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Following an expansive and exhilarating day of global ice hockey – a day where three out of four Olympic quarterfinal matches extended into overtime, featuring Canada’s hard-fought victory against Czechia – the majority of the sport’s focus shifted towards Sidney Crosby’s right knee.
Head coach Jon Cooper declared, subsequent to Thursday’s optional practice, which saw participation from almost the full squad, that “Sid has certainly not been eliminated from the competition.” He added, “The most highly qualified experts are currently evaluating him.”
Cooper indicated that the assessment of Crosby’s medical condition was actively progressing.
“All procedures are taking place at this very moment. We are not rushed,” he stated.
Canada is scheduled to face Finland in the initial semifinal match on Friday at 10:40 a.m. Eastern Time.
The apprehension surrounding Crosby’s injury, which occurred during his bracing for a forceful hit from Radko Gudas during the second period, bears a striking resemblance to the knee ailment suffered by Marie-Philip Poulin, the seasoned captain of the women’s team, during the initial stages of the tournament.
She was absent for two matches before returning to net both goals in Canada’s 2-1 semifinal triumph against Switzerland, propelling her squad into Thursday’s championship game against the highly regarded American team.
Crosby could likewise stage a motivating comeback. However, the prospect of a more enduring injury for the 38-year-old prompts concerns regarding the NHL’s decision to allow its athletes to participate in Olympic competition for the initial time since 2014.
Should one of ice hockey’s most revered figures be unavailable to the Pittsburgh Penguins and their supporters during the crucial phase of an outstanding season, the NHL’s involvement might not appear to justify the potential drawbacks, regardless of the quality of play displayed.
Captain of Team Canada, Sidney Crosby, exited their quarterfinal contest against Czechia in the second frame, seemingly due to a lower-body ailment.
Notably, Kyle Dubas, who serves as Pittsburgh’s general manager and Canada’s director of player personnel, observed Crosby’s departure from the ice with a visible limp.
Cooper affirmed, “We will not subject anyone to undue risk.” He added, “However, if he is capable of playing, he will absolutely be on the ice.”
Should Crosby be unable to skate, Cooper would need to appoint an alternate captain or allow Crosby to be present on the bench in uniform. The latter scenario could be a viable choice, considering Canada’s rallying victory against Czechia was partially fueled by the desire to see him participate in an additional match.
Cooper opted not to delve into such eventualities. “We must await confirmation if he is officially sidelined,” he stated.
He further mentioned that he has observed increased leadership qualities from other members of the team subsequent to last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, during which Crosby was unequivocally the team’s central figure.
Cooper remarked, “I am currently witnessing significantly more from the collective,” making reference to the leadership displayed by Brad Marchand, Connor McDavid, and Drew Doughty, all of whom, similar to Crosby, are aiming for their third Olympic gold medal.
He continued, “They have faced numerous challenging and intense circumstances, and they consistently rise to the occasion.” Cooper observed, “No one truly enjoys hardship. Everyone claims to appreciate adversity, stating it is beneficial, until they are directly experiencing it. At that point, hardship is often no longer desirable.”
“Nevertheless, the crucial aspect is how one navigates their way through it,” he concluded.
