MILAN -- Sidney Crosby did not play in Canada's semifinal win over Finland on Friday.
According to sources, Crosby is still hopeful to play for the gold medal game, but it's unclear whether he will be able to.
Crosby underwent an MRI for the lower-body injury he sustained in Wednesday's thrilling 4-3 overtime quarterfinal win against Czechia, in which he exited during the second period. Sources said the imaging showed that it was not the worst-case scenario for Crosby, with coach Jon Cooper saying "We've got the best of the best looking at him" and that the team would take the situation day by day.
Crosby, 38, did not participate as Canada held an optional skate Thursday. The team had a closed morning skate Friday. Sources told ESPN that Crosby was seen wearing a walking boot at the hotel Friday.
"We're not going to put anyone in harm's way," Cooper said Thursday. "But if [Crosby] can play, he's definitely going to."
Per international rules, every team must have a player wearing a "C" in the lineup, and Connor McDavid served as Canada's captain in their come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Finland.
The Canadians trailed 2-0 more than midway through the second period before Sam Reinhart broke up the shutout.
Canada used constant pressure in the third period, equalizing the game at the 10:34 mark on a Shea Theodore tally.
Thanks to a high-sticking penalty called on Finland, the Canadians found themselves with a man-advantage for much of the final two minutes of regulation before Nathan MacKinnon snuck the game-winning goal past Finland's Juuse Saros with just :36 seconds remaining.
Canada awaits the winner of United States vs. Slovakia in the gold medal game.
