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- How the comeback unfolded: turning a bleak start into a thrilling win
- Key game moments that decided the semifinal
- Players who shaped the result and tournament storylines
- Game context: leadership, injuries and momentum from earlier rounds
- Where and when to watch Canada vs. Finland: live broadcast and streaming details
- Upcoming Olympic hockey timeline: medal rounds and next opponents
- Additional notes and tournament storylines to follow
Facing a two-goal hole and missing captain Sidney Crosby, Team Canada produced a late, breathless turnaround in Milan to topple defending champion Finland and book a spot in the Olympic gold-medal game. The winning strike arrived in the final minute, a cross-ice one-timer by Nathan MacKinnon from Connor McDavid that sealed a 3-2 victory and kept Canada on course for Olympic hockey gold.
How the comeback unfolded: turning a bleak start into a thrilling win
Early on, Finland dictated the tempo. Mikko Rantanen opened the scoring on a power play, and Erik Haula stretched the lead to 2-0 with a slick backhand breakaway in the second. At that point, Canada looked outmatched.
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Instead of folding, the Canadians responded in stages. Sam Reinhart redirected a Cale Makar shot late in the second to cut the gap. In the third, Shea Theodore unleashed a heavy slapshot that found its way past Juuse Saros and tied the game. With momentum shifted, Canada drew a late penalty. On the ensuing sequence, Connor McDavid delivered a precise cross-ice feed to Nathan MacKinnon, who hammered the decisive goal with 35 seconds left.
Canada completed the comeback in dramatic fashion, relying on timely finishes, sustained pressure, and a special-teams opportunity to flip the semifinal result in their favor.
Key game moments that decided the semifinal
- Early power-play opener — Finland capitalized on an early man advantage to take the lead.
- Haula’s shorthanded breakaway — A sudden counterattack doubled Finland’s edge and forced Canada to chase the game.
- Reinhart’s deflection — The late second-period redirection kept hope alive and changed the game’s tone.
- Theodore’s equalizer — A heavy shot into traffic tied the contest in the third.
- Late power-play and MacKinnon’s winner — McDavid’s assist and MacKinnon’s one-timer delivered the cup of coffee that sent Canada to the final.
Players who shaped the result and tournament storylines
Canada impact players
- Connor McDavid — Wore the “C” in Crosby’s absence and finished with two points. He’s climbing the all-time Canadian Olympic points chart.
- Nathan MacKinnon — Scored the decisive goal in the final minute, the crowning play of Canada’s comeback.
- Sam Reinhart — His deflection provided the vital momentum swing late in the second.
- Shea Theodore — Delivered the third-period equalizer with a heavy shot that eluded Saros.
- Jordan Binnington — The Canadian netminder needed to be sharp to withstand Finland’s early pressure.
Finland standouts
- Juuse Saros — Stood tall with a high-save total (36 saves), keeping Finland in the match until the final minute.
- Mikko Rantanen — Opened the scoring on a power-play strike and helped keep Finland dangerous.
- Erik Haula — Gave Finland a two-goal cushion with a clinical shorthanded finish.
Game context: leadership, injuries and momentum from earlier rounds
Sidney Crosby was ruled out of the semifinal after a lower-body injury suffered in the quarterfinal. Canada exhausted resources to try to get him ready. In his absence, Connor McDavid assumed captain duties and the leadership spotlight.
Both teams reached the semifinal after dramatic quarterfinal escapes. Canada needed late heroics to overcome Czechia, while Finland produced its own comeback to beat Switzerland. Those prior fights helped set the stage for a tense, physical meeting in Milan.
Where and when to watch Canada vs. Finland: live broadcast and streaming details
The semifinal began in Milan on Friday, Feb. 20. For viewers tuning in, here are the primary broadcast options and start times.
- Date: Friday, February 20
- Local puck drop: 10:40 a.m. ET
- Canada TV: CBC (television) and CBC Gem (stream)
- United States TV: USA Network (coverage picked up later), with streaming on Peacock
Peacock carried the live stream option for international audiences, while CBC Gem offered Canadian viewers an online feed. USA Network provided live windowed coverage inside the U.S. market.
Upcoming Olympic hockey timeline: medal rounds and next opponents
Semifinals
- Canada 3, Finland 2 — winner advances to the gold medal game.
- United States vs. Slovakia — winner to face Canada for gold.
Medal games schedule (ET)
- Bronze: Afternoon session — Finland will play the bronze match against the semifinal loser.
- Gold: Morning session — Canada will meet the winner of USA/Slovakia for the gold medal.
Additional notes and tournament storylines to follow
- Celebrini — The young forward continued to draw attention as one of Canada’s breakout scorers in Milan.
- Special teams — Power-play timing and a late penalty on Finland proved decisive.
- Goaltending duel — Saros’ 36 saves and Binnington’s timely stops made this a tightly contested battle until the final minute.
