Thursday, January 16, 2014

NHL Day 108 2013-2014

Eleven games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York got going in the third period on a Mats Zuccarello goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Lundqvist (38 save shutout), Zuccarello, and Howard (47 for 48 in saves).

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Steve Mason draw the starts. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Wayne Simmonds and Andrej Meszaros. Nashville tied it on an Eric Nystrom goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Gabriel Bourque and Shea Weber. The Predators added on with a David Legwand power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Mike Fisher and Weber. The Flyers retied it in the second period on a Meszaros goal, his second of the year, coming off of Simmonds and Mark Streit. Nashville took the lead back in the third period with a Weber goal, his twelfth of the season, a power play goal assisted by Legwand and Roman Josi. Philadelphia retied it as Simmonds scored his sixteenth of the year on the power play, thanks to Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Schenn was matched by Matt Cullen, followed by Sean Couturier being boxed out by Ryan Ellis, and then Josi scored to give the Predators a 4-3 win. Josi, Weber, and Simmonds got the three stars, while Legwand, Meszaros, and Schenn get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Tim Thomas are in goal. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Joe Thornton goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. The Sharks added on as Matthew Nieto scored his third of the year in the third period, thanks to Tyler Kennedy and Patrick Marleau. San Jose extended the lead with a Pavelski goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, via Burns and Brad Stuart. This was good for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Stalock (24 save shutout), Pavelski, and Burns.

Back north to Ottawa, as the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Craig Anderson are between the pipes. Montreal opened in the first period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Travis Moen and Josh Gorges. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by David Desharnais and Andrei Markov. Montreal extended the lead as Desharnais scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. Ottawa got on the board with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Jared Cowen. The Senators got closer with a Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Jason Spezza and Cowen. Ottawa tied it on a second period Bobby Ryan goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Colin Greening. The Senators took the lead with a Kyle Turris goal, his fourteenth of the season, via MacArthur and Karlsson. The Canadiens retied it on a Plekanec goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, coming off of Brian Gionta and Gorges. Montreal won 5-4 in overtime with an unassisted P.K. Subban goal, his eighth of the campaign. The three stars were handed to Plekanec, Karlsson, and Desharnais, while Gorges and MacArthur get the honorable mentions.

South again to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Ben Bishop are set to start. Tampa Bay started in the first period on a Martin St. Louis goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming on the power play via Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson. New York tied it with a second period Thomas Vanek power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The Islanders won with a Nielsen goal in the shootout for a 2-1 final. The three stars were Nielsen, Poulin (29 for 30 in saves), and Bishop (29 for 30 in saves).

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. Los Angeles struck first in the first period on a Jake Muzzin goal, his third of the season, coming off of Colin Fraser and Jordan Nolan. St. Louis tied it in the second period on a T.J. Oshie penalty shot conversion, good for his eleventh of the year, and resulting from a Muzzin hook on the breakaway. The Kings took the lead back in the third period on a Trevor Lewis goal, guided in by Slava Voynov and the goalie Quick. Los Angeles added on with Lewis' second of the game, a shorthanded goal set up by Drew Doughty and Jarret Stoll. The Kings wrapped it up at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Jeff Carter, his seventeenth of the campaign, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Voynov. The three stars were given to Lewis, Voynov, and Quick (28 for 29 in saves).

Northward to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Darcy Kuemper are the relatively unknown goalies. Minnesota began in the first period on a Jason Pominville goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Mikael Granlund and Marco Scandella. Edmonton tied it with a Jordan Eberle goal in the second period, his fifteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Wild took the lead back on a Nate Prosser goal, fueled by Pominville. Minnesota added on with a Justin Fontaine goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Kyle Brodziak and Matt Cooke. The Wild wrapped it up at 4-1 with a third period goal by Jason Zucker, his fourth of the year, coming off of Dany Heatley and Charlie Coyle. Pominville, Kuemper (20 for 21 in saves), and Prosser got the three stars.

South to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson is mismatched with Kari Lehtonen in goal. Boston was first to score in the second period on a David Krejci goal, his tenth of the season, with a lone assist by Milan Lucic. Dallas tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Erik Cole, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Tyler Seguin and Alex Goligoski. The Bruins took the lead back with a Brad Marchand goal, his twelfth of the season, via Patrice Bergeron. Boston added on with a Lucic power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Krejci and Torey Krug. The Stars pulled back on a Jamie Benn goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Seguin and Kevin Connauton. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Bergeron, his twelfth of the year, set up by Gregory Campbell and Reilly Smith. Lucic, Krejci, and Bergeron get the three stars, while Seguin gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Phoenix, as the Coyotes bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Mike Smith are in the creases. Phoenix opened in the first period with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. This was the game's only goal, with Smith (29 save shutout), Vermette, and Lack (22 for 23 in saves) being the three stars.

Up to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Semyon Varlamov receive the starting nods. Colorado led off in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Patrick Bordeleau and Brad Malone. New Jersey tied it on a Reid Boucher goal in the third period, his second of the year, courtesy of Andrei Loktionov and Jon Merrill. The Avalanche won 2-1 in the shootout with goals from Matt Duchene and O'Reilly. The three stars were given to O'Reilly, Varlamov (33 for 34 in saves), and Schneider (37 for 38 in saves).

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Reto Berra are the weak goalies. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a Bryan Little goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Michael Frolik and Andrew Ladd. The Jets added on as Dustin Byfuglien scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Olli Jokinen and Chris Thorburn. Winnipeg extended the lead with a second period Mark Scheifele goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Blake Wheeler and Thorburn. The Jets padded the lead on a power play goal by Jokinen, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Ladd and Little. Calgary got on the board in the third period with a Mark Giordano goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Paul Byron and Lee Stempniak. Winnipeg shot back with a Jacob Trouba goal, his fifth of the year, via Wheeler and Scheifele. The Flames replied on a Lance Bouma goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone helper by Dennis Wideman. This only made it 5-2, the final, and the three stars went to Scheifele, Little, and Jokinen, while Ladd, Thorburn, and Wheeler get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 135 2013-2014

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov and Andrei Mezin are in goal. Omsk began in the first period with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, fueled by Ivan Baranka. Avangard added on with a Stefan Ruzicka power play goal, powered by Baranka and Perezhogin. Omsk extended the lead in the third period on a shorthanded goal by Perezhogin, his second of the game, set up by Alexander Popov. Moscow got on the board with an Igor Volkov goal, coming off of Denis Bodrov. Avangard iced it at 4-1 with an unassisted power play goal by Popov. The three stars were Perezhogin, Popov, and Baranka.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Michael Garnett are the reliable goalies. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on a Mikhail Mokin goal, courtesy of Andrei Popov. Ufa tied it on a Nikita Filatov goal, made possible by Denis Tolpeko and Dmitry Makarov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead on a second period Kirill Koltsov goal, fueled by Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa added on with a power play goal by Igor Mirnov, powered by the goalie Vasilevsky and Anton Babchuk. Traktor got one back on an unassisted goal by Alexei Zavarukhin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a power play goal by Andrei Kostitsyn, guided in by Petri Kontiola and Maxim Kondratyev. Traktor took the lead on a Popov goal, passed from Mokin and Anton Glinkin. Chelyabinsk wrapped it up at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Zavarukhin, his second of the game, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Zavarukhin, Popov, and Mokin.

Back east a bit, as Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg brings in Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Yekaterinburg led off in the first period with an Alexei Simakov goal, courtesy of Andrei Antonov. Avtomobilist added on as Anton Lazarev scored a power play goal, thanks to Tobias Viklund. This was all they needed to win 2-0, with Kovar (20 save shutout), Simakov, and Lazarev receiving the three stars.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Alexei Kuznetsov are in the blue paint. Khanty-Mansiysk started in the first period on an Artyom Bulyansky goal, assisted by Veli-Matti Savinainen. Yugra added on in the second period with a Savinainen goal, coming off of Stephen Dixon and Bulyansky. Donetsk got on the board as Randy Robitaille scored, with a lone assist by Peter Podhradsky. Khanty-Mansiysk replied on an Ivan Khlyntsev goal, via Mikhail Plotnikov and Kirill Dyakov. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Savinainen, Kuznetsov (22 for 23 in saves), and Bulyansky.

Way south to Astana, as Barys welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Ari Ahonen demonstrate alliteration in the goalie matchup. Zagreb opened in the second period on a Charles Linglet goal, assisted by Matt Ellison. Astana tied it with a Roman Starchenko goal, courtesy of Kristian Kudroc and Konstantin Rudenko. Medvescak gained the lead in the third period with an Ellison goal, guided in by Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Zagreb iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Brust (28 for 29 in saves), Linglet, and Ellison.

Finally, back up in Russia, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexander Sudnitsin tend the twines. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period on a Maxim Trunyov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kosmachyov and Renat Mamashev. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period on a Francis Pare goal, with a lone assist by Oskar Osala. Metallurg took the lead as Rinat Ibragimov scored, thanks to Jan Kovar and Yaroslav Khabarov. Neftekhimik retied it on a power play goal by Bogdan Yakimov, coming off of Trunyov and Mamashev. Magnitogorsk took the lead back on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Kovar. Metallurg added on with a third period goal by Sergei Tereshchenko, fueled by Evgeny Grigorenko. Magnitogorsk extended the lead on a Kovar goal, made possible by Zaripov. Nizhnekamsk got one back with a Dan Sexton goal, via Maxim Berezin and Pavel Kulikov. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars belonging to Kovar, Trunyov, and Zaripov, while Mamashev gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

NHL Day 107 2013-2014

Three games on a short night. We begin in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and James Reimer are in goal. Toronto led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Phil Kessel, his twenty-second of the season. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Matt Ellis goal, his second of the year, guided in by Tyler Myers and Mark Pysyk. The Sabres took the lead on a Matt Moulson goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs tied it as Nikolai Kulemin scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Peter Holland. Toronto took the lead on a Morgan Rielly goal, his second of the season, coming off of Nazem Kadri and Mason Raymond. Buffalo retied it on a third period power play goal by Cody Hodgson, his tenth of the year, powered by Tyler Ennis and Christian Ehrhoff. The tie lasted to a shootout, where James van Riemsdyk, Joffrey Lupul, and Tyler Bozak overwhelmed Moulson to secure a 4-3 win. The three stars were handed to Moulson, Lupul, and Rielly.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Marc-Andre Fleury draw the starts. Washington was first to score in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Brooks Laich, his fifth of the season, set up by Karl Alzner. Pittsburgh tied it on a second period Kris Letang goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Sidney Crosby and Tanner Glass. The Capitals took the lead back with a Jason Chimera goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Dmitry Orlov. The Penguins retied it on a Taylor Pyatt goal, coming off of Olli Maatta and Jussi Jokinen. Washington pulled ahead with an Alex Ovechkin goal in the third period, his thirty-fourth of the year, via Johansson and Mike Green. Pittsburgh tied it again on a Jokinen goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Brandon Sutter and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins took the lead on a Maatta goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and Niskanen. This held up for a 4-3 win, with Maatta, Jokinen, and Niskanen getting the three stars, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

Finally, way out in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Frederik Andersen are the backups making spot starts. Anaheim struck first in the first period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Jakob Silfverberg and Saku Koivu. The Ducks added on with a Teemu Selanne goal, his sixth of the year, via Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm on the power play. Anaheim extended the lead as Corey Perry scored his twenty-sixth of the season, coming off of Pat Maroon and Lindholm. Lack was replaced by Joacim Eriksson. The Ducks padded the lead on a Nick Bonino goal, his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Vatanen and Perry. Anaheim struck again with another Bonino power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Perry. The Ducks kept going with a Silfverberg goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Francois Beauchemin and Maroon on the power play. Vancouver answered on a Zack Kassian power play goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by David Booth and Alexander Edler. Anaheim replied with a Perry goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Getzlaf. The Ducks got another with a Selanne power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, passed from Matt Beleskey and Ben Lovejoy. Anaheim finished it at 9-1 when Vatanen scored his sixth of the year on the power play, with the help of Mark Fistric and Selanne. The three stars went to Selanne, Perry, and Bonino, while Vatanen, Silfverberg, Getzlaf, Lindholm, and Maroon received the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

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.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, January 13, 2014

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).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.