MAGNITOGORSK (Interstat) — Alexander S. Smolin made 38 saves and Metallurg Magnitogorsk scored twice to beat Ak Bars Kazan 2-1 in a Kontinental Hockey League game Saturday at Arena Metallurg. Metallurg improved to 7 wins and 2 losses. Ak Bars fell to 6 wins and 4 losses. Attendance was 7,234. Smolin’s performance helped Metallurg preserve a one-goal lead after Ak Bars opened the scoring. The home team outlasted a tight defensive game and secured the extra point in regulation.

Ak Bars struck first late in the opening period. Vladimir E. Tkachyov was called for tripping at 10:30 of the first period. Kirill Semyonov scored his second goal of the season at 18:11, with assists from Semyon Terekhov and Albert Yarullin. Semyonov, listed at 6-0 and 165 pounds, finished with four shots on goal. Terekhov, listed at 6-2 and 176 pounds, added four shots on goal and one assist. Smolin kept Metallurg within a goal by stopping the rest of Ak Bars’ chances. Ak Bars led after the first period and carried momentum into the intermission.

Metallurg answered with two goals. Artyom Minulin scored his first goal of the season at 45:32, assisted by Alexander Siryatsky and Makar Khabarov. Minulin, listed at 6-2 and 203 pounds, also had four shots on goal and one hit. The goal tied the game and shifted momentum. Yegor Sokolov was then sent off for tripping at 46:47, giving Metallurg a power play. Daniil Vovchenko scored at 48:49, with assists from Valery Orekhov and Nathan Todd, to put Metallurg ahead for good. Vovchenko, listed at 5-9 and 172 pounds, finished with one goal and two shots on goal. Orekhov, listed at 6-0 and 168 pounds, had one assist and six shots on goal. Todd had one assist and two shots on goal. Siryatsky added one assist, two shots on goal and two hits. Ruslan Iskhakov received a high-sticking penalty at 53:30, but Ak Bars could not convert.

Smolin, named the game’s top star, finished with 38 saves on 39 shots. He had recent wins against Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk and Barys Astana, along with a loss to Avangard Omsk. Semyonov had one goal and four shots on goal. Orekhov recorded one assist and six shots on goal. Minulin had one goal, four shots on goal and one hit. Terekhov had one assist and four shots on goal. Vovchenko added one goal and two shots on goal. Siryatsky contributed one assist, two shots on goal and two hits. Todd had one assist and two shots on goal. Mikhail Fyodorov recorded one shot on goal for Metallurg. For Ak Bars, Alexander Chmelevski, listed at 6-0 and 187 pounds, had three shots on goal and one hit. Ak Bars pressured late after Iskhakov’s penalty, but Smolin and the Metallurg defense held firm. Metallurg blocked lanes and limited second-chance opportunities in the final minutes.

Metallurg had won three straight before Saturday and improved its recent home form. Ak Bars had won two straight, including a shootout victory at Sibir Novosibirsk. Before that, Ak Bars beat Lada Togliatti in overtime at home. Metallurg had also beaten Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk and Barys Astana in recent home games. Metallurg’s recent run also included an overtime win against Amur Khabarovsk and a regulation win against Amur Khabarovsk. Ak Bars had beaten Traktor Chelyabinsk and Admiral Vladivostok at home while losing to HC Sochi and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on the road. In the most recent head-to-head meeting, Metallurg won in a shootout at Ak Bars. Metallurg next visits Avangard Omsk, while Ak Bars hosts Barys Astana. Both teams remain near the top of the early KHL standings.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Metallurg M 4, Ak Bars 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Metallurg M with a 55.2 percent probability to win.