Thompson 'gutted' for battling GB squad

Paul Thompson's side put in a fantastic performance, twice coming from behind to take the game into the extra five-minute period.

But, one minute and 40 second into overtime, Slovenia's Ziga Jeglic found a way past GB netminder Stephen Murphy.

Jan Urbas put the hosts ahead on the powerplay at 18.33 in a tight first period and it wasn't until midway through the second that they doubled their lead through Rok Ticar at 29.14.

That's how it stayed until just over five minutes into the third and final period when Sheffield Steelers-bound Ashley Tait pounced to make it a one-goal game at 45.20.

It got even better just 22 seconds later Edinburgh Capitals' Mark Garside levelled matters to silence the home crowd.

The fightback seemed to have been for nothing, however, when Ticar grabbed his second of the night to make it 3-2 at 51.02 but, with less than a minute remaining GB showed their fighting qualities once again.

Thompson pulled Murphy to provide the extra skater and it paid off when, at 59.08 Steelers' captain Jonathan Phillips pulled GB level again which, despite the Slovenians' overtime winner, was enough to earn his side a valuable point in their bid to try and at least repeat last year's bronze medal in Poland.

Thompson said afterwards he was gutted for his players who he felt had delivered the kind of performance that would be regarded as one of the team's finest.

"Right now though we feel gutted for ourselves and each other," said Thompson.

"We dug deep and withstood a lot of early pressure from Slovenia. I didn't think we got the rub of the green on some of the big decisions early on but that's the way it goes.

"I'm proud of each and every one of these guys, this will go down as one of our country's finest-ever performances."

After Phillips's game-tying goal in the final minute, Thompson was convinced it was his side that would go on to earn the extra point in overtime.

"In the third period we took the game to them and dominated them throughout," he added.

"We created some outstanding chances and far from just tying the game late on we looked like the team that was going to go on and win it

"But it's still a massive point for us, one that could win us a gold or silver medal come the weekend."

The result leaves Britain third in the table, with Hungary top after thrashing Croatia 8-0.

Thompson's players have less than 24 hours to recover from their efforts against the hosts before they face Hungary at 3.30pm on Wednesday (UK time).

GAME STATS

Shots on goal: GB 20; Slovenia 35

Penalties: GB 22; Slovenia 16

GB scoring: A Tait (PPG 45.20) 1+1, M Garside (45.42) & J Phillips (59.08) 1+0, D Clarke, G Chambers 0+1.