Cooper makes tweaks to lines, doesn’t name starting goalie for game against Czechia

The Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team returned to practice for the second time Wednesday in Milan as they prepare to take on Czechia Thursday in their tournament opener.

Head coach Jon Cooper made a few minor adjustments to Canada’s forward lines as Bo Horvat centred the fourth line between wingers Brad Marchand and Nick Suzuki while Brandon Hagel and Sam Reinhart jumped up to play with Nathan MacKinnon on the second line.

Despite not naming a starter for their game against Czechia, Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson all got work in net during Wednesday’s practice.

Binnington began practice in his own net as the other two shared the second net before Kuemper eventually went to Binnington’s end of the ice.

Cooper confirmed Canada will use two goalies for their first two games which take place on back-to-back days.

Cooper mum on starter; ‘safe assumption’ they switch it up for back-to-back Ryan Rishaug caught up with head coach Jon Cooper who chose not to reveal who will be starting in goal for Canada against Czechia. He did shed light on the high probability of them using two different goalies for the back-to-back though.

After taking on Czechia on Thursday, Canada will play Switzerland on Friday before closing preliminary round action on Sunday against France.

Finishing first in group play will earn Canada a direct entry into the quarter-final round.

Wednesday’s Practice Lines – Mark Masters, TSN

F

Celebrini – McDavid – Wilson

Hagel – MacKinnon – Reinhart

Marner – Crosby – Stone

Marchand – Horvat – Suzuki

Jarvis, Bennett

D

Toews – Makar

Morrissey – Parayko

Theodore – Sanheim

Harley – Doughty

G

Binnington

Kuemper

Thompson