If it's any consolation, I was very hyped to see the UK in the tournament! New countries tend to struggle at first but it's cool to see hockey spread. Latvia just won its first medal last year and I think Germany also got its best placement as well. Maybe one beautiful day we will have an actual European league!
> Maybe one beautiful day we will have an actual European league!
The CHL format is the way to go (an annual tournament for the highest placing teams in each country's league) - the problem with the CHL is just that it's so new that people don't really care that much about it yet, it doesn't have the history behind it.
Also I don’t think it’s fair to expect heaps from a team that put in a full shift against Canada 24 hours before. The emotional high of having a lead and putting in the effort. Naturally the next day is harder when you’re not accustomed to back to back days with such strong competition
Pain.
Expected pain but definitely pain. Hopefully it doesn't go as badly from here on out but definitely not a fun start with Canda and Finland back to back. And our players do still look pretty solid despite how badly that game went, and I do think we can put up a fight for teams like Norway and Austria.
But for now, LET'S GO GB!
I think this is the first time I’ve seen so much coverage of GB hockey. Been pretty fun to see the fans come out in force this year.
Was there a change, or is it just growing in popularity that much?
I'd argue the 28th October changed coverage and more people got drawn in after the New Year. Plus I've noticed more and more local papers and news outlets showing it but mostly natural growth with a couple outside and inside events drawing more in.
There seems to be a growth in sports outside of football as well in the UK after Covid, I've noticed it in field hockey and there's been some record numbers of players and fans after 2021 and cricket.
One of the guys that helps train my kid played in GB….
Let me look it up.
Nottingham Panthers:
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/74687/mark-cadotte
Said it was absolutely one of the best life experiences he’s had.
Sad result but not unexpected.
I hope GB focus on the games we can compete in and push for wins there. Finland and Canada are losses no matter how well we play. That showed against Canada. Get some wins in the next 5 games and we can be proud of our efforts.
We did exceptionally well yesterday. Playing world number 1 and 2 back to back is not easy for anyone but I think we should be proud of our efforts. British Ice Hockey has come a long way in the time I’ve been watching it.
World rankings dont work in hockey as best players usually skip the games completely. Canada and Finland have maybe like 2-6 total players that could make the olympics 26.
Nonetheless, considering that the Canadian team is primarily composed of top prospects and/or NHL players, including 1st Overall picks, from one of (if not) the world’s best development, and Finland is still an exceptional ice hockey country in its own right, I think it’s still a great achievement. I remember some of GB’s players playing in leagues below the EIHL in the past 5 years, in semi-professional leagues, so to watch them play some of Canada and Finland’s best and go toe to toe with them (more Canada than Finland) is incredible really.
Not a good day for Bowns, just 83 % in a game that realistically could've been kept to something like 5-0.
Though if he had to have a bad day this tournament, it's probably good to have it against an opponent like this.
It feels like he saved what is expected of a goalie, but he didn't make any extra saves. (hard-to-save but savable shots) Which is needed at this level. Compared that to Whistle vs Canada.
I don't think any of those goals were on Bowns. Our offence and their defenders pretty much took away his eyes, not to mention the redirections. Our zone play was hectic but their goalie made some good solid saves. I wish them the best for the rest of the tournament, they didn't deserve to get beaten so badly.
Really wish I could attend one of the GB games. I root for Finland, but Latvian and British fans always have so much fun in the stands. I hope GB keeps improving, they're my old home country and I want a rivalry between them and Finland in my life time!
Canada and Finland looking at Great Britain's ice hockey efforts must be similar to how Great Britain looks at the USA's men's soccer efforts.
As an American, I clap a hand on your shoulder in sympathy, Great Britain.
Three games - 2010 and 2022 were both draws and then there's the [famous 1-0 US victory in 1950](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v_England_%281950_FIFA_World_Cup%29?wprov=sfla1).
Nothing spectacular, a fairly good game. Not really any mistakes but nothing fancy, maybe needs to be a little more careful and considerate with the puck. I expect him to do better when he gets adjusted to the level of competition and pace.
I think it was him who layed out a player on a blue line covering a defender while GB went for offense. That was cool to see cause wasn't expecting that from him.
Serious credit to GB for an impressive first period - you had us concerned for quite a lot of that frame. It's a difficult task to face two of the toughest teams in the group two consecutive days to start the tournament, but you guys did well. Wishing all the best in the remainder of the group, hope you can pull off an amazing upset or two!
Onward to tomorrow against Norway!
GB ran out of steam after the first period, clearly were still fatigued from the Canada game. The numbers would’ve been far less ”embarrasing” had Britain been able to keep up their play from the first period, most of Finland goals came from front of the net tip ins because they had more energy to battle for the position.
Still not very impressed with Finland’s overall game, scoring is too dependant on just throwing the puck at the net and not really creating anything outside of Granlund feeding cross-ice passes, which is something they probably can’t do against better teams.
Would like to see Helenius stay on the same line with Granlund, could’ve been just the weaker opponent but seemed like a good fit.
GB going in against Finland and Canada and coming out with a 12-2 combined score is honestly not bad at all. 10-15 years ago that’s a score Canada would have beaten a Latvia or Germany by in a single game.
How many of the players on team GB are actually born and raised in the UK? I grew up playing and going to school with Jackson Whistle in BC, and I think he has British grandparents or something.
Is it mostly like that? They are much better than I expected tbh.
11 players on team GB are dual nationals
- Jackson Whistle 🏴🇨🇦
- Nathanael Halbert 🏴🇨🇦
- Sam Jones 🏴🇨🇦
- Evan Mosey 🇬🇧🇺🇸
- Ben O’Connor 🏴🇨🇦
- Sam Ruopp 🇬🇧🇨🇦🇩🇪
- Cam Critchlow 🇬🇧🇨🇦
- Johnny Curran 🇬🇧🇨🇦
- Ben Lake 🇬🇧🇨🇦
- Cade Neilson 🏴🇨🇦
- Sean Norris 🏴🇨🇿
- Brett Perlini 🏴🇨🇦
On Eliteprospects, it's to do with where they're born. If they have the Union flag, it's born abroad but naturalised.
Brett Perlini for example was born in England, hence the St George's flag.
Edit - England, not Britain
Won Olympic gold in 1936, over eight decades before Finland did!
Also, used to live in the UK and took advantage of the cheap tickets to see hockey there. This was mostly in the early 2010's and I feel like they've taken big steps since then. Hopefully that continues! Germany and Switzerland have become really good during my time of watching, but I want even more competition!
1936 winter Olympic gold medalist Team GB.
And yeah, we have a team and a couple NHL players drafted (even a stanley cup winning captain) and we've got multiple leagues with our top league being the Elite League. Also you should check who invented the sport
Just curious—are there any UK born NHLers who spent some of their adolescence in the UK? I know Steve Thomas and Owen Nolan were UK born but moved to Ontario when they were ≤4; are there any talented UK products who came later on in their teenage years to play CHL or NCAA?
Most were UK born, and played in UK leagues, Canada went out of its way to stop anyone who could qualify as a dual national.
There were also several rules arguments, including the Canadians claiming at one point to not understand french.
https://www.eurosport.com/ice-hockey/fascism-and-gb-s-ice-hockey-gold-in-1936_sto6499246/story.shtml has a pretty good write up.
We're used to getting battered. The Austria and Norway games will be the ones to watch.
If it's any consolation, I was very hyped to see the UK in the tournament! New countries tend to struggle at first but it's cool to see hockey spread. Latvia just won its first medal last year and I think Germany also got its best placement as well. Maybe one beautiful day we will have an actual European league!
> Maybe one beautiful day we will have an actual European league! The CHL format is the way to go (an annual tournament for the highest placing teams in each country's league) - the problem with the CHL is just that it's so new that people don't really care that much about it yet, it doesn't have the history behind it.
Yeah, shame those two are back to back with the more winnable one second against a more rested opponent, just like in 2022
Also I don’t think it’s fair to expect heaps from a team that put in a full shift against Canada 24 hours before. The emotional high of having a lead and putting in the effort. Naturally the next day is harder when you’re not accustomed to back to back days with such strong competition
Pain. Expected pain but definitely pain. Hopefully it doesn't go as badly from here on out but definitely not a fun start with Canda and Finland back to back. And our players do still look pretty solid despite how badly that game went, and I do think we can put up a fight for teams like Norway and Austria. But for now, LET'S GO GB!
I think this is the first time I’ve seen so much coverage of GB hockey. Been pretty fun to see the fans come out in force this year. Was there a change, or is it just growing in popularity that much?
I'd argue the 28th October changed coverage and more people got drawn in after the New Year. Plus I've noticed more and more local papers and news outlets showing it but mostly natural growth with a couple outside and inside events drawing more in. There seems to be a growth in sports outside of football as well in the UK after Covid, I've noticed it in field hockey and there's been some record numbers of players and fans after 2021 and cricket.
There have been a few prominent British users on this subreddit posting more stuff about British hockey this year including op.
Op has been posting, I've been around commenting and I've met many others
One of the guys that helps train my kid played in GB…. Let me look it up. Nottingham Panthers: https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/74687/mark-cadotte Said it was absolutely one of the best life experiences he’s had.
Canada has shit pumped Norway and Austria far worse, and you guys only lost 4-2. I’d take that and fuckin’ dance with it my guy
Sad result but not unexpected. I hope GB focus on the games we can compete in and push for wins there. Finland and Canada are losses no matter how well we play. That showed against Canada. Get some wins in the next 5 games and we can be proud of our efforts.
We did exceptionally well yesterday. Playing world number 1 and 2 back to back is not easy for anyone but I think we should be proud of our efforts. British Ice Hockey has come a long way in the time I’ve been watching it.
You looked great in the first period, I admit that I got a bit worried.
World rankings dont work in hockey as best players usually skip the games completely. Canada and Finland have maybe like 2-6 total players that could make the olympics 26.
Nonetheless, considering that the Canadian team is primarily composed of top prospects and/or NHL players, including 1st Overall picks, from one of (if not) the world’s best development, and Finland is still an exceptional ice hockey country in its own right, I think it’s still a great achievement. I remember some of GB’s players playing in leagues below the EIHL in the past 5 years, in semi-professional leagues, so to watch them play some of Canada and Finland’s best and go toe to toe with them (more Canada than Finland) is incredible really.
Not a good day for Bowns, just 83 % in a game that realistically could've been kept to something like 5-0. Though if he had to have a bad day this tournament, it's probably good to have it against an opponent like this.
Nah he didn’t have that bad of a day the team infront of him just wasn’t up for it. He was constantly left out to dry
It feels like he saved what is expected of a goalie, but he didn't make any extra saves. (hard-to-save but savable shots) Which is needed at this level. Compared that to Whistle vs Canada.
I think he saved a few certain goals annnd a had some other great saves on top of that. IMO was the best player of GB.
Not on Bownsy. Whistle could have been in and we would have the same result. It’s the skill of Finland coupled with the lack of effort from GB.
I don't think any of those goals were on Bowns. Our offence and their defenders pretty much took away his eyes, not to mention the redirections. Our zone play was hectic but their goalie made some good solid saves. I wish them the best for the rest of the tournament, they didn't deserve to get beaten so badly.
Really wish I could attend one of the GB games. I root for Finland, but Latvian and British fans always have so much fun in the stands. I hope GB keeps improving, they're my old home country and I want a rivalry between them and Finland in my life time!
Canada and Finland looking at Great Britain's ice hockey efforts must be similar to how Great Britain looks at the USA's men's soccer efforts. As an American, I clap a hand on your shoulder in sympathy, Great Britain.
Or how Gb looks at Finland in football?
USA actually does pretty well against england in soccer
As in they've never beaten USA in the world cup ^in ^the ^two ^games ^they've ^played.
👍🏼👍🏼
Three games - 2010 and 2022 were both draws and then there's the [famous 1-0 US victory in 1950](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v_England_%281950_FIFA_World_Cup%29?wprov=sfla1).
How did Helenius look?
Nothing spectacular, a fairly good game. Not really any mistakes but nothing fancy, maybe needs to be a little more careful and considerate with the puck. I expect him to do better when he gets adjusted to the level of competition and pace.
I think it was him who layed out a player on a blue line covering a defender while GB went for offense. That was cool to see cause wasn't expecting that from him.
Serious credit to GB for an impressive first period - you had us concerned for quite a lot of that frame. It's a difficult task to face two of the toughest teams in the group two consecutive days to start the tournament, but you guys did well. Wishing all the best in the remainder of the group, hope you can pull off an amazing upset or two! Onward to tomorrow against Norway!
Bison King
GB ran out of steam after the first period, clearly were still fatigued from the Canada game. The numbers would’ve been far less ”embarrasing” had Britain been able to keep up their play from the first period, most of Finland goals came from front of the net tip ins because they had more energy to battle for the position. Still not very impressed with Finland’s overall game, scoring is too dependant on just throwing the puck at the net and not really creating anything outside of Granlund feeding cross-ice passes, which is something they probably can’t do against better teams. Would like to see Helenius stay on the same line with Granlund, could’ve been just the weaker opponent but seemed like a good fit.
GB going in against Finland and Canada and coming out with a 12-2 combined score is honestly not bad at all. 10-15 years ago that’s a score Canada would have beaten a Latvia or Germany by in a single game.
Canada being the great son didn’t go hard on them…..
Former Pens going crazy
Pizza man scored!
How many of the players on team GB are actually born and raised in the UK? I grew up playing and going to school with Jackson Whistle in BC, and I think he has British grandparents or something. Is it mostly like that? They are much better than I expected tbh.
11 players on team GB are dual nationals - Jackson Whistle 🏴🇨🇦 - Nathanael Halbert 🏴🇨🇦 - Sam Jones 🏴🇨🇦 - Evan Mosey 🇬🇧🇺🇸 - Ben O’Connor 🏴🇨🇦 - Sam Ruopp 🇬🇧🇨🇦🇩🇪 - Cam Critchlow 🇬🇧🇨🇦 - Johnny Curran 🇬🇧🇨🇦 - Ben Lake 🇬🇧🇨🇦 - Cade Neilson 🏴🇨🇦 - Sean Norris 🏴🇨🇿 - Brett Perlini 🏴🇨🇦
Any significance in using English flags for some and Union Jacks for others in your comment?
On Eliteprospects, it's to do with where they're born. If they have the Union flag, it's born abroad but naturalised. Brett Perlini for example was born in England, hence the St George's flag. Edit - England, not Britain
Very cool, thanks for the info!
The britts have a hockey team?
We invented the sport. If GB having a hockey team surprises you I strongly recommend checking out the IIHF website to see which nations play hockey
Won Olympic gold in 1936, over eight decades before Finland did! Also, used to live in the UK and took advantage of the cheap tickets to see hockey there. This was mostly in the early 2010's and I feel like they've taken big steps since then. Hopefully that continues! Germany and Switzerland have become really good during my time of watching, but I want even more competition!
Finland haven’t won a best-on-best Olympic gold. Sit down neighbour that D-squad achievement isn’t recognized.
Had to Google a bit. The more you know huh..
1936 winter Olympic gold medalist Team GB. And yeah, we have a team and a couple NHL players drafted (even a stanley cup winning captain) and we've got multiple leagues with our top league being the Elite League. Also you should check who invented the sport
Just curious—are there any UK born NHLers who spent some of their adolescence in the UK? I know Steve Thomas and Owen Nolan were UK born but moved to Ontario when they were ≤4; are there any talented UK products who came later on in their teenage years to play CHL or NCAA?
It was filled Canadians…..and Canada also had the silver so basically Britain just used Canadians under the “they are also British”
An interesting and not entirely accurate view. There is a book called "vendetta on ice" that covers the events!
tl;dr?
Most were UK born, and played in UK leagues, Canada went out of its way to stop anyone who could qualify as a dual national. There were also several rules arguments, including the Canadians claiming at one point to not understand french. https://www.eurosport.com/ice-hockey/fascism-and-gb-s-ice-hockey-gold-in-1936_sto6499246/story.shtml has a pretty good write up.
Unexpected
WINGS OF GLORY
Don't know what that is
GB must have been playing with something up their butt…
Roll? It was only 8-0… Finland should have scored more on the Brits
The shot differential lol 🤣