The semifinal match between Finland and Canada was marked by the controversial choice of having Canadian referees officiate, raising eyebrows within the hockey community. The referees in question, Eric Furlatt from Quebec and Dan O'Rourke from Alberta, were selected despite the longstanding tradition of using neutral referees in international tournaments. This decision sparked an investigation by Iltalehti, which highlighted the influence of decision-makers who prioritize selecting the best referees over geographical neutrality, a principle that was reportedly abandoned a few years prior.

Iltalehti also touched on the question of who actually makes these referee selections. The referees are chosen by Officiating Coaches, with representatives from both the NHL and the IIHF involved in the process. This means that alternative options, such as American NHL referees, were indeed available but not utilized. The decision exemplifies a troubling lack of influence that Finland holds in international hockey arenas, particularly in the face of major decisions that could impact the outcome of crucial matches.

The broader implications of this choice suggest that Finland's hockey leadership should have been more proactive in voicing their concerns regarding referee selections at an international level. The fact that Finland has not been able to assert its influence could affect its performance in the tournament and future international competitions. This incident may initiate discussions around governance in international hockey and the need for Finland to strengthen its position in the international hockey community.