Olympic hockey fight! Canada and France players scuffle

Fighting is prohibited in Olympic hockey, but there was one in Sunday’s Canada-France game.

It wasn’t much of a fight, more of a wrestling match with no one punches thrown. But the International Ice Hockey Federation rules say a fighting penalty can be called if ‘players wrestle in such a manner as to make it difficult for the linespersons to intervene and separate the combatants.’

That’s what happened in the third period when Canada’s Tom Wilson went after Pierre Crinon, who several minutes earlier was called for interference for a hit on Nathan MacKinnon.

Both Wilson and Crinon were ejected under IIHF rules. Both received two minutes for roughing, five for fighting and a game misconduct. That gave Wilson a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist and fight).

“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,” Canada defenseman Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings said after the game. “I mean, he does a lot more than that, but it was great to see him step up.”

A fight can lead to a suspension, but Sportsnet reported that neither player will be. They will be eligible for their next games: Wilson in the quarterfinals and Crinon in the qualifying round.

“We didn’t like the hit: felt like it was late and high,” Canada’s Connor McDavid told reporters. “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.”