USA v Great Britain at the Steel Arena, Kosice

15 May 2019Robert Newbolt»

With the US in fifth they badly needed a win to put them into play off contention whereas GB needed something from the game to help stave off impending relegation.

Even though they were defeated this will rank as one of the greatest GB performances in the last 25 years, being alongside their victory over Hungary last season.

A hard working GB side ran into penalty problems again at the start and after after 12 minutes VAN RIEMSDYK popped home the rebound off Bowns after he'd blocked a shot from Kane.

But GB were not overawed in this game and just 3 minutes later HAMMOND finished off good work by Davey Phillips to tie the game up.

Halfway through the second period penalties came back to haunt GB and KELLER deked Bowns to put USA in front. They were now skating more freely and it was no surprise when they extended the lead after an Eichel pass was finished off by KREIDER.

After a period of sustained pressure GB found themselves 4-1 down when DEBRINCAT pounced after a long stretch pass to slot home.

But with just six seconds of the period left PERLINI sent the crowd into raptures as he picked up a pass from Billingsley to cut the lead.

The last period belonged almost entirely to USA. Just one minute had elapsed when KANE found the puck first after a goalmouth scramble to prod home. RYAN made it 6 after a powerplay had exhausted GB, he got away from the defender before spinning and shooting into the net.

But GB came back and after killing off a powerplay DAVIES sprinted out of the penalty box to fire a laser shot past Demko with just 3 minutes left.

Ben Bowns in the GB net turned away 59 shots and received the PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD. Patrick Kane took the award for USA.