The Vancouver Canucks top prospect Vasili Podkolzin scored two goals including the winner in triple overtime in the KHL playoffs for SKA St. Petersburg against CSKA Moscow in a 3-2 win. The teams were playing Game 5 of the western conference playoffs.
SKA was facing elimination and was coming off a 3-1 win over CSKA in Game 4 after going down 3-0.
The 10th overall pick in 2019 got his first of the game and fifth of the playoffs in the second period to give SKA a 2-0 lead. He steals the puck along the boards and sneaks it past the goalie on the wrap-around.
Playoff goal #5 for Vasily Podkolzin pic.twitter.com/McFxk2rmIH
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) April 10, 2021
CSKA didn’t quit as they rallied to tie the game. From there, the team’s played another three periods as the game went into triple overtime. Podkolzin ended it with a one-timer from the slot. Check it out.
https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1380952421195685888
Podkolzin had a little over 24 minutes of ice time in the game. That included two hits, a block and four total shots. He has 11 points in the KHL playoffs making him fourth in KHL scoring which includes five in his last two (which were wins by SKA.) Per Canucks Army’s Chris Faber, that is tied for the most points from a U20 player in KHL playoff history. That ties him with Vitali Kravtsov according to Elite Prospect’s Cam Robinson.
It really is great to see Podkolzin put up points in the playoffs even with limited ice time. Canucks fans surely are excited about the Russian coming over to the NHL next season. If he can put up those types of numbers in the playoffs with limited ice time in the KHL, just imagine what he could do in the Canucks top six.
His aggressive two-way game, shot, physicality and compete level make him an exciting player and one that could make a difference for the Canucks as early as next season.
SKA St. Petersburg continues their series against CSKA Moscow with Game 6 on Monday. Let’s see if Podkolzin and company can force a winner takes all Game 7.