Great Britain Ice Hockey win was best moment in my career says Sheffield Steeler

With GB trailing 2-1, Robert Farmer scored with 15 seconds remaining to tie their final game with Hungary at 2-2 in regulation time and secure the point needed for the gold medal and promotion.

GB went on to win 3-2 after a penalty shoot-out to finish two points clear of the top of Division 1 Group A and make their first return to the world’s top flight since 1994.

The Sheffield winger said: “This is just the most amazing feeling. It is the best moment in my career and I am never going to forget this. We worked so hard and we got what we deserved.”

GB won four of their five matches as they defeated Slovenia, Poland and Italy, before the stunning final-day win over Hungary.

“What we have achieved is out of this world,” continued Phillips. “We believed we could do it and that was so key. We had belief in ourselves from the moment we arrived and the confidence just built throughout the week.”

Asked what he remembered about his tournament-winning goal, Nottingham Panthers’ Robert Farmer said: “It was rubbish but I just don’t care.

“I cannot put into words what I am feeling right now. It is so hard to sum it up.

“We are now going to play the best teams in the world next year and that is so amazing.

“We never doubted ourselves and we dug deep to get the most breathtaking victory of my career.”