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The French hockey player who battled Canadian star Tom Wilson during their qualifying round matchup at the Winter Olympics was suspended for the remainder of the Games on Monday.
Pierre Crinon will not play against Germany on Tuesday after France’s hockey federation ruled the defender’s actions were against its values. Furthermore, Crinon will not be able to play should France progress beyond the qualifying round.
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France’s Pierre Crinon (7) battles Canada’s Tom Wilson (43) in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary round between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
“The provocative behavior of Pierre Crinon when he left the ice, even though he had just been excluded from the game for a game, constitutes a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport,” the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) said via Reuters.
“The decision was therefore taken, in full agreement with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, not to allow his participation in the next match(s) of the Olympic tournament.”
NORWEGIAN SKIERS HAVE EPIC DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER COSTLY FAILURE WITH OLYMPIC GOLD IN TARGET AT SLALOM LEGACY.
Canada’s Tom Wilson (43) and France’s Pierre Crinon, center, battle in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary round between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
The two men battled with about seven minutes left to play in the game, which Canada won 10-2. Both players were ejected from the game, as Olympic rules do not have five-minute major penalties per match. Wilson appeared to be seeking some payback for teammate Nathan MacKinnon, who took a hard hit earlier in the game.
Crinon hit MacKinnon in the jaw and received a two minute penalty.
France are currently without a point through their first matches at the Olympics.
France’s Pierre Crinon (7) and Canada’s Tom Wilson (43) battle in the third period during a men’s ice hockey preliminary round between Canada and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Canada will play the quarter-finals against the Czech Republic or Denmark on Wednesday.
