Colin Shields became Great Britain’s all-time leading goalscorer as a 14-0 victory over Netherlands ensured a winner-takes-all showdown with Japan tomorrow in the World Championship Division 1 Group B in Belfast.
Shields, on his home SSE Arena ice, scored a hat-trick to move onto 41 international goals and one ahead of previous record-holder Tony Hand.
Sam Duggan scored his first two international goals and netminder Stephen Murphy posted an 11-shot shutout.
Duggan said: “It was fantastic to get my first two GB goals and I enjoyed the experience so much.
“My mum and dad were here to see it, so it really was something special.
“It is great to be part of this team and I am loving playing in a men’s World Championship.”
GB scored twice in 36 seconds as Shields touched in Ben O’Connor’s shot on the powerplay (4:14) and Jonathan Phillips then burst into the slot and scored low past Sjoerd Idzenga (4:50).
Jonathan Phillips rifled a shot against the bar from the blueline before a special moment for 18-year-old Sam Duggan, who scored his first international goal when he reacted first to a loose puck on the doorstep. (18:39).
Brendon Brooks grabbed his first international goal on the rebound at 21:34, before Craig Peacock scored from the right circle on the powerplay (31:02) and Robert Lachowicz mopped up a rebound (31:23) 21 seconds apart.
Shields equalled Hand’s record at 32:17 when his shot went in off the post, which saw a change in the Netherlands net as Fabian Schotel replaced Idzenga.
Duggan netted his second of the night from the left circle at 34:51 and Stewart went down on one knee to rifle in GB’s ninth (43:25).
Robert Dowd scored GB’s 10th with a one-timer on the powerplay (47:21)
Shields created a moment of history when he slammed his hat-trick at 49:32 to become GB’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Myers touched in GB’s 12th goal of the night (53:00), Brooks pounced for a second (54:16) and Dowd also grabbed a second (56:16) as Britain took their tally to 14 for the night.
Following the game, Colin Shields, who scored a hat-trick to become GB’s all-time leading goalscorer with 41 goals passing Tony Hand’s record of 40, said: “It was a special moment that’s for sure and to do it here in Belfast was the icing on the cake.
“I have been aware of it for a couple of years now but have not dwelt on it.
“It was a great feeling when the puck went in as I had a few chances before it.
“I am very proud to become the all-time leading goalscorer.”
Head coach, Pete Russell, said: “That was a complete team performance and one to be very proud of.
“It was a special night to be in the building with Colin Shields breaking the goalscoring record and Sam Duggan getting his first international goals.
“The crowd were superb and their backing was amazing. It was just a night to remember.
“Now we have to focus on Japan tomorrow and keep doing what we have been doing all week.”
GB and Japan are level on 12 points at the top of the table, meaning the winner in tomorrow’s game (7:30pm) will win the gold medal and play in Division 1 Group A next year.