Brandt Clarke was a month away from his sixth birthday. The moment remains, however, imprinted in his memory.
John Tavares scored a dramatic hat trick for Canada against the United States in a 7-4 victory on New Year’s Eve at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa.
Clarke and her family were in the arena — hanging on to every shot, save and check.
“The electricity in the amphitheater,” he said of what he remembers about 14 years later. There were red jerseys all the way to the back row, 20,000 spectators, a win over the Americans. It is incomparable. »
With another tantalizing chapter in this rivalry scheduled for Wednesday, thanks to Connor Bedard’s heroism in overtime for Canada in the quarter-finalsClarke is confident that his teammate and the nation’s top junior player will rise to the occasion — as Tavares did on that chilly night in the nation’s capital.
“I don’t expect him to step back,” the Los Angeles Kings defenseman said Tuesday after a brief practice. All I’ve seen from him so far are steps forward. Although it’s hard to imagine that he can continue to take steps forward, he does. I don’t think that will change. »
Bedard not only changed a few lines in the men’s under-20 tournament record books, he shattered a few records.
The presumed first overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft set five tournament and Canadian records early in Monday’s win over Slovakia before netting a superb individual overtime effort that nearly blew the ceiling at the Scotiabank Center .
Bedard recorded the most goals (16) and the most points (34) in tournament history for a Canadian. He also set Canadian records for most points (21) and assists (13) in a single tournament and set the record for most points by a player under the age of 18. , all countries combined.
But with every accomplishment, the 17-year-old North Vancouver native has made a habit of quickly turning the page.
His spectacular performance in the quarter-finals is no different.
“It’s really amazing that he’s able to ignore all the media and all the attention he gets,” Canada goalkeeper Thomas Milic said. He is a team player first. »
“He’s not sitting there dwelling on the biggest goal of the tournament,” Canada head coach Dennis Williams said of Bedard, who did not speak to reporters on Tuesday. You wouldn’t have known after the game — he was already focused on the next challenge. »
That next challenge comes on Wednesday, in the most recent duel between the sport’s two North American powerhouses.
“It’s every kid’s dream,” said American forward and Winnipeg Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty. To play in an arena like this against your rival, it will be fun. It gives us energy to see this atmosphere, to see how crazy it will be. »
Whether it’s the Olympics, the World Junior Hockey Championship, the World Hockey Championship or any other level, the extra motivation isn’t needed when both countries take to the ice.
“I don’t think we as coaches need to motivate the players,” Williams said. Rather, they should be calmed down. »
Tavares, Sidney Crosby, Joe Sakic, Hayley Wickenheiser, Marie-Philip Poulin and many others have seized the opportunity in similar situations.
This Canadian team is hoping for the same.
“We all dreamed of this when we were young,” said Canadian winger Brennan Othmann. It’s that game, it’s that moment. »
“It’s the biggest rivalry,” added Ottawa Senators forward and prospect Zach Ostapchuk. For us, that’s huge. It will be very exciting. »
For all the points Bedard got, the Americans are just as dangerous, especially the top line of Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud and Cutter Gauthier. The three players find themselves in the top-5 of the best scorers.
“They are talented guys,” observed Canadian center Logan Stankoven. They attack quickly. »
Playing man will be a big part of Canada’s mentality against the Americans, including making life difficult for their smaller defensive brigade.
“They don’t like physical play,” Clarke noted.
Canada lost to the United States in the final of the 2021 tournament in the protected environment in Edmonton in the last meeting of the two teams at the World Juniors.