Hat-trick star Liam leads the way in worlds

TEENAGE ice hockey star Liam Kirk shot to the top of the GB scorecharts with a stunning performance for Great Britain on Wednesday in the U20 World Championships in Scotland.

Liam, from Maltby, and Cole Shudra, from Kiveton, continue to impress after helping themselves to a handful of goals in the tournament. The duo have also impressed for the Sheffield Steelers in the Elite League so far this season.

But it was Liam who shot to prominence after firing a hat-trick as the Brits battered the Netherlands 8-1 on Wednesday night, adding two assists in the process. 

His haul gives him ten points, two ahead of Estonia’s Andre Linde, in the scoring rankings ahead of last night’s group game against Korea and tonight's finale against Japan.

Group-topping GB will be hoping to make the most of home-ice advantage and win promotion from the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Division 2A World Championships. They are top of the table with three wins from three matches, a point clear of Japan who beat Korea 5-1 on Wednesday.

Liam, who is still studying for his A-levels at Maltby Academy, has had to juggle training and playing with his studies.

The teenager is preparing for exams in IT and product design as well as a BTEC in sport.