All the sights, sounds, action from Santaguilia Arena in Milan
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MILAN – Welcome to the men’s hockey semifinals at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Team Canada came from behind to defeat Team Finland 3-2 in the first game.
NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price was inside the arena to provide all the sights, sounds and action from Canada and Finland with our live blog.
Go deep with full coverage of the Men’s Hockey action at the Olympic Winter Games
That’s it for the first game and it was an epic.
Canada comes back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and reach the gold medal game.
Just insane.
We can all rest up for a few hours until the next game.
I’ll be back then.
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And Canada scores with 35.2 left.
Nathan MacKinnon on the power play sneaks one past Saros and it’s 3-2 Canada with 35.2 left.
What at goal, what a game for MacKinnon.
But wait. Finland challenges for offsides.
During the challenge, the fans chanted “goal, goal, goal, goal.”
They were right.
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Nathan MacKinnon almost scores, but then takes a high stick from Niko Mikkola and Canada goes to the power play with 2:35 left.
Can Finland survive this?
We’re down to the final minutes of regulation while Bush’s “Machinehead” and then “Don’t Stop” by the Chili Peppers play in the arena.
Nothing like some 90s rock to add to the drama.
Remember, if we go to OT, it’s 3-on-3 for 10 minutes and then a shootout.
Both of these teams won’t their last games in OT with Mitch Marner and Artturi Lehkonen playing the hero for each.
Who will be it tonight?
Who will become a legend in their home country?
We have 4 minutes to go and we’re tied – what else is new?
It’s still tied because Juuse Saros just made another huge save, this time robbing Mitch Marner with 4:35 left.
The last two days of this men’s tournament has been everything NHL fans could have imagined when the League announced a few years ago its players were coming to Milan in 2026.
Three OT games in the quarters. This one going right down to the wire and we still have the U.S. and Slovakia to come.
Oh, and don’t forget the women’s game last night which ended in OT.
It;s white-knuckle time hear in Milan and not just because of the chilly press box.
Canada and Finland are tied with under 6 minutes to go.
Finland led 2-0, but Canada tied it on a goals by Sam Reinhart and Shea Theodore and here we are.
The “Let’s Go Canada” chants are back and the Canada fans can certainly feel the momentum shifting here.
Finland clearly just can’t play defensive hockey anymore, it needs a goal at some point if it wants to win a gold medal.
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And we are tied 2-2.
Jon Cooper is a made scientist, putting a line of Tom Wilson, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett out for an offensive zone face=off.
It works, with Wilson on the sidewall runnin ght offense, with the puck eventually getting to Shea Theodore who blasts it by Saros to tie the game.
The party atmosphere is back and now it’s gets down the nitty gritty.
2-2 with 8:42 left.
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It’s now the Juuse Saros show here in Milan.
The Finland goalie – famous for his “No Goals” commercial, is getting peppered by Team Canada, which is desperately trying to tie this semifinal up with under 10 minutes to go. He made a huge save on a Devon Toews blast and as of this moment has 28 saves, the 28th robbing Mitch Marner who came in on a breakaway.
Finland seems content to just dump the puck into the neutral zone when it can and play defense, but you wonder if they can hold on for 9:47 more.
The party atmosphere in the crowd is pretty much gone as the tension grows with each second ticked off the clock.
Buckle up everyone, this one is going right down to the wire — any maybe beyond.
There’s a stoppage on the ice and Canada now has 13:32 left to tie this game or go home early.
Finland has come out a little more aggressive in this period, but Canada is making its push.
Every time Connor McDavid touches the puck in the offensive zone a feeling of anticipation is felt in the crowd as if he’s going to be the one to tie it up.
A lot of legacies will or won’t be made in the next 15 minutes here.
Jordan Binnington just made a huge save on Anton Lundell to keep it a 2-1 game.
The fans are all on the edge of their seats right now. Every shot, every save is massive.
The atmosphere here in unreal, so of course, let’s have the fans do the wave.
As the refs and teams came on the ice for the third period, the DJ played “Y’all ready for this?”
Honestly, I’m not sure Canada is ready to have the women’s team and men’s team get bounced within 20 hours of each other.
But that is a real possiblity.
Canada needs to find a goal and keep Finland from getting another one. Will be interesting to see if Finland continues to sit back and try to hold onto this 2-1 lead.
They do this bit on the scoreboard between periods called “Get Ready to Freeze,” where they film people in the crowd dancing and at a certain point the mustic stops and the person has to stay frozen as long as possible.
Well, it’s not so hard to do in this press box where it’s rather cold.
We all have winter coats on up here an honestly, I could use those typing gloves.
Shawn Roarke thinks they pumped up the AC in here since it’s warm outside.
Who knows.
But it’s about to get hot in here with the third period about to start and Canada trailing 1-0.
It came up with a huge goal against Czechia late to force OT and eventually win. That was Nick Suzuki. Will someone get a huge goal today?
We’ll soon find out.
As we get ready, here’s something to chew on from the NHL stats team
— Team Canada will need to become the first team to record consecutive comeback wins in the playoffs of an Olympics featuring NHL participation in order to advance go the Gold Medal Game. Only two teams have done so in any round: Team Switzerland (Feb. 20-23, 2010) and Team Russia (Feb. 15-16, 1998).
Ok, here’s the scenario after two periods.
Finland leads 2-1 and certainly looks content to keep it that way. It had two shots on goal the entire second period and one of them was on the Erik Haula shorthanded goal.
But will playing not to lose instead of playing to win come back to haunt them? Counting on winning this game 2-1 with the offensive firepower Canada has is certainly a slippery slope to take.
But it’s worked so far, so what the heck do I know?
What I do know is one-goal leads near the end of regulation have not been safe in this tournament with three games on Wednesday, and the women’s game last night all having late goals to send the game to OT.
We finally have some argy bargy behind the Finland goal as the horn sounds to end the second period.
The teams will head to the rooms for 18 minutes and we’ll be back for a massive, massive – did I say massive – third period.
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Canada is on the board.
Sam Reinhart of the Panthers deflects a Cale Makar shot on the power play with 5:40 left on the second.
It’s set up when Anton Lundell takes a high stick on Brad Marchand. So that’s a Florida Panther scoring on the power player after a Florida Panther draws a penalty against another Florida Panther.
Wild stuff.
The building is back alive again. Now we will see how the Finns respond to their first bit of adversity here today.
The crowd just booed some poor woman who was shown on the big board wearing a Finland jersey.
It’s getting intense in here.
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Here’s the issue for Canada right now, there is just not much room on the ice.
It’s like trying to find a seat on a NJ Transit train during rush hour – or really any hour of any day of the week.
But Canada gets a power play when Anton Lundell gets his stick up on Florida Panthers teammate Brad Marchand.
Huge moment in this game here.
Another “power break”
As we said earlier, Canada appears to be in trouble.
The Finns lead 2-0 midway though the second period and Canada can’t do much.
It can’t win a face-off, can’t get a clean zone entry and is having trouble getting quality scoring chances, and even when it does, Juuse Saros is there to make the save.
Maybe Canada misses Sidney Crosby or the Finns are just that disciplined and solid defensively.
Jon Cooper has now put Celebrini, McDavid and MacKinnon on the same line, but even they are having trouble getting going.
I think Finland would be happy for this to finish a 2-0 game. If Canada wants to chance the feel of this game, it needs a goal to perhaps put some pressure on the Finns.
Now the arena host is on the big board some sort of dead animal on his head. It’s a hat, but it’s not a good look.
We have about 12 minutes left in the second period and Canada is in a wee bit of trouble.
The Finns are playing their game to perfection and lead 2-0 on a power-play goal by Mikko Rantanen and a shorty by Erik Haula.
Needless to say, the Canada crowd in this place is rather silent right now. A few chants break out, but the Finns seem to be taking the spirit away from the fans and Team Canada, which is having trouble generating any offense. Other than a Celebrini shot early in the first, the high-danger chances have been non-existent.
We just had a “power break” which is what the PA announcer calls the shovel break. Maybe it will give Canada a chance to regroup and find its game.
It needs some sort of spark, for sure.
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OH BOY
The Finns go up 2-0 on a shorthanded goal 22 seconds into a Sebastian Aho penalty. Finland’s Joel Armia gets the puck out on the zone and Erik Haula beats everyone to it, walking in a Binnington and lifts a backhander over his shoulder.
This place is stunned right now.
The Finns are laying it all on the line here. Kaapo Kakko and Eetu Luostarinen each got in the way of slap shots from Shea Theodore early in the second as Canada looks to be making a push.
We had scary moment for a second when Nathan MacKinnon and Roope Hintz collided near the Finland blueline.
It looked like Finland was getting a penalty when Tom Wilson went sliding into the Finland net, but it was Aho taking an interference call.
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We start the second period and apparently Shawn P. Roarke and Eric Marin of NHL.com international are celebrities in Finland.
In our NHL.com predictions for the semifinals, Shawnn and Eric predicted a Finland win over Canada. Well, that massive news made its way to Finland and they got mentioned in an online article about the game.
I think nothing would make Shawn happier than to be some sort of celebrity in Finland.
Anyway, still a long way to go. As the DJ plays “Spirit of the Radio” by Rush, let’s see how Canada responds.
It’s still morning over in North America, but it already feels like it’s getting late early for Canada.
I know, I know, it’s only 1-0 Finland as we start the second period here in Milan, but the Finns clearly have a gameplan against Canada and are not only sticking to it, they are executing exceptionally well.
Canada, meanwhile, took a too-many-men penalty early in the first, and then Sam Bennett, perhaps trying to make something happen, takes a goalie interference call for really no reason and Finland immediately scores on the power play.
Our man Dieter Rhule was at it again during the first intermission, playing a rollicking rendition of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.”
Now, he broke into “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”
Speaking of – cover songs, not the Weeknd – we were all out to dinner last night and the music at the place was all slow, mellow covers of rock songs by an outfit called The Northern Lights Quintent. At the time I Shazamed, it was a rendition of “How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees. Also heard some Adelle in there. Shawn P. Roarke, who is known for his love of death metal, was enjoying it. He’s not a one-genre guy.
The first period if over and if you’re rooting for Canada, you have to be a bit concerned.
Not only do the Canadians trail Finland 1-0 after 1, but the Finns look in control. Juuse Saros is playing well in goal, the Finns are sticking to their structure and Canada looks somewhat out of sorts.
And Canada takes a bad penaty when Sam Bennett crashes into Niko Mikkola and eventually Saros to make a goalie interference call.
Just seconds later, Sebastian Aho wins a clean face-off against Bo Horvat and gets the puck to Mikko Rantanen, who beats Jordan Binnington over the glove.
Still a long way to go, but the Fins lead 1-0 and there is already a sense of uneasyness in this arena.
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Finland strikes first, scoring on the power play right off the face-off. Sebastian Aho wins the face-off back to Mikko Rantanen, who fires it over the glove of Jordan Binnington.
The penalty comes after some Panther-on-Panther antics.
Canada foward Sam Bennett comes through the middle, gets a shot on goal and then pretty much tackles Niko Mikkola, his Florida teammate and they both crash into goalie Juuse Saros. He takes a goalie interference penalty.
Here is what Bennett said yesterday about playing his three Florida teammates who are Finns
“I think they all understand how important this is, how much we want this. I mean, they are not going to take it personal or anything. You’re out there going to win a hockey game and you’re doing whatever it takes.
Canada kills off the too-many men penalty and it’s stil 0-0 with 8 minutes left in first.
The Fins are outshooting Canada, 7-3. As the kids would say, it’s been a minute since Canada had a shot on goal.
They just did a Guess Who I Am quiz on the big board and they played “Who Are You?” by the Who. I wonder how many people here know that as the theme song to CSI instead of an all-time classic rocker.
Yes, I’m old. I know.
One player who has certainly made his presence known early is Canada defenseman Travis Sanheim. He just seems to have a little extra jump today. With Crosby out, everyone on the Canada roster has to step up.
The “Let’s Go Canada” chant is going through the arena, but it’s Finland with the first power play after Canada had too many men on the ice.
It’s been a little more wide open than most of us expected. Each team has had decent scoring chances, with each goalie holding his own.
Lots of hitting, lots of heavy forechecking.
If anyone thought the Finns would be intimidated or cautious against Canada, they were mistaken.
There is a man dressed as Santa Claus here and he’s cheering on Finland.
Not sure if that’s a good sign for Canada to have Santa rooting against you.
I would say there are more red Canada jerseys in the stands the blue Finnish jerseys, but it’s been equally loud.
We have our first big save of the game with Juuse Saros of Finland robbing Macklin Celebrini in close.
Tom Wilson has made his presesce felt here early, delivering a big hit on Nikolas Mantinpalo behind the Finland goal early in the first. A few minutes later, Rasmus Ristolainen returned the favor, drilling Wilson.
Then we had some Hurricane-on-Hurricane hiting, with Seth Jarvis drilling Carolina teammate Sebastian Aho.
These teams are fired up early here.
“Kickstart My Heart” by the Crue played just before puckdrop, as if anyone needs anything to get them going today.
Speaking of which, I had my first espresso today. I feel like I had 6 Jolt Colas and Red Bull.
By the way, their were 5 Florida Panthers on the ice to start the game – Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand for Canada and Niko Mikkola, Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell for Finland.
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Puck dropeth.
The game has started. One thing different here at the Olympics is they don’t play the anthems for each country, so once the players come out the game starts pretty quickly.
It’s ok, because this place is going to be absolutely loud tonihgt, especially with the in-arena host getting people to yell.
I don’t think they are going to need any prompting.
While I was at the Olympic store getting swag from some guys back in the office, I ran into a family from Arizona who had gotten tickets to these semifinals a year ago and were finally here for it.
On the bus here, I saw a guy wearing these Finland sneakers.
© Bill Price
Warmups are over and we are just about 10 minutes from puck drop.
Santaguilia Arena is going to be jammed packed with fans for this one.
This place is still buzzing from the US women’s OT win against Canada last night in the gold medal game.
Just think about what has happened in this building the past two days of game play.
Three overtime elimination games, all with the tying goal being scored late in regulation.
In two of the three cases, the team that scored the last regulation goal won in OT, with the exception of Sweden against the United States.
We’re now 45 minutes away from puck drop for the first of the two semifinals.
Here are the full lineups for this game, again, with Sidney Crosby out.
Full lineups for Canada-Finland semifinal:https://t.co/NLpIjgY67O
I mentioned earlier that it’s dark up in the press box, it’s also very, very cold.
Again, I know it’s nothing like you fine folks on the East coach are going through, but it’s a bit chilly in here. The weather outside today was like a spring day, so naturally we have to spend most of the day inside. But we’d rather be inside watching what should be two epic games. So much on the line here. As I type this, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers plays in the arena. The DJ and organist and the entire game presentation folks have done an amazing job here.
Here are some great nuggets from our NHL Stats crew for Canada-Finland
Connor McDavid (2 goals, nine assists) needs one point to establish a new record for most points in a single Olympics involving NHL players. He is currently tied with Teemu Selanne (11 in 2006 w/ FIN) and Saku Koivu (11 in 2006 w/ FIN).
Macklin Celebrini (five goals) needs one goal to surpass Jarome Iginla (5 in 2010) for the most goals by a Canadian in a single Olympics featuring NHL players.
The two highest-scoring teams of the Olympics will go head-to-head when Team Canada (24 goals; 1st) takes on Team Finland (19 goals; 2nd). There are 15 Finnish players with multiple points during the tournament, tied with Team USA for tops among all countries, compared to Team Canada’s 12 skaters.
Both Team Finland and Team Canada earned come-from-behind victories in their quarterfinal matchups. Either team can become the first to record consecutive comeback wins in the playoffs of an Olympics featuring NHL participation, and third team to do so in any round, following Team Switzerland (Feb. 20-23, 2010) and Team Russia (Feb. 15-16, 1998).
Team Canada looks to earn its fourth consecutive win in five semifinal appearances in Olympics with NHL participation:
We are an hour away from puck drop for the first of two Olympic semifinals here in Milan.
It’s absolutely pitch dark in this place, so we not only had to get here to get seats in the press box, we had to secure the one lamp on press row so Shawn Roarke, who is doing the running recap of this game, can see what’s he’s typing (insert joke here).
The organist here is on an absolute roll, but about an hour ago there was nobody here. His name is Dieter Ruhle and he is the organist for the LA Kings and LA Dodgers.
My running tally of the organist’s song he’s played (the one’s I can recognize)
Karma Chameleon, Culture Club
Love Removal Machine, Cult
Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra
Enjoy the Silence, by Depeche Mode
Right Now, Van Halen
A bit earlier, the DJ played a techno version of Kiss’ “I Was Made for Loving You,” which is called “I Was Made” by Vinai and LePedre. If you see NHL.com dayside chief Brian Compton looking angry today, you’ll know why. He is a 5-star general in the Kiss Army and versions like that do not sit well with him.
The Sidney Crosby news is official. He will not play for Canada today in the semifinal against Finland. It’s a big blow for Canada, but maybe he will be able to play on Sunday if they reach the gold medal game.
You have to figure it has to be a significant injury to keep him out of huge game like this.
Look for Connor McDavid to be the captain for Canada. I think he can handle it.
OK, this day is off to an amazing start already. About two hours before puck drop, the organist, Dieter Ruhle, opened things up by playing his rendition of “Karma Chamelon” by Culture Club. Holy hell. He’s the organist for the LA Kings and LA Dodgers. Dude is amazing.
We’re about an 90 minutes from puck drop and the big question is if Sidney Crosby will play for Canada. The Team Canada captain was injured in the second period of a 4-3 overtime win against Team Czechia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. He left the game and did not return and did not participate in Canada’s optional practice Thursday.
Word is he skated on his own this morning, but not sure what that means.
We shall find out soon.
Interesting note: If he cannot play, Canada has to designate another player to wear the C for captain. I would think it would be Connor McDavid, but who knows?
Whether Sid players or not, we expect this place to be absolutely bonkers today. It’s a medium-sized arena and it’s really, really loud.
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