NHL Day 35 2013-2014

Only two games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Anaheim struck first in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Dustin Penner and Luca Sbisa. The Ducks added on as Kyle Palmieri scored his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Francois Beauchemin. New York got on the board as Michael Del Zotto scored in the second period, via Carl Hagelin and Ryan Callahan. This only made it 2-1, a final, with the three stars being Andersen (32 for 33 in saves), Palmieri, and Perry.

The other game comes from Winnipeg, as the Jets bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Al Montoya guard the cages. Winnipeg started in the first period as Bryan Little score his eighth of the season, assisted by Devin Setoguchi and Andrew Ladd. Detroit tied it in the second period on the eighth of the year from Henrik Zetterberg, fueled by Pavel Datsyuk and Kyle Quincey. The Red Wings took the lead on a shorthanded goal by Danny DeKeyser, set up by Niklas Kronwall and Stephen Weiss. The Jets tied it as Michael Frolik scored his third of the season, with a lone assist by Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg took the lead in the third period with a Matt Halischuk goal, coming off of Frolik and Scheifele. The Jets iced at 4-2 with an Andrew Ladd goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Setoguchi and Little. The three stars were Ladd, Frolik, and Little, while Setoguchi and Scheifele get the honorable mentions.

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NHL Day 34 2013-2014

Three games on today, beginning in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Dallas began in the first period with a Ray Whitney goal, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Alex Chiasson. The Stars added on in the second period as Valeri Nichushkin scored, thanks to Brenden Dillon and Cody Eakin. Ottawa got on the board as Erik Karlsson notched his fourth of the season, via Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris. The Senators tied it as Jason Spezza scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Turris and Karlsson. Dallas took the lead back in the third period on an unassisted Antoine Roussel goal that actually happened as an own goal by Mark Borowiecki. With ten seconds left in regulation, Ottawa tied it as Ryan potted his eighth of the campaign, with the help of Milan Michalek and Spezza. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Jamie Benn's lone tally led the Stars to a 4-3 win. The three stars were Ryan, Spezza, and Karlsson, while Turris gets an honorable mention.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra is mismatched with Corey Crawford in goal. Chicago got going in the second period as Patrick Kane scored his eighth of the season, assisted by Sheldon Brookbank and Andrew Shaw. Calgary tied it with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his fourth of the year via Dennis Wideman and Joe Colborne. The Flames took the lead in the third period on a Curtis Glencross goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Chris Butler and Matt Stajan. The Blackhawks evened it as Marian Hossa scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Kane and Duncan Keith. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime as Kris Russell notched his second of the campaign, with helpers provided by Glencross and Wideman. The three stars were Glencross, Kane, and Wideman.

Finally, in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Josh Harding are the goalies. Minnesota was first to score in the first period as Mikael Granlund scored, thanks to Nino Neiderreiter and Jason Pominville. The Wild added on with a second period goal by Torrey Mitchell, made possible by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Minnesota extended the lead in the third period with a Dany Heatley power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Keith Ballard and Neiderreiter. The Wild iced it at 4-0 with a Pominville empty net goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Neiderreiter, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Harding (19 save shutout), Neiderreiter, and Pominville.

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NFL Week 9 2013

Only eleven games on this Sunday, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Bills host the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo began in the first quarter on a Jeff Tuel touchdown pass of 59 yards to Marquise Goodwin, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point. Kansas City got on the board in the second quarter with a 27 yard field goal by Ryan Succop. The Bills added on as Carpenter made a 22 yard field goal. The Chiefs pulled even in the third quarter as Sean Smith returned an interception of Tuel for 100 yards and a touchdown, and Succop had the equalizing extra point. Kansas City took the lead on a Succop field goal from 41 yards. Buffalo evened the score on a Carpenter field goal of 30 yards. The Chiefs retook the lead in the fourth quarter as Tamba Hali recovered T.J. Graham's fumble and returned it for 11 yards and a touchdown, allowing Succop to make the PAT. Kansas City made it 23-13 with a Succop field goal of 39 yards. This was the final, with the Chiefs going to 9-0 and the Bills dropping to 3-6.

Southwest to Missouri, where the St. Louis Rams welcome the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee was first to score in the first quarter on a Shonn Greene 5 yard touchdown run, and Rob Bironas was there with the extra point. St. Louis tied it in the second quarter as Zac Stacy rushed 3 yards for a touchdown, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Rams took the lead in the third quarter on another Stacy touchdown run, this time from 9 yards, and Zuerlein handled another extra point. The Titans pulled even as Chris Johnson ran 14 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas was true with the PAT. Tennessee took the lead on a 5 yard touchdown run by Jake Locker in the fourth quarter, and Bironas knocked in another extra point. St. Louis retied it with a Kellen Clemens touchdown pass of 10 yards to Jared Cook, and Zuerlein supplied the extra point. The Titans edged ahead again on a 19 yard rushing touchdown by Johnson, and Bironas drilled the extra point. This stood for a 28-21 win, with the Titans going to 4-4 while the Rams fall to 3-6.

Backtracking to New Jersey, as the New York Jets bring in the New Orleans Saints. New York struck first in the first quarter on a Nick Folk 39 yard field goal. New Orleans got on the board as Drew Brees found Jimmy Graham for 51 yards and a touchdown, and Garrett Hartley made the extra point. The Jets got some back in the second quarter as Folk made a 21 yard field goal. The Saints extended their lead as Brees and Graham connected for a second touchdown of 10 yards, and Hartley knocked in the extra point. New York chipped back as Chris Ivory rushed 3 yards for a touchdown, and Folk was there with the extra point. The Jets took the lead as Geno Smith ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Folk handled the PAT. New York added on in the third quarter with a Folk 47 yard field goal. New Orleans shot back as Hartley made a 55 yard field goal. The Jets answered in the fourth quarter with a 45 yard field goal from Folk. The Saints replied on a Hartley 43 yard field goal. This was as close as it got, with the final being 26-20, and the Jets improved to 5-4 while the Saints fell to 6-2.

Down in DC, the Washington Redskins host the San Diego Chargers. San Diego got going in the second quarter as Sean Lissemore intercepted Robert Griffin III in the end zone for a touchdown, and Nick Novak supplied the extra point. Washington pulled even as Alfred Morris rushed 5 yards for a touchdown, and Kai Forbath made the extra point. The Chargers took the lead on a Philip Rivers touchdown pass of 15 yards to Eddie Royal, and Novak knocked in the extra point. The Redskins tied it in the third quarter as Darrel Young ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Forbath made his extra point. Washington took the lead in the fourth quarter as Young ran in another 1 yard touchdown, and Forbath nailed the PAT. The Redskins extended the lead on a Forbath field goal from 47 yards out. San Diego responded as Rivers connected with Keenan Allen for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Novak kicked the extra point. The Chargers tied it as Novak made a 19 yard field goal. Washington won the game 30-24 in overtime as Young ran in his third touchdown of the game, a 4 yard rush to move the Redskins to 3-5 while the Chargers fall to 4-4.

Further to the south, the Dallas Cowboys welcome the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas opened in the first quarter as Dan Bailey made a 41 yard field goal. Minnesota tied it with a 23 yard Blair Walsh field goal. The Cowboys took the lead back in the second quarter on a 44 yard Bailey field goal. The Vikings pulled ahead as Christian Ponder rushed 6 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh supplied the extra point. Dallas retook the lead on a Tony Romo touchdown pass of 26 yards to Jason Witten in the third quarter, and Bailey was there with the extra point. The Cowboys extended the lead as Nick Hayden recovered a Ponder fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, and Bailey made another PAT. Minnesota edged ahead with a 31 yard Ponder touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph, and Walsh drilled the extra point. The Vikings added on as Adrian Peterson rushed 11 yards for a touchdown, but Walsh missed the extra point. Dallas retook the lead late as Romo found Dwayne Harris for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey was good with the extra point. They held on for a 27-23 win, and the Cowboys improved to 5-4 while knocking the Vikings to 1-7.

Northeast to Carolina, as the Panthers bring in the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina led off in the first quarter with a 4 yard touchdown run by Mike Tolbert, and Graham Gano was there with the extra point. Atlanta got on the board in the second quarter as Matt Bryant made a 28 yard field goal. The Panthers extended the lead as Cam Newton tossed a 14 yard touchdown to Greg Olsen, and Gano supplied the extra point. The Falcons got some back with a Matt Ryan touchdown pass of 17 yards to Tony Gonzalez, and Bryant drilled the extra point. Carolina added on in the third quarter as Gano made a 55 yard field goal. The Panthers padded the lead with an 8 yard touchdown run by Newton, and Gano handled the PAT. Carolina kept going as Drayton Florence returned an interception of Ryan for 38 yards and a touchdown, and Gano made another extra point. The Panthers wrapped it up at 34-10 as Gano made a 20 yard field goal. The Panthers are now 5-3 while the Falcons are 2-6.

Across the country, the Seattle Seahawks host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second quarter on a Mike Glennon 12 yard touchdown to Tim Wright, and Rian Lindell kicked the extra point. The Buccaneers added on as Glennon found Tiquan Underwood for 20 yards and a touchdown, and Lindell made another extra point. Tampa Bay extended the lead when Mike James threw 2 yards to Tom Crabtree for a touchdown, and Lindell knocked in the extra point. Seattle got on the board as Russell Wilson threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. The Buccaneers padded their lead in the third quarter with a Lindell field goal of 33 yards. The Seahawks got some back when Wilson ran 10 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka was there with the PAT. Seattle pulled closer with a 36 yard field goal by Hauschka in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks tied it as Wilson connected with Doug Baldwin for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka's extra point was the equalizer. Seattle won 27-24 in overtime with a Hauschka field goal of 27 yards. The Seahawks are now 8-1 while the Buccaneers still search for a win at 0-8.

Down in Oakland, the Raiders welcome the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia started in the first quarter with a Nick Foles touchdown pass of 2 yards to Brent Celek, and Alex Henery made the extra point. Oakland got some back as Sebastian Janikowski made a 24 yard field goal. The Eagles answered in the second quarter with Foles tossing a 17 yard touchdown pass to Riley Cooper, and Henery was there with another extra point. Philadelphia added on as Foles and Cooper connected for 63 yards and a touchdown, and Henery drilled the extra point. The Raiders got some back as Rashad Jennings rushed 8 yards for a touchdown, and Janikowski made the extra point. The Eagles replied on a 15 yard Foles touchdown to Zach Ertz, and Henery was true with the extra point. Oakland got some back as Janikowski made a 53 yard field goal. Philadelphia extended their lead in the third quarter as Foles found LeSean McCoy for 25 yards and a touchdown, and Henery knocked in the PAT. The Eagles padded the lead on a Foles touchdown pass of 46 yards to DeSean Jackson, and Henery made yet another extra point. Philadelphia kept going with a 5 yard touchdown pass from Foles to Cooper (Foles' record-tying seventh touchdown pass of the day, and Cooper's third touchdown reception in the game), and Henery blasted another extra point. The Raiders chipped back in the fourth quarter as Jeremy Stewart ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the extra point. This only made it 49-20, with the Eagles now at 4-5 and the Raiders at 3-5.

All the way east again to Foxboro, where the New England Patriots bring in the Pittsburgh Steelers. New England began in the first quarter on a Tom Brady touchdown pass of 34 yards to Danny Amendola, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots added on in the second quarter as Brady threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski knocked in the extra point. Pittsburgh got on the board with a 30 yard field goal by Shaun Suisham. New England replied on a Gostkowski field goal from 20 yards out. The Steelers chipped back with a 27 yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown, and Suisham was true with the extra point. The Patriots extended the lead with a 1 yard touchdown rush by Stevan Ridley, and Gostkowski handled another extra point. Pittsburgh pulled back in the third quarter on a Roethlisberger touchdown pass of 20 yards to Jericho Cotchery, and Suisham knocked in the extra point. The Steelers tied it as Roethlisberger and Cotchery connected for 8 yards and another touchdown, and Suisham's extra point was the equalizer. New England took the lead as Gostkowski made a 32 yard field goal. The Patriots padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Brady connected with Aaron Dobson for 17 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski drilled the PAT. New England kept going as Ridley ran in a 5 yard touchdown, and Gostkowski sent home another extra point. Pittsburgh responded on a Roethlisberger touchdown pass of 6 yards to Cotchery, and Suisham drove in the extra point. The Patriots shot back on another Brady touchdown pass to Dobson, for 81 yards this time, and Gostkowski supplied another extra point. New England iced it at 55-31 with a LeGarrette Blount 5 yard touchdown run, and Gostkowski was there to make the extra point. The Patriots improved to 7-2 while dropping the Steelers to 2-6.

Moving west a little, the Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens. Cleveland opened in the first quarter with a Jason Campbell touchdown pass of 1 yard to Davone Bess, and Billy Cundiff made the extra point. Baltimore got on the board as Justin Tucker kicked a 51 yard field goal. The Browns added on in the second quarter as Campbell and Bess connected for 20 yards and another touchdown, and Cundiff nailed the extra point. The Ravens got some back as Joe Flacco found Marlon Brown for 19 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker knocked in the extra point. Cleveland extended the lead in the third quarter as Campbell connected with Gary Barnidge for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Cundiff booted the PAT. Baltimore pulled closer in the fourth quarter on a Flacco touchdown pass to Brown, this time for 7 yards, and he found Brown again for a two-point conversion as well. The Browns iced it at 24-18 with a Cundiff field goal from 22 yards out. The Browns are now 4-5 while the Ravens fall to 3-5.

Finally, in Houston, the Texans welcome the Indianapolis Colts. Houston led off in the first quarter as Case Keenum tossed a 62 yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson, and Randy Bullock made the extra point. The Texans added on as Keenum and Johnson connected for 41 yards and another touchdown, and Bullock handled the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board in the second quarter as Adam Vinatieri made a 30 yard field goal. Houston shot back as Keenum threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Johnson, and Bullock knocked in another extra point. The Colts got some back as Vinatieri made a 35 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Texans answered with a 43 yard Bullock field goal. Indianapolis responded as Andrew Luck found T.Y. Hilton for 10 yards and a touchdown, but the two-point attempt failed. The Colts pulled closer in the fourth quarter on a Luck touchdown pass of 58 yards to Hilton, and Vinatieri made his PAT. Indianapolis took the lead as Luck and Hilton hooked up for 9 yards, and Luck then found Coby Fleener for a successful two-point conversion. They held on to complete the comeback win at 27-24, and the Colts are now 6-2 while the Texans are 2-6.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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