Great Britain beat Korea 3-2 at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship Division II Group A in Tallinn.
Ben Norton got his third successive start in goal, making 31 saves, as GB secured their second win in as many days following yesterday’s 3-2 overtime victory over Romania.
GB took the lead after only 73 seconds through Liam Steele’s shot from the right circle (1:13), but Korea hit back to lead at the first intermission.
Soomin Chae fired high past Norton on the powerplay (5:55) and Jaeseok Lee went top shelf on a breakaway (17:32) moments after Archie Hazeldine had been denied at the backdoor.
GB equalised through captain Jack Hopkins who swept a loose puck high over the netminder on the powerplay at 26:51.
Mack Stewart scored his second goal of the tournament, digging the puck out from behind the net and sneaking it in at the near post to give GB the lead (35:59) with a goal that turned out to be the game-winner.
GB lost Steele early in the third period on a major penalty for spearing and had to kill off over a minute of a five-on-three Korea powerplay in the process.
Norton made two huge stops in the final minute as Korea lifted their netminder in favour of an extra skater.
Head Coach, Sean Easton, said: “We showed a real gutsy performance. Everyone put their bodies on the line in the final period to give us a big win.
“Our penalty kill was excellent, especially the five-on-three and the five-minute penalty. We kept their chances to the outside while Ben (Norton) stood on his head all game yet again.”
There’s no games in the tournament tomorrow but GB return to action on Friday against Serbia (14:00 UK time face-off).
GB U18s World Championship schedule and results
Sunday 3rd April – Estonia U18s 3-2 Great Britain U18s – Goals: Archie Hazeldine, Sam Cooper
Tuesday 5th April – Great Britain U18s 3-2 Romania U18s (after overtime) – Goals: Kell Beattie, Austin Osborn, Mack Stewart
Wednesday 6th April – Great Britain U18s 3-2 Korea U18s – Goals: Liam Steele, Jack Hopkins, Mack Stewart
Friday 8th April – Serbia U18s v Great Britain U18s – 16:00 (14:00 UK)
Saturday 9th April – Great Britain U18s v Lithuania U18s – 12:30 (10:30 UK)