Team North America continued to struggle with injuries on Wednesday, as starting netminder Matt Murray was ruled out of today’s game against Team Sweden with a thumb ailment.
John Gibson, who came on in relief of Murray in Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Russians, will get the start in goal.
Murray is just the latest TNA member to go down in this tourney.
Yesterday, star defenseman Aaron Ekblad was ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup with an upper-body injury (believed to be a concussion). Meanwhile, fellow North American blueliner Ryan Murray is uncertain for Wednesday’s tilt, as he’s banged up and took a maintenance day on Tuesday.
Given that one Murray has already been ruled out and the other is in danger of not being able to play, North America could be in tough.
It would leave them with just five active defensemen against Sweden and their backup goalie in net, though Gibson did look good against the Russians, stopping all six shots faced.
In other news ahead of today’s game, Jets prospect Connor Hellebuyck will dress for the first time this tournament, and serve as Gibson’s backup.