Barach’s surge and Rempal’s consistency. Week 11 top imports
The Vityaz’s forward is the league’s top sniper, while Sheldon Rempal climbs up in the scoring race. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
US
F, Vityaz, 3 G, 5 (1+4) points, +1
The American forward had another tremendous week and keep on being the league’s top sniper with 15 goals, although he only had one tally in this time frame. At his second year in the KHL, Barach showed excellent offensive abilities and a strong chemistry with his linemates Dmitry Buchelnikov and Ivan Chekhovich. Most noticeably, Barach had a hat-trick of assists in Vityaz’s large 7:1 win over Vityaz on Sunday — he also posted a plus-3 differential that night, in less than 15 minutes of time on ice. Earlier in the week he posted an assist in Vityaz’s losing effort against Dinamo Minsk (4:6), and netted his 15th goal of the season in Vityaz’s first win of the week against Severstal, on Tuesday. The Moscow Region franchise is currently the ninth seed in the Western Conference, but its top line’s production is giving it a chance to return to the right side of the playoffs line.
Canada
F, Salavat Yulaev, 2 G, 3 (1+2) points, +2
One of the top scorers in the league, Rempal had a good week with Salavat Yulaev, although the team only had two games. The Canadian forward helped the Ufa franchise achieving two straight wins, against Lada (3:1), and Barys (4:1), scoring points in both. On Tuesday, he had a helper when Danil Alalykin sealed the deal in the third period in Salavat Yulaev’s home win over Lada. On Friday, Rempal had another assist, but also converted a shoot-out attempt in the third period as Salavat Yulaev celebrated a 4:1 win in front of a packed crowd. With Joshua Leivo out with an injury, Sheldon Rempal’s role within the Ufa team will only grow bigger.
Slovakia
D, CSKA, 2 G, 2 (1+1) points, +1
CSKA only played two games last week, but achieved two shutout victories – an excellent achievement for defensemen other than for the team’s goalie Ivan Prosvetov. Slovakian blueliner Christian Jaros had an excellent couple of games for the Muscovites. On Thursday, he netted his first goal of the season in CSKA’s 2:0 win over Lokomotiv, capitalizing on a powerplay opportunity in the first period – that goal was the game-winner for his team. Two days later, CSKA traveled to Kazan as the Muscovites achieved another critical win, this time with a 3:0 score. Jaros this time assisted Vitaly Abramov’s tally in the closing frame, earning a plus-1 rating for the night. Jaros’ role within the team is increasing, as he is finally returning to excellent shape after missing the regular season’s first month due to an injury.
