MINSK, Belarus (Interstat) — Defying pregame projections, SKA Saint Petersburg delivered a disciplined road performance to hand Dinamo Minsk a decisive 4-1 loss in Kontinental Hockey League action Friday at Minsk-Arena.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a high-scoring 6-4 victory for the home side, with its ELO system giving Dinamo Minsk a 55.4 percent probability to win. Instead, SKA, bolstered by a standout two-goal night from forward Mikhail Vorobyov and a stellar 36-save performance from goaltender Sergei Ivanov, controlled the contest from the opening period.

The visitors established an early lead they would not relinquish. At the 5:49 mark of the first period, Brendan Leipsic netted his eighth goal of the season, assisted by Rossо Grimaldi. SKA doubled its advantage before the intermission when Matvei Polyakov scored his seventh at 13:50, with Yegor Gurzanov recording the primary assist.

The middle frame was defined by special teams play, with SKA killing off three consecutive penalties. Despite being shorthanded, they extended their lead. While serving a bench minor for too many men, Vorobyov scored a shorthanded goal at 27:58, assisted by Danila Galenyuk, to make it 3-0. The goal underscored a period where Dinamo Minsk, despite offensive pressure, was repeatedly turned away by Ivanov.

Dinamo Minsk finally broke through on the power play late in the third period. With Yegor Savikov in the box for tripping, Sam Anas capitalized just 24 seconds into the man advantage, scoring his team-leading 20th goal at 49:48. Assists went to Alex Limoges and Vitaly Pinchuk.

Any momentum for a comeback was snuffed out just over two minutes later. Vorobyov sealed the victory with his second goal of the game, an empty-netter at 59:10, assisted by Sergei Plotnikov, for the 4-1 final.

Ivanov’s work in net was the foundation of the win, as he stopped 36 of 37 shots. Dinamo Minsk’s Anas led all skaters with seven shots on goal but was repeatedly denied. Vorobyov’s two-goal, three-shot effort paced the SKA attack.

The result improves SKA Saint Petersburg’s record to 16 wins and 13 losses, snapping a two-game skid that included an overtime loss to Red Star Kunlun on Wednesday. Dinamo Minsk, which entered on a two-game winning streak including a 7-1 rout of Dynamo Moscow, falls to 21-12. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Saint Petersburg on Jan. 19.

SKA continues its road trip Sunday at HC Sochi, while Dinamo Minsk remains at home to face Dynamo Moscow on Sunday.