Canada’s Hockey Hero Ejected in Shocking Winter Olympics Brawl: What Sparked the NHL-Style Showdown?
In an unexpected flare-up during the Winter Olympic ice hockey clash on Sunday, sparks flew as Canada’s Tom Wilson squared off with France’s Pierre Crinon after a particularly harsh hit ignited tempers on the ice. Even with Canada cruising toward a dominant 10-2 victory, the intensity didn’t wane—Wilson’s decision to drop the gloves wasn’t just about the game, it was about standing up for a teammate and sending a clear message. Though fighting tends to be out of favor during the Olympics, this showdown proved that passion runs deep, and for Wilson, protecting his team was worth the cost of ejection. The drama unfolded with palpable emotion, garnering praise from Canada’s locker room and leaving fans buzzing about the fierce loyalty and spirit that define hockey’s heart.
There was an unusual sight in the match between Canada and France in the Winter Olympic ice hockey on Sunday when a fight broke out on the ice following a nasty hit
Canada backed winger Tom Wilson after he started a fight to protect a teammate in their comfortable win over France at the Winter Olympics. Canada’s 10-2 victory had already produced plenty of entertainment for the crowd when Wilson took issue with an opponent.
While fighting is a regular fixture and an accepted part of ice hockey, it is generally frowned upon in the Winter Olympics. But with Canada’s win already assured, Washington Capitals veteran Wilson decided to challenge France’s Pierre Crinon.
Canada had been riled up by Crinon smashing into Nathan MacKinnon in the third period, hitting him in the face with his forearm. The Frenchman was given a two-minute penalty and Canada scored in the following powerplay, but that wasn’t retribution enough for Wilson.
The 31-year-old chucked his gloves onto the ice to take on Crinon, despite knowing it would mean his ejection from the match. The International Ice Hockey Federation counts fighting as misconduct, meaning both Wilson and Crinon were ejected for the final seven minutes of the match.
That was clearly a punishment worth taking for Canada, who already had the match in the bag and are set for the elimination stage of the men’s ice hockey competition in Italy. His intervention went down well in the Canada dressing room, too.
“We didn’t like the hit: felt like it was late and high,” Canada star Connor McDavid said. “Willy just finishes a check and the guy jumps him, and Willy’s just protecting himself. That’s all he can do. That’s the type of guy he is, type of teammate he is. Nothing but respect for him.”
“That guy obviously didn’t want to fight Tom,” MacKinnon said of his teammate, who is 6ft 4in. “He just wanted to wrestle. I wouldn’t want to fight Tom either.”
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“Obviously fighting isn’t a big thing in this tournament, but when a guy takes a run at one of our big guys, that’s what Willy does,” Drew Doughty said. “I mean, he does a lot more than that, but it was great to see him step up.”
“We know Willy’s got our backs,” Sam Bennett said. “He’s going to protect all our guys and bring the energy. We love that from Willy. He’s going to do anything for our team.”
Meanwhile, Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper didn’t have any problem with the ruckus. “We’re used to a lot more than that happening, so it was pretty harmless in the grand scheme of things,” he added. “Sticking up for his teammates, that’s an easy one for him.”
And the words of Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington summed up the feeling amongst the team. “I definitely wasn’t surprised,” he said. “That’s hockey, right? That’s hockey.”
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