Metallurg Novokuznetsk capped a disciplined road performance with a 3-0 regulation win over HC Norilsk, scoring once in the first period and twice in the second. The opening goal came at 6:00, and a pair of middle-frame strikes at 23:00 and 32:00 effectively sealed the match before the third period.
After 20 minutes Metallurg held a 1-0 edge, and the second period proved decisive as the visitors extended their lead to 3-0 by the 32-minute mark. The third period was scoreless, with Norilsk unable to generate a response against a compact road structure.
The telling number is the scoreboard at the second intermission: 0-3. That cushion allowed Metallurg to play out a quiet final frame, while Norilsk went 60 minutes without a goal at home.