Canada vs. USA: Harley Steps Up for Ill Morrissey in 4 Nations Final
Injury Woes Plague Canadian Defense
For the second consecutive game against the archrivals United States, Team Canada will be forced to adjust its defensive lineup due to an illness that has sidelined Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey.
Morrissey, 29, played in the round-robin portion of the tournament but failed to register a point. His absence creates a void in Canada’s rearguard that will be filled by Thomas Harley.
Harley Impresses Against Team USA
Harley, a 23-year-old defender for the Dallas Stars, has already played against the United States in the round-robin and impressed with his performance. In that game, he logged 18:17 of ice time, took two shots on goal, and blocked three shots on the defensive end.
Harley’s strong play earned him a plus-minus of -1, indicating that he was on the ice for one more goal against than for. He also recorded a hit and three blocked shots.
Emergency Replacement for Theodore
Harley was brought in as an emergency replacement for Shea Theodore, who suffered an injury in Canada’s opening game against Sweden. Theodore’s absence has forced Canada to rely on Harley and other young defenders to fill the void.
Defensive Pairings for Canada
With Morrissey out, the Canadian coaching staff has adjusted the defensive pairings for the championship game:
- Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings) – Thomas Harley (Dallas Stars)
- Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia Flyers) – Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues)
- Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche) – Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche)
Harley’s Season with the Stars
Despite being a young player with limited international experience, Harley has shown promise for the Stars this season. He has recorded 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 46 games, with a plus-minus rating of 26.
Harley’s offensive contributions have been impressive, and his defensive play has also been solid. He has averaged 20:21 of ice time per game and has blocked 84 shots.
High Stakes for 4 Nations Final
The 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between Canada and the United States is always a high-stakes affair, with both teams eager to claim bragging rights. The Canadians will be looking to avenge their 3-1 loss to the Americans in the round-robin and regain the title they won in 2021.
With Morrissey out, Canada will need Harley and the rest of its defenders to step up and provide a strong performance. The young defenseman has shown that he is capable of playing at a high level, and he will be eager to prove himself again on the international stage.
