Sidney Crosby Ruled Out of Olympic Gold-Medal Game as Canada Prepares to Face the United States
MILAN — Sidney Crosby has been ruled out of Canada’s Olympic gold-medal game against the United States, with the announcement arriving about an hour before the start of the game. The captain’s absence follows a lower-body injury sustained in Canada’s quarterfinal victory over Czechia, leaving his status in doubt until the official decision.
Sidney Crosby sidelined for Canada vs. United States gold-medal game
The decision that Sidney Crosby would not be in Canada’s active lineup was confirmed roughly an hour before the gold-medal game against the United States. Crosby’s status had been uncertain in the days leading up to the final, and he ultimately did not recover in time to play.
How the lower-body injury occurred in the quarterfinal vs. Czechia
Crosby suffered the lower-body injury during Canada’s quarterfinal victory over Czechia. In that game he was hit along the boards in the second period by Czechia's Martin Nečas and Radko Gudas; that was the third major hit he’d taken in that period. He exited the ice soon afterward, limped toward the locker room, and was soon ruled out of that quarterfinal game.
Coaching and captaincy updates: Jon Cooper and Connor McDavid
Canada head coach Jon Cooper said on Friday that he believed Crosby had a chance to play in the gold-medal game, but the 38-year-old Canadian captain did not recover in time to be in Canada’s active lineup. Connor McDavid, who has served as playing captain since Crosby’s injury, emphasized Crosby’s continuing influence on the team, saying that Crosby would have a big influence whether he was in the lineup or not.
Crosby’s Olympic resume and Milan performance
Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has played in three Olympic Games for Canada and won gold medals in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. He scored Canada’s golden overtime goal in 2010 that sent Canada past the United States. While in Milan, Crosby has recorded two goals and four assists, and he holds the Canadian NHL-era Olympic record with 16 total points.
Practice notes and immediate implications for Team Canada
Crosby skated in practice on both Friday and Saturday but made no public statements, as both practices were closed to media. With Crosby out of the lineup, McDavid will again be the playing captain for Team Canada, a role he has filled since Crosby’s injury.
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These developments leave Canada preparing for the gold-medal game against the United States without their captain, and the team will proceed with the lineup and leadership adjustments outlined above.
