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Fucale’s saves and Camara’s return to goals. Top imports
Traktor is in great shape, while Spartak can count on a helping hand on the blue line from Michal Cajkovsky. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Slovakia
D, Spartak, 3 G, 3 (2+1) points, +3
The Slovak, towering defenseman was instrumental for Spartak to retain its leadership in the Western Conference as he posted points in all games, ending the week with a plus-3 differential. Cajkovsky, in his eighth season in the KHL, netted the game-winner in his team’s win over Torpedo on Tuesday (5:2). He also recorded one hit, blocked seven shots, and had one takeaway, cementing his position as one of the top players in the league on the blue line.
Canada
G, Traktor, 2 G, 2 W, 93.75%, 1.98 GAA
The Chelyabinsk side is having a good period, having won four of its last five matches. Goalie Zach Fucale has been instrumental in his team’s success, with two strong performances as Traktor grabbed two victories with the Canadian netminder guarding the crease. First, he helped Traktor achieving a good victory in Yekaterinburg, with 27 stops out of 29 Motormen’s attempts as the Chelyabinsk side claimed a 3:2, OT victory. Following a day off with Sergei Mylnikov replacing him between the pipes, Fucale had 33 saves when Traktor defeated Kunlun Red Star in Mytishchi on Friday, with another strong performance with several big saves. Traktor is growing and climbing up in the Eastern Conference’s standings, and Fucale is a big part of his team’s good showing of late.
United States
D, Avtomobilist, 3 G, 4 (2+2) points, even
The Motormen can count on a strong presence on the blueline, with American Nick Ebert providing strong performances at both ends of the ice. Ebert started his week netting a tally in Avtomobilist’s losing effort to Traktor (2:3 OT) on Tuesday as he netted a goal with the man advantage for the Motormen. After being held scoreless in Avtomobilist’s home win over Ak Bars on Thursday (2:1), Ebert had his first three-point performance of the season posting a goal and two helpers in his team’s win in Togliatti on Sunday (5:1). Ebert found the net for Avtomobilist – again with the man advantage – adding to his loot with two assists, ending the game with a plus-1 differential. The Motormen are in good shape, having won five of their latest six games, with Ebert showcasing good offensive abilities and defensive prowess.
Canada
F, Barys, 3 G, 3 (3+0) points, +1
Camara has found himself a new home, posting good stats with Barys after a rough start of the season in Nizhnekamsk. Last week, the Kazakhs had little luck in their games, failing to collect a single victory, but Camara scored a goal in each contest, helping Barys having a chance – especially in its losing efforts against Salavat Yulaev and his former team Neftekhimik, both very contested and lost by only a single goal. Camara ended the week with a positive differential despite his team’s losses, and has improved his numbers after the first part of the 2023-2024 campaign with the Wolves. It will be hard for Barys to get to a playoff spot, but Camara is doing his best and is proving that he deserves to be playing in the league.
