Team North America faces a difficult challenge in their final preliminary round game against Team Sweden on Wednesday. The veteran squad survived the absence of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist in their first game vs Russia, shutout Finland on Tuesday and can clinch top spot in Group B with a victory.

The 23-and-under squad made a valiant comeback in a 4-3 loss to Russia on Monday and are 1-1 in the tournament, but will have to carry on without defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who is out with concussion symptoms and have lost goaltender Matt Murray with a thumb injury.

Murray suffered the injury in the second period of the Russia game and was replaced by John Gibson, who will get the start on Wednesday.

The status of defenseman Ryan Murray is in question for the contest. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Blue Jackets blueliner is a game time decision and will take the pre-game skate, but with Ekblad out it would force the young squad to play five defensemen and 13 forwards.

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