Great Britain U18 Women’s second game at the Under-18 Women’s World Championship Division I Group B ended in defeat, as they were beaten 3-0 by France U18 Women at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.

The tournament’s second seeds made it two wins from two and join Norway on six points at the top of the group.

GB netminder Ella Howard produced a stellar performance as she faced 45 shots, while Kiana Tait was named as player of the game.

France take a two-goal lead
After Lucy Beal’s had the game’s first chance for GB, it was France who took the lead at 2:10 as Jade Barbirati put away a rebound on the doorstep.

The French piled on the pressure in the opening stages and Howard made a number of top-class saves, but could do nothing to stop Leane Nuttin scoring from close range on the powerplay (9:29).

Howard excels in between the pipes 
Netminder Howard kept France at bay for the majority of the second period with a number of excellent saves.

However, Julie Perdriel made it 3-0 to France at 27:33 when she scored from just out in front.

GB had a late second-period powerplay and Chloe Headland went close after a neat skate into the offensive zone.

Britain enjoyed more possession in the final session and Emily Harris was denied from the left circle.

Smith: We did not let our heads drop
Head coach, Cheryl Smith, said: “We could have let our heads drop after the two early goals, but credit to the girls they kept on going.

“France are an exceptional team and they showed the level we have to get to if we are to keep moving forward.

“In the third period we took away their game plan yet pushed hard with ours and we won more stick battles.

“Now the challenge is getting that third-period tempo into the first period against Norway.”

In today’s other games, Norway beat China 3-0 and there was a 4-2 victory for Poland over Netherlands.

There are no games in the tournament tomorrow and GB return to action on Wednesday when they face Norway (8pm).

Tickets can be purchased online or on the door at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. Click here to buy tickets.

Photo credit: Karl Denham.