SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (Interstat) — Sergei Plotnikov scored twice and Nikolai Goldobin assisted on three goals as SKA Saint Petersburg rallied from a three-goal deficit to defeat Dinamo Minsk 4-3 in a Kontinental Hockey League game on Wednesday.

The home team, facing a 3-0 disadvantage after the first period, mounted a relentless comeback at Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, culminating in Plotnikov’s game-winning goal late in the second period. Goaltender Sergei Ivanov secured the victory with 41 saves on 44 shots, weathering a fierce offensive push from Dinamo Minsk in the final frame.

SKA opened the scoring early when defenseman Ivan Vydrenkov beat the goaltender at the 4:28 mark of the first period, with assists from Andrei Pedan and Goldobin. Plotnikov extended the lead to 2-0 less than five minutes later, converting a pass from Scott Wilson, with Goldobin earning the secondary assist. Dinamo Minsk’s Yegor Borikov took a tripping penalty midway through the period, and SKA capitalized on the power play. Matvei Polyakov deflected a shot from Rossо Grimaldi to make it 3-0, with Brennan Menell also credited with an assist.

The second period saw SKA complete its comeback. After a Dinamo Minsk interference penalty, Plotnikov struck again on the power play at 29:59, finishing a feed from Goldobin to give SKA its first lead at 4-3. The goal held up as the winner.

Dinamo Minsk had begun its own push earlier in the period. At 34:35, Alex Limoges broke Ivanov’s shutout bid, firing a shot assisted by Sam Anas and Vitaly Pinchuk. The visitors continued to press in the third period. With SKA’s Valentin Zykov in the box for tripping, Dinamo Minsk’s power play connected at 50:28. Pinchuk scored, with Anas and Limoges assisting, to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Just over three minutes later, with SKA again short-handed, veteran forward Vadim Shipachyov brought Dinamo Minsk within one, scoring off a pass from Anas, who recorded his third assist of the night. Despite pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker in the final minute, Dinamo Minsk could not find the equalizer. A holding the stick penalty on Ty Smith with three seconds remaining sealed the outcome.

SKA’s victory improved its season record across all competitions to 29 wins, 25 losses and one tie. Dinamo Minsk fell to 34-24-1. The result continued a closely contested season series between the clubs, which previously included a 3-3 tie in Minsk on Feb. 3 and a 4-3 Dinamo Minsk victory in Saint Petersburg on Jan. 19.

The game’s outcome defied some pregame projections. While Interstat’s ELO system had given Dinamo Minsk a 51.20 percent probability to win, the organization’s game simulator had accurately predicted the final score of 4-3 in favor of SKA.

SKA next hosts Severstal Cherepovets on Friday. Dinamo Minsk returns home to face Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on Sunday.