World Championship Division I Group A
Great Britain 4-0 Korea
After watching Poland and Italy comfortably dispose of Lithuania and Romania respectively, it was time for Great Britain to make their mark on day one of the tournament.
Pressure? Not really, though GB did get off to a slightly nervous start.
First Period
There were a few passes that missed the target in the opening couple of shifts but a goal just 104 seconds in settled everyone’s nerves.
Mike Hammond and Josh Waller combined at pace through the neutral zone before the latter drove hard to the net.
A backhand shot was on for Waller but instead, he dished off to his left to present a tap-in for Ben Lake.
The perfect beginning.
Nerves were settled, the arena was rocking and Korea was very much on the back foot.
GB was unable to convert on the game’s first power play but there were some promising signs.
The line that scored the opening goal was buzzing, especially Waller, who appeared inspired.
Robert Dowd brought a fine glove save from the Korea netminder with eight minutes remaining but would not be denied for long.
The second goal showed how far the program has come under Pete Russell.
A beautiful stretch pass by Evan Mosey sent Waller away in the neutral zone. Korea was bamboozled as Waller faked a surge toward the net before delivering a reverse pass to Dowd.
The veteran forward wasted no time in getting a shot off his stick from just above the hash marks to score.
Second Period
The top line wasn’t overly effective in the first frame.
That narrative was changed thirteen seconds into the middle frame thanks to Liam Kirk.
Kirk created a turnover and beat off the attention of three Korean opponents before delivering a centering pass (with the aid of a deflection) to tee up Cade Neilson.
Great Britain led 3-0 and the three points were safe.
Kirk went close to making it four with a wraparound attempt and Brett Perlini was turned aside on a partial breakaway.
The hosts got a little sloppy with their play at the midway point. Korea earned a couple of odd-man chances off the rush but couldn’t connect on their passes.
It was an early wake-up call in the tournament and GB responded well.
Late in the frame, the Korean netminder made two smart glove saves. The first to deny Waller and the second robbed O’Connor after a deft pass from Hammond.
Third Period
Two penalties late in the middle frame just twenty seconds apart meant the third period began with four-on-four action.
Another early penalty put the hosts on the power play and though Great Britain was in command they were unable to force their way through the stout Korean defence.
After losing the handle when attempting to assess the situation, Liam Kirk recovered possession and headed back toward the net just as Ingyo Oh exited the box.
The NHL prospect did what he does best, namely rifling a shot into the roof of the net to displace the water bottle.
A gorgeous goal to make it a 4-0 game and send the partisan crowd into rapture.
Ben Bowns remained solid between the pipes to post a seventeen-save shutout. Not his hardest night’s work but an encouraging and confidence-boosting start.
Despite further power play chances, GB couldn’t make use of the man advantage, perhaps the only negative on the evening but that is nitpicking.
The first game of the tournament is always a potential banana skin.
There were no slip-ups from Great Britain as they put Korea to the sword with an imposing display.
Player of the Game: Liam Kirk
Scoring:
Liam Kirk 1-1-2
Cade Nielson 1-0-1
Ben Lake 1-0-1
Robert Dowd 1-0-1
Josh Waller 0-2-2
Mike Hammond 0-1-1
Evan Mosey 0-1-1
Extended highlights
https://youtu.be/98GwP43WyfU
Pete Russell’s reaction
https://youtu.be/OtQbVSVWBHk
Line-Up
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