MILAN — Who says fighting is absent from hockey at the Olympics? Tom Wilson certainly doesn’t mind that it’s typically frowned upon in international games.
Late in Canada’s 10-2 victory over France on Sunday, Wilson dropped the gloves to confront the player responsible for a forearm hit to teammate Nathan MacKinnon’s head just moments earlier.
“yes, fighting isn’t a major part of this tournament, but when someone targets one of our key players, that’s what Willy does,” said three-time Olympian Drew Doughty. “He contributes in many ways, but it was fantastic to see him step up.”
Wilson engaged in a fight with Pierre Crinon, who received a two-minute minor penalty and later apologized to MacKinnon after the incident in the third period. Scoring just 25 seconds into the subsequent power play didn’t sit well with Canada’s players.
“We didn’t appreciate the hit; it was late and high,” said Connor McDavid, the tournament’s leading scorer. “Willy just finishes a check, and the guy jumps him. Willy was just defending himself. That’s who he is, a true teammate. Lots of respect for him.”
but to the NHL, where fighting incurs a five-minute major penalty, the International Ice Hockey Federation’s rules classify it as a game misconduct, resulting in the ejection of both Wilson and Crinon. The game was already out of reach, and Wilson only missed the final seven minutes.
“We’re used to a lot more than that, so it was relatively minor in the grand scheme,” coach Jon Cooper remarked. “Sticking up for teammates, that’s a straightforward call for him.”
Wilson, 31, also contributed a goal and an assist in addition to his fight, achieving what hockey fans refer to as a “Gordie Howe hat trick.”
The winger is one of the few new members of Canada’s team who did not compete in the 4 Nations Face-Off a year earlier, which featured three fights within the first nine seconds of their opening game against the U.S.
His fight occurred exactly a year after those skirmishes, when Canada’s Brandon Hagel, Sam Bennett, and Colton Parayko faced off against Americans Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, and J.T. Miller.
“Honestly, I don’t think we can go through this tournament without seeing one,” Hagel said with a grin. “There was probably a lot of talk about Willy coming to the tournament. He just does what he does: stands up for teammates.”
MacKinnon, who took a moment to get back up and was briefly on the bench before returning, was grateful for Wilson’s support.
“That guy clearly didn’t want to fight Tom,” MacKinnon remarked. “He only wanted a wrestling match. I wouldn’t want to face Tom either.”
Wilson is a clear choice for the team due to his physical play and knack for retrieving pucks, along with his impressive performance with the Washington Capitals, where he leads the team with 49 points in 50 games this season.
He is poised to become the Capitals’ captain once Alex Ovechkin retires, with Cooper praising Wilson as “outstanding in the locker room.” Fighting at the Olympics only bolsters Wilson’s reputation among teammates.
“We know Willy has our backs,” Bennett said. “He will stand up for all of us and bring energy. That’s what we love about Willy. He’ll do whatever it takes for our team.”
Goaltender Jordan Binnington, known for his feisty demeanor and occasional blocker jabs, was a fan of Wilson’s actions.
“Honestly, I wasn’t surprised,” Binnington said. “That’s hockey, right? That’s just hockey.”
