Forward Robert Dowd says the mood in the Great Britain camp is great ahead of this weekend’s opening game of the World Championship in Finland.

GB arrived in Tampere on Wednesday and were straight on the ice for their first training session on Finnish ice.

It’s their third successive top-level World Championship after appearing at the 2019 edition in Slovakia where GB came from 3-0 down in their final group game to beat France 4-3 in overtime to avoid relegation.

After no tournament in 2020, GB finished last year’s World Championship in Latvia with four points including a regulation-time win over Belarus.

Dowd said: “The boys are really excited and ready to go again. We’ve been on a remarkable journey and we don’t want it to end anytime soon.

“We know what we have to do at this level to compete with some of the best teams in the world.

“The atmosphere around the room is brilliant as ever and to be honest, it’s just great to be back with the boys again.

“There’s some exciting new young talent in Cade Neilson and Josh Waller and they have already fitted right into the squad.”

GB get their campaign under way tomorrow against Czech Republic, before matches against Norway, Sweden, USA, Finland, Latvia and Austria.

“We know from last year how good a side Czech Republic are,” said Dowd. “We under no illusions. Every game will be tough, just like they were last year and back in 2019.

“But we have shown over the past few years to the ice hockey world that we can compete at the top level.

“Of course, it’s going to be tough but it’s a chance we are all relishing.”

Great Britain World Championship schedule 
Saturday 14th May 2022 – Czech Republic v Great Britain 16:20 (14:20 UK time)
Sunday 15th May 2022 – Norway v Great Britain 12:20 (10:20 UK time)
Tuesday 17th May 2022 – Sweden v Great Britain 20:20 (18:20 UK time)
Thursday 19th May 2022 – Great Britain v USA 16:20 (14:20 UK time)
Friday 20th May 2022 – Great Britain v Finland 16:20 (14:20 UK time)
Sunday 22nd May 2022 – Great Britain v Latvia 16:20 (14:20 UK time)
Monday 23rd May 2022 – Austria v Great Britain 20:20 (18:20 UK time)