KHL Day 146 2013-2014

Eight games on the third to last day until the KHL Olympic Break. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Alexei Murygin receive the starting nods. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on a power play goal by Maxim Kondratyev, powered by Andrei Kostitsyn and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Traktor added on as Artyom Borodkin scored a power play goal, thanks to Dmitry Ryabykin and Anton Glinkin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Petri Kontiola. Mika Jarvinen relieved Murygin at this time. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Sergei Smurov goal, assisted by Dmitry Lugin and Alexander Yunkov. Traktor shot back with a Glinkin goal, courtesy of Andrei Popov. Amur answered in the third period when Yunkov scored, with the help of Vladimir Loginov and Lugin on the power play. Khabarovsk pulled closer with a power play goal by Yunkov, his second of the game, coming off of Lugin, who got a sock trick, and Smurov. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Glinkin, Yunkov, and Lugin, while Smurov gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Vladivostok began in the first period with a Felix Schutz goal, with a lone helper from Niclas Bergfors. Admiral added on in the third period when Justin Hodgman converted a penalty shot he received after being held by Yaroslav Khabarov. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a power play goal by Jan Kovar, powered by Danis Zaripov. This produced a 2-1 final, with the three stars being Ivannikov (21 for 22 in saves), Hodgman, and Schutz.

Westward to Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Nikita Bespalov draw the starts. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Jonas Enlund power play goal, powered by Jori Lehtera. Ufa tied it with an Alexei Vasilevsky goal, passed from Anton Slepyshev. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the second period on an Alexei Glukhov goal, courtesy of Arturs Kulda and Yegor Dubrovsky. Ufa added in the third period with an Anton Babchuk power play goal, powered by Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Sibir pulled back on a Yegor Martynov goal, made possible by Enlund and Ivan Lekomtsev. Novosibirsk tied it with a Dmitry Monya goal, with assists provided by Alexander Kutuzov and Josef Hrabal. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mirnov and Monya matched each other twice before Mirnov scored a third goal to seal a Salavat Yulaev 4-3 victory. The three stars were Mirnov, Monya, and Enlund.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Ilya Sorokin are in the creases. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period with an Alexei Kosourov goal, assisted by Vadim Mitryakov. Metallurg added on in the second period as Ansel Galimov scored, thanks to Igor Velichkin. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a Renat Mamashev goal, passed from Maxim Rybin on the power play. Novokuznetsk replied in the third period on a Velichkin goal, guided in by Nikolai Skladnichenko and Denis Kurepanov. Neftekhimik shot back with a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal, via Rybin and Mamashev. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Velichkin, Mamashev, and Rybin.

Way to the west, Spartak Moscow hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Alexei Ivanov are the backups making spot starts. Moscow opened in the first period on an Oleg Kvasha goal, courtesy of Nikolai Lemtyugov. Mytishchi tied it with a power play goal by Sergei Shmelyov, powered by Rafael Batyrshin and Evgeny Artyukhin. Atlant took the lead with an Oleg Yashin goal, coming off of Vitaly Novopashin and Alexei Mikhnov. Spartak tied it in the second period on a Grigory Zheldakov goal, assisted by Alexei Krutov. Moscow gained the lead in the third period with an Igor Volkov goal, made possible by Alexei Grishin and Tom Wandell. Mytishchi retied it on another Yashin goal, his second of the game, guided in by Mikhnov and Konstantin Koltsov. Atlant won 4-3 in the shootout with tallies by Yury Trubachyov and Igor Radulov. The three stars went to Yashin, Mikhnov, and Radulov.

Outside of Russia, Dinamo Minsk welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Dmitry Milchakov are in goal. St. Petersburg dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrick Thoresen goal, with a lone assist by Dinar Khafizullin. Minsk tied it on an Alexander Kitarov goal, fueled by Konstantin Zakharov. Dinamo took the lead with a power play goal by Andrei Stas, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny. SKA retied it in the third period period with an Alexander Barabanov goal, coming off of Ilya Kablukov and Andrei Kuteikin. St. Petersburg took the lead with a power play goal by Roman Cervenka, via Dmitry Kalinin and Thoresen. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Thoresen, Cervenka, and Barabanov.

Moving along to Donetsk, as Donbass hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Jan Laco protect the nets. Donetsk started in the first period with an unassisted goal by Viktor Zakharov. Donbass added on in the second period with a Lukas Kaspar goal, coming off of Ruslan Fedotenko and Randy Robitaille. Donetsk extended the lead on a third period power play goal by Clay Wilson, powered by Peter Podhradsky and Maxim Yakutsenya. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Laco (19 save shutout), Zakharov, and Kaspar.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Mark Dekanich are the solid goalies. Cherepovets got going in the third period on a Sergei Monakhov goal, going in unassisted. Zagreb tied it with a Bill Thomas goal, fueled by Matt Murley and Jonathan Cheechoo. Severstal won 2-1 in the shootout with a lone tally by Linus Videll. The three stars went to Stepanek (29 for 30 in saves), Dekanich (24 for 25 in saves), and Videll.

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NHL Day 118 2013-2014

We only have five games on today, but the first is a big event. From...

The Bronx, we have the New Jersey Devils hosting the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium for the second installment of the Stadium Series. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur tend the twines. New Jersey was first to score in the first period with a Patrik Elias goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Ryane Clowe. New York replied with a Dominic Moore goal, his fourth of the year, via Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle. The Devils retook the lead as Elias scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jaromir Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. New Jersey added on with a Travis Zajac goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Jagr and Mark Fayne. The Rangers got one back as Marc Staal netted his third of the season, thanks to Dominic Moore. New York tied it in the second period as Mats Zuccarello scored his fourteenth of the year, assisted by John Moore and Derick Brassard. The Rangers took the lead on another Zuccarello goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Brassard and Benoit Pouliot. New York extended the lead as Carl Hagelin scored his twelfth of the year, with the help of Ryan Callahan and Stralman. The Rangers padded the lead on a Rick Nash goal, his eighteenth of the season, with assists provided by Derek Stepan and Staal. Cory Schneider relieved Brodeur for the third period. New York struck again in the third period when Stepan scored his tenth of the year on a penalty shot he received after Zajac held him. This made it 7-3, the final, with the three stars going to Zuccarello, Elias, and Stepan, while Staal, Jagr, Dominic Moore, Stralman, and Brassard all get the honorable mentions.

West to Detroit, as the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jonas Gustavsson are the average goalies. Florida led off in the first period with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Dmitry Kulikov and Mike Weaver. Detroit tied it in the second period on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his ninth of the year, via Johan Franzen. The Red Wings took the lead with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Brendan Smith and Brian Lashoff. Detroit added on with a Riley Sheahan power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Tomas Tatar and Patrick Eaves. The Panthers answered with a third period goal by Jesse Winchester, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Tom Gilbert and Marcel Goc. The Red Wings responded with a Tatar goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Sheahan and Tomas Jurco. Florida pulled closer with a Drew Shore goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Tomas Fleischmann and Gilbert. The Panthers evened it on a Brad Boyes shorthanded goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Brian Campbell. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Niklas Bjugstad had the only tally for a 5-4 Florida win. Tatar, Sheahan, and Gilbert received the three stars.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. Chicago began in the first period on a Brandon Bollig goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Ben Smith and Marcus Kruger. Winnipeg tied it on a third period goal by Blake Wheeler, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Evander Kane and Mark Stuart. The Jets took the lead on an Andrew Ladd goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 as Wheeler scored his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, an empty net goal set up by Tobias Enstrom. Montoya (34 for 35 in saves), Wheeler, and Ladd got the three stars.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Ben Scrivens will be in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Justin Schultz goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Jesse Joensuu and Ryan Smyth. Nashville tied it on a David Legwand goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Nick Spaling and Craig Smith. The Oilers replied on a Jordan Eberle goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton added on with a second period Smyth goal, his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Corey Potter and Hall. The Oilers extended the lead with a Nail Yakupov, his tenth of the season, via Sam Gagner. Edmonton wrapped it up at 5-1 in the third period on a power play goal by Nugent-Hopkins, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Eberle and Schultz. The three stars were given to Nugent-Hopkins, Schultz, and Eberle, while Smyth and Hall get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Vancouver started in the first period on a Kevin Bieksa goal, his third of the season, assisted by Chris Higgins and Zac Dalpe. The Canucks added on with a Jannik Hansen goal, his ninth of the year, via Ryan Kesler. Phoenix got on the board with an Antoine Vermette goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, coming off of David Moss and Derek Morris. The Coyotes tied it on another Vermette goal in the second period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Vancouver retook the lead with a Higgins goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks extended the lead on a Dalpe goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Jason Garrison and Zack Kassian. Phoenix chipped back with a Vermette power play goal, completing his hat trick on his eighteenth of the season, powered by Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes tied it again in the third period with a Doan goal, his fifteenth of the year, pushed through by Mike Ribeiro and Moss. Vancouver won 5-4 in overtime on Bieksa's second of the game and fourth of the campaign, with the help of Brad Richardson and Higgins. The three stars went to Vermette, Bieksa, and Higgins, while Dalpe, Doan, and Moss get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Day 145 2013-2014

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Henrik Karlsson receive the starting nods. Astana led off in the first period on a Brandon Bochenski goal, courtesy of Nigel Dawes. Omsk tied it in the second period on a Sergei Shirokov goal, assisted by Denis Kazionov. Barys retook the lead on an unassisted goal by Bochenski, his second of the game. Avangard retied it with a Denis Kulyash goal, coming off of Sergei Kalinin. Omsk took the lead with a power play goal by Alexander Perezhogin, powered by Kulyash and Sergei Kostitsyn. Astana pulled even in the third period on a Konstantin Rudenko goal, via Roman Starchenko. Barys gained the lead again on a Dawes goal, with a lone assist by Dustin Boyd. Avangard got the equalizer with a goal by Kalinin, going in unassisted. Astana won 5-4 in overtime as Rudenko scored his second of the night, with the help of Kristian Kudroc. The three stars went to Rudenko, Bochenski, and Dawes, while Kalinin and Kulyash get the honorable mentions.

Up in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period on an Alexei Simakov goal, coming off of Sergei Demagin and Dmitry Megalinsky. Avtomobilist added on in the second period with a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Tobias Viklund and Artyom Chernov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period on an unassisted goal by Radek Smolenak. Yugra tied it with a shorthanded goal by Ilari Mellart, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where goals by Smolenak and Nikita Gusev sealed the 3-2 comeback win for Yugra. The three stars were Smolenak, Melart, and Kovar (38 for 40 in saves).

West to Moscow, as Dynamo brings in Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Alexander Lazushin are in the blue paint. Prague began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Justin Azevedo. Moscow tied it in the second period on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, assisted by Maxim Pestushko and Konstantin Gorovikov. Dynamo took the lead in the third period with a Leo Komarov power play goal, powered by Pestushko and Gorovikov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Lazushin (31 for 32 in saves), Pestushko, and Gorovikov.

Down to Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Johan Backlund are between the pipes. Bratislava got going in the second period with a Martin Bakos goal, fueled by Andrej Stastny and Jan Brejcak. Podolsk tied it in the third period with an Ivan Ivanov goal, coming off of Yury Koksharov and Anton Korolyov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Slovan used goals by Milan Bartovic, Miroslav Satan, and Martin Stajnoch to overwhelm Vityaz's lone tally by Korolyov for a 2-1 Slovan win. The three stars went to Janus (25 for 26 in saves), Backlund (19 for 20 in saves), and Korolyov.

Back east a touch to Kazan, as Ak Bars welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek is mismatched with Konstantin Barulin in goal. Kazan dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, via Ilya Nikulin and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on with a Nikulin goal, assisted by Shaun Heshka and Artyom Lukoyanov. Riga got on the board in the third period with a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, coming off of Georgijs Pujacs. Dinamo tied it with a Miks Indrasis goal, coming off of Paul Szczechura and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Riga won 3-2 with tallies from Szczechura and Nizivijs. The three stars were Nizivijs, Szczechura, and Nikulin.

Up in Nizhny Novgorod, we end with Torpedo bringing in CSKA Moscow. Jeff Glass and Ivan Kasutin are the veteran goalies. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period with a power play goal by Pavel Valentenko, powered by Sakari Salminen. Moscow tied it in the second period on an Igor Grigorenko goal, fueled by Igor Fefelov and Sergei Gimayev. Torpedo retook the lead with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, passed from Vladimir Denisov and Sergei Sentyurin. Nizhny Novgorod added on in the third period with a power play goal by Juuso Hietanen, guided in by Salminen. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kasutin (27 for 28 in saves), Kulyomin, and Salminen.

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NHL Day 117 2013-2014

Ten games today, with three matinees. The first game is yesterday's postponed affair in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators to finish fixing their schedule. Robin Lehner and Anton Khudobin are the young goalies. Carolina led off in the first period on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Manny Malhotra and Mike Komisarek. The Hurricanes added on in the second period on an Eric Staal goal, his twelfth of the year, via Alexander Semin and Ron Hainsey. Carolina extended the lead with Malhotra's fifth of the campaign, courtesy of Gerbe and Drayson Bowman. The Hurricanes padded the lead on a Riley Nash goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Andrej Sekera and Radek Dvorak. Ottawa got on the board with a Kyle Turris goal, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by Clarke MacArthur and Eric Gryba. The Senators pulled closer with another Turris goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, a shorthanded goal set up by MacArthur and Gryba. Carolina shot back on a Tuomo Ruutu power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Sekera and Semin. Ottawa chipped back on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Bobby Ryan and Cory Conacher. The Hurricanes finished it at 6-3 with a third period Malhotra empty net goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, pushed through by Gerbe and Bowman. The three stars went to Malhotra, Gerbe, and Turris, while Semin, Sekera, Bowman, MacArthur, and Gryba all got honorable mentions.

North to Philadelphia, as the Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Steve Mason draw the starts. Boston opened in the first period on a Zdeno Chara power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Jarome Iginla and David Krejci. The Bruins added on with an Iginla goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Milan Lucic and Torey Krug. Boston extended the lead in the second period with an unassisted goal by Reilly Smith, his sixteenth of the season. The Bruins padded the lead on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Brad Marchand. Mason was pulled for Ray Emery at this time. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Jakub Voracek and Kimmo Timonen. Boston answered with a power play goal by Iginla, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, made possible by Krug and Krejci. The Bruins finished it at 6-1 with a Chara power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, with helpers provided by Iginla and Krejci, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Iginla, Chara, and Krejci, and Krug got the honorable mention.

Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Kevin Poulin are in the creases. New York struck first in the first period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Kyle Okposo and John Tavares. The Islanders added on with an Okposo goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Vanek and Thomas Hickey. St. Louis got on the board when Vladimir Tarasenko scored his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Maxim Lapierre. The Blues tied it in the second period with another Tarasenko goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, coming off of Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. New York retook the lead with a Matt Martin goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Colin McDonald and Casey Cizikas. St. Louis tied it again in the third period on a T.J. Oshie goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Alex Pietrangelo and Steen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Steen and Shattenkirk overwhelmed Vanek to give the Blues a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tarasenko, Shattenkirk, and Steen, while Vanek and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

At the normal times, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Carey Price are the well-known goalies. Washington got going in the second period on a goal by Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, powered by Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. The Capitals added on with a John Erskine goal, coming off of Martin Erat and Troy Brouwer. Washington extended the lead on a Jay Beagle goal, via Tom Wilson and Mike Green. The Capitals padded the lead on a John Carlson goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Brooks Laich and Erat. Peter Budaj relieved Price at this time. Washington struck again in the third period on a Casey Wellman goal, guided in by Ovechkin and Connor Carrick. This was good for a 5-0 win, with the three stars going to Ovechkin, Holtby (21 save shutout), and Erat.

West to Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ondrej Pavelec are the oft-criticized goalies. Winnipeg started in the first period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on as Wheeler scored his nineteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jacob Trouba and the goalie Pavelec. Toronto got on the board with a Dion Phaneuf power play goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Phil Kessel. Winnipeg shot back with a power play goal by Bryan Little, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets extended the lead on a Zach Bogosian goal, his second of the season, coming off of Little and Andrew Ladd. Jonathan Bernier relieved Reimer at this time. The Maple Leafs got one back on a Troy Bodie goal, his second of the year, made possible by Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly. Toronto pulled closer with a Tim Gleason goal, fueled by Carter Ashton and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Kessel scored his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to James van Riemsdyk. Winnipeg won on a Byfuglien goal in overtime, his twelfth of the year, with helpers from Ladd and Michael Frolik. The three stars of the 5-4 game went to Byfuglien, Little, and Wheeler, while Kessel and Ladd get the honorable mentions.

Down in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Sergei Bovrovsky protect the nets. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Matt Ellis goal, his third of the season, assisted by Henrik Tallinder and Ville Leino. Columbus tied it on a Derek MacKenzie goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Murray and Mark Letestu. The Sabres took the lead back with a shorthanded and unassisted Christian Ehrhoff goal, his third of the season. Buffalo added on in the second period as Marcus Foligno scored his sixth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Jamie McBain and Ehrhoff. Curtis McElhinney relieved Bobrovsky at this time. The Sabres extended the lead in the third period on a Steve Ott goal, his seventh of the season, via Cody Hodgson and Ehrhoff. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Letestu goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of MacKenzie and Corey Tropp. Buffalo wrapped it up at 5-2 with a Hodgson empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Ehrhoff, Hodgson, and MacKenzie, while Letestu gets an honorable mention.

Further to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Sami Aittokallio is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Tyler Johnson goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat. The Lightning added on with a Mark Barberio goal, his third of the year, coming off of Valtteri Filppula and Alex Killorn. Tampa Bay extended the lead on a Filppula goal, his nineteenth of the season, via J.T. Brown and Nikita Kucherov. Semyon Varlamov replaced Aittokallio at this time. Colorado got on the board with a goal by John Mitchell, his fifth of the year, assisted by Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche pulled closer with a Barrie goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Nathan MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Lightning responded in the third period with another Johnson goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Martin St. Louis and Hedman. Tampa Bay padded the lead when Johnson completed his hat trick on his sixteenth of the campaign, made possible by Hedman, who got a sock trick, and Sami Salo. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Johnson, Hedman, and Filppula, while Barrie gets an honorable mention.

Across to Dallas, as the Stars host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas began in the second period on a Sergei Gonchar power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Ray Whitney and the goalie Lehtonen. The Stars added on in the second period with a power play goal by Jamie Benn, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Alex Goligoski and Tyler Seguin. Dallas extended the lead on a Rich Peverley goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Shawn Horcoff. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-0, and the three stars going to Lehtonen (24 save shutout with an assist), Gonchar, and Benn.

Westward to Dodger Stadium for the first of the Stadium Series games, where the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Anaheim Ducks at the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks added on with a Matt Beleskey goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Nick Bonino and Teemu Selanne. Anaheim extended the lead in the third period with an empty net goal by Andrew Cogliano, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Kyle Palmieri. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Hiller (36 save shutout), Perry, and Beleskey.

Up in San Jose, we finish the day with the Sharks hosting the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Antti Niemi are the solid goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period on an unassisted Matt Cooke goal, his eighth of the season. The Wild added on in the second period with a Keith Ballard goal, fueled by Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Thornton goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Joe Pavelski and Matt Irwin. The Sharks tied it on a Patrick Marleau goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Tommy Wingels and Irwin. San Jose won 3-2 in overtime with a Thornton goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Pavelski. The three stars went to Thornton, Pavelski, and Irwin.

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KHL Day 144 2013-2014

Eight games beginning yesterday for those on the American West Coast, with the first from...

Khabarovsk, where Amur hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Alexei Murygin are the masked men. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with a Dmitry Tarasov goal, fueled by Andrei Stepanov. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period on a Maxim Berezin goal, coming off of Andrei Mnikhovich and Dan Sexton. Amur retook the lead with a power play goal by Dmitry Lugin, powered by Evgeny Korotkov and Alexander Yunkov. Neftekhimik retied it on a Pavel Zdunov goal, passed from Maxim Trunyov and Vitaly Shulakov. Khabarovsk regained the lead in the third period with a Yunkov goal, assisted by Korotkov and Lugin. Amur added on with another Yunkov goal, his second of the game, made possible by Lugin and Sergei Teryayev. Nizhnekamsk shot back as Pyotr Khokhryakov scored, thanks to Pavel Kulikov. Neftekhimik tied it on a Petr Koukal goal, helped along by Berezin and Mnikhovich. Amur won 5-4 in the shootout on a lone tally by Yunkov. The three stars were Yunkov, Lugin, and Korotkov, while Berezin and Mnikhovich get the honorable mentions.

South to Vladivostok, as Admiral welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky andev geny Ivannikov are in the creases. Vladivostok got going in the second period on a Niclas Bergfors goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Zubov. Admiral added on as Richard Gynge scored, thanks to Zubov. Vladivostok extended the lead on a Michael Commodore goal, coming off of Igor Bortnikov. Ufa got on the board in the third period with an unassisted goal by Igor Mirnov. Salavat Yulaev pulled closer with a Tomas Zaborsky goal, passed from Alexei Kaigorodov. This was not good enough to avoid a 3-2 loss, with the three stars being Zubov, Commodore, and Gynge.

Out west a bit, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Dmitry Monya goal, fueled by Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period on a Francis Pare goal, via Oskar Osala. Sibir took the lead back in the third period on an Oleg Gubin goal, coming off of Stepan Sannikov and Sergei Shumakov. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Koskinen (22 for 23 in saves), Gubin, and Monya.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg bring in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Ilya Sorokin are given the starting nods. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period with a Petri Kontiola goal, coming off of Semyon Kokuyov. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with a Semyon Valuisky goal, via Evgeny Lapenkov. Metallurg took the lead on a Kurtis McLean goal, with a lone assist by Lapenkov. Traktor retied it in the third period as Alexei Zavaruhkin scored, thanks to Igor Valeyev and Stanislav Chistov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where goals by Kontiola and Evgeny Kuznetsov gave Traktor a 3-2 win. Kontiola, Lapenkov, and Kuznetsov get the three stars.

Westward to Moscow, Spartak hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak faces a lesser foe in Igor Shestyorkin in goal. St. Petersburg began in the first period on an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Dinar Khafizullin and Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on in the second period as Vadim Shipachyov scored, with a lone assist by Artemy Panarin. Moscow got on the board with an Igor Volkov goal, coming off of Nikolai Lemtyugov. St. Petersburg replied in the third period with an Igor Makarov goal, passed from Alexei Ponikarovsky. SKA extended the lead on a Roman Cervenka goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg padded the lead as Makarov scored again, his second of the game, assisted by Ponikarovsky and Dmitry Yudin. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Makarov, Salak (23 for 24 in saves), and Ponikarovsky.

Outside of Russia, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Dmitry Milchakov have the green light to start. Mytishchi opened in the first period with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, assisted by Evgeny Artyukhin and Alexander Kadeikin. Atlant added on with an Igot Levitsky goal, passed from Maxim Velikov and Juha-Pekka Haataja. Mytishchi extended the lead on an unassisted goal by Janne Niskala. Milchakov was pulled for Kevin Lalande at this time. Minsk got on the board with a goal by Vitaly Kiryushchenkov, going in unassisted. Atlant answered on another Shemylov goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist from Artyukhin. Mytishchi padded the lead on an Oleg Yashin goal, coming off of Alexei Mikhnov. Atlant got another in the third period on a Mikhnov goal, courtesy of Igor Radulov. Mytishchi wrapped it up at 7-1 with a Kadeikin goal, fueled by Artyukhin, who got a sock trick. The three stars were given to Shmelyov, Artyukhin, and Kadeikin, while Mikhnov gets an honorable mention.

Moving along to Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Michael Leighton are the veteran goalies. Cherepovets dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Pavel Buchnevich. Severstal added on with a third period goal by Niclas Andersen, courtesy of Buchnevich. Donetsk got on the board with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, guided in by Evgeny Belukhin and Evgeny Dadonov. Cherepovets shot back with an unassisted empty net goal by Gennady Stolyarov. Donbass got one back late on a power play goal by Nedorost, powered by Petteri Wirtanen. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars were given to Stolyarov, Nedorost, and Buchnevich.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Mark Dekanich are the North American goalies. Zagreb started in the second period with a Mike Glumac goal, set up by Michael Ryan. This was it for the scoring, so Medvescak won 1-0. The three stars went to Dekanich (42 save shutout), Glumac, and Sanford (28 for 29 in saves).

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NHL Day 116 2013-2014

Another day reduced due to weather, as last Tuesday's postponement means tonight's Hurricanes game has been moved to tomorrow morning, and we only have five games tonight. We begin in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Cory Schneider draw the starts. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Stephen Gionta goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jaromir Jagr. The Devils added on in the second period as Adam Henrique scored his fourteenth of the year on the power play, powered by Jagr and Travis Zajac. Washington got on the board in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his tenth of the season, via John Erskine and Tom Wilson. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Schneider (30 for 31 in saves), Henrique, and Gionta.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonas Gustavsson are in the creases. Detroit was first to score in the first period with a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on in the second period as Riley Sheahan scored his second of the year, an unassisted goal. Montreal got on the board with a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of David Desharnais and P.K. Subban. Detroit shot back with a Kronwall goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Gustav Nyquist and Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings wrapped it up at 4-1 on a Nyquist goal, his eighth of the campaign, with assists provided by Zetterberg and Justin Abdekader. The three stars went to Zetterberg, Kronwall, and Nyquist.

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Tim Thomas are between the pipes. Colorado began in the first period on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Matt Duchene. The Avalanche added on with a Paul Stastny, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Alex Tanguay. Colorado extended the lead in the second period on a Jamie McGinn goal, his eleventh of the season, via O'Reilly and Duchene. Florida got on the board with a third period goal by Scottie Upshall, his eighth of the year, made possible by Tomas Fleischmann and Tom Gilbert. The Panthers pulled closer on another Upshall goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, fueled by Sean Bergenheim and Gilbert. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being O'Reilly, Upshall, and Duchene, while Gilbert gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Calgary, as the Flames bring in the Nashville Predators. Devan Dubnyk and Karri Ramo received the starting nods. Nashville struck first in the first period on an Eric Nystrom goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Gabriel Bourque and Matt Cullen. Calgary tied it as Mark Giordano scored a power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Kris Russell and Mikael Backlund. The Predators retook the lead in the second period with another Nystrom goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, via Roman Josi and Shea Weber. Nashville added on when Nystrom completed his hat trick with his tenth of the year, courtesy of Paul Gaustad and Victor Bartley. Reto Berra relieved Ramo at this time. The Flames got one back in the third period on a David Jones goal, his seventh of the season, a power play goal fueled by Matt Stajan. The Predators answered as Nystrom scored his fourth of the game and eleventh of the year, with the help of Cullen and Josi. Calgary pulled back with a Backlund goal, his ninth of the season, coming on the power play from Russell and Lee Stempniak. The Flames tied it on another Jones goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, with a lone assist from T.J. Brodie. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jiri Hudler was matched by Josi, and then Sean Monahan scored to complete the Flames comeback in a 5-4 win. The three stars were Nystrom, Jons, and Backlund, while Josi, Cullen, and Russell get the honorable mentions.

Finally, up in Edmonton, the Oilers host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith faces a former Coyote, Ilya Bryzgalov, in goal. Phoenix started in the first period with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Antoine Vermette and Lauri Korpikoski. The Coyotes added on with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Martin Hanzal and Mike Ribeiro. Phoenix extended the lead on a Derek Morris goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Jeff Halpern and Rob Klinkhammer. The Coyotes padded the lead in the second period on a Ribeiro goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of David Moss and the goalie Smith. Edmonton got on the board with a Matt Hendricks goal, his third of the season, via Ryan Jones and Boyd Gordon. The Oilers pulled closer on a David Perron goal in the third period, his nineteenth of the year, with helpers from Corey Potter and Martin Marincin. Edmonton got closer on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with Ribeiro,  Morris, and Nugent-Hopkins getting the three stars.

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KHL Day 143 2013-2014

Five games on today, beginning in...

Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra hosts Avangard Omsk. Henrik Karlsson and Alexei Kuznetsov are set to start. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the first period when Nikita Gusev converted a penalty shot he received after being held by Nikita Pivtsakin. Yugra added on with a Mikhail Zhukov goal, with a lone assist by Artyom Bulyansky. Omsk got on the board in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Kostitsyn. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 2-1 final. The three stars were Kuznetsov (43 for 44 in saves), Zhukov, and Gusev.

Down to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on an Alexei Simakov penalty shot conversion he received after a slash from Alexei Litvinenko. Astana tied it with a shorthanded and unassisted Brandon Bochenski goal. Avtomobilist retook the lead in the second period on another Simakov goal, with a lone assist from Dmitry Megalinsky. Yekaterinburg added on with a power play goal by Anton Lazarev, powered by Sami Lepisto. Avtomobilist extended the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Sergei Demagin, guided in by Megalinsky and Evgeny Fyodorov. Barys answered on a Mike Lundin power play goal, made possible by Roman Starchenko. Yekaterinburg shot back as Eduard Lewandowski scored, thanks to Alexei Yefimov and Sergei Gusev. Avtomobilist wrapped it up at 6-2 with an empty net goal by Lewandowski, set up by Igor Yemeleyev. The three stars were given to Simakov, Lewandowski, and Megalinsky.

West a bit to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Ivan Kasutin will be in the blue paint. Bratislava opened in the first period with a Michel Miklik goal, passed from Peter Olvecky. Slovan added on in the second period as Milan Bartovic scored, thanks to Jan Brejcak. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Wojtek Wolski power play goal, powered by Pavel Valentenko and Sakari Salminen. Torpedo tied it as Evgeny Skachkov scored, via Valentenko and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev on the power play. Bratislava retook the lead with a Libor Hudacek power play goal, guided in by Miroslav Satan and Branko Radivojevic. This was it for the scoring, with Slovan winning 3-2. The three stars were handed to Hudacek, Bartovic, and Miklik.

Into Moscow, where Dynamo brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Alexander Sharychenkov are the masked men. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Dominik Granak power play goal, powered by Konstantin Gorovikov. Riga tied it in the second period as Kristaps Sotnieks scored a power play goal, coming off of Kyle Wilson and Lauris Darzins. Dinamo took the lead with a Rustams Begovs goal, assisted by Paul Szczechura and Miks Indrasis. Riga added on in the third period with a Martins Cipulis goal, with a lone assist by Darzins. Dynamo shot back with a Maxim Solovyov power play goal, guided in by Maxim Pestushko. Dinamo iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted goal by Szczechura. The three stars went to Szczechura, Darzins, and Cipulis.

Finally, in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Emil Garipov are sent out to start. Kazan led off in the first period with a Janne Pesonen goal, via Tim Stapleton. Prague tied it on a second period goal by Niko Kapanen, a power play goal powered by Martin Sevc and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars retook the lead in the third period as Stapleton scored a power play goal, courtesy of Shaun Heshka and Evgeny Medvedev. Lev tied it with three seconds left in regulation on a power play goal by Ondrej Nemec, made possible by Azevedo and Kapanen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Kapanen matched Pesonen before Martin Thornberg scored two to top one by Jakub Petruzalek, giving Lev a 3-2 win. The three stars were given to Kapanen, Thornberg, and Azevedo, while Stapleton and Pesonen get the honorable mentions.

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