NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia (Interstat) — Andrei Belozyorov scored twice to lead Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk to a 3-1 victory over Sibir Novosibirsk in a Kontinental Hockey League game Saturday at Ice Sports Palace Sibir.

Evgeny Mityakin opened the scoring late in the first period. After a scoreless second frame, Belozyorov secured the win with his second goal, an empty-netter, in the final minutes. Goaltender Yaroslav Ozolin made 38 saves for Neftekhimik, which improved to 25-23 across all competitions.

Sibir, which got its lone goal from Semyon Koshelev with 1:48 remaining, fell to 18-29. The result defied a pregame projection that favored the home team.