Limoges’ production and Da Costa’s longevity. Week 14 top imports
Alex Limoges and Dinamo Minsk keep on delivering, Stephane Da Costa never gets old. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
US
F, Dinamo Minsk
3 G, 6 (1+5) points, +3
The American forward is having an excellent debut season in the KHL, and last week was no exception. On Sunday, Limoges had an outstanding four-assist performance, with a plus-3 differential, that helped Dinamo Minsk thumping Lada 7:2 on home ice and return to win following two straight extra time defeats. On Tuesday, the forward had a goal and an assist in the Bison’s losing effort against Gagarin Cup holder Lokomotiv (2:3 SO). The Belarusian franchise is one of the Western Conference’s leaders, and Limoges’ strong play is a big part of this season’s success for Dmitry Kvartalnov’s men.
Canada
D, Dinamo Minsk
3 G, 3 (1+2) points, +4
Another Dinamo Minsk’s player with a strong week was Rob Hamilton. A veteran of four KHL seasons, Hamilton was instrumental in the Bison’s win over Lada, with one goal, one assist, and a plus-3 differential in sixteen minutes of time on ice. The Calgary, Alberta, native also dished out an assist in Dinamo Minsk’s losing effort against Lokomotiv (2:3 SO) on Thursday. The Belarusians have a good chance to climb up to the top of the West’s table, but they will need Rob Hamilton’s strong play at both ends of the ice.
France
F, Avtomobilist
2 G, 3 (1+2) points, +1
Years go by, and Da Costa may be past his prime, yet he’s still a point-per-game player. The Frenchman had another striking performance on Sunday, when Avtomobilist defeated Admiral with a 3:2 score. In twenty-two minutes of action, Da Costa participated in all the Motormen’s goals, tallying a goal and adding two helpers, including assisting Reid Boucher’s game-winner in the middle frame, with the man advantage. Da Costa’s strong game helped Avtomobilist cementing its spot in the top four in the Eastern Conference’s table, and with the Frenchman and Boucher in top scoring shape, the Motormen might aim even higher.
Germany
F, Avtomobilist
2 G, 2 (1+1) points, +1
Another veteran producing strong numbers for the Motormen, Brooks Macek had his KHL career only with Avtomobilist and is at his seventh season in Yekaterinburg. Last week, the German international scored points in both games for Avtomobilist, netting his tenth goal of the season in Sunday’s win over Admiral (3:2) and adding an assist as the Motormen defeated Dinamo Minsk in a hot game on home ice (3:2 SO). Macek, who will turn 34 next spring, ranks among the league’s top ten scorers in total points accumulated since his debut season in 2019–2020. And the Motormen will keep on needing his production to stay in the East’s top four.
