The men’s ice hockey semifinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory, as Canada rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Finland 3-2 with just 35.2 seconds remaining in regulation. Nathan MacKinnon’s one-timer, set up by Connor McDavid on the power play, sealed the comeback and propelled Canada into the gold medal game against the United States. Yet, in the hours following the game, what should have been a celebration of resilience turned into a swirling controversy fueled by post-game comments, referee decisions, and lingering frustrations on both sides.
The matchup itself was intense from the opening puck drop at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 20. Finland, the defending Olympic champions from Beijing 2022, came out strong, capitalizing on Canada’s early mistakes. Erik Haula scored a shorthanded breakaway goal midway through the second period to extend their lead to 2-0, putting the Canadians in a deep hole. Without their captain Sidney Crosby, who was sidelined by a lower-body injury sustained in the quarterfinal overtime win over Czechia, Canada appeared vulnerable. McDavid assumed temporary captaincy duties, and the team leaned heavily on its star-studded lineup to mount a response.
The turnaround began in the second period when Sam Reinhart deflected a Cale Makar shot past Finnish goaltender Juuse Saros to cut the deficit in half. In the third, Shea Theodore tied the game with a blast from the point, though Finland protested what they believed was goalie interference by Brad Marchand on Saros. The real flashpoint came late in the frame. With under two minutes left, Finnish defenseman Niko Mikkola was called for high-sticking on MacKinnon after a stick caught the Canadian forward in the face. The penalty gave Canada a crucial power play, and they made it count.
McDavid fed MacKinnon for the decisive one-timer, sending the Canadian bench into euphoria.
Finland immediately challenged the goal, arguing that Macklin Celebrini had been offside on the zone entry. Replays showed Celebrini’s skate perilously close to the blue line, but after a lengthy review, officials upheld the call on the ice, no offside. The failed challenge resulted in a delay-of-game penalty against Finland, compounding their frustration. As the final seconds ticked off, the Canadians celebrated their ticket to the final, while the Finns left the ice visibly dejected.
In the immediate aftermath, Finnish head coach Antti Pennanen did not hold back. Speaking to reporters, he expressed pointed disappointment with the officiating, particularly the game-winning goal. “In my opinion, the third goal was scored from an offside position,” Pennanen said. “It was a difficult situation, but it was hard to make a decision.” He stopped short of outright accusing bias but highlighted the challenge’s outcome and the late penalty as pivotal moments that swung the game.
Legendary Finnish forward Teemu Selänne, watching from afar, took to social media to vent his anger, calling the late high-sticking call “absolutely embarrassing” and questioning how Finland could overcome both the “greatest hockey country in the world and Canadian referees” in the same night. Other Finnish players, including Joel Armia, echoed concerns about missed calls, including the alleged interference on the tying goal.
The controversy quickly spread online, with fans accusing the Olympics of favoritism toward Canada. Some pointed to the fact that both referees, Eric Furlatt and Dan O’Rourke, were Canadian, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in such a high-stakes matchup. Social media erupted with claims that the game had been “rigged” or unfairly tilted, especially given Finland’s strong performance and their status as defending champions. The narrative gained traction when reports surfaced that Pennanen had submitted video “evidence” to the Olympic Referee Department, formally requesting a review of the officiating decisions.
The department confirmed they were launching a full investigation into the matter, promising to examine all disputed plays, including the offside challenge, the high-sticking penalty, and earlier moments in the game.
Amid the growing storm, Sidney Crosby—despite missing the game—stepped into the spotlight in a way few expected. The Canadian captain, who had been in the dressing room during intermissions offering guidance and motivation to his teammates, broke his silence with a statement released through Team Canada. Far from staying quiet, Crosby directly addressed the Finnish claims.
He rejected any notion of unfairness and presented what he described as “clear video proof” from multiple angles, including overhead and side views, showing that Finland had employed what he called a “secret, special technique” throughout the match—an aggressive form of stick work and body positioning that bordered on illegal interference in the neutral zone and along the boards.
Crosby emphasized that while the technique may not have resulted in penalties called during the game, footage captured repeated instances where Finnish players used subtle hooks, holds, and picks to disrupt Canadian puck carriers without drawing whistles. “We played within the rules, and we earned every goal,” Crosby said in his statement. “The evidence shows they were using methods that gave them an edge in transition and defense, yet they still couldn’t hold the lead.
That’s the story of the game—resilience over shortcuts.” He shared clips that appeared to show Finnish defenders employing a coordinated “shadowing” tactic that involved illegal contact away from the puck, something he argued had gone under-reviewed by officials focused on more obvious infractions.
The release of Crosby’s video added fuel to the fire, turning the post-game drama into a full-blown international hockey debate. Supporters of Canada hailed it as a masterful shutdown of baseless complaints, pointing out that Finland’s own challenge had failed under official scrutiny. Finnish fans and analysts countered that Crosby’s “evidence” was cherry-picked and that such physical play was standard in elite international hockey. Some even accused him of deflecting from the refereeing issues by shifting blame.
As the investigation by the Olympic Referee Department continues, the incident highlights the razor-thin margins in Olympic hockey and the intense emotions that follow. Canada now prepares for a blockbuster gold medal clash with the United States, a rematch of historic rivalries, while Finland reflects on what might have been. The comeback victory showcased Canada’s depth and determination, even without Crosby on the ice, but the lingering controversy ensures this semifinal will be remembered not just for MacKinnon’s heroics, but for the heated exchanges that followed.
In the end, the game underscored a timeless truth in sport: victories are hard-fought, and defeats sting deepest when accompanied by questions of fairness. Whether the investigation uncovers any procedural errors or simply reaffirms the on-ice calls, the drama has already cemented this matchup as one of the most talked-about in recent Olympic history. With the gold on the line Sunday, attention shifts forward—but the echoes of February 20 will linger long after the medals are awarded.
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