GB promoted after unbeaten tournament!

Photo: Dean Woolley

Great Britain secured an immediate return to the top flight of world ice hockey with a 5-3 victory over Italy at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on Friday evening, completing an unbeaten record at the 2023 division 1A championships.

Italy had to beat GB in regulation to secure promotion after Poland booked their place in the top two earlier in the day. The host nation got off to the perfect start when Mike Hammond perfectly found Brett Perlini at the far post for a tap-in to put GB ahead on the powerplay at 5:40. Italy levelled with a Thomas Larkin shot that deflected off Jonathan Phillips' stick and past Ben Bowns at 11:21 on a delayed penalty. 

59 seconds into period two, Cade Neilson fired past Justin Fazio to put GB back ahead, but Alex Petan's finish on the fall that crept through Bowns tied things up again at 24:34. Ollie Betteridge's excellent effort to keep the puck alive in the attacking zone set up Mike Hammond for a neat finish at 28:43 for a 3-2 GB lead, but a wonderful passing play from Faniel Mantenuto and Luca Frigo set up Daniel Glira for the equaliser at 34:29. 

Another Hammond to Perlini put GB back ahead on a delayed penalty with 4:03 left in period two. 

Period three was noticeably more tense and tight than the two that had gone before it, but Italy needed two goals for promotion and time was ticking away. After the final power break of the period, Italy pulled Fazio but a defensive zone turnover allowed Liam Kirk to set up Neilson for the empty net goal which sealed the win and promotion with 2:10 to play. 

Captain Jonathan Phillips was honoured in the post-game ceremonies for his final appearance for Great Britain.