MOSCOW (Interstat) — In a tightly contested Kontinental Hockey League matchup that mirrored a national projection, Severstal Cherepovets edged Spartak Moscow 4-3 on Friday afternoon at Luzhniki Minor Arena.

The game, played on Nov. 14, 2025, saw the visiting Severstal squad withstand a late push from the home side to secure the victory, which improved their season record to 17 wins and nine losses across all competitions. Spartak’s record evened at 13 wins and 13 losses.

The contest unfolded in a manner closely aligned with the Interstat game simulator, which had projected a 4-3 Severstal win, despite the same system’s ELO rating giving Spartak a 52.6 percent probability of victory.

Spartak drew first blood midway through the opening period. Ivan Morozov netted his second goal of the season at the 7:15 mark, with an assist from Pavel Poryadin, to give the home team an early lead.

Severstal responded with a pair of goals later in the period to seize control. Defenseman Ioannis Kaldis scored his sixth of the season at 13:14, assisted by Danil Veryayev, to tie the game. Just over four minutes later, Spartak’s Adam Ruzicka put his team back in front with his eighth goal, assisted by Nathan Todd and Joseph Keane, making it 2-1.

The second period belonged to Severstal, as they scored twice to take a lead they would not relinquish. Danil Aimurzin notched his fifth goal of the season at 22:32 of the game, with helpers from Nikolai Chebykin and Timofei Davydov, to tie the score at 2-2.

Less than three minutes later, Mikhail Ilyin gave Severstal its first lead of the afternoon, scoring his sixth goal at the 25:22 mark. Chebykin recorded his second assist of the period on the play, with Timur Karimov also earning a helper.

Severstal extended its lead early in the third period. Defenseman Nikita Kamalov scored his fourth goal of the season at 41:13, with assists from Ilya Kvochko and Ilya Ivantsov, to make it 4-2.

Spartak mounted a final charge, capitalizing on a power play after a tripping penalty to Severstal’s Alexander Skorenov. Just six seconds into the man-advantage, Danil Pivchulin scored his fourth goal at 47:16, assisted by Poryadin and Daniil R. Orlov, to pull the home team within one.

Despite pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker in the final minutes, Spartak could not find the equalizer against a disciplined Severstal defense.

The game was marked by penalty trouble, particularly for Severstal, which was whistled for six infractions compared to Spartak’s two. Severstal’s penalty kill unit was ultimately successful, allowing only one power-play goal on six Spartak opportunities.

Key individual performances for the victors included Danil Aimurzin with a goal and three shots on goal, Mikhail Ilyin with a goal and two shots, and Nikolai Chebykin, who facilitated the offense with two assists.

For Spartak, Adam Ruzicka and Ivan Morozov each recorded a goal and five shots on goal in the losing effort.

The win continues a strong stretch for Severstal, which has now won three of its last four games. The team will look to continue its momentum when it hosts CSKA Moscow on Sunday, Nov. 16. Spartak, seeking to return to the .500 mark, will next play on the road against Dynamo Moscow on Tuesday, Nov. 18.