Junior Team Canada was hoping not to have to rely solely on Connor Bedard’s magic once once more in the semi-finals once morest the United States. Joshua Roy and Thomas Milic got the message.
Roy had two goals and two assists while Milic was sensational, making 43 saves to help ECJ win 6-2 and succeed in his first mission, to give himself a chance to win the gold medal. This performance earned him the title of player of the match, without too much surprise.
“When Thomas plays like he has for two games, it gives us the confidence we need. That’s a beautiful story. He was not drafted and faced a lot of adversity. I see him a lot in the West League and we saw him last year in the playoffs, he really stood up,” said head coach Dennis Williams.
“There aren’t many words to describe his game tonight,” added Connor Bedard. He was amazing. Without him, I don’t know if we win this game.”
Despite the intensity and importance of the moment, and following his team’s difficult start to the game, Milic never seemed to let the nervousness get the better of him.
“Those games where I get a lot of shots help me stay busy and stay in the moment,” said the 19-year-old goaltender. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment as much as possible. It’s a special moment for me, with a special group. I will continue to enjoy it and help my country win a gold medal.”
Chaotic start
The first minutes of yesterday’s game did not suggest that ECJ would get its pass in the final. The United States completely dominated the first ten minutes of play, taking a 2-0 lead and silencing the large and, until then, boisterous crowd at the Scotiabank Centre.
“I think the stress played a bit, acknowledged Nathan Gaucher. We were playing in the semi-finals, in front of our fans, in Canada. We want to win and we put this pressure on ourselves, but then we started the machine and it went well.
But as has been the case since the start of the tournament, Bedard pulled another rabbit out of his hat less than two minutes following that goal to allow his team to breathe a little despite the difficult start to the game, particularly defensively, redirecting Ethan Del Mastro’s pass behind Trey Augustine.
ECJ then had an unanswerable three-goal push in the second, then Brandt Clarke broke the Americans’ legs early in the third period with a goal that made it 5-2.
ECJ then had an unanswerable three-goal push in the second, then Brandt Clarke broke the Americans’ legs early in the third period with a goal that made it 5-2.
Roy joins Huberdeau
Roy completed the scoring in an empty net, registering his fourth point of the game, which allowed him to reach the 10 mark in the tournament and tie Jonathan Huberdeau’s mark for the most points for a Quebecers in career at this tournament, with 18.
“It feels good. It was a good match and I have to thank my two line partners, [Logan] Stankoven et [Connor] Bedard. We play really well together and we generated a lot of attack tonight. At a disadvantage, I think I’m doing my job well, so I’m happy.”
Bedard was also full of praise for the Beauceron winger.
“He’s one of the smartest players I’ve played with. He was dominant tonight and the way he raised his game when it mattered was amazing.”
In fact, the three members of this trio were named players of the tournament for Canada.
The Czechs once more
Canada will face the Czech Republic tonight in the Grand Final. In the only clash between the two teams, the curtain raiser of the tournament, the Czechs won 5-2. Yesterday, they defeated Sweden in extra time to reach their first final since 2001.
“We are really excited. We’re a little nervous, but it’s good nervousness, assured Roy. We can’t wait because we remember how the Czechs reacted when they won the first game. It almost looks like they won the tournament. We remember it and we will arrive ready.
