On the heels of the disappointing loss in the Gold Medal game of the IIHF U20 World Hockey Championship, Canadians all across the country were left dejected and with an empty feeling, just not quite able to explain what we had all just witnessed. We then awoke to newspaper articles, highlights and still images of those young men after the final horn had sounded. This game was difficult to watch as the outcome unfolded, but what I found harder to accept was the criticism and out right assault sportscasters and sports writers in this country unleashed on these young men. These are just kids, young men going into an international tournament to represent their country, which only a few understand that pressure. These are not professional players, they are the most talented this country has to offer in junior hockey. These boys play because they love the game and they all have just one dream, represent their country and make the NHL. I hope that they all avoided reading newspapers or watching highlights because if they weren't crushed by the loss, some of the harsh things that were said certainly would have broken their spirits , what spirits they have left. Mike Babcock, coach of our Canadian men's Olympic Gold medalists said it best, that this country should be proud of what those young men did. They are just that, young, mistakes will be made. If people want a place to place blame, look no further than TSN's James Duthie, he jinxed the Canadians. Just before the camera panned away from him to end the 2nd intermission he made the snide comment "The Russians came back from against Finland, down 3-1 and against Sweden when down 2-0, can they do it again, well Canada isn't Finland or Sweden.". This comment may not seem like much, but like similar comments made many times before it came back to loom large at the end of the third. Talk to any athlete or sports fan and we're are very superstitious and a comment like that just put a jinx over the heads of our juniors. It's like a commentator stating during the 7th game of the world series, two out and winning run at bat, "all he has to do is hit a home run and his team wins the world series!!!". Thanks asshole I know how the game works, next thing you know "bam!!!" home run. Or when sports casters keep count of home many outs until a no hitter. I understand that dialogue is a must during televised sportscasts, but sometimes sports casters need to just shut the he'll up!! Part of the greatness of sport is that no game is over until it's over, until the fat lady has sung (speaking of Gary Bettman's wife), but it is just extra frustration when a guy who is painted up to look pretty for tv makes stupid comments like James Duthie did last night and then a result like last night follows. I understand that the game is played on the field or ice or court, but JINX, JINX, JINX!!!!
Dear James Duthie, just SHUT UP! You better hope you haven't caused a curse, that you have destined the Canadian juniors for silver finishes for years to come, or I will single handedly insure that it's known as the Dirty Duthie curse....worse than any sports curse you pretty boy douche!
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