Almaz Cherepovets skated to a 4-1 regulation win over SKA Varyagi in MHL play, taking control with two goals apiece in the first and second periods. The visitors turned an early 1-2 advantage into a 1-4 lead by the second intermission.
SKA struck first in the opening period, but Almaz answered twice before the break. Cherepovets then padded the lead with two more goals in the middle frame, while the hosts were kept off the scoresheet over the final two periods.
The decisive detail was Almaz’s four unanswered goals after SKA’s opener. With the home side blanked in the second and third periods, the outcome was settled well before regulation ended.