Fiore’s hat-trick and Sprong’s consistency. Week 26 top imports
It has been mostly a quiet week for the league’s international players, but some stood out anyways, with Fiore netting his second KHL hat-trick and Anas continuing his strong pace. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Canada
F, Avangard, 3 G, 5 (4+1) points, +6
Last week, Avangard forward Giovanni Fiore played a key role for the Hawks. On Wednesday, he recorded his second KHL hat trick and added an assist in a dominant 4:1 win over Torpedo, contributing to all four goals as Avangard snapped a two-game losing streak. He followed that performance with another goal in a 6:1 victory over the Shanghai Dragons, finishing the week with five points and a plus-6 differential. Avangard now sits second in the Eastern Conference and heads into the playoffs with momentum, also thanks to the Canadian’s form.
US
F, Dinamo Minsk, 3 G, 6 (1+5) points, +3
Dinamo Minsk forward Sam Anas was a driving force for his team despite mixed results this week. The American forward collected six points over three games, starting with a goal and an assist in a high-scoring 4:6 loss to Dynamo Moscow. He followed that up with an impressive three-assist performance against SKA, showcasing his playmaking ability even in defeat and firing seven shots on goal. Anas capped off the week with another assist in a SO win over Gagarin Cup champion Lokomotiv, finishing with six points and consistently logging heavy minutes while remaining a key offensive contributor for Dinamo as the elimination stage approaches.
Netherlands
F, Avtomobilist, 2 G, 3 (2+1) points, +1
Last week, Avtomobilist forward Daniel Sprong delivered a standout performance despite mixed team results. The Dutch winger was instrumental in a critical 4:1 home win over Lokomotiv, recording two goals and an assist for a three-point night while also firing four shots on goal. He then logged over 21 minutes of ice time in a 0:3 loss to CSKA Moscow, remaining one of his team’s most involved forwards. Sprong finished the week with three points and continued to be a key offensive presence for Avtomobilist as the playoffs start as early as next week.
