CHEREPOVETS, Russia (Interstat) — Denis Yan and Nikita A. Popugayev each scored twice as Severstal Cherepovets defeated Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 5-2 in a Kontinental Hockey League game Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Ice Palace. Yan added an assist, while Popugayev also had an assist. Ruslan Abrosimov recorded two assists, and Danil Veryayev scored. Goaltender Alexander Samoilov made 30 saves on 32 shots in the win. Ioannis Kaldis and Ivan Podshivalov also had assists for Severstal. Avtomobilist opened the scoring when Kale Clague scored 4:17 into the first period, with assists from Maxim Denezhkin and Maxim Tarasov. Alexander Kadeikin added a third-period goal assisted by Anton Slepyshev. Severstal led 3-1 after two periods. The announced attendance was 3,266. Severstal improved to 3-5, while Avtomobilist fell to 2-6. Maxim Tarasov had four shots and four hits for Avtomobilist. Maxim Denezhkin added three shots. Severstal’s Skorenov was penalized for high sticking and tripping. Severstal next hosts HC Sochi on Saturday.