National Hockey League star Thomas Vanek scored a hat-trick to help host nation Austria romp to a 10-5 victory over Great Britain in the World Championships.
Vanek, who plays for Buffalo Sabres, condemned Britain to a second successive defeat in Division One as Austria continued their bid for an immediate return to the top flight.
The first period yielded seven goals with Marco Pewal and Roland Kaspitz putting Austria ahead, sandwiching Greg Chambers' powerplay marker.
Gerd Gruber and Oliver Setzinger (powerplay) twice restored Austria's two-goal cushion but GB were not to be denied and Ashley Tait (powerplay) and Tom Watkins responded.
Thomas Koch, Gerhard Unterluggauer (powerplay) and Vanek (powerplay) scored the only goals of the second period as Austria finally managed to get some breathing space.
Vanek added two powerplay goals in the final period and Setzinger claimed his second while captain Jonathan Weaver and David Clarke (both powerplay) struck for GB.
Britain will be looking to register their first win of the tournament when they face Korea, who are bottom after losing their opening two games, on Wednesday.
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