LJUBLJANA, Slovakia – A hat-trick from Robert Dowd stunned the Ukraine as Team GB came from behind to win in overtime. Britain haven’t had a great start to their World Championships Division 1A campaign – after narrowly missing out against the hosts and suffering a heavy defeat against Austria. The win gives Britain a fighting chance of escaping relegation, and still have a slender chance of a bronze medal. Speaking to Ice Hockey UK after the game Head Coach Tony Hand said: “I am so proud of the guys in the way they battled. We played well but were up against it the fist period and came back superbly.” The Ukraine dominated the opening period and heavily out-shot the Brits. Olexander Pobyedonostsev opened the scoring after some nimble stick-work. Britain came out for the second period full of determination, and Dowd was tripped as he charged through on goal, resulting in a penalty shot. The Belfast Giants star scored the resulting penalty shot with a confident high shot. The game opened up, and Britain had their first lead of the game when Matthew Myers scored shorthanded to stun The Ukraine. Team GB pushed further ahead two minutes later when Dowd forced the puck home from close range. However, the Ukrainians weren’t finished. Serge Klymentyev hit a rocket on the power play to half the deficit, before Pobyedonostsev grabbed his second goal of the game. Two goals in 44 seconds had completely turned the game, and showed Britain how dangerous their opponents were.
