CHEREPOVETS, Russia (Interstat) — Salavat Yulaev secured a 2-1 victory over Severstal in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup Thursday at Ice Palace. Alexander Zharovsky and Maxim N. Kuznetsov scored first-period goals for the visitors, providing an early lead that held despite a late first-period answer from Severstal’s Danil Veryayev. Goaltender Alexander Samoilov made 15 saves for Severstal in the loss. The result improved Salavat Yulaev to 15-21, while conference-leading Severstal fell to 24-13. The teams will meet again in Ufa on Dec. 28.