GB defeated by Czechia

Photo: Dean Woolley

Great Britain got off to a bad start against Czechia on Saturday night, but rallied to more than hold their own in front of almost 18,000 fans at the o2 Arena in Prague.

Lukáš Sedkák followed up a Roman Červenka shot to slot home the rebound just 2:18 into the game, while Jakub Krejčík found the back of Ben Bowns' net at 4:46 to double the home side's lead.

Thereafter, however, GB steadied the ship and created some chances of their own - two falling to Evan Mosey before the first intermission.

Sedlák converted a 2-on-1 play 36 seconds into period two, putting Czechia 3-0 ahead, before GB got on the board. An excellent Liam Kirk pass found Mosey in the slot to deflect past Lukáš Dostál 2:17 into the second.

Ondrej Kaše's powerplay goal put Czechia back three ahead 7:45 before the end of the period.

Sean Norris had a chance to score against his mother's birth country late in period three but couldn't beat Dostál from close range, and Czechia held on for a 4-1 victory in a game where GB were far from out-classed.

"There were so many reasons to be proud again of that performance," began Assistant coach Chuck Weber. They stuck to the gameplan and executed what we asked them for so much of the game.

"We've scored on the powerplay which was huge for us with a well-worked goal and they deserved that.

"We know how important special teams will be in the final two games. This team never lets their heads drop and the coaching staff are proud of the way they continue to compete."