The Semifinals brought a shock first period for Canada, but they stayed in the game even after falling behind and kept pushing for chances. The team did not rush plays and worked to create openings. That effort helped them stay close until the final minutes.
It set up a late finish that sent them into the gold medal game.
Nathan MacKinnon Scores Winner As Canada Beats Finland
Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal with 35.2 seconds left on the power play as Canada beat Finland 3-2 in the semifinal on Friday.
The goal completed a comeback after Canada trailed by two and secured a place in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Canada will now play for its first Olympic title since NHL players last took part in 2014.
Finland started well and built a 2-0 lead through Mikko Rantanen and Erik Haula. Rantanen scored on a power play in the first period, and Haula added a short-handed goal early in the second.
Canada spent long stretches in the offensive zone after that, creating more chances and forcing Finland to defend.
Sam Reinhart got Canada on the board with a tip on a point shot from Cale Makar. Later in the third period, Shea Theodore tied the game with a shot through traffic that beat Juuse Saros. Canada continued to press, and that effort led to the late power play chance.
With Sidney Crosby out due to a lower-body injury, Connor McDavid served as captain and set up the winning goal. McDavid sent a saucer pass over a defender’s stick, and MacKinnon finished the play from close range. Finland challenged for offside, but the review upheld the goal.
Canada handled Finland’s defensive structure by keeping the puck in the offensive zone and taking shots when lanes opened.
Macklin Celebrini helped create traffic near the crease, while MacKinnon tested Saros before scoring. The approach helped Canada find a way back after trailing early.
After the win, reactions came in from across the hockey world. The Winnipeg Jets account wrote, “It feels strange to say this, but thank you, Nathan MacKinnon,” pointing to the late goal that changed the game.
Pens Inside Scoop added more context by writing, “Nathan MacKinnon sends Team Canada to the Gold Medal Game on Sunday with the winner late in regulation! Leave it to Sidney Crosby’s fellow Cole Harbour native, good buddy, and offseason training partner to ensure his Olympics are not over!”
Reporter Steve Conroy shared his view, writing, “Canada deserved to win. Like the American women, the Canadian men are just too good. But the Finns went into the shell way too soon.”
Regional NHL writer Derek Van Diest also reacted, writing, “What a great game. Stressful for the entire country. Canada defeats Finland 3-2.”
The Colorado Avalanche posted, “The Dogg is the difference,” with an image of MacKinnon after the win.
Canada will now play in the gold medal game on Sunday, looking to finish the tournament with another Olympic title.
