France’s Pierre Clinon was suspended by the French Olympic Hockey Federation on Monday following a fight with Canada’s Tom Wilson during Sunday’s group game.
Clinon, 30, is unable to compete in the remainder of the Olympics. However, with a 0-3 record, France may have just one game remaining in Milan Cortina, Tuesday’s qualifying match against Germany.
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With 6:59 left in the game, Crinon hit Canadian forward Nathan McKinnon to give Canada a 10-2 lead. This prompted Wilson to retaliate against Crenon, with the pair tangled up near the France goal. Crenon quickly forced Wilson face down to the ice. But after the referee pulled the French defender off, Wilson pushed Crinnon.
Both players ended up receiving a five-minute penalty for fighting and were ejected for improper play. Neither violation resulted in an automatic suspension, and shortly after the game, SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the IIHF would allow Crenon and Wilson to play in their team’s next game.
Apparently the French Olympic Hockey Federation feels differently.
Citing “the values of every player who wears the France national team jersey and their responsibility to set an example, especially during the Olympics,” Crinnon was no longer allowed to play in the remainder of the tournament in Milan’s Cortina.
“Pierre Crinon’s provocative behavior as he left the ice, despite having just been ejected from the game for fighting, is a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and undermines the values of our sport,” the French ice hockey federation said in a statement.
“Therefore, in full agreement with the French National Olympic and Sports Council, it has been decided not to authorize him to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games.”
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As noted in the statement, Crinnon could be seen goading Canadian supporters into the crowd at Milan’s Santa Giulia Hockey Arena while leaving the ice after being ejected.
The French team only needs to defeat the German team (1-2 in the group stage) to advance to the qualifying rounds. If so, France will face Slovakia in the next round. Crenon won’t be on the ice anyway.
Canada (3-0) will face either the Czech Republic or Denmark at 10:40 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
