World Championship Division I Group A
Great Britain 3-0 Lithuania
There was some extra pressure coming into this game after a ‘shock’ 4-2 win for Poland against Italy earlier in the day.
Pete Russell opted to switch the lines following the victory against Poland – to varying degrees of success.
It wasn’t a flowing performance by any means but Great Britain got off to a good start, established a lead through twenty minutes and Ben Bowns was rock-solid between the pipes.
“Today was our worst game by far” – Ben Bowns
First Period
For the third time in as many games, Great Britain helped themselves to an early goal.
A thirty-second sustained spell of pressure resulted in GB taking the lead with just 1:10 on the clock.
Evan Mosey denied Lithuania a zone clearance, and Cade Neilson picked up possession.
The centreman split the Lithuanian defence before rifling into the top corner of the net from just above the hash marks.
Josh Tetlow was within a whisker of doubling the lead at the six-minute mark. His booming shot from the point was only partially stopped and the puck lay on the goal line. Ben Lake wasn’t able to react in time before the puck was swiped clear.
The hosts failed to generate any other scoring chances until the final five minutes of the period.
Brett Perlini sprung Liam Kirk on a breakaway but the NHL prospect appeared to lose the handle at the pivotal moment when looking to deke the goaltender.
GB was able to take a 2-0 lead into the break thanks to a power play goal built on patience.
After build-up play from Neilson and Kirk, Robert Dowd showed patience in the left circle to outwait his opponent before slotting a low shot beyond the netminder.
Second Period
Great Britain generated two scoring chances in the first five minutes.
A wonderful individual effort from Ben Lake was denied after some nifty stick-handling to work his way into the slot.
That was followed by a partial breakaway for Kirk who watched his effort be padded away to safety.
GB’s second power play of the game was a huge disappointment. Lithuania almost scored a short-handed wraparound goal but for the combined efforts of Dowd and Ben Bowns.
For his part, Dowd received a penalty on the play but the hosts were able to kill ninety seconds down by a man.
A third power play also went to waste and GB would again rely heavily on Bowns late in the first period.
Firstly robbing Ugnius Cizas on a breakaway before pulling off a point-blank range save in the dying seconds.
Third Period
Great Britain failed to kill the game off, passing up another power play earned by a powering drive to the net by Nathanael Halbert.
As the minutes wound down, the hosts appeared to become more nervous and Lithuania sniffed a chance of a comeback.
Consecutive icings weren’t helping matters but Bowns remained steadfast to keep Lithuania at bay. The Cardiff goaltender made three saves of note to ensure no late drama.
Cizas, Ilja Cetvertak and Mark Kaleinikovas were all left frustrated as Lithuania was forced to pull their netminder with a little under three minutes remaining.
Halbert made sure of the three points by winning a battle deep in the defensive zone before scoring into the empty net with a perfectly placed long-range shot.
The sigh of relief in the building was palpable.
Post Game Notes
A 28-save shutout for Ben Bowns who produced his best performance of the tournament thus far when his nation needed it most.
Nathanael Halbert scored his first GB goal. The defenceman has been outstanding and added another dimension to the team with his offensive attributes. Whether it’s coast-to-coast rushes, making breakout plays or driving to the net, he’s a threat to every opponent.
Robert Dowd netted the insurance marker and that he’s refound his scoring touch at this level is a boost for GB.
As previously mentioned, the lines were altered as Pete Russell rang the changes.
Brett Perlini and Liam Kirk found some chemistry but Mike Hammond didn’t seem in tune with them. While on the third line, Johnny Curran struggled to make an impact alongside Josh Waller and Ben Lake. There’s some food for thought heading into Wednesday’s game.
Player of the Game: Cade Neilson
Scoring
Cade Nielson 1-1-2
Robert Dowd 1-1-2
Nathanael Halbert 1-0-0
Liam Kirk 0-1-1
Evan Mosey 0-1-1
Extended highlights
Standings
Line-Up
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