Great Britain’s hopes of progressing to the next stage of Winter Olympic qualifying are still on despite going down 2-1 to Slovenia on game two in Nottingham.
Victory over South Korea on Sunday in the final game in regulation time by three goals is what GB need to progress.
But they can take many positives from this one, despite coming out on the wrong end of the result and will only strengthen their resolve for the final game on Sunday.
(PHOTO: Dean Woolley)
It could have been a different story, had a least one of Slovenia’s two chances that hit the post from early on, courtesy of Julija Blazinsek and Tamara Svetina gone in.
Sara Confidenti was also denied by an excellent double save from Nicole Jackson to keep the game locked in a stalemate for the time being at that point.
The opener finally came at the end of the first period when Lucy Beal finished off a wrist shot past Pia Dukaric in the Slovenian net to edge the home side in front.
You just know the contest was far from finished as the game moved into the second period and needless to say, Slovenia got their reward for their offensive play.
(PHOTO: Dean Woolley)
Pia Pren was the one to score it as she done enough to squeeze her shot in at Jackson’s near post and the Brits had finally conceded their first goal of the competition.
Two minutes later, Slovenia were in front as Blazinsek finished a rebound, lifting over Jackson after the GB goalie had initially denied Confidenti.
Despite the highly competitive nature of the game, it started to slip away from GB in the end, with both goalies in top form to prevent any further breaches.
The feeling post game was of what might have been, but GB aren’t out of it yet as Korea are now firmly locked in their sights.
