Wednesday, April 17, 2013

NHL April 17th 2013

Four games tonight. A note: The KHL season is over, with Dynamo Moscow claiming the Gagarin Cup. Please look for the next post from that league in September. Tonight, we begin in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Marc-Andre Fleury stand in the blue paint. Pittsburgh led off with a first period goal by Brandon Sutter, his tenth of the season, thanks to Matt Niskanen and Kris Letang. The Penguins added on as Brenden Morrow scored his tenth of the year, courtesy of Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams. Pittsburgh extended the lead when Jarome Iginla scored his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Letang. Carey Price relieved Budaj for the second period. The Penguins padded the lead in the second period as Morrow scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Beau Bennett and Niskanen. Montreal got on the board as Brian Gionta scored his twelfth of the season, assisted by Brandon Prust and Lars Eller. Pittsburgh shot back as Sutter scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal made possible by Morrow and Letang, the latter getting a sock trick. The Canadiens answered as Alex Galchenyuk registered his eighth of the season, with the help of Eller and Travis Moen. Montreal pulled closer in the third period as Gabriel Dumont scored, with assists provided by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. The Penguins countered with a Douglas Murray goal, fueled by Iginla. Later in the period, Morrow completed his Gordie Howe Hat trick by fighting P.K. Subban. The Canadiens chipped back with an Andrei Markov goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Desharnais and Yannick Weber. This produced the 6-4 final score, with the three stars belonging to Morrow, Sutter, and Murray, while Iginla, Letang, Niskanen, Desharnais, and Eller all get honorable mentions.

Over in Boston, the Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Anton Khudobin are set to start. Boston began with a Daniel Paille goal in the first period, his ninth of the season, guided in by Chris Kelly. Buffalo tied it on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Ennis. The Bruins took the lead in the second period as Kelly notched his third of the season, coming off of Paille and Andrew Ference. The Sabres tied it late with a third period Cody Hodgson power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Vanek and Drew Stafford. Buffalo won it 3-2 with a lone shootout tally by Stafford. Miller (41 for 43 in saves), Kelly, and Paille received the three stars, while Vanek and Stafford get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Calgary, with the Flames hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Calgary started in the first period with a Lee Stempniak goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Cory Sarich and Sven Baertschi. Detroit tied it in the second period with the third of the year from Gustav Nyquist, assisted by Joakim Andersson and Daniel Cleary. The Flames took the lead back in the third period with a Steve Begin goal, his third of the season, an unassisted goal. Calgary extended the lead as Begin scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, set up by Roman Horak. The Red Wings chipped back with a Johan Franzen goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Quincey and Brendan Smith. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Kiprusoff (36 for 38 in saves), Begin, and Nyquist.

Finally, we end in Anaheim, where the Ducks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Viktor Fasth protect the nets. Anaheim opened with a first period goal by Sami Vatanen, a power play goal powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Columbus tied it in the second period when Blake Comeau scored his sixth of the season, via James Wisniewski. The Ducks took the lead back in the third period with a Dave Steckel goal, fueled by Kyle Palmieri and Sheldon Souray. The Blue Jackets tied it as Matt Calvert scored his ninth of the year, guided in by Brandon Dubinsky and Dalton Prout. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime with a Fedor Tyutin goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Nick Foligno and Marian Gaborik. The three stars went to Tyutin, Fasth (25 for 28 in saves), and Dubinsky.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Gagarin Cup Finals: Dynamo Moscow VS. Traktor Chelyabinsk

Welcome to the final post of the KHL season, as Dynamo Moscow and Traktor Chelyabinsk compete for the Gagarin Cup and the title of Champions of Russia. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow began in the first period with an Alexei Tsvetkov shorthanded goal, set up by Denis Kokarev. Dynamo added on in the second period as Sergei Soin scored, with the help of Yury Babenko and Sergei Konkov. Chelyabinsk got on the board in the third period on an Evgeny Kuznetsov power play goal, powered by Stanislav Chistov and Dmitry Ryabykin. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars being Yeryomenko (17 for 18 in saves), Tsvetkov, and Soin. Dynamo owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow struck first in the first period as Jakub Petruzalek scored, via Alexei Tsvetkov and Denis Kokarev. Chelyabinsk tied it with a power play goal by Jan Bulis, powered by Dmitry Ryabykin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Traktor took the lead in the second period on an Andrei Kostitsyn power play goal, set up by Ryabykin and Deron Quint. Dynamo tied it in the third period as Marek Kvapil scored a goal, assisted by Ilya Gorokhov and the goalie Yeryomenko. Moscow took the lead late on a Janne Jalasvaara goal, fueled by Denis Mosalyov and Kokarev. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Jalasvaara, Kokarev, and Ryabykin. Dynamo will head east with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Michael Garnett for Traktor. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period on a Maxim Karpov goal, assisted by Deron Quint and Anton Glinkin. Traktor added on with a Quint goal, fueled by Yegor Dugin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the third period on a Dugin goal, coming off of Valery Nichushkin and Vladimir Antipov. Moscow got on the board as Denis Kokarev scored, with a lone assist by Alexei Tsvetkov. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Quint, Dugin, and Garnett (17 for 18 in saves). Traktor chipped into Dynamo's series lead, which now stands at 2-1.

Game 4: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Michael Garnett for Traktor. Moscow led off in the second period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, assisted by Dominik Granak and Marek Kvapil. This was the game's only goal, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars belonging to Petruzalek, Yeryomenko (25 save shutout), and Garnett (17 for 18 in saves). Dynamo has pushed Traktor to the brink, holding a 3-1 lead as they head home to try and capture the trophy on their own ice.

Game 5: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Michael Garnett for Traktor and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period with a Stanislav Chistov goal, with a lone assist from Jan Bulis. Traktor added on as Anton Glinkin scored, thanks to Nikita Nestorov. Chelyabinsk padded the lead with a Vladimir Antipov goal, fueled by Yegor Dugin. Moscow got on the board in the second period when Marek Kvapil scored a power play goal powered by Konstantin Gorovikov and Dominik Granak. Dynamo pulled closer on a Jakub Petruzalek goal, coming off of Kvapil and Ilya Gorokhov. Moscow tied it as Sergei Soin scored, assisted by Granak and Denis Kokarev. Traktor took the lead back in the third period as Andrei Kostitsyn scored a goal, made possible by Maxim Yakutsenya and Deron Quint. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Kvapil, Kostitsyn, and Granak. Dynamo still leads the series 3-2. 

Game 6: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Michael Garnett for Traktor. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period with a power play goal by Maxim Yakutsenya, powered by Deron Quint. Moscow tied it in the second period as Sergei Soin scored, courtesy of Ilya Gorokhov and Marek Kvapil. Dynamo took the lead with a Dmitry Pestunov goal, coming off of Dominik Granak and Gorokhov. Traktor tied it in the third period when Petri Kontiola scored, via Andrei Kostitsyn and Gennady Razin. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, fueled by Denis Kokarev and Denis Mosalyov. The three stars went to Tsvetkov, Yeryomenko (30 for 32 in saves), and Gorokhov. Dynamo wins the series and the Gagarin Cup with a 4-2 series win. Congratulations to Dynamo Moscow on their second consecutive championship.

It has been a great pleasure working on bringing KHL hockey to my American audience since November. While this was only brought about by the lockout in the NHL, I have found that my passion for hockey has no borders. I am fully planning on continuing to recap KHL games next season, from the start in September. In the meantime, I will wrap up this NHL season, possibly run some spin-off blogs when summer really hits, and prepare to head off to college. I hope you have enjoyed this KHL season as much as I have.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

NHL April 16th 2013

Eight games tonight, starting in...

DC, with the Washington Capitals hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington struck first in the first period with a Jack Hillen goal, his third of the season, fueled by Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr. The Capitals extended the lead in the second period as Martin Erat scored his fifth of the year, with the help of Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. Washington padded the lead on a Troy Brouwer goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Carlson and Erat. The Capitals added on as Ovechkin scored his twenty-eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Mike Green and Mike Ribeiro. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Ryan Hamilton and Leo Komarov. Washington replied with a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Green and Ribeiro. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Ovechkin, Erat, and Carlson, while Green and Ribeiro get the honorable mentions.

Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Evgeni Nabokov are set to start. New York opened in the first period as Matt Moulson scored his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Matt Martin and Thomas Hickey. The Islanders added on with a power play goal by Mark Streit, his sixth of the year, powered by Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen. New York extended the lead as Michael Grabner potted his fourteenth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Andrew MacDonald and the goalie Nabokov. Florida got on the board as Dmitry Kulikov scored a power play goal, his third of the year, set up by Tomas Fleischmann and Marcel Goc. The Islanders answered in the second period as Radek Martinek scored his third of the season, via Jesse Joensuu and Streit. New York padded the lead with another Grabner goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Scott Clemmensen relieved Markstrom at this time. The Panthers got one back when Goc scored his sixth of the season, with the help of Tomas Kopecky and Fleischmann. This was as close as it got, with the final being 5-2, and the three stars went to Grabner, Moulson, and Nabokov (26 for 28 in saves and an assist), while Streit, Goc, and Fleischmann get the honorable mentions.

A little to the west, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Steve Mason in goal. Philadelphia began with a first period goal by Brayden Schenn, his eighth of the season, via Brandon Manning and Danny Briere. The Flyers added on as Erik Gustafsson scored his third of the year, courtesy of Sean Couturier and Matt Read. New York got on the board in the second period with a Mats Zuccarello goal, assisted by John Moore. Philadelphia shot back with a Kimmo Timonen power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Claude Giroux. The Rangers pulled back in the third period when Derek Stepan scored his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Ryan Callahan and Derick Brassard. The Flyers iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Jakub Voracek, his nineteenth of the campaign, set up by Timonen and Giroux. The three stars were handed to Mason (38 for 40 in saves), Timonen, and Jay Rosehill, while the third slot should be Giroux.

Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Craig Anderson receive the starting nods. Ottawa started in the first period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Cory Conacher and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators added on in the second period as Milan Michalek notched his fourth of the year, thanks to Patrick Wiercioch and Gonchar. Carolina got on the board when Justin Faulk scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Eric Staal. Ottawa answered with a Chris Neil goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Guillaume Latendresse. The Hurricanes got one back in the third period when Eric Staal scored his seventeenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Jiri Tlusty and Faulk. They failed to get an equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being Anderson (32 for 34 in saves), Jared Cowen, and Michalek, while Gonchar, Faulk, and Eric Staal could take the second slot.

Southwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Brian Elliott protect the nets. Vancouver got going in the second period when Alexander Edler scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. St. Louis tied it in the third period on a Jay Bouwmeester goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Andy McDonald and Alexander Steen. The three stars went to David Backes, Bouwmeester, and Elliott (21 for 22 in saves), while Schneider (35 for 36 in saves) could take the first slot.

North again to Winnipeg, with the Jets hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Ondrej Pavelec are in the creases. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Tampa Bay tied it as Martin St. Louis scored his twelfth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Jets regained the lead in the second period with a Wheeler goal, his sixteenth of the season, with assists provided by Zach Bogosian. Winnipeg added on as Ladd scored his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Wheeler and  Bogosian. The Lightning answered with a third period goal by Pierre-Cedric Labrie, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay tied it with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, helped along by Matt Carle. The Jets won 4-3 in the shootout as Mike Santorelli and Ladd scored. The three stars were awarded to Ladd, Wheeler, and Stamkos, while Bogosian gets an honorable mention.

West to Edmonton, where the Oilers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Devan Dubnyk guard the cages. Minnesota led off in the first period when Kyle Brodziak scored his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Edmonton tied it on a Nail Yakupov goal, his eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Wild took the lead in the second period as Charlie Coyle scored his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Clayton Stoner. Minnesota extended the lead on a Mikael Granlund goal, his second of the year, passed from Torrey Mitchell and Stoner. The Wild padded the lead in the third period as Zach Parise scored his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. Minnesota struck again as Brodziak scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, courtesy of Pominville and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The Oilers got one back as Shawn Horcoff scored his seventh of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton pulled closer with a Magnus Paajarvi goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Yakupov and Jeff Petry. This was all they could muster, falling 5-3. The three stars belonged to Brodziak, Yakupov, and Stoner, while Pominville picks up an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in San Jose, as the Sharks bring in their rivals from the south, the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose began with a second period goal by Brent Burns, his eighth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Sharks added on with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his fourth of the year, with assist provided by Burns and Joe Thornton. Los Angeles got on the board with a Jake Muzzin power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Slava Voynov and Justin Williams. The Kings tied it on a Dustin Brown goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Robyn Regehr and Anze Kopitar. San Jose won 3-2 in the shootout on a lone goal by Raffi Torres. The three stars went to Niem (41 for 43 in saves), Burns, and Quick (33 for 35 in saves).

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Monday, April 15, 2013

NHL April 15th 2013

Please keep the city of Boston, its residents, and the families and friends of those affected by the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in your thoughts. Many people will be touched by this tragedy today, and it is on us to help those most affected find strength in a moment of weakness. With that, we begin the day's hockey and the healing process in...

Boston, where the Bruins would be hosting the Ottawa Senators. The game has been postponed and will likely be played on April 24th or 26th. Check with the NHL for further information regarding a makeup for this game.

Onward to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Broduer and James Reimer receive the starting nods. Toronto got going in the third period on a Phil Kessel power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Jay McClement goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Mark Fraser. Reimer (31 save shutout), Kessel, and Franson got the three stars.

Over in Montreal, the Canadiens host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Carey Price are in the creases. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Sean Couturier and Luke Schenn. The Flyers added on as Erik Gustafsson scored his second of the year, an unassisted goal. Montreal got on the board with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens tied it in the second period on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming on the power play via Pacioretty and Subban. Philadelphia took the lead back as Jakub Voracek scored his eighteenth of the season, set up by Claude Giroux and Simon Gagne. The Flyers extended the lead on a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. Montreal chipped back on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Davis Drewiske and Lars Eller. Philadelphia replied on a Giroux goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Voracek and Timonen. The Flyers padded the lead as Hartnell scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, with helpers provided by Voracek and Simmonds on the power play goal. Peter Budaj relieved Price at this time. Philadelphia kept going with a third period goal by Hartnell, finishing his hat trick with his seventh of the year, pushed through by Brayden Schenn and Danny Briere. This produced the 7-3 final score, with the three stars belonging to Hartnell, Giroux, and Gallagher, while Voracek, Simmonds, Pacioretty, Subban, and Timonen got the honorable mentions.

Down in Nashville, the Predators bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Vancouver quickly struck first in the first period with a Ryan Kesler power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks added on as Derek Roy scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Dan Hamhuis and Jannik Hansen. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Nick Spaling goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Sergei Kostitsyn and Daniel Bang. The Predators tied it as Bobby Butler scored his third of the year, via Victor Bartley. Vancouver took the lead back with a Jason Garrison power play goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Mason Raymond and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks extended the lead in the third period with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver padded the lead on a Kesler goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, made possible by Roy and Hansen. This was good for a 5-2 win, with the three stars handed to Kesler, Roy, and Daniel Sedin, while Henrik Sedin and Hansen get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Chicago, with the Blackhawks hosting the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Ray Emery are the backups making the starts. Chicago started in the first period on a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks extended the lead in the second period with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Michal Handzus and Andrew Shaw. Dallas got on the board with Jamie Benn's ninth of the season, helped along by Ray Whitney. The Stars tied it with another Benn goal in the third period, his second of the game and tenth of the year, fueled by Whitney and Alex Goligoski. Chicago retook the lead with an Andrew Shaw goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks added on as Niklas Hjalmarsson scored his second of the year, thanks to Hossa and Toews. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Hossa, his sixteenth of the campaign, passed from Brent Seabrook. The three stars were named as Shaw, Hossa, and Benn, while Toews and Whitney were the honorable mentions.

Westward to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are between the pipes. Colorado began in the second period with a Cody McLeod goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Gabriel Landeskog and Ryan O'Reilly. Columbus tied it on a Mark Letestu goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Vinny Prospal. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period when Blake Comeau scored his fifth of the season, via Derek MacKenzie and Jared Boll. The Avalanche tied it again as McLeod scored his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Tyson Barrie and O'Reilly. Colorado gained the lead with a Stefan Elliott goal, a power play goal powered by Paul Stastny and Jamie McGinn. Columbus tied it on an R.J. Umberger goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets won 4-3 in overtime as Foligno potted his sixth of the year, with a lone assist from Fedor Tyutin. The three stars were McLeod, Foligno, and O'Reilly.

Up in Calgary, the Flames host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Joey MacDonald protect the nets. Minnesota was first to score in the first period on a Mikko Koivu goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Zach Parise and Tom Gilbert. The Wild added on in the second period as Jason Pominville put away his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Ryan Suter. Calgary got on the board in the third period as Jiri Hudler scored his ninth of the season, with the help of Roman Horak and Roman Cervenka. Ten seconds later, Minnesota replied with a Bouchard goal, set up by Devin Setoguchi as his sixth of the year. The Wild padded the lead when Pominville scored his second of the night and fourteenth of the season, via Matt Cullen and Jonas Brodin. The Flames shot back on a Ben Hanowski goal, guided in by Mikael Backlund and Curtis Glencross. Calgary pulled closer as Sven Baertschi scored his second of the year, helped along by Michael Cammalleri and Mark Giordano. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Pominville, Hanowski, and Cullen.

Finally, we end in Phoenix, with the Coyotes welcoming the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jason LaBarbera will stand in the blue paint. San Jose opened in the second period with a Logan Couture goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Jason Demers and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on with a Tommy Wingels goal, his fifth of the year, an unassisted goal. San Jose extended the lead with a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Raffi Torres and Wingels. The Sharks iced it at 4-0 with Matt Irwin's sixth of the year in the third period, a power play goal powered by Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. The three stars went to Niemi (35 save shutout), Wingels, and Pavelski.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion and keep the city of Boston in your thoughts and prayers.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

NHL April 14th 2013

One of the least-busy days we've had all season, with only three games on today. We begin in...

St. Louis, as the Blues host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Brian Elliott are the masked men. Chicago got going in the second period as Bryan Bickell netted his ninth of the season, with a lone assist from Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks added on in the third period with a Marian Hossa goal, his fifteenth of the year coming shorthanded from Jonathan Toews. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Bickell, Crawford (30 save shutout), and Elliott (24 for 26 in saves).

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Jhonas Enroth are set to start. Buffalo led off in the first period as Tyler Ennis scored his tenth of the season, a power play goal, powered by Thomas Vanek and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Jochen Hecht goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Nathan Gerbe. Buffalo extended the lead on a Kevin Porter goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Brian Flynn and Steve Ott. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Eric Brewer and Vincent Lecavalier. This was as close as it got, with the three stars going to Enroth (32 for 33 in saves), Flynn, and Porter.

Finally, in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Detroit began in the second period on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Danny DeKeyser and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings extended the lead as Johan Franzen scored his ninth of the year in the third period, via Valtteri Filppula and Daniel Cleary. Detroit iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Justin Abdelkader, his ninth of the campaign, passed from Zetterberg and Datsyuk. The three stars were Howard (22 save shutout), Zetterberg, and Rinne (29 for 31 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

NHL April 13th 2013

Eleven games going throughout the day, beginning in...

Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be starting. Colorado started in the first period with an unassisted Gabriel Landeskog goal, his ninth of the season. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Maxim Lapierre goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. The Canucks took the lead with a Jannik Hansen goal, his ninth of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Avalanche tied it in the third period when Cody McLeod scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Ryan O'Reilly. Vancouver took the lead back as Jason Garrison scored his sixth of the season, fueled by Dan Hamhuis and Andrew Ebbett. Colorado pulled even on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Matt Duchene and Brad Malone. The Avalanche took the lead with just eight seconds left as Jan Hejda scored, thanks to David Jones and Tyson Barrie. This made it a 4-3 game, with the three stars going to Hejda, Parenteau, and Matt Hunwick, while any point-earner can take the third slot.

Back in the east, the Buffalo Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Jhonas Enroth are the backups making spot starts. Buffalo got going in the third period as Christian Ehrhoff scored his fifth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Kevin Porter and Steve Ott. This was the only goal in the game, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Enroth (29 save shutout), Ehrhoff, and Ott.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington opened in the first period on a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, set up by Mike Ribeiro and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals added on as Jack Hillen scored his second of the year, thanks to Jay Beagle and Steve Oleksy. Washington extended the lead on an Ovechkin goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Nicklas Backstrom. Mathieu Garon relieved Bishop for the second period. The Capitals padded the lead as Jason Chimera scored his second of the year, with the help of Mathieu Perreault and Oleksy. Tampa Bay got on the board with the third of the season by Richard Panik, coming off of Tom Pyatt and Teddy Purcell. Washington replied with an Eric Fehr goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Perreault. The Lightning shot back with a Martin St. Louis goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Benoit Pouliot. Tampa Bay pulled closer in the third period when Panik scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, with assists provided by Radko Gudas and Keith Aulie. The Lightning chipped closer with another St. Louis goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, made possible by Victor Hedman and Pyatt. Tampa Bay tied it as Purcell scored his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Pyatt, who got a sock trick, and Panik. The game went into overtime, where the Capitals won it 6-5 on a Mike Green power play goal, his tenth of the campaign, powered by Ribeiro and Fehr. The three stars went to Green, Perreault, and Panik, while Ovechkin, St. Louis, Pyatt, Purcell, Fehr, Oleksy, and Ribeiro all get honorable mentions.

Into New York, where the Islanders host their cross-city rivals, the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. The Rangers won 1-0 with an overtime goal by Dan Girardi, his second of the campaign, fueled by Derick Brassard and Michael Del Zotto. The three stars were handed to Lundqvist (29 save shutout), Girardi, and Nabokov (19 for 20 in saves).

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and James Reimer are in the blue paint. Toronto led off with a first period Tyler Bozak goal, his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs added on as Leo Komarov scored his third of the year, thanks to Ryan O'Byrne and Jay McClement. Toronto chased Price as McClement scored his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Nikolai Kulemin. Peter Budaj came on in relief. Montreal got on the board when Davis Drewiske scored his second of the year, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais. The Maple Leafs replied with a Dion Phaneuf goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Nazem Kadri and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto padded the lead in the second period when Kessel notched his fifteenth of the year, passed from van Riemsdyk and Cody Franson. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 5-1. The three stars were named as McClement, Bozak, and Reimer (36 for 37 in saves), while Kessel and van Riemsdyk get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Justin Peters receive the starting nods. Boston struck first with a Milan Lucic goal in the first period, his sixth of the season, assisted by Matt Bartkowski and Jaromir Jagr. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Alexander Semin and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period when Jiri Tlusty scored his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Eric Staal and Tim Gleason. The Bruins retied it on a Tyler Seguin goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Andrew Ference. Carolina regained the lead in the first period with a Joe Corvo power play goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Marc-Andre Bergeron and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with a Tlusty goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year going into the empty net, passed from Jordan Staal and Semin. The three stars of the game belonged to Peters (28 for 30 in saves), Corvo, and Tlusty, while Jordan Staal and Semin get the honorable mentions.

Further to the south, the Florida Panthers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jacob Markstrom are the masked men. Pittsburgh began in the first period on a Kris Letang goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Beau Bennett and Brenden Morrow. The Penguins added on with a Morrow goal, his eighth of the year, via Bennett and Joe Vitale. Florida got on the board in the second period as Scottie Upshall scored his third of the season, guided in by Jack Skille and Brian Campbell. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Morrow, his second of the game and ninth of the year, set up by Pascal Dupuis. The three stars were Morrow, Bennett, and Upshall.

Westward to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi faces a lesser foe in Richard Bachman in goal. Dallas was first to score in the first period with an Eric Nystrom goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Trevor Daley and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars extended the lead on an Alex Chiasson goal, his sixth of the year coming on the power play from Ray Whitney and Loui Eriksson. San Jose got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Brent Burns, his seventh of the campaign, powered by T.J. Galiardi and Scott Gomez. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Bachman (31 for 32 in saves), Nystrom, and Joe Pavelski, while any point-earner can take the third slot.

Way north to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Niklas Backstrom guard the cages. Minnesota started in the first period with a Pierre Marc-Bouchard goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Brett Clark and Jason Pominville. Columbus tied it in the second period when Vinny Prospal netted his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Brandon Dubinsky and Dalton Prout. The Blue Jackets took the lead on a Fedor Tyutin goal, his third of the season, assisted by Prospal and Dubinsky. The Wild tied it with a Pominville power play goal in the third period, his twelfth of the year, powered by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The game went into a shootout, where Columbus won 3-2 on goals by Mark Letestu and Cam Atkinson. The three stars of the game went to Bobrovsky (39 for 41 in saves), Pominville, and Suter, while Prospal and Dubinsky get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada again, with the Battle of Alberta raging in Edmonton, as the Oilers bring in the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Nikolai Khabibulin are between the pipes. Calgary opened in the first period with a Mikael Backlund goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Sven Baertschi and T.J. Brodie. Edmonton tied it as Lennart Petrell scored his third of the year, courtesy of Ryan Jones and Shawn Horcoff. The Flames took the lead back in the second period on a Dennis Wideman goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Tim Jackman and Brodie on the power play. Calgary added on with an unassisted Baertschi goal. The Flames struck again in the third period as Maxwell Reinhart scored, with the help of Jackman and Jiri Hudler. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Brodie, Reinhart, and MacDonald (28 for 29 in saves), while Baertschi and Jackman get the honorable mentions.

Finally, down in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Drew Doughty goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Trevor Lewis and Jarret Stoll. Anaheim tied it in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Ryan Getlzaf, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Kings took the lead on a Mike Richards power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by Doughty and Anze Kopitar. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 2-1 final, with the three stars being Doughty, Lewis, and Getzlaf.

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Friday, April 12, 2013

NHL April 12th 2013

Five games on a Friday night, beginning in...

New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Martin Brodeur are the solid goalies. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, assisted by Colin Greening and Erik Condra. The Senators added on as Milan Michalek scored his third of the season, with the help of Daniel Alfredsson. This held up for a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Anderson (33 save shutout), Pageau, and Michalek.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Sergei Bobrovsky are the young goalies. St. Louis led off in the first period on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Andy McDonald and Vladimir Sobotka. Columbus tied it on a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Matt Calvert and Adrian Aucoin. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period when Artem Anisimov scored his eleventh of the season, with helpers provided by Brandon Dubinsky and Atkinson. Columbus extended the lead with a Ryan Johansen goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Nick Foligno and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets padded the lead on a third period goal by Marian Gaborik, his twelfth of the season, thanks to Mark Letestu and Vinny Prospal. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Atkinson, Johansen, and Derek MacKenzie, while Bobrovsky (31 for 32 in saves) deserves the third slot.

Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Chris Mason draw the starts. Dallas began with a first period Erik Cole goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Vernon Fiddler and Philip Larsen. The Stars added on as Ray Whitney scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Alex Goligoski and Fiddler. Nashville got on the board with the third of the season from Taylor Beck, a power play goal set up by Roman Josi and Patric Hornqvist. Dallas shot back in the second period as Tom Wandell scored, thanks to Ryan Garbutt and Antoine Roussel. The Stars extended the lead when Alex Chiasson scored his fourth of the year, guided in by Whitney and Trevor Daley. Dallas padded the lead as Chiasson scored his second of the game and fifth of the season in the third period, an unassisted goal. The Predators got one back with a Bobby Butler goal, his second of the year, passed from Daniel Bang and Victor Bartley. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars given to Chiasson, Whitney, and Fiddler.

Northwest a tad to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in their bitter rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago opened with a second period goal by Viktor Stalberg, his eighth of the season, fueled by Duncan Keith and Bryan Bickell. Detroit tied it with a Johan Franzen power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Carlo Colaiacovo and Jakub Kindl. The Red Wings took the lead on a Cory Emmerton goal, his fourth of the season, via Drew Miller and Jordin Tootoo. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period as Jonathan Toews scored his twentieth of the year, with the help of Johnny Oduya and Michael Frolik. Chicago won in the shootout with goals by Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad topping a lone Detroit goal from Henrik Zetterberg. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Toews, Howard (26 for 28 in saves), and Stalberg.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Joey MacDonald are between the pipes. Phoenix started in the first period with an Antoine Vermette goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Chris Conner and Mikkel Boedker. Calgary tied it on a Jiri Hudler goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Mikael Backlund and Dennis Wideman. The Flames took the lead in the second period as Lee Stempniak scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal, powered by T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano. The Coyotes tied it in the third period as Keith Yandle scored his ninth of the year, assisted by Derek Morris and Radim Vrbata. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime as Giordano scored his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Curtis Glencross and Backlund. The three stars were handed to Stempniak, Morris, and Maxwell Reinhart, while Giordano and Backlund get the honorable mentions.

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