Third-period Slip Costs The Dragons In St. Petersburg

The Shanghai Dragons opened their post-break schedule – and their final road game of the calendar year – in St. Petersburg, facing SKA at the Ice Palace. The coaching staff dressed six defensemen, with Kalinyuk returning to the lineup, and Andrei Kareev got the start in goal.

A cautious opening

Both teams clearly prioritized structure and discipline early, likely mindful of rust after the league break. SKA leaned on puck control and short combinations, while the Dragons looked to generate traffic and shots from the blue line. The breakthrough came late in the first period: after Goldobin went down at the blue line, Reilly jumped into space, fired on goal, and Nick Merkley followed up the rebound to give Shanghai a 1–0 lead at 18:10.

An error evens it up

Shanghai carried momentum into the second period and created early chances, including two point-blank looks for Troy Josephs in tight. But at 26:42, a turnover behind the Dragons’ net proved costly – Goldobin collected the puck and calmly finished from the doorstep to tie the game 1–1. SKA pushed harder from there, earning a power play and sustained pressure, but the Dragons sacrificed bodies, blocked shots, and escaped the period still level.

Chances, penalties – and the turning point

SKA came out flying in the third, generating a Grade-A chance within seconds of the puck drop, which Kareev denied. Shanghai then faced another penalty kill and survived it, answering with their own opportunities: Austin Wagner broke in alone on Pleshkhov but couldn’t convert, and Kevin Labanc was turned aside on a dangerous look moments later.

The game tightened into a true derby atmosphere midway through the period. Labanc tested SKA with a heavy shot during a brief power play, but the decisive moment came at 51:19, when Shanghai took back-to-back penalties. SKA capitalized on the ensuing 5-on-3, with Sergei Plotnikov putting the hosts ahead 2–1.

Late push falls short

Shanghai pressed for an equalizer, but SKA closed the door. Goldobin added his second of the night at 56:19, and with Kareev pulled for an extra attacker, Blandisi sealed it with an empty-net goal.

The Dragons return home next, opening a pre-holiday homestand on December 19 at SKA Arena against Lada.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
SKA St.Petersburg – Shanghai Dragons 4–1 (0-1, 1-0, 3-0)

December 16 | Saint Petersburg, Ice Palace | Attendance: 11,492
Goaltenders: Pleshkov — Kareyev

Scoring Summary:

0-1 — Merkley (Reilly) 18:10
1-1 — Goldobin (Grimaldi) 26:42
2-1 — Plotnikov (Savikov, Khairullin) 51:19
3-1 — Goldobin 56:19
4-1 — Blandisi (Pleshkhov) 57:43

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons