Wednesday, March 26, 2014

NHL Day 176 2013-2014

Ten games on this evening, beginning in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Toronto began in the first period on a Joffrey Lupul power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner. St. Louis tied it with a T.J. Oshie goal, his eighteenth of the year, fueled by Alexander Steen and Roman Polak. The Blues took the lead on a David Backes power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, guided in by Oshie. St. Louis added on in the second period on another Backes goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Steen. The Blues extended the lead on a Steen goal, his thirty-first of the season, courtesy of Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrik Berglund. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. Toronto pulled closer with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, assisted by Phil Kessel and Gardiner. St. Louis iced it at 5-3 with a Backes empty net goal to finish his hat trick, his twenty-seventh of the year, set up by Oshie and Steen. The three stars were Backes, Steen, and Oshie, while Gardiner gets an honorable mention.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Phoenix opened in the first period on a David Moss goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Martin Hanzal and Brandon McMillan. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his eighteenth of the year, assisted by James Neal and Sidney Crosby. The Coyotes retook the lead as Antoine Vermette scored his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. The Penguins tied it again with a Taylor Pyatt goal, his third of the year, with assists by Rob Scuderi and Simon Despres. Phoenix took the lead in the second period on a Boedker goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, coming off of Doan and Michael Stone. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Boedker, Greiss (23 for 25 in saves), and Doan.

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jaroslav Halak are the masked men. Washington was first to score with a first period goal by Alex Ovechkin, his forty-seventh of the season, a power play goal guided in by John Carlson and Troy Brouwer. The Capitals added on as Ovechkin scored his second of the game and forty-eighth of the year, another power play goal, powered by Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with a Mike Richards power play goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Alec Martinez and Jake Muzzin. Washington shot back with a Dustin Penner goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Chris Brown. The Kings answered in the third period with a Dwight King goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Dustin Brown and Willie Mitchell. Los Angeles tied it with a Marian Gaborik goal, his ninth of the year, via Tyler Toffoli and Muzzin. The Kings took the lead on a Brown goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, assisted by King and Jarret Stoll. The Capitals tied it on an Evgeny Kuznetsov shorthanded goal, set up by Ovechkin and Eric Fehr. The Kings won 5-4 in the shootout with goals by Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. The three stars were Ovechkin, King, and Brown, while Muzzin and Brouwer get the honorable mentions.

South to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson and Cam Ward are the mediocre goalies. New York led off in the first period with a Colin McDonald goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Thomas Hickey and Ryan Strome. The Islanders added on with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey. New York extended the lead on another McDonald goal, his eighth of the season and second of the game, made possible by Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic. Anton Khudobin relieved Ward at this time. The Islanders padded the lead on a Matt Martin goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Kevin Czuczman and Hickey. Carolina got on the board with a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, powered by Riley Nash and Andrei Loktionov. The Hurricanes got another back as Loktionov potted his sixth of the year, with the help of Jiri Tlusty and Brett Bellemore. Carolina pulled closer with an Alexander Semin power play goal in the second period, his twenty-second of the season, with assists provided by Jordan Staal and John-Michael Liles. New York replied with a Martin goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, set up by Strome and McDonald. The Hurricanes pulled back on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, via Jordan Staal and Ron Hainsey. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being McDonald, Martin, and Loktionov, while Hickey, Strome, and Jordan Staal get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Thomas Vanek and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on with a Daniel Briere power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Rene Bourque. The three stars in the 2-0 game were Price (24 save shutout), Pacioretty, and Briere.

Way to the south, the Florida Panthers host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Roberto Luongo are between the pipes. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Mark Stone goal, his second of the season, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Kyle Turris. The Senators added on with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Patrick Wiercioch and Turris. Florida got on the board as Sean Bergenheim scored his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Brian Campbell and Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers tied it with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his third of the year, passed from Scottie Upshall and Tomas Fleischmann. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Turris was overwhelmed by tallies from Trocheck and Brandon Pirri, giving Florida the 3-2 win. The three stars were Trocheck, Turris, and Luongo (37 for 39 in saves).

Backtracking to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Ryan Johansen power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Boone Jenner and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets added on with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming on the power play via Jack Johnson and Wisniewski. Detroit got on the board as Gustav Nyquist scored his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar. Curtis McElhinney relieved Bobrovsky for the second period. The Red Wings tied it in the second period as Nyquist potted his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, thanks to Tatar. Columbus retook the lead in the third period on a Cam Atkinson goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Matt Calvert and Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets iced it at 4-2 with a Johansen empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, set up by Wisniewski, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Johansen, Nyquist, and Wisniewski, while Dubinsky and Tatar get the honorable mentions.

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Corey Crawford receive the starting nods. Chicago started in the first period with an Andrew Shaw power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Kris Versteeg goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Dallas got on the board with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jordie Benn. Chicago shot back on a Keith goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Sharp and Shaw. The Stars got one back in the third period on another Garbutt goal, his fourteenth of the season and second of the game, made possible by Vernon Fiddler and Antoine Roussel. The Blackhawks wrapped it up at 4-2 with a Marian Hossa empty net goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Shaw, Keith, and Garbutt, while Sharp gets an honorable mention.

Over in Nashville, the Predators bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville led off in the first period with a Roman Josi goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Gabriel Bourque and Craig Smith. The Predators added on as Josi scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, thanks to Calle Jarnkrok. Colorado got on the board with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Paul Stastny and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche tied it in the second period with another Landeskog goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, guided in by Stastny. Nashville retook the lead with a Matt Cullen goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Ryan Ellis and Mike Fisher. Colorado retied it in the third period on a Cody McLeod goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Matt Duchene and Andre Benoit. The Predators took the lead back with another Cullen goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, helped along by Patric Hornqvist and Ellis. The Avalanche retied it on a Nick Holden goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Ryan O'Reilly and Landeskog topped a Jarnkrok tally for a 5-4 Avalanche win. The three stars were given to Landeskog, Cullen, and Josi, while Jarnkrok, Ellis, and Stastny get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ben Scrivens are the starting goalies. Edmonton began in the first period with a David Perron goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Jeff Petry. San Jose tied it on a Joe Pavelski goal in the second period, his thirty-fifth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Sharks took the lead on a power play goal by Marleau, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Pavelski and Brent Burns. San Jose added on with a Martin Havlat goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Jason Demers. The Sharks extended the lead on another power play goal by Pavelski, his second of the game and thirty-sixth of the season, pushed through by Dan Boyle and Burns. San Jose padded the lead as Pavelski finished his hat trick on his thirty-seventh of the year, fueled by Thornton and Brad Stuart. The Oilers got one back with a Hall goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, with helpers from Andrew Ference and Jordan Eberle. This made it 5-2, the final, with Pavelski, Marleau, and Hall getting the three stars, while Burns and Thornton get the honorable mentions.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

KHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Day 4 2014

Two more games going today, beginning in...

Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period with a Danis Zaripov goal, fueled by Jan Kovar and Evgeny Grigorenko. Novosibirsk tied it on a power play goal by Ivan Lekomtsev, powered by Alexander Kutuzov. Metallurg took the lead back on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, guided in by Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk added on in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Mozyakin, set up by Grigorenko and Chris Lee. Sibir got one back in the third period on a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, made possible by Vyachelsav Belov and Jarno Koskiranta. This only made it 3-2, the final, with Mozyakin, Grigorenko, and Koshechkin (30 for 32 in saves) getting the three stars. Metallurg advances to the Eastern Conference Final with a 4-0 series sweep of Sibir.

West to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Andrei Vasilevsky draw the starts. Ufa got going in the third period with an Igor Mirnov goal, assisted by Alexei Kaigorodov. Astana tied it on a Nigel Dawes goal, guided in by Roman Savchenko. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back with a Dmitry Makarov goal, courtesy of Alexander Stepanov and Teemu Hartikainen. Barys tied again as Dmitry Upper scored, thanks to Dawes and Mike Lundin. Ufa won 3-2 in overtime on a power play goal by Kirill Koltsov, powered by Stepanov. The three stars were given to Koltsov, Stepanov, and Makarov. Salavat Yulaev has pushed Barys to the brink with a 3-1 series lead.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

NHL Day 175 2013-2014

Six games on today, beginning in...

New York City, with the Rangers hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Henrik Lundqvist are the veteran goalies. Phoenix opened in the first period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and the goalie Smith. The Coyotes added on with a Jeff Halpern goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Kyle Chipchura and Michael Stone. New York got on the board in the second period with a Brad Richards goal, his seventeenth of the season, via Carl Hagelin and Benoit Pouliot. The Rangers tied it on a Derick Brassard goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello. Phoenix took the lead with a Chipchura goal, his third of the season, passed from Zbynek Michalek. New York tied it again in the third period on a Dan Girardi goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by McDonagh and Pouliot. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime on a McDonagh goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, fueled by Girardi and Hagelin. The three stars were given to McDonagh, Girardi, and Chipchura, while Hagelin and Pouliot get the honorable mentions.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Ray Emery in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period with a Jeff Carter goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli. The Kings added on as Justin Williams potted his eighteenth of the year, thanks to Robyn Regehr and Anze Kopitar. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period with a Matt Read goal, his twentieth of the season, via Braydon Coburn and Sean Couturier. The Flyers tied it on a Jakub Voracek goal, his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by Scott Hartnell. Los Angeles reclaimed the lead on a Dwight King goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, helped along by Slava Voynov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to King, Williams, and Carter.

Back on the coast, the Boston Bruins bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Montreal started in the first period with an Alexei Emelin goal, his third of the season, coming on the power play from Daniel Briere and Brian Gionta. Boston tied it with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Loui Eriksson. The Canadiens won 2-1 in the shootout with an Alex Galchenyuk tally. The three stars were Budaj (28 for 29 in saves), Rask (21 for 22 in saves), and Galchenyuk.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Ben Bishop draw the starts. Ottawa led off in the first period with an Erik Karlsson goal, his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Colin Greening. Tampa Bay tied it on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Tyler Johnson and J.T. Brown. The Senators retook the lead in the second period with a Jason Spezza goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Milan Michalek and Karlsson. Ottawa added on as Kyle Turris potted his twenty-second of the year, with the help of Mark Stone and Karlsson. The Lightning got one back on a Victor Hedman power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Valtteri Filppula and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, assisted by Palat and Ryan Callahan. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Spezza's goal gave the Senators a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Karlsson, Spezza, and Palat.

West to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Kari Lehtonen are in the blue paint. Dallas began in the first period with a Ray Whitney power play goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Jamie Benn and Sergei Gonchar. The Stars added on in the second period with a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Benn and Alex Chiasson. Winnipeg got one back in the third period with a power play goal by Bryan Little, his twenty-second of the campaign, fueled by Evander Kane and Tobias Enstrom. This only made it 2-1, the final, with Lehtonen (32 for 33 in saves), Benn, and Seguin receiving the three stars.

Finally, up in Calgary, the Flames bring in the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Karri Ramo are the little known goalies. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the first period with a James Sheppard goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Matthew Nieto and Dan Boyle. Calgary tied it on a second period goal by Joe Colborne, his ninth of the year, assisted by Tyler Wotherspoon and Curtis Glencross. The Flames won 2-1 in the shootout with a lone tally by Michael Cammalleri. The three stars were Ramo (33 for 34 in saves), Stalock (26 for 27 in saves), and Cammalleri.

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KHL Western Conference Semifinals Day 4 2014

Two more games on for the west today, and both series will be playing games after today. We begin in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Curtis Sanford make the starts. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on an Anton Malyshev goal, made possible by Dinar Khafizullin. SKA added on with a Tony Martensson power play goal, powered by Patrick Thoresen and Roman Cervenka. St. Petersburg extended the lead on a Vadim Shipachyov goal, with a lone assist by Viktor Tikhonov. Yaroslavl got on the board in the second period with a Yegor Yakovlev goal, guided in by Daniil Apalkov and Sergei Plotnikov. SKA shot back with an unassisted goal by Alexander Barbanov. St. Petersburg padded the lead on a power play goal by Tikhonov, fueled by Cervenka and Martensson. SKA wrapped it up at 6-1 with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, with assists provided by Kevin Dallman and Cervenka, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars belonged to Cervenka, Martensson, and Tikhonov. SKA evened the series at 2 games apiece.

Westward to Bratislava, as Donbass Donetsk brings in Lev Prague for another neutral site game. Petri Vehanen and Jan Laco are the masked men. Donetsk struck first in the first period on an Oskars Bartulis goal, via Evgeny Dadonov and Lukas Kaspar. Donbass added on in the second period with an Alexander Toryanik goal, courtesy of Evgeny Belukhin and Viktor Zakharov. Prague got on the board as Justin Azevedo scored in the third period, thanks to Ondrej Nemec and Nathan Oystrick. Donetsk finished it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Dadonov, set up by Maxim Yakutsenya. The three stars went to Laco (36 for 37 in saves), Toryanik, and Dadonov. The series is now tied at 2.

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KHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Day 3 2014

Two games from the east today, beginning in the far east with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with an Ivan Lekomtsev power play goal, powered by Alexander Kutuzov and Dmitry Kugryshev. Magnitogorsk tied it on a third period goal from Yaroslav Khabarov, going in unassisted. Metallurg won 2-1 in overtime on an unassisted goal by Denis Platonov. The three stars were Platonov, Koshechkin (33 for 34 in saves), and Khabarov. Metallurg pushes Sibir to the brink with a 3-0 series lead.

Westward to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Andrei Vasilevsky are set to start. Ufa started in the first period with an unassisted goal by Yegor Dubrovsky. Salavat Yulaev added on with a power play goal by Andrei Zubarev, powered by Denis Khlystov and Sergei Zinovyev. Ufa extended the lead in the second period with an Igor Mirnov goal, via Antti Pihlstrom and Alexei Kaigorodov. Astana got on the board as Dmitry Upper scored, thanks to Konstantin Pushkaryov and Konstantin Romanov. Barys pulled closer with a Brandon Bochenski goal, coming off of Nigel Dawes and Dustin Boyd. Salavat Yulaev shot back in the third period on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, made possible by Dmitry Makarov and Arturs Kulda. Ufa iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Pihlstrom, set up by Mirnov. The three stars were Mirnov, Hartikainen, and Pihlstrom. Salavat Yulaev takes a 2-1 series lead.

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

NHL Day 174 2013-2014

Seven games this Sunday, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Evgeni Nabokov are the Russian goalies. New York began in the first period with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his tenth of the season, via Frans Nielsen and Johan Sundstrom. The Islanders added on in the second period with a Travis Hamonic power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Calvin de Haan. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 2-0. The three stars went to Nabokov (41 save shutout), Clutterbuck, and Hamonic.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Marc-Andre Fleury are set to start. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the third period with a David Backes goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, passed from Alexander Steen and Alex Pietrangelo. This held up for a 1-0 win. The three stars belonged to Elliott (33 save shutout), Backes, and Fleury (26 for 27 in saves).

Back east to New Jersey, as the Devils bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Cory Schneider draw the starts. New Jersey started in the first period with a Damien Brunner goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Adam Henrique and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils added on in the second period with a Patrik Elias goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Jon Merrill. New Jersey extended the lead on a Merrill goal, his second of the season, coming off of Ryane Clowe and Peter Harrold. Drew MacIntyre relieved Reimer at this time. Toronto got on the board with a Tyler Bozak power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs pulled closer in the third period on a Phil Kessel goal, his thirty-sixth of the campaign, helped along by Dion Phaneuf. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars being Merrill, Elias, and Brunner.

Out west, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford protect the nets. Nashville opened in the first period on a Mike Fisher goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators added on in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Calle Jarnkrok. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars going to Rinne (29 save shutout), Fisher, and Bourque.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Minnesota Wild. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jimmy Howard are the veteran goalies. Detroit led off in the first period with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Niklas Kronwall and Daniel Alfredsson on the power play. The Red Wings added on with Nyquist's second of the game and twenty-third of the year, made possible by Tomas Tatar. Minnesota got on the board in the second period with a Jason Pominville power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, powered by Ryan Suter and Mikko Koivu. The Wild tied it in the third period with a Charlie Coyle goal, his ninth of the year, via Matt Moulson and Koivu. Minnesota took the lead on a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, guided in by Mikael Granlund and Jared Spurgeon. Detroit retied it with a Tatar goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by Brendan Smith. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Moulson goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, with assists provided by Jonas Brodin and Coyle. The three stars were Moulson, Coyle, and Nyquist, while Tatar and Koivu got the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Nathan Lieuwen and Eddie Lack are the relatively unknown goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Marcus Foligno and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres added on as Jamie McBain scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Brian Flynn and Matt D'Agostini. Vancouver got on the board with a Brad Richardson goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Zack Kassian and Shawn Matthias. The Canucks tied it on a Matthias goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Kassian and Richardson. Vancouver took the lead in the second period as Yannick Weber potted his fourth of the season, via Kassian, who got a sock trick, and Matthias. The Canucks extended the lead in the third period as David Booth notched his sixth of the year, with the help of Kassian. This produced a 4-2 final, with Kassian, Matthias, and Richardson getting the three stars.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Florida Panthers. Dan Ellis faces former mentor Jonas Hiller in goal. Anaheim struck first in the first period on a Pat Maroon power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Teemu Selanne goal, his ninth of the year, via Perry and Getzlaf. Anaheim extended the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Jakob Silfverberg goal, his eighth of the season. Florida got on the board as Jimmy Hayes scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Krys Barch and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers pulled closer on a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Vincent Trocheck. The Ducks shot back on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Mathieu Perreault and Maroon. Anaheim padded the lead on a Perry goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, assisted by Sami Vatanen and Bryan Allen. The Ducks finished it at 6-2 with a third period goal by Getzlaf, his thirtieth of the year, coming off of Selanne and Stephane Robidas. The three stars were Perry, Getzlaf, and Maroon, while Selanne gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Western Conference Semifinals Day 3 2014

Two more games today. The first is in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Curtis Sanford guard the cages. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Vladislav Kartayev goal, coming off of Sergei Konkov and Geoff Platt. St. Petersburg tied it on a Roman Cervenka goal, fueled by Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. Lokomotiv took the lead again on a Yegor Averin goal, passed from Sergei Plotnikov and Yury Petrov. Yaroslavl added on in the third period with a Plotnikov goal, with a lone assist by Petrov. Lokomotiv iced it at 4-1 with a Konkov empty net goal, set up by Emil Galimov. The three stars went to Plotnikov, Konkov, and Sanford (33 for 34 in saves), while Petrov got an honorable mention. Lokomotiv owns a 2-1 series lead.

Over in Bratislava, Donbass Donetsk hosts Lev Prague in the refuge center for games that can't be played in the designated home arena. Atte Engren and Michael Leighton draw the starts. Donetsk was first to score in the first period on an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Clay Wilson and Peter Podhradsky. Prague tied it on a second period goal from Niko Kapanen, via Ryan O'Byrne and Michal Birner. Donbass took the lead back with a  Evgeny Belukhin goal, coming off of Dadonov and Maxim Yakutsenya. Lev retied it with a Petr Vrana shorthanded goal, set up by Martin Thornberg. Prague won 3-2 in the third period on a Michal Repik goal, guided in by Vrana. The three stars were Vrana, Repik, and Dadonov. Lev takes a 2-1 series lead.

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