NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — In a Kontinental Hockey League matchup that defied pregame projections, Amur Khabarovsk snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Neftekhimik on Tuesday afternoon at SCC Arena.

The win, secured by a resilient defensive effort and a pair of second-period goals just 60 seconds apart, improved Amur’s season record to 4-8. Neftekhimik, which had been favored to win by statistical models, fell to 7-6.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 4-2 win for the home team, with its ELO system giving Neftekhimik a 61.70 percent probability of victory. Instead, Amur goaltender Damir Shaimardanov turned aside 33 of 34 shots to backstop his team to a crucial road win.

Neftekhimik struck first, capitalizing on an early opportunity. Just 1:53 into the first period, Vladislav Barulin netted his third goal of the season, with assists from Damir Zhafyarov and Jean-Sebastien Dea, giving the home team a 1-0 lead.

The game remained a tight-checking, one-goal affair through the remainder of the first period and deep into the second. Amur’s offense, which had managed just three total goals in its previous three losses, finally broke through at the 32:13 mark of the game. Matvei Zaseda scored his first goal of the season, with Viktor Baldayev and Kirill Slepets recording the assists, to tie the game.

The momentum shifted decisively in Amur’s favor just one minute later. At 33:13 elapsed, Yaroslav Likhachyov scored his first goal of the campaign, an unassisted tally that gave Amur its first lead of the afternoon at 2-1. Likhachyov finished the game with a team-high six shots on goal.

The third period was a parade to the penalty box, with both teams combining for five infractions. Amur’s discipline was tested, particularly from defenseman Yaroslav Dyblenko, who was assessed a minor penalty for tripping at 41:28 and a double-minor for abuse of officials and unsportsmanlike conduct at 46:10. Despite the extended power-play time for Neftekhimik, Amur’s penalty kill, anchored by Shaimardanov, held firm.

Neftekhimik goaltender Filipp Dolganov was strong in a losing effort, making 33 saves on 35 shots to keep his team within striking distance. His counterpart, Shaimardanov, was equally impressive, earning the win with 33 saves.

The game was a reversal of recent fortunes for both clubs. Amur entered the contest having lost three straight, including a pair of road losses to Ak Bars Kazan last weekend. The victory marked their first since a 2-0 shutout of CSKA Moscow on Sept. 25.

Neftekhimik, meanwhile, saw a brief two-game win streak snapped and has now lost three of its last four contests, having been outscored 11-5 in those three losses.

The two teams are scheduled for a quick rematch at SCC Arena on Thursday, Oct. 9, as Amur looks to build on the momentum of the upset and Neftekhimik seeks to even the score on home ice. Following the rematch, Amur returns home to Khabarovsk to host Spartak Moscow on Oct. 15, while Neftekhimik remains at home to face Sibir Novosibirsk on Oct. 12.