MILAN — Canada’s captain has suffered an injury during a crucial quarterfinal matchup against Czechia at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. In the second period of the game on Wednesday, Sidney Crosby departed the ice with a lower-body injury after a hard hit from Czech players Radko Gudas and Martin Necas. The 38-year-old veteran appeared to be in significant pain as he spoke with a trainer on the bench before ultimately heading to the locker room.
At the time of Crosby’s exit, Canada was trailing 2-1, marking a notable moment in the tournament, as it was the first time the Canadian team had found itself behind in an Olympic game since 2010, ending an impressive streak of 805:01 of unbroken play in the lead. Despite this setback, the team rallied to enter the third period tied 2-2.
Crosby, who has been a pivotal leader for Team Canada, has contributed significantly over the course of the tournament, accumulating two goals and four assists in three games. This appearance marks his fourth consecutive best-on-best tournament as the captain, a testament to his enduring skill and resilience on the ice.
The loss of such an experienced player could impact Canada’s performance going forward, but as history shows, the team has depth and the capability to adapt. Fans remain hopeful that Crosby’s injury is minor and that he will be able to return to the ice soon. The determination of the team will be put to the test as they strive for success in the remaining rounds of the Olympics.