Great Britain Under-20s remain top of the U20 World Championship Division II Group A after an 8-1 victory over the Netherlands at Dumfries Ice Bowl.
Liam Kirk grabbed a hat-trick and contributed two assists for a five-point night as GB scored six goals in the third period.
Sam Duggan set up Kirk on the breakaway at 17:50, but Netherlands equalised early in the second session as 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 as Thomas Stubley fired in his first international goal from the top of the circle (26:29).
Britain’s pressure finally paid dividends in the 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 the powerplay, for GB’s fourth at 47:38 and 58 seconds later Jordan Buesa bundled the puck over the line (48:36).
Gulliver netted a rebound for his second goal of the night at 51:45, while 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).
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 it was very positive.
“We went to the net hard in the third period and it paid dividends.”
Photo credit: Duncan Speirs.