NHL November 4th, 2014

Twelve games on today, beginning in...

Boston, where the Bruins host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Florida got going in the second period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, made possible by Brad Boyes and Aaron Ekblad. Boston tied it on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Reilly Smith. The Bruins won 2-1 in overtime with a Marchand goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Dougie Hamilton. The three stars went to Marchand, Rask (18 for 19 in saves), and Bergeron.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth and Steve Mason are set to start. Philadelphia opened in the first period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mark Streit and Nicklas Grossmann. The Flyers added on with another Voracek goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, via Michael Del Zotto and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead in the second period as Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored his second of the season, thanks to Chris VandeVelde and Zac Rinaldo. Edmonton got on the board with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz. The Flyers shot back with a Luke Schenn goal, with a lone assist by Brayden Schenn. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 4-1, and the three stars went to Voracek, Mason (35 for 36 in saves), and Bellemare.

Nearby, the Washington Capitals bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Calgary started with a Lance Bouma goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman. Washington tied it on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his third of the year, coming off of Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. The Flames took the lead in the second period on a Mark Giordano goal, his fourth of the season, via T.J. Brodie and David Jones. The Capitals tied it again on a Marcus Johansson goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Troy Brouwer and John Carlson. Washington took the lead with a Joel Ward power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Backstrom and Ovechkin. Calgary tied it in the third period as Markus Granlund scored his second of the year, an unassisted goal. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime on a Sean Monahan goal, his fourth of the campaign, guided in by Josh Jooris and Giordano. The three stars went to Backstrom, Giordano, and Ovechkin.

West a bit to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Curtis McElhinney are the weak goalies. Carolina struck first in the first period with a Zach Boychuk goal, his second of the season, coming off of Tim Gleason and Ron Hainsey. The Hurricanes added on as Riley Nash scored his third of the year, thanks to Andrej Sekera and Elias Lindholm. Columbus got on the board with a Nick Foligno goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Ryan Johansen and David Savard. Carolina shot back in the second period on a shorthanded and unassisted Justin Faulk goal. The Blue Jackets pulled back on a third period Foligno goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, made possible by Dalton Prout. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Eric Staal, his second of the campaign, set up by Bellemore. The three stars went to Foligno, Faulk, and Nash.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Carey Price guard the cages. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Andrew Shaw. The Blackhawks added on with a second period Kris Versteeg goal, his third of the year, coming off of David Rundblad and Bryan Bickell. Chicago extended the lead in the third period as Brad Richards scored his second of the season, courtesy of Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks padded the lead with a Patrick Kane goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago finished it at 5-0 with another Versteeg goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, assisted by Bickell and Rundblad. The three stars went to Versteeg, Toews, and Crawford (28 save shutout), while Bickell and Rundblad get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Cory Schneider are the young goalies. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz. This was good for a 1-0 Blues win, with the three stars awarded to Allen (26 save shutout), Tarasenko, and Schneider (22 for 23 in saves).

Into Canada again, as the Ottawa Senators host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Ottawa led off with a second period Erik Karlsson goal, his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Kyle Turris and David Legwand. Detroit tied it in the third period on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Johan Franzen and Danny DeKeyser. The Senators retook the lead with a Patrick Wiercioch goal, made possible by Mark Stone and Curtis Lazar. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Clarke MacArthur, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Cody Ceci. The three stars were given to Anderson (31 for 32 in saves), Wiercioch, and Howard (29 for 31 in saves).

Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Ondrej Pavelec in goal. Winnipeg began in the first period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little on the power play. The Jets added on with a power play goal by Mark Scheifele, his second of the year, powered by Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. Nashville got on the board with a Filip Forsberg goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, made possible by Shea Weber and Mike Ribeiro. Winnipeg finished it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Wheeler, his fifth of the year, set up by Jacob Trouba. The three stars were given to Pavelec (23 for 24 in saves), Wheeler, and Scheifele.

Down in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Darcy Kuemper are the little-known goalies. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Nick Spaling goal, his second of the season, via Steve Downie and Rob Scuderi. The Penguins added on as Brandon Sutter scored his third of the year in the second period, thanks to Scuderi and Paul Martin. Pittsburgh extended the lead with a Chris Kunitz power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Minnesota got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Nino Neiderreiter in the third period, his fourth of the year, set up by Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin. The Penguins replied on a Patric Hornqvist empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Sidney Crosby. The three stars in the 4-1 game were Greiss (33 for 34 in saves), Sutter, and Scuderi.

Way south to Dallas, as the Stars host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Kari Lehtonen are the masked men. Dallas started in the first period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his second of the season, fueled by Vernon Fiddler and Jordie Benn. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with a Trevor Lewis shorthanded goal, set up by Jarret Stoll. The Kings took the lead in the third period on a Dustin Brown goal, his second of the year, coming off of Mike Richards and Dwight King. Los Angeles added on with a Kyle Clifford goal, with a lone assist by Lewis. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Lewis, Quick (33 for 34 in saves), and Brown.

Northwest to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Semyon Varlamov are the reliable goalies. Colorado struck first in the first period on a John Mitchell goal, his second of the season, guided in by Alex Tanguay and Dennis Everberg. The Avalanche added on with a Jamie McGinn goal, his fourth of the year, via Jarome Iginla and Erik Johnson. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with a Henrik Sedin goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it on a third period goal by Derek Dorsett, his second of the year, assisted by Dan Hamhuis and Zack Kassian. Vancouver took the lead as Nick Bonino scored his fifth of the season, with the help of Chris Higgins and Linden Vey. The Canucks extended the lead on another Bonino goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, coming off of Higgins and Jannik Hansen. Vancouver wrapped it up at 5-2 on a Shawn Matthias goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Bonino, Higgins, and Dorsett.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Mike Smith receive the starting nods. Arizona was first to score with a first period goal by Sam Gagner, his second of the season, via Lauri Korpikoski. The Coyotes added on with a Martin Erat goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Martin Hanzal and Zbynek Michalek. Arizona extended the lead in the second period with an unassisted Antoine Vermette goal, his third of the season. Toronto got on the board as Dion Phaneuf scored a power play goal, powered by Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs pulled closer in the third period with a Cody Franson power play goal, his second of the year, fueled by James van Riesmdyk and Kessel. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Vermette, Erat, and Kessel.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 4th, 2014

Four games for today, beginning in...

Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Jakub Kovar guard the cages. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Jiri Novotny goal, assisted by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv added on as Martin Thornberg scored, with a lone assist by Emil Galimov. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an Alexei Simakov goal, guided in by Gilbert Brule and Anton Lazarev. Yaroslavl shot back on a Geoff Platt goal, via Igor Musatov. Avtomobilist pulled closer in the third period with a Tobias Viklund power play goal, powered by Simakov and Sami Lepisto. This produced a 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Simakov, Platt, and Thornberg.

West to Moscow, as Dynamo welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Alexander Yeryomenko are in the creases. Moscow opened in the first period on an unassisted Mat Robinson goal. Dynamo added on with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, powered by Kaspars Daugavins. Moscow extended the lead with a Sergei Soin goal, with a lone helper by Konstantin Glazachev. Leland Irving replaced Sokhatsky. Dynamo padded the lead in the second period on a Robinson power play goal, assisted by Yury Babenko and Soin. Moscow kept going in the third period with a Konstantin Volkov goal, fueled by Alexander Osipov. Dynamo finished it at 6-0 on a Konstantin Gorovikov goal, via Janne Jalasvaara and Pestushko. The three stars went to Robinson, Soin, and Pestushko.

Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Stanislav Galimov are between the pipes. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period on a Nikita Dvurechensky goal, fueled by Juuso Hietanen and Alexei Potapov. Moscow tied it with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, coming off of Alexander Radulov and Denis Denisov. CSKA took the lead in the second period as Prokhorkin scored again, thanks to Radulov and Stanislav Yegorshev. Torpedo retied it on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, with a lone assist by Nikita Filatov. Moscow took the lead back on a Roman Lyubimov goal, courtesy of Georgy Misharin. CSKA added on with an Igor Grigorenko goal, passed from Radulov, who got a sock trick, and Bogdan Kiselevich. Moscow extended the lead in the third period with an Evgeny Artyukhin goal, guided in by Simon Hjalmarsson and Misharin. Nizhny Novgorod got one back with a Denis Kazionov goal, helped along by Jarkko Immonen and Vadim Khomitsky. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Prokhorkin, Radulov, and Misharin.

Finally, up in Helsinki, Jokerit hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Henrik Karlsson receive the starting nods. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Chris Lee goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Viktor Antipin goal, courtesy of Zaripov and Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Kovar scored a power play goal, powered by Lee and Zaripov, the latter getting a sock trick. Helsinki got on the board with a Linus Omark goal, with a lone assist by Steve Moses. Metallurg answered in the third period on a Kovar goal, via Denis Platonov and Zaripov. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars going to Zaripov, Lee, and Kovar.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL November 3rd, 2014

Just one game tonight, as the New York Rangers host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Cam Talbot draw the starts. New York led off with a Chris Kreider goal in the first period, his third of the season, a power play goal courtesy of Matt Hunwick and Anthony Duclair. St. Louis tied it in the second period on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and the goalie Elliott. The Blues took the lead with a third period goal by Patrik Berglund, passed from Barret Jackman. The Rangers tied it with a Martin St. Louis goal, his second of the season, assisted by Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard. New York took the lead as St. Louis scored his second of the game and third of the year, via Rick Nash and Brassard. St. Louis retied it with a Jay Bouwmeester goal, coming off of Jori Lehtera and Tarasenko. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Alexander Steen and Tarasenko's goals led the Blues to a 4-3 win over a lone tally from Lee Stempniak. The three stars were Tarasenko, St. Louis, Brassard.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Premier League Week 10

Here's another week of British soccer, beginning in...

Newcastle, with Newcastle United hosting Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Tim Krul are in goal. Liverpool had the first yellow card in the forty-fourth minute for a Martin Skrtel foul. Newcastle United's Steven Taylor took a yellow card in the forty-fifth minute. Newcastle United saw yellow cards also go to Moussa Sissoko in the forty-ninth minute and Daryl Janmaat in the sixty-second minute, both for fouls. In the seventy-second minute, Liverpool's Jordan Henderson was booked on a yellow card. Newcastle United got going in the seventy-third minute on an Ayoze Perez goal. In the seventy-ninth minute, Newcastle United saw a yellow card go to Jack Colback for a foul. Liverpool had another yellow card in the eighty-ninth minute for a foul by Dejan Lovren. The final stood at 1-0 for Newcastle United.

Down in London, Arsenal welcomes Burnley. Tom Heaton and Wojciech Szczesny are the keepers. Burnley was given a yellow card for a George Boyd foul in the sixteenth minute. Arsenal began with a seventieth minute goal by Alexis Sanchez, set up by a Calum Chambers cross. In the seventy-second minute, Chambers scored on a close-range shot to extend the Arsenal lead. Arsenal added on with a close-range Sanchez goal in stoppage time, via a cross by Kieran Gibbs. This made it a 3-0 final.

Staying in the city, Chelsea brings in the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Thibaut Courtois protect the nets. Chelsea started in the thirty-second minute as Oscar scored, thanks to Cesc Fabregas. In the sixty-second minute, QPR tied it on a Charlie Austin goal, guided in by Leroy Fer after a fast break. Chelsea reclaimed the lead in the seventy-fifth minute with a penalty kick goal by Eden Hazard. They held on from here for a 2-1 win.

Northward to Everton hosting Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Tim Howard are set to start in goal. Swansea City had the first two yellow cards go to Jonjo Shelvey in the twenty-fourth minute and Wilfried Bony in the thirty-third minute. In the thirty-eighth minute, Gareth Barry of Everton took a yellow card for his foul. Swansea City took another pair of yellow cards in the second half. The first went to Ashley Williams for a fifty-fourth minute foul, and the second went to Gylfi Sigurdsson for a foul in the sixty-sixth minute. In the seventy-second minute, Shelvey took a second yellow card for a foul and was sent off, leaving Swansea City at ten men for about 20 minutes. In stoppage time, Everton saw a booking for a Muhamed Besic foul for a yellow card. The game remained a scoreless draw through to the end.

East to Hull City welcoming Southampton. Fraser Forster and Eldin Jakupovic receive the starting nods in goal. In the third minute, Victor Wanyama blasted a long range shot into the top left corner for an early Southampton lead. Hull City's Mohamed Diame was given a yellow card for his ninetieth minute foul. Southampton made sure the early Wanyama screamer held up for a 1-0 win.

Back south to Leicester City bringing in West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Kasper Schmeichel are in the six-yard boxes. West Brom received a gift in the forty-seventh minute to open the scoring, as Esteban Cambiasso put the ball in his own net. Craig Gardner of West Brom was given a yellow card in the eighty-seventh minute. The final score favored West Brom 1-0.

Saturday's last game sees Stoke City host West Ham United. Adrian and Asmir Begovic wear the mitts. Stoke City struck first in the thirty-third minute on a Victor Moses goal from close range. Stoke City received a yellow card for a Steven Sidwell foul in the fifty-fourth minute. Stoke City added on in the fifty-sixth minute with a Mame Biram Diouf goal, via Jonathan Walters on a cross. West Ham got on the board in the sixtieth minute as Enner Valencia scored, thanks to a Stewart Downing cross after a fast break. In the sixty-sixth minute, James Collins of West Ham received a yellow card for his foul. West Ham tied it in the seventy-third minute on a Downing goal, set up by Valencia. The final ended up at 2-2.

On Sunday, Manchester City welcomed their cross-town rivals, Manchester United. David de Gea and Joe Hart are the keepers. Manchester United saw all of the first half discipline. Daley Blind got a yellow card in the twenty-eighth minute for a foul, followed by consecutive yellow cards to Chris Smalling in the thirty-first and thirty-ninth minutes, both for fouls. Manchester United went down to ten men after Smalling was ejected. In the sixtieth minute, Martin Demichelis of Manchester City was shown a yellow card for his foul. Manchester City got on the board with a Sergio Aguero goal, set up by Gael Clichy. Manchester City saw yellow cards assessed to Pablo Zabaleta in the seventy-seventh minute and Fernando in the seventy-ninth minute, both for fouls. They held on for a 1-0 win anyway.

The other game has Aston Villa bringing in Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Brad Guzan man the nets. In the sixteenth minute, Andreas Weimann scored to give Aston Villa a lead, with an assist by Charlies N'Zogbia. Tottenham Hotspur took a yellow card for a twenty-fifth minute foul by Christian Eriksen. In the thirty-eighth minute, Aly Cissokho of Aston Villa received a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen was given a yellow card for a sixty-first minute foul. Aston Villa went down to ten men in the sixty-fifth minute as Christian Benteke was sent off on a straight red card for fighting. Weimann took a yellow card for Aston Villa at the sixty-nine minute mark. Tottenham Hotspur's Nacer Chadli received a yellow card for his eightieth minute foul. Chadli made up for it by tying the score in the eighty-fourth minute for Tottenham Hotspur, with an assist from Erik Lamela's cross after a corner kick. In the eighty-ninth minute, Carlos Sanchez of Aston Villa received a yellow card. Tottenham Hotspur took the lead in the ninetieth minute on a Harry Kane goal on a free kick. This held up for a 2-1 win. 

Finally, Crystal Palace hosts Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Julian Speroni are given the starting nods. Sunderland struck first on a thirty-first minute Steven Fletcher header goal, passed on a cross from Patrick van Aanholt. Crystal Palace tied it on a Wes Brown own goal in the fifty-fifth minute. In the sixty-third minute, Sunderland's William Buckley was given a yellow card for his foul. Crystal Palace had a yellow card go to Mile Jedinak in the sixty-fifth minute. Sunderland picked up another yellow card for Pantilimon's offense in the seventy-first minute. In the seventy-fourth minute, Lee Cattermole of Sunderland received a yellow card for his foul. Sunderland took the lead in the seventy-ninth minute on a Jordi Gomez goal, via Buckley. In the eighty-seventh minute, Jedinak took a second yellow card for a foul and Crystal Palace went down to ten men. Sunderland extended the lead in stoppage time on another Fletcher goal, made possible by Liam Bridcutt. This made it 3-1, the final.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL November 2nd, 2014

Seven games on throughout the afternoon today, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Michal Neuvirth draw the starts. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Brian Flynn goal, assisted by Zemgus Girgensons and Tyson Strachan. Detroit tied it on a Tomas Tatar goal, his third of the season, via Riley Sheahan and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period on a Datsyuk goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Justin Abdelkader and Brendan Smith. The Sabres tied it as Chris Stewart scored, thanks to Tyler Ennis and Strachan. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Ennis and Girgensons scored to lead Buffalo to 3-2 win over a lone tally from Gustav Nyquist. The three stars went to Datsyuk, Gigernsons, and Strachan.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Cam Ward are in the blue paint. Carolina began in the first period on a Victor Rask goal, assisted by Chris Terry and Zach Boychuk. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a power play goal by Terry, his fourth of the season, powered by Andrej Sekera and Elias Lindholm. Los Angeles got on the board with a power play goal by Mike Richards, his second of the year, guided in by Drew Doughty and Justin Williams. Carolina shot back on a Lindholm goal, his third of the season, made possible by Nathan Gerbe and Riley Nash. The Kings pulled back in the third period on an Alec Martinez goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Terry, Lindholm, and Rask.

North to Montreal, where the Canadiens bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. Calgary opened in the first period with a Josh Jooris goal, his second of the season, fueled by Dennis Wideman and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames added on with a Markus Granlund goal, guided in by Jiri Hudler and Gaudreau. Calgary extended the lead as Curtis Glencross scored in the second period, his second of the year, made possible by T.J. Brodie and Sean Monahan. Montreal got on the board with a Max Pacioretty goal, his fifth of the season, via Dale Weise and P.K. Subban. The Flames shot back on a Jooris power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, powered by Brodie and Hudler. Calgary padded the lead on a Lance Bouma goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of Mark Giordano. The Canadiens got one back with a Lars Eller goal, his second of the season, helped along by Rene Bourque and Andrei Markov. The Flames finished it at 6-2 on a Giordano empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Glencross and Brodie. The three stars were given to Jooris, Giordano, and Gaudreau, while Hudler, Glencross, and Brodie get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the Arizona Coyotes. Devan Dubnyk and Justin Peters are the backups making spot starts. Arizona struck first in the first period on an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his second of the season, coming off of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle. Washington tied it on a Tom Wilson goal, courtesy of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals took the lead as John Carlson scored his second of the year, thanks to Backstrom and Wilson. Washington added on with an Ovechkin goal, his sixth of the season, via Mike Green and Backstrom on the power play, the latter getting a natural sock trick. The Coyotes pulled back in the second period with a Michael Stone goal, made possible by Chris Summers and Martin Hanzal. Arizona tied it with a Shane Doan power play goal, his second of the year, guided in by Vermette and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes took the lead on a third period Sam Gagner goal, with a lone assist by Boedker. Arizona extended the lead with another Doan goal, his second of the game and third of the season, going in unassisted. The Coyotes padded the lead with a Tobias Rieder goal, assisted by Doan and Vermette. The Capitals got one back as Joel Ward scored a power play goal, his fifth of the year, with the help of Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington clawed closer with a Troy Brouwer goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Ovechkin, who got a sock trick, and Marcus Johansson. This only made it 6-5, the final, with the three stars going to Doan, Ovechkin, and Vermette, while Wilson, Backstrom, and Boedker get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jason LaBarbera is mismatched with Semyon Varlamov in goal. Colorado was first to score in the first period with a Dennis Everberg goal, assisted by John Mitchell. Anaheim tied it on a Corey Perry goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Ryan Getzlaf and Francois Beauchemin. The Avalanche retook the lead as Nathan MacKinnon scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Tyson Barrie and Nate Guenin. The Ducks pulled even again in the second period on a Hampus Lindholm goal, via Patrick Maroon and Getzlaf. Anaheim took the lead with a Cam Fowler goal, passed from Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Getzlaf, Fowler, and Lindholm.

Backtracking to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Corey Crawford are the masked men. Twenty seconds into the first period, Winnipeg started with a Michael Frolik goal, assisted by Andrew Ladd and Zach Bogosian. This was the game's only goal, with the final standing at 1-0. The three stars went to Hutchinson (33 save shutout), Frolik, and Crawford (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Eddie Lack in goal. Vancouver led off with an Alexander Edler goal in the first period, his second of the season, coming on a power play via Henrik Sedin and Radim Vrbata. Nashville tied it in the second period as Filip Forsberg scored a power play goal, his second of the year, powered by James Neal and Matt Cullen. The Predators took the lead in the third period on another Forsberg goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, coming off of Neal and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville added on with a Colin Wilson goal, guided in by Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm. This produced a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Forsberg, Rinne (26 for 27 in saves), and Neal.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 2nd, 2014

Twelve games on today, which will have to make up for none tomorrow. We begin with...

Avangard Omsk hosting Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Konstantin Barulin are in goal. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period on a Teemu Eronen goal, going in unassisted. Omsk tied it on a power play goal by Vladimir Sobotka, powered by Miroslav Blatak and Sergei Shirokov. Avangard took the lead on an Alexander Popov goal, guided in by Chad Kolarik. Omsk added on in the second period on a power play goal by Denis Parshin, fueled by Tom Wandell. Avangard extended the lead with an Evgeny Mozer goal, passed from Evgeny Kulik. Omsk padded the lead on a Shirokov goal, made possible by Kulik and Denis Kulyash. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Shirokov, Barulin (34 for 35 in saves), and Kulik.

Up in Ufa, Salavat Yulaev welcomes Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Vladimir Sokhatsky draw the starts. Togliatti was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Semyon Valuisky, powered by Peter Podhradsky and Dmitry Vorobyov. Ufa tied it on an Antti Pihlstrom goal in the second period, assisted by Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the third period on a Yegor Dubrovsky goal, coming off of Alexander Stepanov. Ufa added on as Dmitry Makarov goal, with a lone assist by Andrei Zubarev. Lada got one back with another Valuisky goal, helped along by Stanislav Bocharov and Fedor Fedorov. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Valuisky, Makarov, and Dubrovsky.

Back south to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Viktor Kozlov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a second period goal by Danis Zaripov, coming off of Jan Kovar. Metallurg took the lead on an Evgeny Biryukov goal, fueled by Denis Platonov and Kovar. Avtomobilist retied it as Mikhnov scored again, thanks to Yegor Zhuravlyov and Anatoly Golyshev. Yekaterinburg pulled ahead with a Golyshev goal, guided in by Eduard Lewandowski and Mikhnov. Avtomobilist added on with an Anton Lazarev goal, made possible by Golyshev. Magnitogorsk got one back in the third period on a Kovar goal, assisted by Zaripov and Biryukov. Metallurg tied it with a Zaripov goal, with helpers from Viktor Antipin and Platonov. Magnitogorsk won 5-4 in overtime on a Francis Pare goal with a lone assist by Chris Lee. The three stars went to Kovar, Mikhnov, and Zaripov, while Golyshev, Biryukov, and Platonov get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Moscow, as CSKA hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Stanislav Galimov protect the nets. Moscow led off on a first period goal by Denis Denisov, a power play goal powered by Alexander Radulov and Igor Grigorenko. CSKA added on with an Ivan Telegin goal, with a lone assist by Georgy Misharin. Mytishchi got on the board in the second period with a shorthanded Sergei Shmelyov goal, set up by Artyom Chernov. Moscow shot back in the third period with a Nikita Zaitsev power play goal, guided in by Radulov and Denisov. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Denisov, Galimov (20 for 21 in saves), and Radulov.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Rafael Khakimov and Danny Taylor are the unknown goalies. Novokuznetsk opened in the first period with a Dmitry Maltsev goal, guided in by Denis Kurepanov. Minsk tied it on a power play goal by Alexander Kulakov, powered by Lukas Krajicek and Nick Bailen. Dinamo took the lead on another power play goal, this time from Bailen, with assists by Ryan Vesce and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Minsk added on with a Sergei Drozd goal, via Konstantin Zakharov. Dinamo extended the lead in the third period on a Dmitry Meleshko goal, fueled by Zakharov. This produced a 4-1 final, with Bailen, Taylor (25 for 26 in saves), and Zakharov receiving the three stars.

Back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Jakub Stepanek receive the starting nods. Yaroslavl got going in the second period on a Jonas Holos goal, courtesy of Geoff Platt. Cherepovets tied it on a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, with a lone helper by Zakhar Arzamastsev. Severstal won in the shootout by a 2-1 score with tallies by Yury Trubachyov and Marek Kvapil. The three stars were given to Stepanek (28 for 29 in saves), Sanford (23 for 24 in saves), and Kvapil.

Into Podolsk, where Vityaz hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Harri Sateri are the masked men. Riga started with a power play goal by Oskars Cibulskis, powered by Lauris Darzins and Mikelis Redlihs. Podolsk tied it on an Anton Korolyov goal, made possible by Robert Kousal. Vityaz took the lead on a Roman Horak power play goal, via Dmitry Tsyganov and Mario Kempe. Podolsk added on with a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, fueled by Korolyov and Kousal. Dinamo got one back in the third period on a Darzins goal, coming off of Krisjanis Redlihs and Linus Videll. Vityaz iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Horak, set up by Alexander Kucheryavenko. The three stars belonged to Horak, Korolyov, and Darzins, while Kousal gets an honorable mention.

East to Kazan, as Ak Bars welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Anders Nilsson are in the creases. Kazan led off in the first period with an Oscar Moller goal, via Alexander Burmistrov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Sergei Lesnukhin goal, coming off of Denis Gorbunov. Ak Bars took the lead back with a Burmistrov goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Medvedev. Kazan added on in the second period with an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, guided in by Ilya Nikulin. Ak Bars extended the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Justin Azevedo goal in the third period. Kazan padded the lead as Sergei Kostitsyn scored, thanks to Mikhail Varnakov and Burmistrov. Stepan Goryachevskikh relieved Biryukov. Ak Bars finished it at 6-1 with a Burmistrov power play goal, powered by Nikulin. The three stars were awarded to Burmistrov, Nilsson (27 for 28 in saves), and Nikulin.

Southwest to Sochi, as the Leopards bring in SKA St. Petersburg. Evgeny Ivannikov and Tomas Popperle are between the pipes. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period on a Viktor Tikhonov goal, assisted by Artemy Panarin and Evgeny Dadonov on the power play. SKA added on with a Dadonov goal, made possible by Panarin and Tikhonov. Sochi got on the board with a second period goal by Ryan Whitney, via Igor Ignatushkin and Evgeny Lapenkov. This was as close as it got, with the final resting at 2-1. The three stars went to Dadonov, Tikhonov, and Panarin.

Back to Moscow, where Dynamo hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Helsinki was first to score as Jani Rita scored, thanks to Jere Karalahti and Tomi Maki. Jokerit added on with a Niko Kapanen goal, with a lone assist by Juhamatti Aaltonen. Moscow got on the board as Andrei Mironov scored, with the help of Maxim Karpov and Nikolai Zherdev. Helsinki answered in the third period on an Aaltonen goal, courtesy of Karalahti and Atte Ohtamaa. This stood for a 3-1 win, and the three stars went to Aaltonen, Karlsson (42 for 43 in saves), and Karalahti.

West again to Bratislava, where Slovan welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Jaroslav Janus play in the blue paint. Bratislava began with a Rok Ticar goal, assisted by Michal Sersen and Ziga Jeglic. Slovan added on with a Sersen power play goal, powered by Ivan Baranka and Tomas Netik. Bratislava extended the lead with a Baranka power play goal, via Netik. Slovan padded the lead in the second period as Tomas Surovy scored, thanks to Libor Hudacek. Vladivostok got on the board in the third period with a Nikita Lisov goal, passed from Enver Lisin and Ilya Zubov. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-1, and the three stars going to Baranka, Sersen, and Janus (23 for 24 in saves), while Netik gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin and Mark Dekanich are the average goalies. Khabarovsk dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Mikhail Zheleznov goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Litovchenko and Mikhail Fisenko. Zagreb tied it on a Brandon Segal power play goal, powered by Aaron Palushaj and Brock Trotter. Amur took the lead back with a power play goal by Dmitry Lugin, with a lone assist by Alexander Loginov. Khabarovsk added on as Evgeny Orlov scored, thanks to Roman Kopiyenko. Amur extended the lead on a Michel Miklik goal, via Rastislav Spirko. Medvescak got one back in the third period on a Patrick Bjorkstrand scored, with the help of Segal. Khabarovsk finished it at 5-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Fisenko. The three stars were given to Fisenko, Segal, and Orlov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL November 1st, 2014

Twelve games on a typically busy Saturday. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Brad Marchand goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Patrice Bergeron. Ottawa tied it on a Mark Stone goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The Bruins replied with a Matt Fraser goal, made possible by Loui Erikson and Carl Soderberg. Boston added on as Fraser scored his second of the game, thanks to Soderberg and Zach Trotman. The Bruins extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted Dennis Seidenberg goal. The Senators got one back with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of Alex Chiasson. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Fraser, Soderberg, and Seidenberg.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cam Ward are the mediocre goalies. Carolina started in the first period with a Elias Lindholm goal, courtesy of Brett Bellemore and Nathan Gerbe. The Hurricanes added on with another Lindholm goal, made possible by Riley Nash and Justin Faulk. Carolina extended the lead in the second period with a Jiri Tlusty power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Erik Staal and Faulk. This was all they needed for a 3-0 win, with the three stars going to Lindholm, Ward (25 save shutout), and Faulk.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Anton Forsberg and Cory Schneider draw the starts. Columbus began in the first period with a Jack Skille goal, his third of the season, coming off of Brian Gibbons and Nick Foligno. New Jersey tied it on a second period Marek Zidlicky power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Michael Ryder and Damon Severson. The Blue Jackets retook the lead with a Foligno power play goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jack Johnson and Gibbons. The Devils tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Adam Henrique, his fourth of the year, passed from Jaromir Jagr and Zidlicky. New Jersey took the lead on an Adam Larsson goal, guided in by Bryce Salvador and Patrik Elias. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Zidlicky, Foligno, and Gibbons.

Over in New York, the Rangers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Henrik Lundqvist are in the blue paint. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Winnipeg got goals from Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane to top a single New York tally from Mats Zuccarello for a 1-0 win. The three stars were awarded to Pavelec (38 save shutout), Lundqvist (25 save "shutout"), and Kane.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Marc-Andre Fleury receive the starting nods. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Chris Kunitz goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on in the second period on a Blake Comeau goal, his third of the year, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and Pascal Dupuis. Pittsburgh extended the lead with a Hornqvist power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Kunitz and Malkin. The Penguins padded the lead on a power play goal by Kunitz in the third period, his second of the game and seventh of the year, fueled by Kris Letang and Crosby. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-0 on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Crosby, who got a sock trick, and Christian Ehrhoff on the power play. The three stars belonged Kunitz, Malkin, and Crosby, while Hornqvist and Fleury (18 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

South to Florida, where the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Ryan Callahan goal, his fourth of the season, via Brian Boyle. Washington tied it on a Marcus Johansson goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals took the lead in the second period on an Eric Fehr goal, fueled by Jason Chimera and John Carlson. The Lightning retied it on an Ondrej Palat goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson. Tampa Bay took the lead with a Kucherov goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Eric Brewer and Johnson. Washington retied it with a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Lightning edged ahead on a Jason Garrison goal in the third period, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Steven Stamkos. They went on to win 4-3, with the three stars going to Kucherov, Johnson, and Johansson.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and James Reimer are between the pipes. Toronto was first to score on a first period goal by Nazem Kadri, his fourth of the season, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Phil Kessel. Chicago tied it on a Brad Richards power play goal, powered by Brent Seabrook and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks pulled ahead on a Seabrook power play in the second period, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Patrick Kane. The Maple Leafs tied it on an unassisted James van Riemsdyk goal, his fifth of the season. Toronto took the lead in the third period with a Peter Holland goal, via Leo Komarov. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Seabrook, Reimer (45 for 47 in saves), and Holland.

Back to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Roberto Luongo have the green light to play goal. Florida struck first in the first period on a Willie Mitchell goal, assisted by Jussi Jokinen and Brad Boyes. The Panthers added on in the third period on an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, powered by Brian Campbell and Jimmy Hayes. Philadelphia got on the board with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Luongo (36 for 37 in saves), Ekblad, and Mitchell.

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Darcy Kuemper guard the cages. Minnesota got going with a Mikael Granlund goal in the second period, going in unassisted. The Wild added on as Matt Dumba scored, thanks to Jason Pominville and Zach Parise. Dallas got on the board with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his second of the season, guided in by Jamie Oleksiak. Minnesota shot back on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, powered by Parise and Mikko Koivu. The Wild extended the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Nino Neiderreiter, his third of the year, with assists provided by Ryan Suter and Charlie Coyle. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Kuemper (19 for 20 in saves), Parise, and Dumba.

Down in St. Louis, the Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Brian Elliott are in the blue paint. St. Louis opened in the first period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Alexander Steen and Barret Jackman. The Blues added on in the third period on another Tarasenko goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo. Colorado got on the board with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche tied it on a MacKinnon goal, his third of the year, coming on the power play via Johnson and O'Reilly. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Joakim Lindstrom's tally lifted St. Louis to a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Tarasenko, O'Reilly, and MacKinnon, while Johnson gets an honorable mention.

In Canada, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Ben Scrivens are the goalies. Edmonton started in the first period on a Jordan Eberle goal, his third of the season, via Taylor Hall and Martin Marincin. Vancouver tied it on a Luca Sbisa goal, his second of the year, coming off of Chris Higgins and Nick Bonino. The Canucks took the lead in the second period on a Linden Vey goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Derek Dorsett and Tom Sestito. The Oilers retied it on a David Perron goal, guided in by Leon Draisaitl and Andrew Ference. Vancouver took the lead back in the third period on a shorthanded and unassisted Dorsett goal. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Dorsett, Miller (25 for 27 in saves), and Sbisa.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Antti Niemi tend the twines. New York began in the first period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk. San Jose tied it with a Tomas Hertl power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Tommy Wingels and Matthew Nieto. The Sharks took the lead in the third period on a Logan Couture goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose added on with a James Sheppard goal, courtesy of Adam Burish and Andrew Desjardins. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Niemi (19 for 20 in saves), Couture, and Hertl.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.