After blitzing Team Europe in its first two pre-tournament games, Team North America fell 3-2 to the Czech Republic in its final tuneup game before the 2016 World Cup of Hockey begins this weekend in Toronto.
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad led his club with 22:15 of ice time. The 20-year-old finished the game with 4 shots on goal, 2 hits, a block and an even rating.
After suiting up for the two games against Europe, Vincent Trocheck did not play in this game.
After Ondjrei Palat opened the scoring in the first period and Radek Faska added on 7:16 into the third, Shayne Gostisbehere and Auston Matthews scored 1:59 apart to forge a 2-2 tie.