Great Britain made an emphatic statement at the onset of their Olympic Qualifying journey, securing a dominant 10-1 triumph over China at the Vindico Arena in Cardiff.
The ice hockey spectacle witnessed the impressive debut of four players – Cam Critchlow, Sean Norris, Cole Shudra, and Brandon Whistle. Goalkeeper Ben Bowns, supported by Jackson Whistle, exhibited formidable skills guarding the net.
GB took control in the first period, with Liam Kirk capitalizing on assists from Robert Dowd and Cade Neilson (3:32). Mark Richardson further extended the lead with his eighth goal for the country, courtesy of a precise pass from Ben Lake (16:45).
The second period saw a relentless offensive display from GB, with Kirk securing his second goal (25:53).
Critchlow, on his full international debut, showcased his prowess with two rapid-fire goals (27:02, 30:07).
Johnny Curran and Neilson also contributed to the scoring, with GB notching seven goals by the end of the second period.
Robert Dowd, donning the role of the new GB captain, sealed the victory with a well-executed move involving Neilson and Richardson (43:34).
Although China managed to break through with a goal by Zuo Tianyou (43:47), GB continued their dominance. Ben Davies and Nathanael Halbert added to the tally, concluding the match with a resounding 10-1 victory.
Looking ahead, GB faces Serbia in their next challenge, scheduled for Saturday at 7 pm.
As the tournament progresses, the team aims to maintain its stellar performance and secure a spot in the upcoming Olympic Games. Stay tuned for more updates
Schedule and results
Thursday 8th February
Romania 4-0 Serbia
Great Britain 10-1 China – Goals: Kirk 2, Critchlow 2, Richardson, Curran, Neilson, Dowd, Davies, Halbert
Saturday 10th February
Romania v China – 3 pm
Serbia v Great Britain – 7 pm
Sunday 11th February
China v Serbia – 3 pm
Great Britain v Romania – 7 pm