NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — Defying projections and a season of profound struggle, HC Sochi delivered a stunning 5-3 road victory over Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in a Kontinental Hockey League matchup Thursday afternoon at SCC Arena.

The win, which saw the league’s last-place team outplay and outscore a club battling for playoff position, was built on opportunistic scoring and resilience in the face of a persistent Neftekhimik push. The result improved Sochi’s dismal record across all competitions to 15 wins and 36 losses, while Neftekhimik fell to 28-27.

The most important part of the game was Sochi’s immediate and emphatic response to every Neftekhimik rally. Each time the home team scored to build momentum and narrow the deficit, the visitors answered swiftly to restore their multi-goal cushion, effectively extinguishing any chance of a comeback.

The pattern began in the first period. After a string of early penalties against both sides, Sochi defenseman Anton O. Malyshev opened the scoring at 15:24, assisted by Jean-Christophe Beaudin. Neftekhimik answered just over five minutes into the second period when Daniil Seroukh netted his ninth of the season at 21:01. But Sochi responded in kind just over five minutes later. At 26:06, Matvei Guskov scored his eighth, with assists from Max Ellis and Seroukh, to make it 2-1.

Neftekhimik again cut the lead to one when Timur Khairullin scored at 28:08 of the second, capitalizing on a power play with helpers from Bulat Shafigullin and Evgeny Mityakin. Yet again, Sochi had a counterpunch. Before the period ended, they drew three consecutive penalties, applying sustained pressure that carried into the third.

Early in the final frame, Neftekhimik’s Alexander Dergachyov brought the home crowd to life, scoring at 45:40 to make it a 3-2 game, assisted by Andrei Al. Belozyorov. The momentum was short-lived. A mere two minutes and two seconds later, Sochi’s Yegor Petukhov slammed home a crucial goal at 47:42, assisted by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Sergei S. Popov, to push the lead back to two.

The final, decisive sequence followed the same script. After Belozyorov scored his 25th of the season for Neftekhimik at 53:15 to make it 4-3, Sochi did not retreat. Instead, they sealed the game with an empty-net goal from defenseman Vasily Machulin with just 24 seconds remaining in regulation for the 5-3 final.

Machulin finished with a goal and four shots on net. Seroukh led Sochi with a goal and an assist. For Neftekhimik, Belozyorov was a consistent threat with a goal, an assist and a game-high seven shots, while Dergachyov added a goal and four hits.

The game was a penalty-filled affair, with Sochi assessed 10 infractions for 20 minutes and Neftekhimik taking five minors. Sochi’s penalty kill was critical, surviving several key disadvantages, including a late tripping call against Petukhov immediately after his goal.

The victory stands in stark contrast to Sochi’s recent form, which included a 10-1 loss to Sibir Novosibirsk just two days prior. It also avenged a 2-1 loss to Neftekhimik on Jan. 3, the only other meeting this season. The outcome thoroughly upended pregame analytics, as Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 4-1 Neftekhimik win, giving the home side a 72.5% probability of victory.

Sochi will look to build on the unexpected win when they host Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on Saturday. Neftekhimik aims to rebound on the road against Severstal Cherepovets on Sunday.