Just Short of the Equalizer: Dragons Fall to HC Sochi in Tight Home Loss

The second game of Shanghai’s three-game set with HC Sochi was played in Saint Petersburg and marked head coach Mitch Love’s first appearance behind the bench in front of the home crowd. The Dragons made only minor lineup tweaks: Kalinyk replaced the injured Bryntsev, Akolzin took Popugaev’s spot on the fourth line, and defenseman Leontiev made his team debut. Tikhomirov got the start in goal.

Before puck drop, a ceremonial faceoff honoring the complete lifting of the Siege of Leningrad was performed by blockade survivors Vera Malofeeva and Vladimir Tretyakov – a powerful moment inside SKA Arena.

Penalties pile up early

The opening period tested Shanghai’s resolve. The Dragons spent nearly half the frame shorthanded after five penalties, creating an uneven rhythm where some players logged heavy defensive minutes while others waited for offensive chances. Tikhomirov was sharp throughout, but a turnover in the neutral zone led to the game’s first goal at 6:03, forcing the Dragons to chase while still killing penalties. With extended stretches of 4-on-5 and 3-on-5 hockey, offense was hard to come by, and Shanghai headed to intermission down one.

Staying within reach

The second period began with another penalty kill, which the Dragons survived. At even strength, Sochi struck again, converting a quick two-pass play that left Dedunov with an open net at 21:53 for a 2–0 lead. From there, the ice tilted. The Leopards collapsed defensively while Khomchenko turned aside chance after chance. Labanc broke free on a partial breakaway, but the equalizer wouldn’t come – until Merkley took matters into his own hands late in the period, curling behind the net and stuffing the puck inside the far post to pull Shanghai within one.

One push short

The Dragons opened the third with another successful kill and immediately went on the attack. A goal-mouth scramble nearly tied it, but the puck stayed out. Shanghai couldn’t convert its own power play moments later and was forced to keep pressing at five-on-five against a Sochi team committed solely to defending the lead.

The chances were there. Merkley missed high from the slot. Another power play arrived with ten minutes left, but a Josephs penalty halted momentum. Once back at full strength, Shanghai poured it on – Sutter, Rendulic, Merkley, and Quinni all had looks that could have changed the game. The Dragons outshot Sochi 18–2 in the third period, but the decisive finish never came.

Sochi earned revenge for Monday’s loss, while the Dragons were left with a frustrating 2–1 defeat despite controlling the final frame.

The series continues January 30 at SKA Arena.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – HC Sochi 1–2 (0–1, 1–1, 0–0)

January 29 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 4,713
Goaltenders: Tikhomirov – Khomchenko

Scoring Summary:

0–1 — Sushko (Khafizov, Popov) 06:03
0–2 — Dedunov (Khafizov, Volkov) 21:53
1–2 — Merkley (Kalynuk, Sutter) 36:02

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons