Canada had to compete for Olympic gold without its longtime captain.

Sidney Crosby did not play in Sunday’s gold-medal game against the United States, as Canada fell 2-1 in overtime.

He suffered an injury during Canada’s quarterfinal contest against Czechia after he took a heavy hit from Czech defenceman Radko Gudas and did not play in the semifinal against Finland. 

Canada GM Doug Armstrong told the CBC Olympics panel that Crosby made the decision he shouldn’t play in the gold-medal game.

“It was obviously a drawn-out process in the sense he skated, he went through his rehab, met the coach, doctors, discussed the game plan and how he could be used, and at the end of the day, he thought the opportunity should go to somebody else,” Armstrong said.

“You let the athlete make that decision,” Armstrong continued. “He knows his body. He knows what he can and can’t do.”

Speaking to CBC Olympics after the game, Crosby was gutted that he couldn’t be out there and believed his teammates did enough to win the game.

“It’s tough. You know, I definitely can feel that it’s, it’s a lot easier playing than, than watching,” Crosby said. “I think everyone should be proud of the way the team performed. I thought that obviously we did everything but score. You know, in every facet, we were just so good today. I thought we deserved better.”

The 38-year-old recorded two goals and four assists in four games this tournament — his third Olympic Games. 

When asked if he felt he was close to playing, the veteran said that he knew it would not have been the best choie for the team given his limitations.

“I wasn’t able to go out there and do what I needed to do in order to help the team,” Crosby explained. ” So at that point, you’ve got to make a decision that’s best for the group. Not an easy one,”

With the next Olympics not until 2030 in France, Crosby told reporters that this being his final Olympics may have crossed his mind.

Connor McDavid wore the ‘C’ for the second straight game in Crosby’s absence. 

Defenceman Josh Morrissey, who suffered an injury in Canada’s tournament opener, also was ruled out for the gold-medal game.