SM-liiga (Finland):
Pelicans 2 @ JYP 4
Riku Helenius [7], JYP, Win, 28/30, 2.00 GAA, .933 sv%
Season totals: 19 GP, 13-6-0, 6 SO, 1.47 GAA, .937 sv%
In a rare back-to-back start situation, Riku Helenius stopped 28 to help lead JYP to a 4-2 win over Pelicans Lahti. Does this signal that Helenius has moved out of his tandem situation with co-number one Joni Myllykoski? Ex-Lightning forward Eric Perrin [8] had a helper in the victory. JYP faces HIFK next on Friday.
MHL (Russia Jr.):
CSKA Jr. 0 @ Astana Jr. 3
Nikita Kucherov [9], CSKA Jr., 0-0-0, E, 4 PIM, 3 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 15 GP, 13-15-28, +8, 24 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM
Nikita Kucherov took a pair of minors for slashing in CSKA Jr.'s 3-0 loss to Astana Jr. It was the first game back in the lineup for Kucherov and his teammate Nikita Gusev [10] after the U20 WJC's. CSKA Jr. faces Chekhov Jr. next on Thursday.
Nikita Nesterov [11] was not in the lineup today for Chelyabinsk Jr. in their 5-0 loss to Magnitogorsk Jr. Nesterov is likely to return to Chelyabinsk's KHL team when he returns to action following his U20 WJC stint.