Great Britain claimed their second victory of this years IIHF World Championship on Monday, but they had to do it the hard way as Estonia took them to Overtime before Rob Dowd scored the games winner.
Great Britain got off to the best possible start when Craig Peacock scored on their first attack of the game. Russ Cowley batted a flying puck down straight to Peacock who fires low past Koitmaa in the Estonian goal after just 26 seconds.
Cowley turned from provider to scorer on 12.43 as he gave Great Britain a 2-0 lead after some good build up play from Ben O’Connor and Rob Dowd.
Estonia silenced the large contingent of travelling Great Britain supporters just 27 seconds later when the hard working Aleksandr Petrov drew one back after a pinpoint shot past Ben Bowns,
Great Britain scored early in the second period as Russ Cowley claimed his second goal of the night just 55 seconds after the restart. Not to be outdone, Petrov also netted his second of the game on 33.11 to take the teams into the final period with Great Britain holding onto the slimmest of leads.
The final period saw Great Britain sit back and make Estonia do all the skating as they looked to hold onto their lead. Whilst the teams were playing five-on-five the plan worked but on 52 minutes Ashley Tait picked up a Slashing penalty and Estonia made the most of their man advantage.
Their danger line of Robert Rooba, Aleksandr Petrov and Andrei Makrov combined to draw the teams level as Makrov, who plays hos club hockey for the Telford Tigers in the EPL, fired home the equaliser.
As the buzzer sounded for the end of the 60 minutes, Ben O’Connor had words with the officials and was handed a 10 minute Abuse of the Official Misconduct penalty.
Overtime saw both teams have chances until on 62.56 Makrov was adjudged an Interference penalty, giving Great Britain a 4-on-3 Powerplay. 30 seconds later Jonathan Weaver fed the puck to Rob Dowd who’s shot from the Blue Line left Koitmaa stationery in the in the Estonia goal as the puck flew over his shoulder.
The Overtime victory gives Great Britain 5 points from their opening two games. Tuesday os a rest day, before they return to action on Wednesday against Lithuania.