Linus Omark Video: Watch Oilers' Sick Shootout Goal

Swedish phenom Linus Omark should be celebrated.

Instead, the Edmonton Oilers rookie has been at the center of criticism for his flashy spin move made when scoring a shootout goal against Tampa Bay goalie Dan Ellis.

"It’s embarrassing for him,” Ellis said. “You come into a league, a respectful league like this, and you try a little move like that. It’s not a very classy thing. That’s just the kind of person he is.”

Let's calm down for a second. This is not tennis or golf. It's hockey, a man's game that's known for violent collisions, fights, great speed and tremendous skill. I question whether the move was the actual problem, or the fact he was scored on by a kid that got Ellis so bothered.

"If everyone thinks it was so bad, I would not have done it,” Omark told a Swedish newspaper. "If they take offense, what can I say? I’m sorry for that. It’s fun to be appreciated, but no fun to hear that it is disrespectful.”

Linus, listen to me. You've done nothing wrong. You even have players from opposing teams supporting you. Calgary Flames forward Brendan Morrison told the Montreal Gazette he wouldn't have the "gusto" to pull off such a move (we all know what word he really used), but didn't see a problem with the goal.

"It’s an opportunity in a shootout for guys to showcase their skills," he said. "But that’s the whole debate...on one hand, it’s a great skill move. But, on the other hand, some guys think it’s almost making a mockery of the game. But fans like shootouts, players like shootouts. Everyone gets up on the bench, everyone’s excited about it, so if a kid wants to do something like that? So be it."

Exactly. Let's face it: Hockey isn't what it used to be, and other sports like UFC have surpassed it in terms of overall popularity. So you have a little showmanship on the ice? Big deal. 

It's players like Linus Omark who make hockey worth watching.