Team Canada gets huge news ahead of Wednesday's quarterfinal against Team Czechia
Photo credit: Geoff Burke - Imagn Images.
Team Canada got some great news at practice on Tuesday in Milan, Italy as they prepare to take on David Pastrnak & Team Czechia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Two days after they defeated France 10-2 to wrap up the preliminary round, Team Canada was back on the ice on Tuesday for practice, with forward Tom Wilson fully involved after being ejected on Sunday for "fighting" Pierre Crinon, who was removed from the French roster by their hockey federation.
"There will be no further discipline for Tom Wilson or Pierre Crinon
Crinon clear for qualifying round
Wilson clear for quarterfinal" Friedman shared on Sunday afternoon.
Crinon clear for qualifying round
Wilson clear for quarterfinal" Friedman shared on Sunday afternoon.
Canada has been a little bit banged up throughout the preliminary round, with Josh Morrissey leaving last Thursday's opener against Czechia, while Brad Marchand missed the last two games against Switzerland and France, but there was some good news on both players earlier today.
Team Canada gets huge news ahead of Wednesday's quarterfinal game vs Team Czechia
After practice today, Canadian head coach Jon Cooper gave an update on a number of his players, from Brad Marchand and Josh Morrissey to Nathan MacKinnon & Sam Bennett, the latter two of whom were not on the this this morning.
According to Jon Cooper, Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett are fine, today was just a maintenance day for both of them, while Josh Morrissey "looked good" in practice today, but his status for Wednesday's quarterfinal is still unclear.
As for veteran Brad Marchand, Jon Cooper revealed to reporters that he is available to play tomorrow, which is great news for Canada's forward group, but it's going to be a difficult decision for their coaching staff to determined who will be the odd man out.
"Word from coach Jon Cooper post practice on Canada’s players:
MacKinnon and Bennett - “maintenance days, they’re all good. No panic.”
Morrissey: “Looked good [in practice] but not sure [on status].”
Marchand is “available” to play." NHL insider Frank Seravalli said on X.
MacKinnon and Bennett - “maintenance days, they’re all good. No panic.”
Morrissey: “Looked good [in practice] but not sure [on status].”
Marchand is “available” to play." NHL insider Frank Seravalli said on X.
Tomorrow's contest will be Canada's second game of the tournament against the Czechs, who they defeated in the opening game of the preliminary round 5-0 with Jordan Binnington making 26 saves for the shutout.
It'll also mark their first meeting in the knockout stages of the Winter Olympics since the 1998 semifinals in Nagano, Japan, which the Czechs won in a shootout thanks to a brilliant performance from Dominik Hasek, while Wayne Gretzky wasn't chosen to shoot by head coach Marc Crawford, a decision that frustrated Canadian fans.
Puck drop for tomorrow's quarterfinal between Team Canada & Team Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics is set for 7:40 am PT (4:40 pm local) and can be seen across the country on TSN1 and CBC Gem.
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