NHL Day 110 2013-2014

Today is Hockey Day in Canada, and the league will be having a big day because of it. We begin the first of thirteen games and three matinees in...

Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ben Bishop are the solid goalies. San Jose was first to score in the first period with a Matthew Nieto goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels. Tampa Bay tied it on a Martin St. Louis goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Tyler Johnson and Teddy Purcell on the power play. The Sharks retook the lead with a Marleau goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, guided in by Nieto and Wingels. The Lightning retied it on another St. Louis goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, coming off of Jean-Philippe Cote and the goalie Bishop. Tampa Bay pulled ahead as St. Louis completed his hat trick with his twenty-fourth of the year, with the help of J.T. Brown and Mark Barberio. The Lightning added on as St. Louis scored his fourth of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign in the second period, a power play goal powered by Purcell and Johnson. The last three goals for St. Louis gave him a rare natural hat trick that doesn't include his first goal of the game. San Jose shot back on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-third of the season, made possible by Tyler Kennedy and Jason Demers. The Sharks retied it as Pavelski scored his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, a power play goal fueled by Dan Boyle and Marleau. San Jose gained the lead when Pavelski finished his own natural hat trick with his twenty-fifth of the campaign, with assists provided by Matt Irwin and Joe Thornton. This was it for the scoring, making the final 5-4. The three stars were awarded to St. Louis, Pavelski, and Marleau, while Nieto, Wingels, Johnson, and Purcell all get honorable mentions.

Way to the northwest, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Edmonton Oilers for part one of Hocker Day in Canada. Ilya Bryzgalov and Ondrej Pavelec are the overrated goalies. Edmonton got going in the second period on a Jordan Eberle goal, his sixteenth of the season coming on the power play from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall. Winnipeg tied it in the third period on a Jacob Trouba shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead with a Mark Scheifele goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Blake Wheeler and Eric O'Dell. The Oilers retied it on a David Perron goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Jeff Petry and Sam Gagner. Winnipeg won 3-2 in overtime on a Trouba goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, made possible by Wheeler. The three stars went to Trouba, Scheifele, and Wheeler.

East to Ottawa, where the Senators bring in the New York Rangers for the last of the matinees. Cam Talbot and Craig Anderson are in the creases. Ottawa struck first in the first period on a Marc Methot goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Cody Ceci and Milan Michalek. New York tied it on a Brad Richards power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers took the lead in the second period with a Rick Nash goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone assist by Stepan. New York added on as Stepan scored his eighth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Rangers extended the lead in the third period on a goal by Mats Zuccarello, his thirteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Stepan, Talbot (29 for 30 in saves), and Nash.

Down in Buffalo, the Sabres host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Ryan Miller are the masked men. Buffalo began in the first period on a Tyler Myers goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis. Columbus tied it on a David Savard goal, his third of the year, passed from Derek MacKenzie and Mark Letestu. Buffalo retook the lead on a Drew Stafford goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Ennis. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Matt Calvert goal, his fifth of the year, via Nikita Nikitin and Brandon Dubinsky. Columbus took the lead in the second period with a Dubinsky power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Cam Atkinson and James Wisniewski. Buffalo tied it in the third period on another Myers goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Cody Hodgson and Christian Ehrhoff. The Blue Jackets won 4-3 in the shootout with a Ryan Johansen tally. The three stars were given to Dubinsky, Myers, and Ennis.

Back in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens for the second part of Hockey Day in Canada. Carey Price and Jonathan Bernier guard the cages. Toronto opened in the first period as Cody Franson scored his third of the season, thanks to Nazem Kadri and Nikolai Kulemin. Montreal tied it on a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Max Pacioretty and Andrei Markov. The Maple Leafs retook the lead in the second period as Phil Kessel scored his twenty-third of the season, fueled by Mason Raymond. Toronto added on with a Raymond power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Kadri and Morgan Rielly. The Canadiens got one back on a Brian Gionta goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Francis Bouillon. Montreal tied it in the third period as David Desharnais put away his eighth of the year, with the help of P.K. Subban. The Maple Leafs reclaimed the lead on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Tyler Bozak and Kessel. Toronto finished it at 5-3 with a Lupul goal, his fifteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Nikolai Kulemin. The three stars belonged to Raymond, Kessel, and Lupul, while Kadri gets an honorable mention.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jimmy Howard are the US Olympic team goalies. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Mike Richards power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Slava Voynov. Detroit tied it with a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Gustav Nyquist and Brendan Smith. The Kings took the lead in the third period back on a Jeff Carter goal, his eighteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin. The Red Wings tied it late on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Zetterberg and Tomas Tatar. Detroit won as Tatar scored the only goal in the shootout for a 3-2 win. Tatar, Zetterberg, and Kronwall get the three stars.

Backtracking to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Steve Mason receive the starting nods. New York led off in the first period on a John Tavares goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders added on with a shorthanded Cal Clutterbuck goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Frans Nielsen and Brian Strait. Philadelphia got on the board with an Andrej Meszaros goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Flyers tied it as Meszaros scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, with the help of Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds. Philadelphia took the lead on a second period goal by Adam Hall, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Mark Streit. New York retied it as Brock Nelson scored his seventh of the year, with the help of Calvin de Haan and Josh Bailey. The Islanders pulled ahead on a Strait goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nelson. Ray Emery relieved Mason at this time. The Flyers pulled even in the third period as Jakub Voracek scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. Philadelphia gained the lead with a Michael Raffl goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Giroux and Voracek. The Flyers wrapped it up at 6-4 with a Matt Read empty net goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Sean Couturier and Streit. The three stars went to Meszaros, Voracek, and Giroux, while Nelson and Strait get the honorable mentions.

South to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas faces a former teammate in Anton Khudobin in goal. Carolina started in the second period on a Riley Nash goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Radek Dvorak. Florida tied it on a Marcel Goc goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Jonathan Huberdeau and Tom Gilbert. The Hurricanes took the lead in the third period as Alexander Semin scored his seventh of the season, via Eric Staal. Carolina added on with a shorthanded goal by Semin, his second of the game and eighth of the year, set up by Eric Staal. The Panthers got one back as Kopecky scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Dmitry Kulikov and Nick Bjugstad. This only made it 3-2, the final, with Semin, Eric Staal, and Khudobin (37 for 39 in saves) getting the three stars.

Westward to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Brian Elliott are in the blue paint. Anaheim opened in the first period on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, courtesy of Corey Perry and Mark Fistric. The Ducks added on in the second period as Matt Belesky scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Nick Bonino. Anaheim extended the lead on a Cam Fowler power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Getzlaf and Bonino. St. Louis got on the board in the third period as Barret Jackman scored his second of the year, thanks to Vladimir Tarasenko and Vladimir Sobotka. The Blues pulled closer on a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, via T.J. Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo. This wasn't enough to avoid a 3-2 loss, with the three stars being handed to Getzlaf, Bonino, and Fowler.

Over in Nashville, the Predators host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Devan Dubnyk are in goal. Colorado was first to score on a Nick Holden goal, his third of the season, via Nathan MacKinnon and Paul Stastny. The Avalanche added on with a Jan Hejda goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of John Mitchell and Cody McLeod. Colorado extended the lead as Gabriel Landeskog scored his fourteenth of the season, passed from Stastny and MacKinnon. Nashville got on the board with a second period Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Mike Fisher and David Legwand. The Avalanche shot back in the third period as Holden scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with the help of Mitchell. Colorado padded the lead on a power play goal by Matt Duchene, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Holden and Ryan O'Reilly. The Predators answered on a Craig Smith goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Nick Spaling and Roman Josi. Nashville pulled closer on a Ryan Ellis goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The Predators chipped closer on a Josi goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Viktor Stalberg and Ellis. They failed to tie it, losing 5-4, with the three stars being Holden, Ellis, and Josi, while MacKinnon, Stastny, and Mitchell get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Phoenix, as the Coyotes welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Phoenix began in the first period on a Jordan Szwarz goal, his third of the season, assisted by Kyle Chipchura and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes added on with a Jeff Halpern goal, his second of the year, made possible by David Moss and Martin Hanzal. New Jersey got on the board as Ryane Clowe scored his second of the season, thanks to Eric Gelinas and Adam Henrique on the power play. Phoenix shot back with a Hanzal power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Yandle and Radim Vrbata. The Devils chipped back on a third period goal by Jaromir Jagr goal, his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Clowe and Andy Greene. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with Hanzal, Clowe, and Yandle earning the three stars.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Darcy Kuemper. Minnesota struck first in the first period with an Erik Haula goal, going in unassisted. Dallas tied it in the second period on a Ryan Garbutt goal, his tenth of the season, with assists provided by Vernon Fiddler and Rich Peverley. The Wild took the lead back with a Ryan Suter goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Torrey Mitchell and Jonas Brodin. The Stars tied it on an Alex Chiasson power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Alex Goligoski and Tyler Seguin. Minnesota won 3-2 in overtime as Nate Prosser scored his second of the year, thanks to Nino Neiderreiter and Charlie Coyle. The three stars were given to Prosser, Kuemper (33 for 35 in saves), and Suter.

Finally, Hockey Day in Canada concludes with the Vancouver Canucks hosting the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period on a power play goal by Mark Giordano, his seventh of the season, powered by Lee Stempniak. Vancouver tied it with a Ryan Kesler goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Zack Kassian and Chris Higgins. The Flames took the lead in the third period on a Matt Stajan goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist from Lance Bouma. The Canucks retied it as Yannick Weber scored his second of the year, a power play goal made possible by Alexander Edler and Kesler. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Joe Colborne was matched by Weber, and then Higgins' tally gave the Canucks a 3-2 win. The three stars belonged to Kesler, Weber, and the officiating crew for putting up with the war at the beginning of the game.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 137 2013-2014

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, where Avangard hosts Dinamo Minsk. Yan Shelepnyov and Henrik Karlsson are the KHL rookies in goal. Omsk led off in the first period with a Maxim Goncharov goal, fueled by Sergei Shirokkov. Avangard added on with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Nikita Pivtsakin and Dmitry Semin. A minute later, Shelepnyov was pulled for Kevin Lalande. Omsk extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Denis Kazionov. Avangard padded the lead with a Miroslav Blatak goal, assisted by Alexander Popov and Stefan Ruzicka. Minsk got on the board with Alexander Materukhin goal, going in unassisted. Omsk shot back in the second period with a Ruzicka goal, via Alexander Perezhogin. Dinamo got one back on an Evgeny Nogachyov shorthanded and unassisted goal. Avangard replied as Kirill Rasskazov scored, thanks to Ivan Baranka. Omsk got another when Kazionov scored his second of the game, another unassisted goal. This held up for a 7-2 win, with the three stars going to Kazionov, Ruzicka, and Karlsson (19 for 21 in saves).

Moving along to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexei Volkov man the creases. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Denis Platonov goal, coming off of Evgeny Timkin. Metallurg added on as Platonov scored his second of the game, made possible by Timkin and Tim Brent. Ufa got on the board in the second period with an Igor Mirnov goal, via Alexei Kaigorodov and Anton Slepyshev. Magnitogorsk replied on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, passed from Mikhail Yunkov and Bogdan Potekhin. Salavat Yulaev answered as Mirnov scored his second of the game, thanks to Andrei Zubarev and Antti Pihlstrom. Metallurg shot back on a power play goal by Sergei Tereshchenko, powered by Yaroslav Khabarov. Andrei Vasilevsky relieved Volkov in the third period. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Mozyakin scored his second of the game, an unassisted goal. This was good for a 5-2 win, with Mozyakin, Platonov, and Mirnov getting the three stars, while Timkin gets an honorable mention.

West to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Michael Garnett guard the cages. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period with an Anton Glinkin goal, fueled by Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexei Bondarev. Nizhnekamsk tied it as Petr Koukal scored on the penalty shot he received after Bondarev tripped him. Neftekhimik took the lead on an unassisted goal by Koukal, his second of the game. Nizhnekamsk added on with a Maxim Rybin goal, with a lone assist by Maxim Trunyov. Traktor pulled back in the third period with a Kostitsyn goal, coming off of Petri Kontiola. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Semyon Kokuyov goal, passed from Stanislav Chistov. Neftekhimik took the lead back as Rybin scored his second of the night, via Maxim Berezin and Igor Polygalov. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead as Rybin finished his hat trick with an unassisted goal. This made it 5-3, the final, with Rybin, Koukal, and Kostitsyn earning the three stars.

Over in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Alexei Kuznetsov draw the starts. Khanty-Mansiysk started in the first period on an Alexei Kruchinin power play goal, powered by Nikita Gusev and Igor Magogin. Zagreb tied it with a Michael Ryan goal, assisted by Kyle Klubertanz and the goalie Brust. Medvescak took the lead as Bill Thomas scored, with a lone assist by Matt Murley. Zagreb added on in the second period with a Mike Glumac goal, coming off of Erik Nystrom. Medvescak wrapped it up at 4-1 in the third period on a Ryan Vesce goal, passed from Matt Ellison and Mark Popovic. The three stars were given to Brust (42 for 43 in saves), Thomas, and Glumac.

Down in Astana, Barys welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Ari Ahonen are between the pipes. Astana got going in the second period with a Cam Barker power play goal, assisted by Brandon Bochenski and Zach Hamill. Donetsk tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Oleg Piganovich. Donbass took the lead with a Ruslan Fedotenko, with a lone assist by Petteri Wirtanen. Donetsk added on with an unassisted goal by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass extended the lead on a Randy Robitaille goal, fueled by Tuomas Kiiskinen and Kaspar. Barys got one back with a power play goal by Nigel Dawes, guided in by Kristian Kudroc and Mike Lundin. Vitaly Yeremeyev relieved Ahonen in goal. Donetsk responded with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, with a lone helper from Maxim Yakutsenya. Donbass finished it at 6-2 on an empty net goal by Dadonov, his second of the night, set up by Peter Podhradsky and Teemu Laine. Dadonov, Kaspar, and Laco (29 for 31 in saves) got the three stars.

Finally, back north in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Yekaterinburg dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Fyodor Malykhin goal, assisted by Anton Lazarev and Sami Lepisto. Avtomobilist added on as Malykhin scored his second of the game, a power play goal powered by Lazarev and Tobias Viklund. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Malykhin, Kovar (21 save shutout), and Lazarev.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 109 2013-2014

Only two games tonight, beginning in...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Washington Capitals. Phillip Grubauer and Sergei Bobrovsky are the young goalies. Columbus started in the first period with a James Wisniewski power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Jack Johnson and Ryan Johansen. The Blue Jackets added on with a Cam Atkinson goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Matt Calvert and Brandon Dubinsky. Columbus extended the lead in the second period with an Johansen goal, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of R.J. Umberger. Grubauer was pulled in favor of Braden Holtby at this time. Washington got on the board with a John Carlson goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Martin Erat and Troy Brouwer. The Blue Jackets replied in the third period as Mark Letestu scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Nathan Horton and Johnson. Columbus wrapped it up at 5-1 as Atkinson scored his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Murray and Nikita Nikitin. The three stars went to Atkinson, Johansen, and Bobrovsky (26 for 27 in saves).

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Corey Crawford are the veteran goalies. Chicago opened in the first period on a Marian Hossa shorthanded goal, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on with a Kris Versteeg goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. Chicago extended the lead in the third period on a Bryan Bickell goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Brent Seabrook. Anaheim got on the board with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, via Corey Perry and Cam Fowler. The Ducks pulled closer on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his ninth of the season, with the help of Cam Fowler. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-2 with a Hossa empty net goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, passed from Marcus Kruger and Hjalmarsson. The three stars were handed to Hossa, Bickell, and Hjalmarsson.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 136 2013-2014

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Moscow, as CSKA hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Mikhail Biryukov are in goal. Novokuznetsk was first to score in the first period on a Semyon Valuisky goal, passed from Evgeny Lapenkov and Kurtis McLean. Moscow tied it with a Deron Quint power play goal, powered by Ilari Filppula and Yakov Rylov. CSKA took the lead as Rylov scored, thanks to Jan Mursak and Quint. Moscow added on in the second period with an Alexander Radulov goal, via Nikolai Prokhorkin and Stanislav Yegorshev. CSKA wrapped it up at 4-1 in the third period on a Prokhorkin goal, made possible by Radulov and Igor Grigorenko. The three stars went to Quint, Rylov, and Radulov, while Prokhorkin gets an honorable mention.

East to Cherepovets, as Severstal welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period on a Sakari Salminen goal, assisted by Wojtek Wolski and Juuso Hietanen. Torpedo added on with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, fueled by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev and Vladimir Galuzin. Cherepovets got on the board with a power play goal by Bogdan Kiselevich, powered by Nikolai Zherdev and Vadim Berdnikov. Severstal tied it on a Linus Videll goal, coming off of Pavel Chernov and Stanislav Kalashnikov. Cherepovets took the lead with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Nikolai Stasenko and Kiselevich. Severstal added on as Kiselevich scored his second of the game, thanks to Anatoly Nikontsev and Kalashnikov. Nizhny Novgorod pulled back in the third period with a Galuzin goal, courtesy of Krasnoslobodtsev and Skachkov. Torpedo tied it on a Jarkko Immonen goal, made possible by Galuzin and Krasnoslobodtsev, the latter getting a sock trick. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead with a Galuzin goal, his second of the game, with a lone helper from Krasnoslobodtsev. This held up for a 5-4 win, with the three stars being Galuzin, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Kiselevich, while Videll, Skachkov, and Kalashnikov get the honorable mentions.

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin faces a lesser foe in Vitaly Kolesnik in goal. Yaroslavl began in the first period with a Yegor Averin goal, fueled by Sergei Plotnikov and Ilya Lyubushkin. Lokomotiv added on with a Yegor Yakovlev goal, with a lone assist by Emil Galimov. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the second period with a goal by Igor Musatov, passed from Staffan Kronwall and Rafael Akhmetov. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Jonas Holos, powered by Geoff Platt and Janis Sprukts. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Kolesnik (29 save shutout), Averin, and Yakovlev.

Westward to St. Petersburg, as SKA hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Johan Backlund and Ilya Ezhov are in the creases. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on a Dmitry Kalinin power play goal, powered by Roman Cervenka and Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on in the third period as Kevin Dallman scored a power play goal, thanks to Artemy Panarin and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg extended the lead on another Dallman power play goal, guided in by Panarin and Thoresen again. SKA padded the lead on a Cervenka goal, made possible by Igor Makarov. Podolsk got on the board with a Robert Kousal goal, assisted by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexander Vasilyev. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Dallman, Ezhov (29 for 30 in saves), and Cervenka, while Panarin and Thoresen get the honorable mentions.

Back to the Moscow Oblast, as Atlant Mytishchi welcomes the team from the city, Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Sergei Borisov are the little known goalies. Moscow struck first in the first period with an unassisted goal by Maxim Pestushko. Mytishchi tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Rafael Batyrshin, powered by Yury Trubachyov and Maxim Mayorov. Dynamo took the lead back in the third period with a Yegor Dugin goal, passed from Konstantin Volkov and Maxim Karpov. Moscow added on with another Pestushko goal, courtesy of Konstantin Gorovikov. This made it 3-1, the final, with Pestushko, Sharychenkov (34 for 35 in saves), and Dugin.

Out in Riga, Dinamo brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Nikita Bespalov and Jakub Sedlacek are given the starting nods. Riga led off in the first period with a Marcel Hascak goal, fueled by Gunars Skvorcovs and Paul Szczechura. Novosibirsk tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Monya, powered by Jori Lehtera and Yegor Martynov. Dinamo retook the lead in the second period with a power play goal from Mat Robinson, with a lone assist from Hascak. Sibir tied it again with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, via Martynov. Novosibirsk took the lead in the third period on an Oleg Gubin goal, coming off of Stepan Sannikov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being given to Martynov, Hascak, and Gubin.

West again to Prague, with Lev hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Atte Engren are the backups making spot starts. Prague dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Petr Taticek goal, assisted by Justin Azevedo and Mikko Maenpaa. Lev added on in the third period with a Jiri Novotny goal, with a lone helper provided by David Ullstrom. Prague extended the lead on a Petr Vrana goal, via Martin Thornberg and Patrik Zackrisson on the power play. This made it a 3-0 victory, with the three stars being Engren (17 save shutout), Taticek, and Novotny.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Jaroslav Janus are the masked men. Vladivostok started in the first period with a Richard Gynge goal, fueled by Logan Pyett and Felix Schutz. Bratislava tied it in the second period on a Mario Bliznak goal, coming off of Milan Bartovic and Tomas Mojzis. Admiral took the lead back as Gynge scored his second of the game, a power play goal powered by Denis Osipov and Niclas Bergfors. Vladivostok added on in the third period on an Igor Bortnikov goal, made possible by Viktor Drugov. Admiral extended the lead on an Alexei Ugarov goal, passed from Justin Hodgman and Ilya Zubov. Vladivostok padded the lead on a Bergfors goal, via Schutz and Gynge. Admiral iced it at 6-1 with a power play goal by Bortnikov, assisted by Osipov and Sergei Barbashev. The three stars were Gynge, Bortnikov, and Bergfors, while Schutz and Osipov get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 108 2013-2014

Eleven games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York got going in the third period on a Mats Zuccarello goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Lundqvist (38 save shutout), Zuccarello, and Howard (47 for 48 in saves).

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Steve Mason draw the starts. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Wayne Simmonds and Andrej Meszaros. Nashville tied it on an Eric Nystrom goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Gabriel Bourque and Shea Weber. The Predators added on with a David Legwand power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Mike Fisher and Weber. The Flyers retied it in the second period on a Meszaros goal, his second of the year, coming off of Simmonds and Mark Streit. Nashville took the lead back in the third period with a Weber goal, his twelfth of the season, a power play goal assisted by Legwand and Roman Josi. Philadelphia retied it as Simmonds scored his sixteenth of the year on the power play, thanks to Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Schenn was matched by Matt Cullen, followed by Sean Couturier being boxed out by Ryan Ellis, and then Josi scored to give the Predators a 4-3 win. Josi, Weber, and Simmonds got the three stars, while Legwand, Meszaros, and Schenn get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Tim Thomas are in goal. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Joe Thornton goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. The Sharks added on as Matthew Nieto scored his third of the year in the third period, thanks to Tyler Kennedy and Patrick Marleau. San Jose extended the lead with a Pavelski goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, via Burns and Brad Stuart. This was good for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Stalock (24 save shutout), Pavelski, and Burns.

Back north to Ottawa, as the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Craig Anderson are between the pipes. Montreal opened in the first period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Travis Moen and Josh Gorges. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by David Desharnais and Andrei Markov. Montreal extended the lead as Desharnais scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. Ottawa got on the board with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Jared Cowen. The Senators got closer with a Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Jason Spezza and Cowen. Ottawa tied it on a second period Bobby Ryan goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Colin Greening. The Senators took the lead with a Kyle Turris goal, his fourteenth of the season, via MacArthur and Karlsson. The Canadiens retied it on a Plekanec goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, coming off of Brian Gionta and Gorges. Montreal won 5-4 in overtime with an unassisted P.K. Subban goal, his eighth of the campaign. The three stars were handed to Plekanec, Karlsson, and Desharnais, while Gorges and MacArthur get the honorable mentions.

South again to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Ben Bishop are set to start. Tampa Bay started in the first period on a Martin St. Louis goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming on the power play via Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson. New York tied it with a second period Thomas Vanek power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The Islanders won with a Nielsen goal in the shootout for a 2-1 final. The three stars were Nielsen, Poulin (29 for 30 in saves), and Bishop (29 for 30 in saves).

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. Los Angeles struck first in the first period on a Jake Muzzin goal, his third of the season, coming off of Colin Fraser and Jordan Nolan. St. Louis tied it in the second period on a T.J. Oshie penalty shot conversion, good for his eleventh of the year, and resulting from a Muzzin hook on the breakaway. The Kings took the lead back in the third period on a Trevor Lewis goal, guided in by Slava Voynov and the goalie Quick. Los Angeles added on with Lewis' second of the game, a shorthanded goal set up by Drew Doughty and Jarret Stoll. The Kings wrapped it up at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Jeff Carter, his seventeenth of the campaign, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Voynov. The three stars were given to Lewis, Voynov, and Quick (28 for 29 in saves).

Northward to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Darcy Kuemper are the relatively unknown goalies. Minnesota began in the first period on a Jason Pominville goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Mikael Granlund and Marco Scandella. Edmonton tied it with a Jordan Eberle goal in the second period, his fifteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Wild took the lead back on a Nate Prosser goal, fueled by Pominville. Minnesota added on with a Justin Fontaine goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Kyle Brodziak and Matt Cooke. The Wild wrapped it up at 4-1 with a third period goal by Jason Zucker, his fourth of the year, coming off of Dany Heatley and Charlie Coyle. Pominville, Kuemper (20 for 21 in saves), and Prosser got the three stars.

South to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson is mismatched with Kari Lehtonen in goal. Boston was first to score in the second period on a David Krejci goal, his tenth of the season, with a lone assist by Milan Lucic. Dallas tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Erik Cole, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Tyler Seguin and Alex Goligoski. The Bruins took the lead back with a Brad Marchand goal, his twelfth of the season, via Patrice Bergeron. Boston added on with a Lucic power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Krejci and Torey Krug. The Stars pulled back on a Jamie Benn goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Seguin and Kevin Connauton. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Bergeron, his twelfth of the year, set up by Gregory Campbell and Reilly Smith. Lucic, Krejci, and Bergeron get the three stars, while Seguin gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Phoenix, as the Coyotes bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Mike Smith are in the creases. Phoenix opened in the first period with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. This was the game's only goal, with Smith (29 save shutout), Vermette, and Lack (22 for 23 in saves) being the three stars.

Up to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Semyon Varlamov receive the starting nods. Colorado led off in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Patrick Bordeleau and Brad Malone. New Jersey tied it on a Reid Boucher goal in the third period, his second of the year, courtesy of Andrei Loktionov and Jon Merrill. The Avalanche won 2-1 in the shootout with goals from Matt Duchene and O'Reilly. The three stars were given to O'Reilly, Varlamov (33 for 34 in saves), and Schneider (37 for 38 in saves).

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Reto Berra are the weak goalies. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a Bryan Little goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Michael Frolik and Andrew Ladd. The Jets added on as Dustin Byfuglien scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Olli Jokinen and Chris Thorburn. Winnipeg extended the lead with a second period Mark Scheifele goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Blake Wheeler and Thorburn. The Jets padded the lead on a power play goal by Jokinen, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Ladd and Little. Calgary got on the board in the third period with a Mark Giordano goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Paul Byron and Lee Stempniak. Winnipeg shot back with a Jacob Trouba goal, his fifth of the year, via Wheeler and Scheifele. The Flames replied on a Lance Bouma goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone helper by Dennis Wideman. This only made it 5-2, the final, and the three stars went to Scheifele, Little, and Jokinen, while Ladd, Thorburn, and Wheeler get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 135 2013-2014

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov and Andrei Mezin are in goal. Omsk began in the first period with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, fueled by Ivan Baranka. Avangard added on with a Stefan Ruzicka power play goal, powered by Baranka and Perezhogin. Omsk extended the lead in the third period on a shorthanded goal by Perezhogin, his second of the game, set up by Alexander Popov. Moscow got on the board with an Igor Volkov goal, coming off of Denis Bodrov. Avangard iced it at 4-1 with an unassisted power play goal by Popov. The three stars were Perezhogin, Popov, and Baranka.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Michael Garnett are the reliable goalies. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on a Mikhail Mokin goal, courtesy of Andrei Popov. Ufa tied it on a Nikita Filatov goal, made possible by Denis Tolpeko and Dmitry Makarov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead on a second period Kirill Koltsov goal, fueled by Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa added on with a power play goal by Igor Mirnov, powered by the goalie Vasilevsky and Anton Babchuk. Traktor got one back on an unassisted goal by Alexei Zavarukhin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a power play goal by Andrei Kostitsyn, guided in by Petri Kontiola and Maxim Kondratyev. Traktor took the lead on a Popov goal, passed from Mokin and Anton Glinkin. Chelyabinsk wrapped it up at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Zavarukhin, his second of the game, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Zavarukhin, Popov, and Mokin.

Back east a bit, as Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg brings in Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Yekaterinburg led off in the first period with an Alexei Simakov goal, courtesy of Andrei Antonov. Avtomobilist added on as Anton Lazarev scored a power play goal, thanks to Tobias Viklund. This was all they needed to win 2-0, with Kovar (20 save shutout), Simakov, and Lazarev receiving the three stars.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Alexei Kuznetsov are in the blue paint. Khanty-Mansiysk started in the first period on an Artyom Bulyansky goal, assisted by Veli-Matti Savinainen. Yugra added on in the second period with a Savinainen goal, coming off of Stephen Dixon and Bulyansky. Donetsk got on the board as Randy Robitaille scored, with a lone assist by Peter Podhradsky. Khanty-Mansiysk replied on an Ivan Khlyntsev goal, via Mikhail Plotnikov and Kirill Dyakov. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Savinainen, Kuznetsov (22 for 23 in saves), and Bulyansky.

Way south to Astana, as Barys welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Ari Ahonen demonstrate alliteration in the goalie matchup. Zagreb opened in the second period on a Charles Linglet goal, assisted by Matt Ellison. Astana tied it with a Roman Starchenko goal, courtesy of Kristian Kudroc and Konstantin Rudenko. Medvescak gained the lead in the third period with an Ellison goal, guided in by Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Zagreb iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Brust (28 for 29 in saves), Linglet, and Ellison.

Finally, back up in Russia, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexander Sudnitsin tend the twines. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period on a Maxim Trunyov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kosmachyov and Renat Mamashev. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period on a Francis Pare goal, with a lone assist by Oskar Osala. Metallurg took the lead as Rinat Ibragimov scored, thanks to Jan Kovar and Yaroslav Khabarov. Neftekhimik retied it on a power play goal by Bogdan Yakimov, coming off of Trunyov and Mamashev. Magnitogorsk took the lead back on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Kovar. Metallurg added on with a third period goal by Sergei Tereshchenko, fueled by Evgeny Grigorenko. Magnitogorsk extended the lead on a Kovar goal, made possible by Zaripov. Nizhnekamsk got one back with a Dan Sexton goal, via Maxim Berezin and Pavel Kulikov. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars belonging to Kovar, Trunyov, and Zaripov, while Mamashev gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 107 2013-2014

Three games on a short night. We begin in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and James Reimer are in goal. Toronto led off in the first period with an unassisted goal by Phil Kessel, his twenty-second of the season. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Matt Ellis goal, his second of the year, guided in by Tyler Myers and Mark Pysyk. The Sabres took the lead on a Matt Moulson goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs tied it as Nikolai Kulemin scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Peter Holland. Toronto took the lead on a Morgan Rielly goal, his second of the season, coming off of Nazem Kadri and Mason Raymond. Buffalo retied it on a third period power play goal by Cody Hodgson, his tenth of the year, powered by Tyler Ennis and Christian Ehrhoff. The tie lasted to a shootout, where James van Riemsdyk, Joffrey Lupul, and Tyler Bozak overwhelmed Moulson to secure a 4-3 win. The three stars were handed to Moulson, Lupul, and Rielly.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Marc-Andre Fleury draw the starts. Washington was first to score in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Brooks Laich, his fifth of the season, set up by Karl Alzner. Pittsburgh tied it on a second period Kris Letang goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Sidney Crosby and Tanner Glass. The Capitals took the lead back with a Jason Chimera goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Dmitry Orlov. The Penguins retied it on a Taylor Pyatt goal, coming off of Olli Maatta and Jussi Jokinen. Washington pulled ahead with an Alex Ovechkin goal in the third period, his thirty-fourth of the year, via Johansson and Mike Green. Pittsburgh tied it again on a Jokinen goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Brandon Sutter and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins took the lead on a Maatta goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and Niskanen. This held up for a 4-3 win, with Maatta, Jokinen, and Niskanen getting the three stars, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

Finally, way out in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Frederik Andersen are the backups making spot starts. Anaheim struck first in the first period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Jakob Silfverberg and Saku Koivu. The Ducks added on with a Teemu Selanne goal, his sixth of the year, via Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm on the power play. Anaheim extended the lead as Corey Perry scored his twenty-sixth of the season, coming off of Pat Maroon and Lindholm. Lack was replaced by Joacim Eriksson. The Ducks padded the lead on a Nick Bonino goal, his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Vatanen and Perry. Anaheim struck again with another Bonino power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Perry. The Ducks kept going with a Silfverberg goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Francois Beauchemin and Maroon on the power play. Vancouver answered on a Zack Kassian power play goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by David Booth and Alexander Edler. Anaheim replied with a Perry goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Getzlaf. The Ducks got another with a Selanne power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, passed from Matt Beleskey and Ben Lovejoy. Anaheim finished it at 9-1 when Vatanen scored his sixth of the year on the power play, with the help of Mark Fistric and Selanne. The three stars went to Selanne, Perry, and Bonino, while Vatanen, Silfverberg, Getzlaf, Lindholm, and Maroon received the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.