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Finland's Olympic Dream Ends in Controversy as Teemu Selanne Blasts Refs After Canada Loss
Selanne called a late high-sticking penalty leading to Canada's power-play winner an embarrassing call and questioned impartiality as both officials were Canadian.
- On February 20, 2026, Teemu Selanne publicly slammed a late penalty after Finland's 3-2 Olympic semifinal defeat to Canada, saying, 'Beating greatest hockey country in the world and Canadian referees same night is impossible I guess.'
- With 2:35 remaining, a high-sticking call on Niko Mikkola set up a Canada power play that produced the deciding goal; referees Dan O'Rourke and Eric Furlatt are both from Canada.
- Finland's Joel Armia said 'Canada's equalizer involved goalie interference' after Brad Marchand collided with Juuse Saros, and officials upheld MacKinnon's goal after review, despite Finland's challenge.
- Canada will play for gold on Sunday at 8:10 a.m., while Finland plays for bronze on Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET.
- The game sparked a wider debate about Olympic officiating that persisted after the semifinal; Chris Pronger noted Canada outshot Finland 39-17, while coach Antti Pennanen warned teams 'cannot sit back for 30-plus mins.
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The semi-final of the Olympic ice hockey tournament between Canada and Finland sparked a big controversy after the game. A Finnish legend criticized a contentious decision by the...
Selänne did not approve of the NHL referees' decision to give Finland a timeout in the final moments of the Olympic semi-final.
·Helsinki, Finland
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Teemu Selänne did not approve of the actions of the NHL referees.
·Finland
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 43%
Factuality
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