HIGHLIGHTS
- Sidney Crosby left the quarterfinals with an injury
- Team Canada coach Jon Cooper hasn’t ruled him out for Friday’s semis
- Cooper says they’re taking it “day by day” with the decorated legend
Team Canada lost Sidney Crosby to an injury in the second period of their thrilling OT win over Czechia in the quarterfinals at the Milan Olympics, but there still appears to be a chance that Crosby could suit up again in this tournament.
Head coach Jon Cooper has yet to rule out the legend for the semifinals against Finland on Friday, and said they’re taking it day by day.
Via TSN’s Mark Masters:
“I’m not ruling out anything. We got the best of the best looking after him. We still got another 24 hours or so, but there’s a chance,” Cooper said.
Crosby was hit twice in a span of just seconds by Radko Gudas and Martin Necas, and he seemed to be favoring his right leg. The decorated Olympian exited down the tunnel in pain and never returned. However, “Sid the Kid” did address Team Canada during the second intermission.
Crosby, who is playing in what will likely be his final Olympics, has already compiled six points in Milan, scoring twice and registering four assists.
“We didn’t want this to be Sid’s last game at this Olympics,” Cooper said, via NHL.com. “It was a big motivator for the guys coming out.”
Crosby will forever be a Canadian legend after his famous goal in the 2010 Olympics when Canada beat the US in Vancouver. His production at 38 years of age is remarkable, and there would be no better send-off for Crosby’s international career than helping his country win gold in Italy.
Knowing just how tough Crosby is, he’ll be doing everything he can to be out there on Friday against Finland. If he’s not able to go, Crosby could potentially play on Sunday in the gold medal game, if Canada beats the Finns.
For what it’s worth, “Sid the Kid” didn’t practice on Thursday in Milan, but it was an optional skate.
