Video - Rampant GB stun Lithuania to keep promotion dream alive

PETE RUSSELL hailed the 'best performance' in his time as GB head coach after watching his side demolish Lithuania 8-0 in Zagreb to keep their World Championship promotion bid on track.
Ross Venus celebrates his first international goal for GB. Picture: Colin Lawson.Ross Venus celebrates his first international goal for GB. Picture: Colin Lawson.
Ross Venus celebrates his first international goal for GB. Picture: Colin Lawson.

Despite being without influential Sheffield Steelers’ forward, Robert Dowd, who was suffering from abdominal pains, Russell’s team put in a stunning performance at the Dom Sportova Arena to gain revenge against the team who denied them promotion to the second tier of the world game year.

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Should GB beat Romania in their next game on Friday - as form suggests they should do - it is likely to set up Russell’s team for a grand showdown the following day against Ukraine, the only other unbeaten team in the competition and who currently top the Division 1B standings.

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Lithuania - with Sheffield Steeldogs’ Arnoldas Bosas in their line-up - are next in line for Ukraine, who will fancy their chances of maintaining their 100 per cent record ahead of the final round of matches on Saturday.

“That was a brilliant performance and one everyone should be very proud of,” said Russell.

“I would say it was the best performance since I became head coach.

Robert Lachowicz got on the scoresheet against Lithuania. Picture: Colin Lawson.Robert Lachowicz got on the scoresheet against Lithuania. Picture: Colin Lawson.
Robert Lachowicz got on the scoresheet against Lithuania. Picture: Colin Lawson.

“We took it to them from the off and we were relentless.

“There were so many good performances across the ice and everyone gave it everything they had.

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“This is a massive result for us and the guys should enjoy it, they deserve it.”

While Dowd was in the stands having been released from hospital, it was one of his Steelers’ team-mates who gave GB the lead in the ninth minute.

Colin Shields scores GB's eighth and final goal. Picture: Colin Lawson.Colin Shields scores GB's eighth and final goal. Picture: Colin Lawson.
Colin Shields scores GB's eighth and final goal. Picture: Colin Lawson.

Captain Jonathan Phillips, earning his 75th cap, proved that it was worth chasing a lost cause when he intercepted a poor clearance behind the net from Lithuanian netminder Artur Pavliukov, to nip in and score a shorthanded goal.

All the pressure was from GB and it paid off when Russell Cowley’s feed from behind the net enabled Ashley Tait to score his 25th international goal with a one-time shot from right side at 17.29 which squeezed underneath Pavliukov.

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The impressive Cowley then set up Ross Venus in the left circle for a fantastic finish 13 seconds into the second period, signalling the start of a goal blitz from the British.

Nottingham Panthers’ Robert Lachowicz was next to get on the board when he fired in from a Jon Phillips pass for his third international goal at 24.52.

Great Britain's players celebrate. Picture: Colin Lawson.Great Britain's players celebrate. Picture: Colin Lawson.
Great Britain's players celebrate. Picture: Colin Lawson.

Just after the halfway mark, a powerplay blast from the top of the right circle by Steelers’ defenceman Ben O’Connor made it 5-0.

It heralded a change of goalie for the shell-shocked Lithuanians, but the story remained the same when replacement stopper Donatas Zukovas was picking the puck out of his net after just 23 seconds on the ice when Jonathan Boxill pounced on a rebound 31.05.

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Cowley’s performance was rewarded with a smart finish at 36.15 and it was quickly followed by Colin Shields scoring on the powerplay for his 36th international goal 39.00.

Fortunately for Lithuania that was how it stayed, leaving GB second in the standings, one point behind Ukraine with two games remaining and that eagerly-awaited clash between the top two to come on Saturday afternoon.

As for 21-year-old Coventry Blaze forward Venue, he couldn’t hide his delight at getting his first goal at senior international level.

“I feel amazing,” said Venus. “This is the first game where I have really had regular ice time.

“To get a goal really is amazing, it is such a great feeling.

“We were clinical all game long, just took it to them and never gave them a sniff really.”