Photo credit: CBC
The scenario every Canadian fan feared has just unfolded in the opening game against the Czech Republic.
The defensive situation has suddenly become a complete mess.
We have confirmation that Josh Morrissey left the players’ bench and headed straight to the locker room early in the second period.
UPDATE: It's confirmed, he will not be returning to the game.
Mike McIntyre noted that there was no specific contact or violent collision before the defenseman left the ice.
Let’s be honest with ourselves here.
It is often those harmless-looking sequences that hide the most insidious injuries.
Morrissey is a key piece of this defensive unit.
His absence leaves a massive hole in Jon Cooper’s top four that cannot be easily fixed.
Thomas Harley enters the spotlight immediately
Is Thomas Harley ready to seize his opportunity?
Fortunately, the coaching staff anticipated this exact disaster by dressing seven defensemen.
Thomas Harley suddenly finds himself carrying the weight of a nation.
The Dallas Stars defenseman was there as an insurance policy.
Now he becomes a regular for the remainder of the game.
Dan Rosen highlighted just how much Cooper’s decision saves Canada in this situation.
With Morrissey gone, Harley will not be glued to the bench.
He is going to see a lot of ice time starting right now.
It’s fair to say his smooth skating fits perfectly with the fast-paced style of play favored in this tournament.
He now has the opportunity to prove that he belongs among the world’s elite.
He did it during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Now he has to do it at the Olympics.
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