KHL Day 15 2013-2014

Eight games today on a slightly heavier schedule. We begin in...

Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Niko Hovinen and Michael Garnett are given the starting nods. Chelyabinsk started with a first period goal by Maxim Kondratyev, assisted by Mikhail Mokin and Anton Glinkin. Traktor added on as Lauris Darzins scored, thanks to Petri Kontiola and Evgeny Katichev. Chelyabinsk extended the lead as Kontiola scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Ryabykin. Traktor padded the lead with another Darzins goal, fueled by Ryabykin and Kontiola. Chelyabinsk continued in the third period on a Stanislav Chistov goal, guided in by Konstantin Panov. Novokuznetsk avoided the shutout with a Mark Skutar goal, coming off of Damir Zhafyarov. This was it for the scoring, leaving Traktor with a 5-1 win, and the three stars were Darzins, Kontiola, and Ryabykin.

Next up, Salavat Yulaev Ufa brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Alexei Volkov stand in the creases. Ufa led off in the first period with a Nikita Filatov goal, passed from Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev added on as Denis Khlystov scored, thanks to Andrei Zubarev and Vitaly Proshkin on the power play. Ufa extended the lead with a power play goal by Hartikainen, powered by Makarov and Filatov. Salavat Yulaev padded the lead with a Kirill Koltsov goal, via Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Evgeny Ivannikov relieved Lundstrom beginning in the second period. Vladivostok got on the board in the second period as Evgeny Grachyov scored, with the help of Andrei Nititenko on the power play. The third period was scoreless, so Salavat Yulaev won 4-1, with the three stars being Hartikainen, Filatov, and Volkov (32 for 33 in saves), while Makarov got an honorable mention.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Sergei Gaiduchenko and Vasily Koshechkin are between the pipes. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period with a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. Novosibirsk tied it with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, coming off of Dmitry Kugryshev and Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir took the lead with a power play goal by Vyacheslav Belov, set up by Jori Lehtera. Metallurg tied it with an Evgeny Timkin goal, passed from Mozyakin and Kovar. The tie lasted into overtime, where Magnitogorsk won 3-2 on another Zaripov goal, assisted by Chris Lee and Sergei Tereshchenko. The three stars belonged to Zaripov, Mozyakin, and Kovar.

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Jakub Stepanek are the masked men. Zagreb struck first in the first period on a Matt Murley goal, fueled by Brian Willsie and Dario Kostovic. Cherepovets tied it on a second period goal by Alexander Shinin, an unassisted power play goal. Severstal took the lead with a Linus Videll power play goal, powered by Nikolai Bushuyev. Cherepovets added on as Evgeny Mons scored an unassisted goal. Severstal extended the lead as Vadim Berdnikov scored an unassisted and shorthanded goal. Medvescak answered with a Bill Thomas goal, with a lone helper provided by Kurtis Foster. Cherepovets replied with another Videll goal, made possible by Bogdan Kiselevich and Petr Caslava on the power play. Severstal iced it at 6-2 with an unassisted goal from Alexander Bumagin. The three stars were given to Videll, Berdnikov, and Mons.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Matt Dalton protect the nets. Khabarovsk opened with an Evgeny Korotkov goal, via Alexander Yunkov. Nizhnekamsk tied it as Roman Lyuduchin scored, thanks to Martin Cibak and Bogdan Yakimov. Neftekhimik took the lead with a Petr Koukal goal, going in unassisted. Nizhnekamsk added on in the second period with an Oskar Osala goal, fueled by Cibak and Yegor Milovzorov. Neftekhimik extended the lead as Milovzorov scored, with the help of Stanislav Romanov. Nizhnekamsk padded the lead on another Lyuduchin goal, assisted by Andrei Taratukhin and Yakimov. Amur replied with an unassisted goal by Jan Mursak. Neftekhimik wrapped it up at 6-2 in the third period on a Nikolai Belov goal, a power play goal passed from Branko Radivojevic. The three stars were awarded to Lyuduchin, Milovzorov, and Cibak, while Yakimov got the honorable mention.

West again, where SKA St. Petersburg welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Ilya Ezhov with occupy the blue paint. St. Petersburg began in the first period on an Andrei Kuteikin goal, fueled by Tony Martensson. SKA added on as Vadim Shipachyov scored, with the help of Evgeny Ryasenky and Artemy Panarin. Minsk got on the board in the second period on a Geoff Platt goal, assisted by Artur Gavrus and Derek Meech. St. Petersburg answered with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, set up by Yury Alexandrov and Evgeny Ketov. SKA extended the lead as Viktor Tikhonov scored, thanks to Anton Burdasov. St. Petersburg iced it at 5-1 with a Ketov power play goal, powered by Shipachyov and Panarin. The three stars were Shipachyov, Ketov, and Panarin.

Into the Moscow Oblast, where Atlant Mytishchi hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Stanislav Galimov will try to keep the pucks out of the net. Mytishchi got going in the second period on an Andreas Engqvist goal, assisted by Vitaly Novopashin and Juha-Pekka Haataja. This was the game's only goal, and the three stars were Galimov (26 save shutout), Engqvist, and Leighton (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Curtis Sanford tend the twines. Moscow led off in the first period with a Matt Anderson power play goal, powered by Deron Quint and Tom Wandell. Yaroslavl tied it as Alexei Kruchinin scored a power play goal, set up by Jonas Holos and Staffan Kronwall. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Spartak's Andrei Sergeyev and Lokomotiv's Daniil Apalkov traded goals before Spartak won the game 2-1 on an Anderson tally. The three stars were Anderson, Glass (32 for 33 in saves), and Sanford (38 for 39 in saves).

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KHL Day 14 2013-2014

This marks the two-week point in the season, and we have five games to cover today. The first comes from...

Astana, as Barys hosts Avangard Omsk. Eduard Reizvikh and Vitaly Yeremeyev are in the blue paint. Astana led off with a first period goal by Brandon Bochenski, with a lone assist from Nigel Dawes. Omsk tied it in the second period as Alexander Frolov scored a power play goal, via Dmitry Vorobyov. Barys took the lead again as Roman Starchenko scored, thanks to Dawes and Mike Lundin. Astana added on with a Talgat Zhailauov goal, passed from Alexei Litvinenko and the goalie Yeremeyev. Barys extended the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Maxim Spiridonov, powered by Zhailauov and Fyodor Polishchuk. Avangard got one back on a power play goal netted by Nikita Pivtsakin, fueled by Miroslav Blatak and Tomas Zaborsky. Astana answered as Spiridonov scored another power play goal, with helpers provided by Maxim Semyonov and Zhailauov. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars being Zhailauov, Spiridonov, and Dawes.

Northwest to Moscow, where CSKA hosts their crosstown rivals, Dynamo. Alexander Yeryomenko and Rastislav Stana are the masked men. CSKA opened in the first period as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored, with a lone assist by Alexander Radulov. CSKA added on with an Ilya Zubov goal, made possible by Sergei Shirokov and Prokhorkin. Dynamo got on the board as Maxim Karpov scored, via Yury Babenko. CSKA answered in the second period on another Prokhorkin goal, fueled by Georgy Misharin and Radulov. Dynamo pulled back as Alexei Tsvetkov scored, with the help of Filip Novak and Leo Komarov. Dynamo tied it with a power play goal by Tsvetkov, powered by Denis Kokarev and Maxim Solovyov. CSKA took the lead again in the third period with an unassisted Prokhorkin goal. CSKA extended the lead as Oleg Saprykin scored, assisted by Vladimir Zharkov. CSKA iced it at 6-3 with a Zubov goal, passed from Shirokov and the goalie Stana. The three stars were Prokhorkin, Zubov, and Radulov, while Shirokov and Tsvetkov were given honorable mentions.

Moving along to the Czech Republic, where Lev Praha welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Johan Backlund and Petri Vehanen are in the creases. Praha got going in the second period on a Martin Thornberg goal, assisted by Jiri Sekac and Ondrej Nemec. Lev added on as Justin Azevedo scored, with a lone helper provided by Calle Ridderwall. Praha extended the lead with a power play goal by Niko Kapanen, powered by Nathan Oystrick and Ryan O'Byrne. Podolsk avoided the shutout with a power play goal in the third period, scored by Mike Iggulden, and helped along by Alexander Korolyuk and Logan Pyett. Lev replied with a late Thornberg goal, coming on the power play from Jakub Nakladal and Martin Sevc. This made it 4-1, with the three stars being Vehanen (22 for 23 in saves), Thornberg, and Azevedo.

Next up, Dinamo Riga hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Mikael Tellqvist tend the twines. Kazan began in the first period with a Janne Pesonen goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on in the second period with a power play goal by Alexander Burmistrov, powered by Tim Stapleton and Mikhail Varnakov. Kazan got another as Shaun Heshka scored a power play goal set up by Stapleton and Evgeny Medvedev. Riga got on the board in the third period on a Paul Szczechura goal, coming off of Gunars Skvorcovs. This made it 3-1, a final, with Barulin (24 for 25 in saves), Stapleton, and Burmistrov.

Finally, in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Jaroslav Janus guard the cages. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period as Wojtek Wolski scored, thanks to Tim Brent. Torpedo added on in the second period with a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, fueled by Pyotr Schastlivy. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead when Wolski scored again, with the help of Vladimir Denisov and Mikhail Grigoryev. They held on for a 3-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Gelashvili (20 save shutout), Wolski, and Krasnoslobodtsev.

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Monday Night Football Week 2

Our Monday night game this week comes from Cincinnati, as the Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh started in the first quarter on a 44 yard field goal by Shaun Suisham. Cincinnati took the lead as Giovani Bernard ran 7 yards for a touchdown, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals added on in the second quarter as Nugent handled a 41 yard field goal. The Steelers pulled even when Ben Roethlisberger tossed a 1 yard touchdown pass to Derek Moye, and Suisham had the equalizer. Cincinnati took the lead back in the third quarter as Andy Dalton threw a 27 yard touchdown pass to Bernard, and Nugent was there with the PAT. The Bengals padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Nugent kicked a 25 yard field goal. This made it 20-10, a final, with the Bengals now at 1-1 while the Steelers fall to 0-2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 13 2013-2014

There are six games today, beginning a stretch of reasonable days. We start with...

Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Niko Hovinen and Vasily Koshechkin protect the nets. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period with a Dmitry Kazionov goal, set up by Sergei Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk added on as Milan Gulas scored an unassisted goal. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period with a Yegor Martynov goal, coming on the power play via Marko Antilla. Magnitogorsk answered with a Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Danis Zaripov. They held on for the 3-1 win, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Koshechkin (34 for 35 in saves), and Gulas.

Moving along to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Iiro Tarkki are set to start. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with an unassisted goal by Jakub Petruzalek. Ufa tied it with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, fueled by Dmitry Makarov and Nikita Filatov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the second period as Denis Khlystov scored a power play goal, powered by Makarov and Filatov. Amur tied it with a Jan Mursak goal, guided in by Artyom Kryukov. Ufa shot back as Kirill Koltsov scored, with helpers provided by Makarov, who got a sock trick, and Brent Sopel. Khabarovsk tied it in the third period on a Vladimir Loginov goal, set up by Mikhail Fisenko and Andrei Stepanov. Amur won 4-3 in overtime as Petruzalek scored a power play goal, with assists credited to Loginov and Kryukov. The three stars were Petruzalek, Loginov, and Makarov, while Kryukov and Filatov get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Cherepovets, as Severstal brings in Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Jakub Stepanek occupy the creases. Cherepovets began with a first period goal by Gleb Klimenko, assisted by Vadim Berdnikov. Minsk tied it with a Geoff Platt goal, passed from Alexander Pavlovich. Severstal took the lead back on a power play goal by Pavel Buchnevich, powered by Alexei Medvedev and Vladimir Antipov. Cherepovets added on in the second period as Buchnevich scored another power play goal, set up by Antipov and Medvedev. Severstal extended the lead on a shorthanded goal by Nikolai Bushuyev, thanks to Linus Videll. Dinamo got one back with a power play goal by Platt, made possible by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Alexander Kitarov. They failed to get closer, dropping a 4-2 decision, with the three stars being Buchnevich, Platt, and Antipov, while Medvedev gets an honorable mention.

Into Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Alexander Sudnitsin are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk started with a first period goal by Denis Tolpeko, fueled by Pyotr Khokhryakov and Petr Koukal. Vladivostok tied it as Niclas Bergfors put away an unassisted goal. Admiral took the lead in the second period on a Sergei Barbashev goal, guided in by Alexander Kuznetsov and Evgeny Grachyov. Vladivostok added on as Bergfors scored a power play goal, powered by Enver Lisin and Felix Schutz. Neftekhimik got one back with a Branko Radivojevic goal, courtesy of Sergei Demagin and Igor Polygalov. Nizhnekamsk tied it as Yegor Milovzorov scored, with the help of Oskar Osala and Koukal. Neftekhimik took the lead in the third period on a Bogdan Yakimov goal, coming off of Mikhail Anisin and Andrei Taratukhin. Nizhnekamsk padded the lead with a Khokhryakov goal, dished from Fyodor Belyakov and Yakimov. Admiral shot back on a Yegor Antropov goal, assisted by Lisin and Anton Poleshchuk. Vladivostok tied the game with an unassisted goal potted by Kuznetsov. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Demagin and Lisin traded goals before Anisin put the game away for good 6-5 in favor of Neftekhimik. The three stars were Anisin, Yakimov, and Khokhryakov, while Koukal, Bergfors, Lisin, Kuznetsov, and Demagin all get honorable mentions.

To the west, SKA St. Petersburg welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Alexander Salak. St. Petersburg opened with a first period power play goal by Dmitry Kalinin, powered by Evgeny Ryasensky and Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on in the second period with a second period Roman Cervenka goal, fueled by Thoresen. St. Petersburg iced it at 3-0 in the third period as Kalinin scored another power play goal, set up by Ryasensky and Tony Martensson. The three stars were Kalinin, Salak (31 save shutout), and Thoresen, while Ryasensky gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv brings in Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Curtis Sanford tend the twines. Donetsk led off in the second period with an Oskars Bartulis goal, assisted by Oleg Piganovich. Donbass added on as Piganovich scored, via Bartulis and Randy Robitaille. Yaroslavl got on the board as Daniil Apalkov scored, and Emil Galimov had the lone assist. Donetsk answered with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, courtesy of Robitaille and Jan Kolar. Lokomotiv shot back on an Alexei Vasilyev goal, passed from Anton But and Ilya Gorokhov on the power play. Yaroslavl tied it with another Vasilyev power play goal, guided in by But and Gorokhov again. Donbass won 4-3 in overtime on a Gennady Razin goal, made possible by Robitaille, who got a sock trick, and Dadonov. The three stars of the game were Bartulis, Piganovich, and Robitaille, while Dadonov, Vasilyev, But, and Gorokhov all get honorable mentions.

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NFL Week 2 2013

Fourteen games today, none of which I was able to cover in progress. We begin in...

Green Bay, as the Packers host the Washington Redskins. Green Bay opened with a first quarter Mason Crosby field goal of 28 yards. The Packers added on as Aaron Rodgers passed 35 yards to Randall Cobb for a touchdown, and Crosby was there with the extra point. Green Bay extended the lead in the second quarter with a 14 yard touchdown pass by Rodgers to Jordy Nelson, and Crosby again handled the extra point. The Packers padded the lead with Rodgers finding Jermichael Finley for three yards and a touchdown, and Crosby booted the extra point. Green Bay kept going in the third quarter on a Rodgers touchdown pass of 15 yards to Nelson, and Crosby was true with the PAT. Washington finally got on the board as Robert Griffin III tossed a 6 yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon, and John Potter made the extra point. The Packers answered with James Starks running in a 32 yard touchdown, and Crosby knocked home the extra point. The Redskins replied in the fourth quarter as Griffin found Jordan Reed for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Potter drove in the extra point. Washington got closer with Griffin connecting with Santana Moss for 9 yards and a touchdown, but the two-point attempt from Griffin to Reed failed. This made it 38-20 Packers, who improve to 1-1 while dropping the Redskins to 0-2.

East to Baltimore, where the Ravens welcome the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland was first to score in the first quarter when Billy Cundiff kicked a 21 yard field goal. The Browns added on as Cundiff nailed a 51 yard field goal in the second quarter. Baltimore tied the game in the third quarter as Bernard Pierce ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and took the lead as Justin Tucker made the extra point. The Ravens added on in the fourth quarter with a Joe Flacco touchdown pass of 5 yards to Marlon Brown, and Tucker was there with the extra point. The Ravens held on for a 14-6 win, improving to 1-1 while dropping the Browns to 0-2.

To the south, the Atlanta Falcons bring in the St. Louis Rams. Atlanta struck first with a first quarter Matt Ryan touchdown pass to Steven Jackson for 8 yards, and Matt Bryant nailed the extra point. The Falcons added on with a touchdown pass from Ryan to Julio Jones for 81 yards, and Bryant kicked in the extra point. Atlanta struck again in the second quarter when Osi Umenyiora returned an interception of Sam Bradford for 68 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant was there again for the extra point. St. Louis got on the board with a Greg Zuerlein field goal from 29 yards away. The Falcons replied as Bryant made a 38 yard field goal. The Rams shot back in the third quarter as Bradford found Tavon Austin for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Zuerlein handled the PAT. St. Louis pulled closer in the fourth quarter when Bradford passed 3 yards to Austin Pettis, and Zuerlein was true with the extra point. Atlanta padded the lead with an 11 yard run by Jason Snelling, and Bryant made another extra point. The Rams countered as Bradford found Austin for 10 yards on another touchdown pass, and Zuerlein managed to make the extra point. It wasn't enough in the end, as the Falcons won 31-24, and both teams went to 1-1 on the season.

Back to the north, where the Philadelphia Eagles host the San Diego Chargers. San Diego led off in the first quarter as Nick Novak hit a 49 yard field goal. Philadelphia tied it when Alex Henery made a 25 yard field goal. The Chargers took the lead back in the second quarter with a Philip Rivers 11 yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal, and Novak was there with the extra point. San Diego added on with a 44 yard field goal by Novak. The Eagles replied as Michael Vick found Riley Cooper for 13 yards and a touchdown, and Henery drilled the extra point. The Chargers responded in the third quarter on another Rivers touchdown pass to Royal for 24 yards this time, and Novak nailed the PAT. Philadelphia got some back with Henery making a 48 yard field goal. The Eagles pulled even with a 61 yard touchdown pass from Vick to DeSean Jackson, and Henery was true with the extra point. San Diego pulled ahead again in the fourth quarter on a 33 yard field goal by Novak. Philadelphia took the lead as Vick ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Henery handled the extra point. The Chargers edged ahead on a Rivers touchdown pass of 15 yards to Royal, and Novak booted the extra point. The Eagles tied it again on a field goal by Henery from 32 yards. San Diego took the game 33-30 on a late field goal by Novak, good from 46 yards out. Both teams are now 1-1.

Westward to Chicago, where the Bears welcome the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota got going immediately in the first quarter as Cordarrelle Patterson returned the opening kickoff for 105 yards and a touchdown, and Blair Walsh made the extra point. Chicago evened the score with a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler to Martellus Bennett for 1 yard, and Robbie Gould was there with the extra point. The Bears took the lead when Cutler passed a 34 yard touchdown to Brandon Marshall. The Vikings retied it in the second quarter as Cutler fumbled, and the ball was picked up and returned 61 yards by Brian Robison for a touchdown, allowing Walsh to make the extra point. Chicago took the lead back on a Tim Jennings interception of Christian Ponder, returned 44 yards for a touchdown, and Gould was true with the PAT. Minnesota pulled even again as Ponder found the right guy this time, Kyle Rudolph, for 20 yards and a touchdown, which led to another Walsh extra point. The Bears edged ahead on a Gould field goal from 20 yards out at the end of the half. The Vikings tied it again in the third quarter on a Walsh field goal of 28 yards. Minnesota took the lead as Walsh was true on a 28 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Vikings added on as Walsh made another field goal, this time from 22 yards. Chicago ended up winning as Cutler threw a tying touchdown pass of 16 yards to Bennett, and Gould's extra point made it 31-30 for the decisive score. The Bears improve to 2-0, while dropping the Vikings to 0-2.

East again to Buffalo, where the Bills bring in the Carolina Panthers. Buffalo began in the second quarter on a Dan Carpenter 55 yard field goal. Carolina took the lead with a Cam Newton touchdown pass of 13 yards to Greg Olsen, and Graham Gano made the extra point. The Bills got some back in the third quarter with a Carpenter field goal of 20 yards. The Panthers shot back on a 40 yard touchdown pass from Newton to Ted Ginn, Jr., and Gano nailed the PAT. Buffalo chipped closer with a touchdown run of 4 yards by Fred Jackson, and the two-point conversion pass from EJ Manuel to Robert Woods was good to tie the game. Carolina took the lead back in the fourth quarter on a 27 yard Gano field goal. The Panthers extended the lead with a Gano field goal from 25 yards. The Bills got some back as Carpenter was true from 48 yards for a field goal. Carolina replied with a 39 yard Gano field goal. Buffalo tied the game with Manuel passing 2 yards to Stevie Johnson for a touchdown, and they won the game when Carpenter made the extra point for a 24-23 final score. The Bills are now 1-1 while the Panthers fall to 0-2.

Well to the south, the Houston Texans host the Tennessee Titans. Houston started in the first quarter with a 1 yard Matt Schaub touchdown pass to Garrett Graham, and Randy Bullock made the extra point. Tennessee tied it as Jake Locker passed 6 yards to Kendall Wright for a touchdown, and Rob Bironas' extra point was the equalizer. The Titans took the lead in the second quarter as Bironas made a 47 yard field goal. The Texans took the lead back in the third quarter as Schaub tossed Owen Daniels a 12 yard touchdown, and Bullock nailed the extra point. Houston padded the lead as Chris Johnson was stuffed on a run and was tackled in his end zone for a safety. Tennessee pulled ahead with a Locker touchdown pass of 10 yards to Delanie Walker, and Bironas had the go-ahead extra point. The Titans extended the lead as Alterraun Verner picked off Schaub and returned the ball for 23 yards and a touchdown, and Bironas knocked in the PAT. The Texans answered as Arian Foster ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and then he ran in the two-point conversion. The game went into overtime, and Houston prevailed as Schaub tossed a 3 yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins for a touchdown and a 30-24 win. The Texans are now 2-0 and the Titans drop to 1-1.

Moving up to Indianapolis, where the Colts welcome the Miami Dolphins. Miami began in the first quarter on a Ryan Tannehill 18 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, and Caleb Sturgis made the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board with an Adam Vinatieri field goal of 30 yards. The Dolphins extended the lead with a Lamar Miller touchdown run of 10 yards, and Sturgis handled the extra point. The Colts shot back in the second quarter as Andrew Luck passed 3 yards to Coby Fleener for a touchdown, and Vinatieri was there with the extra point. Indianapolis took the lead as Ahmad Bradshaw ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Vinatieri was true with the PAT. Miami pulled even on a Sturgis field goal of 54 yards. The Colts retook the lead in the third quarter on a 38 yard field goal by Vinatieri. The Dolphins pulled ahead as Charles Clay ran 1 yard for a touchdown and Sturgis knocked in the extra point. The fourth quarter was scoreless, so the Dolphins held on for a 24-20 win, and improved to 2-0 while dropping the Colts to 1-1.

Into Missouri, where the Kansas City Chiefs bring in the Dallas Cowboys. Kansas City led off with a first quarter Alex Smith touchdown pass of 2 yards to Jamaal Charles, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. Dallas got on the board with a 51 yard field goal by Dan Bailey. The Cowboys took the lead on a 2 yard Tony Romo touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, and Bailey was there with the extra point. The next scoring came in the third quarter from Dallas, as Bailey made a 30 yard field goal. The Chiefs edged ahead as Smith found Dwayne Bowe for 12 yards and a touchdown, and Succop had the go-ahead extra point. Kansas City padded the lead on a Succop field goal from 40 yards away. The Cowboys got some back when Bailey knocked in a 53 yard field goal. They failed to pull ahead, losing 17-16, with the Chiefs now at 2-0 and the Cowboys at 1-1.

To the southeast, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans was first to score in the first quarter on a 44 yard field goal by Garrett Hartley. Tampa Bay answered with a Josh Freeman touchdown pass of 5 yards to Kevin Ogletree, and Rian Lindell was true with the extra point. The Saints replied as Drew Brees found Jimmy Graham for 56 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley was true with the extra point. New Orleans added on in the third quarter as Hartley made a 41 yard field goal. The Buccaneers pulled ahead in the fourth quarter on a Mason Foster interception of Brees that he returned for 85 yards and a touchdown, and Lindell had the go-ahead PAT. The Saints answered at the end of the game with a good field goal by Hartley from 27 yards away to make it a 16-14 victory. The Saints improve to 2-0 while dropping the Buccaneers to 0-2.

Way to the west, the Arizona Cardinals welcome the Detroit Lions. Arizona got going in the second quarter on a Jay Feely field goal of 47 yards. Detroit took the lead as Matthew Stafford tossed a 72 yard touchdown to Calvin Johnson, and David Akers knocked in the extra point. The Cardinals went ahead again as Carson Palmer found Andre Ellington for 36 yards and a touchdown, and Feely was true with the extra point. The Lions regained the lead as Stafford and Johnson connected for 3 yards and another touchdown, and Akers again made the extra point. Arizona chipped back in the third quarter with a Feely field goal from 23 yards away. Detroit responded with DeAndre Levy returning an interception of Palmer for 66 yards and a touchdown, and Akers booted the PAT. The Cardinals pulled closer on a field goal by Feely, good from 43 yards out. Arizona kept going with a 33 yard Feely field goal. The Cardinals took the lead as Rashard Mendenhall ran in a 1 yard touchdown, but the two-point attempt from Palmer to Michael Floyd failed. Nonetheless, the Cardinals still won 25-21, and both teams moved to 1-1.

Into New Jersey, where the New York Giants bring in the Denver Broncos for the Manning Bowl. New York struck first in the first quarter on a Josh Brown field goal of 36 yards. Denver took the lead in the second quarter on a 20 yard touchdown run by Knowshon Moreno, and Matt Prater supplied the extra point. The Giants got some back as Brown made a 24 yard field goal. New York went ahead on a Brown field goal of 41 yards. The Broncos replied as Prater made a 42 yard field goal to regain the lead. Denver added on in the third quarter as Peyton Manning threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker, and Prater was there with the extra point. The Giants pulled back as Brandon Jacobs ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Brown booted the extra point. The Broncos replied as Moreno ran 25 yards for a touchdown, and Prater knocked in the PAT. Denver padded the lead as Peyton Manning tossed an 11 yard touchdown to Julius Thomas, and Prater again made the extra point. The Broncos got some more as Trindon Holliday returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown, and Prater drove in the extra point. New York got some back as Eli Manning found Da'Rel Scott for 23 yards and a touchdown, and Brown came on for the extra point. Denver iced it at 41-23 with a 47 yard Prater field goal, and improved to 2-0 while the Giants fall to 0-2.

Crossing the country to Oakland, where the Raiders host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Oakland started in the first quarter on an 11 yard touchdown run by Marcel Reece, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. Jacksonville got on the board in the second quarter with a Josh Scobee field goal from 27 yards out. The Raiders replied with a 46 yard field goal by Janikowski. Oakland added on in the third quarter as Janikowski made a 30 yard field goal. The Raiders padded the lead as Janikowski booted a 29 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. In a case of deja vu, Oakland extended the lead with another 29 yard Janikowski field goal. The Jaguars answered with Chad Henne passing 13 yards for a touchdown to Clay Harbor, but the two-point attempt to Stephen Burton failed. This ended up producing the final score of 19-9 Raiders, who are now 1-1 while the Jaguars fall to 0-2.

Finally, on Sunday Night Football, the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers. The weather won in the first quarter, with lightning storms around the Seattle area causing a delay. Once the game resumed, Seattle opened in the second quarter as San Francisco committed a penalty in the end zone for a safety. The Seahawks added on as Steven Hauschka kicked a 30 yard field goal. Seattle extended the lead in the third quarter with a 14 yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. San Francisco got on the board with a 21 yard field goal by Phil Dawson. The Seahawks answered in the fourth quarter as Russell Wilson tossed Lynch a 7 yard touchdown pass, and Hauschka supplied the PAT. Seattle kept going as Hauschka made a 37 yard field goal. The Seahawks padded the lead as Lynch ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Hauschka again handled the extra point. This was good for a statement victory of 29-3, and the Seahawks are now 2-0 while the 49ers drop to 1-1.

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KHL Day 12 2013-2014

Two games on today to wrap up a slow weekend. We begin in...

Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Mikhail Biryukov are in goal. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period on a Vasily Streltsov goal, assisted by Nikita Tryamkin and Ilya Krikunov. Avtomobilist added on with an Alexei Simakov goal, fueled by Anton Lazarev. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board as Vitaly Sitnikov scored, thanks to Igor Magogin and Igor Skorokhodov. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 2-1 final, with the three stars being Kovar (39 for 40 in saves), Simakov, and Biryukov (23 for 25 in saves).

The other game comes from Kazan, where Ak Bars hosts Avangard Omsk. Teemu Lassila and Emil Garipov are called on to start. Kazan began in the first period with a power play goal by Shaun Heshka, powered by Evgeny Medvedev. Ak Bars added on with a Chris Bourque goal, fueled by Vladimir Tkachyov. Kazan extended the lead with a Tim Stapleton goal, coming on the power play via Alexander Burmistrov and Ilya Nikulin. Ak Bars padded the lead in the second period on a Burmistrov power play goal, passed from Heshka and Stapleton. Denis Kostin came on in relief of Lassila. Kazan kept going in the third period on a power play goal by Janne Pesonen, made possible by Konstantin Korneyev and Nikulin. Ak Bars iced it at 6-0 with a power play goal by Kirill Petrov, set up by Dmitry Obukhov and Pesonen. The three stars were Heshka, Burmistrov, and Stapleton, while Nikulin, Pesonen, and Garipov (27 save shutout).

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KHL Day 11 2013-2014

Four games on a calm Saturday, beginning in...

Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Ivan Lisutin tend the twines. Moscow opened in the first period with a Filip Novak power play goal, powered by Maxim Pestushko. Dynamo added on in the third period when Alexei Sopin score, thanks to Andrei Mironov. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Yeryomenko (18 save shutout), Novak, and Lisutin (34 for 36 in saves).

Southeast to Kazakhstan, where Barys Astana welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Vitaly Yeremeyev are in the blue paint. Astana struck first in the first period with a Fyodor Polishchuk goal, with a lone assist by Talgat Zhailauov. Barys added on as Roman Starchenko scored an unassisted power play goal. Mytishchi got on the board in the second period with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, courtesy of Alexander Kadeikin. Astana replied with a Nigel Dawes power play goal, powered by Brandon Bochenski and Dustin Boyd. Atlant answered on an Oleg Yashin goal, via Konstantin Koltsov. Barys extended their lead with a Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, set up by Zhailauov. Mytishchi chipped back with another Shmelyov goal, assisted by Kadeikin. Stanislav Galimov relieved Borisov for the third period. Astana padded the lead in the third period on an Evgeny Blokhin goal, fueled by Josh Gratton and Mikhail Rakhmanov. Atlant pulled back on a power play goal by Rafael Batyrshin, pushed through by Bobby Sanguinetti. They failed to tie the game, handing Barys a 5-4 win. The three stars were Shmelyov, Zhailauov, and Kadeikin.

Back to the Moscow area, where Spartak brings in Lev Praha. Atte Engren is mismatched with Jeff Glass in goal. Moscow was first to score in the first period with a goal from Alexei Krutov, passed from Vyacheslav Kozlov. Praha tied it on a Martin Thornberg goal, going in unassisted. Spartak took the lead back in the second period with a power play goal by Andrei Sergeyev, powered by Rastislav Spirko. Lev retied it as Thornberg scored again, courtesy of Patrik Zackrisson. Moscow again gained the lead on a Pavel Medvedev goal, fueled by Dmitry Chernykh. Praha got another equalizer as Michal Repik scored, with the help of Nathan Oystrick and Ondrej Nemec. Spartak took the lead once again in the third period as Medvedev scored his second of the game, made possible by Igor Volkov. Spartak held on from here to win 4-3, with the three stars being Medvedev, Thornberg, and Krutov.

Finally, we end in Moscow, where CSKA hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Rastislav Stana guard the cages. Riga started in the first period with a Miks Indrasis goal, made possible by Mat Robinson and Roberts Bukarts. Moscow tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Maxim Goncharov, powered by Igor Grigorenko and Alexander Radulov. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Bukarts and Radulov exchanged goals early, and then Radulov edged Bukarts in a later round for a 2-1 win. Radulov, Stana (17 for 18 in saves), and Tellqvist (20 for 21 in saves) get the three stars, while Bukarts gets an honorable mention.

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