2 Team Canada players ruled out with injury at practice, starting goalie revealed
Team Canada is heading up for their quarterfinal game against Czechia today, and will be on the ice without two key players.
At their last practice, Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett were absent and listed as taking ‘maintenance days’. Fortunately MacKinnon will be able to play, but Bennett and Josh Morrissey will miss this game due to their injuries.
Bennett and Morrissey ruled out for Team Canada before Quarterfinals
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman confirmed that Bennett and Morrissey will miss today’s game against Czechia. Darcy Kuemper will be Canada’s third goalie, and will not dress.
In addition, insiders have confirmed Jordan Binnington will get the start, and Brad Marchand will return to the lineup.
Josh Morrissey has missed the last 2 games for Canada after sustaining an injury in their first game of the preliminary round.
Losing Morrissey is a major blow to their blue line, as he’s a key puck mover in a d-core of some defensive defenceman. His ability to pass to Canada’s elite forwards isn’t matched by his partner Colton Parayko, but now Canada will have to lean on him a bit more in this elimination game.
Sam Bennett is less of a loss for Canada just due to their elite forward depth, but Bennett was an extremely effective player at the 4 Nations Faceoff. He brings a physical presence, and a clear ability to raise his game in clutch time.
Insiders have reported that both players were on the ice skating for an extended practice today in Milan, and looked fine doing so.
They’re working as hard as possible to get back into the lineup, and maybe could play through their injuries entirely. Perhaps Coach Cooper is just deciding to go with the healthier players.
The one player to watch in today’s game for any signs of injury will be Nathan MacKinnon. He’s a competitor that can push through some pain to play for Canada, but if their second-best player is at less than 100% health, it could be a worry for the roster.
From here on out in the tournament, every game is an elimination game. Team Canada needs to bring their very best to secure their path to the Gold Medal.
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