Great Britain were beaten 6-3 by Latvia in another thrilling international game at the Skydome Arena in Coventry, with the visitors securing their win with two late empty-net goals.
It means the two-game series ends tied at one-all after GB’s 3-2 overtime victory in Nottingham last night.
Jackson Whistle got the start between the pipes with Ben Bowns as back-up, while forward Sean Norris scored on his GB debut.
Latvia on top in first period but Whistle stands firm
Cade Neilson had a chance for Britain inside the opening 15 seconds, while Whistle made a fine save to deny Janis Jaks at the other end.
Whistle also thwarted Renars Krastenbergs and Miks Indrasis with Latvia dominating much of the first period.
Six goals in thrilling second period
A superb pass from Ben O’Connor from behind his net sent Ollie Betteridge clear and he went five-hole to give GB the lead (21:06).
Great link-up play between Josh Waller and Ben Lake set-up Johnny Curran on the doorstep to tap home with the netminder out of position (26:22), but Latvia closed gap through Rihards Bukarts’ wrist-shot from the left circle (28:51).
Jaks pinged the left-hand post on a late second-period powerplay before Norris rounded the netminder to restore GB’s two-goal advantage (38:35).
Latvia hit back with Oskars Batna getting the final touch from close range only 20 seconds later (38:55) and Tom Andersons equalised with a rebound that deflected past Whistle (39:47).
Latvia score two empty-netters to seal win
Andersons shot wide on a third-period Latvia powerplay and Whistle made an excellent stop from Haralds Egle’s one-timer.
Curran hit the base of the right-hand post as GB pushed for the go-ahead goal, but Latvia went in-front for the first time when Ronalds Kenins slotted home at the backdoor (52:18).
Whistle was lifted for the extra skater for the final three minutes, but Latvia sealed the win with empty-net goals from Martins Dzierkals (58:07) and Miks Indrasis (58:47).
GB now turn their attentions to a two-match series with Hungary, with the first game taking place on Tuesday in Milton Keynes followed by in Nottingham on Wednesday.
🎟 Tuesday 25th April (19:30): GB v Hungary at Planet Ice Milton Keynes – buy tickets here
🎟 Wednesday 26th April (19:30): GB v Hungary at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham – buy tickets here
