Winnipeg Jets pick Pavel Kraskovsky mesmerizes in Manitoba, as Russia wins again: Super Series 3 Stars

Buzzing The Net's Three Stars from Team Russia's 3-2 win over Team WHL in the Subway Super Series in Brandon, Man.; Russia faces Team OHL in Game 3 on Thursday in Peterborough.

No. 1 star: Pavel Kraskovsky, Team Russia

Whether Kraskovsky (2G-1A, +2) ever blossoms for the Winnipeg Jets remains to be seen, but the 18-year-old was the man of the hour during a one-night-only stopover in his NHL organization's province. The 6-foot-4 centre scored the eventual winning goal with 5:59 remaining, corralling a loose puck in front of goalie Tristan Jarry before beating him with a backhand along the ice that went in off the post. That gave the Russians a two-goal margin that proved just enough, with Team WHL pulling one goal back 45 seconds later and putting on heavy pressure in the final minute.

The 18-year-old Kraskovsky, whom the Jets took in the fifth round of the last NHL draft, and his wings Andrey Alexeev (1G, +1) and Egor Kroshkov (2A, +2) were the best line on the ice for either squad. Kraskovsky, a sophomore with the KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, also made a perfect touch pass to Alexeev (a former member of the OHL's Saginaw Spirit) for Russia's second goal, while scoring its first on a power play.

No. 2 star: Joe Hicketts, Team WHL

The Detroit Red Wings signing provided some spark, as he and Carolina Hurricanes first-rounder Haydn Fleury stood out as Team WHL's best defencemen. Hicketts (1G, +1) hummed a slapshot by Russia goalie Denis Kostin 3:46 into the third period to get his team to within 2-1. The 18-year-old also made a great lead pass to launch the rush that was capped off by a Connor Bleackley goal with 5:14 that kept Team WHL in the game.

No. 3 star: Denis Kostin, Team Russia

Russia once again leaned on its goalie to stop the first shot and trusted its defence to prevent second chances. Kostin, who came in for the shootout of Monday's game, carried over his sharp play while stopping 31-of-33 shots to help Russia to win even though it was outshot by a factor of two.

How little did Russia attack once it had the lead? Kraskovsky's goal ended a six-minute span where the visitors didn't record a single shot.

Entertainment value: B-minus

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.