Adam Huska’s shutouts, Andrew Poturalski’s breakout, and Daniel Sprong’s hat-trick. Top imports
From clutch goaltending to offensive firepower, last week highlighted the impact of international talent across the league. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Slovakia
G, Admiral, 3 G, 2 W, 96.43%, 0.97 GAA, 2 SO
The Slovak was named best goalie for the second time in his career after winning two of three games last week with Admiral. The Vladivostok netminder faced 84 shots—an average of 28 per game—posting an impressive 96.43% save percentage and a 0.97 goals-against average. Notably, Huska recorded his first shutouts of the season against Sibir (2:0) and the Shanghai Dragons (4:0), posting an impressive total shutout streak of 145 minutes and 57 seconds. His only defeat came in a close 3:4 shootout loss to Dynamo Moscow. To get to the playoffs, the Sailors need Huska stopping shots like last week.
US
F, Avangard, 3 G, 7 (2+5) points, +2
After being left out of the scoresheet in his first couple of games, Poturalski found some pace and is currently on a four-game scoring streak. Last week, the American forward opened his goal scoring account in the KHL in the Hawks’ home win over Dynamo Moscow, then posted two helpers in Avangard’s 3:2 win over Salavat Yulaev. Then, on Sunday, he had a four-point performance in the Hawks’ big win over Ak Bars, netting his second goal of the season and adding a hat-trick of assists. As the team is in good shape, Poturalski is increasing his role within the Avangard lineup.
Canada
F, Dynamo Moscow, 2 G, 2 (2+0) points, -1
Last week, the Blue-and-Whites returned to victory when they posted a 4:3 shootout win in Vladivostok. Starring of that game was Quebecois Maxime Comtois, who started Dynamo’s rally when the Sailors were up by two after the first period and netted the game-winning shootout after the overtime ended with the teams tied at three. The Canadian forward was instrumental for Dynamo that night, in a game that allowed the Muscovites return to victory after two heavy road losses to Avangard (4:7) and Barys (2:5). In Astana, Comtois netted his first goal of the season, but it wasn’t enough for Dynamo to secure a win. With the Blue-and-Whites back to winning games, expect the large-framed forward to increase his impact on the team.
Netherlands
F, CSKA, 3 G, 5 (3+2) points, +1
It was a tough week for CSKA, who lost three games in a row, with a tough one to Gagarin Cup champs Lokomotiv at home (1:5). However, newcomer Daniel Sprong was one of the top producers for the Muscovites last week. On Tuesday, he netted his first KHL hat-trick in CSKA’s losing effort to Spartak (5:6 SO). Sprong then had an assist in each game in the Muscovites’ losses to Lokomotiv and Metallurg (4:5). Moreover, despite the loss, the forward ended the game in Magnitogorsk with a plus-2 rating. Sprong is currently on a four-game scoring streak, and the team will need his offensive production to return to victory.
Czechia
D, Admiral, 3 G, 2 (0+2) points, +3
Constantly one of the top players for Admiral, defenseman Libor Sulak helped the Sailors achieve two wins and one shootout loss last week, posting no negative ratings and logging more than twenty-three minutes a night. The Czech blueliner posted no points in shutout wins over Sibir (2:0) and the Shanghai Dragons (4:0), but had two assists in Saturday’s game against Dynamo Moscow (3:4 SO). The Sailors had a good start of the season, and Sulak is expected to have a big role this year as well.
