NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — Yaroslav Ozolin made 25 saves and Evgeny Mityakin had a goal and an assist as Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk held off Admiral Vladivostok 2-1 on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in a Kontinental Hockey League game at SCC Arena. Neftekhimik improved to 3-1-0 this season, while Admiral fell to 1-3-0. The announced attendance was 2,931. Ozolin, a 6-foot-0, 172-pound goaltender, was named the top star for Neftekhimik after turning aside 25 of 26 shots. Mityakin, a 6-foot-2, 198-pound forward, finished with one goal, one assist, four shots on goal and two penalty minutes. The win continued a strong start for Neftekhimik, which has won three of its first four games. Admiral, meanwhile, completed a road stretch with its third loss in four games. The teams will meet again Sept. 27 in Vladivostok.

Admiral opened the scoring early. Anthony Camara scored 3:36 into the first period, with assists from Dmitry Zavgorodny and Alexander S. Volkov. Camara, a 6-foot-0, 196-pound forward, recorded a goal, four shots on goal, two penalty minutes and three hits. The early goal gave Admiral a brief lead and quieted the home crowd. Neftekhimik answered later in the first period when Damir Zhafyarov scored at 11:49. Mityakin and Andrei Al. Belozyorov drew assists on the goal, which came while Admiral’s Mikhail Grass was serving a tripping penalty. Zhafyarov, listed at 5-foot-8 and 168 pounds, had a goal, two shots and one hit. Belozyorov added one assist, five shots and two hits. Grass had three shots and two penalty minutes. The first period ended with the teams tied.

Neftekhimik took the lead for good in the third period. Mityakin scored 6:59 into the final frame, with Vladislav Yeryomenko picking up the assist. Yeryomenko, a 6-foot-0, 187-pound defenseman, finished with one assist. Ozolin protected the lead from there, and Admiral could not find an equalizer. Rafael Bikmullin had seven shots and one hit for Neftekhimik, while Nikita Khlystov added three shots and two hits. Admiral’s Alexander S. Volkov had one assist and one shot. Mikhail Grass recorded three shots and two penalty minutes. Neftekhimik held Admiral to one goal, while Ozolin finished with 25 saves.

The game included several penalties after a brisk first period. Neftekhimik’s Sergei Artemyev was called for too many players on the ice at 9:18 of the first. Admiral’s Grass went off for tripping at 10:27. In the second period, Neftekhimik’s Mityakin received a holding penalty at 8:42, and Neftekhimik’s Grigory Seleznyov and Admiral’s Camara were called for roughing at 17:49. In the third, Neftekhimik’s Matvei Nadvorny received a roughing penalty at 11:44, and Admiral’s Nikita Yefremov was sent off for slashing at 15:41. The teams combined for seven minor penalties. Neither team scored on the remaining power-play chances.

Neftekhimik entered the game after wins over Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg and HC Sochi, and it has won three of its first four games. Admiral had beaten CSKA Moscow in its previous outing before falling in this one. Admiral’s road trip also included a shootout loss at Dynamo Moscow on Sept. 9 and a 2-0 loss at Ak Bars Kazan on Sept. 7. Neftekhimik opened the season with a 5-4 overtime loss to Shanghai Dragons on Sept. 6. Ozolin had stopped 28 of 29 shots in a 3-1 win against Avtomobilist on Sept. 11 and 41 of 42 in a 5-1 win against Sochi on Sept. 8. Neftekhimik next visits Sibir Novosibirsk on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Admiral returns home to face Dynamo Moscow on Thursday, Sept. 17. The teams meet again Sept. 27 in Vladivostok.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Neftekhimik 2, Admiral 1. Its ELO system gave Neftekhimik a 63.6 percent probability to win before the game.