GB vs. Lithuania

Dominant GB wow against Lithuania

Great Britain  8

Lithuania        0

This their third game of the World Championships, Great Britain knew that they would have to make the most of their offensive opportunities to avoid an intense conclusion such as that endured against Estonia on Monday. With Robert Dowd side-lined following his hospitalisation due to abdominal pains, winger David Clarke was handed the role of alternate captain by Pete Russell ahead of the game. Meanwhile, this fixture also proved significant for captain Jonathan Phillips and forward Matthew Myers as both men were awarded their seventy fifth caps prior to faceoff.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Making a sturdy start to the opening period to gain possession of the puck, forward Evan Mosey created the first of GB’s chances, shooting at netminder Artur Pavliukov before going close with the back hand in the early stages of the period. These few minutes of domination were soon counteracted however, as Jonathan Weaver took to the sin bin following a tripping call made by French referee Jimmy Bergamelli. Despite this penalty kill, Lithuania continued to feel GB’s pressure and just twenty six seconds later, Bernd Haake’s men were punished for their inability to capitalise as Jonathan Phillips stole the puck from Pavliukov to flick a shot into the exposed net.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Grabbing this lead with both hands, GB did not ease off, continuing to pepper Pavliukov with shots whilst, at the other end of the ice, Lithuania did little to trouble Ben Bowns. Though Clarke’s attempt was too high to make it beyond the goal line, his work was quickly followed up with offensive play from Robert Farmer who laboured to double GB’s lead, the winger creating two scoring chances on the same shift.

With another opportunity for Mosey failing to make its mark, forwards Russell Cowley, Ashely Tait and Colin Shields also struggled to light the lamp before Cowley fed the puck to Tait from behind the net, his team-mate grabbing a one-timer on 17:29 to make it 2-0 in GB’s favour. The first interval fast approaching, there was still time for one last effort from Robert Lachowicz before the teams filed off the ice.

Returning for the second period, GB sought to extend their lead further whilst Lithuanian captain Mindaugas Kieras and his men were hoping to find a way back into the game. It took all of thirteen seconds for GB to crush any optimism Lithuania might have had as Ross Venus fired his first international goal onto the score sheet following an assist from the hard working Cowley.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Twenty seconds later, Mosey warmed a seat in the sin bin for roughing to give Lithuania the power play but the side struggled against a buoyant GB who successfully killed the penalty to return to five men. Soon after, a shot from Myers went wide as the forward cut through the centre of the ice in an attempt to work Pavliukov, but it did not take GB long to find their fourth as Lachowicz claimed his first World Championship goal to achieve a milestone of his own.

Penalties for defenceman Ben O’Connor and left winger Arturas Laukaitis saw both sides reduced to four men, but neither team could find the back of the net under these circumstances before returning to full strength. Less than a minute later, Lithuania handed GB a power play as Kieras found himself sinbinned for high sticks. Choosing to make the most of this advantage, O’Connor hit home from the right circle following build up play between fellow ‘D’ man Weaver and winger Craig Peacock. This goal prompted a change of netminder for Lithuania as Pavliukov made way for Donatas Zukovas immediately after. This switch made little difference however, as just twenty three seconds later Jonathan Boxill smashed a rebound beyond Zukovas to give GB a six goal lead. To further enhance the misfortunes of Haake’s outfit, GB were gifted yet another power play as Jevgenijus Ciugajus conceded a minor for hooking; O’ Connor’s shot zinging the cross bar before Lithuania returned to full strength. Minutes later, GB found a seventh goal to dominate in extraordinary fashion as Cowley etched his name onto the score sheet courtesy of Venus and O’Connor.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Subsequent to this goal, GB went on the power play as Lithuania’s lack of discipline continued to let the team down. Though unable to capitalise initially on the advantage, Russell’s men were handed another power play immediately after when blue liner Nerijus Alisauskas took two minutes for interference. On this occasion, GB took the opportunity to add an eighth to their score line through Shields to put Lithuanian well and truly out of the game with thirty nine minutes played.

Whilst Lithuania’s eight goal deficit made it difficult for the side to gain anything form the game, GB looked to hold onto their shutout in the third and final period, an early tripping penalty for Ugnius Cizas placing GB on yet another power play. GB’s failure to add to the score line further was no surprise as the side held onto their lead, having little left to do other than see the game through. Shortly afterwards, Josh Batch was made to sit out for cross checking but again Lithuania could not create on the offensive and GB looked comfortable as they were restored to five men. The remainder of the period much the same as the game itself, with GB remaining untroubled by Lithuania’s attempts on goal, the last of the action saw penalties against defenceman Mark Garside and alternate captain Arnoldas Bosas for roughing on 56:19, the two players reinstated in the game with less than two minutes left to play. This victory a remarkable achievement for GB, Russell’s side sit in second place having gained eight points from three games. 

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