Great Britain have returned with the silver medal from the IIHF World Championship Division II in Turkey.
After a memorable run to the gold-medal game in the nine-team tournament in Istanbul, they were beaten 3-1 by Spain who are promoted to Division 1.
Spain raced to a three-goal first-period lead and went ahead through Claudia Castellanos’ shot from the left-hand side that took a deflection past Emma Nichols (1:57 ).
Fifteen-year-old Castellanos then scored her ninth goal of the tournament, cutting inside from the right and firing top shelf (4:29), before Gabriela Barange netted Spain’s third as she swivelled in the slot after jumping onto loose puck in the offensive zone (11:01).
GB applied more pressure in the second period and forward Chamonix Jackson scored a superb individual goal to close the deficit.
The British captain won the puck on the right boards, cut away from two challenges and fired over the glove of Maria Sierra (33:25).
GB pushed hard in the third period and Jackson went close after a rink-length skate and Lydia Walsh shot wide from the slot, but they were unable to beat Sierra again.
Great Britain U18 Women – IIHF World Championship Division II results
Monday 27th June: Mexico 0-6 Great Britain – Goals: Chamonix Jackson 2, Ruby Newlands 2, Alice Jones, Lydia Walsh
Wednesday 29th June: Great Britain 6-0 Turkey – Goals: Ellie Patrick 2, Abi McCourt, Jess Jones, Chamonix Jackson, Chloe Needham-Potts
Friday 1st July: Spain 4-0 Great Britain
Sunday 3rd July: Great Britain 2-1 Netherlands (overtime) – Goals: Ellie Patrick, Ellin Rees
Tuesday 5th July (Gold Medal Game): Spain 3-1 Great Britain – Goal: Chamonix Jackson