Great Britain Under-18 Women lost their opening game at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship Division 1 Group B in Katowice as they went down 6-1 to Denmark U18s.
Emily Harris scored GB’s goal in the third period while Lizzie Saunders was named as Britain’s player of the game.
Denmark took the lead on the powerplay when Lilli Friis-Hansen broke at speed into the offensive zone and fired past Ella Howard at 5:18.
Debbie Andersen made it 2-0 at 7:23 as she finished short-side on a two-on-one break, while Julie Henriksen fired top shelf from the slot (19:36) to give Denmark a 3-0 first-period lead.
Amanda Refsgaard shot through traffic for Denmark’s fourth at 27:43 before GB had a spell of pressure including a chance for Charlotte Harris.
Emily Kristoffersen scored from the left-hand side (33:55) and Sofie Damgaard reacted first to a rebound (36:38) as Denmark increased their advantage to 6-0 at the second intermission.
Britain improved as the game went on and were resolute in the third period, winning it 1-0, thanks to a goal from Emily Harris who jumped onto a rebound after a shot by Verity Lewis was saved.
Head coach, Cheryl Smith, said: “Denmark are a very good side and we had a tough start.
“They came at us in waves and we struggled to contain them early on, but we grew into the game the longer it went on.
“We knew this would be one of the toughest matches of our tournament, but the coaching staff are pleased with how the girls stuck at it.
“Once we settled we began to create chances and there are positives to take into our second game.
“It was great to get the goal at the end, the girls really deserved it.”
GB return to action tomorrow when they take on France U18 Women at 1pm (12noon UK time).