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Canada and France traded punches in a rare Winter Olympics ice hockey fight during their Group A preliminary round game at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Sunday (February 15).
Canadian defenseman Tom Wilson dropped his gloves during the third period of his team's 10-2 blowout win minutes after French defenseman Pierre Crinon threw a forearm to Nathan MacKinnon's head and was ejected. Ice hockey typically prohibits fighting during international games with the last Olympic incident taking place during the 1998 Nagano Games.
"Obviously, fighting isn't a big thing in this tournament, but when a guy takes a run at one of our big guys, that's what Willy does," said fellow Canadian defenseman and three-time Olympian Drew Doughty via ESPN. "I mean, he does a lot more than that, but it was great to see him step up."
Crinon was given a two-minute minor penalty for striking MacKinnon and apologized after the incident took place. Canada scored 25 seconds into the power play, but felt it was necessary to give more punishment.
"We didn't like the hit, felt like it was late and high," said Canada's Connor McDavid, the tournament's leading scorer, who finished with one goal and two assists via ESPN. "Willy just finishes a check and the guy jumps him, and Willy's just protecting himself. That's all he can do. That's the type of guy he is, type of teammate he is. Nothing but respect for him."
Canada improved to 3-0 with Sunday's win and currently leads Group A with nine points.
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