Within minutes of starting to read her verdict, the words of Justice Maria Carroccia resonated across Canada as she bluntly assessed that, “I do not find the evidence of E.M. to be either credible or reliable.

Five players who were members of the Canadian world junior hockey squad were accused of sexual assault in 2018 in London, Ontario, and the trial has been going on for months, with the world waiting for a ruling from Judge Maria Carroccia.

An Ontario judge acquitted five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team on Thursday in their sexual assault case, saying the complainant's allegations lacked the credibility needed to justify the charges.