Canada into ice hockey final with late 3-2 comeback over Finland
· Yahoo Sports
Nathan MacKinnon scored with 35.2 seconds left as record champions Canada came from two goals down to beat 2022 gold medallists Finland 3-2 on Friday for a place in the Olympic ice hockey final.
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With 60 minutes of regulation and a power play situation expiring, MacKinnon squeezed the puck into the net between the near post and the shin pad of Finnish goalie Juuse Saros.
Finland failed with a challenge to have the goal nullified for an offside position and then ran out of time in the remaining seconds to force overtime.
With Canadian superstar Sidney Crosby sidelined with injury, Finland led 2-0 from Mikko Rantanen's power play strike in the 17th and a short-handed goal from Erik Haula early in the second period.
But like in their quarter-final against the Czech Republic, Canada came from behind. Sam Reinhart halved the deficit on a power play in the 35th and they were level mid-way through the final period from Shea Theodore to set up the dramatic finale.
In Sunday's gold medal match, Canada face other big rivals United States or Slovakia, who contest the second semi-final later Friday.
Canada last of nine golds was in 2014, the US has two titles while Slovakia got bronze in 2022.
Canada players celebrate their side's second goal during the Men's Ice Hockey semi final match between Canada and Finland at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, as part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Peter Kneffel/dpaFinland's Mikko Rantanen (2nd L) celebrates scoring his side's first goal with teammates during the Men's Ice Hockey semi final match between Canada and Finland at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, as part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Peter Kneffel/dpa