Great Britain defenceman Ben O’Connor says the whole squad are raring to go as they fine-tune their preparations ahead of their first game at the World Championship Division 1 Group B in Belfast.

The six-team tournament – the first men’s World Championship in the UK for 25 years – gets under way tomorrow and GB will play Croatia in their first game (4pm).

“The pre-tournament games against Poland were a success and really good for us,” said the Sheffield Steelers defenceman.

“We have been working hard since we got here and everyone is excited to get going.

“Everyone is raring to go and ready now – and it’s exciting.”

GB are using the home dressing room, usually the base for Belfast Giants and O’Connor had special praise for equipment manager Jason Ellery – otherwise known as Taffy – who does the same job for the Giants.

“Taffy has the room perfect for us and it looks great. We have everything we need,” continued O’Connor.

“This is a fabulous facility here in Belfast and we can’t wait to get going.”

Photo credit: Dean Woolley.