Tom Wilson issues bold challenge to Team USA ahead of Olympic gold medal game
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Team Canada forward Tom Wilson's comments ahead of the gold medal game are going to hit different knowing just how much potential tension there is going into it.
Knowing there's going to be a North American finals for the Olympic gold medal, fans are no doubt going to be waiting for Team Canada and Team USA to give us a taste of that legendary rivalry that has made international hockey such a dogfight for decades.
We already know that Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews are going to be looking forward to the contest and are well aware things won't be easy -- especially if Sidney Crosby is back in the fold.
Tom Wilson explains just how important the gold medal is
But one player who is going to no doubt have all eyes on him is Team Canada forward Tom Wilson, who's aggressive and sometimes controversial style of play has caused a lot of criticism, no doubt exacerbated by him being the cause of Kevin Fiala's season-ending injury.
Though all of Canada is going to be behind him, Wilson knows that things are going to be as intense as can be, and although he stopped short of saying things would get as wild as the 4 Nations Face-Off -- he expects it to be intense:
It will be the fastest and most physical hockey you can’t even imagine.
While expecting an intense style of hockey, it was what Wilson added to the sentiment that made things a lot more personal and shows exactly what Canada is fighting for:
But it's not that long ago that you were the kid in the classroom when they wheeled those old big TVs in. You’d put the antennas up so you can get the signal and watch Team Canada play. I remember being there.
And seeing your local rink with watch parties cheering you on, I mean, that's why we're here.
We're here for our country. We're here to try and make them proud. It's not about us. If you ask any single guy in that room, it's way bigger than us.
And all I can do, all we can do, at this point is just leave it all out there for our country.
And seeing your local rink with watch parties cheering you on, I mean, that's why we're here.
We're here for our country. We're here to try and make them proud. It's not about us. If you ask any single guy in that room, it's way bigger than us.
And all I can do, all we can do, at this point is just leave it all out there for our country.
Say what you want about Wilson and his style of play, the passion and love he has for his country and his careless nature and putting himself in the thick of everything shows the sacrifice he is willing to make.
For Wilson to acknowledge things are bigger than the individual shows a lot of maturity for a player who often gets criticized for a lack thereof. It's not about making more money or bragging rights -- it's a matter of national pride.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Team Canada imposes a new restriction ahead of the gold medal game, Team USA doesn’t
Team Canada imposes a new restriction ahead of the gold medal game, Team USA doesn’t
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 21|1520 ANSWERS Tom Wilson issues bold challenge to Team USA ahead of Olympic gold medal game Who has the better chance of winning gold? | ||
| Canada | 1113 | 73.2 % |
| USA | 407 | 26.8 % |
| List of polls | ||