Two-Goal Hole Too Deep This Time: Dragons Fall to Avtomobilist

For the third straight game, the Shanghai Dragons found themselves trailing 3–1. This time, the comeback never came.

Shanghai closed its road trip with a 4–1 loss to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg on February 22 at UMMC Arena.

The only lineup change from the win in Astana saw Kuznetsov replace Parker Foo on the third line. Both Kuznetsov and Merkley had additional motivation, having skated for Avtomobilist last season. Tikhomirov started in goal once again.

Holding the line early

The home side, coming off a 5–2 loss in its previous outing, came out determined to respond in front of its crowd. From the opening faceoff, Shanghai was forced into defensive detail, even though the Dragons earned the first power play of the game.

Clendening tested Galkin with a heavy point shot, but most of the first period belonged to disciplined defensive work. Tikhomirov and the blue line held firm through dangerous cross-crease passes, and one Avtomobilist chance slid just wide of an open net. At the other end, Kablukov’s line generated a strong territorial stretch, but the period ended scoreless.

From control to collapse

Shanghai finally broke through early in the second. On the power play at 22:39, the captain finished from the crease to make it 1–0, capping a sequence of sustained offensive-zone pressure.

For several minutes, the Dragons looked sharp in possession, forcing Avtomobilist to chase and defend extended shifts. Then the momentum flipped abruptly.

Three consecutive counterattacks — all originating in the home zone — turned the game. Sprong tied it at 32:59. Macek followed at 37:19. And Denezhkin struck late in the period at 39:22. In a span of just over six minutes, the score swung from 1–0 Shanghai to 3–1 Avtomobilist.

Push without breakthrough

Shanghai had erased 3–1 deficits twice earlier in the road trip, including the overtime win in Astana. The belief remained.

For much of the third period, the Dragons peppered Galkin from all angles. Shots came from distance and from the circles, but second chances were limited as Avtomobilist’s defense boxed out effectively.

Direct shots weren’t beating Galkin, and rebounds were scarce. With time winding down, Shanghai pulled Tikhomirov for the extra attacker. Two empty-net pucks went toward the Dragons’ net — one was overturned for offside on review, but Golyshev sealed it at 59:13.

The road trip ends with a 4–1 defeat in Yekaterinburg.

Shanghai returns to action February 27 in Moscow against CSKA Moscow.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg – Shanghai Dragons 4–1 (0–0, 3–1, 1–0)

February 22 | Yekaterinburg, UMMC Arena | Attendance: 10,601
Goaltenders: Galkin – Tikhomirov

Scoring Summary:

0–1 — S. Foo (Sucese, Clendening) 22:39 PPG
1–1 — Sprong 32:59
2–1 — Macek (Sprong) 37:19
3–1 — Denezhkin (Kizimov, Tryamkin) 39:22
4–1 — Golyshev 59:13 ENG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons, Yekaterinburg