Antti Pennanen: It was offside
Antti Pennanen, the head coach of the Finnish national hockey team, expressed strong dissatisfaction during a press conference following their semi-final loss to Canada, claiming that a crucial goal should have been ruled offside.
Antti Pennanen, the head coach of the Finnish national hockey team, shared his views on a controversial goal in their semi-final match against Canada, which they lost. In a post-match press conference, he made it clear that the team believed that the Canadian's third goal was offside, indicating a sense of injustice regarding the game's outcome. Pennanen stated, 'It was a tight situation, and not an easy decision,' reflecting the tension surrounding the officiating in this high-stakes match.
He also addressed questions regarding a penalty against Niko Mikkola in the third period, which was related to high-sticking. While some spectators felt that the incident did not warrant a penalty, Pennanen refrained from delving into that debate, stating, 'That’s just speculation. I don’t want to go into that.' He acknowledged the strength of the opposing team, recognizing that Canada had performed exceptionally well, while he emphasized his pride in his own team’s efforts.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Pennanen expressed pride in how his players performed under pressure, suggesting that they had given themselves a chance to win. This sentiment encapsulated the mixed emotions following the match, highlighting both the team's achievements in the tournament and their frustrations over the officiating decisions that impacted their progression. The controversy surrounding the offside call will likely linger as the team reflects on their journey in the tournament and prepares for future competitions.