MINSK (Interstat) — Yegor Zavragin made 28 saves, and Metallurg Magnitogorsk scored three unanswered goals to beat Dinamo Minsk 3-1 in a Kontinental Hockey League game Wednesday at Minsk-Arena. Metallurg Magnitogorsk trailed early but controlled the final two periods, improving to 13 wins and four losses. Dinamo Minsk fell to six wins and 10 losses. Attendance was 15,086.

Rhett Gardner gave Dinamo Minsk the lead 2:03 into the first period, scoring his first goal of the game off assists from Nikita Pyshkailo and Nikolai Salygo. The home team held that advantage through the rest of the opening period, helped by a pair of minor penalties. Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s Yegor Zelenov was sent off for tripping at 12:58, and Pyshkailo went to the box for tripping at 15:41. Metallurg Magnitogorsk did not score on that power play. Dinamo Minsk could not add to its lead before intermission, and Metallurg Magnitogorsk began to tilt the ice in the second.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk tied the game in the second period when Mikhail Fyodorov scored at 27:48. Igor Nechayev and Artyom Minulin assisted. The period grew chippy, with Makar Khabarov called for hooking at 21:44 and again at 29:13. Nathan Todd was whistled for slashing at 33:30 and tripping at 37:35, while Sam Anas of Dinamo Minsk was penalized for slashing at 36:34. Zavragin remained steady in net, allowing Metallurg Magnitogorsk to carry momentum into the third. Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s forecheck created several chances, and the visitors finally broke through again late.

Vladimir E. Tkachyov put Metallurg Magnitogorsk ahead at 54:34 of the third period. Valery Orekhov and Nikita Mikhailis assisted. Ruslan Iskhakov sealed the win with a goal at 59:46, assisted by Tkachyov. Iskhakov also served a holding penalty at 52:15. Tkachyov finished with one goal, one assist and three shots on goal. Iskhakov had one goal, two shots and two penalty minutes. Fyodorov scored one goal on two shots. Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s penalty kill also held Dinamo Minsk scoreless on its chances. The late goal capped a decisive third period for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, which held Dinamo Minsk to one goal despite the early deficit.

Gardner led Dinamo Minsk with one goal on three shots. Daniil A. Lipsky recorded one shot. Christopher Tierney did not register a point. Orekhov added one assist and one hit for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Nechayev had one assist, while Mikhailis contributed one assist and one shot. Zavragin, the game’s top star, stopped 28 of 29 shots. He entered after recent outings that included a 24-save shutout against Admiral Vladivostok and a short relief appearance against the same club. His play allowed Metallurg Magnitogorsk to stay within reach before its offense took over. His 28 saves were the most in his past three appearances. Tkachyov’s three shots tied Gardner for the most among the listed skaters.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s victory continued a strong stretch. The club had beaten Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in overtime in its previous game and had also posted a 7-1 home win over Salavat Yulaev Ufa earlier this season. The visitors outscored Dinamo Minsk 3-0 after the first period. Dinamo Minsk, meanwhile, had won at Shanghai Dragons in its previous outing but remained inconsistent at home. Metallurg Magnitogorsk improved its road form with the win. Metallurg Magnitogorsk will return home to face Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in its next game. Dinamo Minsk will host Ak Bars Kazan in its next contest. Both teams remain in the thick of the Kontinental Hockey League schedule.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Metallurg Magnitogorsk 3, Dinamo Minsk 2. Interstat’s ELO system gave Metallurg Magnitogorsk a 60.2 percent probability to win. The projection favored the visiting club, which delivered a stronger finish after a slow start. The total score of 4 went over the over/under line of 5.5. The teams will continue their schedules with Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg and Dinamo Minsk hosting Ak Bars Kazan.