Team Canada Moves to Semifinals in 4-3 Overtime Win Against Slovakia; Peterborough Pete Brennan Othmann Gets Assist

Team Canada had a close call at the 2023 World Junior Championships (WJC) but they won in overtime against Slovakia, 4-3; Peterborough Petes’s Brennan Othmann got an assist in the winning effort.

Othmann had two goals and one assist during the round robin portion of the tournament. Photo courtesy of the Peteborough Petes.

Canada was drawn against the second-seeded Slovaks from Group B and played at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Monday night.

Othmann’s assist came on the power play in the second period as Connor Bedard fed him a pass just outside the far-side faceoff circle. Othmann made a cross-crease pass to Dylan Guenther for a one-timer goal for a 2-0 lead.

The game eventually went into overtime with a 3-3 tie as Slovakia was able to overcome the two-goal deficit, midway through the third period.

Overtime saw magic from Bedard as he deked through the entire Slovenian team and scored for a 4-3 thrilling win.

“Connor is just something special,” explained Othmann. “He put on a show. Every game he put on a show in overtime and you get there on the ice, it’s nerve-wracking but it’s exciting. He can control those emotions better than anyone I know.”

Canada will face the top-seeded United States of Group B on Thursday night.

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