KHL Day 45 2013-2014

Only four games on today, but they are big games. We begin with the biggest one, from...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Andrei Vasilevsky are set to start. Ufa began in the first period with a Dmitry Makarov goal, assisted by Nikita Filatov and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev added on as Alexander Mereskin scored, thanks to Ivan Vishnevsky and Denis Khlystov. Ufa extended the lead on an Antti Pihlstrom goal, fueled by Igor Mirnov and Mereskin. Salavat Yulaev padded the lead as Tomas Zaborsky scored, with the help of Khlystov and Brent Sopel. Cherepovets got on the board with a goal by Evgeny Kovyrshin, passed from Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Pavel Buchnevich. Ufa replied in the second period on an Alexander Stepanov goal, coming off of Alexei Glukhov and Yefim Gurkin. Salavat Yulaev kept going in the third period on an Alexander Pankov goal, set up by Anton Babchuk and Gurkin. Ufa struck again with a Hartikainen goal, with assists provided by Makarov and Filatov. Salavat Yulaev got another as Mirnov scored, helped along by Alexei Kaigorodov and Gurkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Severstal answered with an Alexander Yevseyenkov goal, with a lone assist by Linus Videll. Cherepovets chipped back with a Buchnevich goal, made possible by Kazakovtsev and Kovyrshin. This only made it 8-3 Salavat Yulaev, the final, with the three stars going to Makarov, Mirnov, and Gurkin, while Hartikainen, Gurkin, Buchnevich, Kovyrshin, Khlystov, and Filatov get the honorable mentions.

Over in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Vasily Koshechkin are the veteran goalies. St. Petersburg started with an Igor Makarov goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozykin and Jan Kovar. SKA took the lead back in the second period with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, fueled by Roman Cervenka and Vadim Shipachyov. St. Petersburg added on with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, guided in by Panarin and Evgeny Ryasensky. SKA made it 4-1 in the third period with a Maxim Chudinov power play goal, with a lone helper by Viktor Tikhonov. This was the final, with the three stars going to Ezhov (23 for 24 in saves), Kovalchuk, and Panarin.

Next up, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Vladislav Fokin receive the starting nods. Mytishchi led off with a first period goal by Andreas Engqvist, coming off of Yaroslav Dyblenko. Chelyabinsk tied it with an unassisted power play goal by Stanislav Chistov. Traktor took the lead when Jan Bulis scored a power play goal in the second period, powered by Dmitry Ryabykin. Atlant retied the game with another Engqvist goal, fueled by Igor Radulov. Mytishchi took the lead in the third period on a Pavel Kopytin goal, via Radulov. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Engqvist, Galimov (20 for 22 in saves), and Radulov.

Finally, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Sudnitsin protect the nets. Nizhnekamsk opened with a first period Yaroslav Alshevsky goal, fueled by Maxim Berezin and Stanislav Alshevsky. Yaroslavl tied it as Anton But scored an unassisted goal. Lokomotiv took the lead in the third period on a Yegor Averin goal, passed from Sergei Plotnikov and Daniil Apalkov. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars were Averin, Sanford (33 for 34 in saves), and But.

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NHL Day 17 2013-2014

Another day with twelve games on, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Vancouver struck first in the first period as Chris Higgins scored his second of the season, via Mike Santorelli. The Canucks added on in the second period with a Brad Richardson shorthanded goal, his second of the year, set up by Jason Garrison and Santorelli. Vancouver iced it at 3-0 in the third period as Ryan Stanton scored, with the help of Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The three stars were Luongo (25 save shutout), Richardson, and Santorelli.

Down on Long Island, the New York Islanders welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Evgeni Nabokov are in the blue paint. New York started in the first period on a Josh Bailey goal, his third of the season, assisted by Travis Hamonic and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Edmonton tied it as Taylor Hall scored his second of the year, thanks to Justin Schultz and Mark Arcobello. The Oilers took the lead eight seconds later as Hall scored his second of the game and third of the season, passed from Arcobello and Jordan Eberle. The Islanders retied it in the second period with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Matt Moulson and John Tavares. New York took the lead on a Tavares goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Okposo and Michael Grabner. They would hold on for a 3-2 win throughout the scoreless third period, and the three stars were Tavares, Hall, and Okposo, while Arcobello gets an honorable mention.

A bit west, the battle of Pennsylvania is renewed, as the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Steve Mason in goal. Pittsburgh opened in the second period with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on as Chris Kunitz scored his third of the year, thanks to Pascal Dupuis and Matt Niskanen. Philadelphia got on the board as Wayne Simmonds scored a power play goal, powered by Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn. Pittsburgh replied in the third period as Sidney Crosby notched his sixth of the season, assisted by Dupuis. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Malkin empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Craig Adams and Crosby. The three stars were Fleury (24 for 25 in saves), Crosby, and Malkin, while Dupuis gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and James Reimer are the average goalies. Toronto got going with a second period goal by Joffrey Lupul, his sixth of the season, coming off of Paul Ranger. The Maple Leafs added on as Josh Leivo scored, thanks to Dave Bolland and Morgan Rielly. Carolina got on the board with a Ryan Murphy power play goal in the third period, powered by Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes tied it on an Eric Staal goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Justin Faulk. Carolina took the lead as Ron Hainsey scored his second of the season, and the goalie Ward had the only helper. This was good for a 3-2 win, with Ward (24 for 26 in saves), Hainsey, and Staal getting the three stars.

Over in Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal was first to score in the first period on a Rene Bourque power play goal, his second of the season, powered by P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on with a Michael Bournival goal, guided in by Andrei Markov and Subban. Montreal extended the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Markov, going in unassisted. Columbus got on the board as Boone Jenner scored a power play goal, via Ryan Johansen and David Savard. The Blue Jackets pulled closer as Johansen scored, with a lone assist by Fedor Tyutin. Columbus tied it in the third period as Jenner scored his second of the game, another power play goal, made possible by Mark Letestu and Artem Anisimov. The Canadiens took the lead back as Tomas Plekanec scored his second of the year, thanks to Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges. Montreal wrapped it up at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Plekanec, his second of the game and third of the campaign, a shorthanded and empty net goal fueled by Brandon Prust and Raphael Diaz. The three stars were Plekanec, Jenner, and Subban, while Johansen and Markov get honorable mentions.

Back in Ontario again, the Ottawa Senators bring in the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Craig Anderson are manning the creases. Ottawa led off in the first period with an Erik Karlsson, his second of the season, assisted by Bobby Ryan. The Senators added on as Ryan scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur. Ottawa extended the lead in the second period on a Zack Smith goal, his second of the season, fueled by Karlsson and Jason Spezza. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Travis Zajac power play goal, powered by Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias. The Devils pulled closer as Steve Bernier scored, with a lone assist by Stephen Gionta. The Senators replied on a Milan Michalek goal, his second of the year, passed from Spezza and Karlsson. Ottawa finished it at 5-2 with a Spezza empty net goal, set up by Erik Condra. The three stars were given to Karlsson, Anderson (40 for 42 in saves), and Ryan, while Spezza gets an honorable mention.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ben Bishop receive the starting nods. Tampa Bay began in the first period as Tyler Johnson scored his second of the season, a power play goal, powered by Valtteri Filppula and Richard Panik. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Mikko Koivu goal, with assists provided by Nino Neiderreiter and Ryan Suter. The Lightning retook the lead with the fifth of the year from Steven Stamkos, set up by Matthew Carle and Radko Gudas. Tampa Bay iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Sami Salo, going in unassisted. The three stars were Stamkos, Bishop (25 for 26 in saves), and Harding (27 for 29 in saves).

Staying in the south, the Florida Panthers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces his old mentor, Tim Thomas, in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period with a Daniel Paille goal, fueled by Dennis Seidenberg and Matt Bartkowski. The Bruins added on as Dougie Hamilton scored a power play goal, powered by David Krejci and Zdeno Chara. Florida got on the board in the second period on a Kris Versteeg goal, his second of the season, via Jonathan Huberdeau and Tom Gilbert. The Panthers tied it with a Jesse Winchester goal in the third period, passed from Nick Bjugstad. Boston took the lead late on a Reilly Smith goal, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Smith, Hamilton, and Paille.

Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago struck first in the first period as Brandon Pirri scored, with a lone assist from Marian Hossa. St. Louis tied it with a David Backes goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo on the power play. The Blackhawks retook the lead in the second period as Hossa scored his third of the season, thanks to Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blues tied it again as Alexander Steen scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Bouwmeester and T.J. Oshie. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Oshie's lone tally lifted the Blues to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Oshie, Hossa, and Bouwmeester.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne are the star goalies. Nashville opened with a first period Matt Cullen goal, fueled by Craig Smith and Gabriel Bourque. Los Angeles tied it on a Slava Voynov goal, his second of the season, passed from Mike Richards and Kyle Clifford. The tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where Anze Kopitar provided the only tally the Kings needed for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Quick (34 for 35 in saves), Rinne (29 for 30 in saves), and Kopitar.

Southwest to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Dan Ellis are all padded up. San Jose quickly led off nine seconds into the first period with an unassisted goal by Tyler Kennedy. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jamie Benn and Stephane Robidas. The Sharks took the lead back on a Matthew Nieto goal, his second of the year, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Tommy Wingels. The Stars pulled even again in the second period as Trevor Daley scored, with the help of Cody Eakin and Ray Whitney. San Jose took the lead back on a Patrick Marleau goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and the goalie Niemi. Dallas quickly retied it on an Eakin goal, his second of the year, set up by Alex Chiasson and Whitney. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Chiasson had the only goal to lead the Stars to a 4-3 win. Chiasson, Eakin, and Whitney were named the three stars.

Finally in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Semyon Varlamov handle the goaltending duties. Detroit started in the first period with a Johan Franzen power play goal, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Jakub Kindl. The Red Wings added on as Pavel Datsyuk recorded his third of the season, with the help of Danny DeKeyser and Daniel Alfredsson. Colorado got on the board in the second period as Erik Johnson scored a power play goal, fueled by the goalie Varlamov. The Avalanche tied it on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, with a lone assist from Paul Stastny on the power play. Detroit took the lead back in the third period as Franzen scored his second of the game, another power play goal, guided in by Justin Abdelkader and Alfredsson. The Red Wings extended the lead as Datsyuk scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, thanks to Alfredsson, who got a sock trick. The final score was 4-2 from here on, and the three stars were Franzen, Datsyuk, and Alfredsson.

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Thursday Night Football Week 7 2013

Tonight's Thursday Night game comes from Arizona, where the Cardinals welcome the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle began in the first quarter as Russell Wilson found Sidney Rice for 31 yards and a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka booted the extra point. The Seahawks added on as Wilson tossed a 15 yard touchdown to Zach Miller in the second quarter, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Arizona got on the board as Jay Feely made a 49 yard field goal. The Cardinals pulled closer as Rashard Mendenhall ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Feely knocked in the extra point. Seattle answered on a Hauschka field goal of 51 yards. Arizona got some back in the third quarter on a 52 yard field goal by Feely. The Seahawks extended the lead on a 1 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Kellen Davis, and Hauschka supplied the PAT. Seattle padded the lead with a Marshawn Lynch touchdown run of 2 yards, and Hauschka made another extra point. The Cardinals replied with a fourth quarter Feely field goal of 22 yards. The Seahawks responded on a Hauschka field goal, good from 42 yards. Arizona took some back as Carson Palmer found Jaron Brown for 8 yards and a touchdown, but the two point attempt failed. This was as close as it got, with the Seahawks winning 34-22, improving to 6-1 while dropping the Cardinals to 3-4.

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KHL Day 44 2013-2014

There are eight games going as the KHL approaches a busier stretch of days. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Mika Jarvinen are the inexperienced goalies. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, with a lone assist by Sami Lepisto. Khabarovsk tied it on an Evgeny Korotkov goal, passed from Alexander Yunkov and Jakub Petruzalek. Amur took the lead in the second period with a Petruzalek goal, going in unassisted. Avtomobilist tied it with a power play goal by Tobias Viklund, powered by Malykhin. Khabarovsk took the lead back in the third period with an unassisted power play goal by Yunkov. Yekaterinburg retied it with an Evgeny Fyodorov goal, coming off of Lepisto. Avtomobilist took the lead again as Vladislav Yegin scored, thanks to Anton Lazarev and Artyom Chernov. Yekaterinburg iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Eduard Lewandowski, set up by Sergei Gusev. The three stars were Malykhin, Lepisto, and Petruzalek, while Yunkov gets an honorable mention.

South to Vladivostok, with Admiral welcoming Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Joakim Lundstrom receive the starting nods. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period as Sergei Barbashev potted the puck, with the help of Vladimir Pervushin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period on a Jonas Andersson power play goal, powered by Denis Sokolov and Stephen Dixon. Admiral retook the lead with a power play goal by Igor Bortnikov, assisted by Artyom Ternavsky and Evgeny Grachyov. Yugra tied it in the third period with a Denis Grot goal, fueled by Artyom Bulyansky and Anton Krysanov. Khanty-Mansiysk took the lead as Andersson scored an unassisted goal. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Andersson, Grot, and Biryukov (32 for 34 in saves).

To the west, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Mathieu Garon and Mikko Koskinen are in the blue paint. Omsk struck first in the first period with a Denis Kulyash goal, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin. Novosibirsk tied it on a second period goal by Nikolai Lemtyugov, assisted by Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir took the lead with a power play goal by Vyacheslav Belov, powered by Jori Lehtera. They were able to protect the lead to the finish, winning 2-1, with the three stars being Belov, Koskinen (35 for 36 in saves), and Lemtyugov.

Moving along to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg brings in Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Nikita Lozhkin are between the pipes. Astana began in the first period with a Dmitry Upper goal, assisted by Nikolai Antropov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Zakhar Arzamastsev goal, guided in by Vadim Mitryakov and Nikita Vyglazov. Metallurg took the lead with a Denis Kurepanov goal, going in unassisted. Barys tied it as Brandon Bochenski scored an unassisted goal. Novokuznetsk retook the lead in the third period on a Damir Zhafyarov goal, an unassisted goal. Astana retied it as Bochenski scored again, with a lone helper by Nigel Dawes. Barys took the lead as Dawes scored, and Bochenski returned the favor with a lone assist. Astana wrapped it up at 5-3 with a Konstantin Rudenko empty net goal, set up by Upper. The three stars were Bochenski, Dawes, and Upper.

Way to the west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Ivan Lisutin draw the starts. Minsk got going in the second period with an Alexander Materukhin goal, fueled by Geoff Platt and Jaroslav Kristek. Podolsk tied it in the third period on a Dmitry Shitikov goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Solodukhin and Dinar Khafizullin. Vityaz won the game 2-1 in the shootout with goals from Josh Hennessy and Shitikov. The three stars were Shitikov, Lisutin (28 for 29 in saves), and Haugen (38 for 39 in saves).

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Vitaly Koval guard the cages. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the third period as Tim Brent scored a power play goal, powered by Wojtek Wolski. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Koval (25 save shutout), Brent, and Leighton (27 for 28 in saves).

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Konstantin Barulin tend the twines. Kazan opened in the first period with a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, powered by Shaun Heshka and Tim Stapleton. Ak Bars added on as Varnakov scored again, thanks to Alexander Burmistrov. Zagreb got on the board with a Charles Linglet goal, fueled by Ryan Vesce in the second period. Kazan answered with a shorthanded goal by Dmitry Obukhov, passed from Konstantin Korneyev. Ak Bars extended the lead with another shorthanded goal, recorded by Kirill Petrov, and set up by Alexei Tereshchenko. Medvescak got one back in the third period as Patrick Bjorkstrand scored, with a lone assist by Kurtis Foster. Zagreb pulled closer as Vesce scored, with the help of Sasa Martinovic. Ak Bars iced it with an unassisted empty net goal by Tereshchenko for a 5-3 win. The three stars were Varnakov, Vesce, and Tereshchenko.

Finally, we end in Bratislava, where Slovan brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Jaroslav Janus are the masked men. Bratislava led off in the first period as Tomas Netik scored, with the help of Milan Bartovic and Juraj Mikus. Slovan added on with a second period goal by Michel Miklik, via Michal Vondrka and Michal Sersen. Riga got one back as Marcel Hossa scored, thanks to Kyle Wilson and Vitalijs Pavlovs. Bratislava answered on a Martin Stajnoch goal, fueled by Miklik on the power play. Dinamo shot back with a power play goal by Mat Robinson, powered by Wilson and Hossa. Riga tied it as Wilson scored, with a lone assist by Hossa. Dinamo took the lead in the third period with a Robinson goal, set up by Paul Szczechura. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Robinson, Hossa, and Wilson, while Miklik gets an honorable mention.

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NHL Day 16 2013-2014

Two games on tonight, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. New York opened in the second period with a John Moore goal, passed from Brad Richards and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers added on as Ryan Callahan scored his third of the season, with the help of Richards and Derick Brassard. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Lundqvist (22 save shutout), Richards, and Holtby (34 for 36 in saves).

The other game comes from Anaheim, as the Ducks welcome the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Viktor Fasth are wearing the masks. Anaheim started with a first period goal by Dustin Penner, his second of the season, via Ryan Getzlaf and Bryan Allen. The Ducks added on as Kyle Palmieri scored, an unassisted goal. Calgary got on the board with a Lee Stempniak shorthanded goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Anaheim replied in the second period as Teemu Selanne scored, with the help of Jakob Silfverberg. The Flames got one back in the third period as Jiri Hudler scored his third of the season, thanks to Kris Russell and Joe Colborne. They failed to get an equalizer, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Selanne, Stempniak, and Fasth (33 for 35 in saves).

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KHL Day 43 2013-2014

Another day with just four games on, beginning in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Andrei Vasilevsky are given the starting nods. Ufa was first to score in the first period with an Anton Babchuk goal, courtesy of Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev added on when Alexander Pankov scored in the second period, thanks to Alexander Stepanov and Alexei Glukhov. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Vadim Khlopotov goal, assisted by Vitaly Vishnevsky and Anton But. Ufa iced it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Antti Pihlstrom, set up by Brent Sopel. The three stars went to Vasilevsky (20 for 21 in saves), Pankov, and Babchuk.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Mytishchi led off in the first period with a Maxim Velikov goal, passed from Ilya Kablukov. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg took the lead on a Zaripov goal, with a lone assist by Chris Lee. Magnitogorsk added on as Rinat Ibragimov scored, thanks to Zaripov on a power play in the second period. Atlant got one back as Igor Radulov scored, via Sergei Shmelyov. Metallurg shot back in the third period with a power play goal by Vladislav Kamenev, powered by Justin Hodgman. Mytishchi got one back on a Pavel Kopytin goal, fueled by Alexander Kadeikin. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Zaripov, Mozyakin, and Kamenev.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Michael Garnett are in the creases. St. Petersburg began in the first period on a Viktor Tikhonov power play goal, powered by Tony Martensson and Roman Cervenka. SKA added on as Vadim Shipachyov scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Cervenka. St. Petersburg got another in the second period when Patrick Thoresen converted a penalty shot he received after being tripped by Dmitry Ryabykin on a breakaway. SKA extended the lead with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, fueled by Alexei Ponikarovsky. Vladislav Fokin replaced Garnett in goal at this time. St. Petersburg padded the lead on an Igor Makarov goal, assisted by Ilya Kovalchuk and Andrei Sigaryov. SKA struck again in the third period with a Sigaryov goal, set up by Makarov. St. Petersburg got another as Martensson scored, with the help of Thoresen. This made it 7-0, the final, with the three stars being Makarov, Sigaryov, and Thoresen, and the honorable mentions were Martensson, Cervenka, and Ezhov (23 save shutout).

Finally, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexander Sudnitsin are the reliable goalies. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period on a Dmitry Kosmachyov power play goal, powered by Yegor Milovzorov. Cherepovets tied it in the second period as Gleb Klimenko scored a power play goal, via Petr Caslava. Severstal took the lead in the third period on a Niclas Andersen goal, guided in by Evgeny Kovyrshin and Pavel Buchnevich. They held on to win 2-1, with the three stars awarded to Stepanek (35 for 36 in saves), Klimenko, and Andersen.

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NHL Day 15 2013-2014

A whopping twelve games on today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Cam Ward are set to start. Chicago led off in the first period on a Patrick Sharp goal, via Michal Handzus. The Blackhawks added on as Marian Hossa scored his second of the season, with the help of Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw. Carolina got on the board in the third period with an Alexander Semin goal, his second of the year, coming off of Eric Staal and Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes tied it as Ron Hainsey scored an unassisted goal. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Blackhawks won 3-2 with a lone tally by Sharp. The three stars were Sharp, Hossa, and Crawford (32 for 34 in saves).

Out to Long Island, as the New York Islanders welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. New York was first to score in the first period with a Frans Nielsen goal, his third of the season, assisted by Thomas Hickey and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Buffalo tied it on a Tyler Ennis goal, made possible by Drew Stafford and Christian Ehrhoff in the second period. The Islanders took the lead back on a Matt Martin goal, passed from Casey Cizikas and Eric Boulton. The Sabres retied it on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Cody Hodgson and Ehrhoff. New York pulled ahead again in the third period as Matt Moulson scored his second of the season, courtesy of John Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky on the power play. Buffalo tied it again on a Marcus Foligno goal, with a lone assist by Tyler Myers. The tie was broken in favor of the Sabres in the shootout with goals scored by Vanek and Ennis to topple the Islanders' single tally by Moulson. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Ennis, Vanek, and Ehrhoff, while Moulson gets an honorable mention.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo faces a lesser foe in Steve Mason in goal. Philadelphia opened with a Tye McGinn goal, his second of the season, fueled by Nicklas Grossmann and Erik Gustafsson. Vancouver tied it on the second of the year by Ryan Kesler, passed from Jannik Hansen and Christopher Tanev. The Flyers took the lead in the second period as McGinn scored his second of the game and third of the season, set up by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. The Canucks tied it on a Chris Higgins goal in the third period, via Henrik Sedin and Jason Garrison. Vancouver took the lead when Kesler scored his second of the game and third of the year, assisted by Higgins and Henrik Sedin. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Kesler, McGinn, and Higgins, and an honorable mention was given to Henrik Sedin.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Edmonton Oilers. Jason LaBarbera is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his second of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. Edmonton tied it on a second period goal by Ales Hemsky, his second of the year, guided in by David Perron and Jeff Petry. The Penguins retook the lead on a goal by Kunitz, his second of the season, via Crosby and Dupuis. The Oilers retied it as Jordan Eberle scored his second of the year, with the help of Taylor Hall and Mark Arcobello. Pittsburgh gained the lead back as Evgeni Malkin scored his second of the campaign, a power play goal, powered by Paul Martin and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Dupuis, Kunitz, and Crosby.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and James Reimer are in the creases. Toronto began with a Tyler Bozak power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Dave Bolland and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs added on with a Trevor Smith goal, via Morgan Rielly and Franson. Minnesota got on the board as Jason Pominville scored his third of the year, courtesy of Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise on the power play. Toronto replied in the second period on a Mason Raymond power play goal, his third of the season, set up by Nazem Kadri and Rielly. Josh Harding relieved Kuemper at this time. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 in the third period as Raymond scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, an empty net goal pushed through by Phil Kessel. The three stars were handed to Raymond, Reimer (36 for 37 in saves), and Rielly, while Franson gets an honorable mention.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Ben Bishop are the masked men. Nineteen seconds into the first period, Tampa Bay struck first with a Ryan Malone goal, coming off of Sami Salo and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning added on with a Teddy Purcell goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Ondrej Palat and Matthew Carle. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period as St. Louis scored his third of the year, with the help of Steven Stamkos and Andrej Sustr. Ben Scrivens replaced Quick at this time. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with a Slava Voynov goal, made possible by Matt Frattin and Jarret Stoll. The Lightning replied as St. Louis scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Malone and Stamkos. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-1 with a Palat goal, his second of the year, guided in by Purcell and Tyler Johnson. The three stars were St. Louis, Bishop (30 for 31 in saves), and Purcell, while Malone, Palat, and Stamkos get honorable mentions.

Back north, the Detroit Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jonas Gustavsson will occupy the blue paint. Detroit led off in the first period on a Daniel Alfredsson goal, fueled by Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Columbus got on the board as Cam Atkinson scored his second of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Red Wings took the lead back with a power play goal by Todd Bertuzzi, his second of the year, powered by Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. They held on from here for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Zetterberg, Gustavsson (36 for 37 in saves), and Bobrovsky (30 for 32 in saves).

A bit southwest, the St. Louis Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. San Jose started in the first period as Logan Couture scored his third of the season, with the help of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton on the power play. The Sharks added on as Joe Pavelski scored a power play goal, powered by Jason Demers and Marleau. San Jose extended the lead with a Tommy Wingels goal in the second period, his second of the year, guided in by James Sheppard and Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks padded the lead as Scott Hannan scored, via Thornton and Brent Burns. Brian Elliott relieved Halak for the third period. San Jose kept going in the third period on a Thornton goal, with a lone assist by Tomas Hertl. St. Louis got on the board as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his fourth of the season, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Patrik Berglund. The Blues pulled closer with a Roman Polak goal, fueled by Derek Roy and Vladimir Sobotka. The Sharks answered on a Marleau power play goal, his fifth of the year, pushed through by Couture and Thornton. This made it a 6-2 final, with the three stars going to Thornton, Marleau, and Couture.

Eastward to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Pekka Rinne receive the starting nods. Nashville began with a first period Shea Weber goal, via Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson. Florida tied it in the second period as Jonathan Huberdeau scored his third of the season, assisted by Scott Gomez and Mike Weaver. The Predators retook the lead on a Fisher goal, his second of the year, coming off of Craig Smith and Seth Jones. The Panthers retied it on a Marcel Goc goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Jesse Winchester and Shawn Matthias. Nashville pulled ahead again as Smith scored, thanks to Gabriel Bourque and Weber. The Predators extended the lead with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his second of the year, powered by David Legwand and Filip Forsberg. Florida got one back as Matt Gilroy scored, with the help of Tomas Fleischmann and Brad Boyes. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-3, and the three stars went to Weber, Smith, and Fisher.

Back to Canada, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ondrej Pavelec are between the pipes. Montreal opened with a Brandon Prust goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Francis Bouillon and Daniel Briere. The Canadiens added on as P.K. Subban scored his second of the year, thanks to David Desharnais and Josh Gorges. Montreal iced it at 3-0 in the third period as Briere scored an empty net power play goal, going in unassisted. The three stars of the game were Price (36 save shutout), Briere, and Prust.

Southwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Dallas Stars. Dan Ellis and Semyon Varlamov will attempt to stop the puck. Dallas struck first in the first period with a Rich Peverley goal, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Colorado tied it with the fourth of the season by Matt Duchene, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche took the lead a Jan Hejda scored, with the help of Nathan MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Stars tied it with a Cody Eakin goal in the second period, a power play goal powered by Ray Whitney and Erik Cole. Colorado regained the lead with another Duchene goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Parenteau and Erik Johnson. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Duchene, Parenteau, and Varlamov (39 for 41 in saves).

Finally, we end in Phoenix, where the Coyotes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith are the reliable goalies. Phoenix got going in the second period as Rob Klinkhammer scored his third of the season, assisted by Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes added on with a Radim Vrbata goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Mikkel Boedker and Martin Hanzal. Ottawa got one back as Jason Spezza scored his second of the season, with helpers provided by Patrick Wiercioch and Milan Michalek. The Senators tied it in the third period as Spezza scored his second of the game and third of the year, courtesy of Colin Greening. Ottawa took the lead as Spezza finished his natural hat trick with his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Erik Karlsson and Michalek. Phoenix tied it with a Mike Ribeiro power play goal, via Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Vermette. The Senators won 4-3 in overtime on a Cory Conacher goal, his second of the year, with assists from Marc Methot and Greening. The three stars were Spezza, Michalek, and Greening, while Vermette gets an honorable mention.

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