Friday, December 6, 2013

KHL Day 94 2013-2014

Seven games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Mika Jarvinen are in goal. Minsk began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Zbynek Irgl. Dinamo added on in the third period as Richard Lintner scored a power play goal, powered by Tomas Surovy. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Jan Mursak goal, fueled by Jakub Petruzalek. Amur tied it as Alexander Loginov scored a power play goal, assisted by Vladimir Loginov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Geoff Platt scored the lone goal to give Dinamo a 3-2 win. The three stars were Irgl, Platt, and Haugen (37 for 39 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Niko Hovinen are in the creases. Zagreb got going in the second period on a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, assisted by Ryan Vesce and Charles Linglet. Medvescak added on in the third period as Cheechoo scored again, with a lone assist from Mathieu Carle. This resulted in a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Cheechoo, Dekanich (29 save shutout), and Hovinen (23 for 25 in saves).

West to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Mikko Koskinen guard the cages. Moscow led off in the first period with a power play goal by Deron Quint, powered by Denis Bodrov and Mikhail Yunkov. Spartak added on in the second period as Matt Anderson scored, via Rastislav Spirko and Quint on the power play. Novosibirsk got on the board in the third period with a Dmitry Monya goal, with a lone helper from Igor Ozhiganov. This only made it 2-1, the final, with Quint, Glass (37 for 38 in saves), and Anderson being named the three stars.

Staying in the area, Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Nikita Lozhkin are the unreliable goalies. Donetsk was first to score in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Jan Kolar, set up by Lukas Kaspar. Donbass added on in the third period with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, fueled by Evgeny Dadonov and Ruslan Fedotenko. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Laco (14 save shutout), Kolar, and Yakutsenya.

Way west to Moscow, as CSKA brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Ilya Proskuryakov get the starting nods. Moscow started in the first period on an Alexei Morozov goal, assisted by Ilari Filppula and Oleg Saprykin. CSKA added on in the third period when Alexander Radulov scored an empty net goal, set up by Nikolai Prokhorkin. This was it for the scoring, and the final was 2-0. The three stars belonged to Proskuryakov (28 save shutout), Morozov, and Salak 18 for 19 in saves).

Over in Latvia, Dinamo Riga welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Mikael Tellqvist are the masked men. Riga opened in the first period with a Marcel Hossa power play goal, powered by Kyle Wilson and Juris Upitis. Cherepovets tied it as Anatoly Nikontsev scored, thanks to Linus Videll and Nikolai Stasenko. Severstal took the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Alexander Yevseyenkov, with a lone helper by Gennady Stolyarov. They went on to win 2-1, with the three stars being Stepanek (21 for 22 in saves), Yevseyenkov, and Nikontsev.

Finally, in Prague, Lev hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Petri Vehanen protect the nets. Yaroslavl won 1-0 in overtime as Sergei Plotnikov scored an unassisted goal. The three stars were awarded to Sanford (31 save shutout), Plotnikov, and Vehanen (14 for 15 in saves).

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

NHL Day 66 2013-2014

Ten games on today, beginning in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonathan Bernier are in goal. Toronto got going in the second period as Nazem Kadri scored his eighth of the season, courtesy of James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel. Dallas tied it in the third period when Erik Cole scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Shawn Horcoff and Valeri Nichushkin. The Maple Leafs retook the lead in the third period on another Kadri goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, passed from Cody Franson and Kessel on the power play. The Stars tied it as Horcoff scored his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Kevin Connauton and Sergei Gonchar. Toronto won 3-2 in overtime as Trevor Smith scored his fourth of the campaign, helped along by Jake Gardiner and Dion Phaneuf. The three stars went to Kadri, Kessel, and Horcoff.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Brooks Orpik and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on as Jayson Megna scored his third of the year, thanks to Simon Despres. Pittsburgh extended the lead with a Chris Kunitz goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Crosby and James Neal. The Penguins padded the lead as Kunitz scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Neal and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. San Jose got on the board with a Tomas Hertl goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. Alex Stalock relieved Niemi for the third period. Pittsburgh answered in the third period on a Kris Letang goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Olli Maatta and Joe Vitale. This held up for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Kunitz, Fleury (44 for 45 in saves), and Crosby, while Neal gets an honorable mention.

Moving along to Buffalo, as the Sabres host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller are the masked men. New York began in the first period on a Rick Nash goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers added on in the third period when Brad Richards scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. New York extended the lead as Zuccarello scored his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Richards and McDonagh. Buffalo got on the board with a Tyler Ennis goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Zemgus Girgensons. The final was 3-1, with the three stars belonging to Zuccarello, Richards, and Lundqvist (27 for 28 in saves), while McDonagh gets the honorable mention.

To the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner is in goal against former crease-mate Ben Bishop. Tampa Bay led off in the first period as Martin St. Louis scored his eleventh of the season, assisted by Ondrej Palat and Matthew Carle. Ottawa tied it when Patrick Wiercioch scored a power play goal in the second period, via Kyle Turris. The Lightning took the lead back as St. Louis scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, made possible by Palat and Tyler Johnson. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being St. Louis, Bishop (33 for 34), and Palat.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Tim Thomas are the veteran goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period with an Andrew Ladd goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler. Florida tied it when Erik Gudbranson scored his second of the year, courtesy of Tomas Fleischmann and Marcel Goc. The Panthers took the lead in the second period on a Dylan Olsen goal, coming off of Scottie Upshall and Gudbranson. Florida added on as Fleischmann scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Mike Weaver and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers extended the lead in the third period on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Upshall and Tom Gilbert. The Jets got one back as Olli Jokinen netted his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Devin Setoguchi. Florida finished it at 5-2 with a Jimmy Hayes goal, his second of the year, made possible by Olsen. The three stars were Olsen, Gudbranson, and Fleischmann, while Upshall gets an honorable mention.

Back up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Carey Price guard the cages. Boston struck first in the first period on a Gregory Campbell goal, his second of the season, passed from Milan Lucic and Dennis Seidenberg. Montreal tied it in the second period as Tomas Plekanec potted his tenth of the year, via Josh Gorges and Brian Gionta. The Canadiens took the lead with a Max Pacioretty goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Raphael Diaz and Brendan Gallagher. This was all they needed to win 2-1, with the three stars going to Price (32 for 33 in saves), Pacioretty, and Plekanec.

South again to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Marek Mazanec are in the blue paint. Carolina quickly opened in the first period as Justin Faulk scored his second of the season, an unassisted goal. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Mike Fisher goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Victor Bartley and Seth Jones. The Predators took the lead when Viktor Stalberg scored his third of the season, via Nick Spaling. The Hurricanes tied it again as Jeff Skinner scored his seventh of the year, courtesy of Ryan Murphy and Tuomo Ruutu. Carolina gained the lead as Riley Nash scored his second of the season, assisted by Patrick Dwyer and Ron Hainsey. The Hurricanes added on with another Skinner goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming on the power play with assists by Eric Staal and Faulk. Carter Hutton relieved Mazanec for the third period. Carolina extended the lead in the third period as Skinner finished his hat trick with his ninth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Faulk and Andrej Sekera. The three stars were handed to Skinner, Faulk, and Peters (20 for 22 in saves).

Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Josh Harding are the reliable goalies. Minnesota started in the first period on a Matt Cooke goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Torrey Mitchell and Erik Haula. The Wild added on in the second period when Zach Parise scored his twelfth of the year on the power play, powered by Dany Heatley and Jason Pominville. Chicago got on the board with a Jeremy Morin goal, passed from Joakim Nordstrom and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period on an unassisted goal by Brandon Saad, his eighth of the season. Chicago gained the lead when Marian Hossa scored his twelfth of the year, a power play goal via Kris Versteeg and Nick Leddy. Minnesota retied it on a Jonas Brodin power play goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Jared Spurgeon and Justin Fontaine. The Wild took the lead as Marco Scandella scored, with the help of Spurgeon and Charlie Coyle. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Scandella, Spurgeon, and Brodin.

Southward to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. St. Louis began in the first period with a Jay Bouwmeester power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Vladimir Sobotka and Ian Cole. New York tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Andrew MacDonald, his third of the year, guided in by Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. The Blues retook the lead on a Derek Roy power play goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis added on as David Backes scored his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal fueled by Alexander Steen and Shattenkirk. The Blues extended the lead on a Magnus Paajarvi goal, his second of the season, guided in by Patrick Berglund and Bouwmeester. St. Louis padded the lead in the third period as Brenden Morrow scored his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Roy and Oshie. This produced a 5-1 final, with the three stars being given to Bouwmeester, Halak (22 for 23 in saves), and Roy, while Shattenkirk and Oshie get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Devan Dubnyk are the young goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Taylor Hall goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Philip Larsen. The Oilers added on as Hall scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, via Justin Schultz and Jordan Eberle on the power play. Edmonton extended the lead with a Ales Hemsky power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Smyth and Mark Arcobello. Colorado got on the board in the second period as Nick Holden scored his second of the year, with a lone assist by Matt Duchene. The Avalanche pulled closer with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Erik Johnson. The Oilers shot back as David Perron scored his twelfth of the year, an unassisted goal. Edmonton padded the lead in the third period with an Arcobello goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Hemsky and Smyth. The Oilers kept going as Eberle scored his tenth of the year, courtesy of Smyth, who got a sock trick, and Perron. Edmonton struck again on a Sam Gagner goal, his third of the season, with a lone helper by Hall. The Oilers finished the drubbing as Hall finished his hat trick with his tenth of the year, made possible by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Corey Potter. The three stars of the 8-2 game were handed to Hall, Smyth, and Perron, while Eberle, Arcobello, and Hemsky get the honorable mentions.

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Thursday Night Football Week 14 2013

This week's Thursday game is an AFC South basement special, as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Houston Texans. Jacksonville opened in the first quarter as Chad Henne threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to Marcedes Lewis, and Josh Scobee supplied the extra point. The Jaguars added on as Henne found Cecil Shorts III for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Scobee made another extra point. Houston got on the board as Case Keenum found Keshawn Martin for 8 yards and a touchdown, and Randy Bullock knocked in the extra point. Jacksonville answered as Scobee made a 40 yard field goal. The Texans got some back as Bullock made a 34 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Jaguars shot back on an Ace Sanders 21 yard touchdown pass to Jordan Todman, and Scobee capped off the trick play with the PAT. Houston chipped back as Matt Schaub threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Garrett Graham, and Bullock nailed the extra point. The Texans got closer in the fourth quarter on a Bullock field goal from 31 yards away. Jacksonville finished it at 27-20 with a 39 yard Scobee field goal. The Jaguars improve to 4-9 while the Texans drop to 2-11.

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KHL Day 93 2013-2014

Six games to be played today, beginning in...

Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period on a power play goal by Andrei Kostitsyn, powered by Petri Kontiola. Yekaterinburg tied it with an Artyom Chernov goal, fueled by Nikita Tryamkin. Traktor took the lead with a goal by Vyacheslav Osnovin, coming off of Igor Valeyev. Avtomobilist retied it when Dmitry Megalinsky scored an unassisted goal. The tie lasted to a shootout, where two goals from Fyodor Malykhin topped one goal from Kontiola so that Yekaterinburg won 3-2. The three stars were Malykhin, Kontiola, and Megalinsky.

A little east, Salavat Yulaev Ufa welcomes Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Alexei Volkov draw the starts. Ufa began in the first period with a Dmitry Makarov goal, passed from Alexander Stepanov and Tomas Zaborsky. Salavat Yulaev added on in the third period when Makarov scored again, via Arturs Kulda. Omsk got on the board with a Dmitry Semin power play goal, powered by Sergei Kostitsyn and Nikita Pivtsakin. Avangard tied it on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, assisted by Ivan Baranka and Miroslav Blatak. Ufa took the lead back as Antti Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Kirill Koltsov on the power play. This was good for a 3-2 win, with Makarov, Pihlstrom, and Volkov (36 for 38 in saves).

Over in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Khanty-Mansiysk opened in the first period with a Mikhail Yakubov shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. Yugra added on with a power play goal by Andrei Shefer, coming off of Mikhail Tyulyapkin. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead on an unassisted goal by Veli-Matti Savinainen. Yugra padded the lead in the second period as Ivan Khlyntsev scored, passed from Marek Troncinsky and Kirill Knyazev. Magnitogorsk got on the board late in the period with a Yaroslav Khabarov, with a lone assist by Tim Brent. Metallurg pulled closer in the third period as Jan Kovar scored a power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Sergei Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk chipped away when Denis Platonov scored an unassisted goal. Metallurg tied it as Kovar scored his second of the game, via Mozyakin and Khabarov. Magnitogorsk completed the comeback, winning 5-4 with a Platonov goal in overtime, courtesy of Bogdan Potekhin. The three stars were Platonov, Kovar, and Khabarov, while Mozyakin gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Ivan Lisutin are in the creases. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period as Denis Parshin scored a power play goal, powered by Pavel Valentenko and Juuso Hietanen. Podolsk tied it on a second period goal by Maxim Afinogenov, an unassisted goal. Vityaz took the lead when Dmitry Shitikov scored, with the help of Igor Golovkov and Mike Iggulden. Torpedo tied it on a power play goal by Jarkko Immonen, guided in by Hietanen and Parshin. Nizhny Novgorod pulled ahead on a Justin Hodgman goal, with a lone assist by Vadim Khomitsky. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Parshin, Hietanen, and Hodgman.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik welcomes Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Alexander Sudnitsin protect the nets. Astana started in the first period with a Konstantin Romanov goal, an unassisted goal. This was the only goal in the game, leaving Barys with a 1-0 win. Ahonen (33 save shutout), Romanov, and Sudnitsin (24 for 25 in saves).

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Moscow was first to score in the first period with a Konstantin Glazachev power play goal, powered by Janne Jalasvaara and Sergei Soin. Dynamo added on in the second period with a Soin goal, coming off of Yury Babenko and Gleb Koryagin. Moscow extended the lead as Maxim Pestushko scored on a penalty shot he received after Dmitry Obukhov tripped him on a scoring chance. This produced the 3-0 final, with the three stars goal to Soin, Yeryomenko (24 save shutout), and Glazachev.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

NHL Day 65 2013-2014

Three games on tonight, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Backups Peter Budaj and Cory Schneider are in goal. Montreal led off with a Brian Gionta goal in the first period, his fifth of the season, assisted by Daniel Briere and Tomas Plekanec. New Jersey tied it in the third period when Andrei Loktionov scored his third of the year, thanks to Marek Zidlicky and Michael Ryder. The Devils took the lead as Ryder potted his seventh of the season, via Reid Boucher and Loktionov. The Canadiens tied it as Lars Eller scored his eighth of the year, made possible by Alex Galchenyuk and Raphael Diaz. New Jersey took the lead back on a Patrik Elias goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. Montreal evened the score as David Desharnais scored his third of the year, passed from Gionta. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Boucher was overpowered by Eller and Desharnais for a 4-3 Canadiens win. The three stars went to Desharnais, Eller, and Gionta, while Ryder, Boucher, and Loktiona get the honorable mentions.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Jimmy Howard are in the creases. Detroit opened in the first period as Tomas Tatar scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Drew Miller and Joakim Andersson. Philadelphia tied it on a Steve Downie power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Sean Couturier and Matt Read. The Red Wings took the lead back in the second period when Johan Franzen registered his eighth of the campaign, via Stephen Weiss and Gustav Nyquist. Detroit added on with another Tatar goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, coming from Mikael Samuelsson and Daniel Alfredsson on the power play. The Flyers got one back as Read netted his ninth of the year, with helpers provided by Couturier and Scott Hartnell. Philadelphia tied it in the third period with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Kimmo Timonen and Hartnell. The Flyers gained the lead as Couturier scored his fourth of the season, guided in by Downie and Read. Philadelphia extended the lead with a Hartnell power play goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Giroux and Mark Streit. The Flyers finished it at 6-3 with a Couturier empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, set up by Michael Raffl. The three stars were Couturier, Hartnell, and Read, while Tatar, Giroux, and Downie get the honorable mentions.

Finally, out in Calgary, the Flames bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss and Karri Ramo are the unreliable goalies. Phoenix started in the first period with a Keith Yandle goal, his third of the season, assisted by Shane Doan and Antoine Vermette. Calgary tied it as T.J. Brodie scored his third of the year, via Matt Stajan and Jiri Hudler. The Flames took the lead in the second period as Mikael Backlund scored his third of the season, passed from Hudler and Chris Butler. Calgary added on as Mark Giordano netted his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Brodie and Joe Colborne. The Flames extended the lead in the third period as Lee Stempniak scored his fifth of the campaign, a shorthanded goal set up by Stajan and Giordano. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars being awarded to Giordano, Brodie, and Ramo (29 for 30 in saves), while Hudler and Stajan get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 92 2013-2014

Eight games to go with today, beginning in the Far East as...

Amur Khabarovsk hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass faces a lesser for in Mika Jarvinen in goal. Khabarovsk opened in the first period with an Alexander Yunkov goal, fueled by Dylan Reese and Dmitry Tarasov. Amur added on in the second period with a Dmitry Lugin goal, coming off of Denis Yezhov and the goalie Jarvinen. Moscow got on the board in the third period as Rastislav Spirko scored, with a lone assist by Deron Quint. Spartak tied it when Quint scored a power play goal, powered by Spirko. Moscow took the lead back on an Igor Volkov goal, made possible by Mikhail Yunkov and Denis Bodrov. Khabarovsk retied it as Evgeny Orlov scored, with the help of Yezhov. Amur won 4-3 in the shootout as Alexander Yunkov and Orlov both scored. The three stars were Alexander Yunkov, Spirko, and Quint, while Orlov and Yezhov each got honorable mentions.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Niko Hovinen are in the creases. Vladivostok began in the first period on an Alexei Ugarov goal, fueled by Evgeny Grachyov. Donetsk tied it with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, passed from Evgeny Dadonov and Randy Robitaille. Admiral took the lead on a Richard Gynge power play goal, with a lone helper from Felix Schutz. Vladivostok added on in the second period with a power play goal by Grachyov, powered by Mathias Porseland and Andrei Nikitenko. Admiral extended the lead in the third period when Ugarov scored his second of the game on a penalty shot he received when he was slashed by Robitaille. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Ugarov, Grachyov, and Hovinen (33 for 34 in saves).

Westward to Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Medevscak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Mikko Koskinen draw the starts. Zagreb got going in the second period with a Mathieu Carle goal, assisted by Ryan Vesce and Charles Linglet. Medvescak added on in the third period as Vesce scored, thanks to Jonathan Cheechoo. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Vesce, Dekanich (42 save shutout), and Carle.

Staying in the area, Metallurg Novokuznetsk brings in Dinamo Minsk. Yan Shelepnyov and Nikita Lozhkin are the unknown goalies. Novokuznetsk was first to score in the first period on an Artyom Gareyev goal, passed from Tuukka Mantyla and Vladislav Kartayev. Metallurg added on as Sergei Yemelin scored, with a lone assist by Anton Kapotov. Shelepnyov was pulled for Lars Haugen at this time. Novokzunetsk extended the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Rafael Akhmetov, set up by Yemelin. Minsk got on the board with a Zbynek Irgl power play goal, powered by Alexei Kalyuznhy and Geoff Platt. Dinamo pulled closer in the third period when Alexander Kitarov scored, thanks to Vitaly Kiryushchenkov. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Yemelin, Akhmetov, and Gareyev.

Way out west, Atlant Mytishchi hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Stanislav Galimov tend the twines. Mytishchi dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Igor Radulov goal, coming off of Yury Trubachyov and Evgeny Artyukhin. Atlant iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Konstantin Koltsov, set up by Mikhail Glukhov. The three stars went to Galimov (29 save shutout), Radulov, and Proskuryakov (28 for 29 in saves).

Leaving Russia for Latvia, as Dinamo Riga welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Mikael Tellqvist received the starting nods. Yaroslavl struck first in the second period on an Emil Galimov goal, assisted by Staffan Kronwall and Alexander Chernikov. Riga tied it with a Kyle Wilson foal, made possible by Marcel Hossa and Miks Indrasis. Dinamo took the lead as Wilson scored again, with a lone assist by Juris Upitis. Riga added on with a power play goal by Krisjanis Redlihs, powered by Paul Szczechura and Indrasis. Dinamo iced it at 4-1 as Indrasis scored on the penalty shot he received after being tripped by Mikhail Pashnin. The three stars were Wilson, Indrasis, and Tellqvist (26 for 27 in saves).

Over in the Czech Republic, Lev Prague hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Ivan Kasutin and Petri Vehanen occupy the blue paint. Cherepovets led off in the second period as Pakhrudin Gimbatov scored, thanks to Pavel Chernov. Prague tied it as Petr Vrana scored, with the help of Martin Thornberg and Martin Sevc. Lev took the lead in the third period with a Calle Ridderwall goal, guided in by Sevc. Prague finished it at 3-1 with a Thornberg empty net goal, set up by Jiri Novotny and Ondrej Nemec. The three stars were Thornberg, Vehanen (19 for 20 in saves), and Sevc.

Finally, in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Jaroslav Janus are the masked men. St. Petersburg started in the first period on an Artemy Panarin goal, made possible by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Bratislava tied it with an Andrej Stastny goal, fueled by Martin Stajnoch and Tomas Mojzis. Slovan took the lead in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored, thanks to Michal Vondrka and Michel Miklik. SKA tied it again with an Igor Makarov goal, passed from Kucheryavenko. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Roman Cervenka had the only goal for SKA to give them a 3-2 win. The three stars were Kucheryavenko, Makarov, and Cervenka.

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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

NHL Day 64 2013-2014

Nine games on tonight, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Carolina started in the first period on a Jeff Skinner goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Eric Staal. The Hurricanes added on with another Skinner goal in the second period, his second of the game and sixth of the year, made possible by Jay Harrison and the goalie Peters. Carolina extended the lead with an Andrej Sekera power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Skinner and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes padded the lead with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Radek Dvorak and Harrison. Philipp Grubauer relieved Holtby in the third period. Washington got on the board in the third period as Mike Green scored, via Alex Ovechkin and Jason Chimera on the power play. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Skinner, Peters (26 for 27 in saves), and Eric Staal, while Harrison gets an honorable mention.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and James Reimer receive the starting nods. San Jose was first to score as Mike Brown scored his second of the season, made possible by Jason Demers and Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks added on with a Joe Thornton power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle. Toronto got on the board in the second period with a Mason Raymond power play goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Morgan Rielly and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs tied it with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk. San Jose took the lead with a Brad Stuart goal, his third of the season, coming off of Boyle. The Sharks iced it at 4-2 with a Logan Couture goal, his tenth of the year going into the empty net after being set up by Tommy Wingels. The three stars were Stuart, Boyle, and Kessel.

Back stateside, the New York Islanders bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Anders Nilsson in goal. New York began in the first period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Thomas Vanek. The Islanders added on as Okposo scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, via Tavares and Andrew MacDonald. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period with a James Neal power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins tied it as Sidney Crosby scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal with a lone assist by Malkin. Pittsburgh won 3-2 with a Crosby goal in overtime, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. Crosby, Okposo, and Malkin got the three stars, while Tavares got an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Sergei Bobrovsky are the young goalies. Columbus got going with a second period goal by Nick Foligno, his seventh of the season, with a lone helper from Ryan Johansen. Early in the third period, Bobrovsky was hurt and replaced by Curtis McElhinney. He completed the 1-0 shutout, leaving the three stars with Foligno, Bobrovsky (18 for 18 in saves), and Bishop (20 for 21 in saves).

South to Florida, as the Panthers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Tim Thomas are the veteran goalies. Florida struck first in the first period on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his sixth of the season, coming on the power play via Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. The Panthers added on as Campbell scored his fourth of the year, coming off of Scottie Upshall and Tom Gilbert on the power play. Ottawa got on the board with the second of the season by Joe Corvo, assisted by Clarke MacArthur and Chris Phillips. The Senators tied it as Erik Condra netted his second of the year, with the help of Jason Spezza and MacArthur. Ottawa took the lead in the second period with a Colin Greening power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Corvo and Zack Smith. The Senators extended the lead in the third period as Bobby Ryan scored his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist provided by Jared Cowen. They held on for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Corvo, Campbell, and MacArthur.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Dallas opened in the first period when Valeri Nichushkin scored his third of the season, thanks to Cody Eakin and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on with an Alex Chiasson power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Alex Goligoski and Ray Whitney. Dallas extended the lead in the second period when Erik Cole potted his third of the season, guided in by Nichushkin and Shawn Horcoff. Chicago got on the board as Patrick Sharp notched his eleventh of the year, a power play goal assisted by Duncan Keith and Andrew Shaw. The Blackhawks pulled closer as Nick Leddy made his third of the season, with the help of Sheldon Brookbank and Patrick Kane. Chicago evened it on a Johnny Oduya goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Kane. The Stars took the lead back in the third period on a penalty shot goal by Antoine Roussel, which he received after being hooked by Niklas Hjalmarsson. This was good enough for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Nichushkin, Roussel, and Kane.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Marek Mazanec are between the pipes. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Brad Richardson goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Dale Weise and Jannik Hansen. Nashville tied it with a Colin Wilson goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Patric Hornqvist and Roman Josi. The Canucks took the lead back in the third period on a Ryan Kesler goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Jason Garrison and Mike Santorelli. Vancouver added on as Kesler scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Garrison and Daniel Sedin. They went on to win 3-1, with the three stars being awarded to Kesler, Luongo (30 for 31 in saves), and Garrison.

North to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Devan Dubnyk will attempt to stop the puck. Phoenix led off in the first period on a Mikkel Boedker power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Radim Vrbata and David Schlemko. Edmonton tied it as David Perron netted his tenth of the year, assisted by Mark Arcobello. The Coyotes retook the lead on a Vrbata goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Mike Ribeiro and Derek Morris. Phoenix added on as Shane Doan notched his twelfth of the year, thanks to Ribeiro and Boedker. The Oilers got one back as Perron scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, a power play goal made possible by Ales Hemsky and Taylor Hall. The Coyotes shot back in the third period as Ribeiro put away his eighth of the year, via Doan and David Moss. Phoenix extended the lead on a Keith Yandle goal, his second of the season, fueled by Boedker and Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes padded the lead as Moss scored his second of the year, set up by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jeff Halpern. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being awarded to Boedker, Ribeiro, and Doan, while Perron, Moss, and Vrbata get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Los Angeles Kings for a Battle of California. Martin Jones is mismatched with Jonas Hiller in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Jeff Carter scored his seventh of the season, going in unassisted. Anaheim tied it with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Hampus Lindholm and Corey Perry. The Ducks took the lead in the third period with a Perry goal, his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dustin Penner and Cam Fowler. The Kings tied it with a Dustin Brown goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone helper from Jarret Stoll. In the ninth round of the shootout, Los Angeles won with a Dwight King goal, the first and only shootout tally in the game. The final was 3-2, with the three stars being Perry, Hiller (49 for 51 in saves), and King.

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