The first day of the World Junior Championship Division 1 B, is over. Today’s action featured Great Britain vs Slovenia and France vs Ukraine.

The tournament started with a huge upset as Great Britain beat Slovenia. Slovenia, got on the board first when Orehek scored the first goal of the tournament in the second period. Great Britain would take the lead with two quick third period goals from Heywood and Griffiths. Tarman tied the game for Slovenia with a little under 10 minutes left. Thirty-seven seconds into overtime, Hook scored the game-winner for Great Britain. This is a crushing loss for Slovenia, who are new to the Division 1 B group after being demoted from Division 1 A, last year. At the same time, this a gigantic win for Great Britain. They’re also new to the division after being promoted from Division 2 A, last year. The player of the game was Great Britain’s goalie Jordan Hedley who stopped thirty-three out of thirty-five shots. Both Slovenia and Great Britain play tomorrow, with Great Britain playing Poland and Slovenia looking to rebound against France.

The second match of the day featured France vs Ukraine. Last year at the world junior tournament, Ukraine took home silver and France did not medal finishing fourth. France got on the board first with a late period goal by Maia. In the second period, Ukraine would score twice within less than one minute with goals from Mazur and Vorona. Five minutes later, France would tie it up on a shorthanded goal by Collotti. After a scoreless third, we go to overtime again. In overtime, Collotti scores on the power play to win it for France.  Despite losing, Ukrainian goalie Dyachenko had an amazing game stopping forty-one out of forty-four shots. Player of the game goes to French forward Hugo Gallet.

After day one, both France and Great Britain are tied for first, with two points then Slovenia and Ukraine tied for second with one point.