Now that the EIHL season has wrapped up, we can turn our attention to the upcoming GB games. As an ice hockey fan in the UK, the GB games are always a great spectacle, and the growth of the national team over recent years has been staggering. I have fond memories of attending the World Championships last year, which were hosted at the Motorpoint Arena and saw GB promoted to the highest level to face off against the likes of Canada, USA, and Sweden.
GB has already had success this season in Cardiff as they swept their Olympic qualifier group, dominating the competition by defeating China 10-1, Serbia 11-0, and Romania 7-4. So, coming into these warm-up games against Poland, GB should be full of confidence as they face the Polish side in Leeds on Friday and in Nottingham on Saturday.
The roster for the World Championship is full of talent and includes some of the stars of the future. Recent Grand Slam winners Captain Robert Dowd, Sam Jones, and Cole Shudra all make the squad. Although fellow Steeler Brandon Whistle had to withdraw due to injury, it allows two new call-ups to the roster: Nottingham Panthers’ Wonderkid Logan Neilson and the Devils’ Sam Duggan joining the training camp. Logan’s brother Cade is also in the squad, always excelling for the national team, with the 22-year-old scoring 3 goals and 7 assists in only 3 games. Superstar Liam Kirk will also be expected to contribute heavily after a very successful season in Czechia for HC Litvinov.
The Polish roster is stacked with talent, with veteran Krystain Dziubinski expected to lead the line and ex-Belfast Giant Patryk Wronka looking to make an impact. GB fans should also look out for Alan Lyszczarczyk and John Murray, who are great players for the Polish side. Although the last Polish victory over GB came in 2017, with GB winning the next 4 fixtures, including an overtime win last April.
The World Championships start on May 10 and run until May 26. While in Prague, GB will take on Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, Czechia, Norway, and Austria. As always, it will be tough for GB to get results from any of these fixtures, given the NHL stars that are going to be in the lineups for the other nations. But every GB fan will remember the miracles they have performed before, and many will be hoping for more of the same again.
Be sure to get down to these warm-up games, if you can, and support the GB players before they head to Prague! I’ll be at the game and interviewing one of the stars afterward, so be sure to check that out!
Ticket Information HERE.
*Article provided by Joe Maciag (Ice Hockey Correspondent).
*Main image @TeamGBicehockey Cade Neilson ahead of game day at Nottingham Arena.
