PHOTO: Virtanen receives brunt of blame after Canada's WJHC ouster
They take their hockey very seriously in Canada. It doesn't matter if you're a teenager - if you don't play up to par, you're going to hear about it.
And many weren't happy with Canadian and Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen's performance at the World Junior Hockey Championship after Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Finland, as evidenced by the front page of the Vancouver Province's sports section:
Good morning, Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/bDNOJWtuNl
- Jason Brough (@JasonPHT) January 3, 2016
Virtanen had a nightmare tournament. He finished with a lone assist in five games, and the team lead in penalty minutes (10). Six of those minutes came in Saturday's loss, including four late in the game, when Virtanen was issued slashing and tripping minors on the same play.
Hockey Canada president and CEO Tom Renney lamented Canada's lack of discipline at the tournament - Canada allowed seven power-play goals and finished with a 58.8 percent "success" rate on the penalty kill.
Renney said Canada could have gone further with a more mature team. And it was Virtanen, who cracked the Canucks lineup this season, who was supposed to bring maturity to the Canadian squad.
The Canucks, meanwhile, are sticking by Virtanen, and are looking forward to having back:
"It's not all rainbows and butterflies, you win and lose. But people blaming Jake is crazy. It's a team game" - Burrows, on Team Canada Jrs.
- Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) January 3, 2016
"This adversity that will make him better. He worked hard, tried his best and one penalty doesn't change that" - Burrows, on Virtanen
- Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) January 3, 2016
"Every country is getting better at the Juniors. Canada had a tough go. We'll support Jake when he gets back" - Daniel Sedin #Canucks
- Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) January 3, 2016
"We want Jake back. He's a big, strong player, his game is better suited for the pros. We're excited to see him" - Desjardins #Canucks
- Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) January 3, 2016
- With H/T to Pro Hockey Talk
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