Great Britain silences Zagreb Arena

One year after the incredible suicide in Eindhoven, when losing the last insignificant game against Lithuania gave South Korea an unexpected promotion, the perennial favourite Great Britain has to win against host Croatia to put beside Ukraine, probably the main contender for the access. Home team, waiting for its best player Borna Rendulic, who should arrive in Zagreb on Monday from North America, want to confirm the growth of hockey popularity in the country with a campaign to remember

A very aggressive start from Croatia surprise opponent: Great Britain, even if on power play after a 12 minutes to Luka Mikulic from checking from behind, risks after 3 minutes when Ben Bowns has to make difficult saves on Luka Jarcov, Mike Glumac and David Brine. Survived to the initial Croatian wave, British begin to gain ice and threat Tomljenovic cage, hit the post at minute 10 with Robert Dowd before to open the score with same Dowd, well assisted by Ben O’Connor. Croatia immediately reacts with a shot from the blue by Jacmenjak, saved with difficult, before to tie game at with Mislav Blagus, reactive in deflecting a shot by Nathan Perkovich. Game is now balanced with a slight supremacy by Great Britain resulting in a couple of difficult saves by Tomljenovic. The second period sees more Croatia in the first part, but in the best moment, it’s Great Britain to score with a deflection of Jonathan Weaver. After the goal home team vanishes from the ice for about 5 minutes, with Great Britain seems to play on power play and Croatians burrowed in front of their cage and a great save by Tomljenovic on Jonathan Phillips and a decisive deflection on Dowd. The wall resists until 35:43 when Craig Peacock triples the score, served by Mark Richardson in the last notable action of period. The last period begins with a power play each, not finalized by the teams and a wisely use of energies by British, controlling without heartache, mainly after the fourth goal, scored at 48:29 by Colin Shields with a precise shot from left corner. Taking advantage from a couple of power play Croatia tries the final assault but Bowns is well protected and doesn’t take real risks. First three points for Great Britain that well played a not easy game. Croatia put its best qualities on the ice, not enough against a stronger team, probably to avoid the lower part of standing

MVP: Kenny Macaulay - Jonathan Boxill

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