SOCHI, Russia (Interstat) — Pavel Khomchenko made 38 saves and HC Sochi scored twice in a second-period surge to defeat Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 2-1 in a Kontinental Hockey League game Saturday at Bolshoy Ice Dome.

The victory improved Sochi’s record across all competitions to 12-25, while Neftekhimik fell to 20-22.

Neftekhimik opened the scoring just 77 seconds into the contest. Defenseman Timur Khairullin beat Khomchenko for his second goal of the season, with assists from Evgeny Mityakin and Andrei Belozyorov. The early goal set a tone of Neftekhimik dominance in puck possession and shots, but Khomchenko proved impenetrable for the remainder of the night.

Sochi’s offense, dormant for much of the first period and early second, erupted with two goals in a span of 4 minutes, 31 seconds to seize the lead. Max Ellis tied the game at 1-1 at the 11:08 mark of the second period, converting a pass from Rafael Bikmullin for his 12th goal of the season. Pavel Dedunov then netted the game-winner at 15:01, scoring his third of the campaign off setups from Noel Hoefenmayer and Jean-Christophe Beaudin.

The two-goal outburst came despite Sochi being outshot 39-17 in the game. Neftekhimik defenseman Maxim S. Fedotov led all players with six shots on goal.

Khomchenko was the central figure, turning aside all 37 shots he faced after the first-minute goal. His performance anchored a Sochi penalty kill that successfully navigated four Neftekhimik power plays. At the other end, Neftekhimik goaltender Filipp Dolganov stopped 15 of 17 shots in the losing effort.

The game featured a combined eight minor penalties. Ellis, who scored Sochi’s tying goal, also took two penalties for roughing and tripping. Khairullin, Neftekhimik’s goal-scorer, was penalized for tripping in the third period.

The result defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose ELO system gave Neftekhimik a 63.2 percent probability to win. The firm’s game simulator had predicted a 3-2 Sochi victory.

Neftekhimik entered the contest having won two of its last three games, including a 5-0 shutout of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on Dec. 28. Sochi had also shown recent offensive life, defeating SKA Saint Petersburg 8-4 in its previous game on Dec. 28.

Neftekhimik continues its road trip Monday at Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Sochi remains at home to face Dynamo Moscow on Monday.