KHL Day 134 2013-2014

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Curtis Sanford are in goal. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period on a Maxim Potapov goal, fueled by Mikhail Grigoryev and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Torpedo added on in the second period with a Vladimir Denisov goal, guided in by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev and Denis Parshin. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Daniil Apalkov power play goal, powered by Igor Musatov and Staffan Kronwall. Nizhny Novgorod replied on a Wojtek Wolski goal, passed from Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo iced it at 4-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Potapov. The three stars were given to Potapov, Kasutin (25 for 26 in saves), and Denisov.

Over in Podolsk, Vityaz welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Ivan Lisutin draw the starts. Mytishchi began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Sergei Shmelyov. Atlant added on in the second period with a Maxim Mayorov goal, fueled by Andreas Engqvist and Juha-Pekka Haataja. Podolsk got on the board as Alexander Korolyuk scored a power play goal, powered by Dinar Khafizullin. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars went to Borisov (26 for 27 in saves), Mayorov, and Shmelyov.

Back to the lake, as Severstal Cherepovets brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Jakub Stepanek are between the pipes. Cherepovets got going in the second period with an Evgeny Kovyrshin power play goal, powered by Pavel Buchnevich and Alexander Yevseyenkov. Kazan tied it on a Mikhail Varnakov power play goal, guided in by Alexander Burmistrov and Shaun Heshka. Ak Bars took the lead in the third period with a Janne Pesonen goal in the third period, thanks to Alexei Tereshchenko and Alexander Osipov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Barulin (21 for 22 in saves), Pesonen, and Varnakov.

Returning to Moscow, where CSKA hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Mikhail Biryukov are the masked men. Moscow led off in the first period on a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, courtesy of Alexander Radulov. Novosibirsk tied it with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal in the second period, coming off of Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir took the lead in the third period on a Dmitry Monya goal, fueled by Ivan Lekomtsev. CSKA retied it on a power play goal by Alexei Morozov, powered by Ilari Filppula. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nikita Zaitsev and Radulov topped a lone tally by Monya, resulting in a 3-2 final in favor of CSKA. Radulov, Monya, and Biryukov (35 for 37 in saves) received the three stars.

West to St. Petersburg, as SKA welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Ilya Ezhov play goal. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on a Tony Martensson power play goal, powered by Kevin Dallman and Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on with a Roman Cervenka goal, fueled by Maxim Chudinov and Martensson. Moscow got on the board in the second period with a Denis Mosalyov goal, via Dmitry Pestunov and Filip Novak. St. Petersburg replied on a Cervenka power play goal, his second of the game, guided in by Ilya Kovalchuk and Viktor Tikhonov. SKA extended the lead with another Martensson goal, his second of the game, passed from Chudinov and Thoresen. St. Petersburg padded the lead with an unassisted goal by Vadim Shipachyov. Dynamo shot back in the third period on a Leo Komarov goal, coming off of Maxim Pestushko. Moscow pulled closer with an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, assisted by Denis Kokarev and Yury Babenko. SKA wrapped it up at 6-3 on an empty net goal by Kovalchuk, set up by Evgeny Ryasensky. The three stars were handed to Martensson, Cervenka, and Kovalchuk, while Chudinov and Thoresen got the honorable mentions.

Out to Riga, as Dinamo brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin and Mikael Tellqvist protect the nets. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Evgeny Lapenkov, going in unassisted. Riga tied it on a Gunars Skvorcovs goal, guided in by Rustams Begovs. Metallurg retook the lead with a Rafael Akhmetov goal, passed from Damir Zhafyarov. Dinamo tied it again in the second period as Skvorcovs scored his second of the game, thanks to Sandis Ozolins and Maris Bicevskis. Riga took the lead with a power play goal by Marcel Hascak, powered by Miks Indrasis and Paul Szczechura. Novokuznetsk retied it in the third period on a Lapenkov goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Alexander Aksyonenko. Dinamo won 4-3 in overtime with a Szczechura goal, with a lone assist by Indrasis. The three stars were awarded to Lapenkov, Skvorcovs, and Szczechura, while Indrasis gets an honorable mention.

West again to Prague, as Lev hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Petri Vehanen have the green light to start. Prague started in the first period with a Martin Thornberg goal, fueled by Mikko Maenpaa. Vladivostok tied it on a Felix Schutz goal, courtesy of Richard Gynge and Yegor Antropov. Lev took the lead back on a second period David Ullstrom power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo and Jiri Novotny. Prague added on as Michal Repik scored, thanks to Petr Vrana and Maenpaa. Lev iced it at 4-1 in the third period on an Azevedo goal, assisted by Ullstrom and Martin Sevc. The three stars went to Azevedo, Ullstrom, and Vehanen (16 for 17 in saves), while Maenpaa gets the honorable mention.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen is mismatched with Jaroslav Janus in goal. Bratislava dented the scoreboard in the second period as Andrej Stastny scored, with the help of Martin Bakos and Jonathan Sigalet. Khabarovsk tied it on a Dmitry Tarasov goal, coming off of Dmitry Lugin. Slovan took the lead back as Bakos scored an unassisted goal. Amur retied it on an Ilya Krikunov goal, via Artyom Dubinin and Sergei Smurov. Bratislava regained the lead in the third period with a Libor Hudacek goal, assisted by Miroslav Satan and Vladimir Mihalik. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Bakos, Hudacek, and Stastny.

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NHL Day 106 2013-2014

Big night tonight with eleven games on. We begin in...

Boston, where the Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Tuukka Rask protect the nets. Boston led off with a first period goal by Brad Marchand, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Reilly Smith and Patrice Bergeron. Toronto tied it on a Tyler Bozak goal, his eighth of the year, thanks to Carl Gunnarsson and Phil Kessel. The Bruins took the lead back on a Bergeron goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Zdeno Chara and Marchand. The Maple Leafs tied it again on another Bozak goal, his ninth of the year and second of the game, a power play goal powered by James van Riemsdyk and Kessel. Toronto took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Jake Gardiner, his third of the season, guided in by Kessel, who got a sock trick, and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs added on in the third period with a van Riemsdyk goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Bozak and Joffrey Lupul. Boston got one back with a Gregory Campbell goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone assist from Daniel Paille. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars going to Bozak, Kessel, and van Riemsdyk, while Marchand and Bergeron get the honorable mentions.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Henrik Lundqvist are the masked men. New York began in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with a Victor Hedman goal, his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Martin St. Louis and Teddy Purcell. The Lightning took the lead on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his seventh of the campaign, via Radko Gudas and J.T. Brown. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Kucherov, Bishop (33 for 34 in saves), and Hedman.

Along to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Philipp Grubauer are in goal. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Tyler Kennedy goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Jason Demers and Andrew Desjardins. Washington tied it in the second period as Alex Ovechkin scored his thirty-third of the year, assisted by Karl Alzner and Mikhail Grabovski. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Patrick Marleau scored the only goal for a 2-1 win for the Sharks. The three stars went to Niemi (35 for 36 in saves), Grubauer (28 for 29 in saves), and Ovechkin.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Jhonas Enroth draw the starts. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Steve Ott and Matt D'Agostini. Philadelphia tied it on a second period Jakub Voracek goal, his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Wayne Simmonds and Scott Hartnell. The Sabres took the lead back in the third period on a D'Agostini goal, his second of the season, via Ott and Hodgson. The Flyers retied it on a Brayden Schenn goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Hartnell and Andrej Meszaros. Philadelphia took the lead on a Hartnell power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Simmonds and Claude Giroux. Buffalo retied it with a Tyler Ennis goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Matt Moulson and Christian Ehrhoff. The Flyers took the lead on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Matt Read and Sean Couturier. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Hartnell, Simmonds, and Hodgson, while Ott and D'Agostini got the honorable mentions.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Carey Price are in the blue paint. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Josh Gorges. New Jersey tied it on a Jaromir Jagr goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Dainius Zubrus and Adam Henrique. The Devils took the lead in the second period with an Eric Gelinas power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Ryane Clowe and Jon Merrill. New Jersey added on as Henrique scored his twelfth of the year, thanks to Clowe and Michael Ryder. The Devils iced it at 4-1 in the third period on an empty net goal by Zubrus, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Jagr. The three stars were given to Brodeur (29 for 30 in saves), Jagr, and Henrique, while Zubrus and Clowe get the honorable mentions.

South to Florida, as the Panthers bring in the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Tim Thomas are in the creases. Florida opened in the first period on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Brad Boyes. The Panthers added on with a Drew Shore goal, coming off of Krys Barch and Ed Jovanovski. Florida extended the lead on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his tenth of the year, via Scottie Upshall. The Panthers padded the lead in the second period as Upshall scored his seventh of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Brian Campbell and Jovanovski. New York got on the board with a Colin McDonald goal, his third of the year, passed from Matt Martin and Calvin de Haan. The Islanders got closer as Thomas Vanek scored in the third period, his sixteenth of the campaign, made possible by Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. This only made it 4-2, with the three stars going to Upshall, Jovanovski, and Thomas (31 for 33 in saves).

Northwest to Nashville, as the Predators host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Carter Hutton are the inconsistent goalies. Nashville started in the first period on a Shea Weber power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Roman Josi and David Legwand. Calgary tied it on a Lee Stempniak goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Jiri Hudler and T.J. Brodie. The Predators took the lead again in the third period with a Ryan Ellis goal, his second of the season, via Legwand and Kevin Klein. Nashville added on with a Craig Smith power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Nick Spaling and Seth Jones. The Predators extended the lead as Viktor Stalberg scored his sixth of the season, courtesy of Ellis and Legwand, the latter getting a sock trick. The Flames got one back on a Mikael Backlund goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Mark Giordano and Hudler. They still lost 4-2, with the three stars being Legwand, Ellis, and Hudler.

Up in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Colorado led off in the first period on a Tyson Barrie goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Ryan Wilson and John Mitchell. The Avalanche added on as Ryan O'Reilly scored his seventeenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Nick Holden and Jamie McGinn. Chicago got on the board in the second period as Johnny Oduya scored his third of the season, thanks to Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period with a Shaw goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Saad and Marian Hossa. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime on another Barrie goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, a power play goal with a lone assist by Matt Duchene. Barrie, Shaw, and Saad received the three stars.

Backtracking to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jaroslav Halak are between the pipes. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the first period with a T.J. Oshie goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Alex Pietrangelo and David Backes. The Blues added on in the second period as Oshie scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Backes and Kevin Shattenkirk. Phoenix got on the board with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his sixth of the campaign, coming on the power play via Keith Yandle and Mikkel Boedker. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with Oshie, Halak (20 for 21 in saves), and Backes getting the three stars.

Further north to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Darcy Kuemper make the spot starts. Ottawa got going in the first period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. The Senators added on in the third period with an unassisted Erik Condra goal, his fifth of the year. Ottawa extended the lead on a Turris power play goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, via Jared Cowen and Karlsson. This made it 3-0, the final, with Lehner (27 save shutout), Turris, and Karlsson getting the three stars.

Finally, in Dallas, the Stars host the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Kari Lehtonen have the green light to start. Dallas quickly began in the first period on an Erik Cole goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn. Edmonton tied it on a Justin Schultz goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Taylor Hall and Andrew Ference. The Stars retook the lead with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Ray Whitney and Kevin Connauton. Dallas added on with a Benn goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Seguin and Alex Goligoski on the power play. The Stars extended the lead as Cody Eakin scored his tenth of the season in the second period, thanks to Antoine Roussel and Garbutt. The Oilers got one back on a Sam Gagner power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Dallas wrapped it up at 5-2 in the third period on a Daley empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Garbutt. The three stars were given to Garbutt, Benn, and Daley, while Hall receives an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 133 2013-2014

Only five games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Andrei Mezin are in goal. Omsk opened in the first period with a Denis Kulyash goal, assisted by Sergei Kostitsyn. Avangard added on with an Andrei Ivanov goal, guided in by Sergei Shirokov. Zagreb got on the board in the second period as Hugh Jessiman scored an unassisted goal. Medvescak tied it on Matt Murley power play goal, going in unassisted. Omsk took the lead in the third period with an Alexander Perezhogin power play goal, powered by Alexander Popov. Zagreb retied it with a Ryan Vesce goal, going in unassisted. Avangard won 4-3 in the shootout with a tally by Shirokov. The three stars belonged to Shirokov, Perezhogin, and Vesce.

On to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Vasily Koshechkin protect the nets. Ufa was first to score in the first period on an unassisted goal by Nikita Filatov. Magnitogorsk tied it with an Evgeny Timkin goal, fueled by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. Metallurg took the lead on another Timkin goal, courtesy of Denis Platonov and Sergei Tereshchenko. Salavat Yulev retied it in the second period when Antti Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Igor Mirnov. Ufa took the lead again on a Kirill Koltsov goal, going in unassisted. Magnitogorsk tied it again in the third period as Mozyakin scored a power play goal powered by Danis Zaripov and Kovar. Salavat Yulaev won it 4-3 in the shootout with tallies by Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. The three stars were Timkin, Mozyakin, and Mirnov, while Kovar gets an honorable mention.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra hosts Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Alexei Kuznetsov are the goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first in the first period with a Mikhail Zhukov goal, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Yugra added on with a second period Nikita Gusev goal, fueled by Igor Magogin. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead on a Zhukov goal, with a lone helper by Vitaly Sitnikov. Yugra padded the lead when Gusev scored again, thanks to Alexei Kruchinin. Dmitry Milchakov relieved Lalande for the third period. Khanty-Mansiysk struck again in the third period with a Kruchinin goal, passed from Gusev and Magogin. Yugra wrapped it up at 6-0 on an unassisted goal by Tomas Starosta. The three stars were awarded to Gusev, Kuznetsov (22 save shutout), and Zhukov, while Kruchinin and Magogin get the honorable mentions.

Down to Astana, as Barys brings in Spartak Moscow. Jeff Glass and Ari Ahonen are the solid goalies. Astana started in the first period with a Nigel Dawes goal, fueled by Dustin Boyd. Moscow tied it on a second period goal by Andrei Sergeyev, coming off of Tom Wandell. Barys retook the lead with a Talgat Zhailauov goal, passed from Roman Savchenko. Astana added on with a power play goal by Dawes, his second of the game, powered by Brandon Bochenski. Barys extended the lead on a Zach Hamill goal in the third period, courtesy of Dawes and Savchenko. Spartak got one back with an Alexei Grishin goal, assisted by Grigory Zheldakov and Filipp Toluzakov. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Dawes, Savchenko, and Zhailauov.

Finally, in Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vladislav Fokin and Alexander Sudnitsin were given the starting nods. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period on a Jan Bulis goal, fueled by Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexei Bondarev. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the third period with a Bogdan Yakimov goal, via Igor Polygalov and Renat Mamashev. Neftekhimik took the lead on an unassisted goal by Yegor Milovzorov. Nizhnekamsk iced it at 3-1 with a Milovzorov empty net goal, set up by Stanislav Romanov. The three stars went to Milovzorov, Yakimov, and Sudnitsin (14 for 15 in saves).

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NHL Day 105 2013-2014

There are just four games on today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Anton Khudobin are in goal. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Mikael Backlund power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman. The Flames added on in the third period with the thirteenth of the year by Sean Monahan, via Paul Byron and T.J. Galiardi. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars going to Ramo (23 save shutout), Backlund, and Monahan.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback is mismatched with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Columbu got going in the second period on a Ryan Johansen goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Murray. Tampa Bay tied it on a power play goal by Alex Killorn, his twelfth of the year, powered by Matthew Carle and Radko Gudas. The Lightning took the lead on a Victor Hedman goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Tyler Johnson and Martin St. Louis. The Blue Jackets tied it with a Nathan Horton power play goal in the third period, his second of the year, guided in by Jack Johnson and Artem Anisimov. Columbus took the lead on a Mark Letestu power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, passed from Johnson and James Wisniewski. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Johnson, Letestu, and Horton.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Ondrej Pavelec are the veteran goalies. Phoenix started in the first period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Shane Doan. Winnipeg tied it with an Olli Jokinen goal, his twelfth of the year, with a lone helper by Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets took the lead as Eric O'Dell scored his second of the season, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg added on in the second period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Mark Scheifele. The Jets extended the lead on a Michael Frolik goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Adam Pardy and Bryan Little in the third period. Winnipeg iced it at 5-1 on a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. The three stars belonged to Byfuglien, O'Dell, and Wheeler.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Jonathan Quick are in the blue paint. Los Angeles opened in the third period on a Dustin Brown goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. This was the only goal in the game, so the Kings won 1-0. The three stars were awarded to Quick (28 save shutout), Brown, and Lack (19 for 20 in saves).

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KHL 132 2013-2014

The KHL finally gets some extended time again, going from now until the Olympic break. We begin with seven games today, starting in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Johan Backlund and Curtis Sanford are in goal. Yaroslavl got going in the third period on a Geoff Platt power play goal, powered by Jonas Holos and Staffan Kronwall. This was good for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Sanford (12 save shutout), Platt, and Backlund (35 for 36 in saves).

Over in Moscow, CSKA welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Rastislav Stana are the masked men. Moscow led off in the first period with a Fyodor Fyodorov goal, going in unassisted. CSKA added on in the second period as Alexander Frolov scored a power play goal, powered by Nikolai Prokhorkin and Nikita Zaitsev. Moscow extended the lead on a Stanislav Yegorshev goal, passed from Ilari Filppula and Jan Mursak. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-0, and the three stars went to Stana (27 save shutout), Fyodorov, and Frolov.

Up in Mytishchi, Atlant brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Demidov is mismatched with Stanislav Galimov in goal. Mytishchi opened in the first period on an Igor Radulov goal, courtesy of Maxim Mayorov and Vitaly Atyushov. Atlant added on with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, fueled by Evgeny Artyukhin and Atyushov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the second period with a Wojtek Wolski goal, coming off of Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo tied it when Sergei Bernatsky scored, with a lone helper by Immonen. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead on a Roman Lyuduchin goal, going in unassisted. Mytishchi tied it with Radulov's second of the game, passed from Andreas Engqvist and Mayorov. Torpedo retook the lead as Salminen scored, thanks to Immonen, who got a sock trick. Vitaly Koval relieved Demidov for the third period. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the third period with an Immonen power play goal, powered by Juuso Hietanen and Salminen. Atlant got one back when Radulov converted a penalty shot to complete his hat trick after Koval threw his stick. This only made it 5-4, with Radulov, Immonen, and Salminen picking up the three stars while Atyushov and Mayorov got the honorable mentions.

West to St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Alexander Salak are the reliable goalies. St. Petersburg began in the first period on an unassisted power play goal by Dmitry Kalinin. Kazan tied it with an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, coming off of Vasily Tokranov and Denis Golubev. SKA took the lead in the second period on an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, fueled by Maxim Chudinov and Viktor Tikhonov. St. Petersburg iced it at 3-1 on an Ilya Kovalchuk empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Salak (30 for 31 in saves), Kucheryavenko, and Kalinin.

Out in Riga, Dinamo brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Mikael Tellqvist are between the pipes. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period with a Justin Hodgman power play goal, powered by Logan Pyett and Stanislav Bocharov. Admiral added on in the second period with a Yegor Antropov goal, guided in by Konstantin Sokolov and Andrei Nikitenko. Vladivostok extended the lead when Hodgman scored his second of the game, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Admiral padded the lead on a third period goal by Evgeny Grachyov, passed from Felix Schutz. Vladivostok struck again on a Nikitenko goal, going in unassisted. Riga got on the board as Kristaps Sotnieks scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Marcel Hossa and Krisjanis Redlihs. Dinamo pulled closer with a Sotnieks power play goal, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Kyle Wilson. This produced a 5-2 final, with the three stars being Hodgman, Sotnieks, and Nikitenko.

Further along to Prague, where Lev welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Petri Vehanen are set to start. Novokuznetsk started in the first period with a Nikita Vyglazov goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg added on in the third period with an Igor Velichkin goal, assisted by Nikita Kamalov and Artyom Gareyev. Prague got on the board as Petr Vrana scored a power play goal, powered by Martin Thornberg and Jiri Sekac. Lev tied it with a power play goal by Sekac, coming off of Thornberg and Ondrej Nemec. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Thornberg was matched by Kurtis McLean before a David Ullstrom goal secured the 3-2 Lev win. The three stars were Sekac, Thornberg, and Ullstrom.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Jaroslav Janus guard the cages. Bratislava struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Miroslav Satan, powered by Libor Hudacek and Branko Radivojevic. Novosibirsk tied it on an Oleg Gubin goal, fueled by Stepan Sannikov and Maxim Ignatovich. The tie was broken in the shootout as Satan and Michal Vondrka scored for Slovan to overwhelm an Alexei Kopeikin tally for Sibir, and Slovan won 2-1. The threes stars belonged to Satan, Janus (33 for 34 in saves), and Koskinen (22 for 23 in saves).

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NHL Day 104 2013-2014

Seven games on today, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Phillip Grubauer are set to start. Washington was first to score in the first period with a Jason Chimera goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Joel Ward and Connor Carrick. Buffalo tied it on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Cody Hodgson and Christian Ehrhoff. The tie lasted all the way to a shootout, where Hodgson scored the only goal for a 2-1 Sabres win. The three stars belonged to Miller (28 for 29 in saves), Hodgson, and Grubauer (30 for 31 in saves).

South to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Dan Ellis are the backups making spot starts. Dallas opened in the first period on a Ray Whitney goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Alex Chiasson and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars added on as Sergei Gonchar scored an unassisted goal. New York got on the board in the second period with a Kyle Okposo goal, his nineteenth of the year, via Thomas Vanek and John Tavares. The Islanders tied it in the third period as Okposo scored his second of the game and twentieth of the season, with the help of Calvin de Haan. New York gained the lead on a John Tavares goal, his twenty-first of the year, passed from de Haan and Vanek. The Islanders iced it at 4-2 on a Brock Nelson goal, his sixth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Josh Bailey. The three stars were given to Okposo, Tavares, and Vanek, while de Haan gets an honorable mention.

North again to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Antti Raanta are in the creases. Edmonton struck first in the first period with Ales Hemsky scoring his seventh of the season, via Jeff Petry. Chicago tied it on a Ben Smith goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks took the lead as Andrew Shaw scored his twelfth of the season in the second period, thanks to Brandon Saad and Patrick Kane. The Oilers tied it on an odd goal, as Kane scored an own goal into an empty net, which was credited to Boyd Gordon as his eighth of the year, while he was on the bench. Chicago retook the lead on a Marian Hossa goal, his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Duncan Keith and Kane. The Blackhawks added on as Jonathan Toews scored his seventeenth of the year, via Patrick Sharp and Hossa. Edmonton got one back in the third period on a Taylor Hall goal, his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Justin Schultz and Hemsky. Chicago answered with a Brent Seabrook goal, his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. This was good for a 5-3 win, with the three stars going to Hossa, Kane, and Hemsky.

Northeast to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Jonathan Bernier are given the starting nods. Toronto led off in the first period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Phil Kessel and Tim Gleason. New Jersey tied it in the second period with an Adam Henrique goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Ryane Clowe and Andy Greene on the power play. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a power play goal by James van Riemsdyk, his seventeenth of the campaign, powered by Cody Franson and Kessel. The Devils retied it with a Clowe goal, fueled by Marek Zidlicky and Eric Gelinas. The tie lasted to a shootout, where van Riemsdyk scored the only goal for a 3-2 Maple Leafs win. The three stars went to van Riemsdyk, Clowe, and Kessel.

Back stateside, the New York Rangers bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. New York began in the first period on a Dan Carcillo goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers added on as Rick Nash scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh. New York extended the lead with a Derick Brassard goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Mats Zuccarello and Benoit Pouliot. The Rangers padded the lead in the second period on a Kreider power play goal, his twelfth of the year, via Brad Richards. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period on a power play goal by Mark Streit, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Sean Couturier and Vincent Lecavalier. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Lundqvist (37 for 38 in saves), Kreider, and Nash.

Southwest to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Marek Mazanec are the young goalies. Minnesota started with a first period Dany Heatley goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Charlie Coyle and Ryan Suter. The Wild added on as Jason Zucker scored his third of the year, thanks to Heatley and Coyle. Minnesota extended the lead in the third period when Matt Cooke scored his sixth of the season, fueled by Justin Fontaine and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild padded the lead on a Marco Scandella goal, his third of the year, passed from Nino Neiderreiter and Mikael Granlund. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Kuemper (23 save shutout), Heatley, and Coyle.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Jonas Hiller occupy the blue paint. Anaheim got going in the second period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Saku Koivu and Kyle Palmieri. This was the game's only goal, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Hiller (22 save shutout), Cogliano, and Mrazek (22 for 23 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NFL Divisional Round Weekend 2014

Four more games of football this week, beginning on Saturday in...

Seattle, as the Seahawks host the New Orleans Saints. Seattle began in the first quarter on a 38 yard Steven Hauschka field goal. The Seahawks added on as Hauschka made a 49 yard field goal. Seattle extended the lead in the second quarter with a Marshawn Lynch 15 yard touchdown rush, and Hauschka booted the extra point. The Seahawks padded the lead on a Hauschka field goal of 26 yards. New Orleans got on the board in the fourth quarter with a Khiry Robinson 1 yard touchdown run, followed by Mark Ingram running in the two-point conversion. Seattle responded as Lynch ran 31 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka nailed the PAT. The Saints pulled back with a Drew Brees touchdown pass of 9 yards to Marques Colston, and Shayne Graham supplied the extra point. They failed to tie the game, losing 23-15, with the Seahawks advancing to the NFC Championship against an opponent to be determined while the Saints go out of the playoffs fighting.

Across the country, the New England Patriots welcome the Indianapolis Colts. New England was first to score in the first quarter on a LeGarrette Blount 2 yard touchdown run, and Stephen Gostkowski nailed the extra point. The Patriots added on with a Blount touchdown run of 2 yards, and Gostkowski was there with the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board as Andrew Luck found LaVon Brazill for 38 yards and a touchdown, and Adam Vinatieri was true with the extra point. New England replied in the second quarter with a Blount touchdown rush of 2 yards for his third of the game, and Gostkowski made another extra point. The Colts chipped back when Vinatieri made a 36 yard field goal. Indianapolis got closer when Ryan Allen couldn't handle a snap to punt, and ended up fumbling the ball out of the end zone for a safety. The Colts edged closer in the third quarter on a 21 yard field goal by Vinatieri. The Patriots shot back as Stevan Ridley ran 3 yards for a touchdown and then converted the two-point attempt as well. Indianapolis pulled back on a 35 yard Luck touchdown pass to Brazill, and Vinatieri handled the PAT. New England answered in the fourth quarter as Blount rushed 73 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game, and Gostkowski supplied another extra point. The Patriots iced it at 43-22 with a 1 yard Ridley touchdown run, and Gostkowski booted the extra point. The Patriots will be playing for the AFC Championship next week, while the Colts' playoff run is now over.

On Sunday, we began with the Carolina Panthers bringing in the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco struck first in the first quarter with a 49 yard Phil Dawson field goal. The 49ers added on as Dawson made a 33 yard field goal. Carolina took the lead in the second quarter on a 31 yard Cam Newton touchdown pass to Steve Smith, and Graham Gano was there with the extra point. The Panthers extended their lead on a Gano 24 yard field goal. San Francisco retook the lead when Colin Kaepernick threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Dawson nailed the PAT. The 49ers padded the lead in the third quarter on a Kaepernick 4 yard touchdown rush, and Dawson was true with the extra point. San Francisco made it 23-10 in the fourth quarter on a 34 yard field goal by Dawson. This was the final, with the 49ers preparing to travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks in the NFC Championship, while the Panthers' strong season has concluded.

Finally, in Denver, the Broncos host the San Diego Chargers. Denver led off in the first quarter on a Peyton Manning touchdown pass of 2 yards to Demaryius Thomas, and Matt Prater was there with the extra point. The Broncos added on in the second quarter as Manning found Wes Welker for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Prater made the extra point. Denver extended the lead in the third quarter on a 45 yard field goal by Prater. San Diego got on the board in the fourth quarter as Philip Rivers tossed a 16 yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen, and Nick Novak handled the PAT. The Broncos replied on a 3 yard touchdown run from Knowshon Moreno, and Prater knocked in the extra point. The Chargers shot back as Rivers and Allen reconnected for 16 yards and another touchdown, and Novak booted the extra point. San Diego got closer with a 30 yard field goal from Novak. They failed to tie the game, losing 24-17, with the Broncos hosting the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship next weekend, while the Chargers' impressive run ends.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.