2 more points for Kravtsov in KHL playoffs
By Steve Paulus
Top New York Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov is turning it on in the playoffs following a very solid full season in the KHL. He has led off the scoring in both games between number four seed Salavat Yulaev and number five seed Traktor.
Kravtsov scored a goal and added an assist in a losing cause as Traktor dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime. The first round pick now has two goals and an assist in two games in the first round of the KHL playoffs.
Salavat Yulaev beat Traktor at home to even their series at one game apiece. The winning goal was scored by Teemu Hartikainen 13:30 into overtime. The game was played in front of 7,153 fans in the Ufa-Arena in Ufa.
Kravtsov opened the scoring for Traktor at 11:52 of the first period on the power play.
The Rangers prospect was in front of the net for a redirect of the point shot from Tomas Hyka.
Traktor relinquished the lead, falling behind 2-1 halfway through the second period. It remained a one goal game until Nick Bailen scored with just 3:10 minutes left on assists from Kravtsov and Hyka.
Kravtsov was again in front of the net for a redirect of the Hyka shot. Goalie Juha Metsola stopped Kravtsov’s shot but the rebound went right to Bailen who put the puck into the open net.
Kravtsov played 27 shift for 24:19 minutes of ice time, second most among Traktor forwards. He led all players with six shots on goal.
Game Three of the series shifts to the Traktor Arena in Chelyabinsk on Sunday.
Rangers defense prospect Yegor Rykov’s CSKA squad won the second game of their series against Spartak, 5-1 in front of 5,188 spectators at CSKA Arena in Moscow. Rykov played only 7:39 minutes and 13 shifts.
The series resumes Sunday in CSKA’s home area though the Moscow based Spartak is designated as the home team.