Third-Period Collapse Costs Dragons Against Dynamo Moscow

SAINT PETERSBURG — The Shanghai Dragons returned home for a single-game stop at SKA Arena, where a near-capacity lower bowl crowd welcomed the team back with warmth and anticipation. But injuries to several key players forced major lineup changes – Popugayev, Spooner, and Clendening were all unavailable, leaving coach Gérard Gallant to reshuffle nearly every forward line.

Despite a spirited effort, the Dragons fell 1–5 to a well-rested Dynamo Moscow side that broke the game open in the third period.

Early Strike by Dynamo

It didn’t take long for the visitors to find their rhythm. Just four minutes in, Ilyenko redirected Sergeyev’s shot from the boards past Rybar, giving Dynamo an early 1–0 lead — their first in three games in St. Petersburg this season.

With the advantage, Dynamo dictated the tempo, drawing back-to-back penalties and even enjoying a brief 5-on-3. The Dragons held firm, blocking shots and clearing rebounds, before earning a two-man advantage of their own — but their power play sputtered without producing a dangerous chance.

Dragons Push Back

The Dragons came out stronger in the second period, adding speed and grit to their game. Dynamo focused on counterattacks, defending deep and waiting for turnovers. Shanghai’s Chezganov created the first real spark, driving to the net and nearly finding a teammate for a tap-in. Moments later, Kuznetsov broke free alone but fired straight into goalie Podyapolsky’s pads.

At the midway mark, Dynamo struck again — Shvets-Rogovoi pounced on a loose puck off a faceoff to make it 2–0. Yet the Dragons answered quickly: Sucese delivered a sharp pass to Austin Wagner, who froze the goalie with a deft fake and slipped the puck home. 1–2, and SKA Arena came alive.

Shanghai had a golden chance to equalize on a late power play, but a series of blocked shots and one lightning-fast save by Podyapolsky kept them trailing after 40 minutes.

Dynamo Takes Control

The third period began in disaster for the home side. Just 11 seconds after the opening faceoff, Sikura made it 3–1, and Ilyenko struck again two minutes later to stretch the gap to 4–1. The two quick blows proved decisive.

From there, Dynamo sat back in a defensive shell, letting the Dragons carry the puck but denying any space in front of the net. Podyapolsky, now the busiest man on the ice, calmly handled everything sent his way.

In the closing minutes, Paquette — who always seems to find the net against Shanghai — buried the fifth goal to seal Dynamo’s 5–1 victory.

Despite the loss, the Dragons return to the ice soon, eager to regroup and get healthy ahead of the November stretch.

Next up: Shanghai visits Severstal Cherepovets on November 1.

KHL Regular Season – FONBET
Shanghai Dragons – Dynamo Moscow 1–5 (0–1, 1–1, 0–3)

October 28 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 9,777
Goalies: Rybar – Podyapolsky

Scoring Summary:

0:1 – Ilyenko (Sergeyev, Dzhioshvili) 03:11
0:2 – Shvets-Rogovoi (Slepyshev, Pylenkov) 30:36
1:2 – Wagner (Sucese) 32:15
1:3 – Sikura (Weal, Ozhiganov) 40:11
1:4 – Ilyenko (Dzhioshvili) 42:03
1:5 – Paquette (Gusev, Ozhiganov) 55:32

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons