Great Britain defeated Poland 5-4 at a sold-out Murrayfield rink to end the IIHF European Cup of Nations with two wins from three matches.
After a 3-2 win over Ukraine on the opening night, GB were defeated 4-2 by Slovenia as Pete Russell’s exciting young side finished the tournament with five points and a respectable third place.
Ben Clarke-Leach made his first senior GB start and 19-year-old Dundee Stars netminder Dominick Jaglar was named to the roster as back-up.
It was also a special night for both Jack Hopkins and Finley Bradon, who scored their first senior GB goals.
To loud cheers from 2,850 spectators, GB scored twice 44 seconds apart to take a two-goal lead in the first period.
GB took the lead at short hands when Liam Kirk cut between circles to hit five holes (07:23), before Sean Norris made it 2-0 from the left circle (08:17).
Poland leveled the score with two goals in 58 seconds to start the second session when Bartosz Fraszko scored on a quick counterattack (20:29) and good cycling of the puck resulted in a goal for Jakub Slusarczyk (21:27).
Former Belfast Giants striker Patryk Wronka put Poland ahead with a one-timer from the right circle (25:28).
GB hit back with goals either side of the second break as Hopkins forced a turnover and scored from the high slot (31:02), while Bradon went top-shelf after a rebound from the edge of the crease (42:06).
Poland wasn’t done yet and Slusarczyk equalized with a shot from the blueline that went in through the pipes for his second goal of the match (46:23).
GB’s winner came on the powerplay when Kirk faked the shot in the middle of the slot and set up Logan Neilson on the wing who fired a one-timer into the top corner (54:08).
An exciting end to a breathtaking encounter on a night of drama, with GB’s young side ending on a huge high.
Ukraine won the tournament after recording a 4-2 victory over second-place Slovenia earlier in the day.
European Cup of Nations schedule
Thursday February 5
Poland 3-4 Slovenia
Great Britain 3-2 Ukraine
Friday February 6
Ukraine 4-2 Poland
Great Britain 2-4 Slovenia
Saturday February 7
Slovenia 2-4 Ukraine
Great Britain 5-4 Poland
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