Nikita Pavlychev sounds like a myth.
Even though hockey is king in Russia, most 6-foot-8 beasts end up on the basketball court rather than the ice. Those that do end up at the rink probably aren’t functional skaters. And above all, checking line centermen aren’t supposed to lead their team in points.
But as Robert Morris found out the hard way Friday, Pavlychev is indeed very real.
The junior forward bagged two goals and added two assists to set a career-high with four points in Penn State’s 7-2 victory over the Colonials at Pegula Ice Arena.