Third Straight Win! Dragons Edge Gagarin Cup Runner-up Traktor 5-4 in OT

SAINT PETERSBURG — The Shanghai Dragons continued their hot streak, claiming a thrilling 5-4 overtime win over Traktor Chelyabinsk at SKA Arena on October 4. Rookie addition Austin Wagner made an immediate impact, joining the lineup alongside Spooner and Popugayev in a formidable forward trio. Patrik Rybar was in goal for the Dragons.

Perfect Start

Wagner wasted no time making his mark. Just over eight minutes in, the forward struck on his first dangerous opportunity for the Dragons. Popugayev won the puck battle, Spooner fed Wagner, and he beat Dridger in the near corner to make it 1-0. Traktor attempted to respond immediately, but Shanghai’s counterattacks kept the home crowd on its feet. Multiple 2-on-1 rushes went the Dragons’ way, and Wagner nearly added a second, hitting the post.

Rendulic Fires the Second

Early in the second, Kadeykin took a penalty, and when the teams were even-strength again, Rendulic fired a shot from the faceoff circle, beating Dridger high for 2-0. Traktor capitalized later on the power play with Dronov, 2-1. A rapid response followed: Korshkov set up Nikonov to tie the game 2-2, but Wagner quickly restored the lead with a clever shot from a sharp angle — 3-2. Shanghai continued to press and earned another power-play chance going into the intermission.

Final Frame Drama

In the third, Traktor pressed hard for the equalizer. The Dragons absorbed pressure with smart positional play and quick counterattacks. Rybar made a spectacular save on a Leivo attempt, and a brief scrum between Duszak and Dubé added intensity to the matchup. Traktor eventually tied it at 4-4 after Grigorenko converted with the goalie pulled, sending the game into overtime.

Merkley’s Overtime Magic

In extra time, Shanghai quickly capitalized. Nick Merkley collected the puck in the center of the ice and beat Dridger with a precise shot — his second OT winner of the season, following his heroics in the previous win over Torpedo. The Dragons celebrated a dramatic 5-4 OT victory, marking their third consecutive win in dominant fashion.

Next Up: Shanghai Dragons travel to Moscow to face Spartak on October 7.

FONBET KHL Regular Season
Shanghai Dragons – Traktor Chelyabinsk 5-4 ОТ (1-0, 2-2, 1-2, 1-0)

October 4, Saint Petersburg | SKA Arena | Attendance: 7,727
Goalies: Driedger – Rybar

Scoring Summary:

1:0 – Wagner (Spooner, Popugayev) 08:26
2:0 – Rendulic (Clendening, Spooner) – 24:19
2:1 – Dronov (Glotov, Grigorenko) – 30:32 PPG
2:2 – Nikonov (Korshkov) – 34:15
3:2 – Wagner (Popugayev, Bisсhoff) – 34:42
3:3 – Dubé (Leivo, Telegin) 53:27
4:3 – Spooner (Wagner, Popugayev) 54:59
4:4 – Grigorenko (Dronov, Dubé) 58:56 6-on-5
5:4 – Merkley (Quinney, Duszak) 60:54 OTW

Press Office, Shanghai Dragons