NHL Star Tom Wilson Ignites Rare Olympic Ice Hockey Brawl in Defence of Teammate
An unusual and dramatic scene unfolded during the Winter Olympic ice hockey match between Canada and France on Sunday, as a full-blown fight erupted on the ice following a contentious and high hit. This breach of Olympic decorum was instigated by Canada's veteran winger, Tom Wilson, in a move that defied the tournament's typical disapproval of such physical altercations.
A Controversial Hit Sparks Retaliation
The incident occurred during the third period of what was already a decisive 10-2 victory for Canada. French player Pierre Crinon delivered a forceful forearm hit to the face of Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon, a play deemed late and high by the Canadian bench. While Crinon received a two-minute penalty for the infraction, and Canada capitalized with a powerplay goal, this official punishment was insufficient for Tom Wilson.
The 31-year-old Washington Capitals veteran, known for his physical play in the NHL, deliberately dropped his gloves and engaged Crinon in a fight, fully aware it would result in his ejection from the match. Under International Ice Hockey Federation rules, fighting is classified as misconduct, leading to both Wilson and Crinon being expelled for the final seven minutes of the game.
Team Canada Unanimously Backs Wilson's Actions
Despite the ejection, Wilson's actions were met with resounding support from his teammates and coaching staff, who framed the fight as a necessary defence of a fellow player. With Canada's victory already secure and the team advancing to the elimination stage, the short-term penalty was considered a worthwhile trade-off.
"We didn’t like the hit: felt like it was late and high," said Canadian captain Connor McDavid. "Willy just finishes a check and the guy jumps him, and Willy’s just protecting himself. That’s all he can do. That’s the type of guy he is, type of teammate he is. Nothing but respect for him."
Teammate Nathan MacKinnon added, "That guy obviously didn’t want to fight Tom. He just wanted to wrestle. I wouldn’t want to fight Tom either," referencing Wilson's imposing 6ft 4in stature.
Coaching Staff and Players Echo Support
The sentiment was echoed throughout the Canadian roster. Defenceman Drew Doughty stated, "Obviously fighting isn’t a big thing in this tournament, but when a guy takes a run at one of our big guys, that’s what Willy does. I mean, he does a lot more than that, but it was great to see him step up."
Forward Sam Bennett emphasized Wilson's role, saying, "We know Willy’s got our backs. He’s going to protect all our guys and bring the energy. We love that from Willy. He’s going to do anything for our team."
Head coach Jon Cooper downplayed the incident, noting, "We’re used to a lot more than that happening, so it was pretty harmless in the grand scheme of things. Sticking up for his teammates, that’s an easy one for him."
"That's Hockey": A Cultural Justification
The episode highlighted a cultural clash between the NHL's acceptance of fighting as a strategic element and the Olympic Games' more stringent stance against it. Goaltender Jordan Binnington encapsulated the team's perspective succinctly: "I definitely wasn’t surprised. That’s hockey, right? That’s hockey."
This rare Olympic brawl, while penalized, underscores the intense physicality and team loyalty inherent in ice hockey, even on the world's biggest winter sports stage. The event has sparked discussion about the place of fighting in international tournaments, contrasting league norms with Olympic ideals.
