KRYNICA, POLAND – Great Britain’s under-18s had a tricky time under difficult circumstances in Group 1B in Poland, but escaped relegation in their first attempt at this level.
The tournament started the day after the Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others were killed in a plane crash in Smolensk, Russia. The tournament went ahead, but no spectators were present, and Polish flags were draped in black with a minute silence preceding each match. Despite the sadness, the tournament was competitive, but Britain found it hard against many of their European counterparts. Germany won promotion to the next tier after winning all five of their games, including a 9-0 thrashing against Britain, and a thumping 15-0 win against Lithuania, who drop down a division following a disappointing tournament. After suffering at the hands of Germany, Team GB took on Hungary, winning after a shootout 5-4. Joshua Ward struck twice for Britain and Frankie Harvey and Luke Ferrara grabbed one each. However, a late strike from Gergo Bereczki forced overtime. The extra period was scoreless, but Joseph Lewis gave Britain the shootout win. Team GB couldn’t capitalise on this victory as they slumped to a narrow 1-0 loss against Kazakhstan. In what was a very evenly-contested game, Kazakhstan pinched the only goal thanks to Mikhail Rakhmanov, scoring in the first period. Britain then faced their Polish hosts, who came away victorious in an entertaining game. Team GB matched their opponents for large periods of the game, and were ahead after the first period thanks to a strike from Joseph Lewis. The Brits had a two-goal lead after two periods thanks to a power play goals from Andrew Hirst, Daniel Scott and James Ayling. Despite their good start, Britain couldn’t hold out and Poland fought back strong in the third period thanks to Damian Kapica. The MMKS Nowy Targ player scored three of his four goals in the third period, as Britain run out of steam, going down 8-5. To avoid the prospect of relegation in their first season in Division 1B, Team GB needed a win against Lithuania, and they didn’t disappoint. Britain built an early lead, and held off a late Lithuanian rally to secure a 3-2 win. Lewis capped an impressive tournament with another goal, while Bracknell’s Callum Best and Chelmsford’s James Ayling increased the British lead. Lithuania battled hard in the third period, but couldn’t find the equaliser, with Trafford Metros goaltender Ryan Declan solid between the pipes. There are a lot of positives from the under-18 tournament for coach Jonathan Rowbotham, and Team GB were competitive in their first tournament in Division 1B. The best goaltender of the tournament was chosen as Sebastian Mrugala of Poland. Hungary’s Tamas Erdelyi picked up the best defenceman and Germany’s Mirko Hofflin was voted best forward, although Marcel Noebels lead scoring with 9 goals and 10 assists. Contact the author david.bol@prohockeynews.com
