Canada locks up Group A with win over Swiss

Just one of the Winnipeg Jets Olympians was in action on Day 3 of the men’s tournament in Milan. Canada faced Switzerland with both teams looking to push their record to 2-0.

CANADA 5, SWITZERLAND 1

The big question for Jets fans on Friday would Josh Morrissey play against his Winnipeg teammate Nino Niederreiter after Morrissey left Canada’s game against Czechia in the second period with an unknown injury. That answer came about an hour before puck drop.

Travis Sanheim stepped into the lineup as Morrissey’s replacement; the Jets defenceman was seen in the stand with Canadian teammates Brad Marchand and Jordan Binnington during the game. Shea Theodore did take Morrissey’s spot beside Colton Parayko.

As for the game itself, Connor McDavid registered his second straight three-point game (1G, 2A) giving Canada a 5-1 victory over the Swiss and thus locking up top spot in Group A. The Canadians will close out the preliminary round with a game against France.

After the game, Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper was asked about Morrissey’s status going into Sunday’s game.

Nino Niederreiter had a couple quality scoring chances in the game; in the first period he was denied by Logan Thompson on a Swiss 3-on-1. Niederreiter had another opportunity in the third but rang his shot off the crossbar. The 33-year-old finished the game playing just over 18 minutes and had one shot on goal.

Switzerland will face Czechia on Sunday.