2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship – Game Four

Though this was yet another daunting task on paper, Great Britain was left wondering ‘what if’ following a strong first-period performance.

In the end, it was special teams that proved the difference between the two nations as GB was shut out for a second successive game.

“It came down to a game of power plays. They [USA] converted, we didn’t.” – Ben O’Connor

First Period

Pete Russel freshened the line-up with three changes.
Jackson Whistle got the start ahead of Ben Bowns after impressing against Sweden.
Sam Duggan and Josh Batch sat out and were replaced by Luke Ferrara and Sam Jones.

Great Britain began the game in an upbeat fashion and with a good tempo to their play. That resulted in the USA being called for three infractions in twelve minutes.

The first resulted in no chances created of note.

The second saw Matthew Myers go twice on two occasions and could consider himself a little unlucky.

The third saw the USA desperately block shots from the sticks of Robert Dowd and Ben O’Connor from promising positions.

Jackson Whistle stood firm when he was called upon back at even strength play. Stops to deny Sean Farrell and Thomas Bordeleau ensured the game remained scoreless.

An error from the officials sent GB on their fourth power play of the game late in the third period.
It only served to present the United States with a chance of the rush for Vinni Lettieri but Whistle made yet another fine save.

Second Period

Great Britain failed to score on the carried-over man advantage and the tide turned.

GB’s inability to make a zone exit was compounded by poor puck management and several avoidable icings.

Whistle would be called upon to deny Lettieri with an excellent glove save but a goal for the USA seemed inevitable.

It arrived at the eight-minute mark, shortly after GB was guilty of another icing.
The USA won a battle on the far boards and four GB skaters were drawn to the puck.
Nate Schmidt sent the puck to Andre Peeke in space and his slap pass directed toward the slot was tipped by Ben Meyers into the roof of the net.

Despite being out-shot 11-3, GB held on to only trail 1-0 through forty minutes.

Third Period

A penalty late in the middle frame meant GB began the third period on the penalty kill.

Whistle might be disappointed with his effort as Keifer Bellows slammed in a shot behind his pad with the goaltender off-balance and out of position.

The game was over as a contest less than four minutes later as the United States scored a second goal with the man advantage.
Bellows was allowed to drift from the half-wall to the dot and beat Whistle with a wicked top-shelf, short-side effort.
Again, Whistle might want that one back but Bellows should never have been gifted the space and then time to measure his effort.

The fourth seeds shut the game down, limiting GB to six shots and there would be no Norway-Esque comeback.

Great Britain Player of the Game: Ben Lake

Post Game Notes

What if Great Britain had capitalised on four power plays in the first period? That will doubtless irk the team after they controlled the majority of the first period.
That is how much expectations have changed since 2019.

The United States was 2/5 with the man advantage and a perfect 5/5 on the penalty kill.

Jackson Whistle receiving the start was unexpected but he did not let himself or the team down.
I picked holes in goals two and three simply because of how well he played otherwise.
Whistle stopped 35 of 38 shots and has enhanced his reputation during the last two games.

Mark Richardson won his 98th cap becoming the most capped defenseman in GB history.

Ben Bowns recorded his 60th cap, to move into the all-time top twenty.
He’s one of just three GB goaltenders to reach that milestone.
(With thanks to Andy Buxton for cap statistics)

Line Up

Lake – Neilson – Dowd
Perlini – Conway – Mosey
Waller – Davies – J.Phillips
Lachowicz – Myers – Hook
Ferrara

Tetlow – Richardson
O’Connor – D.Phillips
Ehrhardt – Clements
Jones

Whistle
Bowns