Wray Morrison: Don’t meddle in medal heartbreak

Last month, Sweden’s Lias Andersson threw his silver medal in the stands after the World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo, and critics jumped all over the 19-year-old for his actions.

Now I’m not saying Andersson should be commended for it, but the incident happened moments after a devastating loss.

A similar type of incident happened to Team Canada defender Jocelyne Larocque last night after she didn’t want to wear a silver medal after losing to the Americans in a shootout for gold at the winter games in South Korea.

An IIHF official informed her that rules dictate she put the medal on. She eventually did. Like Andersson, 29-year-old Larocque is being criticized for her actions.

These players will realize their silver medal accomplishments are worth celebrating. It’s further than most get in this sport.

However, those feelings don’t come moments after a crushing loss. Let’s ease up on the criticism.