European Leagues

Denis Kazionov was scoreless with 2 shots on goal in 14:17 as Ekaterinburg fell to Cherepovets 4-1.

Tomorrow will be a heavy slate for the Lightning's Russian prospects. Vasily Koshechkin and Togliatti take on Yaroslavl. Dimitri Kazionov and Kazan face KHK MVD. Johan Harju and Dynamo Moscow will face Astana. And, finally, Karri Ramo and Omsk will face Dynamo Riga.

Josef Stumpel scored a goal with just nine seconds remaining in overtime to spoil Karri Ramo's Russian debut as Omsk fell to Astana 1-0. Ramo stopped 17 of 18 shots in the match.

Vasily Koshechkin stopped 33 of 36 shots as Togliatti defeated KHK MVD.

Dimitry Kazionov was -2 in 12:20 of ice time as Kazan fell to Spartak Moscow 4-1.

In other news, prospect Denis Kazionov has moved from Khabarovsk to Ekaterinburg. He was -1 in his debut with the club yesterday in the team's 3-1 loss to Magnitogorsk. He played 12:14 in the match. The younger Kazionov and Ekaterinburg will face off with Cherepovets tomorrow.

Johan Harju was scoreless in 15:55 of ice time as Dynamo Moscow fell to CSKA 3-2 in overtime in Harju's Russian debut. Harju, who was versatile in his time in the Swedish Elitserien, played center today and was 53% on draws.

Linus Omark was also scoreless in the match for Dynamo. Among Harju's other Dynamo teammates are former Lightning properties Dimitry Afanasenkov and Vadim Epanchintsev. Afanasenkov had a goal in the match.

Tomorrow will feature Karri Ramo's Russian debut for Omsk as well as matches for overage prospects Dimitry Kazionov and Vasily Koshechkin.

Dimitry Kazionov was scoreless in 11:30 of ice time as Kazan defeated Yaroslavl 3-2 in overtime in the opening match of the KHL season.

Tomorrow, Johan Harju will make his KHL debut as Dynamo Moscow squares off with CSKA.

Reports have surface on the Czech site iDNES.cz that Nizhnekamsk of the KHL has cut Bolt prospect forward Radek Smolenak from its pre-season roster. Smolenak had signed a contract with Nizhnekamsk at the end of May 2009 after his entry level deal with the Lightning expired. Smolenak's defection back to Europe came as a surprise after a somewhat successful six-game debut with Tampa during the 2008-09 season. The 22 year old left winger posted a career year bagging 24 goals and 25 assists along with 165 penalty minutes in 71 games for the AHL Norfolk Admirals after being selected in the 3rd round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Lightning. Heading into the 2009 summer, it appeared that Smolenak was poised to push for a Lightning roster spot in the 2009-10 training camp, but his decision to forego resigning with Tampa as a restricted free agent signaled that he wasn't interested in the possibility of returning to Norfolk.

"It all happened quickly. I joined the preparatory matches and trained, but the mood overall was very good. In the four games we'd succumbed, then head of the club announced that Neftekhimik issue a bit differently," Smolenak said in a loosely translated quote from the Czech web site. Smolenak further indicated he had no immediate plans as to the next stop for his hockey career, but the Bolts continue to hold his NHL rights after issuing the gritty winger a qualifying offer in June. With the trade of the speedy and physical Evgeny Artyukhin to Anaheim earlier this month, the Lightning may very well still be interested in getting Smolenak back to North America for the 2009-10 season.