NHL Day 97 2013-2014

Five games on today, with the first being a matinee in...

Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Marc-Andre Fleury are in goal. Winnipeg opened in the first period with a Jacob Trouba goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Olli Jokinen and Adam Pardy. The Jets added on as Mark Scheifele scored hi seventh of the year, with the help of Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Jussi Jokinen. The Penguins tied it with a James Neal power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh took the lead with another Neal goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Winnipeg tied it on the sixteenth of the year by Blake Wheeler, made possible by Bryan Little. The Penguins regained the lead with a Jokinen goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Malkin and Brooks Orpik. The Jets tied it again when Kane scored his thirteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg edged ahead on another Kane goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, guided in by Scheifele and Michael Frolik. Pittsburgh tied it again in the third period with a Malkin goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, coming off of Neal. The Penguins took the lead as Matt Niskanen scored his fifth of the campaign, thanks to Olli Maatta and Chris Kunitz. This produced a 6-5 final, with the three stars going to Malkin, Neal, and Kane, while Jokinen and Scheifele get the honorable mentions.

Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Anton Khudobin are the little-known goalies. Carolina struck first in the first period on an Alexander Semin goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Jeff Skinner and Tuomo Ruutu. Nashville tied it in the third period as Patric Hornqvist scored his ninth of the year on the power play, powered by Mike Fisher and Shea Weber. The Hurricanes retook the lead as Skinner scored his twentieth of the campaign, coming off of Ruutu and Semin. This stood for a 2-1 win, with Skinner, Semin, and Khudobin (31 for 32 in saves) getting the three stars, while Ruutu gets an honorable mention.

Way out west, the Anaheim Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. Vancouver was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Ryan Kesler, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks added on as Henrik Sedin scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal fueled by Jason Garrison and Daniel Sedin. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with a Saku Koivu goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks tied it with a Matt Beleskey goal, his third of the year, with a lone helper by Kyle Palmieri. Vancouver retook the lead in the third period on a Kevin Bieksa goal, his second of the season, made possible by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin, the latter getting a sock trick. Anaheim retied it with a Nick Bonino goal, his twelfth of the year, via Daniel Winnik. The Ducks won 4-3 in overtime with a power play goal by Corey Perry, his twenty-third of the campaign, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Bonino. The three stars went to Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, and Bonino.

Back east to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. San Jose started in the first period with a Jason Demers goal, his third of the season, passed from Logan Couture and Matthew Nieto. Chicago tied it in the third period on a Niklas Hjalmarsson goal, his fourth of the year, via Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks took the lead with a Michal Rozsival goal, coming off of Marcus Kruger. The Sharks retied it as Brent Burns scored his fourteenth of the campaign, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Couture and Joe Pavelski scored to secure a 3-2 San Jose victory. The three stars were Stalock (33 for 35 in saves), Couture, and Crawford (40 for 42 in saves).

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Ilya Bryzgalov are set to start. Edmonton led off in the first period on a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Matthew Carle and Radko Gudas. Edmonton tied it with a Jordan Eberle goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall. Bishop was injured on the play, so Anders Lindback came on in relief. The Oilers took the lead as Eberle scored again, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, via Sam Gagner and Ryan Smyth on the power play. Edmonton added on with a Luke Gazdic goal, his second of the year, assisted by Justin Schultz and Ryan Jones. The Lightning shot back in the second period with a Victor Hedman goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson. Tampa Bay tied it on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Carle and Teddy Purcell. The Oilers retook the lead in the third period as Boyd Gordon scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Ales Hemsky and Smyth. Edmonton extended the lead with a Hall goal, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by Andrew Ference and Gagner. This was good for a 5-3 win, with the three stars being Eberle, Hall, and Gagner, while Smyth and Carle get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NFL Wild Card Weekend 2014

Four games over two days is a nice change of pace. Get out your long johns and hand warmers, as all the games are in cold environments this weekend. The first is under a roof though, in...

Indianapolis, as the Colts host the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City led off with a first quarter 6 yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Dwayne Bowe, and Ryan Succop handled the extra point. Indianapolis tied it as Andrew Luck found T.Y. Hilton for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Adam Vinatieri supplied the extra point. The Chiefs retook the lead on a 19 yard field goal by Succop. Kansas City added on as Smith found Donnie Avery for 79 yards and a touchdown, and Succop was true with the extra point. The Chiefs extended the lead as Smith threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Anthony Sherman, and Succop made the PAT. The Colts got some back with a 37 yard Vinatieri field goal. Kansas City padded the lead on a Knile Davis 4 yard touchdown rush, and Succop nailed the extra point. The Chiefs struck again in the third quarter as Smith and Davis connected for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Succop booted the extra point. Indianapolis pulled back on a 10 yard Donald Brown touchdown run, and Vinatieri kicked the extra point. The Colts chipped closer as Luck and Brown connected for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri knocked in another extra point. Kansas City shot back as Succop made a 42 yard field goal. Indianapolis replied on a 12 yard Luck touchdown pass to Coby Fleener, and Vinatieri was true with the extra point. The Colts edged closer in the fourth quarter on as Luck recovered Brown's fumble and ran it in 12 yards for a touchdown, and Vinatieri made another extra point. The Chiefs got some breathing room with a Succop field goal from 43 yards away. Indianapolis tied it on a 64 yard Luck touchdown pass to Hilton, and took the lead with a Vinatieri extra point. They made this hold for a 45-44 win, and the Colts will advance to the Divisional Round while the Chiefs, whose season started so promisingly, are one-and-done for the playoffs.

The other Saturday game is in Philadelphia, as the Eagles welcome the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans got going in the second quarter with a Shayne Graham field goal of 36 yards. Philadelphia answered with a 10 yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles to Riley Cooper, and Alex Henery made the extra point. The Saints got some back as Graham made a 46 yard field goal. New Orleans took the lead in the third quarter on a Drew Brees touchdown pass of 24 yards to Lance Moore, and Graham was there with the extra point. The Saints added on as Mark Ingram ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Graham booted the PAT. The Eagles got some back with a 1 yard LeSean McCoy touchdown run, and Henery was true with the extra point. Philadelphia pulled closer with a Henery field goal of 31 yards in the fourth quarter. New Orleans responded with a a 35 yard field goal by Graham. The Eagles took the lead with a 3 yard Foles touchdown pass to Zach Ertz, and Henery drilled the extra point. The Saints won it 26-24 as time expired when Graham made a 32 yard field goal. The Saints will play the Seattle Seahawks next weekend, while the Eagles will play golf.

On Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals bring in the San Diego Chargers. San Diego began in the first quarter as Danny Woodhead ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Nick Novak made the extra point. Cincinnati tied it in the second quarter as Andy Dalton tossed a 4 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals took the lead as Nugent nailed a 46 yard field goal. The Chargers took the lead in the third quarter when Philip Rivers tossed a 4 yard touchdown pass to Ladarius Green, and Novak was true with the extra point. San Diego added on with a Novak field goal of 25 yards. The Chargers extended the lead in the fourth quarter as Novak made a 23 yard field goal. San Diego padded the lead on a 58 yard touchdown rush by Ronnie Brown, and Novak handled the PAT. This was good for a 27-10 win, meaning the Chargers will go to Denver to play the Broncos next week, the Bengals are out of the playoffs, and yesterday's AFC winner, the Colts, play the Patriots in Foxboro next week.

Finally, in Green Bay, the coldest of the cold games has the Packers hosting the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco opened in the first quarter with a 22 yard field goal by Phil Dawson. The 49ers added on as Dawson made a 25 yard field goal. Green Bay took the lead in the second quarter as Aaron Rodgers threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson, and Mason Crosby made the extra point. San Francisco took the lead back on a 10 yard touchdown run from Frank Gore, and Dawson was there with the extra point. The Packers got some back on a 34 yard field goal by Crosby. Green Bay took the lead in the fourth quarter as John Kuhn ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Crosby knocked in the PAT. The 49ers retook the lead as Colin Kaepernick threw a 28 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Dawson drilled the extra point. The Packers tied it with a Crosby field goal from 24 yards out. San Francisco won 23-20 on a 33 yard field goal by Dawson. The 49ers move along to play the Carolina Panthers next week, while the Packers are now out of the playoffs.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

KHL Day 124 2013-2014

Twelve more games on today, beginning yesterday for those on the United States West Coast (and even you Mountain time zone folks as well) in...

Vladivostok, where Admiral hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Evgeny Ivannikov are the masked men. Vladivostok got going in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Justin Hodgman, going in unassisted. Admiral added on in the third period with a Niclas Bergfors goal, with a lone helper from Richard Gynge. Vladivostok iced it at 3-0 with an unassisted goal by Gynge. The three stars were Ivannikov (26 save shutout), Gynge, and Hodgman.

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Alexei Murygin are in the blue paint. St. Petersburg began in the first period with a Viktor Tikhonov power play goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Kucheryavenko. SKA added on as Evgeny Ketov scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Dmitry Kalinin and Tony Martensson. Khabarovsk got on the board as Alexander Yunkov scored, assisted by Vladimir Loginov and Mikhail Klimchuk. St. Petersburg replied with an Artemy Panarin goal, coming off of Yury Alexandrov and Tikhonov. SKA extended the lead in the second period as Panarin scored his second of the game, thanks to Kucheryavenko. St. Petersburg padded the lead in the third period as Panarin completed his natural hat trick, helped along by Ilya Kovalchuk. SKA struck again on a Vadim Shipachyov goal, fueled by Kovalchuk and Ketov. This produced the 6-1 final, with the three stars being Panarin, Ketov, and Tikhonov, while Kovalchuk and Kucheryavenko get the honorable mentions.

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir brings in Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov is mismatched with Mikko Koskinen in goal. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Dmitry Monya goal, with a lone helper by Jori Lehtera. Sibir added on as Oleg Gubin scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Konstantin Alexeyev. Mytishchi got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Rafael Batyrshin. Novosibirsk replied with an Alexei Kopeikin empty net goal, set up by Lehtera. This resulted in a 3-1 final, with Koskinen (30 for 31 in saves), Lehtera, and Gubin getting the three stars.

Next up, Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Ilya Sorokin are the sporadic goalies. Novokuznetsk led off in the second period with an Ansel Galimov shorthanded goal, set up by Rafael Akhmetov. Cherepovets tied it as Linus Videll scored his third period, with the help of Niclas Andersen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Videll won it with a lone tally for Severstal to produce a 2-1 final. The three stars were awarded to Videll, Stepanek (39 for 40 in saves), and Sorokin (27 for 28 in saves).

Westward to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Alexei Volkov draw the starts. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Denis Denisov goal, made possible by Alexander Radulov. Ufa tied it on a power play goal by Antti Pihlstrom, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Alexei Kaigorodov. CSKA retook the lead in the second period as Radulov scored, with a lone helper by Georgy Misharin. Salavat Yulaev tied it again on an Andrei Zubarev power play goal, passed from Kaigorodov. Ufa took the lead as Igor Mirnov scored, assisted by Zubarev and Kaigorodov, the latter getting a sock trick. Salavat Yulaev added on in the third period as Denis Khlystov goal, fueled by Tomas Zaborsky. Ufa iced it at 5-2 with another Khlystov goal, going into the empty net unassisted. The three stars went to Zubarev, Khlystov, and Kaigorodov, while Radulov gets the honorable mention.

Into Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Prague opened in the first period on a Calle Ridderwall goal, fueled by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Petr Vrana. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period as Jan Kovar scored, thanks to Sergei Mozyakin and Danis Zaripov. Lev took the lead back on an unassisted power play goal by Ridderwall. Metallurg retied it in the third period as Tim Brent scored, via Denis Platonov. Magnitogorsk took the lead on a Rinat Ibragimov goal, coming off of Brent. Metallurg iced it at 4-2 with a Mozyakin empty net goal, set up by Zaripov and Kovar. The three stars were Brent, Ridderwall, and Kovar, while Mozyakin and Zaripov get the honorable mentions.

Into the Urals, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Michael Garnett are in the creases. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the second period with an Igor Valeyev goal, coming off of Konstantin Klimontov and Denis Abdullin. Traktor added on as Alexei Zavarukhin scored, via Konstantin Panov. Bratislava got on the board in the third period with a shorthanded goal from Branko Radivojevic, set up by Martin Skoula. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Garnett (21 for 22 in saves), Zavarukhin, and Valeyev.

Way west to Podolsk, as Vityaz welcomes Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Ivan Lisutin protect the nets. Omsk started in the first period on a Stefan Ruzicka goal, fueled by Alexander Perezhogin. Podolsk tied it with a Branislav Mezei power play goal, powered by Robert Kousal and Anton Korolyov. Avangard took the lead back in the second period with an Alexander Popov goal, coming off of Ivan Baranka and Miroslav Blatak. Vityaz tied it again with a Yakov Seleznyov goal, guided in by Airat Ziazov and Maxim Afinogenov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Sergei Shirokov's lone tally gave Avangard a 3-2 win. The three stars belonged to Popov, Shirokov, and Ruzicka.

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Vitaly Koval are between the pipes. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period with an Evgeny Khvostov power play goal, passed from Vitaly Sitnikov and Mikhail Zhukov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, with a lone helper by Vladimir Galuzin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period with a Sitnikov goal, coming off of Zhukov and Radek Smolenak. Torpedo tied it on a power play goal by Pavel Valentenko, guided in by Juuso Hietanen and Sakari Salminen. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead on a power play goal by Salminen, powered by Jarkko Immonen and Alexander Makarov. Khanty-Mansiysk retied it on a Veli-Matti Savinainen goal, assisted by Ilari Melart on the power play. Yugra took the lead as Savinainen scored again, thanks to Artyom Bulyansky. Torpedo retied it in the third period with a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, made possible by Galuzin. Khanty-Mansiysk pulled ahead again with a Bulyansky goal, via Stephen Dixon. This held up for a 5-4 win, with the three stars going to Bulyansky, Savinainen, and Sitnikov, while Salminen, Galuzin, and Zhukov get the honorable mentions.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Konstantin Barulin tend the twines. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period on an Igor Yemeleyev goal, coming off of Sergei Gusev. Avtomobilist added on as Yemeleyev scored again, with the help of Alexei Yefimov. Yekaterinburg extended the lead in the third period with a shorthanded and unassisted Yemeleyev goal, completing his natural hat trick. Kazan avoided the shutout with a goal by Janne Pesonen, assisted by Alexei Tereshchenko and Vasily Tokranov. This only made it 3-1, the final, with Yemeleyev, Kovar (30 for 31 in saves), and Pesonen getting the three stars.

Up again to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik welcomes Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Matt Dalton are the solid goalies. Nizhnekamsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Maxim Trunyov goal, coming off of Igor Polygalov and Georgy Belousov. Riga tied it with a Marcel Hossa goal, made possible by Sandis Ozolins and Andris Dzerins. Dinamo won the game 2-1 in overtime as Hossa scored again, with a lone assist by Ozolins. The three stars were Hossa, Tellqvist (28 for 29 in saves), and Ozolins.

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo brings in Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Alexander Sharychenkov are given the starting nods. Moscow began in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Maxim Pestushko, going in unassisted. Astana tied it with a Dustin Boyd goal, via Brandon Bochenski. Barys took the lead as Talgat Zhailauov scored, with the help of Mike Lundin. Dynamo tied it with a Dmitry Pestunov goal in the third period, assisted by Marek Kvapil. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime with a power play goal by Kvapil, powered by Dominik Granak and Denis Kokarev. The three stars were given to Kvapil, Pestunov, and Pestushko.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 96 2013-2014

Big day today, including two matinees to get things going. The first comes from...

Boston, where the Bruins host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Tuukka Rask are in goal. Winnipeg started in the first period on a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his ninth of the season, going in unassisted. Boston tied it with a Daniel Paille goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Torey Krug and Gregory Campbell. The Bruins took the lead when Krug scored his ninth of the season in the second period, passed from Paille. Boston added on as Krug notched his second of the game and tenth of the year, guided in by Adam McQuaid and Carl Soderberg. The Bruins extended the lead with a Reilly Smith goal in the third period, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. This made it a 4-1 final, with Krug, Rask (36 for 37 in saves), and Paille getting the three stars.

Out in Colorado, the Avalanche welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Semyon Varlamov tend the twines. Colorado was first to score in the first period on a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Andre Benoit and Paul Stastny. The Avalanche added on in the second period on a Jamie McGinn goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Matt Duchene. Colorado extended the lead as Erik Johnson potted his seventh of the season, via Gabriel Landeskog and Stastny. Alex Stalock relieved Niemi. The Avalanche padded the lead as MacKinnon scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of John Mitchell. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Sharks got closer with a Marleau goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Jason Demers and Matthew Nieto. San Jose pulled closer on a third period goal by Logan Couture, helped along by Marleau and Scott Hannan. This only made it 4-3, the final, and the three stars went to MacKinnon, Marleau, and Stastny.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Ryan Miller are the American goalies. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Matt Moulson power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Tyler Ennis and Christian Ehrhoff. New Jersey tied it on a Michael Ryder power play goal in the third period, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Travis Zajac and Marek Zidlicky. The Sabres retook the lead with a Matt D'Agostini power play goal, helped along by Steve Ott and Linus Omark. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Miller (21 for 22 in saves), D'Agostini, and Moulson.

Nearby in Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Jonathan Bernier are in goal. New York began in the first period with a Carl Hagelin goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers added on with a Dominic Moore goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. New York extended the lead in the second period as Benoit Pouliot scored his eighth of the season, made possible by Marc Staal and Derick Brassard. The Rangers padded the lead on a Chris Kreider goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Derek Stepan and John Moore. New York got another as Dominic Moore scored his second of the game and third of the season, an unassisted goal. Bernier was replaced by James Reimer in goal. Toronto got on the board with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Tyler Bozak and Morgan Rielly. The Rangers shot back in the third period as Brad Richards netted his tenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Hagelin. New York wrapped it up at 7-1 on a Brian Boyle power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Michael Del Zotto and J.T. Miller. The three stars were handed to Dominic Moore, Hagelin, and Talbot (25 for 26 in saves).

Over in Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Colin Greening goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Erik Condra and Zack Smith. Montreal tied it when Daniel Briere put away his sixth of the year, with the help of Travis Moen and Douglas Murray. The Senators retook the lead as Mark Stone scored, with assists provided by Matt Kassian and Chris Phillips. Ottawa added on with a Condra goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone helper from Marc Methot. The Canadiens got one back in the third period as Briere scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, assisted by Tomas Plekanec and Murray. Montreal tied it with a Brian Gionta goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Briere and Plekanec. The tie lasted to overtime, where the Senators won 4-3 when Clarke MacArthur notched a power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Erik Karlsson. The three stars were awarded to Briere, Condra, and Murray, while Plekanec gets an honorable mention.

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers bring in the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec and Tim Thomas show alliteration in the goalie matchup. Nashville struck first in the first period with a Craig Smith goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Nick Spaling and David Legwand. Florida tied it as Brad Boyes scored his eleventh of the year, with the help of Aleksander Barkov and Tom Gilbert. The Panthers took the lead with a Tomas Kopecky goal, his fourth of the season, via Marcel Goc and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Predators retied it in the second period on a Mike Fisher goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone assist from Colin Wilson. Florida retook the lead with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Barkov and Boyes. The Panthers added on in the third period when Goc scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Huberdeau. Nashville got one back on a Seth Jones goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Roman Josi and Shea Weber. The Predators tied it again on a Paul Gaustad goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Patric Hornqvist and Weber. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Legwand cancelled out Huberdeau before Kopecky scored the game winner for the Panthers to make it a 5-4 final. Kopecky, Goc, and Boyes get the three stars while Huberdeau, Barkov, and Weber get the honorable mentions.

Back north to New York, as the Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Evgeni Nabokov are the Russian goalies. Carolina got going in the second period as Manny Malhotra scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Patrick Dwyer. New York tied it with the seventeenth of the year by John Tavares, fueled by Thomas Vanek. The Hurricanes retook the lead as Jordan Staal scored his ninth of the season, made possible by Dwyer and Nathan Gerbe. Carolina added on with a Brett Sutter goal, coming off of Jeff Skinner and Andrej Sekera. The Islanders got one back in the third period as Vanek scored a power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Andrew MacDonald and Ryan Strome. It wasn't enough to avoid a 3-2 loss, with the three stars being Vanek, Dwyer, and Khudobin (38 for 40 in saves).

Out west, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Niklas Backstrom get the spot starts. Washington opened in the first period on a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with a (nifty) Mike Green goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. Minnesota got on the board in the second period as Nino Neiderreiter scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Charlie Coyle and Matt Cooke. The Wild tied it on a power play goal by Ryan Suter, his third of the year, passed from Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund. Minnesota took the lead as Suter scored his second of the game and fourth of the season on the power play, via Koivu and Dany Heatley. Washington tied it again on a (weird) Green goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, with a lone assist from Brooks Laich. The Wild retook the lead as Jason Zucker netted his second of the season on the power play, guided in by Keith Ballard and Jonas Brodin. Minnesota iced it at 5-3 in the third period with a Suter goal to complete his hat trick with his fifth of the year, set up by Clayton Stoner just after killing a penalty. The three stars went to Suter, Green, and Koivu. Full disclosure: I watched almost all of the game. Green's first goal is an early goal of the year candidate, and his second is going to be up for odd play of the year. Also, the Capitals only faced eleven shots on goal, and yet Holtby gave up five in a truly awful full-game goaltending performance.

Down in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Brian Elliott in goal. Columbus led off in the first period on an Artem Anisimov goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets added on as Mark Letestu scored his second of the year, via Blake Comeau and the goalie McElhinney. St. Louis got on the board in the second period on a Patrik Berglund goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Barret Jackman and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues tied it with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Vladimir Tarasenko and Shattenkirk. St. Louis took the lead as Maxim Lapierre scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues added on in the third period with a Berglund goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, made possible by Tarasenko and Sobotka. St. Louis extended the lead when Jaden Schwartz scored his fifteenth of the season, with the help of David Backes and T.J. Oshie. The Blues padded the lead on a Pietrangelo goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Oshie and Backes. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars going to Berglund, Pietrangelo, and Sobotka, while Shattenkirk, Tarasenko, Oshie, and Backes get the honorable mentions.

Further to the south, the Dallas Stars host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard faces a lesser foe in Dan Ellis in goal. Detroit struck first in the first period with an unassisted Henrik Zetterberg goal, his thirteenth of the season. Dallas tied it on a shorthanded goal by Rich Peverley, his sixth of the year, set up by Shawn Horcoff. The Red Wings retook the lead on a Joakim Andersson goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Kyle Quincey. Detroit added on as Drew Miller scored his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings extended the lead in the second period as Tomas Tatar scored his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. Detroit padded the lead in the third period on a Zetterberg goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, guided in by Daniel Cleary. This produced the 5-1 final, with Howard (44 for 45 in saves), Zetterberg, and Andersson getting the three stars.

Out in Phoenix, the Coyotes welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Mike Smith are the masked men. Phoenix began in the second period on a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Antoine Vermette and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes added on with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his fifth of the year, via Connor Murphy and Martin Hanzel. Philadelphia got on the board with a Scott Hartnell goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Mark Streit. Phoenix shot back with a Boedker goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Keith Yandle and Murphy. The Flyers pulled back on a Brayden Schenn goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Vincent Lecavalier and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia tied it in the third period as Wayne Simmonds scored a power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Kimmo Timonen. The Flyers took the lead as Voracek scored his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Philadelphia iced it at 5-3 with a Claude Giroux empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Voracek, Boedker, and Murphy.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick are the recently-returned-from-injury goalies. Vancouver was first to score in the first period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with a Dustin Brown goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll. The Kings took the lead as Jeff Carter notched his fourteenth of the season, via Dwight King and Anze Kopitar. Los Angeles iced it at 3-1 with another Carter empty net goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, set up by Drew Doughty. The three stars were handed to Carter, Quick (27 for 28 in saves), and Luongo (46 for 48 in saves).

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KHL Day 123 2013-2014

Two games on a slower day today, beginning in...

Moscow, as Spartak hosts Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Jeff Glass are the North American goalies. Moscow got going in the second period on a Vladimir Peshekhonov goal, courtesy of Denis Ignashin and Pavel Medvedev. Minsk tied it as Alexei Yefimenko scored, thanks to Zbynek Irgl and Alexander Kitarov. Dinamo took the lead in the third period as Irgl scored an unassisted goal. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Irgl, Lalande (36 for 37 in saves), and Yefimenko.

Out in Zagreb, Medvescak hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Mark Dekanich draw the starts. Zagreb opened in the first period as Mike Glumac scored, via Patrick Bjorkstrand. Donetsk tied it as Lukas Kaspar scored a power play goal, powered by Teemu Laine. Donbass took the lead in the second period as Dmitry Kagarlitsky scored, with assists provided by Peter Podhradsky and Clay Wilson. Donetsk iced it at 3-1 in the third period on an empty net goal from Evgeny Dadonov, set up by Maxim Yakutsenya and Wilson. The three stars were given to Kagarlitsky, Laco (27 for 28 in saves), and Wilson.

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NHL Day 95 2013-2014

Four games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta is mismatched with Martin Brodeur in goal. Chicago began in the second period as Patrick Sharp scored his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Jonathan Toews. New Jersey tied it on an Andy Greene goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on a Brandon Saad goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. Chicago added on as Sharp scored his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, fueled by Seabrook and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks extended the lead on a Marian Hossa goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Toews and Keith. The Devils got one back as Marek Zidlicky scored his sixth of the year, via Andrei Loktionov and Reid Boucher. New Jersey pulled closer as Zidlicky scored his second of the game and seventh of the season on the power play, powered by Eric Gelinas and Adam Henrique. Chicago answered as Sharp finished his hat trick with his twenty-fifth of the year, coming off of Keith, who got a sock trick. This made it 5-3, the final, with Sharp, Keith, and Zidlicky getting the three stars, while Toews and Seabrook get the honorable mentions.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming on the power play via Sidney Crosby and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins added on as Jussi Jokinen scored his tenth of the year, with the help of Brian Gibbons and Joe Vitale. Pittsburgh extended the lead on a second period Jokinen goal, his second of the night and eleventh of the season, passed from Gibbons and Brandon Sutter. The Penguins padded the lead as Crosby netted his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Kunitz and Brooks Orpik. New York got on the board in the third period on a Mats Zuccarello goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Benoit Pouliot and Derick Brassard. The Rangers pulled closer as Zuccarello scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Dan Girardi. Pittsburgh shot back as Kunitz scored his second of the night and twenty-third of the season, with helpers provided by Crosby and James Neal. This was good for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Kunitz, Crosby, and Jokinen, while Zuccarello and Gibbons get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Calgary Flames bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Karri Ramo are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay started in the second period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Teddy Purcell and Mark Barberio. The Lightning added on as Nikita Kucherov scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Palat and Matthew Carle. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Bishop (19 save shutout), Palat, and Kucherov.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jonas Hiller are the veteran goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period as Boyd Gordon scored his sixth of the season, made possible by Ryan Smyth and Jeff Petry. Anaheim tied it with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The Oilers retook the lead as Nail Yakupov scored his eighth of the season, thanks to David Perron and Taylor Hall. The Ducks tied it again on a Ben Lovejoy goal, his second of the year, passed from Saku Koivu and Palmieri. Anaheim took the lead on another Lovejoy goal, his second of the game and third of the season, coming off of Cam Fowler and Matt Beleskey. The Ducks added on with a Tim Jackman goal in the second period, his second of the year, fueled by Nick Bonio and Jakob Silfverberg. Anaheim extended the lead in the third period as Andrew Cogliano scored his thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. This was good for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Lovejoy, Palmieri, and Jackman.

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KHL Day 122 2013-2014

The KHL is back from their New Year's break, and they come back in full force with twelve games, beginning in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Evgeny Ivannikov are set to start. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an unassisted goal by Artemy Panarin. SKA added on with an Anton Burdasov goal, going in unassisted. Vladivostok got on the board when Andrei Nikitenko scored, thanks to Konstantin Sokolov and Sergei Barbashev. Admiral tied it in the second period as Felix Schutz scored, with a lone assist by Richard Gynge. St. Petersburg retook the lead as Panarin scored another unassisted goal. SKA extended the lead with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal in the third period, coming off of Evgeny Ryasensky. Vladivostok pulled back with an unassisted power play goal from Alexei Ugarov. Admiral tied it again on an Evgeny Grachyov goal, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Justin Hodgman scored the only goal to give Admiral the 5-4 win. The three stars were Panarin, Grachyov, and Hodgman.

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Alexei Murygin are between the pipes. Khabarovsk got going in the second period on a Dmitry Lugin goal, with a lone helper by Alexander Yunkov. Amur added on when Mikhail Klimchuk scored, thanks to Dmitry Tarasov and Sergei Abramov. Yaroslavl got on the board in the third period with a Staffan Kronwall power play goal, powered by Mikelis Redlihs. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars went to Murygin (44 for 45 in saves), Klimchuk, and Lugin.

West a bit to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on an unassisted goal by Alexander Nesterov. Cherepovets tied it as Niclas Andersen scored an unassisted goal. Severstal took the lead with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, fueled by Vadim Berdnikov. Sibir tied the game in the third period with another Nesterov goal, assisted by Dmitry Kugryshev. Cherepovets retook the lead as Nikontsev scored his second of the game, a power play goal powered by Bogdan Kiselevich. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Nikontsev, Nesterov, and Andersen.

Staying nearby, as Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov faces a lesser foe in Nikita Lozhkin in goal. Mytishchi opened in the first period with an Oleg Yashin goal, via Ilya Kablukov. Atlant added on as Yashin scored again, with another lone assist by Kablukov. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, coming off of Denis Kurepanov. Mytishchi replied on a Rafael Batyrshin goal, guided in by Janne Niskala. Atlant extended the lead as Alexei Mikhnov scored, thanks to Yury Trubachyov and Nikita Soshnikov. Metallurg got one back in the third period on a Nikita Vyglazov goal, passed from Vadim Mitryakov. Mytishchi finished it at 5-2 with a Yashin empty net goal to complete his hat trick, and Kablukov's lone helper gave him a sock trick as well. The three stars were Yashin, Kablukov, and Batyrshin.

Further west to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the unknown goalies. Ufa struck first in the first period on an Alexander Mereskin goal, fueled by Igor Mirnov and Ildar Isangulov. Salavat Yulaev added on when Tomas Zaborsky scored, thanks to Denis Khlystov and Yegor Dubrovsky. Ufa extended the lead in the second period on a Mirnov goal, passed from Kirill Koltsov and Antti Pihlstrom. Riga got on the board with a Marcel Hossa goal, made possible by Kyle Wilson and Georgijs Pujacs. Dinamo pulled closer with a Miks Indrasis goal, via Roberts Bukarts. Riga tied it in the third period on a goal by Bukarts, with assists provided by Krisjanis Redlihs and Marcel Hascak. Salavat Yulaev won 4-3 in overtime on a Nikita Filatov goal, guided in by Andrei Zubarev and Koltsov. The three stars were handed to Mirnov, Bukarts, and Koltsov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Magnitogorsk started in the first period as Francis Pare scored, with a lone helper from Oskar Osala. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, fueled by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period with a Kovar goal, coming off of Zaripov. Metallurg padded the lead as Kovar scored his second of the game, again via Zaripov, who got a sock trick. Magnitogorsk kept going with a Zaripov power play goal, powered by Mozyakin. Metallurg struck again with an Osala goal, made possible by Evgeny Timkin. Janus was pulled for Miroslav Kopriva at this time. Bratislava got on the board as Tomas Mojzis scored, thanks to Branko Radivojevic. Slovan pulled closer in the third period as Michal Vondrka scored, with the help of Michel Miklik. This only made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being Kovar, Zaripov, and Mozyakin, while Osala gets an honorable mention.

Next up, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Chelyabinsk led off in the second period on a Jan Bulis power play goal, powered by Maxim Kondratyev and Andrei Kostitsyn. Prague tied it on a Jiri Novotny goal, with a lone assist by Martin Sevc. Traktor took the lead back in the third period when Petri Kontiola scored, thanks to Bulis. Lev tied it again as David Ullstrom scored a power play goal, coming off of Justin Azevedo. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jakub Klepis scored to win the game 3-2 for Lev. The three stars went to Bulis, Klepis, and Ullstrom.

Northwest a tad to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Vitaly Koval are given the starting nods. Yekaterinburg began in the first period with a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Sami Lepisto and Anton Lazarev. Nizhny Novgorod tied it as Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev scored, with the help of Vladimir Galuzin and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Torpedo took the lead on a power play goal by Juuso Hietanen, fueled by Denis Parshin and Pavel Valentenko. Avtomobilist tied it in the second period on an unassisted goal by Dmitry Megalinsky. Yekaterinburg took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Artyom Chernov, coming off of Megalinsky and Lepisto. Nizhny Novgorod retied it on a Sakari Salminen goal, guided in by Mikhail Grigoryev and Wojtek Wolski. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jarkko Immonen of Torpedo and Sergei Demagin of Avtomobilist traded goals before Parshin sealed a 4-3 Torpedo win with his tally. The three stars were Parshin, Megalinsky, and Lepisto.

Into Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Alexander Sudnitsin occupy the blue paint. Moscow was first to score in the first period with an Alexander Frolov goal, made possible by Nikita Zaitsev. CSKA added on in the second period as Denis Denisov scored, with a lone assist by Enver Lisin. Moscow extended the lead on a third period Ivan Nepryayev goal, fueled by Lisin and Jan Mursak. CSKA padded the lead as Alexei Morozov scored, with the help of Ilari Filppula and Oleh Saprykin. Nizhnekamsk got on the board as Stanisav Alshevsky scored, via Nikolai Belov and Yaroslav Alshevsky. This only made it 4-1, the final, with Proskuryakov (20 for 21 in saves), Lisin, and Denisov getting the three stars.

Westward to Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Ivan Lisutin are between the pipes. Podolsk got going in the third period on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, passed from Igor Golovkov and Robert Kousal. Astana tied it on a Nigel Dawes goal, via Talgat Zhailauov and Brandon Bochenski. Barys won 2-1 in the shootout with tallies from Roman Starchenko and Zach Hamill. The three stars went to Ahonen (17 for 18 in saves), Lisutin (39 for 40 in saves), and Hamill.

Into the city of Moscow, as Dynamo welcomes Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Alexander Sharychenkov are given the green light to start. Omsk struck first in the first period on a Stefan Ruzicka goal, fueled by Miroslav Blatak. Avangard added on as Dmitry Semin scored, with the help of Sergei Shirokov on the power play. Moscow got on the board with a Maxim Karpov goal, coming off of Yegor Dugin and Denis Kokarev. Omsk replied as Ruzicka scored his second of the game, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Dynamo shot back with a Konstantin Glazachev goal, passed from Kokarev. Moscow tied it on a power play goal by Yury Babenko, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov and Glazachev. Avangard retook the lead with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, guided in by Shirokov and Ivan Baranka. Dynamo retied it with Babenko's second of the game, with a lone assist by Glazachev. Moscow took the lead in the third period on a Marek Kvapil goal, courtesy of Denis Mosalyov. Dynamo extended the lead as Babenko finished his hat trick on a shorthanded goal set up by Kokarev, who got a sock trick, and the goalie Sharychenkov. This stood for a 6-4 win, with the three stars going to Babenko, Ruzicka, and Glazachev, while Kokarev and Shirokov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Kazan, Ak Bars brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Konstantin Barulin are the reliable goalies. Kazan dented the scoreboard in the second period on a power play goal by Kirill Petrov, powered by Konstantin Korneyev and Ilya Nikulin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it as Artyom Bulyansky scored, via Ivan Khlyntsev. Ak Bars retook the lead on another Petrov goal, with a lone assist by Artyom Lukoyanov. Kazan added on in the third period with an Alexander Svitov goal, passed from Grigory Panin and Dmitry Obukhov. Yugra shot back as Nikita Gusev scored, thanks to Alexei Kruchinin. Ak Bars iced it at 4-2 with a power play goal from Alexander Burmistrov, assisted by Tim Stapleton and Mikhail Varnakov. The three stars went to Petrov, Svitov, and Burmistrov.

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