Incident Overview: Tom Wilson Ejected After Fight in Canada's Victory Over France
Canada's Tom Wilson was ejected from a hockey game against France after engaging in a fight during Canada's 10-2 victory on Sunday. The incident occurred late in the game after France's Pierre Crinon delivered a forearm to the head of Canadian teammate Nathan MacKinnon.
Under International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules, fighting results in a game misconduct, leading to the ejection of both Wilson and Crinon.
Details of the Fight
Wilson confronted and fought Crinon in the third period. Crinon had previously received a two-minute minor penalty for the hit on MacKinnon and subsequently apologized for his action.
Notably, this contrasts with National Hockey League (NHL) rules, which typically assign a five-minute major penalty for fighting. Beyond the incident, Wilson also recorded a goal and an assist in the game, completing what is known as a "Gordie Howe hat trick."
Team Reactions
Canadian teammates expressed strong support for Wilson's actions following the game.
Drew Doughty stated that Wilson's actions were in direct response to a hit on a prominent player. Connor McDavid described Wilson's actions as finishing a check and protecting himself, emphasizing the physical nature of the game.
Coach Jon Cooper characterized Wilson's actions as "sticking up for his teammates," endorsing his player's decision. Nathan MacKinnon, the player who was hit, also appreciated Wilson's defense. Brandon Hagel further noted that Wilson's physical approach is an expected and integral part of his game.
Player Background
Wilson, a 31-year-old winger for the Washington Capitals, is well-known for his blend of physical play and offensive production. He currently leads his team with 49 points in 50 games this season, highlighting his dual threat.
His involvement marked one of the few instances of fighting in international play, following other notable incidents in tournaments like the 4 Nations Face-Off. Wilson is widely regarded as a leader and a potential future captain for the Capitals, underscoring his importance to both his NHL club and the national team.