GB Demolish Division One Champions
23rd June 2008Great Britain cruised to an impressive 11-6 win against reigning Division One Champions Brazil in their second game in the International Ice Hockey Federation In-Line World Championships. Undoubted star of the game was Dundee’s John Dolan who broke 100 points for the national team in spectacular style with six goals and three assists. Heading into the game the 27 year old Scot need just three points to reach 100. His tally in this game left him with sixty-one goals and forty five assists in just thirty-four appearances.
The win also sets up GB for a potential fifth successive tilt at promotion on Wednesday, likely to be against Austria, following the final group game on Tuesday against Bulgaria.
GB were never out of control in the game, comfortably leading 7-2 at half time after the line of Dolan, Chris Colegate, Mark Thomas and Simon Hehir tallied six of the seven (Dolan 3, Thomas 1, Colegate 2) after Alex Pearman opened the scoring with his fourth of the tournament. Colegate now has eleven points in his first two games after a goal and four assists against the South Americans.
In the second half of play Brazil fought back but GB were rarely in trouble, controlling the play for long periods however James Tanner made several impressive saves, having little chance on four powerplay goals conceded.
GB’s other positives included Scott Glover who impressed in his second IIHF appearance and a stronger defensive performance overall. Further evidence was given however that playing shorthanded in this event usually equals a goal, with GB conceding four from seven and converting on five powerplays of their own from seven opportunities.
GB coach Nick Crawley was pleased with the win but was not getting carried away:
“We’re very pleased to beat a good team tonight,” said Crawley. Brazil are very strong in this division and we always expect a tough encounter. Tonight we controlled the game and I’m pleased but we won’t get complacent if we have to play them again later in this tournament.”
GB face the bottom group in the division Bulgaria tomorrow at 15:00 local time.
Final Score (Period Scores)
GB 11-6 Brazil (3-0, 4-2, 4-3, 0-1)
GB Goals & Assists
Dolan (6+3)
Hehir (2 +3)
Colegate (1+4)
Thomas (1+3)
Pearman (1+0)
Moses (0+1)