NHL Day 117 2013-2014

Ten games today, with three matinees. The first game is yesterday's postponed affair in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators to finish fixing their schedule. Robin Lehner and Anton Khudobin are the young goalies. Carolina led off in the first period on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Manny Malhotra and Mike Komisarek. The Hurricanes added on in the second period on an Eric Staal goal, his twelfth of the year, via Alexander Semin and Ron Hainsey. Carolina extended the lead with Malhotra's fifth of the campaign, courtesy of Gerbe and Drayson Bowman. The Hurricanes padded the lead on a Riley Nash goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Andrej Sekera and Radek Dvorak. Ottawa got on the board with a Kyle Turris goal, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by Clarke MacArthur and Eric Gryba. The Senators pulled closer with another Turris goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, a shorthanded goal set up by MacArthur and Gryba. Carolina shot back on a Tuomo Ruutu power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Sekera and Semin. Ottawa chipped back on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Bobby Ryan and Cory Conacher. The Hurricanes finished it at 6-3 with a third period Malhotra empty net goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, pushed through by Gerbe and Bowman. The three stars went to Malhotra, Gerbe, and Turris, while Semin, Sekera, Bowman, MacArthur, and Gryba all got honorable mentions.

North to Philadelphia, as the Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Steve Mason draw the starts. Boston opened in the first period on a Zdeno Chara power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Jarome Iginla and David Krejci. The Bruins added on with an Iginla goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Milan Lucic and Torey Krug. Boston extended the lead in the second period with an unassisted goal by Reilly Smith, his sixteenth of the season. The Bruins padded the lead on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Brad Marchand. Mason was pulled for Ray Emery at this time. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Jakub Voracek and Kimmo Timonen. Boston answered with a power play goal by Iginla, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, made possible by Krug and Krejci. The Bruins finished it at 6-1 with a Chara power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, with helpers provided by Iginla and Krejci, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Iginla, Chara, and Krejci, and Krug got the honorable mention.

Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Kevin Poulin are in the creases. New York struck first in the first period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Kyle Okposo and John Tavares. The Islanders added on with an Okposo goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Vanek and Thomas Hickey. St. Louis got on the board when Vladimir Tarasenko scored his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Maxim Lapierre. The Blues tied it in the second period with another Tarasenko goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, coming off of Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. New York retook the lead with a Matt Martin goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Colin McDonald and Casey Cizikas. St. Louis tied it again in the third period on a T.J. Oshie goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Alex Pietrangelo and Steen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Steen and Shattenkirk overwhelmed Vanek to give the Blues a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tarasenko, Shattenkirk, and Steen, while Vanek and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

At the normal times, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Carey Price are the well-known goalies. Washington got going in the second period on a goal by Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, powered by Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. The Capitals added on with a John Erskine goal, coming off of Martin Erat and Troy Brouwer. Washington extended the lead on a Jay Beagle goal, via Tom Wilson and Mike Green. The Capitals padded the lead on a John Carlson goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Brooks Laich and Erat. Peter Budaj relieved Price at this time. Washington struck again in the third period on a Casey Wellman goal, guided in by Ovechkin and Connor Carrick. This was good for a 5-0 win, with the three stars going to Ovechkin, Holtby (21 save shutout), and Erat.

West to Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ondrej Pavelec are the oft-criticized goalies. Winnipeg started in the first period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on as Wheeler scored his nineteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jacob Trouba and the goalie Pavelec. Toronto got on the board with a Dion Phaneuf power play goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Phil Kessel. Winnipeg shot back with a power play goal by Bryan Little, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets extended the lead on a Zach Bogosian goal, his second of the season, coming off of Little and Andrew Ladd. Jonathan Bernier relieved Reimer at this time. The Maple Leafs got one back on a Troy Bodie goal, his second of the year, made possible by Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly. Toronto pulled closer with a Tim Gleason goal, fueled by Carter Ashton and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Kessel scored his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to James van Riemsdyk. Winnipeg won on a Byfuglien goal in overtime, his twelfth of the year, with helpers from Ladd and Michael Frolik. The three stars of the 5-4 game went to Byfuglien, Little, and Wheeler, while Kessel and Ladd get the honorable mentions.

Down in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Sergei Bovrovsky protect the nets. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Matt Ellis goal, his third of the season, assisted by Henrik Tallinder and Ville Leino. Columbus tied it on a Derek MacKenzie goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Murray and Mark Letestu. The Sabres took the lead back with a shorthanded and unassisted Christian Ehrhoff goal, his third of the season. Buffalo added on in the second period as Marcus Foligno scored his sixth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Jamie McBain and Ehrhoff. Curtis McElhinney relieved Bobrovsky at this time. The Sabres extended the lead in the third period on a Steve Ott goal, his seventh of the season, via Cody Hodgson and Ehrhoff. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Letestu goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of MacKenzie and Corey Tropp. Buffalo wrapped it up at 5-2 with a Hodgson empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Ehrhoff, Hodgson, and MacKenzie, while Letestu gets an honorable mention.

Further to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Sami Aittokallio is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Tyler Johnson goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat. The Lightning added on with a Mark Barberio goal, his third of the year, coming off of Valtteri Filppula and Alex Killorn. Tampa Bay extended the lead on a Filppula goal, his nineteenth of the season, via J.T. Brown and Nikita Kucherov. Semyon Varlamov replaced Aittokallio at this time. Colorado got on the board with a goal by John Mitchell, his fifth of the year, assisted by Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche pulled closer with a Barrie goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Nathan MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Lightning responded in the third period with another Johnson goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Martin St. Louis and Hedman. Tampa Bay padded the lead when Johnson completed his hat trick on his sixteenth of the campaign, made possible by Hedman, who got a sock trick, and Sami Salo. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Johnson, Hedman, and Filppula, while Barrie gets an honorable mention.

Across to Dallas, as the Stars host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas began in the second period on a Sergei Gonchar power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Ray Whitney and the goalie Lehtonen. The Stars added on in the second period with a power play goal by Jamie Benn, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Alex Goligoski and Tyler Seguin. Dallas extended the lead on a Rich Peverley goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Shawn Horcoff. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-0, and the three stars going to Lehtonen (24 save shutout with an assist), Gonchar, and Benn.

Westward to Dodger Stadium for the first of the Stadium Series games, where the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Anaheim Ducks at the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks added on with a Matt Beleskey goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Nick Bonino and Teemu Selanne. Anaheim extended the lead in the third period with an empty net goal by Andrew Cogliano, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Kyle Palmieri. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Hiller (36 save shutout), Perry, and Beleskey.

Up in San Jose, we finish the day with the Sharks hosting the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Antti Niemi are the solid goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period on an unassisted Matt Cooke goal, his eighth of the season. The Wild added on in the second period with a Keith Ballard goal, fueled by Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Thornton goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Joe Pavelski and Matt Irwin. The Sharks tied it on a Patrick Marleau goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Tommy Wingels and Irwin. San Jose won 3-2 in overtime with a Thornton goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Pavelski. The three stars went to Thornton, Pavelski, and Irwin.

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KHL Day 144 2013-2014

Eight games beginning yesterday for those on the American West Coast, with the first from...

Khabarovsk, where Amur hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Alexei Murygin are the masked men. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with a Dmitry Tarasov goal, fueled by Andrei Stepanov. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period on a Maxim Berezin goal, coming off of Andrei Mnikhovich and Dan Sexton. Amur retook the lead with a power play goal by Dmitry Lugin, powered by Evgeny Korotkov and Alexander Yunkov. Neftekhimik retied it on a Pavel Zdunov goal, passed from Maxim Trunyov and Vitaly Shulakov. Khabarovsk regained the lead in the third period with a Yunkov goal, assisted by Korotkov and Lugin. Amur added on with another Yunkov goal, his second of the game, made possible by Lugin and Sergei Teryayev. Nizhnekamsk shot back as Pyotr Khokhryakov scored, thanks to Pavel Kulikov. Neftekhimik tied it on a Petr Koukal goal, helped along by Berezin and Mnikhovich. Amur won 5-4 in the shootout on a lone tally by Yunkov. The three stars were Yunkov, Lugin, and Korotkov, while Berezin and Mnikhovich get the honorable mentions.

South to Vladivostok, as Admiral welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky andev geny Ivannikov are in the creases. Vladivostok got going in the second period on a Niclas Bergfors goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Zubov. Admiral added on as Richard Gynge scored, thanks to Zubov. Vladivostok extended the lead on a Michael Commodore goal, coming off of Igor Bortnikov. Ufa got on the board in the third period with an unassisted goal by Igor Mirnov. Salavat Yulaev pulled closer with a Tomas Zaborsky goal, passed from Alexei Kaigorodov. This was not good enough to avoid a 3-2 loss, with the three stars being Zubov, Commodore, and Gynge.

Out west a bit, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Dmitry Monya goal, fueled by Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period on a Francis Pare goal, via Oskar Osala. Sibir took the lead back in the third period on an Oleg Gubin goal, coming off of Stepan Sannikov and Sergei Shumakov. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Koskinen (22 for 23 in saves), Gubin, and Monya.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg bring in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Ilya Sorokin are given the starting nods. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period with a Petri Kontiola goal, coming off of Semyon Kokuyov. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with a Semyon Valuisky goal, via Evgeny Lapenkov. Metallurg took the lead on a Kurtis McLean goal, with a lone assist by Lapenkov. Traktor retied it in the third period as Alexei Zavaruhkin scored, thanks to Igor Valeyev and Stanislav Chistov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where goals by Kontiola and Evgeny Kuznetsov gave Traktor a 3-2 win. Kontiola, Lapenkov, and Kuznetsov get the three stars.

Westward to Moscow, Spartak hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak faces a lesser foe in Igor Shestyorkin in goal. St. Petersburg began in the first period on an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Dinar Khafizullin and Maxim Chudinov. SKA added on in the second period as Vadim Shipachyov scored, with a lone assist by Artemy Panarin. Moscow got on the board with an Igor Volkov goal, coming off of Nikolai Lemtyugov. St. Petersburg replied in the third period with an Igor Makarov goal, passed from Alexei Ponikarovsky. SKA extended the lead on a Roman Cervenka goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. St. Petersburg padded the lead as Makarov scored again, his second of the game, assisted by Ponikarovsky and Dmitry Yudin. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Makarov, Salak (23 for 24 in saves), and Ponikarovsky.

Outside of Russia, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Dmitry Milchakov have the green light to start. Mytishchi opened in the first period with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, assisted by Evgeny Artyukhin and Alexander Kadeikin. Atlant added on with an Igot Levitsky goal, passed from Maxim Velikov and Juha-Pekka Haataja. Mytishchi extended the lead on an unassisted goal by Janne Niskala. Milchakov was pulled for Kevin Lalande at this time. Minsk got on the board with a goal by Vitaly Kiryushchenkov, going in unassisted. Atlant answered on another Shemylov goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist from Artyukhin. Mytishchi padded the lead on an Oleg Yashin goal, coming off of Alexei Mikhnov. Atlant got another in the third period on a Mikhnov goal, courtesy of Igor Radulov. Mytishchi wrapped it up at 7-1 with a Kadeikin goal, fueled by Artyukhin, who got a sock trick. The three stars were given to Shmelyov, Artyukhin, and Kadeikin, while Mikhnov gets an honorable mention.

Moving along to Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Michael Leighton are the veteran goalies. Cherepovets dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Pavel Buchnevich. Severstal added on with a third period goal by Niclas Andersen, courtesy of Buchnevich. Donetsk got on the board with a Vaclav Nedorost goal, guided in by Evgeny Belukhin and Evgeny Dadonov. Cherepovets shot back with an unassisted empty net goal by Gennady Stolyarov. Donbass got one back late on a power play goal by Nedorost, powered by Petteri Wirtanen. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars were given to Stolyarov, Nedorost, and Buchnevich.

Finally, in Croatia, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Mark Dekanich are the North American goalies. Zagreb started in the second period with a Mike Glumac goal, set up by Michael Ryan. This was it for the scoring, so Medvescak won 1-0. The three stars went to Dekanich (42 save shutout), Glumac, and Sanford (28 for 29 in saves).

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NHL Day 116 2013-2014

Another day reduced due to weather, as last Tuesday's postponement means tonight's Hurricanes game has been moved to tomorrow morning, and we only have five games tonight. We begin in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Cory Schneider draw the starts. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Stephen Gionta goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jaromir Jagr. The Devils added on in the second period as Adam Henrique scored his fourteenth of the year on the power play, powered by Jagr and Travis Zajac. Washington got on the board in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his tenth of the season, via John Erskine and Tom Wilson. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Schneider (30 for 31 in saves), Henrique, and Gionta.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonas Gustavsson are in the creases. Detroit was first to score in the first period with a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on in the second period as Riley Sheahan scored his second of the year, an unassisted goal. Montreal got on the board with a Brendan Gallagher power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of David Desharnais and P.K. Subban. Detroit shot back with a Kronwall goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Gustav Nyquist and Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings wrapped it up at 4-1 on a Nyquist goal, his eighth of the campaign, with assists provided by Zetterberg and Justin Abdekader. The three stars went to Zetterberg, Kronwall, and Nyquist.

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Tim Thomas are between the pipes. Colorado began in the first period on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Matt Duchene. The Avalanche added on with a Paul Stastny, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Alex Tanguay. Colorado extended the lead in the second period on a Jamie McGinn goal, his eleventh of the season, via O'Reilly and Duchene. Florida got on the board with a third period goal by Scottie Upshall, his eighth of the year, made possible by Tomas Fleischmann and Tom Gilbert. The Panthers pulled closer on another Upshall goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, fueled by Sean Bergenheim and Gilbert. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being O'Reilly, Upshall, and Duchene, while Gilbert gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Calgary, as the Flames bring in the Nashville Predators. Devan Dubnyk and Karri Ramo received the starting nods. Nashville struck first in the first period on an Eric Nystrom goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Gabriel Bourque and Matt Cullen. Calgary tied it as Mark Giordano scored a power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Kris Russell and Mikael Backlund. The Predators retook the lead in the second period with another Nystrom goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, via Roman Josi and Shea Weber. Nashville added on when Nystrom completed his hat trick with his tenth of the year, courtesy of Paul Gaustad and Victor Bartley. Reto Berra relieved Ramo at this time. The Flames got one back in the third period on a David Jones goal, his seventh of the season, a power play goal fueled by Matt Stajan. The Predators answered as Nystrom scored his fourth of the game and eleventh of the year, with the help of Cullen and Josi. Calgary pulled back with a Backlund goal, his ninth of the season, coming on the power play from Russell and Lee Stempniak. The Flames tied it on another Jones goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, with a lone assist from T.J. Brodie. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jiri Hudler was matched by Josi, and then Sean Monahan scored to complete the Flames comeback in a 5-4 win. The three stars were Nystrom, Jons, and Backlund, while Josi, Cullen, and Russell get the honorable mentions.

Finally, up in Edmonton, the Oilers host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith faces a former Coyote, Ilya Bryzgalov, in goal. Phoenix started in the first period with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Antoine Vermette and Lauri Korpikoski. The Coyotes added on with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Martin Hanzal and Mike Ribeiro. Phoenix extended the lead on a Derek Morris goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Jeff Halpern and Rob Klinkhammer. The Coyotes padded the lead in the second period on a Ribeiro goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of David Moss and the goalie Smith. Edmonton got on the board with a Matt Hendricks goal, his third of the season, via Ryan Jones and Boyd Gordon. The Oilers pulled closer on a David Perron goal in the third period, his nineteenth of the year, with helpers from Corey Potter and Martin Marincin. Edmonton got closer on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with Ribeiro,  Morris, and Nugent-Hopkins getting the three stars.

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KHL Day 143 2013-2014

Five games on today, beginning in...

Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra hosts Avangard Omsk. Henrik Karlsson and Alexei Kuznetsov are set to start. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the first period when Nikita Gusev converted a penalty shot he received after being held by Nikita Pivtsakin. Yugra added on with a Mikhail Zhukov goal, with a lone assist by Artyom Bulyansky. Omsk got on the board in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Kostitsyn. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 2-1 final. The three stars were Kuznetsov (43 for 44 in saves), Zhukov, and Gusev.

Down to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist welcomes Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on an Alexei Simakov penalty shot conversion he received after a slash from Alexei Litvinenko. Astana tied it with a shorthanded and unassisted Brandon Bochenski goal. Avtomobilist retook the lead in the second period on another Simakov goal, with a lone assist from Dmitry Megalinsky. Yekaterinburg added on with a power play goal by Anton Lazarev, powered by Sami Lepisto. Avtomobilist extended the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Sergei Demagin, guided in by Megalinsky and Evgeny Fyodorov. Barys answered on a Mike Lundin power play goal, made possible by Roman Starchenko. Yekaterinburg shot back as Eduard Lewandowski scored, thanks to Alexei Yefimov and Sergei Gusev. Avtomobilist wrapped it up at 6-2 with an empty net goal by Lewandowski, set up by Igor Yemeleyev. The three stars were given to Simakov, Lewandowski, and Megalinsky.

West a bit to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Ivan Kasutin will be in the blue paint. Bratislava opened in the first period with a Michel Miklik goal, passed from Peter Olvecky. Slovan added on in the second period as Milan Bartovic scored, thanks to Jan Brejcak. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Wojtek Wolski power play goal, powered by Pavel Valentenko and Sakari Salminen. Torpedo tied it as Evgeny Skachkov scored, via Valentenko and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev on the power play. Bratislava retook the lead with a Libor Hudacek power play goal, guided in by Miroslav Satan and Branko Radivojevic. This was it for the scoring, with Slovan winning 3-2. The three stars were handed to Hudacek, Bartovic, and Miklik.

Into Moscow, where Dynamo brings in Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Alexander Sharychenkov are the masked men. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Dominik Granak power play goal, powered by Konstantin Gorovikov. Riga tied it in the second period as Kristaps Sotnieks scored a power play goal, coming off of Kyle Wilson and Lauris Darzins. Dinamo took the lead with a Rustams Begovs goal, assisted by Paul Szczechura and Miks Indrasis. Riga added on in the third period with a Martins Cipulis goal, with a lone assist by Darzins. Dynamo shot back with a Maxim Solovyov power play goal, guided in by Maxim Pestushko. Dinamo iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted goal by Szczechura. The three stars went to Szczechura, Darzins, and Cipulis.

Finally, in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Emil Garipov are sent out to start. Kazan led off in the first period with a Janne Pesonen goal, via Tim Stapleton. Prague tied it on a second period goal by Niko Kapanen, a power play goal powered by Martin Sevc and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars retook the lead in the third period as Stapleton scored a power play goal, courtesy of Shaun Heshka and Evgeny Medvedev. Lev tied it with three seconds left in regulation on a power play goal by Ondrej Nemec, made possible by Azevedo and Kapanen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Kapanen matched Pesonen before Martin Thornberg scored two to top one by Jakub Petruzalek, giving Lev a 3-2 win. The three stars were given to Kapanen, Thornberg, and Azevedo, while Stapleton and Pesonen get the honorable mentions.

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NHL Day 115 2013-2014

Ten games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. St. Louis began on a first period goal by Alexander Steen, his twenty-sixth of the season, via Jaden Schwartz and David Backes. New York got on the board in the second period with a Rick Nash goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The Blues took the lead back in the third period on a Kevin Shattenkirk power play goal, his eighth of the campaign, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Backes. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Halak (34 for 35 in saves), Shattenkirk, and Backes.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery faces former Flyer Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Columbus led off in the first period with an unassisted Jack Johnson goal, his third of the season. Philadelphia tied it on a second period Brayden Schenn goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flyers took the lead on a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Mark Streit and Andrej Meszaros. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Derek MacKenzie goal, his third of the year, via Artem Anisimov and Corey Tropp. Columbus gained the lead on a power play goal by Matt Calvert, his sixth of the season, coming off of James Wisniewski and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets added on with a Dubinsky goal in the third period, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Calvert and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus extended the lead with a Nathan Horton goal, his fourth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Ryan Murray. This was good for a 5-3 win, with the three stars being Calvert, Dubinsky, and Horton.

Back east to Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Jhonas Enroth draw the starts. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Steve Ott. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. The Sabres took the lead back in the second period with a Brian Flynn goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Phil Varone and Marcus Foligno. The Hurricanes tied it on an Alexander Semin goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk. Buffalo took the lead back in the third period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Drew Stafford and Zenon Konopka. Carolina retied it again with another Semin goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, passed from Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Sekera goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Tuomo Ruutu and Mike Komisarek. Carolina finished it at 5-3 with a Tlusty empty net goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Sekera. The three stars were given to Semin, Sekera, and Tlusty.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson opposes former Senator Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay opened on a shorthanded Tyler Johnson goal, his thirteenth of the season, set up by Victor Hedman. Ottawa tied it on a power play goal by Erik Karlsson, his twelfth of the year, powered by Clarke MacArthur and Jason Spezza. The Lightning retook the lead in the second period on a B.J. Crombeen goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Hedman and Valtteri Filppula. The Senators retied it with a MacArthur power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, assisted by Spezza and Bobby Ryan. Tampa Bay retook the lead in the third period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Hedman, the latter getting a sock trick. Ottawa tied it again with a Chris Neil goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Zack Smith and Karlsson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nikita Kucherov's lone tally gave the Lightning a 4-3 win. The three stars were given to Hedman, MacArthur, and Karlsson, while Spezza gets an honorable mention.

North again to New York, where the Islanders host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff and Kevin Poulin are the backups making spot starts. New York struck first in the first period on a Michael Grabner goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Thomas Hickey. The Islanders added on as Brock Nelson scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Grabner. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, passed from Sidney Crosby and Olli Maatta. The Penguins tied it as Crosby scored his twenty-seventh of the year, assisted by Kunitz and Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh took the lead on a second period Maatta goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Kunitz and Niskanen. The Penguins extended the lead on a Kris Letang goal, his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Crosby and James Neal. New York pulled back in the third period with a Josh Bailey goal, his fifth of the season, via Peter Regin and Frans Nielsen. Pittsburgh shot back on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Neal. The Islanders chipped back on a Kyle Okposo goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by John Tavares and Matt Donovan. The Penguins iced it at 6-4 with a Brandon Sutter empty net goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Crosby, Maatta, and Kunitz, while Niskanen, Grabner, and Neal get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Minnesota, the Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper are the little-known goalies. Minnesota started in the first period with a Jason Pominville goal, his twentieth of the season, coming off of Mikael Granlund and Dany Heatley. The Wild added on with a Matt Cooke goal, his seventh of the year, via Justin Fontaine and Kyle Brodziak. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, assisted by Nick Leddy and Patrick Sharp. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Kuemper (33 for 34 in saves), Cooke, and Pominville.

Well south to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Kari Lehtonen protect the nets. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Jamie Benn goal, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Tyler Seguin. Toronto tied it on a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Carl Gunnarsson and Nazem Kadri. The Stars retook the lead on a Cody Eakin goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Alex Goligoski. Dallas added on in the second period with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Jamie Benn and Sergei Gonchar. The Stars extended the lead on a power play goal by Shawn Horcoff, his sixth of the season, powered by Gonchar and the goalie Lehtonen. Dallas padded the lead as Rich Peverley scored a shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Jamie Benn and Jordie Benn. The Stars got another with a Trevor Daley goal, his third of the season, assisted by Goligoski and Eakin. Dallas struck again in the third period as Nichushkin potted his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with the help of Seguin and Jamie Benn, the latter getting a sock trick. This produced the 7-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Jamie Benn, Nichushkin, and Eakin, while Gonchar, Goligoski, and Seguin pick up the honorable mentions.

Way northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Roberto Luongo are set to start. Vancouver got going in the second period with a Chris Higgins goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Dale Weise and Christopher Tanev. Nashville tied it in the third period on a Craig Smith goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Nick Spaling. The Predators took the lead with a Seth Jones power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Matt Cullen and Ryan Ellis. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, and the three stars were handed to Hutton (33 for 34 in saves), Jones, and Smith.

Southward to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Frederik Andersen in goal. Los Angeles struck first in the first period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Trevor Lewis and Dwight King. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a Dustin Penner power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Corey Perry and Nick Bonino. The Ducks took the lead with a Pat Maroon goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Mark Fistric. This produced a 2-1 final score, with the three stars going to Andersen (30 for 31 in saves), Maroon, and Penner.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Alex Stalock have the green light to start. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, coming off of Justin Braun. This was the only goal in the game, so the Sharks won 1-0. The three stars were given to Stalock (20 save shutout), Pavelski, and Pavelec (31 for 32 in saves).

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KHL Day 142 2013-2014

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Alexei Murygin are in goal. Ufa dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Alexei Kaigorodov goal, assisted by Igor Mirnov and Antti Pihlstrom. This was good for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Vasilevsky (24 save shutout), Kaigorodov, and Murygin (34 for 35 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk was first to score in the first period on a Renat Mamashev goal, passed from Pyotr Khokhryakov. This was the game's only goal, resulting in a 1-0 final. The three stars went to Sudnitsin (36 save shutout), Mamashev, and Ivannikov (20 for 21 in saves).

West to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Monya. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period on a Stanislav Chistov goal, courtesy of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alexei Zavarukhin. Traktor took the lead on a Semyon Kokuyov goal, made possible by Konstantin Panov. Sibir retied it in the third period as Monya scored, thanks to Jori Lehtera. Novosibirsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Jonas Enlund goal, coming off of Lehtera. The three stars were Monya, Lehtera, and Enlund.

Moving along to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts the other Metallurg from Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Nikita Lozhkin in goal. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period on a Viktor Antipin goal, passed from Sergei Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk added on as Antipin scored his second of the game, assisted by Jan Kovar and Danis Zaripov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period with a Kovar goal, made possible by Mozyakin and Zaripov. Magnitogorsk padded the lead in the third period on a Denis Platonov power play goal, powered by Tim Brent. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a power play goal by Kurtis McLean, guided in by Evgeny Lapenkov and Tuukka Mantyla. Novokuznetsk got closer with a Nikita Kamalov power play goal, with a lone helper by Alexei Kosourov. Novokuznetsk chipped closer on an unassisted goal by Denis Kurepanov. This wasn't enough to avoid the 4-3 loss, with the three stars belonging to Antipin, Kovar, and Mozyakin, while Zaripov gets an honorable mention.

Way west to Moscow, as Spartak welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Igor Shestyorkin are the backups making spot starts. Moscow started in the first period on a Viktor Bobrov goal, fueled by Evgeny Kulik. Yaroslavl tied it with a second period power play goal by Janis Sprukts, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Geoff Platt. Lokomotiv took the lead with a power play goal from Sergei Plotnikov, with a lone assist by Platt. Yaroslavl iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Yegor Averin, set up by Mikhail Pashnin and Daniil Apalkov. The three stars were Kolesnik (18 for 19 in saves), Plotnikov, and Platt.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Dmitry Milchakov are between the pipes. Cherepovets began in the first period on an Evgeny Mons goal, assisted by Linus Videll and Niclas Andersen. Minsk tied it in the third period with a power play goal by Andrei Stas, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Alexei Yefimenko. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Richard Lintner and Kalyuzhny overwhelmed Pavel Chernov to give Dinamo a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Milchakov (21 for 22 in saves), Kalyuzhny, and Stepanek (30 for 31 in saves).

Further along in Zagreb, Medvescak hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Mark Dekanich are the masked men. Zagreb opened in the first period on a Mike Glumac goal, passed from Mike Iggulden. Mytishchi tied it in the second period on a Sergei Shmelyov goal, assisted by Alexander Kadeikin and Evgeny Artyukhin. Medvescak retook the lead with a Matt Ellison goal, with a lone assist by Charles Linglet. Zagreb added on as Ellison scored again, and Linglet also had the lone helper again. Atlant pulled back in the third period on an Artyukhin goal, made possible by Rafael Batyrshin and Kadeikin. Medvescak replied on a Bill Thomas goal, coming off of Jonathan Cheechoo. This was good for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Ellison, Artyukhin, and Linglet, while Kadeikin gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Donetsk, Donbass hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Jan Laco protect the nets. Donetsk got going in the first period on a Clay Wilson power play goal, powered by Peter Podhradsky. St. Petersburg tied it with a Viktor Tikhonov goal, assisted by Yury Alexandrov and Artemy Panarin. Donbass retook the lead in the second period as Oleg Piganovich scored, thanks to Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Lukas Kaspar. Donetsk added on with a third period goal from Jan Kolar, guided in by Kagarlitsky and Randy Robitaille. Donbass extended the lead on a Ruslan Fedotenko goal, with a lone helper from Teemu Laine. SKA got one back with a Panarin goal, coming off of Tikhonov and Kevin Dallman. This only made it 4-2, with the three stars going to Kagarlitsky, Tikhonov, and Panarin.

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NHL Day 114 2013-2014

Four more games from the NHL for today, beginning with the game rescheduled from yesterday in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers finally host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Steve Mason are in goal. Carolina struck first in the first period with an Alexander Semin goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. Philadelphia got on the board with a Claude Giroux goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Jakub Voracek and Michael Raffl. The Flyers tied it in the third period as Scott Hartnell scored a power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Wayne Simmonds and Giroux. Carolina took the lead on a Tlusty goal, his seventh of the campaign, via Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk. This was good for a 3-2 win, and Tlusty, Giroux, and Gerbe got the three stars.

West to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins added on with a Taylor Pyatt power play goal, his second of the year, passed from Niskanen and Paul Martin. Montreal got on the board as Rene Bourque scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Daniel Briere and Brandon Prust. Pittsburgh shot back in the second period on another Jokinen goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, via Olli Maatta and James Neal. The Penguins extended their lead with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, powered by Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh padded the lead on a Malkin goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Rob Scuderi and Brooks Orpik. Peter Budaj relieved Price at this time. This made it 5-1, which was it for the scoring, and the three stars were Jokinen, Malkin, and Fleury (23 for 24 in saves), while Niskanen got an honorable mention.

Further along to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in their longtime rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford faces a lesser foe in Jonas Gustavsson in goal. Chicago started in the first period on a Marian Hossa goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Jonathan Toews and Johnny Oduya. The Blackhawks added on with Andrew Shaw's fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad. Detroit got on the board with a Tomas Tatar goal, his eleventh of the season, via Brendan Smith and Tomas Jurco. The Red Wings tied it on a Patrick Eaves goal, his second of the year, passed from Justin Abdelkader and Henrik Zetterburg. Chicago took the lead back in the second period on a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Kane. Detroit retied it with a Kyle Quincey goal, his third of the year, coming off of Gustav Nyquist and Zetterberg. The Red Wings gained the lead on a Nyquist goal, his seventh of the season, with the help of Zetterberg, who got a sock trick, and Abdelkader. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period with an unassisted Marcus Kruger goal, his fifth of the year. The tie went to a shootout, where Toews and Eaves matched each other, Sharp was canceled out by Todd Bertuzzi, and then Darren Helm scored to secure a Detroit 5-4 win. The three stars went to Nyquist, Zetterberg, and Abdelkader, while Toews, Kane, Sharp, and Eaves get honorable mentions.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Karri Ramo are in front of the nets. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Sean Monahan goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by T.J. Galiardi and Joe Colborne. The Flames added on in the second period with a Lance Bouma goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of T.J. Brodie and the goalie Ramo. Phoenix got on the board as Antoine Vermette scored his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Lauri Korpikoski and Michael Stone. Calgary replied on a Matt Stajan goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Mark Giordano and David Jones. The Coyotes got one back in the third period with a Shane Doan goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, assisted by Keith Yandle and Mike Ribeiro. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Ramo (30 for 32 in saves), Stajan, and Monahan.

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