MOSCOW (Interstat) — Dmitry Gamzin stopped all 19 shots he faced and Prokhor Poltapov scored the lone goal as CSKA Moscow beat visiting Dynamo Moscow 1-0 on Wednesday in a Kontinental Hockey League game at CSKA Ice Palace. CSKA improved to 12-3 this season, while Dynamo fell to 6-11. An announced attendance of 7,652 watched the Moscow rivals meet. Gamzin, listed at 6-foot-2 and 159 pounds, was named the top star for CSKA after the shutout. He had made 25 saves on 26 shots in his previous recent appearance against Salavat Yulaev Ufa, and he was sharp again while facing steady but not overwhelming pressure. CSKA protected the front of the net and limited Dynamo’s second chances, allowing Gamzin to see most shots cleanly. The win gave CSKA another strong result in a season that has featured just three losses.

CSKA did not need much offense because its defense and goaltending held firm. Poltapov scored the game’s only goal, his eighth of the season, with assists from Maxim Sorkin and Marat Khairullin. Sorkin finished with three shots on goal. Khairullin recorded one assist, one shot and one hit. Poltapov added two shots. The goal stood as the difference in a tight, low-scoring contest. Dynamo pressed for an equalizer but could not beat Gamzin. CSKA’s forwards helped clog the neutral zone, and the home side repeatedly cleared rebounds before Dynamo could set up sustained pressure.

Dynamo’s best chances came during a stretch of power-play time, but CSKA’s penalty kill was perfect. The visitors took five minor penalties, while CSKA took two. Dynamo’s Blazhiyevsky Artyom was called for holding in the first period, and CSKA’s Barach Derek received an interference on a goaltender penalty. Dynamo’s Nikonov Andrei was whistled for holding, and Zborovsky Sergei took a hooking minor. In the third period, CSKA’s Zamula Yegor was sent off for high sticking, Dynamo’s Novikov Nikita V. took a high-sticking minor, and Profaca Luka was penalized for throwing the puck outside the playing area. None of those power plays produced a goal. CSKA’s penalty killers stayed aggressive, forcing Dynamo to work along the perimeter and settle for low-percentage attempts.

Beyond the scorers, CSKA received contributions throughout its lineup. Alex Cotton and Nikita Nesterov each put two shots on net from the back end. Maxim Mamin also had two shots. Dmitry Buchelnikov led CSKA with three shots. Pavel Karnaukhov registered one hit. For Dynamo, Jordan Weal was held without a point. Dynamo’s defensive effort kept the game close, but the club could not generate enough traffic in front of Gamzin. CSKA’s ability to protect the lead late made the one-goal margin stand. The home crowd at CSKA Ice Palace saw a disciplined performance from the defending side, which limited second chances and cleared rebounds. CSKA also blocked shooting lanes and kept Dynamo’s forwards from finding open space in the slot.

The result continued CSKA’s strong start to the season. CSKA has won 12 of its first 15 decisions, while Dynamo has struggled to a 6-11 record. The teams had met earlier in the season, with CSKA winning both previous matchups, including one in a shootout. This time, CSKA did not need extra time, as Poltapov’s finish and Gamzin’s 19 saves were enough. Dynamo remained in search of consistency after another low-scoring result. The loss marked another difficult afternoon for a Dynamo offense that has been uneven this season. CSKA, meanwhile, maintained its place among the league’s early leaders. The club’s defensive structure has been a constant during its fast start, and that structure was on full display in the final minutes as Dynamo pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker. CSKA kept the puck away from danger and sealed the win.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of CSKA 5, Dynamo 1. Its ELO system gave CSKA a 64.8 percent probability to win. The total score of 1 stayed under the 4.5 over/under line.