Team Canada announced forward Sam Bennett will play Saturday against Team USA, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed Friday. The news came via TSN’s Chris Johnston.
Bennett practiced Friday on Canada’s fourth line, centering Brad Marchand and Seth Jarvis. He sat out Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden.
The lineup adjustment creates an all-Tampa Bay Lightning combination of Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, and Brayden Point. Travis Konecny will not dress for the game.
Canada’s top two forward lines remain unchanged from Wednesday.
The move sets up a potential matchup between Bennett and his Florida Panthers teammate Matthew Tkachuk.
“It’ll be interesting if Sam and Matthew meet in a corner at some point,” Cooper said.
Bennett has registered 18 goals and 17 assists this season, along with 119 hits and 62 penalty minutes. He contributed 14 points during Florida’s 19-game Stanley Cup Final run last spring.
On defense, Travis Sanheim replaces Shea Theodore, who suffered a tournament-ending injury. Thomas Harley will play if Cale Makar (illness) isn’t available, though Cooper expressed confidence Makar will dress.
