Team Czech Republic put up a valiant late-game comeback push but fell to Team Russia, 4-3, in World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament prep action in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

Michal Kempny, Martin Hanzal and Tomas Plekanec scored for the Czechs, while Artemi Panarin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Nikita Kucherov, and Evgeny Dadonov tallied for Russia. Czech goaltender played better than his stat line (24 saves on 28 shots) would suggest. Winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 29 of 32 shots for Russia.

The Czechs got out to a quick start courtesy of Kempny, only to see Panarin equalize the game with 1:31 remaining in the opening period. The second period was the Czechs' undoing despite a deceptive 11-10 shot on goal advantage. The Czechs spent much of the stanza killing penalties and entered the third period in 3-1 hole after Tarasenko (power play) and Kucherov established a two-goal edge for the host side.

Converting a brilliant setup by Artemi Panarin off the rush, Evgeny Dadonov scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at 8:48 of the third period. The goal, which gave Russia a 4-2 lead at the time, was scored exactly two minutes after the Czechs got a bit of good fortune on a Martin Hazal power power play goal that rebounded off the skate of Russian defenseman Alexey Marchenko and past a helpless Sergei Bobrovsky.

Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec narrowed the gap back to one goal but a late push by the Czechs fell short. Russian went 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Czechs went 1-for-4.

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