Great Britain netminder Ben Bowns has hailed the influence of Swindon Wildcats ace Stevie Lyle in aiding their strong start to the World Championships.

Veteran Lyle, who will take over as the Cats’ player/coach next season, is only in the GB squad after regular number one Stephen Murphy failed to recover from injury.

Bowns has stepped in between the sticks in Murphy’s absence and says having Lyle, who is competing at his 12th World Championship in Eindhoven, in the camp has been a major boost.

Pete Russell’s GB side have begun the IIHF Division 1B tournament with a 3-2 win over Croatia and 2-1 defeat of Estonia and sit second in the table behind Korea, who they face today.

“It is great having Stevie to learn from at this World Championship,” said Bowns.

“He has been very supportive to me and I know I can turn to him for any advice I need.

“We have worked together well and it has been a great tournament so far.

“We work on things together in training and I can take his advice into a game.

“It’s funny as I watched him play when I was a kid and now here I am alongside him at a World Championship.”