Bedard's insane OT winner leads Canada past Slovakia at WJHC

Connor Bedard continues to amaze.

The 17-year-old phenom scored a sensational OT winner Monday in the quarters of the World Junior Hockey Championship, leading Canada past Slovakia.

CONNOR BEDARD SENDS CANADA TO THE SEMIS! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/4s06UDY6oX

- TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2023

Canada will play the United States in the semis. Czechia will play Sweden in the other final-four contest.

Bedard has already rewritten the Canadian WJHC record book, setting new benchmarks for most goals and points all time, as well as most points and assists in a single tournament. Now, he's an overtime hero.

He recorded a pair of goals and an assist in the contest, bringing his tournament totals to eight tallies and 13 helpers in five games.

Canada dominated possession, outshooting Slovakia 57-27. It also held leads of 2-0 and 3-1, but the Slovaks refused to go away. Libor Nemec buried the equalizer midway through the third period for his second goal of the night. Despite a frantic final frame, OT was needed to decide the game, setting up Bedard's big moment.

Dylan Guenther and Zack Ostapchuk netted Canada's other two goals, while Logan Stankoven, Brennan Othmann, Nathan Gaucher, and Zach Dean chipped in with one assist each. Thomas Milic made 24 saves in net.

Adam Gajan was outstanding in the opposite crease, making 53 saves for Slovakia.

Canada is now off to the final four for the 23rd time in the last 25 tournaments. Wednesday's meeting with the United States will mark the first time the two rival hockey nations have met at the world juniors since USA defeated Canada in the 2021 gold-medal game.

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