Why Josh Morrissey isn't playing in the gold medal game for Team Canada at Olympics

The Canadian defensive unit is strong, but it's not at its full strength.

Josh Morrissey remains out as Team Canada sets to take on Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal game in Milan.

It's a bummer for Morrissey, who was knocked out of last year's 4 Nations Faceoff final due to illness.

He just can't get his luck right ahead of these huge games.

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Why isn't Josh Morrissey playing?

Morrissey remains out after being injured in Canada's opening game of these Olympics, a 5-0 win over Czechia.

Morrissey left proceedings that day with an undisclosed injury. He was then scratched on the next four games. 

This weekend, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed Morrissey's tournament is done.

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Morrissey did participate in some on-ice work, but clearly he didn't look up to full strength.

Winnipeg Jets fans will be holding their breath here, too, because soon, Morrissey will have to return to them.

Hockey teams are better when Morrissey is on the ice rather than off it. In the gold medal game, Canada will just have to overcome that. The Jets will be waiting and hoping that Morrissey isn't hurt bad.

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• Czechia's go-ahead goal against Canada had 6 skaters on the ice
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• Controversy and cursing with Canada curling
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