Forward Saffron Allen says Great Britain Women’s first game in the EIHA Under-20s Cup this afternoon was just the start of their journey to the World Championship next year.
Britain were beaten 9-1 by Kingston U20s in the Bauer Arena at Ice Sheffield as a mixture of Great Britain Women and GB Under-18 Women players took to the ice for the inaugural game.
The tournament – against sides from the EIHA men’s under-20 league – has been designed to help GB Women get competitive action ahead of next year’s World Championship Division II Group A tournament on home ice in Dumfries.
Abbie Sylvester had put GB ahead on a short-handed breakaway at 4:25, before Kingston roared back to seal an emphatic victory.
Jodie Bloom was named as Great Britain’s player of the game.
Allen, who captained the side, said: “It’s pretty much the first time this group of girls have been together.
“The scoreline perhaps didn’t matter but, at the same time, I don’t think it reflected the game.
“There were some good points to take from today, but also we need to remind ourselves that this is the start of a six-month journey to the World Championship.
“We’ve been fortunate to have these games arranged, so that by the time we get to Dumfries in April any problems have been ironed out.
“We take a lot of positives from this first game. Yes, there were mistakes and Kingston popped some goals in, but I’m confident when Worlds come round we’ll be ready to play.”
GB Women next play in the U20 Cup against Whitley Bay on Saturday 17th November. Face-off at Ice Sheffield is 12noon.