European Leagues

KHL Playoffs (Russia):

Eastern Conference Finals
(3)Chelyabinsk 3 vs. (1)Kazan 2
Series Tied at 3-3
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk, 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Playoff totals: 12 GP, 0-3-3, -1, 6 PIM
Regular season totals (KHL): 35 GP, 0-1-1, +6, 14 PIM
Regular season totals (MHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Ex-NHLer Jan Bulis scored his 8th goal of the playoffs to lead Traktor Chelyabinsk to a 3-2 Game Six win over Kazan. That sets the stage for a Game Sever, winner-take-all matchup for the right to advance to the Gagarin Cup Finals. Lightning prospect Nikita Nesterov played 9:20 in the match for Traktor. Ex-NHLer Stan Chistov also had a helper for Traktor. Game Seven is Thursday.

The winner will face Western Conference Champion Dynamo Moscow, who advanced to the Finals by virtue of a 5-1 Game Six win over SKA St. Petersburg. In the match, former Lightning draft pick Marek Kvapil recorded a hat trick for Dynamo.

KHL Playoffs (Russia):

Eastern Conference Finals
(1)Kazan 1 vs. (3)Chelyabinsk 2 (OT)
Kazan Leads the Series 3-2
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 2 SOG
Playoff totals: 11 GP, 0-3-3, E, 6 PIM
Regular season totals (KHL): 35 GP, 0-1-1, +6, 14 PIM
Regular season totals (MHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Potential top-10 pick Valery Nichushkin assisted on Petri Kontiola's goal late in Overtime to lift Chelyabinsk to a 2-1 Game Five victory over Kazan. Traktor staves off elimination for the time being. Nikita Nesterov played 14:39 in the match. Ex-NHLer Jan Bulis continued his strong series by scoring Traktor's other goal.

Following Ufa's elimination from the KHL playoffs, goaltender Andrey Vasilevskiy was returned to Ufa Jr. to appear for the team's junior club in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against Omsk Jr.

The series began on Monday, 3-25-13, with Ufa Jr. dropping a 2-1 decision in a shootout. Vasilevskiy stopped 32 of 33 shots he faced in regulation and overtime but was beaten by both shooters he faced in the penalty shot session for the shootout loss.

Game Two was Tuesday, 3-26-13, and saw Omsk Jr. smoke Ufa Jr. 5-2. Vasilevskiy stopped just 22 of 27 shots in the loss.

Game Three was today, 3-29-13, and unfortunately saw Ufa Jr. eliminated by virtue of a 3-1 Omsk Jr. victory. Vasilevskiy stopped 24 of 27 in the series clinching loss.

Vasilevskiy finished the MHL playoffs with a 0-2-1 mark, 0 shutouts, a 2.85 GAA, and a .897 save percentage. All speculation now turns to the possibility of the talented first rounder signing a contract with the Lightning and possibly beginning his North American pro career next season with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.

KHL Playoffs (Russia):

Eastern Conference Finals
(3)Chelyabinsk 5 vs. (1)Kazan 6 (OT)
Kazan Leads the Series 3-1
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk, 0-1-1, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Playoff totals: 10 GP, 0-3-3, E, 6 PIM
Regular season totals (KHL): 35 GP, 0-1-1, +6, 14 PIM
Regular season totals (MHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Ex-NHLer Alexei Morozov had a pair of goals for Kazan in their Game Four overtime victory over Traktor Chelyabinsk to stake his club to a commanding 3-1 series lead. Traktor defenseman Nikita Nesterov was again pressed into duty as a forward, going 27% on 11 draws in 14:29 of ice time. He also managed a primary assist on the game opening goal by potential top-10 pick Valery Nichushkin. Ex-NHLer Jan Bulis had a valiant 2 goal effort in defeat for Traktor, as well. Game Five is Sunday.

In the West, Dynamo Moscow currently holds a 3-1 series lead over top seed SKA St. Petersburg.

KHL Playoffs (Russia):

Eastern Conference Finals
(3)Chelyabinsk 1 vs. (1)Kazan 0 (OT)
Kazan Leads the Series 2-1
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 2 SOG
Playoff totals: 9 GP, 0-2-2, E, 6 PIM
Regular season totals (KHL): 35 GP, 0-1-1, +6, 14 PIM
Regular season totals (MHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Nikita Nesterov actually got quite a bit of time as a center, going 5/15 on draws in 16:22 of ice time, in Chelyabinsk's thrilling 1-0 Double Overtime Game Three win over Kazan. Netminder Michael Garnett stopped all 39 shots he faced for the shutout. Game Four is Thursday.