BOSTON – Aside from defensive man Charlie McAvoy, who was ruled out in the 4 Nations face-off championship game on an infected right shoulder, Team USA is expected to have all the other players slammed Thursday.
“There was no way I missed this game,” US captain Matthews said after a delayed scratch against Sweden due to upper body pain after attending practice Wednesday.
Matthew Tkachuk also appeared in TD Garden Ice after missing the final 12:36 of his first game against Canada.
He then served a 2-1 loss to Team USA's Sweden on Monday night.
Brother Brady Tokachuk was the only suspicious player not to participate in the practice, but coach Mike Sullivan said it was because the senator captain didn't feel good.
“He's saving everything he has tomorrow night,” Matthew Tokachuk said.
Sullivan also claimed he hopes Brady Tokachuk will play.
More exceptions have been made as the flu continues to ramp around tournaments.
According to multiple reports, Sabres Center Tage Thompson and Devils defender Brett Pesse came to Boston from Team USA and was invited to be a sanctuary just in case.
The same rules apply to the same two extra Americans as when Thomas Hurley came to Canada. They won't even be able to participate in US morning skates on Thursday unless the team falls below the roster threshold.
Sullivan's mistaken announcement of Quinn Hughes was headed to Boston before being spotted during Canucks practice in Vancouver.
Sullivan said his understanding was that Hughes hadn't come to Boston at the moment, but that Team USA general manager, Bill Guerin, was working through it.
“It's going to be fun,” said Jack Hughes, Hughes' brother and American teammate. “Obviously he was a big part of the team and a big part of the team. Even if he can't come and play, it gives everyone a big boost to him supporting us. If you're injured or nothing, sit and get extra.”
McAvoy's loss, who played a major role in shutting down Canada's top offensive player in a round-robin victory, is a major blow to Team USA's blue line, but it was necessary.
The Bruins announced that McAvoy suffered an injury to the right shoulder AC joint in a match against Finland last week.
He received treatment and noted that Boston was managed by Team USA medical staff. It consists primarily of wild Minnesota employees.
A further evaluation in Boston determined that McAvoy's shoulder was infected in addition to “severe damage to his AC joint.”
“I wasn't going to talk to Chuck. [David Pastrnak] Until this tournament is over, one of my teammates,” said Brad Marchand, a teammate of the Bruins in McAvoy and Canadian foe. “But clearly in such a situation – Chucky is one of my best friends and I care a lot about him.”
