Here we are, Day 2 of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament in Milan. It’s the first time we’ve experienced legitimate best-on-best hockey since 2014, and the atmosphere is electric. Team Canada is already on a roll, cruising toward a dominant 5-1 win against the Swiss. By all accounts, the team should have finished the game on an all-time high.
Unfortunately, late in the 3rd period, the game was mired by a gut-wrenching injury that sucked the energy right out of the arena.
The Incident: Wilson vs. Fiala
While it first felt like Team Canada should be celebrating a statement victory, the focus shifted immediately to Kevin Fiala. Late in the third, with the game completely out of reach, Tom Wilson tangled with Fiala along the boards.
The play left Fiala lying on the ice in significant pain, so hurt he refused to even roll onto his back before being transported off on a stretcher.
No Penalty, Just Bad Luck?
It wasn’t a penalty. It wasn’t even controversial. It was awkward, incidental, and unfortunate.
Sadly, for some, Wilson’s reputation is far too massive to ignore. If you’ve followed me here or on X (@JayOnLeafs), you know I have never shied away from criticizing a player like Tom Wilson. I love his physical style, but I’m the first to admit he has a history of playing on the line, and often crossing over it.
However, this was nothing like that.
This was simply a matter of Wilson playing the game the right way until the final whistle. Wilson came in heavy on the forecheck, got tangled up, and unfortunately landed with his full weight on the back of Fiala’s leg. The result? Fiala stretchered off, likely done for the Olympic tournament, and possibly for the remainder of the NHL season.
The Online Reaction Goes Nuclear
Predictably, the internet reaction was immediate and explosive.
Tom Wilson with a dirty play in a meaningless moment? I am shocked*
— Willy Shake N’Bakespeare (@Sir_Bakespeare) February 13, 2026
As soon as I heard Fiala was injured in the game against Canada I assumed Wilson was involved. So dirty.
— Tim H (@TeaAndNoodles) February 14, 2026
Here you have the opportunity to see the hit or let‘s say right slew foot from Tom Wilson. I am not speaking about this garbage person (by the way very happy so many canadian fans in the stadium called him sh**) but this f***** rigged tournament embarrassing me. Shame on You pic.twitter.com/nITiqfCt6O
— O.F (@fischer_fpl) February 14, 2026
You could tell immediately that Wilson didn’t look happy about the outcome. He stayed on the ice the entire time, wearing a look of genuine concern. This wasn’t a situation where Wilson was looking to inflict pain; it was a “nothing play”, the kind that happens dozens of times each night—that ended with a disastrous result.
Separating the Play from the Player
So now, instead of celebrating a massive Canadian win, fans are debating the “intent” of a hit that didn’t even escalate to a two-minute minor. Not because the play itself is controversial, but because fans can’t separate the accident from the agitator.
This injury is a major blow to the Swiss roster, but for once in his career, Wilson doesn’t deserve to be dragged through the court of public opinion. Wilson isn’t guilty in this situation. Anyone who thinks otherwise is blinded by their disdain for a player who was simply battling until the final whistle.