Slovakia Women 3-1 GB Women

Great Britain Women produced an impressive performance but were beaten 3-1 by Slovakia Women in the first of a two-game series this weekend.

Slovakia are ranked seven places higher than Britain in the IIHF world rankings, but GB were competitive throughout the game.

Lenka Curmova put the hosts ahead within the first three minutes (2:56) and Livia Kubekova made it 2-0 at 13:49.

Jessica Urquhart made it a one-goal game as she netted for GB at 18:11, assisted by Mariah Spare and Millie Overton.

GB hit the post midway through the second period before Tatiana Korenkova made it 3-1 to Slovakia (37:56).

Britain pushed for a way back in the game and came close on a number of occasions but Slovakia held on.

Head coach, Cheryl Smith, said: “We gave Slovakia a good game which was very pleasing.

“They are ranked much higher than us, so it was always going to be difficult.

“Yes, we would like to have won but, for me, it is more about the performance.

“I thought we played very well and there are lots of positives to come out of the game.

“This is part of our build-up for the Olympic qualifiers and this will have helped them no end.”

Sarah Hutchinson took a knock to her knee during the game and underwent an x-ray.

The x-ray showed no damage to the knee, but it’s unlikely she will play any further part this weekend.

The two sides meet again tomorrow with face-off at 4:30pm local time (3:30 UK).