Friday, March 28, 2014

KHL Western Conference Semifinals Day 6 2014

Two games on today, with series on the line. We begin in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Curtis Sanford guard the cages. Yaroslavl got going in the third period on a Yury Petrov goal, assisted by Mikelis Redlihs and Geoff Platt. Lokomotiv added on as Vitaly Vishnevsky scored an unassisted goal. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Sanford (26 save shutout), Petrov, and Vishnevsky. Lokomotiv wins the series 4-2, and waits to see who their Conference Final opponent is.

Out in Bratislava once again, Donbass Donetsk hosts Lev Prague in the last game to be played in Slovakia this postseason. Atte Engren and Jan Laco are called on to start. Prague dented the scoreboard with a power play goal by Ondrej Nemec in the third period, powered by Justin Azevedo. This was the game's only goal, so Lev won 1-0. The three stars were Engren (20 save shutout), Nemec, and Laco (24 for 25 in saves). Lev will advance to play Lokomotiv in the Conference Finals after their 4-2 series win.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

NHL Day 178 2013-2014

Ten games on tonight as the season starts to hit the stretch run. We begin with a rematch of the last Stanley Cup Final, as...

The Boston Bruins host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Boston led off in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, courtesy of Matt Bartkowski and Daniel Paille. The Bruins added on in the third period with a Carl Soderberg goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Chris Kelly and Johnny Boychuk. Boston extended the lead on Bergeron's second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Brad Marchand. This made it 3-0, the final, with Rask (28 save shutout), Bergeron, and Soderberg getting the three stars.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss is mismatched with Martin Brodeur in goal. Phoenix opened in the first period with a Kyle Chipchura goal, his fourth of the season, via Lauri Korpikoski and Chris Summers. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Summers goal, his second of the year, guided in by Chipchura and Radim Vrbata. New Jersey got on the board with a Ryane Clowe goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Jon Merrill and Jacob Josefson. The Devils tied it on a third period goal by Adam Henrique, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Patrik Elias and the goalie Brodeur. Phoenix won 3-2 in the shootout, with a lone tally by Mikkel Boedker making the difference. The three stars were Chipchura, Summers, and Boedker.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Los Angeles Kings. Backups Martin Jones and Jeff Zatkoff draw the starts. Los Angeles began in the first period with a power play goal by Jeff Carter, his twenty-sixth of the season, powered by Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar. The Kings added on in the second period with an Alec Martinez goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Tyler Toffoli and Jarret Stoll. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Chris Kunitz goal, his thirty-third of the season, made possible by Jayson Megna and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins tied it on a Taylor Pyatt goal, his fourth of the year, via Brian Gibbons and Marcel Goc. Los Angeles took the lead in the third period with a Drew Doughty goal, his ninth of the campaign, with assists provided by Dustin Brown and Tanner Pearson. This made it 3-2, the final, with Doughty, Martinez, and Carter.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by P.K. Subban and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens added on as Plekanec scored his second of the game and twentieth of the year, thanks to Subban. Detroit got on the board in the second period with a Riley Sheahan goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Luke Glendening and Brian Lashoff. Montreal shot back on a David Desharnais goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. The Red Wings got one back on a third period Tomas Tatar goal, his seventeenth of the season, going in unassisted. Detroit tied it with another Tatar goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, via Tomas Jurco and Sheahan. The Canadiens retook the lead on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-third of the season, set up by Desharnais and Vanek. Montreal extended the lead with a Vanek goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, with helpers from Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin. The Red Wings got one back on a Johan Franzen goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Gustav Nyquist and Darren Helm. This only made it 5-4, with the three stars being Vanek, Desharnais, and Plekanec, while Tatar, Subban, and Sheahan get the honorable mentions.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ben Bishop are set to start. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a Ryan Callahan goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Radko Gudas and Valtteri Filppula. New York tied it on a Ryan Strome goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Matt Martin and Matt Donovan. The Islanders took the lead with a Donovan goal, his second of the season, fueled by Frans Nielsen and Anders Lee. The Lightning retied it in the third period as Callahan scored his second of the game and fifteenth oft he year, guided in by Eric Brewer. The tie lasted to a long shootout, which the Lightning won 5-4 for a 3-2 win in the game. Tampa Bay saw goals from Mike Kostka, Ondrej Palat, Steven Stamkos, Matthew Carle, and Sami Salo for the winner, while New York had tallies from Nielsen, Brock Nelson, Colin McDonald, and Casey Cizikas. The three stars were Callahan, Donovan, and Nielsen.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Carolina started in the first period with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Brett Bellemore. Dan Ellis relieved Luongo for the second period. The Hurricanes added on as Tlusty scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year in the second period, assisted Andrei Loktionov and Justin Faulk. Carolina extended the lead on a Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, coming off of Patrick Dwyer. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-0. The three stars were awarded to Khudobin (35 save shutout), Tlusty, and Skinner.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Ryan Miller receive the starting nods. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with a T.J. Oshie goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by David Backes and Roman Polak. The Blues added on with a shorthanded goal by Oshie, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, going in unassisted. St. Louis extended the lead on a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Carlo Colaiacovo and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues padded the lead in the third period on an Oshie goal, his twenty-first of the year to complete his hat trick, via Bouwmeester and Backes. St. Louis got another on a Brenden Morrow power play goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Alexander Steen and Vladimir Sobotka. Minnesota got on the board with a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, assisted by Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu. This made it 5-1, the final, with Oshie, Miller (27 for 28 in saves), and Backes, while Bouwmeester gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett and Carter Hutton are the unknown goalies. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Colton Sissons goal, fueled by Richard Clune and Eric Nystrom. The Predators added on as Colin Wilson scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and Nick Spaling. Nashville extended the lead on a Calle Jarnkrok goal, made possible by Gabriel Bourque and Craig Smith. The Predators padded the lead with a Shea Weber power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist. Nathan Lieuwen relieved Hackett for the second period. Buffalo got on the board in the second period with a Rasmus Ristolainen goal, his second of the season, guided in by Brian Flynn and Johan Larsson. Nashville answered on a Weber goal, his twentieth of the year and second of the game, assisted by Roman Josi and Mike Fisher. The Predators finished it at 6-1 with a third period Nystrom goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Clune. The three stars were Weber, Nystrom, and Clune.

Westward to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Semyon Varlamov are set to start. Vancouver opened in the first period with a Yannick Weber power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Nicklas Jensen and Daniel Sedin. Colorado tied it with a Matt Duchene goal, his twenty-third of the year, coming off of Andre Benoit and Cody McLeod. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, fueled by Paul Stastny and Cory Sarich. The Canucks tied it with a Zack Kassian goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Dan Hamhuis and David Booth. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime with a Tyson Barrie goal, his tenth of the campaign, with helpers from Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. The three stars went to Duchene, Barrie, and Landeskog.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Antti Niemi are in the blue paint. San Jose started in the first period with a Dan Boyle goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Martin Havlat and James Sheppard. Winnipeg tied it with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Michael Frolik and Bryan Little. The Sharks took the lead with a Brent Burns power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. The Jets tied it in the second period on a Blake Wheeler goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg took the lead on a Dustin Byfuglien power play goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Wheeler and Frolik. San Jose retied it with a Logan Couture power play goal, his twentieth of the year, with assists provided by Sheppard and Havlat. The Jets gained the lead in the third period on a Tobias Enstrom power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, helped along by Wheeler and Little. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Wheeler, Little, and Frolik, while Sheppard and Havlat got the honorable mentions.

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KHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Day 5 2014

The only game today is between the host Barys Astana and the visitors Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Vitaly Yeremeyev protect the nets. Astana was first to score in the first period with a Konstantin Rudenko goal, courtesy of Roman Savchenko. Ufa tied it on an Ivan Vishnevsky goal, passed from Alexander Stepanov. Barys took the lead back in the second period on a Dustin Boyd goal, assisted by Brandon Bochenski and Rudenko. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Rudenko, Yeremeyev (24 for 25 in saves), and Boyd.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

NHL Day 177 2013-2014

Only three games on tonight, beginning in...

Minnesota, as the Wild host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Darcy Kuemper are the young goalies. Vancouver led off in the first period with a David Booth goal, his seventh of the season, going in unassisted. Minnesota tied it with a Charlie Coyle goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The Canucks retook the lead in the second period Booth scored his second of the game and eighth of the season, another unassisted goal. Vancouver added on as Zack Kassian potted his twelfth of the year, thanks to Brad Richardson. Ilya Bryzgalov relieved Kuemper for the third period. The Canucks extended the lead in the third period with a Daniel Sedin goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Jason Garrison and Jannik Hansen. Vancouver padded the lead on a Ryan Kesler power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Alexandre Burrows and Chris Higgins. The Wild got one back on a Nino Neiderreiter goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Erik Haula and Ryan Suter. This only made it 5-2, with the three stars going to Booth, Kassian, and Lack (29 for 31 in saves).

East to New York, where the Rangers welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Henrik Lundqvist are the masked men. New York began in the first period with a Derek Dorsett goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Brian Boyle. The Rangers added on in the second period on a Ryan McDonagh goal, his fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. New York extended the lead in the third period as Dominic Moore scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Kevin Klein. Philadelphia got on the board with a Jakub Voracek goal, his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. This produced the 3-1 final score, with Lundqvist (30 for 31 in saves), McDonagh, and Moore getting the three stars.

Finally, out west, the Calgary Flames bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo receive the starting nods. Anaheim started in the first period with a Nick Bonino goal, his eighteenth of the season, a power play goal via Sami Vatanen and the goalie Hiller. Calgary tied it on a Brian McGrattan goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Kevin Westgarth and Tyler Wotherspoon. The Flames took the lead on a Jiri Hudler goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Ladislav Smid and Matt Stajan. The Ducks tied it in the third period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by Vatanen and Pat Maroon. Anaheim took the lead on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his twenty-first of the season, passed from Stephane Robidas and Jakob Silfverberg. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Cogliano, Perreault, and Bonino.

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KHL Western Conference Semifinals Day 5 2014

Two games on today as the series are both very tight. We begin in...

St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Salak are between the pipes. St. Petersburg got going in the second period with a Kevin Dallman power play goal, powered by Roman Cervenka and Patrick Thoresen. Yaroslavl tied it on an Ilya Gorokhov power play goal, assisted by Mikelis Redlihs and Sergei Konkov. Lokomotiv took the lead on an Emil Galimov goal, with a lone assist by Yury Petrov. Yaroslavl added on in the third period with a Yegor Averin goal, via Sergei Plotnikov on the power play. SKA got one back as Thoresen scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Dmitry Kalinin and Cervenka. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Averin, Thoresen, and Cervenka. Lokomotiv leads the series 3-2.

The other game is once again in Bratislava, but this time Lev Prague hosts Donbass Donetsk as Lev's arena was booked for today. Michael Leighton and Petri Vehanen draw the starts. Prague opened in the first period with a Michal Repik goal, made possible by Michal Birner. Lev added on as Patrik Zackrisson scored, thanks to Justin Azevedo. Donetsk got on the board in the second period with a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, via Andrei Konev. Prague finished it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Zackrisson, set up by Repik. The three stars were Zackrisson, Vehanen (26 for 27 in saves), and Repik. Lev owns a 3-2 series lead with this win.

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NHL Day 176 2013-2014

Ten games on this evening, beginning in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Toronto began in the first period on a Joffrey Lupul power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner. St. Louis tied it with a T.J. Oshie goal, his eighteenth of the year, fueled by Alexander Steen and Roman Polak. The Blues took the lead on a David Backes power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, guided in by Oshie. St. Louis added on in the second period on another Backes goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Steen. The Blues extended the lead on a Steen goal, his thirty-first of the season, courtesy of Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrik Berglund. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. Toronto pulled closer with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, assisted by Phil Kessel and Gardiner. St. Louis iced it at 5-3 with a Backes empty net goal to finish his hat trick, his twenty-seventh of the year, set up by Oshie and Steen. The three stars were Backes, Steen, and Oshie, while Gardiner gets an honorable mention.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Phoenix opened in the first period on a David Moss goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Martin Hanzal and Brandon McMillan. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his eighteenth of the year, assisted by James Neal and Sidney Crosby. The Coyotes retook the lead as Antoine Vermette scored his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. The Penguins tied it again with a Taylor Pyatt goal, his third of the year, with assists by Rob Scuderi and Simon Despres. Phoenix took the lead in the second period on a Boedker goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, coming off of Doan and Michael Stone. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Boedker, Greiss (23 for 25 in saves), and Doan.

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jaroslav Halak are the masked men. Washington was first to score with a first period goal by Alex Ovechkin, his forty-seventh of the season, a power play goal guided in by John Carlson and Troy Brouwer. The Capitals added on as Ovechkin scored his second of the game and forty-eighth of the year, another power play goal, powered by Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with a Mike Richards power play goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Alec Martinez and Jake Muzzin. Washington shot back with a Dustin Penner goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Chris Brown. The Kings answered in the third period with a Dwight King goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Dustin Brown and Willie Mitchell. Los Angeles tied it with a Marian Gaborik goal, his ninth of the year, via Tyler Toffoli and Muzzin. The Kings took the lead on a Brown goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, assisted by King and Jarret Stoll. The Capitals tied it on an Evgeny Kuznetsov shorthanded goal, set up by Ovechkin and Eric Fehr. The Kings won 5-4 in the shootout with goals by Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. The three stars were Ovechkin, King, and Brown, while Muzzin and Brouwer get the honorable mentions.

South to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson and Cam Ward are the mediocre goalies. New York led off in the first period with a Colin McDonald goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Thomas Hickey and Ryan Strome. The Islanders added on with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey. New York extended the lead on another McDonald goal, his eighth of the season and second of the game, made possible by Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic. Anton Khudobin relieved Ward at this time. The Islanders padded the lead on a Matt Martin goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Kevin Czuczman and Hickey. Carolina got on the board with a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, powered by Riley Nash and Andrei Loktionov. The Hurricanes got another back as Loktionov potted his sixth of the year, with the help of Jiri Tlusty and Brett Bellemore. Carolina pulled closer with an Alexander Semin power play goal in the second period, his twenty-second of the season, with assists provided by Jordan Staal and John-Michael Liles. New York replied with a Martin goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, set up by Strome and McDonald. The Hurricanes pulled back on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, via Jordan Staal and Ron Hainsey. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being McDonald, Martin, and Loktionov, while Hickey, Strome, and Jordan Staal get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Thomas Vanek and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on with a Daniel Briere power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Rene Bourque. The three stars in the 2-0 game were Price (24 save shutout), Pacioretty, and Briere.

Way to the south, the Florida Panthers host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Roberto Luongo are between the pipes. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Mark Stone goal, his second of the season, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Kyle Turris. The Senators added on with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Patrick Wiercioch and Turris. Florida got on the board as Sean Bergenheim scored his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Brian Campbell and Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers tied it with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his third of the year, passed from Scottie Upshall and Tomas Fleischmann. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Turris was overwhelmed by tallies from Trocheck and Brandon Pirri, giving Florida the 3-2 win. The three stars were Trocheck, Turris, and Luongo (37 for 39 in saves).

Backtracking to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Ryan Johansen power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Boone Jenner and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets added on with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming on the power play via Jack Johnson and Wisniewski. Detroit got on the board as Gustav Nyquist scored his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar. Curtis McElhinney relieved Bobrovsky for the second period. The Red Wings tied it in the second period as Nyquist potted his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, thanks to Tatar. Columbus retook the lead in the third period on a Cam Atkinson goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Matt Calvert and Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets iced it at 4-2 with a Johansen empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, set up by Wisniewski, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Johansen, Nyquist, and Wisniewski, while Dubinsky and Tatar get the honorable mentions.

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Corey Crawford receive the starting nods. Chicago started in the first period with an Andrew Shaw power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Kris Versteeg goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Dallas got on the board with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jordie Benn. Chicago shot back on a Keith goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Sharp and Shaw. The Stars got one back in the third period on another Garbutt goal, his fourteenth of the season and second of the game, made possible by Vernon Fiddler and Antoine Roussel. The Blackhawks wrapped it up at 4-2 with a Marian Hossa empty net goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Shaw, Keith, and Garbutt, while Sharp gets an honorable mention.

Over in Nashville, the Predators bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville led off in the first period with a Roman Josi goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Gabriel Bourque and Craig Smith. The Predators added on as Josi scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, thanks to Calle Jarnkrok. Colorado got on the board with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Paul Stastny and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche tied it in the second period with another Landeskog goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, guided in by Stastny. Nashville retook the lead with a Matt Cullen goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Ryan Ellis and Mike Fisher. Colorado retied it in the third period on a Cody McLeod goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Matt Duchene and Andre Benoit. The Predators took the lead back with another Cullen goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, helped along by Patric Hornqvist and Ellis. The Avalanche retied it on a Nick Holden goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Ryan O'Reilly and Landeskog topped a Jarnkrok tally for a 5-4 Avalanche win. The three stars were given to Landeskog, Cullen, and Josi, while Jarnkrok, Ellis, and Stastny get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ben Scrivens are the starting goalies. Edmonton began in the first period with a David Perron goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Jeff Petry. San Jose tied it on a Joe Pavelski goal in the second period, his thirty-fifth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Sharks took the lead on a power play goal by Marleau, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Pavelski and Brent Burns. San Jose added on with a Martin Havlat goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Jason Demers. The Sharks extended the lead on another power play goal by Pavelski, his second of the game and thirty-sixth of the season, pushed through by Dan Boyle and Burns. San Jose padded the lead as Pavelski finished his hat trick on his thirty-seventh of the year, fueled by Thornton and Brad Stuart. The Oilers got one back with a Hall goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, with helpers from Andrew Ference and Jordan Eberle. This made it 5-2, the final, with Pavelski, Marleau, and Hall getting the three stars, while Burns and Thornton get the honorable mentions.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

KHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Day 4 2014

Two more games going today, beginning in...

Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, fueled by Jan Kovar and Evgeny Grigorenko. Novosibirsk tied it on a power play goal by Ivan Lekomtsev, powered by Alexander Kutuzov. Metallurg took the lead back on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, guided in by Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk added on in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Mozyakin, set up by Grigorenko and Chris Lee. Sibir got one back in the third period on a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, made possible by Vyachelsav Belov and Jarno Koskiranta. This only made it 3-2, the final, with Mozyakin, Grigorenko, and Koshechkin (30 for 32 in saves) getting the three stars. Metallurg advances to the Eastern Conference Final with a 4-0 series sweep of Sibir.

West to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Andrei Vasilevsky draw the starts. Ufa got going in the third period with an Igor Mirnov goal, assisted by Alexei Kaigorodov. Astana tied it on a Nigel Dawes goal, guided in by Roman Savchenko. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back with a Dmitry Makarov goal, courtesy of Alexander Stepanov and Teemu Hartikainen. Barys tied again as Dmitry Upper scored, thanks to Dawes and Mike Lundin. Ufa won 3-2 in overtime on a power play goal by Kirill Koltsov, powered by Stepanov. The three stars were given to Koltsov, Stepanov, and Makarov. Salavat Yulaev has pushed Barys to the brink with a 3-1 series lead.

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