Canada sounding optimistic about Crosby’s gold-medal status

Sidney Crosby participated in Canada’s optional practice on Saturday. The session was closed to the media, but teammates liked what they saw.

“I thought he looked really good out there so hopefully he’s in,” said Nick Suzuki, who has been filling in as the third-line centre.

Crosby sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday in the quarterfinal game against Czechia and was unable to suit up on Friday in the semifinal showdown against Finland.

Crosby’s status for Sunday’s gold-medal game against the United States remains up in the air.

“I watched him skate today,” said coach Jon Cooper. “I haven’t spoken to him yet. We’re going to meet tonight and have a determination of what’s going to happen. He won’t put himself in harm’s way. He’s not going to put the team in harm’s way.”

Cooper made it clear he will not dress Crosby with the intention of playing him in a very limited role.

“It’s too important,” the coach said. “We don’t want to have somebody in there as an inspiration when we could have a player capable of helping, and you never know if guys are going to get hurt in the game. And he wouldn’t want to do that either.”

TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reports that the chances Crosby plays are in the 70 per cent range.

“He’s a competitor so we all kind of expect to see him playing tomorrow,” said Team USA captain Auston Matthews. “I’m sure that will give them a big boost.”

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Defenceman Josh Morrissey, who has been sidelined since sustaining an upper-body injury in Canada’s opening game, will be unable to play on Sunday.

“Josh, in the end, he just wouldn’t be able to perform ... so we had to make a decision,” said Cooper.

Morrissey also missed the championship game at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off due to an illness.

“This is a year now we’ve had the same conversation and I feel for him,” Cooper said. “He’s just an all-world kid and a heck of a hockey player.”

“My heart goes out to him,” said USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who plays with Morrissey with the Winnipeg Jets. “I’ll regroup with him in a few days. Right now I’m focused on what I got to do tomorrow.”

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After departing Friday’s semifinal win against Slovakia early, USA forward Tage Thompson participated in Saturday’s practice, which was open to the media.

“He’s doing very well,” USA coach Mike Sullivan said.

Sullivan declined to confirm if Thompson will be in the lineup on Sunday, but it appears to be trending in that direction.

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Canada and the United States split their two games at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. The Americans won the preliminary round game, which started with three fights in nine seconds. Canada got revenge in the championship game when Connor McDavid scored in overtime.

So, what will Sunday’s game be like?

“It will be hockey on steroids,” Cooper said. “If 4 Nations taught us anything it’s how beautiful this game is and how intense it is and, if that was the appetizer, I think this is going to be the main course.”

This rivalry is special.

“It’s physical,” said Matthews. “It’s intense. It’s very competitive. We felt it last year at the 4 Nations and we expect tomorrow to be no different.”

“It’s going to be as fast and physical and skilled as you can ever imagine,” said Canada winger Tom Wilson. “This is as big as it gets. It’s going to be a big boy game and I’m more than ready for it.”

Wilson did not make Team Canada last year.

“You want more than anything to be in a game like that,” he said. “I wanted to be out there with them so I’m excited to be a part of this group that gets to take a crack at a gold medal.”

Wilson believes this is the exact type of game he’s built for.

“Speaking [with] the guys that played last year, everything happens really quickly so that’s perfect for me,” he said. “I’ll get all over the ice and try to make an impact physically and do whatever I can. There’s gonna be no feeling out ... [There’s] nowhere to hide. It’s gonna be great hockey.”

During Friday’s semifinal game, Wilson joined forces with Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett. That line helped produce the tying goal by Shea Theodore in the third period as Canada rallied to beat Finland 3-2.

“Pretty funny to see them, all three, together,” said McDavid with a smile. “I don’t know how many millions of NHL fines they’ve contributed all together as a line. Yeah, pretty funny line, but provided a massive, massive goal and ultimately I think it was them who shifted the game yesterday, truthfully.”

So, Cooper has to keep them together on Sunday, right?

“You’re making assumptions on that,” the coach cautioned. “But they were effective for us last night and so, as a staff, you kind of navigate around what’s going to work. But they were a pretty formidable line so we’ll have to see tomorrow.”

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Macklin Celebrini is new to the rivalry at this level, but already has a deep appreciation for what it’s all about.

“All you have to do is look at the 2010 matchup,” he said. “Every time Canada-U.S faceoff, even last year with the 4 Nations, there’s that animosity between the two groups. It doesn’t take a lot to realize what this means.”

Celebrini was only three years old when Crosby scored the golden goal to beat the United States in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympics. He said he’s re-watched that game “a lot” over the years. Now, he gets a chance to play a role in the next chapter.

“Whenever you represent the Maple Leaf, whenever you represent Canada at any level, it means something more and there’s a little bit of pressure on you to execute,” said Celebrini.

Although Celebrini seems to be immune from that pressure. Despite being the youngest NHL player in Milan, Celebrini is leading the tournament in goals with five. He also led Canada in ice time in Friday’s semifinal game.

“So impressed,” said McDavid. “I’ve got this question a bunch, but he’s such an impressive kid. He’s handled everything so well. He’s 19-years-old, so young, and playing so well. Can’t say enough good things about him. He’s been amazing.”

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The goaltending matchup on Sunday will be a re-match of last year’s 4 Nations final when Jordan Binnington was one save better than Hellebuyck.

What is Hellebuyck’s confidence level right now?

“Oh, all-time high,” the reigning Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner said. “I’m really enjoying this. This is fun ... I’m going to enjoy every second I’m here.”

Hellebuyck insists he’s not motivated by the need to avenge last year’s loss.

“It’s not about the rivalry,” he stressed. “It’s about putting my best foot forward. I know what I have to offer and I know when I bring it I can win any night, so that’s my goal.”

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Defenceman Cale Makar is logging the most ice time for Team Canada in Milan. He’s averaging 22 minutes and six seconds of ice time per game.

Makar was spotted wearing an ice bag around his neck at television timeouts during Friday’s semifinal.

“It’s so hot in there, so just try to cool down,” Makar explained. “I sweat a lot in general so just try to find different ways to cool down and not cramp up.”

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The entire American team was on the ice on Saturday for practice.

“It was an optional skate,” Sullivan said. “Everybody chose to go out.”

Most players stayed out well after the formal workout ended. The mood seemed light and loose.

“Our group has more fun than any group maybe ever,” said winger Matthew Tkachuk. “I’ve never seen it like this. It’s nonstop. You can’t say anything without getting made fun of by like eight guys. It is a witty group that is a fun group. A lot of guys have come up the ranks together, very similar ages or crossed paths at some point. The camaraderie, the laughter, we don’t want this to end. It’s unfortunate that the finals are only 24 hours away. Hopefully we can do something where we can be linked together forever.”

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Team Canada is feeling the love from back home.

“We know what’s at stake here,” Cooper said. “We know there’s 40 million people at home on the edge of their seat waiting for this to happen.”

The players are inspired by that fact.

“It’s not that long ago that you were the kid in the classroom when they wheeled the big TVs in and you put the antennas up so you can get the signal and watch Team Canada play,” Wilson said. “I remember being there and seeing your local rink with watch parties cheering you on. I mean, that’s why we’re here. We’re here for our country. We’re here to try and make them proud. It’s not about us. You ask any single guy in that room, it’s way bigger than us. All I can do, all we can do at this point, is just leave it all out there for our country.”