Sidney Crosby's Injury Status Unclear Ahead of Canada's Olympic Semifinal
Team Canada's captain Sidney Crosby was absent from practice in Milan on Thursday, leaving his availability for the crucial semifinal against Finland in doubt. Head coach Jon Cooper addressed the media, emphasizing that Crosby is not ruled out of the tournament but is under evaluation by medical experts.
"We're taking this day by day and we're not going to put anybody in harm's way," Cooper stated. "But if he can play, he's definitely going to – we'll know more in 24 hours."
Crosby's Injury Clouds Canada's Narrow Win Over Czechia
The injury occurred during Canada's overtime victory against Czechia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Czech defenceman Radko Gudas delivered a hit near the boards, causing Crosby to fall awkwardly with his leg buckling. Crosby was seen wincing in pain on the bench before exiting the game and not returning.
Despite trailing 3-2 in the third period, Canada mounted a dramatic comeback. Nick Suzuki tied the game late by tipping a Devon Toews shot, and Mitch Marner secured the win with a backhand goal in overtime.
Thursday's practice was optional, with several key players, including Brad Marchand, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Toews, also skipping the ice. Cooper confirmed Crosby is receiving treatment, with assessments ongoing.
Leadership Void and McDavid's Impact
Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist known for his golden goal in 2010, is a pivotal leader for Canada. Connor McDavid, who leads the tournament with 11 points in four games, acknowledged Crosby's influence, stating, "He's Sidney Crosby. He's going to have a big influence no matter what."
Veteran defenceman Drew Doughty highlighted the team's need to step up if Crosby is unavailable. "We've got tons of guys that can step up and fill the leadership void," Doughty said. "Obviously, it's almost impossible to fill the player void, but we'll do our best."
Doughty also praised McDavid's performance, calling him "the best player on the ice every night" and noting his increased leadership role in Milan compared to previous tournaments.
Controversy and Looking Ahead to Finland
During the quarterfinal, a television broadcast revealed that Czechia had too many men on the ice when they took the lead, a fact missed by players and officials alike. Doughty admitted, "We didn't know until after the game. Not a single player, coach knew until after the game."
Looking to Friday's must-win semifinal against Finland, Cooper anticipates another tight contest, reminiscent of last year's 4 Nations Face-Off where Canada narrowly won 5-3. "The Finns always seem to be standing when it comes to medal time," Cooper warned. "And if you remotely take that team lightly, they're going to bite you."
Both teams advanced after overtime victories, with Finland defeating Switzerland 3-2. McDavid expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue, saying, "Your tournament kind of flashed before your eyes. It makes you grateful for another day here in this tournament."
As Canada prepares for this high-stakes matchup, the focus remains on Crosby's health and the team's ability to adapt under pressure.
