When Barrett Hayton went down for Canada in yesterday's IIHF World Junior Championship semifinal matchup against Finland, an entire nation had been waiting, with baited breath, for a positive update heading into Sunday's gold medal game against Russia.
Hayton was injured after being driven into the boards by Finland's Lassi Thomson. The video can be seen below:
-
While there was no official update on the status of Canada's captain, it was believed that Hayton would be a long shot to dress for the grudge match against the team who blew them out 6-0 in preliminary play, the worst loss in Canada's WJC history.
On Sunday morning, an assistant coach for Team Canada, Mitch Love, has given Canadians a glimmer of hope that a full compliment of players may be on the ice for Canada for this afternoon's gold medal game, stating that Hayton will be a game-time decision for the contest.
This incites two separate reactions:
1) Wow. Hayton is an absolute warrior.
2) Is this a wise move if the captain is not 100%?
The second thought, you can also break into two parts:
1) If he is injured, the risk of a subsequent or worsening injury is real and is not something to take lightly.
2) If he is playing at less than 100%, how much less? If it is 60%, than perhaps Dawson Mercer should suit up, as a 100% Mercer will certainly be of more use than a 60% Hayton.
Regardless, this news is sure to cause some excitement and generate a little hope for fans who were otherwise expecting the captain to miss the Canada/Russia final, no doubt decreasing the chances of winning the grudge match and claiming both redemption and the gold.
-
