NHL Day 88 2013-2014

Ten games on tonight for the first of three busy nights in a row. We begin in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Justin Peters are between the pipes. Carolina opened in the first period as Andrej Sekera scored his seventh of the season, courtesy of Jordan Staal and Nathan Gerbe. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Sidney Crosby goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of James Neal and Olli Maatta. The Hurricanes retook the lead as Gerbe scored his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Alexander Semin. The Penguins tied it again in the third period with a Chris Conner goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Jussi Jokinen and Neal. Pittsburgh took the lead as Deryk Engelland potted his third of the season, thanks to Brooks Orpik and Jokinen. Carolina tied it with a Drayson Bowman goal, his third of the year, guided in by Riley Nash and Patrick Dwyer. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime on a Neal goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by Jokinen, who got a sock trick, and Engelland. The three stars were handed to Neal, Jokinen, and Engelland, while Gerbe gets an honorable mention.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Tuukka Rask are in the creases. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jarome Iginla goal, his eleventh of the season coming on the power play with assists provided by Milan Lucic and Torey Krug. The Bruins added on in the third period as David Krejci scored his eighth of the year, via Matt Bartkowski and Adam McQuaid. Boston extended the lead with a Reilly Smith goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins padded the lead as Smith scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with a lone helper by Bergeron. Boston iced it at 5-0 with a shorthanded Marchand goal, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Johnny Boychuk. The three stars were handed to Rask (33 save shutout), Smith, and Marchand, while Bergeron gets an honorable mention.

Moving along to DC, as the Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers. Backups Cam Talbot and Philipp Grubauer are in goal. Washington led off in the first period on a Mike Green power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Martin Erat and Dmitry Orlov. New York tied it in the second period on a Benoit Pouliot power play goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Brad Richards and Derrick Brassard. The Capitals retook the lead as Nicklas Backstrom scored his tenth of the season, assisted by Steve Oleksy. The Rangers tied it in again in the third period on a Carl Hagelin shorthanded goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi. Washington pulled ahead as Eric Fehr scored his sixth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Backstrom. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Backstrom, Grubauer (38 for 40 in saves), and Fehr.

Over in New Jersey, the Devils bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Martin Brodeur are the masked men. Columbus struck first in the first period on an Artem Anisimov goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Brandon Dubinsky and Cam Atkinson. New Jersey tied it as Adam Henrique scored in the third period with his seventh of the year, thanks to Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Atkinson had the lone tally for a 2-1 Blue Jackets win. The three stars were Atkinson, McElhinney (16 for 17 in saves), and Brodeur (29 for 30 in saves).

North to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Matt Moulson goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Zemgus Girgensons and Jamie McBain. The Sabres added on as John Scott scored, thanks to Matt Ellis. Toronto got on the board in the second period with a Jake Gardiner goal, his second of the year, guided in by Phil Kessel and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs tied it as Peter Holland scored his sixth of the season, with the help of Mason Raymond and Franson. Toronto took the lead with a power play goal from Kessel, his eighteenth of the year, powered by James van Riemsdyk and Dion Phaneuf. Buffalo tied it in the third period as Steve Ott scored his fifth of the campaign, a power play goal assisted by Moulson and Tyler Myers. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Joffrey Lupul had the lone tally for a 4-3 win for the Maple Leafs. The three stars belonged to Kessel, Moulson, and Franson.

Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Ondrej Pavelec are the veteran goalies. Minnesota began in the first period with a Dany Heatley goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund. Winnipeg tied it as Evander Kane scored his eleventh of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Michael Frolik. The Jets took the lead with an Olli Jokinen goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Devin Setoguchi and Chris Thorburn. The Wild retied it as Justin Fontaine potted his seventh of the year, via Matt Cooke and Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota took the lead again on a Stephane Veilleux goal, with assists provided by Jared Spurgeon and Torrey Mitchell. Al Montoya relieved Pavelec at this time. Winnipeg retied it again on a Blake Wheeler goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Jacob Trouba and Andrew Ladd. The Jets pulled ahead as Dustin Byfuglien scored his seventh of the year, with the help of Eric Tangradi and Adam Pardy. The Wild tied it again in the second period on a Mikko Koivu power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Charlie Coyle and Pominville. Winnipeg took the lead once more in the third period as Wheeler netted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, helped along by Bryan Little and Ladd. The Jets wrapped it up at 6-4 with a Tobias Enstrom empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Jokinen. The three stars went to Wheeler, Jokinen, and Ladd, while Pominville gets an honorable mention.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Antti Raanta draw the starts. Chicago started in the first period on a Patrick Sharp goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks added on as Jonathan Toews scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Marian Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago extended the lead with another Sharp goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Keith and Toews. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the second period when Sharp completed his hat trick on his twenty-first of the season, via Hjalmarsson and Toews. Chicago got another with Toews' second of the night and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Sharp. Colorado got on the board with a Paul Stastny goal, his eleventh of the campaign, passed from Gabriel Landeskog and P.A. Parenteau. The Blackhawks replied on a Michal Handzus goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg. Chicago struck again with a Versteeg goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Keith, who got a sock trick, and Handzus. Semyon Varlamov relieved Giguere for the third period. The Avalanche got one back in the third period as Landeskog netted his eleventh of the campaign, with a lone helper by Parenteau. This only made it 7-2, the final, with Sharp, Toews, and Keith getting the three stars while Versteeg, Handzus, Landeskog, Hjalmarsson, and Parenteau get the honorable mentions.

Further to the south, the Dallas Stars host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Kari Lehtonen in goal. Dallas got going in the first period as Jamie Benn scored his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Brenden Dillon. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Kevin Klein goal, fueled by Colin Wilson and Ryan Ellis. The Stars retook the lead as Erik Cole scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Rich Peverley and Colton Sceviour. Dallas added on as Cole scored his second of the game and eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Goligoski. The Stars iced it at 4-1 in the third period on a Ryan Garbutt goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Cody Eakin and Jordie Benn. The three stars were given to Cole, Lehtonen (33 for 34 in saves), and Goligoski.

A bit to the west, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Mike Smith tend the twines. Phoenix led off in the first period with a David Moss goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. San Jose tied it in the second period as Joe Pavelski scored his sixteenth of the year, fueled by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Coyotes retook the lead on another Moss goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, coming off of David Schlemko and Mike Ribeiro. The Sharks tied it again as Patrick Marleau scored his seventeenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Tommy Wingels and Jason Demers. San Jose took the lead in the third period on a Burns goal, his eleventh of the season, via Pavelski and Thornton. Phoenix retied it on a Radim Vrbata goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Ribeiro and Keith Yandle on the power play. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mikkel Boedker was matched by Logan Couture before a Marleau goal gave the Sharks a 4-3 win. The three stars were Pavelski, Burns, and Marleau, while Moss, Ribeiro, and Thornton get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Battle of Alberta when the Edmonton Oilers come to town. Devan Dubnyk and Reto Berra are in the blue paint. Edmonton began in the first period with a Ryan Smyth goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Ales Hemsky and Boyd Gordon. The Oilers iced it at 2-0 in the third period as Smyth put his second of the game and sixth of the year into the empty net, set up by Gordon. The three stars were handed to Smyth, Dubnyk (27 save shutout), and Gordon.

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KHL Day 115 2013-2014

Seven games on today leading into a busy weekend for sports. We begin in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Vitaly Kolesnik are in the creases. The game was scoreless until the shootout, where a lone tally by Emil Galimov was all Lokomotiv needed to win 1-0. The three stars were Kolesnik (27 save shutout), Galimov, and Garnett (31 save "shutout").

Down in the Moscow Oblast, Vityaz Podlsk welcomes a team from the city, Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Ivan Lisutin are in goal. Moscow began in the first period with a Grigory Zheldakov goal, fueled by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Alexei Krutov. Podolsk tied it on a power play goal by Dinar Khafizullin, guided in by Maxim Afinogenov. Vityaz took the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Dmitry Shitikov, set up by Alexander Korolyuk and Branislav Mezei. Spartak retied it as Nikolai Lemtyugov scored, thanks to Andrei Sergeyev and Oleg Kvasha. Podolsk took the lead back on an Afinogenov goal, courtesy of Airat Ziazov and Khafizullin. Moscow tied it as Kvasha scored, with assists provided by Mikhail Mamkin and Filipp Toluzakov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Afinogenov matched Toluzakov, but Vityaz still won with a goal by Vyacheslav Solodukhin. Afinogenov, Khafizullin, and Kvasha got the three stars in the 4-3 game.

Back up in Cherepovets, Severstal brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Ivan Kasutin in goal. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period on an Evgeny Timkin goal, fueled by Chris Lee and Vladimir Malenkikh. Metallurg added on in the third period with a power play goal by Francis Pare, powered by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Magnitogorsk extended the lead on a Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal, assisted by Dmitry Kazionov and Rinat Ibragimov. Metallurg padded the lead with an Oskar Osala goal, courtesy of Kazionov and Pare. This made it 4-0, the final, with Pare, Koshechkin (29 save shutout), and Kazionov earning the three stars.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Kevin Lalande are the masked men. Kazan led off in the first period with a power play goal by Alexander Burmistrov, powered by Tim Stapleton and Evgeny Medvedev. Ak Bars added on in the third period with an unassisted goal by Dmitry Obukhov. Minsk got on the board as Sergei Drozd scored, thanks to Ivan Usenko. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, and the three stars were Barulin (28 for 29 in saves), Obukhov, and Burmistrov.

Further west to Zagreb, as Medvescak brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Barry Brust tend the twines. Moscow started in the first period with an unassisted Maxim Karpov goal. Dynamo added on with a Denis Mosalyov shorthanded goal, set up by Dmitry Pestunov. Moscow extended the lead as Alexander Ryazantsev scored a power play goal, powered by Filip Novak and Pestunov. Mark dekanich relieved Brust in the second period. Dynamo padded the lead in the second period with a Konstantin Glazachev goal, courtesy of Yury Babenko and Alexei Tsvetkov. Moscow got another in the third period on a Maxim Pestushko goal, assisted by Leo Komarov and Yegor Dugin. This was good for a 5-0 win, with Yeryomenko (34 save shutout), Pestunov, and Karpov being the three stars.

Backtracking to Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Michael Leighton guard the cages. Donetsk struck first in the first period on a Petteri Wirtanen power play goal, powered by Clay Wilson and Teemu Laine. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period as Vladimir Galuzin scored, with a lone assist by Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Torpedo took the lead as Galuzin scored again, with another lone assist by Kulyomin. Donbass tied it in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, coming off of Lukas Kaspar. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jarkko Immonen of Torpedo was cancelled out by Randy Robitaille of Donbass, before Wojtek Wolski sealed a 3-2 win for Torpedo with his tally. The three stars were Galuzin, Kulyomin, and Wolski.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Jaroslav Janus protect the nets. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period with a Pavel Kulikov goal, fueled by Yaroslav Alshevsky and Albert Yarullin. Neftekhimik added on as Denis Tolpeko scored, via Yarullin and Roman Lyuduchin. Bratislava got on the board in the second period with a Milan Bartovic goal, coming off of Peter Olvecky. Slovan tied it with a Michal Vondrka power play goal, powered by Mario Bliznak and Marek Troncinsky. Bratislava took the lead on a Tomas Mikus goal, guided in by Bruno Mraz and Andrej Stastny. Slovan extended the lead in the third period as Vondrka scored his second of the game, assisted by Bliznak and Michel Miklik. This was good for a 4-2 win, with Vondrka, Bliznak, and Yarullin getting the three stars.

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KHL Day 114 2013-2014

Five games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Mathieu Garon are in the creases. Omsk began in the first period as Denis Kulyash scored, with the help of Nikita Pivtsakin. Khabarovsk tied it on a power play goal by Jan Mursak, powered by Timofei Shishkanov and Andrei Stepanov. Avangard gained the lead in the second period with a Stefan Ruzicka goal, assisted by Alexander Perezhogin. Amur tied it again on a Mikhail Klimchuk goal, going in unassisted. Omsk took the lead back in the third period as Maxim Goncharov scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Shirokov. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Goncharov, Ruzicka, and Kulyash.

Up to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. The game remained scoreless until a Vasily Streltsov shootout tally to give Avtomobilist the 1-0 win. The three stars went to Kovar (31 save shutout), Streltsov, and Koskinen (18 save "shutout").

Moving along to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin and Mikhail Biryukov were given the starting nods. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on an Igor Velichkin goal, assisted by Sergei Yemelin and Mark Skutar. Metallurg added on with an Alexei Kosourov goal, fueled by Artyom Gareyev. Novokuznetsk extended the lead in the second period with a Pavel Kanarsky goal, coming off of Skutar. Metallurg padded the lead when Skutar scored, with helpers provided by Velichkin and Yemelin. Novokuznetsk got another as Yemelin scored, via Skutar, who got a sock trick, and Nikita Vyglazov. Metallurg struck again in the third period with a power play goal by Tuukka Mantyla, powered by Gareyev and Vladislav Kartayev. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with a power play goal by Ivan Yatsenko, guided in by Ilari Melart and Mikhail Tyulyapkin. This made it 6-1, the final, with the three stars being Skutar, Yemelin, and Velichkin, while Gareyev gets an honorable mention.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Niko Hovinen and Ari Ahonen are the masked men. Astana led off in the first period with a Brandon Bochenski shorthanded goal, set up by Dustin Boyd. Barys added on with another Bochenski goal, with a lone assist by Nigel Dawes. Vladivostok got on the board in the second period on a Vladimir Pervushin goal, coming off of Dmitry Vorobyov and Artyom Zemchyonok. Astana shot back as Dawes scored, guided in by Bochenski and Boyd. Barys extended the lead with a power play goal by Bochenski to finish his hat trick, powered by Roman Savchenko and Boyd, the latter getting a sock trick. Admiral pulled back as Felix Schutz scored, courtesy of Niclas Bergfors and Evgeny Grachyov. Astana padded the lead in the third period with a Konstantin Rudenko goal, made possible by Roman Starchenko and Nikolai Antropov. Vladivostok replied with another Schutz goal, passed from Bergfors and Justin Hodgman. Barys iced it at 6-3 as Starchenko scored an unassisted empty net goal shorthanded. The three stars were Bochenski, Boyd, and Dawes, while Schutz, Starchenko, and Bergfors get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Mytishchi, Atlant plays the second of a back-to-back against Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky is msimatched with Stanislav Galimov in goal. Ufa was first to score in the second period on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, fueled by Dmitry Makarov. Salavat Yulaev added on as Sergei Zinovyev scored a power play goal, courtesy of Nikita Filatov. Mytishchi got on the board as Alexander Kadeikin scored, thanks to Yaroslav Dyblenko and Evgeny Artyukhin. Ufa shot back on an unassisted goal by Ivan Vishnevsky. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead as Hartikainen scored his second of the game, assisted by Makarov and Brent Sopel. Ufa padded the lead in the third period on a Filatov goal, coming off of Kirill Koltsov and Antti Pihlstrom. Atlant got one back on a power play goal by Alexei Mikhnov, powered by Igor Radulov and Roman Rukavishnikov. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Hartikainen, Filatov, and Makarov.

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KHL Day 113 2013-2014

For the United States, it's Christmas, but that means very little to the KHL, where we have six games to go with today. We begin in...

Cherepovets, as Severstal hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Jakub Stepanek protect the nets. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period as Teemu Laasko scored, thanks to Nikolai Zherdev and Bogdan Kiselevich on the power play. St. Petersburg tied it as Alexander Kucheryavenko scored, assisted by Anton Burdasov and Evgeny Ketov. SKA took the lead in the second period as Igor Makarov found twine, with the help of Andrei Kuteikin and Burdasov. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Salak (27 for 28 in saves), Makarov, and Burdasov.

Over in Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Vitaly Koval and Konstantin Barulin are the masked men. Kazan led off in the first period as Dmitry Obukhov scored, thanks to Alexander Svitov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Wojtek Wolski power play goal, powered by Mikhail Grigoryev and Vladimir Denisov. Ak Bars retook the lead as Ilya Nikulin scored, via Mikhail Varnakov and Alexander Burmistrov. Sergei Mashkovtsev replaced Koval at this time. Torpedo tied it again as Vladimir Galuzin scored, with the help of Grigoryev and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Kazan pulled ahead again as Tim Stapleton scored, with assists provided by Varnakov and Burmistrov. Ak Bars added on in the second period with another Stapleton goal, made possible by Evgeny Medvedev and Burmistrov, the latter getting a sock trick. Kazan extended the lead on a Shaun Heshka goal, fueled by Tomas Vincour. Nizhny Novgorod shot back as Grigoryev scored, courtesy of Maxim Potapov and Alexei Potapov. Ak Bars padded the lead with a Varnakov goal in the third period, set up by Stapleton. Torpedo pulled closer as Pavel Lukin potted the puck, assisted by Wolski and Daniil Zharkov. This only made it 6-4, the final, with the three stars being Stapleton, Varnakov, and Grigoryev, while Burmistrov and Wolski get the honorable mentions.

West to Moscow, as CSKA brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Ilya Proskuryakov are the reliable goalies. Moscow began in the first period on a Denis Denisov goal, fueled by Ilya Zubov. Podolsk tied it when Airat Ziazov scored, with the help of Gleb Klimenko and Mathias Porseland. CSKA retook the lead in the second period with a goal by Alexander Radulov, coming off of Igor Grigorenko. Moscow added on as Nikolai Prokhorkin scored, thanks to Sergei Gimayev and the goalie Proskuryakov. CSKA extended the lead in the third period with a Stanislav Yegorshev goal, with a lone assist by Prokhorkin. Moscow padded the lead with a Roman Lyubimov goal, going in unassisted. Vityaz got one back as Dinar Khafizullin scored, via Alexander Korolyuk and Dmitry Shitikov. This only made it 5-2, with the three stars being Prokhorkin, Proskuryakov (28 for 30 in saves), and Radulov.

Staying in the region, Atlant Mytishchi hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Stanislav Galimov guard the cages. Mytishchi opened in the first period with a power play goal by Vitaly Novopashin, powered by Rafael Batyrshin and Alexander Kadeikin. Nizhnekamsk tied it as Renat Mamashev scored a power play goal, via Fyodor Belyakov and Georgy Belousov. Atlant retook the lead with an Evgeny Artyukhin goal in the second period, coming off of Kadeikin and Sergei Shmelyov. Mytishchi added on as Andreas Engqvist scored, with the help of Maxim Mayorov and Vitaly Atyushov on the power play. Atlant iced it at 4-1 with a third period goal by Engqvist, guided in by Mayorov and Juha-Pekka Haataja. The three stars were Engqvist, Kadeikin, and Mayorov.

Back to the city, as Spartak Moscow welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Jeff Glass tend the twines. Magnitogorsk started in the second period on a Chris Lee goal, guided in by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on as Francis Pare scored, with the help of Dmitry Kazionov and Oskar Osala. Magnitogorsk extended the lead with a power play goal by Danis Zaripov, powered by Tim Brent and Kovar. Metallurg padded the lead on a power play goal from Evgeny Timkin, assisted by Brent and Lee. Moscow got on the board with a Vladimir Peshekhonov goal, via Andrei Sergeyev. Magnitogorsk shot back as Pare scored an unassisted goal. Metallurg wrapped it up at 6-1 with a Viktor Antipin goal, with a lone assist by Yaroslav Kosov. The three stars were Pare, Kovar, and Lee, while Brent gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Ukraine, Donbass Donetsk brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Michael Leighton are the North American goalies. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Andrei Kostitsyn, powered by Petri Kontiola and Alexei Bondarev. Traktor added on as Semyon Kokuyov scored, via Anton Glinkin and Andrei Popov. Donetsk got on the board in the third period as Maxim Yakutsenya scored an unassisted goal. Donbass tied it with an Oleg Piganovich power play goal, coming off of Jan Kolar and Lukas Kaspar. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Kaspar scored to seal a 3-2 Donbass victory. The three stars were Kaspar, Piganovich, and Yakutsenya.

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Monday Night Football Week 16 2013

Tonight's game marks the last regular season event at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, where the 49ers bring in the Atlanta Falcons. San Francisco opened in the first quarter on a Phil Dawson field goal of 49 yards. Atlanta took the lead in the second quarter on a Steven Jackson 2 yard touchdown run, and Matt Bryant made the extra point. The Falcons added on as Bryant made a 35 yard field goal. The 49ers pulled back in the third quarter on a 10 yard Colin Kaepernick touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin, and Dawson was true with the extra point. San Francisco took the lead as Dawson made a 30 yard field goal. The 49ers extended the lead in the fourth quarter with a 4 yard touchdown run by Kaepernick, and Dawson knocked in the PAT. Atlanta shot back as Matt Ryan found Roddy White for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant handled the extra point. San Francisco replied on a 1 yard Frank Gore touchdown rush, and Dawson nailed the extra point. The Falcons chipped back as Ryan tossed a 2 yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez, and Bryant booted the extra point. The 49ers iced it at 34-24 on an 89 yard interception return off of Ryan by NaVorro Bowman, capped off by a Dawson extra point. The 49ers improve to 11-4 while the Falcons fall to 4-11.

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NHL Day 84 2013-2014

Fourteen games on today before the Christmas break. We begin with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Phoenix got going in the second period as Martin Hanzal scored his tenth of the season, via Connor Murphy and Tim Kennedy. Buffalo tied it in the third period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Zemgus Girgensons. The Sabres won in overtime as Mark Pysyk put the puck in Smith's pants, which then collectively crossed the line for a 2-1 win, and the assists were credited to Matt Moulson and Christian Ehrhoff. The three stars were Pysyk, Miller (36 for 37 in saves), and Ennis.

Down in Washington, the Capitals welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller faces a lesser foe in Philipp Grubauer in goal. Washington was first to score as Mikhail Grabovski potted his eleventh of the season, thanks to Troy Brouwer and Eric Fehr. The Capitals added on with a power play goal by Nicklas Backstrom, his ninth of the year, powered by John Carlson and Brouwer. Anaheim got on the board with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Saku Koivu and Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks tied it in the second period as Koivu scored his fifth of the year, via Ben Lovejoy and Cogliano. Anaheim took the lead in the third period on a Lindholm goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Lindholm, Koivu, and Cogliano, while Brouwer gets an honorable mention.

Further south, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mike McKenna and Justin Peters are the relatively unknown goalies. Columbus began in the first period on an Artem Anisimov goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. Carolina tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Jeff Skinner, a power play goal with a lone assist by Eric Staal. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period as Corey Tropp scored, thanks to Mark Letestu and Boone Jenner. The Hurricanes retied it as Skinner scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexander Semin and Jordan Staal. Carolina took the lead in the third period on a Semin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Jordan Staal and Nathan Gerbe. Columbus retied it on a Ryan Johansen goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Nick Foligno and Letestu. The Blue Jackets pulled ahead as Jack Skille potted his fourth of the year, passed from Anisimov and James Wisniewski. This made it a 4-3 final, with the three stars going to Skinner, Anisimov, and Semin, while Letestu and Jordan Staal get the honorable mentions.

Back north to New York, as the Rangers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Cam Talbot are the masked men. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period on a J.T. Miller goal, his second of the season, assisted by Chris Kreider and Benoit Pouliot. Toronto tied it on a Nazem Kadri goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by David Clarkson and Morgan Rielly. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan's goals overpowered Joffrey Lupul's tally for a 2-1 Rangers victory. The three stars belonged to Bernier (42 for 43 in saves), Talbot (25 for 26 in saves), and Stepan.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Craig Anderson are in the creases. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Zack Smith goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Cody Ceci and Colin Greening. The Senators added on as Bobby Ryan scored his seventeenth of the year in the second period, a power play goal powered by Chris Phillips and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa extended the lead in the third period on a Karlsson goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Clarke MacArthur. The Senators padded the lead on a Kyle Turris goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Karlsson and MacArthur. Ottawa wrapped it up at 5-0 with a Cory Conacher goal, his third of the campaign, dished from Jason Spezza and Marc Methot. The three stars went to Karlsson, Anderson (27 save shutout), and MacArthur.

Way to the south, the Florida Panthers bring in their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Scott Clemmensen are set to start. Florida struck first in the first period as Sean Bergenheim scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal helped along by Aleksander Barkov. Tampa Bay tied it as Alex Killorn potted his ninth of the year, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead on a second period Tyler Johnson goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Hedman and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay added on with a Filppula power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Teddy Purcell and St. Louis. The Lightning extended the lead as St. Louis scored his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the third period as J.T. Brown scored his third of the year, with the help of Nikita Kucherov and Jean-Philippe Cote. The Lightning iced it at 6-1 with another Brown goal, his second of the night and fourth of the campaign, pushed through by Kucherov and Matthew Carle. The three stars were St. Louis, Brown, and Filppula, while Hedman and Kucherov get the honorable mentions.

Northward again to Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Steve Mason are called on to start. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Luke Schenn goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on as Simmonds scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Minnesota got on the board with a power play goal by Mikael Granlund, his third of the season, coming off of Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. Philadelphia responded in the second period with Giroux's tenth of the year, via Braydon Coburn and Voracek. The Flyers iced it at 4-1 with a Simmonds empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, set up by Brayden Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann. The three stars were handed to Simmonds, Giroux, and Voracek.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Petr Mrazek have the green light to start. New York started in the first period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Thomas Vanek. The Islanders added on with a Michael Grabner goal, his fifth of the year, thanks to Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen. New York extended the lead as Casey Cizikas scored his fourth of the campaign, with the help of Matt Martin and Colin McDonald. This was all they needed for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Nabokov (23 save shutout), Okposo, and Grabner.

Further to the west, the Calgary Flames bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Reto Berra are between the pipes. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fifth of the season, coming on the power play from Brenden Morrow and Chris Stewart. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his eleventh of the year, a power play goal guided in by Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Blues took the lead back as Jaden Schwartz scored his eleventh of the season, fueled by Jay Bouwmeester and Vladimir Tarasenko. St. Louis added on as Magnus Paajarvi scored his third of the year, thanks to Maxim Lapierre and Adam Cracknell. The Flames pulled back in the third period on Michael Cammalleri's twelfth of the season, assisted by Paul Byron and Backlund. Calgary tied it as Giordano scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Hudler and Cammalleri. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Joe Colborne had the only goal to give the Flames a 4-3 win. The three stars were awarded to Giordano, Hudler, and Cammalleri, while Backlund gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Antti Raanta are in the blue paint. Chicago led off in the first period as Patrick Sharp scored his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. New Jersey tied it in the second period as Stephen Gionta scored his second of the year, via Jon Merrill and Jacob Josefson. The Blackhawks retook the lead as Patrick Kane scored his twenty-second of the season, with the help of Nick Leddy and Kris Versteeg. Chicago added on as Bryan Bickell potted his sixth of the year, thanks to Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith. The Devils got one back in the third period when Michael Ryder put away his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blackhawks answered on a Sharp goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, passed from Hossa and Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead with a Leddy power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, powered by Seabrook and Saad. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars being Sharp, Leddy, and Hossa, while Seabrook and Saad get the honorable mentions.

Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Carter Hutton will man the creases. Boston struck first in the first period as Jarome Iginla scored his ninth of the season, courtesy of Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. The Bruins added on with a Matt Fraser goal, fueled by Carl Soderberg and Ryan Spooner. Hutton was pulled in favor of Marek Mazanec. Boston extended the lead with a Reilly smith power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Soderberg and Spooner. Nashville got on the board in the second period when Craig Smith scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Seth Jones and Ryan Ellis. The Predators pulled closer in the third period as Smith scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, with helpers provided by Shea Weber and Nick Spaling. The Bruins replied with Iginla's second of the game and tenth of the season, guided in by David Krejci and Torey Krug on the power play. Boston padded the lead as Soderberg scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal pushed through by Spooner, who got a sock trick, and Smith. The Bruins wrapped it up at 6-2 with a Brad Marchand goal, his eighth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Smith. The three stars were Iginla, Reilly Smith, and Craig Smith, while Soderberg and Spooner get honorable mentions.

Back in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Ilya Bryzgalov are the overrated goalies. Edmonton started in the first period as Jordan Eberle scored his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ales Hemsky and Andrew Ference. Winnipeg tied it with a Mark Stuart goal, his second of the year, coming off of Olli Jokinen and Devin Setoguchi. The Oilers retook the lead as Sam Gagner scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Eberle and Justin Schultz. the Jets retied it in the second period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his ninth of the year, coming on the power play via Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. Edmonton reclaimed the lead as David Perron netted his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on in the third period with a Jeff Petry goal, his third of the year, made possible by Nail Yakupov and Perron. Edmonton extended the lead on a Hall power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers padded the lead on a Yakupov goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone helper from Hall. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being Hall, Perron, and Eberle, while Yakupov and Nugent-Hopkins get the honorable mentions.

Down in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Martin Jones are the masked men. Los Angeles began in the first period with a Justin Williams goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Dallas tied it with a Tyler Seguin goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Jamie Benn and Maxime Fortunus. The Stars took the lead as Benn scored his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Kings retied it on a Jarret Stoll goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Williams and Trevor Lewis. Dallas retook the lead in the second period on a Valeri Nichushkin power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Seguin and Benn. The Stars added on in the third period when Cody Eakin scored his eighth of the year, with a lone helper from Ryan Garbutt. Dallas extended the lead on an empty net goal by Shawn Horcoff, his fourth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Benn, Seguin, and Williams.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Colorado opened in the first period as Nathan MacKinnon scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Erik Johnson. San Jose tied it with a power play goal by Jason Demers, his second of the year, coming off of Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Avalanche took the lead back as Gabriel Landeskog scored his tenth of the season, fueled by Paul Stastny and P.A. Parenteau. The Sharks tied it again in the second period as Burns scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Thornton and Matt Irwin. San Jose took the lead on an Irwin power play goal, his second of the season, passed from Dan Boyle and Tommy Wingels. Colorado pulled even in the third period as Johnson potted his sixth of the year, with the help of O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche pulled ahead on a Jamie McGinn goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by John Mitchell and Max Talbot. The Sharks got another equalizer as Joe Pavelski netted his fifteenth of the year, helped along by Thornton, who got a sock trick, and Burns. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau's goals secured a 5-4 San Jose victory. The three stars went to Burns, Thornton, and Irwin, while Johnson and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion and Merry Christmas.

NHL Day 83 2013-2014

Two games on today (before a storm of fourteen tomorrow), beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Cam Talbot draw the starts. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Jason Pominville goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Suter and Mikael Granlund. New York tied it as Benoit Pouliot scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Ryan McDonagh and Derick Brassard. The Rangers took the lead in the second period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Derek Dorsett and Brian Boyle. New York added on as Mats Zuccarello scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Brassard. The Rangers wrapped it up at 4-1 in the third period when Chris Kreider scored his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Rick Nash. The three stars were Talbot (24 for 25 in saves), Hagelin, and Brassard.

The other game comes from Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Roberto Luongo are in goal. Vancouver began in the first period as Brad Richardson scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal with a lone assist by Dan Hamhuis. Luongo got injured later in the first period and was replaced by Eddie Lack. Winnipeg tied it with an Evander Kane power play goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, powered by Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. The Canucks took the lead back on a Christopher Tanev goal, his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Zack Kassian and David Booth. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Lack (15 for 16 in saves in relief), Pavelec (23 for 25 in saves), and Tanev.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.