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Miroshnichenko Stays Hot, Drops The Gloves In First Fight Of Season

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1 year ago

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Washington Capitals

With Omskie Yasterby in action again on Wednesday, Washington Capitals prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko kept the good times rolling, staying hot while also showing what he can do as a physical presence.

The 18-year-old struck twice against Ibris, once just 3:19 minutes into the game and then again on the power play in the second period, en route to a 3-2 win for the Hawks. He now has goals in five straight games and six on the season and is producing at over a point-per-game rate.

Miroshnichenko’s night didn’t end there, though. As tensions got high around the crease, the 6-1, 194-pound left wing dropped the gloves, going toe to toe with 6-3 defenseman Rayan Khuzikhanov. It was a spirited bout that saw both exchange some punches and both ended up down on the ice.

At the end of the night, Miroshnichenko was one assist away from a Gordie Howe hat trick and one goal from a hat trick. He now has six goals and two assists now in six MHL games and is truly looking like he could be the steal of the draft.

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Miroshnichenko was pegged as a top-5 talent going into the 2022 NHL Draft. However, a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy led to a drop in draft stock. Still, after consulting with the medical staff and doctors and interviewing Miroshnichenko himself, the Capitals still chose to take him at 20th overall. He is known for his wicked shot, physicality and elite skating, as well as his leadership ability.

“He’s one of the young players that can be a superstar,” Alex Ovechkin said of Miroshnichenko.

Miroshnichenko is under contract with the KHL’s Avangard Omsk through 2024. He started the year with their MHL affiliate.

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