World Cup of Hockey: Russia holds off North America barrage to stay alive

Team North America went out on its shield Monday night, coming just short in a furious comeback that ultimately ended in a 4-3 win for Russia at the World Cup of Hockey.

Four Russian goals in a span of six minutes 14 seconds in a wild second period cost the North Americans, who rallied from 4-1 and were blitzing RussiangoaltenderSergeiBobrovskyin six-on-four play as the game ended.

• World Cup of Hockey: Schedule and standings

The 23-and-under North Americans outshot the Russians 46-25 on the night and 19-4 in the third period.

"We lost our way a little bit in the second period. I think that's stating the obvious," said coach Todd McLellan.

"I thought we looked unsure out there for the first time as a team ... [But]I think it's a good sign for us that we were able to regroup and claw back into the game and have a chance at the end at least," he added.

Auston Matthews scored his first goal at Air Canada Centre in a losing cause as Russia (1-1-0) kept its World Cup hopes alive.

Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikita Kucherov scored 50 seconds apart for Russia after Matthews put the North America young guns ahead in the first period. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladmir Tarasenko also scored in the second period.

Morgan Rielly scored late in the second for North America (1-1-0), which outshot Russia 18-10 in the period despite being outscored 4-1.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins cut the lead to 4-3 at 3:01 of the third, banging in a mid-air puck during a goal-mouth scramble on the power play. North America kept coming and shooting.

Down 4-3, North America had a 94-second two-man advantage with some 8 1/2 minutes remaining but failed to convert despite some good pressure. A bench minor for too many men on the ice did not help the North American cause late in the game.

"They tried to bounce back but Bobrovsky was unbelievable," said Russia captain Alex Ovechkin.

Both teams still in contention

Captain Connor McDavid said North America paid the price for slowing down in the second period.

"It ultimately cost us the game ... We had the puck all night and we let our guard down for a little bit and that's what they're going to do to us," he said. "I've played Russia enough times now to know how streaky they are."

The North Americans wrap up group play against Sweden on Wednesday while Russia faces Finland on Thursday. Both teams are still in contentions to advance to the knockout round.

McLellan pulled Matt Murray in favour of John Gibson with 4:17 remaining in the period after the four-goal Russia sure. Murray, who jammed his thumb during the game, faced 19 shots on the night.

"I think we gave up team goals," McLellan said. "It would have been nice to get an extra save, and he [Murray]will probably tell you that ... We've got real good options [in goal]."

It was an open, free-wheeling affair with plenty of offence.

The North Americans, wearing their distinctive black uniforms with "beacon red" numbers, continued their impressive play. The Russians, needing a win after losing their opener 2-1 to Sweden, seemed happy to play their part in an end-to-end affair.

Matthews opened the scoring with a tap-in at 5:14 of the first period, a goal announcement that Leaf Nation hopes to be hearing for many years to come.

Defenceman Aaron Ekblad, who led all Team North America skaters with 23:53 ice time Sunday, sat out Monday's game with an upper body injury. Winnipeg Jet Jacob Trouba took his place, playing 16:48.

"Losing Aaron was a big hit for our club but gaining Jacob was a real positive one as well," said McLellan.

Team GM Peter Chiarelli and McLellan refused to comment on a report that Ekblad was suffering from concussion-like symptoms, saying only that the defenceman was listed as day-to-day.