Rendulic’s first goal and Leivo’s production. Week 25 top imports
Metallurg’s Borna Rendulic nets the first goal for his new team, Leivo gets closer and closer to Mozyakin’s record, and Luke Johnson keeps on being clutch for Metallurg. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Croatia
F, Metallurg, 3 G, 3 (1+2) points, +2
The Croatian forward struggled after moving to Metallurg from SKA, but last week he was excellent for Magnitka, finally finding the back of the net for the first time with his new team as Metallurg defeated Avtomobilist on home ice on Saturday with a 3:1 score. With the teams tied at one in the closing frame, the large-framed forward got the puck from linemate Nikita Mikhailis and sent it home with a laser shot from the right circle. Earlier in the week, Rendulic posted an assist and a plus-2 rating in Metallurg’s 4:1 win over Barys on Wednesday and added another helper in Magnitka’s victory against Severstal on Monday. With the playoffs approaching, Rendulic’s physical presence and trademark shot from the circles may become a useful weapon to Andrei Razin’s arsenal.
Canada
F, Salavat Yulaev, 3 G, 4 (2+2) points, even
After slowing down his production a bit following an injury, Leivo returned to full-speed scoring last week, starting a new streak and reaching the 44-goal mark, bringing him closer and closer to Sergei Mozyakin’s goalscoring record. The Ufa forward started the week with a helper in Salavat Yulaev’s 3:2 win over Lada on Tuesday, then netted a goal when his team clinched a win in Vladivostok on Friday (3:2 SO). On Sunday, Leivo played his best game of the week, with a goal and an assist as Salavat Yulaev defeated Admiral again with a 6:3 score. That day, Leivo’s goal was the game-winner for Ufa. The playoffs are getting closer and closer, and the forward will not only be eyeing his record, but also helping his team on a deep playoff run.
US
F, Metallurg, 3 G, 2 (2+0) points, +1
The American forward was never known for his productivity, rather for his leadership, intensity and 200-foot game, yet last week he netted two important goals in consecutive games against Severstal, and Barys, both won with a 4:1 score by Magnitka. Johnson won an aggregate 24 faceoffs out of 30 in these two games, and logged minutes in both powerplay and penalty killing situations. The American forward’s versatility and intensity will be key for the Magnitogorsk franchise in the elimination stage, just like it was last year.
Slovakia
F, Spartak, 3 G, 3 (1+2) points, -1
Ruzicka’s debut season in the KHL has been great so far for the Slovakian forward, who added another three points to his loot with Spartak. In Tuesday’s 7:2 win over SKA in St. Petersburg, Ruzicka posted the eighteenth and nineteenth assist of his season, including for Alexander Pashin’s game-winning goal and second of the night. Then, two days later, he scored Spartak’s lone goal in the team’s losing effort against Dinamo Minsk (1:2). The Red-and-Whites slipped down to fifth place in the Western Conference’s table, but they will still be a team to watch in the elimination stage.
