Hockey Canada issues public apology to Czechia over classless gesture.

The International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Ice Hockey Championship kicked off with a bang for Team Canada, one of the tournament favorites, with Canada getting a measure of revenge against Czechia in what was a hotly contested and highly entertaining 7-5 victory for the Canadians when it was all said and done.

Unfortunately the game was not without controversy with the Canadian squad being called out for what appeared to be a show of unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of the game.

After the final horn had sounded and the game had officially wrapped up, the Canadian players immediately left the ice and chose not to shake hands with the Czechian players. The Canadians broke tradition by doing so but more importantly showed poor sportsmanship towards a team that has gotten the better of them at times in the past.

I am happy to report however that Hockey Canada was quick to realize the mistake and they have subsequently issued an apology to all of those who may have been negatively impacted by the seemingly rude gesture.

From the official statement:

Following last night's game, Canada's National Junior Team skated off the ice before shaking hands with Czechia. Hockey Canada takes full responsibility for this oversight and we have apologized to the team, Czech Ice Hockey Association and lIHF for our mistake.

There is a very real chance that these two teams will meet again in this tournament and I do wonder if the poor show of sportsmanship from the Canadians will be used as motivation for Czechia should they get a chance to get their revenge later in the tournament.