Poland’s goal with just 66 seconds left in regulation broke Great Britain hearts and clinched a 2-1 win for the top seeds in another titanic battle in Division 1 Group B in Suwon.
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New record cap holder Katie Henry was leading the top line, while Katherine Gale pinged the post in a scoreless first period. Poland also struck iron as Chrapek’s blueline blast came back off the goalframe.
GB appeared to step up a gear in the middle period, playing largely in the offensive zone for long periods – only Martyna Sass in the Poland net kept them at bay.
The deadlock was finally broken just before the half hour. Chamonix Jackson skated through the middle of the Polish defence and while her shot was saved, Beth Hill was on hand to sweep home the loose puck at 29.11
Britain had a chance to extend the lead as they were awarded a penalty shot, Poland’s defender covering the puck in the blue paint after a net scramble. Steph Towns had the chance but Sass just got a touch on the shot with her glove and knocked it wide.
Poland levelled the game in the opening moments of period three, Wiktoria Gogoc shooting through traffic for 1-1 at 40.46. With play moving back and forth, GB’s Chrissy Newman was called for holding less than three minutes from time, and on the powerplay Poland snatched the regulation win.
Chrapek’s shot was tipped by Wiktoria Sikorska and it found the top corner of the GB net at 58.54. After a time out Great Britain pressed but couldn’t respond and the top seed celebrated a late, narrow win.
After all of Thursday’s games, GB are in fourth place tied on three points with Slovenia. Friday is the final rest day with games resuming on Saturday. Great Britain face off against the hosts at 3.45 local time on Saturday (07.45 UK) before completing their schedule against Slovenia on Sunday (12.15 local/04.15 UK).
GB’s assistant captain Rachel Cartwright said after the game: “It is a tough loss to take conceding so late on, but we knew coming in that these would be one or two goal games at this level and so it’s proved.
“Everyone is disappointed but we’ll pick ourselves up again and be ready for Saturday. Division 1 is where we’ve wanted to be for the last number of years and we’re loving the challenge.”
Great Britain Women’s World Championship schedule and results
Monday 17th April: Great Britain 1-0 Kazakhstan – Goal: Katie Henry
Tuesday 18th April: Italy 2-0 Great Britain
Thursday 20th April: Poland 2-1 Great Britain – Goal: Beth Hill
Saturday 22nd April: Korea v Great Britain – 15:45 (07:45 UK time)
Sunday 23rd April: Great Britain v Slovenia – 12:15 (04:15 UK time)
Photo credit: Karl Denham