Great Britain U18 Women set up a bronze-medal opportunity at the Under-18 Women’s World Championship Division I Group B as they beat China U18 Women 1-0 in Dumfries.
Netminder Ella Howard secured her second successive shutout making 19 saves, while Ellie Wakeling scored the only goal of the game.
A regulation-time victory for GB against Netherlands tomorrow will guarantee the bronze medal.
No goals in tight opening period
The opening stages of the first period saw few clear-cut chances but Aimee Headland went close for GB.
Howard, who secured a 48-shot shutout in Wednesday’s penalty-shot victory over Norway, turned away nine efforts from China.
Wakeling gives GB the lead
In the second session, Chloe Headland hit the post just after a British powerplay had come to an end, while a fantastic pass from Lucy Beal set up Emily Harris but she was stopped at close range by Jiang Han.
GB went ahead when Amiee Headland produced a great piece of skill but was denied on the wraparound, before Wakeling popped in the rebound (35:01).
Britain stand firm to set up bronze-medal opportunity
Grace Garbett and Chloe Headland had good chances in the third period to add to GB’s one-goal advantage.
Meanwhile, Howard continued to stand firm in the GB goal and make a number of excellent saves, including denying Zhu Junfei from point-blank range.
Lizzie Saunders hit the pipes with three minutes remaining and GB held on for their second victory of the tournament.
Hannah Ware was named as GB’s player of the game
Head coach, Cheryl Smith, said: “We had to really work hard for this one and the pleasing thing was we found a way to win.
“China have got stronger the longer the tournament has gone on and they gave us some problems.
“But Ella Howard had another great game and we stuck at it to get a very important victory.
“It is exciting to be playing for a medal again and now we must keep the girls grounded and go again tomorrow against Netherlands.”
In the day’s other games, France beat Netherlands 3-0 to keep up their 100% record, while there was a 5-2 victory for Norway over Poland.
Norway and France will meet tomorrow in the gold-medal decider while Poland, who still have a chance of the bronze, play China.
The tournament’s final game sees GB face Netherlands, who have already been relegated.
Saturday’s final-day schedule
Norway U18 Women v France U18 Women – 1pm
Poland U18 Women v China U18 Women – 4:30pm
Great Britain U18 Women v Netherlands U18 Women – 8pm
Tickets can be purchased online or on the door at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. Click here to buy tickets.
All matches are also available via a webcast. Click here to buy the webcast.
Photo credit: Karl Denham.