Great Britain produced an incredible performance against Denmark in the Final Olympic Qualifiers but were beaten 3-1 in Aalborg.
GB kept the 11th-ranked team in the world at bay for more than two periods, before two goals in just over six minutes secured the three points for the Danes.
Ben Bowns made a string of highlight-reel saves and GB matched Denmark at both ends of the ice for long periods of the game.
Defenceman Mark Richardson moved joint-leader in all-time appearances alongside Jonathan Phillips on 116 caps.
Kirk scores superb equaliser
Bowns made a great early save from Oliver Holton and also denied Joachim Blichfield as the hosts made a strong start.
Denmark went ahead through Holton’s shot into the top corner from the left-circle (3:15), before GB hit back with a great spell of pressure which resulted in an equaliser.
Nathanael Halbert and Sean Norris had chances and GB drew level on the powerplay as Evan Mosey and Cade Neilson combined to set-up Liam Kirk on the powerplay, who produced a outstanding top-shelf finish (8:21).
Defensive masterclass in second period from GB
GB started the second period brightly and Kirk had two chances in quick succession, while Ollie Betteridge and Robert Lachowicz also went close.
Bowns made an outstanding glove save low to his right to keep the score at 1-1 and then stopped a penalty-shot by Lars Eller.
Two third-period goals win it for Denmark
Denmark made a strong start to the third session and Bowns made brilliant saves to turn away shots by Morten Poulsen and Jonas Rondbjerg.
The hosts went back ahead thanks to a bullet of shot from Nikolaj Ehlers on the powerplay (45:34), while Bowns came up big to stop Eller on a breakaway.
Eller scored Denmark’s third when he neatly stepped out from behind the net to beat Bowns (51:32)
Norway next for GB on Friday
In the day’s other game, Norway skated a 4-2 victory over Japan.
GB are straight back into action on Friday against Norway at 15:30 (14:30 BST).
All of GB’s games will be shown live on Premier Sports with commentary from Olympic broadcaster Aaron Murphy and former GB forward Paul Adey.
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