Great Britain’s U20 team ended their Finnish training camp with a 7-3 win over an U20 select in Grankulla this evening.
After two on-ice practices and several off-ice sessions, this was the first game where coach Peter Russell had his full 22-man squad together.
Adam Goss started in net for GB, and he had to be at his best in the early exchanges as the Finns created several good scoring chances.
GB however took the lead in the fifth minute as Cameron Wynn was on hand to score from a rebound, Harvey Stead and Ollie Betteridge with the assists.
Viljani Rapeli slotted home an equaliser for the hosts on 10.57 and that remained the score at the first break.
After a quiet start to period two, the game exploded with six goals in as many minutes from the 28th.
The home side took the lead only to be pegged back by Toms Rutkis at 28.38. Only ten seconds later, the Finns retook the lead before Bobby Chamberlain tied the game at 3-3 just past the half hour mark.
Rutkis with his second and Scott Robson were on target for Great Britain in the 32nd and 34th minutes to open a 5-3 lead after two periods of play.
Jordan Hedley took over from Adam Goss between the pipes for GB at the start of the third. Britain defended two powerplay chances for the hosts before Alex Forbes converted Craig Moore’s pass for 6-3 at 49.52.
GB couldn’t capitalise on a five on three powerplay chance, then while Britain were shorthanded, Moore set up Lewis Hook on a 2-on-1 break and the score was 7-3.
The Finnish side had a late five on three of their own and pulled the goalie to create a six-on-three play. GB hit the post on an empty net attempt from the defensive zone and the hooter sounded with the final score 7-3 to Peter Russell’s men.
After the game, head coach Russell said: “We started slowly and were perhaps a little nervous. But we settled into the game and I think we got better as the game went on.
“Overall as a team we have performed very well tonight, the opposition were fast, skilled and physical and created the right challenge for the players.
“We move on having benefitted from the holding camp here in Finland and all eyes are set on our first two games. If we can win the opening games we are well on our way.”
The team travel onwards to Estonia on Saturday morning, with an on-ice session on Saturday afternoon. The IIHF championships start on Sunday, where Great Britain play the first game against Netherlands at 1pm local (11am UK).
Games from Tallinn will be available online with full details to be confirmed on Saturday afternoon. Games can be bought individually for 5 Euros or a tournament pass will cover all games for 15 Euros. Web links will be on icehockeyuk.co.uk on Saturday afternoon.