Liam Kirk Treble Leads Great Britain To Third Win

Great Britain hit the Netherlands for six in the third period of their World Championship clash.

GB led 2-1 going into the third period, but then the hosts took control and scored six goals at Dumfries Ice Bowl in Scotland.

Liam Kirk led the charge with a hat-trick plus two assists, while Cardiff gave back-up James Ethan the start ahead of Cardiff Fire netminder Jordan Laidlaw.

Britain won 8-1 against the Netherlands and are top of the group with three wins from three games going into Thursday’s clash with Korea (8pm).

Dumfries is hosting the World Championship Division Two group A matches and Britain have made a solid start.

GB assistant coach Aaron Nell said: “The first two periods weren’t great and we weren’t at our best.

“But we scored six goals in the third period and that was very positive.

“We went to the net hard in the third period and it paid dividends.”

Kirk’s treble inspired the victory and he scored he first goal of the clash when he was set up by Sam Duggan after 17 minutes 50 seconds.

Great Britain’s Tom Stubbly goes for goal. Pic: Duncan Speir.

Netherlands levelled the score early in the second session when Noah Muller scored from just inside the blueline (21-51).

GB continued to heavily outshoot the Netherlands, but only led 2-1 at the second intermission when Thomas Stubley fired in his first international goal from the top of the circle (26-29).

Britain’s pressure finally paid dividends in the third period as first Harry Gulliver scored from close range at 43-10.
Duggan set up Kirk for a second time, this time in the slot on a powerplay, and GB’s fourth goal went in at 47-38.

Only 58 seconds later Jordan Buesa bundled the puck over the line (48-36), while Gulliver netted a rebound for his second goal of the night at 51-45 before Josh Waller’s wrist shot made it 7-1 at 55-43.

Kirk completed his treble from a tight angle on the powerplay with three seconds remaining (59-57).

Britain with three wins from three matches, a point clear of Japan, who defeated Korea 5-1 on Wednesday.

Sheffield Steelers plater Liam Kirk on his way to a Great Britain hat-trick. Pic: Duncan Speirs.

In the day’s other game, Estonia beat Romania 8-4.

GB are back in action today (Thursday) when they face Korea at 8pm.

Great Britain under-20 squad:

Netminders: Jordan Lawday (Cardiff Fire), Ethan James (Essa Stallions, Canada).

Defence: Lewis Baldwin (Blackburn Hawks), Bradley Jenion (South Shore Kings, USA), Stuart Kerr (Solway Sharks), Ed Knaggs (MK Lightning/Peterborough), Oliver Stone (Swindon Wildcats/Coventry Blaze), Tom Stubley (Hull Pirates), Josh Tetlow (Bracknell Bees/ Nottingham Panthers).

Forwards: Josh Smith (Basingstoke Bison), Jordan Buesa (Solway Sharks /Braehead Clan), Sam Duggan (Orebro, Sweden), Ben Edmonds (Dundee Stars), Craig Garrigan (Skyland Kings, USA), Harry Gulliver (Ogden Mustangs, USA), Mac Howlett (Saipa, Finland), Jordan Kelsall (Swindon Wildcats/Nottingham Panthers), Liam Kirk (Sheffield Steelers), Morgan Clarke-Pizzo (OHA, Canada), Cole Shudra (Sheffield Steelers), Chad Smith (Fife Flyers), Josh Waller (Pisek, Czech Republic).