Saturday, January 18, 2014

KHL Day 137 2013-2014

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, where Avangard hosts Dinamo Minsk. Yan Shelepnyov and Henrik Karlsson are the KHL rookies in goal. Omsk led off in the first period with a Maxim Goncharov goal, fueled by Sergei Shirokkov. Avangard added on with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Nikita Pivtsakin and Dmitry Semin. A minute later, Shelepnyov was pulled for Kevin Lalande. Omsk extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Denis Kazionov. Avangard padded the lead with a Miroslav Blatak goal, assisted by Alexander Popov and Stefan Ruzicka. Minsk got on the board with Alexander Materukhin goal, going in unassisted. Omsk shot back in the second period with a Ruzicka goal, via Alexander Perezhogin. Dinamo got one back on an Evgeny Nogachyov shorthanded and unassisted goal. Avangard replied as Kirill Rasskazov scored, thanks to Ivan Baranka. Omsk got another when Kazionov scored his second of the game, another unassisted goal. This held up for a 7-2 win, with the three stars going to Kazionov, Ruzicka, and Karlsson (19 for 21 in saves).

Moving along to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexei Volkov man the creases. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Denis Platonov goal, coming off of Evgeny Timkin. Metallurg added on as Platonov scored his second of the game, made possible by Timkin and Tim Brent. Ufa got on the board in the second period with an Igor Mirnov goal, via Alexei Kaigorodov and Anton Slepyshev. Magnitogorsk replied on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, passed from Mikhail Yunkov and Bogdan Potekhin. Salavat Yulaev answered as Mirnov scored his second of the game, thanks to Andrei Zubarev and Antti Pihlstrom. Metallurg shot back on a power play goal by Sergei Tereshchenko, powered by Yaroslav Khabarov. Andrei Vasilevsky relieved Volkov in the third period. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Mozyakin scored his second of the game, an unassisted goal. This was good for a 5-2 win, with Mozyakin, Platonov, and Mirnov getting the three stars, while Timkin gets an honorable mention.

West to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Michael Garnett guard the cages. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period with an Anton Glinkin goal, fueled by Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexei Bondarev. Nizhnekamsk tied it as Petr Koukal scored on the penalty shot he received after Bondarev tripped him. Neftekhimik took the lead on an unassisted goal by Koukal, his second of the game. Nizhnekamsk added on with a Maxim Rybin goal, with a lone assist by Maxim Trunyov. Traktor pulled back in the third period with a Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Petri Kontiola. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Semyon Kokuyov goal, passed from Stanislav Chistov. Neftekhimik took the lead back as Rybin scored his second of the night, via Maxim Berezin and Igor Polygalov. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Rybin finished his hat trick with an unassisted goal. This made it 5-3, the final, with Rybin, Koukal, and Kostitsyn earning the three stars.

Over in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Alexei Kuznetsov draw the starts. Khanty-Mansiysk started in the first period on an Alexei Kruchinin power play goal, powered by Nikita Gusev and Igor Magogin. Zagreb tied it with a Michael Ryan goal, assisted by Kyle Klubertanz and the goalie Brust. Medvescak took the lead as Bill Thomas scored, with a lone assist by Matt Murley. Zagreb added on in the second period with a Mike Glumac goal, coming off of Erik Nystrom. Medvescak wrapped it up at 4-1 in the third period on a Ryan Vesce goal, passed from Matt Ellison and Mark Popovic. The three stars were given to Brust (42 for 43 in saves), Thomas, and Glumac.

Down in Astana, Barys welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Ari Ahonen are between the pipes. Astana got going in the second period with a Cam Barker power play goal, assisted by Brandon Bochenski and Zach Hamill. Donetsk tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Oleg Piganovich. Donbass took the lead with a Ruslan Fedotenko, with a lone assist by Petteri Wirtanen. Donetsk added on with an unassisted goal by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass extended the lead on a Randy Robitaille goal, fueled by Tuomas Kiiskinen and Kaspar. Barys got one back with a power play goal by Nigel Dawes, guided in by Kristian Kudroc and Mike Lundin. Vitaly Yeremeyev relieved Ahonen in goal. Donetsk responded with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, with a lone helper from Maxim Yakutsenya. Donbass finished it at 6-2 on an empty net goal by Dadonov, his second of the night, set up by Peter Podhradsky and Teemu Laine. Dadonov, Kaspar, and Laco (29 for 31 in saves) got the three stars.

Finally, back north in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Yekaterinburg dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Fyodor Malykhin goal, assisted by Anton Lazarev and Sami Lepisto. Avtomobilist added on as Malykhin scored his second of the game, a power play goal powered by Lazarev and Tobias Viklund. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Malykhin, Kovar (21 save shutout), and Lazarev.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Friday, January 17, 2014

NHL Day 109 2013-2014

Only two games tonight, beginning in...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Washington Capitals. Phillip Grubauer and Sergei Bobrovsky are the young goalies. Columbus started in the first period with a James Wisniewski power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Jack Johnson and Ryan Johansen. The Blue Jackets added on with a Cam Atkinson goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Matt Calvert and Brandon Dubinsky. Columbus extended the lead in the second period with an Johansen goal, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of R.J. Umberger. Grubauer was pulled in favor of Braden Holtby at this time. Washington got on the board with a John Carlson goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Martin Erat and Troy Brouwer. The Blue Jackets replied in the third period as Mark Letestu scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Nathan Horton and Johnson. Columbus wrapped it up at 5-1 as Atkinson scored his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Murray and Nikita Nikitin. The three stars went to Atkinson, Johansen, and Bobrovsky (26 for 27 in saves).

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Corey Crawford are the veteran goalies. Chicago opened in the first period on a Marian Hossa shorthanded goal, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on with a Kris Versteeg goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. Chicago extended the lead in the third period on a Bryan Bickell goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Brent Seabrook. Anaheim got on the board with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, via Corey Perry and Cam Fowler. The Ducks pulled closer on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his ninth of the season, with the help of Cam Fowler. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-2 with a Hossa empty net goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, passed from Marcus Kruger and Hjalmarsson. The three stars were handed to Hossa, Bickell, and Hjalmarsson.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 136 2013-2014

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Moscow, as CSKA hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Mikhail Biryukov are in goal. Novokuznetsk was first to score in the first period on a Semyon Valuisky goal, passed from Evgeny Lapenkov and Kurtis McLean. Moscow tied it with a Deron Quint power play goal, powered by Ilari Filppula and Yakov Rylov. CSKA took the lead as Rylov scored, thanks to Jan Mursak and Quint. Moscow added on in the second period with an Alexander Radulov goal, via Nikolai Prokhorkin and Stanislav Yegorshev. CSKA wrapped it up at 4-1 in the third period on a Prokhorkin goal, made possible by Radulov and Igor Grigorenko. The three stars went to Quint, Rylov, and Radulov, while Prokhorkin gets an honorable mention.

East to Cherepovets, as Severstal welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period on a Sakari Salminen goal, assisted by Wojtek Wolski and Juuso Hietanen. Torpedo added on with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, fueled by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev and Vladimir Galuzin. Cherepovets got on the board with a power play goal by Bogdan Kiselevich, powered by Nikolai Zherdev and Vadim Berdnikov. Severstal tied it on a Linus Videll goal, coming off of Pavel Chernov and Stanislav Kalashnikov. Cherepovets took the lead with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Nikolai Stasenko and Kiselevich. Severstal added on as Kiselevich scored his second of the game, thanks to Anatoly Nikontsev and Kalashnikov. Nizhny Novgorod pulled back in the third period with a Galuzin goal, courtesy of Krasnoslobodtsev and Skachkov. Torpedo tied it on a Jarkko Immonen goal, made possible by Galuzin and Krasnoslobodtsev, the latter getting a sock trick. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead with a Galuzin goal, his second of the game, with a lone helper from Krasnoslobodtsev. This held up for a 5-4 win, with the three stars being Galuzin, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Kiselevich, while Videll, Skachkov, and Kalashnikov get the honorable mentions.

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin faces a lesser foe in Vitaly Kolesnik in goal. Yaroslavl began in the first period with a Yegor Averin goal, fueled by Sergei Plotnikov and Ilya Lyubushkin. Lokomotiv added on with a Yegor Yakovlev goal, with a lone assist by Emil Galimov. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the second period with a goal by Igor Musatov, passed from Staffan Kronwall and Rafael Akhmetov. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Jonas Holos, powered by Geoff Platt and Janis Sprukts. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Kolesnik (29 save shutout), Averin, and Yakovlev.

Westward to St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Johan Backlund and Ilya Ezhov are in the creases. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on a Dmitry Kalinin power play goal, powered by Roman Cervenka and Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on in the third period as Kevin Dallman scored a power play goal, thanks to Artemy Panarin and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg extended the lead on another Dallman power play goal, guided in by Panarin and Thoresen again. SKA padded the lead on a Cervenka goal, made possible by Igor Makarov. Podolsk got on the board with a Robert Kousal goal, assisted by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexander Vasilyev. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Dallman, Ezhov (29 for 30 in saves), and Cervenka, while Panarin and Thoresen get the honorable mentions.

Back to the Moscow Oblast, as Atlant Mytishchi welcomes the team from the city, Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Sergei Borisov are the little known goalies. Moscow struck first in the first period with an unassisted goal by Maxim Pestushko. Mytishchi tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Rafael Batyrshin, powered by Yury Trubachyov and Maxim Mayorov. Dynamo took the lead back in the third period with a Yegor Dugin goal, passed from Konstantin Volkov and Maxim Karpov. Moscow added on with another Pestushko goal, courtesy of Konstantin Gorovikov. This made it 3-1, the final, with Pestushko, Sharychenkov (34 for 35 in saves), and Dugin.

Out in Riga, Dinamo brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Nikita Bespalov and Jakub Sedlacek are given the starting nods. Riga led off in the first period with a Marcel Hascak goal, fueled by Gunars Skvorcovs and Paul Szczechura. Novosibirsk tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Monya, powered by Jori Lehtera and Yegor Martynov. Dinamo retook the lead in the second period with a power play goal from Mat Robinson, with a lone assist from Hascak. Sibir tied it again with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, via Martynov. Novosibirsk took the lead in the third period on an Oleg Gubin goal, coming off of Stepan Sannikov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being given to Martynov, Hascak, and Gubin.

West again to Prague, with Lev hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Atte Engren are the backups making spot starts. Prague dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Petr Taticek goal, assisted by Justin Azevedo and Mikko Maenpaa. Lev added on in the third period with a Jiri Novotny goal, with a lone helper provided by David Ullstrom. Prague extended the lead on a Petr Vrana goal, via Martin Thornberg and Patrik Zackrisson on the power play. This made it a 3-0 victory, with the three stars being Engren (17 save shutout), Taticek, and Novotny.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Jaroslav Janus are the masked men. Vladivostok started in the first period with a Richard Gynge goal, fueled by Logan Pyett and Felix Schutz. Bratislava tied it in the second period on a Mario Bliznak goal, coming off of Milan Bartovic and Tomas Mojzis. Admiral took the lead back as Gynge scored his second of the game, a power play goal powered by Denis Osipov and Niclas Bergfors. Vladivostok added on in the third period on an Igor Bortnikov goal, made possible by Viktor Drugov. Admiral extended the lead on an Alexei Ugarov goal, passed from Justin Hodgman and Ilya Zubov. Vladivostok padded the lead on a Bergfors goal, via Schutz and Gynge. Admiral iced it at 6-1 with a power play goal by Bortnikov, assisted by Osipov and Sergei Barbashev. The three stars were Gynge, Bortnikov, and Bergfors, while Schutz and Osipov get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

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.