MacKinnon's Late Strike Sends Canada to Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Game

The defining moment of the semifinal came in the final minute when Nathan MacKinnon’s late goal completed a comeback that sent Canada into the Olympic Hockey gold-medal game. Down by two in the second period, Canada rallied behind relentless pressure, a potent power-play unit and a decisive finish to prevail 3-2 and advance to face the U. S. in the final.

Olympic Hockey: Power play and lineup choices decide the semifinal

Canada turned the match after erasing a two-goal deficit that had pushed the team into an unfamiliar trailing position in knockout play. The momentum shift began when Sam Reinhart redirected a Cale Makar shot to cut the deficit, and Shea Theodore later leveled the score through traffic. In the closing minute, a power play featuring top offensive personnel created sustained pressure that culminated in the go-ahead goal.

The specialized unit deployed in those closing minutes included a blend of elite forwards and a high-scoring defenseman. That grouping generated repeated chances during the man advantage, cycling one-timers and probing the crease until a short-sided finish found the net. A video review upheld the goal after Finland challenged the play for offside, and the score held to complete the comeback.

How the game swung: momentum, goaltending and response

Finland’s goaltender was credited with a strong performance and at times kept his team in front, which forced Canada to ramp up its tempo and pressure. After falling behind early in the second period on a shorthanded strike, Canada dominated the shot totals for large stretches, outshooting Finland heavily after the goal that had made it 2-0.

Coaching choices and player responses mattered. Canada’s bench showed confidence rather than panic when trailing, leaning on puck possession and sustained zone time to tilt the ice. The tying goal arrived with more than nine minutes remaining, and the late power play opportunity was the product of an opponent penalty that followed a physical sequence along the boards.

Canada advanced to a gold-medal matchup with the U. S. on Sunday, setting up an all-North American final after a dramatic semifinal that hinged on special teams execution and late-game composure.

What to watch next in Olympic Hockey

• Matchup dynamics: Canada vs. U. S. in the gold-medal game will pit two high-end offensive squads against each other, with the semifinal comeback highlighting Canada’s resilience.
• Special teams: Canada’s late power play proved decisive; how both teams deploy their top units will be a key factor in the final.
• Availability notes: Canada completed the semifinal without an injured captain, and another player assumed the captaincy role while contributing multiple assists during the tournament.

Recent developments indicate these details reflect the outcome and immediate implications from the semifinal. Game times and lineups for the gold-medal match may be updated closer to puck drop.