KAZAN (Interstat) — Ruslan Iskhakov scored the decisive goal in the shootout, and Metallurg Magnitogorsk defeated Ak Bars Kazan 3-2 on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in a Kontinental Hockey League game at TatNeft Arena. The game drew an announced attendance of 8,467. Metallurg improved to 3-0-0 this season, while Ak Bars dropped to 3-1-0. The contest needed a shootout after Metallurg tied the score in the final seconds of regulation, then survived the extra period. Iskhakov’s winner capped a game that featured an early Ak Bars goal, a shorthanded response by Metallurg and a late go-ahead score by the home team.

Ak Bars opened the scoring 20 seconds into the first period. Semyon Terekhov scored on the opening shift, with assists from Kirill Semyonov and Mitchell Miller. The quick goal gave the home team an early lift. Metallurg answered at 5:38 after Yegor Zelenov was sent off for high sticking at 5:14. Ruslan Iskhakov scored while Metallurg was shorthanded, tying the game and swinging momentum. Later in the period, Vladislav Provolnev was penalized for tripping at 19:21. Ak Bars could not convert on the power play before the first intermission, and the teams went to the break tied 1-1.

The second period was scoreless but not quiet. Metallurg’s Valery Orekhov was called for tripping at 20:16. Ak Bars’ Grigory Denisenko went to the penalty box for hooking at 28:25. Metallurg’s Daniil Vovchenko was whistled for too many players on the ice at 30:38. The penalties gave both teams chances with the man advantage, but neither side found the net in the middle frame. Metallurg took four of the game’s six minor penalties, while Ak Bars took two. The goaltenders held firm, and the score remained 1-1 heading into the third.

Ak Bars regained the lead in the third period. Artyom Galimov scored at 49:48, with assists from Semyonov and Miller. It was Semyonov’s second assist of the afternoon and Miller’s second helper. The goal gave Ak Bars a 2-1 lead and put Metallurg under pressure. Metallurg pushed back late and pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker. The move worked. Dmitry Silantyev scored at 59:51, with assists from Nikita Mikhailis and Provolnev. The goal came with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation and tied the game 2-2, forcing overtime.

In the extra period and shootout, Iskhakov delivered the winner at the 65-minute mark. The goal gave Metallurg a 3-2 victory and ended a tense contest. Iskhakov finished with a goal and three shots. Semyonov had two assists and one hit for Ak Bars. Galimov scored once and put five shots on net. Terekhov had a goal, four shots and one hit. Silantyev scored once and recorded three shots. Miller contributed two assists and three shots. Metallurg’s penalty kill was tested often, and Iskhakov’s shorthanded goal in the first period proved crucial in keeping the visitors even before the late rally.

The result continued a strong start for Metallurg, which had beaten Amur Khabarovsk 4-2 on Sept. 6 and 2-1 in overtime on Sept. 8, both at home. Ak Bars had won its previous three games before Friday. That run included a 2-1 victory over Traktor Chelyabinsk on Sept. 9, a 2-0 win over Admiral Vladivostok on Sept. 7 and a 4-3 shootout win over Sibir Novosibirsk on Sept. 5. The loss was Ak Bars’ first of the season and ended its perfect start. Metallurg remained unbeaten through three games.

Metallurg next plays at Avangard Omsk on Sunday, Sept. 13. Ak Bars travels to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on Monday, Sept. 14. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Magnitogorsk on Saturday, Sept. 26. Before that rematch, Metallurg will host Spartak Moscow, Barys Astana and Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ak Bars will play at Salavat Yulaev Ufa and HC Sochi before returning home to face Lada Togliatti.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Ak Bars with a 52 percent probability to win before the game.