Nathan MacKinnon’s late power-play strike sent Canada to the Olympic gold-medal game, turning a tense Milan semifinal into a memorable comeback. Down by two in the second period, Canada chipped away at Finland’s lead and flipped the script in the closing minutes; MacKinnon finished a prolonged sequence with about 36 seconds left to lift a stunned crowd and a relieved Canadian bench to a 3-2 victory.
Finland controlled much of the early physical exchange and carried a two-goal advantage into the middle frame. Canada changed its tempo after that, growing more persistent on the forecheck and steadily winning puck battles. Sam Reinhart kicked off the rally with a tip-in that made it 2-1, and Shea Theodore’s equalizer—coming with under 10 minutes remaining—forced the game onto even footing. The decisive moment arrived on a late power play, when MacKinnon kept the puck alive after a hard battle along the wall and snapped home the winner.
The goal was challenged and reviewed at length. Officials scoured multiple angles before ruling the play onside by roughly the width of a skate blade, so the call on the ice stood. The overturn—or rather the affirmation—sent the arena into a roar and sparked jubilant scenes back in MacKinnon’s hometown of Cole Harbour, where fans gathered to celebrate.
Postgame, MacKinnon deflected individual praise to his teammates. “It was a five-man job,” he said, emphasizing the collective effort required to claw back. Head coach Jon Cooper highlighted MacKinnon’s grit on the wall that sustained the play and created the chance, and praised the team’s composure under pressure.
Sidney Crosby remained a subplot. Cooper confirmed Crosby did not play in the semifinal because of a knee injury suffered in the previous round. While the captain’s availability for the gold-medal game is still uncertain, Cooper suggested there’s a better chance he’ll be available for the final than there was for the semifinal night. The team has shifted into a short, focused recovery window while medical staff continue evaluations.
Beyond hockey, Canada enjoyed other podium moments—speed skater Valérie Maltais reached the long-track podium and Calgary’s Brendan Mackay earned bronze in freeski halfpipe—though the country also felt stings in ski cross and short-track relay events. For the men’s hockey team, the immediate priorities are rest, targeted recovery and tactical preparation as they turn their attention to the championship matchup.
The semifinal win keeps Canada’s bid for gold alive and hands the team momentum heading into the final. Medical updates and final roster confirmations will arrive once assessments are complete, but for now the headline is simple: MacKinnon’s late heroics booked Canada a place in the Olympic gold-medal game.