Canada storms back from 2-0 deficit to beat Finland, will face U.S. in gold medal final

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Canada has defeated Finland 3-2 in a thrilling Olympic semifinal to advance to the gold-medal game.

The Canadians overcame an early two-goal deficit to mount a comeback, with Nathan MacKinnon scoring the game-winning goal in the final minute of the third period.

The victory keeps Canada’s undefeated run alive at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games and sets up a showdown for gold against the USA on Sunday.

Here’s a look back at how the action unfolded.

2 p.m. - PM Mark Carney Celebrates

In a post to social media, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also weighed in following Canada’s victory.

“TEAM CANADA IS OFF TO THE GOLD MEDAL GAME,” he wrote in a celebratory post.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

1:45 p.m. – ‘The thinnest of margins’

ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro says that Friday’s semifinal was one of the most exciting games he has witnessed “in a long time.”

“It goes without saying that the line is so thin between win and loss… Almost goalie interference, almost offside but Canada gets through on the thinnest of margins,” he said in a post on social media.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

1:35 p.m. - Back-to-back comebacks for Team Canada

TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston says that Canada is the first ever team to pull off back-to-back comebacks in an Olympic tournament involving NHL players.

Canada trailed Czechia 3-2 in the third period of Wednesday’s quarterfinal before eventually winning in overtime.

Today, Canada went down 2-0 against Finland early in the second period before battling back and scoring the go-ahead goal with 35 seconds left in the game.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

1:25 p.m. - Doug Ford congratulates Team Canada

Ontario Premier Doug Ford praised Canada’s men’s hockey team following their 3-2 semifinal win over Finland.

“Congratulations to Team Canada’s men’s hockey team on an incredible performance and good luck as you advance to the gold medal game this Sunday!” Ford wrote on social media.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

1:20 p.m. – Crowd erupts at Café Diplomatico

CTV’s Beth Macdonell says that fans watching the game at Café Diplomatico in Toronto’s Little Italy “went berserk” when Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon scored the go-ahead goal with less than a minute left.

One fan, Jacob, described the moment as “unreal” in an interview with CTV News Toronto. Another fan, Stephen, said the back-and-forth battle was almost akin to “being reborn as a Canadian” after a heartbreaking loss for Canada’s women’s team in the gold medal game on Thursday.

“My faith has returned,” he said. “After the woman lost yesterday it was heartbreaking but now we are going back, round two with the Americans, we are going to take it home.”

Canada will play the winner of the other semifinal between USA and Slovakia, which is scheduled for later this afternoon.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

1:04 p.m. - Canada takes 3-2 lead

Nathan MacKinnon has scored for Canada, giving them a 3-2 lead over Finland with under a minute left in the third period.

The goal puts Canada ahead in the dying moments of the Olympic semifinal, setting up a potential gold-medal berth.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

1:02 p.m. - Canada in power play with 2 mins left

With less than two mins to go, Canada has gone into a power play as fans rise to their feet as the game gets to a close.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

12:45 p.m. - Canada ties game

Canada’s Shea Theodore has scored to level the game at 2-2 against Finland with nine minutes left in the third period.

The goal erases Finland’s two-goal lead and sends the semifinal into a tense final stretch.

The stadium has erupted with “Let’s Go Canada” chants.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

12:40 p.m. – Fans cheer on Team Canada in Little Italy

CTV News Toronto’s Beth Macdonell is speaking with fans cheering on Team Canada at Cafe Diplomatico in Toronto’s Little Italy.

One fan, Andrew, says that while there is “a lot of time left” he is starting to get nervous.

“After the women lost yesterday, I do not know how much more I can take. We have to win,” he said.

Another fan, Tony, struck a more optimistic tone while speaking with CTV News Toronto.

“They are doing it, they are pouring it on, they have no choice. I know it is 2-1 but we can do it,” Tony said.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

12:30 p.m. - Finland protecting lead: Lebrun

Canada outshot Finland 14-3 in the second period and has built a 22-11 shot advantage in the game.

TSN’s Pierre Lebrun says that Finland seemed to be working to protect its lead rather than attack and “will need a bit more of the puck to win this game.”

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

12:20 p.m. - Sam Reinhart on Canada’s first goal

West Vancouver’s Sam Reinhart spoke to reporters after scoring Canada’s first goal, heading into the third period.

“We gave one up on the power play, and we’re able to get one back. So it was big to be able to stick with it,” Reinhart said.

He added on strategy: “We’re trying to get through with as much speed as possible, get them turned… I think it comes from end zone, creating opportunities around the net and getting bodies in there.”

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

12:15 p.m. - McDavid sets Olympic points record

Newmarket’s Connor McDavid now holds the Olympic men’s hockey record for most points in a single games with 12.

McDavid assisted on Sam Reinhart’s second period goal.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

12:12 p.m. - Gretzky and Messier in attendance

Hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier are on site for the semifinal matchup between Canada and Finland.

Both icons are watching the action live, adding star power to the Olympic semifinal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

11:57 a.m. - Canada scores

Canada has cut Finland’s lead to 2–1 with a deflection by West Vancouver’s own Sam Reinhart.

The goal came with roughly five minutes remaining in the second period, giving Canada life after trailing by two earlier in the game.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

11:35 a.m. - Finland extends lead early in second

Finland has scored again to open the second period.

The goal came on their first shot of the period by Finland’s Erik Haula, pushing their lead to 2–0 over Canada in the Olympic semifinal.

It marks the Canadians’ first 2-0 deficit of the tournament.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

11:15 a.m. - End of the first

The first period has come to an end with Finland holding a 1–0 lead over Canada.

Mikko Rantanen’s goal remains the difference as Canada heads to the intermission looking to regroup in the semifinal matchup.

CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

11:10 a.m. - Finland scores

Finland opened the scoring in the first period.

Mikko Rantanen capitalized immediately scoring on the power play right off the face-off.

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

11 a.m. - Canada going to top line ‘early and often’

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun says that Team Canada coach Jon Cooper is going to Canada’s top line of Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson “early and often” against Finland so far.

McDavid has accounted for 11 points in four games, while Celebrini has nine points.

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

10:45 a.m. - Students have a lot to learn from Team Canada, Toronto principal says

CTV’s Jess Smith is at Mississauga’s Bristol Road Middle School where students have gathered in the library to cheer on Team Canada.

Principal Andrea Brown says that there are a lot of lessons that students can take from Canada playing on the world’s stage that they can then apply in their lives.

“Sport teaches students teamwork, working together for a common goal, it teaches them discipline, it teaches them resiliency and I think most importantly it teaches them to win with humility, lose with grace but the focus is on winning,” she says.

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

10:20 a.m. - Suzuki replaces Crosby on third line

Hockey Canada has released their lineup for today’s semifinal contest.

Nick Suzuki will replace Sindey Crosby as the centre on Team Canada’s third line, alongside Mitch Marner and Mark Stone.

• Habs captain Nick Suzuki stepping up for Canada at Milan Cortina Olympics

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Managing Digital Producer Chris Fox

9:50 a.m. - Students predict big win

Back at Bristol Road Middle School, students are already making bold score predictions — and reacting to the news that Sidney Crosby will not play.

One student told CTV News, “I honestly think that they should just play harder for him…they have to rally together and play harder for him.”

Another predicted a 5-2 win for Canada, while a classmate forecast a tighter 3-2 overtime victory.

Others say teamwork will be the deciding factor against Finland, stressing that a united effort will be key if Canada hopes to advance to the gold-medal game.

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

9:30 a.m. - Crosby out. McDavid to captain Canada

Hockey Canada confirms that Sidney Crosby will not play in today’s semifinal.

• Crosby out of Olympic semifinal, McDavid to captain Canada

“Sidney Crosby will not play in the semifinals. Connor McDavid will wear the ‘C’ today, with Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon serving as alternates.”

The leadership change comes as Canada prepares for a high-stakes matchup against the defending Olympic champions.

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

9.15 a.m. - Ford directs Ontario schools to allow students to watch

In a social media post, Doug Ford said Ontario schools have been directed to allow students to watch the game.

“Team Canada has been having a great run at the 2026 Winter Olympics and our country is united in cheering on our athletes.

As our men’s hockey team takes the ice this morning, I have directed that Ontario schools allow our students to watch and support Team Canada. Let’s go, Canada!”

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson

8:30 a.m. - Mississauga school turns gym into Olympic fan zone

Students at Bristol Road Middle School are packing the gym for a semifinal watch party as Canada faces Finland.

CTV’s Jessica Smith reports the school has leaned fully into the Olympic spirit.

“There’s curling, little table top curling. We’ve got Air Hockey as well. There’s lots of sports going on as we kind of get into the spirit of things,” she said.

Students are gathering around big screens as puck drop approaches.

- CTV News Toronto/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson