Revenge Delivered: Dragons Power Past Sochi at SKA Arena

Shanghai got its answer.

After a narrow loss earlier in the week, the Shanghai Dragons responded with a composed, assertive performance, defeating HC Sochi 5–2 at SKA Arena and closing the mini-series on a high note. The coaching staff made a few subtle but effective lineup adjustments, while Andrei Kareev started in goal and provided stability when it mattered.

Kalynuk opens the door

The opening minutes belonged to the visitors, who generated a dangerous look from the crease, but Kareev came up with an early save to settle things down. From there, Shanghai flipped the script. Sustained pressure, a power play, and steady puck movement tilted the ice, and at 9:14 Borna Rendulic threaded a perfect pass to Wyatt Kalynuk, who buried his first goal as a Dragon into an open corner to make it 1–0.

Less than two minutes later, the Dragons struck again. A hard forecheck and quick puck movement led to Vladimir Kuznetsov finishing from the doorstep, doubling the lead and marking Ilya Kablukov’s 200th career KHL point. Sochi answered before the intermission, cutting the deficit to 2–1 and keeping the game within reach.

Rendulic takes over

The second period belonged entirely to Rendulic. Early in the frame, he picked up the puck in the neutral zone, danced past a defender, and snapped a shot over the blocker to restore a two-goal cushion. Moments later, on the power play, Rendulic struck again, completing a rapid-fire double that forced Sochi to change goaltenders.

The switch didn’t stop the momentum. At 32:09, Kuznetsov pounced on a rebound to score his second of the night, pushing the lead to 5–1 and putting Shanghai firmly in control.

Closing it out

Sochi had no choice but to press in the third. The visitors came out aggressively, generated pressure, and pulled one back on the power play, narrowing the score to 5–2. A post and a couple of scrambles briefly raised the tension, but the Dragons responded the right way — tightening coverage, blocking shots, and managing the puck.

Shanghai didn’t allow the comeback narrative to develop. Kareyev handled the remaining chances, and the Dragons skated out a confident, deserved victory — their response emphatic and timely.

The Dragons are back on home ice February 3, when they host Avangard Omsk at SKA Arena.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – HC Sochi 5–2 (2–1, 3–0, 0–1)

January 30 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 5,622
Goaltenders: Kareyev – Khomchenko (Shchetilin, 23:28)

Scoring Summary:

1–0 — Kalynuk (Rendulic, Reilly) 09:14
2–0 — Kuznetsov (Kablukov, Reilly) 11:03
2–1 — Kagarlitsky (Guskov, Bitten) 15:35
3–1 — Rendulic 21:37
4–1 — Rendulic (Sutter, S. Foo) 23:28 PPG
5–1 — Kuznetsov (Leontyev) 32:09
5–2 — Khafizov (Seroukh, Kagarlitsky) 46:26 PPG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons