Olympic Hockey — olympic hockey: MacKinnon's late goal sends Canada to gold medal game
Nathan MacKinnon's go-ahead goal with 35. 2 seconds left lifted Canada to a 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland, a decisive moment in olympic hockey that sends the tournament favorite into the gold-medal game on Sunday. The score completed a comeback that turned a two-goal deficit into a berth in an all-North America final.
Olympic Hockey: olympic hockey power play
The winning sequence was born on a late power play that began with 2: 35 remaining in the third period. Canada deployed Nathan MacKinnon alongside Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, Sam Reinhart and Cale Makar for the man-advantage. MacKinnon drew a high-sticking penalty on Niko Mikkola and then finished on a cross-ice saucer pass from McDavid, sneaking a shot through a tiny opening while Celebrini screened the goalie. Finland challenged for offside, but the play held up on video review.
Late comeback and key plays
Canada trailed 2-0 after an early second-period shorthanded goal by Erik Haula. The comeback began when Sam Reinhart deflected a Cale Makar shot to cut the deficit, and Shea Theodore later tied the game with a shot through traffic with 9: 26 left in regulation. From that point Canada dominated possession and outshot Finland 31-8 the rest of the way. Goaltender Juuse Saros was described as terrific for Finland, and Canada coach Jon Cooper said the team had worried only about getting shut out by a hot netminder before the rally.
What it means for Canada
The win sends Canada into the gold-medal game on Sunday against the United States. Connor McDavid, wearing the captaincy in the absence of an injured Sidney Crosby, had two assists in the semifinal and set a new mark for the most points by an NHL player at a single Olympic tournament with 13. Opening odds made Canada a -125 favorite with the U. S. listed at +105 for the final.
- Key facts: Canada 3, Finland 2; MacKinnon game-winner with 35. 2 seconds left; comeback began with a Reinhart deflection and a Theodore equalizer.
Looking ahead, the late power-play finish underlines how Canada’s special teams and top-line combinations changed the semifinal’s momentum. If that power-play unit remains intact and effective, it projects as a central factor in the upcoming gold-medal matchup. Uncertainties remain about goaltending matchups and the recovery status of injured players, which could shape roster decisions before Sunday’s final.
