Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby (lower body) exits vs. Czechs

Field Level Media
19 Feb 2026, 01:35 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

Sidney Crosby suffered a lower-body injury in the second period of Team Canada's 4-3 overtime win over Czechia on Wednesday in a quarterfinal game at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Crosby, the Canadian captain, was trying to avoid a hit from Radko Gudas by ducking. Gudas, at full speed, fell over Crosby, whose right leg bent underneath him in an awkward manner.

Thirteen seconds later, Crosby was hit by both Martin Necas and Gudas along the boards. Crosby clearly was favoring his right leg, before making his way to the locker room. He did not return to the game.

'I haven't been back there yet, but he couldn't come out for the third,' Canada coach Jon Cooper said. 'But he did address the players. I think that was a big thing coming in, we lose this game, we didn't want this to be Sid's last game at this Olympics. It was a big motivator for the guys coming out.

'You just rarely see it, so for him something definitely went wrong. He thought he wasn't in a position to help the team for the rest of the night and we'll evaluate after that.'

The Czechs were leading 2-1 when Crosby exited with just more than 14 minutes remaining in the period. He was on the receiving end of a handful of big hits from Team Czechia in a physical game.

Crosby has two goals and four assists in four games of the tournament.

Canada is in search of its first gold medal since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The 38-year-old Crosby is in his 21st NHL season, all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 56 games this season, he has 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists).

--Field Level Media

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