Great Britain ended their Division 1 Group B campaign with a shootout loss to Slovenia after the game finished 3-3 in regulation and overtime.
Nicole Jackson returned to the starter’s net and saw her side take an early lead as Lucy Beal scored from the top of the crease on the powerplay (3.07). That was the only goal of the period despite a further powerplay chance for Great Britain later on.
Slovenia hit back early in the middle period, Arwen Nylaander’s toe drag and shot levelled the game at 22.33. This kicked off a spell of three goals in as many minutes as the teams traded offence. Great Britain were back in front at 23.43 when Katie Marsden’s shot from the left circle appeared to go in off a Slovenian stick and past Dukaric in net. The Slovenia captain Pia Pren knotted the scores once again at 25.58, successfully going one on one with Nicole Jackson.
Great Britain had a 17-8 shot advantage in that second period, and the pressure continued into the final period. On a fast break out, Katherine Gale passed into the crease where Aimee Headland was first on the puck and knocked it past Dukaric for 3-2 at 55.13. A GB penalty shortly thereafter gave Slovenia a powerplay chance, which they converted through Confidenti shooting from the bottom of right circle.
Further chances were denied by Slovenia’s eventual tournament MVP Pia Dukaric in net, and the game to overtime. The five minutes played three-on-three saw more chances both ways but no winning goal and it was on to the shootout.
Goalies were on top in the shootout until the fourth round when Confidenti managed to finish on the backhand to give Slovenia the edge. GB’s final penalty shot was saved which meant a 4-3 decision to Slovenia, a single point in the standings and a fifth place finish overall.
Katie Henry was named GB player of the game, while Abbie Sylvester picked up the team MVP of the tournament.
Head coach Mike Clancy was philosophical after the game: “The players played really well, a couple of slip ups allowed Slovenia the breakaway chances which punished us, but we stuck to the plan and kept possession well and generated some excellent scoring chances ourselves.
“The experience we’re going to take away from this week, learning about the physicality of the games, the speed, knowing that mistakes will be punished – these are all great points to take on board and come back stronger next year.”
Korea won the gold medal and promotion to Division 1A after their final day 2-1 win over relegated Kazakhstan.
Great Britain Women’s World Championship schedule and results
Monday 17th April: Great Britain 1-0 Kazakhstan – Goal: Katie Henry
Tuesday 18th April: Italy 2-0 Great Britain
Thursday 20th April: Poland 2-1 Great Britain – Goal: Beth Hill
Saturday 22nd April: Korea 3-2 Great Britain – Goals: Katie Marsden, Katherine Gale
Sunday 23rd April: Great Britain 3-4 Slovenia (OT/SO) – Goals: Lucy Beal, Katie Marsden, Aimee Headland
Photo credit: Karl Denham