Youngster report – tenth week
KHL.ru continues to follow U23 players’ performances throughout the league. These are the best for the tenth week of action. This time, the players’ performances between Nov 10-16 are taken into consideration.
Daniil But
F, Lokomotiv, 2005
Week stats: 3 G, 3 (2+1) points, +2
But had a busy week with Lokomotiv, potting his first double in the KHL and, in general, being an important part of Loko’s success. But started the period having an assist in Lokomotiv’s 2:1, away win over Sibir on Friday, then had a double – his first in the KHL – when Loko downed Salavat Yulaev in Ufa 3:1. The forward netted his first of the night to make it a 1:1 game in the middle frame – he unleashed a powerful wrister following a faceoff win in the offensive zone, and his attempt left no possibility to Ufa’s goalie Alexander Samonov. Later, in the third period, But sealed the deal for Loko’s victory with another blazing wristshot from the right circle that beat Samonov blocker side. For his efforts, But was awarded rookie of the week honors.
Danila Yurov
F, Metallurg, 2003
Week stats: 3 G, 4 (2+2) points, -1
The young Magnitka forward is having a strong season overall, and last week he starred in Metallurg’s 4:1 win in Minsk, when he potted a double and had an assist two days later – Metallurg won against Sibir 3:2 after OT. In Minsk, Yurov had two goals with the man advantage, including potting the tally that resulted in being the game-winner for Magnitka with a nice wrister from the right circle – he scored his 7th and 8th goals of the season, respectively, with the last one being an empty netter that sealed the deal for Metallurg. Against Sibir, Yurov assisted Luke Johnson’s powerplay tally in the middle frame. It was a good week for Yurov, who is currently the third scorer for the Magnitogorsk side, trailing only veterans Maxim Karpov and Denis Zernov.
Ilya Ivantsov
F, Severstal, 2003
Week stats: 4 G, 3 (2+1) points, -1
The 20-years-old forward was busy last week as Severstal played four games – getting four losses. Ilya Ivantsov was one of the few bright notes for the Steelers. The forward has contributed three points for Cherepovets, including netting a goal in the only game where Severstal gained a point – a 4:5, OT loss to Avangard, converting a smooth pass from the blue line by Timofei Davydov. Ivantsov also had a tally in the Steelers’ losing efforts against Vityaz (3:5), when he fooled the goalie in the slot with a swift backhand move after a pass by Mikhail Ilyin. The forward added an assist in Severstal’s 2:5 loss to SKA on Nov 16. The smooth-passing center has already set a career-high for points as he accumulated 20 (5+15) so far this season.
Matvei Michkov
F, HC Sochi, 2004
Week stats: 4 G, 5 (1+4) points, even
It wasn’t the best week for the Black Sea franchise, who lost three games before finally returning to victory on Thursday against Lada (5:4 SO). It’s no surprise that Michkov had his strongest game in the period that night, with one goal and two assists, and a plus-2 rating with seven shots on goal. Michkov was very busy also in other games, but Sochi had three straight losses – including two against Vityaz in two consecutive matchdays. In the first game against the Moscow Region team, the HC Sochi forward had an assist, but was left out of the scoresheet in the rematch. Michkov also had one assist in HC Sochi’s losing effort in Minsk on Nov 10 (2:6). Michkov is now one of the top players for Sochi, and things can only improve as the season goes on.
Sergei Ivanov
G, Admiral, 2004
Week stats: 3 G, 93.48%, GAA 2.33
Sergei Ivanov has now grown into a starter for Admiral – a remarkable feat for a goalie of his age, and is meeting the expectations as he is posting excellent numbers despite the Sailors’ losses. In the period, the goalie started in all games for Admiral, and while he posted no wins, he stopped as much as he could, allowing more than three goals only in Admiral’s 3:4, SO loss to Avtomobilist on Sunday. The Sailors are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, but Ivanov is giving them a chance to climb up with his saves and performances.
