Relegation heartache for GB Women’s Under 18’s

Great Britain Women’s Under 18s have been relegated from Division I Group B after a final day 5-1 loss to hosts Poland in Katowice.

The side’s relegation is a blow on a day where they needed a point to secure their safety and send Poland down, but victory for the hosts means GB will play in Division II next season.

Wiktoria Sikorska scored on the doorstep on the powerplay early in the second period before Emily Harris was denied on a wraparound and moments later from close range after waltzing through the Poland defence.

Sikorska – Poland’s captain – broke away at speed to fire high for her second goal of the night at 32 minutes and start to concern the GB players.

Emma Nichols replaced Ella Howard at the start of the third period, but she was beaten by a deflection from Julia Zielinska in the early stages of the third period.

GB pushed in the third period and Kaitlyn Morrison scored at the backdoor on a five-on-three powerplay on 47 minutes, before Poland wrapped the game up with two goals in 12 seconds.

Vanessa Patla scored from the blueline on 51:05 while Iga Schramm cut inside from the left wing and put away her own rebound almost immediately after, confirming the worst possible end to the week for Cheryl Smith and the GB team.

Earlier in the day, Norway U18 Women secured promotion and the gold medal with 2-1 victory over Austria U18 Women, who take home the silver medal. China U18 Women won bronze with a 4-2 victory over Korea U18 Women.