Ales Hemsky shootout goal lifts Team Czech Republic

PRAGUE-- Team Czech Republic defeated Team Russia 2-1 in a shootout in a pretournament game at 02 Arena on Saturday.

Ales Hemsky had the deciding goal in the shootout, beating Semyon Varlamov to the far side after Vladimir Tarasenko scored the only shootout goal for Team Russia.

"I almost lost [the puck] in the start and I got close to the net and I was looking at the puck because it was standing up and I just kind of picked a side and kept the puck close to me and shoot it," Hemsky said. "It worked out."

Jakub Voracek also scored for Team Czech Republic in the shootout. Nikita Kucherov hit the post on the final shootout attempt for Team Russia.

Team Czech Republic forward Tomas Plekanec scored the tying goal when he deflected a shot by Michael Frolik past Varlamov with 1:11 remaining in the third period. Team Czech Republic had pulled goalie Michal Neuvirth and had an extra attacker on the ice.

"He's our captain, our leader," Team Czech Republic forward Milan Michalek said. "That's what he does. It's huge for us."

Plekanec has a goal in each of the first two pretournament games, with each coming on a deflection.

Kucherov also scored for the second-straight pretournament game, giving Team Russia a 1-0 lead 1:04 into the third period. He took a cross-crease pass from Evgeny Kuznetsov and got the puck in the net before Neuvirth could get his pads to the far post.

Team Russia won the first pretournament game between these teams, 4-3, in St. Petersburgh on Thursday.

"We didn't have the best start to the game, but then we started moving the puck and we got some good looks," Kucherov said. "Our goalie saved us a couple times and then we kind of woke up and started playing a little bit different. I still think we played well today."

The World Cup of Hockey starts Sept. 17 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Varlamov stopped the first 31 shots he faced in his first action for Team Russia and made 33 saves.

Neuvirth made 20 saves and made a strong statement on his candidacy to be the No. 1 goalie for Team Czech Republic.

Goal of the game: Team Czech Republic wouldn't have had a chance to win the game in overtime if Plekanec did not tie the game with 71 seconds remaining. The goal was made possible by an incisive pass at the blue line from Michal Kempny to Voracek that forced Team Russia to scramble in its own zone.

Save of the game: At 9:34 of the second period, Plekanec found the puck on his stick in-tight on and had half the net to shoot at, but Varlamov made a lightning-quick glove save. "They made a really good play in front of the net, but he shot it right in my glove," Varlamov said. "I was kind of lucky because I think the net was wide open on the left side."

Unsung moment of the game: With 3:50 remaining in the second period of a scoreless game, Team Russia captain Alex Ovechkin looked like he scored when he took a perfect pass from Kucherov and had an open net. But a diving Jakub Nakladal of Team Czech Republic was somehow able to get his stick blade in the way and thwart the chance.

Highlight of the game: Each team had a chance to win in overtime. Ovechkin, who was not one of the players used in the shootout, had a breakaway but defenseman Andrej Sustr caught him on the back check and disrupted the attempt. Shortly after, Voracek broke in alone but was stopped by Varlamov's pad save.

They said it

"I don't think right now about what's going to happen next. We'll see who is going to play the next game. I'm going to be focusing on my own game that I played today. Then, we'll see who is going to play against Team Canada." -- Varlamov on the battle for the starting goaltender job for Team Russia

"The other night we had lots of problems in our defensive zone. Tonight, we were fast in checking them and we took away time and space. We had lots of chances, lots of shots on net and that is how you want to play." -- Michalek on the improvement made by Team Czech Republic

"I don't think he had much to shoot at. They are all great players and you just give them a little bit of room and they can hit it. Definitely a big help from the post." -- Neuvirth on the shootout attempt by Kucherov

Need to know: The Czech Republic national team had not scored a goal at O2 Arena in 229:12. It was broken by the Plekanec goal. "We are happy we broke that spell," Team Czech Republic coach Josef Jandac said. "We scored in the last minute but it counts and we're glad we won the game in front of our home crowd." Team Czech Republic played the game with 11 forwards and seven defensemen because of the absence of Vladimir Sobotka, who was injured in the game Thursday. Sobotka had a MRI exam on Friday that showed no significant damage. He will fly with the team to Pittsburgh on Sunday and could play on Wednesday. Forward Pavel Datsyuk, defenseman Andrei Markov and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky were Team Russia's scratches.

What's Next?

Team Russia: Departs from Prague to Pittsburgh on Sunday and practices upon arrival. They will play Team Canada (7:30 p.m., ET; ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports) at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday.

Team Czech Republic: Departs for Pittsburgh Sunday after practice and plays Team North America (3:30 p.m., ET; ESPN3, SN, SN1, TVA Sports) at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday.