In the lead-up to the men's hockey semifinals at the Milan Cortina Olympics, Sidney Crosby was noticeably absent from Canada's optional practice on Thursday. The Canadian captain, 38, suffered an injury during the intense quarterfinal match against Czechia, where his right leg was subjected to a twist after a hit from defenceman Radko Gudas. Although Crosby attempted to continue, he struggled on his skates and eventually left the game, raising concerns among fans and teammates alike.

Crosby's absence from practice is particularly significant as he is a crucial player for Canada, having previously led the team to gold medal victories at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. Other key players such as Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews were also missing from the session, suggesting that Canada is facing some challenges in maintaining its roster strength ahead of the critical semifinal match against Finland.

With the semifinals scheduled for Friday and the final set for Sunday, the Canadian team is under pressure to perform, especially without their captain. As the landscape of the tournament evolves, the impact of injuries to key players like Crosby may be pivotal in determining Canada's path to the gold medal. The implications of this situation not only affect the team's chances in the upcoming games but also spotlight the physical toll that high-stakes competition takes on athletes of all levels.