Tom Wilson dropped the gloves in a rare Olympic hockey fight during Canada's 10-2 rout of France, ejecting himself from the game but sending a clear message about protecting teammates. The Washington Capitals winger fought Pierre Crinon after he delivered a high hit to Nathan MacKinnon's head, earning a two-minute minor penalty.

Unlike the NHL where fighting draws a five-minute major, International Ice Hockey Federation rules eject players for fighting, so Wilson and Crinon were sent to the locker room with seven minutes remaining. The incident came exactly one year after three fights erupted in the first nine seconds of Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off game against the United States, showing the physical tone Canada brings to international competition.

Wilson's fight, combined with a goal and an assist, gave him hockey's unofficial "Gordie Howe hat trick." The 31-year-old is having a career season with 49 points in 50 games for Washington and is expected to become the Capitals' captain when Alex Ovechkin retires. Coach Jon Cooper praised Wilson's locker room presence, while teammates like Sam Bennett and Jordan Binnington appreciated his willingness to stand up for the team.