GB u-20s lose to Slovenia
9:00pm Monday 12th December 2011 in News By Nigel McFarlane
GB ICE HOCKEY:
Great Britain Under-20s have suffered an 8-0 defeat to Slovenia in their second game at the World Championship (Division 1A) in Germany.
First-period goals from Ziga Pesut (2), Gal Koren, Miha Stebih, Gasper Kopitar and Peter Bizalj gave Slovenia a 6-0 lead.
GB put in a much-improved performance in the second session but lost Andrew Melachrino (Slough Jets) on a game misconduct for kneeing, before Pesut completed his hat-trick at 33:35.
James Hadfield (Guildford Flames) replaced Declan Ryan (Telford Tigers) for the start of the third period and Bizalj scored his second of the game at 44:52.
Coach Joel Poirier said: “The team came out extending themselves and out of position, leaving gaps that they were quick to fill.
“Defensively, our man-tracking was poor and we were caught with our feet still and watching the puck. On the positive side, we were high in percentage on the penalty kill.
“I will rely heavily on the character in the room to refocus the group mentally and physically.”
GB play their third game in the tournament on Wednesday when they face Belarus.
