Great Britain put in a battling performance in a 3-0 defeat by the world’s seventh seeds Switzerland at the World Championship in Prague.
Sean Norris replaced Cam Critchlow to make his first World Championship appearance, while Sam Ruopp came back into the line-up for Sam Jones. Jackson Whistle started between the pipes with Ben Bowns as back-up.
Whistle made a superb save to stop Kevin Fiala’s penalty-shot, but the Swiss went ahead when Nico Hischier buried a rebound (3:48).
Liam Kirk cut inside from the right but saw his shot saved, before Ben Lake tipped Mark Richardson’s shot inches wide.
Switzerland made it 2-0 through Dean Kukan’s shot from the top of the right-circle (13:36).
Whistle came up big to stop Romain Loeffel’s bullet of a shot from the slot, but the Swiss scored their third on the powerplay through Nino Niederreiter from the right-circle (38:36).
Brett Perlini sped into the offensive zone and shot just over as GB made a positive start to the third period.
Cade Neilson and Kirk also went close but GB were unable to beat Akira Schmid who secured a 15-shot shutout.
GB return to action on Friday against Denmark at 16:20 (15:20 UK time).
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 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)
