Great Britain were beaten 5-2 by Kazakhstan in Slany this afternoon in their final game ahead of the World Championship which gets under way this weekend.
Jackson Whistle made the start in goal as part of GB’s 22-man roster and Pete Russell’s side went ahead when Liam Kirk neatly finished on his backhand inside the opening six minutes (5:43).
Nikita Mikhailis equalised for Kazakhstan (28:16) before Ben Bowns replaced Whistle at the midway point of the game.
Mikhailis scored his second of the afternoon (31:54) to give Kazakhstan the lead at the second intermission.
Arkadiy Shestakov scored on a five-on-three powerpay (42:35) to make it 3-1, but GB hit back as Kirk fed Sam Ruopp in the slot to reduce the arrears (45:23).
Roman Starchenkso made it 4-2 on the powerplay (47:59) before Mikhailis completed his hat-trick with an empty-net goal (59:28).
GB will depart Slany tomorrow for Prague ahead of Saturday’s opening game with world number one side Canada.
Great Britain World Championship schedule
Saturday 11th May – Great Britain v Canada – 12:20 (11:20 UK)
Sunday 12th May – Finland v Great Britain – 12:20 (11:20 UK)
Wednesday 15th May – Switzerland v Great Britain – 20:20 (19:20 UK)
Friday 17th May – Great Britain v Denmark – 16:20 (15:20 UK)
Saturday 18th May – Czechia v Great Britain – 20:20 (19:20 UK)
Monday 20th May – Great Britain v Norway – 16:20 (15:20 UK)
Tuesday 21st May – Austria v Great Britain – 12:20 (11:20 UK)
All GB matches will be shown live on Premier Sports. Click here for more details.
