Great Britain ice hockey head coach Tony Hand insists his side can hold their heads up high despite losing their World Championship (Division 1A) opener.
Hand’s troops faced a difficult first game as they took on hosts Hungary on Sunday, and it proved exactly that as Great Britain lost 4-2.
After soaking up plenty of Hungary pressure, Great Britain went ahead at through Davie Phillips, but Hungary hit back on the powerplay with a goal from Gergo Nagy and then went in front as Marton Vas finished.
A well-worked powerplay goal brought Great Britain level with Colin Shields pouncing to a loose puck.
But Balazs Ladanyi put Hungary back in front and although Great Britain piled on the pressure in the third period and created the better chances, Ladislav Sikorcin scored against the run of play to settle it.
"This was a performance to be proud of but sadly it did not go our way,” said Hand, who will be looking for a better result when his side take on Kazakhstan next up.
"We perhaps were not spot on offensively in the first period, but we got better as the game went on.
"The guys gave everything they had and threw their bodies on the line.
"We must not get too down and must lift ourselves now for tomorrow's game."
© Sportsbeat 2013