After losing their opening Group B contest 2-1 to Sweden, the Russians knew that there was no margin for error against a select team consisting of under-23 American and Canadian players who were not picked to represent their national sides.

The North Americans had begun with an impressive 4-1 win against world number three ranked Finland and they went ahead when Auston Matthews scored from a two on one a little over five minutes into the contest.

Inspired Russia keeper Sergei Bobrovsky then denied Conor McDavid who had burst clean through, a pivotal moment in the game as his side then scored four unanswered goals in six second period minutes.

Vladislav Namestnikov scored on the rebound to level before Nikita Kucherov and Evgeny Kuznetsov both netted.

Vladimir Tarasenko made it four before a hectic period was brought to a close by Morgan Rielly's goal for the North Americans, from the top left circle.

A third goal for the select side arrived on the powerplay through Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the third period, but there would ultimately be no way back.

That was in large part down to Bobrovsky, who made 43 saves in the match, including 18 in the final period when his side were under the cosh.

"We knew they had lots of speed, especially up front," Bobrovsky said. 

"So, we tried to keep it simple and put the puck deep and settle them down."

In Group A, the European select side backed up their impressive opening win over United States by downing Czech Republic 3-2 in overtime.

Austrian Thomas Vanek gave Europe the lead before the Czechs, who have now slipped to two defeats, levelled through Jakub Voracek.

In the third period Norway's Mats Zuccarello gave the Europeans the advantage again but Martin Hanzal struck to continue the game past regulation time.

It was then left to German Leon Draisaitl to have the final say for Europe with a breakaway goal.

The tournament is being hosted at the Air Canada Centre for the first time in 12 years by the National Hockey League (NHL), the world's premier club competition, which means a host of top stars are appearing.