During the Olympic match on Sunday between Canada and France, a notable altercation occurred between Canadian player Tom Wilson and French player Pierre Crinon in the third period. The situation escalated after Wilson attempted to confront Crinon, who had earlier delivered a controversial hit on Nathan MacKinnon, a prominent Canadian player. Although the two players dropped their gloves, no official fight developed, but tensions clearly rose on the ice as Wilson reacted strongly to Crinon's actions.

The altercation was triggered by an incident earlier in the match where Crinon delivered a headshot to the unpuck-possessing MacKinnon, which resulted in a two-minute penalty for Crinon. This hit seemed to aggravate Wilson, who, in an emotional response, confronted Crinon despite the referees' intervention. Canadian teammate Nathan MacKinnon commented on the situation, emphasizing that it was clear Crinon wanted to grapple rather than engage in a fight.

This incident not only highlights the intense physicality and emotional stakes involved in Olympic hockey but also reflects the broader dynamics of international NHL players competing in high-stakes environments. The reactions from players and fans alike indicate that emotional responses to on-ice incidents can quickly escalate tensions, affecting the flow and atmosphere of the game, particularly in an Olympic context.