After a disappointing curtain-raiser loss, Canada crushed Germany 11-2 on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, thanks to a strong performance from their star Connor Bedard.
• Read also: Filip Mesar and Slovakia surprise USA
• Read also: Oliver Kapanen and Finland bounce back
Tipped as the best hope eligible for the next National Hockey League draft, Bedard made the Germans see all the colors by knowing a game of three goals and four assists. He tied the record for most points in a game by a Canadian player at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Reunited with Montreal Canadiens prospects Joshua Roy and Logan Stankoven on the Maple Leaf’s second line, the dynamic sniper had no mercy for goaltender Simon Wolf. The latter was targeted by 39 shots and made only 30 saves before giving up his cage to Rihards Babulis.
In addition to completing a hat trick, Bedard also allowed Dylan Guenther to score a hat trick. The Arizona Coyotes forward threaded the needle three times on three one-timers, assisted each time by the North Vancouver native.
The lack of discipline has also cost Tobias Abstreiter’s troupe dearly. She gave Canada six opportunities on the power play, including a massive five-minute attack in the second period. Rayan Bettahar then received a major penalty for a blow to the head of Adam Fantilli.
The Maple Leaf took the opportunity to score not two, not three, but four goals in 3 min 8 s during this power play situation.
Shane Wright, Brandt Clarke, Zack Ostapchuk, Roy and Stankoven all flashed the red light during the duel.
After a lackluster performance from his colleague Benjamin Gaudreau against the Czech Republic, Thomas Milic fulfilled his mandate in front of the Canadian cage. He fended off 14 pucks to savor the win.
In a losing cause, Roman Kechter and Philip Sinn saved the honor of the Germans by hitting the target.
Canada should not struggle to duplicate this offensive festival against the Austrians on Thursday. The latter opened the tournament with defeats of 11 to 0 and 9 to 0, respectively against Sweden and the Czech Republic.