Canada’s Thrilling Comeback in Olympic Semifinal Against Finland
Milan — In a surprising turn at the Olympics, Canada found itself trailing Finland for the second game in a row. After dominating the group stage, they faced a tough challenge in the semifinals. Despite falling behind two goals, the team remained calm.
“There wasn’t really any panic,” said Nick Suzuki. “We knew we would get our chances.”
And they did. Sam Reinhart started the comeback with a deflection from Cale Makar’s shot. Shea Theodore tied it up with a powerful shot, and Nathan MacKinnon sealed the victory with a goal just 35.2 seconds before the final buzzer, sending Canada to the gold medal game with a 3-2 win.
“It felt calm,” Connor McDavid noted. “We understood the challenge and found a way to rise to it.”
Interestingly, Makar mentioned feeling more at ease being down 2-0 against Finland than facing Czechia earlier in the tournament, showcasing a shift in the team’s mentality.
After Erik Haula scored shorthanded for Finland, Canada outshot its opponent 31-8 for the remainder of the match. Juuse Saros, Finland’s goaltender, played an impressive game, yet Canada’s pressure began to pay off. Reinhart’s goal shifted momentum, lifting the team’s spirits.
“We felt the pressure was working. We knew we could break through,” said Sam Bennett. This time, Canada didn’t wait until the final minutes to tie the game; Theodore scored with over nine minutes left in regulation.
Coach Jon Cooper liked the urgency. “We didn’t wait until the last minute,” he said. “Our effort was relentless.”
With MacKinnon shining, he drew a key penalty that set the stage for the winning goal with a perfect pass from McDavid. The goal was reviewed but upheld, highlighting a team effort with everyone contributing.
Missing captain Sidney Crosby, who was injured in the quarterfinals, Canada still showed resilience. McDavid, stepping up as captain, recorded two assists, breaking the record for most points by an NHL player in a single Olympics with 13.
“We are deep. Anyone can step up and lead,” McDavid emphasized.
Cooper is hopeful about Crosby’s return for the final, but even without him, Canada adapted well. They managed to outsmart Finland’s defensive trap. Young star Macklin Celebrini impressively took eight shots on goal, showing he isn’t afraid of high-pressure situations.
“He’s got skill and confidence,” Mitch Marner said. “He’s not intimidated by the moment.”
This win keeps alive the possibility of an all-North America gold medal final, something reminiscent of last year’s thrilling match between Canada and the U.S. The U.S. needs to overcome Slovakia in their semifinal to make that showdown a reality.
As we look ahead, it’s fascinating to see how young players are rising to the occasion amid established stars, just as many past Olympic tournaments have highlighted new talent.
For further details on Olympic results and updates, visit the AP Winter Olympics.
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