The disappointment following relegation from the top tier of World hockey last year was tangible.
The margins at play were small but Great Britain’s two-year tenure at the top came to a halt.
With many factors in their favour, Great Britain is well placed to make an immediate return to rejoin the elite of the hockey world.
Home Advantage
It cannot be understated what a huge coup it is for Great Britain to be hosting World Championship Division I Group A.
This will arguably be the most prestigious hockey tournament ever to be held on these shores.
But just how vital is home advantage?
There has been little-to-no travel for the majority of the final roster.
This has resulted in time for recuperation, no jetlag factor and the opportunity to roll with an extended preliminary squad for four warm-up games.
The latter should not be downplayed.
A chance to try out differing line and pairing combinations whilst also having the opportunity and game time to nail down the intricacies of special teams – often the infinitesimal factors in such tournaments.
The familiarity of playing at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, sharing downtime with friends and family and backing from a home crowd also cannot be underestimated.
In 2017, a fervent Belfast home crowd cheered Great Britain to a perfect five- record, a gold medal and promotion from Division I Group B.
Roster
Is this the best post-war roster fielded by Great Britain?
Quite possibly and several players who missed the cut can count themselves unlucky to do so.
Ben Bowns has endured a rocky season by his high standards but showed in the warm-up games that he remains inspired when wearing a GB jersey.
The defense retains familiar solid performers but an added mix is a dollop of offensive talent. There will no longer be a reliance on Ben O’Connor to generate offence from the blue line thanks to the additions of Sam Ruopp and Nathanael Halbert.
Cade Neilson was the story of the last year’s World Championship campaign. The 21-year-old helped himself to five points (2G/3A) against the world’s elite despite never having played a professional game. It’s been a tough season in the NCAA for the centreman but there’s no doubt in my mind that Neilson will build upon last year’s success.
The trio of Mike Hammond, Robert Dowd and Brett Perlini are confirmed producers at this level. The former’s addition (missed the last campaign) to the roster provides a huge boost to the forward line as a proven goal scorer.
The remainder of the forward group brings experience and stability in conjunction with debutant Johnny Curran. The Coventry Blaze forward has scored 43 goals and recorded a hundred points (108 games) across the last two Elite League seasons.
The x-factor for Great Britain is undoubtedly the ultra-talented Liam Kirk.
Under normal circumstances, his availability might have been in doubt.
After another frustrating season split between three leagues, Kirk performed outstandingly in the defensively sound Finnish league (Liiga) and ranked amongst the top players in several analytical and point categories. The winger’s ability to score, create plays and produce on the power play will go a long way to help Great Britain have success.
Opposition
Though hosting, Great Britain is not the top seed in this group (18).
That would be Italy which is currently ranked 17th in the world.
The remainder of the competition is composed of Poland (22), Lithuania (23), Romania (24) and South Korea (21).
In previous campaigns, GB has shown they can compete and beat the aforementioned nations and as such there is little to fear.
They have also recorded victories against France and Belarus, whilst suffering narrow-margin defeats at the hands of Norway, Latvia, Denmark and Slovakia.
Schedule
29 April 2023
12:30 Poland v Lithuania
16:00 Romania v Italy
19:30 South Korea v Great Britain
30 April 2023
12:30 Lithuania v Romania
16:00 Great Britain v Poland
19:30 Italy v South Korea
2 May 2023
12:30 Romania v South Korea
16:00 Italy v Poland
19:30 Great Britain v Lithuania
3 May 2023
12:30 South Korea v Poland
16:00 Lithuania v Italy
19:30 Great Britain v Romania
5 May 2023
12:30 Poland v Romania
16:00 Lithuania v South Korea
19:30 Italy v Great Britain
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