Canada survives last-minute drama to reach Olympic gold-medal game!

It took every ounce of resilience, skill, and nerve, but Canada is moving on to the gold-medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics after a 3-2 thriller against Finland. Another high-blood-pressure performance.

The game had been a rollercoaster from the start. Finland struck first on the power play immediately off the opening face-off. Sebastian Aho won the draw back to Mikko Rantanen, who fired a shot over Jordan Binnington’s glove. Canada answered later, but a flurry of penalty trouble gave Finland another chance. With Sam Bennett hitting Florida teammate Niko Mikkola in the crease, Binnington faced a penalty and Finland capitalized, scoring a shorthanded goal with Erik Haula sneaking a backhander past the Canadian netminder to make it 2-0.

Canada battled back. Sam Reinhart deflected a Cale Makar shot on the power play, and Shea Theodore tied the game 2-2 with under 10 minutes left, sending the Santagiulia Arena into a frenzy.

The drama however went up a notch. With the clock ticking down, Nathan MacKinnon snapped home the go-ahead goal with just 35 seconds remaining in regulation. Finland immediately challenged for offside at the entry, but after review, the call stood.

Canada’s players, fans, and bench erupted as the 3-2 win was confirmed: a last-second escape that keeps their gold-medal dreams alive. The victory secures Canada’s spot in Sunday’s final, setting up a showdown with the winner of Slovakia vs. Team USA. That contest takes place later today.

The Olympic hockey tournament has been spectacular.