SUPER BOWL XLVIII from East Rutherford, New Jersey

This is it for football. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks do battle in the home of the Giants and Jets for the ultimate prize, the Lombardi Trophy. Seattle began in the first quarter with a safety as the Denver snapped the ball through the back of the end zone. The Seahawks added on with a Steven Hauschka 31 yard field goal. Seattle extended the lead on a 33 yard field goal by Hauschka. The Seahawks padded the lead in the second quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, and Hauschka booted the extra point. Seattle struck again when Malcolm Smith intercepted Peyton Manning and returned the ball 69 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka iced the play with the extra point. The Seahawks got some more in the third quarter as Percy Harvin returned the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka handled the PAT. Seattle kept going as Russell Wilson threw a 23 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse, and Hauschka supplied the extra point. Denver got on the board with a Peyton Manning touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas for 14 yards, and Manning was able to find Wes Welker for the two-point conversion. The Seahawks replied with a Wilson touchdown pass of 10 yards to Doug Baldwin, and Hauschka nailed the extra point. This was all they needed for a 43-8 win. The Seahawks are Super Bowl Champions, while the Broncos record-setting season ends without a trophy.

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NHL Day 125 2013-2014

Only two games on today before the Super Bowl takes over the airwaves. We begin in...

DC, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Michal Neuvirth are in goal. Washington was first to score in the first period with a Jason Chimera goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Joel Ward and Connor Carrick. The Capitals added on with a Joel Ward power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Marcus Johansson and Chimera. Detroit got on the board with a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall. Washington replied on a John Carlson power play goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Nicklas Backstrom and Martin Erat. The Red Wings shot back back in the second period on a Tomas Tatar goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco. The Capitals responded with a Ward goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, fueled by Chimera and Carrick. Detroit pulled back with Nyquist's second of the game and twelfth of the season, helped along by Henrik Zetterberg and Tatar on the power play. The Red Wings tied it in the third period when Nyquist finished his hat trick on his thirteenth of the year, via Zetterberg and Kronwall. Washington retook the lead with an unassisted goal by Troy Brouwer, his eleventh of the season. Detroit retied it on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his sixth of the year, thanks to Nyquist and Zetterberg, the latter getting a sock trick. The Capitals won 6-5 in overtime with a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin, his fortieth of the campaign, coming off of Carlson and Backstrom. The three stars were Ward, Carlson, and Chimera, while Nyquist, Zetterberg, Tatar, Backstrom, Carrick, and Kronwall all get the honorable mentions.

The other game comes from Montreal, as the Canadiens bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Carey Price are the masked men. Winnipeg struck first in the second period on a Tobias Enstrom goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Chris Thorburn and Blake Wheeler. Montreal tied it on a Brian Gionta goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov. The Jets retook the lead in the third period on a third period goal by Michael Frolik, his twelfth of the season, passed from Andrew Ladd. The Jets held on for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Frolik, Montoya (30 for 31 in saves), and Price (33 for 35 in saves).

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NHL Day 124 2013-2014

Eleven games on today, with four matinees in the mix. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Chad Johnson are the inexperienced goalies. Boston got going in the second period on a David Krejci power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Jarome Iginla and Milan Lucic. The Bruins added on in the third period on a Dougie Hamilton goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Zdeno Chara and Carl Soderberg. Boston extended the lead on a Soderberg goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Matt Bartkowski. The Bruins padded the lead with a Torey Krug power play goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Chara and Iginla. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Johnson (22 save shutout), Soderberg, and Chara, while Iginla gets an honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Carey Price tend the twines. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Nate Thompson shorthanded goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Victor Hedman and J.T. Brown. Montreal tied it in the third period with a Daniel Briere goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Brian Gionta. The Lightning won it 2-1 in overtime as Thompson scored his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, thanks to Hedman and Alex Killorn. The three stars were Thompson, Bishop (28 for 29 in saves), and Hedman.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Semyon Varlamov are the Olympian goalies. Colorado opened in the first period on a Tyson Barrie goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche added on with a Jamie McGinn power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Erik Johnson and Ryan O'Reilly. Colorado extended the lead as Gabriel Landeskog scored his fifteenth of the season, passed from MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Avalanche padded the lead in the second period on a Marc-Andre Cliche goal, via Patrick Bordeleau and McGinn. Buffalo got on the board with a Matt D'Agostini power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Tyler Ennis and Christian Ehrhoff. Colorado replied as MacKinnon scored his twentieth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Johnson and the goalie Varlamov. Jhonas Enroth replaced Miller in goal for the third period. The Avalanche kept going in the third period when Landeskog scored his sixteenth of the year and second of the game, thanks to Johnson, who got a sock trick. Colorado struck again with a McGinn goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the campaign, fueled by O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. This made it 7-1, the final, with McGinn, Landeskog, and MacKinnon earning the three stars, while Johnson and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.

Over in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Philadelphia began in the second period on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Vincent Lecavalier and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on in the third period with a Giroux power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Scott Hartnell and Simmonds. This made it 2-0, the final, with Mason (35 save shutout), Simmonds, and Giroux awarded the three stars.

Back to the Northeast, where the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Ottawa Senators for a battle of Ontario. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts. Ottawa started in the first period on a Chris Neil goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jared Cowen and Eric Gryba. The Senators added on in the second period with a Colin Greening goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Neil. Toronto got on the board when Phil Kessel scored his twenty-eighth of the season, with the help of James van Riemsdyk and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs tied it with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Nazem Kadri. Toronto took the lead in the third period with a Kessel power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and Cody Franson. Ottawa retied it on another Neil goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, fueled by Cody Ceci and Greening. The Maple Leafs retook the lead on Kessel's third of the night to complete his hat trick, also his thirtieth of the season, helped along by Tyler Bozak. Toronto extended the lead on a Bozak goal, his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Kessel and van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs wrapped it up at 6-3 with an unassisted empty net goal by Kadri, his fifteenth of the campaign. Kessel, Neil, and Kadri received the three stars, while Bozak and van Riemsdyk were given the honorable mentions.

Down in Columbus, the Blue Jackets bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Sergei Bobrovsky are the Vezina Trophy winners in goal. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Boone Jenner goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Johansen and Nathan Horton. The Blue Jackets added on as Johansen scored his twenty-second of the year, thanks to Jenner and Horton. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Brian Campbell and Scottie Upshall. Columbus replied with a Nick Foligno goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Nikita Nikitin. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Mark Letestu scored his eighth of the season in the third period, with assists provided by Corey Tropp and Derek MacKenzie. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Bobrovsky (35 for 36 in saves), Johansen, and Jenner, while Horton gets an honorable mention.

A bit west to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Brian Elliott are in the blue paint. St. Louis led off in the first period with a power play goal by Jaden Schwartz, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Chris Stewart and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues added on in the second period with a David Backes goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Jay Bouwmeester and Derek Roy. Nashville got on the board with an unassisted goal by Paul Gaustad, his eighth of the season. The Predators tied it in the third period with a Mike Fisher goal, his fifteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Patric Hornqvist. Nashville took the lead on a Roman Josi goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by David Legwand and Craig Smith. St. Louis retied it on a Tarasenko goal, his eighteenth of the year, helped along by Alex Pietrangelo. The tie lasted to a shootout, where T.J. Oshie and Tarasenko overpowered a lone Ryan Ellis tally to give the Blues a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tarasenko, Backes, and Schwartz.

Southwest to Phoenix, as the Coyotes welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Phoenix was first to score in the first period on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his fourteenth of the season, via David Schlemko and Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Zbynek Michalek goal, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Ribeiro. Pittsburgh got on the board with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by James Neal and Jussi Jokinen. Phoenix shot back with a third period Radim Vrbata goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Martin Hanzal. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Michalek, Smith (23 for 24 in saves), and Vrbata.

Up in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Karri Ramo are the young goalies. Calgary opened in the first period with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Kevin Westgarth and Chris Butler. Ramo was hurt late in the first period and replaced by Reto Berra. Minnesota tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Matt Cooke, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flames retook the lead on a Dennis Wideman goal, his third of the season, via Butler and Galiardi. Calgary added on in the third period with a Mikael Backlund shorthanded goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Mark Giordano and Lee Stempniak. The Wild got one back with a Dany Heatley power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise. Minnesota tied it on a Keith Ballard goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Kyle Brodziak and Heatley. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime with a Backlund goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, made possible by Sean Monahan and Giordano. The three stars were handed to Backlund, Giordano, and Galiardi, while Heatley and Butler get the honorable mentions.

Back in California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Dallas Stars. Dan Ellis faces a former mentor in Jonas Hiller in goal. Dallas got going in the second period with a Trevor Daley goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Cody Eakin and Rich Peverley. The Stars iced it at 2-0 with a Jamie Benn empty net goal, his twenty-second of the year, set up by Tyler Seguin. The three stars were Ellis (26 save shutout), Hiller (25 for 26 in saves), and Daley.

Finally, up in San Jose, the Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the third period on a shorthanded Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, set up by Scott Hannan. Chicago tied it on a Brandon Saad power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Kris Versteeg and Marian Hossa. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Thornton topped a lone Jonathan Toews tally for a 2-1 win for the Sharks. The three stars went to Niemi (29 for 30 in saves), Pavelski, and Crawford (38 for 39 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 123 2013-2014

Five games on tonight, beginning in...

New York City, as the Rangers host their cross-town rivals, the Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Henrik Lundqvist are the veteran goalies. The Rangers were first to score in the first period with a Brian Boyle goal, his fourth of the season, via Marc Staal. The Islanders tied it in the second period with a Kyle Okposo goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Calvin de Haan. The Rangers retook the lead in the third period on a Derick Brassard goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Staal and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers added on with a Brad Richards goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Ryan McDonagh, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Dominic Moore. Lundqvist (38 for 39 in saves), Staal, and Brassard got the three stars.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Anton Khudobin are the masked men. Carolina opened in the first period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his twelfth of the season coming on the power play from Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk. St. Louis tied it on a power play goal by David Backes, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Derek Roy and T.J. Oshie. The Hurricanes retook the lead on a second period goal by Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Jordan Staal. Carolina finished it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Alexander Semin, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Khudobin (27 for 28 in saves), Skinner, and Gerbe.

Back north in Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Washington struck first in the first period on a Jason Chimera power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson. Detroit tied it in the second period on a Drew Miller goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Luke Glendening and Patrick Eaves. The Red Wings added on as Danny DeKeyser scored his third of the season, thanks to Riley Sheahan. The Capitals retied it in the third period on a Casey Wellman goal, his second of the year, made possible by Alex Ovechkin. Detroit took the lead on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Washington pulled even with seven seconds left in regulation on an Ovechkin goal, his thirty-ninth of the year, assisted by Carlson and Chimera. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Eaves scored the lone tally for a 4-3 Red Wings win. Eaves, Ovechkin, and Chimera received the three stars, while Carlson gets an honorable mention.

South to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Carter Hutton protect the nets. Nashville started in the first period on a Shea Weber goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Patric Hornqvist. New Jersey tied it in the second period with a Patrik Elias goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Jaromir Jagr and Travis Zajac. The Devils took the lead when Jagr put away his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Elias and Zajac. The Predators tied it with eleven seconds left in regulation on a David Legwand goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Roman Josi and Seth Jones. Nashville completed the comeback in overtime with Weber's second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, assisted by Colin Wilson. The three stars in the 3-2 game were Weber, Elias, and Jagr, while Zajac gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Ondrej Pavelec are set to start. Winnipeg began in the first period on a Zach Bogosian goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tobias Enstrom and Andrew Ladd. The Jets added on with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his ninth of the year, via Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele. Vancouver got on the board with an Alexander Edler power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks tied it in the second period on an unassisted Kesler goal, his nineteenth of the year. Winnipeg retook the lead as Michael Frolik scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Ladd and Bryan Little. Vancouver tied it again in the third period on a Jason Garrison goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Ryan Stanton and Kesler. The Jets pulled ahead on another Setoguchi goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Jacob Trouba. This was good for a 4-3 win, with Setoguchi, Kesler, and Ladd getting the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 122 2013-2014

Ten games on tonight, beginning in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Jonathan Bernier are in the blue paint. Florida led off in the first period on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Scottie Upshall and Drew Shore. The Panthers added on with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Brad Boyes and Scott Gomez. Toronto got on the board with a Cody Franson goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk. the Maple Leafs tied it in the second period on a Mason Raymond goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Troy Bodie and Tim Gleason. Toronto took the lead on a power play goal by van Riemsdyk, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs extended the lead in the third period on a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his eighth of the year assisted by Joffrey Lupul and Kadri. Toronto padded the lead on a Lupul power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Kadri, who got a sock trick, and Morgan Rielly. Florida got one back on a Dmitry Kulikov goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist from Marcel Goc. The Maple Leafs finished it at 6-3 on a Tyler Bozak goal, his tenth of the campaign, helped along by Kessel. The three stars were Kadri, Lupul, and van Riemsdyk, while Kessel gets an honorable mention.

South to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Sergei Bobrovsky draw the starts. Columbus was first to score in the first period with a Derek MacKenzie shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by R.J. Umberger and Fedor Tyutin. The Blue Jackets added on with a Ryan Johansen goal, his twentieth of the year, made possible by Boone Jenner and Cam Atkinson. Columbus extended the lead in the second period on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone assist by Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets padded the lead with another Johansen goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, passed from Johnson and Tyutin. Washington got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Joel Ward, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by John Carlson and the goalie Holtby. The Capitals pulled closer in the third period on an Eric Fehr goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Dmitry Orlov and Tom Wilson. Columbus responded with an Atkinson goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, coming off of Matt Calvert and Dubinsky. This made it 5-2, the final, with Johansen, Dubinsky, and Atkinson, while Tyutin gets an honorable mention.

Over in Boston, the Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Tuukka Rask are between the pipes. Montreal opened in the first period as Alexei Emelin scored, thanks to Andrei Markov and Daniel Briere. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twenty-third of the season, via Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais. Boston got on the board with a David Krejci goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Dougie Hamilton and Loui Eriksson. Montreal shot back in the second period as Brian Gionta scored his ninth of the season, powered by Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. Rask was pulled for Chad Johnson at this time. The Canadiens extended the lead with a Briere goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Gallagher. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 4-1, and the three stars were given to Budaj (34 for 35 in saves), Briere, and Gallagher.

North to Ottawa, where the Senators bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces a lesser foe in Craig Anderson in goal. Ottawa struck first in the first period on a Marc Methot goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza. Anders Lindback came on in relief of an injured Bishop right after this goal. The Senators added on with an Erik Karlsson goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Spezza and Milan Michalek. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with an Alex Killorn goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. Ottawa replied on an unassisted Zack Smith goal, his tenth of the year. The Senators extended the lead with a Kyle Turris goal, his eighteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Bobby Ryan. Ottawa padded the lead on a Ryan goal, his twentieth of the year, helped along by Turris and Clarke MacArthur. The Lightning got one back with a shorthanded Tyler Johnson goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay pulled closer with a Hedman goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Palat. This only made it 5-3, with Turris, Ryan, and Spezza getting the three stars, while Palat gets an honorable mention.

Down in Dallas, the Stars host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Kari Lehtonen are set to start.New Jersey began in the first period on a Dainius Zubrus goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Jaromir Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils added on in the second period with a Travis Zajac power play goal, his ninth of the year powered by Damien Brunner and Patrik Elias. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Valeri Nichuchkin. The Stars tied it in the third period as Seguin scored his twenty-fourth of the year, thanks to Erik Cole Chiasson. New Jersey won 3-2 in overtime with an Elias power play goal, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Zajac and Jagr. The three stars were Elias, Zajac, and Seguin, while Jagr gets an honorable mention.

Up to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Semyon Varlamov are given the starting nods. Colorado started in the first period on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Matt Duchene and Jamie McGinn. Minnesota tied it on a Zach Parise power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Dany Heatley and Ryan Suter. The Avalanche retook the lead in the second period on a John Mitchell goal, his sixth of the season, via Nate Guenin and Duchene. Colorado added on with a Paul Stastny goal, his sixteenth of the year, helped along by Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche extended the lead with a Max Talbot goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Mitchell and Nathan MacKinnon. Kuemper was replaced by Niklas Backstrom at this time. The Wild pulled back in the third period on a Parise goal, his eighteenth of the year and second of the game, guided in by Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund. Minnesota chipped closer with a Granlund goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Parise and Keith Ballard. Colorado replied on a MacKinnon goal, his nineteenth of the year, fueled by Andre Benoit and Tyson Barrie. The Wild shot back on a Pominville goal, his twenty-second of the season, passed from Granlund and Parise. This only made it 5-4, the final, with Parise, MacKinnon, and Mitchell getting the three stars, while Granlund, Pominville, and Duchene get the honorable mentions.

Further north, in Calgary, the Flames welcome the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Karri Ramo are the little-known goalies. Calgary opened in the first period with a Lee Stempniak goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Mikael Backlund and Dennis Wideman. The Flames added on in the second period with a Mark Giordano goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Backlund and Jiri Hudler. San Jose got on the board with an Eriah Hayes goal, made possible by Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels. Calgary responded with a Sean Monahan goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Colborne and Ladislav Smid. The Flames extended the lead on a Hudler goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Wideman. This made it 4-1, with the three stars going to Ramo (27 for 28 in saves), Hudler, and Backlund, while Wideman gets an honorable mention.

Way south to Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Thomas Greiss are in goal. Buffalo led off in the first period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Matt Moulson and Zemgus Girgensons. Phoenix tied it with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes took the lead with a David Moss goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Jeff Halpern and Zbynek Michalek. The Sabres retied it in the second period with a Steve Ott power play goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Ville Leino and Alexander Sulzer. Buffalo took the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted Girgensons goal in the third period, his fifth of the campaign. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Miller (38 for 50 in saves), Girgensons, and Ott.

Out west, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Frederik Andersen draw the starts. Anaheim began in the first period on a Pat Maroon goal, his fifth of the season, via Francois Beauchemin and Mathieu Perreault. Philadelphia tied it on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twelfth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Erik Gustafsson and Steve Downie. The Ducks took the lead back on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, passed from Hampus Lindholm and Kyle Palmieri. Anaheim added on in the second period with a Perry goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, assisted by Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Flyers pulled back with a Matt Read goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Mark Streit and Sean Couturier. The Ducks responded with a Daniel Winnik goal, his second of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Saku Koivu. Anaheim extended the lead on a Koivu goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Andrew Cogliano. Philadelphia shot back as Michael Raffl scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Luke Schenn and Read. This made it 5-3, the final, with Koivu, Getzlaf, and Read getting the three stars.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Pittsburgh started on a first period Evgeni Malkin goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Jussi Jokinen and James Neal. Los Angeles tied it with an Anze Kopitar power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov. The Penguins took the lead back on a power play goal by Chris Kunitz, his twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Jokinen and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh added on with a Jokinen goal, his sixteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Malkin and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins extended the lead on a second period goal by Tanner Glass, his fourth of the campaign, with assists provided by Niskanen and Olli Maatta. The scoring ended here at 4-1, with the three stars being Jokinen, Malkin, and Niskanen.

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NHL Day 121 2013-2014

Three games on today, headlined by a venture to...

The Bronx, as the New York Islanders host the New York Rangers in the home of the New York Yankees for the third installment of the Stadium Series. Henrik Lundqvist and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. The Islanders got going in the second period on a Brock Nelson goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Matt Donovan and Cal Clutterbuck. The Rangers tied it with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his ninth of the year, via Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers took the lead in the third period on a Dan Carcillo goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by Dominic Moore and Brian Boyle. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Lundqvist (30 for 31 in saves), Nabokov (32 for 34 in saves), and Carcillo.

Westward to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ben Scrivens draw the starts. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Justin Schultz goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Nick Schultz and Taylor Hall. The Oilers added on with a third period Hall goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton extended the lead on an Eberle power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Nugent-Hopkins and Hall. This made it 3-0, the final, with Scrivens (59 save shutout, a regular season record), Hall, and Eberle getting the three stars, while Nugent-Hopkins gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Vancouver began in the first period on a Chris Higgins goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on in the second period when Tom Sestito scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Ryan Stanton and Zack Kassian. Chicago got on the board with a Marian Hossa power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Kris Versteeg and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks tied it on a Saad goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Sheldon Brookbank and Michal Handzus. Chicago took the lead with a Jonathan Toews goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead with a Sharp goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, made possible by Toews and Duncan Keith. Chicago iced at 5-2 with a Saad empty net goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Hossa. The three stars were given to Saad, Toews, and Sharp, while Hossa gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Day 148 2013-2014

Hope you all won't miss this KHL stuff too much, because this is the last day for nearly a month. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mika Jarvinen are in the blue paint. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with an Oskar Osala goal, passed from Francis Pare and Dmitry Kazionov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead on a Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Evgeny Timkin and Kovar. Metallurg padded the lead with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, via Kovar, who got a sock trick, and Evgeny Biryukov. Khabarovsk took the lead on an Alexander Yunkov goal, coming off of Evgeny Korotkov and Dmitry Lugin. Magnitogorsk replied in the third period with a Zaripov goal, fueled by Mozyakin and the goalie Koshechkin. Metallurg wrapped it up at 6-1 on a Rinat Ibragimov goal, made possible by Tim Brent. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (40 for 41 in saves), and Kovar, while Zaripov gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Evgeny Ivannikov protect the nets. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period with a Sergei Barbashev goal, courtesy of Stanislav Bocharov and Artyom Zemchyonok. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Dmitry Ryabykin goal, coming off of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Stanislav Chistov on the power play. Traktor took the lead on an Igor Valeyev goal, via Andrei Kostitsyn. Admiral retied it in the second period on a Niclas Bergfors goal, with a lone assist by Felix Schutz. Chelyabinsk retook the lead in the third period with a Kostitsyn goal, helped along by Petri Kontiola. Vladivostok tied it again on an Andrei Nikitenko goal, made possible by Alexei Ugarov and Logan Pyett. The tie lasted to the shootout, where Kuznetsov was the only one to score, giving Traktor the 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Kostitsyn, Kuznetsov, and Valeyev.

West a little bit to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk began in the first period with a Jarno Koskiranta power play goal, powered by Josef Hrabal and Alexander Kutuzov. Sibir added on as Dmitry Monya scored, thanks to Konstantin Alexeyev. Novosibirsk extended the lead in the second period on an Igor Ozhiganov goal, with a lone helper from Sergei Shumakov. Sibir padded the lead in the third period when Shumakov scored, with the help of Kutuzov and Oleg Gubin. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Koskinen (23 save shutout), Shumakov, and Kutuzov.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky is mismatched with Nikita Lozhkin in goal. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, courtesy of Kurtis McLean and Tuukka Mantyla on the power play. Metallurg added on in the second period as Lapenkov scored his second of the game, assisted by Mantyla and McLean. Ufa got on the board in the third period as Dmitry Makarov scored, with assists provided by Denis Khlystov and Arturs Kulda. Novokuznetsk replied on a Sergei Yemelin goal, via McLean, who got a sock trick, and Ansel Galimov. This produced the 3-1 final, with Lapenkov, Lozhkin (27 for 28 in saves), and McLean getting the three stars, while Mantyla gets an honorable mentions.

Way west to Moscow, as Spartak brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek faces a lesser foe Igor Shestyorkin in goal. Cherepovets started in the first period with an unassisted and shorthanded goal by Sergei Monakhov. Severstal added on as Evgeny Mons scored, thanks to Linus Videll. Cherepovets extended the lead with a second period Alexander Gogolev goal, helped along by Alexander Kuvayev. Severstal padded the lead when Anatoly Nikontsev scored, courtesy of Alexander Yevseyenkov. Cherepovets struck again on Mons' second of the game, via Pavel Chernov and Nikita Popov. Shestyorkin was pulled in favor of Alexander Trushkov at this time. Severstal got another with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Nikontsev. Cherepovets kept going in the third period on a Videll goal, made possible by Mons and Chernov. This made it 7-0, the final, with Mons, Nikontsev, and Stepanek (20 save shutout) earning the three stars, while Videll and Chernov receive the honorable mentions.

Outside of Russia, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Dmitry Milchakov are the masked men. Minsk got going in the second period on a Tomas Surovy power play goal, powered by Zbynek Irgl and Alexander Kitarov. Dinamo added on with a power play goal by Alexander Materukhin, guided in by Lukas Krajicek and Andrei Stas. Minsk extended the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Alexei Kalyuzhny, with a lone helper by Stas. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Sergei Plotnikov goal, via Daniil Apalkov. This only made it 3-1, with the three stars being Stas, Milchakov (23 for 24 in saves), and Materukhin.

Finally, our last game before the break is Donbass Donetsk hosting Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Michael Leighton guard the cages. Mytishchi dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Igor Radulov goal, via Janne Niskala. Donetsk tied it on a Teemu Laine goal, coming off of Lukas Kaspar. Donbass took the lead with another Laine goal, his second of the game, assisted by Kaspar and Jan Kolar. Atlant tied it in the third period with an unassisted goal by Alexei Mikhnov. Donbass won 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally from Randy Robitaille. The three stars were handed to Laine, Kaspar, and Galimov (32 for 34 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. KHL action resumes in late February.