KHL Day 23 2013-2014

We have five games after our off day to cover, beginning in...

Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Michael Garnett are starting in goal. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period with an Anton Shenfeld goal, coming off of Evgeny Grigorenko and Vladimir Malinovsky. Metallurg added on as Sergei Mozyakin scored an unassisted goal. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Mozyakin scored a power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and the goalie Koshechkin. Metallurg padded the lead when Yaroslav Khabarov scored, thanks to Justin Hodgman and Milan Gulas on the power play. Magnitogorsk iced it at 5-0 in the third period on a Hodgman goal, assisted by Vladimir Malenkikh and Gulas. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (34 save shutout), and Hodgman, while Gulas gets an honorable mention.

West to Mytishchi, as Atlant welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Stanislav Galimov receive the starting nods. Mytishchi got going in the second period on a Sergei Shmelyov goal, assisted by Janne Niskala and Evgeny Artyukhin. Atlant added on with a Juha-Pekka Haataja goal, fueled by Alexei Mikhnov. Podolsk got on the board in the third period when Maxim Afinogenov scored, thanks to Sergei Rozin and Maxim Rybin. Mytishchi answered with a power play goal by Igor Radulov, powered by Yury Trubachyov and Maxim Mayorov. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Galimov (21 for 22 in saves), Haataja, and Radulov.

Staying in the Moscow area, Spartak hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Jeff Glass are in the creases. Moscow struck first in the second period with an Alexei Krutov goal, coming off of Alexander Nesterov and Valery Vasilyev. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, passed from Anton Lazarev. Avtomobilist took the game in the shootout on a lone tally by Filipp Toluzakov, earning them a 2-1 win. The three stars were Toluzakov, Kovar (23 for 24 in saves), and Glass (24 for 25 in saves).

Over in Ukraine, Donbass Donetsk brings in Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Michael Leighton will be the masked men. Astana opened in the first period with a Dustin Boyd goal, courtesy of Nigel Dawes and Mike Lundin on the power play. Barys added on with a Fyodor Polishchuk goal, assisted by Talgat Zhailauov and Maxim Spiridonov. Astana extended the lead with Boyd scoring again, with the help of Artemy Lakiza. Donetsk got on the board with a Evgeny Dadonov, guided in by Vaclav Nedorost and Maxim Yakutsenya. Barys replied in the second period as Spiridonov scored, with a lone assist from Zhailauov. Donbass got one back in the third period with a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, powered by Oleg Piganovich and Teemu Laine. They couldn't get anymore, losing 4-2, with the three stars being awarded to Boyd, Zhailauov, and Spiridonov.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Barry Brust guard the cages. Khanty-Mansiysk started in the first period as Nikita Gusev scored, with helpers from Mikhail Zhukov. Zagreb tied it with a second period Jonathan Cheechoo goal, coming on the power play via Matt Murley and Steve Montador. Medvescak took the lead on a Brian Willsie goal, fueled by Charles Linglet and Ryan Vesce. They held on for a 2-1 win, and the three stars were Brust (23 for 24 in saves), Willsie, and Kuznetsov (33 for 35 in saves).

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KHL Day 21 2013-2014

Again, a day with only three games on, beginning in...

Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the second period as Dmitry Ryabykin potted a power play goal, powered by Petri Kontiola and Andrei Kostitsyn. This was the game's only goal, resulting in a 1-0 Traktor win, with Garnett (27 save shutout), Ryabykin, and Koskinen (19 for 20 in saves).

West to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ivan Lisutin are between the pipes. Podolsk began in the first period with a power play goal by Branislav Mezei, powered by Evgeny Poltorak and Alexander Korolyuk. Moscow tied it in the second period on an Alexander Radulov goal, courtesy of Andrei Pervyshin and Georgy Misharin. Vityaz retook the lead with an Anton Korolyov goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Solodukhin. CSKA tied it again with a Roman Lyubimov goal, with a lone assist provided by Brandon Reid. Podolsk gained the lead again on a Sergei Rozin goal, coming off of Yury Koksharov. This held up for a 3-2 Vityaz win, with the three stars going to Rozin, Lisutin (31 for 33 in saves), and Mezei.

Finally, we head to Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak opposes Mark Dekanich in goal. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with an unassisted goal by Ilya Kovalchuk. Zagreb tied the game with a Mathieu Carle goal, coming off of Ryan Vesce on the power play. Medvescak took the lead with a power play goal in the second period by Vesce, powered by Mark Katic and Brian Willsie. Zagreb took the lead in the third period on a Matt Murley goal, passed from Jonathan Cheechoo. SKA got one back on a Roman Cervenka goal, guided in by Alexei Ponikarovsky. St. Petersburg tied it again with a Kovalchuk goal, fueled by Cervenka and Dmitry Kalinin. The game went to a shootout, where Charles Linglet and Cervenka exchanged goals, before Vesce clinched it for Medvescak, earning them a 4-3 win with his tally. The three stars were Vesce, Kovalchuk, and Cervenka.

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Monday Night Football Week 3 2013

We come to you live from Denver for Monday Night Football, with the Broncos hosting the Oakland Raiders. Denver struck first in the first quarter with a Peyton Manning touchdown pass of 2 yards to Eric Decker, and Matt Prater kicked the extra point. The Broncos added on as Prater made a 53 yard field goal. Denver extended the lead in the second period on a Manning touchdown pass of 12 yards to Wes Welker, and Prater was there with extra point. Oakland got on the board as Terrelle Pryor tossed a 73 yard touchdown pass to Denarius Moore, and Sebastian Janikowski handled the extra point. The Broncos responded as Manning found Julius Thomas for 13 yards and a touchdown, and Prater nailed the PAT. Denver got some more as Prater made a 41 yard field goal. The Broncos padded the lead in the third quarter with a 40 yard field goal by Prater. The Raiders got some back with a 16 yard touchdown pass from running back Darren McFadden to Marcel Reece, and Janikowski supplied the extra point. Denver shot back on a fourth quarter touchdown run of 1 yard by Ronnie Hillman, and Prater was true with the extra point. Oakland chipped back on a 1 yard McFadden touchdown run, and Janikowski was there to make the extra point. This was as close as it got, with the final being 37-21 Broncos, who improved to 3-0 while the Raiders fall to 1-2.

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KHL Day 20 2013-2014

Only three games on in the KHL, none of which will take place in Russia. We begin in...

Riga, as Dinamo hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Jakub Sedlacek were the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period with a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, assisted by Tim Brent and Sakari Salminen. Torpedo added on as Salminen scored, thanks to Alexander Makarov and Jarkko Immonen. Riga got on the board with a power play goal by Sandis Ozolins, powered by Kyle Wilson and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. Dinamo tied it with a Vitalijs Pavlovs goal, set up by Ozolins and Marcel Hossa on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead in the third period with a Salminen goal, fueled by Vadim Khomitsky and Brent. They held on to win 3-2, with the three stars being Salminen, Ozolins, and Brent.

Over in Prague, Lev Praha welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Petri Vehanen guard the cages. Kazan opened in the first period with a Janne Pesonen goal, coming on the power play via Kirill Petrov and Alexei Tereshchenko. Ak Bars added on in the second period as Pesonen scored again, with a lone helper from Tereshchenko. Praha got on the board in the third period as Nicklas Danielsson scored, with an assist from Martin Thornberg. This was as close as it got, with Ak Bars taking the 2-1 win, and the three stars were Pesonen, Barulin (33 for 34 in saves), and Tereshchenko.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Jaroslav Janus tend the twines. Bratislava started with a first period goal by Tomas Mojzis, fueled by Michel Miklik and Michal Vondrka. Slovan added on in the second period as Vondrka scored, with assists from Miklik and Martin Skoula. Moscow got on the board with a Denis Kokarev goal, coming off of Martins Karsums and Alexei Tsvetkov on the power play. Bratislava responded with a Peter Olvecky goal, courtesy of Libor Hudacek and Marko Dano. Dynamo answered in the third period when Maxim Pestushko scored, with the help of Denis Mosalyov. Moscow tied it on a Dominik Granak goal, with a lone helper by Leo Komarov. Dynamo took the lead on Maxim Solovyov goal, assisted by Pestushko and Komarov. Moscow extended the lead on a Konstantin Gorovikov goal, passed from Komarov, who got a sock trick. Slovan took one back on a Martin Bakos goal, set up by Mojzis and Martin Stajnoch. They failed to get an equalizer, dropping a 5-4 game to Dynamo. The three stars were awarded to Pestushko, Komarov, and Miklik, while Vondrka and Mojzis get the honorable mentions.

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NFL Week 3 2013

There are a standard fourteen games on today, beginning in...

Tennessee, as the Titans host the San Diego Chargers. San Diego opened in the first quarter with a Philip Rivers touchdown pass of 7 yards to Antonio Gates, and Nick Novak made the extra point. Tennessee got on the board in the second quarter as Rob Bironas nailed a 20 yard field goal. The Chargers answered with a 44 yard field goal by Novak. The Titans tied it on a 10 yard touchdown run by Jake Locker, and Bironas tacked on the PAT. San Diego pulled ahead again in the third quarter with a 1 yard touchdown run from Ronnie Brown, and Novak was true with the extra point. Tennessee chipped back with a 37 yard Bironas field goal. The Titans took the lead as Locker tossed a 34 yard touchdown to Justin Hunter, and Bironas was there with the extra point. Despite a late effort by the Chargers, the Titans held on to win 20-17, improving to 2-1 while the Chargers fall to 1-2.

Down in New Orleans, the Saints welcome the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona was first to score in the first quarter on an Alfonso Smith touchdown run of 3 yards, with Jay Feely providing the extra point. New Orleans matched that as Drew Brees passed 27 yards to Robert Meachem for a touchdown, and Garrett Hartley handled the extra point. The Saints took the lead in the second quarter on a touchdown pass of 16 yards from Brees to Jimmy Graham, and Hartley knocked in the extra point. New Orleans extended the lead in the third quarter with a Hartley field goal from 31 yards out. The Saints padded the lead in the fourth quarter on a 7 yard touchdown run by Brees, and Hartley again made the PAT. New Orleans got some more as Brees and Graham connected for a 7 yard touchdown, and Hartley nailed the extra point. This made it 31-7, the final, with the Saints going to 3-0 while dropping the Cardinals to 1-2.

A little northwest to Dallas, with the Cowboys hosting the St. Louis Rams. Dallas led off in the first quarter with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant, and Dan Bailey knocked in the extra point. The Cowboys added on as Bailey made a 19 yard field goal. Dallas extended the lead in the second quarter on a touchdown run of 2 yards by DeMarco Murray, and Bailey supplied the extra point. The Cowboys kept going in the third quarter as Romo passed 24 yards to Gavin Escobar for a touchdown, and Bailey was true with the PAT. St. Louis got on the board with a 4 yard Sam Bradford touchdown pass to Austin Pettis, allowing Greg Zuerlein to make the extra point. Dallas replied in the fourth quarter on a Romo touchdown pass of 24 yards to Dwayne Harris, and Bailey booted the extra point. This made it a 31-7 final score, with the Cowboys improving to 2-1 while dropping the Rams to 1-2.

Way to the northeast, the New England Patriots bring in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay struck first in the first quarter on a Rian Lindell field goal of 30 yards. New England took the lead in the second quarter as Tom Brady found Kenbrell Thompkins for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski came on for the extra point. The Patriots added on as Brady and Thompkins connected again, this time for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski supplied another extra point. New England extended the lead with a Gostkowski field goal of 53 yards. The Patriots padded the lead in the third quarter as Gostkowski made a 46 yard field goal. New England kept going in the fourth quarter with a field goal of 33 yards from Gostkowski. This made it 23-3, a final, with the Patriots improving to 3-0 and the Buccaneers falling to 0-3.

Backtracking to Cincinnati, where the Bengals host the Green Bay Packers. Cincinnati began in the first quarter as Giovani Bernard ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals added on as BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Nugent was true with the extra point. Green Bay got on the board in the second quarter on a field goal of 41 yards by Mason Crosby. The Packers pulled back when M.D. Jennings recovered a fumble by Green-Ellis and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown, allowing Crosby to kick an extra point. Green Bay edged closer on a Crosby field goal from 19 yards out. The Packers took the lead with a field goal by Crosby from 26 yards away. Green Bay padded the lead in the third quarter as Johnathan Franklin rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, and Crosby made the PAT. The Packers extended the lead when Aaron Rodgers tossed a 7 yards touchdown to James Jones, and Crosby was there with the extra point. Cincinnati responded as Andy Dalton found A.J. Green for a 20 yard touchdown, and Nugent booted the extra point. The Bengals pulled closer with a Dalton touchdown pass of 11 yards to Marvin Jones, and another extra point by Nugent. Cincinnati gained the lead as Franklin fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Reggie Nelson for 6 yards before he fumbled it as well, but it was picked up by teammate Terence Newman, who took it the rest of the 58 yards for a touchdown, allowing another Nugent extra point. They held on from here for a 34-30 win, with the Bengals improving to 2-1 while the Packers fall to 1-2.

North to Minnesota, where the Vikings welcome the Cleveland Browns. Minnesota started in the first quarter with an Adrian Peterson touchdown run of 2 yards, and Blair Walsh made the extra point. Cleveland tied it as Brian Hoyer found Josh Gordon for 47 yards and a touchdown and Billy Cundiff supplied the extra point. The Browns took the lead on a Hoyer touchdown of 19 yards to Jordan Cameron in the second quarter, and Cundiff again made the extra point. The Vikings pulled even as Christian Ponder ran in a 6 yard touchdown, and Walsh's extra point was the equalizer. Cleveland pulled ahead again as Cundiff made a 38 yard field goal. The Browns added on as Spencer Lanning passed 11 yards to Cameron for a touchdown, and Cundiff booted the PAT. Minnesota got some back with a Walsh field goal of 43 yards. The Vikings tied it in the third quarter on an 8 yard touchdown run by Ponder. Minnesota edged ahead in the fourth quarter with a Walsh field goal of 30 yards. Cleveland took the lead as Hoyer and Cameron connected again for a 7 yard touchdown, and Lanning handled the extra point, since Cundiff was hobbled by a quad injury. The Browns would hang onto the win, a 31-27 decision, and improve to 1-2 while knocking the Vikings down to 0-3.

East to Washington, D.C., where the Redskins host the Detroit Lions. Washington got going in the first quarter on a 17 yard interception return for a touchdown on a pickoff of Matthew Stafford by DeAngelo Hall, and John Potter booted the extra point. Detroit tied it on a 12 yard touchdown run by Joique Bell, and David Akers made the extra point. The Lions gained the lead in the second quarter as Stafford found the right guy, Joseph Fauria, for 5 yards and a touchdown, allowing Akers to make another extra point. The Redskins retied it on an Alfred Morris touchdown run of 30 yards, and Potter made the PAT. Detroit took the lead again as Akers made a 32 yard field goal. Washington tied it with a Potter field goal in the third quarter, good from 43 yards. The Lions again took the lead with an Akers field goal in the fourth quarter, from 28 yards away. Detroit padded the lead as Stafford tossed an 11 yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, and Akers was true with the extra point. The Redskins got some back as Potter made a 21 yard field goal. They found no more points, losing 27-20, with Lions now at 2-1 while the Redskins are at 0-3.

Down the Atlantic coast, the Carolina Panthers bring in the New York Giants. Carolina was first to score in the first quarter as Mike Tolbert ran in a 2 yard touchdown and Graham Gano made the extra point. The Panthers added on as Gano made a 53 yard field goal in the second quarter. Carolina extended their lead with a 16 yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to Brandon LaFell, and Gano was true with the extra point. The Panthers got some more in the third quarter on a 20 yard touchdown connection between Newton and LaFell, and Gano again made the PAT. Carolina kept going as Newton ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Gano booted the extra point. The Panthers struck again in the fourth quarter as Newton found Ted Ginn, Jr. for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Gano was there with the extra point. This made it 38-0, the final, with the Panthers going to 1-2 while the Giants are now 0-3 with an embarrassing shutout to their credit.

Back north, the Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans. Houston struck first in the first quarter with a Randy Bullock field goal of 27 yards. The Texans added on in the second quarter as Bullock made a 29 yard field goal. Baltimore answered as Justin Tucker made a 28 yard field goal. The Ravens took the lead with a 37 yard interception return by Daryl Smith, nabbing the errant Matt Schaub throw for a touchdown, and Tucker was true with the extra point. Baltimore extended the lead when Tandon Doss returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown, and Tucker handled the PAT. Houston got some back with a 47 yard field goal by Bullock. The Ravens answered in the third quarter on a Bernard Pierce 1 yard touchdown run, and Tucker nailed the extra point. Baltimore added on with a Tucker field goal of 45 yards in the fourth quarter. The Ravens wrapped the game up at 30-9 with a Tucker field goal from 43 yards away. The Ravens are now 2-1, as are the Texans.

Way to the south, the Miami Dolphins welcome the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta began in the first quarter on a Matt Ryan touchdown pass of 7 yards to Jason Snelling, and Matt Bryant supplied the extra point. The Falcons added on in the second quarter with a 52 yard field goal by Bryant. Miami got on the board with a 5 yard touchdown run by Daniel Thomas, and Caleb Sturgis handled the extra point. Atlanta answered as Bryant knocked in a 20 yard field goal. The Dolphins replied on a Sturgis field goal from 46 yards away. The Falcons extended the lead in the third quarter with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Levine Toilolo, and Bryant booted another PAT. Miami responded with Sturgis making a 50 yard field goal. The Dolphins evened the score as Ryan Tannehill found Brian Hartline for 18 yards and a touchdown, and Sturgis' extra point was the equalizer. Atlanta retook the lead in the fourth quarter on a 33 yard field goal by Bryant. Miami took the lead back with a Tannehill touchdown pass of 1 yard to Dion Sims, and Sturgis was true with the extra point. They would hold on for a 27-23 win, and the Dolphins improve to 3-0 while the Falcons are 1-2.

North again to continue the zig-zag pattern, we end up with the New York Jets hosting the Buffalo Bills. New York led off in the first quarter with an 8 yard touchdown run by Geno Smith, and Nick Folk made the extra point. Buffalo got on the board in the second quarter as Dan Carpenter made a 37 yard field goal. The Bills got closer with Carpenter making a 23 yard field goal. The Jets answered with a 51 yard Smith touchdown pass to Stephen Hill, and Folk again handled the extra point. New York added on with a 47 yard field goal from Folk. The Jets got some more on a 34 yard field goal by Folk in the third quarter. Buffalo answered with a 43 yard field goal by Carpenter. The Bills got closer on a 26 yard field goal by Carpenter. The Bills tied the game up in the fourth quarter as EJ Manuel found Scott Chandler for 67 yards and a touchdown, and then he found Stevie Johnson for the two-point conversion to tie the score. New York retook the lead as Smith passed 69 yards to Santonio Holmes for a touchdown, and Folk was true with the PAT. This was good enough for the Jets to win 27-20, and they are now 2-1 while dropping the Bills to 1-2.

Out west, the San Francisco 49ers bring in the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis got going in the first quarter with a 1 yard touchdown run by the newly-acquired Trent Richardson, and Adam Vinatieri booted the extra point. San Francisco tied it on a Kendall Hunter 13 yard touchdown run, and Phil Dawson's extra point was the equalizer. The Colts took the lead back in the second quarter on a Vinatieri field goal from 43 yards out. Indianapolis added on as Vinatieri made a 41 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Colts extended the lead with an Andrew Luck touchdown run of 6 yards, and Vinatieri booted the extra point. Indianapolis padded the lead with a 1 yard Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown run, and Vinatieri knocked home the PAT. They would go on to win 27-7, and the Colts are now 2-1 while dropping the 49ers to 1-2.

Up north a tad to Seattle, where the Seahawks host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seattle opened with a first quarter touchdown pass of 1 yard from Russell Wilson to Zach Miller, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. The Seahawks added on in the second quarter as Wilson found Miller again, this time for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Seattle extended the lead as Hauschka made a 21 yard field goal. The Seahawks padded the lead on an 11 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Sidney Rice, and Hauschka supplied the PAT. Seattle struck again with Wilson finding Rice for 23 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka handled the extra point. Jacksonville got on the board with a Maurice Jones-Drew 2 yard touchdown run, and Josh Scobee kicked the extra point. The Seahawks replied with a Tarvaris Jackson touchdown pass of 35 yards to Doug Baldwin, and Hauschka made another extra point. The Jaguars shot back as Scobee made a 33 yard field goal. Jacksonville chipped closer on a 3 yard touchdown run by Jordan Todman, and Scobee handled the extra point. Seattle responded with Jackson rushing 5 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka made his routine extra point. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 45-17 Seahawks win, propelling them to 3-0 while dropping the Jaguars to 0-3.

Finally, the Sunday Night Game features the Pittsburgh Steelers welcoming the Chicago Bears. Chicago got going in the first quarter on a Robbie Gould field goal of 47 yards. The Bears added on as Matt Forte ran in a 5 yard touchdown, and Gould made the extra point. Chicago extended the lead with a Michael Bush 1 yard touchdown run, and Gould again handled the extra point. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second quarter with a 27 yard field goal by Shaun Suisham. The Bears replied as Major Wright picked off Ben Roethlisberger for 38 yards and a touchdown, and Gould was good with the extra point. The Steelers pulled back as Roethlisberger tossed a 33 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, and Suisham supplied the extra point. Chicago answered in the third quarter on a Gould 32 yard field goal. Pittsburgh replied with a 36 yard field goal by Suisham. The Steelers got closer with a 21 yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Brown, and Suisham tacked on the PAT. Pittsburgh chipped away with a 44 yard field goal by Suisham in the fourth quarter. The Bears got some more with a Jay Cutler touchdown pass of 17 yards to Earl Bennett, and Gould knocked home the extra point. Chicago secured the game as Julius Peppers recovered a fumble by Roethlisberger and took it 42 yards for a touchdown, allowing Gould to make another extra point. The score was finalized at 40-23, with the Bears now going to 3-0 while the Steelers fall to 0-3.

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KHL Day 19 2013-2014

There are ten games on today, much to my chagrin, on a busy day in sports. First up...

Avangard Omsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Teemu Lassila are in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period with a Kirill Dyakov goal, going in unassisted. Omsk tied it as Sergei Kostitsyn put away an unassisted goal. Yugra took the lead in the second period with a Vitaly Sitnkov goal, with a lone assist from Andrei Shefer.  Khanty-Mansiysk added on as Ivan Yatsenko scored, via Nikita Gusev and Mikhail Zhukov. Yugra extended the lead as Gusev found twine, thanks to Kirill Knyazev. Khanty-Mansiysk padded the lead as Maxim Krivonozhkin scored, with the help of Vladimir Gorbunov. Avangard got one back in the third period with an Evgeny Mozer goal, passed from Denis Kazionov and Alexander Popov. Yugra replied on an Igor Magogin goal, assisted by Shefer and Igor Skorokhodov. This produced the final score of 6-2, with the three stars being Gusev, Shefer, and Yatsenko.

Over in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Vasily Koshechkin are set to start. Magnitogorsk started in the first period with a Jan Kovar power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Rinat Ibragimov. Metallurg added on as Kovar scored again, another power play goal, with a lone assist from Sergei Mozyakin. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period when Evgeny Korotkov scored, via Alexander Yunkov and Evgeny Orlov. Magnitogorsk answered as Lee potted a power play goal, with the help of Danis Zaripov and Kovar. Metallurg extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Zaripov. Magnitogorsk padded the lead in the third period on a Bogdan Potekhin goal, coming off of Vladimir Malinovsky. Metallurg iced it at 6-1 with an unassisted goal by Justin Hodgman. The three stars belonged to Kovar, Lee, and Zaripov.

Into Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin and Iiro Tarkki are in the blue paint. Novokuznetsk opened in the first period with a Semyon Valuisky goal, assisted by Raymond Giroux and Alexei Kosourov. Ufa tied it with a goal by Alexander Mereskin, fueled by Denis Khlystov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the second period on an Igor Musatov goal, made possible by Ildar Isangulov and Alexander Stepanov. Ufa added on with an Ivan Vishnevsky goal, passed from Khlystov. Metallurg pulled back as Artyom Gareyev scored, thanks to Marko Anttila and Pavel Kanarsky. Salavat Yulaev answered on a Kirill Koltsov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Novokuznetsk replied with a Sergei Yemelin goal, pushed through by Gareyev and Andrei Korabeinikov. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Koltsov, Khlystov, and Gareyev.

Heading slightly west to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Michael Garnett are all padded up. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on a power play goal by Stanislav Chistov, powered by Alexander Guskov and Anton Kuryanov. Vladivostok tied it with a Yegor Antropov goal, going in unassisted. Traktor retook the lead in the second period as Petri Kontiola scored a power play goal, with a lone helper from Andrei Kostitsyn. Chelyabinsk added on with an Anton Glinkin goal, coming off of Andrei Popov and Evgeny Katichev. The scoring went silent for the third period, so Traktor won 3-1, with the three stars being Garnett (29 for 30 in saves), Kontiola, and Glinkin.

South to Astana, where Barys brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Ari Ahonen protect the nets. Yekaterinburg began in the first period with an Alexander Streltsov goal, assisted by Alexander Seluyanov and Vasily Streltsov. Avtomobilist added on with a Tobias Viklund goal, coming off of Alexei Simakov and Sami Lepisto. Astana got on the board with a Roman Starchenko goal, courtesy of Alexei Litvinenko. Barys tied it with a Talgat Zhailauov goal, with a lone assist by Fyodor Polishchuk. Astana took the lead with a second period goal by Nigel Dawes, fueled by Mike Lundin and Evgeny Blokhin. Barys extended the lead as Polishchuk scored, thanks to Zhailauov. Astana padded the lead on a Mikhail Rakhmanov goal, via Andrei Gavrilin and Nikolai Antropov. Barys struck again with a Starchenko power play goal, powered by Lundin. Astana iced it at 7-2 on a Zhailauov goal, helped along by Maxim Spiridonov. The three stars were Zhailauov, Starchenko, and Polishchuk, while Lundin gets an honorable mention.

Back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Ivan Kasutin are in the creases. Cherepovets struck first in the first period on a Nikolai Bushuyev goal, assisted by Evgeny Mons and Linus Videll. Severstal added on with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Vladimir Antipov. Moscow got on the board with an Alexander Nikulin power play goal, set up by Andrei Sergeyev and Alexei Krutov. Spartak tied it in the second period as Rastislav Spirko scored, thanks to Pavel Medvedev and Mikhail Yunkov. Moscow took the lead as Spirko scored a power play goal, powered by Deron Quint. Cherepovets retied it in the third period on a Mons power play goal, via Bushuyev. Severstal edged ahead with a Vadim Berdnikov goal, made possible by Alexander Bumagin. Spartak evened the score with a Matt Anderson goal, guided in by Tom Wandell and Spirko. Moscow took the game 5-4 in overtime as Yunkov scored, with helpers from Quint and Medvedev. The three stars were Spirko, Yunkov, and Quint, while Mons, Bushuyev, and Medvedev get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Mytishchi, where Atlant hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Stanislav Galimov are the masked men. Mytishchi got going in the third period on a Bobby Sanguinetti goal, fueled by Alexei Mikhnov and Juha-Pekka Haataja. Zagreb tied it as Nathan Perkovich scored, via Boyd Kane and Patrick Bjorkstrand. Atlant took the lead back with a Konstantin Koltsov goal, assisted by Ilya Kablukov and Rafael Batyrshin. Medvescak tied it again as Mathieu Carle scored, with assists provided by Ivan Svarny and Matt Murley. Mytishchi went on to win 3-2 in overtime as pugilist Evgeny Artyukhin scored the game-winner, with a lone helper by Alexander Kadeikin. Artyukhin, Galimov (39 for 41 in saves), and Dekanich (43 for 46 in saves) get the three stars.

Northeast to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv brings in Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Vitaly Kolesnik will be between the pipes. Yaroslavl led off in the first period with a Staffan Kronwall goal, set up by David Ullstrom and Danil Romantsev. Minsk tied it with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, fueled by Tomas Surovy and Zbynek Irgl on the power play. Lokomotiv took the lead back with a Vitaly Vishnevsky goal, coming off of Anton But and Yegor Averin. Yaroslavl added on as Ullstrom scored a power play goal, powered by Jonas Holos and Alexander Chernikov. Lokomotiv iced it at 4-1 in the third period as Daniil Apalkov scored with the help of Alexei Kruchinin. The three stars were Ullstrom, Kolesnik (26 for 27 in saves), and Vishnevsky.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Sergei Gaiduchenko and Alexander Sudnitsin guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk started with an unassisted goal by Pyotr Khokhryakov. Novosibirsk tied it with a goal by Jarno Koskiranta, assisted by Dmitry Kugryshev and Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir took the lead with a Jori Lehtera goal, coming off of Alexander Romanov and Alexander Kutuzov. Neftekhimik tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Yegor Milovzorov, powered by Oskar Osala. Nizhnekamsk took the lead in the third period with an Andrei Taratukhin goal, guided in by Stanislav Romanov. Neftekhimik added on with a Mikhail Anisin goal, made possible by Denis Tolpeko. Novosibirsk got one back as Kristian Kudroc scored, courtesy of Lehtera and Vyacheslav Belov. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars awarded to Lehtera, Anisin, and Milovzorov.

Finally, in St. Petersburg, SKA welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Ilya Ezhov have the green light to start. Donetsk opened with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, via Clay Wilson and Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass added on with an unassisted goal by Randy Robitaille. Donetsk extended the lead in the second period as Yakutsenya scored a power play goal, powered by Oleg Piganovich and Vaclav Nedorost. St. Petersburg got on the board as Patrick Thoresen notched a power play goal, thanks to Dmitry Kalinin and Roman Cervenka. SKA pulled closer as Thoresen scored another power play goal, assisted by Tony Martensson and Cervenka. Donbass iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Dadonov, set up by Peter Podhradsky. The three stars were Yakutsenya, Dadonov, and Thoresen, while the honorable mention goes to Cervenka.

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KHL Day 18 2013-2014

Only four games to go with today, beginning in...

Moscow, as CSKA hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Rastislav Stana tend the twines. Moscow opened in the first period with an Igor Grigorenko goal, assisted by Brandon Reid. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period as Sakari Salminen scored a power play goal, powered by Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead in the third period with a Maxim Potapov goal, fueled by Vladimir Galuzin and Alexei Potapov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Koval (28 for 29 in saves), Maxim Potapov, and Salminen.

Leaving Russia for Latvia, where Dinamo Riga welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Johan Backlund and Mikael Tellqvist are between the pipes. Riga led off in the first period as Marcel Hossa scored, with the help of Kristaps Sotnieks and Gints Meija. Dinamo added on with a Mat Robinson goal, passed from Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Martins Cipulis. Riga extended the lead in the second period as Oskars Cibulskis scored, thanks to Vitalijs Pavlovs and Andris Dzerins. Podolsk got on the board with a power play goal by Vladimir Malevich, with a lone helper from Dinar Khafizullin. Dinamo answered with a power play goal by Nizivijs, powered by Sandis Ozolins. Riga padded the lead as Paul Szczechura scored, with assists provided by Miks Indrasis and Vojtech Polak. Dinamo iced it at 6-1 in the third period when Szczechura scored again, via Rodrigo Lavins and Robinson on the power play. The three stars were Robinson, Szczechura, and Nizivijs.

Over in the Czech Republic, Lev Praha hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Petri Vehanen man the creases. Praha started in the first period with a Lukas Cingel goal, assisted by Jakub Nakladal and Erik Christensen. Lev added on with a second period goal by Niko Kapanen, courtesy of Jakub Klepis and Jiri Novotny. Moscow got on the board as Maxim Pestushko scored, with a lone assist by Leo Komarov. They wouldn't score again, leaving Lev with a 2-1 victory, and the three stars were Vehanen (21 for 22 in saves), Lazushin (31 for 33 in saves) and Kapanen.

Finally, we end with Slovan Bratislava bringing in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Jaroslav Janus protect the nets. Bratislava got going in the second period with a Milan Bartovic goal, assisted by Martin Skoula and Juraj Mikus on the power play. Kazan tied it in the third period with an Alexander Svitov goal, set up by Dmitry Obukhov. Slovan won the game 2-1 in overtime as Bartovic scored again, an unassisted goal. Bartovic, Janus (22 for 23 in saves), and Garipov (23 for 25 in saves) get the three stars.

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