Sidney Crosby Tests Injury, McDavid Likely to Wear Canada’s Captain’s C in Semifinal
sidney crosby skated in a closed-ice session Friday to test a lower-body injury but remained doubtful to play Canada’s semifinal against Finland at Santagiulia Arena, scheduled for 10: 40 a. m. ET. His status leaves Connor McDavid poised to wear the captain’s "C" if Crosby cannot go.
Sidney Crosby skates, remains doubtful
The Team Canada captain took a limited skate Friday morning to check the injury he suffered in the quarterfinal, a 4-3 overtime win against Czechia, and was described as doubtful for the do-or-die semifinal. Crosby appeared to sustain the problem on a hit at the red line in the second period and left that quarterfinal with 13: 55 remaining in the period after favoring his right leg.
Coach Jon Cooper said the medical staff was evaluating Crosby and that the team was "taking this day by day, " adding that they would not put a player in harm’s way but that Crosby would play if he could. Crosby has two goals and six points through four games of the Olympic tournament and did not take part in Canada’s optional full practice Thursday.
McDavid already wearing more leadership on and off the ice
With Crosby’s availability uncertain, Connor McDavid has stepped into a larger leadership role. McDavid was first on the ice for practice Thursday and is leading the Olympic tournament with 11 points (2-9). Team executives and veteran players have noted McDavid’s expanded presence in the dressing room and on the bench.
If Crosby is ruled out for Friday’s semifinal, McDavid is expected to wear the captain’s "C. " International rules require a team to have a designated captain for every game, and Canada would name a replacement captain if Crosby can’t play. Cooper declined to name who that would be until a ruling on Crosby’s status is final.
What the semifinal means for Canada
The semifinal against Finland at 10: 40 a. m. ET is win-or-else: the victor advances to the gold-medal game on Sunday, while the loser will play for bronze on Saturday. Canada will make a final decision on its lineup and captaincy leading up to puck drop, with medical evaluations continuing through the day.
Canada’s next confirmed on-ice event is the semifinal at Santagiulia Arena at 10: 40 a. m. ET; the immediate stakes are clear — a win sends the team to the gold-medal match on Sunday, a loss sends it to the bronze-medal game on Saturday.
