Chances There, Finish Missing: Dragons Drop Tight One to CSKA

In a game where space was scarce and mistakes were costly, the Shanghai Dragons couldn’t find the finishing touch, falling 1–0 to CSKA Moscow at SKA Arena on Wednesday night.

Shanghai made subtle tweaks across the lineup ahead of the matchup. Popugaev returned up front alongside Sutter and Spencer Foo, Valentsov stepped in on the blue line, and Tikhomirov got the start in goal.

Feeling each other out

Unlike the Dragons’ previous opponent, CSKA opened with a measured, conservative approach. Shanghai matched it shift for shift, and quality looks were limited early. CSKA tried to tie up Dragons forwards through the neutral zone, while Shanghai’s defense – anchored by Tikhomirov – kept the slot clean. A CSKA power play produced a couple of nervous bounces near the crease, but nothing more. At the other end, Popugaev nearly broke the deadlock late in the period, only for Gamzin to slam the door.

Zeroes stay up

The second period followed the same script: pace without payoff. Attacks from both sides fizzled into board battles and blocked shots, with neither team willing to overextend. When lanes did open, goaltending and defensive layers took over. True Grade-A chances were rare, and the game rolled into the third with the margin for error essentially gone.

One bounce decides it

Shanghai opened the final frame with a power play but couldn’t convert — and moments later paid the price. A point shot and rebound chaos led to Karnaukhov cleaning up the loose puck to give CSKA a 1–0 lead. The Dragons pushed back immediately; Josephs hammered a one-timer that trickled through traffic but refused to cross the line.

From there, CSKA retreated into a tight shell. Shanghai threw everything at Gamzin, forcing saves through traffic and hoping for a bounce that never came. With Tikhomirov pulled in the final moments, Popugaev had the equalizer on his stick at the horn – a quick pass found him at the edge of an open net, but Gamzin clipped the puck with the tip of his glove to preserve the shutout.

The Dragons head back to SKA Arena on February 10 to face Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – CSKA Moscow 0-1 (0-0, 0-0, 0-1)

February 5 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 5,617
Goaltenders: Tikhomirov – Gamzin

Scoring Summary:

0-1 – Karnaukhov (Drozdov, Samorukov) 45:00

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons