Pierre Crinon of Team France hits MacKinnon with a dirty hit and Tom Wilson drops the gloves against Crinon

MacKinnon absorbed a firm body check from France’s Pierre Crinon along the boards, a play that immediately drew attention from players on the Canadian bench.

While the contact was ruled legal on the ice, many observers felt it bordered on excessive given the flow of the game and the score at that point.

MacKinnon remained in the contest, but the intensity level noticeably increased following the collision.

A few minutes later, tensions escalated when Tom Wilson engaged with Crinon during a puck battle.

The two players quickly dropped the gloves in what became one of the most heated moments of the night.

Crinon initially managed to pull Wilson off balance and bring him down to the ice. However, Wilson got back to his skates almost instantly.

Visibly fired up, he re-engaged and managed to take Crinon down moments later before officials stepped in to separate the two.

It was a clear message from Team Canada that physical play would not go unanswered.

At the time of the incident, Canada was firmly in control of the game. The Canadians built a commanding lead through two periods, showcasing their offensive depth and speed advantage.

Despite the lopsided score, France continued to compete hard, finishing checks and battling along the boards. That competitiveness contributed to the rising physical tone as the game progressed.

For Canada, the key takeaway remains MacKinnon’s status. There was no immediate indication of injury following the hit, and he continued to take regular shifts.

Wilson’s response will undoubtedly spark debate among fans. Some will view it as standing up for a teammate.

Others may argue that emotions boiled over unnecessarily in a game that was already decided.

In short tournament play, momentum and team unity matter just as much as skill. Saturday’s game against France delivered both high-end offense and a reminder that Olympic hockey can still carry NHL-level intensity.