Women's sports in North America are full of untapped potential. There are obvious economic benefits to be gained from ticket sales, television broadcasts, advertisement opportunities, and many other sources. Aside from finances, women athletes act as positive role models for young girls by encouraging active lifestyles, demonstrating the value of teamwork, and instilling a concept of healthy competition.

However, women's sports are often devalued in comparison to men's sports. Not many Canadians are even aware that there is a women's hockey league, and watching a game on television is all but impossible. With the broadcast of the games between the Canada and US women's Olympic hockey teams, there has been an incredible opportunity to generate interest in women's hockey.

Unfortunately, these games have been plagued by penalties, often the result of physical contact that is not only accepted, but encouraged, in men's hockey. This slows down the game and repeatedly makes an argument to the viewer that they are watching a lesser, watered-down version of the sport. Calling penalties for hits that would not be penalized in the NHL, the AHL, or even boys' minor hockey leagues suggests that women are fragile and need to be protected.

It is unlikely that female hockey players would view themselves that way. Canada and the US's Olympic women's hockey teams have had two line brawls in the six games leading up to the 2014 Olympics. These women are full of passion and they are not afraid to express it physically. Despite this, their ability to play is restricted by the rules against hitting, and special teams receive an absurd amount of ice time as a result.

It is simply not fun to watch a game that is mostly power plays and penalty kills.

There are plenty of talented, athletic women in Canada, and hockey is the game all Canadians love. Let the women become as much a part of the game as their fathers and brothers are.

If men's and women's hockey are to be equal, they must all play the same sport.