NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — German Tochilkin scored the game-winning goal with just over four minutes remaining in the third period to lift Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk to a 3-2 victory over CSKA Moscow in a Kontinental Hockey League match on Friday.

The home win at SCC Arena improved Neftekhimik’s record across all competitions to 15 wins and 12 losses, while CSKA’s up-and-down season continued as they fell to 11-14.

The game’s outcome defied the pregame projections from Interstat, whose ELO system had given CSKA a 62 percent probability of winning, though the final score was closer to the simulator’s predicted 4-3 Neftekhimik result.

The contest began with special teams play. Neftekhimik defenseman Joseph Duszak was sent off for hooking at 16:52 of the opening period, handing CSKA an early power play. The visitors capitalized just over two minutes later when Daniel Sprong netted his 11th goal of the season, assisted by Pavel Karnaukhov, to give CSKA a 1-0 lead.

Neftekhimik responded in the second period, erasing the deficit with a pair of goals from its defensive corps. Luka Profaca tied the game at 1-1 at the 4:19 mark of the period, scoring his fourth of the season with assists from Bulat Shafigullin and Tochilkin. Later in the period, Nikita Khlystov scored his first goal of the campaign, with an assist from Matvei Nadvorny, to put the home side in front.

CSKA answered before the period ended, with Vitaly Abramov scoring his third goal of the season to knot the game at 2-2 heading into the final intermission.

The third period was a tight-checking affair until Tochilkin broke the deadlock at the 15:52 mark. The forward collected his sixth goal of the season and added an assist for a two-point afternoon, with Shafigullin earning his second helper of the game on the play alongside Nikita Khoruzhev.

CSKA pressed for an equalizer and pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker late, but their efforts were hampered by a slashing penalty to Denis Zernov with 1:15 left on the clock, effectively ending their comeback bid.

Neftekhimik goaltender Filipp Dolganov backstopped the victory, turning aside 26 of the 28 shots he faced to record the win.

The game featured a physical effort from the Neftekhimik defense. Ilya Pastukhov led all players with five hits, while the goal-scorer Profaca also delivered five hits and registered three shots on goal.

For CSKA, Abramov and Sprong provided the offense, each finishing with a goal and two shots on net.

The loss halts a modest two-game winning streak for CSKA, who had recorded shutout victories over Severstal Cherepovets and Sibir Novosibirsk in their previous two outings. They will look to rebound on the road against Severstal Cherepovets on Sunday.

Neftekhimik, which had lost its previous game to Ak Bars Kazan, also returns to action Sunday with a road contest against Lada Togliatti.