KHL Day 126 2013-2014

Twelve more games on today, beginning in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Evgeny Ivannikov are set to start. Vladivostok was first to score with an Artyom Zemchyonok goal, with a lone assist by Viktor Drugov. Admiral added on with an unassisted goal by Justin Hodgman. Cherepovets got on the board as Nikolai Zherdev scored, with the help of Nikolai Bushuyev. Vladivostok replied in the second period with a goal by Andrei Nikitenko, a power play goal powered by Alexei Ugarov. Admiral extended the lead as Artyom Ternavsky scored, thanks to Evgeny Grachyov. This was it for the scoring, and the final was 4-1. Ivannikov (26 for 27 in saves), Hodgman, and Nikitenko get the three stars.

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov faces a lesser foe in Mika Jarvinen in goal. Khabarovsk began in the first period on an Alexander Yunkov goal, coming off of Evgeny Korotkov. Mytishchi tied it as Janne Niskala scored, with a lone assist by Konstantin Koltsov. Amur retook the lead as Yunkov scored his second of the game, a shorthanded goal set up by Korotkov. Atlant retied it on a Maxim Velikov goal, made possible by Andreas Engqvist. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Yunkov scored once but was overwhelmed by two goals from Maxim Mayorov for Atlant, resulting a 3-2 final. Yunkov, Mayorov, and Korotkov are given the three stars.

Westward to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk got going in the second period on a power play goal by Dmitry Kugryshev, powered by Alexei Kopeikin and Alexander Ozhiganov. Sibir added on with a Jori Lehtera power play goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Monya. Yaroslavl got on the board when Daniil Apalkov scored a power play goal, fueled by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Novosibirsk iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal in the third period by Monya, set up by Alexander Kuznetsov. The three stars went to Koskinen (23 for 24 in saves). Monya, and Lehtera.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Ilya Sorokin draw the starts. Novokuznetsk opened in the first period with an Artyom Gareyev goal, fueled by Tuukka Mantyla and Alexei Kosourov. St. Petersburg tied it in the second period with an unassisted Artemy Panarin goal. Metallurg took the lead back as Yegor Martynov scored, via Evgeny Lapenkov. SKA tied it again in the third period when Maxim Chudinov scored, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Evgeny Ketov. Novokuznetsk took the lead again on a power play goal by Kurtis McLean, powered by Sergei Yemelin and Lapenkov. They held on for a 3-2 win, and the three stars were handed to McLean, Lapenkov, and Sorokin (25 for 27 in saves).

Moving along to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Lev Prague. Atte Engren and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the backups in goal. Prague struck first in the first period with a Martin Sevc power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo and David Ullstrom. Lev added on in the second period on a Jiri Novotny goal, coming off of Ullstrom and Ondrej Nemec. Ufa got on the board in the third period with an Antti Pihlstrom power play goal, pushed through by Kirill Koltsov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Prague answered on a Nemec goal, helped along by Jiri Sekac and Nathan Oystrick. Lev extended the lead as Sekac scored, courtesy of Nemec. Prague padded the lead on a Patrik Zackrisson goal, guided in by Sekac and Oystrick. This resulted in a 5-1 final, with the three stars being Sekac, Nemec, and Ullstrom, while Oystrick gets an honorable mention.

Next up, Metallurg Magnitogorsk brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Vasily Koshechkin are in the blue paint. Magnitogorsk started in the first period with a Denis Platonov goal, fueled by Tim Brent and Rinat Ibragimov. Metallurg added on with an unassisted goal by Chris Lee. Riga got on the board as Miks Indrasis scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Dinamo tied it with a Vitalijs Pavlovs goal, going in unassisted. Magnitogorsk retook the lead in the second period as Viktor Antipin scored a power play goal, powered by Danis Zaripov. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, courtesy of Zaripov and Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the third period as Zaripov scored, with the help of Lee and Jan Kovar. Metallurg wrapped it up at 6-2 on a Kovar goal, guided in by Mozyakin. The three stars went to Zaripov, Lee, and Mozyakin, while Kovar gets an honorable mention.

Out in Chelyabinsk, Traktor hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period with a Petri Kontiola goal, assisted by Jan Bulis and Andrei Kostitsyn. Traktor added on as Kontiola scored again, his second of the game, fueled by Alexei Vasilchenko and Kostitsyn. Moscow got on the board in the third period with an Oleg Saprykin goal, passed from Ivan Nepryayev. Chelyabinsk iced it at 3-1 when Kontiola finished his hat trick on an empty net goal set up Vasilchenko and Kostitsyn, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Kontiola, Kostitsyn, and Garnett (29 for 30 in saves), while Vasilchenko gets an honorable mention.

Into Moscow, as Dynamo welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Alexander Sharychenkov are given the starting nods. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period with an Artyom Chernov goal, fueled by Fyodor Malykhin. Moscow tied it on a Denis Mosalyov goal, coming off of Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo took the lead in the second period as Volkov scored, courtesy of Dominik Granak and Filip Novak. Avtomobilist tied it with a power play goal by Sergei Demagin, powered by Evgeny Fyodorov and Alexei Simakov. Moscow regained the lead in the third period on another Volkov goal, passed from Granak on the power play. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Volkov, Granak, and Mosalyov.

Backtracking to Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik brings in Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Matt Dalton are between the pipes. Nizhnekamsk opened with a first period goal by Andrei Taratukhin, assisted by Georgy Belousov. Neftekhimik added on with a power play goal by Igor Polygalov, powered by Denis Tolpeko. Jaroslav Janus relieved Kopriva at this time. Bratislava got on the board in the second period when Juraj Mikus scored, thanks to Peter Olvecky. Slovan tied it on a shorthanded goal by Miroslav Satan, set up by Jonathan Sigalet. Bratislava took the lead with another Satan goal, going in unassisted on the power play. Nizhnekamsk retied it in the third period when Renat Mamashev scored an unassisted power play goal. Neftekhimik won 4-3 in overtime with a Polygalov goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Polygalov, Satan, and Mamashev.

Back west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Johan Backlund are the average goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Stephen Dixon goal, fueled by Artyom Bulyansky and Evgeny Khvostov. Podolsk tied it on an Ivan Ivanov goal, passed from Alexei Makeyev and Yury Koksharov. Yugra took the lead with an Alexei Kruchinin goal, coming off of Nikita Gusev and Igor Magogin. Vityaz retied it with a power play goal from Dinar Khafizullin, powered by Airat Ziazov and Gleb Klimenko. Podolsk took the lead as Ziazov scored a power play goal, thanks to Khafizullin. Khanty-Mansiysk retied it in the third period on an unassisted goal by Tomas Starosta. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bulyansky was matched by Alexander Korolyuk, Maxim Afinogenov was cancelled out by Gusev, and then Gusev took it all for Yugra with his second tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars were given to Gusev, Khafizullin, and Ziazov.

East a little to Kazan, as Ak Bars welcomes Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Emil Garipov are in the creases. Astana was first to score with a Mikhail Rakhmanov goal, assisted by Fyodor Polishchuk. Kazan tied it on a Tim Stapleton goal, via Grigory Panin. Barys took the lead back in the second period as Nikolai Antropov scored, with the help of Konstantin Rudenko and Zach Hamill. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win. The three stars were given to Ahonen (40 for 41 in saves), Antropov, and Garipov (35 for 37 in saves).

Finally, in Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo brings in Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Mikhail Demidov have the green light to start. Omsk struck first in the first period with an Anton Kuryanov goal, coming off of Kirill Lyamin and Sergei Shirokov. Avangard added on as Miroslav Blatak scored a power play goal, powered by Stefan Ruzicka and Alexander Perezhogin. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Wojtek Wolski power play goal, made possible by Juuso Hietanen. Omsk replied in the second period on a Ruzicka goal, with a lone helper by Alexander Popov. Torpedo shot back with a Nikita Dvurechensky goal, courtesy of Alexei Badyukov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Denis Parshin goal, guided in by Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead in the third period with a Maxim Potapov goal, helped along by Hietanen and Parshin. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead on a Parshin goal, pushed through by Vladimir Galuzin and Hietanen, the latter getting a sock trick. This produced the 5-3 final, with Parshin, Hietanen, and Ruzicka getting the three stars.

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NHL Day 98 2013-2014

Only four games on today, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Evgeni Nabokov in goal. Dallas began in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Nabokov got injured around midway through the period, and was replaced by Kevin Poulin. The Stars added on with an Erik Cole goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Alex Chiasson and Rich Peverley. New York got on the board in the second period on a Ryan Strome power play goal, powered by Thomas Vanek and John Tavares. The Islanders tied it with a Tavares goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, coming off of Vanek. New York took the lead on a Peter Regin goal, his second of the season, fueled by Josh Bailey and Thomas Hickey. Dallas retied it on a Valeri Nichushkin power play goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Peverley and Ray Whitney. The Islanders pulled ahead on a Brock Nelson goal, his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Casey Cizikas and Calvin de Haan. New York added on in the third period as Brian Strait scored his second of the season, thanks to Tavares and de Haan. The Islanders extended the lead with a Tavares power play goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, with assists provided by Frans Nielsen and Andrew MacDonald. New York padded the lead when Tavares finished his hat trick on his twentieth of the campaign, a power play goal passed from MacDonald and Cizikas. The three stars were Tavares, Vanek, and de Haan, while MacDonald, Cizikas, and Peverley get the honorable mentions.

Staying in New York, the Rangers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Henrik Lundqvist protect the nets. Columbus led off in the first period with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Nathan Horton and James Wisniewski. New York tied it on a Rick Nash goal, his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Michael Del Zotto and Chris Kreider. The Blue Jackets took the lead back in the second period as Cam Atkinson scored his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Columbus added on with a Wisniewski goal, his third of the year, coming off of Dubinsky and Nick Foligno. The Rangers got one back in the third period as Brian Boyle scored his third of the season, thanks to Dominic Moore and John Moore. New York tied it with a Nash power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, fueled by Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mark Letestu and Ryan Johansen scored for the Blue Jackets to give them a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Wisniewski, Nash, and Dubinsky.

North to Montreal, as the Canadiens bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. Montreal struck first in the first period with a David Desharnais goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher. Florida tied it with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Aleksander Barkov and Brad Boyes. The Canadiens retook the lead in the second period with a Brian Gionta goal, his seventh of the season, pushed through by Tomas Plekanec. This was good for a 2-1 win, with Price (26 for 27 in saves), Gionta, and Desharnais getting the three stars.

Finally, out in Colorado, the Avalanche host the Calgary Flames. Backups Karri Ramo and Jean-Sebastien Giguere draw the starts. Calgary was first to score in the first period on a Sean Monahan goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Lee Stempniak and Dennis Wideman. Colorado tied it with a power play goal by Nathan MacKinnon, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Paul Stastny and Andre Benoit. The Avalanche took the lead as MacKinnon scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, another power play goal, made possible by Stastny and Tyson Barrie. The Flames tied it on a Joe Colborne goal, his fourth of the year, via T.J. Galiardi and Shane O'Brien. Calgary took the lead with a Jiri Hudler goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Mark Giordano and Mikael Backlund. Colorado tied it again in the third period with the twelfth of the year by Stastny, passed from Gabriel Landeskog and Jan Hejda. Calgary took the lead back on a Michael Cammalleri power play goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Hudler and Colborne. This made it 4-3, the final, with Hudler, MacKinnon, and Colborne getting the three stars, while Stastny gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 125 2013-2014

Two games on today, with the first in Donetsk, where Donbass hosts Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Michael Leighton are the North American goalies. Donetsk opened in the first period with a Dmitry Kagarlitsky power play goal, powered by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donbass added on in the second period when Edgeny Dadonov scored, with a lone assist by Tuomas Kiiskinen. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a Pavel Medvedev goal, coming off of Vladimir Peshekhonov. Spartak tied it late on an Oleg Kvasha goal, via Viktor Bobrov. The tie was broken in favor of Donetsk in overtime when Maxim Yakutsenya scored to make it 3-2, thanks to Peter Podhradsky on the power play. The three stars went to Yakutsenya, Dadonov, and Kagarlitsky.

The other game comes from Zagreb, as Medvescak hosts Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Barry Brust get the starting nods. Minsk started in the first period with an Andrei Stas goal, going in unassisted. Zagreb tied it in the second period as Jonathan Cheechoo scored, thanks to Charles Linglet and Sasa Martinovic. Medvescak took the lead on a Hugh Jessiman goal, coming off of Martinovic and Andrew Murray. Zagreb added on in the third period when Matt Murley scored, with the help of Michael Ryan. Medvescak extended the lead with a Mark Popovic power play goal, powered by Ryan Vesce and Linglet. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Brust (24 for 25 in saves), Martinovic, and Linglet.

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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.

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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.

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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).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.