SKA 3, at Severstal 1

CHEREPOVETS, Russia (Interstat) — In a result that defied pregame projections, SKA Saint Petersburg rode a 32-save performance from goaltender Artemy Pleshkov and a trio of third-period goals to a 3-1 victory over Severstal Cherepovets in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup Thursday afternoon at Ice Palace. The win, which came against statistical odds, improved SKA’s record to 21-22-2, while the home loss dropped Severstal to 33-21-1. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Severstal victory by a 3-1 score, with its ELO system giving the hosts a 55 percent probability to win. The game’s narrative was one of special teams and… Read more...