorable mention.

Over in Boston, the Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Tuukka Rask protect the nets. Boston led off in the first period with a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. The Bruins added on as Chris Kelly scored his second of the year, via Jordan Caron and Rich Peverley. Boston extended the lead as Daniel Paille scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-0 final score, with the three stars being Rask (23 save shutout), Kelly, and Dennis Seidenberg, while any point-earner can take the third slot.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Sergei Bobrovsky are called on to start. Columbus began in the first period as Cam Atkinson scored his third of the season, fueled by Matt Calvert. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period when Jack Johnson scored his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. Columbus padded the lead on a Nick Foligno goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Ryan Johansen. This held for a 3-0 win, with Bobrovsky (30 save shutout), Foligno, and Brassard getting the three stars.

Out in California, the San Jose Sharks host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Antti Niemi are given the starting nods. St. Louis opened in the first period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk and Wade Redden. San Jose tied it on a Logan Couture goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Tommy Wingels and Matt Irwin. The Sharks added on in the second period as Scott Gomez scored his second of the season, via Ryane Clowe and James Sheppard. San Jose padded the lead as Irwin scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Justin Braun and Gomez. The Blues got one back in the third period as Sobotka scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Kris Russell and Roman Polak. St. Louis tied it as Sobotka finished his hat trick with a power play goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Chris Stewart and Shattenkirk. Niemi was replaced by Alex Stalock at this time. St. Louis won 4-3 on an overtime goal by Patrik Berglund, his twelfth of the campaign, made possible by Barret Jackman and Alex Pietrangelo. The three stars were handed to Sobotka, Jackman, and Gomez, while Shattenkirk and Irwin get the honorable mentions.

Back in the east, the Carolina Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Dan Ellis stand in the blue paint. Carolina struck first in the first period as Alexander Semin scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal, coming off of Joe Corvo and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes added on as Jay Harrison scored his third of the year, assisted by Jeff Skinner and Jordan Staal. New Jersey got on the board when Ilya Kovalchuk scored his eighth of the season, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Carolina replied in the second period as Tlusty potted his twelfth of the year, via Semin and the goalie Ellis. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Chris Terry scored, with the help of Eric Staal and Bobby Sanguinetti. Carolina padded the lead when Skinner scored his ninth of the season, guided in by Jordan Staal and Tim Gleason. Jeff Frazee relieved Hedberg in the third period. The Devils got one back as Kovalchuk scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, with helpers from Mark Fayne and Andy Greene. New Jersey got closer as Patrik Elias scored his eighth of the season, pushed through by Marek Zidlicky and Anton Volchenkov. The Hurricanes iced it at 6-3 as Tlusty scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the year into an empty net, passed from Semin and Eric Staal. The three stars were given to Semin, Ellis (31 for 34 in saves), and Tlusty, while Skinner, Eric Staal, and Jordan Staal get the honorable mentions.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price faces a lesser foe in Cedrick Desjardins in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period as Steven Stamkos scored his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Victor Hedman. Montreal tied it on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone assist from Andrei Markov. The Lightning took the lead back as Sami Salo scored his second of the season, made possible by B.J. Crombeen and Nate Thompson. Tampa Bay added on with a Ryan Malone power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Stamkos and St. Louis. The Canadiens got one back in the third period on a Brian Gionta power play goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Michael Ryder and Francis Bouillon. Montreal tied it on an Alexei Emelin goal, his second of the year, guided in by Gionta and Ryder. The Canadiens took the lead with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Max Pacioretty. This produced a 4-3 final score, with the three stars belonging to Ryder, Plekanec, and Salo, while Stamkos, St. Louis, and Gionta get the honorable mentions.

North again to Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and James Reimer guard the cages. Pittsburgh started in the first period as James Neal recorded his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Matt Niskanen and Kris Letang. Toronto tied it on a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. The Penguins took the lead back when Sidney Crosby notched his twelfth of the season, coming off of Letang and Beau Bennett. Pittsburgh padded the lead with a Paul Martin goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Neal and Evgeni Malkin. The Maple Leafs got one back in the second period as Cody Franson scored his second of the season, a power play goal set up by Kessel and Phaneuf. The Penguins replied with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Martin and Brooks Orpik. Toronto shot back on a Clarke MacArthur goal, his seventh of the season, with helpers provided by Phaneuf, who got a sock trick, and Matt Frattin. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Kessel scored his seventh of the year, via Mark Fraser and MacArthur. Pittsburgh won 5-4 in the shootout with tallies by Neal and Crosby. The three stars were awarded to Crosby, Kessel, and Phaneuf, while Neal, Letang, Martin, and MacArthur get the honorable mentions.

Way southwest to Phoenix, with the Coyotes hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Mike Smith tend the twines. Phoenix began with a first period goal by Shane Doan, his eighth of the season, guided in by Antoine Vermette and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Rob Klinkhammer scored, via Boyd Gordon and David Moss. Dallas got on the board as Jaromir Jagr scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Loui Eriksson. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars being handed to Klinkhammer, Smith (20 for 21 in saves), and Zbynek Michalek (eight blocked shots), while any point-earner could take a chance at the third slot.

Back northeast a touch to Nashville, where the Predators host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Minnesota led off in the second period with a Zach Parise power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu. Nashville tied it in the third period on a David Legwand power play goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Sergei Kostitsyn and Shea Weber. The Wild won in the shootout by a 2-1 margin, as Koivu and Matt Cullen's tallies overpowered the one goal by Craig Smith. The three stars were given to Backstrom (24 for 25 in saves), Legwand, and Parise, while Koivu gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonathan Quick are between the pipes. Los Angeles opened with a first period Jeff Carter power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Dustin Brown and Slava Voynov. Calgary tied it as Michael Cammalleri potted his ninth of the year, a power play goal, set up by Dennis Wideman and Jarome Iginla. The Kings took the lead back as Jake Muzzin scored his fifth of the season, guided in by Colin Fraser and Justin Williams. Los Angeles padded the lead as Trevor Lewis scored his fourth of the year, passed from Voynov. The Flames got one back on an Alex Tanguay goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Mark Giordano and Matt Stajan. The Kings answered in the second period as Williams notched his third of the year, with helpers from Voynov, who got a sock trick, and Anze Kopitar. Los Angeles extended the lead in the third period as Kopitar put away his eighth of the season, via Williams. The Kings kept going with a Colin Fraser goal, his second of the year, assisted by Jordan Nolan and Dustin Penner. Joey MacDonald relieved Kiprusoff at this time. This produced a 6-2 final, with Voynov, Kopitar, and Williams getting the three stars, while Fraser gets an honorable mention.

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Friday, March 8, 2013

NHL March 8th 2013

Five games on tonight to take us into the weekend, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Henrik Lundqvist are given the starting nods. Ottawa started with a first period goal by Zack Smith, his second of the season, assisted by Sergei Gonchar and Daniel Alfredsson. The Senators added on as Patrick Wiercioch scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Gonchar and Milan Michalek. New York got on the board with a Rick Nash goal, his ninth of the season, via Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman. The Rangers tied it again when Brad Richards notched his third of the year, guided in by Carl Hagelin. Ottawa took the lead as Jakob Silfverberg scored in the third period, his fourth of the season, passed from Eric Gryba and Chris Phillips. The final was 3-2, with the three stars being Silfverberg, Nash, and Gonchar.

South to Florida, where the Panthers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jacob Markstrom are the masked men. Winnipeg began with a first period Andrew Ladd goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Bryan Little. The Jets extended the lead as Blake Wheeler scored his eighth of the year, passed from Ladd. Florida got on the board when Jonathan Huberdeau scored his twelfth of the season, made possible by Drew Shore and Peter Mueller. The Panthers tied it as Shawn Matthias scored his sixth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Kopecky and Jack Skille. Winnipeg won 3-2 in overtime as Dustin Byfuglien scored his fourth of the campaign, guided in by Grant Clitsome and Nik Antropov. The three stars went to Byfuglien, Ladd, and Matthias. 

Northwest to Nashville, as the Predators host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Pekka Rinne are in the creases. Nashville led off in the first period with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his third of the season coming on the power play from Colin Wilson and Mike Fisher. The Predators added on as David Legwand scored his fourth of the year, via Wilson. Yann Danis relieved Dubnyk for the second period. Nashville padded the lead in the second period with a Richard Clune goal, his second of the season, made possible by Paul Gaustad and Sergei Kostitsyn. The Predators extended the lead as Zach Boychuk scored, with the help of Shea Weber and Martin Erat. Nashville kept going in the third period on a Wilson goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Fisher and Weber. The Predators got another as Wilson scored his second of the game and seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Weber, who got a sock trick, and Craig Smith. This made it 6-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Wilson, Rinne (24 save shutout), and Weber, while Fisher gets an honorable mention.

Over in Colorado, the Avalanche host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Semyon Varlamov tend the twines. Chicago opened in the first period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad. Colorado tied it on a Paul Stastny goal, his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Matt Duchene and P.A. Parenteau. The Avalanche took the lead on a second period Duchene goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Erik Johnson. Colorado extended the lead when John Mitchell scored his eighth of the year, with the help of Ryan O'Reilly and Aaron Palushaj. The Avalanche padded the lead as O'Reilly scored a power play goal, made possible by Duchene and Stastny. Colorado added on with a Jamie McGinn goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Duchene and Parenteau. Ray Emery came on in relief of Crawford for the third period. The Blackhawks got one back as Bryan Bickell scored his sixth of the year, via Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik. The Avalanche replied as Parenteau scored his tenth of the campaign, helped along by Stastny and Matt Hunwick. This resulted in a streak-ending 6-2 final, with the three stars belonging to Duchene, Parenteau, and O'Reilly, while Stastny gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Anaheim, as the Ducks welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Viktor Fasth are in the blue paint. Anaheim got going in the first period as Daniel Winnik scored his sixth of the season, courtesy of Andrew Cogliano and Saku Koivu. The Ducks added on with a Bobby Ryan goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim extended the lead as Sheldon Souray scored his fifth of the season, set up by Brad Staubitz and Emerson Etem. The Ducks padded the lead as Getzlaf scored his tenth of the year, assisted by Ryan and Luca Sbisa. The final stood here at 4-0, with the three stars going to Fasth (29 save shutout), Souray, and Getzlaf, while Ryan gets an honorable mention.

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

NHL March 7th 2013

Eleven games on again tonight, beginning in...

Pennsylvania, as the Philadelphia Flyers welcome their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilya Bryzgalov are between the pipes. Philadelphia struck first in the first period as Jakub Voracek scored a power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. Pittsburgh tied it as Chris Kunitz scored his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal set up by Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby. The Flyers took the lead back on a Zac Rinaldo goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nicklas Grossmann and Max Talbot. Philadelphia added on as Timonen scored his third of the year, fueled by Rinaldo and Ruslan Fedotenko. The Flyers extended the lead as Voracek scored another power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, passed from Timonen. Tomas Vokoun replaced Fleury for the second period. The Penguins answered in the second period on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Crosby and Kunitz. Pittsburgh pulled closer as James Neal notched his fifteenth of the season, with the help of Beau Bennett. The Penguins got the equalizer as Tyler Kennedy recorded his third of the year, assisted by Matt Cooke and Brandon Sutter. Brian Boucher relieved Bryzgalov at this time. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third period on Kunitz's second of the game and fourteenth of the season, helped along by Crosby, who got a sock trick, and Dupuis. This held up for the 5-4 win, with the three stars awarded to Kunitz, Voracek, and Crosby, while Dupuis, Timonen, and Rinaldo receive the honorable mentions.

Over in New York, we get another rivalry, as the New York Islanders bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Evgeni Nabokov are in the creases. The Islanders were the first to score in the first period with a Michael Grabner goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Colin McDonald and Andrew MacDonald. The Rangers tied it in the third period when Rick Nash scored his eighth of the year, set up by Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers won 2-1 in overtime on a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his eighth of the campaign, powered by Nash and Stepan. Nash, Grabner, and Nabokov (35 for 37 in saves) got the three stars, while Lundqvist (27 for 28 in saves), and Stepan get the honorable mentions.

Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Justin Peters are set to start in goal. Montreal began in the first period with a Brandon Prust goal, his fourth of the season, via Alexei Emelin and Lars Eller. The Canadiens added on as Josh Gorges scored his second of the year, guided in by Prust and P.K. Subban. Carolina got on the board in the second period with a Jordan Staal goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes tied it as Drayson Bowman put away his second of the year, with a lone assist from Jeremy Welsh. Montreal took the lead back as Eller scored his third of the season, thanks to Gorges and Prust. The Canadiens padded the lead as Subban scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Andrei Markov and Eller. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars going to Prust, Gorges, and Eller.

Back north a touch to DC, as the Washington Capitals host the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington led off with a first period goal by John Erskine, his third of the season, passed from Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. The Capitals added on as Wojtek Wolski scored his fourth of the year, courtesy of Steve Oleksy and Mathieu Perreault. Scott Clemmensen relieved Markstrom at this time. Washington kept going with a Carlson goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Nicklas Backstrom and Troy Brouwer. The Capitals struck again as Mike Ribeiro scored his ninth of the year, via Ovechkin and Matt Hendricks. Washington padded the lead in the second period as Ovechkin scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal, powered by Brouwer and Ribeiro. The Capitals extended the lead in the third period as Eric Fehr scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal set up by Wolski and Ribeiro. Florida got on the board with a Jack Skille goal, his third of the season, coming off of Shawn Matthias. Washington replied with a Perreault goal, his third of the year, assisted by Wolski and Oleksy. The final stood at 7-1, with the three stars belonging to Ribeiro, Holtby (29 for 30 in saves), and Ovechkin, while Wolski, Perreault, Carlson, Oleksy, and Brouwer pick up the honorable mentions.

Up in Boston, the Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Anton Khudobin are the backups making spot starts. Boston started in the first period on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand. Toronto tied it in the second period as Nazem Kadri scored his eleventh of the year, guided in by Clarke MacArthur and Carl Gunnarsson. The Bruins regained the lead on a Seguin goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Marchand and Bergeron. Boston extended the lead with a David Krejci goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Andrew Ference and Milan Lucic. The Maple Leafs got one back in the third period as Mikhail Grabovski scored his seventh of the season, courtesy of Gunnarsson and Mike Kostka. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 as Seguin scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, an empty net goal passed from Bergeron. Bergeron, Seguin, and Marchand received the three stars, while Gunnarsson gets an honorable mention.

South a touch to New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Johan Hedberg are given the starting nods. Buffalo got going in the second period as Thomas Vanek scored his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tyler Ennis and Steve Ott. The Sabres added on in the third period as Brian Flynn scored, thanks to Andrej Sekera and Marcus Foligno. New Jersey got on the board with an Adam Henrique power play goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils tied it as Patrik Elias scored his seventh of the season, with assists from David Clarkson and Andy Greene. Ryan Miller replaced an injured Enroth at this time. New Jersey won 3-2 in the shootout with Clarkson and Elias tallies. The three stars were given to Elias, Enroth (27 for 29 in saves), and Flynn, while Clarkson gets an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the blue paint. Columbus opened in the first period on an R.J. Umberger goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen. Vancouver tied it in the third period when Henrik Sedin with his fifth of the year, made possible by Dan Hamhuis and Daniel Sedin. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime as Matt Calvert scored his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Fedor Tyutin and Jack Johnson. The three stars were handed to Bobrovsky (34 for 35 in saves), Calvert and Umberger.

Southeast again, with the Tampa Bay Lightning welcoming the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Anders Lindback have the green light to start. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period as Eric Tangradi scored an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period as Steven Stamkos scored his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Ryan Malone. The Jets took the lead back as Bryan Little scored his fourth of the year, via Andrew Ladd. This produced a 2-1 final score, with the three stars belonging to Montoya (28 for 29 in saves), Evander Kane, and Stamkos, while any point-earner can take the second slot.

Back north, the Detroit Red Wings host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Detroit began in the second period with a Jakub Kindl goal, his second of the season, coming off of Patrick Eaves and Brian Lashoff. The Red Wings padded the lead with a Cory Emmerton goal, his second of the year, fueled by Drew Miller and Pavel Datsyuk. Detroit iced it at 3-0 as Justin Abdelkader scored an empty net goal, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Damien Brunner. The three stars went to Emmerton, Howard (22 save shutout), and Brendan Smith, while any point-earner can take the third slot.

In the southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Mike Smith are the masked men. St. Louis started in the first period with a Chris Stewart goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and David Perron. Phoenix tied it with a shorthanded goal by David Moss, his third of the year, via Boyd Gordon. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period as Shane Doan notched his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blues retied it on a Patrik Berglund goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Barret Jackman and Perron. St. Louis took the lead as Berglund scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, with assists provided by Perron, who got a sock trick, and Stewart. The Blues padded the lead on a Scott Nichol goal, fueled by Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Stewart and Perron. The Blues added on as Pietrangelo scored his fifth of the season, with the help of T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Phoenix got one back late as Keith Yandle scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Steve Sullivan and Derek Morris. Berglund, Stewart, and Perron received the three stars in the 6-3 game, while Pietrangelo gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Dallas led off with a first period Jaromir Jagr goal, his eighth of the season coming on the power play from Jamie Benn and Alex Goligoski. Los Angeles tied it when Trevor Lewis scored his third of the year, thanks to Dwight King and Alec Martinez. The Kings gained the lead in the second period with a Jeff Carter goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Dustin Penner and Mike Richards. The Stars tied it with a Cody Eakin power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Goligoski. Dallas took the lead in the third period as Brenden Morrow scored his sixth of the season, coming off of Eakin and Reilly Smith. The Stars padded the lead on another Jagr goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from Jamie Benn and Trevor Daley. Dallas finished it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Antoine Roussel, assisted by Derek Roy. The three stars went to Jagr, Eakin, and Penner, while Jamie Benn and Goligoski pick up the honorable mentions.

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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

NHL March 6th 2013

Only four games on tonight, beginning with...

The Battle of Ontario, with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Ottawa Senators. Ben Bishop and James Reimer receive the starting nods. Toronto led off in the first period as Tyler Bozak scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs added on with a Jay McClement goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Nikolai Kulemin and Dion Phaneuf. Toronto extended the lead in the second period as van Riemsdyk scored his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Kessel and Bozak. Ottawa got on the board with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Erik Condra and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators chipped closer in the third period as Zack Smith scored a goal, set up by Chris Phillips and Milan Michalek. The Maple Leafs replied as Kessel scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal, powered by Phaneuf and Cody Franson. Toronto padded the lead as Nazem Kadri scored his tenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Ottawa pulled back with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist provided by Smith. The Senators got closer on a Colin Greening goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Condra and Andre Benoit. They couldn't get an equalizer, falling 5-4, with the three stars going to Kessel, van Riemsdyk and Smith, while Bozak, Phaneuf, and Condra pick up the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ray Emery are the masked men. Chicago began with a first period Andrew Shaw power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Brent Seabrook and Brandon Saad. Colorado tied it on a John Mitchell goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Chuck Kobasew and Ryan O'Reilly. The Avalanche gained the lead in the second period on a Matt Duchene goal, his eighth of the season, passed from P.A. Parenteau. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period as Jonathan Toews scord his tenth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Dave Bolland and Johnny Oduya. Chicago won 3-2 with a Dan Carcillo goal, coming off of Viktor Stalberg and Marcus Kruger. The three stars were handed to Toews, Carcillo, and Duchene.

Northwest to Calgary, as the Flames welcome the San Jose Sharks. Thomas Greiss and Miikka Kiprusoff are in the blue paint. Calgary struck first in the first period as Roman Cervenka scored his third of the season, assisted by Jay Bouwmeester and Jarome Iginla. San Jose tied it in the second period on a Joe Thornton goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist coming from Joe Pavelski. The Flames took the lead in the third period as Blake Comeau scored, via Chris Butler and T.J. Brodie. Calgary extended the lead as Iginla scored his seventh of the season, with the help of Jiri Hudler. The Flames iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Curtis Glencross, his eighth of the year, set up by Lee Stempniak. Kiprusoff (32 for 33 in saves), Comeau, and Butler received the three stars, while Iginla gets an honorable mention.

Finally, down in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks finished the scoring at 2-0 in the third period on a Getzlaf empty net goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Getzlaf, Hiller (18 save shutout), and LaBarbera (22 for 23 in saves).

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