Thursday, November 28, 2013

KHL Day 86 2013-2014

Eleven games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Denis Kostin will be in the blue paint. Omsk was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Anton Kuryanov, passed from Kirill Lyamin. Avangard added on as Sergei Shirokov scored, assisted by Kuryanov and Denis Kulyash. Omsk extended the lead with an Ivan Baranka goal, fueled by Alexander Popov. Avangard padded the lead on a power play goal by Popov, powered by Sergei Kostitsyn. Bratislava got on the board in the third period as Tomas Netik scored, with a lone helper by Milan Bartovic. Slovan pulled closer as Martin Bakos scored, thanks to Michal Sersen. This only made it 4-2, with the three stars being Kuryanov, Popov, and Baranka.

North to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. Yekaterinburg began in the first period with a power play goal by Tobias Viklund, powered by Anton Lazarev and Sami Lepisto. Riga tied it on a Rustams Begovs goal, with a lone assist by Maris Bicevskis. Avtomobilist retook the lead in the second period on an Alexander Streltsov goal, fueled by Eduard Lewandowski and Alexei Yefimov. Yekaterinburg added on as Yefimov scored an unassisted goal. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Yefimov, Streltsov, and Kovar (24 for 25 in saves).

Moving along to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Mikhail Biryukov are set to start. Moscow got going in the second period as Ilari Filppula scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Denis Denisov. CSKA added on with an unassisted goal by Nikolai Prokhorkin. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period as Marek Troncinsky scored a power play goal, powered by Tomas Starosta and Stephen Dixon. Yugra tied it with a Mikhail Zhukov goal, guided in by Alexei Kruchinin. Moscow took the lead with an Igor Grigorenko goal, coming off of Prokhorkin and Alexander Radulov. Khanty-Mansiysk retied it with a Radek Smolenak goal, set up by Dixon. CSKA took the lead back on a Denisov goal, made possible by Brandon Reid. They would go on to win 4-3, with the three stars being Denisov, Prokhorkin, and Dixon.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Lev Prague. Atte Engren is mismatched with Ari Ahonen in goal. Prague struck first in the first period as Martin Thornberg scored, with a lone assist by Jiri Sekac. Astana tied it on a power play goal by Brandon Bochenski, powered by Cam Barker and Mike Lundin. Lev took the lead as Jakub Matai scored in the second period, helped along by Michal Birner and Lukas Cingel. Barys tied it in the third period with a Roman Starchenko goal, fueled by Konstantin Rudenko. Prague regained the lead as Sekac scored, via Patrik Zackrisson. This made it 3-2, the final, with Sekac, Starchenko, and Matai getting the three stars.

Back in Russia, Vityaz Podolsk welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Ivan Lisutin are between the pipes. Podolsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Alexei Makeyev goal, fueled by Maxim Afinogenov. Khabarovsk tied it with a power play goal by Dylan Reese, powered by Dmitry Tarasov and Brian Salcido. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Mike Iggulden and Dmitry Shitikov's goals for Vityaz propelled them a 2-1 win over a lone Amur tally from Jakub Petruzalek. The three stars were Shitikov, Lisutin (29 for 30 in saves), and Jarvinen (29 for 30 in saves).

Northeast to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Niko Hovinen and Georgy Gelashvili occupy the blue paint. Vladivostok started with a Sergei Lesnukhin first period goal, assisted by Viktor Drugov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Juuso Hietanen, powered by Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead on a Wojtek Wolski goal, with a lone helper by Justin Hodgman. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Gelashvili (14 for 15 in saves), Hietanen, and Wolski.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Konstantin Barulin guard the cages. Kazan led off with an Ilya Nikulin goal, with a lone assist by Kirill Petrov in the first period. Novokuznetsk tied it with an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, fueled by Semyon Valuisky and Raymond Giroux. Ak Bars took the lead back on a Tim Stapleton goal, coming off of Mikhail Varnakov and Alexander Burmistrov. Metallurg tied it with a Vladislav Kartayev goal, passed from Alexei Kosourov and Zakhar Arzamastsev in the second period. Novokuznetsk took the lead on an Ansel Galimov goal, made possible by Kurtis McLean and Yegor Martynov. Metallurg added on as Alexander Aksyonenko scored, thanks to Lapenkov. Kazan got one back as Petrov scored with the help of Alexander Osipov. Ak Bars tied it with a Stapleton power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Shaun Heshka and Burmistrov in the third period. The tie lasted to a shootout, where McLean's goal gave Metallurg the 5-4 win. The three stars were Lapenkov, Stapleton, and McLean, while Burmistrov gets an honorable mention.

Back into the Moscow area, as Spartak welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Jeff Glass are the reliable goalies. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Deron Quint power play goal, powered by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Denis Bodrov. Ufa tied it as Kirill Koltsov scored, thanks to Alexei Kaigorodov and Antti Pihlstrom. Salavat Yulaev took the lead with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, fueled by Dmitry Makarov and Tomas Zaborsky. Spartak tied it again with a Rastislav Spirko power play goal, with a lone assist by Quint. Ufa took the lead back on an Igor Mirnov goal, coming off of Andrei Zubarev. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Mirnov, Quint, and Hartikainen.

Out west, Dinamo Minsk brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Lars Haugen protect the nets. Minsk opened in the first period on a shorthanded goal by Geoff Platt, set up by Tomas Surovy. Chelyabinsk tied it with an Andrei Popov goal, fueled by Andrei Kostitsyn and Anton Glinkin. Traktor took the lead with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal in the second period, with a lone helper by Stanislav Chistov. Dinamo retied it in the third period with a power play goal by Ilya Kaznadei, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Andrei Stas. Minsk took the lead with an Alexander Kitarov goal, coming off of Alexei Yefimenko. Dinamo wrapped it up at 4-2 with an Evgeny Nogachyov goal, going in unassisted. The three stars wee given to Kitarov, Kaznadei, and Platt.

Into Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Michael Leighton are the North American goalies. Donetsk got going in the second period on a Vaclav Nedorost goal, fueled by Evgeny Dadonov. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the third period with a Fyodor Belyakov goal, passed from Yegor Milovzorov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where two goals from Maxim Yakutsenya and one goal from Randy Robitaille was good enough for a 2-1 win by Donbass, topping goals by Neftekhimik's Milovzorov and Petr Koukal. The three stars belonged to Yakutsenya, Leighton (24 for 25 in saves), and Milovzorov.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Mark Dekanich tend the twines. Zagreb led off in the first period with an unassisted Charles Linglet goal. Medvescak added on as Kurtis Foster scored a power play goal, powered by Jonathan Cheechoo and Bill Thomas. Zagreb extended the lead as Mike Glumac scored, with the help of Michael Ryan. Novosibirsk got on the board as Dmitry Kugryshev scored on a penalty shot he received after being tripped by Ivan Svarny. Medvescak replied in the second period on a power play goal by Matt Murley, assisted by Thomas and Cheechoo. Zagreb padded the lead as Svarny scored, with assists provided by Murley and Thomas, the latter getting a sock trick. Medvescak finished it at 6-1 in the third period with a Murley goal, with a lone helper by Thomas. The three stars were Thomas, Murley, and Cheechoo.

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

NHL Day 58 2013-2014

Big day today, as thirteen games are on. We begin in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Kevin Poulin are the little-known goalies. Winnipeg got going in the second period with a Mark Stuart goal, with a lone assist by James Wright. The Jets added on as Andrew Ladd scored his seventh of the season, passed from Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Winnipeg extended the lead as Devin Setoguchi scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Keaton Ellerby and Mark Scheifele. New York got on the board as Andrew MacDonald scored his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Thomas Vanek and John Tavares. The Islanders pulled closer in the third period as Tavares netted his eleventh of the year, via Matt Carkner and Brock Nelson. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars being Setoguchi, Tavares, and Ladd.

To the west, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec is mismatched with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Nashville opened in the first period on a Matt Cullen goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Ryan Ellis and Nick Spaling. The Predators added on in the second period as Mike Fisher scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Gabriel Bourque and Roman Josi. Nashville extended the lead with a David Legwand goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Bourque. Spaling padded the Predators lead in the third period with his fourth of the year, made possible by Cullen and Ellis. This resulted in a 4-0 win, with the three stars being Mazanec (19 save shutout), Cullen, and Spaling, while Ellis and Bourque get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Washington Capitals bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Braden Holtby are in the creases. Washington began in the first period with an Eric Fehr goal, his second of the season, fueled by Michael Latta. Ottawa tied it with a Bobby Ryan goal, his twelfth of the year, a power play goal powered by Patrick Wiercioch and Clarke MacArthur. The Capitals took the lead back as Marcus Johansson scored his third of the season, a power play goal coming off of Troy Brouwer and Alex Ovechkin. Washington added on as Brooks Laich scored his fourth of the year, via Joel Ward and Jason Chimera. The Senators responded in the second period with a Chris Phillips power play goal, with assists provided by Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa tied it with a Colin Greening goal, guided in by Marc Methot and Karlsson. The Senators gained the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Mika Zibanejad, his sixth of the season, helped along by Jason Spezza and Phillips. The Capitals retied it as John Carlson scored his sixth of the year, made possible by Ward. Ottawa retook the lead on a Zack Smith goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone helper by Chris Neil. The Senators iced it at 6-4 with another Ryan goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, going into the empty net unassisted. The three stars belonged to Ryan, Phillips, and Karlsson, while Ward gets an honorable mention.

Over in New Jersey, the Devils host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Martin Brodeur are the veteran goalies. Carolina was first to score in the first period as Justin Faulk scored, assisted by Jiri Tlusty and Manny Malhotra. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his third of the season, passed from Eric Staal and Andrej Sekera. New Jersey got on the board with a Travis Zajac goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Dainius Zubrus and Andy Greene. Carolina replied as Ron Hainsey scored his third of the season, with the help of Radek Dvorak and Sekera. The Hurricanes extended the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Patrick Dwyer, his fourth of the year. The Devils got one back in the third period as Greene scored his third of the season, guided in by Patrik Elias. new Jersey got closer with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his tenth of the year, with helpers from Eric Gelinas and Elias. This only made it 4-3, the final, with Greene, Sekera, and Elias getting the three stars.

North to Buffalo, as the Sabres welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Montreal struck first in the first period as Alex Galchenyuk scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Andrei Markov and Lars Eller. The Canadiens added on in the second period as David Desharnais scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by P.K. Subban and Markov. Buffalo got on the board as Matt Moulson scored his ninth of the season, with a lone assist by Drew Stafford. Montreal answered in the third period with a power play goal by Brendan Gallagher in the third period, his ninth of the year, coming off of Desharnais and Markov, the latter getting a sock trick. This held up to a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Price (24 for 25 in saves), Desharnais, and Markov.

West to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Jonas Gustavsson in goal. Detroit started in the first period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his third of the season, guided in by Johan Franzen. The Red Wings added on in the second period as Tomas Tatar scored his third of the year, thanks to Brian Lashoff and Joakim Andersson. Detroit extended the lead as Henrik Zetterberg scored his eleventh of the season, via Gustav Nyquist and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings padded the lead as Kronwall scored his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Franzen and Zetterberg. Detroit kept going in the third period with the second of the season for Drew Miller, passed from Andersson and Tatar. The Red Wings struck again as Nyquist scored his third of the year, with assists provided by Franzen, who got a sock trick, and Jonathan Ericsson. Boston got on the board with a Jarome Iginla goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Matt Bartkowski and Reilly Smith. This produced the 6-1 final, with the three stars being Kronwall, Zetterberg, and Tatar, while Nyquist, Franzen, and Andersson get the honorable mentions.

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tim Thomas are the masked men. New York dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan. The Rangers added on in the second period as Brad Richards scored his seventh of the year, an unassisted goal. New York extended the lead as Rick Nash scored his second of the season in the third period, going in unassisted. Florida got on the board as Scottie Upshall scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Brad Boyes. The Panthers got closer with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers replied as Zuccarello scored his third of the year, a power play goal coming off of Chris Kreider and John Moore. New York wrappedi t up at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Carl Hagelin, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Ryan McDonagh. The three stars were Zuccarello, Lundqvist (31 for 33 in saves), and Nash.

Back up in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Marc-Andre Fleury are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh led off with a Chris Conner goal, assisted by Andrew Ebbett and Brandon Sutter. Toronto tied it with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs took the lead as Nazem Kadri scored his seventh of the year, pushed through by Mark Fraser. Toronto added on in the second period with another van Riemsdyk goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. Fleury was pulled for Jeff Zatkoff at this time. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on a Phil Kessel goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Tyler Bozak. The Penguins answered with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh pulled closer as Letang scored his fifth of the campaign, a power play goal helped along by James Neal and Chris Kunitz. Toronto padded the lead on a Bozak goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone helper from van Riemsdyk. The Penguins chipped back in the third period as Neal notched his seventh of the year, a power play goal fueled by Malkin and Letang. Pittsburgh tied it with a Malkin goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Crosby and Kunitz. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Crosby and Malkin scored to complete the comeback and give the Penguins a 6-5 win. The three stars were Malkin, van Riemsdyk, and Letang, while Crosby, Neal, Bozak, and Kunitz get the honorable mentions.

Again to Florida, as the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Anders Lindback are the backups making spot starts. Tampa Bay got going in the second period with a Victor Hedman goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nate Thompson and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning added on as Ondrej Palat scored his fourth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Hedman and Andrej Sustr. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period as Hedman scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and Valtteri Filppula. Philadelphia got on the board as Vincent Lecavalier scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal guided in by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Flyers pulled closer as Streit scored, with a lone assist by Claude Giroux. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 as Johnson scored an unassisted empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign. The three stars went to Hedman, Johnson, and Streit.

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss and Niklas Backstrom will occupy the creases. Phoenix opened in the first period as Mikkel Boedker scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Shane Doan and Derek Morris. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Radim Vrbata goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Tim Kennedy and David Schlemko. Minnesota got on the board in the third period with the fifth of the season by Dany Heatley, assisted by Nino Neiderreiter and Kyle Brodziak. Phoenix iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Vrbata, his second of the game and eighth of the year, set up by Martin Hanzal and Antoine Vermette. The three stars were handed to Vrbata, Greiss (28 for 29 in saves), and Boedker.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. St. Louis began in the first period on a David Backes goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues added on with an Alexander Steen goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Backes and Derek Roy on the power play. Colorado got on the board with a Patrick Bordeleau goal, his third of the season, fueled by Jan Hejda and Brad Malone. St. Louis answered as Jaden Schwartz scored his fifth of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. The Blues extended the lead in the third period on a Chris Stewart empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Roy and Patrik Berglund. The three stars were awarded to Backes, Halak (25 for 26 in saves), and Roy.

North to Calgary, as the Flames bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Reto Berra are the unknown goalies. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Matt Stajan goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Lance Bouma. The Flames added on in the third period as Sean Monahan scored his ninth of the year, passed from Hudler and Kris Russell. Chicago got on the board as Patrick Kane scored his fourteenth of the campaign, via Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks tied it as Patrick Sharp netted his ninth of the season, coming off of Marian Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago took the lead late as Kane scored his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Hjalmarsson. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being given to Kane, Hjalmarsson, and Hudler.

Finally, we end in San Jose, as the Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings for a Battle of California. Ben Scrivens and Antti Niemi get the starting nods. Los Angeles quickly started in the first period on a Jeff Carter goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Dwight King and Mike Richards. San Jose tied it in the second period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Tyler Kennedy and Martin Havlat. The Sharks added on as Joe Thornton potted his third of the season, with a lone assist by Tomas Hertl. The Kings tied it again in the third period as Drew Doughty scored his fifth of the year, and the goalie Scrivens had the lone helper. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Anze Kopitar and Pavelski traded goals, followed by the same act form Hertl and Justin Williams as well as Dan Boyle and Dustin Brown, before winning on a Thornton goal. The three stars went to Thornton, Pavelski, and Hertl.

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KHL Day 85 2013-2014

Today's single game is in Cherepovets, as Severstal hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Jakub Stepanek are given the starting nods. Yaroslavl began in the first period with a Vadim Khlopotov goal, via Igor Musatov. Cherepovets tied it as Vadim Berdnikov scored, thanks to Nikolai Zherdev and Gennady Stolyarov. Lokomotiv took the lead back in the second period on a Sergei Plotnikov goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Konkov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Sanford (29 for 30 in saves), Plotnikov, and Stepanek (29 for 31 in saves).

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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

NHL Day 57 2013-2014

Today, we have only one game to play, as the Dallas Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Dan Ellis man the creases. Anaheim led off in the first period as Emerson Etem scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Hampus Lindholm. Dallas tied it in the second period on an Antoine Roussel goal, his third of the year, made possible by Vernon Fiddler and Ryan Garbutt. The Ducks retook the lead as Nick Bonino scored his seventh of the campaign, with the help of Andrew Cogliano and Kyle Palmieri. The Stars retied it in the third period on a Cody Eakin goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Erik Cole and Jordie Benn. Dallas took the lead on a Stephane Robidas goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Rich Peverley and Ray Whitney. The Stars added on as Garbutt scored his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Trevor Daley. Dallas extended the lead with another Roussel goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Garbutt and Fiddler. Anaheim got one back on a Dustin Penner power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Stars iced it at 6-3 as Alex Chiasson scored his seventh of the campaign, an empty net goal, set up by Cole and Eakin. The three stars went to Garbutt, Roussel, and Eakin, while Fiddler and Cole get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 84 2013-2014

Another twelve game day for the Russian league, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Mathieu Garon are given the starting nods. Prague began in the first period with a Patrik Zackrisson goal, with a lone helper from Calle Ridderwall. Lev added on with a Topi Jaakola scoring, thanks to Justin Azevedo. Omsk got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Denis Kulyash, powered by Sergei Shirokov and Anton Kuryanov. Avangard tied it in the third period as Kuryanov scored a power play goal, helped along by Andrei Ivanov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Lev won as David Ullstrom had the only goal for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Kuryanov, Vehanen (35 for 37 in saves), and Ullstrom.

Next up, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Jakub Kovar are in the blue paint. Moscow got going in the second period as Igor Grigorenko scored, with the help of Nikolai Prokhorkin. CSKA added on in the third period with an Alexei Morozov power play goal, powered by Ilari Filppula and Alexander Radulov. This resulted in a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Proskuryakov (28 save shutout), Grigorenko, and Morozov.

Moving along to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Mikhail Biryukov are set to start. Riga was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Kyle Wilson, powered by Marcel Hossa and Mat Robinson. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Veli-Matti Savinainen power play goal, passed from Stephen Dixon and Radek Smolenak. The tie lasted into overtime, where Dinamo won with a Paul Szczechura goal, coming off of Robinson and Wilson on the power play. The three stars of the 2-1 game were Tellqvist (36 for 37 in saves), Wilson, and Robinson.

South to Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana hosts Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Ari Ahonen play goal. Bratislava struck first in the first period as Michel Miklik scored, via Michal Sersen and Andrej Stastny. Astana tied it with a Konstantin Rudenko goal, coming off of Roman Starchenko. Barys took the lead with a Dmitry Upper goal, fueled by Alexei Litvinenko. Astana added on in the second period as Mike Lundin scored, with assists provided by Evgeny Blokhin and Konstantin Romanov. Barys extended the lead as Dustin Boyd scored a power play goal, powered by Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Astana padded the lead in the third period as Dawes scored a power play goal, thanks to Bochenski and Lundin. Barys wrapped it up at 6-1 as Dawes scored his second of the game on the power play, and Bochenski had the lone assist for a sock trick. The three stars were Dawes, Bochenski, and Lundin.

Back in Russia, Vityaz Podolsk welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Ivan Lisutin are the reliable goalies. Vladivostok opened in the first period with a Viktor Drugov goal, assisted by Igor Bortnikov. Admiral added on as Alexei Ugarov scored an unassisted goal. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, passed from Mike Iggulden and Logan Pyett. Vladivostok iced it at 3-1 when Niclas Bergfors scored an empty net goal, set up by Konstantin Sokolov and Felix Schutz. The three stars were handed to Ivannikov (20 for 21 in saves), Ugarov, and Drugov.

A bit to the east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Vitaly Koval protect the nets. Novosibirsk started in the first period with a Kristian Kudroc power play goal, powered by Jori Lehtera and Dmitry Kugryshev. Nizhny Novgorod tied it with a power play goal by Denis Parshin, made possible by Pavel Valentenko and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead as Parshin scored another power play goal in the second period, via Sakari Salminen and Immonen. Nizhny Novgorod added on in the third period with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, assisted by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Parshin, Koval (21 for 22 in saves), and Immonen.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Konstantin Barulin. Kazan dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Alexei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Ilya Nikulin and Konstantin Korneyev. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period with an unassisted goal by Artyom Kryukov. Amur took the lead as Timofei Shishkanov scored, with a lone assist by Andrei Stepanov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Jarvinen (29 for 30 in saves), Shishkanov, and Barulin (33 for 35 in saves).

Back west to Moscow, as Spartak welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Jeff Glass are the North American goalies. Moscow led off in the first period with an Igor Volkov goal, assisted by Denis Bodrov and Mikhail Yunkov. Chelyabinsk tied it with an Andrei Popov goal, fueled by Semyon Kokuyov and Anton Glinkin. Spartak took the lead back in the second period when Alexander Nikulin scored an unassisted goal. Traktor tied it on a Jan Bulis goal, via Glinkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Chelyabinsk took the lead as Kuznetsov scored a power play goal, powered by Maxim Kondratyev and Alexei Bondarev. Traktor added on in the third period as Glinkin scored, thanks to Popov and Kokuyov. Chelyabinsk extended the lead as Kokuyov scored, with helpers from Popov and Glinkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Moscow got one back as Filipp Toluzakov scored, with a lone assist by Viktor Bobrov. This produced the 5-3 final, with Glinkin, Popov, and Kokuyov getting the three stars, while Kuznetsov gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the city, Dynamo Moscow brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Alexander Lazushin are between the pipes. Moscow was first to score in the first period with an Alexei Sopin goal, via Janne Jalasvaara and Konstantin Kasyanchuk. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a power play goal by Sergei Yemelin, coming off of Semyon Valuisky. Metallurg took the lead as Alexei Kosourov scored, with the help of Artyom Gareyev. Dynamo tied it with a Denis Kokarev goal, fueled by Denis Mosalyov and Sergei Soin. Novokuznetsk took the lead back with a Mikhail Kuklev goal, with a lone assist by Gareyev. Metallurg added on in the third period with a power play goal by Ansel Galimov, powered by Damir Zhafyarov and Zakhar Arzamastsev. Moscow got one back as Alexander Ryazentsev scored, with assists provided by Maxim Pestushko and Mosalyov. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Gareyev, Galimov, and Mosalyov.

Out west to Belarus, as Dinamo Minsk hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Lars Haugen guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period as Yegor Milovzorov scored, with the help of Oskar Osala. Neftekhimik added on as Maxim Rybin scored, thanks to Pyotr Khokhryakov and Igor Polygalov. Minsk got on the board with a power play goal by Geoff Platt, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Andrei Stas. Dinamo tied it with an unassisted goal by Alexander Materukhin. Minsk took the lead as Kalyuzhny scored a power play goal, assisted by Platt and Stas. Nizhnekamsk retied it in the third period on a shorthanded goal by Milovzorov, set up by Petr Koukal. Dinamo took the lead again with a Materukhin goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist from Alexander Kitarov. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Materukhin, Milovzorov, and Kalyuzhny, while Platt and Stas get the honorable mentions.

Onto Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Michael Leighton tend the twines. Donetsk opened in the first period as Oleg Piganovich scored a power play goal, powered by Teemu Laine and Ruslan Fedotenko. Donbass added on with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, fueled by Yury Silnitsky and Fedotenko. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, passed from Jan Kovar and Viktor Antipin. Metallurg tied it with an unassisted goal by Yaroslav Khabarov. Donetsk took the lead again in the third period as Laine scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Clay Wilson and Peter Podhradsky. This was good for a 3-2 win, with Laine, Fedotenko, and Mozyakin being given the three stars.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Mark Dekanich are the backups making spot starts. Ufa started with a power play goal by Dmitry Makarov in the first period powered by Teemu Hartikainen and Kirill Koltsov. This was the game's only goal, so Salavat Yulaev won 1-0. The three stars were Vasilevsky (37 save shutout), Makarov, and Dekanich (23 for 24 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, November 25, 2013

NHL Day 56 2013-2014

Nine games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Martin Brodeur draw the starts. Winnipeg started in the first period as Mark Scheilefe scored his second of the season, assisted by Michael Frolik and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets added on in the second period as Evander Kane recorded his seventh of the year, passed from Olli Jokinen. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Patrik Elias goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Andy Greene and Steve Bernier. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Devin Setoguchi, his fifth of the year, set up by Bryan Little and Byfuglien. The three stars went to Pavelec (25 for 26 in saves), Kane, and Byfuglien.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Boston led off in the first period with a Loui Eriksson goal, his fifth of the season, via Carl Soderberg. The Bruins added on as Reilly Smith scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Soderberg and Eriksson. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period as James Neal scored his fifth of the season, guided in by Jussi Jokinen and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins tied it in the third period with another Neal goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, passed from Jokinen and Matt Niskanen. Boston took the lead back with a Zdeno Chara goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Pittsburgh tied it with .3 seconds left in the game as Sidney Crosby scored his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Chris Kunitz and Neal. The Bruins won 4-3 in overtime as Torey Krug potted his seventh of the campaign, with assists provided by Brad Marchand and Eriksson. Neal, Eriksson, and Soderberg get the three stars, while Jokinen gets the honorable mention.

Further north, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and James Reimer are the inconsistent goalies. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Matt Calvert and Artem Anisimov. The Blue Jackets added on as R.J. Umberger scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Mark Letestu and Ryan Murray. Columbus extended the lead in the second period as Jack Skille scored, with a lone assist by Letestu. The Blue Jackets padded the lead as Murray scored his third of the campaign on the power play goal, powered by Ryan Johansen and James Wisniewski. Columbus got another in the third period as Johansen scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets struck again when Johansen scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming off of Foligno and Wisniewski on the power play. Jonathan Bernier came on in relief of Reimer. This was good for a 6-0 win, with the three stars being Johansen, Murray, and Bobrovsky (18 save shutout), while Foligno, Wisniewski, and Letestu were given the honorable mentions.

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay began in the first period as Nikita Kucherov scored, thanks to Teddy Purcell and Eric Brewer. The Lightning added on as Martin St. Louis scored his ninth of the season, coming off of Valtteri Filppula and Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period when St. Louis scored his tenth of the year and second of the game, via Vilppula and Andrej Sustr. The Lightning padded the lead with a Purcell goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. Cam Talbot relieved Lundqvist for the third period. Tampa Bay wrapped it up at 5-0 in the third period as Purcell scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, made possible by St. Louis and Alex Killorn. The three stars went to St. Louis, Purcell, and Bishop (37 save shutout).

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Tim Thomas are the overrated goalies. Florida got going in the second period with a Sean Bergenheim goal, assisted by Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen. The Panthers added on as Bergenheim scored his second of the game, a power play goal, powered by Marcel Goc and Erik Gudbarnson. Philadelphia got on the board with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal in the third period, his fifth of the season, guided in by Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux. Florida iced it at 3-1 on a Gudbranson goal, fueled by Scottie Upshall and Brad Boyes. The three stars were Bergenheim, Thomas (38 for 39 in saves), and Gudbranson.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jaroslav Halak are the veteran goalies. St. Louis was first to score in the first period as Vladimir Sobotka notched his fifth of the season, thanks to Carlo Colaiacovo and Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on with an Alexander Steen goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Jay Bouwmeester and T.J. Oshie. St. Louis finished it at 3-0 in the third period as Steen scored his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, an unassisted empty net goal. The three stars were awarded to Steen, Halak (22 save shutout), and Sobotka.

Back east a little, the Nashville Predators host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Marek Mazanec are in the blue paint. Nashville opened in the first period as Nick Spaling scored his third of the season, assisted by Matt Cullen and Craig Smith. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Colin Wilson and Eric Nystrom. Nashville extended the lead when Gabriel Bourque scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and David Legwand. Phoenix got on the board in the second period as Mikkel Boedker scored his fifth of the year, via Antoine Vermette and Kyle Chipchura. The Coyotes pulled closer with a Tim Kennedy goal, guided in by Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata. The Predators won 4-2 as Shea Weber scored his seventh of the campaign into an empty net in the third period, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Bourque, Mazanec (29 for 31 in saves), and Kennedy.

Northwest again to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Devan Dubnyk show alliteration in the goalie matchup. Chicago led off in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Jonathan Toews, his twelfth of the season, set up by Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks added on as Patrick Kane scored a power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Andrew Shaw and Keith. Chicago extended the lead in the second period on a Johnny Oduya goal, his second of the season, via Marcus Kruger and Brandon Bollig. The Blackhawks chased Dubnyk with a Shaw goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Jeremy Morin. Ilya Bryzgalov relieved Dubnyk. Edmonton got on the board with a Justin Schultz goal, his third of the season, guided in by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall. Chicago responded in the third period with another Shaw goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, assisted by Nick Leddy and Saad. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Shaw, Saad, and Keith.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Kyle Clifford goal, his second of the season, fueled by Linden Vey and Tyler Toffoli. Vancouver got on the board with a Christopher Tanev goal, passed from Chris Higgins and Dale Weise. The Canucks took the lead in the third period as Henrik Sedin scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Daniel Sedin and Jason Garrison. The Kings tied it as Mike Richards scored his sixth of the season, courtesy of Jeff Carter and Dwight King. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime as Anze Kopitar scored his seventh of the year, via Slava Voynov and Robyn Regehr. The three stars went to Kopitar, Richards, and Scrivens (37 for 39 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday Night Football Week 12 2013

Our game tonight is the Washington Redskins hosting the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco began in the first quarter as Colin Kaepernick found Anquan Boldin for 19 yards and a touchdown, and Phil Dawson knocked in the extra point. The 49ers added on in the second quarter as Dawson made a 29 yard field goal. Washington got on the board with a 36 yard field goal by Kai Forbath. The Redskins pulled closer as Forbath was good on a field goal of 35 yards. San Francisco replied in the third quarter as Kaepernick found Boldin again for a 6 yard touchdown, and Dawson drilled the PAT. The 49ers extended the lead as Kaepernick connected for a 1 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Dawson was good with the extra point. San Francisco iced it at 27-6 when Dawson made a 49 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The 49ers improved to 7-4 while the Redskins drop to 3-8.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.