Canada looks to maintain momentum heading into quarterfinals at world juniors
Canada may have finished the preliminary round undefeated, but teen star Connor Bedard says he and his teammates have more to give as they move on to elimination games at the world junior hockey championship.
The Canadians (4-0-0) sit at the top of the standings as they prepare to take on Switzerland (1-3-0) in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
“I think our goal is still to get better every game," Bedard said Monday after notching a goal and an assist in Canada's 6-3 victory over Finland.
"Finland’s going to be one of the top teams and what we showed (on Monday) was pretty big for us. And we want to continue that momentum into Wednesday.”
Bedard's play has been a highlight for Canada so far in the tournament.
The 17-year-old forward from North Vancouver, B.C., opened the scoring for the host nation in its 5-2 victory over Latvia and has put up at least one point in every game (three goals, four assists).
An early favourite to be the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL entry draft, Bedard is simply a special player, said captain Mason McTavish.
"There's so many highlights of him," he said. "He's elite and his shot is just crazy."
McTavish has been an offensive force for Canada and leads the tournament in scoring with 13 points (seven goals, six assists).
The 19-year-old Anaheim Ducks prospect has played a lot of hockey in recent months, helping the Hamilton Bulldogs to an Ontario Hockey League championship and pulling on the Maple Leaf at the Beijing Olympics.
A veteran of big games, McTavish said his mindset won't change much heading into the quarterfinals.
“Obviously it’s an elimination game, anything can happen," he said. "I think we’ve got to come out way sharper and with more jump off the start, kind of dictate the pace off the start.”
Canada trailed just once during the preliminary round, when Czechia — the country commonly known as the Czech Republic — opened the scoring in their round-robin matchup on Saturday. The Canadians roared back for a 5-1 victory.
Special teams have been key for Canada, which has converted on 6-of-10 power plays and conceded just two goals on 11 penalties.
Over the course of four games, the Canadians outscored their opponents 27-7 and they lead the world juniors with a plus-20 goal differential.
In order to see their tournament continue, the team needs to top the Swiss on Wednesday.
Switzerland clinched its quarterfinal berth with its lone win of the tournament so far, a 3-2 victory over Austria. But Canada knows nothing is for certain in the world juniors.
“We know (the Swiss) didn’t have the greatest success in this tournament but we know it’s a great team," said Canadian forward Nathan Gaucher. "They’re going to be there, they’re going to challenge us. They’re a skill team, a little bit. So we’ve just got to play our best game, even better than the Finland game."
Wednesday's other quarterfinal matchups will see the reigning champion Americans (4-0-0) take on the Czechs (1-2-1), Sweden (3-1-0) battle Latvia (1-2-1), and Finland (3-1-0) face Germany (2-2-0).
Goalie Dylan Garand is the lone player on the Canadian team to have previously suited up for an elimination game at the world juniors.
The 20-year-old New York Rangers prospect was part of the squad that captured silver when the 2021 tournament was played in Edmonton without fans in the stands due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This year's group isn't concerned heading into the quarterfinals, Garand said.
“What we’re here to do is to win. So we’re not really scared of elimination (games)," he said. "We want to win those games and accomplish our goal of a gold medal.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.