Canada 5, Sweden 1 in New Year's Eve game at world junior hockey championship in Halifax
HALIFAX — Connor Bedard added his name to New Year's Eve lore at the world junior hockey championship — and placed himself alongside one of the sport's most dominant forces in the process.Bedard had four assists to tie Eric Lindros for Canada's all-time points record as the tournament hosts wrapped up preliminary round play with a convincing 5-1 victory over Sweden on Saturday.
The pre-tournament favourites have rebounded from an embarrassing loss to Czechia on Boxing Day that ultimately cost Canada first place in Group A, but are now firing on all cylinders. "He's going to be an outstanding NHL player in the future," Othmann said. "He's lighting this tournament up right now. The first New Year's Eve game at the world juniors since the 2020 tournament, and Canada's first Dec. 31 victory on home soil in eight years, saw the hosts shot out of a cannon in front of an electric and well-lubricated crowd inside a sold-out Scotiabank Centre.
It didn't take long to strike as Bedard glided over the blue line and fed Shane Wright, who in turn found Othmann for his first at 2:08. Canadian forward Zack Ostpachuk was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing moments later, opening the door for Sweden — which had absolutely nothing going on — to get on the board when Jansson scored his first at 16:21.