2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship – Game Two
If ever a team didn’t know they were beaten it’s this Great Britain team.
Against Hungary, they pulled back a goal with seconds remaining to ensure promotion to the top flight.
In 2019, GB recovered a 3-0 deficit to overcome France in overtime to stay in the top flight.
Playing their second game in less than 24 hours, Great Britain stormed back from 0-3 to take a point from Norway.
A remarkable comeback that says much about the character, will and confidence of Pete Russell’s charges.
First Period
Great Britain was off the pace in the opening frame as Norway dominated possession.
GB’s structure held Norway to the perimeter for the most part but continually turning the puck over led to wave after wave of attack.
Ben Bowns was playing his part to keep GB in the game but was finally beaten by a piece of bad luck.
Andreas Klavestad threw the puck toward the net from the half-boards. There appeared to be little danger as Davey Phillips intercepted the pass come shot. Except the defenseman deflected the puck between Bowns’ five-hole to give Norway a 1-0 lead.
In a contest where the officiating was egregious, to say the least, Great Britain was furious when a dangerous hit on Dave Phillips was not called. Boarding or charging should have been assessed, and the stripes would continue to make curious decisions through this game.
Second Period
The middle frame was a heated affair but GB grew into the game as it progressed.
GB almost tied the game 3:30 into the second period.
Ben Lake pounced on a giveaway, Evan Mosey combined with Cade Neilson but his effort was saved.
Norway would double their lead on the power play. There was a mass scramble in the crease in which the puck snuck over the line. Emotions boiled over and Mosey was punched several times in the face as he attempted to protect Bowns.
The officials opted for a pair of roughing minors after Mosey responded (albeit not with punches) but it was still a ridiculous decision to decide that four-on-four play was the appropriate response.
Far from discouraged, GB continued to climb into the game.
Dallas Ehrhardt’s booming shot produced a rebound that Scott Conway and Brett Perlini went close to seizing upon.
On the power-play, Conway was denied and a shot from Ben O’Connor took a wicked deflection and bounced wide.
Lake used his speed to create some space down the left-wing but his effort was stopped following an excellent zone entry by Mark Richardson.
It felt like a dagger to GB hearts when Norway struck for a second time with the man advantage.
Mathis Olimb beat Bowns with a point shot through traffic and the higher seeds led 3-0 with under five minutes remaining.
Perlini continued to be a thorn in the side of Norway and his transition at speed through the neutral zone created two chances for Conway.
Henrik Haukeland was equal to both and GB would be held off the board.
Norway finished the period on the power play and came within a whisker of making it 4-0.
Mathias Trettenes struck the iron with seconds remaining in what would prove a crucial moment of the game.
Third Period
The best period of Great Britain hockey during the current regime?
Pete Russell certainly thought so as his team mounted an incredible comeback.
GB killed the penalty carried over and created a gilt-edge scoring chance in three minutes.
Ben O’Connor’s stretch pass sent Perlini away. The winger was hooked as he got away his effort and a penalty shot was awarded.
Haukeland made a wonderful glove save to deny Perlini on the resulting penalty shot.
Despite not scoring, it set the tone for the final frame.
After Conway, Ben Davies and Waller were all denied, the breakthrough arrived with 7:09 remaining.
Dowd struck with a beautiful backhand, five-hole finish after a swarming shift from GB.
Thirty-eight seconds later it was a 2-3 game.
A beautifully worked goal as Conway and Mosey teed up Perlini for a tap-in.
The arena was rocking as the GB fans and neutrals sensed the comeback was now on.
Near misses for Conway and Hoff for Norway followed as the action became frenetic.
Then it happened. The third goal in 3:18 as Mark Richardson snapped home a perfectly placed shot from the slot. It was a great pass from Perlini, who had his head up and split the Norway defense to find the pinching Richardson.
Both teams could have won in regulation but overtime would be required.
Overtime
The extra five minutes were wild.
Bowns made six fantastic saves whilst Perlini, Waller and Mosey came agonisingly close to snatching victory for Great Britain.
A shootout would ultimately be required and Norway prevailed 3-1. with Conway the lone scorer for GB.
Great Britain Player of the Game: Ben O’Connor
Post Game Notes
Another stellar performance from Ben Bowns. A 32 save effort and he’ll enjoy a well-earned rest day.
Brett Perlini led the way with two points (1G, 1A). It was his best game in a Great Britain jersey bar none and he led the way with four shots.
Nobody more than Robert Dowd would know that players had to step up offensively in this tournament. His excellent finish got the ball rolling and he was a wrecking machine in the offensive zone.
Three points from the blueliners is a notable point in this game. Mark Richardson with the crucial tying goal and assists for Josh Tetlow and Josh Batch.
Cade Neilson was initially credited with his first senior point on the first goal. It was later taken away from the birthday boy but it didn’t detract from another excellent showing from the youngster.
With Latvia having taken nothing from their first two games, GB sits in seventh place in Group B.
Austria also has one point after upsetting the odds against the USA.
Line Up
Lake – Conway – Mosey
Perlini – Neilson – Dowd
Waller – Davies – J.Phillips
Lachowicz – Myers – Duggan
Hook
Tetlow – Richardson
O’Connor – D.Phillips
Ehrhardt – Clements
Batch
Bowns/Whistle
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