Great Britain 3-1 Hungary

Great Britain beat Hungary 3-1 in a feisty and entertaining international challenge game in Milton Keynes.

Paul Swindlehurst, Ben Lake and Brett Perlini were all on target as GB continued their preparations for next month’s World Championship in Slovakia in fine style.

GB lead after first period
A frantic first period saw GB leading 2-1 and soon after Robert Farmer hit the side-netting, Swindlehurst tipped in Evan Mosey’s shot from point (15:07).

Hungary equalised 74 seconds later when Istvan Sofron pulled a great move before beating and then colliding with Ben Bowns (16:21), who was given the all-clear to continue after some treatment.

Britain regained their lead as Lake popped home a rebound (19:44) after great initial pressure from Sam Duggan.

Perlini gives GB a 3-1 advantage
GB scored their third on a three-on-one break which saw Perlini shoot low past Adam Vay after being sent free by Dallas Ehrhardt (23:26).

Bowns had to be at his best to save two successive close-range Hungary efforts, while GB went close to a fourth but Lake and Liam Kirk were both denied by Vay.

GB hold firm despite Hungary powerplay pressure
Vay produced a good glove save from Davie Phillips’ shot after a great feed by Ben Davies, while he also denied Lake from the left circle.

Bowns was at his best to help see off a long spell of a five-on-three penalty kill and GB stood firm despite late pressure from Hungary when they lifted Vay for the extra skater.

Man of the Match awards went to Kevin Wehrs for the visitors, and Ben Bowns for Great Britain.

Head coach Pete Russell will now cut his 30-man squad to the 25 players who will play in next week’s games against KHL side Torpedo in Nottingham and Sheffield – and go on to represent GB at the World Championship.