Despite a rather rocky start to the game against one of the worst teams in the World Junior Hockey Championship, Canada and Connor Bedard made short work of Austria in an 11-0 win Thursday night at the Scotiabank Center in Halifax.
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The Canadians will probably have nightmares watching the start of the game on video. Being victims of several turnovers and being unable to pierce the opposing enclave, they managed to land a first shot after eight minutes against one of the worst defenses.
It took a numerical advantage to stretch the offensive machine. As soon as she got going, she was unstoppable, making the opposing team look bad. Once again, the Canadian offense wouldn't be as dangerous without the presence of Connor Bedard, who is seen as the next first choice in the upcoming National Hockey League (NHL) draft. He had another strong game finishing with six points. He now has 14, including six goals in three games since the start of the tournament. His 14 goals at the World Juniors is already a Canadian record, which he shares with Jordan Eberle.
Bedard made eyes widen in the second period with a perfect shot from a tight angle that beat the opposing goaltender. The shot was so perfect that it also thwarted the officials, who had to confirm this goal thanks to the video replay. The Maple Leaf then led 5-0.
His head coach, Dennis Williams was again impressed by his protege.
"Every time he has the puck on his stick, something happens," he told TSN.
For his part, Adam Fantilli spoke on behalf of his teammates, congratulating his sidekick.
“We are really happy for him. It's a great achievement, it's so cool. He played very well in this tournament. I don't think anyone in the locker room feels anything but joy for him."
A flurry of goals
It was Dylan Guenther who opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the tournament, well fueled by a skillful pass from Brennan Othmann between his legs. Less than two minutes later, Quebecer Zach Dean scored his first goal of the tournament by surprising goalkeeper Benedikt Oschgan with a good shot.
In the third period, the pressure on the shoulders of Fantilli, who is also a top prospect for the next NHL Draft, fell after he managed to register his first of the tournament. The attacker made use of his lightning shot leaving no chance for the Austrian goalkeeper.
Shane Wright, Nolan Allan, Logan Stankoven and representatives of the Belle Province Nathan Gaucher and Tyson Hinds and Joshua Roy also shook the ropes.
Austria, on the other hand, are still looking for a first goal in this tournament.
Canada's next game is Saturday against Sweden.
