Ice Hockey UK general secretary Andy French says Great Britain and Canada will do everything they can to rearrange their showpiece match in 2021.

The two sides were due to meet tonight at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena as part of preparations for the World Championship in Switzerland.

The game and the World Championship were called off because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

French said: “It was a massive disappointment to everyone that the Canada game was unable to take place. We know from speaking with supporters how excited everyone was.

“We had worked with our fantastic sponsors, Lucas, to put together something that had never been seen in the UK.

“People were coming from all over the world and tickets sold out within days. I have never known interest like it in a GB game.

“But we are hopeful that this is just a postponement rather than a cancellation.

“The federations in the UK and Canada will look at next year’s schedule and we are hopeful that something can be arranged.”

Tom Renney, Hockey Canada CEO, said: “It is our desire to fulfil the hope of playing a pre-2021 World Championship game in the UK. Only time will tell but that is our desire.”