Russian highlight reel: goaltending.

In tonight’s Russian highlight reel, we focus on Colorado’s rookie goaltender Yuri Ushakov, and the phenomenal game he had tonight. Though Colorado would go on to lose in the shootout, Ushakov came out of this game with a 0.920 save percentage, and it’s games like these that show how Ushakov is quickly becoming a star in the league despite Colorado’s mediocre record.

Highlight of the night:

Quote:16:30 of 1st period - Shot by Maxime Bouchard.
16:30 of 1st period - Stopped by Yuri Ushakov without a rebound.

Ushakov had many beauties tonight in 23 saves made. However, this absolute gem at the very beginning of the game, against Anchorage’s second-line star Maxime Bouchard, might have been his finest.

It is still early in their career, but the question has to be asked sooner or later: how will the fight for #2 (and an eventual starting role) in Russia play out between Ushakov and legacy son of the motherland, Aleksi O’Koivu-Volkova? Only time will tell, as both of them find their place in the SMJHL.