Confidence is at its peak among Canadians. Even more so after Connor Bedard’s recent performance which has reassured his teammates ahead of the World Junior Hockey Championship against the Czech Republic which begins on Monday.
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The young prodigy’s best game came in Friday’s win over Finland, where he scored twice. The latter fired two lasers into the skylight that few goalies in the National Hockey League (NHL) could have caught.
His teammate Shane Wright was stunned when both shots hit the target.
“Just incredible,” Wright told TSN. “I mean, how can you shoot so fast and so hard in this place? Few guys can do that. It’s pretty special what he did there with those two goals. I told him on the bench that he can bring out the best in himself in the big moment. He hadn’t scored before that game but he showed up in that game which was important,” he added, alluding to his 17-year-old team-mate still having failed to score in the first couple of games.
The Canadians had convincingly won their first duels against Switzerland and Slovakia. The Finns, meanwhile, made life difficult for Dennis Williams’ men but Bedard emerged from his cocoon.
His trainer, Dennis Williams, kept his filly focused on the things he could control.
“It was important for Connor to score those two goals and not think about it anymore,” he said. “I’m sure it bothered him a bit. I spoke to him about how he continues to play well overall, defending as he should. I also wanted him to keep his focus off the puck.
The one many see as the future National Hockey League (NHL) first pick next June has since felt relaxed, just in time to head into the tournament with confidence.
“It’s good,” admitted the 17-year-old. “I’ve had a lot of chances in the last couple of games, but it didn’t go well. It was very intense against the Finns, it looked like an important game, it always feels good to put one together.”