Ice hockey – Russell salutes his GB heroes

Peter Russell on the bench and pictured by Dean Woolley

World Championship, Division One, Group A: Great Britain 3, Slovenia 1

Former Edinburgh Capitals defenceman Ben O’Connor netted as Great Britain (GB) began their World Championship, Division 1, Group A, campaign with a 3-1 victory over top seeds Slovenia in Budapest.

Slovenia, who are ranked 15th in the world, played in the Winter Olympics in Korea earlier this year, but they were no match for GB who produced one of their most memorable performances in the last decade.

Brett Perlini and Robert Dowd also scored for Scots-born coach Peter Russell’s side.

And Russell, the new head coach at Glasgow-based Elite League side, Braehead Clan, said: “That was very special. To beat a side who played in the Olympics this year is a fantastic achievement.

“The boys gave it everything and put it all on the line. I am very proud of them.

“We were outstanding all across the ice – they were real heroes out there.
“This a great start but we must not get ahead of ourselves and we still have four massive games to come.”

GB return to the ice on Tuesday when they face Kazakhstan at 4pm (3pm UK time).