Welshman Matthew Myers says Great Britain’s preparations for the World Championship in Budapest have gone exceptionally well.
GB round off the week with two games against Lithuania this weekend with the two sides meeting in Milton Keynes on Sunday (7pm) and at Coventry’s Skydome the next day (5.15pm).
The 28-man squad will then be cut to roster of 23 to represent Britain in Division One Group A World in Hungary.
“It has been a good week,” said Myers. “We have had two training sessions a day and they have gone really well.
“The spirit among the boys is really good, but the anticipation is even higher this year with everyone wanting to be on the plane to Budapest.”
Cardiff-born Myers, who scored twice in last year’s gold-medal game against Japan to secure promotion to World ice hockey’s second tier, won the Elite League play-off championship with home city club Devils, but the 33-year-old says there’s no bragging in the GB dressing room.
“The domestic season is done and dusted – that’s all in the past,” said Myers.
“The British boys all have a great rivalry in the season, but once we meet for GB that is all forgotten about and we are one unit.
“The moral in the camp is great and everyone is looking forward to two games against Lithuania.”
Sheffield Steelers defenceman Ben O’Connor says there’s a real sense of anticipation at Great Britain’s training camp in Coventry.
“Every GB training camp is always intense but this one feels even more so,” said the Sheffield Steelers blueliner.
“The carrot being dangled is a place on the roster at a second-tier World Championship playing some of the best nations in the world.
“There’s a fantastic atmosphere around the camp and it is great to back with the GB boys.”
GB’s World Championship campaign gets under way in Budapest a week on Sunday against Slovenia.
They will also face Kazakhstan, Poland, Italy and Hungary in the six-team tournament with the top two teams being promoted to the top flight of the World Championship.
GB v Lithuania ticket prices
Adult – £18
Under 16 – £10
16-18 – £13
Senior (60+) – £13
NUS Extra – £13
Family (2 adult/2 children) – £47
To buy tickets for GB against Lithuania at Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes, visit the box office in person, click http://iceaccount.co.uk/events/tickets_select?embed=1&client_id=16 or telephone 01908 540020.
To buy tickets for GB against Lithuania at the Skydome in Coventry, visit the Skydome box office in person, click here http://iceaccount.co.uk/events/tickets_select?embed=1&client_id=7 or call 02476 630693.