Monday, November 25, 2013

KHL Day 83 2013-2014

Only one game today, as Atlant Mytishchi hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Sergei Borisov are set to start. Yaroslavl got going in the second period as Mikelis Redlihs scored, with a lone assist by Kirill Kapustin. Mytishchi tied it in the third period with an unassisted power play goal by Alexander Kadeikin. Atlant won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Yury Trubachyov and Konstantin Koltsov. The three stars were Borisov (40 for 41 in saves), Sanford (39 for 40 in saves), and Kadeikin.

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Sunday, November 24, 2013

NFL Week 12 2013

This is the last of the bye weeks everybody! Full schedules will happen in the last five weeks of the season.

For this week, we begin in Miami, as the Dolphins host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina began in the first quarter as Graham Gano kicked a 52 yard field goal. Miami took the lead as Ryan Tannehill found Mike Wallace for 53 yards and a touchdown, and Caleb Sturgis made the extra point. The Dolphins added on as Sturgis made a 32 yard field goal. Miami extended the lead on a Sturgis 47 yard field goal. Miami padded the lead when Sturgis knocked in a 23 yard field goal. The Panthers got some back as Gano made a 46 yard field goal. Carolina pulled closer on a 5 yard touchdownb run by Cam Newton in the third quarter, and Gano handled the PAT. The Panthers gained the lead as Newton tossed a 1 yard touchdown to Greg Olsen in the fourth quarter, and Gano made another extra point. This held up for a 20-16 win, with the Panthers now at 8-3 while the Dolphins drop to 5-6.

Up in St. Louis, the Rams welcome the Chicago Bears. St. Louis opened in the first quarter as Tavon Austin ran 65 yards for a touchdown, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Rams added on with a 1 yard touchdown run by Zac Stacy, and Zuerlein supplied the extra point. Chicago got some back with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Josh McCown to Martellus Bennett, and Robibe Gould knocked in the extra point. St. Louis replied as Kellen Clemens threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Jared Cook, and Zuerlein drove in the extra point. The Bears pulled back in the second quarter as McCown connected on a 3 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, and Gould booted another PAT. The Rams shot back as Zuerlein made a 29 yard field goal. St. Louis got some more in the third quarter on a 40 yard field goal by Zuerlein. Chicago chipped back in the fourth quarter on a Michael Bush 1 yard touchdown run, and Gould kicked the extra point. The Rams extended the lead as Benny Cunningham ran 9 yards for a touchdown, and Zuerlein drilled the extra point. St. Louis padded the lead as Robert Quinn returned a fumble by McCown for 31 yards and a touchdown, and Zuerlein made another extra point. This produced the 42-21 final, with the Rams going to 5-6 while the Bears fall to 6-5.

Across Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs bring in the San Diego Chargers. San Diego was first to score in the first quarter on a 30 yard field goal by Nick Novak. Kansas City answered with a 32 yard Alex Smith touchdown pass to Donnie Avery, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. The Chiefs added on in the second quarter as Jamaal Charles rushed 7 yards for a touchdown, and Succop knocked in the extra point. The Chargers answered with an 11 yard Philip Rivers touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead, and Novak supplied another extra point. San Diego took the lead as Ryan Mathews ran in a 1 yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Novak made the extra point. Kansas City took the lead back with a 1 yard touchdown run by Charles, and Succop was true with the extra point. The Chargers reclaimed the lead on a 3 yard touchdown run by Woodhead, and Novak booted the PAT. The Chiefs retook the lead when Smith found Anthony Fasano for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Succop handled the extra point. San Diego chipped back in the fourth quarter as Novak made a 30 yard field goal. Kansas City replied with a 25 yard field goal by Succop. The Chargers regained the lead as Rivers found Ladarius Green for 60 yards and a touchdown, and Novak had the extra point. The Chiefs pulled back ahead on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Smith to Dwayne Bowe, and Succop nailed the extra point. San Diego sealed victory late as Rivers passed a 26 yard touchdown to Seyi Ajirotutu, and Novak made his extra point for a 41-38 win. The Chargers improve to 5-6 while dropping the Chiefs to 9-2.

Back east, the Baltimore Ravens host the New York Jets. New York led off in the first quarter as Nick Folk made a 27 yard field goal. Baltimore tied it on a Justin Tucker field goal of 30 yards. The Ravens took the lead in the second quarter as Tucker made a 26 yard field goal. Baltimore added on with a Tucker 33 yard field goal. The Ravens extended the lead as Tucker supplied a 53 yard field goal in the third quarter. Baltimore padded the lead when Joe Flacco found Jacoby Jones for 66 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker booted the PAT. This held up through a scoreless fourth quarter for a 19-3 win for the Ravens, who are now 5-6, as are their opponents, the Jets.

Southwest to Houston, as the Texans welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville started in the first quarter on a Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown run of 1 yard, and Josh Scobee knocked in the extra point. The Jaguars added on in the second quarter with a 30 yard Scobee field goal. Houston got on the board as Randy Bullock made a 49 yard field goal. The Texans pulled closer in the third quarter on a 20 yard field goal by Bullock. Jacksonville answered in the fourth quarter as Scobee made a 53 yard field goal. This held up for a 13-6 win, with the Jaguars and Texans both going to 2-9 now.

Up in Green Bay, the Packers bring in the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay struck first in the first quarter on a 6 yard touchdown run by Scott Tolzien, and Mason Crosby supplied the extra point. Minnesota answered as Blair Walsh made a 36 yard field goal. The Vikings got closer in the second quarter as Walsh made a 47 yard field goal. Minnesota took the lead with an Adrian Peterson touchdown run of 1 yard, and Walsh drilled the extra point. The Vikings added on in the third quarter with a 12 yard Christian Ponder touchdown pass to Rhett Ellison, and Walsh kicked another extra point. Minnesota extended the lead in the fourth quarter as Walsh made a 29 yard field goal. The Packers got some back with a 3 yard touchdown run by Eddie Lacy, but the two-point attempt failed. Green Bay pulled closer with a 6 yard Matt Flynn touchdown pass to Jarret Boykin, and Crosby was true with the extra point. The Packers tied it late on a 27 yard Crosby field goal. Green Bay took a lead in overtime on a Crosby 20 yard field goal. Minnesota tied it again as Walsh made a 35 yard field goal. The tie went unbroken, and the final was 26-all. The Packers are now 5-5-1 while the Vikings are 2-8-1.

Over in Detroit, the Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay was first to score in the first quarter on a 38 yard field goal by Rian Lindell. Detroit took the lead in the second quarter as Matthew Stafford found Nate Burleson for 5 yards and a touchdown, and David Akers handled the extra point. The Buccaneers retook the lead as Mike Glennon tossed a 7 yard touchdown to Tiquan Underwood, and Lindell supplied the extra point. The Lions retook the lead as Stafford and Joseph Fauria connected for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Akers nailed the extra point. Tampa Bay edged ahead with a 48 yard interception return by Leonard Johnson, and this allowed Lindell to make the PAT. Detroit regained the lead in the third quarter as Stafford found Brandon Pettigrew for an 18 yard touchdown pass, and Akers was true with the extra point. The Buccaneers pulled ahead again in the fourth quarter as Glennon and Underwood combined for an 85 yard touchdown pass, and Lindell blasted the extra point. This held up for a 24-21 win, with the Buccaneers improving to 3-8 while the Lions fall to 6-5.

South to Cleveland, as the Browns welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh opened in the first quarter with a 47 yard field goal by Shaun Suisham. Cleveland tied it as Billy Cundiff made a 49 yard field goal. The Steelers took the lead back in the second quarter as Ben Roethlisberger tossed a 41 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, and Suisham supplied the extra point. Pittsburgh added on with a Suisham 32 yard field goal. The Steelers extended the lead in the third quarter as Roethlisberger found Emmanuel Sanders for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Suisham drilled the PAT. Pittsburgh padded the lead in the fourth quarter as William Gay picked off Brandon Weeden and returned the interception 21 yards for a touchdown, allowing Suisham to make the extra point. The Browns got some back as Weeden found Josh Gordon for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Weeden's pass to Davone Bess sealed the two-point conversion. This only made it 27-11, the final, with the Steelers going to 5-6 while the Browns fall to 4-7.

Out west, the Oakland Raiders bring in the Tennessee Titans. Oakland started in the first quarter with a Sebastian Janikowski field goal of 52 yards. Tennessee tied it with a 33 yard Rob Bironas field goal. The Titans took the lead in the second quarter as Bironas made a 22 yard field goal. The Raiders tied it again with a Janikowski field goal from 48 yards out. Oakland pulled ahead on a 24 yard field goal by Janikowski. Tennessee took the lead in the third quarter as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed a 54 yard touchdown to Justin Hunter, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Raiders pulled back as Janikowski made a 42 yard field goal. The Titans shot back on a fourth quarter 23 yard field goal by Bironas. Oakland took the lead as Matt McGloin found Marcel Reece for 27 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the PAT. Tennessee took a late lead as Fitzpatrick threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Kendall Wright, and Bironas handled the extra point. This made it a 23-19 final, with the Titans improving to 5-6 and the Raiders dropping to 4-7.

Back down in Arizona, the Cardinals host the Indianapolis Colts. Arizona struck first in the first quarter on a Carson Palmer touchdown pass of 4 yards to Larry Fitzgerald. Indianapolis got on the board with a 27 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The Cardinals added on as Palmer and Fitzgerald hooked up for a 26 yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Feely supplied the extra point. Arizona extended the lead as Feely made a 48 yard field goal. The Cardinals padded the lead as Karlos Dansby picked off Andrew Luck and returned the interception for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Feely had the extra point. Arizona got some more with a 50 yard field goal by Feely. The Cardinals kept going in the third quarter when Rashard Mendenhall ran in a 5 yard touchdown, and Feely made the PAT. The Colts got some back in the fourth quarter as Luck found Coby Fleener for 17 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri booted the extra point. Arizona responded as Feely made a 21 yard field goal. The Cardinals struck again with a 25 yard Feely field goal. This resulted in a 40-11 final, with the Cardinals and Colts both going to 7-4.

Northeast to New Jersey, as the New York Giants welcome the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas began in the first quarter as Jeff Heath picked up a Victor Cruz fumble and ran 50 yards for a touchdown, and Dan Bailey made the extra point. New York got on the board in the second quarter as Josh Brown made a 21 yard field goal. The Cowboys extended their lead as Tony Romo found Jason Witten for 20 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey made another extra point. The Giants pulled back as Brown made a 23 yard field goal. Dallas added on with Romo and Witten hooking up for a touchdown of 2 yards in the third quarter, and Bailey knocked in the PAT. New York answered with a 27 yard Eli Manning touchdown pass to Brandon Myers, and Brown drilled the extra point. The Giants tied it in the fourth quarter as Manning passed 4 yards to Louis Murphy, Jr. for a touchdown, and Brown handled the extra point. The Cowboys won 24-21 at the end of regulation as Bailey made a 35 yard field goal. Dallas is now 6-5 while New York falls to 4-7.

Finally in Foxboro, the New England Patriots bring in the Denver Broncos for the Sunday Night game. Denver led off in the first quarter as Von Miller returned a Stevan Ridley fumble for 60 yards and a touchdown, and Matt Prater booted the extra point. The Broncos added on as Knowshon Moreno ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Prater made another extra point. Denver extended the lead as Prater kicked a 27 yard field goal. The Broncos padded the lead as Peyton Manning threw a 10 yard touchdown to Jacob Tamme, and Prater supplied the extra point. New England got on the board in the third quarter as Tom Brady found Julian Edelman for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots pulled closer with a 1 yard touchdown run by Brandon Bolden, and Gostkowski drilled the PAT. New England chipped away as Brady connected for 6 yards and a touchdown to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski was true with the extra point. The Patriots took the lead in the fourth quarter as Brady and Edelman connected for 14 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski drove in the extra point. New England got some more as Gostkowski made a 31 yard field goal. Denver tied the game as Manning found Demaryius Thomas for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Prater knocked in the extra point. The Patriots won with a Gostkowski 31 yard field goal late in overtime. The Patriots are now 8-3 and the Broncos go to 9-2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 55 2013-2014

Two games on today, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Ryan Miller get the starting nods. Buffalo started in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Drew Stafford. Detroit tied it in the second period as Darren Helm scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Daniel Alfredsson and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings gained the lead in the third period as Johan Franzen scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit iced it at 3-1 as Alfredsson scored an empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Franzen. The three stars were Franzen, Gustavsson (21 for 22 in saves), and Alfredsson.

The other game is from Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Cam Ward are in the creases. Ottawa opened in the first period with the tenth of the season for Jason Spezza, assisted by Mika Zibanejad. Carolina tied it in the second period as Patrick Dwyer scored his third of the year, coming off of Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Eric Staal. Carolina added on as Elias Lindholm scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Eric Staal and Faulk. The Hurricanes wrapped it up at 4-1 with an Eric Staal empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Manny Malhotra. Eric Staal, Ward (35 for 36 in saves), and Faulk are given the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 82 2013-2014

Twelve more games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Mathieu Garon are in the blue paint. Omsk was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Sergei Shirokov, powered by Kirill Lyamin and Maxim Goncharov. Avangard added on with a Stefan Ruzicka goal, fueled by Sergei Kalinin. Riga got on the board in the second period as Vitalijs Pavlovs scored, thanks to Miks Indrasis and Marcel Hascak. Omsk replied as Alexander Popov scored, with helpers provided by Shirokov and Andrei Ivanov. Dinamo got one back in the third period on a Paul Szczechura goal, going in unassisted. Avangard answered on a Dmitry Semin goal, with a lone assist from Kalinin. Omsk wrapped it up at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Sergei Kostitsyn, set up by Shirokov and Semin. The three stars were Shirokov, Semin, and Kalinin.

Up in Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Jakub Kovar make the starts. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period as Alexander Streltsov scored, thanks to Anatoly Golyshev. Avtomobilist added on with an Igor Yemeleyev power play goal, with a lone assist by Tobias Viklund. Yekaterinburg extended the lead as Alexei Simakov scored, via Sergei Demagin. Avtomobilist padded the lead with a power play goal by Nikita Tryamkin, powered by Eduard Lewandowski. Yekaterinburg got another when Alexei Yefimov scored, with the help of Lewandowski and Anthony Stewart. Bratislava got on the board in the third period with a Michal Vondrka goal, passed from Martin Stajnoch. Avtomobilist replied on an Anton Lazarev goal, assisted by Viklund and Fyodor Malykhin. Yekaterinburg kept going as Ilya Arkalov scored a goal, guided in by Yefimov. Avtomobilist finished it at 8-1 with an Artyom Chernov goal, made possible by Tryamkin. The three stars were Yefimov, Tryamkin, and Viklund, while Lewandowski gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the region, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk brings in Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Alexei Kuznetsov receive the starting nods. Prague began in the first period on a Justin Azevedo goal, coming off of Jiri Novotny. Lev added on in the second period as David Ullstrom scored, with a lone helper by Novotny. Prague extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Topi Jaakola. Khanty-Mansiysk got one back as Artyom Bulyansky converted a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Marc-Andre Gragnani. Lev shot back in the third period as Martin Thornberg scored, with the help of Jiri Sekac. This made it a 4-1 final score, with the three stars belonging to Vehanen (31 for 32 in saves), Novotny, and Ullstrom.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Vitaly Yeremeyev man the creases. Moscow opened in the first period on an Alexei Morozov goal, thanks to Georgy Misharin and Oleg Saprykin. CSKA added on as Saprykin scored, with helpers from Yakov Rylov and Morozov. Astana got on the board in the second period with an Evgeny Blokhin goal, passed from Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Moscow responded in the third period on an Ivan Nepryayev goal, coming off of Nikita Zaitsev and Fyodor Fyodorov. Barys answered back with a power play goal by Bochenski, powered by Roman Savchenko. CSKA shot back when Igor Grigornko scored an unassisted. Moscow iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Saprykin, his second of the game, set up by Stanislav Yegorshev and Morozov. The three stars were handed to Saprykin, Morozov, and Bochenski.

Northwest to Moscow, as Dynamo welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Alexander Lazushin are the backups making spot starts. Moscow led off in the first period with a Sergei Soin goal, fueled by Denis Kokarev and Yury Babenko. Khabarovsk tied it as Alexander Yunkov converted a penalty shot he received after Martins Karsums slashed him. Amur took the lead as Yunkov scored a regular goal, via Jan Mursak and Andrei Stepanov. Khabarovsk extended the lead in the second period as Jakub Petruzalek scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Dynamo answered with a Denis Mosalyov goal, courtesy of Soin and Kokarev. Moscow tied it as Leo Komarov scored a power play goal, powered by Karsums and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo gained the lead on a Soin power play goal, guided in by Tsvetkov and Babenko. Moscow padded the lead on a Dominik Granak goal, made possible by Komarov and Tsvetkov, the latter getting a sock trick. Amur got one back in the third period as Stepanov scored an unassisted goal. They failed to tie the game, losing 5-4, with the three stars being Soin, Komarov, and Yunkov, while Tsvetkov, Babenko, Kokarev, and Stepanov all get the honorable mentions.

Staying in the region, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Ivan Lisutin guard the cages. Novosibirsk started in the first period with a power play goal by Jonas Enlund, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Jori Lehtera. Sibir added on in the second period as Kristian Kudroc scored a power play goal, via Lehtera and Kugryshev. Novosibirsk extended the lead with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, assisted by Konstantin Alexeyev and Nikolai Lemtyugov. Podolsk got on the board with a Dinar Khafizullin goal, passed from Sergei Rozin and Mike Iggulden. Vityaz pulled closer in the third period when Igor Golovkov scored, with assists provided by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexei Makeyev. Podolsk tied it as Yegor Seleznyov scored, with the help of Airat Ziazov. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Dmitry Shitikov and Vyacheslav Solodukhin scored to top a single tally by Lemtyugov for a 4-3 Vityaz win. The three stars were handed to Lehtera, Kugryshev, and Lemtyugov.

A bit to the east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin is mismatched with Georgy Gelashvili in goal. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period with a Sakari Salminen goal, fueled by Denis Parshin and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo added on with a Parshin goal, with a lone assist by Immonen. Nizhny Novgorodd extended the lead as Sergei Bernatsky scored, thanks to Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Torpedo padded the lead on another Salminen goal, assisted by Maxim Potapov and Vladimir Denisov. Nizhny Novgorod got another in the third period on an unassisted goal by Vladimir Galuzin. This made it 5-0, the final, with the three stars being Salminen, Gelashvili (30 save shutout), and Parshin, while Immonen gets an honorable mention.

Back west, SKA St. Petersburg welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin faces a lesser foe in Ilya Ezhov in goal. St. Petersburg began in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov goal, fueled by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Dmitry Kalinin. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Nikolai Belov, powered by Yegor Milovzorov and Renat Mamashev. SKA took the lead back in the third period when Maxim Chudinov scored, thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrick Thoresen. They went onto win 2-1, with the three stars going to Ezhov (16 for 17 in saves), Chudinov, and Sudnitsin (30 for 32 in saves).

Eastward to Kazan, as Ak Bars brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Emil Garipov are between the pipes. Kazan got going in the second period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on in the third period as Tomas Vincour scored, with the help of Tereshchenko. Kazan extended the lead with a power play goal by Nikulin, powered by Konstantin Korneyev. Ak Bars padded the lead on a Tim Stapleton power play goal, guided in by Evgeny Medvedev and Mikhail Varnakov. Kazan struck again on the power play when Vincour scored his second of the game, pushed through by Petrov and Tereshchenko. Vladivostok avoided the shutout with a Konstantin Sokolov goal, helped along by Artyom Ternavsky. This resulted in a 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Vincour, Tereshchenko, and Nikulin, while Petrov and Garipov (18 for 19 in saves) receive the three stars.

Leaving Russia, we head to Belarus, as Dinamo Minsk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Lars Haugen protect the nets. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period on a Vladimir Malinovsky goal, courtesy of Anton Shenfeld and Evgeny Grigorenko. Minsk tied it as Tomas Surovy scored, with the help of Geoff Platt and Alexander Materukhin. Dinamo took the lead in the third period as Materukhin scored an unassisted goal. Minsk added on as Platt scored, with a lone helper by Zbynek Irgl. This gave them a 3-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Platt, Materukhin, and Haugen (32 for 33 in saves).

Into Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Michael Leighton are the masked men. Ufa led off in the first period on a Denis Khlystov goal, assisted by Anton Babchuk. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Dadonov scored, thanks to Vaclav Nedorost. Donbass took the lead with a Gennady Razin goal, coming off of Clay Wilson. Donetsk added on as Alexander Toryanik scored, with the help of Evgeny Belukhin and Viktor Zakharov. Salavat Yulaev got one back in the third period as Kirill Koltsov scored a power play goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Makarov. Donbass iced it at 4-2 on a Tuomas Kiiskinen power play goal, powered by Jan Kolar. The three stars were given to Toryanik, Kiiskinen, and Razin.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Barry Brust tend the twines. Zagreb dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Michael Ryan goal, fueled by Matt Murley and Kurtis Foster. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Yegor Artamonov goal, with a lone helper by Anton Glinkin. Medvescak took the lead back in the third period as Ryan Vesce scored, thanks to Charles Linglet. Zagreb added on as Vesce scored a power play goal, powered by Jonathan Cheechoo and Mathieu Carle. Traktor got one back as Artyom Borodkin scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Petri Kontiola. Chelyabinsk tied it with an unassisted power play goal by Jan Bulis. Medvescak regained the lead as Ryan scored, with the help of Foster and Mark Katic. Traktor retied it on a power play goal by Glinkin, coming off of Maxim Kondratyev. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Ryan and Kontiola exchanged goals before Lauris Darzins secured a 5-4 Traktor victory. Glinkin, Kontiola, and Ryan gets the three stars, while Vesce and Foster get honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

NHL Day 54 2013-2014

Twelve games on today, including two matinees. The first is in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward faces a lesser foe in Chad Johnson in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with an Andrej Sekera goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal on the power play. Boston tied it with a power play goal by Zdeno Chara, his fourth of the year, powered by Milan Lucic and Torey Krug. The Bruins took the lead in the second period as Reilly Smith scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Carl Soderberg and Matt Bartkowski. The Hurricanes retied it in the third period with a Patrick Dwyer goal, his second of the year, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Boston won 3-2 in overtime as David Krejci scored his fourth of the campaign, via Jarome Iginla and Johnny Boychuk. The three stars went to Krejci, Dwyer, and Smith.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom returns from injury to face Ondrej Pavelec in goal. Winnipeg got going in the second period as Michael Frolik scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Matt Halischuk. Minnesota tied it as Nino Neiderreiter scored his fifth of the year in the third period, passed from Marco Scandella and Zach Parise. The Jets took the lead back with a Halischuk goal, his second of the season, guided in by Frolik and Mark Scheilefe. The Wild tied it again as Parise scored a shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Koivu and Bryan Little swapped goals before Charlie Coyle gave Minnesota a 3-2 win. The three stars were Parise, Halischuk, and Frolik.

East to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and James Reimer are in the blue paint. Toronto dented the scoreboard in the second period with a David Clarkson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri. Washington tied it in the third perid as Alex Ovechkin scored his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by Mike Green. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Toronto's James van Riemsdyk matched Washington's Eric Fehr before the Maple Leafs won with a Joffrey Lupul goal by a 2-1 score. The three stars went to Reimer (49 for 50 in saves), Holtby (27 for 28 in saves), and Lupul.

Into the States, as the Detroit Red Wings host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner is mismatched with Jimmy Howard in goal. Detroit opened in the first period on a Darren Helm goal, his fourth of the season, coming via Tomas Tatar and Jakub Kindl on the power play. Ottawa answered with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Bobby Ryan and Patrick Wiercioch. The Senators took the lead on a Chris Neil goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Cory Conacher and Zack Smith. The Red Wings tied it on a Pavel Datsyuk third period power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Niklas Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg. Ottawa retook the lead on a Ryan power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza. The Senators finished it at 4-2 with a MacArthur power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Wiercioch and Karlsson. The three stars were MacArthur, Karlsson, and Ryan, while Wiercioch gets the honorable mention.

Back east, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Steve Mason are the unreliable goalies. Philadelphia began in the second period as Matt Read scored his seventh of the season, with the help of Sean Couturier and Steve Downie. The Flyers added on as Wayne Simmonds scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Vincent Lecavalier and Erik Gustafsson. Philadelphia extended the lead on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. Anders Nilsson replaced Poulin at this time. New York got on the board as John Tavares scored his tenth of the year, fueled by Thomas Vanek and Matt Donovan. The Islanders pulled closer in the third period with an Eric Boulton goal, coming off of Casey Cizikas. The Flyers answered as Brayden Schenn scored his seventh of the season, passed from Voracek and Giroux. Philadelphia iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Read, his second of the game and eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Read, Giroux, and Simmonds, while Voracek gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada again, as the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal struck first in the second period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens added on in the third period as Tomas Plekanec scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. Montreal extended the lead when Pacioretty scored his seventh of the season and second of the game, with the help of Raphael Diaz. Pittsburgh got on the board with the third of the year by James Neal, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and Paul Martin on the power play. The Penguins pulled closer as Neal scored his second of the night and fourth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Malkin. They failed to tie the score, losing 3-2, with the three stars belonging to Pacioretty, Neal, and Malkin.

Back south, the St. Louis Blues host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Brian Elliott are the veteran goalies. St. Louis started in the first period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and T.J. Oshie. Dallas tied it with a Brenden Dillon goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Rich Peverley and Jamie Benn. The Blues took the lead back as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis added on in the second period with a David Backes goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Blues extended the lead as Derek Roy scored his sixth of the season in the third period, a power play goal powered by Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis padded the lead with a Chris Stewart goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Brenden Morrow and Jay Bouwmeester. Dan Ellis relieved Lehtonen. The Blues wrapped it up at 6-1 with an Oshie goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Pietrangelo and Patrik Berglund. The three stars went to Elliott (34 for 35 in saves), Oshie, and Pietrangelo.

Over in Nashville, the Predators welcome the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Marek Mazanec are the unheard of goalies. New York was first to score in the second period with a Ryan McDonagh goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Dan Girardi and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers added on as Derek Stepan scored his fifth of the year in the third period, with a lone helper by Zuccarello. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars going to Talbot (17 save shutout), Zuccarello, and McDonagh.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Mike Smith are the masked men. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Dustin Penner power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Cam Fowler and Nick Bonino. Phoenix tied it in the second period on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Derek Morris and Shane Doan. The Ducks retook the lead as Penner scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, thanks to Ben Lovejoy. Anaheim added on as Corey Perry scored his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks extended the lead with a Sami Vatanen power play goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mathieu Perreault and Matt Beleskey. The Coyotes got one back in the third period as Shane Doan scored his eleventh of the year, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. They got no closer, losing 4-2, with the three stars being Penner, Hiller (42 for 44 in saves), and Doan.

Way to the north, as the Vancouver Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Vancouver opened in the first period on a Ryan Kesler goal, his tenth of the season, coming on the power play from Jason Garrison and Daniel Sedin. Chicago tied it in the third period as Andrew Shaw scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks gained the lead with a Marcus Kruger goal, his third of the season, passed from Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Crawford (36 for 37 in saves), Kruger, and Luongo (27 for 29 in saves).

Into California, where the San Jose Sharks welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Antti Niemi protect the nets. San Jose started in the first period with a Scott Hannan goal, his third of the season, passed from Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Sharks added on when Tyler Kennedy potted his third of the year, thanks to Martin Havlat and Jason Demers. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Patrik Elias goal, his fourth of the season, coming on the power play from Andy Greene and Eric Gelinas. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Niemi (18 for 19 in saves), Brodeur (28 for 30 in saves), and Kennedy.

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, as the Kings bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ben Scrivens are between the pipes. The final was 1-0 in favor of Colorado in overtime with a Jamie McGinn goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of John Mitchell and Jan Hejda. Varlamov (19 save shutout), McGinn, and Scrivens (32 for 33 in saves) receive the three stars.

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KHL Day 81 2013-2014

Only one game today, as Severstal Cherepovets hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Jakub Stepanek receive the starting nods. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period with a Nikolai Bushuyev goal, assisted by Linus Videll and Alexander Guskov. Severstal added on as Pavel Buchnevich converted a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Pavel Kopytin on a breakaway. Cherepovets extended the lead in the second period as Buchnevich scored his second of the game, via Nikolai Kazakovtsev. Severstal iced it at 4-0 in the third period with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Buchnevich. The three stars were Buchnevich, Stepanek (25 save shutout), and Bushuyev.

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Friday, November 22, 2013

NHL Day 53 2013-2014

This post comes from home, and details five NHL games. We begin in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Jeff Zatkoff are given the starting nods. Pittsburgh led off with a Chris Kunitz goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the power play. The Penguins added on as Kunitz scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by James Neal and Paul Martin. New York got on the board in the second period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his sixth of the season, via Kyle Okposo and Radek Martinek. Pittsburgh answered with a Malkin goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Neal and Jussi Jokinen. The Islanders got one back as Colin McDonald scored his second of the season, courtesy of Casey Cizikas. New York tied it with another Vanek goal, his second of the night and seventh of the year, made possible by Okposo and John Tavares. The Penguins won 4-3 in the third period as Crosby scored his twelfth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Pascal Dupuis and Kunitz. The three stars were Kunitz, Crosby, and Malkin, while Vanek and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Michal Neuvirth are the backups making spot starts. Montreal began in the first period as Travis Moen scored, with the help of Michael Bournival and Ryan White. The Canadiens added on as David Desharnais scored, thanks to Josh Gorges and Andrei Markov. Montreal extended the lead as Daniel Briere netted his fourth of the season, courtesy of Gorges and Alexei Emelin on the power play. Washington got on the board with Alex Ovechkin scoring his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Carlson and Troy Brouwer. The Capitals pulled closer in the third period with Ovechkin's second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, a power play goal coming off of Carlson and Mikhail Grabovski. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars being given to Ovechkin, Gorges, and Carlson.

Way to the west, the Calgary Flames host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Reto Berra man the creases. Florida was first to score in the first period with a Tom Gilbert goal, fueled by Nick Bjugstad. Calgary tied it in the second period as Joe Colborne notched his third of the season, via David Jones. The Flames took the lead as Sven Baertschi scored his second of the year, courtesy of Colborne and T.J. Brodie on the power play. Calgary extended the lead as Blair Jones scored in the third period, via Lance Bouma and Mikael Backlund. The Panthers got one back with an unassisted Jimmy Hayes goal. Florida tied it on a Marcel Goc goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Sean Bergenheim and Scott Gomez. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jiri Hudler and Brad Boyes traded goals, followed by Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Fleischmann doing the same, and then the Flames won 4-3 as Sean Monahan went unanswered in the sixth round. The three stars were Colborne, Monahan, and Baertschi.

Over in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Columbus started in the first period with a Matt Calvert goal, coming off of Michael Chaput. Vancouver tied it on a Daniel Sedin goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on as Zack Kassian scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Brad Richardson and Ryan Stanton. Vancouver extended the lead with a Henrik Sedin goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks padded the lead with an Edler goal, his third of the year, assisted by Chris Higgins and Mike Santorelli. Vancouver got another in the third period as Henrik Sedin scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Stanton. The Blue Jackets got one back as Artem Anisimov scored his sixth of the year, guided in by Nikita Nikitin and David Savard. The Canucks replied as Jeremy Welsh scored, with the help of Stanton, who got a sock trick, and Dale Weise. This made it 6-2, the final, with Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, and Stanton getting the three stars, while Edler gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Anaheim won 1-0 in overtime on a Ryan Getzlaf goal with just six seconds left, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The three stars were Getzlaf, Hiller (31 save shutout), and Bishop (41 for 42 in saves).

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