USA World Junior Captain Taking Heat For His Celebration After Winning Gold

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Tyler Ball
January 5, 2024 (11:01 PM)

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Today Team USA was crowned as World Junior Champions after a hard-fought win over Sweden. However, instead of talking about the incredible team that the United States had many are discussing their antics in the final minutes and after the game.

Team USA Give A Kiss Goodbye To Sweden After World Juniors Win

In the final minutes of the Gold Medal game between USA and Sweden Team USA forward Ryan Leonard scored a spectacular goal to seal the game. After scoring Leonard approached the glass and blew a kiss to the Sweden crowd signaling the end of their chances at a dream come true.

This was just one of several showboat-type actions taken by Team USA throughout the game. A game that the United States came into with revenge on their mind. After they had successfully secured their revenge they continued to celebrate and in doing so made viewers around the world upset.

USA Captain Taking Heat For His Celebration After Winning Gold

USA Captain Rutger McGroarty almost was not able to play in this tournament. After a scary injury left him out for months he returned just in time. Before the matchup against Sweden McGroarty admitted to severe animosity toward the Swedish team due to prior matchups.

After Team USA won McGroarty continued to celebrate. On his way to receive his medal, he was dancing and looking over at the Swedish team.

Many viewers felt this was another act of showing off by the Americans and did not appreciate it. This has led to fans calling out Team USA for their antics and lack of sportsmanship. While this will not effect any of their careers it could go on to effect fans' opinions of them as they enter the NHL and beyond.

As Read On - Puck Reporter - Team USA Captain Under Fire For Lack Of Sportsmanship While Accepting Gold At World Juniors