KHL Day 97 2013-2014

There are just two games on today before the schedule starts going into extreme oscillation to close the week. The first is from...

Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Konstantin Barulin are the masked men. Kazan led off in the first period on a Shaun Heshka power play goal, powered by Tim Stapleton and Alexander Burmistrov. Ak Bars added on in the second period as Evgeny Medvedev scored, thanks to Stapleton. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period as Sakari Salminen scored a power play goal, assisted by Juuso Hietanen and Pavel Valentenko. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars belonged to Barulin (34 for 35 in saves), Stapleton, and Medvedev.

The other game comes from Bratislava, where Slovan plays a rare back-to-back by hosting Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Jaroslav Janus guard the cages. Bratislava began in the first period with a Milan Bartovic power play goal, powered by Libor Hudacek and Vladimir Mihalik. Mytishchi tied it on a Rafael Batyrshin goal, fueled by Mikhail Glukhov and Konstantin Koltsov. Atlant won 2-1 as Igor Radulov scored the only goal in the shootout. The three stars were Galimov (38 for 39 in saves), Batyrshin, and Radulov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 69 2013-2014

Five games to go with today, beginning in...

Minnesota, as the Wild host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Josh Harding tend the twines. Minnesota got going in the second period as Zach Parise scored his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jason Pominville and Marco Scandella. The Wild added on with a Mikko Koivu goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Scandella and Dany Heatley. San Jose got on the board in the third period as Patrick Marleau scored his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Matt Irwin and Logan Couture. Minnesota iced it at 3-1 with a Parise empty net goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, set up by Kyle Brodziak. The three stars were Harding (37 for 38 in saves), Parise, and Scandella.

Back east, the New York Rangers welcome the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Washington dented the scoreboard with a second period Jason Chimera goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Martin Erat and Steve Oleksy. The Capitals added on as Oleksy scored, with a lone assist by Jay Beagle. Washington extended the lead when Mikhail Grabovski tucked in his ninth of the year on a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Ryan McDonagh on the breakaway. The Capitals padded the lead in the third period as Nate Schmidt scored his second of the season, an unassisted goal. New York got on the board with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his third of the year, thanks to Michael Del Zotto. This was as close as it got, and the three stars of the 4-1 game were Grubauer (30 for 31 in saves), Oleksy, and Grabovski.

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Corey Crawford are in the blue paint. Chicago led off in the first period with a Patrick Sharp goal, his twelfth of the season, coming on the power play from Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks added on with a power play goal by Brent Seabrook, his second of the year, powered by Brandon Saad and Marian Hossa. Crawford left the game with injury in the first period, being replaced by Antti Raanta. Chicago extended the lead in the second period as Hossa scored his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Sharp and Toews. Florida got on the board in the second period as Dylan Olsen scored his second of the year, with the help of Tomas Kopecky and Erik Gudbranson. The Panthers pulled closer on a Marcel Goc goal, his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blackhawks answered with a Michal Handzus goal, his second of the year, guided in by Seabrook and Kane. Chicago padded the lead in the third period on an Andrew Shaw goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Sharp and Kane, the latter getting a sock trick. The Blackhawks wrapped it up at 6-2 with a Saad goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Jeremy Morin and Kris Versteeg. The three stars went to Sharp, Kane, and Seabrook, while Hossa, Toews, and Saad get the honorable mentions.

Northeast to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs bring in the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Jonathan Bernier are between the pipes. Toronto began in the first period with a Peter Holland goal, his third of the season, thanks to David Clarkson and Jake Gardiner. Boston tied it in the second period on a Carl Soderberg goal, his fourth of the year, a power play goal guided in by Reilly Smith and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins took the lead as Torey Krug scored a power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Boston added on with a Kevan Miller goal, fueled by Soderberg. The Maple Leafs pulled back on a Jay McClement goal, coming off of Holland and Nikolai Kulemin. The Bruins answered as Jarome Iginla scored his sixth of the year, via Lucic. Boston wrapped it up at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Bergeron, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Gregory Campbell and Krejci. The three stars were Soderberg, Bergeron, and Holland, while Lucic and Krejci get the honorable mentions.

Finally, across Canada, the Vancouver Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Vancouver was first to score in the first period with a Mike Santorelli goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Chris Higgins. The Canucks added on in the third period on a Ryan Kesler goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Santorelli and Higgins. Vancouver extended the lead as Santorelli scored his second of the game and eighth of the season, thanks to Jason Garrison. Colorado got on the board with a Jamie McGinn goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Cody McLeod and Nick Holden. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-1, and the three stars were Santorelli, Luongo (28 for 29 in saves), and Higgins get the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NFL Week 14 2013

Big Sundays again for the rest of the year, with the first of fourteen games today being played in...

New Jersey, as the New York Jets host the Oakland Raiders. New York was first to score in the first quarter on a 41 yard field goal by Nick Folk. The Jets added on as Geno Smith found Jeremy Kerley for 25 yards and a touchdown, and Folk was there with the extra point. Oakland got on the board in the second quarter with a Sebastian Janikowski field goal from 41 yards out. New York responded as Folk made a 23 yard field goal. The Jets extended the lead when Antonio Allen recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, and Folk supplied the extra point. The Raiders pulled back in the third quarter as Marcel Reece rushed 63 yards for a touchdown, and Janikowski tacked on the extra point. New York shot back on an 8 yard Smith touchdown run, and Folk nailed the extra point. Oakland replied as Matt McGloin found Rod Streater for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the PAT. The Jets answered on a 51 yard field goal by Folk. The Raiders chipped closer as Janikowski made a 40 yard field goal. New York padded their lead as Chris Ivory ran in a 15 yard touchdown, and Folk was true with the extra point. Oakland got some back as McGloin tossed a 1 yard touchdown to Mychal Rivera, and Janikowski blasted the extra point. It got no closer, with the final score being 37-27 Jets, and New York improved to 6-7 while dropping the raiders to 4-9.

Over in New England, the Patriots welcome the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland led off in the first quarter as Billy Cundiff kicked a 43 yard field goal. The Browns added on in the second quarter as Cundiff made a 37 yard field goal. Cleveland extended the lead in the third quarter when Jason Campbell tossed a 40 yard touchdown pass to Gary Barnidge, but the two-point run attempt by Chris Ogbonnaya failed. New England got on the board as Stephen Gostkowski made a 33 yard field goal. The Browns shot back on an 80 yard touchdown pass from Campbell to Josh Gordon, and Cundiff was true with the extra point. The Patriots answered as Shane Vereen ran in a 6 yard touchdown, and Tom Brady than found Julian Edelman for the two-point conversion. New England pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Gostkowski made a 50 yard field goal. Cleveland replied with a 4 yard Campbell touchdown pass to Jordan Cameron, and Cundiff booted the extra point. The Patriots pulled back with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Brady to Edelman, and Gostkowski was there with the PAT. New England edged ahead as Brady threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola, but Vereen failed on the two-point rushing attempt. They didn't need it anyway, winning 27-26, and the Patriots improved to 10-3 while the Browns fell to 4-9.

Westward to Cincinnati, as the Bengals bring in the Indianapolis Colts. Cincinnati struck first in the first quarter with a 29 yard Andy Dalton touchdown pass to Marvin Jones, and Mike Nugent was there with the extra point. The Bengals added on in the second quarter as BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Nugent supplied the extra point. Cincinnati extended the lead in the third quarter on a Green-Ellis touchdown run of 1 yard, and Nugent nailed the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board as Andrew Luck threw a 69 yard touchdown pass to Da'Rick Rogers, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. The Colts got closer on a 19 yard touchdown pass from Luck to LaVon Brazill, and Vinatieri tacked on another extra point. The Bengals responded as Dalton found Jermaine Gresham for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Nugent made the PAT. Cincinnati padded the lead as Dalton threw a 9 yard touchdown to A.J. Green, and Nugent handled the extra point. Indianapolis shot back on a 29 yard touchdown connection between Luck and Brazill, and Vinatieri supplied another extra point. The Bengals answered again with a Dalton touchdown run of 8 yards, and Nugent knocked in the extra point. The Colts chipped back as Luck found Rogers for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri drilled the extra point. They still lost 42-28, with the Bengals improving to 9-4 while the Colts fall to 8-5.

Back east, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Detroit Lions. Detroit got going in the second quarter on a 2 yard touchdown run by Joique Bell, and Matthew Stafford passed to Bell for the two-point conversion. The Lions added on in the third quarter with a 58 yard punt return for a touchdown by Jeremy Ross, but Stafford couldn't connect with Joseph Fauria for the two-point conversion. Philadelphia got on the board as Nick Foles threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson, but he couldn't find LeSean McCoy for the two-point attempt. The Eagles pulled back in the fourth quarter on a 40 yard McCoy touchdown run, and Bryce Brown tied the game by running in the two-point conversion. Detroit took the lead back as Ross ran 98 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, but David Akers missed the extra point. Philadelphia gained the lead as McCoy ran 57 yards for a touchdown, and Foles tossed the two-point conversion to Riley Cooper. The Eagles extended the lead as Foles ran 1 yard for a touchdown, but he failed to find Jackson for the two-point attempt. Philadelphia padded the lead as Chris Polk ran 38 yards for a touchdown, but he failed to convert the two-point attempt. This produced the odd 34-20 final, with the Eagles moving to 8-5 while dropping the Lions to 7-6.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome the Miami Dolphins. Pittsburgh began in the first quarter as Ben Roethlisberger threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders, and Shaun Suisham knocked in the extra point. Miami got on the board as Caleb Sturgis made a 30 yard field goal. The Dolphins added on as Ryan Tannehill tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Charles Clay, and Sturgis was there with the extra point. Miami extended the lead in the third quarter on a 4 yard Daniel Thomas touchdown run, and Sturgis booted another extra point. The Steelers pulled back on a Roethlisberger 43 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, and Suisham kicked the PAT. Pittsburgh took the lead when Troy Polamalu picked off Tannehll and returned the interception 19 yards for a touchdown, allowing Suisham to make another extra point. The Dolphins shot back as Tannehill threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Brian Hartline, and Sturgis supplied the extra point. The Steelers pulled ahead again in the fourth quarter as Roethlisberger found Jericho Cotchery for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Suisham drilled another extra point. Miami retook the lead as Tannehill and Clay connected again for 12 yards and a touchdown, and Sturgis nailed the extra point. The Dolphins padded the lead with a 27 yard Sturgis field goal. This made it 34-28, and the Dolphins improved to 7-6 while the Steelers fell to 5-8.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers bring in the Buffalo Bills. Tampa Bay opened in the first quarter with an 80 yard Bobby Rainey touchdown run, and Rian Lindell made the extra point. Buffalo got on the board with a 40 yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. The Buccaneers answered with a 38 yard touchdown pass from Mike Glennon to Vincent Jackson, and Lindell nailed the extra point. Tampa Bay added on in the second quarter as Lindell made a 53 yard field goal. The Buccaneers extended the lead with a Glennon touchdown pass of 5 yards to Tim Wright, and Lindell booted the PAT. The Bills shot back on a Carpenter 46 yard field goal in the third quarter. Tampa Bay replied with a 32 yard Lindell field goal. This was it for the scoring, with the Buccaneers winning 27-6. The two teams are now both 4-9.

Back north to Washington DC, as the Redskins host the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City started in the first quarter on a 33 yard Ryan Succop field goal. The Chiefs added on as Jamaal Charles rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, and Succop nailed the extra point. Kansas City extended the lead with a 21 yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Dwayne Bowe, and Succop was true with the extra point. The Chiefs padded the lead as Smith found Charles for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Succop nailed the PAT. Kansas City got some more as Dexter McCluster returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown, allowing Succop to make another extra point. Washington got on the board with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Robert Griffin III to Logan Paulsen, and Kai Forbath handled the extra point. The Chiefs answered right back as Quintin Demps returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, and Succop was there with the extra point. The Redskins got some back as Forbath made a 50 yard field goal. Kansas City wrapped it up in the fourth quarter as Knile Davis ran 17 yards for a touchdown, and Succop supplied another extra point for a 45-10 final. The Chiefs improved to 10-3 while the Redskins fall to 3-10.

Just a few miles away, the Baltimore Ravens welcome the Minnesota Vikings. Baltimore led off in the first quarter with a 1 yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Ed Dickson, and Justin Tucker booted the extra point. Minnesota got on the board in the second quarter as Blair Walsh made a 39 yard field goal. The Vikings pulled closer with a 40 yard field goal by Walsh in the third quarter. Minnesota took the lead in the fourth quarter on a Matt Cassel touchdown pass of 8 yards to Jerome Simpson, but Cassel couldn't connect with Greg Jennings for the two-point attempt. The Ravens retook the lead as Flacco threw a 1 yard touchdown to Dennis Pitta, and then on the two-point conversion, he found Torrey Smith. The Vikings edged ahead as Toby Gerhart rushed 41 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh made the PAT. Baltimore regained the lead on a Jacoby Jones 77 yard touchdown return of the ensuing kickoff, and Tucker was there to make the extra point. Minnesota pulled ahead again with a 79 yard touchdown pass from Cassel to Cordarrelle Patterson, and Walsh drilled the extra point. The Ravens got the last laugh though, as Flacco passed a 9 yard touchdown to Marlon Brown, and Tucker was good with the extra point. This made it 29-26, the final, with the Ravens improving to 7-6 while dropping the Vikings to 3-9-1.

Out west again, the Green Bay Packers bring in the Atlanta Falcons. Green Bay dented the scoreboard in the first quarter as Eddie Lacy ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Mason Crosby knocked in the extra point. Atlanta replied in the second quarter as Matt Ryan threw a 36 yard touchdown pass to Drew Davis, and Matt Bryant nailed the extra point. The Falcons took the lead on a 2 yard Ryan touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez, and Bryant was there with the extra point. The Packers answered as Crosby made a 40 yard field goal. Atlanta extended their lead with a Sean Weatherspoon interception of Matt Flynn that he returned 71 yards for the touchdown, and Bryant was true with the PAT. Green Bay chipped back in the third quarter on a 33 yard Crosby field goal. The Packers pulled closer as Crosby made a 25 yard field goal. Green Bay edged ahead in the fourth quarter on a 2 yard Flynn touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless, but he failed to find James Jones for the two-point attempt. It didn't matter in the end, as the Packers still won 22-21, and improved to 6-6-1 while dropping the Falcons to 3-10.

Further west to Denver, as the Broncos host the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee was first to score in the first quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Shonn Greene, and Rob Bironas made the extra point. Denver answered with a 1 yard Peyton Manning touchdown pass to Wes Welker, and Matt Prater nailed the extra point. The Titans took the lead back as Chris Johnson ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Broncos shot back as Prater made a 25 yard field goal. Tennessee added on in the second quarter as Greene ran 28 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas was true with the extra point. Denver answered with an 8 yard Manning touchdown pass to Julius Thomas, and Prater supplied the PAT. The Broncos got closer as Prater made a record 64 yard field goal at the end of the first half. Denver took the lead as Manning threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, and Prater booted the extra point. The Broncos padded the lead with a 1 yard Knowshon Moreno touchdown run, and Prater made the extra point. The Titans chipped back as Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 41 yard touchdown pass to Justin Hunter, and Bironas kicked in the extra point. Denver responded with a 19 yard field goal by Prater. The Broncos added on as Manning threw a 20 yard touchdown to Eric Decker, and Prater blasted the extra point. Denver got some more as Montee Ball ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Prater drove in the extra point. This made it 51-28, the final, with the Broncos going to 11-2 and the Titans falling to 5-8.

South to Arizona, where the Cardinals welcome the St. Louis Rams. Arizona struck first in the first quarter on a 3 yard touchdown run by Rashard Mendenhall, and Jay Feely kicked in the extra point. St. Louis got on the board with a 44 yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein. The Cardinals added on in the second quarter as Carson Palmer threw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald. Arizona extended the lead in the third quarter with a Karlos Dansby 23 yard interception return off of Kellen Clemens, and Feely supplied the PAT. The Cardinals got some more as Clemens was sacked in his own end zone by John Abraham for a safety. The Rams got some back in the fourth quarter on a Zac Stacy touchdown run of 1 yard, and Zuerlein made the extra point. Arizona padded the lead on a 6 yard touchdown run by Andre Ellington, and Feely nailed the extra point. This made it 30-10, the final, with the Cardinals going to 8-5 and the Rams dropping to 5-8.

Out in California, the San Diego Chargers bring in the New York Giants. San Diego opened in the first quarter on a 43 Philip Rivers touchdown pass to Keenan Allen, and Nick Novak made the extra point. The Chargers added on in the second quarter as Novak made a 36 yard field goal. San Diego extended the lead with a 4 yard Rivers touchdown pass to Allen, and Novak supplied another extra point. The Chargers extended the lead when Rivers tossed a 6 yard touchdown to Danny Woodhead, and Novak knocked in the extra point. New York got on the board in the third quarter with a 1 yard touchdown run by Peyton Hillis, and Josh Brown drilled the extra point. San Diego replied as Ryan Mathews rushed for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Novak nailed the PAT. The Giants shot back in the fourth quarter on a 5 yard Eli Manning touchdown pass to Brandon Myers, and Brown blasted the extra point. The Chargers padded the lead with a 27 yard Novak yard field goal. San Diego wrapped it up at 37-14 with a 43 yard field goal by Novak. The Chargers improved to 6-7 while the Giants fell to 5-8.

Up the coast, the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco began in the first quarter on a 23 yard Phil Dawson field goal. The 49ers added on with a Dawson 48 yard field goal. Seattle took the lead in the second quarter as Marshawn Lynch rushed 11 yards for a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. San Francisco responded with a 52 yard Dawson field goal. The Seahawks shot back with a 39 yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Luke Willson, and Hauschka nailed the PAT. The 49ers retook the lead as Colin Kaepernick threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Dawson was true with the extra point. Seattle got some back in the fourth quarter on a Hauschka 31 yard field goal. San Francisco gained the lead late with a Dawson field goal from 22 yards out, good for a 19-17 win. The 49ers improved to 9-4 while dropping the Seahawks to 11-2.

Finally, in New Orleans, the Saints welcome the Carolina Panthers. Carolina started in the first quarter as Graham Gano made a 45 yard field goal. The Panthers added on with a Gano field goal of 24 yards. New Orleans took the lead in the second quarter on a 6 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Marques Colston, and Garrett Hartley made the extra point. The Saints extended the lead as Brees and Colston connected again for 15 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley was true with the extra point. New Orleans padded the lead on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Brees to Jimmy Graham, and Hartley nailed the PAT. The Saints got some more in the third quarter on a 19 yard field goal by Hartley. New Orleans kept going in the fourth quarter as Brees tossed an 8 yard touchdown to Graham. Carolina chipped back as Cam Newton threw a 17 yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith, and Gano was there with the extra point. This only made it 31-13 for a final, with the Saints improving to 10-3 and the Panthers falling to 9-4.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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.

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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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