Sidney Crosby left Canada’s Olympic quarterfinal against Czechia after a series of second period collisions, casting immediate uncertainty over both Team Canada and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
MILAN — Bad news for Canada — and perhaps for Pittsburgh, too.
Sidney Crosby, captain of both Team Canada and the Pittsburgh Penguins, exited Canada’s quarter-final matchup against Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday following a series of second period collisions.
The sequence began near the red line around the 15-minute mark of the second period, with Czechia clinging to a 2–1 lead. Crosby tried to sidestep an open-ice hit from defenseman Radko Gudas, but the two became entangled. Though Crosby initially pressed on, Gudas caught him again moments later, driving him hard into the boards.
Crosby attempted to skate through the discomfort, but it quickly became clear something was wrong. He made his way slowly to the bench, favoring his right leg. After a brief consultation with team trainers, he gingerly headed down the tunnel to the dressing room at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
The sight cast an immediate pall over the arena. Earlier in the tournament, Crosby had further cemented his Olympic legacy, recording his 16th career Olympic point to break the previous men’s record of 14 held by Jarome Iginla.
Back in the National Hockey League, Crosby continues to defy time in his 20th season, extending his extraordinary streak of averaging at least a point per game. Through 56 contests, he has compiled 59 points — 27 goals and 32 assists — underscoring his sustained excellence at age 38.
Now, two teams — and two anxious fan bases — await definitive word on the condition of their captain.
At the end of two periods, Czechia and Canada are tied at two goals apiece. Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon scored the most recent marker with a blast on the power play to nod up the score. Before the goal, it was the first time since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics that Canada had trailed a game at any point.
