Another One-Goal Game Slips Away: Severstal Takes the Season Series

For the second straight outing, the Shanghai Dragons found themselves chasing the game – and once again came up a goal short, falling 3–2 to Severstal Cherepovets at SKA Arena on February 12.

Sucese returned to the wing on the second line alongside Josephs and Labanc, while the fourth unit featured Wagner, Kuznetsov and Popugaev. Defenseman Leontyev re-entered the lineup, and Kareev got the start in goal.

A difficult opening

The Dragons entered the night scoreless over their previous seven periods, hoping to snap that drought against an offensively minded Severstal squad. Instead, the visitors struck first.

Back-to-back penalties put Shanghai on its heels early, and Severstal capitalized on its second power play when Aimurzin converted at 6:28. Just 57 seconds later, Podshivalov was left unchecked in front and doubled the lead.

Down 2–0, the Dragons responded with urgency. On a 14th-minute sequence, Bryntsev fired from the point, the puck bounced into the crease and caromed in off a defender to cut the deficit to 2–1.

Trading punches

The second period could hardly have begun worse for Shanghai. Just 13 seconds after the opening faceoff, Chefanov buried a rebound to restore Severstal’s two-goal cushion.

It took time, but the Dragons gradually tilted the ice. Their pace increased, their puck movement sharpened, and sustained pressure around Samoilov’s crease began to produce chances. At 32:14, Sucese redirected a Riley point shot on the power play to bring Shanghai within one at 3–2.

Momentum remained on the Dragons’ side. They even generated a shorthanded two-on-one with a point-blank rebound opportunity — but couldn’t finish. Shanghai would carry a power play into the third period.

Push without payoff

The third belonged largely to the Dragons territorially. Both power-play units created quality looks, forcing Samoilov and Severstal’s defense into repeated shot blocks and scrambling saves.

At 50:30, Kareyev left the game due to injury and was replaced by Tikhomirov, who settled in quickly. Moments later, Sucese had another shorthanded breakaway chance on a two-on-one, but missed the net.

Shanghai continued funneling pucks toward the crease, aware that Samoilov was giving up rebounds. Despite heavy traffic and multiple scrambles, the tying goal never materialized. With the goaltender pulled late, Popugayev had one final opportunity in close, but Severstal held firm.

For the Dragons, it was another narrow defeat — and another reminder that strong stretches mean little without the finishing touch.

Shanghai will host CSKA Moscow on February 15 at SKA Arena.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – Severstal Cherepovets 2–3 (1–2, 1–1, 0–0)

February 12 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 4,964
Goaltenders: Kareyev (Tikhomirov — 50:30) – Samoilov

Scoring Summary:

0–1 — Aimurzin (Ilyin) 06:28 PPG
0–2 — Podshivalov (Dumbadze) 07:25
1–2 — Bryntsev (P. Foo, Valentsov) 13:24
1–3 — Chefanov (Tsitsyura, Kaldis) 20:13
2–3 — Sucese (Reilly, S. Foo) 32:14 PPG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons