As Canada enters the gold medal game against their long-time rival, Team Russia, they could be without two of their major weapons, Barrett Hayton and Bowen Byram.
Hayton left Saturday's semi-final game against Finland early after crashing into the boards and getting up favoring his shoulder. As it sits right now, he is a game-time decision, but some good news for Canada is that he doesn't have a sling, ruling out the possibility of a separated shoulder. He has been receiving treatment from the team's medical staff, and according to his teammates, he has stayed positive through this whole situation, and they hope that he can return to help Canada compete for the gold.
As for Byram, who has been one of Canada's top defenders, he missed the semi-final game due to the flu, and there is a possibility that he may miss the gold medal game as well.
"Bowen is doing better today, he was at breakfast this morning which is a good sign, you know, he'll be a game-time decision as well." said Canada's assistant coach, Mitch Love.
Russian assistant coach, Igor Larionov, was asked about what kind of impact Hayton's absence will have on the game:
"Well sometimes it's tricky when you have the best players out, sometimes the guys who play will have a little bit of extra effort, so we have to be prepared, we've got some people also that are injured that are playing through the pain, but I guess Canada is Canada, they have 22 players, they are great players and we all respect them, so I guess we will do our best and we wish Canada all the best."
Canada is looking to win their 18th WJC gold medal and second in three years, while Russia is hoping to win their 13th WJC gold and first since 2011.
Source: TSN
