MILAN — In a tournament where physical confrontations are typically left at the door, Tom Wilson reminded everyone why he's considered one of hockey's most formidable enforcers. During Canada's dominant 10-2 victory over France on Sunday, Wilson dropped his gloves in a rare Olympic fight, defending teammate Nathan MacKinnon after a controversial hit.
The incident unfolded late in the game when French defenseman Pierre Crinon delivered a forearm strike to MacKinnon's head. While Crinon received only a two-minute minor penalty and later apologized to MacKinnon, Canada's bench saw it differently. The hit appeared both late and high, triggering an immediate response from Wilson, who has built his reputation on standing up for teammates.
Fighting in Olympic hockey carries far steeper consequences than in the NHL. While North American professional leagues treat it as a five-minute major penalty, the International Ice Hockey Federation mandates a game misconduct for any player who engages in fisticuffs. Both Wilson and Crinon were ejected, though with only seven minutes remaining and the outcome firmly decided, Wilson's absence had minimal impact on the game's result.
Three-time Olympian Drew Doughty praised Wilson's instinctive reaction. "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," Doughty explained. "I mean, he does a lot more than that, but it was great to see him step up."
Tournament leading scorer Connor McDavid echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the protective culture within Canada's locker room. "We didn't like the hit, felt like it was late and high," McDavid stated. "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."
The confrontation yielded an unexpected statistical achievement for Wilson. With his earlier goal and assist in the game, the fight completed what's known in hockey lore as a "Gordie Howe hat trick" — a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game. It's a fitting tribute to one of the sport's most physical legends and a testament to Wilson's multifaceted contributions.
Wilson's presence on Canada's Olympic roster stems from more than just his pugilistic abilities. At 31, the Washington Capitals winger has evolved into a complete player, leading his NHL team with 49 points in 50 games this season. His combination of scoring touch, puck retrieval skills, and physical intimidation makes him a valuable asset in any tournament setting.
Coach Jon Cooper, who has witnessed countless physical altercations throughout his career, downplayed the incident's severity. "We're used to a lot more than that happening, so it was pretty harmless in the grand scheme of things," Cooper noted. "Sticking up for his teammates, that's an easy one for him."
The timing of Wilson's fight carries symbolic weight, occurring exactly one year after a notorious opening night at the 4 Nations Face-Off. In that tournament, three separate fights erupted within the first nine seconds of Canada's initial game against the United States. Brandon Hagel, Sam Bennett, and Colton Parayko squared off against Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, and J.T. Miller in a chaotic scene that set the tone for the competition.
Hagel, who participated in last year's brawl, couldn't help but smile when reflecting on Wilson's actions. "Listen, I don't think we can go through this tournament without seeing one," Hagel said. "It was probably the talk about him coming to the tournament. But that's just what Willy does: He sticks up for teammates."
For MacKinnon, who was slow to rise after the hit but eventually returned to the bench, Wilson's intervention represented the ultimate teammate gesture. "That guy obviously didn't want to fight Tom," MacKinnon observed. "He just wanted to wrestle. I wouldn't want to fight Tom either."
Wilson's reputation as a locker room leader continues to grow. Many anticipate he'll assume the Washington Capitals' captaincy once Alex Ovechkin retires, and Cooper described him as "outstanding in the locker room." While Wilson declined to speak with reporters after the game, his actions spoke volumes about his commitment to team chemistry and player safety.
The incident raises interesting questions about the role of fighting in modern hockey, particularly on the international stage where it's actively discouraged. While purists argue the Olympics should showcase skill over brawn, players like Wilson demonstrate that protective instincts don't disappear simply because the rulebook changes. The threat of ejection didn't deter him from defending a star player, suggesting that team loyalty transcends tournament regulations.
Canada's comfortable victory allowed them the luxury of losing Wilson for the final minutes without consequence. The team had already established offensive dominance, with multiple players contributing to the double-digit scoreline. This context made Wilson's sacrifice even more meaningful — he could stand on principle without jeopardizing his team's competitive position.
As the tournament progresses, Wilson's fight will likely serve as a bonding moment for a Canadian squad loaded with talent but still developing its identity. In a short competition where chemistry can make the difference between gold and disappointment, having a player willing to risk ejection for a teammate sends a powerful message about unity and mutual protection.
The Washington Capitals organization must have watched with mixed emotions. While they certainly don't want their leading scorer injured or suspended, they also understand that Wilson's physical edge defines his game. Attempting to remove that element would diminish the very qualities that make him effective. His ability to walk the line between aggressive play and disciplinary trouble has become more refined with experience, though Sunday's incident shows he won't hesitate when core principles are challenged.
For hockey fans, the fight offered a rare glimpse of old-school hockey on one of the sport's biggest modern stages. The Olympics typically emphasize speed, skill, and international sportsmanship, but Wilson's actions reminded everyone that hockey remains a physical game at its heart. When teammates are threatened, some players will always answer the call, regardless of the consequences.
As Canada advances toward the medal rounds, they'll do so knowing they have a player who puts team above self. Wilson's Gordie Howe hat trick, while statistically notable, pales in comparison to the intangible message he sent: no one touches Canada's stars without answering to him. In a tournament where physical intimidation is supposed to be absent, Wilson just became Canada's not-so-secret weapon.