MOSCOW (Interstat) — Nikolai Kovalenko’s late first-period goal lifted CSKA Moscow to a 2-1 victory over Spartak Moscow in a Kontinental Hockey League match Sunday at CSKA Ice Palace.

Kirill Dolzhenkov opened the scoring for CSKA just over four minutes into the game, but Spartak’s Andrei A. Mironov answered on a power play midway through the period. Kovalenko netted the decisive goal with 1:57 remaining in the first, converting a rebound for his 10th of the season.

Goaltender Dmitry Gamzin secured the win for CSKA, making 26 saves. Spartak’s Alexander Georgiyev stopped 33 shots in the loss. CSKA improved to 18-22 overall, while Spartak fell to 20-20. The teams will meet again in Moscow on Jan. 11.