Tuesday, November 26, 2013

KHL Day 84 2013-2014

Another twelve game day for the Russian league, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Mathieu Garon are given the starting nods. Prague began in the first period with a Patrik Zackrisson goal, with a lone helper from Calle Ridderwall. Lev added on with a Topi Jaakola scoring, thanks to Justin Azevedo. Omsk got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Denis Kulyash, powered by Sergei Shirokov and Anton Kuryanov. Avangard tied it in the third period as Kuryanov scored a power play goal, helped along by Andrei Ivanov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Lev won as David Ullstrom had the only goal for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Kuryanov, Vehanen (35 for 37 in saves), and Ullstrom.

Next up, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Jakub Kovar are in the blue paint. Moscow got going in the second period as Igor Grigorenko scored, with the help of Nikolai Prokhorkin. CSKA added on in the third period with an Alexei Morozov power play goal, powered by Ilari Filppula and Alexander Radulov. This resulted in a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Proskuryakov (28 save shutout), Grigorenko, and Morozov.

Moving along to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Mikhail Biryukov are set to start. Riga was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Kyle Wilson, powered by Marcel Hossa and Mat Robinson. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Veli-Matti Savinainen power play goal, passed from Stephen Dixon and Radek Smolenak. The tie lasted into overtime, where Dinamo won with a Paul Szczechura goal, coming off of Robinson and Wilson on the power play. The three stars of the 2-1 game were Tellqvist (36 for 37 in saves), Wilson, and Robinson.

South to Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana hosts Slovan Bratislava. Miroslav Kopriva and Ari Ahonen play goal. Bratislava struck first in the first period as Michel Miklik scored, via Michal Sersen and Andrej Stastny. Astana tied it with a Konstantin Rudenko goal, coming off of Roman Starchenko. Barys took the lead with a Dmitry Upper goal, fueled by Alexei Litvinenko. Astana added on in the second period as Mike Lundin scored, with assists provided by Evgeny Blokhin and Konstantin Romanov. Barys extended the lead as Dustin Boyd scored a power play goal, powered by Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Astana padded the lead in the third period as Dawes scored a power play goal, thanks to Bochenski and Lundin. Barys wrapped it up at 6-1 as Dawes scored his second of the game on the power play, and Bochenski had the lone assist for a sock trick. The three stars were Dawes, Bochenski, and Lundin.

Back in Russia, Vityaz Podolsk welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Ivan Lisutin are the reliable goalies. Vladivostok opened in the first period with a Viktor Drugov goal, assisted by Igor Bortnikov. Admiral added on as Alexei Ugarov scored an unassisted goal. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, passed from Mike Iggulden and Logan Pyett. Vladivostok iced it at 3-1 when Niclas Bergfors scored an empty net goal, set up by Konstantin Sokolov and Felix Schutz. The three stars were handed to Ivannikov (20 for 21 in saves), Ugarov, and Drugov.

A bit to the east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Vitaly Koval protect the nets. Novosibirsk started in the first period with a Kristian Kudroc power play goal, powered by Jori Lehtera and Dmitry Kugryshev. Nizhny Novgorod tied it with a power play goal by Denis Parshin, made possible by Pavel Valentenko and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead as Parshin scored another power play goal in the second period, via Sakari Salminen and Immonen. Nizhny Novgorod added on in the third period with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, assisted by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Parshin, Koval (21 for 22 in saves), and Immonen.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Konstantin Barulin. Kazan dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Alexei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Ilya Nikulin and Konstantin Korneyev. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period with an unassisted goal by Artyom Kryukov. Amur took the lead as Timofei Shishkanov scored, with a lone assist by Andrei Stepanov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Jarvinen (29 for 30 in saves), Shishkanov, and Barulin (33 for 35 in saves).

Back west to Moscow, as Spartak welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Jeff Glass are the North American goalies. Moscow led off in the first period with an Igor Volkov goal, assisted by Denis Bodrov and Mikhail Yunkov. Chelyabinsk tied it with an Andrei Popov goal, fueled by Semyon Kokuyov and Anton Glinkin. Spartak took the lead back in the second period when Alexander Nikulin scored an unassisted goal. Traktor tied it on a Jan Bulis goal, via Glinkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Chelyabinsk took the lead as Kuznetsov scored a power play goal, powered by Maxim Kondratyev and Alexei Bondarev. Traktor added on in the third period as Glinkin scored, thanks to Popov and Kokuyov. Chelyabinsk extended the lead as Kokuyov scored, with helpers from Popov and Glinkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Moscow got one back as Filipp Toluzakov scored, with a lone assist by Viktor Bobrov. This produced the 5-3 final, with Glinkin, Popov, and Kokuyov getting the three stars, while Kuznetsov gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the city, Dynamo Moscow brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Alexander Lazushin are between the pipes. Moscow was first to score in the first period with an Alexei Sopin goal, via Janne Jalasvaara and Konstantin Kasyanchuk. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a power play goal by Sergei Yemelin, coming off of Semyon Valuisky. Metallurg took the lead as Alexei Kosourov scored, with the help of Artyom Gareyev. Dynamo tied it with a Denis Kokarev goal, fueled by Denis Mosalyov and Sergei Soin. Novokuznetsk took the lead back with a Mikhail Kuklev goal, with a lone assist by Gareyev. Metallurg added on in the third period with a power play goal by Ansel Galimov, powered by Damir Zhafyarov and Zakhar Arzamastsev. Moscow got one back as Alexander Ryazentsev scored, with assists provided by Maxim Pestushko and Mosalyov. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Gareyev, Galimov, and Mosalyov.

Out west to Belarus, as Dinamo Minsk hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Lars Haugen guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period as Yegor Milovzorov scored, with the help of Oskar Osala. Neftekhimik added on as Maxim Rybin scored, thanks to Pyotr Khokhryakov and Igor Polygalov. Minsk got on the board with a power play goal by Geoff Platt, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Andrei Stas. Dinamo tied it with an unassisted goal by Alexander Materukhin. Minsk took the lead as Kalyuzhny scored a power play goal, assisted by Platt and Stas. Nizhnekamsk retied it in the third period on a shorthanded goal by Milovzorov, set up by Petr Koukal. Dinamo took the lead again with a Materukhin goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist from Alexander Kitarov. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Materukhin, Milovzorov, and Kalyuzhny, while Platt and Stas get the honorable mentions.

Onto Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Michael Leighton tend the twines. Donetsk opened in the first period as Oleg Piganovich scored a power play goal, powered by Teemu Laine and Ruslan Fedotenko. Donbass added on with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, fueled by Yury Silnitsky and Fedotenko. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the second period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, passed from Jan Kovar and Viktor Antipin. Metallurg tied it with an unassisted goal by Yaroslav Khabarov. Donetsk took the lead again in the third period as Laine scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Clay Wilson and Peter Podhradsky. This was good for a 3-2 win, with Laine, Fedotenko, and Mozyakin being given the three stars.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Mark Dekanich are the backups making spot starts. Ufa started with a power play goal by Dmitry Makarov in the first period powered by Teemu Hartikainen and Kirill Koltsov. This was the game's only goal, so Salavat Yulaev won 1-0. The three stars were Vasilevsky (37 save shutout), Makarov, and Dekanich (23 for 24 in saves).

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Monday, November 25, 2013

NHL Day 56 2013-2014

Nine games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Martin Brodeur draw the starts. Winnipeg started in the first period as Mark Scheilefe scored his second of the season, assisted by Michael Frolik and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets added on in the second period as Evander Kane recorded his seventh of the year, passed from Olli Jokinen. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Patrik Elias goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Andy Greene and Steve Bernier. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Devin Setoguchi, his fifth of the year, set up by Bryan Little and Byfuglien. The three stars went to Pavelec (25 for 26 in saves), Kane, and Byfuglien.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Boston led off in the first period with a Loui Eriksson goal, his fifth of the season, via Carl Soderberg. The Bruins added on as Reilly Smith scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Soderberg and Eriksson. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period as James Neal scored his fifth of the season, guided in by Jussi Jokinen and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins tied it in the third period with another Neal goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, passed from Jokinen and Matt Niskanen. Boston took the lead back with a Zdeno Chara goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Pittsburgh tied it with .3 seconds left in the game as Sidney Crosby scored his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Chris Kunitz and Neal. The Bruins won 4-3 in overtime as Torey Krug potted his seventh of the campaign, with assists provided by Brad Marchand and Eriksson. Neal, Eriksson, and Soderberg get the three stars, while Jokinen gets the honorable mention.

Further north, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and James Reimer are the inconsistent goalies. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Matt Calvert and Artem Anisimov. The Blue Jackets added on as R.J. Umberger scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Mark Letestu and Ryan Murray. Columbus extended the lead in the second period as Jack Skille scored, with a lone assist by Letestu. The Blue Jackets padded the lead as Murray scored his third of the campaign on the power play goal, powered by Ryan Johansen and James Wisniewski. Columbus got another in the third period as Johansen scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets struck again when Johansen scored his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming off of Foligno and Wisniewski on the power play. Jonathan Bernier came on in relief of Reimer. This was good for a 6-0 win, with the three stars being Johansen, Murray, and Bobrovsky (18 save shutout), while Foligno, Wisniewski, and Letestu were given the honorable mentions.

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay began in the first period as Nikita Kucherov scored, thanks to Teddy Purcell and Eric Brewer. The Lightning added on as Martin St. Louis scored his ninth of the season, coming off of Valtteri Filppula and Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period when St. Louis scored his tenth of the year and second of the game, via Vilppula and Andrej Sustr. The Lightning padded the lead with a Purcell goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. Cam Talbot relieved Lundqvist for the third period. Tampa Bay wrapped it up at 5-0 in the third period as Purcell scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, made possible by St. Louis and Alex Killorn. The three stars went to St. Louis, Purcell, and Bishop (37 save shutout).

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Tim Thomas are the overrated goalies. Florida got going in the second period with a Sean Bergenheim goal, assisted by Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen. The Panthers added on as Bergenheim scored his second of the game, a power play goal, powered by Marcel Goc and Erik Gudbarnson. Philadelphia got on the board with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal in the third period, his fifth of the season, guided in by Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux. Florida iced it at 3-1 on a Gudbranson goal, fueled by Scottie Upshall and Brad Boyes. The three stars were Bergenheim, Thomas (38 for 39 in saves), and Gudbranson.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jaroslav Halak are the veteran goalies. St. Louis was first to score in the first period as Vladimir Sobotka notched his fifth of the season, thanks to Carlo Colaiacovo and Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on with an Alexander Steen goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Jay Bouwmeester and T.J. Oshie. St. Louis finished it at 3-0 in the third period as Steen scored his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, an unassisted empty net goal. The three stars were awarded to Steen, Halak (22 save shutout), and Sobotka.

Back east a little, the Nashville Predators host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Marek Mazanec are in the blue paint. Nashville opened in the first period as Nick Spaling scored his third of the season, assisted by Matt Cullen and Craig Smith. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Colin Wilson and Eric Nystrom. Nashville extended the lead when Gabriel Bourque scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and David Legwand. Phoenix got on the board in the second period as Mikkel Boedker scored his fifth of the year, via Antoine Vermette and Kyle Chipchura. The Coyotes pulled closer with a Tim Kennedy goal, guided in by Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata. The Predators won 4-2 as Shea Weber scored his seventh of the campaign into an empty net in the third period, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Bourque, Mazanec (29 for 31 in saves), and Kennedy.

Northwest again to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Devan Dubnyk show alliteration in the goalie matchup. Chicago led off in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Jonathan Toews, his twelfth of the season, set up by Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks added on as Patrick Kane scored a power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Andrew Shaw and Keith. Chicago extended the lead in the second period on a Johnny Oduya goal, his second of the season, via Marcus Kruger and Brandon Bollig. The Blackhawks chased Dubnyk with a Shaw goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Jeremy Morin. Ilya Bryzgalov relieved Dubnyk. Edmonton got on the board with a Justin Schultz goal, his third of the season, guided in by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall. Chicago responded in the third period with another Shaw goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, assisted by Nick Leddy and Saad. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Shaw, Saad, and Keith.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Kyle Clifford goal, his second of the season, fueled by Linden Vey and Tyler Toffoli. Vancouver got on the board with a Christopher Tanev goal, passed from Chris Higgins and Dale Weise. The Canucks took the lead in the third period as Henrik Sedin scored his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Daniel Sedin and Jason Garrison. The Kings tied it as Mike Richards scored his sixth of the season, courtesy of Jeff Carter and Dwight King. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime as Anze Kopitar scored his seventh of the year, via Slava Voynov and Robyn Regehr. The three stars went to Kopitar, Richards, and Scrivens (37 for 39 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday Night Football Week 12 2013

Our game tonight is the Washington Redskins hosting the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco began in the first quarter as Colin Kaepernick found Anquan Boldin for 19 yards and a touchdown, and Phil Dawson knocked in the extra point. The 49ers added on in the second quarter as Dawson made a 29 yard field goal. Washington got on the board with a 36 yard field goal by Kai Forbath. The Redskins pulled closer as Forbath was good on a field goal of 35 yards. San Francisco replied in the third quarter as Kaepernick found Boldin again for a 6 yard touchdown, and Dawson drilled the PAT. The 49ers extended the lead as Kaepernick connected for a 1 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Dawson was good with the extra point. San Francisco iced it at 27-6 when Dawson made a 49 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The 49ers improved to 7-4 while the Redskins drop to 3-8.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 83 2013-2014

Only one game today, as Atlant Mytishchi hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Sergei Borisov are set to start. Yaroslavl got going in the second period as Mikelis Redlihs scored, with a lone assist by Kirill Kapustin. Mytishchi tied it in the third period with an unassisted power play goal by Alexander Kadeikin. Atlant won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Yury Trubachyov and Konstantin Koltsov. The three stars were Borisov (40 for 41 in saves), Sanford (39 for 40 in saves), and Kadeikin.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

NFL Week 12 2013

This is the last of the bye weeks everybody! Full schedules will happen in the last five weeks of the season.

For this week, we begin in Miami, as the Dolphins host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina began in the first quarter as Graham Gano kicked a 52 yard field goal. Miami took the lead as Ryan Tannehill found Mike Wallace for 53 yards and a touchdown, and Caleb Sturgis made the extra point. The Dolphins added on as Sturgis made a 32 yard field goal. Miami extended the lead on a Sturgis 47 yard field goal. Miami padded the lead when Sturgis knocked in a 23 yard field goal. The Panthers got some back as Gano made a 46 yard field goal. Carolina pulled closer on a 5 yard touchdownb run by Cam Newton in the third quarter, and Gano handled the PAT. The Panthers gained the lead as Newton tossed a 1 yard touchdown to Greg Olsen in the fourth quarter, and Gano made another extra point. This held up for a 20-16 win, with the Panthers now at 8-3 while the Dolphins drop to 5-6.

Up in St. Louis, the Rams welcome the Chicago Bears. St. Louis opened in the first quarter as Tavon Austin ran 65 yards for a touchdown, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Rams added on with a 1 yard touchdown run by Zac Stacy, and Zuerlein supplied the extra point. Chicago got some back with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Josh McCown to Martellus Bennett, and Robibe Gould knocked in the extra point. St. Louis replied as Kellen Clemens threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Jared Cook, and Zuerlein drove in the extra point. The Bears pulled back in the second quarter as McCown connected on a 3 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, and Gould booted another PAT. The Rams shot back as Zuerlein made a 29 yard field goal. St. Louis got some more in the third quarter on a 40 yard field goal by Zuerlein. Chicago chipped back in the fourth quarter on a Michael Bush 1 yard touchdown run, and Gould kicked the extra point. The Rams extended the lead as Benny Cunningham ran 9 yards for a touchdown, and Zuerlein drilled the extra point. St. Louis padded the lead as Robert Quinn returned a fumble by McCown for 31 yards and a touchdown, and Zuerlein made another extra point. This produced the 42-21 final, with the Rams going to 5-6 while the Bears fall to 6-5.

Across Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs bring in the San Diego Chargers. San Diego was first to score in the first quarter on a 30 yard field goal by Nick Novak. Kansas City answered with a 32 yard Alex Smith touchdown pass to Donnie Avery, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. The Chiefs added on in the second quarter as Jamaal Charles rushed 7 yards for a touchdown, and Succop knocked in the extra point. The Chargers answered with an 11 yard Philip Rivers touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead, and Novak supplied another extra point. San Diego took the lead as Ryan Mathews ran in a 1 yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Novak made the extra point. Kansas City took the lead back with a 1 yard touchdown run by Charles, and Succop was true with the extra point. The Chargers reclaimed the lead on a 3 yard touchdown run by Woodhead, and Novak booted the PAT. The Chiefs retook the lead when Smith found Anthony Fasano for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Succop handled the extra point. San Diego chipped back in the fourth quarter as Novak made a 30 yard field goal. Kansas City replied with a 25 yard field goal by Succop. The Chargers regained the lead as Rivers found Ladarius Green for 60 yards and a touchdown, and Novak had the extra point. The Chiefs pulled back ahead on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Smith to Dwayne Bowe, and Succop nailed the extra point. San Diego sealed victory late as Rivers passed a 26 yard touchdown to Seyi Ajirotutu, and Novak made his extra point for a 41-38 win. The Chargers improve to 5-6 while dropping the Chiefs to 9-2.

Back east, the Baltimore Ravens host the New York Jets. New York led off in the first quarter as Nick Folk made a 27 yard field goal. Baltimore tied it on a Justin Tucker field goal of 30 yards. The Ravens took the lead in the second quarter as Tucker made a 26 yard field goal. Baltimore added on with a Tucker 33 yard field goal. The Ravens extended the lead as Tucker supplied a 53 yard field goal in the third quarter. Baltimore padded the lead when Joe Flacco found Jacoby Jones for 66 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker booted the PAT. This held up through a scoreless fourth quarter for a 19-3 win for the Ravens, who are now 5-6, as are their opponents, the Jets.

Southwest to Houston, as the Texans welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville started in the first quarter on a Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown run of 1 yard, and Josh Scobee knocked in the extra point. The Jaguars added on in the second quarter with a 30 yard Scobee field goal. Houston got on the board as Randy Bullock made a 49 yard field goal. The Texans pulled closer in the third quarter on a 20 yard field goal by Bullock. Jacksonville answered in the fourth quarter as Scobee made a 53 yard field goal. This held up for a 13-6 win, with the Jaguars and Texans both going to 2-9 now.

Up in Green Bay, the Packers bring in the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay struck first in the first quarter on a 6 yard touchdown run by Scott Tolzien, and Mason Crosby supplied the extra point. Minnesota answered as Blair Walsh made a 36 yard field goal. The Vikings got closer in the second quarter as Walsh made a 47 yard field goal. Minnesota took the lead with an Adrian Peterson touchdown run of 1 yard, and Walsh drilled the extra point. The Vikings added on in the third quarter with a 12 yard Christian Ponder touchdown pass to Rhett Ellison, and Walsh kicked another extra point. Minnesota extended the lead in the fourth quarter as Walsh made a 29 yard field goal. The Packers got some back with a 3 yard touchdown run by Eddie Lacy, but the two-point attempt failed. Green Bay pulled closer with a 6 yard Matt Flynn touchdown pass to Jarret Boykin, and Crosby was true with the extra point. The Packers tied it late on a 27 yard Crosby field goal. Green Bay took a lead in overtime on a Crosby 20 yard field goal. Minnesota tied it again as Walsh made a 35 yard field goal. The tie went unbroken, and the final was 26-all. The Packers are now 5-5-1 while the Vikings are 2-8-1.

Over in Detroit, the Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay was first to score in the first quarter on a 38 yard field goal by Rian Lindell. Detroit took the lead in the second quarter as Matthew Stafford found Nate Burleson for 5 yards and a touchdown, and David Akers handled the extra point. The Buccaneers retook the lead as Mike Glennon tossed a 7 yard touchdown to Tiquan Underwood, and Lindell supplied the extra point. The Lions retook the lead as Stafford and Joseph Fauria connected for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Akers nailed the extra point. Tampa Bay edged ahead with a 48 yard interception return by Leonard Johnson, and this allowed Lindell to make the PAT. Detroit regained the lead in the third quarter as Stafford found Brandon Pettigrew for an 18 yard touchdown pass, and Akers was true with the extra point. The Buccaneers pulled ahead again in the fourth quarter as Glennon and Underwood combined for an 85 yard touchdown pass, and Lindell blasted the extra point. This held up for a 24-21 win, with the Buccaneers improving to 3-8 while the Lions fall to 6-5.

South to Cleveland, as the Browns welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh opened in the first quarter with a 47 yard field goal by Shaun Suisham. Cleveland tied it as Billy Cundiff made a 49 yard field goal. The Steelers took the lead back in the second quarter as Ben Roethlisberger tossed a 41 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, and Suisham supplied the extra point. Pittsburgh added on with a Suisham 32 yard field goal. The Steelers extended the lead in the third quarter as Roethlisberger found Emmanuel Sanders for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Suisham drilled the PAT. Pittsburgh padded the lead in the fourth quarter as William Gay picked off Brandon Weeden and returned the interception 21 yards for a touchdown, allowing Suisham to make the extra point. The Browns got some back as Weeden found Josh Gordon for 1 yard and a touchdown, and Weeden's pass to Davone Bess sealed the two-point conversion. This only made it 27-11, the final, with the Steelers going to 5-6 while the Browns fall to 4-7.

Out west, the Oakland Raiders bring in the Tennessee Titans. Oakland started in the first quarter with a Sebastian Janikowski field goal of 52 yards. Tennessee tied it with a 33 yard Rob Bironas field goal. The Titans took the lead in the second quarter as Bironas made a 22 yard field goal. The Raiders tied it again with a Janikowski field goal from 48 yards out. Oakland pulled ahead on a 24 yard field goal by Janikowski. Tennessee took the lead in the third quarter as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed a 54 yard touchdown to Justin Hunter, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Raiders pulled back as Janikowski made a 42 yard field goal. The Titans shot back on a fourth quarter 23 yard field goal by Bironas. Oakland took the lead as Matt McGloin found Marcel Reece for 27 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the PAT. Tennessee took a late lead as Fitzpatrick threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Kendall Wright, and Bironas handled the extra point. This made it a 23-19 final, with the Titans improving to 5-6 and the Raiders dropping to 4-7.

Back down in Arizona, the Cardinals host the Indianapolis Colts. Arizona struck first in the first quarter on a Carson Palmer touchdown pass of 4 yards to Larry Fitzgerald. Indianapolis got on the board with a 27 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The Cardinals added on as Palmer and Fitzgerald hooked up for a 26 yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Feely supplied the extra point. Arizona extended the lead as Feely made a 48 yard field goal. The Cardinals padded the lead as Karlos Dansby picked off Andrew Luck and returned the interception for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Feely had the extra point. Arizona got some more with a 50 yard field goal by Feely. The Cardinals kept going in the third quarter when Rashard Mendenhall ran in a 5 yard touchdown, and Feely made the PAT. The Colts got some back in the fourth quarter as Luck found Coby Fleener for 17 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri booted the extra point. Arizona responded as Feely made a 21 yard field goal. The Cardinals struck again with a 25 yard Feely field goal. This resulted in a 40-11 final, with the Cardinals and Colts both going to 7-4.

Northeast to New Jersey, as the New York Giants welcome the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas began in the first quarter as Jeff Heath picked up a Victor Cruz fumble and ran 50 yards for a touchdown, and Dan Bailey made the extra point. New York got on the board in the second quarter as Josh Brown made a 21 yard field goal. The Cowboys extended their lead as Tony Romo found Jason Witten for 20 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey made another extra point. The Giants pulled back as Brown made a 23 yard field goal. Dallas added on with Romo and Witten hooking up for a touchdown of 2 yards in the third quarter, and Bailey knocked in the PAT. New York answered with a 27 yard Eli Manning touchdown pass to Brandon Myers, and Brown drilled the extra point. The Giants tied it in the fourth quarter as Manning passed 4 yards to Louis Murphy, Jr. for a touchdown, and Brown handled the extra point. The Cowboys won 24-21 at the end of regulation as Bailey made a 35 yard field goal. Dallas is now 6-5 while New York falls to 4-7.

Finally in Foxboro, the New England Patriots bring in the Denver Broncos for the Sunday Night game. Denver led off in the first quarter as Von Miller returned a Stevan Ridley fumble for 60 yards and a touchdown, and Matt Prater booted the extra point. The Broncos added on as Knowshon Moreno ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Prater made another extra point. Denver extended the lead as Prater kicked a 27 yard field goal. The Broncos padded the lead as Peyton Manning threw a 10 yard touchdown to Jacob Tamme, and Prater supplied the extra point. New England got on the board in the third quarter as Tom Brady found Julian Edelman for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots pulled closer with a 1 yard touchdown run by Brandon Bolden, and Gostkowski drilled the PAT. New England chipped away as Brady connected for 6 yards and a touchdown to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski was true with the extra point. The Patriots took the lead in the fourth quarter as Brady and Edelman connected for 14 yards and a touchdown, and Gostkowski drove in the extra point. New England got some more as Gostkowski made a 31 yard field goal. Denver tied the game as Manning found Demaryius Thomas for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Prater knocked in the extra point. The Patriots won with a Gostkowski 31 yard field goal late in overtime. The Patriots are now 8-3 and the Broncos go to 9-2.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 55 2013-2014

Two games on today, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Ryan Miller get the starting nods. Buffalo started in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Drew Stafford. Detroit tied it in the second period as Darren Helm scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Daniel Alfredsson and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings gained the lead in the third period as Johan Franzen scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit iced it at 3-1 as Alfredsson scored an empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Franzen. The three stars were Franzen, Gustavsson (21 for 22 in saves), and Alfredsson.

The other game is from Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Cam Ward are in the creases. Ottawa opened in the first period with the tenth of the season for Jason Spezza, assisted by Mika Zibanejad. Carolina tied it in the second period as Patrick Dwyer scored his third of the year, coming off of Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Eric Staal. Carolina added on as Elias Lindholm scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Eric Staal and Faulk. The Hurricanes wrapped it up at 4-1 with an Eric Staal empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Manny Malhotra. Eric Staal, Ward (35 for 36 in saves), and Faulk are given the three stars.

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KHL Day 82 2013-2014

Twelve more games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Mathieu Garon are in the blue paint. Omsk was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Sergei Shirokov, powered by Kirill Lyamin and Maxim Goncharov. Avangard added on with a Stefan Ruzicka goal, fueled by Sergei Kalinin. Riga got on the board in the second period as Vitalijs Pavlovs scored, thanks to Miks Indrasis and Marcel Hascak. Omsk replied as Alexander Popov scored, with helpers provided by Shirokov and Andrei Ivanov. Dinamo got one back in the third period on a Paul Szczechura goal, going in unassisted. Avangard answered on a Dmitry Semin goal, with a lone assist from Kalinin. Omsk wrapped it up at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Sergei Kostitsyn, set up by Shirokov and Semin. The three stars were Shirokov, Semin, and Kalinin.

Up in Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Jakub Kovar make the starts. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period as Alexander Streltsov scored, thanks to Anatoly Golyshev. Avtomobilist added on with an Igor Yemeleyev power play goal, with a lone assist by Tobias Viklund. Yekaterinburg extended the lead as Alexei Simakov scored, via Sergei Demagin. Avtomobilist padded the lead with a power play goal by Nikita Tryamkin, powered by Eduard Lewandowski. Yekaterinburg got another when Alexei Yefimov scored, with the help of Lewandowski and Anthony Stewart. Bratislava got on the board in the third period with a Michal Vondrka goal, passed from Martin Stajnoch. Avtomobilist replied on an Anton Lazarev goal, assisted by Viklund and Fyodor Malykhin. Yekaterinburg kept going as Ilya Arkalov scored a goal, guided in by Yefimov. Avtomobilist finished it at 8-1 with an Artyom Chernov goal, made possible by Tryamkin. The three stars were Yefimov, Tryamkin, and Viklund, while Lewandowski gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the region, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk brings in Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Alexei Kuznetsov receive the starting nods. Prague began in the first period on a Justin Azevedo goal, coming off of Jiri Novotny. Lev added on in the second period as David Ullstrom scored, with a lone helper by Novotny. Prague extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Topi Jaakola. Khanty-Mansiysk got one back as Artyom Bulyansky converted a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Marc-Andre Gragnani. Lev shot back in the third period as Martin Thornberg scored, with the help of Jiri Sekac. This made it a 4-1 final score, with the three stars belonging to Vehanen (31 for 32 in saves), Novotny, and Ullstrom.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Vitaly Yeremeyev man the creases. Moscow opened in the first period on an Alexei Morozov goal, thanks to Georgy Misharin and Oleg Saprykin. CSKA added on as Saprykin scored, with helpers from Yakov Rylov and Morozov. Astana got on the board in the second period with an Evgeny Blokhin goal, passed from Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Moscow responded in the third period on an Ivan Nepryayev goal, coming off of Nikita Zaitsev and Fyodor Fyodorov. Barys answered back with a power play goal by Bochenski, powered by Roman Savchenko. CSKA shot back when Igor Grigornko scored an unassisted. Moscow iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Saprykin, his second of the game, set up by Stanislav Yegorshev and Morozov. The three stars were handed to Saprykin, Morozov, and Bochenski.

Northwest to Moscow, as Dynamo welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Alexander Lazushin are the backups making spot starts. Moscow led off in the first period with a Sergei Soin goal, fueled by Denis Kokarev and Yury Babenko. Khabarovsk tied it as Alexander Yunkov converted a penalty shot he received after Martins Karsums slashed him. Amur took the lead as Yunkov scored a regular goal, via Jan Mursak and Andrei Stepanov. Khabarovsk extended the lead in the second period as Jakub Petruzalek scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Dynamo answered with a Denis Mosalyov goal, courtesy of Soin and Kokarev. Moscow tied it as Leo Komarov scored a power play goal, powered by Karsums and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo gained the lead on a Soin power play goal, guided in by Tsvetkov and Babenko. Moscow padded the lead on a Dominik Granak goal, made possible by Komarov and Tsvetkov, the latter getting a sock trick. Amur got one back in the third period as Stepanov scored an unassisted goal. They failed to tie the game, losing 5-4, with the three stars being Soin, Komarov, and Yunkov, while Tsvetkov, Babenko, Kokarev, and Stepanov all get the honorable mentions.

Staying in the region, Vityaz Podolsk brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Ivan Lisutin guard the cages. Novosibirsk started in the first period with a power play goal by Jonas Enlund, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Jori Lehtera. Sibir added on in the second period as Kristian Kudroc scored a power play goal, via Lehtera and Kugryshev. Novosibirsk extended the lead with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, assisted by Konstantin Alexeyev and Nikolai Lemtyugov. Podolsk got on the board with a Dinar Khafizullin goal, passed from Sergei Rozin and Mike Iggulden. Vityaz pulled closer in the third period when Igor Golovkov scored, with assists provided by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexei Makeyev. Podolsk tied it as Yegor Seleznyov scored, with the help of Airat Ziazov. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Dmitry Shitikov and Vyacheslav Solodukhin scored to top a single tally by Lemtyugov for a 4-3 Vityaz win. The three stars were handed to Lehtera, Kugryshev, and Lemtyugov.

A bit to the east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin is mismatched with Georgy Gelashvili in goal. Nizhny Novgorod was first to score in the first period with a Sakari Salminen goal, fueled by Denis Parshin and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo added on with a Parshin goal, with a lone assist by Immonen. Nizhny Novgorodd extended the lead as Sergei Bernatsky scored, thanks to Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Torpedo padded the lead on another Salminen goal, assisted by Maxim Potapov and Vladimir Denisov. Nizhny Novgorod got another in the third period on an unassisted goal by Vladimir Galuzin. This made it 5-0, the final, with the three stars being Salminen, Gelashvili (30 save shutout), and Parshin, while Immonen gets an honorable mention.

Back west, SKA St. Petersburg welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin faces a lesser foe in Ilya Ezhov in goal. St. Petersburg began in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov goal, fueled by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Dmitry Kalinin. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Nikolai Belov, powered by Yegor Milovzorov and Renat Mamashev. SKA took the lead back in the third period when Maxim Chudinov scored, thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrick Thoresen. They went onto win 2-1, with the three stars going to Ezhov (16 for 17 in saves), Chudinov, and Sudnitsin (30 for 32 in saves).

Eastward to Kazan, as Ak Bars brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Emil Garipov are between the pipes. Kazan got going in the second period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on in the third period as Tomas Vincour scored, with the help of Tereshchenko. Kazan extended the lead with a power play goal by Nikulin, powered by Konstantin Korneyev. Ak Bars padded the lead on a Tim Stapleton power play goal, guided in by Evgeny Medvedev and Mikhail Varnakov. Kazan struck again on the power play when Vincour scored his second of the game, pushed through by Petrov and Tereshchenko. Vladivostok avoided the shutout with a Konstantin Sokolov goal, helped along by Artyom Ternavsky. This resulted in a 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Vincour, Tereshchenko, and Nikulin, while Petrov and Garipov (18 for 19 in saves) receive the three stars.

Leaving Russia, we head to Belarus, as Dinamo Minsk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Lars Haugen protect the nets. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period on a Vladimir Malinovsky goal, courtesy of Anton Shenfeld and Evgeny Grigorenko. Minsk tied it as Tomas Surovy scored, with the help of Geoff Platt and Alexander Materukhin. Dinamo took the lead in the third period as Materukhin scored an unassisted goal. Minsk added on as Platt scored, with a lone helper by Zbynek Irgl. This gave them a 3-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Platt, Materukhin, and Haugen (32 for 33 in saves).

Into Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Michael Leighton are the masked men. Ufa led off in the first period on a Denis Khlystov goal, assisted by Anton Babchuk. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Dadonov scored, thanks to Vaclav Nedorost. Donbass took the lead with a Gennady Razin goal, coming off of Clay Wilson. Donetsk added on as Alexander Toryanik scored, with the help of Evgeny Belukhin and Viktor Zakharov. Salavat Yulaev got one back in the third period as Kirill Koltsov scored a power play goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Makarov. Donbass iced it at 4-2 on a Tuomas Kiiskinen power play goal, powered by Jan Kolar. The three stars were given to Toryanik, Kiiskinen, and Razin.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Barry Brust tend the twines. Zagreb dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Michael Ryan goal, fueled by Matt Murley and Kurtis Foster. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Yegor Artamonov goal, with a lone helper by Anton Glinkin. Medvescak took the lead back in the third period as Ryan Vesce scored, thanks to Charles Linglet. Zagreb added on as Vesce scored a power play goal, powered by Jonathan Cheechoo and Mathieu Carle. Traktor got one back as Artyom Borodkin scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Petri Kontiola. Chelyabinsk tied it with an unassisted power play goal by Jan Bulis. Medvescak regained the lead as Ryan scored, with the help of Foster and Mark Katic. Traktor retied it on a power play goal by Glinkin, coming off of Maxim Kondratyev. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Ryan and Kontiola exchanged goals before Lauris Darzins secured a 5-4 Traktor victory. Glinkin, Kontiola, and Ryan gets the three stars, while Vesce and Foster get honorable mentions.

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