(VIDEO): Ilya Kovalchuk delivers violent lumberjack chop to Radulov's ankle.

It's not quite playoff time in the NHL, but the KHL playoffs are certainly heating up. However no one was quite as steamed as former NHLer Ilya Kovalchuk in this week's action from the Motherland. During game-one of St. Petersburg SKA and CSKA Moscow's playoff series on Thursday, Kovalchuk showed just how fast a friend can become your enemy with enough agitation. Kovalchuk is in pursuit of his good buddy and former NHLer Alexander Radulov. The two engage in a brief shoving match, but nothing too serious. Out of nowhere Kovalchuk takes a two handed chop at Radulov's ankle, leaving him in agony as he tries to get off the ice. A large scrum ensues and Kovalchuk is penalized for the unsportsmanlike act of aggression. After the game Kovalchuk left the arena without answering any questions about the violent slash. What makes this incident even worse is the fact that Kovalchuk and Radulov have played together on many occasions when representing Russia in international play. They always seemed amicable and even engaged in friendly rituals in the past. Apparently Kovy's time away from the NHL hasn't taught him anything about keeping your cool or keeping your friends.