NHL Day 74 2013-2014

Three games on this evening. We begin in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Marc-Andre Fleury are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on as Chris Conner scored his second of the year, thanks to Brandon Sutter and Joe Vitale. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Jayson Megna recorded his fourth of the season, via Simon Despres and Deryk Engelland. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with a Patrik Elias goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Anton Volchenkov and Steve Bernier. The Devils pulled closer as Dainius Zubrus scored his fifth of the campaign, with the help of Jaromir Jagr and Travis Zajac. They couldn't get an equalizer, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Megna, Fleury (37 for 39 in saves), and Conner.

South to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Washington Capitals. Backups Philipp Grubauer and Scott Clemmensen are in goal. Florida led off in the second period on a Dylan Olsen goal, his third of the season, guided in by Tomas Kopecky and Jonathan Huberdeau. Washington tied it with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Mikhail Grabovski. The Panthers retook the lead as Aleksander Barkov scored his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Capitals retied it as Joel Ward scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Eric Fehr was answered by Huberdeau, Backstrom was cancelled out by Brad Boyes, and Grabovski was matched by Nick Bjugstad before a tenth round tally by Kopecky gave the Panthers a 3-2 win. The three stars were Backstrom, Kopecky, and Grabovski, while Huberdeau gets an honorable mention.

All the way northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk is mismatched with Roberto Luongo in goal. Vancouver started in the second period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Jason Garrison and Ryan Kesler on the power play. The Canucks added on in the third period as Zack Kassian scored his sixth of the year, thanks to David Booth and Garrison. Vancouver extended the lead on a Chris Higgins goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Kesler and Mike Santorelli. The Canucks padded the lead with a power play goal by Dale Weise, his third of the year, powered by Yannick Weber and Garrison, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were handed to Luongo (19 save shutout), Garrison, and Kesler in the 4-0 final.

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KHL Day 101 2013-2014

Thirteen games today for the last big day for the next week or so. We begin today in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin and Andrei Mezin are set to start. Omsk got going in the second period on a Sergei Kalinin goal, fueled by Denis Kulyash. Novokuznetsk tied it as Vladislav Kartayev scored, thanks to Tuukka Mantyla and Alexei Kosourov. Avangard took the lead back as Nikita Pivtsakin scored a power play goal, powered by Dmitry Semin. Omsk added on as Kalinin scored his second of the game, via Semin and Sergei Kostitsyn. Metallurg pulled back on a Yegor Martynov goal, coming off of Ansel Galimov in the third period. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars were Kalinin, Semin, and Mezin (27 for 29 in saves).

Moving along to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Alexei Kuznetsov are in goal. Khabarovsk was first to score with a power play goal by Andrei Stepanov in the first period, powered by Jan Mursak and Timofei Shishkanov. Amur added on with a Mikhail Klimchuk goal, fueled by Evgeny Korotkov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with a Kirill Knyazev goal, passed from Mikhail Zhukov and Marek Troncinsky. Yugra tied it with an unassisted Tomas Starosta goal in the second period. Khabarovsk regained the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Jakub Petruzalek, assisted by Alexander Yunkov and Alexander Loginov. They held on for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Petruzalek, Klimchuk, and Murygin (39 for 41 in saves).

Over in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Niko Hovinen is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period with an Igor Yemeleyev goal, assisted by Sergei Demagin and Alexei Simakov. Vladivostok tied it with an Alexander Kuznetsov goal, coming off of Vladimir Pervushin and Sergei Barbashev. Avtomobilist took the lead back on a Simakov goal, fueled by Demagin and Evgeny Fyodorov. Yekaterinburg added on in the second period as Alexei Yefimov scored, thanks to Eduard Lewandowski and Yemeleyev. Avtomobilist extended the lead with a Dmitry Megalinsky power play goal, powered by Simakov. Admiral chipped back with a Niclas Bergfors goal in the third period, passed from Denis Osipov. Yekaterinburg replied on a Fyodor Malykhin goal, with a lone assist by Andre Deveaux. This made it 5-2, the final, with Simakov, Yemeleyev, and Demagin getting the three stars.

South to Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Vitaly Yeremeyev receive the starting nods. Astana started in the first period as Roman Starchenko scored, with the help of Maxim Semyonov and Nikolai Antropov. Barys added on with a Konstantin Romanov goal, going in unassisted. Astana extended the lead in the second period on a Dustin Boyd power play goal, powered by Cam Barker and Mike Lundin. Novosibirsk got on the board as Igor Ignatushkin scored, thanks to Vitaly Karamnov and Alexander Romanov. Sibir pulled closer as Alexei Kopeikin scored, with a lone assist by Ignatushkin. Novosibirsk tied it as Ignatushkin scored his second of the game, set up by Dmitry Monya. Sibir took the lead on a Monya goal, fueled by Ignatushkin. This made it 4-3, the final, with Ignatushkin, Monya, and Kopeikin being awarded the three stars.

Back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Ivan Kasutin are in the creases. Cherepovets led off in the first period as Pavel Dedunov scored, thanks to Stanislav Kalashnikov and Petr Caslava. Ufa tied it when Teemu Hartikainen scored, via Anton Babchuk and Nikita Shchitov. Severstal took the lead with a Vladimir Antipov power play goal, made possible by Alexander Guskov. Cherepovets added on as Dedunov scored his second of the game, fueled by Antipov and Pavel Chernov. Severstal extended the lead with a Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, guided in by Sergei Monakhov. Salavat Yulaev pulled back as Denis Khlystov, assisted by Brent Sopel. Ufa chipped closer on a Tomas Zaborsky goal, with a lone assist by Kirill Koltsov. Cherepovets iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Gennady
Stolyarov, set up by Vadim Berdnikov. Dedunov, Antipov, and Kovyrshin were given the three stars.

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Curtis Sanford guard the cages. Yaroslavl struck first in the first period with a power play goal by Yury Petrov, powered by Alexander Chernikov and Emil Galimov. Nizhnekamsk tied it with an Albert Yarullin goal, coming on the power play from Pyotr Khokhryakov and Maxim Rybin. Lokomotiv took the lead back with an unassisted Yegor Averin goal in the second period. Neftekhimik tied it again in the third period with a Pavel Zdunov goal, assisted by Dmitry Kosmachyov and Andrei Taratukhin. Nizhnekamsk took the lead with a power play goal by Nikolai Belov, guided in by Rybin and Yarullin. Neftekhimik iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Roman Lyuduchin, set up by Rybin, who got a sock trick. The three stars belonged to Rybin, Yarullin, and Belov.

Into Moscow, as CSKA hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Ilya Proskuryakov are between the pipes. Moscow began in the first period with an Oleg Saprykin goal, fueled by Alexei Morozov. Bratislava tied it with a power play goal by Michal Sersen in the second period, powered by Martin Skoula. Slovan took the lead on an unassisted goal by Michal Vondrka. Bratislava added on as Libor Hudacek scored a goal, going in unassisted. Slovan extended the lead with Branko Radivojevic scoring an unassisted goal. CSKA answered with a Nikita Zaitsev goal, fueled by Yakov Rylov on the power play. Bratislava answered as Vladimir Mihalik scored a power play goal, coming off of Michel Miklik and Vondrka. Moscow pulled back as Zaitsev power play goal, passed from Nikolai Prokhorkin and Alexander Radulov. CSKA chipped closer on a power play goal by Alexander Frolov, guided in by Morozov and Rylov. This was as close as it got, with the final being 5-4, and the three stars were Zaitsev, Vondrka, and Rylov, while Morozov gets an honorable mention.

Up in Mytishchi, Atlant welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Stanislav Galimov protect the nets. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Chris Lee goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Tim Brent. This was the only goal in the game, leaving the final at 1-0. The three stars were Koshechkin (41 save shutout), Lee, and Galimov (31 for 32 in saves).

Back into Moscow, as Spartak brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Jeff Glass are the masked men. Kazan got going in the third period on a Dmitry Obukhov goal, assisted by Janne Pesonen and Vasily Tokranov. Moscow tied it on an Igor Volkov goal, via Alexander Nikulin and Alexei Grishin. Ak Bars took the lead back as Kirill Petrov scored, thanks to Alexei Tereshchenko. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Petrov, Garipov (30 for 31 in saves), and Obukhov.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Kevin Lalande occupy the creases. Moscow was first to score in the first period on a Denis Barantsev goal, fueled by Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo added on in the second period when Leo Komarov scored, with a lone helper by Yury Babenko. Moscow extended the lead when Maxim Karpov scored, and Volkov had the only assist. Minsk got on the board as Alexander Materukhin scored on a penalty shot he received after Dominik Granak hooked him on a breakaway. Dynamo answered on an unassisted goal by Konstantin Gorovikov. Dinamo shot back on a power play goal by Andrei Stas in the third period, powered by Geoff Platt and Lukas Krajicek. They got no closer, losing 4-2, with the three stars being Volkov, Karpov, and Gorovikov.

Into Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Michael Leighton are the reliable goalies. Podolsk struck first in the first period with an unassisted power play goal by Yakov Seleznyov. Donetsk tied it with a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, powered by Randy Robitaille. Donbass took the lead in the second period when Vaclav Nedorost scored, thanks to Clay Wilson and Evgeny Dadonov on the power play. Vityaz tied it again as Sergei Rozin scored, with a lone assist by Alexander Rybakov. Donetsk edged back ahead with an unassisted shorthanded goal by Teemu Laine. Podolsk retied it with a power play goal by Vyacheslav Solodukhin, made possible by Dinar Khafizullin. Donbass retook the lead in the third period with a Kaspar goal, coming off of Robitaille and Tuomas Kiiskinen. Donetsk made it 5-3, the final, with a Kiiskinen goal, fueled by Kaspar. The three stars were Kaspar, Kiiskinen, and Robitaille.

Next up, Dinamo Riga brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Mikael Tellqvist tend the twines. Riga dented the scoreboard in the second period on an unassisted goal by Kyle Wilson. Dinamo added on in the third period with a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, with a lone assist by Roberts Bukarts. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars going to Tellqvist (27 save shutout), Wilson, and Redlihs.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Barry Brust shot alliteration in the goalie matchup. The game went to a shootout scoreless, where Torpedo got goals from Jarkko Immonen and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev to win 1-0. The three stars were Gelashvili (43 save shutout), Brust (29 save "shutout"), and Krasnoslobodtsev.

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Thursday Night Football Week 15 2013

Last night's game was in Denver, as the Broncos hosted the San Diego Chargers. Denver began in the first quarter as Peyton Manning threw a 15 yard touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell, and Matt Prater made the extra point. San Diego got on the board as Nick Novak made a 38 yard field goal. The Broncos added on as Prater made a 32 yard field goal. The Chargers tied it in the second quarter as Philip Rivers tossed a 19 yard touchdown to Keenan Allen, and Novak was there with the extra point. San Diego took the lead as Rivers threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Allen, and Novak made another extra point. The Chargers extended the lead in the third quarter when Ryan Mathews rushed 23 yards for a touchdown, and Novak handled the PAT. Denver got some back in the fourth quarter on a Manning touchdown pass of 5 yards to Caldwell, and Prater was true on the extra point. San Diego replied on a 35 yard Novak field goal. The Broncos pulled closer as Prated made a 42 yard field goal. They failed to pull even, losing 27-20, with San Diego now at 7-7 while Denver falls to 11-3.

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NHL Day 73 2013-2014

Sorry for the delay with this post. It's a bit hard to blog hockey when you're on the road for five hours. The first game for last night comes from...

New York, as the Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Henrik Lundqvist are set to start. Columbus was first to score in the first period on a Matt Calvert goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Fedor Tyutin. The Blue Jackets added on as Artem Anisimov scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Blake Comeau and Boone Jenner. Columbus extended the lead as David Savard scored an unassisted goal. Cam Talbot replaced Lundqvist in goal. New York got on the board as Dominic Moore scored, with the help of Brad Richards. For the second period, Mike McKenna replaced an injured McElhinney. The Rangers pulled closer in the third period with a Dan Girardi goal, his second of the season, made possible by Mats Zuccarello and Michael Del Zotto. The Blue Jackets answered on a Ryan Johansen goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Tyutin. This made it a 4-2 final, with the three stars belonging to McKenna (17 for 18 in saves in relief), Tyutin, and Savard.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Steve Mason are the veteran goalies. Philadelphia began in the first period on a Michael Raffl goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on in the second period as Giroux netted his sixth of the year, passed from Voracek and Brayden Schenn. Montreal got on the board in the third period with an unassisted goal by Alex Galchenyuk, his ninth of the campaign. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, and the three stars were Giroux, Mason (20 for 21 in saves), and Voracek.

North to Ottawa, as the Senators bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Craig Anderson receive the starting nods. Ottawa led off in the first period as Bobby Ryan scored his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Turris and Cory Conacher. Buffalo tied it on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Drew Stafford and Jamie McBain. The Senators retook the lead in the second period as Zack Smith scored his fifth of the campaign, with the help of Turris and Ryan. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Anderson (40 for 41 in saves), Ryan, and Turris.

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Ben Bishop are in the creases. Detroit opened in the first period with a Kyle Quincey goal, fueled by Gustav Nyquist and Johan Franzen. Tampa Bay tied in the second period on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his third of the year, guided in by J.T. Brown. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Martin St. Louis had the only goal for a 2-1 Lightning win. The three stars were Bishop (28 for 29 in saves), Gustavsson (26 for 27 in saves), and St. Louis.

Northwest to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Carter Hutton in goal. Dallas struck first in the first period on an Erik Cole goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Alex Chiasson. Nashville tied it on a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by David Legwand and Shea Weber. The Predators took the lead on a power play goal by Legwand, his sixth of the season, helped along by Roman Josi and Weber. Nashville added on in the second period as Paul Gaustad scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Colin Wilson and Gabriel Bourque. This was all they needed to win 3-1, with the three stars being awarded to Hutton (33 for 34 in saves), Legwand, and Weber.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ondrej Pavelec are the overrated goalies. Winnipeg quickly started in the first period as Blake Wheeler scored his eighth of the season, made possible by Tobias Enstrom and Bryan Little. The Jets added on as Michael Frolik scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jacob Trouba and Grant Clitsome. Colorado got on the board with Matt Duchene's thirteenth of the season, coming off of Ryan O'Reilly and Nate Guenin. The Avalanche tied it in the second period as O'Reilly potted his tenth of the year, fueled by Duchene and Cory Sarich. Colorado took the lead as Duchene scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Nathan MacKinnon. Winnipeg retied it in the third period on a Wheeler power play goal, his ninth of the year and second of the night, passed from Mark Scheifele and Clitsome. The tie went to a shootout, where Duchene and P.A. Parenteau scored to secure a 4-3 win for the Avalanche. The three stars were Duchene, Wheeler, and O'Reilly, while Clitsome gets an honorable mention.

Back in the States, the St. Louis Blues host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Brian Elliott are the backups playing goal. St. Louis led off in the first period with a David Backes goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Alexander Steen and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues added on with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his eighth of the year, via Vladimir Sobotka and Barret Jackman. St. Louis extended the lead when Derek Roy notched his eighth of the campaign, thanks to Chris Stewart and Schwartz. Reimer was replaced by Jonathan Bernier at this time. The Blues padded the lead in the second period on a Stewart goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Sobotka and Schwartz. Toronto got on the board as Nazem Kadri scored his tenth of the year, assisted by Phil Kessel. St. Louis responded in the third period as Steen scored his twenty-second of the campaign, with the help of T.J. Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo. The Maple Leafs shot back as Nikolai Kulemin put away his third of the season, made possible by Mason Raymond and Trevor Smith. Toronto pulled closer on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Blues wrapped it up at 6-3 with a Backes empty net goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars went to Backes, Schwartz, and Steen, while Stewart and Sobotka are given the honorable mentions.

Crossing into Canada again, as the Calgary Flames welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Karri Ramo are between the pipes. Calgary got going in the second period on a Brian McGrattan goal, fueled by Lance Bouma and Paul Byron. Carolina tied it in the third period as Jeff Skinner scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Tuomo Ruutu and Eric Staal. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime with a Chris Butler goal, his second of the year, made possible by Byron and Mikael Backlund. The three stars were handed to Ramo (29 for 30 in saves), Butler, and Byron.

South to Phoenix, as the Coyotes bring in the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Mike Smith protect the nets. New York began with a first period goal by Eric Boulton, his second of the season, coming off of Andrew MacDonald and Brian Strait. Phoenix tied it as Keith Yandle scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period as Rob Klinkhammer scored his sixth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Mike Ribeiro and Connor Murphy. Phoenix added on with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Antoine Vermette and Yandle. The Coyotes extended the lead on a Ribeiro goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist from Klinkhammer. The Islanders answered as John Tavares scored his thirteenth of the campaign, via Thomas Vanek and Aaron Ness. New York pulled closer with the tenth of the season by Kyle Okposo, courtesy of Strait and Frans Nielsen. Phoenix shot back with another Boedker goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from Ribeiro. The Coyotes made it 6-3 in the third period on a Klinkhammer goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. This was a final, with the three stars being Klinkhammer, Ribeiro, and Boedker, while Yandle and Strait get the honorable mentions.

Up in Alberta again, as the Edmonton Oilers host the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Devan Dubnyk are the questionable goalies. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Dennis Seidenberg goal, going in unassisted. The Bruins added on as Jarome Iginla scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Seidenberg and David Krejci. Boston extended the lead with a Brad Marchand goal, his fifth of the year coming shorthanded, set up by Patrice Bergeron. Dubnyk was pulled for Jason LaBarbera in the second period. Edmonton got on the board in the second period as David Perron scored his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Justin Schultz and Nick Schultz. The Oilers pulled closer as Perron scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Jeff Petry. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 with an Iginla goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, an empty net goal coming off of Krejci and Kevan Miller. The three stars were Perron, Iginla, and Seidenberg, while Krejci gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Antti Niemi are the Scandinavian goalies. San Jose struck first in the first period as Joe Pavelski scored his eleventh of the season, a power play goal made possible by Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on as Tomas Hertl scored his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Tommy Wingels. San Jose extended the lead in the second period as Pavelski scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season, passed from Matt Irwin and Thornton on the power play. Minnesota got on the board in the third period as Jonas Brodin scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Justin Fontaine and Ryan Suter. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-1, with the three stars going to Pavelski, Niemi (29 for 30 in saves), and Thornton.

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NHL Day 72 2013-2014

Tonight, there are three games on. The first is in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones faces former King Jonathan Bernier in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Drew Doughty goal, his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. Toronto tied it in the second period as Cody Franson scored a power play goal made possible by Phil Kessel and Jake Gardiner. The Kings retook the lead in the third period on a Carter goal, his eighth of the year, via Slava Voynov and Jordan Nolan. Los Angeles extended the lead as Kyle Clifford scored his third of the campaign, with the help of Tyler Toffoli and Richards. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Jones (38 for 39 in saves), Carter, and Richards.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Antti Raanta are in the creases. Philadelphia led off in the first period on a Jakub Voracek power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. Chicago tied it in the second period as Duncan Keith scored his second of the year, passed from Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane on the power play. The Blackhawks took the lead with a power play goal by Andrew Shaw, his tenth of the season, assisted by Brandon Bollig and Johnny Oduya. Chicago added on with a shorthanded Michal Handzus goal, his third of the year, set up by Marcus Kruger. The Flyers got one back as Steve Downie scored his third of the season, thanks to Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Blackhawks replied on a Kris Versteeg goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Brandon Saad and Marian Hossa. Chicago extended the lead with a Jonathan Toews goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Sharp and Hossa. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the third period as Brent Seabrook scored his third of the year, with the help of Handzus and Versteeg. Steve Mason replaced Emery at this time. Chicago iced it at 7-2 with a Sharp power play goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Kane and Hossa, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were Sharp, Versteeg, and Handzus, while Hossa and Kane get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. Anaheim dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Alex Grant goal, his second of the season, made possible by Andrew Cogliano and Daniel Winnik. The Ducks added on as Corey Perry scored his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Hampus Lindholm and Ryan Getzlaf. Minnesota got on the board in the third period when Jason Pominville scored his fifteenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Hiller (23 for 24 in saves), Perry, and Grant.

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KHL Day 99 2013-2014

A big day today, with thirteen games on. The first of these comes from...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen faces a lesser foe in Andrei Mezin in goal. Omsk started in the first period with an Alexander Popov goal, assisted by Alexander Perezhogin. Novosibirsk tied it in the second period as Jarno Koskiranta scored an unassisted goal. Sibir took the lead when Jori Lehtera potted the puck, going in unassisted. Avangard tied it with a Perezhogin goal, with a lone helper by Popov. Omsk took the lead with a Denis Kulyash power play goal, powered by Sergei Kalinin. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Kulyash, Perezhogin, and Popov.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Alexei Kuznetsov receive the starting nods. Khanty-Mansiysk led off with a power play goal by Marek Troncinsky, powered by Tomas Starosta. Vladivostok tied it with a power play goal by Denis Osipov, guided in by Niclas Bergfors and Enver Lisin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period on an unassisted goal by Igor Magogin. Admiral tied it again as Andrei Nikitenko scored with the help of Artyom Ternavsky on the power play. Vladisvostok took the lead in the third period on a Sergei Barbashev goal, fueled by Michael Commodore. This produced the 3-2 final score, with the three stars being Barbashev, Nikitenko, and Osipov.

Moving along to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Mika Jarvinen and Jakub Kovar are set to start. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with an Alexander Loginov power play goal, with a lone assist by Vladimir Loginov. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Alexei Yefimov goal, coming on the power play via Igor Yemeleyev. Avtomobilist took the lead in the second period as Fyodor Malykhin scored an unassisted goal. Yekaterinburg added on as Eduard Lewandowski scored, thanks to Sergei Gusev and Yemeleyev. Avtomobilist extended the lead when Sami Lepisto scored in the third period, assisted by Tobias Viklund and Malykhin. Yekaterinburg wrapped it up at 5-1 with a Sergei Demagin goal, fueled by Alexei Simakov. The three stars were Malykhin, Kovar (29 for 30 in saves), and Yemeleyev.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Metallurg Novokunetsk. Ilya Sorokin and Ari Ahonen are in the creases. Astana began in the first period on a Dustin Boyd goal, fueled by Nigel Dawes and Brandon Bochenski. Barys added on in the second period as Nikolai Antropov scored, thanks to Konstantin Rudenko and Roman Starchenko. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Evgeny Lapenkov power play goal, powered by Semyon Valuisky and Pavel Kanarsky. Astana replied as Antropov scored his second of the game, via Alexei Litvinenko and Rudenko. Barys extended the lead on a Bochenski goal in the third period, coming off of Litvinenko and Mikhail Rakhmanov. Metallurg got one back as Kurtis McLean scored, with helpers provided by Kanarsky and Lapenkov. Novokuznetsk pulled closer on a McLean power play goal, with a lone assist from Valuisky. Astana replied as Starchenko scored, courtesy of Litvinenko, who got a sock trick. This made it a 5-3 final, with the three stars going to Antropov, McLean, and Starchenko, while Bochenski, Rudenko, Lapenkov, Kanarsky, Valuisky, and Litvinenko get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Cherepovets, as Severstal welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Ivan Kasutin are in goal. Cherepovets struck first in the first period on a Bogdan Kiselevich goal, assisted by Anatoly Nikontsev and Vadim Berdnikov. This was the game's only goal, so Severstal won 1-0. The three stars belonged to Kasutin (19 save shutout), Kiselevich, and Dalton (28 for 29 in saves).

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexei Volkov and Curtis Sanford protect the nets. Yaroslavl opened in the first period on a Yury Petrov goal, fueled by Staffan Kronwall. Lokomotiv added on as Yegor Averin scored a power play goal, powered by Jonas Holos and Kronwall. Ufa got on the board in the second period with a Denis Khlystov goal, coming off of Alexander Mereskin and Yegor Dubrovsky. Yaroslavl replied on an Igor Musatov goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Gorokhov. Lokomotiv extended the lead in the third period on a Pavel Kraskovsky goal, made possible by Petrov and Gorokhov. Salavat Yulaev pulled back on an Igor Mirnov goal, assisted by Andrei Zubarev and Kirill Koltsov. This made it a 4-2 game, the final, with the three stars being Petrov, Kronwall, and Gorokhov.

Into Moscow, as CSKA hosts Lev Prague. Atte Engren and Ilya Proskuryakov man the creases. Prague got going in the second period on a David Ullstrom goal, fueled by Jakub Nakladal and Jiri Novotny. Lev added on with a Martin Thornberg goal in the third period, coming off of Jiri Sekac and Mikko Maenpaa. Prague iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Sekac, set up by Justin Azevedo and Novotny. The three stars went to Engren (19 save shutout), Sekac, and Novotny.

Staying in the city, Spartak Moscow welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Jeff Glass are the reliable goalies. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Mikhail Yunkov power play goal, powered by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Denis Bodrov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period on a Sergei Sentyurin goal, assisted by Juuso Hietanen and Maxim Potapov. Torpedo took the lead in the third period as Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Krasnoslobodtsev, Gelashvili (18 for 19 in saves), and Sentyurin.

A little north to Mytishchi, as Atlant brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Stanislav Galimov guard the cages. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period with a Mikhail Mokin goal, fueled by Denis Abdullin. Mytishchi tied it when Ilya Kablukov scored a power play goal, via Konstantin Koltsov. Traktor took the lead with an Anton Glinkin goal in the second period, assisted by Andrei Popov and Semyon Kokuyov. Chelyabinsk added on as Popov scored, thanks to Artyom Borodkin and Glinkin. Atlant got one back in the third period as Rafael Batyrshin scored, with the help of Mikhail Glukhov and Koltsov. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars belonged to Glinkin, Popov, and Koltsov.

Out west, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Ilya Ezhov are the masked men. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the second period as Chris Lee scored, thanks to Denis Platonov and Tim Brent. Metallurg added on as Brent scored in the third period, with the help of Platonov and Lee. This held up for a 2-0 win, and the three stars were Koshechkin (17 save shutout), Lee, and Brent, while Platonov gets an honorable mention.

Further west to Minsk, as Dinamo welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Kevin Lalande draw the starts. Podolsk began in the first period with a Mike Iggulden power play goal, powered by Alexander Korolyuk and Igor Golovkov. Vityaz added on in the second period as Gleb Klimenko scored, with a lone assist from Maxim Afinogenov. They went on to win 2-0, and the three stars were awarded to Lisutin (31 save shutout), Iggulden, and Klimenko.

Moving along to Croatia, as Medvescak Zagreb brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Mark Dekanich are the solid goalies. Zagreb opened in the first period with an Andrew Murray goal, assisted by Patrick Bjorkstrand. Medvescak added on as Alan Letang scored an unassisted goal. Kazan got on the board with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, fueled by Vladimir Tkachyov and Alexander Svitov. Zagreb replied on a Bjorkstrand goal, with a lone assist by Murray. Medvescak extended the lead when Hugh Jessiman scored, thanks to Charles Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Ak Bars answered on another Varnakov goal, passed from Tkachyov. Kazan pulled closer when Alexander Osipov scored, with the help of Denis Golubev. Zagreb responded in the second period with a power play goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, powered by Mathieu Carle and Bill Thomas. Medvescak struck again on a Matt Murley goal, with a lone helper from Thomas. Ak Bars shot back on an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, guided in by Kirill Petrov. Kazan chipped closer in the third period as Petrov scored a power play goal, pushed through by Alexei Tereshchenko. They failed to tie the game, losing 6-5, with the three stars given to Bjorkstrand, Murray, and Petrov, while Varnakov, Tkachyov, and Thomas get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Michael Leighton tend the twines. Moscow led off in the first period with a Sergei Soin goal, fueled by Maxim Karpov. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Vaclav Nedorost scored, thanks to Evgeny Dadonov and Peter Podhradsky. Dynamo regained the lead as Konstantin Glazachev scored a power play goal, powered by Soin. Donbass tied it with a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, assisted by Nedorost and Dadonov. Moscow took the lead back as Konstantin Gorovikov scored, via Maxim Pestushko. This was it for the scoring, and the final stood at 3-2, with the three stars being given to Nedorost, Soin, and Dadonov.

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NHL Day 71 2013-2014

Twelve games on a busy Tuesday night, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Ryan Miller are in the creases. Ottawa started in the first period on a Milan Michalek goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Cory Conacher. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his third of the year, assisted by Christian Ehrhoff. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Sabres got goals from Matt Moulson, Brian Flynn, Steve Ott, and Girgensons to top the Senators goals by Mika Zibanejad, Kyle Turris, and Michalek. The final was 2-1, with the three stars going to Girgensons, Miller (35 for 36 in saves), and Lehner (35 for 36 in saves), while Michalek gets an honorable mention.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Curtis McElhinney receive the starting nods. New Jersey began in the first period as Travis Zajac scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Reid Boucher and Jaromir Jagr. Columbus tied it on a Cam Atkinson goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Brandon Dubinsky. The Devils retook the lead on a Michael Ryder goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Adam Henrique and Steve Bernier. New Jersey added on in the second period as Damien Brunner scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus. The Blue Jackets pulled back with a Dubinsky goal, his sixth of the season, via Atkinson and Jack Johnson. Columbus tied it with Atkinson's second of the game and ninth of the year, again with assists provided by Dubinsky and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period on a Matt Calvert goal, his third of the season, with helpers from Dubinsky, who got a sock trick, and Atkinson. The Devils got another equalizer as Brunner scored his second of the game and sixth of the year, with the help of Elias and Andy Greene. Columbus retook the lead with a Nick Foligno goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Ryan Johansen and R.J. Umberger. This stood up for a 5-4 win, with the three stars being Dubinsky, Atkinson, and Brunner, while Elias was the honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and Carey Price are in front of the nets. Los Angeles struck first in the first period on a Jordan Nolan goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Willie Mitchell. The Kings added on as Kopitar scored his ninth of the year, via Mike Richards. Los Angeles extended the lead when Alec Martinez scored in the second period, thanks to Tyler Toffoli and Kyle Clifford. The Kings padded the lead on a Toffoli goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Clifford and Richards. Peter Budaj relieved Price at this time. Los Angeles struck again with a Jake Muzzin power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Jarret Stoll and Slava Voynov. The Kings got another with a Justin Williams goal, hi eleventh of the season, assisted by Stoll and Martinez. This was all they needed for a 6-0 win, with the three stars being Jones (30 save shutout), Toffoli, and Kopitar, while Martinez, Richards, Stoll, and Clifford get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Martin St. Louis goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming on the power play from Sami Salo and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning added on as Nikita Kucherov scored his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and Matthew Carle. Tampa Bay chased Holtby with a Nate Thompson goal, his third of the season, made possible by J.T. Brown and B.J. Crombeen. Philipp Grubauer relieved Holtby. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-third of the year, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals got one back in the second period on a Backstrom power play goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Mikhail Grabovski and Troy Brouwer. The Lightning replied on a Johnson goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Ondrej Palat and St. Louis. Washington pulled back with another Ovechkin goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, fueled by Marcus Johansson and Backstrom on the power play. The Capitals tied it when Ovechkin finished his hat trick with his twenty-fifth of the year, a power play goal set up by Mike Green and Backstrom, the latter getting a sock trick. Tampa Bay took the lead again in the third period on a Palat goal, his fifth of the season, pushed through by Johnson and St. Louis. Washington tied it as Ovechkin scored his fourth of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, with helpers from John Carlson and Backstrom. The Capitals capped the comeback with Eric Fehr cancelling out Kucherov in the shootout, followed by Grabovski doing the same to Purcell before Brouwer scored to seal a 6-5 victory. The three stars were Ovechkin, Backstrom, and St. Louis, while Johnson, Palat, Brouwer, Purcell, Kucherov, and Grabovski all get honorable mentions.

South to Florida, as the Panthers welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Tim Thomas are the veteran goalies. Detroit led off in the first period as Todd Bertuzzi scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen on the power play. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Datsyuk goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Jonathan Ericsson and Franzen. Florida got on the board in the third period as Sean Bergenheim scored his third of the season, passed from Dmitry Kulikov and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers tied it with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Erik Gudbranson and Dylan Olsen. Florida won in overtime as Barkov cancelled out Tomas Tatar so Brad Boyes could pot the winner. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Barkov, Franzen, and Dasyuk.

Back to the north, the New York Rangers bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Henrik Lundqvist are between the pipes. Nashville was first to score in the first period with a Nick Spaling goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and David Legwand. The Predators added on in the second period when Rich Clune scored, with the help of Matt Hendricks and Paul Gaustad. New York got on the board with a Rick Nash goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, guided in by Brad Richards and Derick Brassard. Nashville shot back in the third period with a Hendricks goal, his second of the season, guided in by Clune and Gaustad. The Predators wrapped it up at 4-1 as Gaustad scored his fourth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Legwand and Roman Josi. The three stars belonged to Gaustad, Clune, and Hendricks, while Legwand and Hutton (28 for 29 in saves) get the honorable mention.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ondrej Pavelec are the masked men. St. Louis got going in the second period as Alexander Steen scored his twenty-first of the season, with the help of T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Winnipeg tied it in the third period with a Bryan Little power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Andrew Ladd and Olli Jokinen. The Blues took the lead back with a Kevin Shattenkirk power play goal, his third of the season, made possible by Derek Roy. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Elliott (20 for 21 in saves), Shattenkirk, and Steen.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. Chicago began in the first period with a Michael Kostka goal, his second of the season, passed from Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead in the second period as Brandon Saad scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Andrew Shaw and Kostka. The Blackhawks padded the lead on a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kane and Duncan Keith. Dan Ellis relieved Lehtonen at this time. Chicago got another as Sharp scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, via Keith and Jonathan Toews. Dallas got on the board with an Antoine Roussel goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Ryan Garbutt and Dustin Jeffrey. The Blackhawks answered with another Saad goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, made possible by Seabrook and Kane. The Stars got one back in the third period as Roussel scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, with assists provided  by Sergei Gonchar and Garbutt. This only made it 6-2, the final, with Kane, Sharp, and Roussel getting the three stars, while Saad, Kostka, Seabrook, Keith, and Garbutt all get honorable mentions.

Up a little to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss opposes Semyon Varlamov in goal. Phoenix dented the scoreboard in the second period as Antoine Vermette scored a power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and Mike Ribeiro. The Coyotes added on with a Jordan Szwarz goal, his second of the year, coming off of Jeff Halpern and Paul Bissonnette. Colorado got on the board as Patrick Bordeleau scored his fourth of the season, via Cody McLeod and Cory Sarich. Phoenix responded on a Vermette goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Mikkel Boedker. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Vermette, Greiss (29 for 30 in saves), and Szwarz.

Further north to Calgary, as the Flames host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Reto Berra in goal. Calgary was first to score in the second period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Sven Baertschi and Mark Giordano. Boston tied it in the third period on a David Krejci power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins took the lead as Reilly Smith scored his seventh of the campaign, with a lone helper by Ryan Spooner. They went on to win 2-1, with the three stars going to Smith, Rask (26 for 27 in saves), and Krejci.

Staying in Alberta, as the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Devan Dubnyk are set to start. Edmonton struck first in the first period with a Taylor Hall goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Sam Gagner and Nail Yakupov. Carolina tied it on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Jeff Skinner and Andrej Sekera on the power play. The Oilers took the lead back on a Yakupov goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Hall and Andrew Ference. Edmonton added on as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his seventh of the year, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Ference. The Oilers extended the lead in the second period with a Jesse Joensuu goal, his second of the season, helped along by Mark Arcobello and Anton Belov. The Hurricanes got one back on a Jordan Staal goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Nathan Gerbe and Sekera. Carolina pulled closer in the third period as Eric Staal scored his eighth of the season, a shorthanded goal going in unassisted. The Hurricanes tied it with a Skinner goal, his tenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Edmonton won 5-4 in overtime as Eberle scored his eleventh of the campaign, a power play powered by Nugent-Hopkins and Gagner. Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, and Hall got the three stars, while Yakupov, Skinner, Sekera, Ference, and Gagner get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Antti Niemi are in the creases. San Jose led off in the second period on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Dan Boyle and Logan Couture. The Sharks added on with a Joe Pavelski goal, his tenth of the year, via Boyle and Marleau. New York got on the board in the third period as Thomas Vanek scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Kyle Okposo and John Tavares. The Islanders tied it late as Okposo scored his ninth of the year, with the help of Tavares. In the shootout, Vanek and Couture traded goals before Okposo's tally gave the Islanders a 3-2 win. The three stars were handed to Okposo, Vanek, and Tavares, while Couture, Marleau, and Boyle get the honorable mentions.

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