The gold medal game in Women's Hockey between Canada and the United States was another thriller, but it's fair to say that hockey fans and players didn't find the finish to be very satisfying.

To be clear, that's not because America won, it's because the hard-fought battle between two rivals ended in a shootout.

 

Regardless of who won, the result would have been unsatisfying because in a game of that magnitude, most fans and players prefer to see the game end the way it should, in overtime.

No playoff game ever ends in a shootout, so why should a game for the gold medal end in a shootout?  That's the main point people bring up when big games in international competitions end like this and after Canada's shootout loss, players and coaches from around the NHL brought it up, too.

As per the Canadian Press, here were reactions from Islanders head coach Doug Weight, Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper.

Doug Weight

"I was happy there was an end to it (for sleeping purposes), but it's tough," he said. "You have a 20-minute OT and the action in the third and overtime was just riveting.

"The shootout in the regular season brings the fans out of their seats, culminates the game, you can see some talent, (but it's) still not the best way to end it."

Henrik Lundqvist

"As a goalie, it feels pretty good because you play a big part in it," said Lundqvist. "In that format, a short tournament, I don't mind it.

"What's the alternative, keep on playing another two periods? I understand that's tough. But I wouldn't like the Stanley Cup playoffs to be decided in a shootout, that's for sure."

Jon Cooper

"We all know the rules going into it," said Cooper. "If you ask the Americans, they're probably saying it's OK if it goes that way.

"Take it from me and being on the wrong side at the World Championships, we knew what the rules were going in and we should have ended it in overtime and we didn't and it goes to a shootout and you never know."

As you can see, most players and coaches have the same opinion, the shootout is a ridiculous way to end a gold medal game and the outrage would be the same if a Stanley Cup Final game ended in the same fashion.

That said, there are players and fans that are fine with it, and Phil Kessel is one of those players, if only for one game.

(H/T: Canadian Press)