Lada Gets Its Payback as Dragons Fall in Home Opener of Pre-Holiday Series

Shanghai Dragons opened their pre-New Year homestand on December 19 at SKA Arena, but the night ended in disappointment as Lada Togliatti earned a 4–2 road win and avenged an earlier loss.

Shanghai kept the same lineup that faced SKA earlier in the week, with the only change coming in goal, where Patrik Rybar got the start. The evening began with a festive show and a ceremonial faceoff inspired by a classic Soviet comedy – but once the puck dropped, it was all business.

Fast start, no finish

The Dragons came out flying and spent the opening minutes in Lada’s zone, creating quality looks and forcing goaltender Ivan Bocharov to work early. Nate Sucese was denied from the crease, Kevin Labanc fired from point-blank range, and several second-chance opportunities were smothered by Bocharov, who controlled rebounds and kept the visitors afloat.

Lada weathered the storm and struck first midway through the period. A quick counterattack ended with Ivan Romanov tapping into an open net after a give-and-go sequence, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead despite being outplayed early.

Timeout turns the tide — briefly

The second period opened with momentum squarely on Shanghai’s side as Lada took consecutive penalties, including an extended 5-on-3. The Dragons struggled to generate clean looks, prompting head coach Gerard Gallant to burn a rare early-period timeout. The move paid off: Ryan Spooner floated a perfect pass to Borna Rendulic at the back post, and the veteran winger buried the equalizer.

Shanghai kept pressing and nearly pulled ahead on several rush chances, but Lada steadied itself. Still, the Dragons broke through late in the frame when Nick Merkley snapped home a shot to make it 2–1. The lead didn’t last long – Alex Cotton answered for Lada just before intermission, sending the teams into the third tied 2–2.

One bounce too many

The final period tightened up, with Lada leaning heavily on its forecheck to slow Shanghai’s transition game. A costly double-minor to the Dragons forced them into extended defensive mode, though they managed to kill it off. Chances came at both ends, including another near-miss from Labanc, who rang a shot off Bocharov’s helmet.

The turning point came midway through the period when a point shot from Andrei Altybarmakyan deflected off a Dragon skate and slid past Rybar, giving Lada a 3–2 lead. Shanghai pushed late, pulling the goalie and throwing pucks from every angle, but another penalty stalled the comeback. With one second remaining, Riley Savchuk sealed it with an empty-netter.

By the numbers

Lada capitalized on key moments and timely bounces, while Shanghai was left to rue missed chances and a strong opposing goaltending performance. The Dragons generated enough offense to win, but execution at critical moments proved the difference.

Shanghai will look to rebound quickly as the homestand continues.

Up next: Shanghai Dragons vs. Spartak Moscow on December 22 at SKA Arena.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – Lada Togliatti 2–4 (0-1, 2-1, 0-2)

December 19 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 4,710
Goaltenders: Rybar – Bocharov

Scoring Summary:

0-1 — Romanov (Kugryshev, Chivilyov) 14:08
1-1 — Rendulic (Spooner, Labanc) 22:16 5-on-3 PPG
2-1 — Merkley (Reilly, Akolzin) 36:13
2-2 — Cotton (Setdikov, Altybarmakyan) 38:59
2-3 — Altybarmakyan (Jurco, Antipin) 54:00
2-4 — Savchuk (Chivilyov) 59:59 ENG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons