Ice Hockey World Championship: Great Britain beat Italy in opening game
- Published
It was a sweet success for the GB team who lost to the Italians in a warm-up match.
Great Britain's women beat Italy 1-0 to make a strong start at the Ice Hockey World Championship Division 1 Group B tournament.
Captain Jodie Alderson-Smith scored the only goal of the game in Riga, Latvia in the second period.
Katie Marsden's shot was saved but Alderson-Smith was on hand to net from the rebound to secure Great Britain's first win over Italy since 2009.
"The players were exceptional," said coach Mike Clancy.
"[They were] sticking to our plans and systems and matching Italy in terms of physicality which we'd highlighted from previous games.
"This is the perfect start but we have to be ready to go again tomorrow."
Goaltender Nicole Jackson was named GB's player of the match after making 44 saves.
Jamie Endrizzi, Laura Horwood, Chloe Needham-Potts, Ellie Patrick and Lizzy Saunders made their debuts.
Great Britain's next pool game will be against Poland on Monday before they face Slovakia on Wednesday, Slovenia on Friday and hosts Latvia on Saturday.