Canada is set to face Slovakia in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Hockey Championships.
On Saturday, Canada beat Sweden 5-1 to finish in second place in Group A. Connor Bedard had four assists to tie Eric Lindros for Canada’s all-time points record as the tournament hosts wrapped up preliminary round play.
The 17-year-old who is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2023 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
“It was news to me,” said the native of North Vancouver, B.C. “To have my name in the same sentence as him is crazy.”
Bedard was one of two Canadian players to have a multi-point game. The other was Peterborough Petes left winger Brennan Othmann of Pickering, Ontario, who had two goals.
The other three goal scorers were Sherbrooke Phoenix right winger Joshua Roy of Saint-Georges-De-Bea, Quebec, Sherbrooke Phoenix defenseman Tyson Hinds of Gatineau, Quebec, and Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Kevin Korchinski of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
“Crazy,” teammate Brennan Othmann said of Bedard. “His confidence level, it’s just through the roof right now. That’s the key of this game — confidence, having a positive mindset. He’s so easygoing. He takes everything at ease, and he’s an outstanding hockey player.
“We’re lucky to have him on our side wearing the Maple Leaf.”
It has been an outstanding World Juniors for Bedard. In four games, he has six goals and 12 assists for 18 points.
The pre-tournament favourites have rebounded from an embarrassing loss to the Czech Republic on Boxing Day that ultimately cost Canada first place in Group A, but are now firing on all cylinders.
