2024 IIHF Mens World Championships Game Two
If playing their second game in 24 hours wasn’t tough enough, facing a rested Finland team looking to bounce back only added to Great Britain’s problem.
Once the second seeds hit top gear in the middle frame, a jaded GB team were unable to muster a response.
Great Britain 0-8 Finland
First Period
Before tiredness took over, Great Britain produced a first-period performance to be proud of.
The underdogs almost took another shock lead inside five minutes.
Liam Kirk rang a shot off the post seconds after Sam Jones’ point shot was deflected wide.
Kirk would fire high over the net on arguably a better chance and Robert Lachowicz had an effort from the left circle well held.
GB looked to be solid defensively and when Finland did break them down, Nathanael Halbert made a tremendous play to break up a 2v1.
It was a shame when the second seeds broke the deadlock inside the final four minutes as it was an avoidable goal from Great Britain’s perspective.
A series of lost battles along the far wall combined with two turnovers allowed Finland to remain in the O-zone.
Oliver Kapanen delivered a fantastic tip on a shot going wide from Kaski Oliwer to beat Ben Bowns.
Second Period
Great Britain was slow out of the blocks in the middle frame and fell behind 2-0. Jesse Puljujarvi struck just 75 seconds in and set the tone for the period.
With the long change, Great Britain struggled to get fresh bodies on the ice and they were fully run ragged.
Bowns stepped up to make three outstanding saves but could do nothing to prevent Jere Innala from netting a third on the power play.
The underdogs hung tough for a while before Finland blitzed them by scoring three goals in six minutes to finish the period.
Juuso Riikola, Kapanen and Olli Maatta all registered to give the second seeds a 6-0 lead through forty minutes.
Great Britain generated two high-quality scoring chances but scored on neither. Both fell to Brett Perlini on the same breakaway play and his scoring touch sadly deserted him.
Third Period
There was no let-up from Finland despite holding a sizeable advantage.
Mikko Lehtonen added a seventh and Kappanen wrapped up his hat-trick to complete the scoring.
Great Britain refused to lie down but the exertions of starting the tournament with two games in twenty hours against the top two seeds had taken their toll.
Post Game Notes
Great Britain can hang their hat on a solid first-period performance to go along with what they achieved against Canada. It’s part of the process for them in this tournament before the crucial games come around.
A 39-save performance from Ben Bowns is a solid start to his tournament. It will be interesting as to which goaltender is given the start against Switzerland but GB can depend upon both which is a huge plus.
Great Britain’s discipline has been good thus far through two games but frustration set in during this loss. Most of that came about because they felt officials weren’t dealing from the same deck when infringements by Finland took place. Composure will be key moving forward and the hope is that GB will receive some balanced treatment in the games to come.
Player of the Game: Ollie Betteridge
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