Great Britain produced a tremendous battling performance but were beaten 5-1 by the number one seeds USA at the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Zurich.
Two players made their full debuts and were awarded their first caps with Bayley Harewood becoming the 442nd to ice for GB and Sam Lyne the 443rd.
GB’s longest-serving player Mark Richardson became the first to reach 125 caps, while long-serving Sport Rehabber Nicola Sherlock was also presented with a special cap to mark her 100th game.
Ben Bowns started between the pipes with Mat Robson as back-up.
Solid start for GB but USA lead
GB produced an excellent first period with chances inside the first 10 minutes for Liam Steele, Brett Perlini and Ollie Betteridge.
Bowns made a good stop on Paul Cotter from the slot and also made an excellent pad save to deny Alex Steeves.
USA went ahead following a massive goalmouth scramble and Paul Cotter reacted first to score from close-range (13:55).
GB finished the period strong with two chances for Cade Neilson.
Halbert scores on the powerplay but USA lead at second intermission
Liam Kirk and Robert Dowd had early chances in the second period, before GB equalised on the powerplay.
Josh Waller and Perlini combined to set-up Nathanael Halbert who fired top-shelf from just inside the blueline (28:39).
Bowns made two good pad saves but USA regained their advantage through Isaac Howard from the slot (37:01).
USA secure victory with three-goal third period
The game turned when USA scored twice in 15 seconds when Bowns made a great double save, but Mathieu Olivier got the final touch from close-range (42:49).
That was quickly followed by Declan Carlile’s shot being deflected past Bowns (43:04).
USA scored on the powerplay in the closing stages through Howard’s neat top-shelf finish from the slot (56:11).
GB have no action tomorrow and return to action on Tuesday against Hungary at 20:20 (19:20 BST).
IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship: Group A in Zurich
Saturday 16th May: Great Britain 2-5 Austria
Sunday 17th May: Great Britain 1-5 USA
Tuesday 19th May: Hungary v Great Britain 20:20 (19:20 BST)
Thursday 21st May: Switzerland v Great Britain 20:20 (19:20 BST)
Friday 22nd May: Finland v Great Britain 20:20 (19:20 BST)
Sunday 24th May: Great Britain v Latvia 16:20 (15:20 BST)
Monday 25th May: Germany v Great Britain 20:20 (19:20 BST)