Team Canada has had its fair share of controversy in the world juniors this year. Team Canada roster has an abundance of first-round talent, which all hope to one day make the NHL. The issue lies in the way these players have been playing. It is rare for a team to be criticized for being too good, but the morals and ethics behind Team Canada’s double-digit wins leave questions to be asked about whether they are healthy for hockey.

Many sports pundits and fans have debated whether these wins are something to be enjoyed or something to be concerned about. Team Canada has won two games by double digits, those being against Germany and Switzerland. These two nations are on the rise in the hockey world, producing mass amounts of promising young talent making their impact on the NHL. Notably, Leon Draisaitl and recent 3rd overall pick Tim Stutzle for Germany, and Nico Hischier for Switzerland.

Where the issue may lie is the humiliating ways these teams have lost. Even fans of the German and Swiss national teams can admit that they should not beat Canada, but getting blown out by 10 plus goals leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth. It is these types of games that new viewers to the sport may find repulsive. For example, if someone in Switzerland tuned into the Canada-Switzerland game and saw their home country being dominated, it would become boring and frustrating immediately. This could lead to negative connotations when thinking of hockey due to the poor memories associated with the game.

Even as a Canadian, it must be hard to watch these blowouts and not lose attention. The magic spark hockey has is the unpredictability and intensity. In no way should one suggest purposely allowing other teams to score, but knowing when to let up can lead to less hatred and negativity in the game

Take the Islanders for example. Running up the score would not be something that the culture around the Islanders would support. Barry Trotz would not allow his team to run up the score, as it can be equated to poor sportsmanship. These types of high scoring games are condemned by many, as while goals in hockey are exciting when one team is scoring ten while the other none, that excitement can easily turn to boredom.

A defense that can be proposed is that it is these player’s times to shine on the world stage. While this may be true, is the tone you want to set it that of poor sportsmanship by flexing your scoring muscle against weaker teams?

Team Canada should not receive mass amounts of criticism for the games, despite all of these reasons supporting it. Team USA also had a double-digit win, yet they are not being talked about nearly as much. Rather than hating on a group of teenagers, a serious discussion should be had regarding the ethics and morals of running up scores in all levels of hockey.

John Smark