GB U20s win bronze at World Championship in Tallinn

Great Britain U20s have won the bronze medal at the Under-20s World Championship Division II Group A in Tallinn.

Hosts Estonia U20s, who had already won gold before the final day, were 9-1 winners over Romania U20s, who had to settle for fourth place.

Lithuania take home the silver medal after a 7-1 victory over Korea U20s, who are relegated.

The first game of the day saw GB thrash Spain U20s 7-2 for their third victory of the tournament.

Head coach, Slava Koulikov, said: “Our ultimate aim was obviously gold but it did not turn out that way.

“We had some ups and downs in the tournament but the good times were very, very good indeed.

“We scored 30 goals in five games and at times were untouchable, but the defeat to Estonia cost us dear.

Coach Koulikov

“I am pleased for the lads that they take a medal home with them and we can build on this for the future.”

Jordan Buesa and Tyler Cooper both scored twice in the victory over Spain, while Liam Kirk took his points total for the tournament to 14 (5+9).

Spain took an early lead at 39 seconds as Pablo Zaballa scored with a shot that appeared to come back off the crossbar, before Mason Biddulph did well to set up Cade Neilson to score (2:37).

Mikel Mendizabal put Spain ahead again at 9:05 on a breakaway, while Cooper and Kirk combined for Josh Waller to score on the powerplay (13:56).

GB took control in the second period when Cooper waltzed through the Spain defence to give GB the lead with the man advantage at 26:48.

Buesa made it 4-2 at 32:01 on the rebound as GB opened up a two-goal lead the second intermission.

A well-worked move saw Buesa score his second at 42:23, while Mac Howlett scored short-handed into an empty net as Spain had pulled their netminder for an extra skater (51:22).

GB wrapped up their third win in five matches at the tournament as Cooper stepped out in front to score his second of the afternoon (55:57).

Tyler Cooper was named GBSC Player of the Tournament, whilst Liam Kirk was named GB Player of the Tournament by the IIHF Organising Committee. Kirk was also named in the tournament All-Star team.