Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was hospitalized Monday night after sustaining an upper-body injury and missing Team USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
According to The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride, the Bruins defenseman was admitted to Mass. General Hospital, with Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan confirming the injury after Monday's game.
“Charlie obviously is now he’s out with an upper-body injury,” Sullivan said. “We’ll probably have more information [Tuesday] with those guys.”
McAvoy, who has a history of upper-body and shoulder injuries, including undergoing surgery in June 2022, was one of several American players sidelined or banged up in the game.
McAvoy’s status remains uncertain ahead of the final match of the tournament.
“It is not easy,” Sullivan said of the team’s growing list of injuries. “We try to spread the minutes around a little bit.
”I thought the guys competed hard.”
On top of McAvoy's absence on Monday, forwards Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk were also left out of the lineup for the game against Sweden with USA already having clinched a spot in the final.
More worryingly, however, was Brady Tkachuk's injury on Monday as he left early after crashing into the net post. New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck also briefly exited the game hurting his right hand.
Despite the injuries and absences, Team USA nearly forced overtime, even if they didn't need the win to make Thursday's championship game.
Chris Kreider opened the scoring just 35 seconds in, but Sweden responded with first-period goals from Gustav Nyquist and Jesper Bratt. The Americans, however, were unable to break through Swedish goaltender Samuel Ersson for the rest of the game.
Team USA will face Canada in Thursday’s final after the latter beat Finland 5-3 on Monday.
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