The gold medal game between Team USA and Team Canada has finally arrived, but unfortunately, Canada will be down one of its best and most iconic players.
Pittsburgh Penguins' and Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby was ruled out for Sunday's gold medal game, the team announced prior to puck drop. Crosby, 38, sustained a lower-body injury in the second period of Canada's quarterfinal matchup against Czechia on Wednesday, and he did not play in the team's semifinal game Friday against Finland.
The news comes a day after several media members close to the situation said there was a "70 percent" chance that Crosby would suit up on Sunday.
Even if the news came as a shock to some, Jon Cooper said initially that Crosby would not play if he felt he wasn't ready to or if he didn't think he was helping his team. Evidently, Crosby's injury is nagging him enough to keep him out of what could, potentially, be the last time he suits up for Team Canada at the Olympics in his career.
"I saw him skate today, we'll meet tonight," Cooper said after practice on Saturday. "He's not going to put himself or the team in harm's way."
Crosby had two goals and six points in four games during this tournament prior to his injury.
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