Karsums, Martins

Kval till Elitserien
Sodertalje 3 @ MODO 2(SO)
Riku Helenius, Sodertalje, DNP
Season totals: 18 GP, 4-11-0, 0 SO, 3.03 GAA, .884 sv%
Kval till Elitserien totals: 0 GP, 0-0-0, 0 SO, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 sv%

Julian Jacobsen scored a goal and had the shootout winner to lead Sodertalje to a 3-2 shootout win over MODO in the first game of the ten game promotion/relegation round. Sodertalje and 5 other clubs from the Elitserien and Allsvenskan will battle for two spots in the top league next year. Because its victory was not in regulation, Sodertalje only earned 2 points of a possible 3 for the win.

KHL Western Conference Semifinals
(7)Dynamo Riga 2 @ (1)Yaroslavl 6
Yaroslavl Leads the Series 3-1
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-0-0, +1, 0 PIM, 2 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 10 GP, 1-2-3, E, 8 PIM

The end may be near for Martins Karsums and Riga. The forward was scoreless in 13:11 in Riga's Game Four blowout loss to Yaroslavl. Ex-NHLers Karel Rachunek and Pavol Demitra each had 1 goal and 1 assist for Lokomotiv to help stake the club to a 3-1 series lead.

KHL Western Conference Semifinals
(7)Dynamo Riga 4 @ (1)Yaroslavl 8
Yaroslavl Leads the Series 2-1
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-0-0, -3, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 9 GP, 1-2-3, -1, 8 PIM

Ex-NHL defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist had a hat trick to lead Yaroslavl to a critical Game Three 8-4 drubbing of Riga. Yaroslavl pulled into a 2-1 lead in the series. Ex-NHLers Karel Rachunek and Pavol Demitra also chipped in 1 goal and 1 assist each for Lokomotiv. Martins Karsums was -3 in 15:09 in the match.

KHL Western Conference Semifinals
(1)Yaroslavl 3 @ (7)Dynamo Riga 5
Series Tied at 1-1
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 1-0-1, E, 2 PIM, 3 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 8 GP, 1-2-3, +2, 8 PIM

Martins Karsums scored a late insurance goal and took a minus for interference in Riga's 5-3 Game Two victory over Yaroslavl. Karsums played 17:41 in the match. Ex-NHLer Alexander Korolyuk had a pair of assists in the defeat for Lokomotiv.

KHL Western Conference Semifinals
(1)Yaroslavl 4 @ (7)Dynamo Riga 2
Yaroslavl Leads the Series 1-0
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 2 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 7 GP, 0-2-2, +1, 6 PIM

Ex-NHLers Karel Rachunek and Josef Vasicek each had 1 goal and 1 assist to lead Yaroslavl to a 4-2 Game One victory over Dynamo Riga. Ex-Lightning forward Robert Petrovicky had a goal in the match for Riga.

Elitserien Regular Season
Sodertalje 5 @ Timra 3
Riku Helenius, Sodertalje, DNP
Season totals: 18 GP, 4-11-0, 0 SO, 3.03 GAA, .884 sv%

Ex-Avs pick Linus Videll had 1 goal and 3 assists to lead Sodertalje to a critical 5-3 win over Timra. With 1 game remaining in the regular season, Sodertalje now sits in 9th in the Elitserien, just 2 points back of AIK for the last playoff spot in the league. On the flip side, they hold a scant 1 point lead over MODO and Timra, who would be ticketed for the promotion/relegation round if the season ended now. 8th place AIK finishes their season against 11th place MODO, 10th place Frolunda draws 4th place Lulea, and 12th place Timra finishes against 6th place Djurgardens, so Sodertalje has the hardest draw of the final round of games on Saturday with 2nd place HV 71.

For Sodertalje to make the playoffs, AIK must lose in regulation to MODO, Sodertalje must defeat HV 71 in regulation, and Sodertalje's goal differential must be equal to or better than Frolunda's in the final game. Also, only a regulation win guarantees Sodertalje will not have to face the promotion/relegation round. They will lose any tiebreaker with MODO or Timra on goal differential.

KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals
(7)Dynamo Riga 2 @ (2)Dynamo Moscow 1 (OT)
Dynamo Riga Wins the Series 4-2
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 6 GP, 0-2-2, +1, 6 PIM

Janis Sprukts scored 15:01 into overtime to lead Dynamo Riga to a 2-1 Game Six victory over Dynamo Moscow and an upset 4-2 series win. Riga moves on and will play either Yaroslavl or Mytischi in the second round.

(5)Cherepovets 0 @ (4)Mytischi 1
Mytischi Wins the Series 4-2
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Loss, 38/39, 1.00 GAA, .974 sv%
Season totals: 32 GP, 18-14-0, 2 SO, 2.92 GAA, .906 sv%
Playoff totals: 6 GP, 2-3-1, 0 SO, 2.20 GAA, .946 sv%

Vasya the Cat deserved better. The big netminder stopped 38 of 39 shots he faced, but a goal by ex-Jackets draft pick Sergei Mozyakin was all Mytischi needed to take down Cherepovets 1-0 in Game Six and secure a 4-2 series win. Koshechkin performed brilliantly despite facing an average of 37 shots per game in the series. His KHL contract expires this offseason and the rules of the CBA may be conducive to the Lightning signing the former 2002 8th rounder, but for now Koshechkin's next focus may be a potential World Championships spot with Team Russia.

Elitserien Regular Season
Brynas 3 @ Sodertalje 2 (SO)
Riku Helenius, Sodertalje, DNP
Season totals: 18 GP, 4-11-0, 0 SO, 3.03 GAA, .884 sv%

If Sodertalje misses the postseason and/or has to enter this year's promotion/relegation round, they'll be kicking themselves over the missed opportunities of the last two games. One game removed from a disheartening overtime loss, Sodertalje coughed up a late lead against Brynas and fell in the shootout to lose a critical 2 points in the standings. Ottawa draft pick Jakub Silfverberg scored on a 2-man advantage with the goaltender pulled with 1:10 left in regulation to force overtime and was the only successful shooter in the shootout to lead Brynas to the win. Sodertalje now finds themselves 2 points out of the final playoff spot in the Elitserien and 1 point out of 10th, which is the last spot in the league that avoids the promotion/relegation round, with 2 regular season games remaining. However, due to their league-worst -33 goal differential, none of the tiebreak scenarios are in Sodertalje's favor right now. Their final 2 games are against Timra (9th) and HV 71 (3rd). Given their proximity in the standings, that game against Timra on Thursday is shaping up to be a must-win for Sodertalje.

KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals
(2)Dynamo Moscow 3 @ (7)Dynamo Riga 1
Dynamo Riga Leads the Series 3-2
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 5 GP, 0-2-2, +1, 6 PIM

Martins Karsums was scoreless in 18:21 in Riga's 3-1 Game Five loss to Dynamo Moscow. Moscow forces a Game Six with the victory. Riga will try again to close out the series on Thursday.

(4)Mytischi 2 @ (5)Cherepovets 1
Mytischi Leads the Series 3-2
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Loss, 31/33, 2.04 GAA, .939 sv%
Season totals: 32 GP, 18-14-0, 2 SO, 2.92 GAA, .906 sv%
Playoff totals: 5 GP, 2-2-1, 0 SO, 2.47 GAA, .941 sv%

Ex-Lightning draft pick Fedor Fedorov had 1 goal and 1 assist and ex-NHLer Jan Bulis also scored to lead Mytischi to a critical Game Five win over Cherepovets, assuming a 3-2 series lead. The series will continue on Thursday with Vasily Koshechkin trying to help his team stave off elimination.

Elsewhere, Yaroslavl defeated Dynamo Minsk 2-1 in overtime to assume a 3-2 lead in the other active Western Conference playoff series. St. Petersburg is already through after a 4-0 sweep of Spartak Moscow.

KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
(7)Astana 1 @ (2)Kazan 6
Kazan Leads the Series 3-0
Dmitri Kazionov, Kazan, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 44 GP, 2-4-6, +6, 32 PIM
Playoff totals: 1 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Dmitri Kazionov saw the ice for the first time in this playoff season and was scoreless in 12:27 in Kazan's 6-1 Game Three win over Astana. The defending Gagarin Cup champions are cruising through the first round, and they got 2 goals and 2 assists today from former NHLer Alexei Morozov in their victory.

KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals
(7)Dynamo Riga 2 @ (2)Dynamo Moscow 1 (OT)
Dynamo Riga Leads the Series 3-1
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-1-1, +1, 2 PIM, 2 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 4 GP, 0-2-2, +1, 6 PIM

Krisjanis Redlihs, one of three Redlihs' in the Riga lineup and a former Devils draft pick, scored a power play goal at 19:43 of the first overtime to stake Riga to a 2-1 Game Four victory. The win extends Riga to a 3-1 series lead, and the club is now 1 win from upsetting 2nd seed Dynamo Moscow. Riga made a Cindarella run deep into the KHL playoffs a season ago as the 8th seed, and they're back instigating trouble this year. Martins Karsums assisted on a Girts Ankipans goal and took a minor for slashing in 19:01 in the match for Riga.

(5)Cherepovets 1 @ (4)Mytischi 8
Series Tied at 2-2
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Loss, 8/11, 12.37 GAA, .727 sv%
Season totals: 32 GP, 18-14-0, 2 SO, 2.92 GAA, .906 sv%
Playoff totals: 4 GP, 2-1-1, 0 SO, 2.60 GAA, .941 sv%

Vasily Koshechkin's hot goaltending was cooled off as Mytischi rose up and put a snowman on Cherepovets to even their opening round series at 2-2. Ex-Lightning draft pick Fedor Fedorov scored a pair of goals for Mytischi in the victory.

Elsewhere, St. Petersburg became the first KHL club to make it through to the Semifinals, completing a sweep of Spartak Moscow with a 4-3 Game Four victory today. Kazan and Ufa hold 3-0 leads in their series and could advance with wins tomorrow.

Elitserien Regular Season
Sodertalje 1 @ MODO 2 (OT)
Riku Helenius, Sodertalje, DNP
Season totals: 18 GP, 4-11-0, 0 SO, 3.03 GAA, .884 sv%

Former NHLer Ladislav Nagy had 1 goal and 1 assist to help lead MODO to a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over Sodertalje. Sodertalje did pick a point for the loss. They currently sit in 11th in the Elitserien, but are just 2 points back of MODO for the final playoff spot in the league and 1 point back of Timra for 10th, which would avoid the promotion/relegation round. There are 3 games remaining in the Elitserien regular season. Sodertalje's remaining schedule consists of Brynas (7th), Timra (10th), and HV 71 (2nd). Regulation wins are worth 3 points in the Swedish league.

KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals
(5)Cherepovets 2 @ (4)Mytischi 1
Cherepovets Leads the Series 2-1
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Win, 37/38, 1.00 GAA, .974 sv%
Season totals: 32 GP, 18-14-0, 2 SO, 2.92 GAA, .906 sv%
Playoff totals: 3 GP, 2-0-1, 0 SO, 1.86 GAA, .958 sv%

Forward Evgeny Ketov scored with just 50 seconds remaining in regulation to lift Cherepovets to a 2-1 win over Mytischi in Game Three of their opening round series. Ex-Lightning draft pick Alexei Glukhov assisted on Mytischi's only goal. Current Lightning overage prospect Vasily Koshechkin has been magnificent so far in this series, stopping 136 of the 142 shots he's faced in 3 games.

(7)Dynamo Riga 5 @ (2)Dynamo Moscow 1
Dynamo Riga Leads the Series 2-1
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-1-1, +1, 4 PIM 0 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 3 GP, 0-1-1, E, 4 PIM

Martins Karsums assisted on a Tomas Surovy shorthanded goal and took minors for interference and hooking in 11:46 in Riga's 5-1 blowout win over Moscow. Ex-Predators draft pick Lauris Darzins had 1 goal and 2 assists for Riga in the victory.

Elitserien Regular Season
Sodertalje 2 @ Djurgardens 0
Riku Helenius, Sodertalje, DNP
Season totals: 18 GP, 4-11-0, 0 SO, 3.03 GAA, .884 sv%

Pontus Sjogren made 30 saves to help Sodertalje shut out Djurgardens 2-0. With 4 games remaining in the regular season, 11th place Sodertalje is now tied with AIK at 66 points, and are now just 2 points back of 8th place Timra for the final playoff spot in the Elitserien. Sodertalje's next two games are against MODO and Brynas.

KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
(2)Kazan 1 @ (7)Astana 0
Kazan Leads the Series 1-0
Dmitri Kazionov, Kazan, DNP
Season totals: 44 GP, 2-4-6, +6, 32 PIM
Playoff totals: 0 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Ex-Rangers farmhand Jarkko Immonen scored the game's only goal to lead Kazan to a 1-0 victory over Astana. Finnish net minder Petri Vehanen made 31 saves for the shutout.

KHL Wester Conference Quarterfinals
(2)Dynamo Moscow 8 @ (7) Dynamo Riga 4
Series Tied 1-1
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 2 GP, 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM

Ex-NHLer Chris Simon had a pair of goals as Moscow put an abominable snowman on the board against Riga to tie their opening round series at 1-1. Martins Karsums was scoreless in 14:38 in the match. Ex-Lightning draftee Ruslan Zainullin also had a helper in the match for Moscow.

(4)Mytischi 2 @ (5)Cherepovets 5
Series Tied 1-1
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Win, 45/47, 2.00 GAA, .957 sv%
Season totals:
Playoff totals: 2 GP, 1-0-1, 0 SO, 2.25 GAA, .952 sv%

Who needs defense when you have Vasya the Cat? Koshechkin, after making 49 saves in an overtime defeat in Game One made 45 saves in Game Two to help Cherepovets tie their opening round series with Mytischi at 1-1. Cherepovets is giving up an average of 52 shots a game, if you happen to be scoring at home. Ex-Lightning pick Fedor Fedorov had a goal in defeat for Mytischi.

KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals
(2)Dynamo Moscow 1 @ (7)Dynamo Riga 2 (OT)
Dynamo Riga Leads the Series 1-0
Martins Karsums, Dynamo Riga, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 3 SOG
Season totals: 52 GP, 17-15-32, -3, 46 PIM
Playoff totals: 1 GP, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM

Defenseman Oskars Cibulskis scored a power play goal 2:43 into overtime to help Riga upset Moscow 2-1 in overtime in Game One of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series. Lightning overage prospect Martins Karsums was scoreless in 13:05 in the match.

(4)Mytischi 3 @ (5)Cherepovets 2 (OT)
Mytischi Leads the Series 1-0
Vasily Koshechkin, Cherepovets, Overtime Loss, 54/57, 2.45 GAA, .947 sv%
Season totals: 32 GP, 18-14-0, 2 SO, 2.92 GAA, .906 sv%
Playoff totals: 1 GP, 0-0-1, 0 SO, 2.45 GAA, .947 sv%

Jaroslav Obsut scored a power play goal 13:22 into overtime to lead Mytischi to a 3-2 overtime win over Cherepovets in Game One of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series. Lightning overage prospect netminder Vasily Koshechkin was valiant in defeat, making 54 saves in the contest. Cherepovets was outshot 57-29 in the game.