NHL Day 1 2013-2014

I know you've all been waiting for this even more than I have been. This is the first time in two years we've had a normal NHL opening night. For a refresher course, I list all goalie matchups as road team and then home team, so that is how you can understand them. I fully believe I will be able to provide up-to-date coverage at the end of the last game every night, for the entirety of the season. With that said, there are three games to get things going today, beginning in...

Montreal, as the Canadiens host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Carey Price are the masked men. Toronto began in the first period with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, powered by Phil Kessel and Cody Franson. Montreal tied it with a Lars Eller goal, passed from Raphael Diaz and Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens took the lead with a Brendan Gallagher goal, fueled by Eller and Galchenyuk. The Maple Leafs tied it in the second period on a Dion Phaneuf goal, guided in by Nazem Kadri and Nikolai Kulemin. Toronto took the lead as Tyler Bozak scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with a Mason Raymond goal, set up by Troy Bodie. Montreal got one back as Eller scored his second of the game, an unassisted goal. The unofficial three stars belonged to Eller, Galchenyuk, and Raymond.

Down in the States, the Chicago Blackhawks raise their Stanley Cup banner in front of the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford are in the blue paint. Chicago led off in the first period with a Brandon Bollig goal, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger. Washington tied it on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, powered by Mikhail Grabovski and Nicklas Backstrom. The Blackhawks retook the lead as Patrick Kane scored, with helpers provided by Jonathan Toews and Michal Rozsival. The Capitals retied it in the second period with a Grabovski goal, with a lone assist by Joel Ward. Chicago took the lead back as Brent Seabrook scored a power play goal, via Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad. Washington tied it again in the third period with a Grabovski power play goal, with assists provided by Mike Green and Ovechkin. The Capitals took the lead on another Grabovski goal, his second of the game coming on the power play from Green and Backstrom. The Blackhawks got another equalizer on a Saad goal, made possible by Michal Handzus and Duncan Keith. Chicago took the lead again with a Johnny Oduya goal, pushed along by Saad and Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks iced it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Hossa, and it went in unassisted. The three stars were unofficially named as Grabovski, Saad, and Hossa, while Ovechkin, Hjalmarsson, Backstrom, and Green.

Finally, we're back in Canada, as the Edmonton Oilers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Devan Dubnyk draw the starts. Edmonton started in the first period as Mike Brown scored, with a assists by Luke Gazdic and Will Acton. Winnipeg tied it with a power play goal by Mark Scheifele, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets took the lead as Bryan Little scored, via Enstrom and Byfuglien. The Oilers evened the score again with a Boyd Gordon goal, coming off of Justin Schultz and Ales Hemsky on the power play. Edmonton took the lead in the second period as Hemsky scored, with helpers provided by Taylor Hall and Ryan Smyth. The Oilers added on as Jesse Joensuu scored a power play goal, powered by Jordan Eberle and Mark Arcobello. Winnipeg got one back as Michael Frolik scored, with assistance from Zach Bogosian and Jacob Trouba. The Jets tied it up with a Trouba goal, going in unassisted. Winnipeg took the lead when Frolik scored his second of the night, made possible by Eric Tangradi and Byfuglien, the latter getting a sock trick. This was good for a 5-4 win, and the three stars were awarded unofficially to Frolik, Byfuglien, and Trouba, while Hemsky and Enstrom get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. All three stars selections this season are my opinion only, and not reflective of the actual stadium-selected three stars.

KHL Day 28 2013-2014

Eight games on the schedule today, which is also the first day of the NHL season (more on that tonight). We begin the day of hockey in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Alexei Murygin are set to start. Bratislava opened with a first period Tomas Mojzis goal, fueled by Milan Bartovic. Slovan added on when Roman Kukumberg scored, thanks to Libor Hudacek. Khabarovsk got on the board when Alexander Yunkov scored, with a lone assist by Jakub Petruzalek. Bratislava replied with a Michel Miklik goal, set up by Michal Vondrka. Slovan extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Juraj Mikus. Bratislava padded the lead in the second period as Tomas Netik scored, courtesy of Bartovic. Amur got one back with a Timofei Shishkanov goal, made possible by Evgeny Korotkov. The scoring ended here, with Slovan picking up a 5-2 win, and the three stars were Bartovic, Miklik, and Kopriva (31 for 33 in saves).

Into Vladivostok, where Admiral welcomes Lev Praha. Petri Vehanen and Joakim Lundstrom receive the starting nods. Vladivostok began in the first period on a Vladimir Pervushin goal, courtesy of Sergei Barbashev. Praha tied it on a Topi Jaakola goal, coming off of Calle Ridderwall. Lev took the lead on a second period goal by Michal Repik, via Michal Birner. Admiral retied it in the third period as Enver Lisin scored an unassisted goal. Praha ended up winning 3-2 in overtime with another Jaakola goal, again set up by Ridderwall. The three stars were Jaakola, Repik, and Ridderwall.

Westward to Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Sergei Gaiduchenko are in the creases. Riga was first to score in the first period with a Marcel Hossa goal, made possible by Vojtech Polak and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. Novosibirsk tied it on a Vladimir Butuzov goal, thanks to Artyom Karavayev and Stepan Sannikov. Dinamo took the lead back as Hossa scored again, with the help of Kyle Wilson and Arvids Rekis. Riga added on in the second period as Sandis Ozolins scored a power play goal, powered by Wilson. Dinamo extended the lead in the third period when Wilson scored, and Ozolins and Polak had the assists. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Hossa, Wilson, and Ozolins, while Polak gets the honorable mention.

Next up, Metallurg Novokuznetsk brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Niko Hovinen are the masked men. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on a Yegor Martynov power play goal, powered by Raymond Giroux. Moscow tied it in the second period as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored a goal, assisted by Denis Denisov. CSKA took the lead with a Vladimir Zharkov goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg tied it again with a third period goal by Kurtis McLean, guided in by Artyom Gareyev. Moscow took the game 3-2 with a power play goal in overtime scored by Maxim Goncharov, set up by Denisov and Ilya Zubov. The three stars were Zharkov, Denisov, and Proskuryakov (26 for 28 in saves).

Way to the west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Johan Backlund are between the pipes. Podolsk started in the first period with a Sergei Topol goal, via Alexander Korolyuk and Yury Koksharov. Yaroslavl tied it on a power play goal by Daniil Apalkov, powered by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv took the lead on a second period goal by Averin, an unassisted goal. Vityaz retied the game in the third period with a power play goal by Korolyuk, guided in by Logan Pyett and Josh Hennessy. Yaroslavl took the lead back with an Anton But goal, with a lone helper provided by Mikhail Pashnin. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being given to Averin, Korolyuk, and But.

Backtracking to Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Emil Garipov are in the blue paint. Kazan led off with a power play goal by Alexander Svitov, powered by Dmitry Obukhov and Tomas Vincour. Mytishchi tied it on an Alexander Kadeikin goal, fueled by Bobby Sanguinetti and Sergei Shmelyov. Ak Bars regained the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Mikhail Varnakov, set up by Alexander Burmistrov. Kazan added on in the third period with another power play goal, this time from the tape of Burmistrov, and passed from Evgeny Medvedev and Shaun Heshka. Atlant got one back as Konstantin Koltsov converted a penalty shot he received after being tripped by Ilya Nikulin on a breakaway. Ak Bars quickly shot back with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, with a lone helper by Nikulin. They would go on to win 4-2, with the three stars being Burmistrov, Varnakov, and Tkachyov.

Completing the circle, we're back in Moscow, as Dynamo hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Moscow got going in the first period with a Filip Novak power play goal, with a lone assist by Konstantin Gorovikov. Dynamo added on with a Konstantin Volkov goal, thanks to Novak and Maxim Karpov. Moscow extended the lead when Martins Karsums scored, via Alexei Tsvetkov and Denis Kokarev. Cherepovets got on the board in the second period when Nikolai Bushuyev scored, with the help of Linus Videll. The scoring ended here, with Dynamo winning 3-1, and the three stars were Novak, Yeryomenko (19 for 20 in saves), and Volkov.

We end the day in Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Georgy Gelashvili will play goal. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period as Daniil Zharkov scored, with helpers provided by Maxim Potapov and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Torpedo added on with a power play goal by Jarkko Immonen, powered by Juuso Hietanen. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead as Immonen scored again in the second period, thanks to Pavel Valentenko and Sakari Salminen. St. Petersburg got on the board as Yury Alexandrov scored, courtesy of Artemy Panarin. Torpedo responded as Immonen finished his hat trick with a power play goal, assisted by Hietanen and Denis Parshin. Nizhny Novgorod padded the lead on a Mikhail Grigoryev goal, passed from Wojtek Wolski and Vladimir Denisov. SKA got one back on a Panarin goal, guided in by Viktor Tikhonov and Alexander Kucheryavenko. They got no closer, losing 5-2, with the three stars being Immonen, Hietanen, and Panarin.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion and check back here tonight and for the rest of the season for NHL action alongside KHL games.

Monday Night Football Week 4 2013

Tonight's Monday Night Football game comes from New Orleans, as the Saints host the Miami Dolphins. New Orleans led off in the first quarter with a 5 yard touchdown run by Darren Sproles, and Garrett Hartley made the extra point. Miami got on the board as Caleb Sturgis made a 34 yard field goal. The Saints extended the lead with a Drew Brees touchdown pass of 27 yards to Jimmy Graham in the second quarter, and Hartley handled the extra point. The Dolphins shot back as Lamar Miller ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Sturgis booted the extra point. New Orleans shot back on a Brees touchdown pass of 13 yards to Sproles, and Hartley was true with the PAT. The Saints added on in the third quarter with a 4 yard touchdown pass from Brees to Benjamin Watson, and Hartley supplied another extra point. New Orleans padded the lead with a 43 yard touchdown pass from Brees to Graham, allowing Hartley to make another extra point. Miami answered in the fourth quarter as Ryan Tannehill found Charles Clay for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Sturgis knocked in the extra point. The Saints replied with a 29 yard field goal by Hartley. This made it 38-17, the final, with the Saints going to 4-0 and the Dolphins falling to 3-1.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 27 2013-2014

Only four games going today, beginning in...

Moscow, as Spartak hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Jeff Glass are between the pipes. Khanty-Mansiysk got going in the third period with a Jonas Andersson goal, assisted by Andrei Shefer and Mikhail Yakubov. Yugra held on to the 1-0 win, with the three stars being Biryukov (36 save shutout), Andersson, and Glass (21 for 22 in saves).

Over in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Lars Haugen are the masked men. Astana led off in the first period with a Talgat Zhailauov power play goal, powered by Roman Savchenko and Roman Starchenko. Minsk tied it with a second period goal by Oleg Goroshko, courtesy of Alexander Kitarov and Lukas Krajicek. Dinamo took the lead on an Alexei Yefimenko goal, coming on the power play via Dmitry Meleshko and Krajicek. Barys tied it with a Brandon Bochenski goal, fueled by Dustin Boyd and Savchenko. Astana took the lead as Bochenski scored again, thanks to Nikolai Antropov and Maxim Semyonov. Barys added on as Starchenko scored, with assists provided by Zhailauov and Fyodor Polishchuk. Astana extended the lead in the third period on a Bochenski goal, completing his hat trick on a shorthanded goal set up by Boyd. This made it 5-2, a final, with Bochenski, Zhailauov, and Starchenko getting the three stars, while Savchenko, Boyd, and Krajicek get the honorable mentions.

Into Ukraine, where Donbass Donetsk welcomes Avangard Omsk. Teemu Lassila and Michael Leighton are in the creases. Donetsk opened in the first period with a Petteri Wirtanen goal, made possible by Teemu Laine. Donbass added on as Vaclav Nedorost scored, with the help of Peter Podhradsky. Donetsk extended the lead as Evgeny Dadonov scored, thanks to Nedorost and Oskars Bartulis. Donbass padded the lead on another goal by Nedorost, via Maxim Yakutsenya and Clay Wilson. Donetsk struck again in the second period with an unassisted goal by Lukas Kaspar. Omsk got on the board on an unassisted goal by Alexei Badyukov. Donbass shot back in the third period when Laine scored, with helpers from Wirtanen and Ruslan Fedotenko. This produced a 6-1 final score, with the three stars being Nedorost, Wirtanen, and Laine, while Leighton gets an honorable mention for his 27-for-28 in saves performance.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Barry Brust will protect the nets. Zagreb started in the first period on a Matt Murley goal, guided in by Jonathan Cheechoo. Medvescak added on in the second period with a Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Murley and Kurtis Foster. Zagreb extended the lead on a Murley unassisted goal in the third period. This was good for a 3-0 win, and Murley, Brust (32 save shutout), Cheechoo.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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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