Goalie and Video Coach Euan King says Great Britain can improve throughout the group stages of the World Championship.
GB started their campaign with a fantastic performance in a 4-2 defeat by world number one Canada.
Liam Kirk gave GB the lead and the two sides were level at the first intermission, before Canada scored three times in the second period. Ben O’Connor scored a superb solo goal in the third session as GB won many plaudits for their performance.
Twenty-four hours later, GB lost 8-0 to number two seeds Finland.
King said: “I think against Canada we put in a very very good performance but that turnaround is tough of 12 o’clock to 12 o’clock.
“Trying to get the guys to refuel and get the energy they need is tough. When you play against number one in the world and then number two it was always going to be tough, but we knew that.
“It’s all about peaking at the end, performances throughout the week and building to the last two games as that’s what will really matter.
“There’s things to work on and hopefully as the tournament progresses we get better and better.”
Great Britain, who were relegated in Finland in 2022, returned to the top flight by winning all five games in Division I Group A on home ice in Nottingham last year.
GB have produced some memorable performances in the World Championship, including the 4-3 win in overtime to beat France to stay up in 2019 and beating Belarus in regulation time in 2021.
Saturday’s performance in the 4-2 defeat by Canada was described by Peter Russell as one of the best he’s seen during his time as Head Coach.
King continued: “At this level we don’t have the puck as much, certainly compared to last year, and structure is key to everything.
“The players we are facing are so good, people like Connor Bedard, players play in legit top leagues.
“But our structure is a big equaliser, as long as we stick to it. We have been at this level for four of the past five years and our structure is our biggest strength.
“We have to continue to maintain that and build on it.”
GB return to action tomorrow against Switzerland before facing Denmark, Czechia, Norway and Austria.
Great Britain World Championship schedule and results
Saturday 11th May – Great Britain 2-4 Canada – Goals: Liam Kirk, Ben O’Connor
Sunday 12th May – Finland 8-0 Great Britain
Wednesday 15th May – Switzerland v Great Britain – 20:20 (19:20 UK)
Friday 17th May – Great Britain v Denmark – 16:20 (15:20 UK)
Saturday 18th May – Czechia v Great Britain – 20:20 (19:20 UK)
Monday 20th May – Great Britain v Norway – 16:20 (15:20 UK)
Tuesday 21st May – Austria v Great Britain – 12:20 (11:20 UK)
