Sam Bennett’s “unnecessary” crease hit on Juuse Saros sparks backlash after Finland strikes

Feb 20, 2026 (11:19)

Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Sam Bennett takes a brutal goaltender-interference penalty on Juuse Saros, and Team Canada instantly feels the special teams pressure.

The clip is ugly in real time. Bennett drives the blue paint and absolutely rams Saros in his own net.

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In a tight Canada vs Finland game, that is gasoline. You can’t hand Finland a man advantage and expect it not to bite.

The officials make the call, and it’s the right one. Contact is direct, forceful, and straight through the crease.

The problem is the timing. Special teams are already deciding pace, and Bennett turns it into a moment.

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Finland cashes in after the penalty, exactly like the post warns. One bad decision, one power-play goal, and the whole bench changes.

That is the nightmare at this stage of a tournament. You spend five minutes building momentum, then lose it in one collision.

Canadian fans are tired of the “Bennett line” between hard and reckless, especially when it hands Finland life.

This is where Bennett has to be smarter without getting softer. You can play mean, win pucks, and still stay out of the goalie’s lap.

Saros sells the contact because he has to. Goalies protect their crease, and refs protect goalies, especially in international games.

Pierre LeBrun didn’t let Bennett off the hook either, blasting it as an unnecessary penalty in a special-teams game.

Now the ripple is real. Canada’s penalty kill gets taxed, the rotation tightens, and the next shift feels like a test.

If Canada answers, it’s by keeping traffic legal and making Saros work with shots and screens, not body checks.

Because the next big moment is coming fast, and Canada cannot afford to be chasing the game off another crease crash.

Previously on HockeyLatest

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FEVRIER 20\|204 ANSWERS Sam Bennett’s “unnecessary” crease hit on Juuse Saros sparks backlash after Finland strikes Should Sam Bennett rein it in around Juuse Saros from here?
Yes	122	59.8 %
No	82	40.2 %
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