Team Canada got handed it’s first loss of the tournament yesterday by Switzerland, losing 4-1. The biggest news out of the game was the upper body injury that Steven Stamkos got by getting hit in the jaw by Swiss player Timo Helbing’s elbow. After the hit Stamkos did return but then sat out the entire third period of the game.
The Globe and Mail is reporting that Stamkos will miss Canada’s next game with a possible concussion. Canada’s next game is on Friday and the forward will be kept out of the game for precautionary reasons. GM Mark Messier says he is being kept out because of protocol.
“I think it’s just a protocol that you follow when someone has the symptoms that he had,” said Canadian GM Mark Messier. “It’s not a blunt blow to the head, that kind of concussion. It’s a different kind when you get hit in the jaw. There’s still a protocol to follow and we’re going to do that because it’s the right thing to do.”
This will be a huge loss to Team Canada if Stamkos is out of the tournament. Jordan Eberle has been added to the roster today giving the team 11 healthy forwards. Eberle was already expected to be added to the roster when Ryan Smyth left the team due to an ankle injury. Team Canada still has some more time to add additional players to the roster.
The Swiss played a good defensive game and capitalized on mistakes that Canada made. John Tavares got Canada’s lone goal of the game. The loss to the Swiss won’t have a huge impact on Canada’s aspirations for a gold medal as they are still early in the tournament and have a few more games before the elimination games begin.
