Fucale’s saves and Rendulic’s breakout. Week 3 top imports
Gernat wins games for Lokomotiv, Fucale backstops Dinamo Minsk and Borna Rendulic keeps on scoring. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Slovakia
D, Lokomotiv, 3 G, 2 (1+1) points, +2
One of the league’s top defensemen, especially when in good shape, Gernat netted his first goal this season in the Railwaymen’s 3:2 win over Avtomobilist – and that was a good way to start scoring as it was the OT game-winner. Taking full advantage of a nice passing play by Maxim Shalunov, Gernat found the back of the net to give Lokomotiv its fifth straight win in a tight game, ending the game with a plus-1 rating. The Slovak towering defenseman added an assist to his loot in Lokomotiv’s 5:0 win over HC Sochi on Monday.
Canada
G, Dinamo Minsk, 3 G, 93.65%, GAA 1,31, 1 SO
Once again, Fucale was instrumental for the Belarusian franchise as Dinamo Minsk won three straight games last week. On Monday, the Canadian netminder posted his second shutout of the season when Dinamo Minsk celebrated a 1:0, OT win over Barys – Fucale had only eight saves that night. In the next two games, the goalie only allowed two goals each night, with 24 saves against Torpedo (3:2) and 27 against Severstal (4:2). As the season goes on, Fucale’s role within the team will only increase further.
US
F, Dinamo Minsk, 3 G, 3 (1+2) points, +2
Just as Fucale, Anas was also a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Belarusians last week, producing three points in as many games. He first netted the game-winner in Dinamo Minsk’s 1:0 OT win over Barys in the team’s home opener, then he posted a couple of helpers in the Bison’s win over Torpedo on Wednesday (4:2). In both games, the Maryland native had a plus-1 rating. He was then held scoreless in Dinamo Minsk’s 4:2 home win over Severstal. Anas is currently tied with his fellow countryman Alex Limoges as Dinamo Minsk’s top scorer. Their line with Vitaly Pinchuk is one of the best in the league right now.
Croatia
F, Shanghai Dragons, 4 G, 4 (1+3) points, even
The Dragons had a strong week, with three wins through four matches, with Borna Rendulic being one of their top players. The Croatian forward, in his fifth KHL season, started the week assisting Nick Merkley’s goal against Torpedo on Monday – the lone tally of the match. On Friday, the 33-year-old posted a pair of helpers when the Shanghai Dragons defeated Lada in Togliatti, then scored his third goal of the season on Sunday as the Chinese franchise celebrated a win in Moscow against Spartak (3:1). Rendulic is currently the Dragons’ top scorer and his points will be key for the team as the team tries to return to playoff hockey.
