Reideborn returns, Jaskin scores. Week 8 top imports
Salavat Yulaev’s imports led the Ufa side in climbing up the Eastern standings, CSKA’s Reideborn returns to his best shape. KHL.ru presents last week’s top imports.
Sweden
G, CSKA, 2 G, 2 W, 96.30%, 1.00 GAA
The Swedish netminder had a slow start of the season, but last week he found back his groove, with two excellent performances against Dynamo Moscow and Avtomobilist – with the Moscow derby played as a road game. Reideborn posted 24 and 28 saves, respectively, and helped the Red-and-Blues achieve two victories in their recent excellent run. CSKA is back in the Western Conference’s top three, and Reideborn’s strong play is one of the reasons. For his efforts, the Swedish netminder has been awarded goalie of the week honors.
Canada
D, Salavat Yulaev, 3 G, 3 (1+2) points, +7
Just like CSKA, also Salavat Yulaev is on an excellent period, with seven wins in their latest ten games, and climbing up to the third place in the East. Ryan Murphy is a big part of this achievement, as the blueliner is currently on an eight-game scoring streak, with as many points over that span. Last week, on Oct 18, he tallied the game-winner in Ufa’s away game in Moscow against Spartak – after a prolonged attack, forward Ivan Drozdov won a puck on the right flank. He worked it over an sent it Murphy, who slashed it right from the point with a powerful one-timer for his second of the season. His plus-7 rating was also the best in the league for the week. For his efforts, Murphy has been awarded defenseman of the week honors.
United States
F, Salavat Yulaev, 3 G, 4 (2+2) points, +4
As said, the Ufa franchise is living a good moment, and Chmelevski contributed with four points in last week’s Salavat Yulaev wins. The 23-years-old forward netted the game-winner in the Oct 20 game against Severstal from close range after a forechecking effort led by Nikolai Kulemin on the left flank. It was Chmelevski’s eighth of the season and currently he trails only Sergei Shmelyov in the team’s scoring race (15 against 16). The American has signed a one-year deal in Ufa this summer, and if he keeps on playing like this, the boards will want to renew the ties with Chmelevski as soon as possible.
Czech Republic/Russia
F, SKA, 2 G, 2 (1+1) points, +2
After a few scoreless games, the SKA’s captain returned to make the headlines – perhaps two points in two games isn’t much to get excited, but Jaskin left his mark in both matches. First, he scored the game-winner in SKA’s home win over Avtomobilist, winning a battle in the slot following a shot by Marat Khusnutdinov – it was Jaskin’s ninth of the season. Two days later, on Friday, he helped Mikhail Vorobyov opening the score against Kunlun Red Star with a nice pass from behind the crease – again teaming up with Khusnutdinov. SKA is currently the hottest team in the league and Jaskin is on a four-game scoring streak – it won’t be easy to stop the St. Petersburg franchise, especially when its captain is on fire.
