Second Straight in the New Year: Dragons Blank Amur

The Shanghai Dragons made it two wins in a row to open 2026, shutting out Amur Khabarovsk 2-0 on Tuesday night at SKA Arena.

With Josephs sidelined, Kirill Rasskazov stepped into the third line, while the rest of the lineup remained unchanged. Andrei Kareev got the start in goal – and delivered a flawless performance.

Penalties, Chances, No Goals

The opening period was defined by special teams. The clubs combined for six minor penalties, creating a steady rotation of power plays without any of them finding the breakthrough. The pace wasn’t overly physical; instead, miscues and technical infractions – including multiple delay-of-game penalties – kept the officials busy.

Shanghai had more than enough looks to open the scoring, generating breakaways, second-chance rebounds, and several man-advantage opportunities. None of it converted, sending the game scoreless into the first intermission.

Bryntsev Breaks Through

The whistles quieted somewhat in the second, though penalties still played a role. Early on, Kareev was penalized for delay of game, but the Dragons’ penalty kill was sharp, highlighted by a sprawling, acrobatic save from the goaltender.

At 27:23, the breakthrough finally arrived. Ilya Kablukov and Sucese worked the puck around the net, pulling Amur’s coverage out of shape and finding Bryntsev in space. The defenseman snapped a shot into the far corner for a 1-0 lead – Kablukov’s first point as a Dragon.

Shanghai nearly doubled the advantage on the ensuing power play but couldn’t capitalize, then finished the period shorthanded after back-to-back penalties.

Kareev Slams the Door

The Dragons opened the third still killing a penalty, and Amur pushed hard, throwing pucks from everywhere. Kareev was impenetrable, while the defense absorbed shots and cleared lanes. When Shanghai got a power play of its own, Wagner nearly made it 2–0 on a doorstep deflection, but the puck somehow stayed out despite an open corner.

Protecting a one-goal lead, the Dragons played with patience and structure, clogging the neutral zone and collapsing around their net. Amur eventually pulled the goalie, but that only sealed the result. With 43 seconds left, Nick Merkley buried an empty-netter to end his scoring drought and put the game away.

The Dragons complete a composed, disciplined performance and give Kareev a well-earned shutout. Shanghai heads to Moscow next, visiting CSKA on January 9.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – Amur Khabarovsk 2–0 (0–0, 1–0, 1–0)

January 7 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 8,011
Goaltenders: Kareyev – Shaymardanov

Scoring Summary:

1-0 — Bryntsev (Sucese, Kablukov) 27:23
2-0 — Merkley (Sucese, Sutter) 59:17 ENG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons