Team Canada is headed to the Olympic gold medal game against Team USA on Sunday, carrying a perfect 5-0 record into the final. Their semifinal win over Finland was nothing short of dramatic, sealed by Nathan MacKinnon’s blistering game-winner with just 35.2 seconds remaining.
But while Canada celebrated, controversy quickly followed.
‘Canadian Referees’ Under Fire After MacKinnon’s Big Moment
The turning point came late in the third period. With 2:35 remaining, Finland defenseman Niko Mikkola was called for high-sticking MacKinnon, sending Canada to the power play. On that man’s advantage, MacKinnon wired home what would stand as the winning goal.
Finland challenged the play for offside, pointing to a tight zone entry involving Macklin Celebrini’s skate and the puck on Connor McDavid’s stick at the blue line roughly a minute before the goal. After review, officials allowed the goal to stand.
That sequence did not sit well with Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne, who represented Finland at multiple Olympics and won one silver and three bronze medals between 1998 and 2014.
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Selanne took to X to vent his frustration, saying, “Beating greatest hockey country in the world and Canadian referees same night is impossible I guess… absolutely embarrassing penalty 90 seconds to go in Olympic semifinal.. what a joke.”
Both officials in the game, Dan O’Rourke and Eric Furlatt, are Canadian, which only fueled online criticism.
There were other moments that added to the debate. On Canada’s tying goal earlier in the third period, some viewers believed Brad Marchand interfered with Finnish goaltender Juuse Saros. No penalty was called on the ice. And Finland opted not to challenge, aware that a failed review would result in a penalty against its team.
Selanne later clarified that he believed Canada was the better team overall. But questioned whether anyone would be comfortable with a late penalty like that in an Olympic semifinal.
Former NHL defenseman and Hall of Famer Chris Pronger responded with a bit of humor, referencing a past Olympic incident between the two.
Pronger wrote on X, “Well technically you were the one that should have gotten a penalty in the semifinals for hitting me from behind with less than 3 minutes left in the game but I digress. It sucks that a penalty late in the game decided it but he did hit him in the face. We can hug it out soon.”
Well technically you were the one that should have gotten a penalty in the semifinals for hitting me from behind with less than 3 minutes left in the game but I digress. It sucks that a penalty late in the game decided it but 🤷🏼♂️ he did hit him in the face. We can hug it out soon
— Chris Pronger (@chrispronger) February 21, 2026
In the end, the calls stood, MacKinnon’s goal counted, and Canada moved on. Now, the focus shifts to the gold medal game on Sunday, where Canada and the United States will renew one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries with everything on the line.
