Team Canada faces significant injury challenges heading into Sunday’s Olympic gold medal hockey matchup against the United States at the Milan Cortina Olympics, with defenseman Josh Morrissey officially ruled out and captain Sidney Crosby’s participation still in question.
The 30-year-old Morrissey sustained an injury during the opening period of Canada’s initial group stage victory against Czechia and has been unable to compete in Olympic action since that incident.
Meanwhile, Crosby appeared to injure his right leg during Wednesday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime quarterfinal victory over the Czech Republic.
Following Saturday’s practice session, Canadian head coach Jon Cooper confirmed to media that Morrissey would be unavailable for the championship game. This marks the second major tournament Morrissey has missed due to health issues, having also sat out last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off title game in Boston because of illness.
“We want Josh in this game, he helps us with puck moving and everything he does, but in the end if you’re not physically able to do it,” Cooper explained. “The one selfless thing about this team, and the way I’ve watched these players … when it comes to the flag, no one is getting in the way of it. If they’re incapable of giving what they think is optimal effort, they don’t want to put the country in harm, they understand what we have here.”
The stakes are particularly high as Canada seeks its first Olympic gold medal since capturing the title at the 2014 Sochi Games, which was the most recent Olympics to include NHL talent. The Americans haven’t claimed Olympic hockey gold since their legendary “Miracle on Ice” triumph in Lake Placid, New York back in 1980.
The 38-year-old Crosby did participate in Saturday’s practice session, though his game-time decision remains pending.
“We’ll see. I watched him skate today,” Cooper said regarding Crosby’s condition. “I haven’t spoken to him yet. We’re going to meet tonight and have a determination of what’s going to happen tomorrow. He won’t put himself in harm’s way. He’s not going to put the team in harm’s way.”
“Obviously we’d love to have him, but that determination will be made tonight,” the coach added.
Throughout these Olympic Games, Crosby has contributed six points across four contests, recording two goals and four assists for the Canadian squad.
