Great Britain 5, Lithuania 2
Great Britain made it three wins from three as they beat Lithuania 5-2 to move level on nine points with Japan at the top of the World Championship Division One Group B table.
Colin Shields moved to within two of Tony Hand’s modern-era goals total of 40, while Evan Mosey netted his third goal of the tournament at the SSE Arena, Belfast.
“We made a fantastic start and really took it to them in the first period,” said GB coach Peter Russell.
“We were unplayable at times, kept going at them and some of our passing was superb.
“The game was pretty much over in the first period, but credit Lithuania. They came back strong and gave us a more difficult second period.
“We are where we want to be with three wins. We need to come back on Friday and do the same against Netherlands.”
GB went ahead at one minute 41 seconds when Shields reacted first to a loose puck for a powerplay goal, but Lithuania hit back within 31 seconds when Arnoldas Bosas ghosted in at the backdoor on the man advantage (2-12).
Britain went in front again when Cardiff-born Jonathan Phillips, playing in a full visor because of serious facial injury sustained in Monday’s victory over Estonia, tipped in Paul Swindlehurst’s shot (7-26).
GB killed off a short period of five-on-three with Phillips and Mosey making big blocks, while Mosey quickly turned goalscorer as he stole the puck on the blueline and danced into the zone, beating two players, to fire low for his third goal of the tournament (12-55).
Robert Farmer found space in the slot to fire top shelf on the powerplay for his first goal of the tournament (16-15) and make it 4-1 after the first period.
Lithuania improved in the second and Emilijus Krakauskas broke free, but fired against the crossbar.
Ugnius Cizas closed the deficit for Lithuania early in the third session, but Ben O’Connor fired through the five-hole from the slot to make it 5-2 at 47-47.
There are no games in the tournament on Thursday, but GB return to action on Friday when they play the Netherlands (7.30pm).
Match stats:
Period scores (GB first): 4-1; 0-0 (4-1); 1-1 (5-2).
Shots on goal: GB 38, Lithuania 30.
Penalties in minutes: GB 14, Lithuania 8.
GB team
Netminders: Ben Bowns (Cardiff Devils), Stephen Murphy (Belfast Giants), Thomas Murdy (Cardiff Devils, reserve).
Defence: Mark Garside (Belfast Giants), Steve Lee (Nottingham Panthers), Ben O’Connor (Sheffield Steelers), David Phillips (Sheffield Steelers), Mark Richardson (Cardiff Devils), Paul Swindlehurst (Manchester Storm), Jonathan Weaver (Telford Tigers).
Forwards: Brendan Brooks (Fife Flyers), David Clarke (Nottingham Panthers), Russell Cowley (Coventry Blaze), Robert Dowd (Sheffield Steelers), Sam Duggan (Orebro, Sweden), Robert Farmer (Nottingham Panthers), Robert Lachowicz (Nottingham Panthers), Evan Mosey (Rockford Ice Hogs, USA), Matthew Myers (Cardiff Devils), Craig Peacock (Braehead Clan), Jonathan Phillips (Sheffield Steelers), Colin Shields (Belfast Giants), Liam Stewart (Coventry Blaze).
World Championship results and fixtures in Belfast:
Sunday, April 23: Netherlands 1, Japan 6; GB 4, Croatia 2; 7.30pm Estonia v Lithuania.
Monday, April 24: Japan 4, Croatia 2; Lithuania 8, Netherlands 0; GB 5, Estonia 1.
Wednesday, April 26: Japan 6 Estonia 2; Netherlands 2, Croatia 6; GB 5, Lithuania 2.
Friday, April 28: 12.30pm Lithuania v Japan, 4pm Croatia v Estonia; 7.30pm.
Saturday, April 29: 12.30pm Lithuania v Croatia; 4pm Estonia v Netherlands; 7.30pm GB v Japan.