Offense Stalls as Dragons Fall 4-1 in Cherepovets

CHEREPOVETS — The Shanghai Dragons wrapped up their road trip on Friday night with a tough 4-1 loss to Severstal, as struggles on the power play and missed chances in key moments proved costly. Both teams entered the game separated by just a few points in the Western Conference standings – Severstal looking to extend its six-game winning streak, and Shanghai hoping to snap a three-game skid.

Clashing Styles Early

From the opening faceoff, both sides wasted no time trading rushes. Severstal attacked in waves, activating defensemen and creating chaos around Patrik Rybar’s crease. The Dragons countered with their trademark North American-style hockey – physical, structured, with plenty of puck possession in the offensive zone.

Despite generating several good looks, Shanghai lacked finishing precision. On a power play midway through the period, the visitors pressed hard but couldn’t convert. Moments later, Severstal struck first – Abrosimov pounced on a loose puck off the end boards and buried it for 1–0. The Dragons answered quickly: Merkley found Rendulic alone in the slot, who slid it five-hole past Samoylov to make it 1-1.

Power Play Woes

The second period was defined by missed opportunities. Severstal took four straight penalties, but the Dragons couldn’t make them pay. Despite extended 5-on-4 and even a timeout to reset the power-play unit, Shanghai’s execution broke down under Severstal’s aggressive penalty kill — and twice the hosts nearly scored shorthanded on odd-man rushes.

Instead, it was Severstal who regained control. Ilyin restored their lead midway through the frame, and Mukhanov doubled it minutes later, finishing a crisp passing play for 3-1.

No Comeback This Time

Trailing by two, the Dragons opened the third period with urgency. They pinned Severstal in its zone early and nearly cut the deficit, but Samoylov’s reflex glove save kept it out. An ill-timed penalty to Bischoff halted the momentum, and Chebykin capitalized on the ensuing power play to make it 4-1.

From there, Severstal shut things down, clogging passing lanes and protecting their lead with discipline. The Dragons finished with a flurry of pressure but couldn’t find a second goal.

Despite the loss, Shanghai returns home from a challenging road stretch with points in six of the last eight games.

Next Up: The Dragons return to SKA Arena on October 28 to host Dynamo Moscow in their special Eco Game Night – tickets on sale now!

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Severstal Cherepovets – Shanghai Dragons 4-1 (1–1, 2–0, 1–0)

October 26 | Cherepovets, Ice Palace | Attendance: 5,536
Goalies: Samoylov – Rybar

Scoring Summary:

1:0 – Abrosimov (Gregoir, Mukhanov) 15:20 PPG
1:1 – Rendulic (Merkley) 17:23
2:1 – Ilyin (Kvochko, Fomin) 24:33
3:1 – Mukhanov (Kaldis, Kvochko) 32:34
4:1 – Chebykin (Aimurzin, Ilyin) 44:15 PPG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons