[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Not only is it disrespectful to Canada to act like that, but it's disrespectful to the rest of team Sweden who worked their asses off just to get into that game.

Saying that placing 2nd means nothing to you denigrates the accomplishments of the rest of the team. You'd have to think that this might be the crowning achievement from some of those players in their entire career, and to have their captain disregard that achievement makes it so that they will never be able to really enjoy it.

But it also is disrespectful to the rest of the teams playing in this tournament. You want to believe the Americans would have much rather played in this game than play for bronze. What about all those teams that didn't have a shot at a medal. You better believe they would love to have a shot at silver, let alone gold. I know what you'll say, it's about internal expectations. Fine, but then maybe Lias should have done more to win the game and looked at himself for the loss, rather than throw a tantrum.

But really this means that this kid cannot put his failures in context. Any rational person would simply say, "Well it was a very close game against an amazing opponent, and they scored a nice goal late, and we couldn't get it back in time. It's one game, and anything can happen when it's just one game." Then all you have to realize is that sometimes things go against you when you maybe deserve better, and that all you can control is your effort and preparation.

The fact that none of that was present in his post-game comments shows me that he lacks maturity. I know, "he's only 19", and yet there are other 19 years olds that show plenty of maturity. This is the kind of guy that is probably more disruptive to a locker room than helpful. You need guys that show camaraderie rather than individualism in a team game like hockey.

I'm not saying he's a robot and that he should feel no emotion, but there's a way to handle those emotions that show maturity, and this showed the exact opposite. It's an act that cries, "me, me, me, look how this is affecting me!" and it shows little regard to his teammates and the rest of the players in this tournament.

It's pretty shameful.

WOW, this is exactly what's in my mind and I could not put it in words. Clicking on the thank button just not enough, so, a big thank you.