HALIFAX – Discipline can be a tricky thing for young hockey players.
On Wednesday, Team Canada showed remarkable restraint, playing a much more disciplined game that fueled a Connor Bedard hat trick – and a record-tying seven-point night – en route to a confidence-boosting 11-2 win over Germany in front of 10,263 fans at Scotiabank Centre.
This night was all Bedard’s, his first goal a stunning display of skill and poise that ended up being the game-winner, the other two being timely daggers that further established him as an elite talent who knows where the puck is going to be at all times.
Dylan Guenther also had a hat trick (linemate Bedard assisted on all three), with singles coming from captain Shane Wright (who, in a perfect dose of karma, got credit for a Germany own goal), Brandt Clarke, Logan Stankoven, Zach Ostapchuk and Joshua Roy.
Roman Kechter, who put a scare in Canada by tying the game 11:08 into the game, and Philip Sinn had Germany’s goals.
The win comes hot on the heels of Monday’s hotdog-with-extra-mustard, Michigan-loving 5-2 loss to Czechia that put Canada into an unfamiliar position – it has lost its first game of the tournament just six times against 39 wins and two ties – and had observers questioning the team’s overall discipline.
“We were we were pretty hungry today to obviously bounce back,” Bedard said, not referring to hotdogs. “For us, that was a huge way to come back. … There’s going to be smaller ways to clean up, but you’re never perfect and I thought we played a good overall game.”
Bedard said the team was “pretty upset” after Monday’s loss, and as a group was determined to get it out of its system and “move on as a group.”
Discipline also means — yup, we’re going there again — the two lacrosse-style Michigans attempted in the first period on Monday by Bedard and Adam Fantilli. Those failed plays underscored what felt a lot like a team of players who are not exactly following the game plan, making side dares in the room beforehand; you can’t imagine coach Dennis Williams was calling for freelancing like that in the first period of the team’s first game of a tournament against a strong opponent.
Against Germany, although there were ample opportunities, no Michigans were attempted. Consider that a discipline of mindset.
“I guess the opportunity was just never there,” Bedard said. “They played pretty tight behind the net and stuff, so it was never really there.”
“I think (our discipline was) a lot better than the first game, so any time you can improve in an area, it’s good,” said Canada’s Olen Zellweger, the game’s top defenceman.
But no Michigans? “No, no, yeah,” Zellweger said with a laugh. “I think we played the right way for the whole game, so that’s always good.”
Discipline was the key to this game, and Bedard was there to pounce.
“Yeah, much better,” Williams said of his team’s discipline. “I thought a big part of that was we possessed the puck a lot more. You know, we weren’t chasing the game. So, when we have the puck on the stick, we won’t take those tripping and slashing penalties like we did on the first night. Throughout the whole game, we did a good job of being physical while staying out in the box.”
In fact, Canada went 7-for-6 on the power play, including a World Juniors record with five goals on the man advantage in the second period. That’s not a typo. After Germany’s Rayan Bettahar was issued a match penalty near the midway point of the second after a high hit that split Fantilli’s lip, the Canadians ran the table on a five-minute power play.
And any hope Germany might have entertained was mercilessly crushed when Canada scored four goals on that power play. When the dust had settled, Canada headed to the dressing room for the second intermission up 9-1 while outshooting the Germans 39-11.
What was most notable about the net-filling on that power play was that after each one of the goals, the Canadians did not jump up against the glass, they did not execute the one-leg-down-while sliding fist pump, they did not howl, they didn’t even really go down the bench getting glove taps.
No mustard.
Under-the-radar performance: With the way Bedard was playing, everyone was under the radar. But Zellweger was especially strong on D, his speed and puck skills on display setting the pace early, with a tight wraparound attempt forcing the Germans back on their heels and forcing a penalty that Canada capitalized on for its first goal. A fourth-round pick by Anaheim, although on the small side, Zellweger was a dynamo all game and could be a force to reckon with for Canada.
Viral moment of the game: Bedard’s pass reception while skating backward over the blueline for this first goal of the game has got to be it.
Experts’ takes:
Observing off TV, this is what our collection of experts thought of Canada’s win:
Elliotte Friedman says: Germany was what Canada needed. A night to feel better about itself.
Jeff Marek says: A dominant and disciplined effort from Team Canada highlighted by a lethal power play. If you’re a bottom-end NHL team that’s on the fence about tanking in the new year for a shot at Connor Bedard, Wednesday night may have pushed you off.
Jason Bukala says: I’m starting to believe whoever wins the draft lottery next spring will be inheriting a franchise-altering player in Connor Bedard. Think Sidney Crosby when Pittsburgh won the lottery or Connor McDavid when Edmonton won the lottery.
Sam Cosentino says: You have no choice but to respect Bedard’s ability to shoot the puck. Tonight, he showed he’s a highly effective distributor. We witnessed the full package of his vast offensive array in a record-tying performance.
Nick Kypreos says: Good on Canada for getting the job done, but those blowouts are not fun for me to watch. When one side is so overmatched, it’s to find that fine line on how good you really were. And Bedard was like a hot knife through butter.
NHL executive says: Canada did what it had to early.
Minor hockey coach says: A show of discipline after being humbled two nights ago. Canadian hockey the way it should be played. Germany really didn’t play awful, Canada was just too strong! Loved that they didn’t even really celebrate after scoring … discipline.
