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Canadian men’s ice hockey star Tom Wilson was ejected from Sunday’s game against France to clash with defenseman Pierre Crinon at the Winter Olympics.
The two exchanged blows in the third period of the preliminary round after Crinon elbowed Canadian center Nathan MacKinnon in the head minutes earlier. Crinon received a two minute penalty for the punch and apologized to MacKinnon for the punch.
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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)
But both players found themselves hitting the showers before the match was over. Players do not receive major five-minute penalties for fighting in the Olympics. Instead, they were both kicked out of the game.
Wilson had a goal and an assist in the game, achieving what is known as the “Gordie Howe hat trick”.
The 31-year-old Washington Capitals player is one of the few new players on the Canadian team who was not in the 4 Nations Face-Off squad last year. The tournament featured players from Team USA and Canada trading blows nine seconds into their matchup.
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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Wilson has 23 goals and 26 assists this season for the Capitals. Washington is fourth in the Metropolitan Division at the Olympic break.
On Sunday, Canada defeated France 10-2.
Canadian star Sidney Crosby recorded three points in the win, surpassing Jarome Iginla as the Olympic team’s leading scorer in the NHL Winter Games.
Canada’s Connor McDavid (97) celebrates scoring a goal with Canada’s Tom Wilson (43) during a preliminary round men’s ice hockey match 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 finishes group play with three wins and a plus-17 goal difference.
