Brandt Clarke was managing his position on the blue line early in the second period when the action came to an abrupt halt.
canadian guard knew conor bedard He just had the puck on his stick.
Then he didn’t.
World Juniors on hold, advocates call for change in hockey culture
read more
There were moments of gasps and cheers from the red-clad crowd inside the Scotiabank Center later Thursday night when they — along with officers and Beddard’s teammates — realized what happened.
The 17-year-old phenom fired a shot over the Austrian netminder from a tight, almost-impossible angle under the crossbar that would turn into an 11-0 Rome lead.
“All of a sudden,” Clarke said after Friday’s practice when asked about his outlook. “Then you look at the replays and you say, ‘What in the world?’ It was literally a puck-width of space and he kept it there as best he could.
“quite remarkable.”
It has been, quite frankly, a remarkable week at the World Junior Hockey Championships for the presumptive top pick of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Bedard has 14 points to lead the tournament – linemate Logan Stankoven is second with seven – and has tied Jordan Eberle’s national record of 14 career goals in the men’s under-20 event.
The North Vancouver, B.C., native also tied a Canadian single-game mark with seven points in Wednesday’s 11-2 loss to Germany before going on to play six more against Austria.
Dylan Guenther, a member of the Arizona Coyotes loaned to Canada for the tournament, called it “very special”. “You don’t see that – ever.”
Except when you’re number 16 on the ice.
And Clarke, a member of the Los Angeles Kings, believes Beddard could still be playing in the NHL.
Clark said, “He has drive, he has skill, he has determination.” “Not an extraordinary situation for the NHL.
“But if there had been, he would have been the No. 1 candidate.”
The star center for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League – coincidentally where Eberle played – is just four points behind the record held by Eric Lindros of 31 over three world junior tournaments.
It is unlikely, however, that Bedard will ever be seen again after this incident along a direct line path to the NHL.
World junior records are nice, but what Bedard really yearns for is a moment like the one Eberle is truly remembered for – his dramatic tying goal in the dying seconds of the 2009 semi-final against Russia in Ottawa.
Bedard said, “If you ask anybody in the country, they would like to score that goal.” It would be nice to score big like him.”
The tournament hosts are set to meet a massive seeding Sweden on New Year’s Eve on Saturday, with Canadian head coach Dennis Williams saying Bedard is on course for another gold medal after winning August’s pandemic-delayed showcase. Will trade each of his points.
“Everyone likes to score goals and be on the scoresheet,” Williams said. “But knowing him deeply, he’s here for one thing – he wants to repeat.
“He’ll do whatever it takes.”
That drive comes, at least in part, from Bedard’s appreciation of his father’s profession.
Tom Bedard is a logger in BC who often starts his day before dawn and spends hours on the road getting to and from his grueling job.
“Very hard working,” Connor said of his father, whose birthday is on Saturday. “His schedule is probably the toughest. He comes home and he’s still the most positive person.
“Knowing what he does makes me feel so lucky to play hockey.”
And Canada feels lucky to have Bedard.
“First time played with him in an under-18 tournament,” said defenseman Jack Matier. “He was a cool kid. Coming back here, I really notice his confidence, but also his humility off the ice.
“And a very special player on the ice with his highlight-reel goals and all the skill in the world.”
Clarke was asked what he thinks pushes Beddard, a player already being mentioned as much as Connor McDavid.
“People are motivated in different ways,” he said. “A guy who knows his abilities, likes to put on a show for people, likes to make plays with the puck, has got a lot of confidence in himself. He drives her. He wants to be better than the last match.
“That’s the kind of person he is.”
His country could not have asked for anything more.
seeding scene
Canada enters the final day of Group A action with six points from three games. Sweden leads with eight, followed by Czechia with seven.
Canada lost its first game to Czechia. A regulation win for the Canadians over the Swedes would guarantee them second place ahead of Monday’s quarter-finals.
Czechia – the country commonly known as the Czech Republic – takes on Germany in its round-robin final.
milik receives the call
Williams announced that Thomas Milik would start in goal ahead of Benjamin Goudreau.
The only player not drafted when eligible on the Canadian roster — Bedard and Adam Fantilie get their turns in June — the 19-year-old netminder has used that as fuel.
“I’m very proud,” Milik said of backstopping the star-studded roster. “(Not getting drafted) is always something that is on my mind. But right now my top priority is this tournament and helping the team.
“If you’re playing well, you’re playing well. That’s all that matters in a tournament like this.”