Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett was notably absent from Team Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against Czechia on Wednesday due to an illness. Initially, speculation swirled around the possibility of Bennett being a healthy scratch by coach Jon Cooper, which raised eyebrows given Bennett's consistent presence in the lineup for the first three games. The revelation of his illness clarifies the situation.
Canada managed to edge past Czechia with a late equalizer and an overtime winner, securing their spot in the semifinals against Finland.
The big question now is the availability of both Bennett and Sidney Crosby. Crosby suffered a concerning leg injury during Wednesday’s game. While Coach Cooper hasn’t confirmed Crosby’s status for the remainder of the tournament, Crosby is set to test his leg in a morning skate, though his chances of playing remain slim.
If Crosby is sidelined, Canada will face significant roster adjustments and will likely rely heavily on Bennett to step back into the lineup. His role as a center is crucial not only for depth but also as a potential game-changer.
Canada’s need for depth scoring was evident against Czechia, and Bennett has previously shown his capability to deliver in clutch situations, like at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. As they prepare to face Finland, having either Bennett or Crosby-or ideally both-available will be pivotal.
Seven Florida Panthers players remain in the hunt for Olympic medals as the semifinals approach on Friday, keeping fans eagerly watching as the drama unfolds on the ice.