Sixty-five minutes of hockey failed to settle a pre-tournament rematch between the Czech Republic and Russia in Prague on Saturday. Ultimately, the Czechs prevailed, 2-1, via shootout.

After two scoreless periods, including an opening stanza dominated by the Czech side, Nikita Kucherov gave Russia a 1-0 lead at 1:04 of the third period as he one-timed home a cross ice feed from Evgeny Kuznetsov before Czech goaltender Michal Neuvirth had a chance to slide to left to make the save. Russia held the lead until late in regulation until, with 1:11 remaining on the clock, Tomas Plekanec deflected a Michal Frolik shot past Semyon Varlamov to force overtime.

Both teams had breakaway opportunities in overtime --- Alex Ovechkin for Russia and Jakub Voracek for the Czech Republic -- but neither could put home the game winner. Ovechkin was disrupted by a backchecking Andrej Sustr, while Voracek was denied by Varlamov's pad.

Through 65 minutes of hockey, Varlamov turned back 33 of 34 shots while Neuvirth denied 20 of 21. The game moved to the skills competition, where Voracek (five-hole) and Ales Hemsky (blocker side) scored for the Czech side, while only Vladimir Tarasenko was able to solve Neuvirth among the Russian shooters. Kucherov missed the net on the shootout's final attempt, while Artemi Panarin was stopped by Neuvirth. First-round Czech shooter David Pastrnak was denied by Varlamov.

The Czechs, who were playing without Vladimir Sobotka, dressed seven defensemen and 11 forwards for the game. Defenseman Michal Kempny led the Czechs with 24:16 of ice time.

Both the Czech and Russian teams will head to North America on Sunday. The Czechs will play a final pre-tournament tuneup on Wednesday afternoon (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3) against Team North America at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The World Cup starts for real on Sept. 17 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

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