Team GB secure Gold medal in Division II Group A following a 4-0 win over Latvia in Jaca, Spain.
A 3-0 victory over Mexico preceded the Latvia result as Ella Howard secured a shutout in her first senior game for GB.
Final Period Decider
It was another game where the side were taken to the very end of the game scoring all three of their goals in the final period.
They dominated the game completely however outshooting Mexico 58 to 9.
Captain Saffron Allen scored twice in the space of five minutes to give her side the lead.
Rachel Cartwright then scored for her first GB goal in the 51st minute to round out an impressive display.
Assistant Coach Sean Alderson thinks his side earnt their victory, saying: “We stuck to our game and knew we would get the goals eventually. The efforts paid off and the team deserve their win once again.
“We know what we have to do against Latvia, we came here with one aim and we can make that happen on Friday. We will be ready.”
GB Gold in Group A
A slightly better performance followed as the side faced Latvia ending in a 4-0 win for Britain.
The first goal went in inside nine and a half minutes with Katie Henry scoring from a speculative shot.
The second period remained goalless with Nicole Jackson and her defensive team killing a few penalties.
GB once again saved the best for last as they scored three more times in the final period of the game.
Katherine Gale scored first following a pass from Aimee Headland, four minutes later Emily Harris grabbed a third for GB.
Latvia’s composure dropped from here as they needed a win for a chance at Gold.
They conceded a few penalties which resulted in a five-on-three for GB who scored their fourth.
Louise Adams bagged her third of an impressive tournament for the side.
Team GB celebrating after beating Latvia 4-0. Credit: Karl Denham
With only one goal conceded all tournament it’s been an impressive run for the team.
This result sealed promotion to Division I B in 2023 and a Gold for Team GB.
Captain Saffron Allen praised her team in a tearful chat post-match, saying: “It’s an unbelievable feeling, this means so much to win with this group.
“We have a team unlike any I can remember in terms of belief, togetherness and never giving up.”
They will be presented with their medals on Friday 9th April after the game between Spain and Mexico.
Stewart Scores for Third Game in a row
Mack Stewart was back on the scoresheet for the third consecutive game for Team GB’s U18s against Serbia.
After just 53 seconds the Belfast Giant slotted goal number one for Britain in an 8-0 thrashing.
Ben Norton and Luca Tessadri combined in net for a shutout against the Serbians who never really got going.
Liam Steele grabbed his second goal of the tournament to put his side 2-0 up just over five minutes into the first period.
They ended the first period just the two goals to the good, but it was to be the second period which sealed the win for the U18s as they scored five.
Jack Hopkins was setup by Stewart who’d scored the first to make it 3-0.
Keiran Chung then took on a shot from the blueline for number four, Ben Brown grabbed the fifth shortly after.
Dawson Osborn was setup up by Cameron Hamill’s brilliant pass to make it 6-0.
Carter Hamill, Cameron’s twin brother then scored number seven for his side solidifying a dominant period.
Carter Hamill then wrapped up the victory grabbing his second and GB’s eighth in the 52nd minute.
The Implications
With this result the U18s sat second in their group with Korea and hosts Estonia to play.
With that result having finishing in a stunning 2-1 comeback win for Korea.
This has blown the group wide open, meaning the Gold medal race will go down to the wire.
Any one of Team GB, Korea or Estonia can still claim first place in Group A.
Korea and Estonia are tied on nine points and Team GB have eight.
This puts the pressure on Team GB to beat Lithuania to give themselves a shot at Gold.
Korea will face Romania and Estonia will face Serbia in what will be a thrilling last day of the tournament.
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