Sidney Crosby Discusses Injury, Missing Canada's Gold-Medal Loss to USA in 2026 Olympics

After missing Sunday's gold-medal game against Team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby was understandably disappointed, but he knew he had done what was best for the team.

Crosby, who suffered a lower-body injury earlier in the Olympic men's hockey tournament, told reporters after Team Canada's 2-1 overtime loss that he decided to sit out the game because he felt he would've been a hinderance to his team in his current condition.

"It might have crossed my mind a little bit, but ultimately, I think it was about what's best for our group and what gives us the best chance to win," Crosby said, per The Athletic's Arpon Basu. "I think yeah, that becomes pretty clear at that point. If I'm not able to go, I'm not going to compromise our team, put myself ahead of that. It might've crossed my mind but ultimately that's not how you make your decision."

Crosby suffered the injury in the quarterfinals against Czechia and was forced to sit out the semifinals against Finland. He said he appreciated the chance to decide on his status for the gold-medal game, but he knew he wouldn't be at 100 percent.

"It's pretty clear given the situation whether you can either play or not play," Crosby said. "And I just didn't feel like I was able to. Even to get to the point where I had to make that decision, I didn't think I'd be in that position after the Czech game. I think the medical staff, everybody was incredible. Unfortunately, wasn't able to go."