Sam Bennett to replace Anthony Cirelli for Team Canada at Winter Olympics

Sam Bennett lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship trophy
Sam Bennett lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship trophyBruce Bennett/Getty Images

Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett will lace up for Team Canada during the Winter Olympics in Milan after Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli was ruled out with a lower-body injury.

The 29-year-old Bennett has 19 goals and 23 assists through 55 games this season. 

He was part of Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last season, eventually winning the gold against Team USA. He'll join his Panthers teammates in Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart

Their first game will be against Czechia on February 11th. 

Cirelli left Sunday's game against the Bruins in the historic Stadium Series matchup with just under two minutes left in the first period.

He didn't return for the remainder of the game.

Cirelli had been having himself a solid season, posting 15 goals and 20 assists in 49 games this season, and was one of the 10 Lightning players who were selected to an Olympic team. 

Despite losing Cirelli, the Lightning would finish a historic comeback over the Bruins in Sunday's matchup, eventually winning 6-5 following a shootout after being down four goals. 

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