NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (Interstat) — Nikita Serebryakov made 42 saves and Mikhail Gulyayev scored the only goal as Avangard Omsk defeated Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 1-0 in a Kontinental Hockey League game Thursday at SCC Arena in Neftekhim Arena. The announced attendance was 4,100. Avangard’s season record is now 6 wins and 6 losses. Neftekhimik’s season record is now 8 wins and 6 losses.

Serebryakov was the game’s top star, stopping all 42 shots he faced to earn the win. He had made 34 saves in a loss at Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg and 16 saves in a win over Lada Togliatti in his previous two appearances. Against Neftekhimik, he was busy throughout, especially as Avangard spent stretches killing penalties. His 42-save performance preserved a one-goal lead after Avangard scored midway through the first period. Serebryakov faced pressure in every period and remained calm in the crease.

Gulyayev scored at 11:53 of the first period, giving Avangard a 1-0 lead. Joshua Leivo and Andrew Poturalski assisted on the goal. It was Gulyayev’s second goal of the season, while Leivo picked up his sixth assist and Poturalski his fourth. The goal came shortly after Avangard killed an early holding penalty to Evgeny Kashnikov at 1:27 and a tripping penalty to Dmitry Rashevsky at 5:05. Neftekhimik’s Sergei Artemyev was called for delaying the game at 11:53, immediately after the goal.

Avangard’s penalty troubles continued later in the first period. Vasily Ponomaryov was sent off for slashing at 15:45, and Kirill Adamchuk received a roughing minor at 19:33. Neftekhimik could not convert on those chances. Serebryakov made several stops to keep the home team off the scoreboard, and Avangard’s defense blocked shooting lanes in front of him. The visitors took a one-goal lead into the first intermission.

In the second period, Avangard received the first power play of the middle frame when Neftekhimik’s German Tochilkin was called for interference at 21:28. Neftekhimik’s Nikita Khlystov then took a tripping penalty at 30:55. Neftekhimik’s penalty kill held, and Serebryakov remained sharp as Neftekhimik increased its shot total. The home team finished with 42 shots on goal but could not beat the Avangard netminder. Neftekhimik kept pressing in the attacking zone, but Avangard blocked shots and cleared rebounds.

Poturalski also contributed an assist, two shots on goal and one hit for Avangard. Leivo finished with one assist and five shots. Michael McLeod had two shots and one hit. On defense, Marsel Ibragimov recorded five shots and one hit, while Semyon Chistyakov had four shots. Lev Starikov added two shots. Gulyayev’s goal came on his only shot of the game. Avangard’s defense helped limit second chances despite Neftekhimik’s shot volume.

For Neftekhimik, Tochilkin had five shots, two penalty minutes and two hits. Khlystov registered four shots, two penalty minutes and one hit. Their pressure produced plenty of volume, but not a goal. Neftekhimik’s best chances came during its power plays and late pressure, but Serebryakov turned them aside each time. The home team could not find an equalizer.

Avangard’s win came after a 4-0 loss at Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in its previous game. The victory moved Avangard back to .500 on the season. Neftekhimik, which had won its previous game against Sibir Novosibirsk, dropped to 8 wins and 6 losses. The home crowd of 4,100 saw the visitors score early and then defend the lead for the rest of the night. Avangard’s record is now 6 wins and 6 losses with the road result, while Neftekhimik’s is 8 wins and 6 losses.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Neftekhimik 3, Avangard 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Avangard with a 70.2 percent probability to win.