Dragons Earn a Point, Fall in Overtime to CSKA

The Shanghai Dragons picked up a hard-fought point but came up short in overtime, falling 2–1 to CSKA Moscow on February 15 at SKA Arena.

Sucese skated alongside Josephs and Labanc, while Merkley centered a line with Quinney and Rendulic. Burmistrov and Somerby returned to the lineup, Tikhomirov got the start in goal, and Shikin dressed as backup for the first time.

The game was dedicated to Chinese New Year, with fans treated to a vibrant pregame ice show that set the stage for a tightly contested battle.

A familiar script

From the opening puck drop, the game mirrored previous matchups between these two clubs. High pace, physical engagement, defensive structure — and very little risk. Both sides appeared content to wait for a single decisive mistake.

Defensemen rarely activated deep in the zone, and forwards attacked only when a clear lane opened. As a result, quality chances were scarce. CSKA rang a shot off the crossbar, while Labanc had Shanghai’s best opportunity with a quick release from the low slot. Neither team broke through in the opening period.

Finally unlocked

The deadlock nearly stretched deep into the second, but special teams tilted the ice.

CSKA took two consecutive penalties to start the frame. They killed the first, but during the second, a defensive-zone faceoff turned into a shorthanded two-on-one rush for the visitors. Drozdov fed Karnaukhov, who finished cleanly to give the Moscow side a 1–0 lead at 28:29.

Shanghai pushed hard for an equalizer, probing CSKA’s disciplined defensive shell. With just three seconds left in the period, the breakthrough finally came. Sucese lofted a pass toward the net, Wagner fired, and the puck trickled loose under Samonov. Sutter pounced and tied the game at 1–1 just before the horn.

Overtime heartbreak

The Dragons carried momentum into the third, controlling possession and pressing for the go-ahead goal. However, CSKA’s defensive layers made clean entries and second chances difficult.

Shanghai’s best look came with under two minutes remaining in regulation. Merkley sent a cross-ice pass to Clendening, who had a prime shooting lane. The initial attempt missed, and Sutter had a wide-open rebound opportunity — but couldn’t convert.

Overtime was tight and cautious, until a late turnover changed everything. With just over a minute remaining, Abramov stripped Clendening behind the Shanghai net and fed Kovalenko in front. He made no mistake at 63:43, sealing a 2–1 victory for CSKA.

The Dragons head back on the road next, facing Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on February 18.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – CSKA Moscow 1–2 OT (0–0, 1–1, 0–0, 0–1)

February 15 | Saint Petersburg, SKA Arena | Attendance: 10,127
Goaltenders: Tikhomirov – Samonov

Scoring Summary:

0–1 — Karnaukhov (Drozdov) 28:29 SHG
1–1 — Sutter (Wagner, Sucese) 39:57
1–2 — Kovalenko (Abramov) 63:43 OTW

Press Offce, Shanghai Dragons