Great Britain were beaten 8-0 by Finland at the O2 Arena in their second game at the 2024 World Championship in Prague.
GB restricted the world’s number two side to a goal in the first period while also creating some good chances, but the damage was done in the second period as Finland scored five times to take control.
Josh Tetlow replaced Sam Ruopp in defence while Ben Bowns got the start in goal with Jackson Whistle as back-up
Finland lead at first intermission
Bowns made a good early save to deny Vili Saaarijarvi and also stopped a bullet of a shot from Jere Innala.
At the other end, Liam Kirk tipped a pass from Sam Jones wide and Robert Lachowicz’s shot from left-wing was saved by Emil Larmi.
Finland went ahead when Oliver Kapanen got the final touch to Oliwer Kaski’s shot through traffic (16:14).
Finland stretch their lead in second period
Jesse Puljujarvi tipped-in Kaski’s shot for Finland’s second (21:45) and it was 3-0 on the powerplay thanks to Jere Innala’s one-timer from the right-circle (24:52).
GB’s best chance saw Brett Perlini denied on the breakaway and his rebound shot was also stopped by Larmi.
Juuso Riikola’s shot through traffic was deflected past Bowns (32:49), Kapanen put away his own rebound (36:01) and Olli Maatta went short-side from the left-circle (38:45) as Finland led by six at the second intermission.
Kapanen completes hat-trick for Finland
Finland scored their seventh when Mikko Lehtonen fired across Bowns from close-range (46:39).
Bowns made a fantastic glove save to deny Innala a second of the afternoon, before Kapanen completed his hat-trick with a redirect from close-range (52:57).
Dowd: We were a little fatigued in our legs
Captain Robert Dowd said: “These first few games were never going to win or lose us the tournament.
“Yesterday’s performance was excellent and today you could see we were a little fatigued in our legs.
“In the second period they took advantage of that.
“They are an elite league, they’re the second best in the world and if you give them an inch they’re going to take it.”
GB have no action for the next two days and return to action on Wednesday against Switzerland.
Great Britain World Championship schedule and results
Saturday 11th May – Great Britain 2-4 Canada – Goals: Liam Kirk, Ben O’Connor
Sunday 12th May – Finland 8-0 Great Britain
Wednesday 15th May – Switzerland v Great Britain – 20:20 (19:20 UK)
Friday 17th May – Great Britain v Denmark – 16:20 (15:20 UK)
Saturday 18th May – Czechia v Great Britain – 20:20 (19:20 UK)
Monday 20th May – Great Britain v Norway – 16:20 (15:20 UK)
Tuesday 21st May – Austria v Great Britain – 12:20 (11:20 UK)
