Winter Olympics stars kicked out of match after brawl and rule break | Other | Sport
Two hockey players were ejected from Canada’s 10-2 win over France after Tom Wilson and Pierre Crinon started a fight on the ice, and may face additional sanctions. Canada has sailed through its opening three matches at the Winter Olympics, with Sunday’s victory marking their most commanding performance of the tournament.
North American supporters are envisaging a Canada-USA gold medal showdown after the NHL ultimately permitted players to travel and participate. However, unlike in the NHL, fighting is prohibited at the Games, with players facing immediate dismissal. Wilson, a regular enforcer for the Washington Capitals, became involved physically and exchanged blows with Crinon on the ice.
Wilson experienced a dramatic afternoon in Milan, scoring, providing an assist, and told to leave the ice following a fight. The incident took place in the third period with Canada already dominating France 10-2.
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A frustrated French side were clearly outmatched, but Crinon delivered a forearm to the head of Canada star Nathan MacKinnon. Moments later, Wilson dropped the gloves with Crinon.
Officials scrambled to intervene and separate both players before dismissing them to the team changing rooms. In the NHL, players receive a five-minute penalty for fighting, but at the Olympics, it results in an automatic ejection.
Players who participate in fighting face potential further sanctions, with the International Ice Hockey Federation able to impose additional measures. However, Wilson is now facing an automatic one-match ban.
Suspensions in Olympic hockey are uncommon, typically resulting from incidents such as head hits and brawls. In this case, both Crinon and Wilson were deemed to have committed both offences.
One player has already been suspended at the Games. Italian winger Cristiano DiGiacinto received a one-match ban for striking Slovakian defender Martin Fehervary in the head.
Initially, DiGiacinto was awarded a standard two-minute minor penalty for his hit. However, upon reviewing the footage, the IIHF intervened to escalate the punishment after the match.
The IIHF could take similar action with Wilson and Crinon, as Canada prepare for the remainder of the Winter Olympics. Canada won all three preliminary-round matches and will now progress to the next phase.
Canada kicked off the Milan-Cortina Games with a 5-0 victory over the Czech Republic, followed by a 5-1 win against Switzerland. The resounding victory over France was their most impressive performance yet, with 15 players contributing a point.
