Albertenko: The career launch pad (first two games)

[alex-daigle 8]

The first two matches of Matvei Albertenko's young career were played this week, a home and home set between his Minnesota Storm and the Halifax 21st, let's take a quik look at the stats to see how he played, and if it was close to his advertised style.

 

In the first game of Albertenko's career the Storm fell by a score of 4 to 3 in regulation, being doubled up on the shot tracker 50 to 25. In his opening 12 minutes and 3 seconds of VHLM action, Albertenko was held off the score sheet, he took no shots and finished a minus 1 on the night. He began his career with a positive win/loss ratio in the faceoff dot, winning 6 and losing 5 for 54% on the night, with his only other stat of note a single hit, having played no time on the power play or on the penalty kill.

 

In the second game of Albertenko's career, the Storm took the game back from the Halifax 21st, with an identical score of 4-3. Despite the victory, Halifax once again blew Minnesota out of the water on the shot chart, this time 38 to 20. The negatives end there for Albertenko as he tallied his first assist on the game winning goal by Karlis Liede, at 14:43 of the 2nd period, capping off 4 unanswered goals for the Storm in their amazing come from behind victory. The goal was Liede's 7th of the season, and his 13th point on the season, while the secondary assist went to Andreas Sundell, his 32nd assist of the season, and his third of a three point night. The assist helped Albertenko to a plus 1 rating on the night, while also taking 2 shots, and sitting in the box for 2 minutes due to his slashing penalty early in the first period. His efforts of the first game saw him rewarded with a little more trust from the coaching staff as he saw his ice time go from 12:03 to 13:21 in his second match, while his faceoff ratio was 5 wins and 6 losses, bringing him to 11 and 11 on the season at a dead set 50%. 

 

These two starting performances for Albertenko have shown just a glimpse of what he'll be capable of in the future. The Belarusian pivot is currently ranked at number 69 in the Season 67 VHLM draft rankings, but his work ethic should prove his worth and send him up the rankings and turn him into a more coveted prospect. The Storm will continue their season in game 249 while hosting the Philadelphia Reapers, and in game 254, while visiting the Yukon rush. Scouts will hope to see more ice time for the gifted centreman, as he gets more acclimated to the style and level of play seen in the VHLM, trying to determine if he has a high level future in the VHL, or if he'll remain stagnant in his development. Only time will tell if Albertenko can continue his upward trajectory in the draft rankings, and truly begin his journey to join elite company in the history of the VHL.