Dowd: We can keep building throughout the tournament

Great Britain forward Robert Dowd believes the team can keep building throughout the World Championship in Latvia.

GB opened their Group A campaign this afternoon with a 7-1 defeat by Russia, who are ranked second in the world.

There’s a quick return to action with a second game in as many days as they face Slovakia tomorrow.

“I thought we got better each period,” said Dowd. “Obviously, we hadn’t played any exhibition games.

“We’ve only been together a few weeks and most of these teams have played a handful of exhibition games and played all season.

“I thought in the first period we were getting up to speed, second period we were solid and third period we were solid too.

“We played world-class opposition and of course they are going to score goals.

“If we can keep building, hopefully we can throw a few surprises in there. We want to play good hockey and collect a few wins.”

GB against Slovakia faces-off at 10:15am UK time tomorrow (Sunday). The game is live on FreeSports in the UK.

Commentary will come from four-time Olympic broadcaster Aaron Murphy and former GB forward Paul Adey who won 55 caps between 1995 and 2001, scoring 28 goals and contributing 24 assists for 52 points.

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 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.