MILAN–Who says there won’t be any fighting in hockey at the Olympics? Tom Wilson Clearly doesn’t care that it has been rejected in the international game.
Wilson took the gloves off late in Canada’s 10-2 win over France on Sunday, chasing down a player who hit a teammate with a left hand to the head. nathan mackinnon minutes ago.
“Obviously, it’s no big deal to fight in this tournament, but when a guy takes on one of our big guys, that’s what Willie does,” the three-time Olympian said. Drew Doughty Said. “I mean, he does a lot more than that, but it was great to see him step up.”
Wilson fought Pierre Crinnon, who was given a two-minute minor penalty and apologized to MacKinnon after the hit in the third period. Scoring 25 seconds into the ensuing power play was not enough punishment in the eyes of the Canadian players.
“We didn’t like the hit, it felt like it was late and too late,” said the tournament’s leading scorer. connor mcdavid Said. “Willie just finished a check and the guy grabs him, and Willie is just protecting himself. That’s all he can do. That’s the type of guy he is, that’s the type of teammate he is. Nothing but respect for him.”
Unlike the NHL, where it is a five-minute major penalty, fighting is a game misconduct under International Ice Hockey Federation rules, so Wilson and Crinone were ejected. The result was already decided, and Wilson missed only the final seven minutes of the game.
Coach John Cooper said, “We’re used to it happening a lot more than this, so in the grand scheme of things it was pretty harmless.” “Standing up for his teammates, it’s easy for him.”
The 31-year-old Wilson had a fight as well as a goal and an assist, giving him what is known in hockey as the “Gordie Howe Hat Trick”.
The winger is one of Canada’s few new players who did not play in the 4-Nation face-off a year ago, when he had a three-pointer in the first nine seconds of the team’s first game against the United States.
Wilson’s battle occurred just a year after his, when the Battle of Canada Brandon Hagel, Sam Bennett And Colton Parayko fought the americans matthew tkachuk, brady tkachuk And JT Miller.
“Listen, I don’t think we can move forward without watching this tournament,” Hagel said with a smile. “There was talk about him possibly coming to the tournament. But that’s what Willie does: He sticks up for his teammates.”
MacKinnon, who was slow to get up and spent some time on the bench before returning, appreciated Wilson standing up for him.
“The guy clearly didn’t want to fight Tom,” MacKinnon said. “He just wanted to wrestle. I don’t even want to fight Tom.”
Wilson was the undoubted choice for his physicality and ability to retrieve the puck, as well as producing at a high level. washington capitals. He is their leading scorer this season with 49 points in 50 games.
He is likely to become the captain of the Capitals Alex Ovechkin Retired, and Cooper called Wilson “excellent in the locker room”. Fighting in the Olympics gives Wilson, who did not speak to reporters afterward, more credibility with his peers.
“We know Willie has our support,” Bennett said. “He’ll guard all of our guys and bring energy. We love that about Willie. He’s going to do anything for our team.”
spirited goaltender Jordan BinningtonJoe, known for attacking a player or two with his blocker when unhappy, loved it.
“I certainly wasn’t surprised,” Binnington said. “That’s hockey, okay? That’s hockey.”
