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Speaking after scoring the game winning goal against Team Russia in the first 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, Team Canada and Kingston Frontenacs forward Sam Bennett was confident about his team’s chances heading into the gold medal game against either the U.S.A.
Bennett, who centres Canada’s top line between Rourke Chartier and Clark Bishop, has impressed so far at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. After scoring three points in three games during the round robin stage, he tapped in Canada’s second goal on the powerplay in the final minute of the first period against Russia.
Canada’s roster features three members of the Frontenacs for the coming OHL season, as defenceman Roland Mckeown and forward Spencer Watson will suit up for Kingston. Watson and Bennett have formed a lethal partnership on the powerplay as it was Watson, who scored 39 seconds into the first period in today’s game, who found Bennett at the backdoor on the power play.
Speaking about his paternship with Watson, Bennett added, "We’ve got great chemistry playing in Kingston. We played together all year. To get a chance to play with him here it’s unreal."
A tight, gritty game against Russia tonight, how do you assess it personally?
It was a really tight game. We came out flying and then took a few penalties and got into a little trouble, but all the boys battled really hard and we came out with the win.
It was a feisty game tonight, does that make it difficult to keep emotions in check?
Yeah it is difficult sometimes. The Russians can get under your skin, but you’ve just got to battle as hard as you can and you have to think about the team first
A great powerplay goal for you tonight. The powerplay looked very good tonight, is that something you have been working a lot in training leading up to the tournament?
Yeah we have. In practice, special teams has been a big thing we’ve been working on. The refereeing is pretty strict here so you have to make sure you have good special teams.
The Russians clawed a goal back in the second, were there any nerves on the bench when that goal went in?
There were a couple of nerves, but I believe in my team the whole time. We just battled through it and came away with the big win.
Looking ahead to the gold medal game, are there any kinks in the armour you’re looking to iron out?
No I think if we stick to all our systems and play our game, we’re going to be fine in the gold medal game.
Do you mind who you play in the gold medal game?
It doesn’t matter to me. Whoever we play, we’ll beat them.
As a veteran of the U-18 in Sochi, how is your role different now?
At the last U-18 I was a young guy and I guess I was just listening to the leaders a lot more and they showed me the ropes. Now at this tournament I’ve got the ‘A’ and just trying to give my experience to the other guys on this team.
A great first season in the OHL with Kingston and a great tournament so far. How are you using the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup going into your draft year?
It’s a great tournament. You have a lot of good teams here and there are a lot of people watching you. Just the experience of playing against these great teams is really going to help me going into next season. The biggest goal for next year is to get stronger, battle every game and help my team get into the playoffs next year.
With Bennett, Watson and Mckeown impressing for Canada at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, the future certainly looks bright for the Kingston Frontenacs, and also for Canada´s hopes in the gold medal game tomorrow in Piešťany at 15:00