Strong Effort, No Points: Dragons Fall to Dynamo in Moscow

After just one day of rest following their trip to China, the Shanghai Dragons were back on the road — this time embarking on a demanding swing through Moscow, Omsk and Ufa. Their first stop ended in a hard-fought 4–2 loss to Dynamo Moscow on March 11 at VTB Arena.

The return of goaltender Tikhomirov and forward Spencer Foo highlighted the lineup changes, while Akolzin and Somerby also rejoined the roster.

One mistake proves costly

Despite an energetic start from Dynamo, the Dragons matched their opponent stride for stride in the opening period and occasionally generated dangerous offensive sequences.

Clear chances were limited but promising. Sucese nearly converted from the crease, Labanc missed from a prime scoring area, and several close calls kept Dynamo goaltender Podyapolsky busy.

But one defensive breakdown proved decisive. At 13:04, Der-Arguchintsev broke in alone and beat Tikhomirov to give Dynamo a 1–0 lead.

Shanghai nearly responded before the intermission when Sutter redirected Bryntsev’s point shot, but the puck rang off the post.

Captain answers back

The second period opened with another near miss from Labanc that again struck iron. Shortly afterward, Clendening took two consecutive penalties, forcing the Dragons to defend extended stretches shorthanded – including a remarkable two-minute sequence in which one Shanghai player had lost his stick.

The penalty kill held firm, energizing the bench.

At 33:57, Shanghai finally found the equalizer when Labanc finished a play from Kuznetsov and Clendening. Dynamo answered quickly, however, with Pylenkov restoring the lead at 36:40.

The Dragons refused to fold. Late in the period, Spencer Foo marked his return by converting on the power play at 38:41, tying the game 2–2 heading into the third.

Late push by Dynamo

The final period unfolded cautiously at first, with Dynamo inviting pressure and relying on defensive structure while waiting for counterattacking opportunities.

Shanghai spent long stretches in the offensive zone and created several chances. Josephs and Wagner both had looks, while Spencer Foo nearly scored shorthanded after forcing a turnover.

Still, the decisive moment came midway through the period. The Dragons failed to clear the puck from their zone, and Slepyshev capitalized from the slot at 53:14 to restore Dynamo’s lead.

Shanghai pressed for another equalizer and eventually pulled Tikhomirov for an extra attacker, but Mamin sealed the result with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

The Dragons now head to Omsk, where they will face Avangard Omsk on March 13.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Dynamo Moscow – Shanghai Dragons 4–2 (1–0, 1–2, 2–0)

March 11 | Moscow, VTB Arena | Attendance: 5,468
Goaltenders: Podyapolsky – Tikhomirov

Scoring Summary:

1–0 — Der-Arguchintsev (Slepyshev, Kol) 13:04
1–1 — Labanc (Kuznetsov, Clendening) 33:57
2–1 — Pylenkov (Ilyenko) 36:40
2–2 — S. Foo (Clendening, Wagner) 38:41 PPG
3–2 — Slepyshev (Ozhiganov) 53:14
4–2 — Mamin (Weal, Pylenkov) 59:55 EN

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons, Moscow