VANCOUVER — Ryan Getzlaf did not take part in Team Canada’s game-day skate but a team spokesman says he stayed off the ice simply for maintenance and will play in an Olympic semifinal game against Slovakia tonight.
The Anaheim Ducks centre injured an ankle in an NHL game against Los Angeles a week before the Olympics, but was able to return to the ice before joining Team Canada in Vancouver.
He has shown no signs of injury at the Games.
Getzlaf was slow to hit his stride at the Olympics, but broke out with a goal and two assists in a 7-3 victory over Russia in the quarter-finals Wednesday night.
Little-used Patrice Bergeron took Getzlaf’s spot in practice on a line with Corey Perry and Brenden Morrow.