Czechia’s Radek Faksa out against Canada with injury
Czechia defeated Denmark 3-2 on Tuesday, advancing beyond the qualifying round of the men’s hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Unfortunately for the Czechs, they’ll still be without a key center when they take on the heavily favored Canadian team in Wednesday’s quarterfinal game.
Center Radek Faksa, who suffered an injury during Czechia’s 4-3 overtime loss to Switzerland in their final preliminary round game, will not be available to play against Canada.
Per @RampaRobert15: Czechia coach Radim Rulik said Radek Faksa (injured vs Switzlerand) won't be able to play against Canada
Faksa, 32, is a significant loss for Czechia. The Czech’s were already thin down the middle with Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha unable to play in the Olympics due to an upper-body injury. Faksa’s absence will mean the Czech’s will be even more undermanned against an incredible Canadian group of centers that includes Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby.
The nature of Faksa’s injury remains unknown, and it is unclear if he would be able to return to Czechia’s lineup should they advance to the semifinals. He has two assists in three games played in these Olympics so far.
This is Faksa’s first time representing his country at the Olympics. He played for Czechia at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and has gone to three IIHF World Championships.
Faksa has played 56 games for the Dallas Stars in the NHL this season, putting up two goals and 15 assists for 17 points. Initially selected by the Stars 13th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Faksa has played all but one of his 11 NHL seasons in Dallas. He spent last season with the St. Louis Blues after getting dealt in the offseason.
With Faksa out again against Canada, look for the Czechs to stick with the lineup they had Tuesday against Denmark, with major offensive threats David Pastrnak, Martin Necas, and Tomas Hertl each on their own lines.