A late powerplay goal for Kazakhstan Under-18 Women inflicted heartbreak on Great Britain Under-18 Women in their third game at the World Championship (Division 1 Qualification) in Katowice.
The GB youngsters were leading 1-0 at the second interval, but two goals in the third period saw Kazakhstan edge the game 2-1.
Netminder Molly Brooks was named played of the match, saving 31 of the 33 shots she faced.
GB took the lead at 29:56 through Susanna Pearson’s powerplay goal, assisted by Kimberley Lane.
Lane then hit the crossbar on a powerplay in the closing stages of the second period.
GB had to kill off over a minute of five on three early in the third session, before Kazakhstan levelled even-handed through Elvira Ramazanova (47:57).
Lane was then denied on a short-handed breakaway, while Kazakhstan had a goal disallowed after the puck was kicked in.
GB took five successive penalties in the final period and Kazakhstan won the game with a powerplay goal by Tatyana Likhaus (57:43).
Despite lifting Brooks for the extra skater, GB could not find a way through.
Head coach, Sean Alderson, said: “We rode our luck in the first period and Molly made some big saves to keep us in the game.
“In the second period we picked our work rate up, were more aggressive on the forecheck and it created opportunities for us.
“We have been asking the players all week to get traffic in front when the shots came in and we were eventually rewarded on the powerplay, Suzi Pearson blasting one from the blueline through traffic.
“The third period saw Kazakhstan came at us hard and drew us into penalties. Having killed a five on three, it was disappointing to give up the first goal just after killing the penalties.
“We then took a bad penalty late in the game which cost us dearly, failing to clear a loose puck in front of goal.
“Despite pulling Molly for the extra skater in the last minute, we were unable to create a clear scoring opportunity before the game ended.
“A tough loss but we must now regroup and prepare for our game against China on Saturday.”
Friday is a rest day at the tournament and GB return to action on Saturday against China (3:30pm UK time).