Canada Reaches Olympic Hockey Final
Canada's men's hockey team rallied from a third-period deficit to defeat Finland in overtime and advance to the Olympic gold medal game. The comeback victory extends Canada's pursuit of adding to its storied hockey legacy in what will be a marquee Olympic event.
- The gold medal game will be against arch-rival the United States on Sunday, February 22. It is the first time the two nations will meet in the men's final since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, a game Canada won 3-2 on an overtime goal by Sidney Crosby. - Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal against Finland on a power play with just 35.2 seconds left in the third period. The crucial goal was assisted by Connor McDavid, who was serving as captain. - This marks the first Olympic tournament to include active NHL players since the 2014 Games in Sochi, which was also the last time Canada won the gold medal. - Team captain Sidney Crosby missed the semi-final game with a lower-body injury, and his status for the final remains uncertain. In his absence, Connor McDavid has been a standout, leading the tournament in scoring with a record 13 points. - Canada is vying for a record-extending 10th gold medal in men's Olympic hockey. The United States is seeking its first gold since the "Miracle on Ice" victory in 1980. - The team is led by head coach Jon Cooper, who is the head coach of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. - The comeback against Finland was Canada's second straight come-from-behind victory in the tournament's knockout stage; they also had to rally to beat Czechia in the quarter-finals.
