Two goals from Fliss Gregory helped the GB Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team secure a 2-1 victory over Team World at their opening game of the inaugural WPIH Women’s Championships, in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, on Wednesday evening.
Great Britain opened the scoring just 1:50 into the first period. With Team Worlds Anna Springlova sitting an early roughing call, GB took the extra player advantage and an arching shot from Felicity Gregory sent the puck into the roof of the net to settle any GB nerves.
Great Britain controlled large parts of the opening period, but Team World always looked dangerous on the breakaway, helped by the noise and support of a large crowd cheering on the local Slovakian women on the team. On 11.47 Japan’s Akari Fukunishi broke into the GB zone and after holding off the GB defence shot past Jodi Hill in the GB net to make it a 1-1 game.
Just 81 seconds into the second period and GB regained the lead. Shannon Couch’s initial shot rebounded to Fliss Gregory and her low shot deceived Miranda Reast, in the World goal, to make it a 2-1 game.
Team World though they had drawn level late in the period but as they celebrated, the game was still in play as the referee was waving off the goal saying the puck hadn’t fully crossed the line, allowing GB to kill the play.
Both teams came out for the final period knowing that the next goal was crucial. Team World pushed all of their players high, allowing GB to keep one player at the blue line, looking for the breakaway attack. GB had an early powerplay advantage but Team World defended asa team, and came close to netting a shorthanded equaliser.
As the clock ran down, GB’s Shannon Coauch sat out an Interference penalty on 41.22 but GB held on for the final few minutes of the game to record a hostoric victory.
Speaking after the game, goalscorer Fliss Gregory said “The team is really thrilled. It’s a great day for GB Para ice hockey, especially for women.
“We’re really excited about today and looking forward for the competition. We gave it all out there tonight. We had some new additions to the team, who were making their debut as well in the first Women’s World Championships, so it was a real motivational day.”
Head Coach Breanna Wagner was proud of what the team had achieved and how far they have come in 4 short years “We have worked hard to develop over the last year and come together as a team. It was good to see all of our hard work and dedication as a team pay off tonight.
“We are looking forward to see how are development continues over the next few games.”
Next up for Great Britain is Team Canada on Thursday evening. All of the tournament games are available to watch live on the Paralympics YouTube channel.