Brandt Clarke was a month short of his sixth birthday.
The moment, however, remains etched in his memory.
John Tavares scored a dramatic hat trick for Canada against the United States in a wild 7-4 victory on New Year’s Eve at the 2009 world junior hockey championship in Ottawa.
Clarke and his family were in the building — hanging off every shot, save and hit from the stands.
“The electricity in the building,” he said of what still resonates some 14 years later. “The red jerseys all the way to the top … 20,000 people, winning the game against the Americans.
“It’s unmatchable.”
With another mouth-watering instalment of the bitter rivalry set for Wednesday thanks to Connor Bedard’s overtime heroics for Canada in the quarterfinals, Clarke is confident his teammate and the country’s best player — just like Tavares that frigid night in the nation’s capital — will rise to the occasion.
“I don’t expect him to take any steps back,” the Los Angeles Kings defenceman said following Tuesday’s brief practice. “All I’ve seen so far is him take steps forward. Even when it’s hard to imagine him still being able to take steps forward, he’s done it.
“I don’t think that’ll change.”
Bedard making history
Bedard has not only changed a couple lines in record books at the men’s under-20 tournament.
He’s torn it to shreds.
The presumptive first pick at the 2023 NHL draft set five national or tournament marks early in Monday’s triumph against Slovakia before a breathtaking solo effort in OT nearly blew the roof off a frothing Scotiabank Centre.
Bedard has registered the most goals (16) and points (34) all-time by a Canadian at the tournament. He’s also set the national record for points (21) and assists (13) at a single event, and has the most points ever by a player under age 18 from any country.
Connor Bedard smashes Canadian World Juniors record
17-year-old Connor Bedard has made history as one of the best Canadian World Juniors players ever, breaking multiple records in Monday’s game against Slovakia. The budding superstar is projected to be the first pick in next year’s NHL draft.
But for all the accolades, the 17-year-old North Vancouver, B.C., native has made a habit of quickly turning the page.
His headline-grabbing performance in the quarterfinals was no different.
“That’s really incredible for him to be able shut out or ignore all the media and how much attention he’s getting,” Canadian goaltender Thomas Milic said. “He’s a team-first guy. A quote I like is, ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’ Us having team success is contributing to him and everyone else.”
“He doesn’t sit there and dwell on the biggest goal of the tournament,” Canadian head coach Dennis Williams added of Bedard, who didn’t speak to reporters Tuesday. “You wouldn’t have known that after the game — his focus was already on to the next challenge.”
That comes Wednesday in the latest clash of the sport’s North American powers.
“Every kid’s dream,” said U.S. forward and Winnipeg Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty. “Playing in a barn like this against your rival, it’ll be a fun one.
“It just gets us juiced up to see that atmosphere, see how crazy it’s going to be.”
Whether it’s the Olympics, world juniors, world championships or any other level, extra motivation isn’t necessary when the countries hit the ice.
“Don’t think we need to go in as coaches and get the room going,” Williams said. “If anything, we’ve got to calm them down.”
The clutch gene
Tavares, Sidney Crosby, Joe Sakic, Haley Wickenheiser, Marie-Philip Poulin and many others have risen to the occasion in similar moments.
This Canadian iteration is hoping for the same.
“All of us dreamed of this as kids,” said winger Brennan Othmann. “This is the game, this is the moment.”
“The biggest rivalry,” added forward and Ottawa Senators prospect Zach Ostapchuk. “And for us, personally, it’s big. It’ll be really exciting.”
For all the points Bedard has put up, the Americans are also dangerous, especially the top line of Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud and Cutter Gauthier, who sit second, third and fifth in tournament scoring.
“Skilled guys,” said Canadian centre Logan Stankoven, who plays alongside Bedard and is No. 4 in the points race. “They strike fast and quick.”
Logan Cooley scored a hat trick and added an assist to lead the U.S. past Germany 11-1 on Monday in world juniors quarterfinal play in Moncton, N.B. (Dale Preston/Getty Images)
Taking the body will be a big part of Canada’s mindset against the Americans, including trying to make life difficult for their undersized defence corps.
“They don’t like the physical play,” Clarke said.
For all the drama Monday, one area where the Canadians will look to improve is faceoffs after a success rate of just 45 per cent.
“We’re chasing the game too much there,” Williams said. “We were going to position before possession.”
Canada lost to the U.S. in the final of the 2021 tournament in the COVID-19 bubble in Edmonton in the countries’ last meeting at the world juniors.
‘These are games I loved watching growing up’
“Super special,” Milic said. “These are games I loved watching growing up. We’re pretty fortunate to be able to be in this position to play in one and really have a big battle for our country.”
Canada got to this point thanks to another spectacular performance from Bedard, who dropped to one knee for his own version of the “heartbreaker” celebration made famous by U.S. great Patrick Kane after scoring the winner against the Slovaks.
“That was pretty cool,” Clarke said. “Especially in a big setting like that. The whole building’s going crazy, the whole building’s chanting ‘M-V-P’ for him.
“That’s what he’s been doing all tournament — just breaking hearts.”
Bedard and Canada will look to do the same against the Americans.
Connor Bedard punches Canada’s ticket to world junior semifinals with dazzling winner against Slovakia
On a historic night for the youngster, Connor Bedard scored in overtime to propel Canada to a 4-3 victory. Canada will play the United States in the semifinals.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
