NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — Artur Tyanulin scored twice and Yaroslav Ozolin made 28 saves as Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk defeated Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 3-1 in a Kontinental Hockey League game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at SCC Arena.

Tyanulin opened the scoring at 18:35 of the first period, finishing off assists from Evgeny Mityakin and Andrei Al. Belozyorov. The goal came 27 seconds after Avtomobilist’s Nikita Shashkov was sent off for high sticking. Avtomobilist had already been assessed a high-sticking penalty to Alexander Kadeikin 28 seconds into the game. Tyanulin, listed at 5-foot-8 and 174 pounds, finished with two goals and two shots. Mityakin, a 6-foot-2, 198-pound forward, added one assist and two shots. Belozyorov, who is 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, recorded two assists, three shots and two hits. Ozolin protected the lead through the rest of the opening period and finished the afternoon with 28 saves on 29 shots.

Avtomobilist answered early in the second period. Anton Slepyshev scored at 23:18, with assists from Roman S. Gorbunov and Kadeikin. The goal came 19 seconds after Neftekhimik’s Timur Khairullin was penalized for hooking. Kadeikin finished with one assist, two shots, two penalty minutes and one hit. Slepyshev recorded one goal and three shots. Avtomobilist’s power play produced the equalizer.

Neftekhimik regained the lead at 32:53 of the second period when Tyanulin scored his second goal of the game. Belozyorov and Damir Zhafyarov picked up assists. Belozyorov ended with two assists, three shots and two hits. Zhafyarov had one assist, four shots and two penalty minutes. Mityakin added one assist and two shots for Neftekhimik. The second Tyanulin goal put Neftekhimik ahead for good.

Rafael Bikmullin sealed the win at 59:16 of the third period, scoring with an assist from Nikita Khoruzhev. Bikmullin finished with one goal, two shots and four hits. Khoruzhev recorded one assist. Neftekhimik defenseman Artyom Serikov had two shots. Ozolin was named the top star for Neftekhimik after his 28-save performance. He was listed at 6 feet and 172 pounds. Ozolin had recently stopped 41 of 42 shots in a win over HC Sochi on Sept. 8.

The game included a series of special-teams swings. Neftekhimik’s Khairullin was called for hooking at 22:59 of the second period. Avtomobilist’s Yaroslav Busygin received a tripping penalty at 24:00. Neftekhimik’s German Tochilkin was penalized for interference on a goaltender at 28:20, and Avtomobilist’s Nikita Tryamkin went off for tripping at 30:51. In the third period, Neftekhimik’s Zhafyarov was whistled for tripping at 51:26, and Avtomobilist’s Evgeny Alikin was called for delaying the game at 54:03. Avtomobilist also had earlier high-sticking penalties to Kadeikin and Shashkov.

Neftekhimik improved to 2-1-0 with the home victory. Avtomobilist fell to 1-2-0. Neftekhimik had beaten HC Sochi 5-1 on Sept. 8 and lost to Shanghai Dragons 5-4 in overtime on Sept. 6. Avtomobilist had lost to Traktor Chelyabinsk 4-3 in overtime on Sept. 7 and beaten Dynamo Moscow 2-1 on Sept. 5. The announced attendance at SCC Arena in Nizhnekamsk was 3,506. Neftekhimik is scheduled to host Admiral Vladivostok on Sunday, Sept. 13. Avtomobilist will visit Sibir Novosibirsk on Sunday, Sept. 13. Neftekhimik’s upcoming schedule also includes a road game at Sibir Novosibirsk on Wednesday, Sept. 16, a trip to Salavat Yulaev Ufa on Friday, Sept. 18, and a game at Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Sunday, Sept. 20. Avtomobilist is set to play at Avangard Omsk on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Dinamo Minsk on Sunday, Sept. 20, and at Shanghai Dragons on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Avtomobilist with a 63.9 percent probability to win before the game.