Sidney Crosby’s Postgame Exchange With Julian Junca Turns Canada vs France Into a Viral Moment

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Daniel Lucente
February 17, 2026 (9:26)

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Photo credit: Marton Monus/Reuters via Imagn Images

Sidney Crosby scored on Julian Junca, then owned the handshake line, the kind of Team Canada class Penguins fans never get tired of.

Canada’s 10-2 win over France on Sunday at Milano Cortina 2026 was loud on the scoreboard.

It got even louder, in a softer way, after the horn.

French goalie Julian Junca didn’t hide from the moment.

He leaned into it.

He told Crosby the goal “wasn’t that nice,” and Crosby deadpanned back.

“Yeah, bad luck for me.”

- Sidney Crosby

-

That tiny exchange says more about Crosby than any highlight clip.

He never acts like he’s above anyone.

Junca still faced 33 shots in two periods and stopped 27 before France went to Antoine Keller.

Crosby finished the game with 1-2-3, and he kept the respect level at 10.

Penguins fans know this feeling, proud but also a little emotional, because this is exactly why Crosby’s sweater means something beyond points.

At these Olympics, Crosby now sits at 15 career points, 6-9-15, the most by a Canadian in NHL-player Olympic tournaments.

That matters, but the way he carries it matters more.

Canada went 3-0 in the prelims and locked up the No. 1 seed.

France went 0-3, but Junca walked away with a story he’ll tell forever.

For Team Canada, it’s a reminder that gold medal favorites still need to play human.

For Pittsburgh, it’s another reminder that their captain is still the standard.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

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