Jake Virtanen, it’s safe to say, had a terrible 2016 World Junior Championship. His first point of the tournament came during Canada’s quarterfinal match against Finland, but his game will be more known for the undisciplined double minor he took as he slashed a player while already on the hook for a delayed penalty. This, along with a delay of game penalty, led to the game winning goal for Finland which knocked Canada out 6-5. It was the third time in four years that Canada failed to medal at the WJC, and the first time since 1998 (also in Helsinki) that Canada failed to get past the quarters.
Virtanen, who has Finnish roots, was the most hated man on Twitter for a day:
https://twitter.com/TayRichardson93/status/683393201726730240
https://twitter.com/Ax_NHL/status/683391879153586176
https://twitter.com/rdcloutier/status/683390852316573696
@tedlindsay66 Virtanen is a Finnish last name meaning "river." The goals were "flowing" when he was in the box.
— Hal Roberts 🇨🇦 🏈 (@Hal__Roberts) January 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/Stone523/status/683391456963358720
@Jake_Virtanen you are an absolute moron. Way to lose the game for Canada today with your dumb penalties. #WJC2016 #CANvsFIN #HereWeGo
— Ryan (@okcomputer75) January 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/Bye_Dogma/status/683358431248560128
It didn’t help that Virtanen decided to blame the referees:
Jake Virtanen: "Personally, I think the refs were a little bit on their side, that's just how I think"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/raphsiegel/status/683391460905861120
https://twitter.com/greenerc/status/683399303411335168
https://twitter.com/brianknotts/status/683398655680720897
And in the overreaction of the day:
https://twitter.com/fourthlinewing/status/683395088228192256
That’s right. Somebody started a change.org petition to get Virtanen, head coach Dave Lowry, and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood banned from Canada. Deported! Over a hockey game. That’s anger, friends. (Thankfully for Virtanen and friends, the petition only has five signatures, so I think they can spend some time at home … safely.)
January 2nd 2016 – The Day Canada cyber bullied Jake Virtanen. #Canucks #WJC2016
— Pucks On Net (@Pucksonnetca) January 2, 2016
