Late Drama in St. Petersburg: Dragons Earn a Point but Fall in OT to SKA

SAINT PETERSBURG — In a tense, hard-fought showdown at the Ice Palace, the Shanghai Dragons earned a valuable road point but fell 3–2 in overtime to SKA after a dramatic finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

It was the Dragons’ first road game in St. Petersburg this season, and they welcomed back two key forwards: Ryan Spooner and Spencer Foo, both inserted into the third line alongside Austin Wagner. Patrik Rybar got the start in goal.

Strong Start From the Dragons

Shanghai opened the game with confidence, pressing SKA deep in their zone and drawing an early penalty. Their power play operated smoothly, and at 2:26, newcomer Kevin Labanc sniped a pinpoint wrister into the top corner from the left circle — 1–0 Dragons.

SKA responded aggressively, earning a lengthy 5-on-3 opportunity, but Rybar delivered an inspired sequence of highlight-reel saves, including a full-split denial on a one-timer that stunned the home crowd.

Near the end of the frame, hard forechecking paid off again: Greg McKegg stole the puck from Igor Larionov Jr., slid it to Vladimir Kuznetsov, and the rookie buried it — 2–0. The Dragons took a commanding lead into intermission.

SKA Strikes Back

The second period brought a momentum shift. Just 78 seconds in, Jordan Murphy walked into the zone and wired a heavy shot past Rybar — 2–1. The goal energized SKA, who intensified their forecheck and pinned the Dragons for extended shifts. Rybar continued his exceptional play, but constant pressure took a toll.

With 27 seconds left in the period, Vladislav Polyakov capitalized on a bounce off the endboards to tie it 2–2. The Dragons nevertheless survived another late SKA push to keep the game level heading into the third.

Balanced Third Period

Andrei Tikhomirov replaced Rybar in net to start the third and wasn’t troubled early as the Dragons came out aggressively, tilting the ice in their favor. A perfect 2-on-1 with Rendulic and Merkley nearly restored the lead, but the final touch slipped just wide.

SKA eventually pushed back, but both teams matched each other in tempo and intensity, trading rushes and battling for every inch of ice. As the final minutes approached, fatigue became a factor — shifts shortened, turnovers increased, and the game teetered on a knife’s edge.

A late penalty to Kuznetsov forced the Dragons to defend the final 90 seconds of regulation at 4-on-5, and they held firm to reach overtime.

Overtime Heartbreak

Unfortunately, the OT lasted only six seconds. SKA started with the man advantage carried over from regulation, won the opening draw cleanly, and Murphy blasted home the winner — his second of the night — sealing a 3–2 OT victory for the hosts.

Still, the Dragons skated away with a hard-earned point after a gritty road performance against one of the KHL’s deepest lineups.

Next Up: Shanghai returns to action on November 8, hosting Severstal at SKA Arena. Tickets are on sale now.

KHL Regular Season — FONBET
SKA St.Petersburg – Shanghai Dragons 3–2 OT (0–2, 2–0, 0–0, 1–0)

November 6 | Saint Petersburg, Ice Palace | Attendance: 11,394
Goalies: Zavragin — Rybar (Tikhomirov, 40:00)

Scoring Summary:

0–1 — Labanc (Clendening, Quinney) 02:26 PPG
0–2 — Kuznetsov (McKegg) 18:12
1–2 — Murphy (Plotnikov, Sapego) 21:18
2–2 — Polyakov (Murphy, Khairullin) 39:33
3–2 — Murphy (Grimaldi, Vorobyov) 60:08 4-on-3 PPG OTW

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons