Canada advances to gold medal game after 3–2 semifinal win over Finland

Canada is heading to the gold medal game at the Winter Olympics 2026 after defeating Finland 3–2 in a tightly contested men’s hockey semifinal on Saturday.

Finland opened the scoring late in the first period when Mikko Rantanen found the back of the net to give his team a 1–0 lead. Early in the second period, Erik Haula extended Finland’s advantage to 2–0, putting pressure on the Canadian squad.

Canada responded before the end of the second period. West Vancouver native Sam Reinhart scored on a deflection with five minutes remaining in the frame, cutting the deficit to 2–1 and shifting momentum toward the Canadian bench.

In the third period, Canada completed its comeback. Defenseman Shea Theodore tied the game 2–2 with nine minutes left in regulation. With just under a minute remaining, Nathan MacKinnon scored the decisive goal, sealing a dramatic 3–2 victory.

The win sends Canada into Sunday’s gold medal final, where the team will compete for Olympic gold in one of the marquee events of the Games. The result adds to Canada’s long-standing strength in international men’s hockey and sets up a high-stakes championship matchup.