photo: Andre Ringuette/IIHF
Finland scored three unanswered goals in the second period to erase a 2-1 deficit and skated to an impressive 4-2 win over Canada. The win means Suomi will play Switzerland for gold tomorrow night while Canada will face Norway for bronze in the afternoon.
Finland last played in the gold-medal game in 2022, defeating Canada, 4-3, in overtime. This will be their 14th appearance in the gold-medal game since the IIHF moved to a playoff format in 1992 (four wins, nine losses), second-most after Canada (16).
"We knew that we had more to give after the first period," said Anton Lundell. "We played a great game, didn't give them much. We played with a big heart, for the lion on the sweater and the fans at home. We came here to win, and we still have some work left to do. We know the Swiss team and know what to expect."
Indeed, the Swiss beat Finland, 4-2, just a few days ago.
"We know their players, and we know it's a good team, but so are we. It’ll be close game tomorrow," added Hannes Bjorninen.
Aleksander Barkov and Konsta Helenius had a goal and assist each for the winners, while Dylan Holloway also had one plus one for Canada.
"I think we played well in the first and the third," offered Canadian captain Macklin Celebrini. "There were a couple of mental absences and mistakes in the second that cost us. They stuck to their structure. They did the same thing throughout the game. We knew they’d trap up the middle, and that’s where you can’t turn pucks over. They defended really hard."
"They play a good team game, and with the lead, they're really good," Sidney Crosby said. "I thought when it was 2-1, we had a lot of control of the game. And then once we lost the lead in the second, they got pretty comfortable, and they defend really hard. So it's just not the way you want to draw it up if you're trying to beat them."
Finland opened the scoring early in the first off a turnover by Canada at the Finland blue line. The puck rolled free to Patrik Puistola, who came in over the line and saw some room. Using Darnell Nurse as a screen, he fired a bullet over the glove of Jet Greaves at 3:30, giving Suomi just the start they would have liked with his fourth goal of the tournament.
The Finns played a smart game all over the ice, making simple plays and avoiding giving Canada open space in the dangerous areas. Nevertheless, Canada tied it less than five minutes later when Urho Vaakanainen lost the puck in his corner of the ice.
Denton Mateychuk’s shot went off the chest of Holloway in front, and Robert Thomas smacked it in out of the air at 8:17 to make it a 1-1 game.
The Canadians then took the lead six minutes later. At the end of a too-long shift, captain Macklin Celebrini lofted a puck to Holloway, who caught it like a wide receiver before wiring a high shot to the blocker side of Justus Annunen.
The Finns came out in the second and dominated Canada unlike they had ever been this year. The Finns forechecked hard, forced turnovers, and made it difficult for the Canadians to break out of their zone.
It took all of 49 seconds for Suomi to tie the game, and it started off the rush when Sidney Crosby turned the wrong way at his blue line to try to break up the play. The puck went to Mikko Lehtonen, and his shot hit Mikael Granlund in front. Captain Barkov smacked in the rebound from the top of the crease.
The Finns were relentless and took the lead again midway through the period. Granlund made a sensational pass at the Canada blue line to spring Helenius in behind Sam Dickinson. Helenius made the deke and slid the puck between Greaves’s pads, and it appeared the goalie might have made the save. But video review showed the puck slid over the goal line—barely!—before Greaves could squeeze the pads.
Finland opened a two-goal lead off another broken play in front. Aatu Raty found the puck and put it into the open side as Greaves was out of position from the original shot.
Canada had an opportunity to get back into the game late in the period. Connor Brown hit the post on a delayed penalty, but on the ensuing power play the Canadians didn’t generate many decent chances, and the period ended with the Finns in control.
In the third, Finland played stifling defence and Annunen was razor sharp on the few occasions Canada got to the net. He stopped Fraser Minten in close and soon after robbed John Tavares twice. After that, Canada simply coulnd't get through the Finnish defence. The Finns had only two shots in the third, but that didn't matter. They held on for the win and will now play the hosts for gold.
"It wasn’t the result we wanted," admitted Canadian forward Mark Scheifele. "They played a good game. Finland played us hard. It sucks. We came here to win the gold medal, and to not get a chance at that is a brutal feeling."
"Those are the best players in the world," Waltteri Merela said of Crosby and Celebrini. "So we talked about it before [the game], saying we need to keep our third guy in front of their forwards, so we cannot let them get inside or cut inside, stuff like that. And I think we succeeded with that pretty well. In the third period, we were a little bit on our heels, so we weren't as good at it. But our goalie was really good today, and that's why we kept the lead."
Finland last played in the gold-medal game in 2022, defeating Canada, 4-3, in overtime. This will be their 14th appearance in the gold-medal game since the IIHF moved to a playoff format in 1992 (four wins, nine losses), second-most after Canada (16).
"We knew that we had more to give after the first period," said Anton Lundell. "We played a great game, didn't give them much. We played with a big heart, for the lion on the sweater and the fans at home. We came here to win, and we still have some work left to do. We know the Swiss team and know what to expect."
Indeed, the Swiss beat Finland, 4-2, just a few days ago.
"We know their players, and we know it's a good team, but so are we. It’ll be close game tomorrow," added Hannes Bjorninen.
Aleksander Barkov and Konsta Helenius had a goal and assist each for the winners, while Dylan Holloway also had one plus one for Canada.
"I think we played well in the first and the third," offered Canadian captain Macklin Celebrini. "There were a couple of mental absences and mistakes in the second that cost us. They stuck to their structure. They did the same thing throughout the game. We knew they’d trap up the middle, and that’s where you can’t turn pucks over. They defended really hard."
"They play a good team game, and with the lead, they're really good," Sidney Crosby said. "I thought when it was 2-1, we had a lot of control of the game. And then once we lost the lead in the second, they got pretty comfortable, and they defend really hard. So it's just not the way you want to draw it up if you're trying to beat them."
Finland opened the scoring early in the first off a turnover by Canada at the Finland blue line. The puck rolled free to Patrik Puistola, who came in over the line and saw some room. Using Darnell Nurse as a screen, he fired a bullet over the glove of Jet Greaves at 3:30, giving Suomi just the start they would have liked with his fourth goal of the tournament.
The Finns played a smart game all over the ice, making simple plays and avoiding giving Canada open space in the dangerous areas. Nevertheless, Canada tied it less than five minutes later when Urho Vaakanainen lost the puck in his corner of the ice.
Denton Mateychuk’s shot went off the chest of Holloway in front, and Robert Thomas smacked it in out of the air at 8:17 to make it a 1-1 game.
The Canadians then took the lead six minutes later. At the end of a too-long shift, captain Macklin Celebrini lofted a puck to Holloway, who caught it like a wide receiver before wiring a high shot to the blocker side of Justus Annunen.
The Finns came out in the second and dominated Canada unlike they had ever been this year. The Finns forechecked hard, forced turnovers, and made it difficult for the Canadians to break out of their zone.
It took all of 49 seconds for Suomi to tie the game, and it started off the rush when Sidney Crosby turned the wrong way at his blue line to try to break up the play. The puck went to Mikko Lehtonen, and his shot hit Mikael Granlund in front. Captain Barkov smacked in the rebound from the top of the crease.
The Finns were relentless and took the lead again midway through the period. Granlund made a sensational pass at the Canada blue line to spring Helenius in behind Sam Dickinson. Helenius made the deke and slid the puck between Greaves’s pads, and it appeared the goalie might have made the save. But video review showed the puck slid over the goal line—barely!—before Greaves could squeeze the pads.
Finland opened a two-goal lead off another broken play in front. Aatu Raty found the puck and put it into the open side as Greaves was out of position from the original shot.
Canada had an opportunity to get back into the game late in the period. Connor Brown hit the post on a delayed penalty, but on the ensuing power play the Canadians didn’t generate many decent chances, and the period ended with the Finns in control.
In the third, Finland played stifling defence and Annunen was razor sharp on the few occasions Canada got to the net. He stopped Fraser Minten in close and soon after robbed John Tavares twice. After that, Canada simply coulnd't get through the Finnish defence. The Finns had only two shots in the third, but that didn't matter. They held on for the win and will now play the hosts for gold.
"It wasn’t the result we wanted," admitted Canadian forward Mark Scheifele. "They played a good game. Finland played us hard. It sucks. We came here to win the gold medal, and to not get a chance at that is a brutal feeling."
"Those are the best players in the world," Waltteri Merela said of Crosby and Celebrini. "So we talked about it before [the game], saying we need to keep our third guy in front of their forwards, so we cannot let them get inside or cut inside, stuff like that. And I think we succeeded with that pretty well. In the third period, we were a little bit on our heels, so we weren't as good at it. But our goalie was really good today, and that's why we kept the lead."
Semi-finals: Canada vs Finland - 2026 IIHF Men's World Championship
OF