HALIFAX | He’s running out of words to describe what Connor Bedard is accomplishing at the World Junior Hockey Championship. Literally.
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The young prodigy was once again sparkling, and the word is weak, collecting two goals and an assist, including the winning goal in a 4-3 overtime win over Slovakia in the quarter-finals on Monday night.
And he did it in the image of a young top of the class.
After just over five minutes into overtime, when ECJ was unable to take advantage of a power play early in the period, Bedard took matters into his own hands. The no. 16 made fun of the three Slovak players on the ice before concluding with a feint that goalkeeper Adam Gajan could not contain, sowing hysteria in a Scotiabank Center in which nervousness had begun to settle. ECJ had spurned the 3-1 lead it had given itself in the second period.
“He’s an exceptional player,” agreed assistant coach Stéphane Julien. There are not a lot. There are the Crosbys, McDavids, these are players who change the look of a match with their sense of the game and their talent. We saw him tonight, he was tired when he played, but it’s exceptional to see that, the talent he has. We are really happy that he is part of the team. Fans couldn’t ask for more. A show like that, with an exceptional player like that, I will remember all my life and I think the people who watched the match will too.
After Mason McTavish’s defensive play in the final of the last World Cup, Bedard probably provided another scene that will remain in the annals for many years to come.
“I’ve played hockey games, but this one is the best I’ve had in my life. I’m not a stressed guy, but on the bench, in overtime, I was looking forward to something happening. Bedard was buzzing and buzzing and at some point, I don’t know how he did it, but he counted,” summed up his line-mate Joshua Roy.
Records, records, records
It only took 6 min 7 s for Connor Bedard to become the king of Canadian junior hockey. His goal in the first period had allowed him to break four records in one go.
After an early game in which the Canadians were a little surprised by the aggressiveness of the Slovaks on the forecheck, Bedard had raised the Scotiabank Center crowd by beating Gajan with a precise shot when he escaped after having received a pass from Logan Stankoven.
This goal allowed him to obtain a 32nd career point at this event to officially break Eric Lindros’ record. His 15th career goal also allowed him to surpass Jordan Eberle’s mark of 14.
The net was also his 19th point of the tournament, another record for a Canadian player in a single competition. He also surpassed Jaromir Jagr’s total in 1990, to become the player under 18 with the most points in a tournament. Then he was complicit in the second goal of his team, that of Dylan Guenther, to break another record, that of the most mentions of assists in a single tournament for a Canadian player, with 13.
“For me, it’s cool, but what matters is the victory. I want another gold medal”, mentioned the young Bedard.
And when he says that records don’t matter to him, you have to believe him, assures Roy.
“He’s humble and that’s what’s impressive about him. He is not someone who is above his business. He is down to earth and respected by all players. He’s the best player in the tournament and he never talked about his points. We are really happy for him and it is certain that he will continue to do well.
Tough Slovaks
On Sunday, the Slovaks didn’t shy away: they confidently mentioned having what it takes to beat Canada and that the key would be physical play, and that’s exactly what they did throughout the encounter. In the third period, their aggressiveness forced ECJ to play on the heels and create many turnovers in defensive territory. Goalkeeper Thomas Milic had to outdo himself several times to keep his team in the game.
“We don’t go there without Milic in the net,” admitted head coach Dennis Williams.
In overtime, the 19-year-old goaltender made a real steal with the mitt, preserving the tie.
“I thought the puck was in the net,” Bedard said. I was almost crying on the bench. I didn’t know he made the save until I heard the crowd reaction. I was so scared. God, thank you, he is amazing.”
The brilliance of the Canadian goalkeeper ultimately allowed Bedard to play the heroes against the Slovaks who have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
“We are able to play with him, if we play tight. But he still scored the winning goal. He comes from another planet”, could only recognize the Slovak captain Simon Nemec, who was on the ice when Bedard put an end to the debate.
The no. 16 Canadian now has 21 points in five games since the start of the competition.
Against the United States
Junior Team Canada will now face the United States in the semifinals on Wednesday. The latter wiped out Germany 11-1 yesterday in a game presented at the Center Avenir in Moncton.
The last time the two sides met in semi-finals was in 2007, when Canada and Carey Price won 2-1 in a historic shootout.
“What’s better than that? What more could one want? Everyone in the country, and even on the continent, will be very excited as this game approaches. There is no better situation,” added Bedard.
The other semi-final will oppose the Czech Republic and Sweden.