Peacock shines on GB debut

The Peterborough-born 21-year-old forward helped Belfast Giants clinch the Elite League play-offs last weekend capping a fantastic first full season with his club.

And things got even better after his first appearance for Paul Thompson's squad was marked with two first period goals as Great Britain got off to a flying start in Nottingham.

The hosts took the lead at 7.41 when Peacock found the back of the net before he struck again, this time on the powerplay, at 11.01.

Belfast team-mate Colin Shields added a third at 17.19 to put GB well in control as the outshot their opponents 17 to 2.

The home side still had more of the play in the second period but the only goal came for the visitors at 31.24 when Casey Van Schagen fired home.

It became a one-goal game when Stanislav Nazarov beat goaltender Stevie Lyle for the Netherlands' second goal at 50.13.

There then followed some nervous moments as the Netherlands - currently ranked one place below GB in the IIHF world rankings at 25 - tried to find an equaliser.

But Matt Myers - recently returned from a first season in the ECHL with Bakersfield Condors and Johnstown Chiefs - ensured victory for the hosts when he Myers hit the empty net with only 18 seconds remaining to give GB the perfect start to their World Championship build up.

The two sides will face-off again at Ice Sheffield (4pm) on Sunday before GB fly out Slovenia to for their Division 1, Group B tournament against the hosts, Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Korea.

The Netherlands play host to the Division One, Group A tournament, taking on Austria, Ukraine, Japan, Lithuania and Serbia.

Period Scores: 3-0, 0-1, 1-1

Penalty Mins: GB 12 - Netherlands 16

Powerplay: GB 1/8 - Netherlands 1/6

Shots On: Lyle 19 - Groeneveld 41 + 1ENG