Welsh Ace Matthew Says ‘Great Britain Can’t Wait To Take On The Best In World Ice Hockey’

Welshman Matthew Myers says Great Britain are relishing their World Championship challenge as they play in the top flight for the first time since 1994.

GB start their campaign today when they face Germany at the Steel Arena in Kosice, Slovakia.

Hundreds of ice hockey supporters from Britain, including many from Wales, are in Kosice for the championships.

“We can’t wait to get on the ice now,” said Cardiff Devils forward Myers.

“Our preparation has been fantastic and we just want to get started.

“We have had a great few weeks together and played five important warm-up games, which has helped us no end.

“We know we are competing with the best in the world here, but we are excited to show what we can do

“Everyone is relishing being on the world stage and facing so many top-class players.”

After meeting Germany this afternoon (3.15pm face-off UK time), GB will also play Canada, Denmark, USA, Finland, Slovakia and France.

“It’s a tough group that’s for sure,” said Myers. “It will be an intense few weeks and it will be a real test of our abilities.

“It has been a while since we have faced Germany and they provide us with a tough start to the tournament, but it is one we are looking for.”

It’s the first meeting between the two sides since Germany’s 8-0 win in the World Championship Division One Group A in Amiens, France.

There have been 14 meetings since the first one in 1930 during the World Championship in Chamonix. Germany have won 10, GB three and there has been on tie.

The clash with Germany is the first of seven games for head coach Pete Russell’s team.

GB expect to be at full strength and Russell will name his 22-man roster ahead of face-off.

Group A fixtures started yesterday with Finland beating Canada 3-1, while there was a shock in the day’s second game when Slovakia defeated USA 4-1 in a Group B match in Bratislava.

Russia were 5-2 winners over Norway and Czech Republic beat Sweden by the same scoreline.

Schedule for GB at the 2019 World Championship in Slovakia (face-off times local time).

Saturday, May 11: Germany v Great Britain 4.15pm

Sunday, May 12: Great Britain v Canada 8.15pm

Tuesday, May 14: Great Britain v Denmark 4.15pm

Wednesday, May 15: USA v Great Britain 4.15pm

Friday, May 17: Finland v Great Britain 8.15pm

Saturday, May 18: Great Britain v Slovakia 8.15pm

Monday, May 20: France v Great Britain 4.15pm

GB squad

Netminders

Ben Bowns – Cardiff Devils

Thomas Murdy – Cardiff Devils

Jackson Whistle – Sheffield Steelers

Defencemen

Tim Billingsley – Nottingham Panthers

Dallas Ehrhardt – Manchester Storm

Steve Lee – Nottingham Panthers

Evan Mosey – Cardiff Devils

Ben O’Connor – Sheffield Steelers

David Phillips – Sheffield Steelers

Mark Richardson – Cardiff Devils

Paul Swindlehurst – Belfast Giants

Forwards

Ollie Betteridge – Nottingham Panthers

Ben Davies – Guildford Flames

Robert Dowd – Sheffield Steelers

Robert Farmer – Nottingham Panthers

Luke Ferrara – Coventry Blaze

Mike Hammond – Manchester Storm

Liam Kirk – Peterborough Petes

Robert Lachowicz – Nottingham Panthers

Ben Lake – Coventry Blaze

Joey Lewis – ESV Kaufbeuren

Matthew Myers – Cardiff Devils

Brett Perlini – Nottingham Panthers

Jonathan Phillips – Sheffield Steelers

Colin Shields – Belfast Giants