LONDON, UK – Just 24 hours after taking a point from their game against Denmark, Team GB went one better with a hard fought 4-3 win over Belarus in the World Championships.
God saves the Queen.. and Bowns stops the rebound (Photo Dean Woolley)
Lads who grew up playing hockey in places like Billingham, Nottingham, Swindon, Peterborough, Cardiff and Sheffield, tasted sweet victory on the world stage, as fans tuned in across the globe to watch them make history.
The win was GB’s first in regulation time at this level since 1962, the year Chubby Checker reached number 1 with “The Twist” and Britain’s first legal casino opened in Brighton.
The impressive Yorkshireman Liam Kirk scored twice to take his personal tally to four overall so far in the tournament, while Ben Davies and Mike Hammond got a goal each.
A late two goal Belarus salvo had GB on the ropes in the final minutes however goalie Ben Bowns and his defensive corps did just enough to deny them an equaliser and thus secure a famous victory at the Olympic Sports Centre in Riga.
Goalscoring hero Davies, sporting easily the best flow in the competition, admitted it had been a backs to the wall finish, during his post game interview:
Davies goes with the flow (Freesports TV)
“They were throwing everything at us at the end, and Bownsy stood on his head as always” said the Manchester Storm forward.
“We’re excited to get the win and we’re just trying to do the right thing, working on our game, and looking forward to facing Sweden next.”
GB currently sit in 5th position in Group A ahead of Belarus, and more surprisingly Czech Republic and the Swedes. Three games remain for the British lads in the group stage and fans are dreaming that the team can go deeper into the tournament defying all expectations.
The only downside is of course the fact that the fans cannot be present to witness any of this. GB boast one of the most raucous and enthusiastic followings in international hockey, however the small band of hardcore supporters are stuck at home (like everyone else) thanks to the pandemic.
GB fans get the printer and laminator out (IIHF)
Thankfully coverage on Freesports TV and post game highlights on the IIHF YouTube channel mean fans can at least soak in the good times from the comfort of their own homes, drinking tea, moaning about the weather outside and wondering just how much those Tissot watches the man of the match winners receive are worth.
Sweden are up next for the red, white and blue machine and what a story it would be if GB could do the unthinkable and take points from one of hockey’s major players.
Check out the fantastic gallery of images by Dean Woolley of an historic night for British ice hockey.
Contact the author: davidcarr_2@hotmail.com
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