McEwen back for Britain

Ice hockey

Ice hockey

Great Britain face the toughest test on their Olympic qualification trail so far when they meet Switzerland in Lausanne tonight. The match is the first of three successive away games for a British side hoping to compete alongside the world's elite in Nagano, Japan, in 1998.

Britain, who are boosted by the return of the Canadian-born Doug McEwen, travel to Slovenia and Denmark early in the New Year, though hopes suffered a blow last week when they dropped a vital home point after conceding a late goal to Denmark, having opened their campaign with a victory over the Netherlands.

McEwen returns after missing the 1-1 draw with the Danes through injury. The Cardiff Devils forward is one of five players from the Premier Division leaders in the squad, being joined by Ian and Stephen Cooper, Shannon Hope and Steve Moria.

Britain, however, face an immense task just to get to Japan. Winning this five-man pool will only mean qualification to an eight-strong pre- Olympic tournament in 1997 from which the top five will go through.