Team Canada Reveals Cale Makar's Status For Do-Or-Die Game Against Team Finland
Team Canada's head coach, Jon Cooper, confirmed Cale Makar's status ahead of the do-or-die game against Team Finland.
After offering spectacular performances on the ice of the Bell Center for fans, players participating in the 4 Nations Face-Off flew to Boston for the next part of the tournament.
Following a tough loss to Team USA, Canada will be back in action on Monday afternoon against Finland, who mustn't be taken lightly.
Finland caused a surprise by beating Sweden on Saturday, and with a win in regulation time against Canada, they would clinch their spot in the Finals against the USA.
Needless to say, for Canada, the game is crucial. If they want a rematch against the United States, they must win in regulation time.
Indeed, if an overtime period is required to determine a winner, Sweden will clinch their ticket to the Finals.
Canadian players and fans were eagerly waiting to see if they would be able to count on Cale Makar, their best defenseman, after he was forced to miss the game against the United States due to a mysterious "illness."
Yesterday, he was back on the ice for practice and held a press conference to reassure fans that he would do everything in his power to play today:
How hard was it not to be in that game against them in that atmosphere yesterday?
I mean, incredibly hard. Obviously, you grow up as a kid dreaming about that game, especially being played on Canadian soil. So probably one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. And hopefully, I'll never have to do that again. But, yeah, just gotta make sure I feel good and I'm ready to go."
Listen to his full comments here:
Now, in breaking news, Elliotte Friedman has revealed that Cale Makar is out on the ice taking warm ups which indicates that he most likely will play vs Finland.
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530316.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530162.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530154.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
