Bedard shines with seven points as Canada thrashes Germany 11-2

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press

HALIFAX — Connor Bedard scored three goals and four assists as Canada regained its bearings at the World Junior Championship, beating Germany 11-2 on Wednesday.

Dylan Guenther also had a hat trick — on three assists from Bedard.

« What an incredible game, » said Canada captain Shane Wright, who scored a goal and an assist himself. It’s crazy what he (Bedard) does on the ice.

« It was a special night, » he added.

Logan Stankoven added a goal and two assists, while Joshua Roy and Brandt Clarke each had a goal and an assist. Zack Ostapchuk also hit the target for Canada.

The representatives of the maple leaf were humiliated by losing 5-2 against the Czech Republic in the opening of the tournament on Monday.

Olen Zellweger provided three assists for Canada, as head coach Dennis Williams reshuffled his top three lines, including separating Bedard and Wright.

Bedard’s seven points tied a Canadian record for a World Juniors game. Dave Andreychuk (1983), Brenden Morrow (1999), Mike Cammalleri (2002) and Gabriel Bourque (2010) also accomplished the feat.

“It’s special, said Bedard, who should be chosen first in the NHL draft in 2023. But the important thing is to have won.

“I was lucky in some games. It was a night where everything worked.”

« He was on fire, » Williams said of Bedard. His creativity, his composure… what an evening!

“He sounded the charge.”

Thomas Milic stopped 14 shots in his first start in goal for Canada at the tournament.

Roman Kechter and Philip Sinn generated Germany’s offense. Simon Wolf stopped 30 shots before being replaced by Rihards Babulis in the third period. Babulis made 11 saves.

« We were starving, » Bedard said. It was important for us to bounce back. »

On Thursday, Canada will face Austria, who have conceded 20 goals in their first two outings of the tournament.

Canada managed to turn the page on their loss against the Czechs, despite a little nervousness at the start of the game.

Guenther opened the scoring on the power play in the first period, then Canada believed they had doubled their lead a little later. However, the referee had called a stoppage before the puck crossed the goal line.

The scenario was reminiscent of the day before, when a Canada goal that would have given them a 2-0 advantage against the Czechs was canceled due to offside. And again, the opponent tied the game when Ketcher surprised Milic.

However, Wright restarted Canada on the power play, then Bedard widened the gap before the end of the first period.

« We were a lot more determined, » Williams said. We played tighter hockey as a group.”

Canada added six goals in the second period, including four on a major penalty to Rayan Bettahar for an illegal head check against Adam Fantilli.

The third period was just a formality.