Photo credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Radko Gudas, Anaheim Ducks captain and NHL veteran, is facing major backlash after the Milano Cortina Olympics, following an incident involving Sidney Crosby and alleged homophobic remarks. The fallout is growing fast.
The men’s hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games officially ended today with Team USA defeating Team Canada for gold.
But much of the conversation still revolves around what happened earlier in the week.
Sidney Crosby was injured during Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against Czechia after a hit involving Gudas.
The Canadian captain missed multiple games afterward, including today’s gold medal final.
Radko Gudas controversy after Sidney Crosby injury
Video footage circulating online appears to show Gudas yelling a homophobic slur toward an official shortly after the sequence that led to Crosby leaving the game.
The clip quickly spread across social media platforms.
According to reporting published two days ago by journalist Jon Holmes, microphones picked up Gudas shouting the insult while protesting a penalty late in the second period.
The alleged remark came minutes after his hit on Crosby forced the Canadian star to the dressing room.
The Anaheim Ducks defenseman later told Czech outlet Idnes.cz that he never intends to injure anyone and said he hopes Crosby is OK.
However, that statement has not quieted the outrage among hockey fans.
Many hockey supporters, from Canada, USA and internationally, are now calling for a significant suspension from Olympic authorities.
Others are urging the Ducks organization to reconsider Gudas’ role as team captain.
Gudas, long known for his physical and sometimes controversial style of play, has been suspended in the NHL before.
Critics argue that this latest situation goes beyond on-ice physicality and touches on conduct that has no place in the sport.
The International Olympic Committee has not yet announced whether a formal investigation will take place.
Given the visibility of the incident and Crosby’s global reputation, it would be surprising if the matter were simply ignored.
As emotions remain high following Canada’s gold medal loss and Crosby’s absence, this story may not fade anytime soon.
The coming days could determine whether Radko Gudas faces serious consequences or whether this controversy shifts back to league discipline.
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