The world got to see some great hockey on Friday when Canada battled the Swedes for gold at the Junior World Championship.

It also got to see an example of poor sportsmanship when Lias Andersson, Swedensa国际传媒檚 captain, threw his silver medal into the crowd.

Anyone who has ever competed for anything knows that sa国际传媒渋tsa国际传媒檚 not about winning, itsa国际传媒檚 about how you play the gamesa国际传媒� is a crock. And in a high-stakes game with the world watching, losing is going to be a traumatic event.

In that context, the tears shed by some of the Swedish players are understandable, and we can also understand Andersson being overcome by emotion and frustration after his team failed to achieve their goals.

Despite their skill level, these are, after all, just teenagers. Teenagers who were under pressure to win practically since they strapped on their first pair of skates. But Anderssonsa国际传媒檚 later comments that sa国际传媒淭his was kind of our last chance, so this sucks,sa国际传媒� shows his medal toss was as much the result of attitude as frustration.

For those who are mentally agreeing with Andersson and thinking sa国际传媒渟econd place is just the first loser,sa国际传媒� itsa国际传媒檚 not. Getting to second place at this level of hockey is still an incredible achievement, and one to be proud of.

Competing is about winning, but in the end, itsa国际传媒檚 about winning well. That means not only playing well and by the rules as you overcome your competition, but also being a good sportsman. Anderssonsa国际传媒檚 actions and attitude robbed his team of some of their joy in getting the team to the gold medal round.

Throwing your medal into the crowd may not be on the same level of some historic sports tantrums sa国际传媒� tennis star John McEnroe springs to mind sa国际传媒� but it is still unsportsmanlike behaviour, something that a player of this level should be beyond, no matter his age.

The guy who caught the silver medal was wearing 3 jerseys :joy:

sa国际传媒� Patrick Scebba (@scebbs)

Steve Kidd is senior reporter with the