Team Canada played its Olympic quarterfinal against Czechia without Sam Bennett.

It was quite a surprise when the scratches came out and Bennett wasn’t playing.

Turns out, though, he had a simple reason.

Bennett told reporters on Thursday that he missed the game due to illness.

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It sounds like he’ll be available for Friday’s semifinal against Finland if Canada wants to re-insert Bennett into the lineup.

Bennett is an experienced winner, having won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Florida Panthers.

He nearly didn’t get another game. Canada almost lost to Czechia before Nick Suzuki tied it late and Mitch Marner won it in overtime.

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Those heroics will give Bennett a chance to recharge and return to the ice. It could come with a tough lineup decision, depending on the scoop with Sidney Crosby.

If Crosby can’t play due to injury, then Bennett would just swap in for him (with some line shifting, as well).

If Crosby is good, though, then Bennett would have to go back into the lineup for Brad Marchand, Seth Jarvis or someone else.

Canada will have its practice Friday morning closed to the media, so it’s unlikely to be known until the official gameday rosters are released who is playing and who isn’t.

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