NOVOSIBIRSK (Interstat) — Alexander Mirzabalayev scored twice and Anton Krasotkin made 35 saves as Sibir defeated Metallurg M 5-2 on Thursday in Kontinental Hockey League play at Ice Sports Palace Sibir in Sibir Arena. Sibir improved to 8-14, while Metallurg M dropped to 16-6 before an announced attendance of 11,547. Pavel Tyutnev and Anton Kosolapov also scored for Sibir, and Arkhip Nekolenko, Daniil Chaika and Ivan Mishchenko recorded assists. Sergei Tolchinsky and Nikita A. Korotkov scored for Metallurg M, with Nathan Todd adding an assist. Krasotkin stopped 35 of 37 shots in the victory. Mirzabalayev finished with two goals, four shots on goal and two hits for Sibir. Tyutnev added a goal and two shots, while Kosolapov had a goal, seven shots and three hits. The hosts answered with a strong second-period surge and held off Metallurg M down the stretch.