Maxim Afinogenov No. 61 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on from the bench against the Philadelphia Flyers in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2006 NHL playoffs on May 2, 2006 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Photo: Getty Images
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Afinogenov Named NHL Week’s Star
Buffalo Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Monday night and posted their successive ninth win to start the NHL season. The team’s right wing, Maxim Afinogenov was named the Star of the Week.
Even though Buffalo Sabres has always been one of the favorites, its stunning success was the key surprise of the first three weeks of NHL action. Indeed, the squad beat twice Carolina (3-2 5-4) and Montreal Canadiens (5-4 4-1) and secured a victory against Ottawa Senators (4-2), Detroit Red Wings (3-2), New York Rangers (7-4), Boston Bruins (6-2) and Philadelphia Flyers (9-1). And there has been no loss so far. The club’s previous record was eight games set by the 1975-1976 team. Now, Buffalo tails only Toronto Maple Leafs that won ten games in a row 13 years ago.
There are two Russians in Buffalo – striker Maxim Afinogenov and defenseman Dmitry Kalinin. The team’s best shooter of the past season (22 goals, 51 assists), Afinogenov is up to the mark in this NHL action. As of today, he tallied five goals and nine assists; of these 14 scores, 10 were secured in three games of the past week. So, exactly Buffalo right wing Afinogenov was named the Star of the Week that ended October 22
Just two days ago, Afinogenov was the leader not only of his club but of the NHL as a whole. But Marian Hossa of Atlanta Thrashers got over him by a score yesterday.
Buffalo defenseman Dmitry Kalinin also demonstrates a good performance, spending on ice from 16 minutes to 17 minutes during a game on average. Kalinin has tallied two goals and three assists to-date. Exactly Kalinin assisted Thomas Vanek, when he added an empty net goal for the Sabres in their recent game vs. Montreal Canadiens.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Oct. 25, 2006
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