Beck’s record and Sprong’s hat-trick. Week 22 top imports
With some of the top imports busy at the Olympic Games, other players stepped up and had great performances, including scoring leader Sam Anas, and record-setter Taylor Beck. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Canada
F, Sibir, 2 G, 8 (2+6) points, +4
For the third time in his career, Taylor Beck was named Best Forward after delivering a dominant week with Sibir. He totaled eight points (2+6) in two games and finished at plus-4, highlighted by an incredible performance in his team’s record-breaking Monday’s 10:1 rout of HC Sochi. The game was the largest-ever win for the Novosibirsk franchise, and Taylor Beck established a KHL record for the most single-game points, with seven, as he netted a double and added five assists. As the KHL playoff approaches, Beck’s points and all-around game will be even more important for Sibir, currently in eighth spot in the Eastern Conference’s standings.
US
F, Dinamo Minsk, 3 G, 5 (4+1) points, +2
The KHL scoring leader had another striking week, scoring goals in all three games, producing a total of four tallies and five points. He started with a double in Dinamo Minsk’s 7:4 home win over Severstal on Tuesday, in a bit more than fifteen minutes of time on ice. He then had another two-point performance two days later, with the Bison celebrating a win over Lokomotiv, as Anas contributed a goal and an assist. On Sunday, Dinamo Minsk lost to Spartak (3:4) in a thriller, but Anas was on the scoresheet again as he netted his 27th goal in the season. Currently the Maryland native is trailing only Metallurg’s Roman Kantserov in the league’s goal scoring race. With the playoff getting closer and closer, Anas’ production will be critical for the Belarusians.
Netherlands
F, Avtomobilist, 3 G, 3 (3+0) points, +1
The Dutch is having a very strong debut season in the league, and the move from CSKA to Avtomobilist was good for Sprong. Last week, Avtomobilist’s best game was an impressive 8:1 win over Metallurg on Sunday. Sprong, 28, netted his second KHL hat-trick, his first while representing the Motormen, with the first treble on Sept. 16 as CSKA lost to Spartak in extra time (5:6 SO). Sprong was held scoreless in Avtomobilist’s losses to Dynamo Moscow (1:2) and Metallurg (1:4). Sprong has now an impressive nine goals in twelve matches with the Motormen, and with the elimination stage getting closer and closer, his form will definitely help Avtomobilist in seeking its goals.
