NHL Day 103 2013-2014

Ten games are on today, beginning with a matinee in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Steve Mason are set to start. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with an Alex Killorn goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Lightning added on as Teddy Purcell scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Matthew Carle. Philadelphia got on the board with a Jakub Voracek goal, his eleventh of the campaign, helped along by Claude Giroux. Tampa Bay shot back on a Ryan Malone goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Nate Thompson and B.J. Crombeen. The Flyers answered as Wayne Simmonds put away his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Scott Hartnell and Giroux. Philadelphia tied it on Voracek's second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, via Andrej Meszaros. The Lightning took the lead back with a Filppula goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Killorn and Purcell. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Martin St. Louis netted his twentieth of the year, fueled by Tyler Johnson and Radko Gudas. Mason was pulled for Ray Emery at this time. The Lightning wrapped it up at 6-3 with a third period Malone goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Crombeen and Carle. Malone, Filppula, and Voracek got the three stars, while Killorn, Purcell, Carle, Crombeen, and Giroux get the honorable mentions.

Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Marek Mazanec are the iffy goalies. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Cory Conacher. Nashville tied it on a Mike Fisher goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Ryan Ellis and Seth Jones. The Senators won 2-1 with shootout goals from Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza sealing the victory. The three stars were Anderson (32 for 33 in saves), Mazanec (20 for 21 in saves), and Turris.

North to Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Andrei Markov goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alexei Emelin and Michael Bournival. Chicago tied it in the third period with a Marian Hossa goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. The Canadiens won 2-1 in overtime as Markov scored his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, coming off of Max Pacioretty. The three stars went to Markov, Price (19 for 20 in saves), and Crawford (36 for 38 in saves).

Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Cory Schneider are the masked men. New Jersey led off in the first period with a Michael Ryder goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Ryane Clowe and Adam Henrique. Florida tied it in the second period on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Fleischmann and Scottie Upshall. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime with a Marek Zidlicky goal, his eighth of the campaign, made possible by Jaromir Jagr and Travis Zajac. Schneider (29 for 30 in saves), Zidlicky, and Ryder received the three stars.

Into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Ondrej Pavelec are the below average goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period on an Eric O'Dell goal, via Keaton Ellerby and Adam Pardy. Columbus tied it in the second period on a Mark Letestu shorthanded goal, his third of the season, set up by Derek MacKenzie and Fedor Tyutin. The Blue Jackets took the lead on a Cam Atkinson goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of James Wisniewski and Ryan Murray. Columbus added on with a Nick Foligno goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Ryan Johansen and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Boone Jenner converted a penalty shot for his seventh of the year, received after Pardy held him. The Jets got one back on a Tobias Enstrom goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Bryan Little. Columbus shot back in the third period on another Jenner goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, assisted by Nathan Horton and Artem Anisimov. Winnipeg pulled back with a power play goal by Little, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. The Blue Jackets replied with a Letestu goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, with assists provided by Wisniewski and MacKenzie. This was good for a 6-3 win, with Letestu, Jenner, and Little getting the three stars, while Wisniewski and MacKenzie get the honorable mentions.

South to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Niklas Backstrom are the veteran goalies. Colorado started in the second period on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Paul Stastny and Max Talbot. The Avalanche added on as Ryan O'Reilly scored his fifteenth of the year, thanks to John Mitchell and Andre Benoit. Minnesota got on the board with a Charlie Coyle goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Dany Heatley. The Wild tied it on another Coyle goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, coming off of Heatley and Nate Prosser. Colorado took the lead in the third period with an O'Reilly goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, fueled by Matt Duchene. The Avalanche iced it at 4-2 with a Talbot empty net goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Benoit. The three stars were given to O'Reilly, Coyle, and Talbot, while Benoit and Heatley get the honorable mentions.

Further to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller faces a lesser foe in Thomas Greiss in goal. Phoenix began in the first period with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. Anaheim tied it with a Hampus Lindholm goal, his fourth of the year, via Nick Bonino and Kyle Palmieri. The Ducks took the lead in the second period with a Sami Vatanen goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Jakob Silfverberg and Mathieu Perreault. Anaheim added on with a Dustin Penner goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Corey Perry and Perreault. The Ducks extended the lead on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming off of Penner and Perry. Mike Smith relieved Greiss at this time. Anaheim padded the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Lindholm, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by Pat Maroon and Perreault, the latter getting a sock trick. The Coyotes got one back on a Hanzal power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Phoenix pulled closer on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Vrbata, who got a sock trick, and Kyle Chipchura. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Lindholm, Perry, and Perreault, while Vrbata, Penner, and Hanzal get the honorable mentions.

Northward to Calgary, as the Flames host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Reto Berra are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period on a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Robert Bortuzzo. The Penguins added on in the second period with a Matt Niskanen goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone helper from Tanner Glass. Calgary got on the board in the third period on a Mikael Backlund goal, his sixth of the campaign, guided in by T.J. Brodie and Jiri Hudler. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Fleury (27 for 28 in saves), Niskanen, and Kunitz.

Into California, where the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles opened in the first period with a Drew Doughty goal, his seventh of the season, coming on the power play via Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards. Detroit tied it on a Riley Sheahan goal, fueled by Toams Tatar and Brendan Smith. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period on a Tatar goal, his tenth of the year, with the help of Sheahan and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit added on with a Daniel Cleary goal, his fourth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Luke Glendening. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Howard (44 for 45 in saves), Tatar, and Sheahan.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goalies. Boston started in the third period on a Carl Soderberg goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Loui Eriksson and Ryan Spooner. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being given to Rask (26 save shutout), Soderberg, and Niemi (21 for 22 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

KHL Day 130 2013-2014: The All-Star Game

Annually, the KHL plays an All-Star game (unlike the NHL, which takes Olympics and lockout years off). This year, the KHL's All-Stars were shuffled to Bratislava, Slovakia and filed into the home of HC Slovan to play in front of 10,055 fans. They did not disappoint.

For the first period, team East played Mikko Koskinen in goal, while team West played Ivan Lisutin. West began with a Maxim Chudinov goal, assisted by Marcel Hossa and Ilya Gorokhov. West added on as Jonathan Cheechoo scored, thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk and Miroslav Satan. West extended the lead on a Geoff Platt goal, via Viktor Tikhonov and Kurtis Foster. East got on the board with an Enver Lisin goal, passed from Fyodor Malykhin. East pulled closer on a Talgat Zhailauov goal, guided in by Alexander Popov and Brandon Bochenski. West answered on a Sandis Ozolins goal, with a lone assist by Tikhonov. West padded the lead on an unassisted goal by Maxim Afinogenov. East shot back on a Jan Kovar penalty shot conversion after he was tripped by Satan. East pulled closer on a Malykhin goal, made possible by Jori Lehtera and Lisin. East tied it with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, with a lone helper by Yegor Milovzorov. West took the lead back on a Leo Komarov goal, set up by Tikhonov and Deron Quint. This gave them a 6-5 lead at the first intermission.

In the second period, East tied it early on an unassisted goal by Lehtera. West retook the lead as Hossa converted a penalty shot he received after Shaun Heshka tripped him. East tied it again on a Denis Parshin goal, coming off of Kirill Koltsov and Milovzorov. East took the lead with a Milovzorov goal, fueled by Petruzalek. West retied it on a Denis Denisov goal, made possible by Afinogenov and Hossa. West pulled ahead with another Hossa goal, via Milan Bartovic and Afinogenov. The goalies were switched at this time, with Jaroslav Janus coming on for the West and Konstantin Barulin was sent out for the East. West added on with a Kovalchuk goal, with a lone helper by Satan. East replied with a Bochenski goal, courtesy of Popov and Zhailauov. West answered with a Denisov goal, with a lone assist from Komarov. East pulled back with a Parshin goal, passed from Petruzalek. West took it back on a Gorokhov goal, guided in by Tikhonov and Komarov. Team West took a 12-10 lead into the second intermission.

West struck first in the third period with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, via Komarov. East answered when Andrei Zubarev scored, thanks to Lehtera. West shot back with a Komarov goal, set up by Prokhorkin. West added on as Tikhonov scored, with assists provided by Chudinov and Prokhorkin. West extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Bartovic. East chipped back on a Lehtera goal, guided in by Malykhin and Lisin. East pulled closer on a Bochenski goal, made possible by Koltsov and Milovzorov. East got closer with a Chris Lee goal, coming off of Milovzorov and Petruzalek. West padded their lead with an empty net goal from Platt, set up by Cheechoo and Kovalchuk. East replied when Sergei Mozyakin scored a goal, going in unassisted. West countered on a Satan goal, via Tikhonov. East pulled back with another Mozyakin goal, and according to the live game page, Mozyakin assisted himself on this goal. This was as close as it got, with the final being 18-16 in favor of the West.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 102 2013-2014

Six games on this evening, beginning in...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Sergei Bobrovsky are the Russian goalies. Columbus began in the first period with a Boone Jenner goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets added on with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Cam Atkinson and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus extended the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Atkinson, his twelfth of the campaign, powered by Mark Letestu and Ryan Murray. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars being Bobrovsky (36 save shutout), Atkinson, and Jenner.

East to New York, as the Rangers welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. Dallas struck first in the first period on a Cody Eakin goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Ryan Garbutt and Jordie Benn. New York tied it with a Ryan Callahan goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Brad Richards and Benoit Pouliot. The Stars took the lead back in the second period with a Garbutt goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Antoine Roussel and Eakin. The Rangers retied it with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Richards. New York took the lead in the third period on a Rick Nash goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Garbutt, Eakin, and Richards.

Into DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Michal Neuvirth are between the pipes. Washington got going in the second period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Mikhail Grabovski and Mike Green. Toronto tied it with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the third period on a Kessel goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of van Riemsdyk and Carl Gunnarsson. The Capitals tied it on an unassisted Nicklas Backstrom goal, his eleventh of the year. Washington took the lead when Joel Ward scored his thirteenth of the campaign, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Ovechkin. This was good for a 3-2 win, and Ovechkin, Kessel, and van Riemsdyk were the three stars.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin is mismatched with Semyon Varlamov in goal. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Andre Benoit and Jamie McGinn. New York tied it in the third period on a Brock Nelson goal, his fifth of the year, via Calvin de Haan and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders won 2-1 in overtime with a Michael Grabner goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Brian Strait. The three stars were given to Poulin (30 for 31 in saves), Grabner, and Nelson.

North to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff and Devan Dubnyk are the backups making spot starts. Pittsburgh was first to score in the second period on a James Neal goal, his seventeenth of the season, with a lone assist by Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Sidney Crosby goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Brian Gibbons and Matt Niskanen. Edmonton got on the board in the third period as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz. The Oilers tied it on a Taylor Hall goal, his seventeenth of the year, passed from Nugent-Hopkins and Sam Gagner. Pittsburgh retook the lead as Kris Letang scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Crosby. Edmonton tied it again with an Anton Belov goal, made possible by Ales Hemsky and Mark Arcobello. The Oilers won 4-3 in overtime with a Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his thirteenth of the year and second of the game, guided in by Eberle and Schultz. The three stars were Nugent-Hopkins, Crosby, and Eberle, while Schultz gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Eddie Lack are in the creases. Vancouver led off in the second period with a Zac Dalpe goal, his second of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. St. Louis tied it with an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Jay Bouwmeester and Patrik Berglund. The Canucks took the lead in the third period on a Mike Santorelli goal, his tenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Jason Garrison. This made it 2-1, the final, with Lack (30 for 31 in saves), Santorelli, and Dalpe getting the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 101 2013-2014

Nine games on this evening, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Anton Khudobin are given the starting nods. Carolina led off with a Zach Boychuk goal, made possible by Brett Sutter and Elias Lindholm. The Hurricanes added on when Jeff Skinner scored his twenty-first of the season, a power play goal powered by Jordan Staal and Lindholm. Toronto got on the board with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Mason Raymond and Nazem Kadri. Carolina replied with a Patrick Dwyer goal, his fifth of the season, via Jordan Staal and Nathan Gerbe. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the second period on a John-Michael Liles goal, assisted by Boychuk. Carolina padded the lead in the third period when Jordan Staal scored his tenth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes wrapped it up at 6-1 on a power play goal from Lindholm, his fourth of the campaign, passed from Skinner and Jordan Staal. The three stars went to Jordan Staal, Lindholm, and Boychuk, while Skinner gets an honorable mention.

Up in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jhonas Enroth are set to start. Buffalo got going in the second period with a Jamie McBain goal, his third of the season, assisted by Steve Ott and Matt D'Agostini. Florida tied it in the third period on a Brad Boyes goal, his twelfth of the year, via Tom Gilbert and Sean Bergenheim. The tie lasted to a shootout, where a Boyes tally was all they needed to win 2-1. The three stars went to Boyes, Thomas (23 for 24 in saves), and Enroth (34 for 35 in saves).

Over in New Jersey, the Devils bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Cory Schneider are the masked men. New Jersey dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Michael Ryder goal, his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Travis Zajac and Ryane Clowe. This was all they needed to win 1-0, with the three stars going to Schneider (26 save shutout), Ryder, and Lehtonen (33 for 34 in saves).

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Anders Lindback are the little-known goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Ondrej Palat. Washington tied it with an Eric Fehr goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Alexander Ovechkin and Karl Alzner. The Capitals took the lead on a Mikhail Grabovski power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Joel Ward and Mike Green. Washington added on with a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson. The Lightning got one back in the second period as B.J. Crombeen scored, thanks to Victor Hedman and Tom Pyatt. Tampa Bay tied it on a third period Palat goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Matthew Carle and Martin St. Louis. The Capitals regained the lead late with another Fehr goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, passed from Green and Dmitry Orlov. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being given to Fehr, Palat, and Green.

Northwest to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Marek Mazanec are the young goalies. Nashville was first to score in the first period with a Paul Gaustad goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Gabriel Bourque and Viktor Stalberg. The Predators added on as Craig Smith scored his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Matt Cullen and Matt Hendricks. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with the twenty-first of the season by Ryan Getzlaf, with a lone helper from Matt Beleskey. The Ducks tied it as Getzlaf scored his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, again helped along by Getzlaf. Nashville retook the lead on a Rich Clune goal, his second of the season, made possible by Smith and Cullen. Anaheim retied it on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, coming off of Getzlaf. The Ducks gained the lead as Teemu Selanne scored his fifth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Pat Maroon and Mathieu Perreault. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 5-2 final, with Getzlaf, Smith, and Beleskey getting the three stars, while Cullen picks up an honorable mention.

Further northwest to Calgary, as the Flames bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak faces a lesser foe in Karri Ramo in goal. St. Louis struck first in the first period as Chris Stewart potted his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Derek Roy and Brenden Morrow. The Blues added on with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Barret Jackman and the goalie Halak. St. Louis extended the lead as Ian Cole scored his second of the season in the second period, with a lone helper from Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues padded the lead in the third period on an Alex Pietrangelo power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis iced it at 5-0 with a Tarasenko goal, his fifteenth of the campaign coming on the power play via Jordan Leopold and Sobotka. The three stars were awarded to Halak (33 save shutout), Tarasenko, and Sobotka.

Down to Phoenix, where the Coyotes host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Minnesota began in the first period on a Justin Fontaine goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Matt Cooke. Phoenix tied it in the second period as Mikkel Boedker scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Shane Doan and Michael Stone. The Wild retook the lead in the third period with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Cooke and Marco Scandella. Minnesota added on as Fontaine scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jason Pominville and Nino Neiderreiter. The Wild extended the lead when Fontaine finished his hat trick with his eleventh of the campaign, another power play goal, with assists provided by Brodziak and Neiderreiter. This made it a 4-1 final, with Fontaine, Brodziak, and Cooke getting the three stars while Neiderreiter gets the honorable mention.

Westward to Los Angeles, where the Kings welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Jeff Carter goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Anze Kopitar. The Kings added on in the second period when Justin Williams scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Slava Voynov and the goalie Quick. Los Angeles extended the lead as Alec Martinez scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Robyn Regehr and Mike
Richards. Rask was pulled in favor of Chad Johnson. Boston got on the board with a Matt Fraser goal, his second of the year, coming off of Carl Soderberg and Dougie Hamilton. The Kings replied in the third period on a Dustin Brown goal, his ninth of the season, via Jarret Stoll and Williams. The Bruins got one back on a Justin Florek goal, passed from Johnny Boychuk and Gregory Campbell. This only made it 4-2, the final, with Williams, Martinez, and Brown getting the three stars.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose opened in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. Detroit tied it on a Tomas Tatar goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Luke Glendening and Brendan Smith. The Sharks retook the lead in the second period as Andrew Desjardins scored his second of the season, via Bracken Kearns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose added on with a Pavelski goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, made possible by Brad Stuart and Justin Braun. The Sharks extended the lead with a Dan Boyle power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jason Demers and Thornton. Petr Mrazek relieved Howard for the third period. There was no more scoring, so San Jose won 4-1, with the three stars being Pavelski, Niemi (24 for 25 in saves), and Thornton.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 128 2013-2014

Eleven games on for the day before the KHL All-Star Break. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period on a Vadim Berdnikov goal, assisted by Anatoly Nikontsev. Severstal added on in the second period with a Nikontsev goal, fueled by Nikolai Stasenko and Berdnikov. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Bykov, powered by Andrei Stepanov. Cherepovets iced it at 3-1 on a Nikontsev empty net goal, set up by Petr Caslava. The three stars were given to Nikontsev, Berdnikov, and Stepanek (36 for 37 in saves).

South to Vladivostok, as Admiral welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Vladivostok got going in the second period on a Felix Schutz goal, coming off of Niclas Bergfors. Admiral added on as Schutz scored his second of the game, an unassisted goal. Mytishchi got on the board with a Roman Rukavishnikov goal, guided in by Alexander Kadeikin. Atlant tied it with a Maxim Mayorov goal, courtesy of Andreas Engqvist and Igor Radulov. Mytishchi took the lead on an Alexei Mikhnov goal, with a lone assist by Kadeikin. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 3-2 final, with the three stars being Schutz, Kadeikin, and Mikhnov.

Out in Novosibirsk, Sibir brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak faces a lesser foe in Niktia Bespalov in goal. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, made possible by Alexander Kutuzov. Sibir added on as Alexei Kopeikin scored, thanks to Kugryshev. Novosibirsk extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted goal by Jori Lehtera. Novosibirsk wrapped it up at 4-0 with another Lehtera goal, going into the empty net shorthanded and unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Lehtera, Bespalov (33 save shutout), and Kugryshev.

Over in Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Ilya Sorokin are the masked men. Novokuznetsk led off in the first period with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, going in unassisted. Yaroslavl tied it with a Daniil Apalkov goal, fueled by Sergei Konkov. Lokomotiv took the lead in the second period as Geoff Platt scored, with the help of Staffan Kronwall and Igor Musatov. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Platt, Sanford (27 for 28 in saves), and Apalkov.

Westward to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Alexei Volkov are between the pipes. Ufa struck first in the first period on an Igor Mirnov goal, assisted by Kirill Koltsov. Bratislava tied it in the second period with a Miroslav Satan power play goal, powered by Martin Stajnoch and Tomas Mojzis. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead on a Nikita Filatov goal, via Koltsov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Slovan tied it with a third period goal by Libor Hudacek, with a lone helper from Satan. Ufa retook the lead again on a Filatov penalty shot goal he received after being held by Vladimir Mihalik. Salavat Yulaev iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Antti Pihlstrom, set up by Denis Khlystov and Arturs Kulda. The three stars went to Filatov, Satan, and Koltsov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov on the power play. Metallurg added on in the second period with a Mozyakin goal, fueled by Jan Kovar and Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead with a Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Tim Brent. Moscow got on the board in the third period on an Alexander Radulov goal, guided in by Ilari Filppula and Steven Eminger. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (32 for 33 in saves), and Tereshchenko.

Into the Urals, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Chelyabinsk began in the first period on an Andrei Popov goal, courtesy of Maxim Kondratyev and Anton Glinkin. Traktor added on as Jan Bulis scored, with a lone assist from Petri Kontiola. Riga got on the board in the second period with a Vitalijs Pavlovs goal, coming off of Mat Robinson and Rustams Begovs. Dinamo tied it as Marcel Hossa scored, thanks to Kyle Wilson and Miks Indrasis. Riga took the lead with a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, helped along by Indrasis and Paul Szczechura. Dinamo extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Marcel Hascak. Riga padded the lead on a Szczechura goal, passed from Arturs Kuzmenkovs and Hascak. This was good for a 5-2 win, with Szczechura, Hascak, and Indrasis getting the three stars.

Way west to Podolsk, as Vityaz welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Ivan Lisutin are the reliable goalies. Yekaterinburg started in the first period with an Artyom Chernov goal, assisted by Fyodor Malykhin and Anton Lazarev. Avtomobilist added on in the second period on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Igor Yemeleyev. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Martin Cibak goal, passed from Alexander Korolyuk and Mathias Porseland. Yekaterinburg replied on an Alexei Yefimov goal, made possible by Sergei Gusev and Yemeleyev. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being named as Yemeleyev, Kovar (27 for 28 in saves), and Yefimov.

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo brings in Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Mikhail Demidov are given the starting nods. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period on a Denis Parshin goal, via Vladimir Denisov and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Astana tied it with a Talgat Zhailauov power play goal, powered by Roman Starchenko and Nikolai Antropov. Torpedo retook the lead on a second period Jarkko Immonen power play goal, coming off of Alexander Makarov. Nizhny Novgorod added on as Sakari Salminen scored, thanks to Wojtek Wolski and Immonen. Barys got one back on a power play goal by Nigel Dawes passed from Brandon Bochenski and Mike Lundin. Torpedo responded on a Vladimir Galuzin goal, fueled by Juuso Hietanen and Krasnoslobodtsev. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Wolski. Torpedo padded the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Denisov, with assists provided by Wolski and Roman Lyuduchin. Nizhny Novgorod finished it at 7-2 on a Mikhail Grigoryev goal, helped along by Krasnoslobodtsev, who got a sock trick, and Galuzin. The three stars went to Wolski, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Immonen, while Denisov and Galuzin get the honorable mentions.

In Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik hosts Lev Prague. Atte Engren is mismatched with Matt Dalton in goal. Prague opened in the first period on a Petr Vrana goal, assisted by Jakub Klepis and Calle Ridderwall. Lev added on with a Martin Thornberg goal in the second period, via Mikko Maenpaa and Martin Sevc. Prague extended the lead when Lukas Cingel scored, thanks to Justin Azevedo and Ondrej Nemec. Alexander Sudnitsin relieved Dalton at this time. Lev padded the lead in the third period on a Jiri Sekac power play goal, powered by Patrik Zackrisson and Nathan Oystrick. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a power play goal by Yaroslav Alshevsky, passed from Nikolai Belov and Vitaly Shulakov. This made it 4-1, the final, and Engren (27 for 28 in saves), Thornberg, and Cingel got the three stars.

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Alexander Lazushin have the green light to start. Khanty-Mansiysk led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Mikhail Zhukov. Yugra added on as Artyom Bulyansky converted a penalty shot he received after Roman Derlyuk hooked him. Moscow got on the board with a Martins Karsums goal, assisted by Andrei Mironov and Maxim Karpov. Dynamo tied it as Sergei Soin scored, with the help of Maxim Solovyov and Derlyuk. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bulyansky was matched by Maxim Pestushko, before Nikita Gusev scored to secure a 3-2 Yugra win. The three stars belonged to Bulyansky, Gusev, and Zhukov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 100 2013-2014

Three games on tonight, beginning in...

Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Steve Mason draw the starts. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Sean Couturier goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Vincent Lecavalier and Andrej Meszaros. The Flyers added on as Zac Rinaldo scored, via Luke Schenn and Meszaros. Philadelphia extended the lead with a Michael Raffl goal in the second period, his third of the year, coming off of Meszaros, who got a sock trick, and Brayden Schenn. Montreal got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Tomas Plekanec, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Brian Gionta. This was as close as it got, with the three stars being Meszaros, Mason (19 for 20 in saves), and Rinaldo.

West to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Corey Crawford tend the twines. New York began in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, his eleventh of the season, via Ryan Callahan and Marc Staal. The Rangers added on with a Mats Zuccarello power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Michael Del Zotto and the goalie Lundqvist. Chicago got on the board in the second period as Jonathan Toews scored his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks tied it with a Brandon Bollig goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Marcus Kruger. New York retook the lead in the third period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his eleventh of the campaign, guided in by Staal and Richards. This was all they needed to win 3-2, with the three stars going to Richards, Staal, and Hagelin.

Finally, in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson faces a former team that has Semyon Varlamov in goal. Colorado started in the first period on a Jamie McGinn power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Erik Johnson and Nick Holden. The Avalanche added on with a Jan Hejda goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Gabriel Landeskog and Paul Stastny. Ottawa got on the board on a Clarke MacArthur goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Bobby Ryan. The Senators tied it in the second period with a Jason Spezza power play goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by MacArthur and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa took the lead on a Kyle Turris goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Mark Stone and Karlsson. Colorado tied it in the third period with a Stastny goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime with a Barrie goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Stastny and Landeskog, the latter getting a sock trick. Stastny, Barrie, and Landeskog got the three stars, while MacArthur and Karlsson get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

KHL Day 127 2013-2014

Only one game today, from Moscow, as Spartak hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Jeff Glass tend the twines. Moscow led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Kozlov power play goal, powered by Mikhail Yunkov and Denis Bodrov. Zagreb tied it in the second period with a Charles Linglet power play goal, with a lone assist from Mark Popovic. Medvescak took the lead in the third period with a Matt Murley power play goal, coming off of Bill Thomas and Jonathan Cheechoo. Zagreb iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Boyd Kane, set up by Ivan Svarny and Mike Glumac. The three stars went to Brust (35 for 36 in saves), Murley, and Linglet.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.