Great Britain defenceman Dallas Ehrhardt says the team are still very focused as they get ready to play their second game at the World Championship in Latvia in under 24 hours.
GB face Slovakia in the Olympic Sports Centre in Riga (10:15am UK time) following Saturday’s 7-1 defeat by Russia.
It’s a quick turnaround after playing the middle game of the day yesterday, but Ehrhardt is sure GB can cope with another match so quickly.
Ehrhardt, who will win his 17th cap against Slovakia, said: “It will be great to get back onto the ice so quickly.
“That’s what you have to do at a World Championship and we are not worried by it.
“We need to retain our focus and look at the job in hand. We can build on the bright parts of the defeat by Russia.
“There are positives to take out of that for sure. We didn’t let our heads drop when they scored those four quick goals.
“I thought we grew into the game as it went on and we have to use it as a building block for the tournament.”
GB handed three debuts yesterday with David Clements, Lewis Hook and Josh Tetlow being awarded their first caps.
“These young players are our future,” added Ehrhardt. “The great thing is they looked like they belonged out there.
“They looked really confident and it was great to see them take to international hockey so quickly.”
All of GB’s games are live on FreeSports in the UK. FreeSports is available free on Sky Channel 422, Virgin Media Channel 553, on Channel 64 on Freeview and BT and via the FreeSports Player.
IIHF 2021 World Championship – GB results and fixtures
Saturday 22nd May – Great Britain 1-7 Russia – Goal: Liam Kirk
Sunday 23rd May – Great Britain v Slovakia – 12:15 face-off (10:15 UK time)
Tuesday 25th May – Great Britain v Denmark – 16:15 face-off (14:15 UK time)
Wednesday 26th May – Belarus v Great Britain – 20:15 face-off (18:15 UK time)
Friday 28th May – Sweden v Great Britain – 16:15 face-off (14:15 UK time)
Saturday 29th May – Czech Republic v Great Britain – 12:15 face-off (10:15 UK time)
Tuesday 1st June – Switzerland v Great Britain – 12:15 face-off (10:15 UK time)
Photo credit: Dean Woolley.