Here are my scouting notes from Canada’s blowout 11-2 win over Germany at the WJC:
1. Canada likely didn’t need a break tonight with the way they prepared and executed their game plan, but they were provided with one as Germany was without their starting goalie Nikita Quapp.
2. Perspective is everything at times. Canada made some adjustments and the team looked more balanced tonight. Germany, on the other hand, looked tired and out of sorts compared to yesterday versus Sweden. The moral of the story is Canada wasn’t ready in Game 1 against Czechia, and Germany emptied the tank against Sweden yesterday.
3. Connor Bedard is a generational talent. He was my player of the game for Canada versus Czechia (the voting media felt otherwise and awarded it to Shane Wright). There isn’t a player in this draft class who does what Bedard does. This space isn’t big enough for me to share the entirety of his skill set. He changes gears in open ice and is an elite shooter from the half wall on the power play. He makes plays through seams – looking opponents off like a basketball player makes a no-look pass in transition – that lead to open net goals for his linemates.
Team Canada has Dylan Guenther and Shane Wright on their team and they have both been playing in the NHL to date. Bedard, at 17, is a better player than both of them already. He ended the game with a smooth seven points (three goals, four assists).
4. Logan Stankoven playing the middle with Bedard and Joshua Roy is an excellent decision by the Team Canada coaching staff. Stankoven stirs the drink. So does Roy. This line is a mix of skill and will.
5. Zack Ostapchuk (Ottawa Senators draft pick, 2021) provided quality minutes in a defined role against Germany. He was heavy on the forecheck as F1 and took some key face-offs on his backhand side. He’s a big body who played with power tonight.
6. Zach Dean was much better than in the opener. I appreciate his energy and pace. He can provide havoc tracking opponents and he’s quick to take away time and space on the PK
7. Canada scored 7 power play goals
8. Back to Josh Roy for a moment. He’s going to play a big part in any success the Canadians have the rest of the way. He can play up and down the lineup in scoring or checking roles.
9. Guenther is an elite shooter. Before arriving at this tournament all three of his NHL goals were scored with the man advantage. When he gets pucks in his wheelhouse his one-timer is lethal at any level.
Takeaways
The game wasn’t without some concerns for Canada. Thomas Milic allowed two goals that I felt he could have stopped. The good news is he got his feet wet as a starter for Team Canada. But I wasn’t entirely comfortable with his crease composure and felt he was dropping too soon on pucks from the perimeter. He will be tested more as the tournament progresses. Hopefully he got some of the jitters out of the way tonight.
The D-core played to more of an identity. They were more organized and defined. Nolan Allan, Jack Matier and Ethan Del Mastro looked like the shut down group while Brandt Clarke, Olen Zellweger, and Kevin Korchinski are providing more offensive elements. Tyson Hinds is plenty capable of skating in a variety of roles.
Better Details
In a blowout game it’s difficult to focus on the details, but Canada did a nice job and delivered three zones of responsible play tonight. They used their speed and skill in straight lines. They tracked back the full 200 feet, supporting each other as a five-man unit. The game is easier when you can count on your teammates to play with structure.
Conclusion
Perspective is everything at times (he said again!). This wasn’t a top flight opponent Canada played, but the team needed to define itself up and down the lineup did just that. Austria is up next on Thursday.
