OverDrive - Selanne on Canada's victory over Finland, Niko Mikkola's late penalty, and the pride of playing for a medal

Episode Date: February 21, 2026

Hockey Hall of Famer and former Olympian Teemu Selanne joins the guys to recap Canada’s victory over Finland, some of the questionable calls that led to Nathan MacKinnon’s late third-period winner, the importance of leadership for the Finnish squad as they play for bronze.

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The face probably of Finnish hockey, right? He's won so many medals with them. Here's Timu Salani. Tamu, how you doing? I'm better now, but, you know, it was a tough day to lose, but, you know, what a great hockey. You know, I've been enjoying last couple days with old pick hockey when the best play against best. It has been big treat. Yeah, it's been a great tourney.

And, you know, obviously we're aware of your disappointment, and I guess we'll get right to it, because, you know, you tweeted out what you sent out. You weren't happy with the high stick call on McKinnon, the fact that there were two Canadian ruffs calling a game. You know, the dust has settled a little bit here a few hours later. Why was that so disappointing to you? And, you know, how do you feel about the way the game ended? Yeah, you know, first of all, I think Canada was the better team. They are very disappointed that the Finns stop playing,

and they stopped playing more defense. And usually bad things happen after that, especially against a team like a Canada. But, you know, I personally think it was a very soft call. you know we all know that there's different rules in the playoffs and last couple of minutes in overtime and uh when the game ends like that you know i'm so disappointed because i'm used that the referees it has to be murder that they're going to cause some kind of penalty i know i know i know it was one hand one hand lift and hit a little bit uh machinan's uh jaw and uh you know he reacted uh you know very smart way, you know, but

you know, it just hurt because, you know, I was hoping that the players cannot decide that, not the referees. And then there's a couple other ones. I think that was that goal interfering and the offside? And, you know, there's three things that

went all to the Canadian, the favor in and then, I hate to blame, like, referee and stuff because Canada was better and as a hockey fan, of course, we all want to see Canada, you as a final And especially what's happening in the four nations, I think it was the best thing what has happened in hockey for a long, long time. So as a hockey fan, I'm super happy to see Canada, USA final that we all have been waiting, but still it was a – it just hurt to lose that way against Canada.

Timu, I totally agree on the severity of the penalty that needs to be called, like, near the end of the game. But as far as the Finns play, like, why do you think that happened to – the Finnish team, like where they just, or do you have to give credit to the Canadians where they had some players that went out there and they poured it on? Is that like the Finns getting a little bit anxious, the idea of winning, or is that just Canada playing extremely well? I think it was a combination of both, you know. Of course, Canada, they was more desperate and they said, you know, let's guys finish

this game, we are better, and they way better, you know, and obviously, I always say that Canadian hockey, they can put three teams. in the Olympics and any of those can win, you know. So the depth of what they have, it's amazing, you know. And, you know, 60 minutes, you know, you have to be able to play 60 minutes against these kind of games against Canada. And we couldn't do it, you know. For some reason, third period, we're sitting back and usually bad things happen

when you start playing like that. But it's great for Canada. You know, they have unbelievable players, you know, so. Like I said, they were better hockey team. That's no doubt. But again, I want to see the endings always different way. And I say even if this would be opposite way, you know, that Canadian would take the soft penalty like that.

I would say that's not right, you know. Same thing with the upside. You know, I think that's the worst rule in hockey, you know. Especially after like one minute, they can call it back because it was an inch either way. I don't like that kind of rules, you know. So, Timo, you've been in the Olympics. Take us through what you would have said to the guys in between the second and third,

where you're nursing a 2-1 lead. Is it just as simple as don't sit back or is it, you know, attack? Give me the puck? Yeah, well, yeah, you're one of the best players to ever play for Finland. Like, what would you say or what would be different had you been in that room if you helped the guys? I always try to tell that like if you up after first

I always say guys let's start zero zero tie or better after second that's our goal so I always try to separate three different periods and not look ahead too much and if you're down you say if you're down one nothing or two

nothing says guys we win the next period and let's see what happens then we win the next one the third period and we will win the game if you win both periods So I would just say that guys keep just pushing, you know, and let's play smart. Let's get the buck in when it's time and let's get buck out when it's time. But we can't stop skating and stop playing, you know, because you can't change your style.

Otherwise, you're kind of like you'll leave it everywhere. And then bad things happen. With Tamu Solani. So, you know, you've played for gold in 06. You've played for bronze. You know, take us through that mentality, Tamu. that again the dust is settled Finland put everything on the line they had a chance

to win they had that game but now you got to reset and you want to leave with a medal and they're going to play Slovakia this weekend how do you reset after heartbreak in the semifinals if you're Finland well obviously now it's all about the leaders

in the dressing room to remind each other make sure that every individual understand how valuable the bronze medal is you know not very often you can win the medals in Olympics, especially when the best players are there. So remind that, and just there's nothing you can do about this game anymore. It sucks, I know, but we have to move on and take what is left there.

And that's what I try to tell in the Sochi that, you know, like we lost semifinal and now we play against USA. USA, they came here to win the gold. the bronze doesn't feel them like it's supposed to be let's want it more than those guys and we're going to win this and when you leave with the medal in those tournaments it feels so good and a lot of times I say I'd rather win bronze than lose silver

because losing that Olympic final it's so tough and disappointing but you always win the bronze medal game so but of course silver is more valuable but anyway, every time when you can leave with the medal in these kind of games, it's huge honor. And that's what those guys have to remind to each other. So, Timo, I need a favor. It's noodles, Jamie McClennan here, because I woke up to a text from Mika Kipersoff,

sending me the Finnish paper, I think it was called. It had said on the show yesterday, I was talking about the finish. players and how they can get underneath your skin and that's how they're going to have to agitate team canada and i said they've got to play like rats and that was what the headline was this morning and mika said are you calling us rats so wanted man in finland i'm a wanted man in finland i know you're a god over there so you've got to give me some love or at least tell them like hey some context to it because i i was doing it in a in a good way saying that's how finland has to play is get underneath the skin so

No, you're right. If you want to beat Canada, you have to make sure that you're going to have to frustrate them and do the right thing. You said the right things. I think it's just a fake news, you know. But I'm actually shocked that Mika is contacting somebody because he never answered. The phone calls, no text, there's nothing. I thought he's like a loaner somewhere, you know. Just for you, you know.

Yeah, he's at his cabin up north, I'm pretty sure. but I'm one of the only people that he still stays in contact with, but I woke up to that text this morning, and I thought, oh, no, I'm in trouble in Finland. So you're a God over there. You've got to help me out. I will, I promise. I love it.

There you go. We've got Timu helping you out, noodles. We're back. We can go back to Finland. Well, it was a great game, and obviously, you know, tough to be on the other side of it. But we can't thank you enough for joining us here and giving us all your insight.

and enjoy the bronze, enjoy the gold medal game. It's going to be a great weekend, and we'll do it again down the road. Yes, thanks, guys. Appreciate it. You got it. Timu Solani. I'm Dylan Clayfair. And I'm Tyler Smith. We're putting loneliness in the penalty box by talking to some of our favorite athletes about the importance of friendship.

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