Who fills in for Smith-Pelly

With star forward, Devante Smith-Pelly, looking on coach Don hay put Canada's world junior team through a short, up-tempo practise this morning at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Smith-Pelly was injured in last nights 8-1 romp over team Finland when he blocked a shot off of his foot, breaking a bone in the foot and promptly ending his tournament. He will be a big loss for Canada as many looked at him to be the tempo-setter for the team with big hits and timely goals.

Team Canada forward, Tanner Pearson of the Ontario hockey League's Barrie Colts played last game as the team's so-called 13th forward, but with Smith-Pelly going down to injury, he will be asked to step up and play a front line role for the team, something that he plays on a daily basis with his club team back in Barrie.

The line combinations seemed to sort themselves out, finally, in todays practise. Pearson found himself paired with Boone Jenner and Brett Connolly. This line will be counted on  to be an energy line going forward.

Team Canada gets back at it Wednesday night against the czech republic and then plays Denmark, who the american squad beat handly in their first contest, the following night. be sure to subscribe to In The O on Itunes for coverage from the tournament, with audio from all of the media availability sessions before anyone else gets them out!