Shredding the flag is a major sign of disrespect though. They might as well have lit it on fire while yelling "down with Canada".
I don't see how doing what the Canadians did is harmful or in the same as desecrating another county's flag. I thought the gold maple leaf on our flag was pretty cool.
It seems to me this is basically as spontaneous a celebration as Montgomery's. In the heat of the moment I can't see any of the team members stopping and thinking what this would look like, they're celebrating a great win.
In the sober light of the next day I can see them showing some regret - mostly regret the photographers were still there - and they did and have apologized so I think this is a non story now.
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