Kucherov, Nikita

QMJHL All-Stars 4 @ Russia 5 (SO)
Nikita Kucherov, Russia, 1-1-2, +3, 0 PIM, 5 SOG
Tournament total: 2 GP, 1-1-2, +3, 0 PIM

Nikita Nesterov, Russia, 0-0-0, +3, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 1 GP, 0-0-0, +3, 0 PIM

Wow. In a series often dominated by the CHL's all-star teams because the Russians send their second and third string juniors, Russia has had a stunning start. Tonight, they defeated the QMJHL All-Stars 5-4 in the shootout to sweep the opening leg of the Subway Superseries. Up next: the OHL All-Stars tomorrow night. Lightning prospect Nikita Kucherov (pictured) helped lead the way with the game opening goal and a helper on a late goal that fell 15 seconds short of being the winner. He also converted on his lone shootout attempt. For his part, defenseman Nikita Nesterov was also a solid +3 in the match.

Russia 2 @ QMJHL 0
Nikita Kucherov, Russia, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 3 SOG
Tournament toals: 1 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Nikita Nesterov, Russia, DNP
Tournament totals: 0 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Sergey Kostenko had a 42 save shutout to lead badly outshot Russia over the QMJHL All-Stars 2-0. Lightning prospect Nikita Kucherov was second on Russia with 3 shots on goal. Russia mustered just 12 attempts on net on losing goaltender Maxime Lagace.

Game 2 is on Wednesday, when Nikita Nesterov may make his first appearance.

SM-liiga (Finland):
JYP 5 @ HIFK 1
Riku Helenius, JYP, DNP
Season totals: 10 GP, 6-4-0, 4 SO, 1.51 GAA, .933 sv%

Riku Helenius sat backup on the second half of the back-to-back as JYP defeated HIFK 5-1. Ex-Lightning forward Eric Perrin had a helper in the win. JYP's next match is a week from Tuesday against TPS as Europe heads into the Karjala Cup break.

Elitserien (Sweden):
AIK 0 @ Lulea 2
Johan Harju, Lulea, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 3 SOG
Season totals: 20 GP, 7-3-10, +2, 8 PIM

Johan Harju was scoreless in Lulea's 2-0 shutout win over AIK. AIK goaltender Viktor Fasth, rumored as a Lightning target in the offseason, stopped 35/37 in the loss. Lulea is off until a week from Thursday for the Karjala Cup, when they'll play Timra.

As expected, Nikita Kucherov did not appear for CSKA Jr. today in their 4-1 loss to Mytischi Jr., as he is headed to North America to participate in the annual Subway Superseries.

MHL (Russia Jr.):
CSKA Jr. 5 @ Spartak Jr. 3
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 2-0-2, +2, 0 PIM, 6 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 14 GP, 13-15-28, +8, 28 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov had an even strength and power play goal in CSKA Jr.'s 5-3 win over Spartak Jr. CSKA Jr. draws Mytischi Jr. on Saturday, but Kucherov may have travel plans.

Chelyabinsk Jr. 5 @ Khanty-Mansiysk 2
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk Jr., DNP
Season totals: 22 GP, 6-8-14, +10, 18 PIM

Nikita Nesterov did not play in Chelyabinsk Jr.'s 5-2 win over Khanty-Mansiysk Jr. He is scheduled to play in all of Russia's matches in the 2011 Subway Super Series against the CHL All-Stars. The first match of that series will be on Monday in Victoriaville against the QMJHL's All-Stars. Nikita Kucherov will also participate in all of the series' matches for Russia.

Elitserien (Sweden):
Lulea 2 @ Linkopings 1
Johan Harju, Lulea, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 19 GP, 7-3-10, +2, 8 PIM

Johan Harju was scoreless in Lulea's 2-1 win over Linkopings. Linkopings got a goal from former Lightning forward Jan Hlavac and 29 saves from former Lightning pick Fredrik Norrena in the loss. Lulea plays AIK on Saturday.

KHL (Russia)
Poprad 5 @ Cherepovets 0
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Loss, 18/22, 8.17 GAA, .818 sv%
Season totals: 15 GP, 7-6-0, 1 SO, 2.84 GAA, .914 sv%

That's back-to-back dismal performances for Vasily Koshechkin, as Cherepovets was fed their hats by Slovakian club Poprad today, 5-0. Despite Poprad's offensive onslaught, ex-Bolt Prospect Vladimir Mihalik was scoreless in the match. He did manage a couple of minors for high sticking and delay of game, though. Cherepovets will try to right the ship against Dynamo Minsk on Friday.

MHL (Russia Jr.):
Spartak Jr. 0 @ CSKA Jr. 2
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 0-2-2, +2, 12 PIM, 5 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 13 GP, 11-15-26, +6, 20 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov had secondary helpers on both goals by Nikita Gusev in CSKA Jr.'s 2-0 win over Spartak Jr. He also got a 2+10 for a hit to the head late in the third period. CSKA Jr. rematches Spartak Jr. on Thursday, with or without their talented offensive dynamo.