Team Canada head coach Brent Sutter talks to the team during practice at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Malmo, Sweden on Friday January 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn
January 03, 2014 - 6:47 AM
MALMO, Sweden - Defenceman Mathew Dumba and forward Charles Hudon missed practice with injuries on Friday but coach Brent Sutter expects both to play Canada's semifinal game at the world junior championship.
"Maintenance day for both those guys," said Sutter.
Canada faces Finland in a semifinal on Saturday at Malmo Arena.
Dumba was hurt in a collision late in the second period of Canada's 4-1 quarter-final victory over Switzerland and was limping after the game.
Hudon hurt a shoulder when he was checked into the boards against Slovakia a week ago. He missed a practice this week but was able to play a round robin game against the United States and against the Swiss.
Canada held its first practice at Malmo Arena, a much larger venue than the 5,800-seat Isstadion where they played and practised before.
Malmo Arena seats 13,000 for hockey, although capacity is 11,618 for the tournament.
"It's irrelevant where you're playing the game," said Sutter. "It's played on the same size of ice. We just have to do what we need to do to give ourselves the best chance."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014