Great Britain open the sluices

It was almost ten years ago: 30 April 2008, in Amiens, France, when for the last time Great Britain scored more than 10 goals. It was against Israel and that afternoon Colin Shields was on ice, scoring an hattrick as he did tonight. But this three goals are an historical mark for Belfast Giants forward: he reaches 41 international goals, equalizing the British legend of hockey Tony Hand (tonight in the stands). Others players crossed these 9 years defending the jersey with rampant lions: goalie Stephen Murphy, tonight selected as starting, Mark Richardson, Jonathan Weaver, Mark Richardson, David Clarke, Jonathan and David Phillips, Russel Cowley and Matthew Myers, 4 goals in 2008, 1 goal and 1 assit tonight. A Netherlands, with an incomplete roster and still zero victories, certainly could not be an obstacle for enthusiastic, now at one game from the dream of promotion and tonight very determined to quickly close the question, without any risk: so after 5 minutes it’s already 2-0 for home team, with the goal from Colin Shields – deflection on Ben O’Connor shot - and Jonathan Phillips, with a shot just slightly deflected by goalie Idzenga. The sudden double advantage and the weakness of rival boost Great Britain that have several opportunities to triple the score while on the other side Stephen Murphy can enjoy the game for free, except a couple of shots from the distance, controlled safely. After at least eight chances wasted, finally the third goal comes with Samuel Duggan tapping in a shot from Lachowitz. Before the first siren another two chances for Great Britain, well saved by Idzenga. In the second period the plot continues the same: at 21:34 it’s 4-0 Team GB: the shot of Robert Farmer is rebounded by Idzenga and Brendan Brooks can easily finishing in the net. Same Brooks assists Craig Peacock for the fifth goal, scored at 31:02. Twenty seconds after Idzenga saves on Duggan and Jonathan Phillips but can’t catch the third attempt by Robert Lachowitz. Before to be replaced by back-up Fabian Schotel, Idzenga has to recover another puck from the net, bagged by Shields, alone in front of the goal. Poor Schotel can’t even find the position in the net and is immediately punished by Duggan for the 8-0 Great Britain. With eight goals difference and a significant 44-4 SOG stats after two period, the last 20 minutes are little more than a training session: after a good save on Farmer, Schotel cannot do anything when Liam Stewart, served by Mosey, has just to place the ninth puck in the Dutch goal. The goal number ten comes on power play, scored by Robert Dowd easily soaking in a defence spaced out. The arena explodes at 49:32 when Belfast Giants Colin Shields netted his personal hattrick. Before the final liberating siren, Netherlands suffers three more goals, scored by Matthew Myers with a bit of luck – a puck deflected rebounds on him –Brendan Brooks and Robert Dowd after a puck stealed by David Clarke in Dutch defensive zone.

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