Friday, October 11, 2013

KHL Day 38 2013-2014

The KHL goes for ten games today, beginning in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Curtis Sanford man the creases. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Amur got goals from Dmitry Tarasov and Jakub Petruzalek to defeat Lokomotiv, whose lone tally was from Daniil Apalkov. The three stars of the 1-0 game were Jarvinen (38 save shutout), Sanford (32 save "shutout"), and Petruzalek.

Over to Moscow, as CSKA hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Rastislav Stana tend the twines. Magnitogorsk struck first in the second period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Evgeny Biryukov and Jan Kovar. Moscow tied it in the third period as Oleg Saprykin scored, with the help of Dmitry Ogurtsov and Roman Lyubimov. The game went to a shootout, where Ilya Zubov's goal led CSKA to a 2-1 victory. The three stars were Stana (27 for 28 in saves), Zubov, and Koshechkin (32 for 33 in saves).

Backtracking to Cherepovets, with Severstal welcoming Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Jakub Stepanek are set to start. Vladivostok began with a first period Niclas Bergfors goal, assisted by Felix Schutz and Yegor Antropov. Cherepovets tied it on a Pavel Buchnevich goal, courtesy of Evgeny Kovyrshin. Admiral took the lead back with a Konstantin Sokolov goal, passed from Mathias Porseland and Evgeny Grachyov. Severstal retied it in the second period on a Teemu Laasko power play goal, powered by Gleb Klimenko and Bogdan Kiselevich. Vladivostok retook the lead as Artyom Ternavsky scored, with a lone assist by Enver Lisin. Cherepovets tied it again in the third period on a Vladimir Antipov goal, made possible by Vadim Berdnikov. Admiral regained the lead on another Ternavsky goal, via Bergfors and Schutz. Severstal got yet another equalizer on an Alexander Fedoseyev goal, coming off of Linus Videll and Kiselevich. The game went into a shootout, where Antipov led Severstal to a 5-4 win with the lone tally. The three stars were Antipov, Ternavsky, and Bergfors, while Schutz and Kiselevich get the honorable mentions.

West again to Mytishchi, where Atlant brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Stanislav Galimov are between the pipes. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Kristian Kudroc power play goal, powered by Jori Lehtera and Vyacheslav Belov. Mytishchi tied it in the third period as Igor Radulov scored, with a lone assist by Andreas Engqvist. Sibir won 2-1 in overtime with an Alexander Kutuzov goal, fueled by Lehtera. The three stars were Kutuzov, Koskinen (25 for 26 in saves), and Lehtera.

Into St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin is mismatched with Ilya Ezhov in goal. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an Alexei Semenov goal, guided in by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on in the second period with a Kevin Dallman power play goal, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Tony Martensson notched a power play goal, with the help of Roman Cervenka and Kovalchuk. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Ansel Galimov, courtesy of Rafael Akhmetov and Tuuka Mantyla. SKA answered on a Dmitry Kalinin power play goal, with a lone helper by Kovalchuk. This made it a 4-1 final, with Kovalchuk, Ezhov (29 for 30 in saves), and Dallman getting the three stars.

Leaving Russia and into Belarus, where Dinamo Minsk hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Kevin Lalande are the North American goalies. Minsk started in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Zbynek Irgl, set up by Tomas Surovy. Moscow tied it with a Tom Wandell power play goal, powered by Andrei Sergeyev and Matt Anderson. Dinamo took the lead with a shorthanded goal in the third period by Alexei Yefimenko, guided in by Alexander Kitarov and Andrei Filichkin. Minsk extended the lead with an Alexander Materukhin goal, coming off of Alexei Kalyuzhny. They would coast to a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Yefimenko, Lalande (43 for 44 in saves), and Materukhin.

Over in Ukraine, Donbass Donetsk brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Michael Leighton guard the cages. Zagreb opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Patrick Bjorkstrand. Medvescak added on with a Bill Thomas power play goal, powered by Kurtis Foster and Matt Murley. Donetsk got on the board with a Teemu Laine power play goal, assisted by Oleg Piganovich and Lukas Kaspar. Zagreb replied in the second period on a Michael Ryan power play goal, with a lone assist from Ryan Vesce. Donbass got one back in the third period as Petteri Wirtanen scored, via Vaclav Nedorost. Medvescak replied on an Andrew Murray goal, with a lone helper by Bjorkstrand. Zagreb iced it at 5-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Thomas. The three stars belonged to Bjorkstrand, Thomas, and Ryan.

Moving along to Latvia, as Dinamo Riga welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Mikael Tellqvist have the green light to start. Riga got going in the first period with a Martins Cipulis goal, assisted by Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Mikhail Anisin, powered by Dmitry Kosmachyov. Dinamo took the lead back in the third period on a Sandis Ozolins power play goal, coming off of Kyle Wilson and Marcel Hossa. This stood up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Tellqvist (27 for 28 in saves), Ozolins, and Cipulis.

Further on our journey to Bratislava, where Slovan hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Miroslav Kopriva draw the starts. Bratislava began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Jonathan Sigalet. Ufa tied it as Yegor Dubrovsky scored a power play goal, powered by Arturs Kulda and Dmitry Makarov. Slovan won 2-1 in the shootout with a Tomas Netik goal. The three stars went to Kopriva (30 for 31 in saves), Netik, and Volkov (33 for 34 in saves).

Finally, Lev Praha hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Petri Vehanen are prepared to start. Praha led off in the first period as Marc-Andre Gragnani scored, thanks to Tomsa Kubalik. Lev added on with a Jakub Klepis power play goal, powered by Ondrej Nemec and Nathan Oystrick. Chelyabinsk got on the board as Stanislav Chistov scored, courtesy of Konstantin Panov. Praha answered in the second period on a Martin Sevc power play goal, set up by Justin Azevado. Lev struck again when Topi Jaakola scored, with a lone helper by Jiri Sekac. Praha extended the lead on a Spencer Humphries goal, guided in by Michal Repik and Petr Vrana. Lev padded the lead in the third period with a Martin Thornberg power play goal, pushed through by Klepis. Praha got another on a Patrik Zackrisson goal, fueled by Sekac. Traktor took one back when Anton Glinkin sank a power play goal, with assistance from Dmitry Ryabykin. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 7-2, and the three stars were awarded to Klepis, Sekac, and Sevc.

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

NHL Day 10 2013-2014

Busy day of ten games on the tenth day of the tenth month. Funny how that works out sometimes. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Tuukka Rask are in the blue paint. Colorado began in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Andre Benoit and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche iced it at 2-0 with a third period empty net goal by Duchene, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Giguere (39 save shutout), O'Reilly, and Duchene.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Columbus was first to score in the first period on a Cam Atkinson goal, guided in by Marian Gaborik and James Wisniewski. Buffalo tied it on a Thomas Vanek goal, his second of the season, pushed through by Steve Ott and Cody Hodgson. The Blue Jackets retook the lead as Nick Foligno notched his second of the year, thanks to Ryan Johansen and R.J. Umberger. Columbus added on as Gaborik potted his second of the season, assisted by Atkinson and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets extended the lead in the second period on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, fueled by David Savard and Gaborik. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Gaborik, Bobrovsky (26 for 27 in saves), and Atkinson.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Braden Holtby are given the starting nods. Washington started in the first period on a Jason Chimera goal, assisted by Eric Fehr and John Carlson. Carolina tied it as Elias Lindholm scored in the second period, with the help of Jeff Skinner and Ryan Murphy. The Capitals took the lead back as Alex Ovechkin scored his fifth of the season, courtesy of Steve Oleksy and Nicklas Backstrom. The Hurricanes tied it again on a power play goal by Alexander Semin, powered by Eric Staal and Skinner. Carolina pulled ahead in the third period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his third of the year, via Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk. They would win the game 3-2, with the three stars going to Gerbe, Skinner, and Ovechkin.

Northwest to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard are the reliable goalies. Phoenix opened in the first period on a Derek Morris goal, set up by Antoine Vermette. Detroit tied it with a Joakim Andersson goal in the second period, coming off of Jakub Kindl and Todd Bertuzzi. The Red Wings took the lead with an unassisted goal by Jonathan Ericsson. The Coyotes retied it on a Mikkel Boedker goal, fueled by Morris. Phoenix retook the lead in the third period on a Michael Stone goal, with assists provided by Mike Ribeiro and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes iced it at 4-2 on a Vermette empty net goal, with a lone assist by Boedker. The three stars were Boedker, Morris, and Vermette.

Way to the south, the battle of Florida is renewed as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Martin St. Louis goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell. Clemmensen was pulled in favor of Markstrom when the former suffered an injury. The Lightning added on with a Stamkos shorthanded goal, set up by St. Louis and Victor Hedman. Florida got on the board in the second period as Brad Boyes scored his second of the year, a power play goal, guided in by Brian Campbell and Tomas Fleischmann. Tampa Bay shot back as Stamkos scored his second of the game, assisted by Matthew Carle and Ryan Malone. The Lightning extended the lead with an Ondrej Palat goal, via Alex Killorn and the goalie Bishop. The Panthers answered as Jonathan Huberdeau scored a goal, made possible by Scott Gomez and Kris Versteeg. Tampa Bay replied with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play from Carle and Killorn. The Lightning padded the lead with another Filppula goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by Purcell and Sami Salo. Tampa Bay kept going as Stamkos finished his hat trick with a power play goal, powered by Salo and Purcell, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood at 7-2, with the three stars being Stamkos, Filppula, and St. Louis, while Purcell, Carle, Salo, and Killorn all get honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Toronto got going in the second period on a Phil Kessel goal in the second period, his second of the season, assisted by James van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs added on with a van Riemsdyk goal, his third of the year, made possible by Kessel and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto extended the lead with a power play goal in the third period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his second of the season, powered by Kessel and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs wrapped it up at 4-0 with a Joffrey Lupul power play goal, his third of the year, set up by Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri. The three stars were Kessel, Bernier (36 save shutout), and van Riemsdyk.

Further north, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Josh Harding have the green light to start. Minnesota led off in the first period as Jonas Brodin potted his second of the season, with the help of Matt Cooke and Kyle Brodziak. Winnipeg tied it with a power play goal by Bryan Little, his third of the year, powered by Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien. The Wild took the lead back in the second period as Cooke scored his second of the campaign, via Torrey Mitchell and Clayton Stoner. This was it for the scoring, with the Wild taking a 2-1 win. Cooke, Harding (14 for 15 in saves), and Brodin were named the three stars.

To the west, the Edmonton Oilers host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Devan Dubnyk occupy the creases. Edmonton began in the second period with a Ryan Smyth power play goal, powered by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Montraeal tied it as Brendan Gallagher scored his third of the season, a power play goal, with helpers from Alex Galchenyuk and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens took the lead on a Brandon Prust goal, coming off of Travis Moen and Subban. Montreal added on in the third period as Galchenyuk scored, with a lone assist by Gallagher. The Canadiens iced it at 4-1 with a Max Pacioretty empty net goal, set up by Daniel Briere and Subban, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars belonged to Gallagher, Galchenyuk, and Subban.

Over in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. San Jose started in the first period with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his second of the season, assisted by Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on as Matt Pelech scored, with the help of James Sheppard. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with a Mike Santorelli goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Ryan Stanton and Christopher Tanev. San Jose answered with a Patrick Marleau goal, his third of the season, made possible by Tyler Kennedy and Logan Couture. The Sharks wrapped it up at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Burns, his second of the year, set up by Thornton and Couture. The three stars were Niemi (25 for 26 in saves), Burns, and Thornton, while Couture gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Anaheim, as the Ducks host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Jonas Hiller draw the starts. Anaheim struck first in the first period with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, assisted by Corey Perry and Dustin Penner. The Ducks added on as Jakob Silfverberg scored his third of the season, with the help of Teemu Selanne and Mathieu Perreault. Anaheim extended the lead when Daniel Winnik scored, via Sami Vatanen. The Ducks padded the lead in the second period with another Silfverberg goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Selanne and Perreault. Anaheim kept going as Saku Koivu scored his second of the season, thanks to Winnik and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks got another as Penner scored, with helpers provided by Perry and Bryan Allen. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 6-0 final score, with the three stars going to Hiller (34 save shutout), Silfverberg, and Penner, while Winnik, Perry, Selanne, and Perreault all get honorable mentions.

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Thursday Night Football Week 6 2013

Tonight's game is in Chicago, as the Bears host the New York Giants. Chicago led off in the first quarter as Tim Jennings returned an interception of Eli Manning for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Robbie Gould made the extra point. New York tied it on a 4 yard touchdown run by Brandon Jacobs, and Josh Brown booted the extra point. The Bears took the lead back in the second quarter as Jay Cutler tossed a 10 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, and Gould again made the extra point. The Giants answered as Manning found Rueben Randle for 37 yards and a touchdown, and Brown knocked in the PAT. Chicago took the lead again as Cutler and Marshall connected for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Gould was true with the extra point. The Bears added on with a Gould field goal of 40 yards. Chicago extended the lead with a 52 yard field goal by Gould in the third quarter. New York shot back with a 1 yard Jacobs rush for a touchdown, and Brown nailed the extra point. The fourth quarter went scoreless, so the Bears held on for a 27-21 win, and improved to 4-2 while the Giants fall to 0-6.

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KHL Day 37 2013-2014

There are only four games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Denis Kostin were given the starting nods. Omsk led off in the first period with a power play goal by Sergei Kostitsyn, powered by Dmitry Semin and Alexander Frolov. Avangard added on with a Denis Kazionov goal, fueled by Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Mike Iggulden goal, assisted by Alexandr Vasilyev. Omsk answered with a Perezhogin goal, via Denis Kulyash and Popov. This was good for a 3-1 win, and the three stars were awarded to Perezhogin, Kostin (12 for 13 in saves), and Popov.

Into Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Evgeny Lobanov will be the in blue paint. Yekaterinburg opened with an Alexander Streltsov goal in the first period, going in unassisted. Kazan tied it on a second period Tim Stapleton goal, fueled by Mikhail Varnakov and Albert Yarullin. Ak Bars took the lead with a power play goal by Shaun Heshka, powered by Alexander Burmistrov and Evgeny Medvedev. Avtomobilist tied it in the third period as Sami Lepisto scored, thanks to Anton Lazarev. The game went into a shootout, where Stapleton scored two goals to lead Ak Bars to a 3-2 lead, topping a lone tally by Filipp Toluzakov. The three stars belonged to Stapleton, Barulin (37 for 39 in saves), and Lobanov (25 for 27 in saves).

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Vitaly Yeremeyev were the masked men. Moscow got going in the second period on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, via Alexander Boikov and Maxim Karpov. Astana tied it with an Artemy Lakiza goal, fueled by Talgat Zhailauov and Roman Starchenko. Dynamo took the lead back with a power play goal by Martins Karsums, powered by Filip Novak and Leo Komarov. Moscow added on in the third period on another Karsums power play goal, set up by Konstantin Volkov and Novak. Barys got one back as Roman Savchenko scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Mike Lundin. Astana retied it on a Dmitry Upper power play goal, via Savchenko and Nikolai Antropov. The tie was broken in the shootout, as Nigel Dawes was matched by Tsvetkov, followed by an exchange of goals between Antropov and Komarov, before Barys won with a Dustin Boyd goal for a 4-3 final. the three stars were Karsums, Savchenko, and Novak.

Finally, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Alexei Kuznetsov are set to start. Khanty-Mansiysk started in the first period with a Stephen Dixon goal, assisted by Jonas Andersson. Yugra added on as Andersson scored an unassisted goal. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board when Tim Brent scored an unassisted goal. Torpedo tied it in the second period on a Jarkko Immonen goal, fueled by Sakari Salminen. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin, coming off of Vladimir Galuzin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it again as Vitaly Sitnikov scored, with the help of Mikhail Zhukov. Yugra took the lead on a third period goal by Kirill Knyazev, guided in by Alexei Pepelyaev. They held on for a 4-3 win, with the three stars given to Andersson, Knyazev, and Sitnikov.

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

NHL Day 9 2013-2014

There are only three games on for today, beginning in...

Calgary, as the Flames host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Joey MacDonald are in between the pipes. Calgary opened in the first period on a Sean Monahan goal, his third of the season, coming off of Lee Stempniak. The Flames added on with a Sven Baertschi goal, via Monahan. Calgary extended the lead in the second period as Curtis Glencross scored a power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler. Montreal got on the board with a P.K. Subban power play goal, with the help of Max Pacioretty and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens pulled closer in the third period on a Lars Eller goal, guided in by Alex Galchenyuk and Subban. They got no closer, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Monahan, MacDonald (33 for 35 in saves), and Subban.

Southeast to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. St. Louis started in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his second of the season, passed from Patrik Berglund. Chicago tied it on a Patrick Kane power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews. The Blues took the lead back in the second period on a David Backes power play goal, his second of the season, fueled by Alex Pietrangelo and T.J. Oshie. The Blackhawks tied it again with a power play goal from Toews, via Kane and Sharp. St. Louis ended up winning 3-2 with a late third period goal by Alexander Steen, his third of the year, assisted by Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester. The three stars were Steen, Pietrangelo, and Toews, while Kane and Sharp get the honorable mentions.

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, where the Kings bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Quick are the masked men. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Dustin Brown goal, an unassisted goal. The Kings added on with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mike Richards. Los Angeles extended the lead as Brown scored his second of the game, courtesy of Carter and Anze Kopitar on the power play. Ottawa got on the board in the second period as Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored, with the help of Erik Condra and Joe Corvo. The Senators pulled closer with a third period power play goal by Bobby Ryan, set up by Erik Karlsson and Chris Phillips. Ottawa tied it with a Milan Michalek goal, set up by Corvo and Ryan. The Kings won 4-3 in overtime on another Carter power play goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Richards and Kopitar. The three stars were Carter, Brown, and Richards, while Ryan, Kopitar, and Corvo get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 36 2013-2014

Nine games are on the schedule today, beginning in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Joakim Lundstrom and Curtis Sanford are given the starting nods. Yaroslavl began in the first period on a David Ullstrom goal, assisted by Staffan Kronwall and Kirill Kapustin. Lokomotiv added on as Kapustin scored, with the help of Alexander Chernikov and Kronwall. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the second period on an Alexei Vasilyev goal, guided in by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv padded the lead as Averin potted the puck, thanks to Plotnikov and Vitaly Vishnevsky. They would coast to a 4-0 win from there, with the three stars belonging to Sanford (37 save shutout), Averin, and Kapustin, while Kronwall and Plotnikov got the honorable mentions.

Over in Cherepovets, Severstal welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Jakub Stepanek are the reliable goalies. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period with a Linus Videll goal, made possible by Nikolai Bushuyev and Anatoly Nikontsev. Severstal added on with a shorthanded goal by Evgeny Kovyrshin, set up by Nikolai Kavakoztsev. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period when Jan Mursak scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Denis Yezhov and Jakub Petruzalek. Amur tied it when Vladimir Loginov scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Lugin and Alexander Loginov. Cherepovets regained the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Vadim Berdnikov. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Berdnikov, Kovyrshin, and Videll.

Further west, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Alexander Salak will be in the creases. St. Petersburg opened with a first period power play goal by Tony Martensson, powered by Roman Cervenka and Dmitry Kalinin. Novosibirsk tied it in the third period on a Ivan Lekomtsev power play goal, guided in by Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Sibir won the game 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Dmitry Kugryshev and Nikolai Lemtyugov scored, and SKA only saw Cervenka score. The three stars went to Koskinen (23 for 24 in saves), Salak (21 for 22 in saves), and Cervenka.

Down to Moscow, as CSKA hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Rasitslav Stana tend the twines. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, fueled by Dmitry Ryabykin and Petri Kontiola. Traktor added on in the second period when Yegor Dugin scored, thanks to Kostitsyn and Kontiola. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Sergei Shirokov, powered by Andrei Pervyshin and Ilari Filppula. Chelyabinsk replied with a Kostitsyn empty net goal, set up by Anton Glinkin. The final stood at 3-1, with Kostitsyn, Garnett (31 for 32 in saves), and Kontiola being awarded the three stars.

Staying close by, Atlant Mytishchi welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Niko Hovinen and Stanislav Galimov will be all padded up. Mytishchi led off in the first period with a Nikita Soshnikov goal, coming off of Oleg Yashin. Atlant added on in the second period as Yury Trubachyov scored a power play goal, powered by Yashin. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period with a Kurtis McLean goal, fueled by Yegor Martynov and Alexei Kosourov. They got no closer, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Trubachyov, Galimov (20 for 21 in saves), and Yashin.

Leaving Russia, we land in Minsk, where Dinamo brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Kevin Lalande are between the pipes. Minsk started in the first period with an Andrei Stas goal, assisted by Derek Meech and Dmitry Meleshko. Dinamo added on with a Tomas Surovy power play goal, powered by Geoff Platt and Zbynek Irgl. Zagreb got on the board with a power play goal from Ryan Vesce, guided in by Mathieu Carle and Mark Katic. Medvescak tied it as Boyd Kane scored in the second period, with the help of Patrick Bjorkstrand. The tie lasted into overtime, where Zagreb won 3-2 with a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, with a lone assist by Matt Murley. The three stars were handed to Brust (19 for 21 in saves), Cheechoo, and Lalande (40 for 43 in saves).

Onward to Latvia, as Dinamo Riga hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov is mismatched with Mikael Tellqvist in goal. Ufa was first to score in the first period with a Nikita Filatov power play goal, powered by Teemu Hartikainen and Dmitry Makarov. Riga tied it on a Mat Robinson goal, helped along by Marcel Hossa and Kyle Wilson. Dinamo took the lead in the second period as Robinson scored, with the help of Hossa and Wilson on the power play. Salavat Yulaev retied the game on a Yegor Dubrovsky goal, fueled by Alexander Mereskin. Ufa took the lead again on an Igor Mirnov goal, assisted by Alexei Kaigorodov and Antti Pihlstrom. Salavat Yulaev added on as Hartikainen scored, with a lone assist by Makarov. Ufa iced it at 5-2 in the third period on an Anton Slepyshev goal, set up by Alexei Glukhov. The three stars went to Hartikainen, Makarov, and Robinson, while Hossa and Wilson got the honorable mentions.

Further west, Lev Praha welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Petri Vehanen guard the cages. Praha got going in the second period with a Jakub Klepis goal, fueled by Ondrej Nemec. Lev added on in the third period as Michal Repik scored, via Michal Birner and Petr Vrana. This made it a 2-0 final score, with the three stars being Vehanen (25 save shutout), Klepis, and Sudnitsin (36 for 38 in saves).

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Miroslav Kopriva have the green light to start. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, assisted by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. Bratislava tied it with a Milan Bartovic goal, fueled by Tomas Netik and Jonathan Sigalet. Slovan took the lead with a Michel Miklik goal, guided in by Libor Hudacek and Michal Sersen. Bratislava added on in the second period with a power play goal by Michal Vondrka, powered by Peter Olvecky and Miklik. Metallurg got one back with a Chris Lee goal, passed from Kovar and Zaripov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period as Zaripov scored again, thanks to Kovar, who got a sock trick, and Evgeny Biryukov. Slovan won 4-3 in overtime as Vondrka scored his second of the game, made possible by Miklik and Sersen. The three stars were Vondrka, Zaripov, and Kovar, while Miklik and Sersen get the honorable mentions.

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

NHL Day 8 2013-2014

The NHL goes for eight games tonight, starting in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Evgeni Nabokov are given the starting nods. New York began in the first period with a Peter Regin goal, with a lone assist by Brock Nelson. The Islanders added on with a John Tavares power play goal, powered by Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. New York extended the lead in the second period on a Matt Donovan power play goal, guided in by Regin and Josh Bailey. Phoenix got on the board with a Martin Hanzal goal, fueled by Mikkel Boedker and Radim Vrbata. The Islanders replied on Tavares' second of the night, coming off of Michael Grabner and Bailey. New York padded the lead with a Colin McDonald goal, made possible by Nielsen and Grabner. Thomas Greiss relieved Smith for the third period. The Islanders struck again in the third period with a Bailey goal, with assists provided by Nielsen and Grabner, both of whom got a sock trick. The score was final at this time, with the Islanders winning 6-1, and the three stars were Tavares, Bailey, and Regin, while Nabokov (33 for 34 in saves), Nielsen, and Grabner got the honorable mentions.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Steve Mason will play goal. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with the second of the season by Brayden Schenn, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Vincent Lecavalier. The Flyers added on as Braydon Coburn scored, with a lone assist by Sean Couturier. Thomas was replaced by Jacob Markstrom at this time. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, guided in by Brian Campbell and Aleksander Barkov. They got no closer, losing 2-1, with the three stars being Mason (33 for 34 in saves), Coburn, and Markstrom (25 for 25 in saves in relief).

Across the state, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Marc-Andre Fleury will protect the nets. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Jussi Jokinen goal, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz on the power play. The Penguins added on in the second period as Paul Martin scored, thanks to Brooks Orpik and Crosby. Carolina got one back as Eric Staal scored, with the help of Justin Faulk and Andrej Sekera. The Hurricanes tied it in the third period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his second of the season, made possible by Patrick Dwyer and Sekera. Pittsburgh took the lead back as Jokinen scored his second of the game, with assists from Evgeni Malkin and Olli Maatta. The Penguins extended the lead with a Tanner Glass goal, with a lone assist by Joe Vitale. Pittsburgh padded the lead as Jokinen finished his hat trick with his third of the game, a power play goal, powered by Maatta and Brandon Sutter. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars being Jokinen, Crosby, and Maatta, while Sekera gets an honorable mention.

Up in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier are the young goalies. Toronto got going in the second period with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his second of the season, assisted by Carter Ashton. Colorado tied it with a Cory Sarich goal, thanks to Steve Downie and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche took the lead in the third period on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his third of the year, set up by Jamie McGinn and Nathan MacKinnon. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Varlamov (27 for 28 in saves), Parenteau, and Bernier (31 for 33 in saves).

Back stateside, the Buffalo Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Jhonas Enroth are the backups making spot starts. Buffalo was first to score in the second period on a Cody Hodgson power play goal, powered by Thomas Vanek and Jamie McBain. Tampa Bay tied it with a Tyler Johnson goal, fueled by Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat. The Sabres took the lead with a power play goal by McBain, set up by Hodgson and Vanek. The Lightning retied the game in the third period on a power play goal by Teddy Purcell, his second of the season, helped along by Ryan Malone and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime on an Alex Killorn goal, passed from Eric Brewer and Valtteri Filppula. The three stars were Hodgson, McBain, and Vanek.

South to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Pekka Rinne are the veteran goalies. Minnesota led off with a power play goal by Zach Parise, his third of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. Nashville tied it as Filip Forsberg scored a power play goal, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Seth Jones. The Predators took the lead with a power play goal by Colin Wilson, coming off of Matt Cullen and Mike Fisher. Backstrom was pulled with an injury midway through the first period, and Josh Harding came on in relief. Harding promptly gave up a Nashville goal as Eric Nystrom converted a penalty shot. The Wild replied in the second period with a power play goal by Jared Spurgeon, via Nino Neiderreiter and Mikael Granlund. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars going to Rinne (32 for 34 in saves), Harding (19 for 20 in saves in relief), and Nystrom.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo finally get to actually oppose each other in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with the second of the season by Jaromir Jagr, assisted by Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils added on with an Elias goal in the second period, his second of the year, fueled by Anton Volchenkov and Jagr. Vancouver got on the board as Daniel Sedin scored his second of the campaign, via Christopher Tanev and Ryan Stanton. The Canucks tied it with an Alexander Edler goal, set up by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime as Jason Garrison potted his third of the year, coming off of David Booth. Daniel Sedin, Jagr, and Elias were given the three stars.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi tend the twines. New York started in the first period with the third of the season by Brad Richards, a power play goal powered by Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan. San Jose tied it on a Marc-Edouard Vlasic shorthanded goal, set up by Joe Pavelski. The Sharks took the lead as Dan Boyle scored, thanks to Matthew Nieto and Pavelski. San Jose added on in the second period as Nieto scored, with the help of Tommy Wingels and Pavelski, the latter getting a natural sock trick. The Sharks extended the lead as Tomas Hertl scored his third of the year, via Andrew Desjardins and Jason Demers. Martin Biron replaced Lundqvist at this time. San Jose padded the lead with a Logan Couture goal, his second of the season, guided in by Patrick Marleau and Matt Irwin. The Sharks struck again with another Hertl goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Joe Thornton. The Rangers answered in the third period when Derek Dorsett scored, with helpers from Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman. San Jose shot back as Hertl completed his hat trick on his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Demers and Tyler Kennedy on the power play. The Sharks kept going as Hertl scored his fourth of the game and sixth of the year, pushed through by Demers, who got a sock trick, and the goalie Niemi. San Jose added insult to injury with Justin Braun's second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Nieto and Wingels. This proved to be plenty good for a 9-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Hertl, Nieto, and Pavelski, while Wingels and Demers get the honorable mentions.

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