Boucher, Jurco propel Avangard’s success. Top imports
Reid Boucher and Tomas Jurco keep on scoring for Avangard, while Libor Sulak is still trying to help Admiral saving the season. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
United States
F, Avangard, 3 G, 6 (2+4) points, +3
Boucher and the Hawks had a strong week once again with two wins in three games and six points for the forward. Avangard’s top scorer started the week with a three-point performance in Cherepovets, scoring a goal and adding two helpers as the Hawks achieved a 6:2 victory. On Friday, Avangard won again, with Boucher getting an assist, while on Sunday the forward added a goal and a helper to his season loot in the Hawks’ losing effort against Traktor (4:5). Boucher is currently the second scorer in the league, trailing only Dynamo Moscow’s Nikita Gusev, and his scoring touch will be critical for Avangard in the postseason.
Canada
F, Dynamo Moscow, 3 G, 5 (1+4) points, +3
It wasn’t the best week for the Blue-and-Whites, who lost twice to Spartak on Tuesday and Saturday. However, O’Dell scored points in all games, and was the best player on the ice in Dynamo Moscow’s win over Kunlun Red Star on Thursday. That night, the veteran forward, at his eighth game in the KHL, posted a goal and two assists as the Blue-and-Whites got a 5:1 away win. However, the Dynamo team didn’t play its best hockey, but the situation is expected to change as the Gagarin Cup playoffs approach. O’Dell has posted career-highs for assists and points, and is at only one goal to surpass his 23-tally performance in 2018-2019 with HC Sochi.
Slovakia
F, Avangard, 3 G, 4 (2+2) points, +4
Avangard was the most active team at the transfer deadline, and Tomas Jurco was one of the players acquired by the Omsk side. Jurco, who has already lined up in the KHL previously for Barys and Kunlun Red Star, had a nice week with his new team. Just like Boucher, Jurco had three points in Avangard’s win over Severstal on Tuesday – he also ended the game with a plus-3 differential. After being held scoreless in the Hawks’ win over Ak Bars, Jurco returned to the scoresheet with his fourth goal with his new jersey as Avangard lost to Traktor on Sunday.
Czechia
D, Admiral, 3 G, 3 (2+1) points, +2
The Sailors will have a hard time in getting to the playoffs for the second year in a row, yet defenseman Libor Sulak refused to surrender as he scored points in all the games, helping Admiral winning two from three matches last week. The change of environment went to Sulak’s advantage, who could enjoy a bigger role in the Admiral’s lineup and more freedom if compared to his play with Avangard. At this point, it’s unlikely that the Sailors will conquer a postseason spot, but Sulak will try harder and harder.
