NIZHNEIMERETINSKAYA BUKHTA, Russia (Interstat) — In a tense, low-scoring affair that required extra time, Spartak Moscow edged HC Sochi 1-0 in a Kontinental Hockey League game Tuesday night at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. Goaltender Artyom Zagidulin was flawless, turning aside all 29 shots he faced to backstop the visitors to a hard-fought overtime victory.

The win improved Spartak’s record to 12 wins and 10 losses, while Sochi’s difficult season continued, dropping them to 5 wins and 14 losses. The result provided a measure of revenge for Spartak, which had fallen 5-2 on the same ice just two days prior.

The game was a defensive struggle defined by special teams play and missed opportunities. Both teams combined for eight minor penalties, but neither power play could break through during regulation. Sochi’s best chance to capitalize came late in the third period when Spartak’s Mikhail Maltsev was sent off for slashing with under five minutes to play, but Zagidulin and the Spartak penalty kill held firm to force overtime.

The deadlock was finally broken at the 1:49 mark of the extra period. Spartak forward Nikita Korostelyov netted the game’s only goal, his 11th of the season, to secure the two points for the visitors. The play was assisted by Daniel Usmanov and Daniil R. Orlov.

Korostelyov’s goal was the culmination of a strong individual performance, which included a team-high four shots on goal. Spartak’s offensive effort was led by Nathan Todd and Maltsev, who each registered five shots on the Sochi net. Alexander Vl. Belyayev added four shots and three hits in the winning effort.

The outcome defied the expectations of Interstat’s game simulator, which had projected a 3-1 Spartak victory. The firm’s ELO system had given Spartak a 76.50 percent probability to win.

Spartak now looks ahead to a road game against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on Thursday, Nov. 6. Sochi will remain at home to host Severstal Cherepovets on the same date.