Monday, April 1, 2013

NHL April 1st 2013

No fooling here, we've got nine games tonight on April Fools' Day and Opening Day of Baseball. As I said earlier, no baseball on this blog this summer, but keep a watch for a possible sequel to the Ultimate Baseball Fantasy Trip over here. We begin the games in...

New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Brodeur are the seasoned veteran goalies. New York quickly struck first in the first period with a Josh Bailey goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders added on as Travis Hamonic scored his third of the year, thanks to Nielsen. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac. New York replied in the third period on a John Tavares power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Lubomir Visnovsky and Mark Streit. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Nielsen, Bailey, and Ponikarovsky.

Over in New York City, the Rangers welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Henrik Lundqvist will draw the starts. New York began in the first period as Derek Stepan netted his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Ryan Callahan and Rick Nash. Winnipeg tied it on a Nik Antropov goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Kyle Wellwood. The Jets gained the lead as Zach Bogosian scored his third of the season, via Ron Hainsey and Olli Jokinen. The Rangers retied it in the second period with a Callahan shorthanded goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh. New York took the lead in the third period on another Stepan goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, guided in by Anton Stralman and Callahan. The Rangers padded the lead with a Nash goal, his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Brad Richards and Callahan, the latter getting a sock trick. They held on to win 4-2, with the three stars belonging to Callahan, Stepan, and Lundqvist (26 for 28 in saves), while Nash gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jimmy Howard protect the nets. Detroit was first to score in the first period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Johan Franzen and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Daniel Cleary power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. Detroit padded the lead with a Damien Brunner goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Gustav Nyquist. Jean-Sebastien Giguere relieved Varlamov at this time. Colorado got on the board in the third period as Jamie McGinn scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal, set up by John Mitchell and Cody McLeod. The Avalanche pulled closer with a Matt Duchene goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Franzen, Howard (22 for 24 in saves), and Abdelkader.

Back east to Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Carolina opened in the first period with a Jordan Staal goal, his ninth of the season, with assists provided by Patrick Dwyer and Brett Bellemore. Montreal tied it on an Andrei Markov power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens took the lead in the second period with a Jeff Halpern goal, with a lone assist from Nathan Beaulieu. Montreal added on in the third period as Max Pacioretty put away his tenth of the season, thanks to Francis Bouillon. The Canadiens iced it at 4-1 as Pacioretty scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, an empty net goal helped along by Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec. The three stars were awarded to Halpern, Markov, and Price (18 for 19 in saves), while Pacioretty gets an honorable mention.

West again to Minnesota, with the Wild hosting the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Niklas Backstrom are the masked men. St. Louis led off with a first period Jaden Schwartz goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Near the end of the period, Halak was pulled for Brian Elliott after suffering an injury. Minnesota tied it in the second period on a Dany Heatley power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Jonas Brodin and Torrey Mitchell. The Blues took the lead back when Andy McDonald recorded his fourth of the season, coming off of Alexander Steen and David Backes. St. Louis added on with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his third of the year, assisted by Schwartz and Patrik Berglund. The Blues finished it at 4-1 as Barret Jackman scored his third of the campaign, with a lone helper by McDonald. Schwartz, Shattenkirk, and Brodin were given the three stars, and McDonald gets an honorable mention.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago started in the first period with a Brandon Saad goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Niklas Hjalmarsson and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks extended the lead in the second period with a Patrick Kane goal, his nineteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville got on the board in the third period with a David Legwand goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Victor Bartley and Kevin Klein. The Predators tied it with a Taylor Beck goal, his second of the year, fueled by Patric Hornqvist and Legwand. Chicago won it 3-2 in the shootout as Toews scored, and then was matched by Craig Smith, but Michal Rozsival put away the winner. The three stars went to Kane, Rinne (38 for 40 in saves), and Saad, while Legwand gets an honorable mention.

Further to the south, the Dallas Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Kari Lehtonen have the green light to start. Anaheim got going in the second period on a Bobby Ryan power play goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Ducks added on as Corey Perry scored his twelfth of the year, thanks to Ryan and Getzlaf. Anaheim struck again as Matt Beleskey scored his sixth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Palmieri and Sheldon Souray. The Ducks wrapped it up at 4-0 with a Teemu Selanne empty net goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Ryan, Fasth (26 save shutout), and Getzlaf.

Up in Canada again, the Edmonton Oilers host their southern rivals, the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Devan Dubnyk are in the creases. Edmonton began in the first period on a Justin Schultz goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. The Oilers added on as Hall scored his twelfth of the year, with the help of Justin Schultz. Edmonton chased Kiprusoff with a Ryan Jones goal, his second of the season, made possible by Nail Yakupov and Justin Schultz. Joey MacDonald came on in relief. The Oilers padded the lead in the third period on a Yakupov goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Jones and Ryan Whitney. Calgary avoided the shutout with a Brian McGrattan goal, his second of the campaign, courtesy of Tim Jackman and Steve Begin. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being handed to Dubnyk (33 for 34 in saves), Justin Schultz, and Hall, while Yakupov and Jones got the honorable mentions.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose struck first in the second period on an Andrew Desjardins goal, fueled by Adam Burish and Scott Gomez. The Sharks added on as Joe Thornton potted his sixth of the season, courtesy of Matt Tennyson. San Jose extended the lead on a Logan Couture power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Patrick Marleau and Thornton. Vancouver got on the board as Chris Higgins scored his ninth of the season, via Jannik Hansen and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks chipped closer in the third period on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Higgins and Hansen. They couldn't score an equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being Thornton, Higgins, and Desjardins, while Hansen gets an honorable mention.

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Western Conference Final: SKA St. Petersburg VS. Dynamo Moscow

Welcome to the post for the Western Conference Final between SKA St. Petersburg and Dynamo Moscow 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: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Ilya Ezhov for SKA. Moscow opened with a first period goal by Janne Jalasvaara goal, going in unassisted. Dynamo added on with a power play goal by Dominik Granak, powered by Konstantin Gorovikov. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Konstantin Kasyanchuk scored, with a lone assist from Alexei Sopin. St. Petersburg got on the board in the third period with an Alexander Kucheryavenko, fueled by Igor Makarov and Anton Burdasov. SKA pulled closer as Viktor Tikhonov potted the pick, with the help of Patrick Thoresen. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Kasyanchuk, Yeryomenko (28 for 30 in saves), and Kucheryavenko. Dynamo takes an early 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Ivan Kasutin for SKA. Moscow led off in the first period as Konstantin Kasyanchuk scored, thanks to Konstantin Gorovikov and Filip Novak. Dynamo added on as Denis Mosalyov scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. St. Petersburg got on the board with an Andrei Pervyshin goal, fueled by Patrick Thoresen and Viktor Tikhonov. Moscow shot back as Alexei Sopin scored, with a lone helper from Kokarev. SKA got one back in the second period on a Tikhonov goal, made possible by Kevin Dallman and Tony Martensson. Dynamo added on as Marek Kvapil scored a goal, guided in by Sopin. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 4-2, with the three stars going to Sopin, Kokarev, and Tikhonov. Dynamo heads home with a 2-0 series lead in hand.

Game 3: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. St. Petersburg got going in the second period with a Viktor Tikhonov goal, assisted by Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on as Martensson scored, thanks to Kevin Dallman and Tikhonov. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a Dominik Granak goal, passed from Konstantin Gorovikov and Marek Kvapil. Dynamo tied it on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, courtesy of Denis Kokarev. Moscow took the lead with seven seconds left in the game as Konstantin Kasyanchuk scored, with the help of Andrei Mironov. Dynamo iced it at 4-2 just six seconds later as Yury Babenko scored, with a lone assist from Sergein Soin. The three stars were Kasyanchuk, Tikhonov, and Martensson. Dynamo has placed a stranglehold on SKA by holding a 3-0 lead over them.

Game 4: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow struck first in the first period as Marek Kvapil scored, with the help of Jakub Petruzalek and Konstantin Gorovikov. Dynamo added on in the second period with an Alexei Tsvetkov power play goal, coming off of Denis Kokarev. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Kevin Dallman power play goal, powered by Patrick Thoresen and Yury Alexandrov. SKA tied it with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Kucheryavenko. St. Petersburg took the lead as Evgeny Artyukhin scored, thanks to Dallman and Anton Burdasov. SKA extended the lead on another Dallman goal, fueled by Igor Makarov and Kucheryavenko in the third period. St. Petersburg added on when Dmitry Vorobyov scored a goal, set up by Tony Martensson and Viktor Tikhonov. SKA iced it at 6-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Teemu Ramstedt. The three stars were Dallman, Kucheryavenko, and Ezhov (23 for 25 in saves). SKA stays alive but still trails 3-1 in the series.

Game 5: Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Ilya Ezhov for SKA. Moscow began in the third period with an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, assisted by Alexei Sopin and Janne Jalasvaara. St. Petersburg tied it with a Viktor Tikhonov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kalinin and Kevin Dallman. SKA won in the second overtime with another Tikhonov goal, passed from Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. The final was 2-1, with the three stars going to Tikhonov, Ezhov (43 for 44 in saves), and Yeryomenko (49 for 51 in saves). SKA pulled closer with the win and only trails 3-2 in the series now.

Game 6: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow started in the second period with a Marek Kvapil goal, and Jakub Petruzalek had the only helper. Dynamo added on when Kvapil scored again, his second of the game helped along by Sergei Soin and Petruzalek. St. Petersburg got on the board with an Evgeny Artyukhin goal, set up by Fyodor Fedorov. Moscow shot back with a power play goal by Ilya Gorokhov, powered by Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo padded the lead as Kvapil finished his hat trick, assisted by Petruzalek, who got a sock trick, and Soin. Moscow iced it at 5-1 with an empty net goal by Sergei Konkov, going in unassisted. The three stars were Kvapil, Petruzalek, and Soin, while Yeryomenko gets an honorable mention by going 20 for 21 in saves. The series is over, and Dynamo will represent the Western Conference as they compete for the Gagarin Cup after their 4-2 series win.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

NHL March 31st 2013

Easter Sunday for the Christian world, and hockey brings us five games today. The first is a rivalry game from...

Detroit, as the Red Wings welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Chicago opened with a first period Jeremy Morin goal, going in unassisted. The Blackhawks added on as Brandon Saad scored his fifth of the season, courtesy of Michael Frolik and Jonathan Toews. Chicago extended the lead as Dave Bolland scored his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the second period as Toews scored his seventeenth of the season, passed from Saad. Jonas Gustavsson relieved Howard at this time. Chicago kept going as Saad scored his second of the game and sixth of the year, via Hjalmarrson and Toews. The Blackhawks struck again in the third period as Bolland scored his second of the game and seventh of the season, with assists from Jimmy Hayes and Michal Rozsival. Chicago got another with an unassisted Nick Leddy goal, his sixth of the year, going down unassisted. Detroit got on the board late as Cory Emmerton scored his third of the campaign, with the help of Brian Lashoff and Brendan Smith. This produced a 7-1 final, with the three stars going to Saad, Bolland, and Toews.

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Kari Lehtonen are given the starting nods. Los Angeles led off twenty-five seconds in as Jeff Carter scored his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Mike Richards and Dustin Penner. Dallas tied it in the second period on a Jamie Benn goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Alex Goligoski. The Kings took the lead in the third period as Brad Richardson scored, thanks to Kyle Clifford. Los Angeles extended the lead with a Justin Williams goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Dustin Brown and Slava Voynov. The Stars got one back as Ray Whitney scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Goligoski and Derek Roy. They couldn't get an equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars belonging to Richardson, Lehtonen (37 for 40 in saves), and Anze Kopitar, while Goligoski could take the third slot.

Back north, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Columbus got going in the second period with a Derick Brassard goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Mark Letestu and Vinny Prospal. Anaheim tied it in the third period on an Emerson Etem goal, his third of the year, made possible by Andrew Cogliano and Bryan Allen. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 on an overtime goal by Letestu, his ninth of the campaign, guided in by Nikita Nikitin and Dalton Prout. The three stars were awarded to Letestu, Bobrovsky (29 for 30 in saves), and Brassard.

East to Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ilya Bryzgalov are the masked men. Washington started in the first period on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his sixth of the season, via Jack Hillen and Marcus Johansson. Philadelphia tied it with a Max Talbot goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Zac Rinaldo and Kimmo Timonen. The Flyers took the lead on a Matt Read goal, his ninth of the season, with a lone assist from Claude Giroux. The Capitals tied it with a second period Mike Green goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Brooks Laich. Washington took the lead in the third period on a Johansson power play goal, his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Capitals extended the lead as Alex Ovechkin potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Carlson and Troy Brouwer. Philadelphia got one back as Giroux scored his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Timonen and Brayden Schenn. The Flyers tied it with Timonen scoring his fourth of the year, a shorthanded goal, set up by Giroux and Wayne Simmond. Philadelphia won it 5-4 in overtime on a Ruslan Fedotenko goal, his third of the campaign, coming shorthanded from Timonen and Sean Couturier. The three stars of the game were Fedotenko, Timonen, and Giroux, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin and Ryan Miller are the goalies. Boston began in the third period on a David Krejci goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Nathan Horton and Matt Bartkowski. The Bruins padded the lead as Horton netted his eleventh of the year, with helpers provided by Krejci and Milan Lucic. This produced a 2-0 final, with the three stars being given to Khudobin (26 save shutout), Krejci, and Miller (29 for 31 in saves), while Horton gets an honorable mention.

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Saturday, March 30, 2013

NHL March 30th 2013

Eleven games going on today, beginning in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tomas Vokoun are called on to start. Pittsburgh got going in the third period on a Matt Cooke goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Deryk Engelland and Tyler Kennedy. The Penguins added on as James Neal potted his eighteenth of the year, fueled by Evgeni Malkin and Douglas Murray. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Vokoun (35 save shutout), Cooke, and Jarome Iginla, while any point-earner could take the third slot.

Across the state, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ilya Bryzgalov are in between the pipes. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Mike Knuble power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. The Flyers added on in the second period with a Matt Read goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Jakub Voracek and Bruno Gervais. Boston got on the board in the third period as Nathan Horton scored his tenth of the season, via Dennis Seidenberg. Philadelphia iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Ruslan Fedotenko, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Bryzgalov (33 for 34 in saves), Knuble, and Horton received the three stars.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Ondrej Pavelec are set to start. Carolina struck first in the first period on an Alexander Semin goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Tuomo Ruutu and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes added on with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his sixth of the year, with assists from Joni Pitkanen and Ruutu. Winnipeg got on the board in the second period as Olli Jokinen scored his seventh of the season, courtesy of Evander Kane and Antti Miettinen. Carolina replied in the third period as Eric Staal notched his sixteenth of the year, via Semin. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Eric Staal, Semin, and Zach Bogosian, while Peters (34 for 35 in saves) could take the third slot.

Back in the states, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado won the game 1-0 in overtime on a Tyson Barrie goal, his second of the campaign, assisted by Greg Zanon and P.A. Parenteau. The three stars were Varlamov (34 save shutout), Barrie, and Jan Hejda, while Rinne (23 for 24 in saves) gets an honorable mention.

Northeast to Ottawa, where the Senators bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ben Bishop will be in goal. Toronto led off in the first period with a Joffrey Lupul power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Nazem Kadri and Mike Kostka. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a Kadri goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Lupul and John-Michael Liles. Toronto extended the lead in the third period on another Kadri goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Lupul. The Maple Leafs padded the lead as Kadri finished his natural hat trick with his seventeenth of the year, with assists from Lupul, who got a natural sock trick, and Nikolai Kulemin. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Kadri, Lupul, and Reimer (31 save shutout).

Over in Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Carey Price will be padded up. Montreal quickly began in the first period as Michael Ryder scored his thirteenth of the season, thanks to P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Subban and Andrei Markov. Montreal padded the lead in the second period as Brendan Gallagher notched his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by David Desharnais and Subban. This was good for a 3-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Price (34 save shutout), Subban, and Gallagher.

Stateside again, with the Buffalo Sabres host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby faces a lesser foe in Jhonas Enroth. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Christian Ehrhoff goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Jochen Hecht. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Ville Leino goal, fueled by Tyler Ennis and Andrej Sekera. Washington answered on a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Mike Green and Brooks Laich. Buffalo shot back with a Leino power play goal, his second of the game, set up by Marcus Foligno and Tyler Myers. The Capitals pulled back in the third period with a Troy Brouwer shorthanded goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from the goalie Holtby. Washington tied it late with a Green goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Nicklas Backstrom and Brouwer. The Capitals won 4-3 with shootout tallies by Matt Hendricks and Ovechkin. Leino, Ovechkin, and Enroth (35 for 38 in saves) got the three stars, while Green and Brouwer receive the honorable mentions.

South to Florida, as the Panthers host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Jacob Markstrom protect the nets. New Jersey started in the first period as Steve Bernier scored his seventh of the season, via Ryan Carter and Stephen Gionta. Florida tied it with a Shawn Matthias power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Peter Mueller. The Devils took the lead in the third period with another Bernier goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season coming on the power play from Henrik Tallinder and Andrei Loktionov. The Panthers tied it late with another Matthias goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Scottie Upshall and Tomas Fleischmann. Florida won in overtime by a 3-2 score with a Dmitry Kulikov goal, fueled by Brian Campbell and Huberdeau. Kulikov, Matthias, and Bernier were given the three stars, and Huberdeau gets an honorable mention.

Back in the north, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Niklas Backstrom tend the twines. Los Angeles opened in the first period with a Dustin Brown power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. Minnesota tied it on a Matt Cullen goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Devin Setoguchi and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The Kings retook the lead in the second period on a Jeff Carter power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Drew Doughty and Tyler Toffoli. Los Angeles extended the lead as Justin Williams scored his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Wild shot back with a Charlie Coyle goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Parise power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, pushed through by Koivu and Ryan Suter. The Wild won 4-3 in the shootout as goals by Parise, Koivu, and Cullen silenced a lone tally from Mike Richards. The three stars belonged to Parise, Koivu, and Coyle, while Cullen gets an honorable mention.

Into Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Devan Dubnyk are the young goalies. Edmonton quickly led off in the first period with a Taylor Hall goal just sixteen seconds in, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Ladislav Smid. The Oilers added on as Smid scored a goal, with assists provided by Jeff Petry and Lennart Petrell. Roberto Luongo relieved Schneider at this time. Edmonton extended the lead as Hall scored again, his second of the game and tenth of the year, passed from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nick Schultz. The Oilers padded the lead as Hall finished his hat trick with a power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 4-0 final, with the three stars going to Hall, Dubnyk (23 save shutout), and Nugent-Hopkins, while Smid gets an honorable mention.

Finally, down in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Antti Niemi are the masked men. Phoenix was first to score in the first period as Boyd Gordon scored his second of the season, thanks to Rob Klinkhammer and Derek Morris. San Jose tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Joe Pavelski, his eleventh of the year, powered by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. The Coyotes took the lead back in the third period on a Radim Vrbata goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Shane Doan and David Schlemko. The Sharks tied it with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his second of the year, assisted by Pavelski and Dan Boyle.

Friday, March 29, 2013

NHL March 29th 2013

Four games to go with tonight, beginning in...

Tampa Bay, as the Lightning welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Mathieu Garon are in the creases. New Jersey got going in the second period with an Andrei Loktionov goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Matt D'Agostini and Andy Greene. The Devils added on as Tom Kostopoulos scored an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Keith Aulie. The Lightning tied it with a Nate Thompson goal, his seventh of the season, passed from New Jersey regained the lead with a Greene power play goal, his third of the year, powered by D'Agostini and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils extended the lead in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Ryan Carter, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay got one back as Stamkos scored his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, fueled by Alex Killorn. The Lightning tied it late on a Killorn goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Stamkos and Matt Carle. Tampa Bay won it in the shootout as Teddy Purcell and Victor Hedman each scored to secure the 5-4 victory. The three stars went to Stamkos, Greene, and Killorn, while D'Agostini gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Ray Emery are given the starting nods. Anaheim led off in the second period with a Corey Perry goal, his eleventh of the season, via Bobby Ryan and Francois Beauchemin. Chicago tied it in the third period on a Patrick Kane power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Duncan Keith and Marcus Kruger. The Ducks took the lead back on a Sheldon Souray goal, his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Beauchemin. This made it 2-1, a final, with the three stars going to Souray, Kane, and Emery (22 for 24 in saves), while Hiller (25 for 26 in saves), and Beauchemin got the honorable mentions.

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Minnesota Wild. Matt Hackett and Kari Lehtonen draw the starts. Dallas started with a first period Ray Whitney goal, his sixth of the season coming on the power play from Jamie Benn. The Stars added on as Tomas Vincour scored his second of the year, thanks to Reilly Smith and Aaron Rome. Minnesota got on the board with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Matt Cullen. The Wild tied it in the second period as Jared Spurgeon scored a power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Kyle Brodziak and Mikko Koivu. Dallas took the lead in the third period on an Erik Cole goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Philip Larsen and Cody Eakin. The Stars padded the lead as Jamie Benn scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal set up by Whitney and Jaromir Jagr. Dallas extended the lead on an Eakin power play goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Derek Roy and Trevor Daley. Minnesota got one back as Torrey Mitchell notched his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Dany Heatley and Cal Clutterbuck. Jagr, Jamie Benn, and Whitney received the three stars, while Eakin gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Calgary, the Post-Jarome Iginla begins with the Flames hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Columbus began with a first period shorthanded goal by Mark Letestu, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Brian McGrattan goal, with a lone assist from Michael Cammalleri. The Blue Jackets took the lead on a Vinny Prospal goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Nikita Nikitin. Columbus extended the lead with a Matt Calvert goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Artem Anisimov. The Flames shot back on a Mikael Backlund goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Mark Giordano and Dennis Wideman. The Blue Jackets padded the lead with a Derick Brassard goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Letestu and Prospal. Calgary chipped back with a Wideman power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Jiri Hudler and Roman Cervenka. Columbus answered with a Ryan Johansen goal, his second of the season, an unassisted goal. Joey MacDonald relieved Kiprusoff for the third period. The Flames got one back in the third period on a Curtis Glencross goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Matt Stajan. The Blue Jackets iced it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Umberger, his seventh of the campaign, helped along by Anisimov and James Wisniewski. The three stars were awarded to Prospal, Wideman, and Giordano, while Anisimov, Letestu, and Umberger receive the honorable mentions.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

NHL March 28th 2013

Ten games on tonight, a busy day altogether. We begin in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and James Reimer are the inconsistent goalies. Toronto began in the first period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs padded the lead in the second period with a Cody Franson power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. Carolina got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Eric Staal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Alexander Semin. The Hurricanes tied it with a Semin power play goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist from Joe Corvo. Carolina took the lead in the third period with a Jordan Staal goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Tuomo Ruutu and Corvo. Toronto retied it when Phaneuf scored his seventh of the year, helped along by Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs took the lead as Lupul potted his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Toronto added on as Jay McClement scored an empty net goal, his sixth of the year, with assists from Nikolai Kulemin and Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs finished it at 6-3 with another empty net goal, this time the sixth of the campaign by Kulemin, helped along by Bozak and Carl Gunnarsson. The three stars were handed to Phaneuf, Lupul, and Kessel, while Bozak, Kulemin, Semin, and Corvo get the honorable mentions.

Down in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ilya Bryzgalov are the Russian goalies. Philadelphia opened in the first period with a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on with a Mike Knuble goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist from Giroux. New York got on the board in the second period with a John Tavares goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Matt Moulson and Mark Streit. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Colin McDonald goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Keith Aucoin and Michael Grabner. New York took the lead when McDonald scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, via Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas. Philadelphia tied it late with another Hartnell goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, guided in by Simmonds and Matt Read. The Islanders won 4-3 with shootout goals by Brad Boyes and Josh Bailey, while the Flyers only got a tally from Giroux. The three stars went to Bailey, Hartnell, and McDonald, while Giroux and Simmonds get the honorable mentions.

Across the state, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets. Backups Al Montoya and Tomas Vokoun make the starts. Pittsburgh started with a Chris Kunitz goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Paul Martin. The Penguins added on as Evgeni Malkin notched his sixth of the year, thanks to James Neal and Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the second period as Pascal Dupuis scored his sixteenth of the season, with the help of Kunitz and Crosby. The Penguins padded the lead as Dupuis scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, a shorthanded goal with a lone assist from the goalie Vokoun. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars being awarded to Dupuis, Kunitz, and Vokoun (20 save shutout), while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

South to Florida, as the Panthers bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom are in the creases. Florida was first to score in the first period with a Shawn Matthias goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Tyson Strachan and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers added on in the second period as Tomas Fleischmann scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kopecky and Brian Campbell. Buffalo got on the board with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Tyler Ennis and Drew Stafford. The Sabres tied it on an Andrej Sekera goal, his second of the year, an unassisted goal. Buffalo took the lead as Stafford scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Christian Ehrhoff and Robyn Regehr. Florida tied it in the third period on another Matthias goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, set up by Peter Mueller. The Sabres took the lead back as Marcus Foligno scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal with assists provided by Jordan Leopold and Tyler Myers. The Panthers answered with a Huberdeau power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Mueller and Campbell. Florida won 5-4 in the shootout with goalies by Huberdeau and Mike Santorelli, while Buffalo only got one from Jason Pominville. The three stars were handed to Santorelli, Matthias, and Huberdeau, while Stafford, Mueller, and Campbell get honorable mentions.

Back in Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Ben Bishop in goal. Ottawa got going in the second period on an Andre Benoit power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Chris Neil. The Senators added on in the third period with a Guillaume Latendresse goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Zibanejad and Jakob Silfverberg. Ottawa iced it at 3-0 with a Colin Greening empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, fueled by Neil and Marc Methot. Bishop (24 save shutout), Zibanejad, and Erik Condra got the three stars, while Neil is a more fitting choice for the third slot.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Pekka Rinne receive the starting nods. Phoenix struck first in the first period with a Martin Hanzal goal, his ninth of the season, going in unassisted. The Coyotes added on as Radim Vrbata scored his fifth of the year, passed from Rostislav Klesla and Hanzal. Chris Mason relieved Rinne at this time. Phoenix padded the lead with a David Moss goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Rom Klinkhammer and Klesla. The Coyotes struck again on a Matthew Lombardi goal, his third of the year, coming off of Klesla, who got a natural sock trick, and Mikkel Boedker. Phoenix kept going with a Keith Yandle power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Vrbata and Doan. Nashville shot back with a David Legwand goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Jonathon Blum and Gabriel Bourque. The Predators got another as Richard Clune scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Roman Josi and Patric Hornqvist. The Coyotes answered as Vrbata scored his second of the game and sixth of the year, thanks to Klesla and Hanzal. Nashville chipped back as Bourque scored his eleventh of the season, via Legwand and Taylor Beck. Rinne returned for the second period. Phoenix replied in the second period with an Antoine Vermette goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by Paul Bissonnette and David Schlemko. The Predators pulled back with a Shea Weber goal in the third period, his seventh of the season, coming from Mike Fisher and Martin Erat. This only made it 7-4, a final, with the three stars being Vrbata, Klesla, and Hanzal, while Legwand and Bourque receive the honorable mentions.

West a little to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. Los Angeles led off in the second period with a Dustin Brown goal, his thirteenth of the season, pushed through by Anze Kopitar and Rob Scuderi. St. Louis tied it on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by David Perron and Vladimir Sobotka. The Kings took the lead back with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Jarret Stoll and Dwight King. The Blues tied it with another Tarasenko goal in the third period, his second of the game and eighth of the year, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. Los Angeles took the lead back as Mike Richards notched his eighth of the season, via Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli. The Kings won 4-2 on a Justin Williams empty net goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Brown and Slava Voynov. Brown, Tarasenko, and Quick (20 for 22 in saves) received the three stars.

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Nikolai Khabibulin protect the nets. Columbus started in the first period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Matt Calvert. The Blue Jackets added on as Calvert scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Atkinson and Artem Anisimov. Edmonton got on the board with a Magnus Paajarvi goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Sam Gagner. The Oilers tied it in the second period when Jordan Eberle potted his tenth of the year, with the help of Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Columbus took the lead back with an Anisimov goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Nikita Nikitin. Edmonton pulled even again with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Nail Yakupov and Ryan Jones. The Blue Jackets regained the lead in the third period on another Atkinson goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, via Anisimov. Devan Dubnyk relieved Khabibulin at this time. The Oilers tied it on a Corey Potter goal, made possible by Paajarvi and Gagner. Edmonton took the lead on an Ales Hemsky goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist from Gagner, who got a sock trick. The Oilers iced it at 6-4 with a Gagner empty net goal, an unassisted goal for his thirteenth of the campaign. The three stars were awarded to Eberle, Hemsky, and Mike Brown, while Gagner, Paajarvi, Atkinson, Anisimov, and Calvert get the honorable mentions.

Over in Vancouver, the Canucks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Cory Schneider are all padded up. Vancouver opened in the first period as Alexandre Burrows scored his ninth of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Colorado tied it in the third period with a Matt Duchene goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by P.A. Parenteau and Jan Hejda. The Canucks took the lead back on a Daniel Sedin goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Vancouver extended the lead as Henrik Sedin scored an empty net goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist from Schneider. The Canucks finished the scoring at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Chris Higgins, his eighth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Schneider (32 for 33 in saves), Burrows, and Parenteau, while Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Antti Niemi are tending the twines. San Jose began in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by T.J. Galiardi and Ryane Clowe. The Sharks added on in the third period as Brent Burns scored is fifth of the year, thanks to Joe Thornton. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Niemi (27 save shutout), Pavelski, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, while any other point-earner can take the third slot.

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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

NHL March 27th 2013

Only four games on tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Montreal began in the first period as Michael Ryder scored his eleventh of the season, assisted by Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. The Canadiens added on in the second period as P.K. Subban scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Alex Galchenyuk and Lars Eller. Boston got on the board as Dougie Hamilton scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins tied it on a Brad Marchand goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Bergeron and Seguin. Boston took the lead as Bergeron scored his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Rich Peverley and Torey Krug. The Bruins padded the lead with a Nathan Horton goal, his ninth of the year, passed from David Krejci. Peter Budaj relieved Price for the third period. Montreal got one back in the third period as Ryder scored his second of the night and twelfth of the season, courtesy of Plekanec and Gionta. Boston shot back with a Seguin goal, his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Marchand and Bergeron. The Canadiens chipped back with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. Montreal tied it with an Andrei Markov goal, his sixth of the year, coming on the power play from Plekanec, who got a sock trick, and Subban. The game was decided by a Gallagher tally in the shootout, resulting in a 6-5 Canadiens win. The three stars went to Ryder, Bergeron, and Seguin, while Subban, Plekanec, Gionta, and Marchand all get honorable mentions.

To the west, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Niklas Backstrom are the masked men. Minnesota opened in the first period as Torrey Mitchell scored his third of the season, via Mike Rupp and Clayton Stoner. The Wild added on in the second period with a Matt Cullen goal, his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. Phoenix got on the board with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Boyd Gordon and David Moss. The Coyotes tied it as Gordon scored, with the help of Keith Yandle and Moss. Phoenix took the lead in the third period on a Michael Stone goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Shane Doan and Klinkhammer. Minnesota tied it as Ryan Suter scored his third of the season, thanks to Jared Spurgeon and Mikko Koivu. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Koivu goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Zach Parise and Spurgeon. The three stars were given to Suter, Mitchell, and Koivu, while Gordon, Klinkhammer, Moss, and Spurgeon receive the honorable mentions.

Out in California, the San Jose Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Antti Niemi are between the pipes. San Jose led off in the first period as Joe Pavelski scored his ninth of the season, assisted by T.J. Galiardi and Ryane Clowe. The Sharks extended the lead with a Patrick Marleau goal, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Logan Couture and Tommy Wingels. San Jose added on as Brent Burns scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Wingels and Martin Havlat. The Sharks padded the lead in the third period when Wingels netted his third of the year, a shorthanded goal guided in by Couture and Dan Boyle. This produced a 4-0 final, with the three stars belonging to Wingels, Boyle, and Niemi (22 save shutout), and Couture gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Joey MacDonald are given the starting nods. Calgary started in the first period on a Jiri Hudler power play goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Roman Cervenka and Mikael Backlund. The Flames added on as Steve Begin scored his second of the year, coming off of Tim Jackman and Cory Sarich. Colorado got on the board in the second period as Jamie McGinn potted his sixth of the season, passed from P.A. Parenteau and Tyson Barrie. Calgary replied with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone assist from Blake Comeau. The Avalanche chipped back on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Greg Zanon and Ryan O'Reilly. The Flames answered as Cammalleri scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, fueled by Dennis Wideman and Alex Tanguay. Colorado got one back in the third period as O'Reilly scored his fourth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Milan Hejduk and Parenteau. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being given to Cammalleri, Comeau, and O'Reilly, while Parenteau gets an honorable mention.

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