Thursday Night Football Week 5 2013

Tonight's Thursday Night game comes from Cleveland, where the Browns host the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo opened in the first quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Fred Jackson, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point. The Bills added on as Carpenter made a 52 yard field goal. Cleveland got on the board in the second quarter with a Billy Cundiff field goal of 30 yards. The Browns tied it as Willis McGahee ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Cundiff was there with the extra point. Cleveland took the lead on a 79 yard punt return for a touchdown by Travis Benjamin, allowing Cundiff to make another extra point. Buffalo tied it again in the third quarter as C.J. Spiller ran 54 yards for a touchdown, and Carpenter knocked in the PAT. The Bills gained the lead again as Jackson rushed for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Carpenter supplied the extra point. The Browns countered with a 37 yard touchdown pass from Brandon Weeden to Josh Gordon, and Cundiff was true with the extra point. Cleveland took the lead again with a fourth quarter field goal of 24 yards by Cundiff. The Browns added on as Cundiff made a 44 yard field goal. Cleveland extended the lead when T.J. Ward returned an interception of Jeff Tuel for 44 yards and a touchdown, and Cundiff booted the extra point. They would win 37-24, and the Browns are now 3-2 while dropping the Bills to 2-3.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 3 2013-2014

For the first time this season, over half the teams in the league are in action, with eight games scheduled. We begin the night in...

Boston, where the Bruins host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Tuukka Rask receive the starting nods. Boston began in the first period with a Chris Kelly goal, coming on a shorthanded penalty shot. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period as Valtteri Filppula scored, courtesy of Eric Brewer and Alex Killorn. The Bruins took the lead back with a Milan Lucic goal, passed from David Krejci. Boston wrapped it up in the third period on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Patrice Bergeron. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Kelly, Rask (32 for 33 in saves), and Bergeron.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Marc-Andre Fleury are called upon to start. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Chuck Kobasew goal, assisted by Brandon Sutter and Beau Bennett. The Penguins added on as Sidney Crosby scored, with helpers provided by Pascal Dupuis and Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the third period with a Craig Adams goal, coming off of Evgeni Malkin and Tanner Glass. This resulted in a 3-0 final, with Fleury (27 save shutout), Kobasew, and Adams getting the three stars.

Back near the Atlantic coast, the Washington Capitals bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo (formerly of Avangard Omsk in the KHL) and Braden Holtby will be in the creases. Calgary was first to score in the first period with a David Jones goal, coming off of Sean Monahan. The Flames added on as Lee Stempniak scored, with the help of Mark Giordano and Mikael Backlund. Calgary extended the lead as Jiri Hudler scored a power play goal, powered by T.J. Brodie and Giordano. Michal Neuvirth relieved Holtby at this time. Washington got on the board in the second period with a Connor Carrick goal, coming off of Marcus Johansson and Karl Alzner. The Flames replied with a Lance Bouma goal, set up by Brian McGrattan and Ben Street. The Capitals took one back as Alex Ovechkin scored his second of the season, a power play goal, fueled by Mike Green and Johansson. Washington pulled closer as Ovechkin scored his second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by Johansson, who got a sock trick, and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals tied it in the third period on a Backstrom power play goal, guided in by Mikhail Grabovski and Ovechkin. The game went to a shootout, where tallies from Grabovski and Ovechkin led to a 5-4 Capitals victory. The three stars were awarded to Ovechkin, Johansson, and Backstrom, while Giordano gets an honorable mention.

To the northwest, the Minnesota Wild host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Niklas Backstrom protect the nets. Minnesota started in the first period with a Matt Cooke goal, guided in by Kyle Brodziak and Mikael Granlund. Los Angeles tied it on a Drew Doughty power play goal, powered by Slava Voynov and Anze Kopitar. The Wild took the lead back as Jonas Brodin scored a power play goal, assisted by Nino Niederreiter. The Kings tied it in the third period on a Jeff Carter goal, passed from Matt Frattin and Robyn Regehr. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Kopitar and Carter scored to lift the Kings to a 3-2 victory. Carter, Kopitar, and Quick (27 for 29 in saves).

Way to the south, the Dallas Stars welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Kari Lehtonen are the veteran goalies. Florida opened in the first period on a Scott Gomez goal, assisted by Scottie Upshall and Brian Campbell. Dallas tied it in the second period as Alex Chiasson scored, thanks to Ray Whitney and Brenden Dillon. The Stars took the lead in the third period on a Dillon shorthanded goal, set up by Vernon Fiddler and Antoine Roussel. The Panthers retied it with an Aleksander Barkov goal, guided in by Tom Gilbert and Jonathan Huberdeau. Florida took the lead on a Marcel Goc goal, coming off of Tomas Fleischmann and Campbell. The Panthers iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Goc, his second of the night. The three stars were Goc, Dillon, and Barkov, while Campbell gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak are the masked men. St. Louis struck first in the first period with a David Backes power play goal, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Patrik Berglund. The Blues added on when Vladimir Sobotka scored, thanks to Jay Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo. St. Louis chased Rinne with a T.J. Oshie goal, made possible by Alexander Steen and Backes. Carter Hutton relieved Rinne. Nashville got on the board as Mike Fisher scored, with the help of Nick Spaling and Eric Nystrom. The Predators pulled closer in the second period on a David Legwand goal, with a lone assist by Patric Hornqvist. The Blues replied as Steen scored a power play goal, coming off of Derek Roy and Kevin Shattenkirk. The scoring ended here, with the Blues winning 4-2, and the three stars were Steen, Pietrangelo, and Backes.

Out west, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Antti Niemi guard the cages. Vancouver led off in the first period with a Jason Garrison goal, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin on the power play. San Jose tied it in the second period with a Brent Burns goal, via Tomas Hertl and Joe Thornton. The Sharks took the lead with a Justin Braun goal, fueled by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Logan Couture. San Jose added on in the third period when Patrick Marleau scored, with the help of Couture. The Sharks got another on a Tommy Wingels goal, guided in by Andrew Desjardins. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Niemi (21 for 22 in saves), Couture, and Braun.

Finally, in Phoenix, the Coyotes welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. Phoenix was first to score in the first period with a Kyle Chipchura goal, coming off of Rob Klinkhammer and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. New York tied it in the second period as Marc Staal netted a power play goal, powered by Rick Nash and Derek Stepan. The Coyotes retook the lead with a Radim Vrbata goal, assisted by Martin Hanzal and Derek Morris. Phoenix extended the lead with another Vrbata goal in the third period, fueled by Keith Yandle and Antoine Vermette on the power play. The Coyotes added on as Vrbata completed his hat trick with his third of the game, passed from Hanzal. They went on to win 4-1, with the three stars awarded to Vrbata, Hanzal, and Smith (23 for 24 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 30 2013-2014

Nine games coming from Russia today. Fun fact: I was still awake when the first game started. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Lev Praha. Petri Vehanen and Alexei Murygin are the goalies. Khabarovsk got going in the second period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, assisted by Jan Mursak. Amur added on as Mursak scored an empty net goal, going in unassisted. With three second left in the game, Petruzalek added a second empty net goal, also unassisted. The three stars were Murygin (35 save shutout), Petruzalek, and Mursak.

Next up, Admiral Vladivostok welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Joakim Lundstrom are in the blue paint. Bratislava opened in the second period with a Tomas Netik goal, set up by Michal Sersen. Vladivostok tied it as Richard Gynge scored, thanks to Mathias Porseland. Admiral took the lead with a Niclas Bergfors goal, made possible by Enver Lisin and Denis Osipov. Vladivostok iced it at 3-1 as Lisin scored an unassisted goal. The three stars were Lundstrom (26 for 27 in saves), Lisin, and Bergfors.

Westward to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Niko Hovinen are given the starting nods. Riga was first to score in the first period on an Aleksandrs Nizivijs goal, fueled by Paul Szczechura. Dinamo added on with a second period Andris Dzerins goal, passed from Sandis Ozolins and Gints Meija. This would be good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Tellqvist (35 save shutout), Nizivijs, and Dzerins.

Into Novosibirsk, where Sibir hosts CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana opposes a lesser foe in Mikko Koskinen in goal. Moscow began in the second period with an Ilari Filppula goal, guided in by Daniil Markov and Ilya Zubov. Novosibirsk tied it with an unassisted goal by Jori Lehtera. Sibir took the lead on an Alexander Kutuzov goal, coming off of Jonas Enlund. Novosibirsk extended the lead with a Kristian Kudroc goal, going in unassisted. CSKA got one back in the third period as Sergei Shirokov scored, with the help of Maxim Goncharov. They failed to get an equalizer, falling 3-2, with the three stars being Kudroc, Lehtera, and Kutuzov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Chris Lee and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on in the second period as Mozyakin scored again, via Danis Zaripov and Kovar. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the third period with an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, helped along by Justin Hodgman and Denis Platonov. This made it 3-0, the final, with Mozyakin, Koshechkin (23 save shutout), and Kovar getting the three stars.

To the west, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Ivan Lisutin are the reliable goalies. Cherepovets started in the first period with a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, assisted by Pavel Dedunov and Alexander Yevseyenkov. Podolsk tied it in the third period with a Logan Pyett goal, made possible by Yury Koksharov and Vyacheslav Solodukhin. Vityaz took the lead as Pyett scored again, thanks to Dinar Khafizullin and Koksharov. Podolsk added on when Maxim Afinogenov potted an empty net goal, set up by Alexander Vasilyev and Josh Hennessy. They would go on to win 3-1, with the three stars handed to Pyett, Lisutin (28 for 29 in saves), and Koksharov.

Up in Moscow, Dynamo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Yeryomenko guard the cages. Yaroslavl led off in the second period as Yegor Yakovlev scored, with the help of Alexander Chernikov and Alexei Vasilyev. Lokomotiv added on with another Yakovlev goal, with a lone assist by Yury Petrov. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Sergei Plotnikov scored, thanks to Daniil Apalkov. Moscow got one back on a Maxim Solovyov goal, passed from Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov, but it only made it a 3-1 loss for them. The three stars were Yakovlev, Sanford (26 for 27 in saves), and Plotnikov.

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Vitaly Koval are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period with a Mikhail Grigoryev goal, made possible by Tim Brent. Mytishchi answered in the second period as Yaroslav Dyblenko scored, with the help of Alexei Mikhnov and Andreas Engqvist. Atlant took the lead as Dyblenko scored an unassisted goal in the third period. Mytishchi iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Sergei Shmelyov, set up by Rafael Batyrshin. The three stars were given to Dyblenko, Galimov (27 for 28 in saves), and Grigoryev.

Finally, we end in Kazan, with Ak Bars bringing in SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Konstantin Barulin are between the pipes. St. Petersburg got going in the second period with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, via Vadim Shipachyov. Kazan tied it as Artyom Lukoyanov scored, thanks to Vladimir Tkachyov and Evgeny Medvedev. SKA took the lead back in the third period on a Dmitry Yudin goal, going in unassisted. St. Petersburg added on as Alexei Ponikarovsky scored an unassisted power play goal. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Yudin, Salak (30 for 31 in saves), and Ponikarovsky.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 2 2013-2014

Three more games on the second day of the season, beginning in...

Philadelphia, with the Flyers hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Steve Mason are sent out to start. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Brayden Schenn power play goal, powered by Vincent Lecavalier and Mark Streit. Toronto tied it in the second period on a Phil Kessel goal, with a lone assist by Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs took the lead when Dave Bolland scored, courtesy of Joffrey Lupul and Nikolai Kulemin in the third period. Toronto added on as Bolland scored his second of the game, a power play goal assisted by Lupul and Cody Franson. They went on for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Bolland, Bernier (31 for 32 in saves), and Lupul.

Westward to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jimmy Howard protect the nets. Detroit began in the first period with a Mikael Samuelsson goal, fueled by Cory Emmerton and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on with an unassisted Pavel Datsyuk goal. Buffalo got on the board in the third period as Zemgus Girgensons scored, with the help of Brian Flynn. It wasn't enough for them to avoid a 2-1 loss, with the three stars awarded to Datsyuk, Howard (19 for 20 in saves), and Miller (30 for 32 in saves).

Finally, in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Semyon Varlamov receive the starting nods. Colorado opened with an unassisted Ryan O'Reilly goal in the first period. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Steve Downie power play goal, powered by O'Reilly and Alex Tanguay. Colorado extended the lead as John Mitchell scored, thanks to Tyson Barrie and Cody McLeod. The Avalanche padded the lead on a Jamie McGinn goal, passed from Nathan MacKinnon and Tanguay. Colorado kept going in the third period as McGinn scored his second of the game, set up by MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Avalanche got another on a power play goal by Matt Duchene, made possible by Downie and Tanguay, the latter getting a sock trick. Anaheim avoided the shutout as Jakob Silfverberg scored, and the assists were credited to Nick Bonino and Mark Fistric. They still lost 6-1, and the three stars were handed to McGinn, Tanguay, and O'Reilly, while Downie, MacKinnon, and Varlamov (35 for 36 in saves) were given honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 29 2013-2014

There are five KHL games on today, and three NHL games tonight. We begin today in...

Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Alexander Sudnitsin are in the creases. Ufa led off in the first period with a Nikita Filatov goal, assisted by Kirill Koltsov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev added on with an Alexander Mereskin goal, passed from Denis Khlystov and Yegor Dubrovsky. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Alexei Glukhov scored, with the help of Alexander Stepanov. Nizhnekamsk got on the board when Maxim Berezin scored, via Mikhail Anisin and Petr Koukal. Neftekhimik pulled closer on an unassisted Koukal goal. Nizhnekamsk tied it with an Andrei Taratukhin goal, guided in by Pyotr Khokhryakov and Bogdan Yakimov. The tie lasted into overtime, where Anisin lifted Neftekhimik to a comeback victory by scoring a power play goal, pushed along by Nikita Shchitov. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Anisin, Taratukhin, and Koukal.

Way to the west, Donbass Donetsk welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Michael Leighton are set to start. Yekaterinburg started in the first period with an Eduard Lewandowski goal, with a lone assist by Andrei Antonov. Donetsk tied it as Teemu Laine scored a power play goal, thanks to Ruslan Fedotenko. Avtomobilist took the lead back as Igot Yemeleyev scored a power play goal, powered by Nikolai Zhilin. Donbass tied it again on an unassisted goal by Peter Podhradsky. Donetsk took the lead on a Sergei Varlamov goal, set up by Lukas Kaspar and Evgeny Belukhin. Donbass extended the lead with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, courtesy of Maxim Yakutsenya and Clay Wilson. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Varlamov, Dadonov, and Podhradsky.

Backtracking to Moscow, as Spartak hosts Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Alexei Ivanov are between the pipes. Astana struck first in the first period on a Josh Gratton goal, fueled by Roman Savchenko. Moscow tied it as Alexander Nikulin scored a goal, passed from Nikolai Zherdev. Barys retook the lead as Konstantin Rudenko scored, thanks to Dmitry Upper and Nikolai Antropov. Astana extended the lead in the third period with a Mikhail Rakhmanov goal, assisted by Andrei Gavrilin. Barys added on when Mike Lundin found twine, with the help of Roman Starchenko. Spartak got one back on a Vyacheslav Kozlov goal, set up by Denis Bodrov and Zherdev. Moscow puller closer with a Rastislav Spirko goal, via Kozlov and Andrei Sergeyev. They failed to get an equalizer, losing 4-3. The three stars were given to Lundin, Kozlov, and Zherdev.

Leaving Russia again, we head to Minsk, where Dinamo brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Kevin Lalande are called on for the starts. Minsk opened in the first period with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, assisted by Tomas Surovy. Dinamo added on with a Geoff Platt goal, via Oleg Goroshko and Artur Gavrus. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board when Guntis Galvins scored, thanks to Alexei Pepelyaev and Mikhail Yakubov on the power play. Minsk replied in the second period with a Lukas Krajicek goal, courtesy of Platt. Dinamo struck again as Surovy scored, with a lone assist provided by Kalyuzhny. Minsk extended the lead with a Platt goal, made possible by Konstantin Zakharov and Ilya Shinkevich. Yugra shot back with a Mikhail Zhukov goal, coming off of Kirill Knyazev and Vitaly Sitnikov. Khanty-Mansiysk pulled closer as Veli-Matti Savinainen potted a shorthanded goal, set up by Vladimir Gorbunov. They wouldn't score again, dropping a 5-3 game, with the three stars going to Platt, Kalyuzhny, and Surovy.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Barry Brust protect the nets. Zagreb got going in the second period with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Bill Thomas and Hannu Pikkarainen. Medvescak added on with another power play goal, scored by Hugh Jessiman and assisted by Pikkarainen and Matt Murley. Zagreb extended the lead in the third period when Andrew Murray scored, with the help of Luke Walker. Medvescak padded the lead on another Cheechoo goal, via Mark Katic. This made it a 4-0 final, with Cheechoo, Brust (39 save shutout), and Pikkarainen getting the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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.