NHL Day 63 2013-2014

There are four games on today, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Cam Talbot are set to start. New York opened in the first period as Mats Zuccarello scored his fourth of the season, guided in by Ryan McDonagh. Winnipeg tied it in the second period as Devin Setoguchi scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Olli Jokinen and Chris Thorburn. The Jets took the lead as John Albert scored, via Dustin Byfuglien. The Rangers pulled even as Ryan Callahan netted his seventh of the season, assisted by Brad Richards and Benoit Pouliot. Winnipeg took the lead back in the third period as Jokinen scored his fifth of the year, passed from Thorburn and Setoguchi. The Jets added on as Jokinen scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Michael Frolik and Jacob Trouba. Winnipeg iced it at 5-2 with a Blake Wheeler empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Trouba and Bryan Little. The three stars were Jokinen, Setoguchi, and Thorburn, while Trouba gets an honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Carey Price tend the twines. New Jersey struck first in the first period on a Steve Bernier goal, his third of the season, assisted by Anton Volchenkov and Adam Henrique. Montreal tied it in the second period as Rene Bourque scored his sixth of the year, coming off of David Desharnais and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens took the lead with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Andrei Markov and Desharnais. The Devils tied it in the third period as Michael Ryder scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Mark Fayne and Eric Gelinas. Montreal took the lead back on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his seventh of the campaign, made possible by Alexei Emelin and Bourque. This made it 3-2, with the three stars being Bourque, Desharnais, and Galchenyuk.

Back stateside, the Minnesota Wild host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Josh Harding are the backups in the creases. Minnesota was first to score in the third period as Jason Pominville scored his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on as Charlie Coyle scored his third of the year, with assists provided by Jared Spurgeon and Marco Scandella. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars being Harding (21 save shutout), Pominville, and Coyle.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Ben Scrivens are between the pipes. Los Angeles started in the first period as Jarret Stoll scored his third of the season, fueled by Justin Williams and Robyn Regehr. The Kings added on as Tyler Toffoli potted his fifth of the year, thanks to Drew Doughty and Mike Richards. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period as Toffoli scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, with the help of Richards and Willie Mitchell. St. Louis got on the board in the third period as Kevin Shattenkirk scored his second of the year, passed from Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. The Blues pulled closer as Tarasenko notched his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Shattenkirk. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Toffoli, Tarasenko, and Shattenkirk, while Richards gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 90 2013-2014

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Alexei Murygin are in the blue paint. Donetsk began in the first period with a Lukas Kaspar goal, assisted by Oleg Piganovich. Donbass added on as Vaclav Nedorost scored, thanks to Evgeny Dadonov. Donetsk extended the lead in the third period when Teemu Laine scored, with a lone assist by Petteri Wirtanen. Donbass padded the lead on an unassisted Ruslan Fedotenko power play goal. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Leighton (29 save shutout), Kaspar, and Nedorost.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov and Niko Hovinen are the little-known goalies. Moscow struck first in the first period as Matt Anderson scored a power play goal, powered by Andrei Sergeyev and Rastislav Spirko. Vladivostok tied it as Felix Schutz scored, with a lone helper by Niclas Bergfors. Spartak retook the lead in the second period when Mikhail Yunkov scored, assisted by Igor Volkov and Vyacheslav Kozlov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being given to Ivanov (29 for 30 in saves), Yunkov, and Anderson.

Westward to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Mikko Koskinen draw the starts. Novosibirsk led off in the first period as Nikolai Lemtyugov scored, via Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir added on with a Maxim Krivonozhkin goal, fueled by Igor Ozhiganov. Novosibirsk extended the lead as Jonas Enlund scored, with the help of Dmitry Kugryshev and Sergei Shumakov. Minsk got on the board in the third period with a goal by Vitaly Kiryushchenkov, made possible by Stanislav Lopachuk and Andrei Stas. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being handed to Koskinen (29 for 30 in saves), Krivonozhkin, and Enlund.

Staying in the area, Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Ilya Sorokin are the solid goalies. Zagreb opened in the first period with a Michael Ryan goal, coming off of Bill Thomas. Medvescak added on as Thomas scored an unassisted goal. Zagreb extended the lead in the second period on a Hugh Jessiman goal, fueled by Kurtis Foster and Alan Letang. Medvescak padded the lead with a third period goal by Boyd Kane, passed from Mike Glumac. Zagreb got another when Ryan scored his second of the game, thanks to Matt Murley. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Ansel Galimov goal, assisted by Rafael Akhmetov. This resulted in a 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Ryan, Thomas, and Dekanich (32 for 33 in saves).

West to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Vitaly Koval tend the twines. Moscow got going in the second period with a Dominik Granak power play goal, powered by Konstantin Gorovikov and Denis Mosalyov. Dynamo added on as Maxim Pestushko scored, thanks to Leo Komarov and Andrei Mironov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period with a Vladimir Denisov goal, made possible by Maxim Potapov. Moscow shot back on a Sergei Soin goal, with a lone helper by Pestushko. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-1, and the three stars were Pestushko, Yeryomenko (19 for 20 in saves), and Soin.

Over in Moscow, CSKA brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Ilya Proskuryakov are the masked men. Yaroslavl was first to score in the first period as Vadim Khlopotov scored, thanks to Igor Musatov. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with a Sergei Konkov, fueled by Sergei Plotnikov and Daniil Apalkov. Yaroslavl extended the lead on a Mikelis Redlihs goal, passed from Vitaly Zotov and Vitaly Vishnevsky. Moscow got on the board in the third period on an Alexei Morozov goal, assisted by Stanislav Yegorshev and Ilari Filppula. This as it for the scoring, with the final being 3-1 and the three stars being Sanford (25 for 26 in saves), Konkov, and Redlihs.

Further to the west, Lev Prague hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Petri Vehanen are in the creases. St. Petersburg started in the first period on an Artemy Panarin goal, fueled by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Prague tied it in the second period when Justin Azevedo scored, with the help of David Ullstrom. Lev took the lead as Michal Birner scored on a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Maxim Chudinov. SKA retied it when Vadim Shipachyov scored, thanks to Andrei Kuteikin. Prague retook the lead on a Michal Repik goal, courtesy of Petr Vrana. St. Petersburg pulled even in the third period as Viktor Tikhonov scored, with helpers provided by Alexei Semenov and Evgeny Skachkov. The game went to a shootout, where Ullstrom matched Roman Cervenka, Jakub Klepis and Ilya Kovalchuk traded goals, and then Klepis matched Cervenka before Kovalchuk scored his second of the skills competition to seal a 4-3 SKA victory. The three stars were Kovaclhuk, Cervenka, and Klepis, while Ullstrom gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Jaroslav Janus protect the nets. Bratislava dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Libor Hudacek goal, coming off of Andrej Stastny. Cherepovets tied it in the second period as Linus Videll scored, thanks to Vadim Berdnikov and Anatoly Nikontsev. Severstal gained the lead in the third period on an Alexander Bumagin goal, assisted by Evgeny Kovyrshin and Nikolai Kazakovtsev. Slovan tied it when Michal Sersen scored, with the help of Hudacek and Branko Radivojevic. Bratislava took the lead when Milan Bartovic potted the puck, guided in by Michel Miklik. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Hudacek, Bartovic, and Bumagin.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL Day 62 2013-2014

Three games on today, beginning in...

Carolina, as the Hurricanes host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Cam Ward are in the blue paint. Vancouver led off in the first period as Ryan Kesler scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Jason Garrison and Henrik Sedin on the power play. The Canucks added on with a Tom Sestito goal, his second of the year, guided in by Garrison and Zac Dalpe. Carolina got on the board in the second period as Jordan Staal scored his fifth of the season, fueled by Ron Hainsey and Patrick Dwyer. The Hurricanes tied it ten seconds later on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Eric Staal and Justin Faulk. Vancouver quickly retook the lead with a Kesler goal, his twelfth of the campaign and second of the game, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Chris Higgins. This made it a 3-2 final, with the three stars being given to Kesler, Garrison, and Lack (29 for 31 in saves).

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Robin Lehner are the backups making spot starts. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the second period as Johan Franzen scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Jakub Kindl and Daniel Alfredsson. The Red Wings added on as Drew Miller scored his third of the year, thanks to Tomas Tatar and Niklas Kronwall. Ottawa got on the board with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Milan Michalek and Chris Phillips. Detroit replied as Miller scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, helped along by Brendan Smith and Darren Helm. The Senators pulled back as Mika Zibanejad scored his eighth of the season, passed from Erik Karlsson and Zack Smith. The Red Wings iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Alfredsson, his seventh of the year, set up by Justin Abdelkader and Kronwall. The three stars were handed to Miller, Alfredsson, and Kronwall.

The last game came from Dallas, as the Stars bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas began in the second period with a shorthanded and unassisted Ryan Garbutt goal, his fourth of the season. Edmonton tied it with an Ales Hemsky goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Ryan Jones and Sam Gagner. The Stars retook the lead in the third period with a Garbutt goal, his fifth of the season and second of the game, assisted by Antoine Roussel and Vernon Fiddler. The Oilers tied it again with an Andrew Ference goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by David Perron. In the shootout, Edmonton won the game 3-2 with goals by Jordan Eberle and Perron, topping a single goal from Rich Peverley. The three stars were Garbutt, Perron, and Ference.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NFL Week 13 2013

We hit 20,000 views today everybody. Thanks for making it possible. To celebrate, let's have some football. Twelve games today, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the New York Jets host the Miami Dolphins. Miami got going in the second quarter with a 34 yard Caleb Sturgis field goal. The Dolphins added on when Sturgis made a 43 yard field goal. Miami extended the lead in the third quarter as Ryan Tannehill threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Brian Hartline, and Sturgis handled the extra point. New York got on the board as Nick Folk kicked a 20 yard field goal. The Dolphins responded with a 28 yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to Mike Wallace, and Sturgis supplied the PAT. Miami wrapped it up at 23-3 with a Sturgis 18 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins improved to 6-6 while the Jets dropped to 5-7.

Over in Philadelphia, where the Eagles welcome the Arizona Cardinals. Philadelphia began in the first quarter as Nick Foles threw a 6 yard touchdown to Zach Ertz, and Alex Henery made the extra point. Arizona tied it in the second quarter as Carson Palmer found Larry Fitzgerald for 43 yards and a touchdown, and Jay Feely knocked in the extra point. The Eagles took the lead as Henery made a 32 yard field goal. Philadelphia added on with a 1 yard Foles touchdown pass to Brent Celek, and Henery supplied the extra point. The Eagles extended the lead as Foles found Ertz for 24 yards and a touchdown in the third quarter, and Henery handled the PAT. The Cardinals pulled back as Palmer threw a 23 yard touchdown pass to Michael Floyd, and Feely drilled the extra point. Arizona chipped closer as Palmer found Jim Dray for 3 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Feely was true with the extra point. This wasn't enough to avoid the 24-21 loss, with both teams going to 7-5.

To the west, the Minnesota Vikings bring in the Chicago Bears. Chicago was first to score in the first quarter as Robbie Gould made a 30 yard field goal. Minnesota took the lead in the second quarter as Cordarrelle Patterson ran 33 yards for a touchdown, and Blair Walsh made the extra point. The Bears pulled back as Gould made a 40 yard field goal. Chicago gained the lead in the third quarter with a Josh McCown touchdown pass of 80 yards to Alshon Jeffrey, and Gould blasted the extra point. The Vikings answered on a Walsh field goal from 32 yards away. The Bears responded on a 46 yard McCown touchdown pass to Jeffrey, and Gould supplied the PAT. Minnesota pulled back as Matt Cassel found Greg Jennings for an 8 yard touchdown, and Walsh nailed the extra point. The Vikings tied it as Walsh made a late 30 yard field goal. Minnesota would win on another late field goal in overtime by Walsh, this time from 34 yards (his and Gould's previous longer misses notwithstanding). The final was 23-20, and the Vikings went to 3-8-1 while dropping the Bears to 6-6.

Way south to Houston, as the Texans host the New England Patriots. Houston struck first in he first quarter as Ben Tate ran 8 yards for a touchdown, and Randy Bullock made the extra point. The Texans added on as Bullock kicked a 43 yard field goal. New England got on the board with a Tom Brady touchdown pass of 23 yards to Rob Gronkowski, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. Houston replied in the second quarter as Tate ran 20 yards for a touchdown, and Bullock knocked in the extra point. The Patriots pulled back in the third quarter with a 1 yard James Develin touchdown rush, and Gostkowski was there with the extra point. New England took the lead on a 9 yard touchdown pass from Brady to Shane Vereen, and Gostkowski booted the PAT. The Texans regained the lead with a 5 yard touchdown run by Case Keenum, and Bullock drove in the extra point. The Patriots took the lead back in the fourth quarter as LeGarrette Blount rushed for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski nailed the extra point. Houston edged back ahead with a 10 yard Tate touchdown run, and Bullock was true with the extra point. New England pulled even with a 53 yard field goal by Gostkowski. The Patriots gained the lead as Gostkowski made another 53 yard field goal. This stood for a 34-31 win, and the Patriots improved to 9-3 while dropping the Texans to 2-10.

Northeast to Carolina, as the Panthers welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay opened in the first quarter with a 27 yard field goal by Rian Lindell. Carolina took the lead as Cam Newton found Brandon LaFell for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Graham Gano made the extra point. The Buccaneers chipped back as Lindell nailed a 53 yard field goal. The Panthers answered as Gano made a 23 yard field goal in the second quarter. Carolina added on with a 1 yard touchdown run by Newton, and Gano kicked the extra point. The Panthers extended the lead in the third quarter as Newton threw a 36 yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, Jr., and Gano booted the PAT. Carolina padded the lead in the fourth quarter when Gano made a 22 yard field goal. This was good for a 27-6 win, with the Panthers going to 9-3 and the Buccaneers falling to 3-9.

A little to the west, the Cleveland Browns bring in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cleveland led off in the first quarter as Willis McGahee ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Billy Cundiff made an extra point. Jacksonville tied it with a Chad Henne 18 yard touchdown pass to Clay Harbor, and Josh Scobee kicked the extra point. The Browns took the lead back in the second quarter with a Brandon Weeden touchdown pass of 21 yards to Josh Gordon, and Cundiff nailed the extra point. The Jaguars pulled even again as Maurice Jones-Drew threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Marcedes Lewis. Jacksonville got the lead as Scobee made a 44 yard field goal. The Jaguars added on with a 36 yard field goal by Scobee. Cleveland took the lead back on a third quarter Weeden touchdown pass of 4 yards to Greg Little, and Cundiff supplied the extra point. Jacksonville took the lead back as Alex Mack was tackled in his own end zone recovering a fumble for a safety. The Jaguars extended the lead when Scobee made a 25 yard field goal. The Browns regained the lead as Weeden and Gordon hooked up again for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Cundiff booted the PAT. Jacksonville pulled back ahead as Henne threw a 20 yard touchdown pass to Cecil Shorts III, and Scobee blasted the extra point. This held up for a 32-28 win, with the Jaguars going to 3-9 and the Browns falling to 4-8.

Edging west again, the Indianapolis Colts host the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis started in the first quarter as Adam Vinatieri made a 47 yard field goal. The Colts added on as Vinatieri made a 48 yard field goal. Tennessee pulled ahead in the second quarter as Ryan Fitzpatrick ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Rob Bironas made the extra point. Indianapolis took the lead back with a Vinatieri field goal of 45 yards. The Colts extended their lead as Vinatieri was true on a field goal of 37 yards. The Titans pulled ahead again with a Fitzpatrick touchdown pass of 1 yard to Chris Johnson, and Bironas nailed the PAT. Indianapolis retook the lead with a Vinatieri field goal of 49 yards. The Colts padded the lead in the fourth quarter with a 4 yard touchdown run by Donald Brown, and Vinatieri supplied the extra point. This held up for a 22-14 final, with the Colts going to 8-4 and the Titans dropping to 5-7.

Up in Toronto, the Buffalo Bills welcome the Atlanta Falcons for their annual Toronto game. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the first quarter as EJ Manuel ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Dan Carpenter supplied the extra point. The Bills added on as Fred Jackson rushed 4 yards for a touchdown, and Carpenter made another extra point. Atlanta got on the board with a 27 yard Steven Jackson touchdown run, and Matt Bryant knocked in the extra point. Buffalo responded with a 29 yard Carpenter field goal. The Falcons shot back on a 38 yard touchdown run by Antone Smith, and Bryant nailed the extra point. Atlanta tied it with a Bryant 49 yard field goal. The Falcons took the lead in the third quarter as Matt Ryan tossed an 11 yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez, and Bryant kicked the extra point. The Bills evened it as Jackson caught a 21 yard touchdown pass from Manuel, and Carpenter's extra point was the equalizer. Buffalo took the lead again with a 36 yard touchdown run by C.J. Spiller, and Carpenter drove in the PAT. Atlanta tied it on a 1 yard Jackson touchdown rush, and Bryant's extra point made it a tie game. The Falcons won on a 36 yard Bryant field goal in overtime by a 34-31 final score. The Falcons are now 3-9 while the Bills are 4-8.

Way out west, the San Francisco 49ers bring in the St. Louis Rams. San Francisco led off in the first quarter with a 32 yard field goal by Phil Dawson. The 49ers added on as Dawson made a 43 yard field goal in the second quarter. San Francisco extended the lead with a 3 yard Frank Gore touchdown run, and Dawson was true with the extra point. St. Louis got on the board as Greg Zuerlein made a 43 yard field goal. The Rams pulled closer as Zuerlein made a 34 yard field goal. The 49ers replied with a Dawson field goal from 24 yards out. San Francisco padded the lead as Colin Kaepernick threw a 17 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis in the fourth quarter, and Dawson supplied the PAT. St. Louis chipped back with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Kellen Clemens to Brian Quick, and Zuerlein handled the extra point. This only made it 23-13, the final, with the 49ers improving to 8-4 while the Rams fall to 5-7.

Down in San Diego, the Chargers host the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati got going in the second quarter on a 4 yard touchdown run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Mike Nugent kicked the extra point. San Diego tied it as Philip Rivers threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Ladarius Green, and Nick Novak knocked in the extra point. The Bengals took the lead back in the third quarter as Andy Dalton tossed a 21 yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green, and Nugent made the PAT. Cincinnati added on in the fourth quarter with a 46 yard field goal by Nugent. The Chargers got some back as Novak made a 48 yard field goal. They got no closer, losing 17-10, with the Bengals going to 8-4 while the Chargers fall to 5-7.

Eastward to Kansas City, as the Chiefs welcome the Denver Broncos. Kansas City was first to score in the first quarter with an Alex Smith touchdown pass of 17 yards to Junior Hemingway, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. Denver tied it in the second quarter as Peyton Manning threw a 41 yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker, and Matt Prater was there with the extra point. The Chiefs immediately retook the lead as Knile Davis returned the kickoff for 108 yards and a touchdown, and Succop booted the extra point. Kansas City added on as Smith found Anthony Fasano for 12 yards and a touchdown, and Succop nailed the extra point. The Broncos shot back as Manning threw a 3 yard touchdown to Knowshon Moreno, and Prater drilled the PAT. Denver tied it in the third quarter on a Manning touchdown pass of 37 yards to Decker, and Prater supplied the extra point. The Broncos extended the lead with a 15 yard Manning touchdown pass to Decker, their third connection, and Prater made another extra point. Denver padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Manning and Decker connected for a fourth time, this time for 1 yard, and Prater drove in the extra point. The Chiefs pulled back as Jamaal Charles ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Succop kicked the extra point. They failed to tie it, losing 35-28, with the Broncos now at 10-2 and the Chiefs falling to 9-3.

Finally, in DC, the Washington Redskins bring in the New York Giants. Washington struck first in the first quarter on a 1 yard Alfred Morris touchdown run, and Kai Forbath made the extra point. The Redskins added on in the second quarter as Robert Griffin III threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Logan Paulsen, and Forbath nailed the extra point. New York got on the board as Andre Brown ran 23 yards for a touchdown, and Josh Brown made the extra point. The Giants tied it as Eli Manning found Brandon Myers for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Josh Brown handled another PAT. Washington took the lead back in the third quarter on a Forbath field goal of 33 yards. New York took the lead in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard Andre Brown touchdown run, capped off by a Josh Brown extra point. The Giants extended the lead as Josh Brown made a 39 yard field goal. This was good for a 24-17 win, with the Giants improving to 5-7 while the Redskins fall to 3-9.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 89 2013-2014

Five games on today, beginning...

Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Michael Garnett are in the creases. Omsk was first to score in the first period as Denis Kulyash scored a power play goal, powered by Sergei Kostitsyn and Nikita Pivtsakin. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period as Maxim Kondratyev scored, thanks to Jan Bulis and Andrei Kostitsyn on the power play. Avangard took the lead back in the third period on a Sergei Kalinin goal, fueled by Kulyash and Sergei Kostitsyn. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Kulyash, Mezin (26 for 27 in saves), and Sergei Kostitsyn.

Over in Ufa, Salavat Yulaev welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Andrei Vasilevsky are set to start. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period as Sami Lepisto scored, assisted by Fyodor Malykhin. Avtomobilist added on in the third period as Eduard Lewandowski scored, thanks to Andre Deveaux and Alexei Yefimov. Yekaterinburg extended the lead on a Malykhin goal, coming off of Anton Lazarev. Ufa got on the board as Yegor Dubrovsky scored, with the help of Alexei Glukhov and Anton Slepyshev. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Malykhin, Kovar (30 for 31 in saves), and Lewandowski.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg hosts Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Astana struck first in the first period as Nigel Dawes scored, with a lone assist by Brandon Bochenski. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period on a Tim Brent power play goal, powered by Evgeny Biryukov and Rinat Ibragimov. Barys took the lead with a Bochenski goal, assisted by Dawes and Dustin Boyd. Metallurg tied it in the third period as Brent scored his second of the game, coming off of Vladimir Malenkikh and Dmitry Kazionov. Astana regained the lead with a Boyd goal, passed from Dawes and Bochenski. Magnitogorsk tied it once again with a Jan Kovar goal, made possible by Sergei Mozyakin. Barys won 4-3 with a lone shootout tally by Roman Starchenko. The three stars were given to Bochenski, Dawes, and Brent, while Boyd gets an honorable mention.

To the west, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Alexander Sudnitsin are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk started in the first period with a Pavel Kulikov goal, fueled by Martin Cibak. Neftekhimik added on as Maxim Rybin scored a power play goal, powered by Maxim Berezin and Igor Polygalov. Nizhnkamsk extended the lead in the third period with a Cibak goal, with assists provided by Dmitry Kosmachyov and Oskar Osala. Neftekhimik padded the lead on a power play goal by Rybin, helped along by Renat Mamashev. This made it a 4-0 final, with the three stars being Sudnitsin (34 save shutout), Rybin, and Cibak.

Finally, out in Riga, Dinamo hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Mikael Tellqvist are in the blue paint. Mytishchi dented the scoreboard in the first period on an Ilya Kablukov goal, assisted by Mikhail Glukhov. Atlant added on as Konstantin Koltsov scored, with helpers from Glukhov and Kablukov. Riga got on the board in the second period on a Paul Szczechura goal, fueled by Mat Robinson and Kristaps Sotnieks. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kablukov, Galimov (25 for 26 in saves), and Glukhov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

WIAA Dairy Farmers of Washington & Les Schwab Tires High School Football Semifinals 2013

Hello everybody. Once again, it is time for high school football semifinals in Washington. With my recent entry into college and all the fun that comes with that, I was unsure of if this post would happen this year. I made it happen though, and it's appropriate that the close of the third year of my running this blog is marked by being five views away from 20,000 at the time of this writing. It has truly been a great experience for me to work on this, and hitting 20,000 just solidifies that for me even more. Thank you to all of you that have come by at any point in this journey. For the football, we begin with...

The 1B semifinal between the Lummi Blackhawks and the Neah Bay Red Devils. Lummi began in the first quarter on a Logan Toby 27 yard touchdown pass to Kavarez Lane, but they failed on the two-point attempt. The Blackhawks added on as Toby found Dean Williams for an 11 yard touchdown pass, and the two reconnected on the successful two-point attempt. Neah Bay got on the board as Cody Cummins ran in a 25 yard touchdown, and Josiah Greene rushed in the two-point conversion. The Red Devils tied it in the second quarter as Cummins ran 4 yards for another touchdown, and Josiah Greene found brother Zeke Greene for the two-point conversion. Neah Bay extended the lead with a Josiah Greene 23 yard touchdown pass to John Reamer in the third quarter, and Cummins rushed for the two point conversion. The Red Devils padded the lead as Josiah Greene rushed for 1 yard and a touchdown, but the two-point attempt failed this time. Neah Bay kept going in the fourth quarter on a Josiah Greene 33 yard touchdown pass to Tyler McCaulley, and Josiah Greene found Zeke Greene for the two-point conversion. The Red Devils got some more on a Josiah Greene 22 yard touchdown pass to Reamer, and Collin Haupt ran in the two-point conversion for a 46-14 win. The MVP was Cody Cummins.

The second game on Friday was the 3A semifinal between the O'Dea Fighting Irish and the Eastside Catholic Crusaders. Eastside Catholic started in the first quarter with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Harley Kirsch to Matt Laris, and Ian Dorney made the extra point. O'Dea tied it in the second quarter with a 61 yard touchdown run by Myles Gaskin, and Robert Gerarden handled the extra point. The Crusaders took the lead back as Kirsch threw a 64 yard touchdown pass to Colin Macilvennie, and Dorney was true with the extra point. Eastside Catholic added on as Kirsch found Colin Boit for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Dorney kicked in the PAT. The Crusaders extended the lead in the third quarter as Brandon Wellington ran 22 yards for a touchdown, and Dorney knocked in the extra point. The Fighting Irish got some back in the fourth quarter as Pierre Ladorze threw a 41 yard touchdown pass to Bobiono Sims, and Gerarden was there with the extra point. They got no closer, losing 28-14, with the MVP going to Harley Kirsch.

Now for Saturday's games, where the 1A semifinal between the Cascade Christian Cougars and the Mount Baker Mountaineers started the day. Mount Baker led off in the first quarter as Andrew Zender ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Alex Tyska made the extra point. Cascade Christian answered with a 64 yard touchdown pass from Jaelin Goldsmith (an old friend of mine) to Robert Terhune, and Andrei Dyson was there with the extra point. The Mountaineers retook the lead as Izaiha Schwinden ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Tyska handled the extra point. Mount Baker added on in the second quarter with a 4 yard run for a touchdown by Schwinden, and Tyska made another extra point. The Cougars pulled back on a 2 yard touchdown run by Goldsmith, and Dyson supplied the PAT. The Mountaineers extended their lead in the fourth quarter with a 2 yard Schwinden touchdown run, his third of the game, and Tyska made another extra point. Cascade Christian pulled back as Goldsmith ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Dyson blasted the extra point. The Cougars tied it as Hunter Austin ran 6 yards for a touchdown, and Dyson booted the extra point. Late in regulation, Tyska had a chance to win it for Mount Baker, but came up short on a field goal, so the game went to overtime. It was in extra time where Tyska redeemed himself by kicking a 28 yard field goal for a 31-28 Mount Baker win. The MVP of the game went to Izaiha Schwinden.

The middle game of the day was the 2B semifinal between the Morton/White Pass Timberwolves and the Raymond Gulls. Morton/White Pass got going in the second quarter with a Gianni Bertucci 24 yard touchdown run, and Brian Reynolds kicked the extra point. Raymond tied it in the third quarter with a 4 yard touchdown run by Darol Ratsavangsy, and Rayce Newman knocked in the extra point. The Timberwolves took the lead back as Ben Powell rushed 46 yards for a touchdown, and Reynolds was there with the extra point. Morton/White Pass added on in the fourth quarter as Rylon Kolb threw a 37 yard touchdown to Kalen Dunlap, but the point after was botched and the two-point attempt could not be salvaged. The Timberwolves extended the lead with an 8 yard Reynolds run, and he also made the extra point on the play. The Gulls pulled back as Newman threw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Marvin So, and Andres Martinez supplied the PAT. It wasn't enough for them to avoid a 27-14 loss, and the MVP was the Timberwolves' Gianni Bertucci.

Finally, the weekend closes out with a 4A semifinal between the Camas Papermakers and the Bellarmine Prep Lions. Camas opened in the first quarter as Reilly Hennessey threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Zach Eagle, and Michael Boyle made the extra point. The Papermakers added on as Hennessey found Eagle again for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Boyle knocked in the extra point. Bellarmine Prep got on the board with a Lou Millie touchdown pass of 10 yards to Garrett McKay, and Matt Philichi was there with the extra point. Camas answered on a 5 yard touchdown run by Jason Vailea, and Boyle booted the extra point. The Papermakers extended the lead in the second quarter as Nate Beasley ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Boyle handled the PAT. The Lions got some back with a 2 yard touchdown run by Ahmad Lewis, and Philichi was true with the extra point. Camas responded as Hennessey and Eagle connected with a 41 yard touchdown pass, and Boyle blasted the extra point. The Papermakers padded the lead in the third quarter as Vailea ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Boyle drilled the extra point. Camas got some more in the fourth quarter as Cole Zarcone ran 8 yards for a touchdown, and Boyle nailed the extra point. Bellarmine lessened their pain on a 35 yard touchdown pass from Millie to McKay, and Philichi supplied another extra point. This resulted in a 49-21 final, with the co-MVP title being given to Reilly Hennessey and Zach Eagle.

That's all for this year, and next year, I hope to have many more readers to complete my fourth year. Have a great year everybody, and thank you for your continued support. 

NHL Day 61 2013-2014

Eleven games on today, beginning with the...

New York Rangers hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo faces a lesser foe in Cam Talbot in goal. New York struck first in the first period as Chris Kreider scored his fourth of the season, fueled by Rick Nash and Derek Stepan. The Rangers added on as Kreider scored his second of the game and fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Ryan McDonagh and Brad Richards. New York extended the lead in the second period as Nash scored his fourth of the season, set up by Stepan and Dan Girardi. Eddie Lack replaced Luongo. The Rangers padded the lead on a Michael Del Zotto power play goal, his second of the year, via Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. Vancouver got on the board as David Booth scored his third of the season, thanks to Mike Santorelli and Dale Weise. New York replied in the third period as Kreider finished his hat trick with his sixth of the campaign, guided in by Anton Stralman and Nash. The Canucks pulled back on a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. This only made it 5-2, with Kreider, Nash, and Stepan getting the three stars.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Chad Johnson are the backups making spot starts. Boston led off in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Dougie Hamilton and Brad Marchand. The Bruins added on as Milan Lucic scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Torey Krug and David Krejci. Boston extended the lead in the third period as Lucic scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, coming off of Krejci and Jarome Iginla. Columbus got on the board with a Ryan Johansen goal, his tenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by R.J. Umberger and Fedor Tyutin. This produced a 3-1 final, with Lucic, Krejci, and Bergeron getting the three stars.

North to Montreal, where the Canadiens bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Carey Price are the masked men. Montreal was first to score in the first period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by P.K. Subban and the goalie Price. The Canadiens added on as Subban scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Pacioretty and David Desharnais. Montreal extended the lead in the second period as Tomas Plekanec scored his ninth of the season, fueled by Daniel Briere and Brian Gionta. The Canadiens padded the lead as Pacioretty scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Lars Eller. Toronto got on the board with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs pulled closer when Mason Raymond put away his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Paul Ranger. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-2, and the three stars were Pacioretty, Subban, and Price (34 for 36 in saves with an assist).

Way to the south, the Florida Panthers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff is mismatched with Tim Thomas in goal. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Chris Kunitz goal, his fourteenth of the season coming on the power play with the help of James Neal and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on as Joe Vitale scored, with helpers provided by Jayson Megna and Deryk Engelland. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the second period with a Malkin goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Olli Maatta and Kris Letang. Florida got on the board as Scottie Upshall scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Brian Campbell. The Penguins responded with a Neal goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Malkin. Scott Clemmensen relieved Thomas for the third period. Pittsburgh padded the lead in the third period as Jussi Jokinen scored his ninth of the campaign, and Malkin had the lone assist to complete his sock trick. The final stood at 5-1, with Malkin, Zatkoff (39 for 40 in saves), and Neal getting the three stars.

Back north to New Jersey, as the Devils welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Cory Schneider are in the blue paint. New Jersey won it 1-0 in overtime as Steve Bernier scored his second of the season, assisted by Andy Greene and Adam Henrique. The three stars were Schneider (15 save shutout), Bernier, and Enroth (23 for 24 in saves).

Staying in the region, the New York Islanders bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Anders Nilsson are given the green light to start. Washington dented the scoreboard in the second period as Aaron Volpatti scored his second of the season, thanks to Tom Wilson and Martin Erat. New York tied it in the third period with a shorthanded Cal Clutterbuck goal, his third of the year, set up by Andrew MacDonald and Casey Cizikas. The Islanders took the lead with a Thomas Vanek goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Capitals retied it as Nicklas Backstrom scored his sixth of the year, a shorthanded goal coming off of Jason Chimera and Karl Alzner. Washington won 3-2 in overtime with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, assisted by Mikhail Grabovski and Nate Schmidt. The three stars were Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Holtby (37 for 39 in saves).

Southwest to Nashville, as the Predators host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Marek Mazanec occupy the creases. Philadelphia opened in the first period as Claude Giroux scored his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal. Nashville tied it on a Mike Fisher goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Patric Hornqvist. The Predators took the lead in the third period on a Colin Wilson goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Gabriel Bourque and Ryan Ellis. The Flyers tied it again as Sean Couturier scored his third of the year, thanks to Andrej Meszaros and Steve Downie. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Vincent Lecavalier's goal gave Philadelphia the 3-2 win. The three stars were handed to Lecavalier, Mason (34 for 36 in saves), and Couturier.

Further along, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Mike Smith will play goal. Chicago started in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming on the power play via Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks added on with an Andrew Shaw goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Brent Seabrook and Keith. Chicago extended the lead as Niklas Hjalmarsson scored his third of the season, with the help of Kane and Michal Handzus. Phoenix got on the board in the second period as Rob Klinkhammer scored his fifth of the year, guided in by Michael Stone and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes pulled closer with a Martin Hanzal power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Radim Vrbata and Mike Ribeiro. The Blackhawks answered in the third period on a Brandon Bollig goal, his third of the year, made possible by Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with a Hossa empty net goal, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by Jonathan Toews and Seabrook. The three stars were Kane, Hossa, and Keith, while Seabrook gets an honorable mention.

To the north, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Semyon Varlamov protect the nets. Colorado struck first in the first period with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by John Mitchell. The Avalanche added on in the second period as Nathan MacKinnon scored his fifth of the year, coming off of Mitchell and Ryan O'Reilly. Minnesota got on the board in the third period as Matt Cooke scored his fourth of the season, via Torrey Mitchell and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild evened the score as Mikko Koivu scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Zach Parise and Jason Pominville. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Colorado won 3-2 with a lone tally by O'Reilly. The three stars were O'Reilly, Mitchell, and Varlamov (35 for 37 in saves).

Southwest again to Los Angeles, as the Kings host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Ben Scrivens are in front of the nets. Calgary got going in the second period on a Blair Jones shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Paul Byron and T.J. Brodie. Los Angeles tied it in the third period as Justin Williams scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. The Flames retook the lead on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his tenth of the campaign, assisted by Mikael Backlund and Lee Stempniak. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Cammalleri, Ramo (21 for 22 in saves), and Jones.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the Anaheim Ducks to a Battle of California. Jonas Hiller and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Penner. San Jose tied it in the second period on a Logan Couture goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks took the lead as Marleau scored a shorthanded goal, his twelfth of the season, set up by Joe Thornton. San Jose added on as Martin Havlat potted his second of the year with the help of Mike Brown and Scott Hannan. The Ducks got one back in the third period as Alex Grant scored, thanks to Nick Bonino and Cam Fowler. Anaheim tied it on a Ben Lovejoy goal, with a lone assist by Bonino. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Joe Pavelski's tally gave the Sharks a 4-3 win. The three stars were Marleau, Bonino, and Pavelski.

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