Great Britain 6 Netherlands 5: More to come from GB, says Sheffield Steelers Ben O'Connor after thrilling opening win

O’Connor’s fellow defenceman Mark Richardson was the hero with a 55th-minute winner.

Only one team will qualify from Group G for the final qualifying stages on the road to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Head coach Pete Russell’s team now face Serbia on Saturday before facing hosts and pre-tournament favourites Italy on Sunday.

“We did not have it all our own way that is for sure,” said Sheffield Steelers’ defenceman O’Connor.

“Netherlands came out strong and played very well and took the game to us.

“But we can build on this result and take the positives from it. We were not at our best but we still found a way to win an important game.

“We could have let our heads drop when we were up against it.

“But there is great determination in this GB team and that shone through, especially in the third period.

GB’s bid to reach their first Olympics since 1948 got off to the worst possible start when their opponents took the lead at 2.57 when Ronald Wurm popped a rebound past Rotherham-born goalie Ben Bowns.

But they were only ahead for 38 seconds thanks to a neat move from Russ Cowley and, after killing off a string of penalties, Hull-born David Phillips gave his team a 2-1 first-period lead when he fired through traffic at 17.12.

Matthew Myers extended Britain’s lead at 28.23, only for the Netherlands to pull themselves level with two goals in the space of just 55 seconds, the first from Kevin Bruijsten at 33:06 before Maarten Brekelmans touched the puck past Bowns after a massive scramble in front of the net.

GB went in front for a second time when Ashley Tait set up Cowley to tip in his second of the afternoon at 36.01 and that is how it stayed until 43.22 when Brujsten produced a sweet finish to make it 4-4.

Colin Shields scored from left point for his 33rd international goal to go joint-second in GB’s all-time scoring charts, but that was cancelled out by Diederick Hagemeijer at 51.18.

Just over four minutes later, Richardson put away his own rebound for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

“I am not going to be disappointed with the outcome as the result was the important thing,” said Russell.

“Yes, there are things we can work on and do better at, but getting that win is vital for us.”