Thursday, January 9, 2014

KHL Day 128 2013-2014

Eleven games on for the day before the KHL All-Star Break. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period on a Vadim Berdnikov goal, assisted by Anatoly Nikontsev. Severstal added on in the second period with a Nikontsev goal, fueled by Nikolai Stasenko and Berdnikov. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Bykov, powered by Andrei Stepanov. Cherepovets iced it at 3-1 on a Nikontsev empty net goal, set up by Petr Caslava. The three stars were given to Nikontsev, Berdnikov, and Stepanek (36 for 37 in saves).

South to Vladivostok, as Admiral welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Vladivostok got going in the second period on a Felix Schutz goal, coming off of Niclas Bergfors. Admiral added on as Schutz scored his second of the game, an unassisted goal. Mytishchi got on the board with a Roman Rukavishnikov goal, guided in by Alexander Kadeikin. Atlant tied it with a Maxim Mayorov goal, courtesy of Andreas Engqvist and Igor Radulov. Mytishchi took the lead on an Alexei Mikhnov goal, with a lone assist by Kadeikin. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-2 final, with the three stars being Schutz, Kadeikin, and Mikhnov.

Out in Novosibirsk, Sibir brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak faces a lesser foe in Niktia Bespalov in goal. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, made possible by Alexander Kutuzov. Sibir added on as Alexei Kopeikin scored, thanks to Kugryshev. Novosibirsk extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Jori Lehtera. Novosibirsk wrapped it up at 4-0 with another Lehtera goal, going into the empty net shorthanded and unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Lehtera, Bespalov (33 save shutout), and Kugryshev.

Over in Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Ilya Sorokin are the masked men. Novokuznetsk led off in the first period with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, going in unassisted. Yaroslavl tied it with a Daniil Apalkov goal, fueled by Sergei Konkov. Lokomotiv took the lead in the second period as Geoff Platt scored, with the help of Staffan Kronwall and Igor Musatov. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Platt, Sanford (27 for 28 in saves), and Apalkov.

Westward to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Alexei Volkov are between the pipes. Ufa struck first in the first period on an Igor Mirnov goal, assisted by Kirill Koltsov. Bratislava tied it in the second period with a Miroslav Satan power play goal, powered by Martin Stajnoch and Tomas Mojzis. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead on a Nikita Filatov goal, via Koltsov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Slovan tied it with a third period goal by Libor Hudacek, with a lone helper from Satan. Ufa retook the lead again on a Filatov penalty shot goal he received after being held by Vladimir Mihalik. Salavat Yulaev iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Antti Pihlstrom, set up by Denis Khlystov and Arturs Kulda. The three stars went to Filatov, Satan, and Koltsov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov on the power play. Metallurg added on in the second period with a Mozyakin goal, fueled by Jan Kovar and Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead with a Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Tim Brent. Moscow got on the board in the third period on an Alexander Radulov goal, guided in by Ilari Filppula and Steven Eminger. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (32 for 33 in saves), and Tereshchenko.

Into the Urals, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Chelyabinsk began in the first period on an Andrei Popov goal, courtesy of Maxim Kondratyev and Anton Glinkin. Traktor added on as Jan Bulis scored, with a lone assist from Petri Kontiola. Riga got on the board in the second period with a Vitalijs Pavlovs goal, coming off of Mat Robinson and Rustams Begovs. Dinamo tied it as Marcel Hossa scored, thanks to Kyle Wilson and Miks Indrasis. Riga took the lead with a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, helped along by Indrasis and Paul Szczechura. Dinamo extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Marcel Hascak. Riga padded the lead on a Szczechura goal, passed from Arturs Kuzmenkovs and Hascak. This was good for a 5-2 win, with Szczechura, Hascak, and Indrasis getting the three stars.

Way west to Podolsk, as Vityaz welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Ivan Lisutin are the reliable goalies. Yekaterinburg started in the first period with an Artyom Chernov goal, assisted by Fyodor Malykhin and Anton Lazarev. Avtomobilist added on in the second period on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Igor Yemeleyev. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Martin Cibak goal, passed from Alexander Korolyuk and Mathias Porseland. Yekaterinburg replied on an Alexei Yefimov goal, made possible by Sergei Gusev and Yemeleyev. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being named as Yemeleyev, Kovar (27 for 28 in saves), and Yefimov.

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo brings in Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Mikhail Demidov are given the starting nods. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period on a Denis Parshin goal, via Vladimir Denisov and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Astana tied it with a Talgat Zhailauov power play goal, powered by Roman Starchenko and Nikolai Antropov. Torpedo retook the lead on a second period Jarkko Immonen power play goal, coming off of Alexander Makarov. Nizhny Novgorod added on as Sakari Salminen scored, thanks to Wojtek Wolski and Immonen. Barys got one back on a power play goal by Nigel Dawes passed from Brandon Bochenski and Mike Lundin. Torpedo responded on a Vladimir Galuzin goal, fueled by Juuso Hietanen and Krasnoslobodtsev. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Wolski. Torpedo padded the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Denisov, with assists provided by Wolski and Roman Lyuduchin. Nizhny Novgorod finished it at 7-2 on a Mikhail Grigoryev goal, helped along by Krasnoslobodtsev, who got a sock trick, and Galuzin. The three stars went to Wolski, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Immonen, while Denisov and Galuzin get the honorable mentions.

In Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik hosts Lev Prague. Atte Engren is mismatched with Matt Dalton in goal. Prague opened in the first period on a Petr Vrana goal, assisted by Jakub Klepis and Calle Ridderwall. Lev added on with a Martin Thornberg goal in the second period, via Mikko Maenpaa and Martin Sevc. Prague extended the lead when Lukas Cingel scored, thanks to Justin Azevedo and Ondrej Nemec. Alexander Sudnitsin relieved Dalton at this time. Lev padded the lead in the third period on a Jiri Sekac power play goal, powered by Patrik Zackrisson and Nathan Oystrick. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a power play goal by Yaroslav Alshevsky, passed from Nikolai Belov and Vitaly Shulakov. This made it 4-1, the final, and Engren (27 for 28 in saves), Thornberg, and Cingel got the three stars.

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Alexander Lazushin have the green light to start. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Mikhail Zhukov. Yugra added on as Artyom Bulyansky converted a penalty shot he received after Roman Derlyuk hooked him. Moscow got on the board with a Martins Karsums goal, assisted by Andrei Mironov and Maxim Karpov. Dynamo tied it as Sergei Soin scored, with the help of Maxim Solovyov and Derlyuk. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bulyansky was matched by Maxim Pestushko, before Nikita Gusev scored to secure a 3-2 Yugra win. The three stars belonged to Bulyansky, Gusev, and Zhukov.

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

NHL Day 100 2013-2014

Three games on tonight, beginning in...

Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Steve Mason draw the starts. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Sean Couturier goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Vincent Lecavalier and Andrej Meszaros. The Flyers added on as Zac Rinaldo scored, via Luke Schenn and Meszaros. Philadelphia extended the lead with a Michael Raffl goal in the second period, his third of the year, coming off of Meszaros, who got a sock trick, and Brayden Schenn. Montreal got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Tomas Plekanec, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Brian Gionta. This was as close as it got, with the three stars being Meszaros, Mason (19 for 20 in saves), and Rinaldo.

West to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Corey Crawford tend the twines. New York began in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, his eleventh of the season, via Ryan Callahan and Marc Staal. The Rangers added on with a Mats Zuccarello power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Michael Del Zotto and the goalie Lundqvist. Chicago got on the board in the second period as Jonathan Toews scored his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks tied it with a Brandon Bollig goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Marcus Kruger. New York retook the lead in the third period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his eleventh of the campaign, guided in by Staal and Richards. This was all they needed to win 3-2, with the three stars going to Richards, Staal, and Hagelin.

Finally, in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson faces a former team that has Semyon Varlamov in goal. Colorado started in the first period on a Jamie McGinn power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Erik Johnson and Nick Holden. The Avalanche added on with a Jan Hejda goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Gabriel Landeskog and Paul Stastny. Ottawa got on the board on a Clarke MacArthur goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Bobby Ryan. The Senators tied it in the second period with a Jason Spezza power play goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by MacArthur and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa took the lead on a Kyle Turris goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Mark Stone and Karlsson. Colorado tied it in the third period with a Stastny goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime with a Barrie goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Stastny and Landeskog, the latter getting a sock trick. Stastny, Barrie, and Landeskog got the three stars, while MacArthur and Karlsson get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 127 2013-2014

Only one game today, from Moscow, as Spartak hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Jeff Glass tend the twines. Moscow led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Kozlov power play goal, powered by Mikhail Yunkov and Denis Bodrov. Zagreb tied it in the second period with a Charles Linglet power play goal, with a lone assist from Mark Popovic. Medvescak took the lead in the third period with a Matt Murley power play goal, coming off of Bill Thomas and Jonathan Cheechoo. Zagreb iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Boyd Kane, set up by Ivan Svarny and Mike Glumac. The three stars went to Brust (35 for 36 in saves), Murley, and Linglet.

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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

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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Monday, January 6, 2014

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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