Canada will play for another Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey at the Winter Olympics.
The Canadians, the favorites for gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, stormed back epically in Friday’s semifinal matchup at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan with two three-period goals to defeat defending gold medalist Finland.
It’s a come-from-behind win for Canada that almost didn’t happen in regulation, but also one that came with a bit of controversy — depending on which side you were rooting for.
Finland challenged Canada’s winning goal for Macklin Celebrini being offside before the puck was brought across to set up Nathan MacKinnon’s eventual game-winning goal, but officials eventually confirmed the goal was good after review.
“I don’t think there is anything to tell me it is conclusive offsides,” former NHL goaltender Brian Boucher said on the broadcast. “I’d have a hard time thinking they’d overturn this.”
MacKinnon’s goal, which was set up by Connor McDavid, was the second goal in the third period for Canada, as Shea Theodore tied things up at 2-2 midway through the third. Canada started to shift the momentum of the game in the second period when Sam Reinhart tipped in Cale Makar’s shot on the power play.
Finland had an opportunity to challenge the play that set up Reinhart’s goal for goalie interference, but elected not to. Canada’s Brad Marchand was also pushed on the play.
Canada, which was without injured captain Sidney Crosby, will play the USA in Sunday’s gold medal matchup at 8:10 a.m. ET at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The United States beat Slovakia 6-2 in the other semifinal.
A win for Canada would give them their 10th Olympic gold medal since men’s hockey was added to the Winter Olympics in 1920, and their fourth with NHL players.
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