Friday, November 15, 2013

NHL Day 46 2013-2014

Ten games on an unusually busy Friday, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens and Cory Schneider get the starts. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Dwight King goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Jake Muzzin and Justin Williams. The Kings iced it at 2-0 with an Anze Kopitar empty net goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Drew Doughty and Willie Mitchell. Scrivens (26 save shutout), King, and Kopitar get the three stars.

To the west, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Backups Peter Budaj and Curtis McElhinney make the spot starts. Columbus was first to score in the first period as R.J. Umberger potted his fourth of the season, courtesy of Nick Foligno and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets added on with an Artem Anisimov goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Nikita Nikitin and David Savard. Montreal got on the board as Alex Galchenyuk scored his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Canadiens tied it with a Lars Eller power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Daniel Briere and Andrei Markov. Montreal took the game 3-2 in a shootout on a David Desharnais goal. The three stars went to Galchenyuk, Eller, and Desharnais.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Ryan Miller are in between the pipes. Toronto got going in the first period on a Trevor Smith goal, his second of the season, made possible by David Clarkson and Mason Raymond. Buffalo tied it as Steve Ott scored his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tyler Myers and Mark Pysyk. The Sabres took the lead as Marcus Foligno potted his third of the season, thanks to Ott and Drew Stafford. Buffalo added on in the third period as Christian Ehrhoff scored an empty net goal, set up by Pysyk. The three stars were handed to Ott, Pysyk, and Miller (32 for 33 in saves).

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins bring in the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Nashville opened with a first period Gabriel Bourque goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Kevin Klein. Pittsburgh tied it on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his third of the year, helped along by Matt D'Agostini and Brandon Sutter. The Penguins took the lead as James Neal scored a power play goal, powered by Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. Pittsburgh added on in the second period with a Kris Letang goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Malkin and Neal. The Penguins extended the lead on a Sutter goal, his third of the year, guided in by Jussi Jokinen and Paul Martin. This held up for a 4-1 win, with the three stars awarded to Neal, Sutter, and Malkin.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Justin Peters occupy the creases. Anaheim led off in the second period with a Corey Perry goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone assist by Ryan Getzlaf. Carolina tied it as Eric Staal scored a power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Alexander Semin and Ryan Murphy. The Hurricanes took the lead in the third period with a Drayson Bowman goal, his second of the season, passed from Andrej Sekera. The Ducks retied it on a Dustin Penner power play goal, pushed through by Perry and Cam Fowler. Carolina won 3-2 in the shootout as Riley Nash and Chris Terry's goals topped a Perry tally. The three stars went to Perry, Bowman, and Peters (28 for 30 in saves).

Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Craig Anderson protect the nets. Boston struck first in the first period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Matt Bartkowski and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on as Brad Marchand scored his third of the year, thanks to Bartkowski and Eriksson. Ottawa got on the board with a Chris Neil goal, his third of the season, an unassisted goal. The Senators tied it in the third period on a Jason Spezza goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek. Ottawa took the lead as Jared Cowen potted his third of the season, via Cory Conacher and Spezza. The Senators extended the lead as Bobby Ryan scored his tenth of the year, an unassisted goal. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Spezza, Eriksson, and Bartkowski.

Back stateside, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jimmy Howard are the masked men. Washington started in the first period as Brooks Laich scored his third of the season, with a lone assist by Steve Oleksy. Detroit tied it with a Johan Franzen power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Jakub Kindl and Danny DeKeyser. The Red Wings took the lead on another Franzen goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, with a lone assist from Tomas Tatar. Detroit added on in the second period as DeKeyser scored his second of the year, a power play goal fueled by Franzen and Kindl. The Capitals got one back in the third period as Alex Ovechkin netted his fifteenth of the season, with the help of Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington tied it with a Michael Latta goal, made possible by John Carlson and Karl Alzner. The game went to a shootout, where the Capitals won 4-3 on a lone Backstrom tally. The three stars were Franzen, Backstrom, and DeKeyser, while Kindl gets an honorable mention.

Further to the west, the Minnesota Wild host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Josh Harding are the veteran goalies. Minnesota began in the first period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville. The Wild added on as Pominville put away his twelfth of the year, assisted by Jared Spurgeon and Nino Neiderreiter. Florida got on the board in the third period as Tomas Kopecky scored, with the help of Jesse Winchester. The Panthers tied it when Jonathan Huberdeau scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Nick Bjugstad. Minnesota retook the lead on a Charlie Coyle goal, his second of the year, via Koivu and Ryan Suter. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Pominville, Coyle, and Koivu.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Ondrej Pavelec are the unreliable goalies. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his second of the season, coming on the power play via Devin Setoguchi and Olli Jokinen. Philadelphia tied it with a Scott Hartnell goal, his third of the year, made possible by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen on the power play. The Jets tied it as Byfuglien scored his second of the game and third of the year, a power play goal powered by Jokinen and Evander Kane. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Winnipeg won 3-2 as Setoguchi and Giroux exchanged goals before Bryan Little sealed the deal. The three stars were Byfuglien, Hartnell, and Setoguchi.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers host the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Devan Dubnyk are the inexperienced goalies. San Jose opened in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his seventh of the season, coming on the power play from Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture. The Sharks added on as Tomas Hertl scored his twelfth of the year, via Thornton and Tommy Wingels. San Jose extended the lead with a Marleau goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Jason Demers and Thornton. Edmonton got on the board with a Nail Yakupov power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-1, and the three stars were given to Marleau, Stalock (30 for 31 in saves), and Thornton.

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KHL Day 73 2013-2014

Twelve games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Alexei Murygin are the reliable goalies. Kazan started with an Alexander Svitov goal, assisted by Vasily Tokranov. Khabarovsk tied it as Jan Mursak scored, with the help of Andrei Stepanov. Amur took the lead with a Timofei Shishkanov power play goal, powered by Vladimir Loginov and Stepanov. Khabarovsk added on as Vyacheslav Litovchenko scored, thanks to Alexander Yunkov. Ak Bars got one back in the second period with an Evgeny Medvedev goal, passed from Shaun Heshka. Amur responded in the third period with a Jakub Petruzalek power play goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Tarasov. Khabarovsk extended the lead as Dmitry Lugin scored an unassisted goal. Kazan pulled back with a power play goal from Alexei Tereshchenko, guided in by Ilya Nikulin and Konstantin Korneyev. Amur iced it at 6-3 with an empty net goal from Mursak, set up by Tarasov and Evgeny Korotkov. The three stars were Mursak, Stepanov, and Tarasov.

South to Vladivostok, as Admiral welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Joakim Lundstrom draw the starts. Vladivostok got going in the second period as Vladimir Pervushin scored, thanks to Sergei Barbashev. Admiral added on as Alexei Ugarov scored, with the help of Artyom Ternavsky. Vladivostok extended the lead when Richard Gynge scored, courtesy of Ugarov and Ternavsky. Admiral padded the lead on a third period goal by Konstantin Sokolov, fueled by Igor Bortnikov and Viktor Drugov. Vladivostok won 5-0 after an Evgeny Grachyov power play goal, powered by Mathias Porseland. The three stars were Lundstrom (29 save shutout), Ugarov, and Ternavsky.

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. Novosibirsk was first to score with an unassisted power play goal by Nikolai Lemtyugov. Sibir added on in the second period as Dmitry Kugryshev scored, with the help of Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Novosibirsk extended the lead with an Enlund power play goal, powered by Vyacheslav Belov and Lehtera. Podolsk got on the board in the third period when Alexei Makeyev scored, with assists provided by Igor Golovkov and Ivan Ivanov. This only made it 3-1, a final, with the three stars being Enlund, Koskinen (31 for 32 in saves), and Lehtera.

Staying in the region, Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Niko Hovinen are between the pipes. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period as Evgeny Lapenkov scored, thanks to Denis Kurepanov. Metallurg added on with an Alexei Kosourov goal, fueled by Raymond Giroux and Artyom Gareyev. Novokuznetsk extended the lead in the second period when Nikita Vyglazov scored, with the help of Vadim Mitryakov. Moscow got on the board as Dmitry Vishnevsky scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Pestunov. Dynamo pulled closer in the third period on another Vishnevsky goal, coming off of Alexei Sopin and Marek Kvapil. Moscow tied it on a Dominik Granak goal, guided in by Denis Mosalyov and Leo Komarov. Dynamo won 4-3 in overtime with a Martins Karsums power play goal, assisted by Alexei Tsvetkov and Vishnevsky. The three stars were Vishnevsky, Karsums, and Granak.

Into Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Andrei Vasilevsky play in goal. Zagreb opened in the first period on a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Kurtis Foster and Mark Katic. Medvescak added on as Hugh Jessiman scored, thanks to Michael Ryan and Boyd Kane. Zagreb extended the lead in the second period with a Mathieu Carle goal, fueled by Luke Walker and Patrick Bjorkstrand. Ufa got on the board with an Igor Mirnov goal, coming off of Kirill Koltsov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev pulled closer in the third period with an Antti Pihlstrom goal, made possible by Andrei Zubarev and Koltsov. They couldn't tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Carle, Dekanich (35 for 37 in saves), and Koltsov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Donetsk dented the scoreboard in the second period as Evgeny Dadonov scored, with the help of Maxim Yakutsenya. Magnitogorsk tied it as Sergei Mozyakin scored in the third period, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg took the lead with another Mozyakin goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Kovar. This made it 2-1, the final, with Mozyakin, Koshechkin (30 for 31 in saves), and Kovar getting the three stars.

Further west, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period with a Jan Bulis goal, courtesy of Stanislav Chistov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Traktor added on as Anton Glinkin scored, with the help of Evgeny Katichev in the second period. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the third period as Vyacheslav Osnovin scored, via Nikita Khlystov and Dmitry Sayustov. This was good for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being given to Garnett (38 save shutout), Bulis, and Glinkin.

Up in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik welcomes Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Alexander Sudnitsin are in the blue paint. Nizhnekamsk got going in the second period with a Maxim Berezin goal, fueled by Jan Kolar and Yegor Milovzorov. Neftekhimik added on with another Berezin, assisted by Denis Tolpeko and Igor Polygalov. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Renat Mamashev scored, with the help of Roman Lyuduchin and Nikolai Belov. Neftekhimik padded the lead with a Petr Koukal shorthanded goal, set up by Milovzorov. Nizhnekamsk got another in the third period as Milovzorov converted a penalty shot he received after being tripped by Deron Quint. This was all they needed for a 5-0 final, with the three stars going to Berezin, Milovzorov, and Sudnitsin (29 save shutout).

Speaking of Moscow, CSKA brings in Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Ilya Proskuryakov have the green light to start. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Alexander Radulov goal, assisted by Nikita Zaitsev. CSKA added on as Ruslan Zainullin scored, helped along by Igor Fefelov and Fyodor Fyodorov. Moscow iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Igor Grigorenko, set up by Radulov. The three stars were Radulov, Proskuryakov (36 save shutout), and Zainullin.

Leaving Russia for Latvia, where Dinamo Riga hosts Avangard Omsk. Mathieu Garon and Mikael Tellqvist are the goalies with NHL experience. Riga began in the first period as Kristaps Sotnieks scored, with the help of Arvids Rekis. Dinamo added on in the third period with a Marcel Hossa goal, fueled by Kyle Wilson. Omsk got on the board as Sergei Shirokov scored, thanks to Denis Kulyash on the power play. Riga wrapped it up at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Wilson, going in unassisted. The three stars were Hossa, Wilson, and Tellqvist (26 for 27 in saves).

Over in the Czech Republic, Lev Prague welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Petri Vehanen occupy the creases. Khanty-Mansiysk opened in the first period with a Veli-Matti Savinainen goal, fueled by Tomas Starosta. Prague tied it in the second period as Jiri Sekac scored, thanks to Martin Thornberg and Martin Sevc. Lev took the lead with a power play goal in the third period by Nathan Oystrick, with a lone assist by Sekac. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Sekac, Oystrick, and Vehanen (22 for 23 in saves).

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Jaroslav Janus are all padded up. Yekaterinburg started in the second period with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, assisted by Anton Lazarev and Tobias Viklund. Bratislava tied it in the third period with a Michal Vondrka goal, with a lone helper from Michel Miklik. Slovan took the lead on an Andrej Stastny goal, fueled by Marko Dano and Martin Bakos. Bratislava made it 3-1 with a Mario Bliznak power play goal into an empty net, powered by Miklik and Vondrka. The three stars were Janus (36 for 37 in saves), Vondrka, and Miklik.

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NHL Day 45 2013-2014

A light slate of games on a Thursday, beginning with the first of seven in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky faces a lesser foe in Chad Johnson. Columbus started in the first period as Blake Comeau scored his second of the season, assisted by Mark Letestu and Derek MacKenzie. Boston tied it as Loui Eriksson scored his third of the year, courtesy of Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins took the lead in the second period on a Shawn Thornton goal, his second of the season, via Gregory Campbell and Torey Krug. The Blue Jackets tied it again as Nick Foligno potted his fourth of the year, thanks to Nikita Nikitin. Boston won 3-2 in overtime as Milan Lucic scored an unassisted goal, his eighth of the campaign. Lucic, Eriksson, and Thornton were the three stars. 

Into New York, where the Islanders welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens and Kevin Poulin make the spot starts. New York got going in the second period as Casey Cizikas scored, thanks to Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders added on with an Aaron Ness goal, with a lone assist by John Tavares. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period as Slava Voynov scored his third of the season, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. The Kings tied it as Tanner Pearson scored a power play goal, powered by Voynov and Linden Vey. Los Angeles took the lead on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his third of the year, made possible by Jake Muzzin and Vey. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Voynov, Toffoli, and Vey.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Ben Bishop are the overrated goalies. Tampa Bay was first to score in the first period with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Teddy Purcell and Matthew Carle. The Lightning added on when Martin St. Louis scored a power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by J.T. Brown and Filppula. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period as Filppula netted his second of the game and eighth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Victor Hedman and St. Louis. The Lightning padded the lead with an Alex Killorn goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by St. Louis and Mark Barberio. Anaheim got on the board with an Emerson Etem goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Cam Fowler and Francois Beauchemin. Tampa Bay wrapped it up at 5-1 in the third period with a Hedman goal, his third of the year, set up by Richard Panik and Tyler Johnson. The three stars were awarded to Filppula, St. Louis, and Hedman.

Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Corey Crawford are the solid goalies. Chicago led off in the first period with a Brandon Saad goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks added on with a power play goal by Patrick Sharp, his fifth of the year, powered by Jonathan Toews and Kane. Phoenix got on the board with a Michael Stone goal, his fourth of the season, via Mikkel Boedker and Rob Klinkhammer. The Coyotes tied it with a power play goal by Shane Doan, his ninth of the year, guided in by Keith Yandle and Mike Ribeiro. Chicago took the lead back as Marian Hossa scored his ninth of the season in the second period, with assists provided by Toews and Duncan Keith. Phoenix tied it again as Lauri Korpikoski scored his third of the year, thanks to Radim Vrbata and Yandle. The Coyotes took the lead with another Stone goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, fueled by Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Blackhawks retied it in the third period as Brandon Pirri scored his fourth of the year, helped along by Brent Seabrook and Leddy. The tie lasted to a shootout, where goals by Toews and Pirri topped a lone tally by Vrbata for a 5-4 Chicago win. The three stars were Toews, Pirri, and Stone, while Kane, Leddy, Doan, and Yandle get the honorable mentions.

Down in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jaroslav Halak are the veteran goalies. St. Louis struck first in the first period as Derek Roy scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo. Colorado answered with a power play goal by Nathan MacKinnon, his third of the year, coming off of Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog. The Blues took the lead back in the second period on a David Backes power play goal, his seventh of the campaign, powered by Oshie and Roy. St. Louis added on as Alexander Steen scored his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Backes and Oshie, the latter getting a sock trick. The Blues extended the lead as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his sixth of the year, with the help of Patrik Berglund and Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis padded the lead on a Chris Stewart power play goal, his third of the campaign, via Kevin Shattenkirk and Roy. The Blues kept going in the third period as Steen scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, with assists provided by Backes and Oshie. The Avalanche shot back on Matt Duchene's twelfth of the year, made possible by Nate Guenin and Ryan O'Reilly. St. Louis responded with a Jay Bouwmeester goal, set up by Tarasenko and Pietrangelo. Colorado made it 7-3 with an O'Reilly goal, his seventh of the campaign, with assists from Jamie McGinn and Nick Holden. The three stars were given to Steen, Backes, and Oshie, while Roy, Tarasenko, O'Reilly, and Pietrangelo get the honorable mentions.

Further northwest to Calgary, as the Flames welcome the Dallas Stars. Reto Berra and Kari Lehtonen had the green light to start. Dallas began in the first period as Stephane Robidas scored his second of the season, assisted by Brendon Dillon and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on in the second period as Tyler Seguin scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Benn and Valeri Nichushkin. Dallas extended the lead as Benn potted his seventh of the season, via Seguin and Alex Goligoski. The Stars padded the lead on the second of the game and tenth of the year from Seguin, fueled by Benn, who got a sock trick, and Goligoski. Karri Ramo relieved Berra at this time. Dallas kept going as Ryan Garbutt scored his second of the season, with the help of Antoine Roussel, the latter getting a natural sock trick. Calgary got on the board with the second of the year by Matt Stajan, coming off of David Jones and Dennis Wideman. The Stars shot back as Seguin completed his hat trick with his eleventh of the season, made possible by Nichushkin and Benn. The Flames got one back on a power play goal by Jones, his fourth of the year, powered by Kris Russell and Sven Baertschi. Calgary pulled closer with a shorthanded Stajan goal, his second of the game and third of the season, set up by T.J. Galiardi. Dallas iced it at 7-3 as Seguin scored his fourth of the night and twelfth of the year on the power play, with assists provided by Benn and Sergei Gonchar. The three stars were Seguin, Benn, and Stajan, while Goligoski, Nichushkin, and Jones get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Kevin Bieksa power play goal, guided in by Henrik Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. San Jose tied it late in the third period with the eleventh of the season by Tomas Hertl, via Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. The Sharks won it 2-1 in overtime as Boyle scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture. The three stars were Boyle, Hertl, and Niemi (34 for 35 in saves).

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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Thursday Night Football Week 11 2013

Tonight's Thursday night game comes from Tennessee, as the Titans host their AFC South rivals, the Indianapolis Colts. Tennessee began with a first quarter Chris Johnson touchdown run of 30 yards, and Rob Bironas made the extra point. The Titans added on as Johnson ran in a 7 yard touchdown, and Bironas handled another extra point. Indianapolis got on the board in the second quarter as Adam Vinatieri made a 48 yard field goal. Bironas answered for Tennessee on a 25 yard field goal. The Colts shot back when Vinatieri blasted a 30 yard field goal. Indianapolis pulled closer in the third quarter as Donald Brown ran 6 yards for a touchdown, and Vinatieri supplied the extra point. The Colts took the lead as Andrew Luck rushed 11 yards for a touchdown, and Vinatieri was true with the PAT. Indianapolis extended the lead as Vinatieri made a 50 yard field goal. The Titans responded in the fourth quarter on a Bironas 38 yard field goal. The Colts replied as Brown ran 11 yards for another touchdown, and Vinatieri handled the extra point. Tennessee chipped back late as Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 19 yard touchdown to Delanie Walker, and Bironas knocked in the extra point. It wasn't enough for them to avoid a 30-27 defeat, and the Colts are now 7-3 while the Titans fall to 4-6.

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KHL Day 72 2013-2014

Two games on today, beginning in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Vitaly Kolesnik are set to start. Yaroslavl got going in the third period on an Emil Galimov goal, going in unassisted. Lokomotiv added on with a Sergei Plotnikov empty net goal, set up by Daniil Apalkov. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Kolesnik (27 save shutout), Galimov, and Salak (22 for 23 in saves).

Down in Mytishchi, Atlant welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Stanislav Galimov are the masked men. Mytishchi began in the first period on an Andreas Engqvist goal, assisted by Evgeny Artyukhin and Juha-Pekka Haataja. Cherepovets tied it on a Vadim Berdnikov power play goal, going in unassisted. Atlant took the lead in the third period with a Haataja goal, via Yury Trubachyov and Vitaly Atyushov. Severstal tied it again as Berdnikov scored another power play goal, powered by Alexander Yevseyenkov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Trubachyov had two goals and Konstantin Koltsov added another for Mytishchi, topping goals by Linus Videll and Berdnikov for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Trubachyov, Berdnikov, and Haataja.

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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

NHL Day 44 2013-2014

Only three games on tonight, beginning in...

Minnesota, as the Wild host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Niklas Backstrom were given the starts, but Backstrom was pulled with an injury in the first period in favor of Josh Harding. In the second period, Toronto dented the scoreboard with a Mason Raymond power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and Nazem Kadri. Minnesota tied it with a Zach Parise goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu. The game was won by the Wild with Parise and Jason Pominville goals in the shootout for a 2-1 final. The three stars were Harding (19 for 20 in saves), Parise, and Bernier (33 for 34 in saves).

Back east, where the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers in the Battle of Pennsylvania. Ray Emery and Marc-Andre Fleury played in the creases. Philadelphia opened in the first period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Wayne Simmonds. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Sidney Crosby, his ninth of the year, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Jussi Jokinen. The Flyers took the lead back as Schenn scored his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, a power play goal coming off Steve Downie and Jakub Voracek. This made it 2-1, the final, with Schenn, Emery (30 for 31 in saves), and Crosby being the three stars.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Devan Dubnyk are the unappreciated goalies. Dallas started in the first period as Rich Peverley scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Jordie Benn and Antoine Roussel. The Stars added on as Tyler Seguin scored his eighth of the year, an unassisted empty net goal. Dallas iced it at 3-0 with a Roussel empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Trevor Daley and the goalie Lehtonen. Lehtonen (22 save shutout), Roussel, and Peverley were the three stars.

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KHL Day 71 2013-2014

Hopefully the return from the international break finds everyone doing well. The KHL is back with twelve games today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Alexei Murygin are given the starting nods. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period as Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev scored, with the help of Wojtek Wolski and Justin Hodgman. Khabarovsk tied it in the third period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Loginov. Torpedo won 2-1 with a lone tally by Krasnoslobodtsev in the shootout. The three stars were Krasnoslobodtsev, Koval (37 for 38 in saves), and Murygin (29 for 30 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Evgeny Ivannikov are in the blue paint. Vladivostok dented the scoreboard in the second period as Niclas Bergfors scored, with the help of Felix Schutz. Kazan tied it on an unassisted goal by Tomas Vincour. Admiral took the lead back with a Michael Commodore goal, assisted by Vladimir Pervushin and Sergei Barbashev. Ak Bars retied it in the third period with a Kirill Petrov goal, coming off of Evgeny Medvedev and Tim Stapleton. Vladivostok took the lead once more as Konstantin Sokolov scored, thanks to Igor Bortnikov. This was good for a 3-2 win, and the three stars were Sokolov, Commodore, and Bergfors.

Out west, Sibir Novosibirsk brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Mikko Koskinen play in goal. Novosibirsk was first to score in the third period as Stepan Sannikov found twine, with helpers provided by Dmitry Monya and Oleg Gubin. This was the game's only goal, so Sibir won 1-0. The three stars were awarded to Koskinen (26 save shutout), Sannikov, and Lazushin (34 for 35 in saves).

Into Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Ilya Sorokin are between the pipes. Podolsk struck first in the second period with a power play goal by Logan Pyett, powered by Yury Koksharov and Dmitry Shitikov. Vityaz added on as Maxim Afinogenov scored an unassisted goal. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Lisutin (37 save shutout), Pyett, and Afinogenov.

Further west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa welcomes Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Andrei Vasilevsky protect the nets. Ufa began in the first period as Teemu Hartikainen scored, thanks to Anton Babchuk and Arturs Kulda. Moscow tied it with an Alexei Krutov goal, passed from Deron Quint and Vyacheslav Kozlov. The tie lasted to overtime, where Quint scored a power play goal, powered by Matt Anderson to give Spartak a 2-1 win. The three stars were Quint, Glass (31 for 32 in saves), and Krutov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg brings in Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Magnitogorsk started in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, assisted by Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on in the second period as Kovar scored, with the help of Rinat Ibragimov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Ibragimov, powered by Milan Gulas. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars being Koshechkin (37 save shutout), Kovar, and Ibragimov.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Michael Garnett are the North American goalies. Donetsk led off in the third period with a Tuomas Kiiskinen goal, fueled by Jan Kolar. This was good for a 1-0 Donbass win, and the three stars went to Leighton (25 save shutout), Kiiskinen, and Garnett (24 for 25 in saves).

Up in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Alexander Sudnitsin man the creases. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Jan Kolar. Zagreb tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Bill Thomas, powered by Mark Katic. Neftekhimik took the lead back with a Denis Tolpeko goal, assisted by Oskar Osala and Stanislav Romanov. Medvescak retied it as Hugh Jessiman scored, thanks to Jonathan Cheechoo and Michael Ryan. Nizhnekamsk ended up winning 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally by Petr Koukal. The three stars were Kolar, Tolpeko, and Koukal.

Heading into Moscow, where CSKA brings in Avangard Omsk. Mathieu Garon and Ilya Proskuryakov will attempt to stop the puck. Moscow got going in the second period as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored, with the help of Alexander Radulov and Igor Grigorenko. Omsk tied it with a Dmitry Semin goal, fueled by Sergei Shirokov and Sergei Kostitsyn on the power play. CSKA took the lead back in the third period with a power play goal by Prokhorkin, powered by Georgy Misharin and Radulov. Moscow iced it at 3-1 with an Oleg Saprykin empty net goal, set up by Alexei Morozov. The three stars were Prokhorkin, Proskuryakov (27 for 28 in saves), and Radulov.

Leaving Russia, we have Dinamo Riga hosting Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Mikael Tellqvist are the experienced goalies. Riga began with a first period goal by Kyle Wilson, assisted by Roberts Bukarts and Sandis Ozolins. Astana tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Dmitry Upper, powered by Konstantin Rudenko and Roman Starchenko. Dinamo took the lead back as Ozolins scored a power play goal, guided in by Marcel Hossa and Wilson. Barys tied it again with a Nikolai Antropov goal, via Maxim Semyonov and Talgat Zhailauov. The tie went into an eleven-round shootout, where Dinamo prevailed as Paul Szczechura, Aleksandrs Nizivijs (twice), and Hossa scored to top Nigel Dawes, Dustin Boyd, and Upper for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Ozolins, Hossa, and Wilson, while Upper and Nizivijs get the honorable mentions.

Next up, Lev Prague welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Petri Vehanen are the young goalies. Prague was first to score in the first period on a Ryan O'Byrne goal, fueled by Calle Ridderwall and Dominik Pacovsky. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the second period with a Sergei Demagin goal, coming off of Alexei Simakov and Igor Yemeleyev. Lev took the lead back as Jakub Klepis scored, with a lone assist from Mikko Maenpaa. Avtomobilist tied it in the third period on another Demagin goal, helped along by Fyodor Malykhin. Prague won 3-2 in overtime as Martin Sevc scored, thanks to Patrik Zackrisson on the power play. The three stars were given to Demagin, Sevc, and Klepis.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Jaroslav Janus guard the cages. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first in the first period with an unassisted goal by Artyom Bulyansky. Yugra added on with a shorthanded goal by Mikhail Zhukov, set up by Radek Smolenak and Andrei Shefer. Bratislava got on the board in the third period as Michel Miklik scored a power play goal, powered by Michal Vondrka and Martin Skoula. Slovan tied it as Tomas Mojzis scored, via Martin Stajnoch. Bratislava won 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally by Tomas Netik. The three stars were Miklik, Mojzis, and Netik.

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