NHL Day 22 2013-2014

Eight games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. New York led off with a first period Brock Nelson goal, assisted by Peter Regin and Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders took the lead as Matt Moulson notched his fourth of the season, a power play goal, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. Vancouver got on the board with the fourth of the year by Ryan Kesler, made possible by Dan Hamhuis and Christopher Tanev. The Canucks tied it as Daniel Sedin potted his third of the season, thanks to Jannik Hansen and Tanev. New York retook the lead in the second period as Moulson scored his second of the game and fifth of the year, another power play goal, fueled by Kyle Okposo and Nielsen. Vancouver retied it as Henrik Sedin recorded his third of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Dale Weise. The Canucks gained the lead with a Chris Higgins goal, his third of the year, passed from Kevin Bieksa and Kesler. The Islanders pulled even in the third period on a Nielsen goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Andrew MacDonald and Okposo. Vancouver won it 5-4 in overtime with a Brad Richardson goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Mike Santorelli and Alexander Edler. The three stars were awarded to Nielsen, Moulson, and Daniel Sedin, while Kesler, Okposo, and Tanev are given the honorable mentions.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Bernier are in the creases. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Nick Bonino goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Pat Maroon and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks added on as Mathieu Perreault scored in the second period, his fourth goal of the year, thanks to Sami Vatanen and Emerson Etem. Toronto got on the board with the third of the season by Phil Kessel, a power play goal powered by James van Riemsdyk and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Dion Phaneuf goal, his second of the year, made possible by Josh Leivo and Dave Bolland. Toronto took the lead as Kessel scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with the help of Paul Ranger. The Maple Leafs extended the lead in the third period as Kessel finished his hat trick with his fifth of the year, and van Riemsdyk had the only assist. This was good for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Kessel, Phaneuf, and van Riemsdyk.

Back in the United States, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Sergei Bobrovsky are the highly-regarded young goalies. New Jersey got going in the second period as Michael Ryder scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Rostislav Olesz. Columbus tied it on a power play goal by Brandon Dubinsky, his second of the year, powered by R.J. Umberger and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets took the lead as Cam Atkinson potted his third of the season, an unassisted goal. Columbus added on in the third period as Wisniewski scored a goal, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets iced it at 4-1 with a Marian Gaborik empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Dubinsky and Wisniewski. The three stars were Wisniewski, Bobrovsky (24 for 25 in saves), and Dubinsky.

Crossing north into Quebec, as the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Carey Price are between the pipes. Montreal began in the first period with a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Andrei Markov and Michael Bournival. The Canadiens added on as Brendan Gallagher scored his fifth of the year, an unassisted goal. Edmonton got on the board in the second period as Ales Hemsky scored his third of the season, passed from Mark Arcobello. The Oilers tied it as Ladislav Smid potted a goal, via Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Edmonton took the lead in the third period with a Jeff Petry goal, his second of the year, made possible by Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle. The Oilers extended the lead as Ryan Jones scored, with the help of David Perron and Arcobello. Montreal got one back on a Brian Gionta goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Plekanec and P.K. Subban. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Plekanec, Nugent-Hopkins, and Eberle, while Arcobello gets an honorable mention.

Way to the south, the Florida Panthers host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Tim Thomas receive the starting nods. Chicago struck first in the second period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his third of the season, coming on the power play from Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks added on as Bryan Bickell notched his second of the year, via Andrew Shaw and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Florida got on the board in the third period with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his second of the campaign, with assists provided by Aleksander Barkov and Kris Versteeg. The Panthers tied the game with an unassisted goal by Dmitry Kulikov. Jacob Markstrom had to relieve an injured Thomas late in the third period. The tie lasted into shootout, where Toews and Patrick Sharp lifted the Blackhawks to a 3-2 win. The three stars were handed to Toews, Crawford (20 for 22 in saves), and Sharp.

North once again to Winnipeg, as the Jets welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ondrej Pavelec are the overrated goalies. Washington dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by John Erskine and Joel Ward. Winnipeg tied it on a Bryan Little goal, his fourth of the year, coming shorthanded via Andrew Ladd. The Jets took the lead on a Grant Clitsome goal, courtesy of Zach Bogosian and Ladd. The Capitals tied it with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Marcus Johansson. Washington took the lead as Ovechkin scored his second of the night and ninth of the year, again with a lone assist by Johansson. Winnipeg pulled even as Blake Wheeler notched his second of the season, with the help of Evander Kane and Mark Scheifele. The Capitals retook the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Troy Brouwer, his third of the year, powered by Nicklas Backstrom. The Jets evened the ledger again on a Little goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, fueled by Ladd, who got a sock trick, and Devin Setoguchi. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Ladd exchanged goals with Backstrom, followed by Olli Jokinen and Brooks Laich doing the same, Setoguchi and Brouwer following suit, and then finally Martin Erat scored to lift the Capitals to a 5-4 win. The three stars were Ovechkin, Little, and Ladd, while Johansson, Backstrom, Setoguchi, and Brouwer all get honorable mentions.

Dipping back to the south, the Minnesota Wild host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Josh Harding protect the nets. Minnesota was first to score in the second period as Justin Fontaine scored his second of the season, via Clayton Stoner and Zach Parise. The Wild iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Jason Pominville, his fourth of the year, set up by Mikko Koivu and Parise. The three stars were handed to Harding (16 save shutout), Parise, and Rinne (27 for 28 in saves).

Finally, in Phoenix, the Coyotes bring in the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Mike Smith occupy the creases. Phoenix started with a first period goal by Radim Vrbata, his fifth of the season, a power play goal fueled by Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes added on as Mike Ribeiro scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Mikkel Boedker and David Moss. Calgary got on the board with a Lee Stempniak goal, his third of the season, passed from Kris Russell and T.J. Galiardi. The Flames tied it in the third period as Joe Colborne scored, via Jiri Hudler. Phoenix retook the lead with a Ribeiro goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Yandle. The Coyotes iced it at 4-2 with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his fourth of the campaign, going unassisted into the empty net. The three stars were given to Ribeiro, Yandle, and Smith (22 for 24 in saves).

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KHL Day 49 2013-2014

Just four games to go with today, beginning in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Andrei Vasilevsky make the starts. Mytishchi got going in the second period with a Konstantin Koltsov goal, assisted by Vitaly Novpashin and Oleg Yashin. Ufa tied it in the third period on an Antti Pihlstrom goal, fueled by Anton Babchuk. Salavat Yulaev took the lead on an Alexander Pankov goal, with the help of Alexander Stepanov. Ufa added on with a power play goal by Denis Khlystov, powered by Yegor Dubrovsky and Tomas Zaborsky. They went on to win 3-1, with the three stars being Vasilevsky (29 for 30 in saves), Pankov, and Khlystov.

Into Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Vasily Koshechkin are in the blue paint. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Yaroslavl tied it on a Daniil Apalkov goal, assisted by Sergei Plotnikov. The tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where Emil Galimov was the only goal-scorer, and led Lokomotiv to a 2-1 win. The three stars were Kolesnik (36 for 37 in saves), Galimov, and Koshechkin (30 for 31 in saves).

A bit west, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Michael Garnett wear the masks. Chelyabinsk dented the scoreboard in the first period as Anton Glinkin scored, with a lone assist by Yegor Dugin. Cherepovets tied it on an unassisted goal by Nikolai Bushuyev in the second period, coming shorthanded. Traktor took the lead as Dugin scored, thanks to Glinkin and Alexei Bondarev. Severstal tied it in the third period as Bushuyev scored again, via Linus Videll and Anatoly Nikontsev. The tie lasted into the shootout, where two goals by Glinkin topped one goal by Videll, leading Traktor to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Glinkin, Bushuyev, and Dugin, while Videll gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Dmitry Shikin and Matt Dalton are between the pipes. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with a Viktor Tikhonov goal, assisted by Vadim Shipachyov. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period on a Yegor Milovzorov goal, fueled by Renat Mamashev. SKA took the lead back with a Patrick Thoresen goal, with a lone assist from Ilya Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg iced it at 3-1 in the third period on a Roman Cervenka goal, guided in by Kovalchuk and Shipachyov. The three stars were Shikin (30 for 31 in saves), Kovalchuk, and Shipachyov.

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NHL Day 21 2013-2014

There are only three games on tonight, beginning in...

Detroit, as the Red Wings host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. San Jose ended up winning 1-0 with a shootout tally by Logan Couture. The three stars were Niemi (24 save shutout), Howard (27 save "shutout"), and Couture.

Back east, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Marc-Andre Fleury are the French-Canadian goalies. Colorado got going in the second period on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan Wilson and Cory Sarich. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Giguere (34 save shutout), Landeskog, and Fleury (13 for 14 in saves).

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, as the Kings bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jonathan Quick man the creases. Los Angeles began in the first period with a power play goal by Drew Doughty, his third of the season, powered by Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. Calgary tied it in the second period as Michael Cammalleri scored a power play goal, with the help of Jiri Hudler and Mark Giordano. The Flames took the lead on a Sean Monahan goal, his sixth of the year, coming on the power play from Cammalleri and Giordano. The Kings tied it with a shorthanded goal by Jeff Carter, his fifth of the season, set up by Mike Richards. Calgary took the lead late in the third period on a T.J. Brodie power play goal, assisted by Hudler and Lee Stempniak. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Cammalleri, Hudler, and Giordano.

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Monday Night Football Week 7

Tonight's game comes from New Jersey, as the New York Giants host the Minnesota Vikings. New York dented the scoreboard in the first quarter with a Josh Brown field goal of 35 yards. Minnesota took the lead as Marcus Sherels returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown, and Blair Walsh nailed the extra point. The Giants retook the lead in the second quarter as Eli Manning tossed a 24 yard touchdown pass to Rueben Randle, and Brown booted the extra point. New York added on in the third quarter as Peyton Hillis ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Brown was true with the extra point. The Giants extended the lead on a 23 yard field goal by Brown. New York padded the lead as Brown made a 36 yard field goal. This produced the 23-7 final, with the Giants improving to 1-6 while the Vikings fall to 1-5.

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KHL Day 48 2013-2014

There are another ten games on today, beginning in the Far East as...

Amur Khabarovsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Mathieu Garon and Mika Jarvinen are in the blue paint. Omsk led off in the first period with a Sergei Kostitsyn power play goal, coming off of Alexander Frolov. Avangard added on with an Andrei Ivanov goal, fueled by Oleg Kvasha. Omsk extended the lead as Kirill Lyamin scored a power play goal, powered by Kostitsyn and Frolov. Avangard padded the lead in the second period on another Kostitsyn goal, with a lone assist by Frolov, who got a sock trick. Omsk got another on a Denis Kazionov goal, assisted by Miroslav Blatak and Alexander Popov. Khabarovsk got on the board with an unassisted goal by Andrei Stepanov. Amur pulled closer in the third period with a Timofei Shishkanov power play goal, passed from Denis Yezhov and Evgeny Korotkov. This was as close as it got, with the final being 5-2, and the three stars were Kostitsyn, Frolov, and Garon (25 for 27 in saves).

To the south, Admiral Vladivostok welcomes Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Joakim Lundstrom are given the starting nods. Astana dented the scoreboard with a first period goal by Dmitry Upper, assisted by Konstantin Pushkaryov and Konstatnin Rudenko. Vladivostok tied it in the second period with an Igor Bortnikov goal, courtesy of Viktor Drugov. Barys retook the lead as Mikhail Panshin scored, via Mikhail Rakhmanov. Astana added on in the third period with another Upper goal, made possible by Pushkaryov and Rudenko. They went on to win the game 3-1, with the three stars being Upper, Ahonen (33 for 34 in saves), and Pushkaryov, while Rudenko gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Ilya Sorokin are set to start. Novokuznetsk opened with a Pavel Kanarsky goal in the second period, passed from Denis Kurepanov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period with a Vitaly Sitnikov goal, with a lone assist by Denis Sokolov. Metallurg took the lead in the third period on a Nikita Vyglazov, via Raymond Giroux and Vadim Mitryakov. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Sorokin (27 for 28 in saves), Vyglazov, and Biryukov (23 for 25 in saves).

Into Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period as Evgeny Fyodorov scored a goal, assisted by Alexei Simakov and Filipp Toluzakov. Novosibirsk tied it in the second period with an unassisted Vladimir Butuzov goal. Avtomobilist retook the lead when Artyom Chernov scored, with the help of Vladislav Yegin and Fyodor Malykhin. Yekaterinburg added on with an Anthony Stewart power play goal, powered by Igor Yemeleyev. Sibir got one back in the third period with a Jonas Enlund goal, guided in by Jori Lehtera and Dmitry Kugryshev. Novosibirsk tied it with a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, with assists provided by Alexei Kopeikin and Jarno Koskiranta. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Stewart had the only goal to lift Avtomobilist to a 4-3 victory. Stewart, Chernov, and Fyodorov were given the three stars.

Way to the west, Vityaz Podolsk welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Ivan Lisutin are in the creases. Podolsk was first to score in the first period on an Ivan Ivanov goal, assisted by Alexei Makeyev. The rest of the game was scoreless, so the final was 1-0. The three stars were awarded to Ivanov, Lisutin (32 save shutout), and Brust (21 for 22 in saves).

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo brings in Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Vitaly Koval will be between the pipes. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period with a power play goal by Sakari Salminen, powered by Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo added on as Vyacheslav Kulyomin scored, thanks to Vladimir Galuzin and Alexander Kulakov. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the third period as Salminen scored another power play goal, set up by Juuso Hietanen. This was good for a 3-0 final score, with the three stars going to Salminen, Koval (22 save shutout), and Kulyomin.

Into Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Emil Garipov will guard the cages. Kazan got going in the second period with a Kirill Petrov goal, assisted by Shaun Heshka and Alexander Osipov. Ak Bars added on in the third period when Tim Stapleton scored a power play goal, powered by Alexander Burmistrov and Mikhail Varnakov. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Garipov (30 save shutout), Petrov, and Stapleton.

Back in the west, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Moscow began in the first period as Martins Karsums scored, with the help of Alexei Tsvetkov and Andrei Mironov. Donetsk tied it with a Lukas Kaspar goal, thanks to Randy Robitaille and Maxim Yakutsenya. Donbass took the lead in the second period with a goal by Petteri Wirtanen, assisted by Ruslan Fedotenko. They coasted to a 2-1 win from here, with Leighton (23 for 24 in saves), Wirtanen, and Kaspar getting the three stars.

Exiting Russia, we head to Bratislava, as Slovan brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Jaroslav Janus protect the nets. Bratislava was first to score in the first period as Juraj Mikus scored, with a lone assist by Milan Bartovic. Moscow tied it with an Andrei Pervyshin goal in the third period, a power play goal fueled by Sergei Shirokov. CSKA took the lead on an Igor Fefelov goal, assisted by Igor Grigorenko and Ivan Nepryayev. Slovan retied it as Roman Kukumberg scored, courtesy of Tomas Mojzis and Jonathan Sigalet. Moscow retook the lead on an Ilari Filppula goal, made possible by Ilya Zubov and Shirokov. They won 3-2, with the three stars being Filppula, Shirokov, and Stana (18 for 20 in saves).

Finally, in Prague, Lev hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist faces a lesser foe in Atte Engren in goal. Riga opened with a first period power play goal by Paul Szczechura, powered by Georgijs Pujacs and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. Prague tied it with an unassisted goal by Topi Jaakola. The tie lasted all the way to a shootout, and it was here that Jakub Klepis put Lev on his back by scoring three goals, answering Szczechura and Nizivijs before clinching the game. The three stars were Klepis, Engren (15 for 16 in saves), and Tellqvist (31 for 32 in saves), while Szczechura and Nizivijs get the honorable mentions.

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NFL Week 7 2013

Another thirteen games leading the way on Sunday. Today's action starts in...

Washington, D.C., as the Redskins host the Chicago Bears. Washington was first to score in the first quarter with a Kai Forbath field goal of 38 yards. Chicago tied it as Robbie Gould made a 47 yard field goal. The Bears took the lead as Matt Forte ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Gould made the extra point. The Redskins pulled even in the second quarter as Roy Helu, Jr. ran in a 14 yard touchdown, and Forbath was true with the extra point. Washington added on with Brian Orakpo intercepting Jay Cutler for 29 yards and a touchdown, and Forbath handled the extra point. Chicago replied as Devin Hester returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown, and Gould booted the extra point. The Redskins took the lead again as Robert Griffin III threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Jordan Reed, and Forbath supplied the extra point. The Bears tied it in the third quarter as Forte rushed 50 yards for a touchdown, and Gould knocked in the PAT. Washington shot back as Helu ran in a 3 yard touchdown, topped off by a Forbath extra point. Chicago responded as Forte ran for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Gould kicked the extra point. The Redskins reclaimed the lead in the fourth quarter on a Griffin touchdown pass of 45 yards to Aldrick Robinson, and Forbath made another extra point. The Bears chipped back on a 49 yard Gould field goal. Chicago gained the lead as Josh McCown threw a 7 yrd touchdown pass to Martellus Bennett, and Gould drove in the extra point. Washington took the lead back as Helu ran in his third touchdown of the day from 3 yards out and Forbath made his extra point. This stood up for a 45-41 win, with the Redskins now at 2-4 while the Bears are at 4-3.

To the south, the Jacksonville Jaguars welcome the San Diego Chargers. San Diego started in the first quarter on a 2 yard touchdown run by Danny Woodhead, followed by a Nick Novak extra point. The Chargers added on in the second quarter as Philip Rivers tossed a 27 yard touchdown to Eddie Royal, and Novak made another extra point. Jacksonville got on the board with a Josh Scobee field goal of 30 yards. San Diego answered in the third quarter as Novak made a 20 yard field goal. The Jaguars shot back with a 23 yard Scobee field goal. The Chargers extended the lead in the fourth quarter with a Ryan Mathews touchdown run of 3 yards, and Novak handled the PAT. The scoring ended here, resulting in a 24-6 final, with the Chargers improving to 4-3 while dropping the Jaguars to 0-7.

Back north, the Detroit Lions bring in the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati led off in the first quarter as Andy Dalton tossed an 82 yard touchdown to A.J. Green, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. Detroit tied it with a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew for 3 yards, and David Akers handled the extra point. The Lions took the lead in the second quarter as Akers made a 36 yard field goal. The Bengals took the lead on a Dalton touchdown pass to Marvin Jones for 12 yards, and Nugent booted the extra point. Cincinnati extended the lead as Dalton found Tyler Eifert for 32 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent was true with the PAT. Detroit pulled back as Stafford passed a 27 yard touchdown to Calvin Johnson, and Akers was there with the extra point. The Bengals added on with a Nugent field goal of 48 yards. The Lions tied it in the fourth quarter as Stafford and Johnson connected for 50 yards and a touchdown, and Akers' extra point was the equalizer. Cincinnati won it on a late field goal by Nugent, good from 54 yards at the buzzer for a 27-24 victory. The Bengals improve to 5-2 and the Lions fall to 4-3.

Into Florida again, as the Miami Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo began in the first quarter as Nickell Robey returned an interception of Ryan Tannehill for 19 yards and a touchdown, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point. The Bills added on as Fred Jackson ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Carpenter handled another extra point. Miami got on the board in the second quarter as Tannehill found Charles Clay for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Caleb Sturgis booted the extra point. Buffalo replied on a 39 yard field goal by Carpenter. The Dolphins chipped back with a 13 yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to Brandon Gibson, and Sturgis was true with the PAT. Miami took the lead in the third quarter as Tannehill and Gibson connected for a touchdown of 4 yards, and Sturgis was there with another extra point. The Bills answered with a 20 yard field goal by Carpenter in the fourth quarter. Buffalo took the lead as Carpenter made a 31 yard field goal late in the game, and held on to win 23-21. The Bills are now 3-4 while the Dolphins fall to 3-3.

Just a bit north, the Atlanta Falcons welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta struck first in the first quarter as Thomas DeCoud recovered a fumble by Mike Glennon and took it 30 yards for a touchdown, allowing Matt Bryant to make the extra point. The Falcons added on in the second quarter as Matt Ryan tossed a 19 yard touchdown pass to Jacquizz Rodgers, and Bryant added the extra point. Tampa Bay got on the board as Glennon found Vincent Jackson for 59 yards and a touchdown, and Rian Lindell booted the extra point. Atlanta added on as Bryant made a 23 yard field goal. The Falcons extended the lead with a Ryan touchdown pass of 37 yards to Harry Douglas, and Bryant supplied another PAT. The Buccaneers got some back as Lindell made a 36 yard field goal. Tampa Bay pulled closer in the third quarter as Glennon and Jackson connected for a 1 yard touchdown, and Lindell knocked in another extra point. Atlanta padded the lead in the fourth quarter on a Ryan touchdown pass of 8 yards to Rodgers, and Bryant was true with the extra point. The Buccaneers chipped back on a 41 yard Lindell field goal. Tampa Bay edged closer with a Lindell field goal, good from 35 yards out. They failed to tie the game, losing 31-23, with the Falcons now at 2-4 while the Buccaneers are 0-6.

Up in New Jersey, the New York Jets bring in the New England Patriots. New York opened in the first quarter on a Geno Smith touchdown pass of 12 yards to Jeremy Kerley, and Nick Folk made the extra point. New England tied the game as Brandon Bolden ran for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski booted the extra point. The Patriots took the lead as Logan Ryan picked off Smith and returned the interception 79 yards for a touchdown, allowing Gostkowski to make an extra point. The Jets got some back in the second quarter on a 37 yard field goal by Folk. New England added on with a 17 yard touchdown run by Steven Ridley, capped off by a Gostkowski PAT. New York shot back as Antonio Allen returned an interception of Brady for 23 yards and a touchdown, and Folk handled the extra point. The Jets took the lead with an 8 yard Smith touchdown run, and Folk supplied another extra point. New York padded the lead as Folk made a 37 yard field goal. The Patriots got some back with a 39 yard field goal by Gostkowski in the fourth quarter. New England tied it on a Gostkowski field goal of 44 yards. The game went into overtime, there the Jets won 30-27 on a Folk field goal from 42 yards out. The Jets improved to 4-3 while the Patriots dropped to 5-2.

A little west, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas got going in the second quarter on a Dan Bailey field goal of 38 yards. The Cowboys added on in the third quarter as Phillip Tanner ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Bailey handled the extra point. Philadelphia got on the board in the fourth quarter as Alex Henery made a 31 yard field goal. Dallas shot back as Tony Romo found Terrance Williams for 9 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey booted the PAT. They went on to win 17-3, with the Cowboys improving to 4-3 while the Eagles fall to 3-4.

Rounding out the early games, the Carolina Panthers welcome the St. Louis Rams. Carolina was first to score in the first quarter on a Captain Munnerlyn interception of Sam Bradford, returned 45 yards for a touchdown, and Graham Gano made the extra point. St. Louis got on the board when their defense held Mike Tolbert in his own end zone on a rushing attempt, resulting in a safety. The Panthers added on in the second quarter as Gano made a 37 yard field goal. The Rams got some back as Greg Zuerlein made a 28 yard field goal. Carolina replied as Tolbert found the other end zone on a 1 yard touchdown run, and Gano supplied the PAT. The Panthers extended the lead in the third quarter on a 31 yard field goal by Gano. St. Louis pulled back with a 4 yard touchdown from Bradford to Zac Stacy, and Zuerlein kicked the extra point. Carolina shot back as Cam Newton tossed a 19 yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith, allowing Gano to make another extra point. The Panthers padded the lead in the fourth quarter on a 50 yard field goal by Gano. The Rams shot back as Zuerlein made a 42 yard field goal. This only made it 30-15, the final, with the Panthers going to 3-3 while the Rams fall to 3-4.

Into the afternoon game, we head west to Tennessee, as the Titans bring in the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco struck first in the first quarter with a 44 yard field goal by Phil Dawson. The 49ers added on as Colin Kaepernick ran in a 20 yard touchdown, and Dawson was there with the extra point. San Francisco extended the lead as Frank Gore ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Dawson knocked in the extra point. The 49ers padded the lead in the third quarter as Gore ran in another 1 yard touchdown, and Dawson was true with the extra point. Tennessee got on the board in the fourth quarter as Rob Bironas made a 31 yard field goal. The Titans pulled closer as Jake Locker found Chris Johnson for 66 yards and a touchdown, and Bironas supplied the PAT. San Francisco got some more as Kassim Osgood recovered a fumble by punt returner Darius Reynaud for a touchdown in the end zone, iced off by a Dawson extra point. Tennessee pulled back with a Locker touchdown of 26 yards to Delanie Walker, and Bironas handled another extra point. It wasn't enough to avoid a 31-17 loss, with the 49ers going to 5-2 and the Titans dropping to 3-4.

To the north, the Green Bay Packers host the Cleveland Browns. Green Bay led off in the first quarter as Aaron Rodgers tossed a 10 yard touchdown pass to Jermichael Finley, and Mason Crosby was there with the extra point. The Packers added on as Eddie Lacy ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Crosby booted the PAT. Cleveland got on the board in the second quarter as Billy Cundiff made a 46 yard field goal. Green Bay answered with a Crosby field goal of 26 yards. The Browns pulled back in the third quarter on a 44 yard field goal by Cundiff. The Packers extended the lead with a Rodgers touchdown pass of 1 yard to Jordy Nelson in the fourth quarter, and Crosby handled the extra point. Cleveland pulled back as Brandon Weeden threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Jordan Cameron, and Cundiff was good with the extra point. Green Bay padded their lead with a Rodgers 20 yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Boykin, and Crosby drilled the extra point. This secured a 31-13 win, with the Packers improving to 4-2 while the Browns fall to 3-4.

Down in Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Houston Texans. Houston began in the first quarter on a Randy Bullock field goal of 48 yards. Kansas City took the lead as Jamaal Charles ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. The Texans pulled ahead in the second quarter as Case Keenum tossed a 29 yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins, and Bullock knocked in the extra point. The Chiefs regained the lead with a 5 yard touchdown run by Alex Smith, and Succop supplied the PAT. Houston replied in the third quarter as Bullock hit a 21 yard field goal. Kansas City countered with a Succop field goal from 22 yards out. The Texans chipped back as Bullock made a 47 yard field goal. They failed to pull ahead, losing 17-16, with the Chiefs remaining undefeated at 7-0 and the Texans fell to 2-5.

Back east, the Pittsburgh Steelers bring in the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsbugh opened in the first quarter with a Ben Roethlisberger 3 yard touchdown pass to Heath Miller, and Shaun Suisham made the extra point. Baltimore got on the board with a Justin Tucker field goal of 46 yards. The Steelers answered in the second quarter on a Suisham field goal from 34 yards. The Ravens chipped back as Tucker made a 38 yard field goal. Pittsburgh replied in the third quarter on a 28 yard Suisham field goal. Baltimore shot back as Tucker made a fourth quarter field goal from 32 yards. The Steelers extended their lead with a Suisham field goal of 38 yards. The Ravens tied it as Joe Flacco tossed a 1 yard touchdown pass to Dallas Clark, and Tucker's extra point was the equalizer. Pittsburgh won it 19-16 with a Suisham field goal of 42 yards. The Steelers are now 2-4, while the Ravens fall to 3-4.

Finally, the Sunday Night game is an epic battle between the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos in Indianapolis. Denver started in the first quarter as Peyton Manning found Eric Decker for 17 yards and a touchdown, and Matt Prater made the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board with an Adam Vinatieri field goal of 27 yards. The Colts took the lead as Andrew Luck tossed an 11 yard touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Vinatieri supplied the extra point. The Broncos retook the lead in the second quarter as Manning found Julius Thomas for 12 yards and a touchdown, and Prater knocked in the extra point. Indianapolis answered as Manning was sacked for a safety by Robert Mathis. The Colts gained the lead as Luck threw a 20 yard touchdown pass to Stanley Havili, and Vinatieri drilled the extra point. Indianapolis extended the lead with a Luck touchdown pass of 8 yards to Coby Fleener, and Vinatieri handled another PAT. The Colts got some more in the third quarter on a 10 yard touchdown run by Luck, and Vinatieri was good with the extra point. Denver got some back as Prater made a 31 yard field goal. Indianapolis replied in the fourth quarter on a 52 yard field goal by Vinatieri. The Broncos chipped back as Manning tossed a 31 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, but he failed to connect on the two point attempt. Denver got closer with a Knowshon Moreno touchdown run of 1 yard, and Prater nailed the extra point. The Colts responded with a field goal of 42 yards by Vinatieri. The Broncos made it 39-30 on a 47 yard field goal by Prater. This was the final, with the Colts going to 5-2 and the Broncos falling to 6-1.

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NHL Day 20 2013-2014

Only three games on today, beginning in...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Curtis McElhinney are the backups making spot starts. Columbus led off in the first period with a Marian Gaborik goal, his third of the season, passed from Artem Anisimov and James Wisniewski. Vancouver tied it in the second period as Henrik Sedin scored his second of the season, a power play goal, powered by Jason Garrison and Ryan Kesler. The Blue Jackets took the lead back in the third period with an R.J. Umberger goal, fueled by Ryan Johansen and Dalton Prout. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with a Johansen empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Umberger. The three stars were Umberger. Johansen, and McElhinny (37 for 38 in saves).

Out west, the Anaheim Ducks welcome the Dallas Stars. Jack Campbell is mismatched with Jonas Hiller in goal. Anaheim opened with a first period goal by Teemu Selanne, his third of the season, coming on the power play from Ryan Getzlaf and Sami Vatanen. Dallas tied it on a Ryan Garbutt goal, fueled by Vernon Fiddler. The Stars took the lead as Brendon Dillon scored his second of the year, thanks to Valeri Nichushkin and Shawn Horcoff. Dallas added on as Horcoff scored a power play goal, powered by Erik Cole and Jamie Benn. Frederik Anderson relieved Hiller for the second period onward. The Ducks got one back in the second period as Corey Perry scored his fourth of the season, passed from Getzlaf and Daniel Winnik. Anaheim tied it with a Perry power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, via Cam Fowler and Getzlaf, the latter getting a sock trick. The Ducks took the lead with a shorthanded Emerson Etem goal, coming off of Andrew Cogliano and Bryan Allen. Anaheim extended the lead with a third period Getzlaf goal, courtesy of Perry and Kyle Palmieri for his third of the season. The Ducks padded the lead on a Mathieu Perreault goal, his third of the year, set up by Etem and Ben Lovejoy. The final stood from here at 6-3, with the three stars being Getzlaf, Perry, and Etem, while Horcoff gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Ondrej Pavelec draw the starts. Nashville started in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Eric Nystrom, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Predators added on as Patric Hornqvist scored his third of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville extended the lead with a Matt Cullen goal, his second of the season, passed from Craig Smith and Colin Wilson. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period as Evander Kane recorded his fifth of the year, thanks to Olli Jokinen and Devin Setoguchi. This wasn't enough to avoid a 3-1 loss, with the three stars going to Hutton (37 for 38 in saves), Hornqvist, and Nystrom.

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