Season Ends in Saint Petersburg: Dragons Fall to SKA in Finale

The Shanghai Dragons closed out their 2025/26 regular season with a 5–1 loss to SKA Saint Petersburg on March 20 at Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg.

Shanghai made only minor adjustments to the lineup for the finale, mainly reshuffling forward lines and defensive pairs. Wagner was promoted to the top unit alongside Sutter and Spencer Foo, while Shikin got the start in goal.

Quick response from SKA

With playoff positioning on the line, SKA came out determined and aggressive.

The Dragons struck first at 6:35, when Wagner battled in front and finished a play set up by Sutter and Clendening to give Shanghai a 1–0 lead.

But the response from the home side was immediate and overwhelming. Just over a minute later, Nedopekin tied the game off a quick passing sequence. SKA then took control, as Grimaldi converted from the high slot at 10:08, and Zykov added a power-play goal at 13:30 to make it 3–1 after the first period.

Gap widens

Early in the second, a penalty to Somerby gave SKA another opportunity, and Zykov capitalized again at 26:34, tipping the puck in from the crease to extend the lead to 4–1.

From there, SKA shifted into a more controlled approach, focusing on defensive structure and protecting the lead. The Dragons began to generate chances, but goaltender Pleshkov stood tall.

He denied Sucese on a 2-on-1 rush and made a spectacular save on Merkley’s one-timer, keeping Shanghai off the board for the remainder of the period.

Final push falls short

The Dragons continued to press in the third period. Shikin made a highlight-reel save early to keep the deficit at three, but offensively Shanghai couldn’t capitalize on multiple quality chances.

Wagner missed on a breakaway, a four-on-one rush failed to produce a goal, and Sucese was denied again on another odd-man opportunity.

Late in the game, Shanghai spent extended time shorthanded, including a lengthy 3-on-5 sequence. SKA finally added one more goal just seconds before Sutter exited the penalty box, with Zykov completing his hat trick on the power play at 57:21.

That goal sealed the result – and the season – for the Dragons.

Shanghai thanks its fans for their support throughout the year. The club will host its official season-closing event on March 28 at SKA Arena.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
SKA Saint Petersburg – Shanghai Dragons 5–1 (3–1, 1–0, 1–0)

March 20 | Saint Petersburg, Ice Palace | Attendance: 11,983
Goaltenders: Pleshkov – Shikin

Scoring Summary:

0–1 — Wagner (Sutter, Clendening) 06:35
1–1 — Nedopyokin (Dishkovsky, Romanov) 08:08
2–1 — Grimaldi (Korotky, Galenyuk) 10:08
3–1 — Zykov (Sapego, Khairullin) 13:30 PPG
4–1 — Zykov (Khairullin, Plotnikov) 26:34 PPG
5–1 — Zykov (Khairullin, Vorobyov) 57:21 PPG

Pess Office, Shanghai Dragons