After two rounds of games, only Spain are yet to record a point and there is still much to play for as far as the medals are concerned.

Great Britain began with the toughest opponent on paper in the shape of relegated Lithuania.

It proved a somewhat heart-breaking opener for GB after almost digging themselves out of first period hole.

Great Britain 4 Lithuania 6 January 13, 2019

First Period:

GB’s penchant for taking penalties cost them dearly as Lithuania surged into a 2-0 lead with 3:18 on the clock through two power play goals.

The top seeds made it 3-0 with eight minutes played and then added a third power play marker to give them what looked to be an unassailable four goal advantage.

However at even strength GB were arguably the stronger team and led 18-9 in shots despite the score line.

Second Period:

GB switched goaltenders and Jordan McClaughlin made some big saves on Lithuania’s fourth power play of the game.
His team-mates responded by getting on the board – Joshua Waller finishing from Liam Kirk.

That goal sparked GB into action and dominated play without reward before Jordan Buesa netted on the power play to make it a 2-4 game.

With the deficit halved it the comeback was truly a viable proposition until a terrible piece of officiating broke GB’s hearts.
McClaughlin was essentially sat on outside his crease and unable to get up as Lukas Washco scored into the empty net.

Third Period:

GB would not go away however and struck less than six minutes into final frame through Cade Nielson on the man advantage.
Two further power plays would not be capitalised on however and Washco scored a breakaway effort to put Lithuania ahead 6-3 with five minutes remaining.
A late strike from Harry Gulliver drew GB within two once more but it was too little too late and a case of what might have been with Lithuanian goaltender Laurynas Lubys posting 50 saves for the victory.

Day One Scores
Romania 2 Korea 1 OT
Estonia 2 Spain 1

 

Great Britain 13 Korea 1 January 14, 2019

Great Britain responded from the opening day loss with a performance full of intent and vigour.

First Period:

GB came out the gates flying and netted three goals in eleven minutes.
Joshua Waller from Liam Kirk was again a deadly combination and Chad Smith twice hit the twine to give GB a 3-0 lead after a single period of play.

Second Period:

The Korean’s simply had no answer to a relentless onslaught from GB in the middle frame.
A pair of goals from Morgan Pizzo and Jordan Bueso inside two minutes set the scene and were followed by another for Waller, one for Tyler Cooper and Jordan Buesa as GB scored five without reply to lead 8-0 with twenty minutes remaining.

Third Period:

Smith completed his hat-trick just 76 seconds into the final frame but Korea would finally get themselves on the board at the five minute mark – Beomjun Park breaking Jordan McLaughin’s shutout bid during four-on-four action.

As if to prove a point GB responded to the most minor of all setbacks by scoring twice in 16 seconds to make it an incredible 11-1 score line.

Mason Alderson would then record his third point with a goal and Liam Kirk finally got the monkey off his back to score the thirteenth and final goal of the game for GB.

Day Two Scores
Romania 3 Spain 2
Estonia 2 Lithuania 1 SO

Standings:

 Leading Scorers: