Da Costa passes, Macek scores. Week 11’s top imports
Avtomobilist returns to leading positions, while Brandon Yip set records. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Canada/Germany
F, Avtomobilist, 3 G, 6 (6+0) points, +2
The German international was unstoppable for the Motormen last week, potting doubles in each of his three games and increasing his goal-scoring streak to six matches, with nine total tallies. If that’s not impressive enough, he also netted the OT GWG in the Tuesday match against Severstal when he got full advantage of yet another assist by Stephane Da Costa. Macek currently has 33 (21+12) points from 29 games and is leading the league in both goals and points. Thanks to his efforts, the Avtomobilist forward was awarded best of the week honors for his role.
Slovakia
G, Barys, 2 G, 1 W, 96.43%, GAA 0.96
Barys isn’t having its best season this time around, yet Julius Hudacek’s play is giving them a chance even when the attack doesn’t click. The Slovakian veteran started his week posting 28 saves when the Kazakh franchise had a SO loss to Metallurg on Friday, then he posted his second shutout of the season on Sunday when Barys returned to victory defeating Salavat Yulaev in Ufa – Hudacek had 26 saves in the game. Barys is currently the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and such a strong goaltending by the Slovak international is increasing its odds for a playoffs’ qualification.
Czechia
D, Amur, 2 G, 2 (1+1) points, +1
The Tigers have recently improved their record and achieved two wins over highly touted opponents, defeating Dynamo Moscow and SKA. The Amur’s captain was instrumental in both wins, first getting an assist when the Tigers got an important win over the Blue-and-Whites (2:1), helping Sergei Lapin netting his first of the season to tie the game at one, then tallying the OT GWG against SKA flying through the whole rink and defeating Alexander Samonov glove-side from close in – the St. Petersburg side definitely gave the Czech veteran too much space. Amur is currently the tenth seed in the Eastern Conference, but has won its previous three matches.
Canada/China
F, Kunlun Red Star, 2 G, 4 (4+0) points, -1
The Dragon’s leader is having an incredible season and netted his first hat-trick this season when Kunlun Red Star downed Neftekhimik on Saturday. Moreover, he established a club’s record with a nine-game scoring streak, and has accomplished all this aged 37. The veteran also had another eight-game streak earlier in the season, and has so far 25 (14+11) points this term. His career-high is 36 points in 2018-2019 – he shouldn’t have much difficult surpassing it. The Dragons are currently the tenth seed in the West, and they need Yip to keep on scoring to return to the correct side of the playoffs line.
France
F, Avtomobilist, 3 G, 8 (1+7) points, +6
The Frenchman had a productive week, helping Macek scoring at a record pace and posting as high as seven assists in just three matches. Da Costa was especially on fire in Nov 10 game against Kunlun Red Star – the Frenchman collected four assists, not a novelty for the Frenchman, who already dealt four helpers against the Dragons earlier this season. That night, he helped Macek potting his regular double, and collected a plus-3 rating. The veteran also had multipoint games in Avto’s wins over Severstal (3:2 OT) and Vityaz (4:1). He currently trails only Macek in Avtomobilist scoring, but he also played six games fewer.
