Canada’s JVM Sparks Controversy: ‘They’re Idiots’

Canada behaved unsportsmanlike in the JVM premiere.

Now SVT’s expert Jonas Andersson rages against the behavior.

– As soon as they put on their ugly goddamn neck guards and put on those match shirts, they become ace, he says in SVT.

It was in Canada’s opening game in the JVM against the Czech Republic, last Friday, that the North Americans behaved unsportsmanlike.

Already during the warm-up, the Canadians crossed the center line to upset the Czechs. In the final stages of the match, team captain Porter Martone also handed out a pat on the bottom of a Czech opponent after deciding in an empty net.

But above all, Canada left the ice after the final whistle without shaking hands with the opponents and thanking them for a good game.

The behavior was reported to the JVM’s disciplinary committee and both Canada as a team and captain Martone subsequently apologized.

Anger: “Turns into an ace – plays on it”

When the events were discussed in SVT’s studio, the top cover went off for the expert Jonas Andersson.

– I have had a lot of Canadian teammates and also played in Canada. As soon as it comes to this maple leaf, something happens, they become idiots frankly, I think, he says in SVT’s broadcast.

He then continues:

– Normal people who are as nice as possible become … Well, I like Canada as a country and the people there, but as soon as they put on their ugly fucking neck guards and put on those match shirts, they become aces – and they play on it.

“Crossed the line”

Andersson does not want to see similar styles in the future.

– They are not very tough anymore, but they try to live in that. This is just ridiculous, what they are doing now. I hope someone punctures that little balloon, he says, adding:

– I have no problem with this foul play as long as it is during the match. Then everything is allowed. But when it happens after the match, when you don’t say thank you and so on, then it has crossed the line.

Loob: “Show some morals – grown men”

Håkan Loob was also annoyed by the behavior, but expressed himself a little more gently.

– I think that when the match is over, you can at least show some morale. Then you don’t have to go on and on, he says in SVT and continues:

– Don’t act like you’re twelve years old. These are grown men after all, behave better than this.

Canada dropped points against Latvia overnight Sunday, conceding a late goal that took the game to overtime (where they won).

Sweden won its opening match against Slovakia. On Sunday evening, they face Switzerland, with kick-off at 8:00 p.m.