An injury and illness-hit Great Britain missed out on a bronze medal with a final-day 2-1 defeat by Romania at the men’s U20 World Championship Division II Group A in Zagreb.

Romania took the lead on the powerplay as the puck was worked well on the boards and Alpar Kovacs beat Alfie Jefferies from close-range (3:31).

Szabolcs Kovacs scored from the slot as his shot took a deflection on its way into the net as Romania took a two-goal lead to the first intermission (13:17).

GB closed the gap on the powerplay as the second period drew to a close. Superb work by Finn Bradon who skated around the back of the net to set-up Brynley Capps who got GB on the board (39:12).

Britain lifted Jefferies for the extra outskater with just under a minute remaining to go six-on-five.

GB had plenty of pressure and nearly forced the puck over the line following a goalmouth scramble, while Jack Clarke’s tip was saved by Marton Buda, but Romania held firm to secure victory.

Great Britain schedule and results
Monday 6th January: Great Britain 1-3 Croatia
Tuesday 7th January: Lithuania 6-1 Great Britain
Thursday 9th January: Great Britain 4-3 China
Friday 10th January: Netherlands 1-4 Great Britain
Sunday 12th January: Great Britain 1-2 Romania