With the lockout dragging on, several big name NHL players have signed deals with KHL clubs. That might have played a significant role in Tuesday’s game between Lev Praha and Dynamo Moscow breaking the KHL attendance record, according to the league’s website.
16,304 fans attended the game, which is more than any previous KHL, VHL (lower league), or MHL (development league) contest.
Praha features locked-out NHLers Jakub Voracek and Zdeno Chara. On top of that, Moscow Dynamo is being led by Alex Ovechkin.
If you’re wondering, the previous attendance record was 16,100 set by Sokol and Lokomotiv in February.
Ovechkin recently claimed that -- as long as the NHL’s locked out -- the KHL was the best hockey league currently playing.
He’s been dominating the KHL after a rough 2011-12 campaign. He had 38 goals and 65 points in 78 games, which would be enviable numbers for most players, but fell short of the high standards that are put on him because of his contract and abilities.