Kucherov, Nikita

SM-liiga Finals (Finland):
(2)Pelicans Lahti 1 @ (4)JYP 4
JYP Leads the Series 2-1
Riku Helenius, JYP, Win, 33/34, 1.00 GAA, .971 sv%
Playoff totals: 11 GP, 9-2-0, 0 SO, 1.65 GAA, .946 sv%
Regular season totals: 33 GP, 21-9-1, 7 SO, 1.64 GAA, .936 sv%

Big game Riku! Riku Helenius stopped 33 shots and was named first star for JYP's 4-1 Game Three win over Lahti. Ex-Lightning forward Eric Perrin had a pair of helpers in support of Helenius for JYP. Another former Lightning forward, Radek Smolenak, has yet to hit the scoresheet in the series for Pelicans. Game Four is Saturday.

MHL Finals (Russia Jr.):
Omsk Jr. whipped CSKA Jr. 5-2 in Game One of their Finals series. Nikita Kucherov did not appear for CSKA Jr.

MHL Finals (Russia Jr.):
With Omsk Jr. disposing of Magnitogorsk Jr. on Thursday in their Western Conference Final series, the schedule has been set for the MHL Finals. CSKA Jr. will begin the defense of its title next Thursday. The big question for Lightning prospect followers is whether Nikita Kucherov will be in the lineup for CSKA Jr. after missing the majority of his club's playoff games thus far.

SM-liiga Semifinals (Finland):
(4)JYP 3 @ (6)Jokerit 2 (OT)
JYP Wins the Series 4-1
Riku Helenius, JYP, Win, 28/30, 1.90 GAA, .933 sv%
Playoff totals: 8 GP, 7-1-0, 0 SO, 1.64 GAA, .948 sv%
Regular season totals: 33 GP, 21-9-1, 7 SO, 1.64 GAA, .936 sv%

Ex-Avalanche draft pick Mikko Viitanen scored 3:17 into overtime to lift JYP to a 3-2 series clinching Game Five victory. 17-year old potential first rounder Tuevo Teravainen had an assist in the loss for Jokerit, giving him 1 goal and 3 points in the series. He finished the playoffs with 2 goals and 6 points in 9 games. Riku Helenius and JYP will face Pelicans Lahti in the finals starting next Monday.

MHL Western Conference Finals (Russia Jr.):
CSKA Jr. won Game Five 5-3 on the strength of a 4 goal, 1 assist performance by Nikita Gusev to advance to the MHL finals. CSKA Jr. was again without the services of Nikita Kucherov, but they did get ex-NHLer Nikita Filatov back for the match. CSKA Jr. will defend their MHL title against the eventual winner of the Eastern Conference title. Right now, Omsk Jr. holds a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five series over Magnitogorsk Jr.

MHL Western Conference Finals (Russia Jr.):
Coached by former Lightning dtaft pick Vadim Epanchintsev, Mytischi Jr. staved off elimination in Game Three by defeating CSKA Jr. 5-4. Nikita Kucherov did not play for CSKA Jr. CSKA Jr. still leads the series 2-1. The schedule for Game Four is to be determined.

SM-liiga Semifinals (Finland):
(4)JYP 3 @ (6)Jokerit 2 (OT)
JYP Leads the Series 3-0
Riku Helenius, JYP, Win, 29/31, 1.45 GAA, .935 sv%
Playoff totals: 6 GP, 6-0-0, 0 SO, 1.53 GAA, .951 sv%
Regular season totals: 33 GP, 21-9-1, 7 SO, 1.64 GAA, .936 sv%

Ossi Louhivaara's goal at 2:16 of double overtime lifted JYP to a 3-2 Game Three win over Jokerit. JYP and starter Riku Helenius still have yet to lose a game in these playoffs. JYP goes for the sweep on Monday.

In the other Semifinal series, Espoo won 2-1 in OT to cut Lahti's series lead in half at 2-1.

MHL Western Conference Finals (Russia Jr.)
Dimitri Kugryshev's hat trick led CSKA Jr. to a 5-3 Game Two win over Mytischi Jr. CSKA Jr. leads the series 2-0 with Game Three on Tuesday. Nikita Kucherov did not appear for CSKA Jr.