Gibson deflecting negativity of hockey moment at World Juniors

Fans have been critical about Team Canada's failure to make it past the quarter-finals at the World Juniors for a second straight year. Some of the negative comments have been targeted towards LaSalle's Andrew Gibson who plays defence for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL.

Some messages have been merciless – blaming him for the goal that eliminated Team Canada from the tournament. "It seems like from the connections I have with my players that know him he's actually pretty good about it and handling it really well," said Dale Mitchell, head coach of the Leamington Flyers.

Gibson tells CTV News the penalty was a tough call, but he's made that hit on a number of occasions. He has no regrets. Gibson also says he is drowning out the negativity and is thankful to those who have sent positive messages.

Mitchell, who won two Memorial Cups with the Windsor Spitfires, has been on the receiving end of critiques and feels negativity on social media is the nature of the beast.

"It kind of inherits that criticism," Mitchell told CTV News. "Not condoning it, but that's kind of the things that come with it. Of course it's completely unacceptable for these kind of comments.”

Canada defenceman Andrew Gibson (2) and teammates show their disappointment after losing 4-3 to Czechia at the end of IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal action in Ottawa, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Source: The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Mitchell says his players try to avoid a build up to a situation that could be a game changer, like in this instance, but at the same time understands it's hockey and referee have to make split second decisions.

"I'm sure they have that talk as a group. You know, it wasn't that (the penalty) that led to it (loss). There's many other things but that's what fans have to put into perspective too."

Windsor Lancers goalie Nathan Torchia had a hockey moment when the stakes were high in the Queen's Cup final in 2022. The puck bounced hard off the back wall behind Torchia who could not avoid the ricochet as he watched, in agony, as the UQTR celebrated the game winning goal.

"For me, it was something I just had to mentally reset, just get away for a little bit, just say, you know what, this is how it's going to be like. Hockey happens."

Torchia struggled with the outcome but feels the moment made him a stronger player and person.

"You know what, it's a hockey play. It happens. It's unfortunate that these things happen, but you just try to do your best to move on and be positive about it and if you can do that, then you kind of find a little bit of peace within yourself and try to be better off from it."