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Watch: Ben Scrivens allows fastest goal ever to start KHL game

Former NHL goalie Ben Scrivens found his way into the KHL record books for all the wrong reasons, allowing the fastest goal ever to start a game. (Twitter/khl_eng)
Former NHL goalie Ben Scrivens found his way into the KHL record books for all the wrong reasons, allowing the fastest goal ever to start a game. (Twitter/khl_eng)

Before the freshly flooded ice even had a chance to dry, Ben Scrivens allowed the fastest goal ever scored in the KHL.

The former NHL netminder had to deal with an egregious hop on an Alexander Yelesin dump-in right off the opening faceoff of Sunday’s contest between Salavat Yulayev UFA and Lokomotiv. The bouncing biscuit handcuffed Scrivens and triggered the red light just five seconds into the game, a new record in the Russian league.

The 31-year-old shook off his bad puck luck quickly and recovered admirably in making 33 saves to lead Salavat Yulayev to a 3-2 win. After a five-year NHL career and a strong first campaign in Russia last season, Scrivens is again among the KHL’s elite, posting a 19-9-2 record with a .921 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average through his first 31 games this season.

This isn’t Scrivens’ first tango with the record books. The Spruce Grove, Alberta product impressively stopped 59 shots in an Oilers’ 1-0 win over the San Jose Sharks to break Mike Smith’s expansion era record for most saves in a shutout win (54).

Though rumours of the league potentially not allowing players to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in South Korea continue to swirl, Scrivens will likely get the nod as Canada’s No. 1 goaltender to start the tournament should KHL players remain eligible. In 144 NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Kings, Oilers, and Canadiens, Scrivens authored a 2.92 GAA with seven career shutouts.

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