British hopes hinge on must-win Dutch clash

GREAT Britain's hopes of escaping the bottom tier of world ice hockey are suffering mixed fortunes at the World Junior Championships in Spain.

They lost their opening fixture to Croatia 3-2 before rallying to slam minnows Spain and Mexico, 6-0 and 7-1 respectively.

They will expect to beat China - who have shipped 19 goals in their three matches so far - today but then face a must-win clash with the Netherlands tomorrow.

Britain - with Nottingham Panthers forward Robert Lachowicz their main scoring force - are currently third in the six-team tournament, with only the top ranked side assured promotion.

Lachowicz scored a stunning hat-trick against Spain while Iain Bowie of the Edinburgh Capitals grabbed his second of the competition.

The British youngsters were four goals to the good after the second period before late strikes from forward Ciaran Long and Panthers defender Joseph Graham rounded off a convincing win.

Against Mexico, GB were just as ruthless in attack and stormed into three-goal lead after the first 20 minutes with goals from Ben Davies, Matthew Davies and Swindon Wildcats' Long.

Lachowicz then chalked up his fourth of the competition soon after the first interval before Pablo Elhers got a goal back for the Mexicans.

But it was not long before Lachowicz had his second of the match and Ben Davies soon followed suit, finding the net late on with Bowie completing the rout.

Great Britain are four flights from ice hockey's elite, with hosts Canada winning the recent World Championships in Ottawa.

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