Claesson’s offensive spike, Ruzicka’s crucial goals. Week 15 top imports
From Ruzicka’s goals to Claesson’s assists, it was another productive week for import players around the league. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Sweden
D, CSKA, 3 G, 3 (0+3) points, +3
Never known for his offensive production, stay-at-home defenseman Fredrik Claesson has instead showed some production last week, contributing to three CSKA goals. After being held scoreless in the Muscovites’ win over Kunlun Red Star on Tuesday (3:2), Claesson posted two helpers as CSKA defeated Spartak in Thursday’s win (5:4 OT), logging more than seventeen minutes on the ice. Most noticeably, Claesson assisted Maxim Sorkin’s goal in extra time. The Swedish defenseman had another assist and a plus-2 differential in Sunday’s win over Neftekhimik (7:4). With CSKA improving its position in the standings and the second part of the regular season going on, Claesson’s role within the team is expected to further improve.
Slovakia
F, Spartak, 2 G, 2 (2+0) points, even
The Slovak forward had two strong showings last week, netting a goal in each game and proving to be a key player for Spartak. Ruzicka started with a goal in Spartak’s losing effort to CSKA in the Moscow Derby on Thursday (4:5 OT), then, most importantly, netted the game-winning, OT goal in the KHL World Games match in Tashkent against Dinamo Minsk. That goal was the fifteenth of the season for Ruzicka, who is having a strong debut season in the league. The Red-and-Whites are the second seed in the West, and Ruzicka will play a pivotal role in the second part of the regular season as well.
USA
D, Ak Bars, 2 G, 3 (0+3) points, +1
The young American blueliner is doing well with Kazan in his second year in the league, and last week had another two strong performances. He had two helpers in Ak Bars’ win in the Green Derby against Salavat Yulaev on Wednesday (3:2), when he also posted a plus-2 rating. His performance included assisting Nikita Dynyak’s game-winning goal in the middle frame. Two days later, Miller had an assist in Ak Bars’ lone goal in the team’s losing effort against Dynamo Moscow (1:3). The American defenseman is an important player in Ak Bars’ plays, and will be even more so as the season grows older.
Canada
D, Dinamo Minsk, 3 G, 2 (0+2) points, +1
The Canadian d-man had a nice week with Minsk, scoring points in two games from three and posting a plus-1 differential, helping the Bisons take two important games on the road, against Ak Bars and Traktor – both 3:1 wins. And in both games, Hamilton posted positive ratings. In his third season in the league, Hamilton had a little slowing down in his production, but his helpers last week are good news for Dinamo Minsk, who may count again on a player who showed that he can produce with relative consistency last season.
