Allan records assist on Bedard’s hat trick goal
For the first time since they won the tournament in 2013, Canada’s men’s Under-18 team will play in the gold medal game at the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard had a hat trick and Kingston Frontenacs forward Shane Wright scored a goal and dished out three helpers on Wednesday afternoon in Frisco, Texas as Canada picked up an 8-1 triumph over Sweden in the semifinal.
Canada held a narrow 2-1 lead until the final frame as they scored six times and fired 28 shots on net.
Prince Albert Raiders blueliner Nolan Allan earned his second point of the tournament during the third period as Bedard banged home a rebound from Allan’s point shot to complete his hat trick.
Chase Stillman (Sudbury Wolves), Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds), Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers) and Conner Roulette (Seattle Thunderbirds) also scored in the triumph, which saw Benjamin Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting) stop 16 shots.
Isak Rosen had the lone goal for Sweden, while Carl Lindbolm made 48 saves.
Canada’s opponent in Thursday’s gold medal game, which gets underway at 7 p.m. and air nationally on TSN, is Russia after they held off a late charge from Finland to earn a 6-5 win in Wednesday’s other semifinal contest.
Lethbridge Hurricanes import draft pick Nikita Chibrikov had two goals and an assist to lead the way for Russia, who are looking to win their first title since 2007.
Samu Salminen and Joakim Kemell both scored twice in the loss for Finland, as they will now prepare to face Sweden in the bronze medal game at 3 p.m. Thursday.
