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Great Britain were beaten 2-0 by Italy in Varese in game three of the four-match series ahead of the World Championship in Swtizerland.
Both netminders were in impressive form with Italy’s Davide Fadani securing a 25-shot shutout.
Ben Bowns – who started between the pipes for GB – made 33 saves while Mat Robson was back-up.
Italy lead with first-period goal
Josh Waller and Ollie Betteridge had chances inside the opening 90 seconds and at the other end, Bowns made great saves to deny Marco Zanetti and Matt Bradley.
Italy went ahead when Alessandro Segafredo scored from the right-circle just as their powerplay came to an end (16:28).
With the period drawing to a close, Cole Shudra was denied twice in quick succession as GB pushed for an equaliser.
GB push for equaliser
Bowns made a superb stop to deny Zanetti from the slot early in the second session.
GB had some golden chances with Fadani making good saves to stop efforts from Waller, Bayley Harewood and Logan Neilson.
Italy score in third period to secure victory
Waller shot just over in the early stages of the third period and Shudra was denied on a two-on-one break.
But Italy scored their second soon after when Daniel Mantenuto drove his way to the slot and beat Bowns (42:37).
GB pushed for a way back into the game which saw Brett Perlini go close and Robert Lachowicz was superbly denied short-handed by Fadani to preserve his shutout.
The two sides play the final match of their four-match series on Tuesday at 18:50 (17:50 BST).
Four-Game Series schedule and results
Thursday 30th April: Great Britain 4-6 Italy at Planet Ice Milton Keynes
Saturday 2nd May: Great Britain 4-1 Italy at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Sunday 10th May: Italy 2-0 Great Britain at the Acinque Ice Arena, Varese
Tuesday 12th May 18:50 BST: Italy vs Great Britain in Varese
Photo credit: FISG-Diego Barbieri/Laura Malvarosa.