Great Britain produced another performance to be proud of in a 4-3 defeat by Denmark at the World Championship in the 02 Arena in Prague.
In-front of a crowd of 16,277, GB more than matched the 11th best team in the world – outshooting them 31-28 – and will count themselves unlucky not to get anything from the game.
GB kept the same line-up as Wednesday’s game with Switzerland with Jackson Whistle starting between the pipes and Ben Bowns as back-up on the day he won his 75th cap.
Kirk and Neilson on target in 2-2 first period
GB made a strong start as Sam Ruopp went close inside the first 30 seconds, before Liam Kirk cut inside from the left and beat Frederik Dichow with a superb wraparound (5:23).
Denmark equalised when a great spin from Oscar Moelgaard pulled Whistle out of position and Mikkel Aagaard scored into an unguarded net (6:26).
The Danes went ahead through Phillip Bruggisser’s shot from right-point on the powerplay (8:25), but GB hit back when Evan Mosey’s shot towards net was cleverly redirected past Dichow by Cade Neilson off his skate (10:34).
Halbert’s goal late in the period brings GB level
Aagaard squeezed the puck in at the backdoor from almost on the goal-line to put Denmark back ahead (21:42).
Dichow made huge saves on Robert Dowd, Ben O’Connor and Ben Lake on the same shift, while Brett Perlini was denied from close-range moments later.
GB equalised just after a second-period powerplay came to an end as Robert Lachowicz fed Nathanael Halbert who took a step forward and fired past Dichow (38:34).
Denmark score powerplay winner
Whistle made a huge save to deny Patrick Russell after he broke clear of the GB defence early in the third period.
Denmark scored the game-winning goal following a harsh tripping penalty to Evan Mosey as Christian Wejse scored from close-range on the powerplay (52:01)
GB lifted Whistle for the extra outskater in the closing stages, with Perlini, Kirk and Dowd all being denied from close-range,
Britain are straight back into action tomorrow (Saturday) against hosts Czechia at 20:20 (19:20 UK time).
Russell: Best I have seen since coaching this team
Head Coach, Pete Russell, said: “I’m really proud of the team. They just made me nearly cry if I’m honest. We just played a really good hockey team and played them off the ice in some situations.
“That’s one of the best performances we’ve ever had since I have been coaching this team. We had huge energy and managed to bring so much momentum to the game.
“We had so many chances and their goalie was unbelievable. It just shows you what this team can do. Everyone connected with GB and the whole country should be so proud of that performance.”
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 3-0 Great Britain
Friday 17th May – Great Britain 3-4 Denmark – Goals: Liam Kirk, Cade Neilson, Nathanael Halbert
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)
