There will be no NHL All-Star festivities this year, another casualty of the lockout. That means no Ovi wearing a hat with a Canadian flag, no Ovi swimming on the ice, and no players just trying not to get injured. Across the pond in the KHL, however, things are going on as planned. Actually, better than planned with the addition of some Russian NHL stars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk.
For Evgeny Kuznetsov, the game is also somewhat of a dream come true — it’s being held in his native Cheylabinsk. And on Saturday, the 20-year-old Washington Capitals prospect played a big role in the KHL Skills Competition.
Video is below the jump.
Kuznetsov gets a huge ovation and skates at 6:30.
Kuznetsov, a three-time KHL All-Star, won the fastest skater event after posting a 13.82 second lap around the ice. It was the fastest time ever recorded in the event and was a .05 improvement over his lap last year. Kuzya has now won two events all-time in the three skills competitions he’s participated in. In 2011, he also won the KHL’s Breakaway Challenge.
Before the night was over, Kuznetsov took the ice one more time. This time to show off his super powers.
After doing some dumbbell curls at the bench, Kuznetsov skates out to center ice to try a penalty shot. As he winds up and shoots, the puck explodes.
Oi. I take back every nice thing I have ever said about the KHL.
GIF by welshhockeyfan
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