Great Britain were beaten 5-2 by KHL side Torpedo in their final game in the UK ahead of next month’s World Championship in Slovakia.
Jackson Whistle was given the start in goal with Ben Bowns, Steve Lee, David Phillips and Colin Shields the scratches for GB, while Torpedo iced the same side beaten 5-4 last night in Nottingham.
Torpedo hit back after GB’s early lead
GB took the lead after only 17 seconds as Mark Richardson’s shot from right point went through traffic.
Robert Farmer was denied on a breakaway, while Liam Kirk went close and Ben O’Connor hit the left-hand post with a wrist shot.
A broken play left Anton Shenfeld open in the slot and he fired low for Torpedo’s equaliser at 16:03.
Torpedo take second period-lead
GB had some good pressure at the start of the second period but Pavel Makarenko’s one-timer from the slot put the visitors ahead at 22:44.
Torpedo grabbed a third as Daniil Ilyin was credited with the goal following a goalmouth scramble after the puck had hit Whistle up high (32.13).
Their fourth came on the powerplay when a well-worked move came to came to Shenfield at the backdoor who fired a one-timer past Whistle (34:43).
Torpedo seal victory
The visitors added a fifth as an odd-man rush saw Kirill Urakov alone at the top of the crease and he buried a one-timer to complete the scoring.
GB had a late powerplay and lifted Whistle in favour of the extra skater for a six-on-four situation and O’Connor’s shot was tipped in by Brett Perlini (58:45).
Head coach, Pete Russell, said: “These two games were an excellent test for us and we took a lot from them.
“Obviously there were good and bad points but playing such a high-caliabre team was great preparation for us.
“The squad now has a few days off before we fly to Slovakia to continue our training camp.”
