Team Canada discusses rallying after Sidney Crosby's injury in Olympic quarterfinal: 'We didn't want this to be Sid's last game'

Team Canada center Sidney Crosby still made an impact even after exiting with a gruesome right leg injury at the Milan Cortina Olympics quarterfinal against Czechia on Wednesday.

Head coach Jon Cooper said the Pittsburgh Penguins star spoke to Team Canada after injuring his leg in the second period. He sent a simple message to the squad: "Go get them." That was all the motivation his teammates needed. 

Jon Cooper and others discuss rallying after Sidney Crosby's injury

"He couldn't come out for the third," Cooper said, per USA Today's Helene St. James. "But he did address the players, and I think that was a big thing coming in is, that we lose this game — we didn't want this to be Sid's last game at this Olympics." 

Whether Wednesday marked Crosby's last game at the Olympics remains unclear. Cooper didn't have an immediate update after the game. Per ESPN's Emily Kaplan, the center is set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his injury. 

If it were his final game at Milan Cortina, that could be an unceremonious end to a storied Olympic career. But at least, his teammates delivered an epic victory the 38-year-old should never forget. 

Czechia left winger Ondrej Palat (New York Islanders) scored a goal 12:18 into the third period, taking a 3-2 lead. Canadian center Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens) responded just over four minutes later. He netted a goal on an assist from center Macklin Celebrini. That forced overtime, where right winger Mitch Marner scored the winning goal, securing a 4-3 Canadian win.