RSL Finals Game 4 Recap

Yaroslavl Lokomotiv entered Wednesday’s Game 4 of the Russian Super League Finals needing a win to remain alive in the series. And stay alive they did, in dramatic fashion. Propelled by a Zbynek Irgl goal with only three minutes remaining in the third period, Lokomotiv defeated Ufa Salavat by a score of 1-0 to even the Finals at two games a piece and send the series back to Ufa on Friday, April 11, for the decisive fifth game.

The squads played a scoreless first two periods, with goaltenders Semen Varlamov and Alexander Eremenko refusing to allow the first goal. But finally, at the seventeen minute mark of the third period, Irgl potted his series leading third goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy while keeping Ufa’s champagne on ice.

RSL Finals Game 3 Recap

Their engine stalled, their offense sputtering, Lokomotiv can only hope that come Wednesday they are not relegated to the train yard for the summer. For after Ufa Salavat’s convincing 4-1 victory on Monday in Game 3 of the Russian Super League Finals, the regular season champion Salavat now own a commanding 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five Finals, with the potential clincher on Wednesday in Yaroslavl. Having outscored Lokomotiv 7-1 over the past two games, Ufa appears poised to hoist the Championship trophy on enemy ice.

After a decisive 3-0 triumph in Game 2 of the series, Ufa got on the board a mere three minutes into the match when Andrei Sidyakin notched his first of the Finals and second of the postseason past the suddenly penetrable Semen Varlamov. Salavat’s lead was fleeting, as Zbynek Irgl snapped Lokomotiv’s almost 99 minute dry spell with his second tally of the series at the seventeen minute mark of the first period.

That would be all the elation for the home throng, however, as the rest of the game belonged to the surging Salavat. Ufa overwhelmed its host in the second period, riding two goals within four minutes by defensemen Vitaly Proshkin and Andrei Kutejkin to a 3-1 bulge. For the 22 year-old Kutejkin, his marker constituted a much-needed offensive contribution for Salavat, since he was Ufa’s leading goal scorer among defensemen in the 2007-2008 campaign. Unable to muster any offense in the third period against Ufa goalie Alexander Eremenko, Loko saw any comeback aspirations dissipate when Salavat’s star forward, Alexander Perezhogin, deposited his second goal of the playoffs with approximately two minutes to go in the tilt to give the visitors an insurmountable 4-1 advantage.

With only one goal in the past seven periods, Lokomotiv must find a way, any way, to revive its offensive attack. Otherwise, they will be watching Ufa coast around their home ice as champions, having emphatically put the brakes on Lokomotiv’s season.

RSL Finals Game 2 Recap

Ufa Salavat must have been wondering if they would ever score a goal against Lokomotiv. However, seven minutes into the third period of Game 2 of the Russian League Finals, Konstantin Koltsov ended Ufa’s almost five and half period scoreless drought when he finally beat Yaroslavl goaltender Semen Varlamov, propelling Ufa to a 2-0 victory in Game 2 to square the Finals at one game a piece. Buoyed by Koltsov’s third tally of the tournament, Igor Volkov padded Ufa’s lead with his playoff leading ninth goal with only 2 minutes remaining in the final stanza.

Heading to Yaroslavl for Games 3 and 4 of the Finals (April 7 and 9), it is now the once-steaming Lokomotiv who have been blanked for over four periods, having not lit the lamp behind Ufa netminder Alexander Eremenko since approximately the eighteen minute mark of the second period of the Game 1. Nevertheless, Lokomotiv accomplished their goal of a split in Ufa, affording them the opportunity to capture the RSL title before their own crowd . . if they can score.

RSL Finals Game 1 Recap

The last stop on this Lokomotiv appears to be a championship. Following their familiar playoff formula of stingy goaltending and timely scoring, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv continued to roll by defeating Ufa Yulayev 3-0 on Thursday to take a 1-0 series lead in the Russian Super League Finals. In doing so, Yaroslavl improved to 7-1 in its past eight playoff matches. The shutout also marked Lokomotiv's third blanking in its past six playoff games, with all being authored by sophomore goalie Semen Varlamov.

Ufa began the game as passengers, allowing Lokomotiv to take a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the first period on a Zbynek Irgl tally. Playing on a line with Alexei Yashin, Irgl has by all accounts established himself as a dynamic offensive force as the playoffs have progressed.

Again catching Ufa weary out of the gate, Ivan Nepriayev scored just one minute into the second stanza to increase Yaroslavl’s lead to 2-0. The goal was Nepriayev’s third of the postseason and first in four games. Veteran centerman Alexei Kudashov, who in 1993-1994 scored his one and only NHL goal as a Maple Leaf, added an insurance marker with two minutes remaining in the second period to salt it. Neither team tallied in the third period.

Game 2 of the best of five finals is Saturday, April 5. While Yaroslavl’s series lead is certainly not insurmountable, Ufa’s mission for Saturday is clear: derail this Lokomotiv before its too late.

RSL Playoffs Recap: Morozov named League MVP

Building upon a 2007-2008 regular season in which he was named the Russian Super League’s best player, Alexei Morozov led Ak Bars Kazan to within two victories of the RSL Finals, only to see his team ousted by the RSL’s regular season champion, Salavat Yulayev Ufa, three games to one in the playoff semi-finals. The series saw the teams split the first two games, with Ufa triumphing 3-0 in Game 1 and Ak Bars rebounding for a 2-1 victory in Game 2. Ufa took Game 3 4-3, setting the stage for a dramatic elimination game. The teams were tied at 2-2 going into the third period, and Ufa scored an early third period goal to take a 3-2 lead. With the clock ticking on Ak Bars’ season, Alexei Medvedev tallied with just four minutes remaining to tie the score at 3-3. Ak Bars’ jubilation was ephemeral, however, as Ufa’s Alexei Tereshenko scored his first goal of the series and fourth of the tournament just one minute into overtime to end Ak Bars’ season.

Despite the disheartening ouster, Morozov continued his torrid play in the post-season, registering 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in only 10 games played. He tied for the team lead in playoff scoring, only equaled by his explosive linemate Sergei Zinovjev, who posted identical post-season statistics. Since 2005-2006, Morozov has compiled remarkable playoff numbers, and as the team’s captain, has clearly elevated his game when the stakes are at their highest. In 36 playoff games, Morozov has amassed a whopping 54 points (19 goals, 35 assists), good for an average of 1.5 points per game. With its 3-1 series victory, Salavat Yulayev will face-off against 5th place Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the RSL Finals, which commences on April 3. Lokomotiv is fresh off a 3-0 sweep of Magnitogorsk Metallurg in their semi-finals matchup. While Ufa, losers of only 15 games in 57 regular season matches, is the favorite, they will have to be at their offensive best to beat Lokomotiv’s young netminder Semen Varlamov. Varlamov, a 2006 first round pick of the Washington Capitals, is widely considered one of the top goaltending prospects in the world and has had a stellar playoffs so far. Both finalists boast dynamic offensive talents, which should make for an entertaining series.

Ufa’s attack is led by the speedy Alexander Perezhogin, a former first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, while Lokomotiv’s offense is paced by Alexei Yashin, who has registered 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) in 10 playoff games. Certain players raised their level of performance to help their teams advance to the Finals. In particular, Lokomotiv’s sweep was aided by the breakout of 19 year-old Alexander Vasyunov. Vasyunov, who had no points in 7 games coming into Lokomotiv’s series against Metallurg, recorded the game-winning goal in each of the first two tilts of the series, with his second coming with only 6 minutes to play in the third period of Game 2. Similarly, with Ufa tied at one game a piece with Ak Bars, Ufa defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky potted his first two goals of the playoffs in Ufa’s Game 3, 4-3 victory. Will Tverdovsky’s Stanley Cup playoff experience help Lokomotiv bring the championship home to Yaroslavl, or will Lokomotiv’s magical post-season run fall short against mighty Ufa? We will begin to find out today.

G Johan Hedberg wins the Player's Player award for the second consecutive year

Atlanta Thrashers Goalie Johan Hedberg was honored before last night's game against Florida with the Players' Player award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies being a team player. Hedberg has won the award both seasons he has been in Atlanta. Being well-liked and respected by his teammates is nothing new for the "Moose," who made a similar impact in Pittsurgh, where he played from 2000-2003. A teammate of his in Pittsburgh once said about Hedberg, “The town was going nuts for him. It was his show. He was competing with Mario (Lemieux) and (Alex) Kovalev and (Jaromir) Jagr and for a guy named Hedberg to stick out of those names is something special.” Hedberg always finds a way to fit in with his teammates, not matter where he goes. Moose has also connected with fans as he is regularly is a fan-favorite such that "Mooose" calls are loudly heard whenever he makes a save.

In addition to being a "team" guy, Hedberg is known for tremendous work ethic; he is continually the first player on and off the ice. Whether he is playing regularly or not, his work ethic never suffers and yet, when called upon, as he was in the 2006-07 Playoffs against the NY Rangers, he tends to come up huge for his team. After Atlanta lost Game 1 to New York, Hedberg stepped in and made a playoff career-high 37 saves in 2-1 loss to the NY Rangers. Moose is the type of player that teams want to be build around as he sets an example for the young players and even the veterans. 18-year veteran Mark Recchi chimed in on Hedberg's leadership qualities following last night's game: "Moose - No. 1 he's the most hard-working goalie I've ever played with. He's the ultimate team guy on your team. If you had 20 guys like him, you wouldn't have any problems. I'll tell you that. He's the type of guy you need in your dressing room to grow your team and get better. You can never get enough leaders like that." Earlier this season, Thrashers rookie standout Tobias Enstrom was living in Hedberg's apartment, further evidence that Moose is always willing to lend a helping hand, something that statistics do not always tell the story of.

Hedberg, Kovalchuk receive honors

Published on: 04/02/08

Craig Custance

• HEDBERG HONORED: For the second consecutive year, Thrashers goalie Johan Hedberg won the Players' Player award, given to the athlete who best exemplifies team play. The award is voted on by the players.

Hedberg is second player in franchise history to win the award in consecutive seasons. Jeff Odgers won it from 2001-03.

Always the first one out for practice and willing to spend extra time on the ice with anyone, Hedberg is often mentioned as the hardest working and most well-liked player on the team.

Kovalchuk nets No. 50, could be considered for MVP

Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 50th goal of the season last night vs. Philadelphia, marking the second time in his career he has reached that feat. This added to a resume that already includes two 40-goal seasons. One would think that Kovalchuk's name would have to be taken into consideration, along with Washington's Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, when discussing the league's MVP. Though it appears unlikely that Atlanta will make the playoffs, Kovalchuk has remained consistent, having been among the NHL's top 2 goal scorers for the entire season. Kovalchuk also owns the distinction as having scored the most goals since entering the league in 2001. "Kovy" has accounted for over 25 percent of Atlanta's goals this season; Atlanta's offense currently ranks 12th in the NHL.

Kovalchuk's 50th goal can't save Thrashers

Kovy denied tying goal with only second remaining

By CRAIG CUSTANCE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/19/08

Philadelphia — Remarkably, Ilya Kovalchuk was wide open between the circles a few feet in front of Philadelphia goalie Antero Niittymaki.

Down one goal, as the final seconds of the third period ticked away, Slava Kozlov shot a pass in Kovalchuk's direction. Kovalchuk ripped a one-timer with 2.7 seconds remaining, and the players and coaches on the Thrashers' bench jumped up in anticipation of a game-tying goal. But Kovalchuk was stoned. Niittymaki made the save, and as the final buzzer sounded on the Flyers' 3-2 victory over the Thrashers, Kovalchuk collapsed to the ice, laying on his back, staring at the Wachovia Center rafters.