A chance of greatness for GB Ice Hockey

A break from gymnastics and figure skating, just for once :-)

Great Britain's ice hockey players should already be proud of their performance so far in the IIHF World Championships. With one game to go they have 3 wins and one closely fought loss on the board. But everything depends on their last game against Poland tomorrow. Beyone a win and a medal, they have the chance to vastly raise the standing of GB in the world of winter sports.

Due to the scale of a global hockey tournament, the event is split into divisions. The 'Elite' competition, involving the top 16 ranked teams in the world begins on April 29th in Slovakia. GB competed this week in Division 1 (the next tier of teams) in Kiev, Ukraine. There are also divisions 2 and 3 below that. Countries can be promoted or relegated between divisions based on their performance in the previous year's championships.

GB is competing in group B of the division 1 World Championships. So far they have beaten Ukraine 5-3, Lost to Kazakhstan 2-1, Beaten Estonia 7-0 and Lithuania 5-2. A win in their final game against Poland on Saturday will guarantee them a medal, either silver or gold depending on how current leaders Kazakhtan fair in their final game aganst Ukraine.

Whilst it's a long shot, a win for GB would mean a promotion to the Elite competition next year, along with the likes of Canada, USA and Russia. It would be the first time GB have qualified to the worlds top flight in nearly 20 years.

Coach of the GB team (and my home team, Coventry Blaze), Paul Thompson says
"We are prepared, ready and excited.

"These days don't come along all that often and could maybe even change the path of ice hockey in our country."

UPDATE

The GB boys did everything they could, beating Poland 3-2 in their last game to wrap up a medal. They then had to watch as Kazakhstan narrowly beat Ukraine in overtime to take top spot. Sadly that means no promotion of GB to the big leagues this year. :'-(

Interestingly, Kazakhstan were actually relegated from the elite division of the IIHF to division 1 last year after a poor performance. They seem to be the yo-yo team, having won a promotion back up again this year.

I'm sure the likes of Canada and Russia are breathing a sigh of relief they won't have to take on Paul Thompson's boys just yet!

Next year GB! Congratulations on the silver!