Monday, October 7, 2013

KHL Day 34 2013-2014

The hockey is kicking back up again in Russia, with seven games today, beginning in...

Moscow, as CSKA hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Rastislav Stana are given the starting nods. Ufa led off with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, assisted by Kirill Koltsov. Moscow tied it with a Yakov Rylov goal, passed from Nikolai Prokhorkin. CSKA took the lead as Daniil Markov scored an unassisted goal. Salavat Yulaev retied the game in the second period with a power play goal by Nikita Filatov, powered by Anton Babchuk and Dmitry Makarov. Moscow retook the lead in the third period with a Prokhorkin goal, fueled by Igor Grigorenko and Georgy Misharin. They held on to win 3-2, with the three stars being awarded to Prokhorkin, Markov, and Stana (24 for 26 in saves).

Backtracking to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Jakub Stepanek are in the blue paint. Novosibirsk was first to score in the first period on a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, fueled by Jarno Koskiranta and Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir added on in the second period with an unassisted goal by Oleg Gubin. Cherepovets got on the board with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, coming off of Petr Caslava and Linus Videll. Novosibirsk answered with a power play goal by Ivan Lekomtsev, powered by Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Severstal got one back in the third period when Bogdan Kiselevich scored, via Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Vladimir Antipov. They failed to get an equalizer, dropping a 3-2 decision, with the three stars being Lemtyugov, Gubin, and Lekomtsev.

Moving along to Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Niko Hovinen and Curtis Sanford are set to start. The game was scoreless until Yaroslavl's Yegor Averin scored an unassisted goal in overtime for a 1-0 win. Sanford (22 save shutout), Averin, and Hovinen (40 for 41 in saves) were the three stars.

Over in St. Petersburg, SKA hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Ilya Ezhov are the backups manning the nets. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with a Artemy Panarin power play goal, set up by Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, guided in by Viktor Tikhonov and Panarin. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period as Vadim Shipachyov scored, with a lone assist by Kevin Dallman. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, made possible by Dmitry Tarasov and Dmitry Lugin. Amur pulled closer on a Mikhail Klimchuk goal, fueled by Artyom Dubinin. Khabarovsk tied it in the third period as Jan Mursak scored, with the help of Mikhail Fisenko and Denis Yezhov. SKA won it 4-3 in overtime as Tikhonov scored, and Panarin had the only assist. Tikhonov, Panarin, and Kalinin were given the three stars.

East a little to Mytishchi, where Atlant welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Stanislav Galimov are the reliable goalies. Vladivostok struck first in the first period as Yegor Antropov scored, courtesy of Vladimir Pervushin and Sergei Barbashev. Mytishchi tied it in the second period on a Maxim Mayorov goal, guided in by Vitaly Novopashin and Bobby Sanguinetti. Atlant took the lead in the third period with a Konstantin Koltsov goal, assisted by Mikhail Glukhov and Ilya Kablukov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Galimov (34 for 35 in saves), Koltsov, and Mayorov.

Over in the Czech Republic, Lev Praha brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Petri Vehanen are the masked men. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period on a Danis Zaripov penalty shot conversion, which came to be when Juraj Mikus slashed Zaripov on a breakaway. Praha tied it on a Justin Azevedo goal, going in unassisted. Lev took the lead with an unassisted power play goal by Topi Jaakola. Metallurg pulled even in the third period with a Zaripov power play goal, powered by Jan Kovar and Sergei Mozyakin. Praha retook the lead as Petr Vrana found twine, with assists provided by Martin Sevc and Mikus. Magnitogorsk tied it again on a power play goal by Evgeny Timkin, set up by Mozyakin and Chris Lee. Metallurg won 4-3 in overtime as Lee notched a power play goal, pushed through by Mozyakin and Zaripov. The three stars were Zaripov, Lee, and Mozyakin.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Barry Brust are the North American goalies. Zagreb started in the first period on a Charles Linglet goal, via Kurtis Foster and Ryan Vesce. Medvescak added on with a Foster power play goal, powered by Mark Katic and Matt Ellison. Zagreb extended the lead with an Ellison goal, guided in by Linglet and Vesce. Medvescak padded the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, courtesy of Matt Murley and Hannu Pikkarainen. Zagreb kept going with a Murley goal, assisted by Cheechoo on the power play. Medvescak got another with an unassisted Patrick Bjorkstrand goal. This was good enough for a 6-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Linglet, Foster, and Ellison, while Cheechoo, Murley, Vesce, and Brust (30 save shutout, his third consecutive shutout) get the honorable mentions.

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Sunday, October 6, 2013

NFL Week 5 2013

Twelve games on as, with the bye weeks beginning to heat up. The first game comes from...

Miami, as the Dolphins host the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore was first to score in the first quarter on a Justin Tucker 42 yard field goal. Miami answered as Caleb Sturgis booted a 37 yard field goal. The Ravens retook the lead in the second quarter on a Tucker 50 yard field goal. The Dolphins retied it on a Sturgis field goal of 25 yards. Miami took the lead on a Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass of 9 yards to Charles Clay, and Sturgis was good with the extra point. Baltimore answered in the third quarter as Ray Rice ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Tucker knocked in the PAT. The Ravens gained the lead with a Tucker field goal from 25 yards. Baltimore extended their lead in the fourth quarter with a 3 yard touchdown run by Rice, and Tucker supplied another extra point. The Dolphins shot back as Sturgis handled a 48 yard field goal. Miami tied it on a 25 yard interception return as Reshad Jones picked off Joe Flacco and ran the ball back for a touchdown. The Ravens won with a last second 44 yard field goal by Tucker. They won 26-23, and both teams are now 3-2.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Rams welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville struck first in the first quarter on a 67 yard touchdown pass from Blaine Gabbert to Justin Blackmon, and Josh Scobee was there with the extra point. St. Louis tied it as Matt Giordano returned an interception of Gabbert 82 yards for a touchdown, and Greg Zuerlein handled the extra point. The Jaguars took the lead on a 48 yard field goal. The Rams answered in the second quarter with a Zuerlein field goal from 32 yards out. St. Louis gained the lead with a Sam Bradford touchdown pass of 16 yards to Lance Kendricks, and Zuerlein was true with the PAT. The Rams added on as Bradford found Austin Pettis for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Zuerlein knocked in the extra point. Jacksonville got some back in the third quarter on a 34 yard field goal by Scobee. St. Louis replied in the fourth quarter as Zuerlein supplied a 37 yard field goal. The Jaguars got some back on a 4 yard Chad Henne touchdown pass to Cecil Shorts, and Scobee booted the extra point. The Rams wrapped it up at 34-20 with a Bradford touchdown pass to Pettis, this time for 34 yards, and Zuerlein iced the play with the extra point. The Rams improve to 2-3 while leaving the Jaguars at a winless 0-5.

Backtracking to Tennessee, where the Titans bring in the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City led off in the first quarter on a punt recovery in the end zone by Marcus Cooper for a touchdown, and Ryan Succop booted the extra point. The Chiefs added on in the second quarter with a Succop field goal of 29 yards. Kansas City extended the lead with a Succop field goal of 24 yards. Tennessee got on the board in the third quarter with a 49 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Chris Johnson, and Rob Bironas came on for the extra point. The Titans pulled closer on a Bironas 22 yard field goal. Tennessee took the lead in the fourth quarter as Fitzpatrick rushed 9 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas booted the PAT. The Chiefs retook the lead as Jamaal Charles ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Succop was there with the extra point. Kansas City padded the lead with a 33 yard Succop field goal. The Chiefs kept going as Succop made a 48 yard field goal. This gave them a 26-17 win, and they improved to 5-0 while dropping the Titans to 3-2.

Northeast to New Jersey, as the New York Giants host their divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. New York began in the first quarter on a 5 yard touchdown run by David Wilson, and Josh Brown made the extra point. Philadelphia replied with a 40 yard field goal by Alex Henery. The Eagles got some more in the second quarter on a 27 yard Henery field goal. Philadelphia took the lead as LeSean McCoy ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Henery supplied the extra point. The Eagles added on as Henery booted a 29 yard field goal. Philadelphia extended the lead with a Henery field goal from 36 yards away. The Giants shot back in the third quarter with an Eli Manning touchdown pass of 26 yards to Rueben Randle, and Brown drilled the extra point. New York gained the lead on another Manning touchdown pass to Randle, for 6 yards, and Brown again made the extra point. The Eagles pulled back ahead on a 41 yard Henery field goal. Philadelphia padded the lead on a 25 yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles to Brent Celek, and Henery blasted in the extra point. The Eagles got some more with Foles finding DeSean Jackson for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Henery again got the extra point. The Eagles won by a 36-21 score, improving to 2-3 and dropping the Giants to 0-5.

Back to the west, the Indianapolis Colts welcome the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle opened with a first quarter field goal by Steven Hauschka, good from 42 yards. The Seahawks added on as Russell Wilson tossed a 10 yard touchdown to Golden Tate, and Hauschka was there with the extra point. Seattle got some more as Jermaine Kearse blocked a punt, which rolled out of the end zone for a safety. Indianapolis got on the board when Andrew Luck tossed a 73 yard touchdown to T.Y. Hilton, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. The Colts gained the lead in the second quarter with a Delano Howell return of a blocked field goal for 61 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri cleanly made the extra point. The Seahawks retook the lead on a Wilson touchdown pass to Kearse for 28 yards, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Indianapolis got some back as Vinatieri made a 41 yard field goal. Seattle replied in the third quarter as Hauschka booted a 36 yard field goal. The Seahawks padded the lead on a Hauschka field goal from 41 yards. The Colts pulled closer as Luck found Hilton for 29 yards and a touchdown, but he failed to connect with Darrius Heyward-Bey on the two-point attempt. Seattle responded on a Hauschka field goal from 46 yards out. Indianapolis pulled ahead as Donald Brown ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and then Luck found Reggie Wayne for the two-point conversion. The Colts got some more on a Vinatieri field goal of 49 yards. They held on for a 34-28 win, and both teams are now at 4-1 on the season.

Up in Green Bay, the Packers bring in the Detroit Lions. Green Bay started with a 26 yard field goal by Mason Crosby in the third quarter. The Packers added on as Crosby booted a second quarter field goal from 52 yards. Detroit got on the board with a 53 yard field goal by David Akers. Green Bay shot back in the third quarter on a Crosby field goal of 31 yards. The Packers extended the lead as Aaron Rodger connected with James Jones for 83 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby supplied the PAT. Green Bay padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Crosby made a 42 yard field goal. The Packers kept going with a Crosby 45 yard field goal. The Lions got some back as Matthew Stafford found Kris Durham for 13 yards and a touchdown, but they couldn't reconnect on the two-point attempt. The final ended up being 22-9 Packers, improving them to 2-2 while dropping the Lions to 3-2.

Over in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals host the New England Patriots. Cincinnati struck first in the second quarter with a 39 yard field goal by Mike Nugent. New England tied it as Stephen Gostkowski made a 42 yard field goal. The Bengals answered in the third quarter with a 50 yard field goal by Nugent. Cincinnati added on in the fourth quarter as BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Nugent drilled the extra point. The Patriots got some back as Gostkowski made a 19 yard field goal. This was as close as it got, with the final being 13-6, and the Bengals went to 3-2 while the Patriots drop to 4-1.

A little west, the Chicago Bears welcome the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans was first to score in the first quarter with a Garrett Hartley field goal of 47 yards. The Saints added on as Hartley made a 19 yard field goal. New Orleans kept going in the second quarter with a Drew Brees touchdown pas to Pierre Thomas for 2 yards and a touchdown, followed by a Hartley extra point. Chicago got on the board as Jay Cutler found Alshon Jeffrey for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Robbie Gould made the extra point. The Saints replied as Brees found Thomas for 25 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley made the PAT. New Orleans extended the lead with a third quarter field goal of 36 yards by Hartley. The Bears answered as Gould made a 27 yard field goal. The Saints shot back on a 48 yard field goal by Hartley in the fourth quarter. Chicago chipped back on a Cutler touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall for 2 yards and a touchdown, and the two-point attempt was converted on a Matt Forte run. This wasn't enough, as they ended up losing 26-18, and the Saints improved to 5-0 while the Bears fell to 3-2.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Cardinals bring in the Carolina Panthers. Carolina began in the first quarter on a 22 yard field goal by Graham Gano. Arizona tied it in the second quarter on a Jay Feely field goal from 42 yards out. The Panthers retook the lead as Gano made a 51 yard field goal. The Cardinals took the lead in the third quarter with a Rashard Mendenhall touchdown run of 1 yard, and Feely knocked in the extra point. Arizona added on as Calais Campbell sacked Cam Newton for a safety. The Cardinals extended the lead with a 50 yard field goal by Feely. Arizona padded the lead as Carson Palmer threw a 7 yard touchdown to Jim Dray, and Feely was true with the PAT. They would go on to win 22-6, improving to 3-2 while dropping the Panthers 1-3.

Back to the east, the Dallas Cowboys host the Denver Broncos. Dallas led off in the first quarter as Tony Romo threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, and Dan Bailey drilled the extra point. The Cowboys added on with a DeMarco Murray touchdown run of 4 yards, and Bailey knocked in the extra point. Denver got on the board as Peyton Manning found Julius Thomas for a 4 yard touchdown connection, and Matt Prater was there with the extra point. Dallas answered on a 43 yard Bailey field goal in the second quarter. The Broncos replied with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Eric Decker, and Prater booted the extra point. Denver took the lead on a Manning touchdown connection with Thomas, this time for 9 yards, and Prater supplied the extra point. The Broncos padded the lead as Manning ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Prater drove in the extra point. The Cowboys got some back on a 48 yard Bailey field goal. Denver shot back in the third quarter on a 2 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Wes Welker, and Prater was true with the PAT. Dallas chipped back as Romo found Terrance Williams for 82 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey handled the extra point. The Broncos responded with a Prater 48 yard field goal. The Cowboys clawed back with a Romo 2 yard touchdown pass to Bryant, but Romo's run attempt for two points failed. Dallas took the lead in the fourth quarter on a Romo touchdown pass to Jason Witten for 10 yards, and then Romo found Williams for the two-point conversion. Denver tied it as Prater nailed a 50 yard field goal. The Cowboys edged back ahead as Romo tossed a touchdown to Cole Beasley for 4 yards, and Bailey blasted the extra point. The Broncos retied the score as Knowshon Moreno ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Prater supplied the extra point. Denver ended up taking the game 51-48 with a Prater field goal of 28 yards as time expired. The Broncos remain undefeated at 5-0 while the Cowboys fall to 2-3.

Northwest a bit to San Francisco for the Sunday Night game, as the 49ers welcome the Houston Texans. San Francisco opened with a first quarter Tramaine Brock interception of Matt Schaub, returned 18 yards for a touchdown, and Phil Dawson made the extra point. The 49ers added on as Frank Gore ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Dawson supplied the extra point. San Francisco extended the lead in the second quarter on an Anthony Dixon touchdown run from 2 yards away, and Dawson booted another PAT. Houston got on the board in the third quarter with a 41 yard field goal by Randy Bullock. The 49ers answered with a field goal by Dawson, good from 38 yards. San Francisco padded the lead in the fourth quarter on a 64 yard touchdown pass from Colin Kaepernick to Vernon Davis, and Dawson was true with the extra point. The 49ers wrapped it up at 34-3 with a Dawson 24 yard field goal. The 49ers are now 3-2 while the Texans are 2-3.

Across the bay, the rescheduled game of the day comes from Oakland, where the Raiders bring in the San Diego Chargers. Oakland started in the first quarter as Terrelle Pryor passed 44 yards for a touchdown to Rod Streater, and Sebastian Janikowski made the extra point. The Raiders added on as Pryor found Denarius Moore for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the extra point. Oakland extended the lead in the second quarter on a 47 yard field goal by Janikowski. San Diego got on the board in the third quarter as Nick Novak nailed a 35 yard field goal. The Raiders replied as Charles Woodson returned a fumble by Danny Woodhead for 75 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski drilled the PAT. The Chargers got some back as Philip Rivers found Woodhead for 5 yards for a touchdown, and Novak was there with the extra point. San Diego pulled closer as Rivers connected with Keenan Allen for a touchdown of 7 yards, and Novak supplied the extra point. Oakland responded with a Janikowski field goal of 50 yards. This held up for a 27-17 win, with both teams now at 2-3.

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NHL Day 6 2013-2014

Three games of hockey on this afternoon, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Anton Khudobin are the replacement-level goalies. Carolina began in the first period with a Jay Harrison goal, assisted by Ryan Murphy and Jeff Skinner. Philadelphia tied it in the second period on a Luke Schenn goal, coming off of Kris Newbury. The Hurricanes took the lead back on a Radek Dvorak goal, his second of the season, guided in by Skinner. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars were handed to Khudobin (17 for 18 in saves), Skinner, and Mason (32 for 34 in saves).

Way to the northwest, the Calgary Flames welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Joey MacDonald are in the blue paint. Vancouver started in the first period with a David Booth goal, coming off of Jason Garrison and Alexander Edler. Calgary tied it on a Mark Giordano goal, courtesy of David Jones and Curtis Glencross. The Flames took the lead in the second period when Mikael Backlund scored, thanks to T.J. Galiardi and Jiri Hudler. Calgary added on in the third period with a Sean Monahan goal, his second of the season, assisted by Lee Stempniak and Shane O'Brien. The Canucks answered with a Jannik Hansen goal, his second of the year, made possible by Daniel Sedin. Vancouver tied it on a Mike Santorelli goal, with assists provided by Henrik Sedin and Chris Higgins. The Canucks took the lead as Dale Weise scored, with the help of Brad Richardson and Dan Hamhuis. The Flames retied the game with a Jones goal, guided in by Hudler and T.J. Brodie. Vancouver won 5-4 in overtime as Santorelli scored his second of the game, with helpers from Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Stanton. The three stars were given to Santorelli, Jones, and Hudler.

Finally, in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Ondrej Pavelec are the overrated goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period as Andrew Ladd scored a power play goal, powered by Blake Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. Anaheim tied it on a Mathieu Perreault goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Jakob Silfverberg and Ben Lovejoy. The Jets took the lead back on another Ladd goal, his second of the game, coming off of Wheeler and Bryan Little. The Ducks retied the game in the second period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Saku Koivu. Anaheim gained the lead in the third period with a Corey Perry goal, going in unassisted. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Ladd, Wheeler, and Perry.

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KHL Day 33 2013-2014

This is the last day of one game only specials, and we are playing in...

Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Jakub Kovar are set to start. Donetsk opened in the first period as Vaclav Nedorost scored, thanks to Clay Wilson and Maxim Yakutsenya on the power play. Donbass added on with a Peter Podhradsky goal, via Ruslan Fedotenko and Teemu Laine. Donetsk extended the lead on a Laine goal, coming off of Petteri Wirtanen and Fedotenko. They ended up winning 3-0, and the three stars were Leighton (25 save shutout), Laine, and Fedotenko.

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Saturday, October 5, 2013

NHL Day 5 2013-2014

The first really big day for the NHL is today, with eleven games on, starting in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Boston began in the first period on a Torey Krug power play goal, made possible by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. Detroit tied it as Henrik Zetterberg scored his second of the season, fueled by Justin Abdelkader and Pavel Datsyuk. The Bruins retook the lead in the second period as Brad Marchand scored, thanks to Johnny Boychuk. Boston added on with a Jordan Caron goal, coming off of Reilly Smith and Adam McQuaid. The Bruins extended the lead with a third period power play goal by Zdeno Chara, powered by Krug and Lucic. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Krug, Rask (25 for 26 in saves), and Lucic.

Crossing into Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Brian Gionta goal, via Rene Bourque and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on in the third period with Lars Eller's third of the season, guided in by Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. Montreal extended the lead with a Gallagher goal, coming on the power play with helpers from Galchenyuk and P.K. Subban. Philadelphia got on the board as Vincent Lecavalier scored a power play goal, powered by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Canadiens answered on a Bourque goal, coming on a power play from Gionta and Eller. They would go on to win 4-1, with the three stars being Eller, Bourque, and Gallagher, while Galchenyuk, Gionta, and Price (22 for 23 in saves) were given the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the New York Islanders bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Evgeni Nabokov are the Russian goalies. New York got going in the second period with a Lubomir Visnovsky power play goal, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The Islanders added on as Matt Moulson scored, with helpers from Tavares and Visnovsky. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Mark Letestu power play goal, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets tied the game on a Nick Foligno goal, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Nikita Nikitin. The game went into a shootout, where Moulson and Letestu traded tallies before Atkinson sealed the deal with his shootout goal, leading Columbus to a 3-2 victory. Visnovsky, Atkinson, and Tavares are named the three stars.

West to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Marc-Andre Fleury are called on to start. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his second of the season, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins added on with a Chuck Kobasew goal, his second of the year, coming off of Brandon Sutter and Niskanen. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Chris Kunitz converted a penalty shot. Buffalo got on the board as Thomas Vanek scored, with the help of Cody Hodgson. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Craig Adams goal, his second of the campaign, sailing into the empty net after being passed from Paul Martin. The three stars were Fleury (20 for 21 in saves), Niskanen, and Kobasew.

Back in Canada again, the Toronto Maple Leafs host their Ontario rivals, the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and James Reimer are between the pipes. Toronto was first to score in the first period with a Mason Raymond goal, his second of the season, guided in by Dave Bolland and Troy Bodie. Ottawa tied it as Kyle Turris scored, thanks to Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch. The Senators took the lead on a Cory Conacher goal, fueled by Turris and Wiercioch. The Maple Leafs tied the game again on a Nazem Kadri power play goal, powered by Raymond and Joffrey Lupul. Ottawa took the lead back as Cowen scored in the second period, via Turris and Clarke MacArthur. The Senators extended the lead on a Jason Spezza goal, set up by Milan Michalek and Bobby Ryan. Jonathan Bernier replaced Reimer at this time. Toronto got one back as Lupul scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Raymond and Kadri. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his second of the year, passed from Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Raymond and Bozak scored to lift Toronto to a 5-4 win. The three stars were awarded to Raymond, Turris, and Bozak, while Kadri, Lupul, Cowen, and Wiercioch get the honorable mentions.

Crossing over to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford show alliteration in the goalie matchup. Chicago opened in the second period on a Patrick Kane goal, his second of the season, assisted by Bryan Bickell and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on with a Brandon Saad power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Nick Leddy and goalie Crawford. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Martin St. Louis goal, made possible by Steven Stamkos and Matthew Carle. The Lightning tied it on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, pushed through by St. Louis and Stamkos. Tampa Bay ended up completing the comeback in the shootout with a lone tally by Valtteri Filppula. In the 3-2 game, the three stars were St. Louis, Stamkos, and Bishop (37 for 39 in saves).

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Kari Lehtonen receive the starting nods. Washington started in the first period as Alex Ovechkin scored his fourth goal of the season, a power play goal powered by Mike Green and Marcus Johansson. Dallas tied it on an Erik Cole goal, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. The Stars took the lead in the second period as Alex Chiasson scored his second of the year, courtesy of Cody Eakin and Jordie Benn. They would cruise from here to a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Lehtonen (25 for 26 in saves), Chiasson, and Ovechkin.

Back north a bit, the St. Louis Blues host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. St. Louis led off in the first period as Brenden Morrow scored a power play goal, powered by Derek Roy and Chris Stewart. The Blues added on in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis extended the lead on a Schwartz goal, via Vladimir Sobotka. The Blues padded the lead with a Roy goal, coming off of Stewart and Morrow. St. Louis got another as Alexander Steen scored his second of the season, coming on a penalty shot. The Blues kept going with a Ryan Reaves goal, courtesy of Sobotka. St. Louis iced it on a Patrik Beglund goal, assisted by Tarasenko and Schwartz. Later, Schwartz dropped the gloves with Kris Versteeg to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. This was enough for a 7-0 win, with the three stars being Halak (19 save shutout), Schwartz, and Morrow, while Tarasenko, Roy, Stewart, and Sobotka all get honorable mentions.

Further to the north, the Minnesota Wild host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom are the veteran goalies. Anaheim began in the first period with a Saku Koivu goal, courtesy of Francois Beauchemin and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks added on when Nick Bonino scored a power play goal, with the help of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Minnesota got on the board with a Zach Parise goal, made possible by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter on the power play. Anaheim replied in the second period as Jakob Silfverberg scored his second of the season, via Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Penner. The Wild answered on a Jason Pominville power play goal, going in unassisted. Minnesota tied it on a third period Parise goal, his second of the game, thanks to Keith Ballard and Jonas Brodin. The game went to overtime, where the Ducks won 4-3 on a Perreault goal, guided in by Beauchemin and Cam Fowler. The three stars were awarded to Perreault, Parise, and Beauchemin.

Northwest to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Edmonton opened in the first period as Jeff Petry scored, with the help of David Perron and Ladislav Smid. Vancouver tied it as Brad Richardson scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Jason Garrison. The Canucks took the lead as Dan Hamhuis scored, with a lone assist by Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead on a Jannik Hansen goal, fueled by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks padded the lead in the second period as Daniel Sedin scored a power play goal, powered by Henrik Sedin, who got a sock trick, and Alexander Edler. Vancouver added on with an unassisted Ryan Kesler goal. Jason LaBarbera relieved Dubnyk at this time. The Oilers took one back on a Boyd Gordon, his second of the season, via Ales Hemsky. The Canucks iced it in the third period on Garrison's second of the year, a shorthanded empty net goal that went in without assistance. The three stars in the 6-2 game were Henrik Sedin, Garrison, and Daniel Sedin.

Finally, down in San Jose, the Sharks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose started in the first period as Tomas Hertl scored, thanks to Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks added on with Hertl's second of the game, courtesy of Matt Irwin and Brent Burns on the power play. San Jose extended the lead as Patrick Marleau scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Vlasic and Joe Pavelski. Phoenix got on the board in the second period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, fueled by Zbynek Michalek. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Logan Couture, set up by Pavelski. The three stars went to Hertl, Niemi (22 for 23 in saves), and Vlasic, while Pavelski gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 32 2013-2014

Today is the second day where there is only one game on, coming from...

Moscow, as Dynamo hosts their cross-town rivals, Spartak. Jeff Glass and Alexander Lazushin are the goalies. Dynamo began in the first period with a Yury Babenko power play goal, made possible by Maxim Karpov. Spartak tied it on a second period Viktor Bobrov goal, guided in by Nikolai Zherdev and Rastislav Spirko. Dynamo retook the lead in the third period as Konstantin Glazachev scored, with the help of Maxim Solovyov and the goalie Lazushin. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Glazachev, Lazushin (17 for 18 in saves), and Glass (30 for 32 in saves).

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Friday, October 4, 2013

NHL Day 4 2013-2014

Today we have six games to work with, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Ryan Miller are set to start. Ottawa got going in the third period with an Erik Karlsson goal, assisted by Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 1-0 final score, with the three stars being Anderson (35 save shutout), Karlsson, and Miller (45 for 46 in saves). 

Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Cam Ward will be in the creases. Carolina started in the first period as Radek Dvorak scored, with the help of Jeff Skinner and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes added on in the second period as Nathan Gerbe scored a power play goal, powered by Faulk and Jay Harrison. Detroit got on the board in the third period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, via Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings tied it on a Zetterberg goal, fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Johan Franzen. Detroit ended up winning 3-2 with a Stephen Weiss goal, guided in by Franzen and Niklas Kronwall. The three stars of the game were Zetterberg, Franzen, and Faulk.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Brodeur are the veteran goalies. New Jersey was first to score in the first period with a Damien Brunner goal, coming off of Dainius Zubrus and Alexei Loktionov. New York tied it with a Michael Grabner goal with a lone assist from Travis Hamonic. The Devils took the lead in the second period with a Michael Ryder goal, assisted by Bryce Salvador and Marek Zidlicky. The Islanders pulled even as Grabner scored his second of the game, thanks to Josh Bailey. New York gained the lead in the third period as Frans Nielsen scored, via Grabner and Matt Donovan. New Jersey pulled even on Brunner's second of the game, passed from Ryane Clowe and Anton Volchenkov. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the lone tally from Matt Moulson gave the Islanders a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Grabner, Brunner, and Moulson. 

West to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets hosting the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Sergei Bobrovsky are called on to start. Calgary struck first in the first period with a Sean Monahan goal, assisted by Lee Stempniak and Sven Baertschi. Columbus tied it on a Jack Johnson power play goal, powered by Marian Gaborik and James Wisniewski. The Flames took the lead back as T.J. Galiardi scored an unassisted goal. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Gaborik goal, guided in by Brandon Dubinsky and Blake Comeau. Calgary retook the lead in the third period as Jiri Hudler notched his second of the season, thanks to Galiardi and Mikael Backlund. The Flames added on with a Curtis Glencross goal, with assists provided by David Jones and Mark Giordano. Columbus got one back as Artem Anisimov scored, set up by David Savard and Johnson. They failed to get an equalizer, with the final reading 4-3, and the three stars went to Galiardi, Gaborik, and Johnson.

Crossing into Canada, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Ondrej Pavelec are in the blue paint. Los Angeles opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Matt Greene. Winnipeg tied it on an Evander Kane goal, helped along by Devin Setoguchi and Mark Scheifele. The Jets took the lead on an Olli Jokinen goal, passed from Michael Frolik and Tobias Enstrom. Winnipeg added on as Devin Setoguchi scored a power play goal, powered by Kane and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets extended the lead as Setoguchi scored his second of the game, made possible by Kane and Jokinen. The Kings took one back on a Jeff Carter power play goal, his second of the season, pushed through by Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. Los Angeles pulled closer as Justin Williams scored a power play goal, with helpers provided by Matt Frattin and Willie Mitchell. Winnipeg iced it at 5-3 with the second of the year by Bryan Little coming from Andrew Ladd. The three stars were given to Setoguchi, Kane, and Jokinen. 

Finally, in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado led off in the first period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, via Jamie McGinn and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche added on in the second period when Patrick Bordeleau scored, thanks to Nate Guenin and Marc-Andre Cliche. Nashville got one back as Paul Gaustad scored, with the help of Mike Fisher and Craig Smith. Colorado iced it at 3-1 as Parenteau scored an empty net goal, set up by Paul Stastny and John Mitchell. The three stars were Parenteau, Varloamov (26 for 27 in saves), and Rinne (33 for 35 in saves). 

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