Dowd excited for GB action on home ice
Photo: Dean Woolley
Forward Robert Dowd says he’s excited to return to Great Britain action with the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge getting under way this weekend.
The four-team tournament, which also involves Japan, Poland and Romania, takes place from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 February.
GB face Japan at Planet Ice Milton Keynes on Friday 10 February (7pm), before hosting Poland at the Skydome Arena in Coventry on Saturday 11 February (7pm).
Romania are GB’s final opponents at the Mototorpoint Arena in Nottingham on Sunday 12 February (4pm).
Dowd said: “Every one of us has so much pride representing Great Britain and it will be great to have everyone back together.
“We don’t often get the chance to get together mid-season, so this will be such good preparation for the World Championship.
“There are some new faces in the squad too and that will bring even more competition for places, so that’s really healthy that we have such depth on our roster.
“It’s an important year for us and obviously our aim is promotion in the World Championship in April in Nottingham.
“Playing a tournament on home ice – like we did in Belfast a few years ago – will be really special, but we have this tournament to think about first.
“They will be three tough games but that’s what we need to get us ready for April.”
Euro Ice Hockey Challenge – schedule
Friday 10 February
Planet Ice, Milton Keynes: Great Britain v Japan – 7pm
Skydome Arena, Coventry: Poland v Romania – 7pm
Saturday 11 February
Planet Ice, Milton Keynes: Romania v Japan – 2:30pm
Skydome Arena, Coventry: Poland v Great Britain – 7pm
Sunday 12 February
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: Great Britain v Romania – 4pm
Skydome Arena, Coventry: Japan v Poland – 5:30pm
