High-Scoring Show in Shanghai: Dragons Fall to Barys

The Shanghai Dragons delivered another entertaining night of hockey for their home crowd, but ultimately fell 8–4 to Barys Astana in the second game of the KHL World Games in Shanghai on March 7.

Shanghai made only minor adjustments to its lineup from the previous game. Kuznetsov and Kablukov skated on the fourth line, while Shikin once again started in goal. The Oriental Sports Center was packed, and the Dragons received strong support from the Shanghai crowd.

A wild opening period

The tone of the game was set almost immediately. Just 57 seconds after puck drop, Sutter capitalized on a turnover by Walsh, broke in alone and snapped a shot under the crossbar to give Shanghai a 1–0 lead.

The offensive fireworks were only beginning. Barys answered with two quick goals, but Clendening tied the game at 2–2 with a shot from the point after a feed from Parker Foo and Sutter. The visitors quickly regained momentum, however, scoring twice more to build a 4–2 lead.

Just before intermission, the Dragons cut the deficit to one. Rendulic converted on a two-man advantage with only 16 seconds left in the period, making it 4–3 heading into the break. Seven goals were scored in the opening twenty minutes — a pace reminiscent of Shanghai’s recent shootout-style game against CSKA Moscow.

Barys pulls away

The second period featured fewer goals but the same high-tempo style of play. The large ice surface encouraged wide attacks, quick rushes and long stretch passes through the neutral zone.

At 22:23, a fortunate bounce helped Barys extend the lead to 5–3. Moments later, Simonov beat Shikin again, making it 6–3.

Shanghai responded quickly when Kuznetsov finished a play at 27:37 to bring the Dragons back within two. The hosts continued to generate chances – Labanc and Quinney both missed quality looks, while Wagner was denied on a breakaway.

Despite the pressure, the Dragons could not close the gap further before the intermission.

Comeback attempt falls short

Shanghai had recently erased a two-goal deficit against Barys in Astana and even won that game in overtime, so belief remained heading into the third.

But Barys had other plans. Early in the period, the visitors stretched the lead to three goals and then focused on structured defensive hockey, limiting Shanghai’s opportunities. Midway through the period, emotions flared as Asetov and Kalinyuk dropped the gloves, but the fight did little to shift momentum. Late in the game, Veccione completed a hat trick with a power-play goal – his third of the night and fifth point of the game – sealing an 8–4 victory for Barys.

Shanghai’s next game will be March 11 in Moscow against Dynamo Moscow.

FONBET KHL Regular Season — KHL World Games
Shanghai Dragons – Barys Astana 4–8 (3–4, 1–2, 0–2)

March 7 | Shanghai, Oriental Sports Center | Attendance: 7,558
Goaltenders: Shikin – Boyarkin

Scoring Summary:

1–0 — Sutter 00:57
1–1 — Savitsky (Lyapunov) 04:48
1–2 — Walsh (Willman, Veccione) 05:44 PPG
2–2 — Clendening (P. Foo, Sutter) 08:07
2–3 — Veccione (Walsh, Morelli) 08:59
2–4 — Morelli (Breus, Beketayev) 15:17
3–4 — Rendulic (Popugayev) 19:44 5-on-3 PPG
3–5 — Veccione (Massi, Morelli) 22:23
3–6 — Simonov (McCoshen, Veccione) 25:58
4–6 — Kuznetsov (Kablukov, Reilly) 27:37
4–7 — Logvin (Asetov, Panyukov) 42:41
4–8 — Veccione (Thompson, Morelli) 56:56 PPG

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons, Shanghai