Thursday, November 6, 2014

NHL November 6th, 2014

Ten games on this evening, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Tuukka Rask are in the blue paint. Edmonton struck first in the first period on a Boyd Gordon power play goal, powered by Justin Schultz and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Boston tied it on a Reilly Smith goal, his third of the season, guided in by Brad Marchand and David Warsofsky. The Oilers retook the lead in the third period with a Mark Arcobello goal, his third of the year, coming off of Nail Yakupov. The Bruins retied it as Loui Eriksson scored his third of the season, thanks to Dougie Hamilton and Carl Soderberg. Boston took the lead with a power play goal by Soderberg, his fourth of the year, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Hamilton. The Bruins added on with a Hamilton power play goal, his third of the season, fueled by Eriksson and Smith. Boston finished it at 5-2 on a Milan Lucic empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by David Krejci and Dennis Seidenberg. The three stars were given to Hamilton, Soderberg, and Eriksson, while Smith gets an honorable mention.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Steve Mason receive the starting nods. Philadelphia led off in the first period on a Sean Couturier goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Brayden Schenn and Matt Read. The Flyers added on with a Michael Del Zotto goal, fueled by Schenn and Couturier. Philadelphia extended the lead in the second period on a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his third of the year, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo. Florida got on the board with a Nick Bjugstad power play goal, powered by Jimmy Hayes and Dmitry Kulikov. The Flyers shot back on a Jakub Voracek goal, his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Claude Giroux and Mark Streit. This was all they needed for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Couturier, Mason (34 for 35 in saves), and Schenn.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Ottawa got going in the second period on a power play goal by Clarke MacArthur, his seventh of the season, powered by Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson. The Senators added on with a Mike Hoffman goal, his second of the year, via Eric Gryba and Curtis Lazar. Ottawa extended the lead in the third period on another Hoffman goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, coming off of Mark Stone and Patrick Wiercioch. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars belonging to Hoffman, Anderson (35 save shutout), and MacArthur.

Way south to Florida, as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Cedric Paquette goal, via Jonathan Drouin. Calgary tied it on a Jiri Hudler goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano. The Lightning retook the lead in the second period on another Paquette goal, coming off of Vladislav Namestnikov and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay added on with a shorthanded and unassisted Brian Boyle goal, his fourth of the year. The Flames got one back with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Johnny Gaudreau and Giordano. The Lightning shot back in the third period on a Tyler Johnson goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Valtteri Filppula, his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Paquette, Giordano, and Boyle.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Jake Allen are the young goalies. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Jaden Schwartz and Ian Cole. The Blues added on in the second period as Schwartz scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Barret Jackman. St. Louis extended the lead on a third period goal by Alexander Steen, his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Jori Lehtera and Tarasenko. Schneider left the game after this, and was replace by Keith Kinkaid. New Jersey got on the board with a Michael Ryder goal, his third of the year, coming off of Damien Brunner and Tuomo Ruutu. The Blues shot back with a David Backes power play goal, his third of the season, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Devils chipped back on a Marek Zidlicky goal, his third of the year, passed from Mike Sislo and Steve Bernier. New Jersey pulled closer as Ryder scored his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, with the help of Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Tarasenko, Ryder, and Schwartz.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ondrej Pavelec are the oft-criticized goalies. Winnipeg started in the first period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Bryan Little and Zach Bogosian. Pittsburgh tied it on a Simon Despres goal, passed from Brandon Sutter and Steve Downie. The Penguins took the lead in the second period on a Sutter goal, his fourth of the year, via Robert Bortuzzo. Pittsburgh added on with a Downie goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Nick Spaling and Sutter. The Jets got one back with a Jacob Trouba goal, his second of the year, coming off of Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg tied it in the third period as Kane scored, thanks to Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin topped Wheeler to give the Penguins a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Sutter, Kane, and Downie, while Wheeler got an honorable mention.

Southward to Dallas, as the Stars host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. Nashville dented the scoreboard with a Craig Smith power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, powered by Derek Roy and Ryan Ellis. The Predators added on with a power play goal by Filip Forsberg, his fifth of the year, assisted by Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm. Dallas got on the board with an unassisted Trevor Daley goal, his fifth of the season. The Stars tied it on a Patrick Eaves goal, his second of the year, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Antoine Roussel. Nashville regained the lead on a Matt Cullen goal, via Roy and Ekholm. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Cullen, Roy, and Ekholm.

Continuing to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier faces a lesser foe in Reto Berra in goal. Colorado opened in the first period with a Nick Holden goal, courtesy of Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Toronto tied it on a Phil Kessel goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Cody Franson and Richard Panik. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Tyler Bozak, his fifth of the year, powered by James van Riemsdyk and Franson. The Avalanche retied it on an Alex Tanguay goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Zach Redmond and Tyson Barrie. Colorado grabbed the lead with a Matt Duchene goal in the third period, his fourth of the year, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly. Toronto tied it on a Panik goal, his second of the campaign, with helpers provided by Mike Santorelli and Kessel. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Avalanche won 4-3 with goals by MacKinnon, Duchene, and Tanguay, who were also the three stars, to top a Bozak goal. The honorable mentions were Kessel, Panik, Bozak, and Franson.

Out in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson and Jonathan Quick play goal. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Dwight King goal, his second of the season, assisted by Mike Richards and Jake Muzzin. New York tied it on a Brock Nelson power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by John Tavares and Ryan Strome. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Islanders won 2-1 with goals by Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen. The three stars went to Johnson (28 for 29 in saves), Quick (25 for 26 in saves), and Nelson.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose began in the first period on a James Sheppard goal, his second of the season, coming off of Tomas Hertl and Tyler Kennedy. Vancouver tied it on a Radim Vrbata goal, his sixth of the year, going in unassisted. The Sharks took the lead back in the second period as Logan Couture scored a power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. The Canucks retied it as Alexander Edler scored his third of the year on the power play, with the help of Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver took the lead on a Nick Bonino goal, his seventh of the campaign, via Alexandre Burrows. This held up for a final, with the three stars going to Miller (34 for 36 in saves), Bonino, and Edler.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 6th, 2014

Seven games today, with the first from...

Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period on a Yury Trubachyov goal, assisted by Gennady Stolyarov. Severstal added on with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal in the second period, fueled by Stolyarov. Cherepovets extended the lead as Pavel Chernov scored, thanks to Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Sergei Monakhov. Severstal padded the lead in the third period on an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, courtesy of Kagarlitsky and Monakhov. Cherepovets kept going on a Nikontsev power play goal, powered by Kagarlitsky, who got a sock trick, and Chernov. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an Evgeny Solomonov goal, passed from Sergei Yemelin. Avtomobilist pulled closer with a Vladislav Yegin goal, made possible by Alexaner Rybakov. Yekaterinburg chipped closer on an Alexei Mikhnov power play goal, guided in by Sami Lepisto and Jakub Petruzalek. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Nikontsev, Kagarlitsky, and Chernov, while Stolyarov and Monakhov get the honorable mentions.

West to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Michael Garnett are the North American goalies. Yaroslavl opened in the first period on a Sergei Plotnikov goal, via Jonas Holos and Staffan Kronwall. Lokomotiv added on with a Kirill Kapustin goal, coming off of Sergei Konkov. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a power play goal by Dmitry Pestunov, powered by Andrei Popov and Anton Glinkin. Yaroslavl shot back as Plotnikov scored again, with the help of Jiri Novotny and Martin Thornberg. Traktor answered in the second period on a Popov goal in the second period, a power play goal courtesy of Vitaly Atyushov and Glinkin. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Oleg Piganovich goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Osnovin. Lokomotiv won 4-3 in overtime with a Novotny goal, guided in by Plotnikov and Kronwall. The three stars were awarded to Plotnikov, Novotny, and Popov, while Kronwall and Glinkin get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Stepan Goryachevskikh draw the starts. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first on a first period goal by Lukas Kaspar, going in unassisted. Nizhny Novgorod tied it with a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev power play goal, powered by Nikita Filatov and Vladimir Galuzin. Yugra took the lead back in the third period on a Nikita Gusev goal, passed from Philip Larsen and Toni Rajala. Torpedo tied it again with a power play goal by Sakari Salminen, courtesy of Mikhail Grigoryev. Khanty-Mansiysk won 3-2 in overtime with a Kaspar goal, with a lone assist by Igor Magogin. The three stars went to Kaspar, Gusev, and Goryachevskikh (21 for 23 in saves).

Over to Togliatti, as Lada hosts the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Ilya Ezhov are in the creases. Sochi got going in the second period as Mikhail Anisin scored a power play goal, thanks to Clay Wilson and Pavel Koledov. Togliatti tied it on a Semyon Valuisky power play goal, powered by Andrei Nikitenko and Peter Podhradsky. The Leopards took the lead back in the third period on a Roman Lyuduchin goal, with a lone assist by Wilson. Sochi added on with an Alexei Krutov goal, passed from Wilson, who got a sock trick. The final ended up being 3-1, with the three stars going to Wilson, Popperle (27 for 28 in saves), and Lyuduchin.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Ville Kolppanen man the nets. Podolsk started in the first period with an Alexei Makeyev goal, coming off of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Maxim Afinogenov. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a shorthanded Igor Polygalov goal, set up by Maxim Rybin. Neftekhimik took the lead with a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal, via Alexander Korolyuk. Vityaz tied it on a third period goal by Vyacheslav Solodukhin, courtesy of Alexei Semenov and Konstantin Klimontov. Podolsk took the lead on a shorthanded goal by Dmitry Shitikov, with a lone helper by Nikita Vyglazov. This gave them a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Shitikov, Solodukhin, and Makeyev.

Westward to St. Petersburg, as SKA welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Magnitogorsk began in the first period on a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, assisted by Viktor Antipin and Rafael Batyrshin. St. Petersburg tied it in the second period with a Roman Cervenka goal, courtesy of Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. Metallurg took the lead back on a Batyrshin goal in the third period, via Danis Zaripov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Batyrshin, Koshechkin (28 for 29 in saves), and Yakutsenya.

Finally, Dynamo Moscow hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Omsk led off with a first period Alexander Popov goal, via Alexander Perezhogin and Chad Kolarik. Moscow tied it as Maxim Pestushko scored on a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Denis Kulyash. Dynamo took the lead with a Maxim Karpov power play goal, powered by Konstantin Volkov. Moscow added on as Kaspars Daugavins scored, thanks to Pestushko and Konstantin Gorovikov. Avangard got one back on an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Shirokov. Omsk tied it on a Perezhogin goal, assisted by Kolarik on the power play. Dynamo took the lead back in the third period with an unassisted goal by Denis Mosalyov. Avangard retied it on an Evgeny Mozer goal, guided in by Vladimir Sobotka. Moscow won 5-4 with a Janne Jalasvaara goal, with a lone assist by Karpov in overtime. The three stars were given to Pestushko, Perezhogin, and Karpov, while Kolarik gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

NHL November 5th, 2014

Three games tonight, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Michal Neuvirth are the backups in goal. Montreal got going in the third period on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his third of the season, assisted by P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov. Buffalo tied it on a power play goal by Drew Stafford, his second of the year, powered by Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Brian Gionta of the Sabres and Alex Galchenyuk of the Canadiens cancelled each other out before a Parenteau winner for Montreal. The final was 2-1, with the three stars being Parenteau, Tokarski (31 for 32 in saves), and Neuvirth (also 31 for 32 in saves).

Staying in the state, the New York Rangers welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. New York started in the first period with a Rick Nash power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Derick Brassard and Matt Hunwick. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Martin St. Louis goal, his fourth of the year, via Hunwick and Michael Kostka. Detroit got on the board as Jakub Kindl scored a power play goal, thanks to Riley Sheahan and Johan Franzen. The Red Wings tied it with a Daniel Cleary goal, with a lone assist by Drew Miller. New York retook the lead in the third period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his third of the season, coming off of Dominic Moore and Chris Kreider. Detroit retied it as Tomas Tatar potted his fourth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Andrej Nestrasil and Kindl. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime with a Brassard power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, fueled by Dan Girardi and St. Louis. The three stars went to Brassard, St. Louis, and Kindl, while Hunwick gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Jason LaBarbera receive the starting nods. New York opened in the first period on a John Tavares goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders added on in the second period with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Brock Nelson. Anaheim got on the board with a power play goal by Matt Beleskey, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Kesler and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks tied it on an Emerson Etem goal, passed from Cam Fowler and Rickard Rakell. New York won 3-2 in overtime on a Tavares power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, via Lubomir Visnovsky and Okposo. The three stars were awarded to Tavares, Halak (32 for 34 in saves), and Okposo.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 5th, 2014

Four games today, beginning in the Far East with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Dinamo Minsk. Danny Taylor and Alexei Murygin draw the starts. Khabarovsk led off in the first period on an Alexander Ryazantsev goal, via Dmitry Lugin. Minsk tied it with an Alexander Materukhin goal, courtesy of Matt Ellison and Nick Bailen on the power play. Amur took the lead back on a Lugin goal, assisted by Mikhail Fisenko and Marcel Hascak in the second period. Dinamo tied it again with an Alexander Kulakov goal, passed from Ellison. Khabarovsk regained the lead with a Fisenko goal, guided in by Denos Yezhov and Lugin. Amur added on with a Hascak goal, fueled by Fisenko and Alexander Loginov. The final was 4-2, and the three stars went to Lugin, Fisenko, and Hascak, while Ellison gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Dmitry Shikin and Ivan Nalimov are the backups making spot starts. Vladivostok began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Enver Lisin. Mytishchi tied it on a Vitaly Novopashin power play goal, powered by Ondrej Nemec and Nikita Soshnikov. Atlant pulled ahead on an Igor Radulov goal in the second period, via Oleg Yashin. Admiral tied it with an Alexei Ugarov goal, courtesy of Lisin and Denis Kuzmin on the power play. Vladivostok won with an overtime goal by Konstantin Makarov, assisted by Artyom Zemchyonok and Lisin. The final was 3-2, and the three stars went to Lisin, Makarov, and Ugarov.

Southwest to Astana, as Barys brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Dekanich and Jan Laco are the masked men. Astana struck first in the first period on a Kevin Dallman power play goal, powered by Mike Lundin and Dustin Boyd. Barys added on with a shorthanded Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, set up by Andrei Gavrilin. Zagreb got on the board in the second period with a Nathan Perkovich goal, via Geoffrey Kinrade and Mark Popovic. Astana shot back with a Nigel Dawes goal, with a lone assist by Brandon Bochenski. Barys finished it at 4-1 in the third period on a Bochenski goal, coming off of Mikhail Rakhmanov. The three stars belonged to Bochenski, Pushkaryov, and Dawes.

Finally, in Novosibirsk, Sibir hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. They did this very well, as the game was scoreless into the shootout. They got a bit generous in the shootout. Sibir saw goals from Alexei Kopeikin and Dmitry Monya twice each, while Slovan got goals from Rok Ticar twice, and one apiece from Michal Vondrka and Tomas Netik. The clincher favored Sibir for a 1-0 win on a Jonas Enlund goal. The three stars went to Koskinen (24 save shutout), Janus (27 save "shutout"), and Enlund.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

NHL November 4th, 2014

Twelve games on today, beginning in...

Boston, where the Bruins host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Florida got going in the second period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, made possible by Brad Boyes and Aaron Ekblad. Boston tied it on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Reilly Smith. The Bruins won 2-1 in overtime with a Marchand goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Dougie Hamilton. The three stars went to Marchand, Rask (18 for 19 in saves), and Bergeron.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth and Steve Mason are set to start. Philadelphia opened in the first period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mark Streit and Nicklas Grossmann. The Flyers added on with another Voracek goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, via Michael Del Zotto and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead in the second period as Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored his second of the season, thanks to Chris VandeVelde and Zac Rinaldo. Edmonton got on the board with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz. The Flyers shot back with a Luke Schenn goal, with a lone assist by Brayden Schenn. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 4-1, and the three stars went to Voracek, Mason (35 for 36 in saves), and Bellemare.

Nearby, the Washington Capitals bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Calgary started with a Lance Bouma goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman. Washington tied it on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his third of the year, coming off of Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. The Flames took the lead in the second period on a Mark Giordano goal, his fourth of the season, via T.J. Brodie and David Jones. The Capitals tied it again on a Marcus Johansson goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Troy Brouwer and John Carlson. Washington took the lead with a Joel Ward power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Backstrom and Ovechkin. Calgary tied it in the third period as Markus Granlund scored his second of the year, an unassisted goal. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime on a Sean Monahan goal, his fourth of the campaign, guided in by Josh Jooris and Giordano. The three stars went to Backstrom, Giordano, and Ovechkin.

West a bit to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Curtis McElhinney are the weak goalies. Carolina struck first in the first period with a Zach Boychuk goal, his second of the season, coming off of Tim Gleason and Ron Hainsey. The Hurricanes added on as Riley Nash scored his third of the year, thanks to Andrej Sekera and Elias Lindholm. Columbus got on the board with a Nick Foligno goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Ryan Johansen and David Savard. Carolina shot back in the second period on a shorthanded and unassisted Justin Faulk goal. The Blue Jackets pulled back on a third period Foligno goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, made possible by Dalton Prout. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Eric Staal, his second of the campaign, set up by Bellemore. The three stars went to Foligno, Faulk, and Nash.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Carey Price guard the cages. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Andrew Shaw. The Blackhawks added on with a second period Kris Versteeg goal, his third of the year, coming off of David Rundblad and Bryan Bickell. Chicago extended the lead in the third period as Brad Richards scored his second of the season, courtesy of Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks padded the lead with a Patrick Kane goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago finished it at 5-0 with another Versteeg goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, assisted by Bickell and Rundblad. The three stars went to Versteeg, Toews, and Crawford (28 save shutout), while Bickell and Rundblad get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Cory Schneider are the young goalies. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz. This was good for a 1-0 Blues win, with the three stars awarded to Allen (26 save shutout), Tarasenko, and Schneider (22 for 23 in saves).

Into Canada again, as the Ottawa Senators host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Ottawa led off with a second period Erik Karlsson goal, his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Kyle Turris and David Legwand. Detroit tied it in the third period on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Johan Franzen and Danny DeKeyser. The Senators retook the lead with a Patrick Wiercioch goal, made possible by Mark Stone and Curtis Lazar. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Clarke MacArthur, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Cody Ceci. The three stars were given to Anderson (31 for 32 in saves), Wiercioch, and Howard (29 for 31 in saves).

Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Ondrej Pavelec in goal. Winnipeg began in the first period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little on the power play. The Jets added on with a power play goal by Mark Scheifele, his second of the year, powered by Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. Nashville got on the board with a Filip Forsberg goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, made possible by Shea Weber and Mike Ribeiro. Winnipeg finished it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Wheeler, his fifth of the year, set up by Jacob Trouba. The three stars were given to Pavelec (23 for 24 in saves), Wheeler, and Scheifele.

Down in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Darcy Kuemper are the little-known goalies. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Nick Spaling goal, his second of the season, via Steve Downie and Rob Scuderi. The Penguins added on as Brandon Sutter scored his third of the year in the second period, thanks to Scuderi and Paul Martin. Pittsburgh extended the lead with a Chris Kunitz power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Minnesota got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Nino Neiderreiter in the third period, his fourth of the year, set up by Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin. The Penguins replied on a Patric Hornqvist empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Sidney Crosby. The three stars in the 4-1 game were Greiss (33 for 34 in saves), Sutter, and Scuderi.

Way south to Dallas, as the Stars host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Kari Lehtonen are the masked men. Dallas started in the first period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his second of the season, fueled by Vernon Fiddler and Jordie Benn. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with a Trevor Lewis shorthanded goal, set up by Jarret Stoll. The Kings took the lead in the third period on a Dustin Brown goal, his second of the year, coming off of Mike Richards and Dwight King. Los Angeles added on with a Kyle Clifford goal, with a lone assist by Lewis. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Lewis, Quick (33 for 34 in saves), and Brown.

Northwest to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Semyon Varlamov are the reliable goalies. Colorado struck first in the first period on a John Mitchell goal, his second of the season, guided in by Alex Tanguay and Dennis Everberg. The Avalanche added on with a Jamie McGinn goal, his fourth of the year, via Jarome Iginla and Erik Johnson. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with a Henrik Sedin goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it on a third period goal by Derek Dorsett, his second of the year, assisted by Dan Hamhuis and Zack Kassian. Vancouver took the lead as Nick Bonino scored his fifth of the season, with the help of Chris Higgins and Linden Vey. The Canucks extended the lead on another Bonino goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, coming off of Higgins and Jannik Hansen. Vancouver wrapped it up at 5-2 on a Shawn Matthias goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Bonino, Higgins, and Dorsett.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Mike Smith receive the starting nods. Arizona was first to score with a first period goal by Sam Gagner, his second of the season, via Lauri Korpikoski. The Coyotes added on with a Martin Erat goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Martin Hanzal and Zbynek Michalek. Arizona extended the lead in the second period with an unassisted Antoine Vermette goal, his third of the season. Toronto got on the board as Dion Phaneuf scored a power play goal, powered by Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs pulled closer in the third period with a Cody Franson power play goal, his second of the year, fueled by James van Riesmdyk and Kessel. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Vermette, Erat, and Kessel.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 4th, 2014

Four games for today, beginning in...

Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Jakub Kovar guard the cages. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Jiri Novotny goal, assisted by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv added on as Martin Thornberg scored, with a lone assist by Emil Galimov. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an Alexei Simakov goal, guided in by Gilbert Brule and Anton Lazarev. Yaroslavl shot back on a Geoff Platt goal, via Igor Musatov. Avtomobilist pulled closer in the third period with a Tobias Viklund power play goal, powered by Simakov and Sami Lepisto. This produced a 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Simakov, Platt, and Thornberg.

West to Moscow, as Dynamo welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Alexander Yeryomenko are in the creases. Moscow opened in the first period on an unassisted Mat Robinson goal. Dynamo added on with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, powered by Kaspars Daugavins. Moscow extended the lead with a Sergei Soin goal, with a lone helper by Konstantin Glazachev. Leland Irving replaced Sokhatsky. Dynamo padded the lead in the second period on a Robinson power play goal, assisted by Yury Babenko and Soin. Moscow kept going in the third period with a Konstantin Volkov goal, fueled by Alexander Osipov. Dynamo finished it at 6-0 on a Konstantin Gorovikov goal, via Janne Jalasvaara and Pestushko. The three stars went to Robinson, Soin, and Pestushko.

Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Stanislav Galimov are between the pipes. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period on a Nikita Dvurechensky goal, fueled by Juuso Hietanen and Alexei Potapov. Moscow tied it with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, coming off of Alexander Radulov and Denis Denisov. CSKA took the lead in the second period as Prokhorkin scored again, thanks to Radulov and Stanislav Yegorshev. Torpedo retied it on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, with a lone assist by Nikita Filatov. Moscow took the lead back on a Roman Lyubimov goal, courtesy of Georgy Misharin. CSKA added on with an Igor Grigorenko goal, passed from Radulov, who got a sock trick, and Bogdan Kiselevich. Moscow extended the lead in the third period with an Evgeny Artyukhin goal, guided in by Simon Hjalmarsson and Misharin. Nizhny Novgorod got one back with a Denis Kazionov goal, helped along by Jarkko Immonen and Vadim Khomitsky. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Prokhorkin, Radulov, and Misharin.

Finally, up in Helsinki, Jokerit hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Henrik Karlsson receive the starting nods. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Chris Lee goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Viktor Antipin goal, courtesy of Zaripov and Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Kovar scored a power play goal, powered by Lee and Zaripov, the latter getting a sock trick. Helsinki got on the board with a Linus Omark goal, with a lone assist by Steve Moses. Metallurg answered in the third period on a Kovar goal, via Denis Platonov and Zaripov. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars going to Zaripov, Lee, and Kovar.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, November 3, 2014

NHL November 3rd, 2014

Just one game tonight, as the New York Rangers host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Cam Talbot draw the starts. New York led off with a Chris Kreider goal in the first period, his third of the season, a power play goal courtesy of Matt Hunwick and Anthony Duclair. St. Louis tied it in the second period on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and the goalie Elliott. The Blues took the lead with a third period goal by Patrik Berglund, passed from Barret Jackman. The Rangers tied it with a Martin St. Louis goal, his second of the season, assisted by Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard. New York took the lead as St. Louis scored his second of the game and third of the year, via Rick Nash and Brassard. St. Louis retied it with a Jay Bouwmeester goal, coming off of Jori Lehtera and Tarasenko. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Alexander Steen and Tarasenko's goals led the Blues to a 4-3 win over a lone tally from Lee Stempniak. The three stars were Tarasenko, St. Louis, Brassard.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.