NHL Day 99 2013-2014

Originally, there were supposed to be ten games on today, but a blizzard in Buffalo changed that as the Sabres tilt with the Carolina Hurricanes has been postponed. Instead, we begin across the border in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Jonathan Bernier are in the creases. Toronto led off in the first period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Paul Ranger and James van Riemsdyk. New York tied it with a Kyle Okposo goal, his seventeenth of the year, passed from John Tavares and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with a Michael Grabner goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs retied it as Mason Raymond scored a power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri. New York retook the lead in the third period with a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Thomas Vanek and Tavares. The Islanders added on with a goal by Calvin de Haan, made possible by Hamonic and Tavares, the latter getting a sock trick. Toronto got one back on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Kadri. New York wrapped it up at 5-3 on an empty net goal by Cal Clutterbuck, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Grabner. The three stars were handed to Grabner, Tavares, and Hamonic, while Kadri gets an honorable mention.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Martin Brodeur are the veteran goalies. New Jersey was first to score in the first period as Adam Henrique put away his tenth of the season, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Ryane Clowe. Philadelphia tied it on a Claude Giroux power play goal in the third period, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Jakub Voracek. The Flyers took the lead with a Scott Hartnell goal, his tenth of the season, via Brayden Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann. The Devils retied it on a Michael Ryder shorthanded goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Marek Zidlicky and Andy Greene. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime with a Schenn goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by Grossmann and Wayne Simmonds. The three stars were named as Schenn, Emery (31 for 33 in saves), and Grossmann.

Southwest to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Marek Mazanec are given the starting nods. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a David Legwand goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Craig Smith and Shea Weber. San Jose tied it on a power play goal by Joe Pavelski, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Dan Boyle and Jason Demers. The Predators took the lead back with a Mattias Ekholm goal, coming off of Legwand. Nashville added on as Roman Josi scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Weber and Colin Wilson. The Sharks got one back in the third period with a Patrick Marleau goal, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Matthew Nieto and Demers. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars were awarded to Legwand, Weber, and Demers.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Ondrej Pavelec are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Teddy Purcell and Alex Killorn. Winnipeg tied it with an Olli Jokinen power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Mark Scheifele and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets took the lead in the second period when Byfuglien scored his tenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Blake Wheeler and the goalie Pavelec. The Lightning retied it on an Ondrej Palat goal, his eighth of the year, via Nikita Kucherov and Killorn. Tampa Bay took the lead in the third period as Martin St. Louis potted his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Victor Hedman and Purcell on the power play. The Lightning finished it at 4-2 with a St. Louis empty net goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, coming on the power play from Matthew Carle. This was good for a 4-2 win, with St. Louis, Byfuglien, and Purcell getting the three stars, while Killorn picks up an honorable mention.

Way south to Phoenix, where the Coyotes welcome the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Thomas Greiss are the little-known goalies. Phoenix got going in the second period on a Shane Doan goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Mike Ribeiro. The Coyotes added on with a Martin Hanzal goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Radim Vrbata and Lauri Korpikoski. Phoenix extended the lead as Boedker scored his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Ribeiro and Connor Murphy. The Coyotes padded the lead in the third period with a Korpikoski goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Hanzal and Vrbata. Phoenix got another on a Michael Stone goal, his eighth of the season, via Korpikoski and Jeff Halpern. The Coyotes struck again with a Rob Klinkhammer power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Stone and Doan. This made it a 6-0 final, with the three stars going to Korpikoski, Greiss (27 save shutout), and Doan, while Stone, Hanzal, Vrbata, Ribeiro, and Boedker get the honorable mentions.

Up in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ilya Bryzgalov are the masked men. St. Louis started in the first period on a Chris Stewart power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Derek Roy and Jordan Leopold. Edmonton tied it with a Nail Yakupov goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, guided in by David Perron and Sam Gagner. The Blues retook the lead on a Maxim Lapierre goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Ryan Reaves and Alex Pietrangelo. The Oilers retied it with a Mark Arcobello goal, his fourth of the year, via Luke Gazdic and Andrew Ference. St. Louis pulled ahead on a David Backes power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, with a lone assist by Pietrangelo. The Blues added on with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Leopold and Vladimir Sobotka. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period on an empty net goal by Patrik Berglund, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Sobotka and Tarasenko. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Tarasenko, Pietrangelo, and Leopold, while Sobotka gets an honorable mention.

Over in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Eddie Lack are given the green light to start. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Brian Gibbons goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Penguins added on in the second period as Evgeni Malkin scored his twelfth of the year, with the help of James Neal and Olli Maatta. Vancouver got on the board with an unassisted goal by Jason Garrison, his fifth of the season. The Canucks tied it in the third period with a Christopher Tanev goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Dan Hamhuis and Zack Kassian. Vancouver took the lead on a Chris Higgins goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Jannik Hansen and Tanev. The Canucks extended the lead with a Kassian goal, his eighth of the year, with helpers provided by Higgins and Kevin Bieksa. Pittsburgh tied it on a Kris Letang goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Jussi Jokinen and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins tied it with Crosby's twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Chris Kunitz and Jokinen. Pittsburgh won 5-4 in the shootout on a Crosby tally. The three stars belonged to Crosby, Jokinen, and Tanev, while Kassian gets an honorable mention.

South to Anaheim, as the Ducks welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Anaheim struck first in the second period with a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Teemu Selanne and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks added on as Corey Perry scored his twenty-fourth of the year, a power play goal via Nick Bonino and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim extended the lead with a shorthanded Andrew Cogliano goal, his fourteenth of the season, set up by Daniel Winnik. Boston got on the board with a Daniel Paille goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Justin Florek and Gregory Campbell. The Bruins pulled closer in the third period on a Dougie Hamilton goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Carl Soderberg and Jarome Iginla. The Ducks shot back with a Bonino power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Getzlaf and Perry. Anaheim padded the lead on another Perreault goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, courtesy of Selanne and Pat Maroon. This made it a 5-2 final, with the three stars being named as Bonino, Perry, and Perreault, while Selanne and Getzlaf pick up the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles got going in the third period on a Jarret Stoll goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Jeff Carter and Dwight King. Minnesota tied it with a Nino Neiderreiter goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund. The Wild won 2-1 with a Neiderreiter shootout goal. The three stars were given to Kuemper (39 for 40 in saves), Neiderreiter, and Quick (16 for 17 in saves).

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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.

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