Late Bounce Decides a Tight One: Dragons Fall to SKA in Final Minute

The final game of 2025 came down to the smallest margins as Shanghai Dragons dropped a 3–2 decision to SKA Saint Petersburg at SKA Arena on Monday night, conceding the winner with just 20 seconds left in regulation.

The Dragons welcomed back defensemen Bischoff and Reilly from injury, but lost Ben Harpur during the previous game. With a few tweaks to the forward lines and defensive pairings, the hosts looked to finish the year on a high note. Rybar got the start in goal.

Back-and-Forth from the Drop

Both teams came out flying, trading rushes and testing the goaltenders early. SKA struck first at 4:05 when Blandisi finished a cross-ice feed with a one-timer to make it 1–0. The Dragons answered quickly on the power play as Popugaev snapped a wrist shot short side at 6:16.

The pace never dipped. Just over a minute later, Dishkovskiy put the visitors back in front with a shot off the rush, prompting a goalie change as Kareev replaced Rybar at 7:39. SKA continued to push through the remainder of the period, but the Dragons settled in and began to generate chances of their own.

Hanging In, Then Pulling Level

Saint Petersburg carried speed through much of the second period, disrupting exits and forcing hurried decisions. The Dragons bent but didn’t break, and as the period wound down, they found the equalizer. Kevin Labanc spotted Gage Quinney in tight, and Quinney buried the chance at 37:42 to make it 2–2 heading to the third.

One Shift Too Late

A penalty early in the third had the Dragons under pressure again, but the penalty kill held firm and nearly produced a shorthanded breakaway. At even strength, both sides tightened up, trading limited chances as the game appeared destined for overtime.

Then came the final shift. With 20 seconds remaining, SKA gained the zone and moved the puck high. A point shot from Savikov deflected twice on its way through traffic and slipped past Kareev at 59:41, sealing a heartbreaking finish.

The Dragons close out 2025 with a strong performance despite the result and will return to action on January 3 at SKA Arena against Metallurg, the Eastern Conference leaders. Tickets are on sale.

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

December 30 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 15,975
Goaltenders: Rybar, Kareyev – Pleshkov

Scoring Summary:

0-1 — Blandisi (Leipsic, Grimaldi) 04:05
1-1 — Popugayev (Reilly, Jospehs) 06:16 PPG
1-2 — Dishkovksy (Goldobin, Plotnikov) 07:39
2-2 — Quinney (Labanc, Somerby) 37:42
2-3 — Savikov (Menell, Goldobin) 59:41

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons