KOVLAND, Sweden - Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.) registered three assists as the U.S. National Under-17 Team held off the Czech Republic, 4-2, here tonight at Anashallen Arena. With the win, Team USA improves to 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

Team USA struck first at 5:31 of the first frame. Christian Fischer (Wayne, Ill.) tallied a short-handed goal on a feed from Matthews.

The Czech Republic tied the game at 6:57 of the second stanza. Just under two minutes later, Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo.) restaked the lead for the U.S. Jeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.) and Casey Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.) recorded assists on the play. Charles McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.) extended the Team USA advantage, now 3-1, at 16:30. Matthews picked up his second helper, while Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.) registered the secondary assist. The Czechs struck back 41 seconds later to inch closer before time expired on the second period.

Brendan Warren (Carleton, Mich.) provided an insurance goal for the U.S. at 16:16 of the third period. Matthews and Fischer combined to help set up the play.

Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.) kicked out 18 shots in the win for Team USA, while Ales Stezka made 45 saves in the loss for the Czech Republic.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will continue tournament play tomorrow (Feb. 8) against Russia. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. EST at Gardehov Arena.

• The United States outshot the Czech Republic, 49-20. Team USA went 0-5 on the power play, while the Czech Republic went 0-5.
• Auston Matthews ranks tied for third among all skaters in points. The forward has two goals and three assists in two games played.
• Luke Opilka ranks third in goals-against average (2.70) behind Sweden's netminding duo of Rasmus Hedstrom and Adam Werner (both 0.00 GAA).
• The U.S. National Under-17 Team is competing in the Five Nations Tournament for the second time. Last year, Team USA finished third with a record of 2-0-1-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L).
• Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the Five Nations Tournaments. Scores will be designated with the #5NationsU17 tag.
• For additional coverage, visit the NTDP Facebook page and follow @USANTDP on Twitter.
• The U17 roster features players exclusively from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. For a more detailed U17 roster, click here.
• The U.S. National Under-17 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.