GB face Netherlands in World Championship warm-up (From This Is Lancashire)

GB face Netherlands in World Championship warm-up

8:00am Friday 26th February 2010 in

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The Great Britain ice hockey team will warm up for the forthcoming World Championships in Slovenia with two full internationals against the Netherlands on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th April.

The two teams have had a tremendous rivalry over the last few years and are currently separated by just two places in the IIHF World Rankings – Great Britain are 23rd and Netherlands are 25th. The teams last met in a fantastic battle in the 2009 World Championships in Poland when goals from Phil Hill, David Longstaff and Ashley Tait gave the British a nail biting 3-2 win.

This will be the first time under Head Coach Paul Thompson that the national team will play full internationals on home ice – preparations in previous seasons having been limited to games against international under 23 sides.

The first game will take place at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham on Saturday 10th April with a 7pm face off. The following day – Sunday 11th April - the two teams will do battle again at Ice Sheffield with a 4pm face off.

Thompson said: "It's fantastic for both the team's preparation and for hockey fans throughout the UK that we are finally going to be able to play two full blown international games on home ice.

"Our teams are very evenly matched and with both of us looking for high speed, full on warm up games before our respective World Championship groups, these games are going to be fantastic to watch.

"If you ask any of the GB international players, they all look forward so much to pulling on a GB jersey and that shows in the commitment and passion they give on the ice. That's one of the reasons we won the bronze medal last season. These games will give us the chance to set the tone for the World Championships and will be a great opportunity for British hockey fans to see their team in full internationals."

Tickets for both games are on sale now and are priced at £15 for adults, £10 for OAP’s and Students, £7 for Under 16’s and £38 for a 2 adult, 2 child family ticket. Tickets purchased before Midnight on Sunday 4th April can be bought at the reduced price of £12 for adults, £8 for OAP’s and Students, £5 for Under 16’s and £30 for a 2 adult, 2 child family ticket.

Tickets for the game at the Nottingham NIC are available from the NIC Box Office for personal callers or by calling 08444 124624. They can also be purchased online at www.trentfmarena.com Tickets for the game at Ice Sheffield are available from the Sheffield Steelers office on 01142 423535 or in person at Entrance B of the Sheffield Hallam FM Arena between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.