Great Britain secured promotion to the World Championship Division 1A with a stunning 4-0 victory over Japan on Saturday.
Matthew Myers scored twice as GB, who will play in the second tier of the World Championship structure next year, secured their first promotion since 1993.
Netminder Ben Bowns had a 20-shot shutout against the number-one seeds in the tournament.
The victory meant GB ended the tournament with five wins from five, following earlier victories over Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania and Netherlands.
GB killed off two successive penalties and had a chance short-handed but Russ Cowley shot just wide, while Jonathan Phillips had an opportunity on the doorstep following a free-flowing move.
Ben O’Connor and Robert Farmer combined for a one-timer from Robert Dowd from the slot on a five-on-three powerplay, which was the 100th goal of the tournament in the 17th minute.
Matthew Myers (2) and Brendan Brooks added further goals in the second period to put the game beyond Japan’s reach.
There were no goals in the final session, but GB had done the damage to secure an historic promotion.
GB boss Peter Russell said: “This is the biggest moment of my career and it is a fantastic feeling. To do it on home ice in front of so many fantastic supporters really is amazing.
“Those boys deserve it. They were so focused all week. Nothing fazed them. I am so proud of every one of them and they deserve the promotion.
“I thought we were so good tonight from the first whistle and you could tell they were so up for it.”
(Image permission: Dean Woolley)
