KHL Day 61 2013-2014

This is the last day of the KHL for over a week, and there are only two games on. The first comes from...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov and Mathieu Garon are in the creases. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period on a Sergei Demagin power play goal, powered by Sami Lepisto and Tobias Viklund. Avtomobilist added on in the second period as Demagin scored again, thanks to Artyom Chernov. Omsk got on the board in the third period when Andrei Ivanov scored, via Roman Berdnikov. This only made it 2-1, a final, with Demagin, Lobanov (46 for 47 in saves), and Ivanov getting the three stars.

The other game is from Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Emil Garipov protect the nets. Kazan started in the first period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Alexander Burmistrov and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on in the second period as Artyom Lukoyanov scored, with the help of Konstantin Korneyev. Kazan extended the lead in the third period with a Tereshchenko goal, his second of the game, assisted by Evgeny Medvedev and Tomas Vincour. Ak Bars padded the lead as Burmistrov found twine, with assists provided by Vladimir Tkachyov and Medvedev. Moscow got on the board with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, coming off of Igor Grigorenko and Alexei Morozov. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Tereshchenko, Burmistrov, and Garipov (36 for 37 in saves), while Medvedev gets the honorable mention.

See you all on 13 November 2013, and as always, follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 33 2013-2014

Thirteen games today on a busy schedule, beginning with a matinee in...

Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Ondrej Pavelec receive the starting nods. Winnipeg started in the first period as Tobias Enstrom scored his second of the season, assisted by Matt Halischuk and Michael Frolik. Chicago tied it with a Niklas Hjalmarsson goal, via Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks took the lead in the second period with a Brandon Bollig goal, his second of the year, coming off of Kruger. Chicago added on as Patrick Sharp notched his third of the season, with the help of Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks extended the lead with a Leddy goal, his second of the year, guided in by Andrew Shaw and Jeremy Morin. Chicago padded the lead in the third period on a Ben Smith goal, his second of the season, made possible by Bollig and Duncan Keith. This made the final 5-1, with the three stars being Bollig, Leddy, and Crawford (26 for 27 in saves), while Kruger gets an honorable mention.

Next up, the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jhonas Enroth are set to start. Buffalo got going in the second period with a Cody Hodgson power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Matt Moulson and Mark Pysyk. Anaheim tied it with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his sixth of the year, via Dustin Penner and Francois Beauchemin. The Ducks took the lead on a Sami Vatanen goal, made possible Andrew Cogliano and Daniel Winnik. Anaheim added on with a Emerson Etem goal, his third of the campaign, assisted by Mathieu Perreault and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Ducks extended the lead on a Corey Perry goal, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Cam Fowler and Getzlaf. Anaheim padded the lead as Etem found twine again for his second of the game and fourth of the year, guided in by Perreault and Bryan Allen. The Sabres got one back with a Henrik Tallinder goal, courtesy of Hodgson and Moulson. Buffalo pulled closer on a Tyler Myers goal, set up by Johan Larsson. The Ducks wrapped it up at 6-3 with Perry's second of the game and eighth of the campaign, coming off of Getzlaf and Hampus Lindholm. The three stars were Getzlaf, Perry, and Etem, while Hodgson and Moulson get the honorable mentions.

Down in New Jersey, where the Devils bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Martin Brodeur are the veteran goalies. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his third of the season, assisted by Andrej Meszaros and Wayne Simmonds. This was the only goal in the game, so the Flyers won 1-0. The three stars were Emery (14 save shutout), Schenn, and Brodeur (20 for 21 in saves).

Out on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Kevin Poulin are the backups making the spot starts. New York led off in the second period as John Tavares scored his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. The Islanders added on with an Andrew MacDonald goal, made possible by Travis Hamonic and Kyle Okposo. Boston got on the board with a Douge Hamilton power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Reilly Smith and Ryan Spooner. New York replied as Vanek notched his fifth of the campaign, fueled by Okposo and Hamonic. They held on for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Vanek, Okposo, and Hamonic.

Staying in the region, the New York Rangers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Henrik Lundqvist are between the pipes. New York opened in the first period with a Carl Hagelin goal, fueled by Benoit Pouliot and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on in the second period with the second of the game for Hagelin, assisted by Taylor Pyatt and Ryan McDonagh. New York extended the lead with a Derek Stepan power play goal, set up by Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello. Carolina got on the board when Andrej Sekera scored his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Jiri Tlusty and Justin Faulk. The Rangers replied in the third period as Stepan scored his second of the game, via Zuccarello and Kreider. That trio wrapped up the game at 5-1 for New York as well, as Stepan finished his hat trick, and assists from Zuccarello and Kreider gave each of them a sock trick. The three stars were Stepan, Hagelin, and Lundqvist (27 for 28 in saves), while Zuccarello and Kreider.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ben Bishop will wear the masks. St. Louis struck first in the first period on an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by David Backes and Alexander Steen. Tampa Bay got on the board with an unassisted goal by Alex Killorn, his fourth of the year. The Lightning took the lead in the second period on a Steven Stamkos goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Killorn and Mark Barberio. The Blues retied it with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his third of the year, via Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrik Berglund. Tampa Bay took the lead back in the third period as Brett Connolly scored, thanks to Radko Gudas and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning added on a Filppula goal, his fifth of the campaign, with assists provided by Killorn and Eric Brewer. This was good for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Killorn, Filppula, Bishop (28 for 30 in saves).

As far to the northwest as you can go in the league, the Vancouver Canucks host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer is mismatched with Roberto Luongo in goal. Vancouver was first to score in the first period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his seventh of the season, coming on the power play from Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks added on in the second period as Zack Kassian scored his third of the year, thanks to Brad Richardson and Alexander Edler. Vancouver extended the lead on a Chris Higgins goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Christopher Tanev and Mike Santorelli. The Canucks padded the lead in the third period on a Dan Hamhuis goal, his second of the year, fueled by Richardson and Darren Archibald. The final stood at 4-0, with the three stars going to Luongo (21 save shutout), Daniel Sedin, and Richardson.

Back east, the Washington Capitals welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Michal Neuvirth are the young goalies. Washington began in the first period as Nicklas Backstrom scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Eric Fehr and Mike Green. Florida tied it in the second period as Jesse Winchester scored his third of the year, with a lone assist from Scottie Upshall. The Capitals retook the lead on a John Carlson goal, made possible by Michael Latta and Karl Alzner. The Panthers pulled even again in the third period on a Tomas Fleischmann power play goal, his third of the campaign, powered by Brian Campbell and Jonathan Huberdeau. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mikhail Grabovski, Brooks Laich, and Backstrom all scored for the Capitals to top a lone tally by Aleksander Barkov for the Panthers for a 3-2 win. Backstrom, Neuvirth (31 for 33 in saves), and Carlson were the three stars.

West a touch to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff and Curtis McElhinney are the backups in the creases. Pittsburgh got going in the second period on a Deryk Engelland goal, his second of the season, via Joe Vitale and Dustin Jeffrey. The Penguins added on in the third period as Chris Kunitz scored his eighth of the year, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Paul Martin. Pittsburgh wrapped it up at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Jussi Jokinen, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. The three stars were Engelland, Zatkoff (19 save shutout), and McElhinney (24 for 26 in saves).

Crossing into Canada again, the Edmonton Oilers host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Richard Bachman are the little-known goalies. Detroit started in the first period on a Darren Helm goal, assisted by Daniel Cleary and Daniel Alfredsson. The Red Wings added on with a Tomas Tatar goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Joakim Andersson. Detroit extended the lead in the second period as Jakub Kindl scored, via Alfredsson and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings padded the lead in the third period on an Andersson goal, his second of the year, fueled by Drew Miller and Justin Abdelkader. Detroit iced it at 5-0 with a Todd Bertuzzi power play goal, his fourth of the campaign, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Kindl. The three stars went to Andersson, Kindl, and Mrazek (14 save shutout), while Alfredsson gets an honorable mention.

Down in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj faces his old team, who plays Jean-Sebastien Giguere in goal. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the second period as Gabriel Landeskog notched his fifth of the season, passed from Marc-Andre Cliche and Patrick Bordeleau. Montreal tied it in the third period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his seventh of the year coming on the power play, powered by P.K. Subban and Alex Galchenyuk. The Avalanche took the lead back as Nathan MacKinnon scored his second of the campaign, with the help of Landeskog and Jan Hejda. Colorado added on with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Avalanche iced it at 4-1 with a P.A. Parenteau empty net goal, set up by Matt Duchene and Andre Benoit. The three stars were Landeskog, Giguere (29 for 30 in saves), and MacKinnon.

Into California, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Jonathan Quick protect the nets. Nashville led off in the first period with a David Legwand goal, his third of the season coming on the power play via Seth Jones and Patric Hornqvist. The Predators added on with a power play goal by Shea Weber, his fourth of the year, powered by Hornqvist and Mike Fisher. Los Angeles got on the board as Anze Kopitar scored his third of the season, with a lone assist by Jake Muzzin. Nashville replied in the second period on an Eric Nystrom goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Hornqvist, who got a sock trick. The Kings answered in the third period with a Dustin Brown goal, his third of the season, passed from Kopitar and Justin Williams. Los Angeles tied it on a power play goal by Mike Richards, his third of the year, guided in by Tyler Toffoli and Muzzin. The Predators edged ahead with another Legwand goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, made possible by Mattias Ekholm. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars awarded to Legwand, Kopitar, and Hornqvist, while Muzzin gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Phoenix quickly struck first in the first period on an Antoine Vermette goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Rob Klinkhammer and Mikkel Boedker. San Jose tied it in the second period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Matthew Nieto and Tommy Wingels. The Sharks took the lead as Dan Boyle scored his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Coyotes retied it on a Boedker goal, his third of the year, coming off of Derek Morris. The tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where Logan Couture scored for San Jose but was matched by Radim Vrbata for Phoenix before Vermette scored to give the Coyotes a 3-2 win. The three stars were handed to Vermette, Boedker, and Pavelski.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 32 2013-2014

Eight games on tonight, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Justin Peters are the unreliable goalies. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a Victor Hedman goal, his second of the season, fueled by Nate Thompson and B.J. Crombeen. The Lightning added on in the third period with a Steven Stamkos goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Alex Killorn and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay iced it at 3-0 with a Killorn goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by St. Louis. The three stars were Bishop (31 save shutout), Killorn, and St. Louis.

Up in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Washington Capitals. Steve Mason and Braden Holtby are in the creases. Washington started in the first period on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Martin Erat and Nate Schmidt. The Capitals added on in the second period as Joel Ward scored his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Jason Chimera and Mikhail Grabovski. Washington extended the lead with a Chimera goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone Grabovski assist. Ray Emery came on in relief of Mason at this time. The Capitals padded the lead as Backstrom scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, thanks to Eric Fehr and Erat. Washington struck again with a Ward goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, via Grabovski, who got a sock trick, and Chimera. The Capitals kept going on a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mike Green and Backstrom. Washington wrapped it up at 7-0 with a Ward power play goal, completing his hat trick with his sixth of the campaign, set up by Chimera, who got a sock trick, and Fehr. Ward, Chimera, and Backstrom were awarded the three stars, while Grabovski, Fehr, Erat, and Holtby (30 save shutout) got the honorable mentions.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period on a Chris Kunitz power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Paul Martin and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on a Brandon Sutter goal, his second of the year, thanks to Tanner Glass and Craig Adams in the second period. Pittsburgh extended the lead on a Kris Letang power play goal, his second of the season, via Matt Niskanen and Evgeni Malkin. Curtis McElhinny relieved Bobrovsky at this time. The Penguins padded the lead as Jayson Megna scored his second of the year, courtesy of Jussi Jokinen and Malkin. Columbus got one back as Derek MacKenzie scored, with the help of Nick Foligno and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets chipped closer in the third period on a Ryan Johansen goal, his fourth of the campaign, guided in by R.J. Umberger and James Wisniewski. They still lost 4-2, with the three stars going to Malkin, Letang, and Fleury (37 for 39 in saves).

North to Ottawa, as the Senators bring in the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Robin Lehner receive the starting nods. Ottawa began in the first period as Eric Condra scored, thanks to Derek Grant. The Senators added on with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his third of the season, made possible by Erik Karlsson and Chris Phillips. New York got on the board in the second period as John Tavares scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders tied it with a Matt Martin goal, his second of the season, coming off of Matt Carkner and Brock Nelson. Ottawa retook the lead as Bobby Ryan scored his seventh of the year, assisted by Patrick Wiercioch and Karlsson. The Senators extended the lead as Clarke MacArthur scored, with the help of Ryan and Kyle Turris. New York pulled back as Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored his second of the season, with helpers provided by Matt Donovan and Okposo. The Islanders got another equalizer in the third period as Frans Nielsen found twine on his eighth of the year, passed from Thomas Hickey and Bouchard. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nielsen had the lone tally to give the Islanders a 5-4 win. The three stars were Nielsen, Bouchard, and Okposo, while Ryan and Karlsson are the honorable mentions.

Way to the south, the Florida Panthers host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jacob Markstrom wear the masks. St. Louis struck first in the first period on a Derek Roy goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues added on as Stewart scored in the second period, with the help of Barret Jackman and Vladimir Sobotka. St. Louis extended the lead on a power play goal by Alex Pietrangelo, powered by David Backes and Jay Bowmeester as his third of the year. The Blues padded the lead with the twelfth of the campaign by Alexander Steen, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Backes. They coasted to a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Elliott (31 save shutout), Stewart, and Backes.

Back north, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Josh Harding are in the blue paint. Minnesota opened in the first period with a Justin Fontaine goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Keith Ballard and Torrey Mitchell. Montreal tied it with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Alex Galchenyuk and Andrei Markov. The Wild took the lead in the second period on a Jason Pominville goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Mikael Granlund. Minnesota added on in the third period as Nino Neiderreiter scored his third of the year, with assists provided by Granlund and Pominville. The Canadiens got one back as P.K. Subban scored a power play goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist from Markov. Montreal tied it on a Brian Gionta goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Markov, who got a sock trick, and Subban. The Wild retook the lead as Pominville scored his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, with the help of Zach Parise and Ballard. They held on for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Pominville, Subban, and Markov, while Ballard and Granlund get the honorable mentions.

South again to Dallas, as the Stars host the Colorado Avalanche. Troublemaker Semyon Varlamov opposes squeaky-clean Kari Lehtonen in goal. Colorado led off in the first period with a Paul Stastny goal, his third of the season, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Jan Hejda. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Nathan MacKinnon. Dallas got on the board in the third period when Alex Goligoski scored his second of the season, thanks to Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley. The Stars tied it with a Seguin goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Peverley and Jamie Benn. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime on another Stastny goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, fueled by Nate Guenin and Ryan Wilson. The three stars were given to Stastny, Seguin, and Peverley.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard faces his former understudy, Joey MacDonald, in goal. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Todd Bertuzzi and Jakub Kindl. The Red Wings added on as Henrik Zetterberg sank his seventh of the year, via Bertuzzi and Datsyuk. Calgary got on the board in the second period as Chris Butler scored, with the help of Jiri Hudler and Derek Smith. The Flames tied it as Sean Monahan notched his seventh of the season, assisted by Michael Cammalleri and Kris Russell. Detroit took the lead back in the third period on a Tomas Tatar goal, his second of the year, made possible by Joakim Andersson and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings extended the lead with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his second of the season, set up by Kronwall and Danny DeKeyser. Calgary got one back late as Curtis Glencross put away his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Matt Stajan and Hudler. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Datsyuk, Hudler, and Bertuzzi, while Kronwall gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 59 2013-2014

Twelve games on for the last big day for awhile, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Mathieu Garon protect the nets. Omsk opened in the first period with a Denis Kazionov goal, assisted by Semyon Zherebtsov and Roman Berdnikov. Avangard added on in the second period as Sergei Kostitsyn scored an unassisted goal. Omsk extended the lead as Denis Kulyash scored, thanks to Kostitsyn and Andrei Ivanov. Avangard padded the lead with an Alexander Popov power play goal, powered by Alexander Frolov and Kostitsyn. Nizhnekamsk got on the board as Andrei Taratukhin scored, with the help of Roman Lyuduchin and Bogdan Yakimov. Neftekhimik got closer with a Nikolai Belov goal, fueled by Denis Tolpeko and Yakimov. They got no closer, losing 4-2, with Kostitsyn, Kulyash, and Yakimov getting the three stars.

Moving along to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Metallurg Magnitgorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Jakub Kovar are the starting goalies.Yekaterinburg was first to score in the first period with an Anton Lazarev goal, assisted by Artyom Chernov and Fyodor Malykhin. Avtomobilist added on as Lazarev scored again in the second period, with a lone helper by Sami Lepisto. Yekaterinburg extended the lead on a power play goal by Sergei Gusev, powered by Igor Yemeleyev. Magnitogorsk got on the board as Danis Zaripov scored, thanks to Sergei Mozyakin. Avtomobilist replied on an Andre Deveaux goal, coming off of Anatoly Golyshev and Vasily Streltsov. Metallurg pulled back as Mozyakin potted the puck, with assists provided by Chris Lee and Jan Kovar. Magnitogorsk got closer as Zaripov scored another goal in the third period, via Vladimir Malenkikh. Metallurg tied it as Zaripov finished his hat trick, courtesy of Jan Kovar. Yekaterinburg avoided the collapse by winning 5-4 in the shootout with a lone tally by Malykhin. The three stars were given to Zaripov, Malykhin, and Lazarev, while Mozyakin and Jan Kovar get the honorable mentions.

Down in Astana, Barys brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Ari Ahonen draw the starts. Astana struck first on an unassisted Nigel Dawes goal in the first period. Barys added on with a Brandon Bochenski goal, fueled by Dustin Boyd and Vladimir Grebenshchikov. Ufa got on the board with a power play goal in the second period by Teemu Hartikainen, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Anton Babchuk. Salavat Yulaev tied it on a Dmitry Makarov goal, set up by Ildar Isangulov and Hartikainen. Astana took the lead again in the third period as Bochenski scored his second of the game, via Maxim Semyonov and Dawes. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Bochenski, Dawes, and Hartikainen.

Back up in Russia, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Mikhail Biryukov are in the blue paint. Khanty-Mansiysk got going in the second period with an Evgeny Khvostov goal, fueled by Marek Troncinsky. Chelyabinsk tied it with an Evgeny Kuznetsov power play goal, powered by Jan Bulis and Maxim Kondratyev. Traktor took the lead on an Andrei Popov goal, made possible by Anton Glinkin. Yugra retied it in the third period it as Tomas Starosta scored, with a lone assist by Veli-Matti Savinainen. Khanty-Mansiysk pulled ahead with a power play goal by Igor Skorokhodov, coming off of Starosta. Chelyabinsk tied it again as Kuznetsov scored his second of the game, thanks to Konstantin Klimontov. Traktor won 4-3 on a Bulis goal in overtime, with Kuznetsov getting credit for the assist. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Bulis, and Starosta.

To the west, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Jakub Stepanek are the solid goalies. Riga dented the scoreboard in the first period as Martins Cipulis scored a power play goal, powered by Paul Szczechura and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. This was the only goal in the game, giving Dinamo a 1-0 win. The three stars were Tellqvist (40 save shutout), Cipulis, and Stepanek (21 for 22 in saves).

Onward to Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Vitaly Kolesnik are between the pipes. Yaroslavl started in the first period on an Alexei Kruchinin goal, fueled by Kirill Kapustin. Moscow tied it with a goal by Ilari Filppula, coming off of Sergei Shirokov and Alexei Morozov. CSKA took the lead in the third period on a Shirokov goal, with a lone Filppula assist. Moscow extended the lead with a power play goal by Mikhail Naumenkov goal, powered by Filppula and Morozov. This made it a 3-1 final, with Filppula, Shirokov, and Morozov getting the three stars.

Further to the west, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Alexander Salak guard the cages. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with an Artemy Panarin goal, coming off of Alexei Ponikarovsky. Bratislava tied it as Tomas Netik scored, with the help of Roman Kukumberg and Michel Miklik. SKA took the lead back in the second period as Vadim Shipachyov scored, courtesy of Ilya Kovalchuk and Tony Martensson on the power play. St. Petersburg added on with another Panarin goal, with assists provided by Ponikarovsky and Alexander Kucheryavenko. SKA extended the lead in the third period as Ponikarovsky found twine, via Alexei Semenov. Slovan got one back on a Milan Bartovic power play goal, powered by Martin Skoula and Juraj Mikus. They still lost 4-2, with the three stars being Ponikarovsky, Panarin, and Shipachyov.

Backtracking to Moscow, where Spartak welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Jeff Glass are the masked men. Moscow got going in the third period as Viktor Bobrov scored, thanks to Valery Vasilyev and Igor Volkov. They took a 1-0 win on this goal, with the three stars being Glass (24 save shutout), Bobrov, and Murygin (21 for 22 in saves).

Slightly to the north, Atlant Mytishchi brings in Lev Prague (and the Miss Universe pageant, but that's not what this blog focuses on). Petri Vehanen and Stanislav Galimov are the reliable goalies. Prague began in the first period with a Ryan O'Byrne goal, fueled by Topi Jaakola and Petr Vrana. Lev added on in the second period with a power play goal by Patrik Zackrisson, powered by Mikko Maenpaa and Nathan Oystrick. Prague extended the lead with a Michal Birner goal, set up by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Vrana. Lev padded the lead in the third period on a Justin Azevedo goal, courtesy of Maenpaa and Jakub Klepis. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Vehanen (16 save shutout), Vrana, and Maenpaa.

Exiting Russia to the west, we land in Belarus with Dinamo Minsk hosting Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Kevin Lalande have the green light to start. Minsk opened with a power play goal by Zbynek Irgl in the first period, powered by Andrei Stas and Andrei Filichkin. Vladivostok tied it on a Richard Gynge goal, coming off of Artyom Zemchyonok. Dinamo took the lead back as Alexei Kalyuzhny scored a power play goal, with the help of Filichkin. Admiral tied it again in the second period on an Andrei Nikitenko goal, courtesy of Alexei Ugarov and Zemchyonok. Minsk regained the lead with a Geoff Platt goal, set up by Tomas Surovy and Filichkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Vladivostok pulled even with an Igor Bortnikov goal, made possible by Evgeny Grachyov and Michael Commodore in the third period. The tie was broken in favor of Admiral as Niclas Bergfors potted the only goal in the shootout for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Filichkin, Zemchyonok, and Bergfors.

Into Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Michael Leighton occupy the creases. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, coming off of Ivan Lekomtsev. Donetsk tied it with a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, powered by Peter Podhradsky. Sibir took the lead in the third period with another Kugryshev goal, courtesy of Oleg Gubin. This was good for a 2-1 win, with Kugryshev, Koskinen (35 for 36 in saves), and Leighton (33 for 35 in saves) getting the three stars.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Mark Dekanich are in goal. Zagreb was first to score in the first period on a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Kurtis Foster and Matt Murley. Medvescak added on in the second period as Matt Ellison scored, with the help of Michael Ryan. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Ansel Galimov, set up by Rafael Akhmetov. Metallurg tied it with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, coming off of Yegor Martynov and Akhmetov. Zagreb took the lead again in the third period on a power play goal by Mark Katic, with a lone assist from Ellison. Novokuznetsk tied it again on another Zhafyarov goal, going in unassisted. Medvescak won it with a Ryan Vesce shootout goal for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Zhafyarov, Akhmetov, and Ellison.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Thursday Night Football Week 9 2013

Tonight's game is in Miami, as the Dolphins host the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati got going in the second quarter on a Mike Nugent field goal of 31 yard field goal. Miami took the lead as Ryan Tannehill ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Caleb Sturgis made the extra point. The Dolphins extended the lead as Sturgis made a 36 yard field goal. Miami added on in the third quarter as Brent Grimes returned an interception of Andy Dalton for 94 yards and a touchdown, and Sturgis booted the extra point. The Bengals got some back as Giovani Bernard rushed in a 3 yard touchdown, and Nugent was true with the PAT. Cincinnati tied it when Bernard ran 35 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Nugent was there with the extra point. The Bengals took the lead as Nugent drilled a 54 yard field goal. The Dolphins forced overtime when Sturgis made a 44 yard field goal late. Miami won 22-20 in overtime with Cameron Wake sacking Dalton for a safety and the victory. The Dolphins improve to 4-4 while the Bengals drop to 6-3.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 31 2013-2014

Only three games tonight, starting in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Tuukka Rask draw the starts. Anaheim began in the first period with a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, assisted by Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Penner. Boston tied it in the second period on a Carl Soderberg goal, via Chris Kelly and Ryan Spooner. The Ducks retook the lead as Perreault scored his fifth of the season, with the help of Smith-Pelly and Cam Fowler. The Bruins pulled even again in the third period as Zdeno Chara scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by David Krejci and Torey Krug. Boston won it 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally by Jarome Iginla. The three stars were Smith-Pelly, Perreault, and Iginla.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York was first to score in the first period as Derick Brassard scored his second of the season, thanks to Michael Del Zotto and J.T. Miller on the power play. The Rangers added on in the second period with the second of the year by Chris Kreider, fueled by Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh. They coasted to a 2-0 win from here, with the three stars being Lundqvist (29 save shutout), Brassard, and Kreider.

Finally, in Phoenix, the Coyotes bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Thomas Greiss are the backups playing goal. Nashville led off in the first period on a Matt Hendricks goal, assisted by David Legwand and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators added on as Eric Nystrom potted his third of the season, via Patric Hornqvist and Legwand. Nashville extended the lead on a Legwand power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Seth Jones and Shea Weber. Phoenix got on the board with a second period goal by Jordan Szwarz, coming off of Zbynek Michalek and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes pulled closer with a Derek Morris goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Keith Yandle and David Moss. The Predators replied in the third period as Paul Gaustad scored his second of the year, with assists provided by Nick Spaling. Phoenix answered on a power play goal by Shane Doan, his fourth of the season, set up by Mike Ribeiro and Yandle. The Coyotes pulled even with an Antoine Vermette goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Doan and Kyle Chipchura. Phoenix won 5-4 in the shootout on a lone tally by Mikkel Boedker. The three stars belonged to Legwand, Doan, and Yandle.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 58 2013-2014

Only two games from Russia today, beginning in...

Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Vitaly Koval are in the creases. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, assisted by Vladimir Denisov. Torpedo added on in the second period as Jarkko Immonen scored, thanks to Denis Parshin and Sakari Salminen. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Parshin. Torpedo padded the lead with a Galuzin goal, going in unassisted. Nizhny Novgorod iced it at 5-0 with a Pavel Valentenko goal, made possible by Justin Hodgman and Sergei Bernatsky. The three stars were Galuzin, Koval (17 shutout), and Parshin.

The other game comes from Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Konstantin Barulin occupy the blue paint. Moscow started in the first period with a power play goal by Konstantin Volkov, powered by Maxim Karpov and Alexei Tsvetkov. Kazan tied it with an unassisted goal by Alexander Svitov. Ak Bars took the lead in the second period on a Chris Bourque goal, with a lone assist by Tim Stapleton. Kazan added on with a Shaun Heshka goal, fueled by Alexander Burmistrov and Evgeny Medvedev. Dynamo got one back in the third period as Volkov found twine again, with the help of Yury Babenko. They couldn't tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Volkov, Barulin (29 for 31 in saves), and Heshka.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.