Canada Overcomes Finland in Olympic Semifinal Thriller | 2026 Milan Olympics

MILAN (AP) — Canada overcame another slow start at the Olympics, digging out of an early two-goal deficit to defeat Finland 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal Friday night. The victory propels them into the gold medal game, where they will face either the United States or Slovakia.

After falling behind twice in the quarterfinal against Czechia, Canada once again found themselves trailing early against a formidable Finnish side brimming with NHL talent. However, the tournament favorites remained composed, refusing to panic despite the early setback.

“There wasn’t really any panic,” center Nick Suzuki said. “We were going to get our chances eventually.”

Those chances arrived in the second period, as Canada mounted a determined comeback. Sam Reinhart initiated the rally, deflecting a Cale Makar shot past Juuse Saros to cut the deficit. Shea Theodore then blasted a shot through traffic to tie the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

With just 35.2 seconds remaining in regulation, Nathan MacKinnon delivered the decisive blow. On a power play, he received a pinpoint cross-ice pass from Connor McDavid and slipped the puck past Saros, securing the victory for Canada. The goal stood after a video review confirmed it was not offside.

“You could definitely feel the sense of calm, having been through that before,” McDavid said. “We understood we were in a tough spot, and we had to find a way to get out of it. And we did.”

Makar noted that the team felt more comfortable trailing 2-0 against Finland than they did during the earlier comeback against Czechia. This composure was evident in their relentless pressure, outshooting Finland 31-8 in the second and third periods combined.

“We definitely felt the momentum shift a little bit,” forward Sam Bennett said. “We thought our pressure was good. It was just a relentless pressure that we knew eventually we’d be able to crack them.”

The winning goal was a testament to Canada’s offensive firepower and playmaking ability. McDavid’s assist was his 13th point of the tournament, breaking the record for the most points by an NHL player at a single Olympics. MacKinnon credited the entire team effort, highlighting the contributions of McDavid, Makar, and Reinhart.

“It was a five-man effort,” MacKinnon said. “Connor made an amazing play, Cale was doing his thing, Reino same thing. Obviously happy one squeaked in. Yeah, great pass.”

Canada’s comeback was particularly impressive considering the absence of captain Sidney Crosby, who left the quarterfinal game with an apparent right knee injury. McDavid wore the “C” in Crosby’s absence and played a pivotal role in the victory.

“We’re a deep team with leaders all up and down the lineup,” McDavid said. “It doesn’t matter who’s wearing the ‘C,’ who’s in the lineup, who’s out of the lineup. Everybody can play a big role and lead, and you saw that again.”

Coach Jon Cooper remained optimistic about Crosby’s potential availability for the gold medal game on Sunday, stating there was still time to assess his condition.

Canada’s victory was fueled by a relentless attack and the emergence of young stars like Macklin Celebrini, who led the team with eight shots on goal. Celebrini’s willingness to shoot the puck and drive to the net added a dynamic element to Canada’s offense.

“I’ve seen him play enough for a while,” winger Mitch Marner said. “He’s got a lot of skill and a lot of confidence. He’s not afraid of the big moments.”

The comeback win keeps alive the possibility of an all-North American gold medal game, mirroring the highly anticipated matchup between Canada and the U.S. At last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. However, that scenario hinges on the outcome of the second semifinal between the United States and Slovakia.

Canada’s ability to overcome adversity and execute in crucial moments positions them as strong contenders for the gold medal. Their depth, skill, and leadership will be tested in the final, but they have demonstrated the resilience and determination needed to succeed on the Olympic stage.