By Canadian Press

Connor Bedard scores twice as Canada rallies to beat Britain 4-2 at hockey worlds

May 11, 2024 | 9:09 AM

PRAGUE (AP) — Connor Bedard scored twice and Canada opened its title defense at the ice hockey world championship with a 4-2 win over newcomer Britain on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Bedard, coming off a great rookie season with the Chicago Blackhawks, netted twice in a four-minute span of the second period to put the Group A game in Prague out of reach.

Canada had to rally from a goal down despite outshooting Britain 12-3 in the opening period and 34-15 overall.

Liam Kirk put Britain a 1-0 ahead on a power play eight minutes into the game, but the lead lasted just 30 seconds as Michael Bunting found the back of the net from the point to tie it 1-1.

Brandon Hagel put the defending champions ahead 5:45 into the second period with a shot high into the roof of the net.

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Then it was Bedard’s turn.

The teenager beat goaltender Jackson Whistle (30 saves) midway through the frame for his first goal at the senior worlds. He made it 4-1 after Nick Paul fed him with a perfect pass.

Ben O’Connor scored in the third period for Britain.

In Group B in the city of Ostrava, Kazakhstan defeated France 3-1 in their opening game.

The United States hopes to recover from an opening 5-2 loss to Sweden in a Group B game against Germany later Saturday.

Another newcomer in the top division, Poland, faces last year’s bronze medalist Latvia in the same group, while Austria plays Denmark and the Czech Republic meets Norway in Group A.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The Associated Press