Gudas Apologizes for Homophobic Slur at Olympics

The Czech defenseman told Athletic reporter Eric Stephens he "didn't mean anything by" the comment made during the game. "I'm a very passionate guy," Gudas explained. "I put my heart on a sleeve, and I take the game very seriously. I didn't realize at that moment the full meaning of the word and I'm really sorry."

Gudas added that in the heat of the moment, "the emotions got the best of me and I'm sorry for the way it looks in all of hockey." Canada won the game 4-3 to advance to the semifinals. While Gudas wasn't penalized during the game or disciplined by the IIHF or IOC, there are NHL precedents for similar incidents, including fines and suspensions.