NFL Week 4 2013

Welcome to the bye months. Over the next nine weeks, every team will get a spare Sunday of rest. Only two enjoy that luxury this Sunday, but thirteen more pairs of teams go at it. We begin in...

Detroit, as the Lions host the Chicago Bears. Chicago struck first in the first quarter on a Robbie Gould field goal of 34 yards. Detroit tied it with a field goal by David Akers, good from 23 yards out. The Lions took the lead in the second quarter on an Akers field goal from 31 yards. The Bears gained the lead as Matt Forte ran 53 yards for a touchdown, and Gould drilled the extra point. Detroit replied with an Akers field goal of 41 yards. The Lions pulled ahead on a Matthew Stafford 1 yard touchdown run, and Akers was true with the extra point. Detroit extended the lead as Stafford passed 2 yards for a touchdown pass caught by Calvin Johnson, and Akers nailed the extra point. The Lions got some more as Reggie Bush ran in a 37 yard touchdown, and Akers was there with the PAT. Chicago got some back when Gould made a 28 yard field goal. The Bears chipped back in the third quarter on a Gould field goal from 25 yards away. Detroit responded on a Nick Fairley 4 yard fumble return for a touchdown after a bobble from Jay Cutler. The Lions tacked on a fourth quarter field goal by Akers, good from 43 yards. Chicago got some back as Cutler tossed a 14 yard touchdown to Alshon Jeffrey, and then he tossed the two-point conversion to Jeffrey as well. The Bears pulled closer on a Cutler touchdown of 10 yards to Earl Bennett, and another successful two-point conversion pass, this time going to Brandon Marshall brought them to a 40-32 deficit. They would not complete the comeback, falling by that margin, and both teams move to 3-1 on the season.

Down in Houston, the Texans welcome the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle led off in the first quarter on a Steven Hauschka field goal of 48 yards. Houston answered in the second quarter as Matt Schaub tossed a 31 yard touchdown pass to Garrett Graham, and Randy Bullock booted the extra point. The Texans added on with a 5 yard touchdown pass from Schaub to Arian Foster, and Bullock again supplied the extra point. Houston extended the lead as Bullock made a 22 yard field goal. The Texans padded the lead with a 42 yard Bullock field goal. The Seahawks responded in the third quarter as Hauschka made a 39 yard field goal. Seattle pulled closer in the fourth quarter on a 3 yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, and Hauschka knocked in the PAT. The Seahawks tied the game as Richrd Sherman returned an interception of Schaub for 58 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka's extra point was the equalizer. The tie lasted into overtime, where a field goal of 45 yards was good enough for Hauschka and Seattle to claim a victory. The Seahawks go to 4-0 while the Texans fall to 2-2.

Back north a bit, we have the battle of Ohio, where the Cleveland Browns bring in the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland got going in the first quarter with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer to Jordan Cameron, and Billy Cundiff knocked in the extra point. Cincinnati got on the board in the second quarter with a Mike Nugent field goal of 25 yards. The Browns answered when Cundiff made a 51 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Bengals replied with a Nugent field goal of 43 yards. Cleveland shot back in the fourth quarter as Hoyer found Chris Ogbonnaya for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Cundiff drilled the PAT. They held on for a 17-6 win, and both teams stand at 2-2 now.

Southeast to Jacksonville, with the Jaguars hosting the Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville was first to score in the first quarter on a Josh Scobee field goal of 53 yards. Indianapolis tied it in the second quarter as Adam Vinatieri made a 22 yard field goal. The Colts took the lead on a Darius Butler interception of Blaine Gabbert, returned for 41 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri made the extra point. Indianapolis added on with a 1 yard touchdown run by Trent Richardson, and Vinatieri handled another extra point. The Colts extended the lead as Vinatieri knocked in a 46 yard field goal. Indianapolis padded the lead in the third quarter with a 31 yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck to Coby Fleener, and Vinatieri was there with the PAT. The Colts kept going on a Luck touchdown pass of 5 yards to Reggie Wayne, and Vinatieri again made the extra point. Indianapolis wrapped it up at 37-3 with a fourth quarter field goal of 28 yards by Vinatieri.

Northwest is next, as the Kansas City Chiefs welcome the New York Giants. Kansas City began in the second quarter with an Alex Smith touchdown pass of 5 yards to Sean McGrath, and Ryan Succop was there with the extra point. New York tied it as Eli Manning connected with Victor Cruz for 69 yards and a touchdown, and Josh Brown kicked in the extra point. The Chiefs retook the lead as Succop made a 51 yard field goal. Kansas City added on in the third quarter as Dexter McCluster returned a punt for 89 yards and a touchdown, and Succop nailed the PAT. The Chiefs extended the lead in the fourth quarter when Smith found Jamaal Charles for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Succop again handled the extra point. Kansas City padded the lead as Smith tossed a 34 yard touchdown to Dwayne Bowe, and Succop booted the extra point. They coasted to a 31-7 victory from here, and the Chiefs are now 4-0 while the Giants are 0-4.

Back in Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bring in the Arizona Cardinals. Tampa Bay started in the first quarter as Mike Glennon passed an 8 yard touchdown to Mike Williams, and Rian Lindell made the extra point. The Buccaneers added on in the second quarter as Lindell was true with a 50 yard field goal. The scoring was silent until the fourth quarter, where Ariona got on the board as Jay Feely made a 42 yard field goal. The Cardinals tied the game when Carson Palmer passed 13 yards to Larry Fitzgerald for a touchdown, and Feely handled the PAT. Arizona won it 13-10 as Feely made a 27 yard field goal the defense was able to protect. The Cardinals are now 2-2 while the Buccaneers are 0-4.

Up the Atlantic coast, the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo opened in the first quarter on a 27 yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. The Bills added on as Carpenter made another 27 yard field goal. Baltimore pulled ahead in the second quarter as Joe Flacco found Marlon Brown for a 10 yard touchdown pass, and Justin Tucker supplied the extra point. Buffalo responded with an EJ Manuel touchdown pass to Robert Woods, a 42 yard connection, and Carpenter knocked in the PAT. The Bills extended the lead as Fred Jackson rushed in a 16 yard touchdown, and Carpenter nailed the extra point. The Ravens got some back in the third quarter on a 26 yard touchdown pass from Flacco to Torrey Smith, and Tucker was true with the extra point. Buffalo countered on a Carpenter field goal of 22 yards. Baltimore chipped back with a Tucker field goal from 35 yards out in the fourth quarter. The Ravens pulled closer with a Tucker field goal of 24 yards. They failed to tie the game, dropping a 23-20 decision, and both teams go to 2-2 on the season.

Across the pond, the Minnesota Vikings are named the host team against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the London game. Minnesota struck first in the first quarter on a Blair Walsh field goal of 54 yards. The Vikings added on as Matt Cassel found Greg Jennings for 70 yards and a touchdown, and Walsh was true with the extra point. Pittsburgh got on the board with an 8 yard touchdown run by Le'Veon Bell, and Shaun Suisham knocked in the extra point. Minnesota answered as Adrian Peterson ran 60 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh was true with the extra point. The Steelers countered with Suisham making a 26 yard field goal. The Vikings replied as Walsh booted a 37 yard field goal. Pittsburgh chipped back in the third quarter as Bell ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Suisham handled the PAT. Minnesota shot back on a 7 yard touchdown run by Peterson, and Walsh drilled the extra point. The Vikings padded the lead as Cassel and Jennings connected for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Walsh supplied another extra point. The Steelers got some back on a Ben Roethlisberger touchdown pass of 15 yards to Jericho Cotchery, and Suisham nailed the extra point. Pittsburgh pulled closer again as Suisham made a 28 yard field goal. This wasn't enough for them, and they lost 34-27, with the Vikings now at 1-3 while dropping the Steelers to 0-4.

Back in the States, the Tennessee Titans welcome the New York Jets. Tennessee was first to score in the first quarter on a Jake Locker touchdown pass of 1 yard to Delanie Walker, and Rob Bironas was there with the extra point. The Titans added on as Bironas made a 26 yard field goal. New York got on the board in the second quarter as Nick Folk made a 45 yard field goal. Tennessee replied with a 4 yard touchdown pass from Locker to Nate Washington, and Bironas was true with the extra point. The Jets shot back as Folk made a 47 yard field goal. The Titans answered on a 16 yard touchdown by Locker to Justin Hunter, and Bironas kicked the extra point. Tennessee picked up the scoring again in the fourth quarter as Geno Smith fumbled the ball in his own end zone, and Karl Klug recovered it for a touchdown, allowing Bironas to make another extra point. New York chipped back with a 34 yard Smith touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland, and Folk supplied the extra point. The Titans replied on a Ryan Fitzpatrick touchdown pass to Washington, for 77 yards, and Bironas made the extra point. Fitzpatrick was in the game for the injured Locker. This produced the 38-13 final score, with the Titans now at 3-1 and the Jets at 2-2.

Way to the west, the Oakland Raiders bring in the Washington Redskins. Oakland began in the first quarter as Jeremy Stewart recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. The Raiders added on as Matt Flynn found Mychal Rivera for 18 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski handled another extra point. Washington got on the board in the second quarter on a 25 yard field goal by John Potter. The Redskins pulled closer as Flynn was intercepted by David Amerson for 45 yards on the return, good for a touchdown, and Potter contributed the extra point. Washington took the lead in the third quarter as Robert Griffin III passed 5 yards to Pierre Garcon for a touchdown, and Potter booted the PAT. The Redskins padded the lead on a Roy Helu, Jr. touchdown run of 14 yards, and another Potter extra point made it 24-14 in the fourth quarter. This was a final, with both teams going to 1-3 for the season.

Backtracking to Denver, where the Broncos host the Philadelphia Eagles. Denver opened in the first quarter with a 6 yard Peyton Manning touchdown pass to Wes Welker, and Matt Prater drilled the extra point. Philadelphia answered with an Alex Henery field goal of 35 yards. The Broncos shot back as Trindon Holliday returned the ensuing kickoff for 105 yards and a touchdown, and Prater was called on to make the extra point. The Eagles replied in the second quarter with a 25 yard Henery field goal. Philadelphia pulled closer with a 4 yard Chris Polk touchdown run, and Henery supplied the extra point. Denver countered with a 4 yard touchdown run by Knowshon Moreno. The Broncos added on in the third quarter as Manning found Demaryius Thomas for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Prater was true with the PAT. Denver extended the lead as Manning and Thomas connected again, this time for 15 yards and a touchdown, and Prater supplied the extra point. The Broncos padded the lead as Manning threw his second touchdown of the day to Welker, and Prater capped off the 4 yard connection with an extra point. Denver got some more when Steven Johnson recovered a blocked punt and ran it 17 yards into the end zone for a touchdown, allowing Prater to make another extra point. The Broncos kept going as Prater made a 53 yard field goal. The Eagles got some pity points late as Nick Foles tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Jeff Maehl, and Henery kicked the extra point. This produced the 52-20 Broncos win, with the Broncos now at 4-0 and the Eagles at 1-3.

Southwest to San Diego, where the Chargers welcome the Dallas Cowboys. San Diego started in the first quarter as Philip Rivers passed a 26 yard touchdown to Danny Woodhead, and Nick Novak kicked the extra point. Dallas tied it in the second quarter as Tony Romo tossed a 5 yard touchdown to Dez Bryant, and Dan Bailey was there with the extra point. The Chargers retook the lead as Novak made a 36 yard field goal. The Cowboys pulled ahead again with a 34 yard touchdown pass from Romo to Bryant, and Bailey booted the extra point. Dallas added on as Sean Lee picked off Rivers and took the interception 52 yards for a touchdown, and Bailey nailed the extra point. San Diego answered on a 42 yard Novak field goal. The Chargers pulled closer in the third quarter on a 13 yard touchdown reception from Rivers to Woodhead, and Novak was there with the PAT. San Diego took the lead on a 23 yard field goal by Novak in the fourth quarter. The Chargers wrapped it up at 30-21 with a 56 yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Antonio Gates, with Novak good on the extra point. They held on from here, meaning that both teams go to 2-2 on the season.

Finally, Sunday Night Football is in Atlanta, where the Falcons bring in the New England Patriots. Atlanta led off in the first quarter on a field goal by Matt Bryant, good from 23 yards out. New England took the lead in the second quarter as Tom Brady tossed a 1 yard touchdown to Matthew Mulligan, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots added on with a Gostkowski field goal of 48 yards. The Falcons shot back as Matt Ryan found Tony Gonzalez for 21 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant handled the extra point. New England took the lead in the third quarter as Gostkowski made a 22 yard field goal. The Patriots added on as LeGarrette Blount ran in a 47 yard touchdown, and Gostkowski knocked in the PAT. Atlanta replied as Bryant made a 45 yard field goal. New England extended the lead as Brady found Kenbrell Thompkins for 18 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski drilled the extra point. The Patriots padded the lead as Gostkowski handled a 49 yard field goal. The Falcons got closer with another Ryan touchdown pass to Gonzalez, this time for 11 yards, and Bryant supplied the extra point. Atlanta chipped away as Bryant made a 25 yard field goal. The Patriots held on for a 30-23 win, and improved to 4-0 while dropping the Falcons to 1-3.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 26 2013-2014

Big day in hockey here, with ten games to play. We begin in the far east, where...

Admiral Vladivostok hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Joakim Lundstrom are given the starting nods. Vladivostok got going in the second period on a Viktor Drugov goal, assisted by Sergei Lesnukhin. Admiral added on in the third period as Niclas Bergfors scored, with a lone assist by Felix Schutz. Vladivostok iced it at 3-0 with an unassisted Enver Lisin goal with a second left in regulation, and this was a final. The three stars went to Lundstrom (24 save shutout), Drugov, and Bergfors.

North to Khabarovsk, where Amur hosts CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Mika Jarvinen will play goal. Khabarovsk led off with a first period goal by Dylan Reese, coming on the power play via Vladimir Loginov and Artyom Kryukov. Moscow tied it with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, set up by Igor Grigorenko. CSKA took the lead in the second period as Ilari Filppula scored, with the help of Ilya Zubov and Sergei Shirokov. Moscow added on in the third period with a Denis Denisov goal, fueled by Brandon Reid and Oleg Saprykin. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Filppula, Stana (30 for 31 in saves), and Denisov.

Moving west to Novosibirsk, where Sibir welcomes Lev Praha. Atte Engren and Mikko Koskinen are the relatively unknown goalies. Novosibirsk was first to score in the first period with a Stepan Sannikov goal, fueled by Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir added on as Jori Lehtera scored, and again, Alexeyev had the only assist. Novosibirsk extended the lead with an Oleg Gubin goal, passed from Kristian Kudroc and Dmitry Monya. Sibir padded the lead with a Jonas Enlund goal, set up by Lehtera. Jan Lukas came on in relief of Engren in the second period. Praha got on the board with a Patrik Zackrisson goal in the second period, made possible by Jiri Sekac. Lev got closer as Zackrisson scored again, this time with the help of Ondrej Nemec and Sekac. Praha chipped closer with a Justin Avezado goal, thanks to Spencer Humphries. Novosibirsk answered in the third period with an unassisted goal by Monya. They coasted to a 5-3 win from here, with the three stars being Lehtera, Monya, and Zackrisson, while Alexeyev and Sekac get the honorable mentions.

Heading over to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Niko Hovinen are given the green light to start. Bratislav struck first in the second period with a power play goal by Michel Miklik, powered by Michal Vondrka and Peter Olvecky. Slovan added on with a Juraj Mikus power play goal, going in unassisted. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period with a Yegor Martynov goal, an unassisted goal. Bratislava answered with a Miklik goal, his second of the game, set up by Zdenek Kutlak, an empty net goal. They would go on for a 3-1 win, and the three stars were Miklik, Kopriva (25 for 26 in saves), and Mikus.

Westward to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Andrei Vasilevsky will be between the pipes. Ufa opened in the second period on a Sergei Zinovyev goal, passed from Yegor Dubrovsky. Chelyabinsk tied it with a power play goal by Stanislav Chistov, powered by Dmitry Ryabykin and Alexei Vasilchenko. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back in the third period on a Denis Khlystov goal, courtesy of Alexander Mereskin and Andrei Konev. Ufa added on with another Zinovyev goal, with a lone assist provided by Alexander Pankov. They would go on to win 3-1 with that, and Zinovyev, Vasilevsky (20 for 21 in saves), and Khlystov were given the three stars.

Staying in the region, Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period with an Oskar Osala goal, fueled by Yegor Milovzorov and Stanislav Romanov on the power play. Neftekhimik added on as Martin Cibak scored a goal, assisted by Osala and Milovzorov. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period with a Bogdan Potekhin goal, coming off of Denis Platonov. Metallurg tied the game as Danis Zaripov potted an unassisted goal. Magnitogorsk took the lead with a third period goal by Jan Kovar, courtesy of Zaripov and Rinat Ibragimov. Metallurg extended the lead as Chris Lee scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Nizhnekamsk got one back on a Maxim Berezin goal, guided in by Mikhail Anisin. They failed to get an equalizer, dropping a 4-3 decision to Metallurg. Zaripov, Osala, and Milovzorov were named the three stars.

Finally breaching into the west, as Dynamo Moscow hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Alexander Yeryomenko will be in the blue paint. Moscow got going in the second period as Maxim Pestushko scored a power play goal, powered by Leo Komarov. Mytishchi answered with a Juha-Pekka Haataja goal, guided in by Bobby Sanguinetti and Maxim Velikov. Dynamo replied as Pestushko scored another power play goal, assisted by Konstantin Gorovikov and Filip Novak. Atlant tied the game again in the third period as Haataja scored his second of the game, with a lone helper from Maxim Mayorov. Moscow retook the lead again on a Marek Kvapil goal, and Konstantin Volkov had the only assist. They held on this time to win 3-2, with the three stars awarded to Pestushko, Haataja, and Kvapil.

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Vitaly Koval are the reliable goalies. Cherepovets started with a Linus Videll goal in the first period, made possible by Nikolai Bushuyev. Severstal added on in the third period as Videll scored his second of the game, an empty net goal set up by Bushuyev and Evgeny Kovyrshin. They would go on to a 2-0 win, with Stepanek (22 save shutout), Videll, and Bushuyev getting the three stars.

Further east again, as Ak Bars Kazan brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Yury Klyuchnikov is mismatched with Konstantin Barulin in goal. Kazan led off in the third period with a Janne Pesonen goal, guided in by Grigory Panin and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on as Tim Stapleton scored, with a lone assist by Alexander Burmistrov. Ak Bars won the game 2-0, and Barulin (25 save shutout), Pesonen, and Panin were the three stars.

Finally, in Podolsk, Vityaz hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Ivan Lisutin guard the cages. St. Petersburg opened with a second period goal by Tony Martensson, passed from Patrick Thoresen and Roman Cervenka. Podolsk tied it with an Anton Korolyov goal, courtesy of Alexander Rybakov. Vityaz took the lead in the third period when Yury Koksharov scored, thanks to Sergei Topol. SKA tied it on a power play goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, powered by Cervenka and Thoresen. The game went into a shootout, where tallies by Kovalchuk and Viktor Tikhonov led St. Petersburg to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Thoresen, and Cervenka.

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KHL Day 25 2013-2014

Only four games on today, starting in...

Moscow, as Spartak hosts Avangard Omsk. Teemu Lassila and Jeff Glass are set to start in goal. Moscow led off with a first period power play goal by Deron Quint, powered by Vyachelsav Kozlov and Nikolai Zherdev. Omsk tied it in the second period as Alexander Frolov scored, courtesy of Tomas Zaborsky. Avangard took the lead with a Sergei Kalinin goal, via Andrei Ivanov and Nikita Pivtsakin. Spartak tied it again in the third period on a Matt Anderson power play goal, guided in by Quint and Rastislav Spirko. Moscow ended up winning in the shootout with a Zherdev tally, for a 3-2 final score. The three stars went to Quint, Zherdev, and Anderson.

Over in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Lars Haugen are in the creases. Minsk was first to score in the second period as Jacob Micflikier scored, with a lone helper by Geoff Platt. Dinamo added on in the third period with a Tomas Surovy goal, made possible by Zbynek Irgl. This was it for the scoring, with Dinamo winning 2-0, and Haugen (23 save shutout), Micflikier, and Surovy were awarded the three stars.

To Ukraine, where Donbass Donetsk brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Michael Leighton protect the nets. Donetsk struck first in the third period with a Clay Wilson goal, coming shorthanded via Maxim Yakutsenya. Donbass added on as Yakutsenya scored, thanks to Oskars Bartulis. They held on for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Yakutsenya, Leighton (27 svae shutout), and Wilson.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Barry Brust show alliteration in front of the nets. Zagreb began in the first period with a Kurtis Foster power play goal, powered by Steve Montador and Bill Thomas. Medvescak added on in the second period as Luke Walker scored, with the help of Patrick Bjorkstrand. Astana got on the board with an Evgeny Blokhin goal, made possible by Roman Starchenko. Zagreb replied in the third period on a goal by Ryan Vesce, assisted by Matt Murley and Mathieu Carle on the power play. Barys got one back as Vladimir Grebenshchikov scored, with a lone helper by Nigel Dawes. They failed to get an equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being Foster, Vesce, and Walker.

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KHL Day 24 2013-2014

There are eight games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, where Amur hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Alexei Murygin are given the starting nods. Khabarovsk opened in the first period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, assisted by Artyom Kryukov. Riga tied it in the second period as Marcel Hossa scored, with helpers provided by Sandis Ozolins and Kyle Wilson. Amur took the lead back in the third period on a Denis Yezhov goal, courtesy of Alexander Yunkov and Evgeny Orlov. This stood up as a 2-1 win for Amur, with the three stars being Murygin (28 for 29 in saves), Yezhov, and Petruzalek.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Joakim Lundstrom are set to start. Vladivostok began in the first period on an unassisted Viktor Drugov goal. Admiral added on in the second period when Enver Lisin scored an unassisted goal. Vladivostok extended the lead as Drugov scored again, thanks to Sergei Lesnukhin. Moscow got on the board with a power play goal by Nikolai Prokhorkin, powered by Ilya Zubov and Andrei Pervyshin. Admiral replied with a Denis Osipov goal, going in unassisted. CSKA shot back in the third period with a Zubov goal, fueled by Denis Denisov and Ilari Filppula. They got no closer, dropping the game 4-2 to Admiral, with the three stars being Drugov, Zubov, and Lundstrom (23 for 25 in saves).

Moving west to Novosibirsk, where Sibir brings in Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Mikko Koskinen are in the creases. Novosibirsk got going in the second period on a power play goal by Alexei Kopeikin, powered by Dmitry Monya. Bratislava tied it on a Tomas Mojzis goal, courtesy of Tomas Netik on the power play. Sibir took the lead back with a Vyacheslav Belov goal, coming off of Dmitry Kugryshev and Jarno Koskiranta. Novosibirsk added on with a power play goal by Jori Lehtera, via Alexander Romanov and Ivan Lekomtsev. This gave them a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Koskinen (39 for 40 in saves), Kopriva (39 for 42 in saves), and Belov.

Staying close by, Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Lev Praha. Atte Engren is mismatched with Niko Hovinen in goal. Praha led off in the first period with a Niko Kapanen power play goal, passed from Jakub Klepis and Jiri Novotny. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Rafael Akhmetov goal, via Nikita Vyglazov. Metallurg took the lead on a goal by Semyon Valuisky, assisted by Alexei Kosourov and Kurtis McLean on the power play. Lev tied it again in the second period when Martin Sevc scored, with a lone assist by Novotny. Praha took the lead on an unassisted Kapanen goal. Lev extended the lead as Sevc scored again, thanks to Petr Vrana and Michal Birner. Praha added on with a power play goal by Calle Ridderwall in the third period, powered by Sevc. Novokuznetsk took one back with an unassisted Evgeny Lapenkov goal. They got no closer, losing 5-3, with the three stars awarded to Sevc, Kapanen, and Novotny.

Into Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Andrei Vasilevsky are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk was first to score in the first period on a Bogdan Yakimov goal, assisted by Samvel Mnatsyan. Ufa tied it with a power play goal from Ivan Vishnevsky, powered by Denis Khlystov and Anton Babchuk. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the second period as Babchuk scored a power play goal, with the help of Vishnevsky and Khlystov. They would coast from here to a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Babchuk, Vasilevsky (34 for 35 in saves), and Vishnevsky, while Khlystov gets an honorable mention.

Further to the west, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Georgy Gelashvili will be between the pipes. Nizhny Novgorod struck first in the first period, on a Mikhail Grigoryev goal, made possible by Sakari Salminen and Tim Brent on the power play. Torpedo added on with an Alexei Potapov goal, guided in by Vladimir Galuzin and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, powered by Denis Parshin and Vadim Khomitsky. Torpedo padded the lead with a power play goal from Juuso Hietanen, via Wojtek Wolski and Parshin. Nizhny Novgorod stuck again in the third period as Salminen found twine on a power play goal, with a lone helper from Jarkko Immonen. This made it 5-0, a final, with Salminen, Gelashvili (21 save shutout), and Parshin receiving the three stars.

Entering Moscow, we have Dynamo hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. St. Petersburg started in the first period with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, fueled by Maxim Chudinov and Anton Malyshev. SKA added on as Chudinov scored, thanks to Artemy Panarin and Yury Alexandrov. Moscow got on the board with a Leo Komarov goal, set up by Janne Jalasvaara and Konstantin Gorovikov. Dynamo tied it in the second period with a Komarov goal, guided in by Andrei Mironov and Maxim Pestushko. St. Petersburg retook the lead in the third period as Panarin scored, courtesy of Alexander Kucheryavenko. SKA extended the lead with another Panarin goal, with a lone assist provided by Viktor Tikhonov. St. Petersburg padded the lead on a Malyshev goal, made possible by Roman Cervenka and Dmitry Yudin. SKA iced it at 6-2 when Patrick Thoresen scored an unassisted power play goal. The three stars were given to Panarin, Chudinov, and Komarov, while Malyshev gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Kazan, with Ak Bars bringing in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Konstantin Barulin protect the nets. Kazan opened in the first period with a power play goal by Konstantin Korneyev, powered by Alexei Tereshchenko and Kirill Petrov. This would be only goal in the game, resulting in a 1-0 Ak Bars win. The three stars were Barulin (25 save shutout), Korneyev, and Stepanek (23 for 24 in saves).

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Thursday Night Football Week 4 2013

Tonight's game is an NFC West battle between the host St. Louis Rams and visiting San Francisco 49ers. St. Louis led off in the first quarter with a 40 yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein. San Francisco took the lead in the second quarter as Colin Kaepernick found Anquan Boldin for 20 yards and a touchdown, and Phil Dawson made the extra point. The 49ers added on as Frank Gore ran in a 34 yard touchdown, and Dawson was there with the extra point. San Francisco extended the lead in the third quarter as Kaepernick passed a 12 yard touchdown to Vernon Davis, and Dawson made the PAT. The 49ers struck again in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Anthony Dixon, and Dawson was true with the extra point. The Rams got some back as Sam Bradford found Lance Kendricks for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Benny Cunningham ran in a two-point conversion successfully. San Francisco replied as Kendall Hunter ran 29 yards for a touchdown, and Dawson knocked in the extra point. This would end up making it 35-11, the final, with the 49ers going to 2-2 and the Rams falling to 1-3.

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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.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.