Center Sidney Crosby wishes he were healthy enough to play on Sunday against Team USA at the Milan Cortina Olympics, especially after Team Canada failed to capture the gold medal.
The United States beat the Canadians, 2-1, in an overtime thriller after center Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) nailed the winning goal. It’s the first time the Americans have won the gold medal in men’s hockey since the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Canada, meanwhile, hasn’t captured gold since the 2014 Sochi Games.
Before Sunday’s game, Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning) suggested Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) may be available for the gold-medal matchup. The 38-year-old center, however, felt that not sitting out might hurt his team’s chances of winning.
Sidney Crosby expands on why he didn’t play in gold-medal game
“It might have crossed my mind a little bit, but ultimately I think it was about what’s best for our group and what gives us the best chance to win,” Crosby said, per The Athletic’s Arpon Basu. “I think, yeah, that becomes pretty clear at that point. If I’m not able to go, I’m not going to compromise our team, put myself ahead of that.
“It might’ve crossed my mind, but ultimately that’s not how you make your decision.”
Crosby suffered a scary-looking right leg injury during a 4-3 overtime win over Team Czechia in the Olympic quarterfinal. The injury, though, may not have been as bad as it initially appeared.
Crosby missed Canada’s 3-2 win over Finland in the semifinal but skated during a closed practice session on Saturday. Per Basu, teammates thought he looked ready. The center still didn’t feel 100%.
“It’s pretty clear, given the situation, whether you can either play or not play,” Crosby said. “And I just didn’t feel like I was able to. Even to get to the point where I had to make that decision, I didn’t think I’d be in that position after the Czech game. I think the medical staff, everybody, was incredible. Unfortunately, [I] wasn’t able to go.”
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Most Canadian fans will still remember Crosby’s Olympic career fondly. He scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 victory over Team USA in the gold-medal game at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
But many will be upset that he didn’t receive one more shot at Olympic glory in what will likely be his last appearance at the Games.