Three late goals power SKA past Shanghai!

16 December 2025

SKA got this particular stage of the 2025/2026 KHL regular season off to a winning start, confidently defeating the Shanghai Dragons 4:1 in Saint Petersburg!

A thoroughly even game throughout, overtime looked to be on the cards at the Ice Palace, but a late flurry of goals powered SKA to an important win.

Shanghai initially took the lead in the opening stanza, as Nick Merkley swept the rebound beyond the impressive Artemiy Pleshkov who would go on to make 34 saves in our net.

Nikolai Goldobin hauled SKA back on level terms in the second stanza, beating away goalkeeper Andrei Kareyev with a slick move after Rocco Grimaldi had cleverly stolen possession in the attacking zone.

Shanghai initially had the better chances in the third period. However, after Pleshkov had kept our players in the match, SKA opened up their maiden advantage with Sergei Plotnikov whacking home while competing on a 5-on-3 powerplay.

Goldobin then eased our nerves with a smart effort following a Shanghai turnover, before Joe Blandisi sealed the deal as he expertly hit the empty net from distance.

SKA will now prepare to host Ak Bars Kazan at the Ice Palace on Thursday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time.

Match protocol:

SKA - Shanghai - 4:1 (0:1, 1:0, 3:0)

Goals:

0:1 Merkley (Reilly), 18.10

1:1 Goldobin (Grimaldi), 26.42

2:1 Plotnikov (Savikov, Khairullin), 51.19 PPG

3:1 Goldobin, 56.19

4:1 Blandisi (Pleshkov), 57.43 EN

Goalkeepers: Pleshkov - Kareyev

Shots: 59 - 55

Shots on target: 36 - 35