For a new generation of Great Britain players, this world championship is an opportunity to make their mark.

In the last tournament to be played by the U20’s, GB won silver.

They shall be looking to go one better in Romania.

With the hockey world placed in turmoil during the pandemic, it’s difficult to know exactly the level of competition Great Britain will be facing.

On paper, Italy will provide the greatest challenge on route to the ultimate goal of achieving a gold medal.

Game One: December 13, 2021

Great Britain vs Spain 11:00 am puck drop (All times the UK)

These two nations met each other when playing their first-ever international game at the U20 level.

Spain prevailed 7-3 on that occasion back in 1984.

However, this time it will be Great Britain who is overwhelming favourites.

Spain has been a bubble team at this level since 2013. One of the top nations in Div II B but struggling to compete in Div IIA. During that time, they have ranked from 27th-30th.

Game Two: December 14, 2021 

Great Britain vs Lithuania 11:00 am puck drop

Lithuania is not a nation to be taken lightly.

They gained promotion to Division IB in 2017 but were relegated the following year.

In 2019 Lithuania claimed silver and followed that up with bronze in 2020.

Game Three: December 16, 2021

Great Britain vs Korea 2:30 pm puck drop

It would be folly to write off any Asian nation at a Junior World Championships.

Korea pummelled the opposition in Division II, Group B in 2020.

They won all five games in regulation and outscored the opposition 20-6 in the process.

Korea has bounced between the Group A and B levels in recent history but is not to be underestimated.

Game Four: December 17, 2021

Romania vs Great Britain 6:00 pm puck drop

A game against the home nation will always be a tough encounter.

Romania has been a fairly consistent program in the last decade ranking between 25th-28th.

Great Britain won the last meeting between these two nations 5-3. A certain Alex Graham recorded two assists and will have good memories to look back on before taking on the home nation.

Game Five: December 19, 2021

Italy vs Great Britain 2:30 pm puck drop

The potential gold medal game? Many people will think so and Italy is the strong favourites on paper before a puck is hit in anger.

Italy was relegated in 2020 after recording just one point and being outscored 33-13.

According to my research, this will be the first occasion that the Italian U20 program has ever played at this level of competition.

The average age of the Italian roster is over eighteen.

Many of their players have already gotten professional experience in the Alps Hockey League, Switzerland and Italy.

Alessandro Segafredo may be a familiar name as the forward is currently in the WHL with Seattle Thunderbirds.

Great Britain’s build-up to the tournament could not have gone better.

Martin Grubb had a difficult decision in naming his 22-man roster, having to leave out quality players who can certainly count themselves unlucky to miss out.

For an in-depth insight into the Great Britain roster please check out this article https://wp.me/p2gDti-1hR and an interview with Martin Grubb gave for the Hockey from Across the Pond podcast here: https://anchor.fm/mark-rackham/episodes/Veggie–the-Melk-Man-EP120-S3-e1b9jbl

Great Britain played two warm-up games in preparation and promptly won both.

A 3-0 victory against Lithuania saw netminders Lucas Brine and Daniel Crowe combine for a shutout with the former stopping a penalty shot.

GB’s penalty kill got a good workout and Head coach, Martin Grubb was pleased.

“We were good, especially five on five. When we got our lines rolling in the second period we dominated them, especially down low with our puck movement.

“Defensively we were solid and limited their scoring chances and both goalies were very good. Overall, it was a good workout with plenty of positives but also plenty to improve on.”

Alex Graham, Nathan Ripley and Oliver Endicott all scored one goal apiece.

The second game versus Spain was shortened to two periods.

Logan Neilson, Bradley Bowering and Jack Goodchild all recorded a goal in a 3-1 ‘regulation time’ victory.

In preparation for the tournament, both nations agreed to play three-on-three overtime and a shootout.

Liam Steele scored a highlight reel individual goal in overtime and GB won the shootout.

Assistant coach, Danny Meyers, said: “Overall, we can be pleased with the two challenge games we’ve had. “We got a powerplay goal tonight, no powerplay goals against over two games, conceded one goal overall and scored seven.

“What was encouraging was how the players weathered an early storm in tonight’s game and adjusted to eventually take over.

“We have two days of practice ahead of us now before the tournament starts Monday and we expect ourselves to get better each day.”

Leading Great Britain into action on Monday will be Liam Stenton.

The defenseman was named captain for the tournament in Brasov and he’s a fantastic choice.

The 19-year-old has five GB U20 caps to his name, winning the silver medal in Vilnius in January 2020. He has also represented the under-18s five times.

Solway-born Stenton is currently on a two-way deal between the Sharks and EIHL side Glasgow Clan. He won the league title with Solway in 2019-20 and tasted success with the Nottingham Panthers in last season’s Elite Series.

Stenton’s experience in the UK and internationally is head and shoulders above the rest of the group and is exceptionally well respected amongst his peers and coaches.

Stenton said: “It’s a really big honour for me being captain, even being selected for the team is a massive honour. “Being named as captain really means a lot to me. It means the coaches and staff feel I am a good leader. “I like to lead by example and will work hard and do the right things.”

All quotes and images are courtesy of IHUK.

For those not aware the IIHF implements a three-point system for tournament play.

For all games points shall be awarded as follows:

• 3 points for the winning team at the conclusion of regulation time

• 1 point for both teams at the conclusion of regulation time if the game is tied

•An additional point earned for the team winning the game in a 5-minute overtime period, or the Penalty-Shot Shootout if the teams are still tied following conclusion of the overtime period

•0 points for the team losing the game in regulation time

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