Team GB beat Poland at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday as Joe Maciag was there for Nottingham Sport. The two teams ending the three periods and overtime locked at one each with a shoot out win as Cam Critchlow scored the decisive goal for a 2-1 win.
Period 1 – Bowns’ Brilliance
The first period begins timidly, with both teams making mistakes. Betteridge comes close after the rebound falls to him in the slot. Poland responds with great pressure, and a patient shot from the Polish defenseman forces Bowns into a great save. GB struggles to gain momentum but does well in shutting down Polish chances. A misplayed pass behind the net from Bowns sees the puck trickle agonizingly in front of the net, but no Polish sticks can convert the chance. This time, GB finds itself in a goal-mouth scramble, but Cade Neilson cannot convert the shot. Poland’s quick breakout finds a player all alone with Bowns, but he expertly makes the save. A Davy Phillips point shot creates havoc, but Cade Neilson can’t find the gaping net. Pawel Zygmunt dances through the GB squad but is unable to get his shot off. Bowns comes up big again after more sloppy passing. The end of the first period sees the score at 0-0. After 20 minutes, the main difference in this game is the passing; GB cannot make the necessary passes to create anything. Poland has done superbly to cut off the lanes and make it hard for GB. Improvement is needed for GB if they want to extend their winning streak to 13 games.
Period 2 – Stalemate
GB buzzes to start the period, with Zabolotny unable to cover the loose puck. Maciej Urbanowicz dances from the corner, but Bowns shuts the five-hole. Bowns makes another incredible save, this time diving from post-to-post. Kirk comes close with a wired shot short side, but a great save denies him. The first powerplay of the game goes to Poland as Davy Phillips is boxed for tripping. GB kills the penalty excellently with some more great saves from Bowns. Powerplay time for GB as Poland gets caught with too many men on the ice. Poland gets caught with too many men on the ice again after having killed the first call. Great work from Kirk to slide the puck across to Perlini, but his shot is well saved. Poland keeps some good pressure on GB but little in the way of high-value chances. Sean Norris gets called for hooking while under Polish siege, and GB heads back to the PK. The end of the period sees the score still at 0-0.
Period 3 – Deadlock Broken … And Restored Again.
GB starts the period still on the penalty kill but puts in a great shift to kill the penalty. Halbert pinches down from the left point, but his shot is well saved. After the puck is frozen, Lake and Poland’s #23 get to know each other, and both are called for roughing. GB puts bodies on the line and blocks multiple shots on the shift. A loose puck is pounced on by Poland, but GB recovers well to stop the shot attempt. Shudra steals the puck to create a 2-on-1, and his shot goes wide. Kirk gets caught by a Polish high stick, and GB goes back to the man advantage for 2 minutes. A great keep on the blue line by Halbert sees the pass go to Kirk, who feeds Perlini at the backdoor, and the shot is roofed to give GB the 1-0 lead. A floated shot by Logan Neilson finds Robert Lachowicz, but his baseball swing attempt goes wide. Poland equalizes late on after some great pressure, and Bowns is beaten for the first time tonight, scored by Krystian Dziubinski.
Overtime – Nothing doing
Bowns comes up big twice in the overtime period. Mosey dances through the zone but his backhand attempt goes wide. A giveaway by Curran sees Bowns forced to scramble and poke the puck away himself. The puck squirts from the board battle and Poland connects 2-on-1 for what looks to be a certain goal, but Ben Bowns comes up clutch again.
Shootout – Bowns holds firm as Critchlow wins it
Ben Lake to shoot first … He pulls a great move and roofs the puck 1-0
Wronka … Goes on the forehand but saved by Bowns
Liam Kirk … Comes in slow and the pad stretches out
Dziubinski … Comes in wide and collides with Bowns and he’s still unable to convert
Cade Neilson … Comes in with speed and goes for the backhand but a great save
Krezolek … Tries to slide the puck under Bowns but no cigar
Perlini … tries the same move Lake tried but no goal
Pas … He comes in slow and hits the iron with his shot. He tries to score the rebound which is no goal
Logan Neilson … Tries to go wide and snipe the puck but his shot goes wide
Michalski … They finally beat Bowns as the puck trickles through his five hole.
Sudden Death
Ciura …. Gets robbed by the Glove of Bowns
Cole Shudra to win it … He doesn’t as his shot forces a blocker save.
Dziubinski … wides and a poor shot saved by Bowns.
Kirk to win it again…. Comes in slow again but an easy pad save.
Michalski … Speeds down on Bowns but he remains strong.
Critchlow to win it … He does! The netminder gets a touch but it’s not enough and it goes in!
*Article provided by Joe Maciag (Ice Hockey Correspondent).
*Main image @TeamGBicehockey action from a tight international between GB & Poland.
