A physical altercation between Canadian forward Tom Wilson and French defenseman Pierre Crinon erupted during the third period of Sunday’s preliminary round game at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games, resulting in both players being ejected from the match.
The incident followed a hit by Crinon on Canadian center Nathan MacKinnon, where the French player’s elbow connected with MacKinnon’s face. Crinon received a two-minute minor penalty for interference on the play and subsequently apologized to MacKinnon, according to reports. However, the tension escalated when Wilson confronted Crinon, leading to a brief but intense fight.
“He elbowed me in the face, and I was nowhere near the puck,” MacKinnon said after the game. “That guy did not want to fight Tom. He just wanted to wrestle. I would not want to fight Tom either.”
While fighting is not entirely prohibited in Olympic men’s hockey, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) regulations differ significantly from the National Hockey League (NHL). Instead of the five-minute major penalties common in the NHL, Olympic rules mandate immediate expulsion from the game for any fighting infraction. Both Wilson and Crinon were therefore sent to the locker room before the conclusion of the contest.
Despite the ejection, Wilson had already made a significant impact on the game, registering a goal and an assist – a performance known in hockey as a “Gordie Howe hat trick,” encompassing scoring, assisting, and fighting in a single game. Canada ultimately defeated France 10-2.
Wilson, who plays for the Washington Capitals, entered the Olympic tournament with a strong NHL season under his belt, having recorded 23 goals and 26 assists prior to the Olympic break, placing Washington fourth in the Metropolitan Division. He was a key component of the Canadian team’s pursuit of a medal in Milan.
Canada’s captain, Connor McDavid, defended Wilson’s actions, stating, “He did not like the hit on MacKinnon. He finished his check on him. Crinon and the other guy jumped him, and that is all Willie could have done, stick up for himself. Things happen.”
The IIHF has the option to impose further penalties, including game suspensions, but has indicated it will not do so ahead of Canada’s quarterfinal game or France’s qualification playoffs.
