French hockey player who fought Tom Wilson suspended
MILAN — Frenchman Pierre Crinon, who faced Canadian Tom Wilson at the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, was suspended Monday by the French ice hockey federation.
Crinon will not participate in Tuesday’s qualifying round against Germany after the federation said the defender’s actions after the fight went against its values. He also wouldn’t play if France progressed unexpectedly.
Crinon and Wilson fought with seven minutes remaining in Canada’s 10-2 loss to France on Sunday. Unlike the NHL, where it is a 5-minute major penalty, fighting is misconduct under International Ice Hockey Federation rules, so Wilson and Crinon were sent off.
The IIHF did not punish either player beyond the initial expulsion.
Wilson got into the match with Crinon, who delivered a left forearm to the jaw of Canadian teammate Nathan MacKinnon and was penalized.
Canada plays again on Wednesday in the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic or Denmark.
