Historic Home Opener: Shanghai Dragons Defeat SKA 7-4 at SKA Arena

SAINT PETERSBURG — History was made at the SKA Arena as the Shanghai Dragons played their first-ever home game in franchise history, thrilling a packed crowd of 15,141 fans with a high-scoring showdown against SKA St. Petersburg. The Dragons combined speed, skill, and firepower to secure a 7-4 victory, giving their fans a night to remember.

Leadership Set for Takeoff

The Dragons skated onto the ice in their strongest available lineup. Spencer Foo was named captain, with alternate captains Adam Clendening, Ryan Spooner, Jake Bischoff, and Alexander Burmistrov. Patrik Rybar guarded the crease, ready to make history.

Scoring Sparks Early

The opening minutes saw both teams testing each other, nerves evident in a sluggish start. SKA struck first on the power play at 4:12 as Zykov found the top corner off a cross-ice feed from Vorobyev. Shanghai responded almost immediately: just 92 seconds later, Parker Foo tipped home a pass from Bryntsev and Sutter, etching his name in the history books as the first goal in Dragons’ franchise history.

Defensive Hesitation Leads to Frenzy

SKA answered again just under two minutes later as Vorobyev scored to put the visitors ahead, 2-1. The middle portion of the period saw tight play and limited scoring chances, until the 15th minute when Quinney, Clendening, and Popugayev combined for a slick play that ended with Quinney finishing on an empty net, 2-2.

The Back-and-Forth Continues

The second period continued the scoring frenzy. At 23:15, SKA’s Goldobin converted a power-play chance, 3-2. Shanghai answered quickly on a 2-on-1, with Quinney threading a wrist shot to the near side, 3-3. Despite a penalty and an injury to Duszak, Shanghai’s defense held firm, keeping SKA from extending their lead.4

Three Goals in a Minute Ignite the Crowd

Late in the second, the Dragons unleashed a goal blitz. Popugayev completed his second of the night on the power play, just 25 seconds later Rendulic dazzled the crowd with a solo effort, weaving through defenders before finishing with a slick backhand, and finally Max Ellis tipped home a shot from Clendening to make it 6-3 – forcing a netminder change for SKA.

Closing Out the Victory

SKA pressed in the third, with Grimaldi narrowing the gap to 6-4 at 46:19. The visitors generated multiple scoring chances, but Shanghai’s defense and goaltending held firm, maintaining composure under pressure. In the final minute, Gage Quinney sealed the game with an empty-netter for his second goal of the night, ending the contest 7-4 in favor of the Dragons.

Next Up: Shanghai Dragons host Admiral St. Petersburg on September 8. Tickets are available through the official team site.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – SKA St. Petersburg 7-4 (2-2, 4-1, 1-0)

September 6, Saint Petersburg | SKA Arena | Attendance: 15,141
Goalies: Rybar – Ivanov (Pleshkow 35:58)

Scoring Summary:

0:1 – Zykov (Vorobyev, Murphy) 04:12 PP
1:1 – Parker Foo (Bryntsev, Sutter) 05:44
1:2 – Vorobyev (Zykov, Phillips) 07:19
2:2 – Popugayev (Clendening, Quinney) 14:49
2:3 – Goldobin (Loktionov, Grimaldi) 23:15 PP
3:3 – Quinney (Rendulich) 26:52
4:3 – Popugayev (Clendening, Chekhovich) 34:35 PP
5:3 – Rendulich (Quinney, Bischoff) 35:00
6:3 – Ellis (Clendening) 35:38
6:4 – Grimaldi (Goldobin, Larionov Jr.) 46:19
7:4 – Quinney 59:05 EN

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons