In a closely contested Olympic semifinal, the Finnish team, known as the Lions, faced off against the heavily favored Canadian squad. The match ended frustratingly for Finland as Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal with just 35 seconds left in the game, following a controversial penalty call against Finnish player Niko Mikkola. Mikkola's stick inadvertently hit MacKinnon's face, which led to a crucial power play for Canada. The decision to penalize Mikkola for this incident, however, raised eyebrows as many believed the referees were influenced by the reactions from the audience and players rather than the actual infraction.

Renowned hockey legend Wayne Gretzky weighed in on the situation during a discussion on Sweden's HBO Max. He expressed regret that the match had to be decided by what many considered a questionable call, indicating that such incidents, while part of the game, are not ideal for determining the outcome of a match. Gretzky's comments reflect a broader concern in sports regarding the impact of officiating on crucial game moments, particularly in high-stakes situations like the Olympics.

The controversy surrounding the refereeing in this match adds to ongoing discussions about the fairness and consistency of officiating in professional sports. As the Lions are eliminated from competition, this incident is likely to linger in the minds of players and fans alike, raising questions about how such critical decisions are made and the potential need for review processes in the sport to mitigate future disputes.