Connor Bedard is pulling out all the tricks at the 2023 World Juniors.
The 17-year-old Canadian phenom attempted to score the “Michigan” goal for Team Canada at the 2023 World Juniors. The Canadians kicked off their 2023 WJC tournament with a matchup against Team Czechia on Monday.
The “Michigan” is a hockey trick shot that consists of scooping up the puck with the blade of the stick and tucking it into the net. Many prominent NHL players have attempted the move at the NHL level, with a few being successful.
Bedard tried the “Michigan” move not even one full period into the WJC tournament. The youngster clearly wanted to start the tourney with a bang. Unfortunately, the Czechs had other plans.
During the first period, Bedard burned a Slovak defender in the corner behind the net before taking the puck to the goal and attempting the Michigan. Bedard scooped the puck cleanly on his stick blade but couldn’t beat the Czech goalie with the shot.
Check out Bedard’s ridiculous skill as he attempts the Michigan at the 2023 World Juniors.
Video:
After leaving his defender in the dust, Connor Bedard attempts another "Michigan" for Canada! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/QaZy5P5ooZ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022
Here’s a slo-mo replay of the shot. Bedard executes the move nicely but Czech goaltender Tomas Suchanek read the play well and was in the perfect position to deny the Canadian phenom. Bedard’s shot hit him square in the chest.
Suchanek made 36 saves as Czechia stunned Canada with a 5-2 upset victory. Bedard gave praise to the Czech goalie after the game, telling TSN, “I think their goalie played really well.”
Bedard was one of two Canadian players to attempt the Michigan goal in Canada’s opening game of the 2023 World Juniors. Forward Adam Fantilli also had a Michigan attempt for Canada in the game. Just like Bedard, Fantilli came up short.
Canadian hockey fans likely aren’t happy about the Michigan attempts in retrospect after a loss, but we can’t fault Bedard here. This is a super-skilled shot that could’ve very well resulted in a goal if the goalie wasn’t so sharp.
Bedard scored one of Team Canada’s two goals on Monday as they outshot Czechia by a 38-27 margin. The Canadians will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they take on Germany.
