Great Britain beat Netherlands 1-0 after a shootout on day four of the Women’s World Championship Division I Group B to stay in contention for the gold medal.
Nicole Jackson secured a 28-shot shutout and added four saves in the shootout as GB secured the vital extra point.
Victory for Great Britain tomorrow against Kazakhstan would guarantee the silver medal and if Netherlands are beaten by Latvia, GB could secure promotion to Division IA.
Nicole Jackson made 13 saves in the first period with a number of top-class stops, including one to deny Esther de Jong from point-blank range on a Netherlands powerplay.
GB made a strong start to the second session and Chamonix Jackson was denied by Netherlands netminder Eline Gabriele on the wraparound.
Ruby Newlands and Jodie Alderson-Smith had efforts saved in quick succession as GB created some good chances.
Nicole Jackson continued to stand on her head and made a huge glove save on Michelle van Ooijen as the period came to a close.
Katherine Gale and Katie Marsden went close on a third-period GB powerplay while at the other end, Nicole Jackson made a good glove save to stop Yente Koolwijk.
After no goals in overtime, the game went to a shootout with Nicole Jackson turning away four of Netherlands’ five attempts.
Alderson-Smith and Ellin Rees scored their shootout attempts as GB secured the vital extra point to keep the gold-medal hopes alive.
“I thought it was unreal,” said Alderson-Smith. “I think we’ve come a long way. We obviously lost to them in the Olympic Qualifiers and I think that was a bit of revenge from us to get that win.
“It’s another big game tomorrow but I think the girls are very ready. I think we know what’s on the line. We’re all Latvia fans tomorrow.”
GB schedule and results
Sunday 12th April: Korea 2-3 Great Britain (after shootout)
Monday 13th April: Great Britain 3-2 Spain
Wednesday 15th April: Latvia 3-2 Great Britain (after overtime)
Friday 17th April: Great Britain 1-0 Netherlands (after shootout)
Saturday 18th April: Great Britain v Kazakhstan 16:30 (15:30 BST)
All matches can be watched live online via iihf.tv.
Click here to visit the tournament website.
