Finnish great Teemu Selanne rips officiating: ‘What a joke’

A Finnish hockey legend appears to have a problem with the Olympic semifinal ending.

Teemu Selanne lashed out at referees on social media after Canada’s 3-2 win on Friday at the Milano-Cortina Olympics.

“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,” Selanne posted on X.

A few key calls in the third period helped determine the game’s outcome.

On Canada’s tying goal midway through the third, it appeared as though Canada’s Brad Marchand may have interfered with Finland goalie Juuse Saros.

However, the play went uncalled. Finnish coach Anti Pennanen chose not to challenge, knowing a penalty would be called against his team if the call was not overturned.

Then, Canada received a power play with 2:35 remaining after Finnish defenceman Niko Mikkola was called for high-sticking on Nathan MacKinnon.

On the man-advantage, MacKinnon wired home the eventual game-winner with 35.2 seconds left.

However, Finland then deployed its challenge on an offside review on Canada’s zone entry about one minute prior to the goal. It was close between Macklin Celebrini’s skate and the puck on Connor McDavid’s stick at the blue line, but the goal stood.

Both referees in the game, Dan O’Rourke and Eric Furlatt, are Canadian. Denmark’s Albert Ankerstjerne and American Ryan Daisy were the linespeople.