Children’s sports should never become a matter of life or death. The case of Thomas Junta, the Massachusetts hockey dad who beat another father to death at their sons’ practice, illustrates that point.

Junta, 44, was found guilty Friday of involuntary manslaughter for the death of 40-year-old Michael Costin, who died as a result of a ruptured artery in his neck. The men began quarreling over what was described as rough play between their sons during hockey drills.

The conflict resulted in two fistfights between the fathers, the second of which caused the fatal blow.

Because Massachusetts guidelines call for leniency on first-time manslaughter offenders, Junta faces three to five years in prison at his sentencing on Jan. 25.

Competition is healthy to an extent, but good sportsmanship is something Americans need to work on. This no longer applies only to athletes, but to fans as well.

An active interest in children’s lives is important, but so is setting a good example. When children see their parents shouting obscenities or being sore losers, the lesson they learn is certainly not teamwork.

Parents should realize children are influenced by their actions.

Sports are supposed to be fun, particularly for children. Emphasis should be placed on the entertainment value, not on winning at all costs.

The death at the hockey game is an extreme, but it is not the only occurrence of violence at sporting events. Other incidences at a soccer game and a T-ball game in California prompted the state to require parents and coaches to sign codes of conduct before their children can play. Other states are following suit.

It’s sad adults cannot set their own standards. But if this is the only way to protect children’s sports from violence and poor sportsmanship, then it has to be done.

With one man dead and the other facing time in prison, this incident has resulted in two boys being left without fathers. Tragically, there were no winners in this hockey game.