Croatia 2 Great Britain 4 - Resilience pays off for hosts in Belfast

Robert Dowd says Great Britain showed great resilience to beat Croatia 4-2 in their opening game at the World Championship Division 1 Group B in Belfast.
Steelers' Robert Dowd celebrates his goal for GB against Croagtia in Belfast on Sunday. Picture: Dean Woolley.Steelers' Robert Dowd celebrates his goal for GB against Croagtia in Belfast on Sunday. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Steelers' Robert Dowd celebrates his goal for GB against Croagtia in Belfast on Sunday. Picture: Dean Woolley.

The Sheffield Steelers’ forward scored once and also added two assists as GB scored three third-period goals to open the first men’s World Championship in the UK for 25 years with a three-point victory.

Evan Mosey scored his first international goal on his sixth appearance, with Dowd, Nottingham Panthers’ David Clarke and Coventry Blaze’s Russ Cowley also on target.

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“We came out hard in the third period and did what we had to do,” said Dowd.

Great Britain's players stamnd listening to the national anthem at Belfast's SSE Arena. Picture: Dean Woolley.Great Britain's players stamnd listening to the national anthem at Belfast's SSE Arena. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Great Britain's players stamnd listening to the national anthem at Belfast's SSE Arena. Picture: Dean Woolley.

“It was a bit tight in the second period but we battled back from that really well.

“It was great to get up and running with a victory, especially in front of the home crowd.

“The crowd were fantastic and it was so special to play a World Championship game on home ice.”

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Head coach, Pete Russell added: “It wasn’t our best performance but we came up big in the third period.

“They could have let their heads drop after a disappointing second period, but we came out strong and two quick goals effectively sealed the game.”