Canada showed support for winger Tom Wilson after he engaged in a physical altercation to defend a teammate during their decisive victory over France at the Winter Olympics. The intense 10-2 win had already captivated the audience before Wilson confronted an opposing player.
Although fighting is a common occurrence in ice hockey, it is typically discouraged in the Winter Olympics. However, with Canada comfortably ahead, veteran player Wilson from the Washington Capitals opted to challenge France’s Pierre Crinon.
The incident was triggered when Crinon aggressively collided with Nathan MacKinnon in the third period, striking him in the face with his arm. Despite Crinon receiving a two-minute penalty and Canada capitalizing on the subsequent powerplay, Wilson felt compelled to take matters into his own hands.
In a bold move, the 31-year-old discarded his gloves and engaged with Crinon, fully aware that it would lead to his expulsion from the game. The International Ice Hockey Federation views fighting as misconduct, resulting in both Wilson and Crinon being ejected for the final seven minutes of the match.
The sacrifice was deemed worthwhile for Canada, already secure in their victory and advancing to the elimination stage of the men’s ice hockey event in Italy. Wilson’s actions were commended in the Canadian locker room.
“We didn’t approve of the hit; it seemed late and high,” remarked Canada’s star player Connor McDavid. “Willy was just defending himself after the guy attacked him. That’s the kind of player and teammate he is. We have nothing but respect for him.”
MacKinnon, standing at 6ft 4in, noted that Crinon was unwilling to engage in a proper fight with Wilson. “He just wanted to wrestle. I wouldn’t want to face off against Tom either,” he added.
While acknowledging that fighting is not a focal point of the tournament, defenseman Drew Doughty praised Wilson for stepping up to protect his teammates. The team echoed their confidence in Wilson’s commitment to safeguarding his fellow players and boosting team morale.
Head coach Jon Cooper supported Wilson’s actions, emphasizing that such incidents are relatively minor in the context of ice hockey. Goalkeeper Jordan Binnington encapsulated the team’s sentiment, stating, “It’s all part of the game, right? That’s hockey for you.”