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Great Britain were beaten 5-4 after overtime by Lithuania in an enthralling game at the men’s Under-20 World Championship Division II Group A at Dumfries Ice Bowl.
Jack Hopkins and Oli Endicott both scored twice as GB moved onto four points from two matches to sit in second place in the group standings.
Netminder Ben Norton was named GB’s Player of the Game after facing 52 shots and making a number of top-class saves.
Lithuania lead after first period
Carter Hamill went close for GB in a tight opening period and at the other end, Norton made a huge glove save to deny Simas Ignatavicius.
Lithuania took the lead just as the session was coming to a close through Benas Belicenka’s blast from the blueline on the powerplay which took a deflection to deceive Norton (19:09).
GB score three times in dramatic second period
The game burst into life with three goals in 158 seconds early in the second period, which was started by Hopkins finishing off a sweet move up the ice by GB (20:51).
Lithuania hit straight back as the puck fell to Vitalij Ediukin in the slot (21:49), before GB equalised when Kell Beattie’s beautiful stretch pass found Hopkins to skate in alone for this second of the night (23:29).
Norton pulled off an outstanding save to deny Linas Dedinas and it spurred GB on as they went ahead on the powerplay when Oli Endicott swivelled on the spot to bury a rebound (34:08).
Endicott scores second before Lithuania hit back
Lithuania had to make a netminder change because of an equipment issue with Daniil Cepov replacing Julius Andrekus and Beattie quickly tested the new goalie from long range.
Endicott used his speed to break into the offensive zone and fire in his second from the left-circle (48:15) and Andrekus returned to the Lithuania net for the resumption.
Dedinas used his speed to break between the GB defence to score a superb solo goal (49:23) to close the deficit to one to set-up a tense finish.
GB took a late penalty and Lithuania took advantage as Ilja Michalevic got the final touch (58:08) to send the game to overtime.
Seniut scores outstanding overtime winner for Lithuania
Carter Hamill and Beattie had chances to win for GB in overtime but shot just wide.
A superb solo goal from Artur Seniut – who skated through the GB defence to score the winner – secured the extra point for Lithuania.
Click here for full stats from the game.
China next for GB on Thursday
There’s no action in the tournament tomorrow but GB return to action on Thursday when they play China (8pm face-off).
GB complete the six-team competition with matches against Spain (Friday) and Korea (Sunday).
Great Britain schedule and results
Monday 11th December – Great Britain 4-1 Netherlands – Goals: Kell Beattie, Jack Hopkins, Mack Stewart, Lucas Price.
Tuesday 12th December – Great Britain 4-5 Lithuania (overtime) – Goals: Jack Hopkins 2, Oli Endicott 2.
Thursday 14th December – Great Britain v China 20:00 – watch webcast here
Friday 15th December – Spain v Great Britain 20:00 – watch webcast here
Sunday 17th December – Korea v Great Britain 16:30 – watch webcast here
📺 Click here for the full live streaming schedule.
🏆 Click here for the full tournament schedule, results and stats.
