KHL Day 96 2013-2014

Eight games on today, which actually began yesterday for me, beginning with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Mika Jarvinen are in the creases. Zagreb opened in the first period with a Matt Ellison power play goal, powered by Ryan Vesce. Khabarovsk tied it on a Brian Salcido goal, fueled by Alexander Loginov and Timofei Shishkanov on the power play. Medvescak retook the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Bill Thomas, with a lone helper by Mark Popovic. Amur tied it in the third period as Jan Mursak scored, thanks to Dylan Reese and Alexander Loginov. Zagreb retook the lead on a Vesce goal, with a lone assist by Charles Linglet. Khabarovsk tied it late with a Dmitry Tarasov goal, assisted by Vladimir Loginov and Alexander Loginov, the latter getting a sock trick. Amur won 4-3 with a Shishkanov tally in the shootout. The three stars went to Shishkanov, Alexander Loginov, and Vesce.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Lars Haugen and Niko Hovinen are between the pipes. Vladivostok led off with a Felix Schutz goal, with assists provided by Niclas Bergfors and Richard Gynge. Admiral added on as Sergei Barbashev scored an unassisted goal. Minsk got on the board in the second period with a Tomas Surovy goal, fueled by Lukas Krajicek and Geoff Platt. Dinamo tied it as Platt scored a goal in the third period, going in unassisted. Yan Shelepnyov replaced an injured Haugen late in the third period. Admiral won 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally by Bergfors. The three stars were Bergfors, Platt, and Hovinen (30 for 32 in saves).

Westward to Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton faces a lesser foe in Sergei Gaiduchenko in goal. Donetsk was first to score with a Peter Podhradsky goal in the first period, courtesy of Clay Wilson. Donbass added on with an unassisted goal by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donetsk extended the lead with a Randy Robitaille goal, via Lukas Kaspar and Jan Kolar. Novosibirsk got on the board in the second period with Jonas Enlund's goal, going in unassisted. Sibir pulled closer with another Enlund goal, his second of the game assisted by Dmitry Kugryshev on the power play. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars belonged to Enlund, Robitaille, and Fedotenko.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov and Nikita Lozhkin are the unknown goalies. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period as Raymond Giroux scored, with helpers provided by Sergei Yemelin and Artyom Gareyev. Moscow tied it in the second period on a Denis Bodrov goal, fueled by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Mikhail Yunkov. Metallurg won the game 2-1 in overtime on a Yemelin goal, coming off of Evgeny Lapenkov. The three stars were Yemelin, Lozhkin (34 for 35 in saves), and Ivanov (35 for 37 in saves).

Way out west, Lev Prague hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Atte Engren are in the blue paint. Prague dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Jakub Klepis goal, assisted by Ryan O'Byrne. Mytishchi tied it in the second period as Konstantin Koltsov scored a power play goal, powered by Vitaly Novopashin and Rafael Batyrshin. Atlant took the lead as Alexei Mikhnov scored, thanks to Roman Rukavishnikov and Alexei Petrov. Mytishchi iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Igor Radulov, set up by Ilya Kablukov. The three stars went to Galimov (28 for 29 in saves), Mikhnov, and Koltsov.

Backtracking to Moscow, as CSKA welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Ilya Proskuryakov protect the nets. Cherepovets got going in the first period with a Nikolai Zherdev power play goal, powered by Alexander Bumagin and Bogdan Kiselevich. Moscow tied it in the second period on an Oleg Saprykin goal, fueled by Ilari Filppula and Alexei Morozov. Severstal reclaimed the lead with another Zherdev goal, coming off of Gennady Stolyarov. CSKA retied it on an Igor Grigorenko goal, passed from Fyodor Fyodorov and Stanislav Yegorshev. Moscow pulled ahead as Nikita Zaitsev scored, with the help of Alexander Frolov and Brandon Reid. This was all they needed for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Zherdev, Zaitsev, and Grigorenko.

Out in Riga, Dinamo hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Jakub Sedlacek are the masked men. Riga started in the first period on a Marcel Hossa goal, fueled by Kyle Wilson and Juris Upitis. Dinamo added on with a second period Upitis goal, coming off of Wislon. Riga extended the lead as Georjis Pujacs scored, with assists provided Marcel Hascak and Paul Szczechura. Dinamo padded the lead as Miks Indrasis scored, with a lone assist by Hascak. St. Petersburg got on the board with an Evgeny Ketov goal, guided in by Vadim Shipachyov. SKA pulled closer with an Anton Burdasov goal, made possible by Ilya Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg chipped closer with a power play goal by Dmitry Kalinin, powered by Kovalchuk. Riga answered on a power play goal by Mat Robinson, passed from Sandis Ozolins and Wilson, the latter getting a sock trick. SKA responded with a Kovalchuk power play goal, with a lone helper by Kalinin. Dinamo iced it at 6-4 when Indrasis scored an unassisted empty net goal. The three stars were Indrasis, Wilson, and Kovalchuk, while Kalinin and Hascak get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Jaroslav Janus tend the twines. Yaroslavl began in the first period on an Ilya Korenev goal, coming off of Ilya Gorokhov and Kirill Kapustin. Lokomotiv added on with an Igor Musatov goal, via Mikelis Redlihs and Vadim Khlopotov. Bratislava got on the board with a Miroslav Satan goal, with a lone assist by Michal Sersen. Slovan tied it with another Satan goal, fueled by Vladimir Mihalik and Jonathan Sigalet on the power play. Yaroslavl took the lead back as Sergei Plotnikov scored, with the help of Gorokhov and Sergei Konkov. Bratislava retied it on a Marko Dano goal in the third period, made possible by Martin Bakos and Martin Skoula. Slovan took the lead on a Mario Bliznak goal, guided in by Michal Vondrka and Michel Miklik. Bratislava extended the lead as Andrej Stastny scored, helped along by Sersen and Martin Stajnoch. This was good for a 5-3 win, with the three stars belonging to Satan, Sersen, and Bliznak.

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NHL Day 68 2013-2014

Eleven games on today, beginning with a matinee in...

Dallas, as the Stars host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Dan Ellis are the overrated goalies. Philadelphia opened in the first period with an Andrej Meszaros goal, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. Dallas tied it in the second period on a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Jamie Benn and Valeri Nichuschkin. The Stars took the lead as Seguin scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, thanks to Alex Goligoski and Nichushkin. Dallas added on when Seguin completed the natural hat trick on his fifteenth of the campaign, and Nichushkin's third assist gave him a natural sock trick. The Stars extended the lead as Nichushkin scored his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Seguin and Goligoski. Dallas wrapped it up at 5-1 in the third period on a Cody Eakin shorthanded goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Antoine Roussel. The three stars were Seguin, Nichushkin, and Goligoski.

Over in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Anders Lindback are the backups making spot starts. Winnipeg started in the first period as Blake Wheeler scored his seventh of the season, via Jacob Trouba and Grant Clitsome. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period on a Nate Thompson goal, his second of the year, coming off of Radko Gudas and Martin St. Louis. The Jets won 2-1 in overtime as Mark Scheifele scored his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Wheeler. The three stars belonged to Wheeler, Montoya (28 for 29 in saves), and Lindback (34 for 36 in saves).

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Carey Price draw the starts. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brandon Prust goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan White and Travis Moen. Buffalo tied it with a Tyler Ennis goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Christian Ehrhoff. The Canadiens retook the lead on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Prust and Moen. Montreal added on as Alex Galchenyuk scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Andrei Markov and Plekanec. The Sabres got one back in the third period on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his second of the season, helped along by Ennis and Henrik Tallinder. This wasn't enough to avoid the 3-2 loss, with the three stars being Plekanec, Prust, and Moen, while Ennis gets an honorable mention.

South to Boston, as the Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period as Chris Kunitz scored his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sidney Crosby and Matt Niskanen. Boston tied it with the sixth of the year by Reilly Smith, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron.The Penguins took the lead on a James Neal goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Niskanen and Simon Despres on the power play. The Bruins tied it late in the third period on a David Krejci goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Milan Lucic and Jarome Iginla. Boston took the game 3-2 as Zdeno Chara put away his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Smith and Brad Marchand. Smith, Niskanen, and Chara get the three stars.

Back in Canada, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Craig Anderson will be between the pipes. Toronto began in the first period on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf on the power play. Ottawa tied it with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza. The Maple Leafs took the lead back with a second period Phil Kessel goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from van Riemsdyk. Toronto added on with a Jake Gardiner goal, via Kessel and van Riemsdyk. The Senators got one back in the third period as Erik Condra scored his third of the year, with the help of Colin Greening. Ottawa tied it with a power play goal by Erik Karlsson, his eighth of the season, made possible by Zibanejad and Spezza. The Maple Leafs took the game 4-3 in the shootout with tallies from van Riemsdyk and Mason Raymond. The three stars went to van Riemsdyk, Kessel, and Zibanejad, while Spezza gets an honorable mention.

Crossing over to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jonas Gustavsson play goal. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Daniel Cleary goal, his second of the season, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Cory Emmerton. Florida tied it in the second period as Jimmy Hayes scored his third of the year, thanks to Shawn Matthias and Dylan Olsen. The Panthers took the lead in the third period as Jonathan Hubderdeau scored his seventh of the season, courtesy of Tom Gilbert and Matthias. This held up for a 2-1 win, with Thomas (22 for 23 in saves), Huberdeau, and Matthias getting the three stars.

Back east, the Washington Capitals host the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec and Braden Holtby will be in the blue paint. Washington led off with a first period goal by Troy Brouwer, his sixth of the season, coming off of Eric Fehr and Mikhail Grabovski. The Capitals added on as Alex Ovechkin scored his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom. Washington extended the lead when Karl Alzner scored, via Mike Green and Backstrom. Nashville got on the board as Roman Josi scored, with a lone assist by Shea Weber. The Capitals replied in the third period as Nate Schmidt scored, with the help of Martin Erat and Joel Ward. The Predators shot back as Eric Nystrom scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and Josi. Washington padded the lead on a Fehr goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Grabovski. This was good enough for a 5-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Fehr, Josi, and Grabovski, while Backstrom gets an honorable mention.

Moving along to New York, as the Rangers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York started in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Zuccarello goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. New Jersey got on the board with a Cam Janssen goal, his third of the season, made possible by Tim Sestito and the goalie Brodeur. The Devils tied it in the third period on a Travis Zajac goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jaromir Jagr and Dainius Zubrus. New Jersey gained the lead on a Michael Ryder goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Sestito. New York retied it with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. The Devils won 4-3 in overtime as Eric Gelinas scored his third of the campaign, a power play goal set up by Patrik Elias and Jagr. The three stars belonged to Zuccarello, Gelinas, and Jagr, while Sestito and Callahan get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Jaroslav Halak will be manning the creases. Anaheim opened in the first period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Saku Koivu. The Ducks added on with a Corey Perry power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Bonino. Anaheim extended the lead with a Getzlaf goal, his sixteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Brian Elliott relieved Halak at this time. The Ducks padded the lead in the second period on a Bonino goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Pat Maroon and Tim Jackman. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of T.J. Oshie and Barret Jackman. The Blues pulled closer on a Patrik Berglund goal, his second of the year, passed from Maxim Lapierre and Kevin Shattenkirk. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with a Cogliano empty net goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, set up by Mark Fistric. The three stars were Cogliano, Bonino, and Getzlaf.

Up in Edmonton, another edition of the Battle of Alberta occurs with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Devan Dubnyk are in the blue paint. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Matt Stajan. Edmonton tied it with a Taylor Hall goal in the third period, his eleventh of the year, fueled by David Perron and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime as Jiri Hudler scored his eighth of the campaign, thanks to Kris Russell. The three stars were Berra (30 for 31 in saves), Hudler, and Stempniak.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Martin Jones are the backups in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Anze Kopitar scored his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Alec Martinez. The Kings added on in the third period as Dustin Brown scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams. Los Angeles iced it at 3-0 with a Tyler Toffoli empty net goal, set up by Mike Richards and Drew Doughty. The three stars were Jones (16 save shutout), Kopitar, and Brown.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 95 2013-2014

Five games on today in Russia, beginning in...

Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Michael Garnett are set to start. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score with an Ivan Khlyntsev goal, coming off of Mikhail Yakubov. Yugra added on in the third period with an Igor Magogin goal, fueled by Mikhail Tyulyapkin and Vitaly Sitnokov on the power play. This resulted in a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Kuznetsov (26 save shutout), Khlyntsev, and Magogin.

West a bit to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Andrei Vasilevsky are given the starting nods. Ufa led off in the first period with a Tomas Zaborsky power play goal, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Nikita Shchitov. Salavat Yulaev added on as Kirill Koltsov scored, with a lone assist by Alexei Kaigorodov. Astana got on the board when Dustin Boyd scored, thanks to Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Barys tied it with a Roman Savchenko power play goal in the second period, made possible by Dmitry Upper. Astana took the lead when Mike Lundin scored a power play goal, via Cam Barker and Bochenski. Ufa tied it again on an Igor Mirnov goal, fueled by Antti Pihlstrom and Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev regained the lead with an Anton Slepyshev goal, with a lone helper from Arturs Kulda. Ufa chased Ahonen when Makarov scored, with the help of Brent Sopel and Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead with a Zaborsky empty net goal, going in unassisted in the third period. This produced the 6-3 final, with the three stars being Zaborsky, Makarov, and Kaigorodov.

Down in Magnitgorsk, Metallurg hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov is mismatched with Vasily Koshechkin in goal. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, coming off of Anton Lazarev and Artyom Chernov. Avtomobilist added on as Tobias Viklund scored a power play goal, powered by Lazarev and Malykhin. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period with a Tim Brent goal, fueled by Viktor Antipin and Evgeny Biryukov on the power play. Metallurg tied it on an unassisted goal by Bogdan Potekhin. Yekaterinburg took the lead back in the third period when Dmitry Megalinsky scored a goal, going in unassisted. Magnitogorsk tied it again with a Jan Kovar goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg won 4-3 in the shootout on a lone tally by Potekhin. The three stars were Potekhin, Malykhin, and Lazarev.

Out west a bit more, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Alexander Sudnitsin are between the pipes. Omsk got going in the second period as Stefan Ruzicka scored an unassisted goal. Avangard added on with a Sergei Shirokov goal, made possible by Anton Kuryanov and Ivan Baranka. Omsk extended the lead in the third period on a Sergei Kalinin goal, assisted by Kirill Lyamin and Baranka. Avangard padded the lead as Lyamin scored, thanks to Ruzicka and Kalinin. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars going to Mezin (22 save shutout), Ruzicka, and Kalinin, while Lyamin and Baranka get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Alexander Yeryomenko man the creases. Moscow began in the first period on a Denis Kokarev goal, assisted by Dmitry Pestunov on the power play. Dynamo added on with a power play goal by Maxim Solovyov, powered by Janne Jalasvaara and Yury Babenko. Podolsk got on the board as Vyacheslav Solodukhin scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Yury Koksharov. Vityaz tied it in the third period when Igor Golovkov scored an unassisted power play goal. Dynamo won 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally from Leo Komarov. The three stars belonged to Kokarev, Solovyov, and Komarov.

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NHL Day 67 2013-2014

Six games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Cory Schneider are the backups making spot starts. New Jersey opened with an Andy Greene goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Patrik Elias on the power play. Detroit tied it with a Joakim Andersson goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Drew Miller and Daniel Alfredsson. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period as Johan Franzen scored his ninth of the season, via Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar. Detroit added on as Tatar scored an unassisted power play goal, his sixth of the year. This made it 3-1, a final, with Tatar, Franzen, and Andersson getting the three stars.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Cam Ward are given the starting nods. San Jose began in the first period with a Tommy Wingels goal, his ninth of the season, via Jason Demers. The Sharks added on as Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl. Carolina got on the board in the second period on a Jay Harrison goal, his second of the season, coming off of Zack Boychuk and Riley Nash. The Hurricanes tied it in the third period as Nash scored his third of the year, with the help of Harrison and Elias Lindholm. Carolina took the lead on a Jordan Staal goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Nathan Gerbe and Lindholm. San Jose retied it as Justin Braun scored his third of the year, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. The Hurricanes retook the lead as Lindholm scored his third of the season, courtesy of Andrej Sekera and Jordan Staal. Carolina iced it at 5-3 with an unassisted empty net goal by Eric Staal, his seventh of the yea. The three stars belonged to Lindholm, Nash, and Harrison, while Jordan Staal gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Curtis McElhinney are in the creases. Columbus got going in the second period as Cam Atkinson scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets added on when Nick Foligno scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Ryan Johansen and R.J. Umberger. Columbus extended the lead in the first period on a Boone Jenner goal, his third of the season, made possible by Blake Comeau and Artem Anisimov. The Blue Jackets padded the lead as Umberger scored his seventh of the year, coming off of Foligno and Johansen. This made it a 4-0 final, with the three stars being McElhinney (20 save shutout), Foligno, and Umberger.

West to Chicago, with the Blackhawks hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller faces a lesser foe in Antti Raanta in goal. Anaheim led off in the first period as Corey Perry scored his seventeenth of the season, via Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Penner. Chicago tied it as Ben Smith scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg. The Ducks took the lead again in the second period as Getzlaf scored his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Cam Fowler and Bonino. The Blackhawks tied it again as Versteeg scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal assisted by Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jonathan Toews was overpowered by Nick Bonino and Kyle Palmieri, so the Ducks took the game 3-2. The three stars were Getzlaf, Versteeg, and Bonino.

Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Karri Ramo are between the pipes. Calgary started in the first period as Kris Russell scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sven Baertschi and Mikael Backlund. Colorado tied it with a Max Talbot goal in the second period, his second of the year, via John Mitchell. The Avalanche took the lead as P.A. Parenteau scored his ninth of the season, assisted by Talbot and Mitchell. Colorado added on in the third period when Nathan MacKinnon potted his sixth of the year, thanks to Gabriel Landeskog. The Flames got one back as Matt Stajan scored his fifth of the campaign, courtesy of Michael Cammalleri and Jiri Hudler. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars were Talbot, MacKinnon, and Mitchell.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the second period as Jason Garrison scored his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dan Hamhuis and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks added on as Henrik Sedin scored his eighth of the year, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Ryan Stanton. Phoenix got on the board in the third period when Antoine Vermette scored his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Coyotes tied it on a David Moss goal, his third of the year, coming off of Rob Klinkhammer and Mike Ribeiro. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime as Chris Higgins put away his eighth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Higgins, Luongo (37 for 39 in saves), and Daniel Sedin.

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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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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.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.