Division I: Great Britain vs. Latvia 4-7 (0-0, 1-3, 1-1, 2-3)
Great Britain lost their opening game at the World Championship Division 1 in Slovakia.
Last year, Latvia were relegated to the qualification tournament and this year the Latvians had a strong start against one of the favourites in Division 1.
Great Britain had the better start and Ashley Jackson gave the British the lead after two minutes in the second frame.
But Latvia reacted late in the period. Olafs Aploks, Sandis Zolmanis and Aleksandrs Galkins scored three goals in a span of just over two minutes to turn the game before the halfway mark.
The teams exchanged goals in the second half of the game and James Archer’s goal with 4:49 left in regulation time brought GB back within reach, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
But Latvia reacted with two more goals to seal the game as 11 different players scored points in their victory.