In a dramatic semifinal match against Canada, Finnish defender Niko Mikkola received a controversial penalty for high-sticking with just over two minutes remaining, leaving the score tied at 2-2. The penalty led to Nathan MacKinnon scoring the winning goal for Canada during Mikkola's absence, raising questions about the referee's judgment. Many commentators and fans believe that the penalty was unwarranted, igniting outrage on social media platforms, especially on X, where the decision has drawn widespread condemnation.

Finnish hockey legend Teemu Selänne is among the loudest critics of the call, expressing his frustration on social media shortly after the game. He criticized the refereeing process, blaming a perceived bias against Finland in a match against a team from a so-called "hockey superpower". Selänne labeled the penalty a "completely embarrassing" decision that affected the outcome of a critical Olympic semifinal, echoing sentiments shared by many other fans and commentators in Finland and beyond.

Media coverage of the incident has reached a global audience, with NHL analyst Greg Wyshynski also weighing in, denouncing the penalty as laughable. The calls for accountability regarding officiating in high-stakes games like this one highlight ongoing discussions about fairness and consistency in international hockey tournaments, creating a significant narrative around the integrity of officiating in sports.