Britain keep qualification hopes alive

Great Britain kept alive their Winter Olympic qualification hopes as they recorded a 3-0 victory over Romania in Japan.

Tony Hand's side secured their first Group J win courtesy of goals from Leigh Jamieson, Ben O'Connor and Robert Dowd.

Netminder Stephen Murphy marked his 50th cap with a 17-shot shut-out while David Longstaff, who was presented with a special GB shirt and glass plaque before the game, celebrated his 100th international appearance with two assists.

Jamieson gave Britain a fourth-minute lead and O'Connor claimed his second goal of the tournament a minute before the end of the first period before Dowd wrapped up victory seven minutes from time.

Hand said: "We dominated the game and fully deserved our victory.

"All the guys played their hearts out. They were fantastic and there were man-of-the-match performances all over the ice.

"We are very much alive in this tournament and hopefully this result has set up a thrilling final game against Japan.

"I am so pleased for David Longstaff. It was fantastic to get a win to mark his 100th cap."

GB play their final game of the tournament against Japan on Sunday and that could be a winner-takes-all clash should the hosts defeat Korea first.

The group winners will then travel to Germany in February for final qualifying for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.