Robert Farmer netted twice as Great Britain’s ice hockey team warmed up for the final Olympic qualifying tournament in Latvia with a 6-3 defeat of an Import Select side in Sheffield.
Farmer netted either side of the first period while Phil Hill, David Clarke, Craig Peacock and Rod Sarich also got on the scoresheet to ensure Britain headed to Riga victorious.
The Import Select side – managed by Elite League coaches Ryan Finnerty and Sylvain Cloutier – replied with strikes from Ondrej Pozivil, Corey Neilson and Lubomir Korhon.
Britain now face hosts Latvia on Thursday before tackling France and Kazakhstan with the winner of the four-team tournament qualifying for next year’s Olympics in Sochi.
Great Britain opened the scoring inside three minutes as Cardiff Devils forward Hill found the net after a neat move involving Dave and Jonathan Phillips.
After Neilson received a two-minute penalty for slashing, Czech defenceman Pozivil drew the Import Select side level prompting a flurry of goals before the first interval.
Clarke, assisted by Peacock, scored as Great Britain regained the lead only for Neilson to restore parity in Sheffield within a minute.
However with seconds of the opening period remaining, Mark Richardson teed up Farmer for the first of his two goals on the night.
The second period started as the first had with Great Britain in the ascendancy and Farmer extended their lead within two minutes of the teams retaking the ice.
Basingstoke Bison forward Greg Owen was given two minutes for hooking before the period was out with netminder Ben Bowns replacing Stevie Lyle as British head coach Tony Hand utilised his squad.
Peacock, on target for Great Britain during November’s pre-qualifying victory over Japan, scored in the third period after being found by Colin Shields.
Sarich then added a sixth before Korhon reduced the arrears, assisted by Manchester Phoenix’s leading goalscorer Michal Psurny.
There was still time for Neilson to receive a two-minute penalty for tripping although the game was over as a contest.
Hand’s side now head to Latvia ahead of their opening match against the hosts on Thursday, aiming to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1948.
© Sportsbeat 2013