Dragons Control the Pace, Silence Dynamo Crowd in 4–1 Road Win

MOSCOW — For the fifth time this season, the Shanghai Dragons squared off with Dynamo Moscow – and this time, in Petrovsky Park, the Dragons delivered one of their most composed and disciplined performances of the year. With only a single lineup change (Alexander Burmistrov replacing Kuznetsov), and with Andrei Tikhomirov making his first start of the season, Shanghai executed a near-perfect road game to earn a 4–1 victory at VTB Arena.

Calculated, Organized – and Deadly

From the opening faceoff, it was clear the Dragons had adapted. No chaotic footraces, no trading rushes – instead, structured defensive posture, patient breakout play, and sharp counterattacks. Dynamo ran straight into a blue wall multiple times, and the first real opening went to Shanghai.

At 4:45, Nikita Popugaev hammered home a heavy shot off a setup from Spooner and Reilly. Motorygin got a piece of it but couldn’t hold on – 1–0 Dragons.

Dynamo responded with speed and earned a power play, but Tikhomirov settled in quickly, reading every seam pass and directing rebounds safely.

Labanc Stays Red-Hot

Midway through the period, the Dragons completely took over. Long possessions, crisp cycling, and increasingly frustrated whistles from Dynamo supporters. At 14:41, Kevin Labanc – scoring for the third straight game – executed a brilliant give-and-go with Gage Quinney, walked untouched to the crease, and roofed the puck over Motorygin’s blocker.

2–0, and Shanghai wasn’t finished threatening.

A Timely Third Goal

The second period began with Dynamo trying to tilt the rink, but the Dragons struck first again. At 24:26, a point shot deflected off Nick Merkley and into the net, making it 3–0 and forcing Dynamo to switch goaltenders.

From that moment, Shanghai braced for the inevitable push. The hosts earned multiple power plays, cycling aggressively around the perimeter – but the Dragons’ penalty kill was airtight. Lanes stayed clogged, Tikhomirov was square on every look, and defenders swarmed the crease whenever rebounds dropped.

With the building restless and Dynamo still scoreless, Shanghai leaned further into their defensive shell.

Closing the Door

Early in the third, Wagner took a penalty that could have cracked the game open – but even there, Dynamo struggled to break down the Dragons’ structure. Five-on-five, Moscow controlled the puck but remained powerless to penetrate the middle.

At 49:06, Dynamo finally broke through: a long-range shot from Patalakha made it 3–1 and revived the home crowd. But the Dragons refused to wobble.

A misplay from Podyapolsky nearly gifted Shanghai another goal moments later. And when Dynamo pulled the goalie with four minutes left, they couldn’t even establish the zone – the Dragons suffocated every breakout attempt.

Finally, at 58:11, after a turnover at the blue line, Nate Sucese sprinted toward the empty cage and sealed the win: 4–1 Dragons.

A disciplined effort. A mature road win. And a strong response after a string of tight, emotional games.

Next Up: The Dragons continue their road swing on November 15, heading south for a matchup against HC Sochi.

KHL Regular Season — FONBET
Dynamo Moscow – Shanghai Dragons — 1–4 (0–2, 0–1, 1–1)

November 10 | Moscow, VTB Arena | Attendance: 6,590
Goalies: Motorygin (Podyapolsky – 24:26) — Tikhomirov

Scoring Summary:

0–1 — Popugayev (Spooner, Reilly) 04:45
0–2 — Labanc (Quinney) 14:41
0–3 — Merkley (Rendulic, Quinney) 24:26
1–3 — Patalakha (Slepyshev) 49:06
1–4 — Suсese (S. Foo) 58:11 ENG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons, Moscow