Thompson looks for GB to ‘make history’

Hopes remain that the hoped-for margin of defeat for group leaders Kazakhstan at the hands of hosts Ukraine combined with a win for Paul Thompson’s team will seal a gold medal and with it a first return to the international game’s top division since 1994 to play alongside the likes of Russia, Canada, Sweden and the USA.

Such an outcome would be a remarkable achievement for Great Britain, considering the scant resources and preparation time made available to them in order to compete in the annual tournament.

Even a silver medal would be viewed as an over-achievement by many outside the GB programme, with both Ukraine and Kazakhstan placed above them in the IIHF rankings.

As in the last two Division One tournaments, it is Poland who stand in GB’s way. Last year saw the East Europeans prevail to snatch a bronze medal from the grasp of Britain, who had inflicted the same punishment when the tournament was held in Poland in 2009.

Britain have put themselves into gold medal contention largely because of their stunning 5-3 defeat of Ukraine on the opening day of the tournament.

A 2-1 defeat to Kazakhstan followed, but comfortable wins over Estonia and Lithuania have left them in second place going into the final day.

Head coach Thompson admitted last night that to gain promotion back to the top tier would represent the biggest achievement in his career.

“These days don’t come along all that often,” he said. “Days when, as a group of guys, you can make a difference and maybe even change the path of ice hockey in our country.

“All we can do is focus on the Poland game and give ourselves the best possible chance. I have won a lot in the domestic game and have a few international medals as well.

“However, if we can take this team of mainly indigenous British players to the top tier – the ‘promised land’ – then it will certainly be my biggest achievement in the game.”