Canada confirms Sam Bennett's status for Olympic semifinal matchup against Finland

The sickness is gone. The nationwide panic across the fan base can finally subside.

Bennett was locked in his hotel room dealing with a nasty bug during the quarterfinal. He admitted watching that 4-3 overtime thriller against Czechia was pure mental torture.

But the sick days are officially over. Bennett was back on the ice for the optional skate on Thursday and is ready to jump right into the fire against Finland.

Canada absolutely needs his heavy-hitting style right now. The roster was starting to look dangerously thin down the middle.

The news officially dropped Friday morning that Sidney Crosby is out with a lower-body injury. You simply don't replace your captain and the emotional heartbeat of your entire locker room.

Losing a legend who already racked up six points in four games at this tournament is a brutal blow to the overall forward depth.

Connor McDavid is taking over the captaincy, and Nick Suzuki will slide up the depth chart. But getting Bennett back injects pure adrenaline into a lineup that looked physically exhausted in the third period.

He brings 19 goals and 42 points of production from his current NHL campaign right into the harsh spotlight of the international stage.

More importantly, he thrives in the dirty areas. The Finns are famous for their heavy forecheck and suffocating defensive structure. They make you bleed for every single inch of ice.

You beat that defensive structure by winning ugly puck battles along the wall. Crisp passing and perimeter play alone won't get the job done in an Olympic semifinal against Juuse Saros.

Bennett gives this roster the extra physical bite it lacked on Wednesday. He isn't afraid to crash the crease or finish his heavy checks on the forecheck.

This is exactly why he was named to the squad as a late injury replacement in the first place. He's a physical nightmare to play against when the stakes are highest.

The gold medal is still in reach. Puck drop is creeping closer, and Bennett is ready to completely make up for his lost time.

Expect him to come out flying on his first shift. The Finns will definitely feel his presence.