Seven games as the Opening Day festivities kick up a bit. Most games would be classified as matinees or afternoon specials. We begin in...
Detroit, with the Tigers hosting the Boston Red Sox. Jon Lester and Justin Verlander are the pitchers. Detroit got the first run in the seventh inning as Alex Avila doubled to score Jhonny Peralta. The Tigers added on with a Prince Fielder sacrifice fly that allowed Austin Jackson safe passage home. Boston got one back in the ninth inning as David Ortiz hit his own sacrifice fly and Dustin Pedroia scored. The Red Sox tied it with Ryan Sweeney tripling to drive in pinch-runner Darnell McDonald. Detroit eked out a victory with Jackson hitting a walk-off single to secure a 3-2 win as pinch-runner Danny Worth scored. Jose Valverde got the win despite blowing the save, while Mark Melancon was pinned with the loss.
Back east a bit, the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves. Tommy Hanson and Johan Santana are given the ball. New York struck first with a sixth inning David Wright single, knocking in Andres Torres. This was it for scoring, leaving the Mets up 1-0, and Ramon Ramirez got the win, Frank Francisco closed for the save, and Hanson was dealt the loss.
Later on, the Pittsburgh Pirates bring in the cross-state Philadelphia Phillies for the battle of Pennsylvania. Roy Halladay and Erik Bedard will start. Philadelphia started off with a Carlos Ruiz sacrifice fly that allowed Ty Wigginton to score in the seventh inning. This was the only run for a 1-0 final, with Halladay earning the win by allowing just 2 hits, Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect final inning for the save, and Bedard suffered the loss.
Westward to Chicago, with the Cubs welcoming the Washington Nationals. Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Dempster take the mound. Chicago opened the scoring with a fourth inning Marlon Byrd single to bring around Ian Stewart. Washington tied it when Jayson Werth drew a walk with the bases loaded, forcing Ian Desmond home. The Nationals claimed the lead with a ninth inning Desmond single to score pinch-runner Brett Carroll. This was good enough to earn them a 2-1 win, with Tyler Clippard earning the win, Brad Lidge getting the save, and Carlos Marmol getting handed the loss.
Backtracking east again, with the Cleveland Indians hosting the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero and Justin Masterson will pace the game. Cleveland began with a second inning Casey Kotchman groundout that allowed Carlos Santana to cross home. The Indians kept going with a three-run homer by Jack Hannahan, bring around Shelley Duncan and Jason Kipnis. Toronto got one back with a fourth inning Jose Bautista solo home run. The Blue Jays attempted a comeback in the ninth, beginning on a Bautista sacrifice fly to score Yunel Escobar, and they got the tying run with an Edwin Encarnacion double scoring both Kelly Johnson and pinch-runner Rajai Davis. Toronto completed the comeback in the sixteenth inning on a three-run blast by J.P. Arencibia, also scoring Brett Lawrie and Omar Vizquel. Luis Perez picked up the win after four inning of relief, and the 7-4 loss was stuck on Jairo Asencio.
Across the state of Ohio, the Cincinnati Reds welcome the Miami Marlins. Mark Buehrle and Johnny Cueto will pitch. Cincinnati first dented the scoreboard with a Jay Bruce sacrifice fly to bring around Zack Cozart. The Reds padded their lead in the sixth inning as Ryan Ludwick doubled to score Scott Rolen. Cincinnati added more insurance with a solo shot from the bat of Bruce in the eighth inning, and then followed it up with a Chris Heisey double allowing Drew Stubbs to make it home. This left the final at 4-0, with Cueto picking up the win and Buehrle getting tagged with the loss.
Finally, the festivities end in a National League Battle of California with the San Diego Padres hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw and Edinson Volquez were named opening day pitchers. Los Angeles kept things simple when they began scoring in the fourth inning, as James Loney and A.J. Ellis walked with the bases loaded to force in Matt Kemp and Juan Rivera, respectively. The Dodgers added on in the fifth inning as Kemp reached on an error and Dee Gordon darted home. San Diego got to wok in the sixth with a Jesus Guzman double knocking in Will Venable. Los Angeles answered in the top of the eighth on a two-run blast by Kemp, also scoring Mark Ellis. The Padres replied in their half of the inning with Cameron Maybin's two-run homer, which brought around pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida. They never caught up despite the effort, losing 5-3, with Josh Lindblom getting the win after a sickness-shortened outing for Kershaw, Javy Guerra picked up the save, and Volquez was tagged for the loss.
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Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
MLB Day 3 2012
Only one game as baseball comes back for the stateside debut of the season. We start in shiny new Marlins Ballpark, as the Miami (no longer representing all of Florida) Marlins host the World Series champions St. Louis Cardinals. Kyle Lohse and Josh Johnson were on the mound. St. Louis started with David Freese singling in Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman in the first inning. The Cardinals added on in the second with a Rafael Furcal single scoring Daniel Descalso. St. Louis then padded the lead in the eighth inning when Descalso grounded out, offering enough time for Freese to dart home. Miami avoided the shutout in the bottom of the same inning with a John Buck double that brought around Omar Infante. The final held from here at 4-1, with Lohse picking up the win, Jason Motte the save, and Johnson getting stuck with the loss.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
NHL Day 182 2011-2012
Only two games tonight, and in a following post one baseball game as well. We begin the light slate in...
Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sebastien Caron and Peter Budaj are in goal. Montreal opened with an Alexei Emelin goal, his third of the season, set up by David Desharnais and the goalie Budaj. Tampa Bay tied it on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens got the lead back in the second period as Erik Cole notched his thirty-third of the season, helped along by Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Montreal extended their lead with a Cole power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-fourth of the year, powered by Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov. The Lightning pulled back on a Bruno Gervais goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Tim Wallace and Victor Hedman. The Canadiens shot back on a Pacioretty goal, his thirty-first of the year, coming off of Josh Gorges and Plekanec. Pacioretty later sank his second of the game and thirty-second of the season to add on for Montreal, with a lone P.K. Subban helper. The final stood here at 5-2, with the three stars being Cole, Pacioretty, and Desharnais. Plekanec gets an honorable mention.
The other game takes place in St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Brian Elliott tend the twines. St. Louis got things started in the third period with a David Perron goal, his twentieth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. The Blues added on with an unassisted Andy McDonald goal, his tenth of the year. Detroit got one back with a Johan Franzen goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi. The Red Wings got an equalizer as Franzen made his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, with the help of Datsyuk and Bertuzzi. Detroit won with a Bertuzzi shootout goal, toppling St. Louis 3-2. The three stars went to Franzen, David Backes, and Datsyuk, while Bertuzzi gets the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sebastien Caron and Peter Budaj are in goal. Montreal opened with an Alexei Emelin goal, his third of the season, set up by David Desharnais and the goalie Budaj. Tampa Bay tied it on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens got the lead back in the second period as Erik Cole notched his thirty-third of the season, helped along by Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Montreal extended their lead with a Cole power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-fourth of the year, powered by Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov. The Lightning pulled back on a Bruno Gervais goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Tim Wallace and Victor Hedman. The Canadiens shot back on a Pacioretty goal, his thirty-first of the year, coming off of Josh Gorges and Plekanec. Pacioretty later sank his second of the game and thirty-second of the season to add on for Montreal, with a lone P.K. Subban helper. The final stood here at 5-2, with the three stars being Cole, Pacioretty, and Desharnais. Plekanec gets an honorable mention.
The other game takes place in St. Louis, with the Blues hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Brian Elliott tend the twines. St. Louis got things started in the third period with a David Perron goal, his twentieth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. The Blues added on with an unassisted Andy McDonald goal, his tenth of the year. Detroit got one back with a Johan Franzen goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi. The Red Wings got an equalizer as Franzen made his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, with the help of Datsyuk and Bertuzzi. Detroit won with a Bertuzzi shootout goal, toppling St. Louis 3-2. The three stars went to Franzen, David Backes, and Datsyuk, while Bertuzzi gets the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
NHL Day 181 2011-2012
Ten games for the viewing pleasure tonight. We begin with a naturally large Atlantic Division battle as...
The Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ilya Bryzgalov tend the twines. New York was first on the board as Ryan McDonagh shelved his seventh of the season, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on with a Brian Boyle goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of McDonagh and Ruslan Fedotenko. New York kept going with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Dan Girardi and Brandon Dubinsky. The Rangers extended their lead as Ryan Callahan notched his twenty-ninth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Richards and Derek Stepan. Philadelphia got one back when Jakub Voracek sank his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux in the second period. New York answered with Gaborik's forty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and Marc Staal. The Flyers struck again with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, from Giroux and Voracek. Philadelphia continued the comeback in the third period with an Andreas Lilja goal, guided in by Giroux, who got a sock trick, and Jaromir Jagr. New York held on from here for a 5-3 win, with Gaborik, Lundqvist (37 for 40 in saves), and Giroux earning the three stars, and McDonagh, Voracek, and Richards getting the honorable mentions.
Speaking of New York, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Toronto led off with a Tyler Bozak goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Matt Frattin and Phil Kessel. Frattin then dropped the gloves with Marcus Foligno. The Maple Leafs added on with another Bozak goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Kessel and Luke Schenn. Toronto kept going with a Frattin goal to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick, his eighth of the season, helped along by Bozak and Kessel, the latter getting a sock trick. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Alexander Sulzer and Foligno. Sulzer helped the Sabres get closer with his unassisted second of the season. The Maple Leafs took it back in the third period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his twentieth of the year, via Joey Crabb. Buffalo responded with a power play goal off the tape of Derek Roy, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville. Toronto shot back with a Jake Gardiner goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Tim Connolly and Joe Colborne. The Sabres pulled closer again with another Sulzer goal, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Thomas Vanek and Brayden McNabb. Buffalo tied it when Jordan Leopold registered his tenth of the year, thanks to Ennis and Foligno. The Sabres completed the comeback with another Roy power play goal in the overtime period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Vanek and Pominville for a 6-5 win. Foligno, Bozak, and Sulzer had the three stars, while Frattin, Roy, Vanek, Pominivlle, Ennis, and Kessel had the honorable mentions.
Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Johan Hedberg get the starting nods. New Jersey struck early on a Patrik Elias goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Petr Sykora and Mark Fayne. New York evened it with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Mark Streit and John Tavares. The Devils regained the lead as Travis Zajac netted a second period power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Elias. New Jersey iced it with a third period empty net goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Parise for a 3-1 win. Zajac, Elias, and Parise got the three stars.
Rounding out the fifth active Atlantic team, the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Boston Bruins. Backups Brent Johnson and Marty Turco are in goal. Pittsburgh was first on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Pascal Dupuis and Kris Letang. The Penguins extended the lead on a Paul Martin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Tyler Kennedy and Letang. Boston got going with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston. The Bruins tied it in the second period on a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with assists by David Krejci and Rich Peverley. Pittsburgh regained the lead when James Neal scored his fortieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Crosby. The Penguins re-established a two-goal lead as Crosby put down his second of the night and seventh of the year, another power play goal, set up by Letang, who got a sock trick, and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh padded their lead in the third period with an Arron Asham goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Craig Adams and Joe Vitale. Boston shot back on a Peverley goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Lucic and Krejci. The final was 5-3, and Crosby, Lucic, and Letang had the three stars, while Peverley and Krejci get the honorable mentions.
Well to the south, the Florida Panthers take on their Southeast Division rivals, the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jose Thoedore are in between the pipes. Florida began as Marco Sturm potted his third of the season, with the help of Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers added on when Kris Versteeg recorded his twenty-third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Florida struck again in the second period as Fleischmann deposited his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to Versteeg. Winnipeg finally got on the board with an Evander Kane goal, his thirtieth of the year, helped along by Spencer Machacek and Zach Bogosian. The Jets pulled a little closer with a Bogosian goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Andrew Ladd tied it for Winnipeg in the third period as he made his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead with Little's twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by Blake Wheeler and Byfuglien. The Panthers got an equalizer on a Tomas Kopecky goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone Sturm assist. Winnipeg took the game in overtime with another Ladd goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Wheeler for a 5-4 win. The three stars of the game were Ladd, Kopecky, and Bogosian, while Fleischmann, Versteeg, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Little, and Sturm get honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are in the blue paint. Carolina was first on the board with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventeenth of the season coming in the second period off of Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended their lead on a Tuomo Ruutu power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pitkanen. Jason Spezza cut the deficit to 2-1 with thirteen seconds to play, as Ottawa avoided being shut out with his thirty-third of the campaign, via Colin Greening and Daniel Alfredsson. The three stars were named as Ward (38 for 39 in saves), Chris Neil, and Bryan Allen, while better choices would be anyone who actually contributed to the scoring.
Southwest of there, the Nashville Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Anders Lindback are the masked men. Nashville dented the scoreboard first in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Nick Spaling. Minnesota tied it as Dany Heatley put away his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Nate Prosser and Mikko Koivu. The Predators won it with a lone Alexander Radulov shootout tally for a 2-1 victory. The three stars were awarded to Lindback (25 for 26 in saves), Bourque, and Heatley.
Continuing the path, we go to a tornado-hit Dallas (thoughts and prayers with those in the big D) as the Stars host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. San Jose opened the scoring with a Daniel Winnik goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Andrew Desjardins and Brent Burns. Dallas tied it up on a Brenden Morrow goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Mark Fistric. The Stars took the lead in the second period on an Alex Goligoski goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Philip Larsen. The Sharks retied it with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose grabbed the lead on a Logan Couture power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Martin Havlat and Dan Boyle. The Sharks added an insurance marker in the third period as Joe Thornton made his seventeenth of the year, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. San Jose iced it at 5-2 with a Ryane Clowe empty net goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, passed from Couture. Couture, Benn, and Galiardi got the three stars.
Northwest from there, the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Anaheim led off with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Corey Perry. Vancouver tied it on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, coming off of Henrik Sedin and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The Ducks got the lead back with a Perry power play goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, powered by Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. The Canucks retied it on a Chris Higgins goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Dan Hamhuis and Jannik Hansen. Anaheim took the lead again with a Rod Pelley goal, his second of the season, set up by Ryan and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Ducks extended their lead on a Smith-Pelly goal, his seventh of the year, via Ryan, who got a sock trick, and Saku Koivu. Cory Schneider relieved Luongo from here on out. Vancouver got one back as Burrows put down his second of the night and twenty-seventh of the season, with the help of Hamhuis and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it again with a Maxim Lapierre goal, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Sedin and Mason Raymond. The game went to a shootout, where Vancouver won with Burrows, Edler, and Lapierre tallies, all overwhelming Teemu Selanne's lone goal for Anaheim. The three stars of the 5-4 win were Burrows, Ryan, and Sedin, while Edler, Lapierre, Perry, Smith-Pelly, and Hamhuis get the honorable mentions.
Finally, in the desert the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Allen York and Mike Smith are protecting the nets. Phoenix opened the scoring in the second period with a Boyd Gordon goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski and Taylor Pyatt. The Coyotes added on as Gilbert Brule made his fifth of the year, with the help of Michal Rozsival and Daymond Langkow. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars going to Smith (54 flippin' save shutout), Gordon, and Korpikoski.
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The Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ilya Bryzgalov tend the twines. New York was first on the board as Ryan McDonagh shelved his seventh of the season, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on with a Brian Boyle goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of McDonagh and Ruslan Fedotenko. New York kept going with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Dan Girardi and Brandon Dubinsky. The Rangers extended their lead as Ryan Callahan notched his twenty-ninth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Richards and Derek Stepan. Philadelphia got one back when Jakub Voracek sank his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux in the second period. New York answered with Gaborik's forty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and Marc Staal. The Flyers struck again with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, from Giroux and Voracek. Philadelphia continued the comeback in the third period with an Andreas Lilja goal, guided in by Giroux, who got a sock trick, and Jaromir Jagr. New York held on from here for a 5-3 win, with Gaborik, Lundqvist (37 for 40 in saves), and Giroux earning the three stars, and McDonagh, Voracek, and Richards getting the honorable mentions.
Speaking of New York, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Toronto led off with a Tyler Bozak goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Matt Frattin and Phil Kessel. Frattin then dropped the gloves with Marcus Foligno. The Maple Leafs added on with another Bozak goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Kessel and Luke Schenn. Toronto kept going with a Frattin goal to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick, his eighth of the season, helped along by Bozak and Kessel, the latter getting a sock trick. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Alexander Sulzer and Foligno. Sulzer helped the Sabres get closer with his unassisted second of the season. The Maple Leafs took it back in the third period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his twentieth of the year, via Joey Crabb. Buffalo responded with a power play goal off the tape of Derek Roy, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville. Toronto shot back with a Jake Gardiner goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Tim Connolly and Joe Colborne. The Sabres pulled closer again with another Sulzer goal, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Thomas Vanek and Brayden McNabb. Buffalo tied it when Jordan Leopold registered his tenth of the year, thanks to Ennis and Foligno. The Sabres completed the comeback with another Roy power play goal in the overtime period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Vanek and Pominville for a 6-5 win. Foligno, Bozak, and Sulzer had the three stars, while Frattin, Roy, Vanek, Pominivlle, Ennis, and Kessel had the honorable mentions.
Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Johan Hedberg get the starting nods. New Jersey struck early on a Patrik Elias goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Petr Sykora and Mark Fayne. New York evened it with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Mark Streit and John Tavares. The Devils regained the lead as Travis Zajac netted a second period power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Elias. New Jersey iced it with a third period empty net goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Parise for a 3-1 win. Zajac, Elias, and Parise got the three stars.
Rounding out the fifth active Atlantic team, the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Boston Bruins. Backups Brent Johnson and Marty Turco are in goal. Pittsburgh was first on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Pascal Dupuis and Kris Letang. The Penguins extended the lead on a Paul Martin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Tyler Kennedy and Letang. Boston got going with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston. The Bruins tied it in the second period on a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with assists by David Krejci and Rich Peverley. Pittsburgh regained the lead when James Neal scored his fortieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Crosby. The Penguins re-established a two-goal lead as Crosby put down his second of the night and seventh of the year, another power play goal, set up by Letang, who got a sock trick, and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh padded their lead in the third period with an Arron Asham goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Craig Adams and Joe Vitale. Boston shot back on a Peverley goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Lucic and Krejci. The final was 5-3, and Crosby, Lucic, and Letang had the three stars, while Peverley and Krejci get the honorable mentions.
Well to the south, the Florida Panthers take on their Southeast Division rivals, the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jose Thoedore are in between the pipes. Florida began as Marco Sturm potted his third of the season, with the help of Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers added on when Kris Versteeg recorded his twenty-third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Florida struck again in the second period as Fleischmann deposited his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to Versteeg. Winnipeg finally got on the board with an Evander Kane goal, his thirtieth of the year, helped along by Spencer Machacek and Zach Bogosian. The Jets pulled a little closer with a Bogosian goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Andrew Ladd tied it for Winnipeg in the third period as he made his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead with Little's twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by Blake Wheeler and Byfuglien. The Panthers got an equalizer on a Tomas Kopecky goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone Sturm assist. Winnipeg took the game in overtime with another Ladd goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Wheeler for a 5-4 win. The three stars of the game were Ladd, Kopecky, and Bogosian, while Fleischmann, Versteeg, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Little, and Sturm get honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are in the blue paint. Carolina was first on the board with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventeenth of the season coming in the second period off of Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended their lead on a Tuomo Ruutu power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pitkanen. Jason Spezza cut the deficit to 2-1 with thirteen seconds to play, as Ottawa avoided being shut out with his thirty-third of the campaign, via Colin Greening and Daniel Alfredsson. The three stars were named as Ward (38 for 39 in saves), Chris Neil, and Bryan Allen, while better choices would be anyone who actually contributed to the scoring.
Southwest of there, the Nashville Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Anders Lindback are the masked men. Nashville dented the scoreboard first in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Nick Spaling. Minnesota tied it as Dany Heatley put away his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Nate Prosser and Mikko Koivu. The Predators won it with a lone Alexander Radulov shootout tally for a 2-1 victory. The three stars were awarded to Lindback (25 for 26 in saves), Bourque, and Heatley.
Continuing the path, we go to a tornado-hit Dallas (thoughts and prayers with those in the big D) as the Stars host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. San Jose opened the scoring with a Daniel Winnik goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Andrew Desjardins and Brent Burns. Dallas tied it up on a Brenden Morrow goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Mark Fistric. The Stars took the lead in the second period on an Alex Goligoski goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Philip Larsen. The Sharks retied it with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose grabbed the lead on a Logan Couture power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Martin Havlat and Dan Boyle. The Sharks added an insurance marker in the third period as Joe Thornton made his seventeenth of the year, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. San Jose iced it at 5-2 with a Ryane Clowe empty net goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, passed from Couture. Couture, Benn, and Galiardi got the three stars.
Northwest from there, the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Anaheim led off with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Corey Perry. Vancouver tied it on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, coming off of Henrik Sedin and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The Ducks got the lead back with a Perry power play goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, powered by Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. The Canucks retied it on a Chris Higgins goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Dan Hamhuis and Jannik Hansen. Anaheim took the lead again with a Rod Pelley goal, his second of the season, set up by Ryan and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Ducks extended their lead on a Smith-Pelly goal, his seventh of the year, via Ryan, who got a sock trick, and Saku Koivu. Cory Schneider relieved Luongo from here on out. Vancouver got one back as Burrows put down his second of the night and twenty-seventh of the season, with the help of Hamhuis and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it again with a Maxim Lapierre goal, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Sedin and Mason Raymond. The game went to a shootout, where Vancouver won with Burrows, Edler, and Lapierre tallies, all overwhelming Teemu Selanne's lone goal for Anaheim. The three stars of the 5-4 win were Burrows, Ryan, and Sedin, while Edler, Lapierre, Perry, Smith-Pelly, and Hamhuis get the honorable mentions.
Finally, in the desert the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Allen York and Mike Smith are protecting the nets. Phoenix opened the scoring in the second period with a Boyd Gordon goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski and Taylor Pyatt. The Coyotes added on as Gilbert Brule made his fifth of the year, with the help of Michal Rozsival and Daymond Langkow. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars going to Smith (54 flippin' save shutout), Gordon, and Korpikoski.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Monday, April 2, 2012
NHL Day 180 2011-2012
Only two games, both having some impact on the stretch run. We begin on the East Coast...
As the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dwayne Roloson tend the twines. Washington opened in the second period as Alexander Semin notched his twentieth of the season, with the help of Mathieu Perreault. Tampa Bay got it back on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Twenty-five seconds later, Victor Hedman scored to give the Lightning the lead, his fifth of the season coming off of Nate Thompson and Tom Pyatt . The Capitals tied it in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Semin. Tampa Bay got a lead with a Stamkos goal, his fifty-seventh of the season, fueled by Brett Clark and Brian Lee. Stamkos iced it at 4-2 Lighting on his second of the game and fifty-eighth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Thompson and Eric Brewer. The three stars of the game were Roloson (31 for 33 in saves), Stamkos, and Pyatt, while Semin and Thompson get honorable mentions.
Out west, we end in Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles opened with a third period Slava Voynov goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Brad Richardson. The Kings iced it at 2-0 when Dwight King potted his fifth of the year, with a lone Mike Richards assist. The three stars were given to Quick (19 save shutout), Dubnyk (35 for 37 in saves), and Voynov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
As the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dwayne Roloson tend the twines. Washington opened in the second period as Alexander Semin notched his twentieth of the season, with the help of Mathieu Perreault. Tampa Bay got it back on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Twenty-five seconds later, Victor Hedman scored to give the Lightning the lead, his fifth of the season coming off of Nate Thompson and Tom Pyatt . The Capitals tied it in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Semin. Tampa Bay got a lead with a Stamkos goal, his fifty-seventh of the season, fueled by Brett Clark and Brian Lee. Stamkos iced it at 4-2 Lighting on his second of the game and fifty-eighth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Thompson and Eric Brewer. The three stars of the game were Roloson (31 for 33 in saves), Stamkos, and Pyatt, while Semin and Thompson get honorable mentions.
Out west, we end in Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles opened with a third period Slava Voynov goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Brad Richardson. The Kings iced it at 2-0 when Dwight King potted his fifth of the year, with a lone Mike Richards assist. The three stars were given to Quick (19 save shutout), Dubnyk (35 for 37 in saves), and Voynov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 24
Just one more week left, so championships not already determined are on the line this week. Important stuff everyone! Let's see who helped the early-closing leagues wrap things up.
1. Mike Smith, 2 W, 0.00 GAA, 82 SV, 1.000 SV%, 2 SO
2. Evgeni Malkin, 2 G, 5 A, -4, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. Jonathan Quick, 2 W, 0.67 GAA, 56 SV, .966 SV%, 1 SO
4. Jakub Voracek, 3 G, 4 A, +3, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 15 SOG
5. Derek Dorsett, 2 G, 1 A, +2, 20 PIM, 1 PPP, 14 SOG
Next week we'll bring in some all season stats for your enjoyment and my chagrin, takes a long time to type those up. Good luck for those still doing battle this week.
1. Mike Smith, 2 W, 0.00 GAA, 82 SV, 1.000 SV%, 2 SO
2. Evgeni Malkin, 2 G, 5 A, -4, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. Jonathan Quick, 2 W, 0.67 GAA, 56 SV, .966 SV%, 1 SO
4. Jakub Voracek, 3 G, 4 A, +3, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 15 SOG
5. Derek Dorsett, 2 G, 1 A, +2, 20 PIM, 1 PPP, 14 SOG
Next week we'll bring in some all season stats for your enjoyment and my chagrin, takes a long time to type those up. Good luck for those still doing battle this week.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
NHL Day 179 2011-2012
Six games on the final Sunday of the season. We begin in Pennsylvania...
As the Pittsburgh Penguins host their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury started in goal. Pittsburgh began with a Steve Sullivan goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins added on with James Neal recording his thirty-ninth of the year, via Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Philadelphia got one back when Claude Giroux made his twenty-eighth of the campaign, with the help of Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers tied it in the second period on a Max Talbot goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Zac Rinaldo and Sean Couturier. Philadelphia took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Giroux. The Flyers rolled on with a Voracek goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Eric Wellwood and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia extended the lead again with a Marc-Andre Bourdon goal, his third of the season, with Giroux providing the lone helper. Pittsburgh got one back with Sullivan's second of the game and seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Dupuis and Zbynek Michalek. The Flyers got it back when Voracek netted his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Matt Carle and Talbot. The Penguins replied too little, too late, with a power play goal by Kunitz, his twenty-fourth of the season, with assists from Malkin and Crosby. The three stars went to Voracek, Giroux, and Sullivan, while Talbot, Kunitz, Crosby, Dupuis, and Malkin get the honorable mentions.
Down into New York, with the Islanders bringing in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Al Montoya are in the creases. New York struck first with a Mark Streit goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Ottawa tied the game with the eleventh of the year for Kyle Turris, fueled by Milan Michalek and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators took the lead in the second period with a Gonchar power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Michalek and Turris. Ottawa added on with a Michalek goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Turris and Bobby Butler. The Senators extended their lead with a Nick Foligno goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Jesse Winchester and Colin Greening. Ottawa did not relent in the third period, as Turris scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of Foligno and Erik Karlsson on the power play. The Senators cruised from here on for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Turris, Michalek, and Gonchar, while Foligno gets the honorable mention.
Westward to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Jimmy Howard play in the blue paint. Florida was first to score with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, fueled by Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss. Detroit tied it in the third period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Jakub Kindl. The game went to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk and Hudler carried the Red Wings over a lone Wojtek Wolski tally to defeat the Panthers 2-1. The three stars were handed out to Hudler, Howard (27 for 28 in saves), and Clemmensen (31 for 32 in saves).
Down to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ray Emery get the spot starts. Minnesota got started with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Dany Heatley and Marco Scandella. Chicago answered thirty-four seconds later on a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-third of the year, courtesy of Nick Leddy and Marcus Kruger. The Wild took the lead again with a power play goal by Heatley, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Setoguchi. The Blackhawks tied it up again with a second period goal by Viktor Stalberg, his twenty-first of the year, made possible by Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Minnesota again gained the lead with a Clayton Stoner goal, set up by Setoguchi and Koivu just twenty seconds later. The Wild added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his twenty-second of the season, thanks to Tom Gilbert and Stephane Veilleux. Chicago got one back with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Marian Hossa and Leddy. Kane tied it for the Blackhawks late in the third period with his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, fueled by Andrew Shaw. Minnesota took the game in the shootout with Erik Christensen and Setoguchi scoring to overpower Kane's lone tally, giving the Wild a 5-4 win over the Blackhawks. The three stars were awarded to Setoguchi, Heatley, and Leddy, while Kane and Koivu get honorable mentions.
Eastward to New York, with the Rangers hosting the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist tended the twines. Marian Gaborik put New York on the board first with his fortieth of the season, an unassisted goal. Boston replied in the second period when Dennis Seidenberg netted his fifth of the year, via Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand. The Bruins took the lead on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, with a lone Tyler Seguin assist. The scoring ended here, with Boston winning 2-1, and the three stars were Thomas (33 for 34 in saves), Chara, and Gaborik.
Finally, we'll stop in Anaheim as the Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers with only pride on the line. Devan Dubnyk and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Fifteen seconds in, Edmonton was on the board when Teemu Hartikainen scored, with a lone Jordan Eberle assist. The Oilers extended the lead later with another Hartikainen tally, his second of the game, set up by Ryan Whitney and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Anaheim got one back with the slightly more famous Teemu, Mr. Selanne, who scored his twenty-sixth of the season, with the help of Niklas Hagman and Saku Koivu. The second and third periods were silent, so the final was 2-1 Edmonton, and the three stars were Selanne, Dubnyk (32 for 33 in saves), and Lubomir Visnovsky, while Hartikainen gets honorable mention. (Editor's Note: This game lacked neither Ryans (Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf, The Nuge, Smyth, Whitney, Jones) nor Teemus (Hartikainen, Selanne) which is odd to have such a concentration of particular names).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
As the Pittsburgh Penguins host their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury started in goal. Pittsburgh began with a Steve Sullivan goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins added on with James Neal recording his thirty-ninth of the year, via Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Philadelphia got one back when Claude Giroux made his twenty-eighth of the campaign, with the help of Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers tied it in the second period on a Max Talbot goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Zac Rinaldo and Sean Couturier. Philadelphia took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Giroux. The Flyers rolled on with a Voracek goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Eric Wellwood and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia extended the lead again with a Marc-Andre Bourdon goal, his third of the season, with Giroux providing the lone helper. Pittsburgh got one back with Sullivan's second of the game and seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Dupuis and Zbynek Michalek. The Flyers got it back when Voracek netted his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Matt Carle and Talbot. The Penguins replied too little, too late, with a power play goal by Kunitz, his twenty-fourth of the season, with assists from Malkin and Crosby. The three stars went to Voracek, Giroux, and Sullivan, while Talbot, Kunitz, Crosby, Dupuis, and Malkin get the honorable mentions.
Down into New York, with the Islanders bringing in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Al Montoya are in the creases. New York struck first with a Mark Streit goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Ottawa tied the game with the eleventh of the year for Kyle Turris, fueled by Milan Michalek and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators took the lead in the second period with a Gonchar power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Michalek and Turris. Ottawa added on with a Michalek goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Turris and Bobby Butler. The Senators extended their lead with a Nick Foligno goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Jesse Winchester and Colin Greening. Ottawa did not relent in the third period, as Turris scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of Foligno and Erik Karlsson on the power play. The Senators cruised from here on for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Turris, Michalek, and Gonchar, while Foligno gets the honorable mention.
Westward to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Jimmy Howard play in the blue paint. Florida was first to score with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, fueled by Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss. Detroit tied it in the third period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Jakub Kindl. The game went to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk and Hudler carried the Red Wings over a lone Wojtek Wolski tally to defeat the Panthers 2-1. The three stars were handed out to Hudler, Howard (27 for 28 in saves), and Clemmensen (31 for 32 in saves).
Down to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ray Emery get the spot starts. Minnesota got started with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Dany Heatley and Marco Scandella. Chicago answered thirty-four seconds later on a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-third of the year, courtesy of Nick Leddy and Marcus Kruger. The Wild took the lead again with a power play goal by Heatley, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Setoguchi. The Blackhawks tied it up again with a second period goal by Viktor Stalberg, his twenty-first of the year, made possible by Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Minnesota again gained the lead with a Clayton Stoner goal, set up by Setoguchi and Koivu just twenty seconds later. The Wild added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his twenty-second of the season, thanks to Tom Gilbert and Stephane Veilleux. Chicago got one back with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Marian Hossa and Leddy. Kane tied it for the Blackhawks late in the third period with his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, fueled by Andrew Shaw. Minnesota took the game in the shootout with Erik Christensen and Setoguchi scoring to overpower Kane's lone tally, giving the Wild a 5-4 win over the Blackhawks. The three stars were awarded to Setoguchi, Heatley, and Leddy, while Kane and Koivu get honorable mentions.
Eastward to New York, with the Rangers hosting the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist tended the twines. Marian Gaborik put New York on the board first with his fortieth of the season, an unassisted goal. Boston replied in the second period when Dennis Seidenberg netted his fifth of the year, via Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand. The Bruins took the lead on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, with a lone Tyler Seguin assist. The scoring ended here, with Boston winning 2-1, and the three stars were Thomas (33 for 34 in saves), Chara, and Gaborik.
Finally, we'll stop in Anaheim as the Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers with only pride on the line. Devan Dubnyk and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Fifteen seconds in, Edmonton was on the board when Teemu Hartikainen scored, with a lone Jordan Eberle assist. The Oilers extended the lead later with another Hartikainen tally, his second of the game, set up by Ryan Whitney and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Anaheim got one back with the slightly more famous Teemu, Mr. Selanne, who scored his twenty-sixth of the season, with the help of Niklas Hagman and Saku Koivu. The second and third periods were silent, so the final was 2-1 Edmonton, and the three stars were Selanne, Dubnyk (32 for 33 in saves), and Lubomir Visnovsky, while Hartikainen gets honorable mention. (Editor's Note: This game lacked neither Ryans (Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf, The Nuge, Smyth, Whitney, Jones) nor Teemus (Hartikainen, Selanne) which is odd to have such a concentration of particular names).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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