Great Britain put in a battling performance but missed out on the gold medal at the World Championship Division II Group A at Dumfries Ice Bowl in heartbreaking fashion with a 4-3 defeat by Korea.
Needing a regulation-time victory to win promotion, GB led 3-1 at the second intermission but Korea came back to secure victory and the gold medal.
Britain had to settle in the end for bronze after Lithuania claimed silver with a 6-2 victory over China in the tournament’s final game.
Beattie equalises for GB in first period
Korea made a fast start as Lee Hyunseo and Hong Seungwoo had shots saved by Ben Norton, with GB’s best chance falling to Archie Hazeldine who saw his shot turned away by Seo Kyungmin
Kim Sihwan found space in the offensive zone before firing a neat wrist-shot past Norton to put Korea ahead (13:01).
GB hit back on a four-on-three powerplay as Hazeldine set-up Kell Beattie for a one-timer from top of the left circle that pinged off the left-hand post (17:47).
Hopkins and Dawson Osborn give GB lead at second intermission
GB made a superb start to the second period and their relentless pressure told when Hazeldine superbly fed Jack Hopkins for a one-timer from the left circle – his sixth goal of the tournament (22:18).
Britain were outstanding in the second session and immense strong work on the boards by Austin Osborn created the opening for Dawson Osborn to score from close-range just over three minutes later (25:19).
Norton made a superb save to tip a deflected looping shot from Choi Seongsoon over the bar in the closing stages of the second period.
Korea turn it around to clinch gold
Kim Sihwan made it a one-goal game when he put away his own rebound (44:52) to set-up a tense finish.
Kong Yuchan netted top-shelf on the powerplay (54:27) to equalise, meaning GB lifted netminder Norton for the extra skater in the closing stages.
Kim Sihwan ensured Korea’s gold medal and promotion to Division I with an empty-net goal (59:09).
Click here for full stats from the game.
Great Britain schedule and results
Monday 11th December – Great Britain 4-1 Netherlands – Goals: Kell Beattie, Jack Hopkins, Mack Stewart, Lucas Price.
Tuesday 12th December – Great Britain 4-5 Lithuania (overtime) – Goals: Jack Hopkins 2, Oli Endicott 2.
Thursday 14th December – Great Britain 4-1 China – Goals: Ben Brown 2, Finley Bradon, Carter Hamill.
Friday 15th December – Spain 1-6 Great Britain – Goals: Jack Hopkins 2, Carter Hamill 2, Kell Beattie, Ben Brown.
Sunday 17th December – Korea 4-3 Great Britain – Goals: Kell Beattie, Jack Hopkins, Dawson Osborn.