Bedard's 7-point game ties Canadian WJHC record in dominant win over Germany

Connor Bedard tied the Canadian world juniors record for most points in a single game after putting up seven in the host country's 11-2 rout of Germany on Wednesday.

Bedard joins Dave Andreychuk, Brenden Morrow, Mike Cammalleri, and Gabriel Bourque as the only Canadians to accomplish the feat, according to the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran.

Bedard remained levelheaded after adding his name to Canada's record books.

"There's probably some pretty cool names on that list, so it's definitely an honor," he said postgame, per TSN. "In the end, it doesn't mean too much."

He added, "I'm playing with some pretty great players. They made it pretty easy on me tonight. Obviously, some pretty lucky bounces for myself, so I guess it was just one of those nights."

The 17-year-old's dazzling performance featured a hat trick and four assists. He now has 12 career goals at the tournament and is two tallies away from matching Jordan Eberle for the most all-time by a Canadian.

Bedard's dominant night came exactly one year after he became the youngest player to score four goals at the world juniors during Canada's win over Austria prior to the 2022 event being postponed.

The phenom's first goal Wednesday was a beauty on a breakaway in the first period, giving Canada a two-goal lead entering the second frame. He continued his reign of terror just one minute into the middle period after a miscue from the Germans gave him a look at an open net.

Bedard capped off his goal-scoring with a power-play tally later in the second, and Canadian fans showed their appreciation by showering him with hats. Dylan Guenther wrapped up his own hat trick 5:27 later.

The Canadians ended the second period with a bang, scoring four power-play goals in the final 3:12 of the frame after German defenseman Rayan Bettahar was ejected for hitting Adam Fantilli in the head.

Guenther opened the scoring in the first period with a tally on the man advantage. Roman Kechter responded for Germany a little over four minutes later.

Aside from a late third-period tally by Phillip Sinn, it was all Canada. Shane Wright, Brandt Clarke, Logan Stankoven, Zack Ostapchuk, and Joshua Roy also found the back of the net for the reigning gold medalists.

Canada outshot Germany 51-17. Goaltender Thomas Milic performed admirably in his first start of the 2023 tournament after making 10 saves in relief of Ben Gaudreau during Canada's surprising 5-2 loss to Czechia on Monday.

German netminder Simon Wolf was chased from the game after surrendering nine goals.

Next up for the Canadians is a date with Austria on Thursday. Germany will look for its first win at the tournament against Austria on Friday.