Winter Olympics: Pressure is on from the start for GB, says Sheffield Steelers' Ben O'Connor

Sheffield Steelers and GB's Ben O'Connor. Picture: Colin Lawson.

Peter Russell’s squad had a two-day training camp in Coventry before flying out Cortina yesterday morning in preparation for this afternoon’s opening clash with the Netherlands.

After a day’s rest, GB will then face unknown quantity Serbia, who came through the first qualifying rounds, before rounding off their campaign against hosts and pre-tournament favourites Italy.

Progress will leave the winners one step away from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Ashley Tait, in training for GB in Italy yesterday.

“There is no time to feel your way into the tournament like this,” said 27-year-old O’Connor. “You have to be focused from the first face-off. We came through this stage four years ago and there is no reason why we can’t again. But we can’t afford to take a single shift off in these games.”

O’Connor is joined by Steelers team-mate Jonathan Phillips, who has been named captain.

Veteran forward Ashley Tait, a former Steelers’ player but now back with Coventry Blaze, admitted he wass bursting with pride to be involved in the GB set-up once again.

The 40-year-old is Great Britain’s most-capped player with 102 to his name, but did not feature in last year’s World Championship in Netherlands.

“I am so excited to be pulling on a GB shirt again in such an important tournament,” said Tait, who first featured for his country in 1995.

“I feel as proud now as I did when I won my first GB cap – Olympic tournaments always make it that extra bit special too.

“Obviously we are a long way from qualifying for a Winter Olympics with two rounds to negotiate, but it does get your pulses racing.

“If we get through this stage, we come up against some seriously quality nations in the final qualifying.

“That is way into the distance at the moment but it drives you and is an exciting thought.”

Hull-born players David Phillips and Matty Davies – both playing with Manchester Storm in the Elite League – also feature for GB, with Cardiff Devils’ Rotherham-born goalie Ben Bowns expected to start between the pipes against the Dutch.