“I deed it!! I finally score!!” (Photo credit: Dynamo Moscow)

Thursday night at Small Sports Arena in Luzhniki, Moscow, Alex Ovechkin returned to the Russian team that put him on the world’s stage as a teenager. And his performance did not disappoint.

In Moscow Dynamo’s 7-2 win over Dinamo Minsk, Ovechkin had seven shots, two big hits, and recorded his first ever KHL point, a powerplay assist, in 17:38 of ice time.

Highlights of the game are below the jump.

Ovechkin’s assist comes at the 9:06 mark. He also has a big hit at 9:20.

Ovi shoots. (Photo credit: Dynamo Moscow)

The defending champions’ new six-million dollar man started the game and was put on the first line with Mikhail Anisin (first video down) and Konstantin Gorovikov. After rifling two shots on net in the first period, Ovechkin was interviewed by Russia-2′s sideline reporter during intermission. When the reporter pointed out that the fans seemed to have trouble believing he was actually playing in Moscow again, Ovechkin beamed,”they’ll have to. I’m here.”

When Ovechkin came out for the second stanza, he seemed to settle down a bit. During an early period power play, Ovechkin set a screen in front of the net to allow Filip Novak to score. Later in the period, Ovechkin showed off his strength, casually laying out Libor Pivko at center ice to force a turnover.

In the third period, the great thirty-two finally got on the score-sheet. After spending most of the game set-up in front of the net on the power play, Dynamo head coach Oleg Znarok moved Ovechkin at the point. It immediately paid dividends. After Ovi fired a shot near the blue line, Dynamo’s Alexei Tsvetkov potted the rebound. The goal put Dynamo up 6-2. The white and blue would add one more in the final minutes to defeat Minsk 7-2.

Sunday, Dynamo will take the ice again and play SKA St. Petersburg. Ovi’s good friend, Ilya Kovalchuk, will suit up and his KHL debut for SKA that day.

Notes: Ovechkin led all Dynamo forwards in TOI (17:38) and was fourth among all Dynamo skaters. Ovechkin’s Dynamo jersey was sold at concession stands for $370.

Photo credit: Pavel Lysenkov

Evgeny Kuznetsov is introduced to the crowd. (Photo credit: KHL All-Star Game site)

Our all-Evgeny Kuznetsov/all-the-time policy continues with this contractually obligated recap of the 2012 KHL All-Star Game and SuperSkills competition held in Riga, Latvia, on Saturday.

Kuznetsov nearly won in both the Fastest Skater and Breakaway Challenge. He also tallied a goal and an assist for Team Fedorov in their 15-11 win over Team Ozolins during the All-Star Game.

Below the jump, we’ve recapped our favorite moments from the the KHL’s signature event.

Team Ozolins’ Mikhail Anisin Sings “O Sole Mio!”

During the SuperSkills’ competition, the KHL passed the mic off to Dynamo Moscow’s Mikhail Anisin, who performed “O Sole Mio!” Yes. This actually happened. Fedor also tells me that Anisin studied music during school and once had an hour-long concert while with Sibir at their Fanfest. The 5’5” tenor also doesn’t mind fighting and stomping on other opponents (#88 in the video).

Fastest Skater Competition

Evgeny Kuznetsov lost by 0.01 seconds to Mikelis Redlihs of Team Ozolins. When Kuzya was asked about his near win, he replied,”I’ve never been a stand-out in speed, probably something’s wrong with the timer.” Oh, Zhenya.

Hardest Shot Competition

Kuznetsov’s teammate on Traktor Chelyabinsk, Alexander Ryazantsev, won the hardest shot competition with a “world record” of 183.67 km/h or 114.127 mph. Fedor tells us this is the first time anyone’s ever hit the 180 km/h mark. While that’s impressive and everything, it’s hard to take this feat very seriously when KHL players shoot approximately 7 feet closer to the net than the NHL does.

Breakaway Competition

Vladimir Tarasenko won the competition — beating out defending champion Kuznetsov and Mikelis Redlihs — with his devious puck-literally-on-a-string trick. Kuznetsov’s attempts begin at 2:50 above.

Captain’s Challenge

Sergei Fedorov and Sandis Ozolins — two class acts and legendary players — play hockey billiards, hockey bowling, hockey volleyball, hockey basketball, and hockey biathlon on the ice. A novel idea by the KHL. The former Capital, Federov, ended up winning. Coverage of the event starts at the 3:00 mark above.

Lokomotiv Memorial Ceremony

The fans chant “Lo-ko, Lo-ko” at 1:28. This gave me goosebumps.

Photos from the All-Star Game

Fedorov is all smiles after the game.