In a thrilling semifinal showdown at the Olympics, Nathan MacKinnon delivered the decisive blow for Canada, scoring the game-winning goal with just 35.2 seconds remaining to edge out Finland 3-2. This victory propels Canada into the men’s gold-medal game, where they'll aim for their third consecutive title when NHL players are in action.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, especially after Shea Theodore's equalizer midway through the third period. Theodore's shot, threading through traffic, revitalized the Canadian bench and their fans after Mikko Rantanen initially put Finland on the board. Erik Haula then extended Finland's lead with a shorthanded goal, leaving Canada with a daunting task.
But the Canadians were relentless, dominating the ice after Haula's goal. They outshot Finland 14-3 in the second period, with Sam Reinhart tipping in Cale Makar’s shot to get Canada on the scoreboard. Theodore’s crucial goal came on their ninth shot of the third period, setting the stage for MacKinnon’s heroics.
Wearing the captain’s “C” in Sidney Crosby’s absence, Connor McDavid showcased his playmaking prowess with a perfect saucer pass over Roope Hintz’s stick to set up MacKinnon’s memorable power-play goal. The goal was upheld after a video review confirmed it was onside, despite Finland’s challenge.
Juuse Saros, Finland’s goaltender, was formidable, making several key saves, including a critical blocker stop on MacKinnon just moments before the game-winner. However, MacKinnon, aided by Macklin Celebrini’s effective screen, found the net short side to secure the win.
Despite missing their iconic captain, Canada’s depth and talent shone through, breaking down Finland’s defensive trap that aims to stifle offensive momentum. Celebrini was relentless, seizing every opportunity to shoot and keep the pressure on.
The victory keeps alive the tantalizing prospect of an all-North America gold-medal clash, echoing last year’s Canada-U.S. final at the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, for that matchup to materialize, the unbeaten U.S. must first overcome Slovakia in their semifinal.
This Canadian triumph in Milan is another chapter in their storied Olympic hockey legacy, as they continue to demonstrate why they are perennial contenders on the world stage.