Kucherov, Nikita

MHL (Russia Jr.):
CSKA Jr. 5 @ Spartak Jr. 3
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 2-0-2, +2, 0 PIM, 6 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 14 GP, 13-15-28, +8, 28 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov had an even strength and power play goal in CSKA Jr.'s 5-3 win over Spartak Jr. CSKA Jr. draws Mytischi Jr. on Saturday, but Kucherov may have travel plans.

Chelyabinsk Jr. 5 @ Khanty-Mansiysk 2
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk Jr., DNP
Season totals: 22 GP, 6-8-14, +10, 18 PIM

Nikita Nesterov did not play in Chelyabinsk Jr.'s 5-2 win over Khanty-Mansiysk Jr. He is scheduled to play in all of Russia's matches in the 2011 Subway Super Series against the CHL All-Stars. The first match of that series will be on Monday in Victoriaville against the QMJHL's All-Stars. Nikita Kucherov will also participate in all of the series' matches for Russia.

Elitserien (Sweden):
Lulea 2 @ Linkopings 1
Johan Harju, Lulea, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 19 GP, 7-3-10, +2, 8 PIM

Johan Harju was scoreless in Lulea's 2-1 win over Linkopings. Linkopings got a goal from former Lightning forward Jan Hlavac and 29 saves from former Lightning pick Fredrik Norrena in the loss. Lulea plays AIK on Saturday.

KHL (Russia)
Poprad 5 @ Cherepovets 0
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Loss, 18/22, 8.17 GAA, .818 sv%
Season totals: 15 GP, 7-6-0, 1 SO, 2.84 GAA, .914 sv%

That's back-to-back dismal performances for Vasily Koshechkin, as Cherepovets was fed their hats by Slovakian club Poprad today, 5-0. Despite Poprad's offensive onslaught, ex-Bolt Prospect Vladimir Mihalik was scoreless in the match. He did manage a couple of minors for high sticking and delay of game, though. Cherepovets will try to right the ship against Dynamo Minsk on Friday.

MHL (Russia Jr.):
Spartak Jr. 0 @ CSKA Jr. 2
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 0-2-2, +2, 12 PIM, 5 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 13 GP, 11-15-26, +6, 20 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov had secondary helpers on both goals by Nikita Gusev in CSKA Jr.'s 2-0 win over Spartak Jr. He also got a 2+10 for a hit to the head late in the third period. CSKA Jr. rematches Spartak Jr. on Thursday, with or without their talented offensive dynamo.

SM-liiga (Finland):
JYP 4 @ Ilves 0
Riku Helenius, JYP, Win, SO, 15/15, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 sv%
Season totals: 9 GP, 5-4-0, 4 SO, 1.46 GAA, .937 sv%

No way. Riku Helenius posted his third straight shutout in JYP's 4-0 thumping of Ilves Tampere. I could not make this up if I tried. Helenius earned second star honors for his effort. Ex-Lightning forward Eric Perrin was the game's first star with 2 helpers in the game. Helenius and JYP get the Lahti Pelicans, Karri Ramo's first club, on Friday.

MHL (Russia Jr.):
Chelyabinsk Jr. 3 @ Tyumen 1
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk Jr., 0-1-1, E, 0 PIM, 2 SOG
Season totals: 22 GP, 6-8-14, +10, 18 PIM

Nikita Nesterov on a third period power play goal that was an insurance marker in Chelyabinsk Jr.'s 3-1 win over Tyumen. The Baby Polar Bears draw Khanty-Mansiysk Jr. on Thursday.

Nikita Kucherov's CSKA Jr. will face Spartak Jr. on Wednesday.

Elitserien (Sweden):
Lulea 1 @ Farjestads 2
Johan Harju, Lulea, 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 18 GP, 7-3-10, +2, 8 PIM

Johan Harju's mini scoring streak came to an end in Lulea's 2-1 loss to Farjestads. Ex-Devils draft pick Christian Berglund scored the third period winner for Farjestads. Lulea draws Linkopings on Thursday.

SM-liiga (Finland):
JYP 2 @ TPS 0
Riku Helenius, JYP, Win, SO, 20/20, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 sv%
Season totals: 7 GP, 3-4-0, 2 SO, 1.89 GAA, .916 sv%

In a battle of former first round draft picks, Riku Helenius bested TPS's Marek Schwarz with a 20 save shutout in JYP's 2-0 win. Helenius retakes the Lightning prospect lead in shutouts with 2, and has a very nice GAA of 1.89, now. JYP faces Assat on Saturday.

MHL (Russia Jr.)
CSKA Jr. 5 @ Khabarovsk Jr. 2
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 0-3-3, +3, 0 PIM, 7 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 12 GP, 11-13-24, +4, 8 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

I know one team that's not sending Nikita Kucherov a Christmas card this December. Kucherov assisted on all 3 goals of Nikita Gusev's first period natural hat trick to help lead CSKA Jr. to a 5-2 thumping of Khabarovsk Jr. In the 2 game set with Khabarovsk Jr., Kucherov compiled 1-4-5 and a +5 rating with 10 shots on goal.

MHL (Russia Jr.):
CSKA Jr. 3 @ Khabarovsk Jr. 2 (SO)
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 1-1-2, +2, 0 PIM, 3 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 11 GP, 11-10-21, +1, 8 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov figured in both goals in CSKA Jr. coming back from a 2-0 deficit to clip Khabarovsk Jr. 3-2 in the shootout. Kucherov did not need to take his turn in the penalty shot session, as CSKA Jr. won it 2-0. These two teams rematch on Friday.

Khanty-Mansiysk Jr. 4 @ Chelyabinsk Jr. 1
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk Jr. 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Season totals: 20 GP, 5-6-11, +10, 16 PIM

Nikita Nesterov was held off the board in Chelyabinsk Jr.'s 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Khanty-Mansiysk. Chelyabinsk Jr. draws Tyumen on Monday.

Elitserien (Sweden):
Lulea 2 @ Vaxjo 3
Johan Harju, Lulea, 1-0-1, -2, 0 PIM, 4 SOG
Season totals: 16 GP, 6-3-9, +2, 8 PIM

Johan Harju had a third period power play goal in Lulea's 3-2 loss to Vaxjo, moving back into the scoring lead for his team. Ex-NHLer Tomi Kallio had a pair of helpers in the win for Vaxjo. Lulea plays Skelleftea on Saturday. They've slipped to 7th on the Elitserien table.