Two Goals in the Second Period Decide It as Spartak Down the Dragons

The Shanghai Dragons returned to Saint Petersburg for a brief stopover before heading back out on a three-game road trip, but the single home date ended in frustration as Spartak Moscow capitalized on a decisive second period to earn a 3-1 win.

With Patrik Rybar sidelined by injury, Andrei Kareyev got the start in goal for Shanghai, while the coaching staff also shuffled the forward lines in search of a spark.

Plenty of shots, no breakthrough

Both teams came out flying in the opening period, combining for 28 shots on goal, yet neither could find the back of the net. Shanghai generated several quality looks, including breakaways, while Spartak rang shots off the posts. The Dragons also had two power-play opportunities, but their man-advantage struggles continued. Despite sustained zone time and sharp puck movement from both sides, the score remained 0–0 after 20 minutes.

Two quick strikes

Shanghai nearly broke through early in the second when a rebound off the post landed on a stick at the top of the crease, only for the chance to somehow go unfinished. Moments later, Spartak made them pay.

First, Demid Mansurov converted a 2-on-1 rush, and just under two minutes later, Adam Ruzicka doubled the lead on the power play, benefiting from a fortunate bounce that deflected off the ice and a defender before slipping past Kareyev. Down 2–0, the Dragons pushed back and enjoyed four straight minutes of power-play time later in the period, but Spartak’s penalty kill held firm.

No comeback this time

Any hopes of a rally took a major hit early in the third. Consecutive penalties left Shanghai facing a lengthy 5-on-3, and Spartak wasted little time converting, with Pavel Poryadin picking the near corner to make it 3–0.

The Dragons continued to battle and finally got on the board late when Nick Merkley scored with just under three minutes remaining. Shanghai pulled the goalie in the final moments, but Spartak closed it out to secure the win.

Shanghai will look to bounce back on January 22 in Nizhny Novgorod against Torpedo.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – Spartak Moscow 1-3 (0-0, 0-2, 1-1)

January 20 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 6,051
Goaltenders: Kareyev – Zagidulin

Scoring Summary:

0-1 — Mansurov (Vishnevsky) 23:28
0-2 — Ruzicka (Todd, Keane) 25:20 PPG
0-3 — Poryadin (Korostelyov, Vishnevsky) 44:11 5-on-3 PPG
1-3 — Merkley (Labanc, Kareyev) 57:16

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons