It was back on the next day, as Cooper declined to give a definitive answer on the status of Canada's men's hockey team captain, who did not partake in an optional practice on Feb. 19.

It probably wasn’t by design, but Connor McDavid was first on the ice for practice Thursday.

Following a hard hit from Czechia’s Radko Gudas in the second period, Crosby fell awkwardly on his right leg.