Hero and villain

With an experienced roster and the push of its passionate fans, it will be the right moment for Great Britain after two promotions vanished at the last puck played? The UK Federation prepared the campaign of Belfast in the least details and nowit’s up to Peter Russel guys to finally drive the national team to Division I.  The debut isn’t be any picnic because Croatia comes to Northern Ireland with a tight roster with the addition from the begin of tournament of star Borna Rendulic, this season at Utica Comets.

The opening ceremony with the Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Brian Kingston declaring the opening of IHWC

Favored by the fans Great Britain begins the game aggressively wasting the best chance with Lachowiz, well served, firing on goalie Tomljenovic. A rather timid Croatia concedes a territorial predominance to opponent and inevitably has to capitulate at 15:30 when Mislav Blagus is not enough reactive in closing the shooting range to Robert Dowd, firing past Tomljenovic a pass from Mark Richardson.

The second period starts a bit late due to some problems with ice, quite melted in some zones but when the action begins, Croatia goalie Mate Tomljenovic produces a spectacular diving save on Brendan Brooks.

At 27 Croatia has a great chance to equalize on a double superiority and doesn’t miss the chance: Mislav Blagus forgive the mistake on Great Britain goal and beat Ben Bowns. Milicic has a good chance right after the goal, recovering a rambling puck, blocked by Bowns. The goal completely changes the attitude of Croatia, now more aggressive and with a better puck management. A difficult save by Tomljenovic on Farmer and a double chance for Jankovic, rebounded twice by Bowns, close the central period.

Again the Croat goalie is protagonist for better or worse at the begin of last period with two difficult saves on Peacock and Richardson but also with the imperfect intervention that allows the second goal scored by Robert Clarke: the shot is not irresistible but get into the net between the post and the leg of Tomljenovic. Probably still groggy for the mistake, Tomljenovic concedes also the third goal, scored by Evan Mosey two minutes after, with a clumsy intervention. The double disadvantage is a tough punch for Croatia that risks to suffer another goal but manages to survive breathing at 54:25 again on double power play when David Brine scores a controversial goal netting a rebound, allowed after almost 3 minutes of video reviewing. Right after Tomljenovic is decisive on Mosey and outstanding on same Mosey, all alone, at 58. Before the last minute finally Great Britain breaks the resistance of opponent with a decisive deflection of Russel Cowley on Lachowitz shot for a deserved but not simple victory.

MVP: Borna Silovic – Robert Dowd

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